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For 6 years I worked for Macromedia, I went from a Support Engineer to a member of the Architecture Commitee and Sr Engineer for all CRM efforts. Then last december Adobe took over, it was a long drawn out process and during that time we moved to Idaho because no one was getting any information on their fate.

So nine months later I'm finally coming to the end of my contract next month, there have been no less than 5 attempts to keep me on but the manager of IS has held steadfast that they don't want remote employees. To say this has been a frustrating time for me is the understatement of the century, I pride myself on my work, the users who work with me want to me to stay, my colleagues are dumbfounded that they would just let someone go with my background and I've made every gesture I can that I would willing to stay.

Yesterday it finally came clear that I'm out, not because of anything I've done but because of one mans ego. I'm getting a sweet deal at the end with a severance and bonus, but it was never about the money for me it was about the job, and the love of it. It was about doing things that others said could not be done or would take a long long time, that was my calling card to get busy and deliver the goods.

I have gotten a ton of emails from Co-Workers who really want me to stay and they have made some noise about it but when your a manager and you make a decision, it would look really bad if you had to go back on it, even if it means making the company suffer. That's pretty much how I see this whole thing..

So now that it's all about to end I'm feeling pretty blue, when the company was Macromedia we had one of the best teams I've ever worked with, we had lots of fun and where able to really help the company move forward. All that's changed, big companies sometimes move much slower (it at all) and it's easy to get lost in the mix. My experience of the last 9 months has really spelled out for me how great a company macromedia really was and how special it was and it makes me miss it all the more. I would move back the California to work there again....

I don't know what I will do next, my wife who is ever studious has already found a number of places around here looking for engineers, one actually wants someone who knows Coldfusion, I laughed because well I worked for Macromedia who made it, was trained and did a good deal of testing on it both released and unreleased versions. I should be a shoe in..

I do know that I'll be building guitars no matter what happens, I'm starting on a classical right now and I'm starting to get repairs which could turn into good money at some point. I have a guy bringing by a spanish classical to have me work on his tuners. I was going to take some time off and kick back but the shop ate all my money!! so I've become the proverbial penny pincher which is a shock to my family, they just didn't know me when I was single.

I just wanted to get some of this off my chest, it's been eating me up and there are some good friends here, it's more than just a place to talk about guitars. Which is good

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Wow, Paul, that's a nasty break. the hardest part in things like this is the uncertainty it creates. Once you accept that that job is gone and start shooting for something new and exciting, things will settle down again. A man of your talent should have no trouble landing a sweet position that you can be happy with. Best of luck to you and I'm sure it will work out for the best. Keep us posted, we do care.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

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

Paul,

Well, as they say, the only thing constant is change, right?

Sounds like you're going out on top, with the respect of your co-workers and industry peers. I hope there's some consolation in that. In fact, it seems you are both respected AND well-liked--an accomplishment not achieved by many! I know it hurts, though, when it's something you want to continue to do (and the loss of the paycheck, too! ).

From what I can tell, though, you like Idaho and you've got a spankin' new, state-of-the-art shop, and you love making musical instruments, so it's not all bad, is it (except for the paycheck )?

Besides, with your credentials, and the letters of recommendation that you could not doubt get, there's probably a world of options open to you now--full time, part time, free-lance, consultation. You name it (literally).

You've got the goods, so just relax, my friend, and go with the new flow. It might be fun!

Paul,

Considering your background, it should all work out for the best soon.
Just use your time wisely, like learning your CNC.

Best of luck...

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

[QUOTE=1bordeaux] Just use your time wisely, like learning your CNC.
[/QUOTE]
Good point! Another marketable skill!!!

Full time luthierie, i just wish i could, but i'd miss the paycheck too!

Good luck Paul, we all care, just follow the inner voice, like many have told me in the recent days, it could just be a blessing in disguise, i think that great things are heading your way!

Keep us informed please!

Serge

Paul,

Don't know you well. It may seem like a loss right now, and I suppose it is in a way, but the new adventure you are about to start is going to be cool. For sure, one reason your old company was special is because you brought something special to it. Wherever you end up will be special for much of the same reasons so don't fret!

Every time I have made a change, whether it was my decision or out of my control, it has made a positive impact on my growing up and learning and becoming more of what I want to be. I have no regrets. Let us know how you're doing.

SteveSteveCourtright38953.7045601852

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

Paul,

I'm a software engineer too, and I still do not understand this aversion to tele-commuting that a lot of "managers" have. I've been told, "Well, how will we know you are working?" Uhhhhhh... 'Cause my work is getting done maybe?
In this day and age, there's no excuse for not implementing full blown telecommuting for computer folks. The technology is mature enough, and the cost savings for both employer and employee can be significant, particularly with energy costs the way they are.

Hang in there. Doors close, and windows open...

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
OR
Find me on Facebook

Paul,
Man that sucks. I'm sure you'll do fine with this new change, whatever it is. Best of luck to you.


Mark,
You nailed it. Good post. I don't know why we don't do a lot more work at home. The energy saving for our nation could be huge.   

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Paul, that is a real bummer. With the esteem and respect you've garnered from your coleagues, I'm sure the next opportunity is just waiting around the corner. Best of luck in this transition.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Hi Paul,
Yes please know we are all here for you and I for one am happy to know you felt comfortable enough to bring what's happening in your life to your friends at the forum.

I wish the best for you and your family. I also echo the sentiments of the other posts in that doors open, windows close....opportunity also knocks at a different door sometimes - the trick is listening for it.

You will be in our thoughts and do keep us up to speed on your progress. It's amazing how life can go from good to bad and right back to good before you know it!

Keep the faith

Gang...

Thanks for all the kind words, this has been going on for about a year and a half or so. It's been a long time not knowing my future and to be honest I'm tired of it, we made some plans today including taking an assembly line job so I could spend more time in the shop. At least I have options and I heard from a number of people today at work who are pretty mad about the whole thing, maybe they can make a change but I personally doubt it (not that I'm being a downer mind, just being realistic).

I just gotta get past this part so I can focus on moving on...

Thanks your encouragements, they mean a lot...

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul... I feel for you. The thing that seems the worst about this is some guy has it in for you. That just sucks.

Just get even by becoming a contractor and going back at double your annual rate.      Take some sweet revenge on the situation.

Hang in there bud...

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Paul,

Hang in there, when it is all said and done, something better will come your way.

Mike
White Oak, Texas

I hear ya buddy, the contract that I work under is up at the end of this year and I'd have to move back to the SF Bay area to continue working for the same company. I just turned 55 and am settled here is the Sierras and in no mood to move anywhere (just finished my shop last year) so fulltime luthery may be closer than I thought. It is scary but all you can do is push forward and do your best.

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

Do remember that the change of work, especially a change after many years with one company will cause the same problems as a death in the family:confusion,depression, anger etc.

Feeling the way you do is natural given the circumstances. Keep in mind the other facets caused by the change and I believe it will be easier for you to understand how you feel at the time.
It all works out in the end whether we like it, or not.
You will do fine and your guitar building and family will always acchor you.

Paul, I solute you. You've been part of a team that flat out made the
internet so much cooler.

To quote a line from a movie:

"The world is changing, I can feel it in the air....."

The days when all your employees are local are coming to an end, it is becoming easier and easier to have long distance meetings and it's no longer a novelty. Secure VPN and other technologies make it easy to be on the core network and most applications now are client server meaning you can do most things remotely.

Managers who live by the 'If we can't see you, how do we know your working??' mantra are old news, there was at one time an argument over a DBA who they said the same thing about and he told them well how do you know I'm working if I'm here since I never ever touch the physical server??

The infuriating part for me is that I work with two groups, and neither are in the home office, so even if I was in San Jose I would never meet them face to face!!! And IS has a number of remote employees already...

Thanks for the Kudo's James, Macromedia was a way cool company to work for and we where never afraid to get out on the bleeding edge, we got burned more than once but you have to take risks.

I appreciate everyones kind words, I'm still walking away with a sweet deal so even if I don't find something right away I'll be set for a while. This area is growing and there are lots of various jobs around, I already found 3 good IT jobs I'm a perfect fit for and I'm not even sure I want to keep doing this

John I think you and I are very much alike, now that I have seen the other side of life I'm not sure I could move back, we totally love it here. Boise is rated the number 1 or two top places to live in the country right now, there is so much to do and the people are awesome. My shop is just about done and now I want to stay and just make guitars

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

[QUOTE=Sprockett] My shop is just about done and now I want to stay and just make guitars
[/QUOTE]
See, I knew you could work it out! Problem solved!!!

Sounds to me like You have an impressive resume, and the skills to go with it. This may or may not be right for you, but have you considered striking out on your own.My wife and I owned an electrical apparatus repair shop for 14 years in San Fransisco the competition was tough, and it wasn't easy but there is nothing like the feeling of building a business, and making it work.

Best regards,

Al