And amongst other good news of the day, I was laid off today.
No, I’m not kidding.
Bless his heart, Dan came home immediately and was there when I needed him – those first few hours were rough. Dan made some of the important phone calls (canceling some memberships, getting in a handyman to see what would need to be done to make the house presentable, lining up a realtor to visit tomorrow). He’s asleep on the sofa now, worn out. My poor wolf has walking pneumonia again (when it rains it pours) and so his energy levels are pretty crappy right now.
I’ve been on the phone with a recruiter off and on all afternoon, and mentally mapping out where we’re going. I get four weeks of severance, so that’s good, and Dan still has his job. I’ll be applying for unemployment on Monday, and I need to talk to the mortgage company and see what kind of terms we can work out. Our primary goals:
1. Get me a new job…somewhere. Preferably in the Great Lakes region, but I’m not in a position to be choosy.
2. Sell the house. This is not a short process in the best of times, and when you combine a crappy market with a bad time of the year to sell a house, well, the sooner we start the process the better.
3. Talk to creditors. That starts next week – I’m not really in any shape to deal with that right now.
On the bright side, I’ve already gotten a call from a recruiter with some prospects: one in Louisville, KY, and one in Chestertown, MD (!). If nothing else, it’s comforting to know there’s possibilities out there. We’ll do all we can to get back to the Chicago area, but right now geographical location has to take second place to economic realities, and the market in Chicago for chemical engineers is in the toilet right now. We’ll see what happens.
There are a lot of questions right now, including what about MFF? All I can say is, we’ll be there and we’ll cover our responsibilities. How we’ll do that remains to be seen, but give us some time to work on it.
Lemme know what you need, dawg…I’m ready to help, or listen, or whatever. *hug*
Sorry to hear, fella.
How awful. Almost all of friends with professional-level positions has lost their jobs, and like I’ve noted before in my own journal, it appears that I will be next.
This could have been worse, I suppose. You could have been completely blindsided. Thankfully, you were already looking for another job. Do take care of yourself. You and Dan are in my thoughts. I’m hoping for the best of all possible outcomes for you.
*hugs tight*
Well I am sorry for the absolutely dreadful set of circumstances Duncan. It’s unfortunate this will only make your goal of moving to the Chicago area more complicated, but do know this doggy is willing to help as much as he can. If you need any assistance in the move please don’t feel hesitant to ask (I am always looking for an excuse to get out of Charlotte). Anyways, I wish you the best of luck in both the sale and in the job search. I am sure you are pretty knowledgeable on the sales process, but if you need me to try and suggest some closing attorneys or real estate agents in the area I am sure I could make some calls. Hang in there guys.
*hug* I can’t do much more than that, but I can at least offer hugs. =/
–M
Oh, God Dunc! I’m so sorry. I know what it’s like out there; I was out of work for months. *hugs* Don’t let the shock get to you though. You two will come out all right, I’m sure of it!
Let me know if I can do anything to help. 281 222 0266 cell.
Aw, that bites the big one. 🙁
If you find yourself looking at prospects in the Philadelphia area, drop me a line and I’ll do what I can to assist you. *hug*
Oh brother…
*hugs you and the wolf tight*
I am so sorry to hear about what happened, husky. I knew about the wolf’s condition from talking to him yesterday and I know this doesn’t make things any eaier. Know that you and he both will be in my thoughts and prayers. I know that you and he will bounce back from this.
ERF! without any warning!? *sigh*
Loriana and I will be thinking of you both…In hopes that something good comes along.
If you need anything..don’t hesitate to contact us *hugs you both tight*
Major Suckage. Sorry guys. But hey, you know if you guys need anything or whatever, Todd and I aren’t THAT far away….gives us a buzz.
Ugh…
Damn that sucks, Duncan. Anything that I can help you or Dan with, just let me know.
You were already looking at leaving the area, but having to do it on short notice is going to make it much harder.
*big-warm-foxy-hug*
Well, this pretty much goes without saying (but has already been said by many) I’m here to help any way I can. You know I love you guys and would do anything for you. Don’t hesitate in calling if you need someone. For anything. My thoughts/love/prayers are with you. You’ll be fine, I have no doubt in that. Just a quick hurdle and you’re done. Nothing big. 😉
Wow. Ack. Yuck. I’m really sorry to hear that. Were you simply downsized or…what? I don’t have a lot of original things to say here, but I will say I’ll be thinking of you, sending positive energies and the like. I’m glad you guys will still be at MFF, if you weren’t, it would be that much less awesome a con. *hug*
Oof, that’s miserable. Good luck, and I hope Taki’s feeling better soon. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. *hug*
*Big Heartfelt Hugs!*
I’m sorry Duncan! I know what a shock this has got to be to your system. It’s amazing how one week can make such a difference sometimes. It seems strange to know that exactly one week ago, at this same time, I was on my way to your house with much happier thoughts in mind. Now, I’m stunned and can only be thinking about the pain you must be feeling right now. *sigh*
I know that everyone is saying this, which goes to show how many good friends you really have, and I will too – if you need anything call! I’m fairly close and 100% willing to help anyway that I can. You and Takaza are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Your like family to me and I’d don’t mind driving down there to help for any reason! When you get ready to move, if you need help – call me. If you decide to check out this job in Maryland and don’t want to drive 6 1/2 hours straight up there, call me. (It’s only 3 1/2 hours from here.) I’m more than willing to put you up for a couple nights, if it helps. If you decide to drive out to check on this job in Louisville and need a place for the night – call me! (Teek lives there, and just happens to be visiting here this weekend, I’m sure that he’d find space for you to crash for a night.) If you wanna have some fun and get away (at almost no expense) – call me. We can do King’s Dominion or Carolwinds all day for nothing. (The perks of all of us being season pass holders.) And, naturally, if you want an additional shoulder to cry on – please call me.
I’m here. If I can help, please don’t be afraid to let me know.
Oh god that sucks…
You’ve been there for me when times were rough. If there’s anything I can do, just name it.
*cuddles* I’m thinking of you, my husky friend, and I wish you every good luck in securing another job.
*hug* and hug yer mate for me, too.
I know we’re far away, but if we can do anything just let us know. =/
Sadly, all I can do is ditto what was already said, and extend my own offers for aid, if possible.
{{{{hug}}}}
I’m sorry. Even when you suspect something like this is coming,it’s still a shock and very unpleasant.
Hang in there. Remember that your friends are there to lean on (some of us a bit far away for much more than moral support, but don’t knock moral support!).
{{{{{hug}}}}} again…
Sorry to hear it bud, I can say without doubt that you’re going to be fine! Dev and I are here for ya if you need, we’ve been thinking about ya.
Dude
You WILL land on your feet. Your skills in science are in demand (although, sure, it may take a bit of time to find the right next job).
Anyway, I comPLETEly sympathize on the need to sell and cut back when you lose one of two incomes. Aimee was hit hard by the animation cutbacks — she was on “Futurama” when Fox cancelled new production of it — and we were on the brink of having to sell our home when she got her current job with WB Animation. If either of us loses his/her job, it’s realtor time. 😛
I’m so sorry to hear that! Hugs to both of you from J and me. Take care of one another, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.
Well, if it helps any, Louisville, KY is actually quite a nice city with a lot of history and fun architecture. Housing is cheaper out here in the boonies as well 😉 If you need help moving and happen to end up somewhere within shouting of the tristate(say, Louisville, KY), drop me an email and I’ll help you guys haul boxes if you’d like. Ganbatte!