Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Pink-slipping toward freedom

I lost my job yesterday. My employer of the past six years is "restructuring assets", so me and several of my co-workers received termination notices for lunch. No milkshake party or anything! Just "Thanks for your help. Good luck."

After I got over the initial panic of wearing the label of "unemployed", I began to realize that I've been given the gift I've been secretly wanting for over 2 years: a paid exit strategy to a better life, and the free time I need to finish up about 14 personal (and paying) creative projects I'm currently involved with "after hours".

You see, by day, I worked on a print production team at a large ad agency/publisher, but in the evenings, I've been trying to establish myself as an event photographer, art director and web designer. My day job didn't hold any interest for me, but it paid my bills, it offered medical & life insurance and a 401K, so it was difficult to leave that security blanket behind. But a decent severance package changes all the rules. For my situation, this payout is the rocket fuel that could propel me into the life I always dreamed about.

Now that I've had 24 hours to absorb the shock of this unexpected event, I'm almost giddy with anticipation. Like everyone else, I was too deeply engaged in my daily routine to consider changing anything about it. I didn't enjoy getting up and going to work, but I had become complacent, and I wasn't even aware of it until today.

So for the next couple weeks, I'm taking a bit of a vacation. I won't really travel anywhere, but I will meet with my vast network of associates, exchange some ideas, clock back a few pints, and devise my plan of attack. I will find a place where people WANT me, not just need me - because I think when it comes to the changing face of business and relationships, the safest haven is amongst people who want you by their side, no matter whether they need you there or not. I have dreamed of striking out on my own for a long time, so you folks may be witnessing the birth of a supernova.

12 comments:

Chris said...

Go, girl, go!

pistols at dawn said...

Doesn't witnessing the birth of a supernova pretty much ensure we'll all die in moments? For that reason, I hope your rocketing to stardom is restrained to not-killing-me-for-cheering-you-on levels.

While I'm sad for your loss, I'm happy that cosmically at least, I'm due another milkshake tomorrow. Plus, it seems like you got enough to buy your own damn milkshakes.

It sounds a lot like a relationship I was in once. At first, that girl was awesome, and not only because she put out often. But over time, she became very mundane and boring, and I wanted out. We broke up, and even as she was packing her stuff to get the hell out, I was overcome with the sudden joy of freedom and the chance to pursue something actually interesting.

If this metaphor holds up, I don't recommend telling your old work how excited you are about pursuing new hobbies and doing X, Y, and Z, especially if X, Y and Z are her hot friends' names. It'll only lead to hatred, court battles, and then, an eerie silence for the rest of your life.

I kid. I think you'll be awesome, and again, as long as you don't kill me, I'll throw any spare hydrogen fuel I have your way to ensure the largest possible explosion of star-based matter.

Leonesse said...

I applaud your enthusiasm and welcome you to the world of Making It or Die Trying! It can be stressful, but sooo rewarding.

Putting on my shades and waiting for the show....

Does that mean you can REALLY dish on this botox thing? Cuz I really wanna hear these ideas you came up with!

T said...

First of all, the pink-slip chick is hot (except for the fact the bottoms of her feet have been blackened by walking on hot coals). She cannot possibly be you though, cuz her hair is all wrong.

When I was previously "let go" by my now ex-employer I was pissed, but then relieved, and immediately planned how I was going to spend the next several months doing absolutely nothing of importance, except wash myself. Man, that felt good...

Good luck, have fun and remember us all in your blogdom after you've become the new Ron Harris of Canadian photography, because we want to be there when you're working.

Bert Bananas said...

I have two words for you, babe:

Plas Tics!


Okay, I was just working off the nervous energy.

I used to woek for a curb address painting company. I helped make them what they were! And I finally got the gumption to go out on my own. I did okay. But then a couple of big developers said, "Hey kid, we're going internal for all our curb address painting, so thanks for all your help." I had to go out and market myself all over again. Which I refused to do. So now I just have day to day business.

The moral of this story is: Go out there and be the biggest self-promoting media whore you can be! Don't wait for them to think of you; be in their faces constantly and deliver the goods! And don't give one goddam thing away for free! Don't let yourself be used.

In five years we, your blogspot faithfuls, will be dining out on the strength of having known you "when"...

It's like we're there for the birth of the baby when all we did was masturbate in the shower. Very ennobling, or as the more disrespectful say, very enknobling.

CoffeeDog said...

Good luck - though I am sad to see there won't be any more loli-gagging with your co worker in the supply closet furing breaks!

katrocket said...

Thanks to all for your support and encouragement. You like me - you really like me!

steakbellie said...

F***!!!!,
When I was laid off a few years ago, it wound up being one of the most important parts of my professional career. I was forced to do ALOT of things that were outside of my comfort zone.

I learned that doing Art and the BUSINESS of Art are completely different things.

Drop me a line if you need a sounding board.

Rock on....

The Guv'ner said...

Man, those fuckweeds. Still their loss is going to most definitely be your gain. I think you're right - you often don't have the guts to just let go and do your own thing unless it's thrust upon you, so now is your chance to sock it to them big.

I hope one day I'm in a position to quit this crap and make my jewelry and household furnishings. (Shut up)

GO YOU!

P.S. Can't wait to hear some dirt dishing about the old place:)

Snooze said...

ah hon, I think you're already a supernova. I will be there with martinis for the times you are doubting or celebrating. Basically I'll just be in your face with martinis.

katrocket said...

Snnoze: At first I thought you wrote "...on my face with martinis" and I jumped up and yelled "YAY!!!!", but being IN my face with martinis is super fun too, so please let the doubting and celebrating begin!

Snooze said...

LOL - well, after a few martinis, anything goes