TWO WEEKS OF HELL

[Skittles]

Wednesday May 12 - in the morning I was told that a good friend of mine, Tim had been hit on his way to work by a driver running a red light. I received pictures of both vehicles and it was difficult to understand how anyone could have survived it. But I had hope since Tim is a big bruiser of a guy. That same afternoon they walked up to me at work and laid me off. Took my badge and laptop and walked me out the door. Due to extreme mismanagement my account basically was gutted.

I only had two weeks to look for a postion internally so in between sending out resumes and waiting for the phone to ring I hung on to hope reading the email updates about Tim- he was in critical condtion at Parkland but survived surgery, had brainwaves and was being kept in a coma due to brain swelling. A few days later they tried to bring him out of the coma but complications developed so they reversed course.

Thursday May 20 my mum called and said that essentially my older brother is missing; no one has heard from him for some time. He is chronically depressed and drinks a lot, especially since he was laid off, and is sinking deeper and deeper. I was so numb from anxiety and worry I told her I just could not help right now.

I had been sleeping fitfully and woke up at 04:00 Friday; I thought I would log on and check for job openings but when I read my email, another friend had notified me that Tim had passed away an hour before; he was 36 years old. I blubbered for hours.

This morning I interviewed for another postion within my company and got the job. It's really not my preferred kind of work and the hours are brutal - 12 hours four days one week, three days the next. Now instead of unemployment anxiety I have new job anxiety. I just have to keep reminding myself it is better than being unemployed and try to pull myself together the best I can.

It has been so very hard; I've lost twelve pounds and haven't slept more than 3 or 4 hours at a time since this all started. I hope I can stabilize myself before I start the new job Sunday night. The very idea I was able to pull off the interview hopefully says something about what I can do.

Keep me in your thoughts.

[SoDesuKa]

1. Condolences

Condolences on the loss of your friend. You sound like you are resilient. Good luck with the new job.

[Misunderestimator]

2. That's a rough time.

Sorry for all the sh*t happening in your life. Maybe getting the job is the sign that things are on the rebound. So sorry about your friend Tim and your brother. Hopefully your brother will turn up.

Will keep good thoughts for you.

[ewagner]

3. After what you've been through

There is no doubt you are a person of strong and good character.

My sympathies on the loss of your friend.

I hope your world normaizes for you soon.

Thoughts are with you.

[tandot]

4. my thoughts are with you.

I hope your brother will be alright, too.

[MuseRider]

5. Damn, it has been hard

for you. I am sorry and will send good vibes for what they are worth. I hope things begin to look up, I am sorry about your friend and your brother. Hopefully having a job will help you sleep better. Hang in there

[Skittles]

11. I don't do well when I'm not working

with so much time on my hands my imagination runs wild. No matter what the circumstances are concerning a layoff it's hard not to see it as a form of rejection. I felt tied to the phone and had the high anxieties so bad I would get the shakes.

[wysimdnwyg]

6. Things will get better

And if not, go beat the hell out of matcom. That's GOT to help your mood!

[Red_Viking]

7. Sending good vibes

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts.

Everything happens for a reason; there's some new path opening up for you with the new job. Keep in mind it's not forever, and any experience is good. You're really fortunate to have found something so quickly.

Take good care of yourself. We need you around to kick asses.



RV

[proud patriot]

8. Damnit SKITTLES ((((((HUGS))))))

Please get some nutrition in you
even if it just slamming some ensure ...

Love Ya Friend

You must take care of yourself

[Skittles]

12. breakfast drinks

that's what I've been living on since I lost my appetite. Unfortunately due to the anxieties of a new job it will be a while until my appetite returns.

[indigo32]

9. Skittles

for a poster I admire
I'm so sorry about your friend and I hope your brother turns up SOON.

[dryan]

13. Hope things turn around

Sorry about your friend and your professional challenges.

[dolo amber]

10. Oh, Skittles

[StaggerLee]

14. Sorry to hear about your friend

He was my age. We had a death in the family last month so I can relate. (Auto accident- she was 27)

I hope your brother turns up. I know how depressing it can be to be unemployed. I have been out of work since the end of last year.

Hang in there Skittles. Everything is going to be alright.

[Forkboy]

15. You were in my thoughts before this

now even more so.

[Skittles]

18. Forkboy

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. Hang in there, Skittles...

~huggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggs~

[Richardo]

17. So sorry, Skittles...

Sending peace and strength

[GOPisEvil]

19. I wish you well, my friend.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. Transcontinental hugs

You may also KICK MY ASS if it'll make you feel better

[underpants]

21. I am very sorry to hear that

all of it. Best of luck and you are in our thoughts.

[camero]

22. You're a fighter, Skittles

I'm sorry for your loss. You'll make it and I'm sending good energy your way.

[soleft]

23. Sending good thoughts

Very sorry to hear about your friend.

[Rowdyboy]

24. Damn! When it rains, it pours!

Any one of those things would do me in for weeks. Combined, they're nearly intolerable. You sound exhausted-please try to take care of yourself no matter how little you care to.

Have a drink, try to relax a little. How about if I kick my own ass and tell everyone you did it?

[Skittles]

25. it's happened to me before

many years ago in the same month my dad killed himself, my cat died and my apartment burned down.

[madrchsod]

26. makes my problems kin`a small

sorry for your loss of a friend,your brother hopefully will show up..as for the job 4-12 then 3-12s` isn`t to bad if you get used to it..hang in their lady..sometimes you are like the rainbow,just don`t kick my ass for getting sentimental...

[UrbScotty]

27. Hang in there. We all have our ups and downs.

While things could be worse, there's more room to go up than down.

May the new job be better than you have thought.

May Tim's family find condolence.

And may things get better for you.

[BurtWorm]

28. Aw, Skittles!

I'm sending you white light, sweetie!

[TEXASYANKEE]

29. EHugs.

Hang in there, Skittles. I'm sorry about your friend Tim, your brother, and your current job situation. It's been a very tough 2 weeks for you and you are certainly in my thoughts. Take care of yourself.

[commander bunnypants]

30. hang in there

DDQM

[oneighty]

31. Hey Skittles

(((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))

Ed

[jus_the_facts]

32. I was JUST thinkin' about you today......

....as I'd not see you around here in awhile....I'm so sorry about your friend and hope your brother will be okay...my heart goes out to you Susan. (((HUGS))) and sendin' lot's o'good karma to you with your new job. {{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}

[cally]

33. That's way too much for one person to handle

You are very strong for handling it so well. I'm so sorry about Tim and I hope your brother is OK. Congrats on the job. I think you will like those hours. I loved them when I worked a job with those hours. Try to get some food in even if you are not hungry. Many and much sympathy.

[Commendatori]

34. Good luck, and my sincerest condolences.

I can only hope things get better for you soon.

[Bunny]

35. Aw, hon. That all sucks.

Wow, what a fortnight you've had. I'm so sorry about your friend, and hope your brother turns up safe and sound. Your job situation is not the greatest,but as you said it is better than being unemployed. I'll keep you in my thoughts. Is Tombo helping you through it?

Take care.

[Susang]

36. Hi Skittles!

Try not to worry too much about your new job, you know you're going to KICK THEIR ASSES!

I'm sorry to hear about all the other shit going on in your life. Keep us posted on what's happening and I hope everything turns out okay with your new job and your brother.

[Blue-Jay]

37. Awww shit, Skittles.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a rough time. I'm sending as much mojo as I can spare to you, your family, and your friends.

Oh.

And eat something, dammit. Anything. Starving from worry doesn't do anyone any damn good, OK?

/mojo

[Skittles]

38. thank you all so much for your responses

I want to get back to the real business - getting that incompetent f*** out of our White House.

[Blue-Jay]

40. Thatta girl!

But seriously. Eat something, kiddo. Don't make me KICK YOUR ASS!

You dig?

[Kellanved]

39. Transatlantic Hug

[Bertha Venation]

41. You're in my thoughts, Skittles.

I'm so sorry to hear of Tim. I'm keeping your brother in my thoughts, too.

[Kenneth ken]

42. YAY YOU!

lost 12 pounds!


Yes, I know that probably sounds tacky, and I don't even know if you would've "needed" to lose weight, but I figure laughter is good medicine, so if it made you laugh, or even smile, it did what I wanted.

I am sorry for the loss of your frined. That's never easy, and you didn't even get to properly say good-bye. again

Now that you have work on the horizon again, dial back your stress a notch or two; call your mother, and see if you can offer her some comfort in regard to your missing brother. May he turn up safe.

You and your mother can lean on each other a bit, and help each other. That's what family is for.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

43. I'm so sorry for your losses

I wondered why I hadn't seen you online for a while. Best of luck with the new job, and you are in my prayers.

[geniph]

44. I'm so sorry, honey

If you need to talk, I'm here. PM me anytime.

[Whitacre D_WI]

45. Jesus, Skittles.

I wish I could KICK THE ASS of your troubles.

But I can't. So I'll just give you a

[Pithlet]

46. I'm so sorry. ((hug))

I'd noticed you haven't been around much lately. That's an awful lot to deal with at once. I'm so sorry about your friend.

[belladonna]

47. Wow, hell is putting it lightly

I hope things start improving for you soon and you get back to kicking ass around here again soon.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

48. I'm sorry when ANYTHING bothers you...and you've been so good to us

SO LET US KNOW WHOSE ASS YOU WANT KICKED!!!! WE'LL ALL DO IT!

[Sequoia]

49. I'm so sorry, I will pray for you Skittles

[ikojo]

50. My condolences on the loss of your friend

You HAVE been through a lot these last couple of weeks.

Take it easy and be easy on yourself.

Perhaps the new job will help you focus.

I pray that your brother is found and gets the help he needs.

Peace.

[Deja Q]

51. I shall. My deepest condolances, that's very hard to cope with.

I hope things improve for you VERY soon.

[DemoTex]

52. Skittles, I'm with you in spirit.

You are my favorite Texan. You rock! Hang in there friend. I know it is tough times. You are in my thoughts, dear.

Mac

[Skittles]

56. HOWDY MAC

[Pale Blue Dot]

53. Oh skittles, I'm so sorry.

I'll keep you in my thoughts, and good luck in the new job.

[Dees]

54. Stay centered. It'll be Ok.

Wishing the best for you.

[flamingyouth]

55. I'm so sorry, Skittles

Please know that I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

So sorry for the loss of your friend. Losing someone so young so suddenly is one of the worst things.

And I have full confidence that you will do well in your new position. We're all pulling for you, friend.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

57. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Skittles. Here's sending prayers your way.

Valarie

[greatauntoftriplets]

58. I am so sorry to hear about all this Skittles....

You will be in my thoughts. So damn much piling up on you at once. You are a strong woman, please remember that.