Starting Over

So, I've been laid off. After being with the same company since 1985 (with a few years off here and there) I was told that they only have enough money for a few more periods of payroll, and some people, starting with me, had to go.  The first of many to be shoved out the airlock from what I'm hearing.



This is the same company that fired my wife 2 weeks before Christmas, so they've now put us both in Unemployment. I've seen a lot of money squandered there at the top on expensive cars and houses, and overseas trips, etc, but I guess my the party can continue with fewer people to pay.



Jerk #1 is Cecil. A week after telling me what a good person my wife is, he fired her.  He never could bring himself to speak to me except for a few trivial sentences after that. This is someone who pretended to be my "buddy", but he showed me exactly what all my work keeping his customers happy was worth. I think I got let go just so he wouldn't have to see me in the hall anymore when he walked by. No need to feel any remorse if he has me fired. Now, there's no chance he'll ever have to be a man and look me in the eye.

Jerk #2 is Gary. He's just not the man his father was, and he may sit behind his desk, but he can't fill his shoes. The changes he's making recently seem to be aimed at tearing down what 2 generations of his family built, but Team Ramrod© is driving the bus now, and they seem to have spent all the money they made the past few years. Some form of that company will probably continue, but I don't think it will exist as it has ever again. Good riddance to bad rubbish.



So, now I'm looking ahead.

Artwork has not just been my job, it's been my passion in life. My obsession.  I don't turn it off when I go home - I do more of it for myself.  I have all of my own equipment and software, and the experience of creating videos for LED signs for NASCAR, Medieval Times, Restaurants, Appliance Stores, you name it.  There's no reason I can't continue what I was doing on my own, without the enormous overhead the previous company had.  I can offer more hours per month for less money, and the same commitment to quality that's always been there, so why not?

I'm also focusing on web design and freelance artwork in addition to my web comics.

I'll be on the lookout for good full-time opportunities, but in this economy, it doesn't look too hopeful there's much in this area. I have faith that I'll be alright though - I seem to have a way of coming through crap like this. Or, I could lose everything. Who knows?