~Thursday, February 04, 2010

Translated Upon Request

I've had a hard time getting out of bed this week. First I realized that I have now officially been at my "new" job for longer than I was at the job I got laid off from. I like my current job and, more importantly, they like me, but I loved my old job. I felt special being at my old job.

At my old job, I was an editor with my own magazine. My picture was in it with "Editor-in-Chief" in below it in captions. I was responsible for writing the marketing for an entire line of global products. My words were translated in French and Spanish. Sometimes after work I would go into the store and look at the boxes on the shelves and see tangible proof of my work.

My current job is altruistic in nature. I get paid more. My commute is cut in half. I am one link on a very long chain that saves lives. My writing is now translated upon request.

Maybe it's my ego not getting fed. My work goes into a vortex that I'll never see again. Maybe it's that I'm at a job where again nobody really understands what I do and my parents couldn't even tell you my company's name. I just don't feel as special.

Today marks the one-year anniversary from being laid off from my razzle-dazzle job. I'm sad. I miss my co-worker whom I've shared two companies with. He's still there and told me this morning that the company is still laying off people and closing divisions, although he's still employed.

I was worried the first two rounds of lay offs it had, but I made it through them. My V.P. made a huge speech about how he was working with a bare-bones staff and that our division was safe from future cuts. And then the third round came and I was called in my boss's office at 7:30 a.m. and escorted out of the building by 7:45. I was in the unemployment office by 10 am. It turned out that I was the only person in the entire department of 40 people that had been cut.

The pain of being professionally dumped still stings. The company let me down easily with a nice severance package and a promise to answer late-night booty calls. It never stayed over though.

13 comments:

Julie said...

I'm sorry love! If it makes you feel any better, I'm stuck in an "editorial assistant" position in a company that can't hire anyone...so in May I'm a free, broke bird. Ugh. I feel your pain!

Bathwater said...

Isn't just the promise to answer the late night booty call enough? Oh wait I'm a guy.

Breeza said...

I bet one day you will have an amazing job that will blow this one in the dust!

Anonymous said...

having been an entertainment publicist for some of the most amazing events in the world, i traded in my shoes for mommy-hood nearly a decade ago. there is nothing in this world i would trade for having to hold a celebs hand walking down the carpet than a peaceful night in front of my fire. that was then, this is now - i wish you contentment and love.

Anonymous said...

oh, and you SAVE LIVES. you touch someone/something that matters. i never had that until i had a family. you are amazing and inspiring.

Paul Aaron Langley said...

Shit. I am so sorry for you.

Sarah said...

Ha, it's a nice thought, but I do not directly save anyone. I'm just a part of a process. It's still rewarding at times though. :)

TexInTheCity said...

No wonder your blog is so engaging! You are a writer who blogs and not some blogger who just happens to writes!

Sarah said...

There are very different types of writing, but thank you! Blogging is my creative and emotional outlet.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about that, it sucks. I know how you feel, though. I was the only person to be laid off without severance out of many who are still there. It hurts and I would be lying to say that I am not bitter about it.

Sultana said...

:D Totally agree with Tex!

Paige Jennifer said...

Life has its lulls. Professionally, you're in it. But I feel it in my bones that the tide will turn. And if not, at least you appreciate what the current opportunity affords you? Eh, boring silver lining (sorry).

Miss Devylish said...

Well, you understand how I feel - other than I don't get to call mine 'laid off'. I say we both write books.. ;)

 

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