So this sucks. I learned tonight I've lost my job.

[Minstrel Boy]

The magazine I've written for for 11 years just dried up and blew away. The investors finally pulled the plug, and I don't even get a full two-weeks salary.

Blah.

Could be worse. My wife loves me, and has a good job. And my kids think I'm okay. But still, it sucks.

It was kind of a dream job, if not the best paying. Now I guess I'll try for a better paying job that's a nightmare.

[Bouncy Ball]

1. That SUCKS!

Did you send out a special middle finger to bush and his economy on the drive home?

I'm sorry!!!

[shawcomm]

32. The Bush Economy

The gift that keeps on taking.

[GCP]

2. ((Hugs)) from your friends at DU

:grouphug:

[The Straight Story]

3. What sort of things did you write? (nt)

[Minstrel Boy]

political satire

Magazine's a muckraking satirical biweekly called "Frank."

[The Straight Story]

20. Hmmm Maybe start your own online: the CON-gressional weekly (nt)

[medeak]

4. Canada isn't immune from rotten economy?

there's no hope for us...

[luzdeluna]

16. I'm so sorry...

maybe it's possible to make your own new job.

That's what I did and I make about the same amount of money but love what I do.

Sounds like you are a person who knows what is important. I hope you get the money and work you can love.

LDL

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. I am sorry that happened Minstrel Boy

I hope that you are able to find something suitable and good paying ASAP . :grouphug:

[SaintAnne]

6. that sucks, have some more hugs

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Hope you'll find something!

[Maat]

7. I'm sorry to hear that...

but I'll bet the really perfect one is just around the corner ... but it's not ready just yet ... giving you time to rest a bit.

Your family's is in my family's prayers (Positive thoughts! Positive thoughts! - after you have your pity party .. everyone deserves that ... but don't let it last too long or get too out-of-control).

No, no, don't try for a job that's a nightmare.

We have visualize a great, great one. Anything else is just intermediate.

[samplegirl]

8. Well forget going back to school

Bush cut pelt grants...he will be busy i imagine refurbishing the
presidential yatch he bought.

[noshenanigans]

9. I'm so sorry!

I hope everything goes well for you... have you thought of trying to write a book or anything?

It is very important that you have family, because at the end of the day your relationships are what get you through the tough times.

Good luck! We here at DU are here for ya!

[Minstrel Boy]

12. oh yeah, I had a novel published in 2001.

I think it's ranked about 2,700,000 on Amazon. :)

Still, working on a couple of others.

[noshenanigans]

15. that's great

I'm a sitcom writer, so most of my life has been writing in a room (and always with tons of other people's names on it), but it's awesome that you've been published.

Really, not to sound so "19" about it, but that is a big accomplishment, and don't let yourself forget it.

[Minstrel Boy]

21. thanks, appreciate that. but you know,

I envy you being a sitcom writer.

Seriously. I have television writers for friends, and they have much more expensive haircuts than I do. :evilgrin:

[noshenanigans]

22. Well, I don't mean to brag, but..

the same guy that does Jennifer Aniston does me (Chris McMillan). Oh yeah.

[Minstrel Boy]

23. If you have a "Rachel,"

I think you need to post a picture in the DU gallery.

[noshenanigans]

24. Well, I haven't had a "Rachel" since 1994...

but he still does long layers with the best of them.

[Minstrel Boy]

27. ah, now I understand -

When you said

"the same guy that does Jennifer Aniston does me (Chris McMillan)"

I thought you were saying you were Chris McMillan. You know, like, some guy with a Rachel.

Googling Chris McMillan tells me how wrong I was. And that maybe I've had too much to drink tonight.

[noshenanigans]

28. Nah, I'm not a dude

With my love of video games and porn I get that a lot, but actually I *am* a girl :)

[samplegirl]

10. This really is sad

I didnt mean to sound so callus in my previous post. Thank goodness
you are still able to feel your blessings. I really hope your wife
and children are supportive.
Best of luck to you on your next job endeavor hope you find something
soon.

[WarNoMore]

11. That's really so sad.

Your're so talented, I really hope you find another job soon. You must be really bummed.

[pres2032]

13. that really sucks

I pray you find a job soon!

[deminflorida]

14. Sorry, Man....That's always hard...

remember this, I always do. When your down there's only one direction to go, and that's UP!!

Lots of us here for ya... everything will be fine. You'll see.

[medeak]

17. happened to friend of mine

I'm sorry too for being callous. It's hard to pay the bills and take care of kids.

Friend is doing ad copy just to pay bills at present..you have to do things to make it... something will come along..

Political satire? Gawsh..we need you down in the usa!

wishing you positive thoughts

[NV Whino]

18. This is a bit of a cliche, but

it has always proven true in my case.

One door closes and another opens.

In the mean time, take time to relax and enjoy the holidays with your family and know that it will be all right.

[Coyote_Bandit]

19. I am so sorry

I hope your family will really be supportive of you. And I hope you find something better than your last position soon - a better paying dream job. Don't sell yourself short - and if you have to take something that really is a nightmare then do so temporarily and keep looking for another dream job.

[Deja Q]

25. My sincerest condolances to you and your family. Best wishes to you.

:hug:

[Feathered Fish]

26. Shit

My boyfriend just lost his job yesterday too. Keep strong and things will work out.

[forgethell]

29. That's too bad.

I've been there, done that. But never give up. My wife was unemployed when I lost mine. Get your resume polished and get out there. You can do it!!. Good luck.

[msgadget]

30. Damn,

sorry about that.

:hug:

[Pale Blue Dot]

31. Oh man.

Hold on to the postive, Minstrel Boy. Having a family that loves you is, in and of itself, a tremendous accomplishment.

And maybe, just maybe, you'll find a higher paying dream job. Don't give up hope yet.

[Minstrel Boy]

33. Thanks for the virtual group hug.

Though I'd told myself I would never post a "whaa whaa, poor me" thread. (I do love this smilie: :nopity: )

It's not a huge surprise. We've known the magazine was in trouble for a while, but the investors pulling the plug right now was unexpected.

And I'm sorry for the death of the magazine. It was influential beyond its circulation. We became notorious when then-PM Brian Mulroney told an interviewer he wanted to "get a gun and do some damage" for one of our bits.

[Valerie5555]

34. Am sure the staff of a certain slick paper cat care monthly magazine also

felt your pain, where ever they are now for that publication or CATS MAGAZINE as it was inexplicably ceased publishing in 2001.

[Octafish]

35. Very sorry, Minstrel Man.

The publishing biz becomes crueler by the minute. It is temporarily poorer without one of its top writers on the payroll.

As always, you keep the big picture in view. You also have your priorities straight, meaning you know what's really important and that you remember Kipling.

PS: Not that this is any consolation, but I learned Friday that they're moving my division from a relatively new building we share with a few radio stations to a facility that was once a funeral home. Of course, we are being put in the basement and I will no longer enjoy the window which allowed my eyes to focus on the occassional cloud.

Mushroom management isn't dead. It just works that way, universally.

[Minstrel Boy]

42. Thanks, Octadude.

Moving to the basement of a former funeral home? Thanks for cheering me up. ;)

[Octafish]

50. It gets worse.

I kid you not, Brother. The office Gloomy Gus reported that the basement is the part of the building called the morgue. Supposedly, it still reeks of formaldehyde. My new desk probably will be a stainless steel slab that slides out from a lime green tile wall. From what I understand, there is one good point: There'll be plenty of places to hide for a nap.



I definitely will NOT be eating at my desk anymore.

[vinnievin777]

36. Sorry about that

what town is that in

Vinnie Vin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932852344/qid=1086103239/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7006802-5544745?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.vinnievin.com

[latebloomer]

37. Sorry to hear that, Minstrel Boy

Try not to be too anxious-- take a little time for yourself-- balance job-hunting with relaxing and doing other stuff you've been missing.

And keep visualizing something even better!!

[bobthedrummer]

38. I hope you find an outlet for your talent ASAP Jeff, you are awesome.

Best of luck.
Bob

[Minstrel Boy]

44. Thanks Bob.

I have lots of outlets. I just need an inlet. :evilgrin:

[TexasBushwhacker]

39. So what kind of unemployment benefits do they have in Canada?

Not to sound insensitive. I JUST got a job after get "let go" last February. It's only the second time in 30 years of working that I'd been unemployed, but the first time, 10 years ago, I took those UE benefits, looked for a job and finished my first screenplay. As a writer, I think you'll be able to make really good use of this time. They certainly couldn't have timed it any worse though. Losing your job right before Christmas - OUCH!

[Minstrel Boy]

41. Don't know enough to say yet. There's this government website

for info re: Employment Insurance, that I'm about to poke around in.

[Digit]

40. Sorry to hear that

I hope you are able to find another "dream job" soon.

[Ms_Mary]

43. I'm sorry. Things are rough right now.

[CornField]

45. Maybe you can freelance?

It's terrible at first -- because most places don't ante up their payment until after the piece runs (sometimes months down the road). But it isn't bad after 6 months or so. Since you already have the clips, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to get a few bites from query letters.

Here in the states there is a reference book "Writer's Market" which lists almost every magazine and editorial contact. Be sure to use the most up-to-date copy you can find. (Our library keeps the latest in the reference section.)

Good luck! Here's hoping this quickly turns into a new opportunity for you.

[Minstrel Boy]

46. Thanks. I plan to get some irons in that fire.

I freelanced for the arts section of The National Post a few years ago, before their budget dried up.

[mogster]

47. Sorry for that! Keep the spirit! n/t

[seemslikeadream]

48. I dream my painting,

and then I paint my dream.
-Van Gogh

Keep dreaming MB :hug:


It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin’
The trees went by, me and del were singin’
Little runaway, I was flyin’

Yeah runnin’ down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream

I felt so good, like anything was possible
I hit cruise control and rubbed eyes
The last three days the rain was unstoppable
It was always cold, no sun shine

Yeah runnin’ down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream

I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There’s something good waitin’ down this road
I’m pickin’ up whatever is mine

Yeah runnin’ down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads
I’m runnin’ down a dream
-Petty

[Karenina]

51. Hey, MB!

"ALWAYS look on the bright side of Life!" And YOU, my dearest, are a serious wattage bulb. I harbor NO WORRY for you, knowing this is a moment in time where your circumstances recoil and gather strength to propel you onto the next level! :yourock: :loveya: :hug:

[fluffernutter]

49. i'm so sorry, that bites

i hope you find a new job quickly, a better one that you enjoy even more.

[Carl Brennan]

52. Damn MB. I want you to know you've got support whenever

you need it from me. You have some serious talent and if the world we lived in had an ounce of brains you would be putting it to good use.

Always your friend,
Carl

[indigobusiness]

53. Good luck with your forthcoming

novel.

[UrbScotty]

54. But haven't we turned the corner?

Bush says so, so America must have.

And when America turns the corner, so does Canada.