I got fired from my job today.

[SmileyBoy]

I work as a cashier at a truck stop/convenience store, at least not anymore. They told me it was because my cash register tills kept being way off at final count. I never ever had a problem with off tills when I worked at my last convenience store. All of my tills at SuperAmerica were zero, zero, zero. Probably the reason is that at my old store, we used a state-of-the-art computer touch screen/scanning system, while at this store, the register technology (or lack thereof) was probably obsolete 20 years ago. The technology I used at this store must have been at least 25-30 years old. So I had to memorize a whole bunch of damn merchandise prices and PLU codes, instead of just scanning everything or touching computer screens. I thought they were accusing me of stealing money, but they said they weren't, then I thought, why are they firing me, then??

It really sucks too, because my boss was such a cool, nice guy, and it seems like he was basically forced into firing me by his boss. I saw that he really didn't want to do this. I really don't know how to feel today. I've never been fired from a job before, so I don't know how I'm supposed to take it. My boss was so nice to me, that I can't put it against him and just not see him again ever. I still want to stop in the store once in a while and see him. I really started enjoying the job, and all of a sudden, they take it away from me. I was making some damn good money, too. Now that opportunity is snatched out of my hands.

I felt just kind of ho-hum up until a half hour ago, but now I'm starting to feel REALLY emotionally bad. I thought it would just pass over my head, but now I'm starting to feel the anguish now. I don't want to sound emo or anything. I know I'll get through it eventually. As a religious person (beware athiests, faith-based speech coming:D), I take this as a sign from God that he/she really did not intend for me to have this kind of work. I have such God-given artistic gifts that I don't think I could afford to waste the next 4 years in college I have left on a convenience store. I started thinking about drawing some editorial cartoons and submitting them to my local paper and to my college paper. I'm starting to think that I could make some decent college student money as a freelance cartoonist. It wouldn't be something I would do for a long time, just until I finish college. Then the real money starts coming in working as an architectural intern/licensed architect.

Dad always told me that whenever God closes a door, he opens a window. That was good advice.

[miss_american_pie]

1. I'm sorry

:hug:

[Fredda Weinberg]

2. Good luck ... here's hoping it works out for the best! n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear SmileyBoy........

Well, that just sucks....

I am so sorry....

I think your dad is right......somewhere a door is opening for you right now......

But first you need to grieve and start healing from this......

We are here for you!

:hug:

[txwhitedove]

4. Being fired or laid off a job, even one you hate, makes you feel bad.

Sometimes it is just a simple matter of fate. Always best to think positively and go look for something better.
I had a great interview today and really hope this job comes through. Best of luck to you.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. I'm sorry, SmileyBoy.

:hug: Listen to your Dad. Look at it this way---you have time to pursue your real love of art. My husband is a graphic artist, and he took a chance many years ago---and he's a comic artist because of it. :) Ever hear of a book called Do What You Love---The Money Will Follow? You may want to read it. You don't want to go through life doing something you hate. You'll be much happier pursuing something you love!

Hope it works out. :hug:

[SmileyBoy]

12. Thank you.

I might want to check out that book.

[pitohui]

22. that book has destroyed a lot of lives

my friend the cartoonist from the previous post -- he has never been able to get a "real" job as an artist and while he is waiting for the money to follow, he has turned into a 45 year old house husband (kept man)

he is not a happy person and i think he is no longer happy that he had a gift as an artist, it reminds me of the dancer in carlito's way who said, i hate my dream

try to make $$$ from your dream and you have a great chance of turning what you love into a chore that you hate

most people who take a chance fail, that's why it's called taking a chance

[KyndCulture]

6. So sorry, neighbor friend.

Sending good vibes from Detroit Lakes....

Something good must be waiting right round the bend.

[SmileyBoy]

7. I was in DL last week.

I hadn't been there in 13-14 years or so. I forgot how nice the town looks. Very touristy. Probably the nicest-looking town in NW Minensota.

[KyndCulture]

8. Last week was tourist HELL...

I hid in my house. If ya make it here again PM me and we'll have a beer at Zorbaz.


Ya know, you said you are an artist... I am too... I couldn't find squat for a job with my art degree here so I started a few cafe press stores... they are currently paying my rent. Something to think about anyway.

[RagingInMiami]

9. I am 37 years old

And since I started working as a bag boy at the age of 15, I've been fired so many times that I finally said the hell with it and started my own company.

After each time I got fired, it was always a struggle, but you're dad is right. For every door that closes, another one opens up.

Of course, that doesn't mean you should mope around the house expecting this to happen automatically. You need to get out there and make it happen.

[SmileyBoy]

10. I agree about that. I'm gonna make it happen.

I'm planning on drawing several cartoons this week and submitting them to a few local publications.

[RagingInMiami]

15. That's exactly what you need to do

Pursue something you enjoy. And make people pay for it.

[wildhorses]

11. sounds like you have the kind of attitude that will make you

a winner at this game they call LIFE
:hug:


after all

tomorrow is another day

[leftofthedial]

13. there is an important exception to the door-window rule

sometimes he opens a trap door instead of a window, because god is an asshole.


sorry about your job. I hope you find another one soon.

[tjwmason]

14. Time to pursue your dream.

Not wishing to drive the resident atheists mad...it could well be a little prod from on high.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to try. :hug:

[SmileyBoy]

16. Thanks.

I like the prospects of getting paid for doing something I love.

[catmandu57]

17. Getting canned sucks

So it's okay to feel bad for a while, it sounds like you've already formulated a pretty good plan, best of luck Smiley.

[Oeditpus Rex]

18. Being fired affects us on different levels

both of which are pretty scary or at least feel like hell.

This goes against my nature, but I suggest dealing first with the "What am I gonna do now?" part, because it's like relationships — there's nothing like a new one to help you get over a failed one.

Three years ago, I decided to deal first with the i. suck virus, which was a mistake. By the time I was free of it, some good opportunities had come and gone. x(

Power to ya, dude. :thumbsup:

[XemaSab]

19. When I lost my job last year I felt really terrible about it

But now I have a new job that beats the crap out of the old job any day of the week.

Old job: walking transects in Fresno in 95 degree weather.

New job: swimming in the creek catching endangered fish.

Which would you prefer? :shrug:

But seriously, sometimes these things work out for the best.

[reyd reid reed]

20. Damn....first of all...

:hug:

Now, the best thing I can suggest is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back out there. You've gotta take care of the immediate future and then, hopefully, everything else will fall into place.

And I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Keep lookin' ahead.

[pitohui]

21. good luck, friend

one point -- a friend of mine was the cartoonist for his college newspaper for a couple of years, the pay was v. poor and in his senior year they took the job away simply because they said it was someone else's turn

i would not count on making enough $$$ to cover expenses from selling cartoons unless you can do advertising, my friend was doing editorial cartoons and i think he didn't even get paid at all at first until they got some grant at his college -- and then, as i said, the grant had to be given to a different student ea. year

[REP]

23. That's Sucks, But You're Right

I mean, you're right that you're not meant to work at that kind of job forever. Being fired sucks big time, no matter what the circumstances, but maybe this means the job you really want is just about to become available.