2 years. um, ok. well, I d make a plan so you can go on a big trip .because that would be a big fun thing to do. And with two years, you can get the money together. I also think you can take a hard look at what you are doing and see if there was something else you want to do.

I'm going to say hooray for lead time. Chang e happens, now you have an idea of when to expect one

Sounds like you could be rehired in another dept, no?

No, they're only keeping Engineering at my current site (my dept is under the Eng heading, that's why I was unsure until today). I'm definitely in no way qualified to design our product, I'm afraid. There is another site that's part of a different division that's only 10-15 minutes away, and our largest customer is about the same distance away, so they'll definitely be primary targets - and hopefully recs from current management will make me an attractive prospect.

2 years is a lot of lead time.

Yeah, that's part of the weirdness. I feel semi-frantic, "Gotta update the resume," "Better start calling people and networking," thoughts, then I remember that I have 18-20 months before I need to start scrambling.

Anyway, I've been "eating my feelings" and had a pre-made margarita that my friend fortuitously gave me as a semi-gag gift a few months ago. I'm feeling a bit better. I think there are some peanut M&Ms that might just complete the cure.

Beth, I like the way you think! I have been promising myself a trip to Ireland for ages and haven't gotten around to putting it together. Hel-LO 9-10 weeks of severance!

ET,

do you have to stay 2 years? I mean, if something good comes along in a year, maybe you should take it?

Ugh Epic, that's a lot to think about. But a margarita is a good idea.

do you have to stay 2 years? I mean, if something good comes along in a year, maybe you should take it?

I don't HAVE to stay, but the severance package is decent, plus, as I said, they're bribing me (literally - well, not a literal bribe, those are illegal, but there is a little extra money) to stick it out to the end. Plus, I HATE change, so my natural tendency is towards inertia until they make me leave.

I mean, if something insanely awesome came my way, I'd be free to jump ship. But I'm not sure how awesome insanely awesome would have to be to overpower the $ for sticking it out.

But a margarita is a good idea.

Yes, I feel good about my choice.

When the publisher I worked for in San Diego sold our division, we got a nice bonus to stay through to the end. Which is odd because publishing is so underpaid. A lot of people left. It was only about six months though.

That's a lot to process though, Epic.

I've also realized that the stress of the last few weeks has me on the unintentional "acid reflux diet." I have the cough, the chest pain, the inability to tell when I'm hungry until I'm starving

Why do I never recognize these signs until my throat is burning with acid? I don't get the "burn" but there is a diffuse chest pain. There should be a test to be a grownup. But I'd fail.

I should also consider updating my resume. The current round of budget cuts calls for us to lay off 22 trainees and calltakers...including me. Now, chances are the funding will come through at the last minute because we're already understaffed and cutting emergency services is political suicide (not to mention a huuuuuge public safety problem). The lovely irony? Layoffs are supposed to be effective July 1st. What's the busiest day of the year at every 911 center in the US? July 4th. So there's still a chance I might be laid off July 1st, then re-hired July 5th. If so, I keep telling myself that I'll enjoy a few precious vacation days in July, because with my seniority I have zero chance of getting vacation time in June, July or August through normal channels!

I just need the study guide for being a grownup. I spent four nights coughing away my sleep before remembering that Nyquil exists for a reason, and I have some in my house. And that i also have sweet, sweet cough syrup with codeine if the nyquil isn't enough to buy me a few hours of restorative sleep. I swear this chest cold is messing with my head.

There should be a test to be a grownup. But I'd fail.

If you fail the grownup test, will someone else take care of some of this stuff? 'Cuz I will totally throw the exam.