Giving up, or giving it another chance?

[Dan Hintz]

Thanks, Keith!

I missed all of the excitement, and I'm still scratching my head on how this, of all threads, could turn into a sexually and/or racially heated topic. Que sera...

[Dan Hintz]

I'm making this post with a mix of joy and sadness...

The good news: I accepted a position with a company a few miles north of Baltimore, so I'm back in the rat race making some dough.

The bad news: I am no longer eligible for the SEA program (I'm assuming this is the case, though I cannot verify that as they still have not sent me anything (side note: While it's nice you get to keep all business profits while continuing to receive full unemployment checks, it's not as great a deal when they take more than a month to send you information and more than a month to let you know if you're allowed in the program... by that time, your unemployment bank is half empty)



It was a difficult decision, particularly since I wanted to get the laser side of the business going full time, but the finances were too shaky to take the risk. I have no major debt to speak of and a small nest egg built up, but the little woman was in need of a more reliable car, and I know I'll be pouring money into the house over the next few years for remodeling (just put in a new, top-of-the-line HVAC system last week to replace our aging system and get the tax credit). Had I been laid off 6-12 months after the date I was let go, the decision to get the laser thing rolling would have been a little easier (due to the extra savings).

My hats off to Steve (Scott) for trying to help a brother out in these tough times. More than once he has shifted a job my way, and it was a heavy heart that I told him 'no' for the most recent job (trust me, Steve, I was waffling on that one contemplating losing some sleep just to keep the job). Some day I hope to be able to pay it forward and/or work in tandem with another business offering complementary services, but for at least the next few months I need to make sure my mind is 100% in the game at work (it's a contract to perm position, and I make a lot more on the hourly contract than I do on the salaried perm position).

No, I am not selling my laser (even if not used in a business, it's still my toy), and I plan to continue visiting SMC on a (nearly) daily basis until such time as I am able to revisit the laser side. Until then, keep the shiny side down, and remember... it's better to burn out, than to fade away!

[Dee Gallo]

Congrats on the new job, Dan! I'm sure you will still have fun with your laser, in fact it's more fun when you're NOT trying to make money with it.

Please visit often, you're a good part of this forum!

cheers, dee