While I was hanging out in Denver–obsessing about the train–I had the chance to meet up with Jess for brunch. I have been reading her blog for a year or two and I felt like I knew her already…however I was still nervous about it. Like the first-day-of-school kind of nervous, a bit jittery. I had absolutely no reason to worry. Jess is just as fantastic in Real Life as I would have imagined, we sat and talked for ages about relationships, blogging, life, and even a bit of politics thrown in and it was absolutely lovely. We chatted like we’d known each other for ages and I can hardly explain how fantastic it felt to go to a new city and instantly have a friend. Thank you Jess for a fabulous morning, you are gorgeous!
On Monday morning I got laid off again. Wait, what? Nope, it’s true. Laid. Off. This is the second time in under a month…by THE SAME COMPANY! Part of me wants to publicly blast them here for having absolutely no business sense, for treating their employees like garbage, and for repeatedly lying to my face about my position, the financial state of their business, and my future with them. A few weeks ago when I was laid off I was upset and spent the day changing up the decor in my dining room. This time I was angry. Really, really angry. I actually don’t remember ever being that upset; I wanted to punch someone in the face (specifically, my former boss), I wanted to throw things just to see them break, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Instead, I tied on my running shoes and headed up the mountain, I ran until I threw up, and it was only then that I felt a little better. As I walked/limped home I tried to think about what, exactly, I was going to do. No answer came. So, I did what any normal person would do, I took out any remaining aggression on my dining room, which is turning out quite nicely and I promise to post pics when it is done.
Now, thankfully, this story has a happy ending. I have another job, a better job, a fantastic job. I start on Monday. I’m hesitant to share any kind of real details, but I will be going back to my advertising roots and I will be working with some absolutely fantastic people. Also, it is entirely possible that my stories of chatting with the likes of Tea Leoni will be far more frequent. Can I please get a Woot! Woot!
*I know it seems like I am the kind of person who never works anywhere for more than a month or two…I promise I am not that person. It’s true that I have had a lot of jobs, particularly recently, and quite a bit of bad luck. I am hoping that this will FINALLY be the turning point for me. I kind of feel like I need to defend my “good employee” status, but I am hoping that you, dear Internet, are wise enough to look past my habitual bad luck and bad situations. And if not? Well, then just delete me from your feed reader and spend your online time solely on those who have Extremely Good Luck. I’m sure when they win the lottery they’ll share it with you.
….it’s okay, I’ll wait…
Are you still here? Ok, good, then I guess we’re still friends. Actually, I know we’re still friends. In the last week or two as I’ve been trying to adjust to my newly single life I have been surprised and amazed at the outpouring of support from this little corner of the Internet. You have left comments, sent emails and voicemails and twits and chats and text messages…is anyone else, at times, baffled by the amount of communication-based technology? Goodness! I’ve received a half dozen laugh-inducing links to cheer me up, my favorite being this one. A very kind soul even sent me a little treat from Barnes and Noble, which actually made me tear up a little. I am a bit hesitant to call her out on it here–but if you’re reading, I hope you realize that your thoughtful gesture was the kindest I have received in months; thank you from the bottom of my book-loving heart.
Yesterday Erin invited me to lunch for some dim sum and listened to my “I’m a failure” whining, and proceeded to cheer me up immensly with stories and new ideas and–that most elusively intangible–hope. If you don’t read her, I highly suggest you add her to your f’reader; she is a fantastic writer, she’s real, she’s raw, and she the most fascinating stories and perspective.
What am I trying to say? I’m not really sure, actually. But I am quite positive that you are one of the most amazing group of people I have ever had the priviledge to meet. You are my Internet Ladies–except for Sov, who is super manly–and you sure know how to make a girl down on her luck feel like a million bucks. A mere “thank you” hardly seems to cover it, but I stopped tap dancing ages ago and am too rusty to give you a appreciative tap dance.
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Can’t wait to hear more about your new job. It sounds TERRIFIC. Things will work out.
Comment by Janssen 2009 August 5 @ 9:31 amDude! Harsh.
(the lay off, that is)
Comment by Britt 2009 August 5 @ 9:36 amOh yay – you got to meet Jess. And she is in real life just like she is on the webs. Cool, indeed.
I think it’s amazing you’ve groomed this online community to a group that will support you when you’re down. And I, for one, will also cheer when things get better. Like a new job. Within a week of losing the old job. In an economy like this? Who gives a shit how many jobs you have had. The mere fact you can find them knocks my socks off!
Comment by SoMi's Nilsa 2009 August 5 @ 9:38 amSounds like you are way, way better off without those assholes who laid you off twice. I’m so glad you have another job lined up! And it sounds like it’s going to be great! And your ability to get jobs in this economy speaks to your amazingness.
Also, yay, look, it’s us! I heart you.
Comment by Jess 2009 August 5 @ 9:42 amI can’t believe your job laid you off again! They seriously suck. But glad you found a new, fantastic job so fast!!
Comment by Lacey Bean 2009 August 5 @ 9:45 amYeay for new jobs! I really hope this one works out.
Comment by Inna 2009 August 5 @ 10:07 amI’m sending you tons of good amazing good luck.
If you need anyone to TP the house of your old boss, let me know, I’m willing to make a special road/plane trip
Ooh! Props and a link!
Thanks Heidikins!
You gotta tell me how you can get jobs so fast after being laid off.
I’m about ready to play in traffic because I can’t get hired anywhere, and it’s been months. Please share your secret?
Comment by sov 2009 August 5 @ 12:41 pmSo glad you have a new job. I hope it is awesome!
Comment by Becky 2009 August 5 @ 1:55 pmWho cares if you lost a bad job? I mean, it has nothing to do with you personally. You’re a responsible adult, a good employee, a loyal friend, a good shoe shopper. You have proved yourself to us. We really question the employer. They need a better accountant! But then again, if you weren’t laid off, would you be able to travel? Hmmm? See, there are silver linings to every cloud. Don’t let them get you down. Also, money is important, but it isn’t everything. You’ve still got that amazing ability to work it, to make home decor out of sheet metal, for crying out loud! Tell me, who can do that? I’m telling you, not many people, friend. Not many people. You’d make someone cheap a super-tastic wife with those skillz too! You can work frugal like it was hubris! Seriously! You are something else! Why not change careers, like becoming Tea Leoni’s personal fashion coordinator or something? Why not star in your own cooking show? Is there anything you cannot do? Do you write newspaper articles? Hello, next Ms. Manners or Abigail VB!
Comment by Jen 2009 August 5 @ 2:22 pmI am SOOO happy for you!! Now that sick-to-stomach, oh-god-what-happened-to-my-plan feeling can settle a bit. You deserved a break after everything lately. I’m just so psyched for your new job, getting back to school, everything!
Comment by Erin 2009 August 5 @ 2:27 pmI hope the new job is as awesome as you are!
Comment by Sarakastic 2009 August 5 @ 9:01 pmHey Heidi.
Just wanted to say that you are an amazing woman, and that I have always looked up to you. You are so strong, awesome, and GORGEOUS! Thanks for being such a great role model for me. Also, I’m sorry to hear about your job (but congrats on the new one) and Handsome. I wish you the best, and I know things will work out for you.
Comment by Briana 2009 August 5 @ 9:05 pmCrazy! I really hope this new job is fantastic!
Comment by Jennie 2009 August 6 @ 10:42 amWow, I can’t believe they did it again! Glad you got a new, better job. Sounds like you will be A LOT happier with the new company!!
Comment by Jackie 2009 August 6 @ 10:54 amWhen it rains, it pours, doesn’t it? I cannot believe they laid you off again, but I am so glad that you’ve already got a new job lined up. Here’s hoping you’ll love the new job!
Comment by Erin 2009 August 6 @ 11:37 amokay boo on getting laid off again but that is great you already have another job. i’m so excited for you and i really hope this is the turning point you need and the end of bad luck as you know it!
Comment by katelin 2009 August 6 @ 12:17 pmYay for a new job! I hope it turns out great for you.
Comment by Larissa 2009 August 6 @ 8:58 pmI’m still catching up in Internets Land from my sabbatical (ha!), so I didn’t hear your news. Heidicakes! I am so sorry. I know it isn’t worth much, but I adore you, think you’re beautiful and whip smart and you’re just the whole package. So, I’m sorry this is belated.
And you met Jess!! Two of my favorite bloggers together. If I were there I’d have peed a little in my pants. (TMI)
Comment by Jurgen Nation 2009 August 7 @ 6:54 pmThanks for writing about your job loss. I just got laid off a couple hours ago for the second time this year. I felt the same way, about the company lying to me and making extremely poor management decisions. I should’ve known when the Executive Director, the woman who hired me suddenly quit and I was fending off the disorganized chaos of community center with no income. I never want to feel this way again, especially on my birthday weekend.
Comment by AKS 2009 November 13 @ 3:57 pm