Fast Forward
So, it's two years later, and I'm sitting down to dust off this space. Life has continued on - some good, some bad. Nooze is now in high school, and has blossomed into a bright, beautiful teenager. She is one of my favorite people in the world.
Chachi is doing (mostly) well, working far too hard while dealing with health issues that want to stop him in his tracks. They don't, by the way. Chachi is also one of my favorite people (still); his humor and support have kept me going when nothing else would.
A lot has changed around La Casa, especially in the past year or so. First and foremost, I was laid off last spring, when Destrukto decided to regroup and eliminate my entire department. Save their favorite, of course. She (of far less experience) is still employed there. If that sounds bitter, it isn't intended to be. There may be a trace of it in there somewhere, though.
When Boss One called me into his office, I knew that something was up. I half jokingly asked if I was being fired, and he sighed. "No, not fired..." he drifted off. He asked me to sit down while he explained the situation. Big Green (Destrukto's parent company) had decided months before that EFFICIENCY was key, and decided that slashing jobs was the way to go. In a matter of minutes, a total of 4 people in our office were terminated. I was the only one that took it well. Boss One was stunned at my acceptance, and struggled not to express any negative emotion towards those in the Green Tower. Though against company policy, he ensured that my severance package included a signed reference from him.
It probably comes as no surprise that I was miserable. Miserable and well paid, with a fully vested 401K. I stayed because it was easier than trying something new. Easier than starting over. Easier than a pay cut. So I thought.
Within days of my newly found "freedom", things significantly changed. I began sleeping better. I cut down on coffee (some, let's not be crazy). The gnawing pain in my stomach began to ease. The chest pains stopped. My commute went from 100 miles per day to....walking in the neighborhood. Every morning. My days of clock watching turned to losing track of time in a really good book. I spent a LOT more time outside. It was surprisingly lovely.
Fast forward to this spring.
The lovely side of unemployment has faded to a mild panic. Despite applying for well over 100 jobs in the past year, I have had exactly one interview. It was awful, by the way. I'm glad that I wasn't offered that job. Day by day, every application is met with either indifference or a subtly snide "Thanks, but NO THANKS" canned email response. There are no calls. No offers. No possibilities at this time.
It's tough, to be honest. But truthfully? I don't regret the layoff. This past year has taught me more about life - family, friendships, loyalty, hard work - than fifteen years of paychecks ever did. (It doesn't hurt that four people - Boss One included - have escaped Destrukto of their own free will since December. I am cheering them on from Edge of the Great Woods.)
I am working SEMI-part time in a Creative Space, and my boss is undiagnosed (middle aged) ADHD. My title falls somewhere between Admin Assistant and Personal Guru. He calls me The Fixer, which is equal parts true and amusing. There is potential for the work to increase, and I hope that it does. While my paychecks are significantly smaller than they were with Destrukto, I am infinitely happier.
Contentment, my friends, is seriously underrated.
Much love,
Rennratt
Chachi is doing (mostly) well, working far too hard while dealing with health issues that want to stop him in his tracks. They don't, by the way. Chachi is also one of my favorite people (still); his humor and support have kept me going when nothing else would.
A lot has changed around La Casa, especially in the past year or so. First and foremost, I was laid off last spring, when Destrukto decided to regroup and eliminate my entire department. Save their favorite, of course. She (of far less experience) is still employed there. If that sounds bitter, it isn't intended to be. There may be a trace of it in there somewhere, though.
When Boss One called me into his office, I knew that something was up. I half jokingly asked if I was being fired, and he sighed. "No, not fired..." he drifted off. He asked me to sit down while he explained the situation. Big Green (Destrukto's parent company) had decided months before that EFFICIENCY was key, and decided that slashing jobs was the way to go. In a matter of minutes, a total of 4 people in our office were terminated. I was the only one that took it well. Boss One was stunned at my acceptance, and struggled not to express any negative emotion towards those in the Green Tower. Though against company policy, he ensured that my severance package included a signed reference from him.
It probably comes as no surprise that I was miserable. Miserable and well paid, with a fully vested 401K. I stayed because it was easier than trying something new. Easier than starting over. Easier than a pay cut. So I thought.
Within days of my newly found "freedom", things significantly changed. I began sleeping better. I cut down on coffee (some, let's not be crazy). The gnawing pain in my stomach began to ease. The chest pains stopped. My commute went from 100 miles per day to....walking in the neighborhood. Every morning. My days of clock watching turned to losing track of time in a really good book. I spent a LOT more time outside. It was surprisingly lovely.
Fast forward to this spring.
The lovely side of unemployment has faded to a mild panic. Despite applying for well over 100 jobs in the past year, I have had exactly one interview. It was awful, by the way. I'm glad that I wasn't offered that job. Day by day, every application is met with either indifference or a subtly snide "Thanks, but NO THANKS" canned email response. There are no calls. No offers. No possibilities at this time.
It's tough, to be honest. But truthfully? I don't regret the layoff. This past year has taught me more about life - family, friendships, loyalty, hard work - than fifteen years of paychecks ever did. (It doesn't hurt that four people - Boss One included - have escaped Destrukto of their own free will since December. I am cheering them on from Edge of the Great Woods.)
I am working SEMI-part time in a Creative Space, and my boss is undiagnosed (middle aged) ADHD. My title falls somewhere between Admin Assistant and Personal Guru. He calls me The Fixer, which is equal parts true and amusing. There is potential for the work to increase, and I hope that it does. While my paychecks are significantly smaller than they were with Destrukto, I am infinitely happier.
Contentment, my friends, is seriously underrated.
Much love,
Rennratt
posted by rennratt at 1:10 PM
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