gotta let it go....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Been through all that. If the self creative thing doesn't take off, by I'd say- 32, it's time to start looking for the stability you'll need. My advice to you? go back to school for a trade of some sort. HVAC, Diesel engine mechanic, Any type of widely applyable, always needed skill, and you will always be able to pay the basic bills. You can get loans to cover the school costs and eke out a little left over for living expenses, but you'll probably have to live with relative, at reduced or no rent until you graduate and get back on your feet. Once you get going, look for a government job--- or a private sector union job that has Retirement benefits. When the going gets tough...... I think you'd feel pretty good having just graduated from a trade school and being on your first day on the job, in a skilled profession, and since your intelligent, you shouldn't have any problem. It will happen, but you gotta make it happen! C.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Hang in there, at your age I was over my head in credit card debt and just moved out of my girlfriends house. Worked my nuts off doing 2 jobs to pay off the cards in 2 years and never looked back. Stay positive and make your own luck, it never comes looking for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I hope things work out for you. When we lived in Nashville I had a good friend that was a songwriter, but never made it. He has 2 degrees in Art. He worked for a song publishing company that advanced him based on his first songs successes-a common arrangement. Finally he realized that it would take several hit songs just to break even. He quit and took a job as a Fireman (he had experience from years earlier) and has been much happier ever since. I guess what I am trying to say is find something that you can do that you enjoy-even if it is not what your training is in-and make a living and the rest will probably fall into place.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
b,
As you can tell from the responses your situation is not unique. Many of us have been there and some of us still are. I have been trying to rebuild my life for the past seven years, after a failed farming venture; it hasn't been easy and it isn't over. I believe the biggest difference between your situation and mine is the support from family and friends. You wont hear me say this very often, but if it weren't for my wife and kids I would probably have given up a long time ago. You see, it's hard to live with me because nothing I do is good enough in my own mind. However, my wife and kids often tell me that they are happy and only want me to be happy and quit worrying about what I haven't provided for them. Still it's hard.
I agree that for now you should look for a steady job. Regardless of what it ends up being you will feel productive for a while until you can figure out what you really want to do.
Good luck and please find someone you can talk to because it will definately help.
As you can tell from the responses your situation is not unique. Many of us have been there and some of us still are. I have been trying to rebuild my life for the past seven years, after a failed farming venture; it hasn't been easy and it isn't over. I believe the biggest difference between your situation and mine is the support from family and friends. You wont hear me say this very often, but if it weren't for my wife and kids I would probably have given up a long time ago. You see, it's hard to live with me because nothing I do is good enough in my own mind. However, my wife and kids often tell me that they are happy and only want me to be happy and quit worrying about what I haven't provided for them. Still it's hard.
I agree that for now you should look for a steady job. Regardless of what it ends up being you will feel productive for a while until you can figure out what you really want to do.
Good luck and please find someone you can talk to because it will definately help.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Onaqwst, Sorry to hear that things are not going as plan for you. Sometime things can all come at once and overwhelm you. The vette, as it is nice to have , but it's only a secondary thing. The first thing is survival. If owning it can't help you, and selling can, then sell it. Maybe a change in scenery might be the best medicine. I think the biggest thing is to be happy with yourself. That sounds easy to say. We don't know what life has instored for us, but you have to try and keep your head up and not let life kick you down. It's hard. As for the 9 to 5 job, if that's what it takes, do it. But Never give up on your passion. It may not be the right time for you.
Always follow your dreams. The road might not be as straight as you would like it to be. My daughter is working at Disney World. The pay is just minimum wage. The money she makes is enough to pay the rent and buy food. But she LOVES that place. She's chasing her dreams and I can't say don't do it. How long can she last out there and will she make it, only time will tell. She trying. All her friends and family are back at home and we all miss her. But she's doing it.Trying to make things happen.There's tough choices that we have to make. Some might be wrong and some right. We can hope that we've made the right choices and learn from the mistakes. Family is suppose to give you strength, but sometimes it can sucks the life out of you and you just have to get away. Were all not perfect and it's not a perfect world. Just got to do the best we can. I hope this babbling of mine helps you and not hurt you. Take care and strong. You'll make it! Tony
Always follow your dreams. The road might not be as straight as you would like it to be. My daughter is working at Disney World. The pay is just minimum wage. The money she makes is enough to pay the rent and buy food. But she LOVES that place. She's chasing her dreams and I can't say don't do it. How long can she last out there and will she make it, only time will tell. She trying. All her friends and family are back at home and we all miss her. But she's doing it.Trying to make things happen.There's tough choices that we have to make. Some might be wrong and some right. We can hope that we've made the right choices and learn from the mistakes. Family is suppose to give you strength, but sometimes it can sucks the life out of you and you just have to get away. Were all not perfect and it's not a perfect world. Just got to do the best we can. I hope this babbling of mine helps you and not hurt you. Take care and strong. You'll make it! Tony
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Good luck - sometimes a change brings opportunity. I grew up in Cleveland, that's not too far from Detroit, and know that that part of the country is going through tough times right now. My wife and I both have family there still. Hang in there 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
theres always opportunity out of defeat
my greatest opportunitys came following being laid off, quitting sucky jobs, hell my dad went bankrupt...twice...never held him back and never shook his positive attitude.
ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
its never as bad as it seems, have you seen afganistan?
ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
its never as bad as it seems, have you seen afganistan?
Last edited by John S 1961; Jun 11, 2008 at 03:25 PM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
2 weeks.......
i think i'm giving myself 2 weeks to figure something out..... if i dont/cant find any work, i'm gonna get a plane ticket to cali.... leave my vette with my parents/brother and bounce....
so..... right now just started to tie up some loose ends here and we'll see.....
i have a few friends in cali that i might be able to stay with for the time being..... not sure......hmmm....
so with that said.....
i think i'm giving myself 2 weeks to figure something out..... if i dont/cant find any work, i'm gonna get a plane ticket to cali.... leave my vette with my parents/brother and bounce....
so..... right now just started to tie up some loose ends here and we'll see.....
i have a few friends in cali that i might be able to stay with for the time being..... not sure......hmmm....
so with that said.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
The economy is actually pretty good out here right now. what's you specialty?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG9MB...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG9MB...eature=related
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
5year professional b.a. in architecture
years of construction experience/etc
better to just visit my site and view my portfolio www.237am.com thats what i've been doing for the past 8 years or so....
i need to get back in an architecture firm and get my IDP credits so i can take the ARE to become a registered architect.....
thats the goal right now...... i've dealt with too much b.s. in detroit and why i cant get hired/etc........ i have a strong background....maybe not all the office experience...but all that gets learned quick......
b
years of construction experience/etc
better to just visit my site and view my portfolio www.237am.com thats what i've been doing for the past 8 years or so....
i need to get back in an architecture firm and get my IDP credits so i can take the ARE to become a registered architect.....
thats the goal right now...... i've dealt with too much b.s. in detroit and why i cant get hired/etc........ i have a strong background....maybe not all the office experience...but all that gets learned quick......
b
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Grand Haven MI
Don't give up...
I am a resident of Grand Haven (West Coast). But I lived in G.R. for 25yrs. That place is begging for jobs. The biggest open hours job right now is working on the crappy roads in Michigan. I have a buddy that was on the outs...ready to move away. He was in a bit of a traffic jam on one of the many constuction zones, and for some reason, pulled his car over, got out and headed for the guy in the white hard hat. Gave him a "I'm a hard working guy that needs a brake, man" speech. Went to work for him the next day. He has been working for this company now for 2 yrs. He emails me now and then. He just goes from project to project here in Michigan. There are many opportunities that one never really thinks of.
Not sure if that helps. But sometimes your future isn't always planned until you make a bold move. Not saying working for a road crew is your bag. But he makes good money, stays in shape, has a great tan (I know...but he likes it), and is saving money. In your self thought period, consider the obscure. If it can get you to where you want to be....go for it. Just don't give up man!!
Not sure if that helps. But sometimes your future isn't always planned until you make a bold move. Not saying working for a road crew is your bag. But he makes good money, stays in shape, has a great tan (I know...but he likes it), and is saving money. In your self thought period, consider the obscure. If it can get you to where you want to be....go for it. Just don't give up man!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
Hey KALAWAY, LOL. Daughter rents a room in a 5 br house and I think the owner pays for all the gas,elect, water, etc. So that helps. Has not many friends out there and doesn't party. But your right, we do help her out, that's just what we do. It would be a longer story if I had to go into her life. You know as a parent. Just gave alittle splash. Alot of good advice from the members. Tony
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
update:
got an email from my roomate..... he the guy that owns the house that i stay in the basement at..... he recently got married and basically the wifey wants me out.... so i told him at the end of the month i'll be out..... so this gives me 2 weeks to plan something........ prolly going to store my stuff at my parents house and try to get some cash to book a flight to cali..... most architectural firms wont talk to you until you get there so we'll see....... still trying to figure out if i can find a place to crash for a little while until i can get some cash together to rent..... i have some friends out there.... just need to see whos' really my "friend".... so i'm looking at l.a. area maybe culver city...all depends........hmmmmm....
hopefully i can find something....... this struggling shyt is for the birds..
b
got an email from my roomate..... he the guy that owns the house that i stay in the basement at..... he recently got married and basically the wifey wants me out.... so i told him at the end of the month i'll be out..... so this gives me 2 weeks to plan something........ prolly going to store my stuff at my parents house and try to get some cash to book a flight to cali..... most architectural firms wont talk to you until you get there so we'll see....... still trying to figure out if i can find a place to crash for a little while until i can get some cash together to rent..... i have some friends out there.... just need to see whos' really my "friend".... so i'm looking at l.a. area maybe culver city...all depends........hmmmmm....
hopefully i can find something....... this struggling shyt is for the birds..
b
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: jarrett north carolina
onaqwest
i am so sorry to hear about your misfortune.i,for one, here on the forum care about you and hope for the best for you.you are in my prayers.i quote gen. R. E. LEE "DO YOUR BEST IN ALL THINGS,YOU CANNOT DO MORE,NOR SHOULD YOU WISH TO DO LESS" ---john
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Find a job that will let you design. Visual Merchandising, Store Design, Marketing, etc. The Architecture thing is not what you think it is. Right now it just seems like most people want a tilt wall building with EFIS, lick and stick blocks, and a metal awning. Not my idea of a fun day at the office. Most the people in the business have left for better jobs or got burnt out waiting to a partner.
I personally went into store design and construction management. I'm in charge of several PM's, I get to be creative, and I get to travel the country. I don't have to sit at a desk from 9 to 5, nor do I have draw one single line in CAD. It's a great job and your qualified for the same type profession.
You would even enjoy one of the current projects I am working on. It's a highend jewelry store in Vegas. I designed the layout, the fixtures, the lighting, textiles, etc.
Did I forget to say, it pays great.
I personally went into store design and construction management. I'm in charge of several PM's, I get to be creative, and I get to travel the country. I don't have to sit at a desk from 9 to 5, nor do I have draw one single line in CAD. It's a great job and your qualified for the same type profession.
You would even enjoy one of the current projects I am working on. It's a highend jewelry store in Vegas. I designed the layout, the fixtures, the lighting, textiles, etc.
Did I forget to say, it pays great.