Everything has changed

[cariad]

These messages have been such a boost to our spirits. Thanks everyone for taking the time to spread the love.

Aleta, you are probably right about telling Aidan. He is way too smart to not sense something wrong pretty quickly. He does not seem stressed about it in the least, so Gwyn must have also reassured him that everything would be OK. The basics for Aidan - housing, food, sports, and friends - are going to be there for him no matter what we have to do.

I will update just as soon as things get moving next week. Perhaps he'll get some encouraging news from Down Under tomorrow.

Great advice, Pitagory. We will keep up the hope just as long as we can.

Boswife, you are such a sweetheart, always so concerned for everyone. Please, no one worrying about saying the right or wrong thing. Just knowing you all are keeping a good thought for us is all we need. If we can find a way through this, I will start to believe that we truly are invincible.

My gratitude to all. 

[Desert Dancer]

I must report what Aidan said this morning. Without consulting me, Gwyn told Aidan. I really wish he hadn't, but cannot unring that bell now. Gwyn explained to Aidan that they were getting rid of all engineering, and Aidan said quite matter-of-factly: Well then, if they go bankrupt, it's their own fault. Ah, that boy is the reason to keep going.

That's one smart kid you've got there!

I know you've got a lot on your mind, but please try to keep us updated as to what happens Monday. We've got all our fingers and toes crossed here for you. (Makes it a little ffidluct to ytpe or wlak, but that's okay.)

[Marsh]

Holding good thoughts for Monday.......

[okarol]

Holding good thoughts for Monday.......

Marsh! Good to see you post! I was worried when I didn't see you on here since Las Vegas. Next time we all need to exchange phone numbers. We could have found you a ride. So sorry you missed visiting with IHD folks. 

[jbeany]

Best sign I've seen from the Occupy Wall Street protests...

"One day the poor will have nothing left to eat but the rich."   

How very Soylent Green! 

[cariad]

I know you've got a lot on your mind, but please try to keep us updated as to what happens Monday. We've got all our fingers and toes crossed here for you. (Makes it a little ffidluct to ytpe or wlak, but that's okay.)

That is a good one, jbeany! If only I had that political wit!

We did not go to Milwaukee's rally yesterday. Soccer games were just too exhausting because it was blowing a gale for ages, and I just wanted to hide indoors all day. I think these things will be around a while, though, so maybe next time.

Gwyn has not been feeling well much of the day, but had a lie down and is now preparing to ring Australia. Fingers crossed....

[Marsh]

Karol, I'm sorry I missed all of the fun!  Maybe I'll try again next year!

[RichardMEL]

My dear cariad,

I can't believe just a week ago (or so) we were all sitting together chatting and discussing just some of these very issues. I had a flash yesterday from Karen (my ex wife you know!!  ) with the news and I was SO upset to get that.

What could I possibly say - even my accent cant help this one!!! It's just so bloody unfair!!!

I think everyone has said ti really. We're on your side. we care.. we want things to work out in a positive way for you guys!!!!!

[cariad]

My dear cariad,

I can't believe just a week ago (or so) we were all sitting together chatting and discussing just some of these very issues. I had a flash yesterday from Karen (my ex wife you know!!  ) with the news and I was SO upset to get that.

What could I possibly say - even my accent cant help this one!!! It's just so bloody unfair!!!

I think everyone has said ti really. We're on your side. we care.. we want things to work out in a positive way for you guys!!!!!

Richard, your humour should be bottled! It helps more than you know. And here's progress: I laughed and it was not followed by tears. Woohoo! Thanks to you and Karen both! (We refuse to take sides in the split - you two will just have to accept that.... )

Gwyn called the HR person back from the local opportunity. Gwyn is so clearly trying to keep his hopes down, but for now, the conversation was a bit promising. I know that can change in an instant, though. He does not have the experience they want for the higher level position that he had called about, but there are positions just below that she wants to consider him for. She asked about salary requirements, and he gave a figure that she said was in line with the lower level if you include bonus. Now, he never received the dazzling bonus he was promised at his former job because they sacked him before the end of the year. Still, if the base salary is at or above what he was making, we'll be OK. I do so want out of this country, and getting involved with another company where we would have to be here at least another year in order for it to pay off is depressing, but they are international, so perhaps an internal transfer could be an option.

I don't want to sound like I am banking on him getting this position, because I am not. We've been down this path so many times, I know that at least 75% of what any HR person says is crap. And that's being generous.

We have not told anyone in town yet, although news has been spreading via the internet. His former work contacts have all been checking in, and Gwyn plans to go to lunch on Thursday with his former colleagues and his friend who was also let go. Gwyn is just not up for telling friends right now, and I feel the same. Most of them are struggling in one way or another, and none of them are in the same field. I cannot stand the pity.

[MooseMom]

I don't know what to hope for!  I'd love to see Gwyn get this position, but I don't want to see you tied down for longer than you have to be, seeing as you'd eventually like to emigrate.  So, I'll just say that I hope that whatever happens, it's all for the very best.

I can understand not "wanting the pity", but I've always felt that it adds to your burden when you have to work to keep a secret.  I'm sure your friends would sympathize, but unemployment is so widespread now that losing one's job doesn't illicit so much pity as it does a certain shared sympathy.  This is when you need your friends the most.  I hope Gwyn finds a new position soon, and this becomes a moot point.

[cariad]

Aw, thanks, MM.

I am definitely hoping for Gwyn to get an offer (though we are miles away from that step at the moment). We would always have the option to forgo any bonus and leave whenever we felt the time was right.

Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts!

[MooseMom]

OK, then I'll hope for the same!

[RichardMEL]

I think the two of you are level headed and experienced enough to know to not pin hopes on any one thing but to also assess what is a reasonable chance and what isn't. Of course my best wishes and hopes go for the best outcome. Who knows, maybe in the longer run this has created an opportunity that will wind up in a better situation for everyone. Hey, I prefer to seek positives wherever I can find them!!!!

 

[Rerun]

I'm being positive when I say, when one door closes usually a window opens.  Gwyn is a smart guy and someone will nab him right up.

My gosh this is happening a lot.  The News acts like they just don't know what is going on and I'm screaming in my livingroom "There are just too many people"  we predicted this would happen in the 70's does no one remember that?   We have got to do something.  Min wage just does not pay the rent.  I don't know the answer.  That is why I play Mega Million twice a week. 

Keep us posted.  I'm sure something will come up.     

[lmunchkin]

I think the two of you are level headed and experienced enough to know to not pin hopes on any one thing but to also assess what is a reasonable chance and what isn't. Of course my best wishes and hopes go for the best outcome. Who knows, maybe in the longer run this has created an opportunity that will wind up in a better situation for everyone. Hey, I prefer to seek positives wherever I can find them!!!!

 

I agree with Richard.  Sometimes when one door closes, a better one opens!  That is my hope for you and him !  You never know!  It does suck though, nonetheless!

lmunchkin   



Edited: Fixed quote tag error - okarol/admin

[cariad]

We are attending a talk given by my advisor in an hour. Thought I would give a quick update: Gwyn finally reached the second Australian company: 1. they had already sent an offer to a bona fide Australian on the one job he wanted, so that one is a no. 2. He gets no special attention for being British. The recruiter did say they had other similar jobs, but that it is really difficult to gain employment as a non-citizen. Blah. It was always a long shot, so I guess I am not surprised.

There is a job in this town that practically has Gwyn's picture next to the job description. However, we live in a very small city. Gwyn worked with these people in his first job - they were suppliers, he was the engineer assigned to them. Then he left that job under not-very-nice circumstances. The people who run the supply company have acted really excited about the prospect of hiring Gwyn on, but they just never do. There has always been an excuse. So, he called up a friend of his who works there (J) and basically put it all out there: I have applied in the past, and the president has either said he will hire me or wants to hire me as soon as there is a job, but then there always seems to be some lame excuse. I will send you my resume, but please don't waste my time if there is no chance. J did explain a little more about why it's been that way (they were trying to work with the company where Gwyn used to work and were concerned about bad blood, but of course Gwyn gets along with the individuals at these places spectacularly, it is the administration that he tends to lock horns with). They do have a job opening, J asked Gwyn for his resume, G sent it, J has promised that if there are any other hesitations that he will tell Gwyn outright, but business promises seem rather meaningless in this 'burg. The president of the company is good friends (some say best friends) with the owner of the company that we just sued (and won). See what I mean? Everyone is so wound up in this network.

Gwyn has also applied for various other positions, but did not tell me specifics. We have received a lot of calls from recruiters which I know was NOT happening 3 years ago, so perhaps things are improving. Most recruiters are useless, but we are exploring all options. I don't think he's contacted the UK yet, not sure if he's even told his brothers. We have had crap, wet, cold weather lately, and every time this happens I always think 'Now, could you really see yourself living out the rest of your life in the UK?' Isn't there some tropical island somewhere that needs both an anthropologist and an automotive engineer?

I really appreciate the support, everyone. Gwyn continues to plough forward, keeping his expectations realistic. I do think things have a way of working out for the best, well, at least I used to strongly believe. That belief becomes more fragile by the hour.

[MooseMom]

Cariad, I know that emigrating to Australia had been a game plan for you, but I'm not sorry that didn't pan out because the other day I read this article in Rolling Stone magazine and immediately thought of you and Gwyn.  Maybe it's just as well....

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/climate-change-and-the-end-of-australia-20111003

[jbeany]

 

Sometimes getting to the "working out for the best" takes a lot more time than we'd like.

I've lived in a small town for most of my life.  I know how incestuous some of those business relationships can get.  It's a fine system if you are on the inside, but not so great once you're on the outs. 

Sometimes, you just have to find another direction to go!

[willowtreewren]

Still thinking of you and hoping that this challenge is just the perfect opportunity in disguise.

 

Please give our love to Gwyn and the boys.

Aleta

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[MooseMom]

Cariad, I know that emigrating to Australia had been a game plan for you, but I'm not sorry that didn't pan out because the other day I read this article in Rolling Stone magazine and immediately thought of you and Gwyn.  Maybe it's just as well....

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/climate-change-and-the-end-of-australia-20111003

In a nutshell: Ill informed, distorted, biased claptrap.

In what way, exactly?  Please be more specific.

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[MooseMom]

Thank you so much for the complete refutation of that crazy, idiotic "global warming/climate change" silliness.  I'm relieved to hear that we don't have to worry about Australia anymore, and that her citizens are such good stewards of her unique natural resources.  I'm also pleased that the Great Barrier Reef is in no danger at all!  I've always wanted to go to Australia for a visit, and now I can dream of going to a land of plenty, a land where people can do whatever they want with no mind at all of conservation and not have a concern for the environmental consequences of their fabricated "carbon footprints."  Thank you for spending your precious time in making all of that clear to me of little brain! LOL!

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[cariad]

Thank you so much for the complete refutation of that crazy, idiotic "global warming/climate change" silliness.  I'm relieved to hear that we don't have to worry about Australia anymore, and that her citizens are such good stewards of her unique natural resources.  I'm also pleased that the Great Barrier Reef is in no danger at all!  I've always wanted to go to Australia for a visit, and now I can dream of going to a land of plenty, a land where people can do whatever they want with no mind at all of conservation and not have a concern for the environmental consequences of their fabricated "carbon footprints."  Thank you for spending your precious time in making all of that clear to me of little brain! LOL!

I, too, am so very grateful for the scientifically sound evidence presented here, as my substandard research skills render me incapable of ever analyzing any data for myself. And let's face it, "my family says" should be good enough for all of us.

Well, thank goodness that's settled.

I do have some vaguely irritating feeling that this thread was started due to a more immediate crisis, one that cannot really be argued into non-existence, but that certainly could not be more important than learning that Australia is A-OK! Surely a family of four can survive for years on this information alone?