I just lost my job - and I'm pissed!

[TlalocW]

Not so much about losing my job because as it turns out, I'm probably going to be okay.

I'll get six weeks severence plus pro-rated on my bonus and paid for vacation time I haven't used.
My girlfriend re-financed my house so I haven't had to pay mortgage for August or September.
I have extra money from - of all things - balloon twisting at various events.

Plus (and this is freaky - not for the faint of heart), as I was cleaning out my cubicle, I got a call on my cell phone from a consulting company that I had gone to a couple of months ago when I was looking for another job (now ex-job was bugging me some). Turns out the company that I was looking at has another position opening up, and he wants me to get my info into him right away.

What pisses me off is that the company picnic was coming up, and my co-worker and friend and I were going to do another magic show. It's a Hawaiian theme, and I had come up with a trick where we disappear someone's wedding ring, and then the volunteer smashes open a coconut to find a ball of yarn. After un-ravelling the ball of yarn, he/she finds a matchbox with rubber bands around it keeping it closed. Opening up the matchbox, he/she finds... the disappeared ring.

I've been messing around with coconuts for a week now, and I still have some left over! GRRRRR! :)

TlalocW

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. WEll if it's any consolation, you have the time and funds

to make some GREAT PINA COLADAS!!!

[proud patriot]

2. Sorry to hear that

I had no idea you were a magician , the trick sounds
very cool .

[WillParkinson]

3. I'm so sorry!

I would have LOVED to see that trick.

May I ask WHY they let you go?

[TlalocW]

5. About 270 people

Between two different cities were let go today. The company wasn't making as much money as they hoped so they decided to let a lot of people go - including programmers like me, the ones who make the products that the company is paid to make.

Thank God they kept on the overpaid upper management who decided that this year's focus will be "Quality." Genius move there, monkey-boys. :)

TlalocW

[cherryperry]

12. Ah, yes,

The Peter Principle in action.

:argh:

Sounds like you'll be okay, tho!

Another example of the Bush recovery...:wtf: !

[slackmaster]

4. See if you can hire someone with a Japanese Zero fighter plane

Buzz the picnic shouting "Tora! Tora! Tora!", drop your spare coconuts and scare the crap out of them.

[TlalocW]

8. Heheheheheh...

Actually, the company webmaster for my branch was laid off about four months ago, and he's now rated to fly small aircraft.

My ex-manager just emailed me and said that I could still come to the company picnic. I'm going to tell her that if the company wants to hire me as a walk-around magician and balloon twister, THEN I'll come. :)

TlalocW

[Don_G]

18. An R/C Model?

Far less expensive and you can carry it in your car....

[zekeson]

6. When Life give you lemons make lemonade

what they hell do you do when life gives you coconuts? Sorry to hear about the job, but glad you are gonna be all right. So, are a clown or a magician?

[TlalocW]

7. I'm a weirdo

I've picked up so many weird, different hobbies, that I finally decided to make a part time business out of it. I do close-up magic (and some "stage" like at the company picnic), juggle (have since high school), ride a unicycle (since high school), learned balloon twisting a year and a half ago (that's what my paying jobs have been - at a country club a couple of times), and I can walk on my hands.

I'm putting together a business with my girlfriend (who wants to do face painting) to offer my services to restaurants and parties, etc. I'm not a traditional clown, but I've thought of doing that. Right now though I just wear a colorful vest and bowtie and am putting together an "old-tymie" outfit of a boater hat and striped vest and bowtie (think circus barker or barbershop quartet outfit).

TlalocW

[zekeson]

11. Very cool. I know some clowns

and they love the life. While you have some down time you might consider clown college. A friend just went to one and found it great, not only for what she learned (sounds like you have a lot of skills already), but for the supports and contacts she made. Woudl love to see your coconut trick!

[Trajan]

9. My date with termination destiny ....

September 8, 2003 ....

Oh, ... that's NEXT MONDAY .... right ? ...

Magine that ....

After 22+ years, I leave Rockwell-heritige Boeing on excess ...

I had a great career there, working on numerous space programs: Space Shuttle, GPS and ARGOS satellite .... but I am frankly SICK of the lack of security, with the sword of layoff CONSTANLY hanging over one's neck for years and years ..... Im sick of it: ... Im done ....

I aint gonna work on Dutch Kindelberger's farm, no mo .....

But dont cry for me: .... My house is JUST about to start 30 day escrow with a solid buyer, and we're getting MORE than we asked ....

Im also moving away from smoggy, hot, water starved Southern California, after having lived here since 1965 ....

I am Oregon or Washingtom bound, and will start a business there with the significant proceeds of the house sale .... a pretty penny indeed ....

Yeah: .. its a risk, but you know what they say: ...

Nothing ventured, nothing gained ....

BTW: .... Oregonians and Washingtonians ? ....

I am from NEW JERSEY ..... I was waylaid for 30 + years in CA as I made my way to your state ..... SO BE NICE TO ME ! ! !

Chuckles ..... never been so happy to get layed off ....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Please make an effort to meet me before you take off

Out of all the So Cal Du'ers I have not hooked up with yet..you are one I want to meet. :hi:

[rucky]

15. Welcome To The Pacific Northwest!

You'll do fine here, as long as you don't complain about the rain.

I moved my business from Ojai, CA to Portland,OR about 8 months ago, so if you need any advice...

You're gonna love it!

[Cha]

19. Good Luck! Trajan! I know you will do so Well!

I'm happy for you and how exciting is this!?

[radwriter0555]

13. Soooo, you're mad about COCONUTS?

Wow, life ain't BAD baby, life ain't BAD!

[Love Bug]

14. Why is your company paying for a picnic when they are laying off workers?

How much is your company paying for a picnic when they are laying off workers? What is the picnic theme: "Let them eat cake"? I mean, if this is a pot luck that's one thing, but otherwise, WTF?

On edit: BTW--sorry to hear about your job. I went through that 2 years ago, so I think you can understand my anger towards corporate bullshit.

[TlalocW]

16. What's funny is..

My manager emailed me at home and told me that I was still welcome at the picnic. I'm going to email her back and tell her that I'll gladly do walk-around magic and balloon twisting - for a fee. Otherwise, I'll probably not be able to make it. :)

TlalocW

[Cha]

20. That's Funny!

[Love Bug]

23. Hell, yeah, you should charge a fee!

You gotta eat, you know!

[Cha]

17. You are One Lucky Dude! Dude!

Such an interesting storyteller...I bet your "magic" is Great, too! :-)

[WillyT]

21. Glad You Are Going To Be Ok !!!

Went through the same shit after 9\11. Finally landed a job, but it's been cut way back, so now I have 3 jobs to make ends meet.

Whadda country, eh???

:hi:

[Nikia]

22. I hope that you get the other job

If you started looking a couple months ago because you were unhappy, being laid off is probably a blessing. I just hope that you find a job in the next few months.

[lpbk2713]

24. Another victim of Shit-for-Brains

....... the "compassionate conservative" strikes again.

[Drifter]

25. Balloon twister huh ?

Do you know Larry Moss ? He is a local performer with a global reach.

He is big in the ballon sculpture world (he is local to me). He holds at least 1 world record. Here is a link to the largest free standing ballon sculpure. BTW - the artists are in that photo (look next to the ball).

http://www.balloonhq.com/MJ2000-web/


His latest accomplishment is the worlds first flyable balloon sculpture. He teamed up with a balloon pilot, and created a flying dragon (which I think got turned into an octopus). Here is a link to this (check out the pictures).

http://www.fooledya.com/octopus/


I know Larry thru the Rochester Juggling Club. I have his book on beginning Balloon Sculpting, but have not put the time into that is required.

Cheers
Drifter

PS - I'm a pretty good juggler, but I'm a pretty lousy performer. I think we have talked juggling before (or not).