Probly wont be posting much for a while...

[burnedout]

Sorry to hear about your job, Train.

We had a USMC reserve 0311 employed by us last year and worked directly for me. A good kid too. He'd talk about his rotation down to Gitmo while I'd touch on my glory days every now and again.

Anyway, like CAD says, it sounds as if you have a positive attitude. Keep your chin up. There's some great commentary and advice in this thread. I can only add that you may wanna try to stay in school if possible.

Best of luck to you.

 

[IndieSnob]

Sorry to hear Train, best of luck to you.

 

[alchemize]

Train:

I seriously doubt your non-compete agreement is enforceable since they laid you off. Most judges won't enforce them anyhow - since it is big company versus person trying to feed their family.

 

[tallest1]

Originally posted by: Infohawk

Originally posted by: tallest1
because I have only $30 in my bank account right now.

So how do you eat and pay for your internet?

heh, valid question. I moved to a $250month apt, eat a single $3 vegetarian meal each day, and sell my possessions on forums and ebay. This internet connection is shared with 3 others so theres not much way for me to avoid that fee.

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: tallest1
eat a single $3 vegetarian meal each day

Top Ramin or another brand?

Best of luck, Train.

 

[LunarRay]

I think you might find that proprietary 'stuff'... like a program to launch a quart of milk into orbit would be the type of thing a non-compete covers... He can't take programs that he was paid to develop and market them... but, to apply programming technique that he developed while employed should be ok... I can't imagine a non-compete covering programming efforts even for a competitor in his former company's field other than that which he was paid to develop.

 

[dahunan]

Good Luck - sorry to hear about your layoff

Remember
A vote for Bush is a Vote for more jobs << sarcasm

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Dissipate
Uh, do you even have a college degree, Train?

Nope, got kicked out of school in 1999 (after being on triple secret probation) And lost my Track scholarship. Since then I have been exposed to the real world, learned from my own mistakes. Had jobs that I quit, jobs that fired me and jobs that laid me off. Then I joined the Marines to get my act together, needless to say they lit a fire under me, I was always smart just a tad un-motivated. In the Marines, motivation is mandatory, they made me realize that pain and discomfort are just mental, and you can actually trick yourself into being as motivated about cleaning a 80 man squadbay with a toothbrush as you are about anything. Too bad theres no civilian jobs for a higly skilled machine gunner. I eventually want to start my own business, its just a tough balancing act, trying to have enough time and capital to get it up and running, while at the same time working enough to pay for the capital and rent/car/bills/beer, etc. Im still taking classes, though at this rate Ill get my degree in another 10 years. at least im comfortable that i'm moving forward

As for the non-compete, trust me, im looking into it with the utmost scrutiny

Anyone watch "Entourage"?
"Thats why I only hire females, you fire a female, you create a housewife, you fire a male, you create an enemy." - Ari

 

[3chordcharlie]

I was gonna say - the non-complete probably loses force due to the need to mitigate losses when a contract is ended prematurely, but I guess I wouldn't buy up any print ads just yet.

Best of luck - I had a hell of a time finding work for this summer, even with good qualifications, and ended up with a 30% pay cut from my last two summers.

But it sounds like you have a good plan in place already and aren't about to sit around feeling sorry for yourself (like those damn liberals?)

Good luck - hope you'll still be around!

 

[CycloWizard]

If you have a degree and are interested, I can get you a referral to Northrop-Grumman in Dayton or Cincinnati (they're dying for people in San Diego, if you're up for relocation). PM me if interested.

 

[imported_tss4]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Dissipate
Uh, do you even have a college degree, Train?

Nope, got kicked out of school in 1999 (after being on triple secret probation) And lost my Track scholarship. Since then I have been exposed to the real world, learned from my own mistakes. Had jobs that I quit, jobs that fired me and jobs that laid me off. Then I joined the Marines to get my act together, needless to say they lit a fire under me, I was always smart just a tad un-motivated. In the Marines, motivation is mandatory, they made me realize that pain and discomfort are just mental, and you can actually trick yourself into being as motivated about cleaning a 80 man squadbay with a toothbrush as you are about anything. Too bad theres no civilian jobs for a higly skilled machine gunner. I eventually want to start my own business, its just a tough balancing act, trying to have enough time and capital to get it up and running, while at the same time working enough to pay for the capital and rent/car/bills/beer, etc. Im still taking classes, though at this rate Ill get my degree in another 10 years. at least im comfortable that i'm moving forward

As for the non-compete, trust me, im looking into it with the utmost scrutiny

Anyone watch "Entourage"?
"Thats why I only hire females, you fire a female, you create a housewife, you fire a male, you create an enemy." - Ari

Sucks about your job. Best of luck. Ever thought of getting your degree? With a bachelors, programming experience, and your military background there are some good options available in the DC area.

 

[1pinky]

I feel your pain! I just lost my job yesterday and feel like a complete failure, mostly becasue I have a famliy of 4 to support. If it was just myself I wouldn't feel so bad. So, keep your chin up and things will fall into place. Good luck!

 

[smashp]

Sorry to Hear Train. put some add in the free Community paper if you have one for ad removal, virus removal, pop up removal , home networking service and/or general consulting.


pm me for some advice on this if your interested.

Ive been gettting 2-3 jobs a week at $40-60 an hour.

 

[zephyrprime]

Originally posted by: charrison
Service jobs are easy to get. There is always work for those willing to do it.

Good luck on the search train.

I can't even get a service job despite many attempts.

 

[Crimson]

I guarantee you Train will have a job faster and making more money than our other most famous unemployed person around here in no time. He isn't blaming people, he isn't making excuses, he's got a plan, and he will find someplace good in no time. Keep us updated Train!

Good luck!

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Train
Boss laid me and another programmer off. claims he cant afford paying us anymore. Unlike the last time I got laid off, im not gonna wait for another programming job and go into debt again (took 6 months back in 2001) I will pick up a $9 an hour service job this weekend and start sending out resumes again.

Funny thing is I usually only post on here when I'm working at a computer. When I'm on my computer at home I'm more productive, and will get up and go eat or watch TV when I need a break instead of going to ATPN.

Good luck...

Everything will work out..

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Train

while at the same time working enough to pay for the capital and rent/car/bills/beer, etc.

That must be where I screwed up, not enough :beer:

 

[T2T III]

Train, Best of luck to you.

Tallest, Hope your situation improves ... soon.

Dave, Congrats on the Unix job.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Train
As for the non-compete, trust me, im looking into it with the utmost scrutiny

Good!

 

[Steeplerot]

Feh, That sucks we could use some help in the compussr tech shop if you were in the bay area, The whole crew are Dems so a little bit of flavor would sure make things interesting.
Best of luck!

 

[tallest1]

Originally posted by: viivo

Originally posted by: tallest1
eat a single $3 vegetarian meal each day

Top Ramin or another brand?

Whatever the Hare Krishnas are selling that day

Usually some curry veggies and/or tofu, spagetti/rice, salad, a drink, and halava/cake

 

[Painman]

Train, our world views are worlds apart, yet I understand where you're at and I share your work ethic. Find something to do, take pride in it, and do it well. No job is too humiliating when you're doing it as well as you can. It won't go unnoticed. You'll be doing alright before too long.

 

[Genesys]

good luck train

 

[Sassy]

Every few years I leave my job because it?s emotionally draining. I can do this because I?m highly marketable and can easily find another job when I decide to return to my profession. I love my job and don?t want to burn out like so many others.


I would think being a programmer is stressful. By comparison the service related jobs you mentioned, would almost feel like a vacation. You will have time for school, study and apply for another job in your profession. You seem to have a good plan in place and with your attitude; you?re already ahead of the game.

Good luck and take care

1pinky. I?m concerned about you. How are you managing?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Crimson
I guarantee you Train will have a job faster and making more money than our other most famous unemployed person around here in no time. He isn't blaming people, he isn't making excuses, he's got a plan, and he will find someplace good in no time. Keep us updated Train!

Good luck!

Originally posted by: zephyrprime

Originally posted by: charrison
Service jobs are easy to get. There is always work for those willing to do it.

Good luck on the search train.

I can't even get a service job despite many attempts.

Hey Zephyr,

I have well documented of a process worse than pulling teeth in an attempt to get an $8 hr job stocking the shelves for Wally World for the Big Soda Company out of Atlanta.

My ex-wife was even put through hell with the prodding of the Company and I still didn't get the job.

Same thing with a $10hr job driving a bucket truck for the Cable ISP I use now.

This Country and the Companies that own it deserve the problems we are having. It is unfortunate what is happening to ordinary American Citizens and what was once called their American Dreams because of it.

One thing for sure during this Election cycle, they won't be playing "Happy Days are here again" no matter which side wins and that is the saddest thing of all