The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: kilopaparomeo on October 10, 2011, 12:56:12 PM
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Hey guys,
Sorry I've been out of the forum for so long. On July 28, I went into my boss's office for my performance appraisal. We spent an hour going through my direct reports and their performance and my performance. At the end of it, he said "We need to make changes...the old performance standards no longer apply. Here's your package". And with that, I became unemployed.
After the anguish of going home and telling my wife that she married a loser (2nd time I've been laid off from a corporate job in 4 years), I got my crap together, got a positive attitude assembled and have been hitting the job market hard. It is very slow and unfortunately my skills are somewhat not the "work anywhere" kind (I'm a director of strategy / product marketing), but I'm positive I'll get a job. Just don't know when or where.
In the mean time, my wife tells me I'm in a better mood than I've been in 3 years. I've been getting up and riding my bike 25-30 miles most mornings, cooking dinner, reading to my kids, I've lost 20 lbs and I've been shooting a bunch. The benefit of having a bunch of ammo stockpiled is that it hasn't cost me any ammo $$. So far:
+ Trap -- shot my first clean 25 around six weeks ago and have repeated it several times since
+ Rifle -- I attended my 2nd Appleseed course last weekend and shot Rifleman. Also accepted the orange hat of an Instructor in Training
+ IDPA and Multi-gun -- have been shooting IDPA and 3 gun Tactical Matches a lot. Have progressed from placing in the middle of the pack to 4th in my division last month. I won the Tac Match over the weekend but it was sparsely attended. Still, I'm getting better.
Now all I gotta do is get a job to fund all this improvement in shooting :P
Traditional shot of your hat being shot after first clean trap round
(http://i52.tinypic.com/27yrbr4.jpg)
Appleseed pix -- my 12-yr old daughter shot this one with me and had a ball
(http://i51.tinypic.com/ajqk5t.jpg)\
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2ebr12v.jpg)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/1jnm0w.jpg)
(http://i53.tinypic.com/140ahd2.jpg)
(http://i54.tinypic.com/of4nqe.jpg)
Here's some of my 3-gun action pix
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298817_2170071484810_1037415780_32421004_1037303169_n.jpg)
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307268_2170072124826_1037415780_32421006_800985828_n.jpg)
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296040_2170073364857_1037415780_32421011_1485250993_n.jpg)
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/304780_2170072564837_1037415780_32421008_1648620746_n.jpg)
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Don't you just love it when corporate types BS the crap out of you (making you go through the "performance" review) knowing full well he is going to cut your ass from the company in about, oh, let's say, 3 minutes? What a tool!
Congrats on the good attitude, though. Hopefully the getting into shape helped with the Appleseed - lots of up and down required. Speaking of up and down, since your wife noticed the improved attitude, let's - - - no, let's not go there!!!! ;)
Cool shoot with the daughter. That is awesome, and yes, the kids usually have a blast. And it is usually the only place they learn these days about the US Revolution and the reality behind it. Good on you.
Just so you know it ain't just you, I'm in a very high-demand industry (IT) just not the technical stuff that is in the most demand. As a result, I have been unemployed for 17 of the last 27 months. I'm also in ND, where the largest municipal area is 100k people. Not a whole lot of jobs, but with the economy and the economic destruction we will all see more and more pain in the job area. >:(
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Hi;
With the old saying that "as 1 door closes another opens", Times are tough and someone had to go, you got picked. There is no shame in that. Many people are with you in the same boat. This is not a mark against you - it is just what happens in these times. Your new (future) employer will probably just shake his head and welcome you to your new job/company.
I was lucky in that I retired from the Fed Govt in what was called an "early out". Yes, I did not get the max monthly cash payments but with the COLA's ( cost of living adjustments ) every year, I am where I would have been had I stayed the 10 years more. But then, I would have "gone postal" and probably fired.
Do I miss that place - Hell No, I do miss some of the people. When I think of that place I want to slap myself in the face. We both ( I in my situation and you in yours) have to move on and in the end you will be better off. You may have been given a blessing in disguise. Don't look back or feel down and out. It is only upwards that you will be heading ! Hang in there !
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We're living in somewhat parallel universes though my "review" never went that far. I circumvented the conversation with a request for layoff before I ripped off the COOs' arm and killed him with the bloody stump!
At any rate, it sucks after 39 years to find myself seeking employment and though I'm not nearly as qualified as I think I am, I'm hoping to find something. Unfortunately, I make enough unemployment to pay the bills and really have no real reason not to take a well deserved vacation.
We should start a support group but I'd guess that's what this is anyways..
Good Luck youngster!
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Let see, get to shoot more and w/your daughter. Getting in shape. Good attitude, for a change. Chance for a fresh start. Loving family. Chance to further your hobby and become an instructor. What's not to like?
Keep us posted as we will keep you and your family in our prayers.
God Bless.
Richard
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Welcome back. And CONGRATULATIONS. On not crying in your beer, but getting off the couch and doing something. I'm sure you'll find a way to put bacon on the table.
First you're not a loser. I've gone through about 4 big corporations and most of them are out of business because THEY were the real losers. Same with you. It's their problem and their loss.
On my last lay off, which really hurt 'cause I was over 50, I wasn't quite as active as you, but I didn't just lay around and do nothing either. It took me several months, but I came to the realization that I was going to have to start over. First I worked at Lowes, just to have some income but also to see if I wanted to work my way into management there....nope. Then I went into theatrical sales which was more my liking, now I'm a technical director for a mega-church and I love it. The beauty is I've remade myself into a A/V, lighting, sound guy and can get gobs of contract work if the church and I part ways.
So....long way of saying, take a look at what you like doing and see if there's a way, even if you have to start at the bottom, to work yourself into a business you would really like.
Hang in there.
Alf
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Sorry to hear that KPR. Sounds like you have been busy enjoying life. Hope something comes your way soon.
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Glad your back KPR, keep your chin up and good things will happen!
Thanks for sharing the pics!
Hang in there.
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Welcome back KPR. We're glad to have you here. It's good that you did some shooting instead of just moping around. We can all use more "group therapy" at the range.
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Is that an M&P in your holster? ::)
Great to know your OK. Your heads in the right place, your certainly not a loser of any kind, and somehow, your the type that will always land on your feet.
*and after losing 20 pounds, it will be a softer landing,..... ::)
Thanks for the pics and update.
God Bless,
tw
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You rock KPR. Have really enjoyed your photos and sharing on this forum. Good things are in store for you down the road. Just may take a little time. I know cause I left a job making almost six figures a year to taking jobs that paid minimum wage. Very humbling but the only way to go is up when your looking from the bottom. ;D But the positive side is I can create my own schedule and spend more time with my family. Spent well over a decade in a factory and living beyond my means and cannot get that time back with my kids.
Like the golf course, it is always forward progress. I am happier and utliizing my mind instead of my braun. Took up assisting a Boy Scout Venturing Crew teaching shooting sports. Became a certified NRA Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Work retail security and teach firearms classes on the side. I actually do what I have a passion for. My only complaint is that I did not do it many years ago and not having the additional funds to take more NRA courses and become an instructor for Personal Protection Inside the Home. I get asked constantly if I am able to teach this course.
One thing that has come to mind is if I had the capital to start textiles back in the United States. Would be nice to create jobs again that left the United States and make our Country self sufficient again. I get sick of seeing China on so many items that could be made in the United States.
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Well, thanks guys. Didn't expect all the well wishes. I was just trying to explain why I have been gone for 2-1/2 months.
Appreciate the thoughts. I'm sure I'll come out of this...just don't know what the future holds. In the mean time, I'm trying to shoot and take care of my family.
Thanks again.
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God Bless you and yours in all areas KPR.