In the cellar, or somewhere

SG John

SG John

Ambassador of Cool Guitars and Amps.
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I need to vent a bit, and this seemed like the best place to do it. I also needed to print my thoughts, just to read through them and put them together. Last week, I was laid off. I am really pissed off about it. Two and a half years with no reviews, no discussion with the office, and all of a sudden I get a review, and they say "you go now." This is in a profession where you fly regularly, and really need to be able to work independently, and on the fly(literally).

It took me a couple of days to calm down, a little bit. At 57 it's tough to find work. At least as a Field Service Engineer and a Machinist, I have very marketable skills in this stoopid day and age. Especially where age discrimination is rampant, but unable to prove. I have about four irons in the fire, with one being a previous job. I had a four hour interview where my old boss was selling to me all the improvements made within the company. I can go back, I just need to be sure I want to and I want to stay until I retire. I'm not quite sure yet if I want to go back, even though it may make the most sense. This time around, I'll spend more time at home. Or, so they say.

I'm trying to make Pro/Con lists as I go along. I'm hoping that in the Pro list will be playing music, and not having to worry about trying to book an occasional show. Or, buy tickets to a concert and many other things normal people get to experience.

In the meantime, I'm doing all the neglected work on the house that needs doing. Window blinds, dimmer switches, new book cases, wiring upgrades, and the cellar upgrades I have been working on (and getting nowhere) for the past couple of years. The framing for the next section is up, and I'll insulate and get sheet rock up in the next couple of days. Then it'll be mud and paint before moving onto the next phase. I have a master plan for my cellar that turns it into a home office/work shop/recording area/study and/or a place to just hang out and play my guitar. I'll also get to finish the guitars I started building and play with other projects such as amp, more guitars, and doing skate sharpening for my wife's figure skater friends. I'm hoping that when I'm done, my cellar is worthy of some of the home workshops that used to be featured in Popular Mechanics, Popular Woodworking, and other publications of the '50s and '60s. Back when everyone seemed to have a great workshop in their house. Or so, the magazines led you to believe.

Maybe, I can work on my motorcycles too.

It's been over ten years since I was last unemployed, and I was pretty depressed back then. It also went on a year and a half that time. I think my options are better this time, and I should be working by October. The uncertainty is still nerve racking.

Thanks for letting me put my thoughts down.
 
Ummmmmmmm...yeah......WOW John!
I hope that you work things out.
I just went through some big changes through the last 8-10 months too.
I seriously debated a complete change in path...scrap the last 30(next month)years, and move on.
The final solution was to change jobs, within my field, again...I hope that this is the last one for me, for a good stretch this time.
But I hear you on the age discrimination thing...tangible proof is difficult....I have to deal with it too, amongst other things, in my line.
Thankfully, I do have some very tangible skills...I’m sure that you do too, or the former employer wouldn’t be courting you.
Really, I wish you the best sir.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Ummmmmmmm...yeah......WOW John!
I hope that you work things out.
I just went through some big changes through the last 8-10 months too.
I seriously debated a complete change in path...scrap the last 30(next month)years, and move on.
The final solution was to change jobs, within my field, again...I hope that this is the last one for me, for a good stretch this time.
But I hear you on the age discrimination thing...tangible proof is difficult....I have to deal with it too, amongst other things, in my line.
Thankfully, I do have some very tangible skills...I’m sure that you do too, or the former employer wouldn’t be courting you.
Really, I wish you the best sir.
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Thanks Don,

Yeah the whole going back on the road doesn't do much for me. Unfortunately, it's tough to make good money in the machine tool industry now, and that is about the only way. The trade off is to live the life of a veal calf in a hotel room. The days of "oh, you're a machinist? You'll have a job for life" are long gone.

If it wasn't for my mortgage, other debt, and regular bills and maintenance, I'd look at redefining myself so that I can have more of a personal life. I miss the days of living at The Rat, Bunratty's, and The Channel watching and playing shows. Now... I'd just like to play about six to ten shows a year, maybe record a couple of more records, get my bikes back into shape and go for a ride up to Bar Harbor, and then up to the Bay of Fundy.
 
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SG John said:
Thanks Don,

Yeah the whole going back on the road doesn't do much for me. Unfortunately, it's tough to make good money in the machine tool industry now, and that is about the only way. The trade off is to live the life of a veal calf in a hotel room. The days of "oh, you're a machinist? You'll have a job for life are long gone."

If it wasn't for my mortgage, other debt, and regular bills and maintenance, I'd look at redefining myself so that I can have more of a personal life. I miss the days of living at The Rat, Bunratty's, and The Channel watching and playing shows. Now... I'd just like to play about six to ten shows a year, maybe record a couple of more records, get my bikes back into shape and go for a ride up to Bar Harbor, and then up to the Bay of Fundy.
Click to expand...

Yep, the “job for life” thing is why I chose my line of work...the pay isn’t great, but it’s steady, and livable...if I’m not too demanding to live beyond my means. Now, a lot of what I do best is outsourced to wholesale labs, and managed vision care plans(one of the biggest scams out there...don’t get me started)lab facilities. The days of me knowing my stuff, getting it done efficiently and accurately, and being appreciated for it are over...pretty much.
I’m hoping that this job will be the last push to finish up the mortgage, and stuff...maybe. Then I can reassess, and move from there. Decide between selling, and moving to Maine to play music, fish, and hunt...or just keep pushing until I can’t anymore, and deal with it then. Shrug....
Don’t forget the Middle East, and TT’s! But yeah...The Rat, The Channel, and Bunratty’s!...a different day....a good one though.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Yep, the “job for life” thing is why I chose my line of work...the pay isn’t great, but it’s steady, and livable...if I’m not too demanding to live beyond my means. Now, a lot of what I do best is outsourced to wholesale labs, and managed vision care plans(one of the biggest scams out there...don’t get me started)lab facilities. The days of me knowing my stuff, getting it done efficiently and accurately, and being appreciated for it are over...pretty much.
I’m hoping that this job will be the last push to finish up the mortgage, and stuff...maybe. Then I can reassess, and move from there. Decide between selling, and moving to Maine to play music, fish, and hunt...or just keep pushing until I can’t anymore, and deal with it then. Shrug....
Don’t forget the Middle East, and TT’s! But yeah...The Rat, The Channel, and Bunratty’s!...a different day....a good one though.
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Out of all of them, The Middle East still exists. But then, Great Scott and O'Brien's are still there too in Allston Rawk City. And, Salem has a pretty good scene these days, as well as some good clubs up in Gloucester.
 
I cannot even imagine you losing your gig, John, This is major suckage.

I sure hope you get the best outcome and even better than expected once this is all said and done.
My one machinist buddy has a good employer. He is a driveshaft specialist at a truck body shop. They do plows, dump beds and all manner of mods to make heavy work trucks.
 
Wow, that sucks, John. As you say, age discrimination is a big problem, and very hard to combat. Fingers crossed for you. You say you have got four irons in the fire, I hope it will work out for you.

If I may be as bold: How long until you can retire?
 
The economic climate does not make for much security -- and age discrimination is very prominent --- I see it more and more ---
Get an intern or a new hire for 45% less to do it and can the "old guy" oh and DONT offer the replacement things like insurance or 401K benefits--that will save us EVEN MORE!
BUt quality-- customer service and many other things LAG horribly -- but the bean counters at the top dont care-- to KEEP their jobs they MUST increase profit--

I got laid off myself 2 years ago--(after relocating my entire family and farm in under 30 days to GET the job-- also remote self motivated work on the fly type job)
I saw it coming though--- company changes and lack of support-and had started the search--
I now do outside sales for 2 companies---(double the work) for about 10% less $ and -- zero benefits--no insurance -- no retirement benies-- no paid vacations-- NADA - -nuttin--
sell or starve, period --

Yep -- its a wonderful thing

I wish you much luck in the search John. Sound like you have a potential parachute there---if it looks like a solid 5-10 year gig ---Id do it.

But the reason I was in the ABOVE predicament (and took the job I had to relocate to get) was because I had gone BACK to work at MY old company--thinking it would be a perfect fit and I could do that till retirement --I WASTED 5 years helping them REBUILD the business and grow---(under the agreement of improved income/position when that was achieved) --- and got shite on for it--(sadly by the vary person I introduced to --trained and set up in THAT business years ago) --prompting my job and relocation change---
Sometimes the old adage "you cant go back" is true---not to steer you-- but -- just know what the company WAS last time you worked there it ISNT now, if you see that going in perhaps you will do better than I.--
Hope that helps
 
Wow sorry to hear about this terrible situation you are in! Its a very difficult time . I was there once many many years ago, its very unsettling, but it can open up a new door with a fresh beginning. It did for me and I am sure it will for you.
 
@SG John
Sorry to hear of your predicament.
Hope things work out sooner and better.

Things are getting worse for the skilled / technician / labor / worker level professionals.
Age discrimination and the fear of being the new guy somewhere else / first on the layoff list are 2 of the reasons I dont look for something better as well.
 
That really sucks John! The good thing I take from your post is there is a job option open if you decide to take it. That's not always the case so at least you have that.

I've only been unemployed once in my adult life and that was when I retired from the USAF. It was very nerve racking looking for a good job and going to interviews
after being employed for 26 years straight! I did have to take an interim job on one of the Aleutian islands for a year. It was isolated and I was away from my family for
nearly a year.

I was looking for something better the entire time and I finally found another job with the Feds. I'll be putting 20 years in here (6 left) and then I'm done for good!

Try and enjoy the downtime knowing you have something if you want it. Get those projects done. It sounds like you are excited about that!

Good luck with what ever you decide to pursue!
 
Gahr said:
Wow, that sucks, John. As you say, age discrimination is a big problem, and very hard to combat. Fingers crossed for you. You say you have got four irons in the fire, I hope it will work out for you.

If I may be as bold: How long until you can retire?
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Eight more years. But the US is not known for taking care of it's own people, so it will probably be a few more years after that.
 
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