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12:34 PM
January 9, 2009
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If you're a regular forum reader than you probably already know that I've spent the majority of 2011 working really hard to avoid a layoff. As a result, I haven't had much time to put into the site content or into monitoring the forum. A few of you have even contacted me personally via email to inquire about my absence.
Well, I have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that I'll have more time to spend on my metalworking hobby, as well as on the site over the next few months.
The bad news is I'll have the time because I found out recently that I will indeed be getting laid off. But that's actually a good thing. I've been itching for a career change for the last few years of my 10 year career in healthcare. So now I'll have the time to make that career change. My wife also works in healthcare and didn't get laid off, so financially we will be fine.
Please don't mistake this as a plea for sympathy. As I said, we are going to be fine as a family. My wife works and we don't have kids yet, so that definitely helps. With the state of the US economy, I'm definitely not the only one facing career challenges/changes. I actually feel fortunate that I've kept my job as long as I have (I've survived 7 of 8 layoffs over my 10-year career). And I also feel fortunate to be getting a severance. Many unemployed aren't so lucky. So again, I'm not looking for sympathy, I just want to make sure you all knew where I've been and why I've been largely absent over the last several months. Basically I felt like I owed everyone an explanation. And I owed a few of you an apology for forgetting things or letting things fall through the cracks. I hope you all know I'd never intentionally let any of you down. It's just that stress wreaks havoc on my memory, and with all the stress I've had over the last several months I've dropped the ball on several things. And for that, I'm sorry.
So here's the timeline. My last paid day will be Feb 14th (with a mass layoff they have to give us a lot of notice). Between now and then I will have a lot of loose ends to tie up. But after that I should have a lot more time to develop and improve the site. So sometime after February of 2012 you should start seeing more projects and more forum posts. But until then, thanks again for everyone's patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Tyler Youngblood
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12:46 PM
February 10, 2011
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Such instances in my life have turned into the catalyst that lead to steps up, sometimes the comfort of consistent employment shrouds opportunities seen as risks, but if the decision is made for you things can open up ahead.
5:35 PM
September 11, 2011
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Hi Tyler,
I got a severance back in '09. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am happier, work less, spend more time with my kids and more time in the workshop.
Best of luck
9:46 PM
April 27, 2011
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The work I do for myself has opened alot of doors for me. I cannot say that it has been a burden for me. I am very thankful that things have happened due to "Murphy's Law".
Good on you for moving forward.
Mtw fdu.
4:13 AM
April 13, 2010
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Sorry to hear about your redundancy – these things have a habit of happening more and more these days! Unfortunately there is no such thing as job security, we kid ourselves when we are in work that all is OK until the accountants wield the axe. No matter how hard we work, how 'nice' we are or how well we do our work when the mighty accountants take over there is very little we can do.
I have been through this a couple of times and am in that position now – so being of a 'certain age', i.e. older with 3 children and a grandchild – the only viable solution is to do my own thing. Run my own business, easier said than done in the current economic climate :-)
6:20 PM
January 9, 2009
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Thanks everyone for your support and well wishes. It's nice to have a community of like-minded friends for support!
@elsyd: "redundancy"? I've never heard it put that way before. Hmmm. But yea, I guess my position was redundant, so they got rid of me. Makes sense!
Anyway, things have a way of working out for the best. And this already feels like it's for the best. I haven't had a stress headache since the announcement, and my overall health has improved (sleeping better, back doesn't hurt, not cranky with the wife, etc). So clearly my old job wasn't healthy for me.
My wife and I are both very happy with the layoff. The only bummer is I'll have to find an inexpensive scotch …
Although now that I'm not stressed I won't be needing scotch for it's medicinal characteristics, so that's good! And no, I don't have a drinking problem, but I liked to unwind with a dram of scotch like others do with wine. But I digress.
Thanks again for all your support. I really appreciate it!
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11:19 AM
September 19, 2010
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Jack Daniels has to be the one of choice.. :P well it is for me !
Oo I've just had a nice thought, it would be a good turning project, either wood or metal to make some tumblers/whiskey glasses.
That said the wood would absorb the flavour unless treated. I reckon there is some experimenting to be had.
have you tried Laphroig? or Lagavullin?
6:23 PM
January 9, 2009
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Yea, I really like smoke and peat so Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg are all favorites. But that's part of the problem. The cheapest is Ardbeg 10y @ $40 a bottle. Too much to spend now that I'm tightening the purse strings. 
At least now I know what to ask for from my wife for christmas and birthdays!
This is getting totally off topic, but since you mentioned projects have you ever seen the whisky ice ball maker/mold? They are basically a cube of brass or bronze (something heavy so that the weight helps speed the melting process) with a sphere hollowed out in the middle.
I don't take ice in my scotch. But if I did, this would be a fun way to get OCD about your ice. The theory goes that a sphere has the lowest possible surface area per volume of any shape. So a sphere of ice cools your scotch without watering it down too much. Or, you can always go with whisky stones if you prefer no water at all. But again, I'm into room temp cask or bottle strength drams. So no water or ice for me!
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10:50 PM
January 4, 2010
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Tyler:
I am probably the only one on here who won't say I am sorry to see this happen to you. That sounds horrible until you realize that I have an idea of just how much you wanted a change. Personally I do not know how you lasted this long. I know why you lasted this long, but how you were able to stand it is beyond me. This change, wherever it leads you, will be a change for the better. This is a chance to do whatever it is that you love to do instead of something you feel you have to do. I know your job is/was lucrative, but at what cost to your happiness? Now you can do what makes you happy Tyler. That is the most important thing of all. I hope you find the happiness you deserve in your new whatever it is that you find to do. Less stress is something you have earned. The pressure cooker you are escaping will look far less appealing to you once you have moved on to something you love. Whatever you choose to do, you will do very well, you are that kind of man.
Good luck in your new life.
Barry
9:58 AM
February 8, 2010
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Tyler, I'm simply amazed at your inquiring mind and your competence in searching out the answers to things that puzzle you. You have made this web site the most complete forum for projects in metal on the internet and you will eventually have a self-sustaining enterprise.
A word of warning: Writers who cover new items are often contacted by manufacturers who want to push their goods. Look at the gun magazines. I once had an editor tell me (concerning a criticism I had of a new item): "When you write about pork, you don't discuss trichinosis." This is not what a free press is all about. Don't fall into that trap, or this site will become just another metal working site.
I have been in the situation you now find yourself in: Middle aged and out of work for the first time in decades. It was the fact that I had a home metalworking shop that gained me an income for the rest of my working life, and you can do the same. You will soon discover that the Sunnen Hone will put you in a class above the average shop.
My sincere wishes for only the best for you.
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