Alive and Living a Double Life
To all of you who have emailed me or sent a message via the more traditional and yet sluggish snail mail, thank you and yes, I am alive and breathing. Let me backpedal about two (or three) weeks ago to further explain why the dust gathered here and god willing has “finally” settled.
Around the beginning of December I was regretfully let go from my previous position as a Graphics/Web Designer after three years of a solid work ethic. The reason for my previous employer’s decision in letting me go had to do with “conflict of interest” and more specifically the fact I would occassionally freelance on the side, something that they were well informed of previously but I always felt it would come back to haunt me and it did.
All said and done, words were spoken and a feeling of relief was felt on both ends and less than 20 minutes after being ushered into a small meeting room I was silently putting my cubicle toys into a cardboard box, ready for a new adventure.
Here I am, almost three weeks later, working two jobs and enjoying life with a fresh perspective on the path ahead of me. By day I’m a freelance designer, currently employed with a 3-month contract job on my plate and when the morning sun meets midday I’m a “late night environmental engineer” with a local school district, which really means a second-shift “cleaner” or “janitor”.
It’s truly one of the more interesting employment dynamics I’ve ever experienced, considering that during the first part of the day I’m designing some truly unique and yet challenging web projects and when the afternoon rolls around I’m loading a janitorial cart with cleaning supplies and prepping myself for routine work that at times gives me that satisfying feeling that I’ve accomplished something. Maybe I’m loopy, but I’m extremely content right now, even if I’m working close to 70 hours a week, on top of doing the young, married, daddy thing.
Life couldn’t be better.
15 Comments, Comment or Ping
Dave
Dude! however tragic this sounds, you sound pretty perky. You could be
designer by day - lord of the dirt by night
Anywho, I hope that all works out well for you, and those dust particles don’t give you too much hassle.
Respect to ya.
Jan 7th, 2006
Peter Flaschner
Erik, I’m so glad to hear you’re making the most of your new situation. Been thinking about you a lot lately. I was sure you were busy making lemonade, and sure enough, you were. Well done lad! Best to the family…
Jan 7th, 2006
Rob Mientjes
I’m glad you’re doing stuff you like right now, because that truly is what it should be all about. Hope the many hours won’t fully consume you. I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in your storytelling.
Above all, do make sure you get the best out of all, something you seem to be doing.
Jan 7th, 2006
Dad
Again, all I can say is your a great son and I’m proud of you. You were never raised to be a quitter or to let assholes like the people who let you go keep you down. You have to work hard to make dreams come true, you are now doing that! You come from many generations of ‘cleaners/janitors’…going back to your great grandfather Reinsvold who cleaned for a truely great man, Walt Disney, when Disneyland opened back in the 50’s.
Keep pushing on, we love you!
Dad, Grandma and Matt
Jan 7th, 2006
Shawn Grimes
Erik, I’m glad to hear that you are content with your positions right now. It is good to hear from you my friend. I wish you nothing but the best in whatever bull you decide to take by the horns. If there is anything that I can do don’t hesitate to ask.
Jan 8th, 2006
Yannick
Erik: Sorry to hear about what happened at your last job. I wish you all the best with what you are doing now. I have no doubt in my mind that you will do a fantastic job at both. Keep up the good work and God’s richest blessings on you and your family.
Jan 8th, 2006
Rob Mientjes
“You have to work hard to make dreams come true, you are now doing that!”
Those are some great words. With that in mind, we all can leap over obstacles, no matter how big.
But wait, since when is living a good life an obstacle? :)
Jan 8th, 2006
Josh
Such a wonderfully-refreshing position you have taken on this whole situation, so thank you for it! Not many people could have been so positive with such trials, but it seems that you are doing quite well!
Good luck with your future career growth, and I hope that your family does well throughout it! Life is grand!
Jan 9th, 2006
Colin D. Devroe
You always have been, and always will be, my personal hero.
Jan 9th, 2006
Spence
DUDE! Give me a call!
Spence
Jan 9th, 2006
Adam Michela
Good to here yer still alive!
Jan 10th, 2006
Donnie Jeter
Glad you are back - can you start posting again?
Jan 10th, 2006
kartooner
Thanks everyone. Your words are very much appreciated.
Now I need to get back into the groove of things and then you’ll start seeing posts rolling in faster than well, rabid squirrel boulders on the loose. Yeah, that came out differently than I had intended.
Jan 11th, 2006
Dave Seah
Dude, you have an awesome attitude. It sounds like you’re making the best of things, and that’s incredibly inspiring. Rock on!
Jan 12th, 2006
Lindsay
Your resilience is very admirable! It sounds like you have a lot of supportive people around you too, that always helps during trials. Losing a job is never easy, all we can do is make the best of it if it happens, and it looks like that is what you have chosen to do. Good on ya!
Jan 16th, 2006
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