Surfing Waves

Surfing has been put on my back burner for the first time in a long time

My job went away...the company I have been at for the last ten years closed!!
I had some tough choices to tackle...do I shop for a new job in the worst job market of my lifetime?? Do I start my own business?? Do I curl up and cry?? Do I abandon my family and surf my days away??

All were viable choices, I chose my own destiny and have been working hard at creating something from nothing. I feel I have embarked on the greatest and hardest road of my life, but I am determined to succeed.

Doors opened November 1st, I am guardedly optimistic. I have been able to sell a bunch of jobs and take many of my referral customers from my old company....surfing will come back in my life soon!!
Mywindowsolutions.com is me, so if you are anywhere near Ventura and you need windows or doors....hit me up!!

I am posting this to inspire anyone who is out of work or looking for something better...go for it!
peace

Well done you

Funnily enough, Im currently debating striking out on my own in 2012 and seeing whether its feasible at the moment.
Nice to hear when it works out for someone

Good on you, I wish you the best of luck.
There is nothing like being your own boss.

Parry,
I've been wondering about you for awhile. Now I know what you have been going through and what you have been doing about it.
Am pleased the compass points North.
billie

^ i've been worried about you billie who is worried about perry!

you both havn't been on for a while lol. I assumed surfing or better

and nice website perry! it looks great.

thank you, naniekso.
The surf has been looking mightly good lately, but all I can do is watch.
These are the dreadful orders of my orthopedic surgeon. I receive enough pain daily to emphasize that he is right. (Hate that!)
Oddly, I've been going throught the same kind of employment/income challenges as Parry. (Twilight zone, huh?)
This is especially hard when one is physically injured.
But, I am very happy for Parry (and my fortunes will improve one day, too)

Thanks everyone! It is a scary walk out into the unknown, I am every day battling a range of emotions. The day usually starts with a mild panic attack...transitions into moments of euphoria....followed by spiraling bouts of anxiety...I work my way out into a spell of optimism....and generally end my day exhausted after 12-14 hours just in time to kiss my family and go to sleep.
I wouldn't have it any other way!
Again thanks all for your encouragement.

I did surf today...2 sessions. Quite nice. I have my eyes on a trip to Cabo in May...if I can continue to sell windows!!

Billie, sorry to hear you are having some trouble. Bummer! I hope things are looking up soon.
I could always use a rep in SB...I have a few guys who sell jobs for me on the side for commission...they tap their own network and even do some door knocking if they are bored. If you have any interest send me an e-mail.

Parry,
thank you. Your concern and offers are generous. I may look you depending on how some things pan out this week.
billie

Hi Guys,

Both your stories are very real to me having been through similar problems the past couple of years. At the end of 2008 (dec 23rd whilst I was away on holiday) I got made redundant by phone after 7 years at my company. Then at the start of 2009 I landed badly whilst surfing and popped 3 discs in my back that after 6 months of sciatica the surgeon decided to operate (Nearly lost the nerve and so all feeling in my left leg hence why he went in). I had been in a new job 3 months by the time of the operation and a week later, whilst I'm in bed unable to move I get a call from my mum telling me the guy I was working for was letting me go (didn't have the guts to call me myself).

I tell you I was pretty bumbed by all that but I determined that I could either feel sorry for myself or I could find a way out. So I worked non stop from bed studying and after a few months managed to get a job with the guys I'm with now. Whilst it's not full time work I've been able to keep studying and paying the bills with a view to starting my own business later this year. Oh and plus the Saints won the Super Bowl after a lifetime of hurt which for me was a sign that not all is bad!

So believe me when I say I understand those moments of self doubt, the anxiety (rent, bills, can I do take job X because it will go against docs orders, etc), the exhaustion from working to the bone. If you can get through it you deserve to surf again. I've managed to get in the water and the rewards from that make up for a lot of the trash of the past 2 years. Just stay strong. I'm not a religious person but I do feel like it's up to me to stay sane and the only way to do that is not let those doubts take a hold.

fleshin' it bro this life is a ride. Hopefully we'll all look back on these years with a wry smile and remember them as real living!

Best of luck with the business. I'm always happy to get the word out even if on the other side of the planet (the internet is a big leveller) so if you ever want a bit of promo let me know... you never know who's friends with who that can help.

Cheers
Josh

Josh,
thanks for sharing your experiences and providing encouragement. We live in weird times in the industrial world.
Billie

Indeed we do. As I say do let me know if you ever want some shout outs for your business on twitter or whatever as always happy to plug and help wherever I can.
Have a great weekend
Josh

Good news, Guys! I start a new temp job Monday within walking distance of my home. It's based on a $1.7M environmental remediation project that I'll serve as project manager and lead engineer. The employer promised 6 months of full-time pay at handsome salary and they'll also pay 80% of my health insurance cost. The work is right up my alley and I've known the company owners for a long time and also know the client pretty well. We're all pretty happy about it; client included. Following 6 months, I may continue part-time, remain full-time if more work rolls in (likely), or have found a permanent job elsewhere (employer knows this and simply asked that I get the project to a specific point so they can handle it, if I decided to go).

that's great news Billie, congrats!

Brilliant Billie, that's quality news. Proper stoked!