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Friday, November 30, 2012

double whammy

So here's my tale of woe: I went to work on Tuesday, still a little tired from the red-eye flight home from CA and three-hour time change, and by noon time found myself among the unemployed, much to my surprise. I left work in a daze, and no sooner did I get a little ways down the road than my muffler dropped and started to drag along the pavement. There was that sound. Metal against street, grating, loud, and I knew what it was even before I pulled off to confirm. It was like the gods were sitting up there watching me and one asks the other, 'Is that enough?' And the other one says, grinning, 'Not quite...' I swear I could hear them snickering.

When I told my sister about what had happened I couldn't help but laugh when I got to the part about the muffler. I mean, c'mon! Really? Really?! I couldn't have written it better myself!

Anyway, that was my Tuesday, but before you say omg I'm so sorry let me say quickly that I did not write this for anyone's pity (not that I don't deserve it!); I'm writing about it because A) this is what writers do; we document everything, no matter how crappy; it's all grist for the mill, right? Right. And B) I'm hoping for some good advice on how to get through this or at the very least, some happy, positive, you-go-girl thoughts, like, I'll bet an agent is going to snap you up any minute, or, wow, just think how much writing you can get done, or even, you are going to absolutely LOVE your next job!

Meanwhile, I'm wondering if that muffler can possibly get welded back on...

27 comments:

  1. Oh noes!! :-( What happened to your scarf? Sorry, I don't know what happened! LOL!

    Oh but the job situation is not good!! Advice? Erm.. you need to take a deep breath and then be in a calm practical space to see what the options are.

    Or you need to be with loved ones! And a bottle of wine! One or the other! Works for me!

    Take care
    x

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    1. lol, old kitty! A muffler here in the states is part of the exhaust system on a car - which in my case fell off as I was driving. Haha! Too funny you thought I was sad about my scarf!

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  2. You're right - that's right out of a movie! I am sorry though.
    Your next job will be much better! And until it happens, you have time to write. It all happened for a reason. Well, maybe not the muffler. Would duct tape help?

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    1. duct tape works for almost anything but I have a feeling the muffler isn't one of them :(

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  3. So sorry Marcy. My company is closing in 2014 and I'll be laid off too. I try to have faith I'll find a job I like better. You will too.

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  4. Oh, no, that's terrible. Now I'm seeing you as Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock in one of those movies where everything hits the fan at once for the character. Of course, they always end up with something better at the end and handsome man to go with it, so stay optimistic. Damn, gotta believe something better is coming after a crap day like that. ((hugs)).

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  5. Yikes.

    I don't know what to say. I'll come up with something later, I'm sure. Take time to process and I'm sure your joy will come through.

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  6. Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm praying and hoping that everything starts to look up soon. Someday you're going to look back on this day and laugh . . .

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    1. well, I already did get a chuckle out of the muffler falling off; the timing was just a bit too perfect. Good thing I can laugh though, right?

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  7. Maybe this will help. Almost four years after my job of 23 years was eliminated in a similar scenario to yours, I drove around doing errands today, thinking I've never been more myself than I am now...and it would not have happened if I still had that job. And yes, writing is what we do and how we get through it, but someday the feelings you have now will be real and true when you use them in your fiction. Now is the the time to be thankful you are a writer. The muffler though...well that is a great big pain!

    Now...the old HR girl in me says, I don't know if you received any outplacement support, but if you didn't...here are some steps to take if you plan to pursue new employment. Write a list right this minute of every person you know. EVERY one. Each of these folks present a networking opportunity for you. Reach out to them (individually)in person, or via email or FB and inform them what has happened to you. Explain your background and let them know you'd appreciate any suggestions they have in regard to your next steps. You are not looking for a job from them (that always intimidates folks). Tell them you are just looking for their input. You are hoping they may be able to put you in touch with someone who may be able to help you. Try to schedule half hour meetings with them, just to get their ideas. ("I'm wondering if we could meet for coffee sometime, so that I could get your thoughts as to people I might speak to in regard to my background.") Face-to-face is always better. Then follow up on every suggestion, every lead. Start a spreadsheet and document everyone you have spoken to and who they have recommended you speak to, make sure to follow up, and write a thank you note to everyone. This is how you take charge of your job search.

    Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait until the holidays are over to start this process. Lots of HR/hiring folks want to hit the ground running on 1/1 and would love to have identified their right candidate before then. It can be a good time for folks to see you on an informational basis, because schedules do slow down this time of year.

    Oh, and one more thing? I have the part-time job I hold now because I volunteered for the organization when I was first laid off. After they got to know me, they offered me freelance writing assignments and then later, a part-time job. I also write now for a regional magazine, a connection I also developed via networking. Everything you do now develops the potential to move forward.

    Good luck Marcy.

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    1. Those are some excellent suggestions Liza! Thank you!

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  8. I know you don't want pity, but I am sorry this happened to you. Sending good vibes your ways and I hope your setbacks will soon turn into comebacks.

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    1. I'm sorry, too, and thank you for those good vibes; I need them!

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  9. First, that really sucks. :(
    Second, it's been my experience that the karma wheel will work its way around and balance out. Something really fabulous is in your future, I'm sure of it!
    Third, unfortunately, it's also been my experience that bad things come in threes, so be careful.
    Wishing you the very best, Marcy! You'll get through this and great things will come your way! ♥

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    1. three was finding out I had no propane which means no cooking until I can buy a tank. Sadly, I am not a big fan of the microwave. On the other hand, this being three, let's hope my luck is about to head in the other direction :)

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  10. You seem to already have a healthy, upbeat attitude about it, even though it sounds really tough. So good luck, and I'm sure things will get better soon. :) :) :) In the meantime, if it helps, I've lost mufflers an awful lot as well. I think they fall off on purpose. :)

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    1. I'm trying to think positive thoughts, say positive things, even though I am admittedly a bit panicked. Just trying not to think about it too much.

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  11. Well, now, if this were a Meg Ryan movie, (that's kinda how it sounds!) the guy at the muffler shop who fixes your car is gonna be a single gorgeous hunk who's only working there part-time. His real job, of course, is writing. Ooh, and he's starting an indie publishing company, for which he needs a lovely young writer/editor to join him, both for work... and for play. Lots of play.

    Okay, so that might not happen. Still, ya never know. It sucks about your job, but I firmly believe something better is just over the horizon. You go, girl! Hang in there. (Maybe you COULD hire out as an editor. You've got a great eye.)

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    1. I wouldn't mind starring in that movie...

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  12. There will come a time when you will look back on how bad this time was, and realize how much better things are now. It will come. Hugs!

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    1. thank you Lydia! That's what I keep hoping :)

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  13. No idea how to put a muffler back on but you could just leave it off for awhile and take your irritation out on your neighbours...

    I hope you get a job soon. Maybe you can write a few books with your time away from work.

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    1. haha, I might do that if I had crappy neighbors. Luckily mine are ok. But I am trying to write even though it is a bit harder than usual.

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  14. All of the above! Your next job WILL be much better, and you WILL get tons of writing done in the meantime. A friend of mine did a NaNoSubMo where he listed one editor/agent per day for the month of December and then sent off his submission to one per day. Maybe you could do something like that?

    Good luck to you. I'm sorry for the crappy day. Have you done a search on ways to deal with a muffler that's fallen off? I'm no muffler expert, so I can't help you there.

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