I Got Knocked Down, Not Taken Out™
Handshake AI closed a door. eBay accidentally opened another.
By Jerry “The Ankle-Biter” Silverhand
A Jerry's Marginalia — by Department of Petty Affairs
Well, here we are again.
Another day, another attempt to find work, another opportunity that may or may not turn into something.
But this one comes with a little history.
Recently, I was pursuing work through Handshake AI. I went through the account setup, got access to an assignment, and started looking into the possibility of earning some money.
Then came the account termination.
Handshake AI informed me that my account had been deactivated because of alleged irregular activity and a violation of its terms. The explanation didn't identify the specific conduct or policy provision involved.
I contacted Support. I tried to understand what happened. I received a response from Trust & Safety confirming the termination and directing me to an appeals process.
And just like that, an opportunity I had been trying to pursue was gone.
There's still an appeal to deal with. There are still questions about the account situation, the phone-number association, and what exactly led to the decision.
I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers. I don't.
What I do know is that it was frustrating as hell to have an opportunity disappear before I could properly get anywhere with it.
But here's the thing.
Losing one opportunity doesn't mean I'm finished looking for another.
Enter the Samsung Galaxy S21
I was browsing eBay, looking at a Samsung Galaxy S21.
Nothing particularly dramatic. Just trying to find a decent phone without having to sacrifice an organ or negotiate with someone who considers a blurry photograph sufficient proof of a product's condition.
I ended up watching the seller's eBay livestream.
During the stream, I heard him mention that he was looking for people interested in becoming paid livestream hosts.
Wait a minute.
Wasn't I already talking to this guy about a phone?
Why not ask about the other opportunity?
Two birds. One stone.
I sent him a message explaining that I was interested in learning more. He responded with two questions:
Where are you located?
Do you have any background in technology?
Houston, Texas. Easy enough.
The second question required a little more honesty.
Do I have professional livestream-hosting experience?
No.
Have I worked as a paid livestream host?
Also no.
Am I comfortable with electronics and technology?
Yes.
Am I willing to learn?
Dammit, yes.
I told him exactly that.
I wasn't going to manufacture a résumé out of thin air. I'm not going to claim years of professional experience when I haven't done the work professionally.
But I also wasn't going to disqualify myself before the conversation even started.
I explained that I was interested, willing to put in the effort, and wanted to know more about the responsibilities and what kind of training or guidance might be available.
Then I sent the message.
Now we wait.
The difference between a setback and surrender
Here's where these two experiences meet.
Handshake AI didn't work out the way I hoped. The account was terminated, the explanation left questions unanswered, and I'm still trying to get the decision reviewed.
That's one situation.
The eBay opportunity is another.
I can pursue the appeal without putting my entire job search on hold. I can be frustrated about what happened without allowing that frustration to dictate what I do next.
And I can admit that I don't have experience in a particular field while still being willing to learn it.
Those things aren't contradictory.
I'm not going to pretend everything is fine. I'm not going to pretend Handshake AI didn't cost me an opportunity I was interested in pursuing.
But I'm also not going to sit around waiting for one company to decide whether I'm allowed to move forward with my life.
There are other doors.
Some might be locked. Some might lead nowhere. Some might turn out to be exactly what I was looking for.
I won't know until I knock.
No imaginary paychecks
Let's be clear about something.
The eBay conversation isn't a job offer.
There's no guaranteed employment, no confirmed training, no agreed pay arrangement, and no reason to start spending money based on an opportunity that hasn't materialized.
It's a conversation.
A possibility.
A lead worth exploring.
And that's enough for now.
If the seller responds positively, I'll learn more. I'll ask questions. I'll find out what the work actually involves and whether the arrangement makes sense.
If he doesn't respond?
Well, I'm still looking.
And if Handshake AI eventually reviews the appeal and provides a satisfactory explanation, I'll deal with that separately.
One problem at a time.
The Paladin's position
I used to think that moving forward meant having everything figured out before taking the next step.
Experience. Qualifications. Certainty. A clear path.
But sometimes you don't have those things.
Sometimes you have a frustrating termination notice, an unresolved appeal, a phone you're trying to replace, and a message to a stranger asking whether he's willing to teach you something new.
You work with what you have.
You tell the truth about what you know.
You don't promise what you can't deliver.
And you don't let one setback convince you that every other opportunity is already lost.
Handshake AI may have closed a door.
That doesn't mean I'm going to stand in front of it forever.
They get my labor, not my spirit.
And if there's another opportunity worth pursuing, I'll knock.
Jerry “The Ankle-Biter” Silverhand
https://theglitch.bearblog.dev/