Laid Off
Well, last Tuesday, I got laid off from my job in the oil field. I had a premonition a long time ago that it was going to happen, so although it is a bit stressful, it is also a relief. I think the manager giving me the news was actually more sad about it than I was. He told me that he was grateful that I was taking it so well.
In the days following, I’ve had a few funny things happen...Waking up in the middle of the night from a dream where I was stressing out over something relating to my former job...only to realize that I will never need to worry about that anymore, smile and go back to sleep... Wondering why it’s so cold in the house, then realize my automatic thermostat is still set for my working hours, and not for me being home….the calendar on my phone warning me of an upcoming event relating to the job that I no longer need to attend. I’ve managed to go to church two weeks in a row. I can watch my favorite programs on TV live, instead of recording them….etc… I never really realized how much stress I was under for all those years. I’ve been like a watch spring that was constantly wound up to it’s fullest extent. That spring is gradually relaxing.
I do feel sad about the others who were laid off at the same time as I was. They are young and have young families who depend on them to bring home that large paycheck every two weeks. I’ve shared my WA experience with them, but since I can’t honestly say that I’m making any money at it yet, it brings them no consolation.
I do have a lot of thinking to do and adjustments to make, because I had a great income while I was working. I've been spending a lot of time in the employment office filling out forms in order to draw unemployment money which will help me make the transition away from that income and in order to qualify for continued compensation I must apply for at least two jobs per week, although there are really no jobs out there that I qualify for that pay as well as oil field work.I'm 61 years old, and I spent a majority of that working, so this is a really strange feeling. My unemployment will last long enough for me to reach the age of 62 when I can draw social security and the other half of my Postal retirement and that's what I think I will do, so that I can totally focus on this WA experience which has been so amazing and yet unprofitable so far. I know the potential is there, and I do have the faith that it will happen but years of working the traditional "JOB" is a habit that is very hard to shake. Kind of like someone who has been in prison for 40 years, and finally gets paroled but they are afraid to leave because they know nothing else.
I’m so excited that I now have an unlimited amount of time to work on my websites now and to focus on learning those things I’ve struggled with here. Springtime is coming to Alaska and with that will bring many more opportunities to enjoy my hobby of gold prospecting, and hiking some of the most beautiful country in the world.
Life is good.
Dennis
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Great story Dennis. The journey is really getting underway for you now.
Say Hi to everyone in Ketchikan for me. Janelle
Thanks, Janelle! I've actually never been to Ketchikan. The funny thing about Alaska is that if you travel by road from Soldotna to Ketchikan it's 41 hours ( 1,820 miles ) away, but by air it's 2 hours ( 695 miles ) away. I don't own an airplane, but I sure wish I did....well...not really, because they are super expensive to maintain. LOL!
If I ever go there, I'll shout your name on the street corner and see who answers. ;-)
Dennis
Yah. I went by boat from Vancouver. It took 10 fays up and back and around a few spots. Beautiful part of the world.
You have to enjoy Alaska when you can. I always thought the summers were short yet absolutely gorgeous. ~Debbi
Yes...the summers are short, yet daylight comes early and stays late, so perhaps summers are not so short after all? On the other hand, dark in the winter is extended so it's probably a wash. LOL!
Thanks, Debbi!
Dennis
P.S. Remember...you can dress for the cold, but you can only undress so far for the heat before you're arrested. ;-)
The day/night probably IS a wash but I found it hard to sleep in the summer. I was wired and in the winter, all I wanted to DO was sleep. I think the balance of day/night works better for some.
Yes, they do Miglena. You know something is right when you feel good, when you're "supposed" to feel bad. I have an entire world of possibilities now. ;-)
Thanks!
The oil business is cyclical. The price of oil goes up and lots of drilling rigs are put in place. The price of oil goes down and the rigs are idled. Although I do not work in the oil industry I am greatly affected by it because I get royalties from a field near Big Spring, Texas.
Yes KD....everyone who works in the oil patch knows there's a big hammer above your head, but the rewards seem to be worth it. The foolish one's are ones who don't put $$ aside for when the hammer falls, but go deeply in debt buying toys that become anchors around their necks. I was a little older and wiser than some. I enjoyed the ride while I could, and now I have time to pursue the gifts which God gave me, to try and make a living in an enjoyable way.
I hope oil prices go up for your sake. This is the longest that I remember the slump to last.
Dennis
LOL! Yep...I guess so. I think it was a good thing overall. It was kinda like, when my first wife left me and I filed for divorce....such a sense of relief! All those years of misery were over, and a new beginning. Best of luck to you.
Hi Dennis!
I'm glad you took it very positively. I'm 45 and after 23 years in the corporate world, I wish I've been laid off or forced to retire today (with a good paycheck as take home of course!). Haha!
Weird, but it's a mixed feeling especially that the possibilities outside the companies that we've served that long are endless.
Enjoy and goodluck on your online endeavors!
Jojo
Thanks, Jojo! I appreciate your support, and I wish you all the success and happiness in the world.
Dennis
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Lovely blog Dennis. Sometimes life forces you in a direction and you find that is where you are meant to be. I think WA came into your life at just the right time.
Thanks, Erica. I sure hope you're right....on second thought, "Hope" is not productive, so I'll change my response to I know you're right! I just need to stick my nose on the grind stone ( I always wondered how one can work in that position ) and keep at it until I succeed.
Dennis