So my boss...who is not the brightest bulb in the pack despite his success and his opinion of himself...just returned from a Manager's Meeting and canceled all my Outlook meeting invites after June 30th. Is this a sign? Yeah, probably so...
Let me first clarify that I can't stand my condescending boss and I'm not thrilled about my job in general. Not that I don't work hard at it...but I took the job about a year and half ago when it was offered by a former colleague and it has turned out to be nothing what it was advertised as. I would be irritated with my former colleague; however, he was sacked a few weeks after I was hired and it was too late for me to back out. Times being what they are, especially in Southern California, I'm grateful for any paying job even if I'm making 1/3 of what I was 3 years ago in a job where no one has hit their quota since being hired. Top it off with the fact that I can't afford the house I bought 4 years ago (when I made good money) and my loan isn't shady enough to make a loan modification an easy deal and things are becoming clearer and clearer.
Now that I think about it, this could be the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I've been begging my bank to work with me on my loan for over a year. I finally started getting somewhere about three months ago, but only after hiring a lawyer. Meanwhile, there are 20 foreclosed or for sale homes within 1/2 mile of where I live and my house is worth half of what I paid for it, even including the 20% I put down. I could rent a house twice as big for half my mortgage.
I'm a little apprehensive. I haven't been without a job since I turned 16 years old two decades ago. Then again, I've never missed a payment on anything until I stopped paying my mortgage last year. (Why you have to do that in order to get the bank to even talk to you is a whole OTHER story...) My wife is stressed beyond belief after 12 months with no resolution about professional happiness and prosperity, a home, or life in general. I'm done...I give up...so why am I fighting it? Now granted, a 36 year old and his family moving back in with his mother is sort of sad. But who cares at this point?
OK back on track. Despite the sinking feeling I have I will continue to show up and try work as hard as I can. I'm certainly not the type to commit industrial sabotage because I made a poor career choice. (Plus aside from my boss I really like everyone else at this smallish company and would hate to screw them over.) But what's next? I must say I have a small desire to start playing practical joke on people. Maybe I can make every day 'casual Friday' now? I could start hoarding pens and flash drives...or work my way up to some of the free drinks in the breakroom? I guess that all seems petty right now. Maybe I shouldn't make jokes...but what else are you gonna do? Anyone been here before? Got any advice? How about a good practical joke, preferably one that's not easy to trace?
Anyone out there do this recently and have some advice?