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Yep. I did. And I take full responsibility for my half... but ONLY my half...
So... I guess this means I can go to Calvacade of Cars on Saturday, huh? Would love to go to Dixie, too... anyone got an extra lotto ticket??
Gosh, I wish I was closer to Mr Sawatzky, his positive outlook on opportunities would be really appreciated right now!
I guess I just needed to vent to my neighbors here. I feel bad for losing the health insurance and a steady paycheck right now, especially this time of year.
Anyone have any REALLY awesome surefire tidbits of info to help with interviewing?? I do HORRIBLE interviews!! I've got my resumes done - one heavy on the animal related experience and the other heavy on the sign experience.
Geeeesh. Sorry about my rambling, but that's exactly how my brains are feeling right now.
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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Now you are free, free, FREE ! Free to make a career for yourself, market what you LOVE to do, and be self employed. And happy.
This freedom is worth much more than any job... that is, except at TAX time! then you'll feel the pain. And you'll probably miss the free insurance too. ...Oh well,
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Yeppers... learned a couple very valuable lessons. Especially about dealing with larger workplaces and politics. Wow... was I ever niave about that one.
I dunno about feeling free. Already did the 2 self employed people household, that wasn't too fun. Is nice when one has a predictable steady paycheck... and insurance.
Hey guys... thanks for being here, through yet another one of my life adventures. Really appreciate it... ALOT.
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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Dana, A few years ago I was in the sam situation. Went to work five mints after arriving told to go home no more Job.Talk me about 15mins to stop felling sorry for myself. I got on the phone and called every Sign Company and told them straight up I was fired from my job and why. I explained I was thinking of staring my own business but would rather work for them. After two days of calling around I had a great job. My conclusion is no mater what happens to me today the farmers are still going to milk the cows tomorrow. Life goes on regardless and these bumps in life are only stepping stones.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3496 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Thanks Rick... but wouldn't that be a tad bit of a commute everyday from Niagara Falls?
Matty - I've already gone to the online yellow pages and printed out a list of every vet clinic and boarding facility in our area. I've also gone through the listings of sign shops. But I've got an extra issue to deal with one that.
As some people know around Letterville, but since some don't, Bruce and Tracy have had a very successful partnership for all these years together because they laid down some ground rules in the beginning and have stuck by them. One of which is no hiring of friends or family. Totally understandable when you take into consideration that problems they can avoid by agreeing to this.
When I first moved here, Bruce took me and my portfolio around to all the local shops. Thanks but no thanks. Not because of me or the portfolio... but because of Bruce.
Would YOU hire the girlfriend (now wife) of your competitor? Gives ya something to think about, huh?
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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Dana, in the past I have noticed a passion for working with animals in your posts. I suspect it would be a injustice for you to be unable to continue that type of work. Perhaps I'm wrong here, but if I'm not I hope you find something in that field. Good luck. K
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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So sorry to hear about this Dana. My Grandma used to say when God closes a door He opens a window. I know you love animals. I also know you love to paint flowers. What about opening a boutique for yuppie chicks to buy tole-painted whatever that you pick up at yard sales, flea markets, etc. & customize with yer posies? OR...offer a service painting those flowers in people's houses...babies room, etc.? Just a thought. Keep yer chin up, kid. Love...JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I'm not sure of what you were doing for animals, but have you considered going on your own in that field? World has lots of room for a animal friendly person on all levels. Being an animal lover myself, I can attest to good feelings achieved w/animals. A grooming operation doesn't take a lot of logicstics to set-up and start running, if that is close to what you used to do. Whatever you decide though, good luck, I can relate to feelings of what's next that must be circulating thru your head.
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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I too was in the same position you are in right now. I busted my butt for this shop for close to three years and they canned me for sumthin extreeeemely petty and unjustly too. Guess i didnt mean much to them. But hey it is there loss and a bad way to do business and they will suffer for it.
Man am I biting my tongue!
And then I found work almost immediatley with the direct competition. hehehehehe
I know it's a bit of a blow to the ego at first but I'm sure with yer talent and Broooooce's help you'll be okay.
Now at least ya can hang out at more meets.
Stevo
-------------------- Stevo Design Illustration Logos Sign Design Clip Art www.stevo-design.com Posts: 1680 | From: Edmonton Ab Canada EH! | Registered: May 2001
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6756 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Be sure to immediately file for unemployment. The benefits usually don't come for a while (at least around here) and then a person gets several weeks' worth at once. The benefits only start from the day you file. Every day delayed is money lost. Also, if it makes you feel better, your old employer will end up paying for it via a higher tax rate.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5101 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I like the idea of pet grooming or possibly pet sitting. What about having your own art studio - paint portraits of people's pets. Do all kinds of painting of pets, flowers etc and have displayed at galleries. Teach art classes? Teach classes at galleries or have workshops. Teach art at local college? Post posters at "other" vet clinics advertising - painting portraits of pets...............
Don't look for something where you will benefit from having a job and settle....look for something that they will benefit from having you! Your in control...make the best of it....attitude is everything!
-------------------- Ottawa Custom Signs Stittsville, Ontario Posts: 346 | From: Stittsville, ON | Registered: Dec 1998
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I feel for you - my wife got canned by a psycho boss and it got pretty hairy for a few weeks until she found something.
I just finished an AWESOME book that I borrowed from our local library. It's called "Resumes that Knock'em Dead" by Martin Yale. It really nails on the head how to be professional and presentable when looking for work. Have a look at your local library or bookstore- he has written several books with that signature title.
You evidently have one thing going for you already- a winning smile...Best of Luck.
-------------------- Steve Burke Cascades Inc NS Canada
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you Posts: 359 | From: NS Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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Sorry Dana! My dad used to hire people for the construction company he worked for. He told me he used to lump people who interviewed into 2 categories. 1) The "I" person. The "I" person stresses throughout the interview, "what can you do for me?" This person is concerned about what the working hours are -- they might have a conflict, if asked to work certain hours or any overtime. The "I" person also wants to know all about benefits, how many breaks you get during the day, how many paid vacations you get. In other words, what can you do for me? The "I" person comes across loud and clear that they are out for themselves. They often point out that they quit another job, because they knew more than the boss and thought they were taken advantage in their relation with the employer. They are usually disgruntled former employees. In short the "I" person does not make a good employee and any interviewer with any salt can sniff them out a mile away.
Type 2) is the team player. the "team player" often doesn't ask about wages or salaries, or about benefits, breaks and vacations. The usually find out these particulars on their own or the interviewer will volunteer this information. The team player doesn't want to appear to be greedy. Instead they ask questions about the company and will interject how they feel they can contribute to the company. They appear to be anxious to get started, are positive, pleasant, have a neat appearance and make eye contact with the interviewer. They remember the interviewer's name and state the persons name while answering the interviewer's question.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that employers are looking for the "team player" somebody who will help the company instead of hinder it.
Also a follow up card to the perspective employer is a very good idea, along with a follow-up phone call. You need to show interest, but not appear pushy or desperate. Have a portfolio with you for art related jobs. These people don't want to hear that you're an artist, they need proof.
If for some reason, you don't get the job you want after an interview, you can ask "why not?" during that follow up phone call. That way you can become better at interviewing as the process continues. Hope this helps. Good luck!
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2110 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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I am working on an identity package for a lady who quit working for Adobe to go out on her own and walk dogs and takes them home for pet sitting. She has a friend that does this and supposedly brought home 82k last year - yeah thats what I a said... WHAT!?!?!?
Just dont hire Bruce when he starts begging
-------------------- Brian Stoddard Northwest Signs
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Dana..... don't go around before 9am to put in any applications. Most places hold there meetings then and don't want to be bothered. Dress neat and show up between 9 and 11am. After that they feel your to lazy to get up early. After noons never seem to work well, most people won't have the time of day for you then unless they asked to come in then. This information comes from a book I read many years ago. Good luck.
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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There is a dog sitting place here in Pasadena. I know about it because I bid on doing their signs. It costs $50 a night to keep a nice dog there, more for the bad boys. They average 40 dogs a night. $2,000 x 365 = a big pile o' green. One minimum wager stays there at night poop scooping, watering, feeding, napping. They got their signs from El Cheapo Quick-Stick Banners, btw.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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HI DANA i'M NEW TO THE BOARD AND DON'T KNOW YOUR FULL STORY, BUT A LOSS IS A LOSS AND I'M SORRY. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I QUIT MY WELL PAYING JOB WITH GREAT BENEFITS AND NO QUALITY EMPLOYEES BECAUSE I WAS TIRED...OF DOING ALL THE WORK! THE OWNER STARTED TO BE AN ABSENTEE OWNER BUT RELINQUISHED NO POWER, SO I WAS STUCK. WHEN I LEFT HE TOLD ME HE WAS GOPING TO CLOSE, ONLY KEEPING THE STORE OPEN FOR ME! WELL, I PURCHASED THE SIGN SHOP - AT THAT TIME JUST A COMPUTER AND PLOTTER - AND STRUCK OUT ON MY OWN. BEST THING I EVER DID! HOW ABOUT A ANIMAL POSITION, AT VET OR CLINIC/BOARDING PLACE AND INCORPORATE SIGNS? I MAKE WHEELPING BOXES IN MY SIGN SHOP FOR A LOCAL BREEDER, YOU COULD MAKE HANDPAINTED NAMEPLATES AND DOGHOUSE SIGNS ECT AND PUT A SMALL DISPLAY AT YOUR VET? I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT THE WAY YOU WANT IT TO.
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Wow! Dana! I feel bad..knowing the situation, but maybe it's for the best, I love Jill's idea about the hippie chick's art shop and pet gifts, portraits, etc....
know any good sign shops that will make you a killer sign for that kind of place?
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If I's sept my sinecure with the Snivel Service, I'd probably need their health insurance badly! When I wandered off years ago, I left behind this epic limerick. --------------------------
The Warm-Bodies School of Management
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management where Goals-and-Objectives are stressed, we pay you for sitting till suppertime quitting, provided you're properly dressed.
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management you show up and breathe for your bread. No skill is required, no learning desired; you don't even have to be dead.
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management we take the old bull by the crotch: We send a directive to be cost-effective, and pay a consultant to watch . In the Warm-Bodies School of Management production is not up to snuff? Then empty the kitty and make the place pretty! Appearance is more than enough.
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management the customers call up and cuss. To stall and repel them, the line that we tell them is "That isn't handled by us!"
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management we show how The Company cares: with titles and time-cards and brown-nose report cards and files on your private affairs . In the Warm-Bodies School of Management your status is how much you spend. The way that you get it, is burn up your credit, and pray that the checks never end.
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management we let you park free, as a perk. And once you start thriving on rush-hour driving. You're paying to come here and work!
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management we motivate Head, Hand and Heart. Original notions are grounds for demotions, and this is the state-of-the-art.
In the Warm-Bodies School of Management your healthcare was causing a crimp. Our down-size condition has cut your position, but you can come back as a temp! And if that isn't pleasant, then **** on you, Peasant: Your job can be done by a chimp.
- Bruce Williams May 8, 1981
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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Dana, Start your own painting show teaching people how to paint flowers, trees, landscapes, etc. Now that Bob Ross has passed away there is an opening for a good show.
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