Background: After nearly 3 years, I was "let go" because of missing work too much, even though they had told me it was OK, they were behind me 100%, etc. I was missing work/coming in late because of my son's issues as well as my own health problems. They kept telling me everything was OK and that my health and family comes first. When I first started this job, the employees told me that basically, there was nothing I could do to get fired... Once hired, nothing could get me fired, you're in for life. Not that I was taking advantage, I had legitimate reasons, I could have produced documents.... they just always said it wasn't necessary.
So, one day, out of the blue, my boss Mike calls me into his office. I'm thinking "Maybe this is it, maybe he's finally going to talk to me about my absences and we'll figure out a solution or something. At the very worst, some sort of disciplinary action." Well, I was right on some level... it was about my absences... only he "let me go." The terms were wonderful, 2 weeks notice (actually, 2 1/2 weeks), a glowing letter of recommendation and a status of rehireable if my life ever leveled out. In the same sentence, he also told me I was one of the top 3 producers of work, even when I was maybe only working 6 hours a day 3 days a week, I was producing as much work as the 40 hour a week people. I told him I wasn't going to beg for my job, but I willing to switch things around or do whatever it took to keep my position or even move to a different position.
I soon found out that after Bryn-Alan (another former employer of mine and a much larger photography business) went out of business, many employees went searching for jobs at Reedy. One fit the bill for my position (sort of), and was willing to work for a few dollars less/hr. than I was making. (of course I found all of this out much later, and I assume I was not supposed to know this.) My last week there, I got to train her on I'd say about a third of what I did there, since it was slow season and all, and most of what I did was 6 months away. Luckily, she turned out to be a really cool girl, otherwise it might have been really awkward.
I know I've prattled on here, but you see how I got severely shafted here. I stay on good terms with the company, not because I want to ever work there again... because I wouldn't, not if they begged me... but because they have several items that I would want to use for my own personal business and they're local. That's the only reason I've ever stayed on good terms with them.
In fact, I keep Mike, my former boss and asshole who fired me, as a friend on Facebook. Recently, we've been arguing a little politically, but we both know that our political views are extreme to the max. But, this morning, he posted this little nugget, and it perturbed me to no end and it made me want to just go down and beat the crap out of him... especially after what he did to me.
Mike: Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath. Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
2 hours ago • Comment • Like
Of course, I had to reply... I mean, it was that or literally going down there and doing something drastic, which I obviously did NOT want to do. This was my reply:
Kelley Nelson: Hmmm.... Interesting. So you are saying everyone sucks? Especially those of rank, like yourself and those you associate with the most? Seems rather pessimistic, don't you think? Especially when all you hope for is to increase your riches. Just my opinion.
Not trying to always come down on you lately Mike, but man oh man, what are you trying to say here? You’re saying that I’m vain for wanting more than I have because I can’t afford clothing for my kid right now for some unknown reason, but people like you and everyone in the higher ranking business you associate with lie and cheat and cannot be trusted and will only rob you, especially when their riches increase... especially like yours are doing? What do you want me to think here? People like you and everyone else in the higher ranking business you associate with lie and cheat and cannot be trusted and will only rob you, especially when their riches increase… especially like yours are doing? What do you want me to think here?
2 seconds ago • Delete
What do you think.... Over the top?
I emailed this all to Colin, his first response was this:
"Jeez, Kelley, it’s an old quote. I don’t think he meant anything personal by it, although you know him better than I do. Don’t you think you’re taking it a little personally?"
To which I replied:
"After all he did to me? Yes, I take it quite personal. I don’t care if it’s an old quote, new quote, something he made up… In the profession he’s in and the friends he has on his facebook, it’s not something he should be posting. It makes me want to Rip his flipping head off."
And then he replied back:
"OK sweetie, I guess I was just trying to understand why it got your goat so… To me it just sounds like your typical dry Judeo-Christian exhortation to live a life of moderation and non-materialism. I could see where you can take it otherwise though, particularly when you consider the semi-professional forum that is Facebook."
I replied once more:
"Well, especially when I know he doesn’t believe that way, Christian or not. The whole reason he fired me was money related and for profit, and all lies. And he dares to put that quote somewhere I can see it? Of course I’m pissed."
And he also replied once more:
"Well, hey, I’m all about giving the finger to hypocrisy. Lambast away! I love you, baby."
Mike has not replied, by the way. Nor do I expect him to.
ETA: Well what do you know... Mike replied.
Mike’s reply:
"This is a quote from King David in Psalms 62. He is talking about not trusting the wisdom of man and that all power and authority comes from God. So the point would be we are all human and we falter at times and the lust of material things can corrupt us easily. The desire to care for our families is the proper desire, the desire to drive around in a Lexus to be cool and show your obtaining of wealth is bad. If you are blessed with wealth then the desire should be to help those in need not waste it on self gratifying items."
Of course, this angered me even more… considering the source and what he’d done to me, and that I was only looking out for my family when he kicked me to the curb in search for more profit.
My reply:
"I realize where the quote comes from… (Not really, just don’t want to seem like a total idiot, ya know) but it just seems a little hypocritical coming from the source, that’s all I was trying to say if you catch my drift. Especially given my specific circumstances and all, along with yours and your peers. I mean, where was my help when I needed it most? Just sayin’."
Jerk.
So, one day, out of the blue, my boss Mike calls me into his office. I'm thinking "Maybe this is it, maybe he's finally going to talk to me about my absences and we'll figure out a solution or something. At the very worst, some sort of disciplinary action." Well, I was right on some level... it was about my absences... only he "let me go." The terms were wonderful, 2 weeks notice (actually, 2 1/2 weeks), a glowing letter of recommendation and a status of rehireable if my life ever leveled out. In the same sentence, he also told me I was one of the top 3 producers of work, even when I was maybe only working 6 hours a day 3 days a week, I was producing as much work as the 40 hour a week people. I told him I wasn't going to beg for my job, but I willing to switch things around or do whatever it took to keep my position or even move to a different position.
I soon found out that after Bryn-Alan (another former employer of mine and a much larger photography business) went out of business, many employees went searching for jobs at Reedy. One fit the bill for my position (sort of), and was willing to work for a few dollars less/hr. than I was making. (of course I found all of this out much later, and I assume I was not supposed to know this.) My last week there, I got to train her on I'd say about a third of what I did there, since it was slow season and all, and most of what I did was 6 months away. Luckily, she turned out to be a really cool girl, otherwise it might have been really awkward.
I know I've prattled on here, but you see how I got severely shafted here. I stay on good terms with the company, not because I want to ever work there again... because I wouldn't, not if they begged me... but because they have several items that I would want to use for my own personal business and they're local. That's the only reason I've ever stayed on good terms with them.
In fact, I keep Mike, my former boss and asshole who fired me, as a friend on Facebook. Recently, we've been arguing a little politically, but we both know that our political views are extreme to the max. But, this morning, he posted this little nugget, and it perturbed me to no end and it made me want to just go down and beat the crap out of him... especially after what he did to me.
Mike: Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath. Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
2 hours ago • Comment • Like
Of course, I had to reply... I mean, it was that or literally going down there and doing something drastic, which I obviously did NOT want to do. This was my reply:
Kelley Nelson: Hmmm.... Interesting. So you are saying everyone sucks? Especially those of rank, like yourself and those you associate with the most? Seems rather pessimistic, don't you think? Especially when all you hope for is to increase your riches. Just my opinion.
Not trying to always come down on you lately Mike, but man oh man, what are you trying to say here? You’re saying that I’m vain for wanting more than I have because I can’t afford clothing for my kid right now for some unknown reason, but people like you and everyone in the higher ranking business you associate with lie and cheat and cannot be trusted and will only rob you, especially when their riches increase... especially like yours are doing? What do you want me to think here? People like you and everyone else in the higher ranking business you associate with lie and cheat and cannot be trusted and will only rob you, especially when their riches increase… especially like yours are doing? What do you want me to think here?
2 seconds ago • Delete
What do you think.... Over the top?
I emailed this all to Colin, his first response was this:
"Jeez, Kelley, it’s an old quote. I don’t think he meant anything personal by it, although you know him better than I do. Don’t you think you’re taking it a little personally?"
To which I replied:
"After all he did to me? Yes, I take it quite personal. I don’t care if it’s an old quote, new quote, something he made up… In the profession he’s in and the friends he has on his facebook, it’s not something he should be posting. It makes me want to Rip his flipping head off."
And then he replied back:
"OK sweetie, I guess I was just trying to understand why it got your goat so… To me it just sounds like your typical dry Judeo-Christian exhortation to live a life of moderation and non-materialism. I could see where you can take it otherwise though, particularly when you consider the semi-professional forum that is Facebook."
I replied once more:
"Well, especially when I know he doesn’t believe that way, Christian or not. The whole reason he fired me was money related and for profit, and all lies. And he dares to put that quote somewhere I can see it? Of course I’m pissed."
And he also replied once more:
"Well, hey, I’m all about giving the finger to hypocrisy. Lambast away! I love you, baby."
Mike has not replied, by the way. Nor do I expect him to.
ETA: Well what do you know... Mike replied.
Mike’s reply:
"This is a quote from King David in Psalms 62. He is talking about not trusting the wisdom of man and that all power and authority comes from God. So the point would be we are all human and we falter at times and the lust of material things can corrupt us easily. The desire to care for our families is the proper desire, the desire to drive around in a Lexus to be cool and show your obtaining of wealth is bad. If you are blessed with wealth then the desire should be to help those in need not waste it on self gratifying items."
Of course, this angered me even more… considering the source and what he’d done to me, and that I was only looking out for my family when he kicked me to the curb in search for more profit.
My reply:
"I realize where the quote comes from… (Not really, just don’t want to seem like a total idiot, ya know) but it just seems a little hypocritical coming from the source, that’s all I was trying to say if you catch my drift. Especially given my specific circumstances and all, along with yours and your peers. I mean, where was my help when I needed it most? Just sayin’."
Jerk.