5 posts tagged “family”
So, I've been doing this for a couple weeks now.... Second guessing my decision to quit. At first we were great, had lots in the bank, had a few jobs that replaced some of the money we used to pay bills etc. Then, it got slow... Lee got a few jobs for 200$ here, 300$ there. But it wasn't a lot of work.
So now we're down to enough for this month's bills. And I could put next months rent on a Credit Card (which is where I have been putting groceries to help stretch the bank account)
The business is moving along. Things look promising. Lee and the partner have been talking to lots of people, handing out business cards, and they are all impressed or excited about a new computer service/support store opening up. Many have said the town really needs one... and I found about 7 competitors in the area. Most work out of their house, 3 have actual store fronts.
I think what these other places lack is good customer service, and good marketing.
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Update: So i bit the bullet and emailed my father in law... Lee's dad, who is the CEO of the place I just quit cause I hated it there. I said I was looking for a little work, and wanted to know if he wanted me to finish up the module I was working on before (I quit).
So we'll see if I get a response.
Wheee....
Everyone say "buh-bye" to sunkist's self respect!
Wheres the wadka
So, I've been doing this for a couple weeks now.... Second guessing my decision to quit. At first we were great, had lots in the bank, had a few jobs that replaced some of the money we used to pay bills etc. Then, it got slow... Lee got a few jobs for 200$ here, 300$ there. But it wasn't a lot of work.
So now we're down to enough for this month's bills. And I could put next months rent on a Credit Card (which is where I have been putting groceries to help stretch the bank account)
The business is moving along. Things look promising. Lee and the partner have been talking to lots of people, handing out business cards, and they are all impressed or excited about a new computer service/support store opening up. Many have said the town really needs one... and I found about 7 competitors in the area. Most work out of their house, 3 have actual store fronts.
I think what these other places lack is good customer service, and good marketing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update: So i bit the bullet and emailed my father in law... Lee's dad, who is the CEO of the place I just quit cause I hated it there. I said I was looking for a little work, and wanted to know if he wanted me to finish up the module I was working on before (I quit).
So we'll see if I get a response.
Wheee
Wheres the wadka
So, last week's breakfast with daddy in law went over pretty well. He barely talked about work, and left without asking me to come back. He stopped by briefly on Thursday night again and talked about work more, but still never really came out to ask me back. He did talk about wonderful things going on and possible new contracts... which I think is a bad idea since the company has less people to do the tons of work that was left when i quit.
He's always looking for the next big contract to bring in money, but we don't have resources or time to do these contracts, at least very well.
He's coming over again today for breakfast... I think... could be later on... and watch NFL. He and Lee are big football fans. I expect him to talk about work a lot more, and possibly start to prod me to come back.
I considered my response all week. And I don't know if I should agree. I would have a list of conditions naturally, but I was pretty miserable my last month of working for him. And even for the bit of money I can put to my taxes, and not having to talk to his 2nd in command, who is a bit of a dumbass, it may not be worth it.
I'm still a little pissed about what a guy who works for him said to me. Lee's dad works out of Barbados... to keep the company off-shore and help save in taxes. Right now it's a money drain more than anything, we're not making enough to make profit. We're ALWAYS behind.
Well, one day, one of the guys, who is annoying and apparently a flirt starts chatting at me on MSN. He has the same name of a guy on my MSN that I do like, so I answered "Hi" without thinking. Then I realized it was too late, he knew I was at my machine. He starts asking about the kids, and Lee and if I was 'keeping busy' (wasn't the first person from the company to ask me that - prodding for info i guess). Then he asked:
"So when are you going to forgive <father-in-law> and come back to work?"
I didn't know what to say back. I had so many questions. First: how dare he ask me that. Next: what was he told that made him ask me when I was going to forgive my father in law?? Third: he made it sound like I just got mad at hime one day and flipped out and quit... like some sort of emotional chick. The decision to quit was a long time coming for valid concerns over the direction of this company. I was very unhappy there, and could see no future... and I explained that to my bosses before I quit and they didn't understand!
So I responded to the dumbass above with:
"I dont know what has been said, but it's a little more complicated than that."
He tried to backtrack and say it was a joke, but I promptly blocked him then deleted him off my MSN, and everyone else in barbados, and a couple people from the local office i know are buddy-buddy with father-in-law. (One chick is basically his spy, telling him all the little details of what goes on in the office up here - plus he's banging her when he comes to town).
I really should have asked him what my father in law had told him... I should have demanded. But It's probably better to just ignore the little prick and everyone else, and distance myself from this company and try to move on with the new one.
Sigh... Anyhoo, that is my rant for this weekend. It's been a couple days since I posted, and wanted to update everyone :)
Well, he came, he ate breakfast, had some coffee, watched NFL.... and that was about it. He talked briefly about things going on at the office, a few times... and that was it! And you know what? I am relieved! He did mention that he wanted to swing by on wednesday and come by again next sunday for dinner and watch more NFL.
Lee and I talked about it after he left and we figured he was easing his way back into our good graces before asking me about work. And I am still unsure if I would even go back, even if he agreed to our stipulations. I just don't care anymore about the software I spent 10 years working on... I had thought maybe I would do some work, make a little money, and put it all towards my taxes for next year (on contract I pay income tax at tax time, instead on every check)... but ... I am still unsure.
Things are so promising this coming week for the new business, i don't want to promise any work to my father in law yet. I still have 2 web sites to build anyway for our business.
Time will tell. Hopefully by the end of the week we are more on our way to be running our own business. :)
Oh good grief! I had almost forgot to share this tidbit.
I explained that Lee's dad was the CEO of the company I used to work for, the one I quit last month. He was one of the main reasons I quit. I personally thought he was driving it into the ground, instead of taking it in great new directions. He's the one hell bent on converting everything to JAVA of all things, and has no clue why 60% of his staff quit in July and August.
Well, guess who's coming to breakfast on Sunday.
He's been in town since August 13th. I quit about the 6th. And this week was the first time we heard from him. He said in his email that now that things are settling down, it can be about family and not work. Well, he has a right to see his granddaughters that is for sure. So... Lee emailed him back and arranged for him to come over Sunday morning. Maybe there is some NFL pre-season games? I know he likes football.
Anyway, I heard from one of the guys at the company who I am friends with (he's also a developer and has been trying to find other work - so far no luck, so he's sticking it out) that Lee's Dad is actually coming over to try and see if he can get me to do some work!!!
WHAT???
Well, honestly I am not surprised, I'd be lying if I said I was surprised.
I am sooooooooooooo NOT looking forward to this... pleh!!
So Lee and I talked about it. He asked if I would go back. My first answer was "NO!", but then he asked if his dad agreed to a bunch of terms, and I got a bit of a raise per hour, would I? I wasn't sure. If they can actually flush out a proper spec on what the frack they want me to do, and not change things 100 times during the development process, and I don't have to talk to his sidekick schmuck, and I got a little more an hour, AND he doesn't sidetrack me with tiny things we never agreed on (like, "Oh can you just fix this one little thing over here on this other project" , "Oh can you fix up this report for a client") then.... possibly, maybe, yes.
The little cash I could get from a few tasks will help us out.
But apparently Lee and his partner have an appointment with a bank next week for getting a loan process going! And they are talking to a long time family friend about insurance, and he also said he would help us market the business. And we have contacts to a guy who owns a lot of office space and buildings in town, and they might have a place for us that will work out! (once we have money and a business name).
So maybe one small job for my old company might not be so bad, if I know this other business is steaming along ahead. Because I can toss what I make from Lee's dad on my income tax installments.. :) So i don't have to put anything on credit cards .
Phew,
So that is where I am at now.
Longer update than this morning, but I completely forgot about daddy in law coming to breakfast!
