Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Will Work For Food

I need an economic stimulus package, specifically one that will allow me to make the mortgage payments, buy food and insurance, pay the doctor bills and buy the medicine, and put two kids through college.

This morning I was laid off from my IT consulting company, the casualty, along with about 40 other consultants who were twiddling their thumbs, of an economy where nobody wants any consultants. It wasn't a surprise. I've been twiddling my thumbs since the beginning of the year, waiting in vain for something to open up. Nothing did. And companies, damn them, won't continue to pay peoples' salaries when they're not doing any work. There are only so many online training courses one can take. So I'm now highly trained in project management methodologies and business analysis use cases, ready to join the unemployment line.

It's happening all over, I know. My situation is no different from that of millions of other Americans. And I've been through this before. It actually gets really old really quickly. What may be new this time is that there don't appear to be any jobs for which to search. That's what's particularly scary. For those of you who are praying types, I'd appreciate your prayers. This does afford me a fine opportunity to learn, once more, that God is in control. It's fairly evident that I'm not.

20 comments:

anchors said...

I'm so sorry Andy...my dad, a was laid off by Compuware last year. He was fortunate enough to find a project as a contractor here at the beginning of the year, but we know nothing is for sure. You're in my thoughts and prayers. I can try and find out if they have any hope of openings in the future...

Anonymous said...

Oh Andy, I'm so sorry. You know we've been praying, and we'll continue to do so.
Love,
Libby

Ben McFarland said...

You have prayers from Seattle...

Joel said...

I'm really sorry, Andy. Looking for a bright side... More time to write?

Someone Said said...

My sympathies and good luck.

Mike Harris-Stone said...

You have my prayers. I'm also in IT, no "laid off" but getting no income since I've always been paid by the job.

I'm looking into getting some $ from ODesk. They have tech writing stuff coming in regularly, but its generally low pay. You can set your own rates, etc. Don't know if thats of any use, but thought I'd pass it on.

Morgan said...

So sorry to hear about that Andy. You're in my prayers.

lbotta said...

Blessings to you and a prayer for strength and encouragement.I will pray for you and your family.

Take care

Lon

Anonymous said...

You don't know us (the Slatens), but we will pray for your family.

Thank you, again, for keeping this blog going when you have so much more on your plate. Your insights and words truly are a gift.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear that, Andy. I'll definitely be praying.

mg said...

I'm so sorry to hear this Andy. You are in my prayers.

Beth said...

I'm sick for you, Andy. Let us know if us geese can do anything - Beth

Pilgrim said...

Andy,
I'm sorry to hear this.
We're going through a sea change.

Karl Boettcher said...

Nothing good to say, but, I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

Andy,

Let us know- A and I are praying.

Jeff CAnnell

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and your family. Sorry that stinks!

Sara G

Anonymous said...

I wish I had something to say other than I'm sorry. I'll be praying for you.

Buckley Wheatish said...

Andy,

Prayer is so powerful. I believe God hears the ones we all are making on behalf of you and your family.

Personally, over a few decades of life I have discovered (after the fact) that when circumstances take a turn I would not have desired, such as an unexpected job loss or an unwanted downturn or a seemingly insurmountable barrier presented in my business, when placed in His hands the situation ends up yielding a blessing I could not have possibly experienced had the "situation" not developed. I would have never voluntarily, on my own madethe changes that my circumstances ended up dictating... and that's about 30 years of work related experience talking for what it may be worth but by now, I think I'm finally "getting it". My wife has experienced this in quite dramatic ways, herself. It's not the circumstance that is the issue (though hard to believe) but rather our response to it... as hard as it is to try to mention that right now.

Just a thought to go with my prayers.

Gary (ID used to be: gb)
Dallas

Living the Biblios said...

Add my sympathies to the list.

Praying for God's providence to teach and provide.

Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma said...

Kirstin and I are thinking of and praying for you ...