Layoff! A blessing in disguise?

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:16 pm

Instead of getting an X-mas bonus this year I got this nice little email from my company. Basically it said they're going broke, everyone has to take a pay cut, and the shit hasn't hit the fan yet but it's in the sling.
But the really shitty thing is they shut down the place down for two weeks and made me use all my vacation time which I was going to use for Burning Man this year! Well fuck....
I've been laid off before and it's actually a good catalyst for a positive life change. Last time it forced me to go to college. So here's the silver lining. Now I have some experience in the technology field I might have a chance to get a job in Silicon Valley and work on something I really care about, namely Solar Energy. So living in the Bay Area I'll be just a day away from the Playa instead of a cross country trek. No more winters. Close to the ocean. I just hope I can make it through 2009 and get some medical bills payed off.

Sorry to dump all my BS on the board. Just needed to vent.

I'm sure you guys understand how much it sucks to have a Burn doused before it really gets started.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:27 pm

My guess is that the shitty economy will force a lot of scaling back at Burning Man. I know that for me it has been one of my biggest money pits, and I'm probably not gonna be able to sustain it the way I used to.

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:14 pm

FrostyMan that truly sucks. In fact, if this were a different thread I'd say it fucking sucks. Oh, I said it anyway.

Today, I found a chinese fortune cookie fortune taped on one of my former coworker's computer monitor: You are next in line for a promotion in your company. Hardly...he was in line to be laid-off. Crap, sometimes circumstances do suck.

As someone who has been doing the layoffs or giving bad news like what you've received lately, it does cheer me a bit to think that you may see a silver lining in this.

I'm crossing my fingers for solar energy, or new vacation time or some other sort of silver lining as yet unanticipated.

Best of luck!

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:17 pm

and one other thing to share, from the dedication to a book that I stumbled upon once in a very serendipitous way:

Have your dreams. And whatever those things are that you aspire to in your lifetime, and do not accomplish - let it not be because of fear, or for the lack of having tried.

And so I say, make sure you're trying, FrostyMan. Mabye this is the kick in the butt that lets you pursue your dream of living out in Cali. And most importantly, we better see you at Burning Man, if not this year, in the future.

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:10 pm

i was laid off several months ago, and am so very grateful for the break, and time to explore new things...

but keep in mind the expense of the silicon valley ... also, that it is not exactly on the beach, and the beaches are not as accessible as one may think from looking at a map ... and they tend to be pretty foggy... that fog chased me to socal ... but some people love it ... !

of course, pursuing your dream may very well wipe out any difficulties.

in any case, good luck! and i hope to see you at the burn....

sattelite5812 · Post by **sattelite5812** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:36 pm

My job just ended today. I've been trying not to stress, knowing that tickets go on sale in less than two weeks (not to mention how I'm going to pay rent next month). But there always seems to be some way to find funds, if you keep your mind and options open.

For instance, I was pondering this last night as I was walking my dog, "can I really continue to live off of artwork in this shitty economy?" And I happened across a gallon bucket of paint on the curb, and wondered, is this a sign?

It could be. It's all about what you decide to make of it. So I say, fuck yeah! Go with that silver lining! Hope to see you on the Playa this summer

Post by **Eric** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:44 pm

I was laid off from a job I've had the better part of 14 years in August, right before the trip to Burning Man I couldn't make. By a lucky turn of events I found a job in the same field within a month (and I didn't job hunt the first two weeks as I was enjoying the down-time a little bit...), and since September I've had two promotions. I'm now making more than I was at my old job, with better benefits.

I thought getting laid off was the end of the world when it happened, and it turns out to be the best thing to happen to me in years!

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:51 am

"when one door closes, another opens"

... just make sure you dont have your eyes & mind closed to it's happening!

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:35 am

Here in southeast Michigan, Lay-offs are never far from the forefront, especially in regards to the auto industry, whether its the big 3, or suppliers. I respond from time to time to a Chrysler financial office building, where the peeps work that you talk to when your payment is late, or worse. They are stressed to the max, not just from having to talk to peeps all day long that are sinking into their own bit o'misery, but also because they fear for their own job security. Talk of merger with GM has them all edgy.

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:12 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:My guess is that the shitty economy will force a lot of scaling back at Burning Man. I know that for me it has been one of my biggest money pits, and I'm probably not gonna be able to sustain it the way I used to.

Your still going though?

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:05 am

I'm tentatively planning on it but it's gonna depend on business doing well this year.

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:33 am

FrostyMan:

At least they had money and could pay you for the 2 weeks off...Could be worse; come to work, doors chained shut, no money; and they owe you two weeks vacation pay that you ain't getting...

Laid off 10 months ago......

joel the ornery · Post by **joel the ornery** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:24 pm

i am going on medical leave for 12 weeks...

hip replacement surgery... see all y'all on the other side.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:36 pm

I hope you bought your ticket already.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:43 am

Yo, Joel!
Hope everything goes wonderfully and the new you is up and spry real fast....get well soon!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:47 am

joel the ornery wrote:i am going on medical leave for 12 weeks...

hip replacement surgery... see all y'all on the other side.

hey Joel,
while they're there, see if they'll perform an "addadiquetome"

seems a logical extension..........

good luck with your surgery...........

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:42 am

joel the ornery wrote:i am going on medical leave for 12 weeks...

hip replacement surgery... see all y'all on the other side.

Hope it all goes well Joel. In my world if my hip goes, they'd shoot me.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:44 am

So, Joel, what are they replacing the hip with? Funk? Freakiness? Punk rock attitude?

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:10 pm

Da Mule wrote: In my world if my hip goes, they'd shoot me.

You're such an ass.

JK

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:10 pm

joel the ornery wrote:i am going on medical leave for 12 weeks...

hip replacement surgery... see all y'all on the other side.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

JK

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:51 pm

AntiM wrote:So, Joel, what are they replacing the hip with? Funk? Freakiness? Punk rock attitude?

Once I got that, it was rather funny/clever.

JK

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:04 pm

jkisha wrote:
AntiM wrote:So, Joel, what are they replacing the hip with? Funk? Freakiness? Punk rock attitude?
Once I got that, it was rather funny/clever.

JK

slowpoke