Wow it has been awhile

Well, we are back. Jen and I have been very fortunate during this period of uncertainty. Doing the walk of shame out of Fidelity on November 12th was very embarrassing. Everyone knows that the layoffs were not performance based, however one can't help feel like a loser. But I remember thinking to myself, " this is happening for a reason". I didn't know what that reason was yet, but it had to be something. This was just too unbelievable that I found the perfect job, awesome manager, great coworkers at the same company as my wife. Something had to be up.

So, I found a little solace in that and then did what ever loser does and immediately drove to GameStop to buy a Wii and some games for around $400. I figured I owed myself a little present and quite frankly, wanted to take my mind off leaving a job (and people) that were so great. Everytime I thought about that fact, it made my stomach hurt. So this would be a nice distraction. I was afraid to tell Jen, but of course she was fine.

So, I started the job search a few days later and was very surprised by how many people came out of the woodwork to help me. I received so many emails from old colleagues and friends who were anxious to help me out. I felt very hopeful and empowered. My worrying ended after a few days. I knew I would find something. What was equally empowering was after Jen and I sat down to do the bills. I received a very generous severance package from Fidelity (those people know how to lay someone off :-) After doing the bills, we realized that if I never went back to work, we could survive fine. That was very comforting to know given the market was crashing all around us.

The next day uncorked a series of events that were just plain nuts. My sister was hospitalized for 2 weeks. Over the next month, I was able to dedicate some much needed time to my sister and her shambles of a life in Willimantic. Long story short, she is doing great. All she needed was a little help to get her back on her feet and thinking clearly again.

Then my father became sick and was hospitalized. My father in law was hospitalized. My wife was hospitalized. I was ready to be hospitalized!

Longer story longer, everyone is doing great and the holidays were fun and relaxing.

Right before Christmas I got an interview at BankRI. Next thing I know, 3 weeks later I have a job. It really was incredible. I landed a job at BankRI as VP of Brand Marketing and Product Development. I started on January 29th (I was supposed to start on the 28th, but had to call in sick b/c of a sinus infection). It is really a lot of fun to call your new boss and say you can't come in on your first day. Great first impression, eh?

I have to admit, I really can't believe it happened the way it did and as quickly as it did. But I am forever thankful.

Now as to why I am posting this here. What this fortunate series of events has allowed us to do is save a lot of money. Since I am being paid by Fidelity for awhile and since I am working again, we think the Cape will happen in 18 months. It would be amazing if we could really pull it off.

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