Ugh.
So. Today I'm packing up my studio - EVERYthing. Git'rs, GNX's, mic's, cables, mixer, Tascam, KB's, EVERYthing.
And depression is setting in.
As if it won't be hard enough to find a place to live that'll accept me and a dog.
As if it won't be hard enough to figure out where to relocate to, which it appears is going to be happening; I can't find anywhere I can move with my dog that doesn't cost about 4 times your average car payment per month.
As if it won't be hard enough to figure this all out in the next 2 weeks.
As if it won't be hard enough to figure out what to do in life from now on, if I don't find a new gig in my current line of work (about which I'm likely to be pretty selective, considering the disaster this gig turned out to be).[/list:u]
Now I have to deal with putting my instruments and studio gear into deep storage, with no idea when I'll see it/play with it again.
I might actually have to file for unemployment - a first in life for me. Not too proud of myself.
I can tell you this...whenever, wherever I manage to land on my feet and am able to accommodate a music room/studio, I'll be drooling on my shoes putting things back together again. Just thinking about my Peavey Cirrus or my 'binez Musician makes my panties wet. :shock:
By the way - THANK YOU one and all for the support and encouraging words. It'd surely be a lot easier to cheer me up by promising me tickets to Shania's Lingerie And Bikini Fashion Show, but I really appreciate your thoughts.
Don't feel down about drawing unemployment, That's what it's there for.
I'm gonna probably have to myself this summer as the theatre will be dark and there is no maintenance money. Maybe I'll finally be able to go out and play some solo gigs.
Hang in there, bud.
Are you considering a long-distance move, or still staying in the vicinity?
Thanks dood...
At this point I'm looking at staying in the area. I really like the mountain West, but I'll have to be flexible when it comes to employment.
I'll have a nationwide job search on starting very soon, so I could end up anywhere.
Unless, of course, I go through the \"re-invent\" process, and find something different to do. Ya know, the ideal job: I live where I want, I get to have my dog with me, make decent money, and do something I enjoy, take pride in, and feel like contributes something worthwhile to the world.
Either that, or put in another application to be Shania's lingerie consultant. :P
Hey if your really that desprate I hear Rosie O' Donnell is lookin for a lingerie consultant :shock: :shock:
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Oh dear gawd. Perhaps I should be looking to work as a carny, or Oprah's book screener. Maybe a nice gig cleaning out horse stables or emptying porta-potties... :shock:
Well...in light of my jacked up situation right now, I decided - after much agonizing - to cancel my order for a guitar I've wanted for many, many moons. It's over $3K, and given that I'm unemployed and no indication of when I will again be employed, I decided that now is a pretty bad time to be forking out for an expensive instrument.
I considered putting it on the plastic and paying it off a bit at a time; after all, this is a guitar that is one of Gibby's \"limited run\" axes and is unlikely to become available again.
It's just KILLING me to have given up on this thing, but as many have said, a roof overhead is more important than a plank in hand, no matter how nice it is.
So I'm feeling pretty bad about it. I need some shoulders to cry on, unless one of you slobs can get Shania to come over to my place to cheer me up...
Absolutely the right decision SHREDD, well done! (I can appreciate how wrenching it must have been!)
I would definitely recommend getting a picture of that guitar and keeping it somewhere special, that you will see everyday, as motivation and an ultimate goal - i.e. \"when I get a new job, sort out somewhere to live with my dog and have space for my music recording gear I will get that guitar!\"
Think PRINCE in Purple Rain and Wayne in Waynes World:
It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine.
I can assure you that this will help put things in perspective and concentrating on the final goal of getting that guitar in your sweaty palms will be much more motivational (and uplifting) rather than worrying about the insignificant steps on the way to getting that guitar (like the job and house :? ) - my \"picture\" is of an Aston Martin and that keeps me going everyday
The other thing to bear in mind is that when you have achieved this goal you get to set another one (and that one can involve Shania and any food stuff of your choice!)
When you start getting interest for jobs be sure to post the type of work you are going for / looking for
I am sure this forum is full of people \"in the know\" that could help with application forms, interview questions etc. etc.
OMG wow what weird timing just happens that is my birthday and the day before the 24th I got a letter from the company i worked for saying I resigned and my medical was terminated at the end of april. I kid you not but mine is a long story ill make it short got injured/told not to claim WC/ they had me covered with medical and LTD so I have LTD for my money but Im due for a MRI and maybe back surgery so no medical sucks. but I have a place to live and still have income I hope was supposed to be under care of doctor whole time but I have a legal case if I need to play that card. I sure hope all works out for you I have learned alot from your posts on here. just thought it weird that we had this similarity 1 day apart.
what be really funny to find out you worked at same company as me but since you lived at work I doubt it unless you do computer stuff in Oregon
One thing with the stimulus stuff maybe you can get unemployment or something from the government to help you out
One thing with the stimulus stuff maybe you can get unemployment or something from the government to help you out
Ugh. Sorry to hear it 'spud. I can relate - years ago this very thing happened to me - I was badly hurt in a work accident and was discouraged to do anything about it. It was a long fight - both to regain health and to get my med bills paid for (nearly $60K, w/o surgery, in the early 90s!!! :shock: ).
So...now we're in an economic bowl-spin, and a lot of us are getting eaten alive or slipping through the cracks.
I feel lucky - (so far) I have food and a roof, and I can feed my dog. I don't know what'll happen down the road as far as new jobs are whatever, but I think I can survive for now. I might even have to file for unemployment for a while until things wash out. But it beats living under a bridge and eating Alpo, which, at this rate, is what my retirement will be like.
oh man you had to mention retirement there is another issue i gotta really start paying attention to I am glad I didn't have a bunch in a 401K withe wall street going down like it did I bet some people lost 50 % man that would be hard to take hopefully ahen all get ironed out w or w/o surgery i hope to have 20 good years of employment ahead of me specially if i can get through school and into a nice programming job CNC Programming that is
oh man you had to mention retirement there is another issue i gotta really start paying attention to I am glad I didn't have a bunch in a 401K withe wall street going down like it did I bet some people lost 50 % man that would be hard to take hopefully ahen all get ironed out w or w/o surgery i hope to have 20 good years of employment ahead of me specially if i can get through school and into a nice programming job CNC Programming that is
YUP you hit it man 50% loss of my 401K Glad my hope is elswhere than in uncertain riches eh 8) Anyhow plenty of time Lord willing for me to build things up retirement wise. And if I'm blessed to be able to retire from my current company with that many more years of service beyond my 13 at this point, I will have a decent pension from them 8) Can you say tee time
I will have a decent pension from them 8) Can you say tee time
What is this \"pension\" of which you speak? Is that where they kick your butt on the way out the door, after working for them for 25 years?!? :evil:
Meanwhile, my IRA, investments, etc are down so far that I don't even read my statements anymore...if I wanna cry and try to resist killing myself, I just have to consider my current job situation, or listen to myself play guitar. :P At this rate, I won't retire until I'm about 132 years old...
I will have a decent pension from them 8) Can you say tee time
What is this \"pension\" of which you speak? Is that where they kick your butt on the way out the door, after working for them for 25 years?!? :evil:
Meanwhile, my IRA, investments, etc are down so far that I don't even read my statements anymore...if I wanna cry and try to resist killing myself, I just have to consider my current job situation, or listen to myself play guitar. :P At this rate, I won't retire until I'm about 132 years old...
Yeah Shredd I hear you. I sure hope not! I hope ITT stays legit to there employees when my time for pesion comes. I know several that get now a days. Lord only knows what 30 more years will bring? Yeah heck most company's do not even do pensions anymore. I happen to work for one that actually \"Still\" does hopefully 30 years or so from now still will. If not hey I'm in good hands 8) Hey I'm still praying for you man! It will all work out don't lose heart!
At this rate, I won't retire until I'm about 132 years old...
You got that right. :?
I'll be working to the grave, just because my stinking property tax alone is $8,000 a year. I may have to even advertise crap on my headstone for 50 years. Social Security is a gubbermint Ponzi scheme, and I bet it's days are numbered. Medicare too, they can no longer sustain it.
I've been living on my saving since mid-Feb, while I'm on medical leave to get two surgeries done. I'm going in for my second surgery this Friday. As it turns out...just in the nick of time. My insurance will be gone end of this month.
I will be recuperating for several more months, before I can go back to work. I WAS planning and hoping to return to my job, when this was all over. Company is going out of business end of May. That's the third company in a row to go out of business on me...in the last couple years.
Doubt I will find any job come August. We are at Depression standards where I live. You can barely find a commercial building around here with furniture still in it. I'm gonna let the weeds grow in my lawn this year to do my part to drive down property values. As well as, I may have to live off the seeds and roots.
At this rate, I won't retire until I'm about 132 years old...
You got that right. :?
I'll be working to the grave, just because my stinking property tax alone is $8,000 a year. I may have to even advertise crap on my headstone for 50 years.
\"Here lies 'tou, brought to you by Doritos\".
I'm sorry. That's really not that funny. But it is an apt metaphor for what things are looking like these days...economically, pretty dam dismal.
The only way I'm getting through the day/s is trying to keep a positive outlook, and not dwell on/sulk about how messed up things are.
Like partch sez...you gotta believe in things that you can count on. And in 100 years, who's gonna care about what's going on now? They'll be reading about us in history books like we do about the 30's, with soup lines and the New Deal. :?
And I'll betcha that pretty soon they'll legalize pot, so they can tax the $hi+ out of it, and try to make the gov't some bux, just like when they repealed prohibition. Which was an equally stupid and futile effort :roll:. Never mind that as a nation we spend ten times more than makes sense...just \"find more money\"!!! :evil:
OK...I'll get off my soapbox, before I fall off from trembling with livid fervent anger...
LOL so funny they are talkig about having the state do all the growing for the people with medical marijuana cards then they can charge for it like other prescription drugs they probably make a killing off it once they have all that figured out what ya bet the legalize it and sell it in the liquor stores seeing how the state has comtrol of all the alcohol too and they decided they needed more money so last month the decided to charge .50 more for each bottle I dont drink so I dont have to pay but alot of people do
LOL so funny they are talkig about having the state do all the growing for the people with medical marijuana cards then they can charge for it like other prescription drugs they probably make a killing off it once they have all that figured out what ya bet the legalize it and sell it in the liquor stores seeing how the state has comtrol of all the alcohol too and they decided they needed more money so last month the decided to charge .50 more for each bottle I dont drink so I dont have to pay but alot of people do
Live update, brought to you by Dorito's Corn Chips... :roll:
I've accomplished nothing finding myself a place to live, despite an unending effort. I have a dog, which eliminates something like 90% of the rental pool before you even make a phone call, and out of the rest, I haven't found anything, either in my own town or anything nearby.
I'm actually seriously considering genuine homelessness. Put my belongings into (climate-controlled) storage (so my git'rs aren't affected), and bounce around a bit...visit some old friends, go some places, do stuff, have experiences. Give Shania a break from the twice-daily phone calls she never returns. Heartless wench.
That's a lot to work out - things like where to have mail sent, how to keep the bills paid, yada. But others have done it before, so I'm thinking pretty hard about it, considering I have absolutely nothing to exist in one place for. No job, no family, just my dog (and my git'rs, which will be going unplayed for the forseeable future ). I know Shania will be wondering why I don't call :roll:, but I got other stuff to work out right now.
Yup...but where?
I have a POB in the town I live in now, but if I leave here, I have to have the mail forwarded to somewhere I can get it. And I don't know where that'd be. :shock:
Sounds like an excellent possibility. You should think about it. Don't think of it as homelessness as much as spending time to reconnect with your friends, your joys in life, and a reorganization of your priorities. Consider it time well spent to regroup.
There are two rules that you should seriously absorb;
1.) Don't sweat the small stuff
2.) It's all small stuff.
You know that I have gone through what could be considered a serious wringer in the last year...divorce, the breakup of my my family, and losing virtually everything I've worked for the last 16 years and all, but you know what...I'm still alive to fight another day...and so are you.
Take a small hiatus and learn about yourself...you might be surprised by what revelations come your way.
Hmmm..creative and intrepid to say the least. Let's run a check list..
VW bus, or a modded cargo minivan for nocturnal survival and the occasional curious and sympathetic groupie type female..
Laptop 'puter for hijacking wireless connections so you can communicate, pay bills, do your banking and chronicle your travels on a website..not to mention some DAW projects w/video.
A cheap suitable electragit'r, mic, GNX4, Grado headphones and whatnots..rig the van to power your toys..inverters, adapters whatever....get a car stereo with line ins and plug yer rig right in !!
Dog food, Doritos and a pile of MP3's for the highway..Stay away from the CocaCola..gives ya rotten teeth and a fat arse...
I'm jealous...I was supposed to make an Alaska run with 3 friends and motorcycles when I was 18/19..I stayed behind for lust...they made it..I'm not in the pictures...
If that's what yer gonna do..do it good shredd, do it with a grin...and if you make it to New England, you got a few nights bed n breakfast here for sure. No jobs here either though
I love this idea. I've worked really hard for a really long time, and the idea of just gadding about sounds great. Considering it's the worst time in modern history to be looking for a job, the time certainly seems right!!
Of course, the only obstacle is moolah...I'm not sure how long I could do this without tapping myself out. I'm already sweaty about retirement, just in case it actually happens.
But it sounds like fun for a little while...
I don't know the full details of whats going on, even though I've been following this. But I'd like to offer some advice, if it's any help.
If you are being fired...you might not be able to collect unemployment. Under a 30 day notice to leave a live-in job, that is fair, but that doesn't mean you have to leave. You can make him put one of his lawyers to work and serve you eviction, which will give you at least 60 more days.
You've worked for this family for a long time. If you are leaving without severance pay, and no rights to unemployment, with no letter of recommendation, then I suggest getting tough...what have you got to loose? Why let this guy off so easily? Sounds to me, this employer has been a mammering muggerhugger to work for, from the past grievances I've heard. He'll get his way in the end...but at what expense to you? I would NOT leave so easily, if you are having to just \"take it in the shorts.\"
1. Make sure you have an agreement, so you can collect unemployment, or demand some sort of severance pay. He'd pay his lawyer more to fight you, than a small severance consideration, to be fair for your years of loyalty and service. You should not just be out on the street, high and dry.
2. Get a letter of recommendation in hand, signed by a witness...or make him have to evict you, and take the extra 60 days to figure out what you need to do. You can always leave earlier, or just prior to the court date.
You accumulated those guitars and that dog, because you felt you had a stable future. If you allow yourself to be kicked out in 30 days, and you still do not have things worked out, take the extra time, for your pet and yourself. Forcing an eviction is leverage you can use to motivate this elitist to do the right thing, and give you better terms to leave on.
3. At the very least, I would not go easily, if I were getting completely shafted. You can say you have to be out in 30 days. But that is under civil conditions. If your boss is being a complete jerk, you can force an eviction. You may not like taking that approach, but you might be surprised how the table will turn in your favor. Again, if you are loosing anyway, then you have nothing further to loose, and more to gain.
Most important consideration, I would not leave without a letter of recommendation. It's tough enough getting hired these days, and you do not want your boss sticking it to you from behind your back, after you are gone. You are no job hopper, and you have tolerated allot from all I've heard in the past. You deserve a better severance than this.
I know you are stressed out, but like others are saying, have faith and confidence in yourself. You are a great person, and I know you will do well. This situation is stressing you mostly, because you are getting the short end of the stick. Try turning the tables Shredd. Make a better arrangement, for yourself. Get your boss aside for a pow wow. Be very deliberate, and respectful, and let him know you need better terms. He'll either come to better terms, or you buy yourself more time, and let him sweat. Allot can happen in a month, and you should not have to be living out of a car, in the meantime. Good luck, and may God bless.
Hey guys - I really appreciate all the good wishes. Your concern and willingness to give advice and opinions is very cool and reflects the caliber of character here. Wife-beaters excepted, of course.
It appears I'm doing too much beaching and not enough explaining, 'cuz I'm getting advice that doesn't apply to my situation. So in the interest of quelling my panic and doing some talking about it, I thought I'd lay it out.
So. For one - the job I'm in now, that I'm getting fired from, is NOT the job I had all these years. That job came to an end last summer, after 7 years. It was tough at times - you guys heard me beach a lot about my bosses' wife, who wasn't a terribly nice person. But despite that, it was a \"functional\" work situation, so I just let her stuff roll off my back.
My current job is decidedly \"dysfunctional\". Worse yet, the communication wasn't in place to work out the problems. They expected mind-reading, for their employee to adjust to their wishes without ever expressing them.
It's also relevant to say that they found that I wasn't fulfilling the job to their satisfaction - they'd had two people doing my job before me, and they're replacing me with two people.
So them dismissing me isn't illegal or unreasonable or anything. Frankly, it's going to be a relief to not work for them, living with the knowledge that I had basically no chance of succeeding in this job.
They're not doing anything unreasonable by dismissing me. Distasteful, perhaps, dishonorable, lazy, but not outside of their rights.
So...by giving me 30 days notice of the end of my employment and residence, they're not doing anything illegal. Petty and self-serving perhaps, but not illegal.
This is why they aren't required to \"evict\" me. I don't have either a contract for employment or a lease on my residence, which was a benefit of/contingent on my employment.
Severance pay is something that's usually built into written contracts, or done by someone of honorable moral standing (as my last employer was - he gave me full severance, despite the fact that I chose to leave the job). This guy has no such moral fiber and is a selfish and dishonorable individual.
They are giving me a letter of reference. It's fairly complimentary, which is nice considering they couldn't get rid of me fast enough.
This kind of stuff is why I keep saying that I really don't have much of a leg to stand on from a legal standpoint - you can't sue someone for being an a$$hole, unless they've broken a law. And, sadly, being an a$$hole (or petty or selfish or self-serving) isn't against the law.
So...as it stands, I'm still out of a job and out on my @$$ on the 29th. I'm having a lot of panic since I don't have a working plan in place, so when I think about what I'll do THAT NIGHT, I get very nervous and anxious. I'd feel a lot better if I did have a working plan in place, but I haven't put it together yet.
One of the biggest problems I'm having is the pet issue. I've never been discriminated against, but the inability to find housing of any kind that'll allow my dog is not only making things very challenging and difficult, it's downright peesing me off. :evil:
I am happy to hear you are getting a letter of recommendation. It's just as well you have a clean split, and can rely on being given good reference. Also, sounds like you could qualify for unemployment benefits.
You can place an ad in Craigslist that you are looking for a pet friendly apartment. That is a way, you get people coming to you with offers, you'd not likely find otherwise.
You are one admirable human. After reading your posts there are a few observations I can make about you and your situation. You are no liar, to others or yourself, and you always play fair....even at your own expense.
Somehow you find it fair that on 30 days notice, everything in your life gets thrust into uncertainty. Job, home, dog, music, well being...whew !!
I'm expecting your best work to be posted on Soundclick at sometime during or after your transition.
It is my belief that you could make a legal standing for a time right where you are. The \"leg you don't have to stand on\" is not a legal leg, it's your moral leg. I found no distinction in the law that supports your beliefs, but I know now that your beliefs are above that sometimes petty plane.
Residence is residence....home is where you hang your guitar..I know that, and so do most who read your countdown to exodus. Lease or handshake, the physical possession of nearly any dwelling requires due process of law to remove the occupant.....his notifying you to leave is not a legal eviction, no way, no how, zero, zip, nada..dry hump squirt.
...but as I said, you're not subscribing to anyone's standard but your own.
Shythead was fortunate to hire someone like you, because I'm betting that he, like you, does not subscribe to the letter of the law...the difference being is that his motivations are rooted in self serving purposes rather than altruistic endeavors....thus the legal hockey team behind him.....just in case...:twisted:
The very best of luck to you, player...I got a good feeling you're going to land flat footed.
I am happy to hear you are getting a letter of recommendation. It's just as well you have a clean split, and can rely on being given good reference. Also, sounds like you could qualify for unemployment benefits.
I honestly don't know if I can get UI...but it's probably worth a crack, at least for the short term.
And yes, the letter of rec'n was important. They were actually pretty complimentary, considering they'd just as soon pitch me over a cliff than fire me. I'm doing my best to leave on good terms, which is way more than they deserve, but it matters to me.
You are one admirable human. After reading your posts there are a few observations I can make about you and your situation. You are no liar, to others or yourself, and you always play fair....even at your own expense.
I'm expecting your best work to be posted on Soundclick at sometime during or after your transition.
...but as I said, you're not subscribing to anyone's standard but your own.
Shythead was fortunate to hire someone like you, because I'm betting that he, like you, does not subscribe to the letter of the law...the difference being is that his motivations are rooted in self serving purposes rather than altruistic endeavors....thus the legal hockey team behind him.....just in case...:twisted:
Thank you. Really. It's nice to hear this and be recognized for it. Don't get me wrong - I'm not one of those altruistic, rescue-baby-birds people - but my integrity and personal values are hugely important to me...it's all you have, when you strip away the cars and jobs and vintage Gretsch's.
What's that saying? Something about how character is doing the right thing, even when no one's looking?
I ask of myself to be a decent, honest human, to have character, to take the high road even when another road is easier or faster or whatever. One of my favorite movie scenes of all time is in the movie \"K2\", when the hustler/hedonist tells his salt-of-the-earth friend \"I didn't make the world the way it is; I'm just trying to get through it, fast and easy as I can\". And his friend looks at him and says: \"we ALL make the world the way it is.\"
So...even if my boss has turned out to be a selfish, unkind cretin with no moral fiber whatsoever, doesn't mean we all have to be like that. And while it's conceivable that I could sue him for this or that to take advantage of his wealth and his prick attitude, it's not in my constitution to do so. I'm not the McDonald's coffee lady. It'd be nice to have all that dough, but I still have to sleep with myself (considering Shania hasn't...so far... )
And yes, I'm pretty sure there's going to be songs coming out of this. In fact, this morning I was walking the pup and thinking/humming/playing in my head, a song about the anxiety and stress this has been causing me. If all my planks and studio gear weren't packed up for storage, I'd be working on it right now. But I'm willing to bet that somewhere down the road, some pretty intense tunes are going to come out of this experience. Count on it. 8)
And thanks - again - to ALL of you - for being supportive and encouraging and giving me positive vibes. Things are so stressful for me right now that any time I get even a smidge of encouragement, a sympathetic ear or shoulder, it makes it easier to get through, even if just for a moment. I'm most gratified that there are those of you out there who will do this for me.
Even if you won't make a simple phone call to Shania and tell her how much I want her in my hot tub. :twisted:
Comments
So. Today I'm packing up my studio - EVERYthing. Git'rs, GNX's, mic's, cables, mixer, Tascam, KB's, EVERYthing.
And depression is setting in.
As if it won't be hard enough to find a place to live that'll accept me and a dog. As if it won't be hard enough to figure out where to relocate to, which it appears is going to be happening; I can't find anywhere I can move with my dog that doesn't cost about 4 times your average car payment per month. As if it won't be hard enough to figure this all out in the next 2 weeks. As if it won't be hard enough to figure out what to do in life from now on, if I don't find a new gig in my current line of work (about which I'm likely to be pretty selective, considering the disaster this gig turned out to be).[/list:u] Now I have to deal with putting my instruments and studio gear into deep storage, with no idea when I'll see it/play with it again. I might actually have to file for unemployment - a first in life for me. Not too proud of myself. I can tell you this...whenever, wherever I manage to land on my feet and am able to accommodate a music room/studio, I'll be drooling on my shoes putting things back together again. Just thinking about my Peavey Cirrus or my 'binez Musician makes my panties wet. :shock: By the way - THANK YOU one and all for the support and encouraging words. It'd surely be a lot easier to cheer me up by promising me tickets to Shania's Lingerie And Bikini Fashion Show, but I really appreciate your thoughts.
I'm gonna probably have to myself this summer as the theatre will be dark and there is no maintenance money. Maybe I'll finally be able to go out and play some solo gigs.
Are you considering a long-distance move, or still staying in the vicinity?
At this point I'm looking at staying in the area. I really like the mountain West, but I'll have to be flexible when it comes to employment.
I'll have a nationwide job search on starting very soon, so I could end up anywhere.
Unless, of course, I go through the \"re-invent\" process, and find something different to do. Ya know, the ideal job: I live where I want, I get to have my dog with me, make decent money, and do something I enjoy, take pride in, and feel like contributes something worthwhile to the world.
Either that, or put in another application to be Shania's lingerie consultant. :P
How you all doin? 8)
Wow shredd hang in there buddy. Everythings gonna work out for ya man just hang in there.
Hey if your really that desprate I hear Rosie O' Donnell is lookin for a lingerie consultant :shock: :shock:
But hang in there man
PEACE 8)
Oh dear gawd. Perhaps I should be looking to work as a carny, or Oprah's book screener. Maybe a nice gig cleaning out horse stables or emptying porta-potties... :shock:
Well...in light of my jacked up situation right now, I decided - after much agonizing - to cancel my order for a guitar I've wanted for many, many moons. It's over $3K, and given that I'm unemployed and no indication of when I will again be employed, I decided that now is a pretty bad time to be forking out for an expensive instrument.
I considered putting it on the plastic and paying it off a bit at a time; after all, this is a guitar that is one of Gibby's \"limited run\" axes and is unlikely to become available again.
It's just KILLING me to have given up on this thing, but as many have said, a roof overhead is more important than a plank in hand, no matter how nice it is.
So I'm feeling pretty bad about it. I need some shoulders to cry on, unless one of you slobs can get Shania to come over to my place to cheer me up...
I would definitely recommend getting a picture of that guitar and keeping it somewhere special, that you will see everyday, as motivation and an ultimate goal - i.e. \"when I get a new job, sort out somewhere to live with my dog and have space for my music recording gear I will get that guitar!\"
Think PRINCE in Purple Rain and Wayne in Waynes World:
I can assure you that this will help put things in perspective and concentrating on the final goal of getting that guitar in your sweaty palms will be much more motivational (and uplifting) rather than worrying about the insignificant steps on the way to getting that guitar (like the job and house :? ) - my \"picture\" is of an Aston Martin and that keeps me going everyday
The other thing to bear in mind is that when you have achieved this goal you get to set another one (and that one can involve Shania and any food stuff of your choice!)
When you start getting interest for jobs be sure to post the type of work you are going for / looking for
I am sure this forum is full of people \"in the know\" that could help with application forms, interview questions etc. etc.
Good luck
PS - shoulders are always here
what be really funny to find out you worked at same company as me but since you lived at work I doubt it unless you do computer stuff in Oregon
One thing with the stimulus stuff maybe you can get unemployment or something from the government to help you out
So...now we're in an economic bowl-spin, and a lot of us are getting eaten alive or slipping through the cracks.
I feel lucky - (so far) I have food and a roof, and I can feed my dog. I don't know what'll happen down the road as far as new jobs are whatever, but I think I can survive for now. I might even have to file for unemployment for a while until things wash out. But it beats living under a bridge and eating Alpo, which, at this rate, is what my retirement will be like.
YUP you hit it man 50% loss of my 401K
Meanwhile, my IRA, investments, etc are down so far that I don't even read my statements anymore...if I wanna cry and try to resist killing myself, I just have to consider my current job situation, or listen to myself play guitar. :P At this rate, I won't retire until I'm about 132 years old...
Yeah Shredd I hear you. I sure hope not! I hope ITT stays legit to there employees when my time for pesion comes. I know several that get now a days. Lord only knows what 30 more years will bring? Yeah heck most company's do not even do pensions anymore. I happen to work for one that actually \"Still\" does hopefully 30 years or so from now still will. If not hey I'm in good hands 8) Hey I'm still praying for you man! It will all work out don't lose heart!
I'll be working to the grave, just because my stinking property tax alone is $8,000 a year. I may have to even advertise crap on my headstone for 50 years. Social Security is a gubbermint Ponzi scheme, and I bet it's days are numbered. Medicare too, they can no longer sustain it.
I've been living on my saving since mid-Feb, while I'm on medical leave to get two surgeries done. I'm going in for my second surgery this Friday. As it turns out...just in the nick of time. My insurance will be gone end of this month.
I will be recuperating for several more months, before I can go back to work. I WAS planning and hoping to return to my job, when this was all over. Company is going out of business end of May. That's the third company in a row to go out of business on me...in the last couple years.
Doubt I will find any job come August. We are at Depression standards where I live. You can barely find a commercial building around here with furniture still in it. I'm gonna let the weeds grow in my lawn this year to do my part to drive down property values. As well as, I may have to live off the seeds and roots.
I'm sorry. That's really not that funny. But it is an apt metaphor for what things are looking like these days...economically, pretty dam dismal.
The only way I'm getting through the day/s is trying to keep a positive outlook, and not dwell on/sulk about how messed up things are.
Like partch sez...you gotta believe in things that you can count on. And in 100 years, who's gonna care about what's going on now? They'll be reading about us in history books like we do about the 30's, with soup lines and the New Deal. :?
And I'll betcha that pretty soon they'll legalize pot, so they can tax the $hi+ out of it, and try to make the gov't some bux, just like when they repealed prohibition. Which was an equally stupid and futile effort :roll:. Never mind that as a nation we spend ten times more than makes sense...just \"find more money\"!!! :evil:
OK...I'll get off my soapbox, before I fall off from trembling with livid fervent anger...
I've accomplished nothing finding myself a place to live, despite an unending effort. I have a dog, which eliminates something like 90% of the rental pool before you even make a phone call, and out of the rest, I haven't found anything, either in my own town or anything nearby.
I'm actually seriously considering genuine homelessness. Put my belongings into (climate-controlled) storage (so my git'rs aren't affected), and bounce around a bit...visit some old friends, go some places, do stuff, have experiences. Give Shania a break from the twice-daily phone calls she never returns. Heartless wench.
That's a lot to work out - things like where to have mail sent, how to keep the bills paid, yada. But others have done it before, so I'm thinking pretty hard about it, considering I have absolutely nothing to exist in one place for. No job, no family, just my dog (and my git'rs, which will be going unplayed for the forseeable future
Comments, anyone???
I have a POB in the town I live in now, but if I leave here, I have to have the mail forwarded to somewhere I can get it. And I don't know where that'd be. :shock:
Sounds like an excellent possibility. You should think about it. Don't think of it as homelessness as much as spending time to reconnect with your friends, your joys in life, and a reorganization of your priorities. Consider it time well spent to regroup.
There are two rules that you should seriously absorb;
1.) Don't sweat the small stuff
2.) It's all small stuff.
You know that I have gone through what could be considered a serious wringer in the last year...divorce, the breakup of my my family, and losing virtually everything I've worked for the last 16 years and all, but you know what...I'm still alive to fight another day...and so are you.
Take a small hiatus and learn about yourself...you might be surprised by what revelations come your way.
Just my two cents,
Peace,
Dobb.
VW bus, or a modded cargo minivan for nocturnal survival and the occasional curious and sympathetic groupie type female..
Laptop 'puter for hijacking wireless connections so you can communicate, pay bills, do your banking and chronicle your travels on a website..not to mention some DAW projects w/video.
A cheap suitable electragit'r, mic, GNX4, Grado headphones and whatnots..rig the van to power your toys..inverters, adapters whatever....get a car stereo with line ins and plug yer rig right in !!
Dog food, Doritos and a pile of MP3's for the highway..Stay away from the CocaCola..gives ya rotten teeth and a fat arse...
I'm jealous...I was supposed to make an Alaska run with 3 friends and motorcycles when I was 18/19..I stayed behind for lust...they made it..I'm not in the pictures...
If that's what yer gonna do..do it good shredd, do it with a grin...and if you make it to New England, you got a few nights bed n breakfast here for sure. No jobs here either though
Of course, the only obstacle is moolah...I'm not sure how long I could do this without tapping myself out. I'm already sweaty about retirement, just in case it actually happens.
But it sounds like fun for a little while...
If you are being fired...you might not be able to collect unemployment. Under a 30 day notice to leave a live-in job, that is fair, but that doesn't mean you have to leave. You can make him put one of his lawyers to work and serve you eviction, which will give you at least 60 more days.
You've worked for this family for a long time. If you are leaving without severance pay, and no rights to unemployment, with no letter of recommendation, then I suggest getting tough...what have you got to loose? Why let this guy off so easily? Sounds to me, this employer has been a mammering muggerhugger to work for, from the past grievances I've heard. He'll get his way in the end...but at what expense to you? I would NOT leave so easily, if you are having to just \"take it in the shorts.\"
1. Make sure you have an agreement, so you can collect unemployment, or demand some sort of severance pay. He'd pay his lawyer more to fight you, than a small severance consideration, to be fair for your years of loyalty and service. You should not just be out on the street, high and dry.
2. Get a letter of recommendation in hand, signed by a witness...or make him have to evict you, and take the extra 60 days to figure out what you need to do. You can always leave earlier, or just prior to the court date.
You accumulated those guitars and that dog, because you felt you had a stable future. If you allow yourself to be kicked out in 30 days, and you still do not have things worked out, take the extra time, for your pet and yourself. Forcing an eviction is leverage you can use to motivate this elitist to do the right thing, and give you better terms to leave on.
3. At the very least, I would not go easily, if I were getting completely shafted. You can say you have to be out in 30 days. But that is under civil conditions. If your boss is being a complete jerk, you can force an eviction. You may not like taking that approach, but you might be surprised how the table will turn in your favor. Again, if you are loosing anyway, then you have nothing further to loose, and more to gain.
Most important consideration, I would not leave without a letter of recommendation. It's tough enough getting hired these days, and you do not want your boss sticking it to you from behind your back, after you are gone. You are no job hopper, and you have tolerated allot from all I've heard in the past. You deserve a better severance than this.
I know you are stressed out, but like others are saying, have faith and confidence in yourself. You are a great person, and I know you will do well. This situation is stressing you mostly, because you are getting the short end of the stick. Try turning the tables Shredd. Make a better arrangement, for yourself. Get your boss aside for a pow wow. Be very deliberate, and respectful, and let him know you need better terms. He'll either come to better terms, or you buy yourself more time, and let him sweat. Allot can happen in a month, and you should not have to be living out of a car, in the meantime. Good luck, and may God bless.
It appears I'm doing too much beaching and not enough explaining, 'cuz I'm getting advice that doesn't apply to my situation. So in the interest of quelling my panic and doing some talking about it, I thought I'd lay it out.
So. For one - the job I'm in now, that I'm getting fired from, is NOT the job I had all these years. That job came to an end last summer, after 7 years. It was tough at times - you guys heard me beach a lot about my bosses' wife, who wasn't a terribly nice person. But despite that, it was a \"functional\" work situation, so I just let her stuff roll off my back.
My current job is decidedly \"dysfunctional\". Worse yet, the communication wasn't in place to work out the problems. They expected mind-reading, for their employee to adjust to their wishes without ever expressing them.
It's also relevant to say that they found that I wasn't fulfilling the job to their satisfaction - they'd had two people doing my job before me, and they're replacing me with two people.
So them dismissing me isn't illegal or unreasonable or anything. Frankly, it's going to be a relief to not work for them, living with the knowledge that I had basically no chance of succeeding in this job.
They're not doing anything unreasonable by dismissing me. Distasteful, perhaps, dishonorable, lazy, but not outside of their rights.
So...by giving me 30 days notice of the end of my employment and residence, they're not doing anything illegal. Petty and self-serving perhaps, but not illegal.
This is why they aren't required to \"evict\" me. I don't have either a contract for employment or a lease on my residence, which was a benefit of/contingent on my employment.
Severance pay is something that's usually built into written contracts, or done by someone of honorable moral standing (as my last employer was - he gave me full severance, despite the fact that I chose to leave the job). This guy has no such moral fiber and is a selfish and dishonorable individual.
They are giving me a letter of reference. It's fairly complimentary, which is nice considering they couldn't get rid of me fast enough.
This kind of stuff is why I keep saying that I really don't have much of a leg to stand on from a legal standpoint - you can't sue someone for being an a$$hole, unless they've broken a law. And, sadly, being an a$$hole (or petty or selfish or self-serving) isn't against the law.
So...as it stands, I'm still out of a job and out on my @$$ on the 29th. I'm having a lot of panic since I don't have a working plan in place, so when I think about what I'll do THAT NIGHT, I get very nervous and anxious. I'd feel a lot better if I did have a working plan in place, but I haven't put it together yet.
One of the biggest problems I'm having is the pet issue. I've never been discriminated against, but the inability to find housing of any kind that'll allow my dog is not only making things very challenging and difficult, it's downright peesing me off. :evil:
There are sites like this, that help search pet friendly rentals.
Also, I'd check out some share rentals too. Could offer at least a temporary home, until better comes along.
http://www.peoplewithpets.com/
http://www.mynewplace.com/ep/pet-friendly-apartments
You can place an ad in Craigslist that you are looking for a pet friendly apartment. That is a way, you get people coming to you with offers, you'd not likely find otherwise.
Somehow you find it fair that on 30 days notice, everything in your life gets thrust into uncertainty. Job, home, dog, music, well being...whew !!
I'm expecting your best work to be posted on Soundclick at sometime during or after your transition.
It is my belief that you could make a legal standing for a time right where you are. The \"leg you don't have to stand on\" is not a legal leg, it's your moral leg. I found no distinction in the law that supports your beliefs, but I know now that your beliefs are above that sometimes petty plane.
Residence is residence....home is where you hang your guitar..I know that, and so do most who read your countdown to exodus. Lease or handshake, the physical possession of nearly any dwelling requires due process of law to remove the occupant.....his notifying you to leave is not a legal eviction, no way, no how, zero, zip, nada..dry hump squirt.
...but as I said, you're not subscribing to anyone's standard but your own.
Shythead was fortunate to hire someone like you, because I'm betting that he, like you, does not subscribe to the letter of the law...the difference being is that his motivations are rooted in self serving purposes rather than altruistic endeavors....thus the legal hockey team behind him.....just in case...:twisted:
The very best of luck to you, player...I got a good feeling you're going to land flat footed.
And yes, the letter of rec'n was important. They were actually pretty complimentary, considering they'd just as soon pitch me over a cliff than fire me. I'm doing my best to leave on good terms, which is way more than they deserve, but it matters to me.
Thank you. Really. It's nice to hear this and be recognized for it. Don't get me wrong - I'm not one of those altruistic, rescue-baby-birds people - but my integrity and personal values are hugely important to me...it's all you have, when you strip away the cars and jobs and vintage Gretsch's.
What's that saying? Something about how character is doing the right thing, even when no one's looking?
I ask of myself to be a decent, honest human, to have character, to take the high road even when another road is easier or faster or whatever. One of my favorite movie scenes of all time is in the movie \"K2\", when the hustler/hedonist tells his salt-of-the-earth friend \"I didn't make the world the way it is; I'm just trying to get through it, fast and easy as I can\". And his friend looks at him and says: \"we ALL make the world the way it is.\"
So...even if my boss has turned out to be a selfish, unkind cretin with no moral fiber whatsoever, doesn't mean we all have to be like that. And while it's conceivable that I could sue him for this or that to take advantage of his wealth and his prick attitude, it's not in my constitution to do so. I'm not the McDonald's coffee lady. It'd be nice to have all that dough, but I still have to sleep with myself (considering Shania hasn't...so far...
And yes, I'm pretty sure there's going to be songs coming out of this. In fact, this morning I was walking the pup and thinking/humming/playing in my head, a song about the anxiety and stress this has been causing me. If all my planks and studio gear weren't packed up for storage, I'd be working on it right now. But I'm willing to bet that somewhere down the road, some pretty intense tunes are going to come out of this experience. Count on it. 8)
And thanks - again - to ALL of you - for being supportive and encouraging and giving me positive vibes. Things are so stressful for me right now that any time I get even a smidge of encouragement, a sympathetic ear or shoulder, it makes it easier to get through, even if just for a moment. I'm most gratified that there are those of you out there who will do this for me.
Even if you won't make a simple phone call to Shania and tell her how much I want her in my hot tub. :twisted: