hardest day in memory... LAST trip to the office...

[nostamj]

some of you know i've been laid-off after 10+ years at my current job.

i've been putting it off for two days. but have no choice but to go in today, drop off the 'separation agreement' and load my boxes into a car. (if I don't, i don't get the severance $$$)

i'll say a very few goodbyes as I just can't imagine going through 20+ floors. i just can't do it.

i've been sitting in this chair for the last two days... surfing DU, working on my store and website, and otherwise just paralyzed.

hopefully, things will begin to look UP again after the break is formal and final.

on edit: there is absolutely torrential rain in NYC today. appropriate enough. though i could have avoided going out in the rain if i got off my butt yesterday... :shrug:

[soleft]

1. sending vibes of comfort Nostamj

Things will look up again.

And you look very extremely handsome with your seasonal beard.

:hug:

[nostamj]

10. thanks

too bad I'm not young enough to hustle... ;-)

[prolesunited]

2. It's hard and painful

but you'll make it. :hug:

Do you have plans this evening? Perhaps a quiet evening with a sympathetic friend or two?

[nostamj]

21. thanks proles....

i slept very little last night so i'll be alone tonight. i'm totally wrung out now (just back from the FINAL office visit)

[tigereye]

3. that is hard to do

Have never been laid off ( well actually I have come to think of it), but have had to make changes in my career in the last ten years that were very difficult. I was very angry about that at first, but oddly enough, as time went by, I realized that this loss of one type of career that seemed so terrible was acutally a blessing. I ended up running my own business for the first time, and although I will never be well off, I realized that it was a good thing and taught me capacities I had that would never have been explored otherwise. I also have more flexibility and family time. Good luck to you!

[NJCher]

4. Hey, nostamj, chin up

Not to worry; someone as talented as you are will find work and soon, too. I can appreciate what you're saying about the goodbyes though. I hate saying goodbye but maybe you can think of it as a door opening instead of one that's closing. Ten years is a long time to do and be anywhere. Onward and upward!


Cher

[redqueen]

5. So sad - I ususally cry ! How goofy is that?!

It will probably be bad today, but I'm pretty sure tomorrow and after will be much easier. I hope you have something to do tonight to distract you a bit. Stick that box in a closet for a couple of weeks. Going through it will only drag it out. It'll be much easier once the sting has worn off somewhat.

You're in my prayers. :)

:hug:

[ohiosmith]

6. Have you executed the severance agreement? You may be able to

negotiate a better package. If you are not being provided outplacement ask for it. It can make all the difference in locating a new position quickly. Don't be afraid to ask for additional severance benefits. The employer is anxious to settle with as little hassle as possible.

[Bertha Venation]

7. I'm sorry.

:hug: Here's prayers & good thoughts for you.

As soon as I can, I will make a purchase from your web site. May I post a link to it on my own site? I get little traffic, but . . . . ?

[nostamj]

9. "May I post a link "

of course! thanks!

the "real" website is coming (that will offer graphic design/writing services)

[indie]

8. Went through it in September

After 8 years with the same co. I was told on a monday that friday would be my last day. I chose to hang around for the week and say farewell in a more relaxed way. Glad i did it, I think it made it easier for me and everyone else I knew. The good news is, the position wasn't eliminated, it was just shipped off to India, so I can still apply for it there if I want. Anyway, I'd like to offer words of encouragement, but after 4 months of job searching, things are looking bleak. Hope it works out for you.

[Beetwasher]

11. Hey, Sorry Man

That's rough...Anything I can do to help, let me know...

[nostamj]

13. actually...

i will be contacting you soon.

i will be producing a 'political cabaret' and thought there might be a place in it for you (or a song) even as a 'special guest'

will be in touch. (still have your # i think)

and, thanks!

[nostamj]

12. thanks to all...

for your kind thoughts. don't have time to respond to all individually.

must suck it up and hit the subway...

will check in later this afternoon

[pmbryant]

14. Getting laid off sucks

I had to go through it myself a couple years ago.

At least you got a significant amount of warning for this. Be thankful for small gestures like this, because it really could be worse. I got told on a Friday at 4PM and was promptly escorted out of the building by my former boss. (And believe it or not, I was treated better than others who were laid off later.)

:wtf:

Yes, getting laid off sucks. Best of luck to you. I know you will transform this turn of events into a big long-run positive. :grouphug:

--Peter

[wysimdnwyg]

15. Went through pretty much the exact same thing in 2002

I got "downsized" from my job of 8 1/2 years. I did my moving after-hours. It made things a lot easier. There were still some people around, but only a few. Not the mad rush that would have happened in the middle of the day.

You'll get through it, it just takes a bit of time. If I can offer one piece of advice, though. Don't "take some time off to relax" before you start looking. I did that for a month, then it took me three MORE months to get a new job. If you get lucky and find a new job very quickly and you still want to take a little time, negotiate a couple of weeks off before you start.

[nostamj]

20. "time off to relax' - nope!

starting looking right away. with terrifying results. no one thing yet to even apply for. so, also working on getting my own biz going as well.

thanks!

[RebelOne]

16. So sorry, I know what you are going through.

I have been through it myself. Have been laid off 4 times since 1990.

[commander bunnypants]

17. Sorry my friend

something better will come up.

DDQM

[CatWoman]

18. I'm so sorry to hear this, N

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

be well, friend.

I hope you get situated real quick.

[geniph]

19. My husband was laid off and changed careers at 49

He's now a happy owner of his own business. Sometimes getting laid off (or even fired) can be the best thing that ever happened to you; it breaks the inertia and gives you an excuse to find work that you really enjoy. It's a tough row to hoe - it took John several years of crap jobs (including day labor), exhausting his unemployment, half killing himself, and much hustling, but it can be done - no matter what your age is.

[nostamj]

22. final indignities!

so, I get to the office, say some goodbyes and go to my office only to find out that the SOB supervisor cancelled my account YESTERDAY.

today was my last day. this was pure evil spite on his part and i let him know in no uncertain terms.

after about 45 minutes by account was re-instated and I sent out a few final emails and a 'global' goodbye to the firm.

THEN, even though I had been told that the firm would ship/messanger my boxes.... NO, I had to ride them home myself.

well, it's OVER.

and again my thanks for all the responses on this thread. please forgive me if i don't answer every one personally.

i'm just whipped...