Gonna get this off my chest (long)
 

OK, I've been in IT, been the computer guy for 15 years. Recently I was the Systems Administrator for a major plastics manufacturer.

I was making the best money of my life. I grew up on a farm, don't have a college degree, am pretty much self taught. I love computers and gadgets, but had become very frustrated with my career for several years now.

At my last job I was THE ONLY IT guy in a plant of 300 people. I was responsible for 100+ workstations, anything that resembled a electronic device on the production floor, supporting 300 end users, rotating help desk duties one day a week for facilities all over the US.

I also provided BAAN support of which I had very little experience, I was in charge of producing & meeting all requirements for bar code data collection & labeling.

I was responsible for all inventorying, purchasing, research & approval, I averaged 6-8 hours in meetings each week, keep in mind since I'm the only guy there no work is being accomplished while attending meetings. My day on the helpdesk was 8 hours, so basically I have 3 days a week to do my real job. I was on call 1 week out of six for the entire corp., and on call 24/7 for my own facility.

Anyhow, to make this story somewhat shorter, obviously I couldn't keep up and each day more got piled on. Oh, for what it's worth I got excellent perf reviews and was promoted. So anyway, on Feb 26 (this is what you were wondering about LJ) I literally had to somehow be in 5 different places that day, as I was wrestling with a solution to this unsolveable problem I had one system crash, 2 printers die, and my backup helpdesk from another plant called in sick. I cleaned out my desk, emailed all the appropriate folks who weren't yet, let them know I'd be available for any crisis resolution and walked off the job. Although I'd been there an hour, it wasn't yet 7:30 in the morning.

My wife does work, but obviously I was the primary provider. That day waiting for her to get home was one of the longest in my life. She was ok with it at first, then turned into super-bitch. After another day to reflect she felt horrible and apologized and we were good. I however felt like shit, and still do. She's been pretty supportive, but I feel I'm letting her down big time. I've looked for work non-stop since that day, here's a little about that part of the story:

Started sending out resumes fast and furious. One of the first I sent was for a temporary seasonal position. I wasn't panicked, but wanted something NOW, not a few months down the road. Not being there to support your family is a sin in my book, and I always said I'd fucking flip burgers if necessary, but I did want to be somewhat smart about it.

Early on I got 2 quick interviews. I actually turned down the first job, they would have trained the hell out of me and invested in me, but it required travel daily. I didn't quick the job mentioned above so much for it being a tough job, it became more of a quality of life issue. I was making big bucks, but was under way more stress than I thought reasonable, felt like crap & ornery when I finally got home, cringed every time the phone rang, had a cell phone & pager on constantly. My wife agreed with me on that one....unless I'm a paramedic or fireman, etc. life is too short for that shit.

The second interview was for the seasonal one, they called me with an offer the same day, I accepted it as an "insurance job", didn't start for 6 weeks, nothing to lose. So, I kept interviewing. Had a good week a month ago...was trying to decide which job to take because I knew I nailed them both. One offer on the table, the other was just a wrap up interview (the one I really wanted). Job one offer at the last minute let me know that I would be working 45 hours M-F, every other Sat (this wasn't a very good paying job but I thought it would be a real steady, good environment...retirement type job) and would be required to get and pay for a CDL on my own time within 60 days, just in case it was ever needed. I was tempted because I really wanted work, but that would have been the end of looking for something better...I turned it down, even the wife was glad.

But hey, job 2 was looking strong....'til the day before the "wrap up" interview got a call saying no need to come in, we picked somebody. Jesus Christ people, at least go through the motions if you commit to an interview. I found out just last night they puled the same shit on another guy, when he showed up for the second interview. I guess in hindsight it was good I didn't get it, but I was devastated by the end of that week.

Well there were other interesting stories & mis-adventures, and things were starting to look bleak. I'd gotten sick of being home, had a million things I could work on and enjoy with the time off but I felt totally in limbo. Didn't want to start any major projects and get distracted from the job search. Was getting up early, taking care of the house, supper for my wife, etc. still plugging away, but damn I was miserable.

BUT, I had that temp job lined up...wasn't quite ready yet to take something really menial. I DO NOT want another IT position, but to be honest if one came up I'd take it, go back to being very unhappy probably and go from there. So I went ahead with the temp thing, went to night class for the first week which sucked...got home 3 hours after I'd normally be in bed, didn't actually see or talk to my wife for a week. And ow I work 4 days a week talking to people from Colorado about their electrical outages, moves & bill paying. It's really fucking boring, but it doesn't pay all that bad. If nothing changed this would last til Sep-Oct, but most importantly I have time to interview/search (and I work with mostly hot chicks, they consider me a novelty, so I got that going for me). I've been there a month now.

OK, geez I hope you're still reading, even I'm getting bored. On to the present.

I had an interview 2 days ago. Kind of strange circumstances, they started advertising a month ago and the position doesn't open up 'til June 14. I'd actually kind of forgotten about it. This one I had a gut feeling about right away tho. It is sort of a cust serv/do every thing else in a small office type of job for a large producer of rural stuff, been around for 70 years, didn't even hit a speed bump when the economy tanked. Every damn person I met that day seemed down to earth, decent and glad to talk to me. Full benefits, a good environment, and good pay (not computer money, but very good). No on call, no weekends, WAY less stress than I am accustomed too.

Had maybe the best interview of my life. Guy started wrapping up the interview talking about a second interview (God I hate those and heart sank a little), then he said he had 130 resumes, 4 interviewees, and plans on bringing the final 2 back in. Said he knew in the first half hour I was one of those 2 and could I meet the other person in the position and the operations manager now? Hoo doggie, so we did that, it went well, said they'd talk with the other applicant and would know by next week. Made sort of a comment when I was walking out the door how he'd be talking to me soon.

Damn I hope I'm not setting myself up for an even bigger disappointment again, but I know I am...I want this one bad. . Not just because I need work, but this looks like a place I could be at happily for the next 30 years. I will be crushed if it doesn't work out.

So wish me luck, this semi-un-enjoyment crap is starting to piss me off. Thanks for reading, I'll post the results next week.

um, good luck. Considering the IT market I don't know if you're brave or insane but good luck.

Thanks Jag, I'm at the point in my life where I want to be employed, satisfied and happy. Big money & miserable didn't work for me.

Ooo, forgot to mention....I have one nasty ass case of poison oak or something.....no second interview & a June start date may be a very good thing...arms, chest, face, etc. But it was worth it, I have several new illegal trees in my yard...and that's a long story for another day.

YOU'RE IN.

as long as no black cats cross your path this week. oh, and be careful of walking under ladders, breaking mirrors, and stepping on cracks.

so, i had assumed you injured yourself, but you had simply wigged out and bolted. good for you. there are moments in my job when that is tempting.



seriously, good luck, mark!

When you go back for the second, go drunk, goose the chicks and pass out joints. But what ever you do, don't, repeat, do not, tell them you know LJ.
Good luck, Blue.:thumb:

Having the resolve to leave is a great attribute to have. There is no job worth having a heart attack for. I know type-A managers who had their first heart attack, oh, one at age 30 (granted he was a smoker). That's the wrong way to learn you need to be able to walk away.

Don't feel bad because you did the right thing for you. What if you'd stayed and had that heart attack? Don't show your children that you're someone who blindly dealt with beatdowns... show them the example of someone who pushed back and perservered anyway in the long run.

Clearly you demonstrated, by getting to the point where you did, that you could put up with a lot of shit. Some companies are just untrainable and need to be taught the lesson of having a key person leave and need to replaced by two-three people.

Ha, best laugh I had all week...thanks Bruce.

And I'm glad I already did the second interview the same day, so I won't get a chance to test your strategy. As for the chicks, one is knocked up (and cute), maternity leave coming up, that's why the start date is weird. The other one is like 20 years older than me but kind of smoking!

She's the only one that didn't talk to me and the one I'd spend the most time with if hired....so I think she digs me.

Thanks buddy, I wrote this because you said you wanted to know.

I think I'm ok with the paranoia thing, but hope they don't all have poison oak next week. I really considered not shaking hands and going through the whole awkward explanation thing, but finally said fuck it.

I used you as a reference so say nice things about me. Not sure if they will call "some online dumbass out east I know" however.

Hey Tony, it wasn't so much resolve as just reaching a breaking point. The resolve part I guess will be not putting myself in the same position again in an effort to make the bucks.

Thanks for the words, you are a wise toad.

good luck dude! i need to seriously do the same thing.:(

PM me you bosses contact information. I'd be glad to help you out, plthijinx.:angel:

Don't you fly or something? Do that! Unless that's what sucks? If I don't get this job I very well may become a Schwann's man. Is that just a midwest thing or do y'all have them too?

Course there's a down side, I'd be eating goldfinger bars contsantly and cooking breakfast meal kit on the motor block....picture my face on a fatter body...I'd be Sycamore ;-)

Thanks for the luck plthjinx.

I've fallen and I can't get up....at least until I stop laughing.:haha:

Ahahahahafuck both of you.

In December 2001, I left the job I was at due to excessive stress and unhappiness. It took awhile--17 months--but I finally found a job that I enjoyed and that paid well.

Good luck, blue...don't settle for second best.

Like Rho did.:haha:

Good luck, blue!!

I sympathize--I've done the "one man IT shop" thing. Well, OK, still doing it mostly, I have a little help now. And there are compensations. (I came from a situation where I was on a staff of 11 in the Academic Computing Center, so it was a chance to run things my own way, and build something from the ground up. There are worse things.)

The problem is, if you're good and you're conscientious, you can keep a lot of plates in the air, and that encourages your employer to think that it's OK, you really don't need any help because you're doing fine. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a failure or a catastrophe to drive home to people how frayed the shoestring you're working with is.

How many times have you been married?

Yeah...that's what I thought.

And how many times have you been married? None. Oh, wait, how many times have you been engaged? Smart chicks, were they? I think so. :p

At least I bailed before it was too late.

how can one be " kind of smoking" ?? Smoking is located at the far side of "hot" you can be "kind of hot".....but kind of smoking is like "moderately perfect" or "sorta pregnant" or "Mostly Dead"

if she's kind of smoking.....isn't she just "hot"?

and if she's 20 years older than you....i guess from your pics that you are 36.....she's 56? A 56 year old could be a "MILF" but she'd be more likely to be a "GMILF" which is just wrong by deifinition (unless you're bruce), but she's not hot.

At least they bailed before it was too late.:p

Ooooookay...

syc, you're like 28 or 29, right? and you've been with Rho for a while, right? Did you ust go around asking girls that you'd dated a couple of times to marry you when you were in your early twenties? Or did they ask you because you were so intense and incredibly attractive, and you can't say no?

Maybe i'm naive because jinx and I hooked up when I was 21, so i missed the whole "dating in your 20's" scene....( from observing my younger brother, I understand that this is the main time when people reach toward one another for lasting relationships and life building, therefore you date A LOT)

28

5 years

First fiance asked me when I was 18. The second one I asked the first time at 22 and the second time at 23.

oh. that only counts as being engaged twice, for future reference.

I'm currently engaged to Rho.

No, no, that's definitely three if she said yes the first time(22).:)

The first try second time around...Jesus Christ. The setting was damned near perfect...we were at the Cook County Forest Preserve in Tinley Park (south of Chicago), and I got down on one knee and everything. And what answer did I get? "I need to think about it." :rolleyes:

Is this a private bitchslap-syc session or is it open season to all comers?

The only things these chuckleheads are slapping are their dicks.

I commend you on your courage, Blue58! Good luck to you, man.

So how strong has Caddyshack been in your life blue? In addition to your tagline,I see that you also dropped in...."so I got that going for me."

Ah, ignorant youth.
Kind of smokin' = paint's a little faded and a few parking lot dings but definitely a good solid desirable ride.
Smokin' = shinny paint and whitewalls, but on a plymouth.
Hot = a big block, SS, RS Camaro.
:cool:

you're a great writer- that wasn't boring at all...i am impatiently awaiting your results. good luck!!!

yeah, but i don't have enough hours to be hired. i have 400 and i need 1000 more to get my ATP (airline transport pilot) and can't afford to restart my CFI training (certified flight instructor) to gain hours without paying. in fact, i would get paid 20 bucks an hour (or more) to do so. problem is #1 $ and #2 $. i'm actually thinking about selling some shotguns and rifles my dad just gave me to reach that goal. it's a hard decision tho. which ones do i sell? the ones that my dad and i both love or the ones we don't care for but they're not worth as much. oh well. i'll make this decision here soon.

More thanks
 

Thanks Syc, Steve, Wolf, Stacey, etc.

As I mentioned, I'll let you know.

Kinda smoking means not too shabby considering I'd be next to her day after day after day.

Farfromhome...glad you're paying attention...bluegrass with kentucky bluegrass and a featherbed bent.

what news?

Finally sent off a quick polite email (and I never do that), asking if they made a decision.

Didn't get it, guess they're just waiting for the other guy to accept.

Time to lower my expectations (which weren't terribly high to begin with).

Wow, we're on the same page...I just found out like 5 minutes ago.

that sucks.

keep your chin up. wish i could do something to help. lemme know if you decide to sell cars, i'll give you some pointers......:)

Chapter 2
 

Christ, this is almost comical. Had an interview today, rocked his world. Not my dream job but a definate yes if I get an offer.

Even gave me one of those psych tests things, he looked a little shocked when he scored it, it was like an exact match for their "preferred candidate".

It wasn't a big part of the process tho, we just sat and talked mostly for over an hour, it was fairly obvious things just clicked.

He already interviewed a few, said he had 2 left...one he wasn't real hopeful about. So here's where it gets funny....ready?

One of the 2 left this week is a "guy he has been recruiting hard". "I am exactly what he is looking for, if it wasn't for the upcoming intierview with the GUY"......wait for it........

"I would make you an offer right now".

His words, not my paraphrasing.

So I have a new strategy, using my superb hacking skills, I'll just tap into the system, find the other candidates, and eliminate just the #1 guy. The next job is so mine.

Sigh.

Next time, adopt scrunched up child face and yell 'First the worst, second the best!' in a prepubescent whine and stomp out.

I might try that, what I'm doing now obviously isn't working.

Good luck to you, buddy. I'll slaughter a chicken and burn some candles.

(no, I'm not talking vodou. Just planning a nice dinner ...)

#1 isn't related to anyone above the guy doing the hiring, is he? That's the only REAL problem in situations like these.

You gave the hiring dude the secret packerfan handshake and all that shit, right?

Good luck, man... I was fast approaching the breaking point myself not too long ago, but then I happily landed a new job inside the same company, and going to work each morning is now a lot less like a wire brush to the brain. Sure, I have a mountain of work, but at least it's graphics rather than programming.

If I can do anything to help you out, just say the word.

Breaking News! (well not water breaking breakingnews Breaking News, but news all the same).

Details at 11 if I can stay awake (damn power went out, so I actually accidentally got up at 3:30am), if not..Breaking News! sometime before noon tomorrow, unless I get roped into my nephews grad party, then it will be Breaking News! sometime this weekend. Jesus..I just need 72 hours of sleep maybe.

Well I'll be damned!! I got the job.

Life has finally slowed down a little bit, so here's what happened:

Outfit A (OA) called me out of the blue to see if I wanted a sales job. Said no, but weird coincidence, I was just walking back from the mailbox sending you a resume for another job (really happened). Well, she said, we'll butt heads and get back to you. Yeah right.

OA calls me next monday, brief talk, set up interview the next day. I show up, he doesn't. Bummer. Towards the end of work the next day I call him, he hasn't called yet. Lets do it today? Yep. I show up, no him. Waited a half hour, getting very pissed, about 5 minutes away from making a scene, he shows up.

OK, the next part you read above. OA called today, job offered, offer accepted. Notice given. I am very happy about it, and relieved too. But not all that excited....I feel like I should be more excited? And let me stress, I am VERY HAPPY, and VERY RELIEVED.

Well I'll think on it more tomorrow, don't get me wrong this is what I have been waiting for for quite a few months. Maybe I'm just so totally mellow and tired. My wife's reaction was quite the opposite, I won't describe it but lets just say she was a happy girl and I won't forget the look on her face for quite awhile.

4 months to the day almost (I was working, but not career type thing), if you would have told me 4 months ago that it would take me 4 months to find a real job I probably woulda smacked you upside the head.

But it's cool, I wanted something different, and this is very different. More money than I would have expected too. I think my lack of excitement is maybe apprehension, I will go into this job without the confidence I always have because it is in a totally different field.

But hey, fuck it! I'm back on top, wife is happy, it will probably suck for the first 6 months, then I'll be probably be the best guy in the building.

Thanks to those of you for your wishes and thoughts...I did get it off my chest. If anything interesting happens I'll post it here first.

Good news, blue. You'll do fine. LJ will coach you.:)

How do you know what you know you sly bastard?

I pretty much owe it all to LJ and his unbelievable restraint and foresight.

Oh dear.

Congrats on the new gig!! :)

Can't wait to hear the details, once there are some.

Originally posted by blue We just might have to reconsider the "occasionally" tag. :)

:worried:

Dangit, I couldn't find the head scratch one. What do you mean?

Originally posted by blue Shortly after LJ performed a DrPhilOstomy on catwoman in the "I know this isn't Oprah" thread, she bestowed upon him the tag of "occasionally wise."

Since LJ seems to be on a roll these days, I thought maybe he was due for an upgrade from occasionally to something like "more than now and then" or "less often than frequently but more frequent than sometimes."

Are you sure it's not evil cast upon unsettled and confused souls? A false light at the end of dead end tunnel?;)