Nov 18 2008
Tuesday is a cheap date
Day two of my “sabbatical” (my euphemistic term for being unemployed), I took Mr. Hot to see Quantum of Solace. I figured while he watched the movie, I could drool over Daniel Craig. Plus, it’s cheap matinee day at our local theater - IF you count $6 each as cheap. We did manage to eat lunch before we went, so no popcorn (for him) or Hot Tamales (for me) made it relatively inexpensive.
(It was action packed, of course, but WTF? Only one scene with a shirtless Craig? That was disappointing.)
Annnywayyyyy, I didn’t tell you how the world pretty much said “Fuck You” to me last Friday, did I? Y’know, my last day at work (I promise I won’t make blog into a depressing unemployment diary…yet. I still have a few months - I think - before I get to that point) after sixteen years of superior-type service?
First, I sent my contact information to the process group that wanted me to come back and work as a contractor. Yep. The Process from Hell process group still needs my help but they didn’t want me to stick around as an employee - they just wanted to pay me as a contractor WHILE I was collecting my severance pay. Yea, mmmm, okay. Pay me twice. Get me all freakin’ excited about getting paid twice. They called me to tell me the budget they had for contractors got cut. To $0.
STRIKE 1.
Second, I got a call from the Human Resources recruiter that was handling the position I applied for. The position that was essentially MY job description for the past 5 years. And that I kinda wanted to get. No go. The hiring manager decided that she really didn’t want someone that lived in Michigan - even though I went through three separate interviews during the process and my ability to work remotely (and manage staff remotely) was extolled with great enthusiasm (or is that redundant?) by everyone I spoke with.
STEE-RIKE 2.
Third, I sent my contact information to the person I can’t stand - because…oh hell, I don’t know. I sent it to a bunch of people and she ended up on the list. She called me to offer to pass around my resume and to let me know, “If you see anything on the job site that you’re interested in, please give me a call and I’ll find out whatever I can for you.” (Which was her way of telling me that she got a job with the company…and didn’t that just make me want to puke green chunky vomit all over?)
STRIKE 3.
Then! With 30 minutes left to the end of the day (Dudes. The end of The Day (Now, with caps!)), I got a call from the Outplacement Center that, as part of our severance package, we get access to. Access as in: an office, a phone, a ‘career counselor’ that helps with your resume, passwords to proprietary and double-secret job sites. The deal is that you sign up within 60 days, and then, depending on the title you had when you were laid off, you get a certain # of months of the service. Well, I was a Vice President. The last time I laid off VPs, they got 6 months of service. I was notified that during the sale of the company, the contract was changed. Now, VPs only get 3 months. Have you ever tried to find a job between Thanksgiving and, say, January 15th? Can you say “fucked?”
AND, STEE-RIKE 4.
You’re out! Buh-bye! Thanks. Buh-bye! Don’t let the door hit your cute ass on the way out.
Now, if you comment and tell me that I’ll find something and that I’m great and the right opportunity will come along - I’ll have to bitch-slap you. From afar, maybe, but I will do it. I SO will. Because all of that was just my way of saying that I am pretty damn glad to be on sabbatical - and that I realized it on Friday afternoon around 4:45 p.m.
I have plans, yo. Plans to make some baby gifts for friends. Plans to read books I’ve missed and to see movies with my husband. Plans to research what to plant in the gardens. Plans to get back to exercising regularly - because, let’s face it, saying “It’s too cold” at 6 a.m. was a great excuse to stop running for the past month. I’ve got plans to learn (relearn) how to design websites. And I’m planning my plans for BlogHer next year. Yes, I KNOW it’s a long time away, but I’m making a list of everyone that I’m going to accost try to meet.
—- Now watch. With all those damn plans, someone is going to come through with a job and screw it all up. —-
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
I was “downsized” in 1996 from a company I had worked for for 20 years. I was a little sad about it, but it has turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I have been able to do a variety of things, learn a lot, and travel a bunch. None of those things would have happened had I stayed with that job.
Ok, some days I feel like I am playing hookey from school, like today. I stayed in my nightgown all day long, laid around reading a book, and doing internet stuff. I work only 6 months of the year now and play the rest of the time. And I am loving it.
Karens last blog post..Montezuma’s Castle
Yay for plans outside of work! I had the same plans when I graduated from college- cause let’s face it, I have more free time now than I did in school. Getting to do all that stuff that you’ve been putting off feels awesome. Enjoy your sabbatical!
And I’m really hoping I can make my life work to come to BlogHer, so I can meet you!
tutugirl1345s last blog post..…and I’m getting political on you again.
Ugh, what a pain! Sending good thoughts your way!
ElleBees last blog post..OneTwoThree GO!
Life has other plans for you lady, come to terms with it. ;-p and yeah something WILL come along when the time and opportunity is right so have some damn fun.
Oh and thanks for mentioning the hot tamales now I want some soooooooooo freaking bad! Grrrr.
Talinas last blog post..Preparing for turkey day and such…
Oh yeah … BlogHer 2009 is going to be close …Chick-cago!
Nancys last blog post..Pretty, Wicked , Butterfly
Your plans sound FABULOUS!
OMG, and “too cold” IS a good excuse to skip running. Isn’t it?
Jules
House of Jules
HouseofJuless last blog post..Pablo for President 2044!
I’m going to totally cry if commentluv doesn’t grab my last post, as per usual on your blog. (Only your blog that this happens to me - I don’t get it. Do I offend?)
Anyhow, the whole job thing bites all over. My father’s company just did the lay-offs thing, and he is filling in for someone who was axed. I wish I had advice, but I don’t. I’m worried about my own position most days. **sigh**
RC - Rambling Along…s last blog post..The Glamorous Life of a Parent
I won’t even blow sunshine for you because I’m also full time job hunting and it’s going about as stellar as you’ve described here. I can be the company to your “misery loves company”. LOL! But I do like your plan for now…and yes, someone will screw that up with a job offer eventually, so soak it in while you can!
Mand/ Mommy Crackeds last blog post..Heeeere’s Your Sign
I will so shaddap about job prospects. You gots plans.
witchypoos last blog post..Skinny Bitch Gets Dumped
you WILL be alright, not saying you’ll find a job or not (certainly I don’t want that b-slap!) but you’ll be fine and you’ll enjoy this time off. Here’s wishing the Michigan economy was much better, I may find myself in this boat the first of the year! Here’s to us and unemployment!
Terris last blog post..Smelly kittens
Sounds like you pissed off one of the gods that day…well hopefully you’re sabatical will last as long as your plans are and the ‘dream’ job will fall into your lap when you want it most.
(now hows that for not saying it will be just fine, dear!)
Hope you have a great hump-day!
~K
Kels last blog post..Alone at last…
whoa, that was a bad day. And that bitch gloating was really over the top. Talk about uncalled for. I love all your plans! Can I quit my job and come hang out with you?
Shellys last blog post..Weekend
Hey Ree if you don’t find work I’ll hire you as my personal assistant…you can work remote and I pay in vodka and chocolate.
Carries last blog post..The Bear and the Atheist
No, I shall not offer any platitudes. I shall invite you to join the club of the unemployed. I find it nicer to call myself a retired hippy. Simply make the best possible of a free break. Enjoy yourself, go to more matinee shows and have lots of pop corn and tamales.
rummusers last blog post..Down Memory Lane.
Good for you, strike out girl! Hooray for sabbatical! No encouragement here! Drink all day if you like! Party like it’s today!
Pamelas last blog post..wordless wednesday: toothless edition
Some of the most fun Yes,Dear and I have had were when he was between jobs. Don’t sweat it - it all works out eventually and there’s nothing wrong with having some fun in the meanwhile.
Tinas last blog post..From the “More Than Half of the Population is of Below Average Intelligence” Files
My contribution to your job search/sabbatical is to tell you that I’d be happy to buy you a drink if you come to visit Maryland.
We had a round of layoffs here, effective December 1. I organized a happy hour this Friday, since it’s our final work Friday before the laid off employees become dearly departed. I’ll raise a vodka and limeade in your honor.
Dana Whitakers last blog post..Ice, ice baby
I’m glad you have plans. Now I wish you’d plan to move here so Mr. D can hire you and WE can go have vodka drinks every Saturday afternoon. Just sayin.
Don’t worry; you’ll find something, you’re great and the right opportunity will come along. Oops, sorry, that was what I wasn’t supposed to say. Um…Vodka Lemonade?
Fannies last blog post..Running Hot and Cold
this would be a great time to be irresponsible and smoke some weed. hey! no random drug tests.
oh wait. that might include not being a good mom. so scratch that. maybe just eat a lot of catnip and see what happens?
here. have a mojito. i make a kick ass mojito. and drinking a drink you didn’t have to make yourself is always a treat.
jesss last blog post..Bath overnight trip… Part One: Windsor Castle
I really loved my “sabbatical”. I worked for government before the last provincial election, and after the election there was a house cleaning of staff. I was able to stay at home and craft, and sleep in, and enjoy some well earned rest. I hope you have as much fun as I did.
You know those plans? They need to include flying to Australia to hug me and redesigning MY WEBSITE.
Cause, as you know, it is ALL ABOUT ME!
Smootches my girl. Cause *I* need them.
Kelleys last blog post..Adventures in babysitting
Yeah, being unemployed sucks. I’ve been unemployed/underemployed/working on a dissertation (what I call it depends on my mood for the day) for a while now. And it was kind of fun at first to be home all day, but now I actually wish I had a real job to go to and other people to talk with! My favorite neighbor speaks about ten words of English and I have only about ten words of Spanish, so while we enjoy each others company and do chat regularly, it is tough to have much in-depth conversation.
(Yes, I could be spending my time working on my Spanish and get something productive out of this time; I’m tired of all the self improvement/cleaning house projects! Now I just want to watch TV or something.)
Fortunately, I was insanely lucky enough to land a really fantastic job at a great place, starting next summer. Now, I just need to get from here to there!
So, enjoy your sabbatical time; I think it will make the going-back-to-work time coming up later even sweeter!
Enjoy your time off! You deserve it! As much as I freaked out about being unemployed, etc. I would NOT trade the 2 months I had of “vacation.” It was a needed break!
And I’ll be at BlogHer. I kind of have to since it is my city!
Kristabellas last blog post..Employment Is Tiring
Oy. Stay sane, friend.
Good luck with everything going on. Hugs from WI.
Jamies last blog post..Vietnam Veteran
That’s really awesome that you’ve got such a glass half full view of things. One of my favorite sayings is that happiness is a means of travel not a destination. Enjoy it while you can.
a happier girls last blog post..Doesn’t make you petty to want a cookie, hag
I just joined the “sabbatical” club this month after 15 years with the same company. I was a VP too. As a single parent of a toddler, it is unnerving. I miss the friends I had at work, near and far. I miss the boring old routine. The days are long and the teevee is so uninteresting.
I would love to hear how you are doing, the good, the bad and the ugly. This club is growing everyday, unfortunately, so there are lots of us going through this transition and trying to figure out what’s next. Hugs to you and good luck.
Iriss last blog post..Happy Thanksgiving