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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jingle.boy on March 02, 2017, 06:52:45 PM
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Yup... you heard it right. Gonna have lots of time on my hands, so you bitches just might see me around here a tad more frequently.
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We missed you, hope all is ok though
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Yup... you heard it right. Gonna have lots of time on my hands, so you bitches just might see me around here a tad more frequently.
What! Is this a story you'll tell? Bummed to hear that Chad.
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Not sure what's worse..you don't have a job, or that you'll be around here more! ;D
Obviously, I kid. I'm very sorry to hear. And yes, it will be good to have you around. :)
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STOP HARASSING ME WITH SUCH CLARITY!
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Whaaaaat??!? How will you come visit us?!
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:corn
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Being unemployed is awful, and I may be joining you myself. My boss yesterday informed me that the second I graduate in May she has to fire me, but "hopefully", "maybe" she might be able to hire me. So I am shitting my pants a little bit.
And in case that makes no sense, Pharmacists can't be employed as pharmacy technicians, so I am praying that I can get the upgrade instead of getting the boot.
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Whaaaaat??!? How will you come visit us?!
I know, right? :sadpanda:
I'll post some level of details later today. Not my choice, somewhat unexpected, not disappointed at all. It's not a happy thing, but it sure as shit ain't a sad thing.
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I'm sorry to hear that, but for what it's worth your full time can be posting on DTF. We don't pay much, or anything at all but what we do give is lots of discussions about whether MP will actually come back to DT.
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We can talk about your PM's bum in P&R!
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I'm sad and happy for you.
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Enjoy the R&R bro...at least you don't have to deal with that boss anymore.
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Sorry dude, but I hope you approach it with positivity. I hated being unemployed, it crushed me, but somehow I came out better on the other side.
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Buckle up for safety, this could be a long one:
tl;dr - my job was eliminated; got a wonderful separation package; taking some serious me/family time for the foreseeable future.
I work(ed) for a $26B company that has (er, had) 2 operating groups... one 'technology', and one 'electronics'. Back in September, a competitor of ours announced they were were buying the technology group, which I was a part of. The acquisition didn't officially close until Monday of this week. Tuesday, I (along with 20 other team-mates) got the call that our group was being eliminated. There were also other job actions taken - all told, 60 people in North America. There were a lot of indicators that the writing was on the wall over the past few months, and it got REAL clear last week that things weren't going to be rosy in anyway for me or our team - whether we were kept, or ultimately as it turned out, through workforce reduction. To tell you the truth, things haven't been rosy for quite sometime. My job has been more of a frustration and burden than anything else for about the last 6-12 months. There's always frustrations in any job/company, but up until last year, the joys and pleasures that came along with my job always outweighed the frustrations. Then, sometime last year, that coin flipped and I haven't been happy for a real long time (as some of you know). I could probably write a short novel on the issues, but it's not necessary. Pay, boss, lack of internal support, unrealistic and unachievable expectations, to name a few. Then, everything for a most areas of the company became an absolute shit-show after the announcement of the acquisition back in September. In some regards, that was the beginning of the end - because if not for the acquisition, it is without doubt that the reductions that took place on Tuesday would have happened September 28th, not February 28th. Now, a lot of this is natural in an merger/acquisition, so it is what it is. I have no hard feelings or take any of this personally in any way, shape or form.
In an odd way, I've kinda been waiting for, and wanting, this for a while. And for those that don't know, Canada has some very liberal/socialistic labour laws. That + 15 years of service = a very comfortable separation package. So, no apologies, sympathies or condolences are needed in any way. Unless something presents itself that is the proverbial 'offer I can't refuse', I'm going to take at least a month or two (maybe more) of me and jingle.family time. I've never been affected by a workforce reduction, or fired, or without a job. This is the first time since I graduated university that I've been unemployed ... and I will take advantage of all the advantages of unemployment - while having total financial security. When I spoke with my financial advisor about the situation and my severance package, the first two words out of his month were "THAT'S FANTASTIC!". Now, I'm not sure if that was for my benefit, or for his own :lol. Either way, I'm in no rush or hurry or worry about getting a job, or in a position where I have to be concerned about how to pay the bills. Through good luck, good fortune or good planning (or all of that), I'm in a very comfortable financial position.
So, now I can try and re-capture the 'old' me. As many of you know, I have depression, and every day is a struggle - some more than others. The burdens of the job have not helped that over the past while. I got the news about this at 10am on Tuesday. My instant reaction was 'relief'. By the end of the day, I was telling my friends and colleagues "I'm liberated". By the time I was out for a walk with Mrs.Jingle and the dogs at 11am Wednesday, I told her that I could physically feel the burden and weight coming off me. Literally - not figuratively - I could physically feel the relief. She said to me that when I got up that morning, both she and the jingle.kids could see, sense and feel the difference in me.
So, while not a happy thing, this is by no means a bad thing. The silver lining on this cloud is as big - if not bigger - than the cloud itself.
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You're a good dude Chad and it's no surprise that you've landed solidly on your feet in the wake of this. I'm thrilled that the burden, both physical and mental is melting away and happy for you and the jingle family that those 'weights' are being removed from your life.
I have no doubts than when you make the choice to find a new job that you'll indeed find one....and you'll be in a better 'space'...which again, I'm glad you get the chance for a massive decompression from the events of the last year or so.
gimme a shout when you get the chance.... ;) :tup
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It's good to hear you're going to be 'round here more. It's especially good to hear you are doing well--as well as can be expected, anyway.
Now, go get a job and be somebody! :biggrin:
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Glad to hear that what could otherwise be a sad situation is looking to work out so well for you. Ayreon is playing in the Netherlands in September, just saying!
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Glad you and the family are in a good position given the situation and that you feel that instantaneous relief. Enjoy the time off with your family.
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gimme a shout when you get the chance.... ;) :tup
You can count on it pal!
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Glad to hear what could have been bad is actually a good thing for you.
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Well in one aspect if work was bearing down on you this may just be a blessing in disguise. Enjoy your time off! One of my friends dads was laid off in canada and he had a severance package that covered him for like 16 months off. He took a long vacation as well.
Hope to see you around more.
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It's good that you clarified since it seemed odd that you were taking not having a job so lightly :lol
Anyways, I'm glad that you're taking this in such a good way and it's good that you'll have time to enjoy your family and bother us here in DTF :smiley:
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Well in one aspect if work was bearing down on you this may just be a blessing in disguise. Enjoy your time off! One of my friends dads was laid off in canada and he had a severance package that covered him for like 16 months off. He took a long vacation as well.
Hope to see you around more.
It isn't even a very good disguise! This is definitely a long overdue blessing. I didn't get 16 months, but close to it. And for those of you thinking :omg: ... just remember that our taxation system is a lot different. At my income range, I pay a blended (federal + provincial) income tax rate of 38% on my total income, and any income growth (raise, commissions earned etc..) is taxed at 53.5%.
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Wow! A severance package is nice though. Is work why we haven't seen you around much?
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Wow! A severance package is nice though. Is work why we haven't seen you around much?
To some extent. My depression has been pretty intense for some time - and work contributed quite a bit to that.
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I'm sorry to hear that. . .
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Your story reads like it's all for the better, so without having been in a similar situation, I can imagine how you feel to a small extent. I hope for you that you can use the time you gain by not working in having some good times with your family and do nice stuff in general :)
Also this:
Ayreon is playing in the Netherlands in September, just saying!
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Chad, I really wish there was a show scheduled down here that you would want to see so I could coax you down here again. Couldn't be happier about the burden being lifted from you. You are a special kind of dude for sticking it out under those conditions so long for your family. Really happy they are getting their dad/husband back as well.
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Chad, I really wish there was a show scheduled down here that you would want to see so I could coax you down here again. Couldn't be happier about the burden being lifted from you. You are a special kind of dude for sticking it out under those conditions so long for your family. Really happy they are getting their dad/husband back as well.
Thanks Bosk-man... they/we are all feeling the same way. If not for the new puppy that we just got, Mrs.Jingle and I would've loved to come down to the Bay area for shits and giggles. Hell, we might just do that sometime soon anyway. I have enough points to do it.
Thanks for the great idea. Don't be surprised if we decide to do it ... maybe after the kids are off for the summer.
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If you do, give me some advance notice. (unless, of course, the two of you just want to be alone)
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Nope. He's ammending that suggestion to 'coming down to St. Louis'. We have an Arch you know and a hockey team that can make him feel just like his Leafs do.
And Ted Drews, The City Museum....and the gmillerdrake family.
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You pussies. I went to Canada to visit him.
Oh and a Rush concert.
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Bummer to hear this, Chad, but it sounds like a could be a blessing in disguise, if that makes sense. Keep your chin up, man!! :tup :tup
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Chad, I really wish there was a show scheduled down here that you would want to see so I could coax you down here again. Couldn't be happier about the burden being lifted from you. You are a special kind of dude for sticking it out under those conditions so long for your family. Really happy they are getting their dad/husband back as well.
Thanks Bosk-man... they/we are all feeling the same way. If not for the new puppy that we just got, Mrs.Jingle and I would've loved to come down to the Bay area for shits and giggles. Hell, we might just do that sometime soon anyway. I have enough points to do it.
Thanks for the great idea. Don't be surprised if we decide to do it ... maybe after the kids are off for the summer.
Give me a heads up if and when you do, I can check out our properties for a room.
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Chad... I'm sorry to hear that you lost your job, but I am glad to hear it's a positive thing. Hopefully having this lifted off your shoulders will help you mentally.
Also..
You've been missed here. I've debated posting about it being "cold" here to see if it brings you out of the shadows.
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You pussies. I went to Canada to visit him.
inb4 Rich reminds everyone he crossed an ocean for me.
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You pussies. I went to Canada to visit him.
inb4 Rich reminds everyone he crossed an ocean for me.
Well don't you feel special
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You pussies. I went to Canada to visit him.
inb4 Rich reminds everyone he crossed an ocean for me.
Yup. Trumps all.
Jay, you know it to be true.
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Damn, I was hoping for a meet up in NJ. But considering I've been working on planning my summer vacation going to Seattle and driving down to San Fran, I guess that works. :yarr
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But considering I've been working on planning my summer vacation going to Seattle and driving down to San Fran, I guess that works. :yarr
That's funny. Under strong consideration for the TACs' Summer Vacation involves SF and Seattle.
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But considering I've been working on planning my summer vacation going to Seattle and driving down to San Fran, I guess that works. :yarr
That's funny. Under strong consideration for the TACs' Summer Vacation involves SF and Seattle.
I've been wanting to do that for awhile. Seattle to Portland to San Fran with stops inbetween at national parks. I had to punt it last year because it was a bit too much to do after doing my tour of Texas and Arizona earlier. I haven't been to Washington or Oregon before, plus all these states are legalized so I figured that adds some fun. The girl I've been seeing also had the same idea as me before we even met so we are trying to go together which would be nice. She's big into national parks so that's her idea to visit some which looks like they are sort of on the way.
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I want to do a Texas tour too. We've been to Arizona twice. Even Talked The Lovely Mrs TAC into seeing Iron Maiden in Phoenix in 1998!
Last summer, we did Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks. They were both amazing!
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haha at convincing the wife to go to IM ( I have yet to convince any girl to come to that concert with me). It's funny though because I did convince my girl to wait on booking to see if any tours are going through that area this summer so we can go to a concert too. She's cool with it. I'm specifically waiting on 311 to announce their summer tour. I followed them through three dates in Texas last summer, Austin Dallas and Houston meeting El Barto on the way. Good times. :yarr
Also I recall your pics from your vacation last year and it looked awesome. One day I want to do something similar.
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Great to hear this might be one of these cases where losing you job might actually be for the best! Really glad for you, Chad, and definitely hope to see you around more.
Also this:
Ayreon is playing in the Netherlands in September, just saying!
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You pussies. I went to Canada to visit him.
inb4 Rich reminds everyone he crossed an ocean for me.
I would do anything for you. :heart
From what you've said, "sorry about the job loss" doesn't feel appropriate at all. So instead I'm going to say congrats on what sounds like a really positive situation! Anna went through something not entirely dissimilar a couple of years ago - she chose to quit her job, but similarly she was hating it and for the sake of her mental health that job ending was the best thing that could have happened to her. Odd how these things work out sometimes.
It's awesome that the severance package allows you some time and space to take stock, enjoy yourself and then think about what comes next.
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Chad... I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad for you! It sounds like this might be actually very liberating for you. I guess I just hope that everything will work out for you and your family, Bro.
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Thanks Greg. You used the two phrases I've been constantly saying over the past week - it's not a sad thing at all; and I feel liberated. My first reaction to the news was "you know, I'm mostly relieved". By the end of the day, I was telling people "I'm liberated".
It's shocking how draining my job had been over the last little while. This is definitely a good think - in a weird way.
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It's kind of interesting.. I'm such a "Structured" guy. I need that structure in my life. The security of that "Job" . I envy you that you seemingly don't :)
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It's kind of interesting.. I'm such a "Structured" guy. I need that structure in my life. The security of that "Job" . I envy you that you seemingly don't :)
Oh, don't get me wrong... I do as well. I'm a rather risk averse kinda guy. But, as I said - and at least for the moment - I'm going to enjoy all the advantages of being unemployed.... while having complete financial security. For the short term at least. 2 months tops, then I'll start looking for work again. I already had 3 informal/verbal offers when I was informing customers/colleagues/suppliers of my situation. I'm rather comfortable with my position - both my current finances, and my future prospects for regaining employment.
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Some people get a mid-life crisis… I’ve had the good fortune and luxury of having a mid-life retirement. The last 8 months has been the best time of my life - reading, working out, spending time with family... basically, enjoying life on my own terms. But alas, that is all coming to an end in a couple of weeks
I started casually job hunting over the summer, then put it into full gear in September when the jingle.kids went back to school. Job hunting isn't really all that fun, but it had to be done - I wasn't 'set' enough to full-time retire. I'd been a final candidate at a couple of jobs, but they both ended up going forward with internal candidates. Last week, I got the offer for the job/position that I had dearly wanted - that I had been chasing since the beginning of the summer. Back in June, I had beers with an old customer who connected me with a colleague of his (Mike… my soon-to-be boss). Mike and I kept in touch over the summer, and just before Labour Day he called to tell me that they were going to add a person to his team. Two months and 5 rounds of interviews later, I got the job offer, and start at the end of the month.
It’s all been surreal, and I’ve truly been blessed over these past 8 months. My old company (which was acquired) has turned into an absolute train wreck. People are pulling the ripcord all over the place, and there are still more changes to be coming. My job/company had been a tremendous irritant to my depression, and a handful of other problems in my life. I was one of the very few that got out at a good time AND with a good package.
So 8 months ago, I get told by them to go home, along with a fantastic separation package. I'll end up having taken 9 months off (that also came with some additional perks related to the separation that are too cumbersome to explain), and the job I end up landing is as if it was written with my resume in mind, in a growing space in the technology industry, and a 20% raise to boot! I told mrs.jingle that this almost doesn’t feel real… that it’s too good to be true. The time off has invigorated me in so many ways, allowing me to do things I never would have been able to otherwise … most of which has helped me push aside my depression.
We’re off to Costa Rica to “celebrate” next Thursday, and then I start work again on the 27th.
Yay me.
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Congratulations! That sounds awesome :yarr
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Awesome to hear Chad, good luck in the new job, and enjoy the end of vacation vacation!
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Yeah, congratulations! Hopefully the new job goes well!
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Congrats!
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Let's all celebrate the awesomeness that is being Chad!
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/3dfc0c21f63056fbfcad7bcbc5e3377e/tumblr_nvn5v830Ki1rfd7lko1_500.gif)
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Great news Chad :tup Very happy for you!
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That's awesome news Chad!!! Congratulations on that :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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Couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy your remaining time off then knock it out of the park!!!
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Incredibly news! Congrats!
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As ElBarto would say.... :tup
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Sounds like win, win, and then more win!! The trifecta!
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Awesome Chad.
You not being on DTF so much is a win win for everyone! ;D
j/k
There's gators in the water in Costa Rica. Be careful.
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Thanks for all the well wishes men. I honestly can't tell you how lucky I feel (and know that I have been) regarding how this year has transpired. I was at one of the lowest points of my life to start the year, and I fully recognize my good fortunes on everything that transpired since I was let go. Former work friends constantly tell me how lucky I was to have gotten the bullet on day 2 of the acquisition, and a fellow DTF'r told me that "I'd suck cock for 8 months off".
Win, win, win is an absolute understatement.
Now I just need to re-adjust to working life again... and less DTF'g. :-[
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That's awesome Chad!
Have fun in Costa Rica and good luck at the new job, I can't wait to hear about it.
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WOOOOOOOOTTTT!!! Congrats Chad!!
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Awesome!! Will the new job send you to visit DTF friends?
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Awesome!! Will the new job send you to visit DTF friends?
I certainly hope so. Not sure what my travel schedules will be like, as this role is more Canadian centric than my last roles were.
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I've got an advantage for a meet up.
It's a secret though.
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Congrats, bud! :metal
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Sounds great, congratulations :tup
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Very happy for you, dude. Good luck with the new job!
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Some people get a mid-life crisis… I’ve had the good fortune and luxury of having a mid-life retirement. The last 8 months has been the best time of my life - reading, working out, spending time with family... basically, enjoying life on my own terms. But alas, that is all coming to an end in a couple of weeks
I started casually job hunting over the summer, then put it into full gear in September when the jingle.kids went back to school. Job hunting isn't really all that fun, but it had to be done - I wasn't 'set' enough to full-time retire. I'd been a final candidate at a couple of jobs, but they both ended up going forward with internal candidates. Last week, I got the offer for the job/position that I had dearly wanted - that I had been chasing since the beginning of the summer. Back in June, I had beers with an old customer who connected me with a colleague of his (Mike… my soon-to-be boss). Mike and I kept in touch over the summer, and just before Labour Day he called to tell me that they were going to add a person to his team. Two months and 5 rounds of interviews later, I got the job offer, and start at the end of the month.
It’s all been surreal, and I’ve truly been blessed over these past 8 months. My old company (which was acquired) has turned into an absolute train wreck. People are pulling the ripcord all over the place, and there are still more changes to be coming. My job/company had been a tremendous irritant to my depression, and a handful of other problems in my life. I was one of the very few that got out at a good time AND with a good package.
So 8 months ago, I get told by them to go home, along with a fantastic separation package. I'll end up having taken 9 months off (that also came with some additional perks related to the separation that are too cumbersome to explain), and the job I end up landing is as if it was written with my resume in mind, in a growing space in the technology industry, and a 20% raise to boot! I told mrs.jingle that this almost doesn’t feel real… that it’s too good to be true. The time off has invigorated me in so many ways, allowing me to do things I never would have been able to otherwise … most of which has helped me push aside my depression.
We’re off to Costa Rica to “celebrate” next Thursday, and then I start work again on the 27th.
Yay me.
As a friend mate, I say congrats, you really really deserve it. And from knowing of some of the struggles you've had, this is very heartwarming and comforting to read. Go and get 'em!!
............just don't forget about us. :tup
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I'm ecstatic to read that you've been much happier the past 9 months - that is awesome. What's even more awesome is that you have what so far seems to be a better job. Congratulations, and I'm happy that you got the time that you really needed to decompress and get back to the real you. There's no better feeling than that.
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I'm ecstatic to read that you've been much happier the past 9 months - that is awesome. What's even more awesome is that you have what so far seems to be a better job. Congratulations, and I'm happy that you got the time that you really needed to decompress and get back to the real you. There's no better feeling than that.
Thanks so much Deb. It means a lot. It's nice to see you posting too! Way too much of a sausage-fest around here usually.
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It's a prog related forum, so of course it will never be anything but a sausage-fest. :lol
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It's a prog related forum, so of course it will never be anything but a sausage-fest. :lol
True... but a little pie once and a while is certainly appreciated.
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Congratulations. Hope your first 3 days in the new job have been enjoyable.
I can relate to your situation somewhat, although from an outsiders point of view. My wife suffers from depression, a few months into 2016 her job role changed (office changing their procedures) and she ended up having to take a more managerial role, something she was very unsure about. Sure enough a few months into that role she was struggling with the managerial side of the role - this lead to an onset of depression, culminating in me having to drive home from work, when I got a call from her office saying she hadn't turned up for work, or got in contact - and she wasn't answering the phone.......That was a horrible journey home for me (over an hour drive...). Thankfully she was in bed, but in a real, real deep depression.......she ended being signed off work for 6 weeks and had to up her dosage of anti depressants. She went back to work, but the damage was done, another 2 weeks later and she was back at home, this was probably a year ago. She spent Christmas off work.
Long story short - she ended up leaving that job and surprisingly getting a decent settlement. A few months off work without the pressure of knowing she'd have to go back to that job did the would of good. Around May this year she managed to get herself another job in a much smaller office, and it's worked out real good so far, she's much happier and the depression has stayed at bay.
My wife once described her experience of deep depression as being at the bottom of a well, looking up you can see a pin prick of light, but instead of wanting to climb up, she just wants the light sealed off. So yeah any environment that spirals your mindset towards that is important to get out off.
So Congrats again mate, and all the best in your new career.
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Thanks soupy. Sorry to hear about that situation for your wife, but glad it didn't go on for very long, and things are good now.
Already starting to get my feet pretty wet.