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Thursday is my last day at work, I was with Macromedia for 6 years and with this company for almost a year. That's a long long time in this industry, in that time I have learned and grown so much as a person. I have made some very close friends, nothing glues people together more than hard projects and tough times and we survived some good ones.

I should be happy, I'll have free time for 2 months to do what I want, the other job I want called me today for an interview (so I passed the first test which was a set of coldfusion questions, easy stuff really) so that's looking good. I have a great shop and stuff that needs to be built, I get a severance and a bonus so I'm making out great (they have been very very good to me). I start next monday on rebranding my logo and image, it's all good stuff....

But it's hard after seven years to just walk away, it's kind of like losing your best friend. I think I might just gas up the bimmer and go for a long long drive and think, play some Tom Petty and see if I can help with the ache in my heart. Who knows where I'll end up

So I'm still not sure where I'm headed next, it's all open right now, but I have some time to figure it all out. I'm not building enough to do that for a living just yet, but I have some other plans I'm working on that I'll unveil in the near future.

Not sure what else to say just wanted to share with the people here, it's somehow cathartic and seems good for my soul.

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Fear of the unknown or just adapting to the changes to come Paul, i think it is a good thing that you share this with us, your 2nd natural family!

You are a very brilliant person from everything i've read from you in the last 8-9 months, you will find a way to adapt in a smooth way i'm sure, you are also in a good position not to be scared or apprehend the future. I agree that parting with good friends is always hard, i know that, i've moved 50 times in the last 41 years so i lost quite a few great friends from sight during the moving years!

Good luck to you Paul and have fun with the multiple projects that you have in mind!

Serge

Good Luck Paul! I was a little apprehensive when Adobe bought out Macromedia, I'm a big Flash fan!

Hope things work out well for you! Enjoy your trip!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I know how you feel buddy, I've been with the same company for almost 21 years and my division just found out we are being shut down at of all times the end of the year, Merry Christmas. Of course I can still have a job if I'm willing to move back to the SF Bay area........ I just spent the last 6 years getting my new place and my new shop set up and going.
I am going down there tomorrow to talk it over and if I do have to move I will not completly move. I'm not really sure how it's going to work out but I know it won't be fun.....I'm 55 so I'm elegible for an early retirement at about half what I'd get at 65 so I don't think that is a good option now. We'll see.John How38987.0202546296

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hang in there... remember there's a higher power, and know you've got a friend in Fayetteville, NC should you ever need one... Later on!

John C.

Paul, i feel for you.. I know just how you feel.. Last November i left a company after 25 yrs.. Boy did I know alot of people there. Today i'm in a place I don't want to be with a job i don't really like, but,,,,, i have a few "possibles" in the works and I can go wherever i want. We all grow from these things.. Hang in.
Mike

Paul,
Good luck and keep us posted on where you land. It doesn't sound like a move is an option with that nice new shop just about completed. Hang in there,everything always has a way of working out, even if we don't see it right away.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Paul, you have to look at this as an opportunity, one door closes, but another will always open.
You are no doubt talented in your field of work, or you would have never lasted 6 years with Macromedia.
It will work out, and you will be better for it, living where you and your family have chosen to, rather than where the job is.


Lance

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks guys...

I feel better this morning, I wrote my farewell piece last night, I have one meeting today to hand over all my technical stuff to a friend in case something else comes up and them tomorrow one meeting for the exit and I'm out.

In fact this morning I'm just going to work on the boat and out in the shop because they are having an all hands for my area and to be honest I don't care anymore, I'm ready to just move on. All my main tasks are completed at this point so there's not much to do.....

I'm also very seriously considering hopping in the car and heading east for a long drive, I've never done it and I would like to see the country a bit before I go back to full time work. My thinking is to take the bimmer down and get it fully detailed out (I hate a dirty car for long trips), pack lite and just head out. I have my iPod and my XM, the car has a GPS built in so maybe a road trip is in order, it's hard to get lost in that car so maybe I'll just pick a couple of destinations and head east... Montana's only 4 hours away!!!

I've been tweaking tools in the shop and setting stuff set up in preparation... it's almost time to get cracking   

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul,

Sad news indeed, but change is the only certainty, and you will be just fine in the end. If you get as far as the Chicago area (Evanston) give me a shout and we can put you up for a night or so. Great pizza at the end of the block and cold beer. If I were you I would bring a rod and do some late summer fishing in Montana for those big browns, although a bimmer ain't exactly my idea of a "fishin' car."

Best wishes
SteveSteveCourtright38987.4729976852

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

I can certainly relate to the sense of loss you're feeling. It's always a hard thing to have to venture into the unknown. I think Hesh said it very well, that all the skills and talents you have are going with you, along with the experiences that add to it. I have no doubts that you will land on your feet and find yourself in a good place on your next job.

Take that trip! We all need some time to make a transition, and more often than not we don't take it.
Life here in the USA seems more stress-packed than in other parts of the world. We work hard, and don't take anywhere near enough time off. Take a vacation, spend some time relaxing and getting energized for the next phase of your life.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Hang in there, Paul, we're all pulling for you.

If you've never seen Glacier national park in NW Montana, head up there. It's a wonderful place to clear your head.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I'm actually giving thought to the idea of making a cross country trip in the car, there are lots of places I've never been in this country and maybe this is a good chance to go on a road trip. I was actually thinking of ending up somewhere around where Lance is, do a lower leg across the bottom states and then up to Michigan and loop back from there across the top...

It's just an idea right now.. But one worth considering, maybe look up some OLF'ers on my path. I'd probably do it alone which could be a bad thing if I got tired... have to do some thinking about this, I've done three states on my Motorcycle, this would like 10 in my car...

With my luck I'll get a ticket in each state..

I'd love to stop by and see Steve, I LOVE Chicago Pies. I must have put on 100 pounds last time I was there, I ate at uno's at least 3 times... Love It!!!

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul,

I wasn't kidding about my invitation! If you are interested, shoot me a PM. The door is open.

Steve

That policy goes for the rest of you scalawags, too. The Missus and I love company. Especially if you are in town to see Brune or taking the famous FP class there.
-s
SteveCourtright38987.8108912037

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck