Yeah... it kinda felt like that for a hot minute
So I know you’re all wondering, and quite frankly I’ve been wondering when I’d be able to get back on here. Fretterverse had been having such a good run; to come to screeching halt for a week certainly wasn’t what I had in mind.
First and foremost I must apologize. I absolutely love writing a guitar blog, and even more than that I love all of you guys who not only read my random nonsense but also contribute with your comments, suggestions, and calling me on the carpet when I’m being stupid.
So why did I disappear? Follow me and I’ll tell you why…
In a nutshell, I got laid off on September 30th. I had been with this company – as a website developer and project manager – for 11 years when they decided to suddenly let me go.
I guess “suddenly” isn’t exactly the right word. I mean, no, they didn’t give me any warning, but the ship that is my former company has been sinking for well over two years now, and they have been somewhat steadily laying off personnel for about one and a half of those two years. Though I didn’t think my time was going to come for another nine months or so, I can’t say that my exit was completely shocking.
But nonetheless I now have no job. So for the past week I’ve been in a mad scramble to find new employment. I don’t want to be one of those guys that milks the government for unemployment money that I “deserve.” No, screw that. I want to get right back into the work force and start making money again. No vacation for me, just right back to work.
Well, vacation for me in one sense. I had just purchased the non-refundable tickets for my 10th Japan trip not three days before they let me go.
Fuck!
That’s a good chunk of change out the door.
Am I bitter? Well, actually, no. I think my former company’s timing sucks, I think that letting me go isn’t going to nearly come close to overcoming the one million dollars they are in the hole for, and what’s worse is that they have absolutely NO corporate vision. How can you climb out of that much debt when you don’t even know what the hell you are trying to do to increase revenue? Reducing staff does not equal increasing revenue.
But in retrospect I’m actually quite happy. The stress of that place is gone. Surely the stress of finding a new job is upon me (and weighing on me heavily) but I look at that as new opportunity rather than dread. Going into that job every day and wondering who was going to be next was dread. Walking into my bosses office (one of the owners) and looking for some corporate direction and new initiatives and getting a blank stare and shrugged shoulders was dread. Now, it’s almost as if my destiny is in my hands.
That’s the long and short of it. Where does that leave Fretterverse? Well, for the time being the posting will be sporadic to say the least. My priority right now is finding new employment and getting some of my skills back up to snuff so I’m more viable to my next employer. I will post, don’t worry, but I sincerely hope that you all understand where my head space is at currently, and most importantly I hope you will stick with Fretterverse and not abandon it during this time when it (and I) need you most.
Fret not, Fretheads… I will be back in full force soon; I just gotta gets me a J. O. B. first!
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Well said, and so sad it is so true. What a loss for the company, but not the last loss.
Hope to see you back in the Fretterverse and the Workerverse soon. You are too good to waste.
Adrian recently posted: This Post Has No Specific Title- But It Does Have Roy Halladay And My Heart
Good luck Josh… I hope you will find a better job soon!
Sarssipius recently posted: Lâg Guitars to Conquer the United States
So sorry to hear that Josh, I’m sure you’ll find something soon!
Matt recently posted: Ear Training Exercises for Guitarists
OK, I have to call you out on the carpet for being stupid.
Unemployment comes from an insurance policy that you pay for when you are working. It’s the line item on your pay stub that says FICA. You do deserve it (no quotes) because you already paid for it, stupid.
Sign up immediately. It’s all online and only takes a couple of minutes. You will have to go to an orientation meeting, too.
It won’t bring you back to your same salary, but it’s money coming in. If you get a job right away, just stop your claim. If you freelance now and again until you find a permanent gig, you can still keep the claim open and collect on the weeks you aren’t working.
Also, regarding getting your skills up to snuff, you can also get training if the skills are “in demand” (training which you also already paid for, stupid).
I don’t care if the posts are sporadic, I’m not unsubscribing, even if you force me!
Good luck with the job hunting, man.
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Willem recently posted: What a Good Jam Session Should Sound and Feel Like
Hey I regularly go weeks without posting, and I rarely think anything of it
I’m pretty disciplined about actually practicing, but sometimes it takes me ages to feel like I’ve got something cool to write about. Also it’s easy to just get distracted. I can’t blame you for considering something as pressing as finding an income a higher priority than blogging!
Good luck with the job search, I look forward to seeing your regular posts again.
Jim E James recently posted: Improvising on a 12 bar blues in A
Josh, good luck in your mission. You know, the best holiday I ever had was an unemployment holiday. I had finished up a contract, there was a downturn in the industry, I spent a few weeks putting out every single feeler to all the contacts I could, there was nothing left to do but wait. For 7 weeks I would lazily get out of bed whenever I felt like it, have breakfast with the missus, we’d go for a drive down on the beach, that sort of thing. It took the first 6 weeks to stop worrying, and stop trying to find futile things to do – that seventh week was the most restful and peaceful holiday ever. At the time I had enough saved up to last me three months unemployment…tell ya what though, I couldn’t do that today! Hmmm, must save some money…
Anyway, good luck, you know what they say, a change is as good as a holiday!
JAW
JAW recently posted: What’s happening October 2010
Sorry to hear the news. There are still a lot of websites to develop and projects to manage. I’m sure you’ll be up and working again soon. You could always develop your own company.
Justin
Sorry to hear that dude, although it sounds as if something positive will come from it. I worked a job I hated for a long while, so I quit and now i’m happier than ever. Best of luck with the job-hunt.
Neal recently posted: Learn Guitar At Your Own Pace with MetalMethod DVDs!
Slow down there, Buttercup.
I am receiving unemployment from the state. I’m proud, but not stupid! My point is that I don’t want to sit around and collect unemployment just because I feel like it’s owed to me or something like that. I want to start working again as quickly as possible.
I have entertained the possibility of working for myself. In fact, I would prefer to do that more than anything else. But, I don’t have the clients to do so (yet) so in the meantime I need to find a balance between finding a new job working for someone else and trying to build up my own client base. It’s a pain in the ass.
But thank you everyone for your support and kind thoughts. Hopefully this will only be a temporary setback and I’ll be working again to pay the bills. *ugh*
Good, I’m glad to hear that. I’m still keeping an eye for web dev opportunities up here.
Sorry about the “stupid” thing. It was funnier in my head when I wrote it.
Hey Josh, one more reader who’ll be hanging onto your feed. Good luck with the job hunt.
Gary Fletcher recently posted: 4 Bass Runs For Bar Chord Progressions
@Dave – we’ve known each other for WAAAAAAAY too long for you to feel the need to apologize for that. No offense taken at all.
@Gary – Thanks so much! I’m getting back into the routine, and I appreciate your support.
Best of luck Josh. You got skillz so I doubt you will have a problem finding suitable employment. That being said, I remember the last 9-5 I had. It was in 1992 and pretty much a horrible place to work but I needed to pay the bills so I slogged there day in and day out until after 3 years I was unceremoniously dumped on a Friday afternoon with no compensation. After a long weekend of worrying about what I was going to do, I decided to follow my heart and became my own “boss”, while also being a full time university student. Thank God for student loans is all I can say…:) Anyway, the lay off was the best thing that could have happened to me and I haven’t looked back since. I guess what I’m trying to say is, you now have a ton of options open to you and that’s a great place to be…:) Take care and all the best.
Lyle
Lyle Robinson recently posted: Mimi Fox – New DVD And Concerts Coming Your Way
Good luck man
Just touching base with you, buddy. Not much I can do, but if there is anything, you know where to find me.
Adrian Hickman recently posted: Besides My Dad This Is Who I Live For
Hey Josh! Why don’t you just work on Fretterverse full time!? I know that’s easier said than done. But, if you’re in a position to be broke for awhile and still survive? I’d go for it! To me, J.O.B stands for Just Over Broke! Ha! Work for yourself if you can! I see your vision!
John Sizemore recently posted: Intermediate Guitar Lessons
Wish I could, John, but that would require making a lot of cash.