I am laid off! Ask my anything!

[fudge stripe cookays]

Yes, it's true. I made it through 5 years of uncertainty at my job, and got laid off very spur of the moment today.

You know what? I'M ECSTATIC!

I've been utterly, completely miserable at this job for at least a year...waking up in the morning was a drudge, I hated my life, I hated my boss, I hated most of my coworkers (fundies and Bushies, most of them), the MS was starting to take its toll on my mental faculties for such a technical job, I creid constantly, and I was hating life. PERIOD.

2 Fridays ago, I was really glad I had no sleeping pills in the house. Because I would not be here right now. reprehensor was at his wit's end, begging me to get on some anti-depressants. I don't need them now.

This is the best thing that could have happened to me. They eliminated my position, so I get full benefits, severance, continuation of coverage, the whole shebang!

When my boss told me it was effective immediately, it was all I could do not to jump to my feet, yell "HELL YEAH!" and hug her. I was like, "You mean I can leave her right now and go play today?"

I haven't completely lost it. I know I'll begin looking for a job soon(there's a non-profit training program I want to take some classes in); but this unscheduled little break is going to do me a world of psychological good.

Thanks to my wonderful aunt, who left me a goodly sum in her will recently, we were able to pay off all of our credit cards, and all but about $3000 on our car (it's a 2003 Honda Civic). So we're doing OK.

I get to sleep in tomorrow!
FSC

PS- Sorry for the copycat, Priyanka-- it just fit!

[faithnotgreed]

1. fantastic news losing your job

i applaud your very healthy attitude and this is a case when losing a job is a great thing

im a strong believer in fate and if a job drains your life then something has got to give

congratulations fsc
hope this will mean other wonderful healthy things for you

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Thanks dear!

Very appreciated. When the big guy closes a door he opens a window, right?


FSC

[faithnotgreed]

4. oh so right

and i had meant to also congratulate you (and everyone in texas) for a certain other bright news today

[Shell Beau]

3. Congratulations, I guess!!

If you are happy, then that is great!!!

[fudge stripe cookays]

32. Thanks Shell!

FSC

[merh]

5. Though I find it odd I am writing this, Congratulations on being laid off!

Sounds to me like it was time for a change for you any way! So glad that this is not bad news but good news for you fudge stripe cookays!

Take the time to relax and recharge!

[fudge stripe cookays]

18. Thanks sweetie!

Hope all is coming along well for you in re-grouping as well!

FSC

[merh]

25. Am in the hurry up and wait, wait to hurry, it will happen one day

stage. I'm just doing what I can do!

[no name no slogan]

6. Hey, good for you (I think!)

Are you still thinking about moving to another city?

[fudge stripe cookays]

17. YES!

The good thing about this is that I can expand the job search to ANYWHERE more liberal than here.

Just need to see how much $ we'll need to fix up the house before we move.

FSC NNNS!

[crispini]

7. Awright, you go girl!

Glad to see you have gotten what you need! Yay!

[fudge stripe cookays]

16. I was gonna try to sneak down to see you...

after I got done in personnel, but they were keeping a pretty close eye on me, and didn't want to get anyone in trouble.

So I'll see you at the party if I don't run into you somewhere else.


FSC

[redqueen]

8. Oh wow... congrats!

[bigwillq]

9. Well if you're happy

then I'm happy!
Way to go!

[tanyev]

10. Woo-hoo!

Glad to hear things have worked out for you. Enjoy some time off, and I hope your job search goes well.

[fudge stripe cookays]

31. Thanks sweetie!

Party's still on! No worries there! Hope you guys can make it!

FSC

[asthmaticeog]

11. That's AWESOME, FSC!

You were counting the seconds til you could get the fuck out of that job anyway. Right on.

[fudge stripe cookays]

21. Thanks dude!

FSC

[renate]

12. congratulations!

It's wonderful when things all fall into place and life just feels RIGHT.

[Richardo]

13. I'm happy for you, fsc!

That seems to have worked out about as well as it could.

Best to you and reprehensor!

[fudge stripe cookays]

27. Yep, it's great timing!

When I think how I almost gave my notice last week...and how I could have lost all this....


FSC

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. Wow, FSC. You seem like such a happy, 'up' person when I met you at

the DU thing at Blue Mesa. Sorry to hear you've been so miserable, but I'm glad that the source of the misery is removed.

Anybody who'd have an "Evil Dead" avatar is OK in my book.

"We can't kill Shelly! She's a friend of ours!"

[fudge stripe cookays]

29. Thanks hun!

I'm basically a pretty happy person, but the job had gotten to be SHIT. How could I concentrate on widgets when the world is falling apart? I want to have a job where I can be active helping people.

The Betaseron I have to take for the MS can also cause depression, so I didn't have much of a chance for fighting it!

Did you get your invite? It's not showing as opened in e-vite. LEt me know if not; I can resend it.

FSC

[GOPisEvil]

15. You know what, FSC? I might be in the same boat soon.

And you know what? I don't care, either. I'll use the time to go back and further my education, then get a better job.

[fudge stripe cookays]

20. Well, I'm hoping for whatever will work the best for you.

I'm lucky that rep still has a job, otherwise I'd be pretty worried right now.

FSC

[GOPisEvil]

22. I think I'll be ok for 12 months or so.

I'll be on another path long before then. *knocks on wood*

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. no problems..i dont think this is a real copy cat anyway

glad you are happy about this

[Beware the Beast Man]

23. Bravo, FSC! Welcome to the Dole!

And like you, after the initial shock, I was glad to be let go. Since my company was dropping people like flies anyway, I knew it owuld happen, and my last moths there were miserable.

[fudge stripe cookays]

56. Thanks Beastman!

Hope you and Mrs. Beastman are hanging in there too!

I used to worry so much about what would happen if I left. Maybe 6 months to a year down the road, but not now!


FSC

[UrbScotty]

24. How is the sanctity of your marriage?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

[fudge stripe cookays]

33. ?

reprehensor is my rock. I know this has been difficult for him watching me go through so much. He has been so wonderful with all my health problems this last year.

We went through a lot to be together in the first place (he started off in Alberta, and I was in Texas. 1999 was hard, seeing each other every 3-6 months!).

We try to remember that every day, so we continue to value each other. We kiss and hug all the time, and fall asleep holding hands. We're entirely too cute. Seriously.

FSC

[sendero]

26. Don't think for a second..

.... this releases you from any of your social obligations

Well, there are few things in life more draining than hating your job - that much I know....

[fudge stripe cookays]

34. Hee hee!

Nope darling, the social season has just begun!

The soiree at Castle Giles is indeed still on, and will be the event of the season!


FSC

[Merrick]

28. Reminds me of my good old days of 2 years ago

when my company laid me off. Got 2 months severance + all my unpaid vacation and sick time, leaving me with about 3 months worth of pay. It took me almost 3 months to get a new job, but its a better one (in a University research lab as opposed to a shitty corporation), and although I spent a fair deal of time pounding the pavement, it was kinda like getting 3 months paid vacation.

[fudge stripe cookays]

30. Cool!

I'll hope for the same. I plan on being mobile, so we can have a stopping off point on our way to moving to Canada.

Glad you're happy now too.

FSC

[tigereye]

35. hey lady!

glad you are feeling good about events. Isn't it odd how life can surprise you in ways that turn out to be very good?

Now you can think about what you really want to do. And that's very cool!

[fudge stripe cookays]

38. Hey!

Thanks for the encouragement!

FSC

[wildeyed]

36. Woohoo!

Glad it is working out for you. Sounds like it was time to move on anyway, and now you can do it with full bene's!

[Wapsie B]

37. Congratulations!

I know how it feels to hate your job. I had one that I left in '89 that was driving me to that same point you were in. It was as if the weight of the world was off my shoulders.

[JohnnyBoots]

39. Same boat losing my job on Friday and sooooo looking forward to it!

[Sugar Smack]

40. I LOVE FSC! Ask me anything!!!

What can I do for you, for starters? You are a class act, and I want to help. What can I do for you?

[fudge stripe cookays]

55. Hmmm...

COME DOWN FOR THE PARTY, DAMMIT!

Barring that, send Pop Tarts!

Lorves me some SS! Thanks sweetie!

FSC

[greatauntoftriplets]

41. Excellent news, apparently.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do for the rest of your life.

[fudge stripe cookays]

57. Thanks hon!

I'm hoping it could be Chicago. Or Madison. Or Seattle. Or Portland. ANYWHERE more progressive than here. My job hunt is wide open.

FSC

[Redneck Socialist]

42. Congratulations!

I hope you find employment doing something you like soon, but in the meantime enjoy your downtime.

[RebelOne]

43. Sometimes an event like yours can be a definite turning point

in your life. I had been stuck in a dead-end job in Miami, FL for 10 years. I was laid off with 6 months severance pay and full insurance benefits for 6 months. I had just discontinued a long-term dead-end relationship at the same time. I then moved up here to North Georgia, where my two sisters lived. That was the best move I had ever made. After a series of free-lance jobs for about 3 years, I now have a fantastic position with a publishing company and I couldn't be happier. Good luck. This could be a stroke of luck for you as you will probably find a job that you will enjoy.

[fudge stripe cookays]

58. I'm glad it worked out for you, too!

I did a huge uproot/return to school thing about 11 years ago, to train for the career I just left.

I THOUGHT it was what I wanted to do. I wanted to make money. I did that. But the people I worked with were all assholes, many of them (with the exception of the lovely crispini and a few other people).

I want a job where I might be making less money, but can go home at night knowing I helped to make someone's life better.

FSC

[XNASA]

44. Don't do anything drastic.

I'll be right over.

[fudge stripe cookays]

59. He he.... n/t

[Parrcrow]

45. I'm.....

sorry to hear that.....?

It sounds like you and Mr Cookay are going to be just fine

[fudge stripe cookays]

60. We will, thanks!

Thanks for the group hug!

FSC

[yellowdogintexas]

46. well, good for you!!! It is a good thing to be happy

obviously you are ridding yourself of some serious stress here.

Stress is not good for us,even if we are 100% healthy.

Enjoy the job hunt!!!

[fudge stripe cookays]

61. I don't know about THAT, but....

I'll enjoy the time off for awhile! I've got a trip I've already booked to Madison for early November for more research for my family history, so I can't really do much before that. I'll heat up the search right before I leave and kick it into high gear when I get back.


FSC

[Shine]

47. Good for you!

Enjoy this time and use it well.


~Shine

[fortyfeetunder]

48. glad it is going to work out FSC

enjoy the R&R and look forward to the next adventure, hope it's better than that situation you were in.

[jane_pippin]

49. I'm happy you have some time for yourself...

Congratulations to you, and here's some advanced good luck/vibes/thoughts on your classes and eventual job search.

My dad went through something similar not long ago--even the MS--and he's realxing and taking time for himself too. It does a body good.

to you!

[fudge stripe cookays]

62. Thanks Jane!

Tell dad I said hi, and "hang in there" on the bad days! Thanks for the good vibes! I may need them in this job market!

FSC

[spacelady]

50. Since it's an "ask MY anything" post, I wish to ask your

elbow what it is going to be leaning on tomorrow.

Sorry, couldn't resist--but seriously, speaking from experience,
personal and observational, you will always end up better off after these situations--timing is everything!

[fudge stripe cookays]

63. I see you had a secret viddy camera in my office!

Cuz that's pretty much been my pose the last few months.

Thanks for the encouragement!
FSC

[auntAgonist]

51. I'm so happy that you are happy!

this sounds like a very good thing for to have happened. Your health, both physical and mental will benefit by leaps and bounds! I wish you the absolute best that life has to offer. May you realize the dreams you have and live every day to the fullest!



aA

[fudge stripe cookays]

64. Aw thanks Auntie!

Coming from you, it's like family!

FSC

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. *hugs*

[Blue-Jay]

53. Now is the time to move to Chicago!

The job market is pretty good here, especially if you're interested in working for a non-profit.

Sure, there's that whole 5 month winter thing, but it only seems like it lasts three years per season.

[fudge stripe cookays]

65. Workin on it!

It'd be nice to live somewhere close to the family stuff so it'll be easier to finish my book!

Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Madison...anywhere more liberal. I may see you guys if I have to come up for job interviews (she says, crossing her fingers...)!

FSC

[swag]

54. El Gordo o La Flaca?

[fudge stripe cookays]

66. I love you guys.

Last night we had a huge storm roll through here-- thunder, lightning, etc.

The power went out a couple of times, but even though Fargo was freaking out, I was so calm and completely undisturbed. Zen even.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. You're all the best.
FSC

[Sugar Smack]

67. We love you, too, FSC-

So, what are you going to do today, with a lovely stretch of unplanned time ahead?

This would be my fantasy morning, if it were me- I'd stretch and roll around, still in bed, laugh a little, finally get up and make some coffee, scrambled eggs on toast with cream cheese. And some orange juice! Then, I'd bring it back to bed along with a couple of my favorite books, read, and pig out shamelessly. Then I'd call my friends at work and coo sympathetically.

[fudge stripe cookays]

68. I did that!

'Cept for the scrambled eggs and cream cheese part! Called one of my best friends and we caught up, started "Must Love Dogs" (chick lit- always good for post lay off reading needs), loved on mah dog, had leftover spaghetti for lunch (the spaghetti thread the other day inspired me!), and was FINALLY able to open the windows after the storm last night! (Our temps went from over 100 to the 70s at LAST!)

Plus, much napping ensued! And I have some Cherry Garcia in the freezer for later. I'm all set!


FSC

[Sugar Smack]

71. Ah, NICE!

Great minds- I got a glimpse of Shell Beau's spaghetti thread and I became FIXATED on spaghetti for dinner! I have leftovers, too! One thing I'd forgot to add in my just-laid-off fantasy morning was Little kitty Sophie time, giving her bellyrubs, which she LOVES, and then maybe snuggling up with her on the couch to watch a movie. And Cherry Garcia! My God, woman! You know how to LIVE.

[fudge stripe cookays]

75. Wish I had a Little Kitty Sophie...

Instead of Hellcat Molly. She's not a cuddler. But I did let her get up on the window sill to enjoy the nice breeze. She dug that!

FSC

[Sugar Smack]

78. Oh, I must brag on little Sophie now- this is she

when she was only a wee bairn!



and here's the little lady now:



Also, if I had time and wasn't so hooked on DU tonight, I'd watch a movie. "Kill Bill 2". And eat bonbons stirred into ice cream. I really am happy for you.

[Tafiti]

69. That is truly some great news!

You sound so happy, and I'm happy for you.

[fudge stripe cookays]

70. Thanks taf!

Plus, unlike most normal people, I actually get excited when I receive death certificates in the mail (genealogy fiend).

I got two today! Yay! I'm working on my family history right now, with a cup of hot tea.

FSC

[Susang]

72. Hooray!

Now go sit on the couch and eat some Bon-Bons, damn it!

[fudge stripe cookays]

74. Beat ya to the punch!

Only it's Ben and Jerry's. My two best friends!

FSC

[Susang]

77. Sometimes

If you're lucky....

They put Bon-Bons in the Ben & Jerry's!

[bleedingheart]

73. I am happy to hear that it is a good thing for you...

Have fun and relax!!!

[Cathyclysmic]

76. Congrats!

I heard last night about your fortune...yay!!!!

Now you can start chipping away at your list of things to do if you only had time!

[Nikia]

79. I am happy for you

Sometimes, circumstances really do have a lot to do with how we feel. Sometimes, as in your case, our circumstances can change dramatically for the better. It can feel like a miracle.