Bill Ball

Eh, I got laid off today. Don't feel sorry for me. The last few years at work were unpleasant and frustrating at best. I was in computer hardware technical marketing, a contradiction in terms - trying to make sure the products did what we claimed, and that the engineers actually got them to work well enough to throw them out on the market, then trying to make sure all the serious customer complaints got investigated and addressed. This was a hobby job I got 7 years ago after I quit a long career in the legal drug business. I completely enjoyed it for the first several years. For a self-taught computer nerd with no formal credentials, this was like being a kid in a candy store. But the company has changed a lot and in recent years has been sliding steadily towards oblivion, primarily due to a failure to innovate. So, they did what they had to do. I was only one of many let go today. There have been quite a number over the last few weeks, and there will be more in what may be a futile death rattle, attempting to balance the books while revenue tanks. I probably won't being going back into this area. At 59 y.o., standard employment is not very realistic, and I'm more adventurous than that anyway.

So, the good news is that all the things I need to do with my car and around the house in general just moved up on the To Do list. I can finally get some order in the garage and get my parts and tools sorted out instead of scattered all over the place. I have no excuse not to get the rebuilt steering rack in this week and reinstall the supercharger (with a few needed mods to the breather system) as well. All the motorcycles should be up and running again soon (mostly tires and dead batteries to attend to, although the Norton Commando may need additional TLC). Jeez, I have a lot to do. I better get to it.

worf928

Good for you Bill!

docmirror

Bastardos! Send me your CV, maybe I'll find you something semi-fun with pretty good pay.

SeanR

Congrats and welcome to semi-retirement.

Enjoy it.

Bus

congrats!!!... sorta!

I've toyed with the idea of going back to school full time... but don't have the nerve to stop working. Just like last weekend, my old Yamaha race bike blew up on the front straight at JenningsGP... welp, guess it's time to step up to a new one!

AO

I both happy and sad for you.

sharkmeister85

Sounds like a win! Now if only there was a "golden parachute" to go with that "silver lining"........
Glenn

TheoJ

Bill,
sorry to hear that. A bit of frustration may well be compensated by the pleasure of taking up those jobs on the 928. Time enough to play with new tools... ?
Enjoy !

Garth S

Well Bill, a heart felt 'good for you!! ': there may be some small adjustments to make, but I've no doubt that your enjoyment of life factor is about to start climbing
Once you get accustomed to the new cycle, and looking for new challenges - maybe Roger will offer us both apprenticeship jobs in his 928 service industry

anonymousagain

...geez, my timing must have been "perfect" when I called for lunch yesterday

Sounds like good timing in the end and besides, you are far too good a person to be in a job that's no longer a candy store. Good to hear you're on the positive end of the outcome and the 7yr stint served it's purpose --> PLAY-TIME !!!

Congrats on semi-retirement.

Holler if you need a 2nd pair of hands....

docmirror

Oh hay-ell yeah! Come-on down to Teyhas. Roger pays in cold beverages and the occasional cucumber and watercress finger sandwitch.

Richard S

Bill, sorry to hear about the lay-off ....now run down and apply for unemployment benefits! (Don't drive the 928 BTW) Milk the unemployment checks till you can collect social security. Pay for the 928 goodies with said checks.

Rich

Jim M.

Bill, I retired 2 years ago and really enjoyed life after retirement. Got caught up with a ton of projects. Unfortunatly (or more accuratly fortunatly) I saw Dave Robert's SC kit. So, part time job here I come! The SC is paid for and just waiting for delivery. Maybe then I can get back to retirement life

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd

JEC_31

It's a crappy feeling, BTDT, but your positive attitude is awesome. Chin up and make the best of it!

My father is 58 and his employer is closing down for good in a couple weeks. He's not worried about money (house and cars all paid for) but with his pre-existing medical conditions (unsolved-mystery pneumonia symptoms) health care cost is going to bankrupt him once the insurance runs out.

928ntslow

So should we prepare for your arrival to the Portland area since there is no justifiable reason to stay where you are?