So... Recently I became unemployed. It came somewhat as a surprise. Back on March 4th, I had been rear-ended when driving home from Providence. It causes a few days of pain and I ended up working from home for about a week. Once I picked up the rental, I had returned to the office and during my weekly One on One... I had been told i was being put onto a PIP rather than the normal weekly check in. By the end of the week I was let go.
While my immediate thought process was anger and sadness. Basically having been termed for the second time in my 21 year career.... I have been spending this time to figure out exactly what i want to do. Once i get my car back from the Auto Repair Shop... i think i am going to drive for Uber full time. Uber full time would allow me a schedule that is built around my own schedule. So that rather than me having to get up at 6am or 7am to be at work for 8am and work 9 straight hours... I'll be able to sleep / wake when i want. And spend the time during the day wisely. Basically creating a working schedule for me to Work Out, eat 3 meals a day, and spend time with my wife. The immediate rush to jump back into the IT industry isn't pressing. I am not seeing the benefit of it (Aside from pay). It's one of the few industries that promises a paycheck of over $100,000 a year with enough time. But is it really worth it? The stress can become immeasurable. Monthly On-Call rotations, Having to be available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency, and just overall time spent stressing about work outside of work makes me question if it's worth it to go back into the industry.
When i first became interested in computers, i was probably about 3 or 4... My uncle used to sit me down at my grandmothers and play computer games. They were old DOS games and obviously don't match the graphics or technical challenge of say... Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. But it started a love of gaming and computers that had started to die off once I turned about 20. I got started in the Computer Industry when I was 17. I applied for a job at a Computer Repair Shop and got started during the summer in between my First and Second Year of College. (I had been an ACCESS Student at Johnson & Wales University studying Computer Science). The first few years of IT being my job was actually fun. I learned new skills and enjoyed the ability to be able to Modify my computer, and be on top of the latest trends in the industry. By the end of the Third year though the enthusiasm had worn off. My interests were taking me towards Music and Friends and the pay at the repair shop didn't keep pace with me getting older. The expenses of a 17 year old are different than the expenses of a 20 year old and going 3 years without a pay raise kinda sucked. I became jaded very quickly. And overall - even though i decided to stick it out with the industry, My heart was never truly in it. Mix that with the mental disorder and the emotional instability that came with it. There were many lonely nights over the years spent sobbing because of a lack of friends. Being able to talk "about" IT requires someone else with knowledge of the industry. There's no point in me talking about ICMP Firewall restrictions to someone who works in the restaurant industry because they're likely to stare at me like I'm the idiot.
While I'm going to continue doing favors for Friends and Family when it comes to computers (either virus removal, building or repair PCs, or just giving general advice), I don't think I want to rush back into the industry. I want to see what other interests I have that I may not have had the chance to explore over the years due to the 8-5. First and foremost would be me looking to get back into Gaming. Something I haven't really sat down to do since GTA:V came out on PlayStation 4. I'd like to get into music too. My Brother-In-Law is a Bass Instructor and I feel like i could stand to learn an instrument from Him. I'd like to get back in shape too. Generally in September I try to participate in a Charity Bike Race Event and I feel that this might be the year that i actually get around to reaching my Mile Goal. But overall.... I feel that I should be able to drop from 239.4 lbs. as of this morning, to my goal weight of 172.5 (Still considered Overweight based on my Height, but considerably lower than the Obese weight that I am currently at). And most of all, I'd like to spend more time with the Love of My Life.
I've come to realize that the most precious resource on the planet... is Time. Time is Free. Time in Money... But It's "My Time" and how i spend my time is my choice. Not someone else's. When i feel like I don't have a choice on how to spend my time. That's where the imbalance comes from. Considering my sanity is the most important thing for the well-being of me and my family... I would rather spend my time Happy, than stressed.
That's all for Today,
T.A. Michaels
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