Last Thursday I became just another statistic. Now that has never, ever been something I have aspired to. Nonetheless, I was laid off - becoming one of the burgeoning club of the Unemployed & Totally Annoyed. Obviously, as the Controller for the company for the last two years, I did see it coming. There was simply nothing I could do to stop it from happening.
TSD was “acquired” by a much larger company who purchased our assets and most of our bodies – just not mine. And not the bodies (or minds) of the Receptionist/Engineering Assistant or the Purchasing Manager. In the new company all the administrative functions are centralized in the corporate headquarters in New York. I am extremely grateful that the jobs of all the engineers and previous shareholders were saved, which diminishes my annoyance… somewhat. :-}
Despite the fact that my company was in business for 17 years, it just might have been their most recent phone number that did them in. The day I began this job (March 5, 2007) my very first question was “Who was given the task of picking this phone number and what were they thinking?” The number ends in 666…
I loved my job. I learned a great deal and developed many new skills. It’s all good. Most of my colleagues were people of integrity and great humor. Working with my brother was never once an issue. In fact, our offices were catty-corner and I could literally look at him all day long if I wanted to. But I didn’t want to. He’s probably annoyed about that. Sorry Bryn, I had other things to do!
I spend a lot of time at my job so I like to make my office my little home away from home. I hate fluorescent lights so I take my own lamps to work. I had to keep buying more because I neglected to check the maximum wattage and the room never got bright enough for me. One day Kent walked in and stared around the room, just taking it all in. He commented that something was definitely going on in my office. I told him that my lamps were reproducing at night, but since none of them looked the same he didn’t buy it. At the time of my departure I had no less than six lamps in my office. I left one as a parting gift (it was held prisoner behind my printer table and it wasn’t worth another hernia repair). Five lamps for sale, five lamps for sale! $1.99!
I have to admit that near the end of my time at TSD the stress was pretty unbearable. I was filing things one day and my sweater kept getting caught on the rough metal corners of the cabinet. It was a literal manifestation of the way I was beginning to feel – that I was becoming unraveled and it was time to move on. I resented that almost everyone got to keep their job and I was stuck with finding a new one at such a time as this. Those last four weeks were very emotional for me and there was still so much work to be done. I did my best to focus on that and accomplished as much as I possibly could before I left.
I started to think of the things I wouldn’tmiss about TSD. I wouldn’t miss smelling my boss before seeing him (his office was next to mine). I was so allergic to his cologne that there were days I turned on my fan even though the temperature in my office was in the high sixties. I have heard of being “allergic to your boss” but it usually isn’t so literal.
I will miss the friendly atmosphere between colleagues (who felt they had a right to comment on my wardrobe). One day I was at the copier and Duane looked over at me and remarked, “You have to ask for a raise so you can buy the rest of your pants.” I faked indignation and informed him that my “young” friends had picked out the gaucho pants for me and they were like, totally, like, in fashion. He suggested that I get older friends.
I will never forget walking into Mark’s office, gently lifting the lid off his huge glass jar, sticking my face in the top of that jar, and inhaling deeply that sweet, sweet smell of chocolate Hershey Kisses. Mark smiled. I didn’t have to say a word. He didn’t have to say a word. His smile told me that he understood my need and that he was impressed by my self-control. I put the lid back on the container-of-all-things-perfect, and walked out of the room.
So, the new adventure begins. I have asked God if it would be at all possible, could I please only have to interview with the company that plans to hire me? I just don’t have time to go on 5-10 interviews like I usually do! Too many kids, too much paperwork, too many projects, too many medical appointments. Could we just keep it simple this time Lord?
I have sent out nearly 25 resumes. I have networked. Somewhere in all that effort is my new job - one or two interviews away. Right Lord? So no…. I am NOT just another statistic. I am the Beloved Child of the Living God who knows exactly where He wants to place me next. Wheeeeee!
