Back to work

stomachmonkey · 06:06 AM

Aug 27th 2004, company meeting, we are told GMAC is no longer going to be our creditor and a new creditor has not signed on so you've got 1/2 hour to grab your personal effects before the building is locked down. Acclaim Entertainment, we shut down 3 locations in the US, 3 in the UK, 1 each in Germany, France, Spain, Japan and Australia. Complete global corporate meltdown in 1 day.

Kinda figured it was coming and I'd already had my staff clear out earlier in the week. Benefits ceased immediately and they stuck us for our last paycheck, lost 100+ vacation days and all my stock options. Ouch!

Wife is a teacher for NYC, she had been out on child care leave. She calls her principal to tell her she's coming back to work. She gets stuck with the class from hell which makes the next 9 months around my house a living nightmare and nearly destroyed my marraige but at least we have some income and benefits for our kids.

I spent the last year at home taking care of the kids and co-producing a couple of infomercials that still aren't done. Who woulda thought it was that difficult to get people to invest a measly $1,000,000 to get them going.

Couple of months ago I start doing some consulting for the worlds 5th largest software publisher, they are giving me so much work that I had to hire 5 freelancers to get it done. Problem is that after payroll and expenses I'd be better off working at McDonalds.

They've made me several job offers over the last few months which I've turned down.

Getting close to September and the wife is panicking about going back to the hell hole. If she does it's $800 a month to put the son in day care so I can try and work. If she does not go back it's $800 a month in medical plus no income from her.

So they call last week and say "what will it take to get you on board?" I give them a number and they call back later that day and say OK.

So I start on Monday.

What a relief.

I'm getting my life back.

livi · 08-20-2005, 08:09 AM

I am glad you feel that way going back to work. I am also a bit envious. Wish I felt good about going to work too. During the last year I have felt burned out. The responsibility, the stress, the work load.

Sadly, in a way I could state the opposite - I need a brake. Big time.

Happy, for you though ! (never mind my whining)

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

That's great news for you, SM. Must be a real relief.

djmcmath · 08-20-2005, 10:04 AM

What a nightmare, what a relief. It's stories like yours that make me glad I've stayed with the Navy.

stomachmonkey · 08-20-2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
I am glad you feel that way going back to work. I am also a bit envious. Wish I felt good about going to work too. During the last year I have felt burned out. The responsibility, the stress, the work load.

Sadly, in a way I could state the opposite - I need a brake. Big time.

Happy, for you though ! (never mind my whining)

Quit NOW! Take a break before you resent what you do. You're a medical professional I believe? Pediatrics correct?

My sister is Dr. that works for a drug rehab. She HATES her job and is starting to resent the patients. But she feels stuck because she makes really good money. Finally convinced her to stop "existing" and to start "living" again. She's selling the house and moving out of state.

She could not see existing on less money than she currently makes until we reflected on my past year.

When I was working my wife's Visa bill was twice our mortgage every month and we still managed to invest money and have zero balance on the cards.

So when my company and my salary went away we managed to survive an entire year on the wifes teaching salary, 1/3rd of what I brought home, and only took 2k out of savings the entire time.

Whenever it got tight I'd do a quick consulting gig at $1500 a day, work that I hated but it was money.

Guess what, we learned to adapt and survive.

Work is not who you are, it's what you do so you can be who you want to be.

livi · 08-20-2005, 11:49 AM

stomachmonkey, (where did that come from ?)

Thanks for your concern ! You are right, of course.

Heck, Dr Phil can close the shop ! This forum is all any one needs (meant in the best of ways) !!

BTW I am touched you remembered my occupation.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Congratulations! I'm glad you got your job and things are working out for you!