Where's the Breadline?
Dear Readers,
I lost my job of 26 years last Thursday, and will be devoting all of my time and energy to locating a new one. Blogging will resume when (or if) that happens.
I pretty much saw this coming, but it was still a shock when it happened. Fortunately, we had taken steps to greatly reduce our mortgage debt and build our savings up last year, so between Mrs. BH's income as a librarian, the severance package from my former company, savings, and unemployment insurance, we should be able to pay the bills and eat for quite a while if nothing turns up. Mrs. BH has great health insurance too, so that's not a worry either.
Hopefully, this will be just a temporary setback, and I will be back to entertain you again shortly. In the meantime, please keep us in your thoughts and/or prayers.
Your pal,
Mr. Bali Hai
Comments
Good luck my friend!
Posted by: orangeguru | February 28, 2009 4:29 PM
Danke, dude!
Posted by: Mr. Bali Hai | February 28, 2009 5:33 PM
26 years! I knew you'd worked there a long time, but I had no idea that long. Wow. That's impressive. Good luck to you. Try to not get discouraged. It has been a long time since you've had to look for a job, so this is new territory for you. My positive thoughts are with you, for sure!
Posted by: Kimberly | February 28, 2009 5:51 PM
I've had 6 or 7 different positions at multiple locations within those 26 years, Kim, so it's really like having had a bunch of jobs, but working with largely the same group of people.
I'm not discouraged, but I am adjusting my expectations downwards for the next gig, as I'm sure that the pay will be a lot lower.
Posted by: Mr. Bali Hai | February 28, 2009 5:56 PM
Yuck! So sorry to hear this. But it sounds like you're pretty well-prepared. Best of luck in your new ventures!
Posted by: Elizabeth McQuern | February 28, 2009 7:19 PM
I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope you find a new job soon. Good luck!
Posted by: Bibi | March 1, 2009 1:16 AM
All my best,
Good luck, friend
T.
Posted by: tatum | March 1, 2009 3:04 AM
best fishes, my friend... seems you are better prepared than the majority of us... we'll be seeing you...
Posted by: johnny dollar | March 1, 2009 9:37 AM
This economy can go to hell. Good luck my friend.
Posted by: Brittanie | March 1, 2009 10:20 AM
Thanks for the good wishes, all! It's much appreciated.
Posted by: Mr. Bali Hai | March 1, 2009 10:31 AM
Good luck with the job hunting...26 years jeeeze
Posted by: Fritz | March 1, 2009 11:30 AM
Good grief! I wish you all the best.
Posted by: The Cartoonist | March 1, 2009 1:06 PM
Layoffs are just a barrel of fun, aren't they? I got the axe in January. Hang in there, good sir.
Posted by: Jim Dunn | March 2, 2009 11:42 AM
Sorry to hear it, Jim. I'm trying to stay optimistic.
Posted by: Mr. Bali Hai | March 2, 2009 2:12 PM
Best of luck, and may you be drinking from your enemies' skulls by spring.
Posted by: M.Ace | March 2, 2009 2:12 PM
I want to drink from their skulls RIGHT NOW!...with sippy straws, dammit.
Posted by: Mr. Bali Hai | March 2, 2009 2:56 PM
Best of luck to you Mr Bali Hai!
Posted by: P-E Fronning | March 2, 2009 4:51 PM
Oh, I am sorry to see this too. You're to be congratulated on your prudence, though, in establishing a cushion. Here's hoping you don't need it - good luck in your soon-to-be new position (and with that whole skull-drinking thing too)!
Posted by: Alan P. Scott | March 3, 2009 12:50 AM
You certainly are in my thoughts, and if I ever prayed to anything, you'd be there as well. This is becoming an all too common occurrence. I feel lucky every day I go to work and the doors are still open. 18 years and holding for me (fingers crossed). Good luck with the job hunt.
Posted by: Skipper Bartlett | March 3, 2009 7:59 PM
Sorry to hear about this. Please do keep us posted.
Posted by: MDSF | March 5, 2009 10:46 AM
Sorry to hear about that. Good luck! Keep the tiki torch burning!
Posted by: Matt | March 9, 2009 1:05 PM
Oh, man. I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope it's a very temporary set-back and something new comes your way soon. (Something involving skulls and bendy straws.)
(Sorry for being so late to respond. I've been out sick for a bit, so I'm just catching up with everyone's blogs.)
Posted by: czeltic girl | March 9, 2009 4:02 PM
Mr BH, just caught wind of this.... I can see you have many friends on the outside. I always enjoyed your abilities, knowledge and humor. I wish only the best for you and your family. Look forward to seeing you back up on this again soon.
Posted by: wreks | March 9, 2009 4:21 PM
My sympathies BH, Really shitty news. Speaking as someone who has never held down a paid job for more than 26 weeks. I can't imagine what adjustments you are having to make.
Could you stand a Comforting Cliché? This isn't a setback, mate - it's an opportunity.
Carpe diem, damn the torpedoes and run up the Jolly Roger! Fuck them all.
Posted by: Junk Monkey | March 9, 2009 5:44 PM
You still down with Hukilau? I was looking forward to meeting you guys.
Posted by: Swanky | March 12, 2009 6:13 PM
We're definitely going to try, Swanky. I'd already bought the plane and event tickets (both non-refundable), and we've reserved a room at the Oceanside Inn.
Hope to see you there!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 12, 2009 6:20 PM
we committed to hotel and flight just a day or two ago.
so even if my job crashes and burns tomorrow, we're there.
I'VE SEEN THINGS... YOU PEOPLE COULDN'T IMAGINE...
$
Posted by: jojhnny dollar | March 13, 2009 8:22 PM
Good man.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 13, 2009 8:34 PM
Tomorrow ends 56 days of being laid off from my job of eleven years. An end of fear, despair, loss of self. You will get through it it, but at the price of severe mental anguish. Good luck.
Posted by: Captain Jerry | March 24, 2009 6:45 PM
Congratulations, Cap'n! 56 days is actually a pretty short time to be unemployed these days, at least from what I've been hearing. I hope my luck's as good as yours.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 24, 2009 7:09 PM
hey hai, just wondering about you. chin up, best of luck, sending good vibes your way.
$
Posted by: johnny dollar | March 24, 2009 9:39 PM
Thanks, J$. Wish I could say that I'm making progress, but things feel like they're at an impasse right now.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 25, 2009 6:51 AM
Mr. BaliHai,
I was at UWSP today doing some mas when I heard of your situation. I have 22 years in and used to instruct back in the early days of ls and pwd.
Enjoy your freedom, then you'll soon find another open door.
Posted by: TerryN | March 25, 2009 10:48 PM
Thanks, Terry. Some days, it just feels like the open door leads to Wal-Mart.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 26, 2009 5:53 AM
Oh damn, so sorry to hear that - that truly sucks, MrBaliHai. But the open door won't be Walmart, there is something special out there with your name on it, hang tough and be patient. I've been laid off twice, both times were painful, but both times led to much improved situations.
Sending good vibes your way - mjjj
Posted by: madamjujujive | March 27, 2009 9:38 PM
Thanks, mjj. I had a couple of interesting opportunities pop up yesterday, so the blue vest might not be in my future after all.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | March 28, 2009 8:57 AM
Any progress? Hope you find something soon.
Posted by: orangeguru | April 3, 2009 7:53 AM
The good news is that I have a formal interview on Monday for a company that I'd actually be very interested in working for.
The bad news is that my former company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week, which put the rest of my severance pay (over $20k) into receivership. This means that I now have to file a court claim to try and reclaim it, which might take years.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | April 3, 2009 10:45 AM
Hey Mr. BH!
Hope your interview goes well.
Gotta keep the moola rollin' to keep the tiki drinks flowin'!
Posted by: KioreJay | April 8, 2009 8:36 PM
The interview went very well indeed, and I'm hoping to get called back for the 2nd round soon.
If I don't get it, the tiki drinks may be flowin' anyway.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | April 9, 2009 8:54 AM
i was wondering if the comment count was gonna break 40!
and best of luck, bh!
$
Posted by: johnny dollar | April 10, 2009 5:54 AM
Good luck my friend!
Posted by: orangeguru | April 21, 2009 1:50 PM
I think we all could use a mai tai right about now. The hell with the economy. Take care.
Posted by: unkle fun | April 24, 2009 10:09 PM
Haven't been around these parts much these days but over the years your blog has been a welcome staple in my internet diet for quite some time. It's sad to hop back here and see this. :(
I hope everything is well and back to better-than-normal soon. For all of us.
~Hanford
Posted by: Hanford | April 29, 2009 4:17 AM
Dude rock the Mai Tais and truck on. Hope to see you at Hukilau and don't forget to tell your new employer you won't be in on those dates!
Posted by: Russell Ackner | April 30, 2009 8:30 AM
I came by to see how you were carrying on these days, and to drop off a small gift. You've probably seen this website already, but I thought of you the minute I found it.
Email me and let me know how you're doing workwise.
http://www.agilitynut.com/tiki.html
Posted by: Lonita | May 20, 2009 11:53 PM