October 7, 2012
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Looking at the Bright Side
There have been more job cuts in my business unit. They were fairly senior people and not entry level positions. This is what happens when you don’t meet targets – you have to cut cost. So far I’ve been lucky but that axe feels like it’s getting closer. Oh well, it’s not the end of the world if I get cut. I’m sure I’ll find a way to survive even if I have to take a job that pays less than half of what I make today.
My sister lost her job a few weeks ago. She showed up for work one day and was told the company has gone under. It was really unsettling for her and the people that worked for her. She’s working on a couple of leads right now and I hope those come through.
In other news, dad’s oncologist has ordered bone scan and CT scan. He hates those test and he kept telling the doctor he was fine and not in any pain. But I know he sometimes will lie just so that he can avoid visiting the doctor / hospital. I keep telling him while there isn’t a cure, the doctors can at least help him deal with the pain and discomfort. But he is stubborn. I told him once that he might complain of a headache if he got beheaded. He chuckled and said that’s probably true.
Despite all of these, I’m still thankful for what I have. I had a wonderful meal with J and his family last night. I played a bit with the kids but I cannot stand watching the cartoons that they watch. Tomorrow, I’m at my brother’s place with his extended family for Thanksgiving dinner. I’m not crazy about the big crowd (somewhere between 16 to 18). I know my sister will make a fuss about the soup she is bringing. Dad will be cranky because he isn’t allowed to drink. But I just try to cherish the time we have with the family and raise a toast to the ones that aren’t with us anymore.
Comments (34)
I’d be cranky too if I couldn’t drink–especially if there’s a bone scan in the foreseeable future.
There’s nothing like the fall to put you in the mood of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
Always be thankful and appreciate what you have
aww matt … still got the great attitude in life that i admire.
Aww… I know that feeling. my dad can’t drink too. Happy thanksgiving!
Even in the worst of times, it is a healthy practice to take stock of our blessings. Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.
I wish I had your “always positive” outlook, Matt. Have a great Thanksgiving! Some upcoming food porn, perhaps?
@CurryPuffy - I don’t always have that positive outlook all the time. Sometimes the darkness descends over me for quite some time. It can be a struggle. I’ll put up some food porn soon. Hugs Gary.
I’m glad your job hasn’t yet been cut — Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Matt. As everyone else have said, your ability to turn to the positive than to blame the negative is admiring.
Sorry to hear about the job cuts and the stress that situation brings to everyone including those staying. As for the extended family dinner, try your best to enjoy it. My grandfather for the first year ever decided not to hold our annual thanksgiving dinner and I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. Even though like in your party, our get together has too many people and people who complain, I still can’t help but feel sad that this tradition is no more in our family.
good post.
is it thanksgiving already?!
The economy should be improving soon. Let’s hope it is anyway.
@radio03 - In Canada!
@ElusiveWords - Job security is a problem. At first I thought you worked for yourself since you said you worked at home. Hopefully things work out for you. Here in Alberta is a bit strange. There are a lot of high paying job that no one wants because of the nature of work and its location, they’re getting snapped up left and right by foreigners…
My brother doesn’t seem to value his job opporunity either. It was his first job and he was getting paid very well (70k a year), but he found programming boring and quit after a year. Sometimes I wonder if he lived in Ontario if he’d feel so free to quit…
Not a spongebob fan?
I hope things stay positive at work. There’s nothing more nervewracking than being unsure about the persistence of your job.
I liked this line the best in your blog, “But I just try to cherish the time we have with the family and raise a toast to the ones that aren’t with us anymore. ”
Cherish your time.
Christy
Matt, why does the doctor want to do the CT and bone scan? Has he lost weight? Does he feel that his liver is enlarged when he examines dad? If there is no specific reason, I wouldn’t force him to go through with that. Unfortunately some physicians get perks for doing so many scans and I hope it is not like that in Canada.
I am sorry your sister was let go and the company collapsed. Perhaps she could start something independent by herself and get going as a small business entrepreneur. I wish her all the best. AND you too Matt. I pray that you don’t have to go through anything like that. Perhaps you should start looking around for something and get it before you have to hear the verdict.
Happy Thanksgiving Mattie. Love and hugs.
@ZSA_MD - he gets it done about once a year. His oncologist wants to see how far and how fast the cancer is spreading. It’s in his back and ribs. His tummy is a bit big and tender as well. He hasn’t lost weight. It’s been fairly stable.
While not as severe as you described it, there is a similar climate at my employer. I hope you will be fine, and your dad as well.
I know how you feel Matt. The job market is tough out there right now and I’m going through it, but I’ve been interviewing so hopefully something will work out soon. :)
yeah, i’m too not a big fan of too large of a group for a gathering. it makes things less personal that way. i’m sorry to also hear your sis lost her job and the job cut at your company. i know that many nations are having an economy melt down like usa, but i didn’t think it would be as bad. so i thought canada wouldn’t be affected as much. hope you had a nice thanksgiving dinner. and that your dad will be less stubborn for your sake as well as for his own.
always great to see your optimism man. and props to you on appreciating what you have and being there for your family. =)
Good on you, Matt. Am rooting for you always.
Ah, yeah, I remember getting axed from an old job. It has given me a push I needed to start discovering myself more as a filmmaker. I might go back to a full time but we’ll see. If I can get more business, I can make my own profit for my business.
@alchemystfury – sometimes , those unexpected events give us the needed push to try something new. You certainly have enough talent, so the only question is whether circumstance hands you the right opportunities.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Wishing you a very happy thanks giving. I’m not quite sure what it is you do, but if you’re not upper management and are doing “tangible” work, you should be fine. In general, failure to reach targets is a blot on the managerial staff if the more entry level folks are actually doing their jobs. They’d be foolish to cut the folks who are actually doing the work, since that’s their product (unless you are in a very automated industry). Having said that, whatever happens, you’ll find your way.
@christao408 - thanks. I’m kinda split between continuing forward to pursue media as an entrepreneur and abandoning ship, at least temporarily, to earn a regular full time income. Have been living within my means and routinely cutting out a lot of luxuries so it’s tough.
Dear Matt,
I’m planning retirement in about 7 years. I changed careers in my mid 30s, when, following three large chainstore closings, I realized I’d never get anywhere in retail management. I work for a small family owned electrical distributor now. I’m one of two senior engineers, and I doubt I’ll be downsized anytime soon. The big problem would be if the family decided to sell the company, which only employs 16 people. Sorry about your sister. Prayers and positive energy are coming her way. And also to your dad. Happy belated Thanksgiving Day.Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
@XtremePsionic - haha thanks. I thought thanksgiving was an American holiday? haha it must be Canada’s own as well.
@TutelageOfTheMundane - the dinner went well, too much food and dad was less grumpy after a small drink. You’re right about the fall – it’s a season of reflection.
@oxyGENE_08 - thanks Gene, always appreciate the support.
@JonasApproved - well, I’m not always 100% positive. I do have quite a few dark moments. It’s really good to see you back here in Xanga-land.
@Got_Claws - thank you. We gave him a very small l drink with predictable results. I wish he didn’t down it before dinner.
@christao408 - thanks Chris, I think I need to do this more often. Sometimes it’s so easy to lose one’s perspective.
@slmret - thank you, I need the job even though it has a few downsides.
@brooklyn2028 - the dinner went ok. We gave dad a very small drink. He was suppose to have it with dinner but he guzzled it down before we even served food. He was better after he had some food in his stomach to slow down the alcohol. I’m sorry that your thanksgiving dinner. I remember one entry about you baking with your grandfather. Did you have one with your immediate family and Felix? One day I’ll have to invite you for dinner (I’ll be in a disguise).
@heartbreakerangeltease8993 - thank you, appreciate the comment.
@radio03 - yes, in Canada we have our Thanksgiving before the American Thanksgiving.
@Milnaa - I hope so, but the recovery and corporate spending is not there yet.
@XtremePsionic - there’s a significant portion of our company that work at home, are mobile or work at a client site. We do have issues with the salaries out west – the rates are a lot higher and we have trouble attracting people. I hope your brother landed another job. $70K is an exceptional salary for first year. In Ontario, it would be less and in some cases – the job will be done using contractors or outsourced.
@secade - I’m not a spongebob fan (and it was one of those cartoons they were watching). I doubt the level of uncertainty will decrease. Most of my peers are stressed out but are hanging in there.
@greatredwoman - thank you for the compliment Christy.
@beowulf222 - thanks Nick. I hope things at your workplace will improve.
@icebladz - thanks Simon, good luck with the job hunting and interviews. I hope you’ll soon find something good.
@rudyhou - the dinner went relatively well (see previous comments about dad). I drove so I didn’t have a drink (felt like one though).
@bengozen - appreciate the nice words – it’s not easy to always stay optimistic but I try.
@stepaside_loser - thanks Andrew, it’s always nice to have someone rooting for me.
@alchemystfury - I’m thinking about that as well but I’m not really sure what I want to do next. I have to do a fair bit of planning and preparation now while I still have a job.
@CareyGLY - thanks Carey!!!
@paperblanks - they cut everywhere even the doers. The theory is that people will become more efficient. They also move job elsewhere (out of the country) to save on costs.
@baldmike2004 - thank you for the positive energy and prayers. I appreciate it very much.
Maybe being proactive and start searching for job instead of being reactive and waiting to be axe.