Well, obviously. 🙃 Everyone is dealing with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the craziness has been somewhat compounded for me because I work as a software engineer in the US oil & gas industry. With oil prices taking a nose-dive back in March, my job security – and that of my friends and coworkers – has been at the forefront of my thoughts.
Today, after much anxiety and anticipation, I got some mixed news: my job is still secure, but I’m being forced to take a significant paycut. Many of my colleagues are in the same boat. A few of them got a more raw end of the deal 🙁 But with the paycuts as a concession, undeniably more jobs were saved.
Honestly, I’m relieved. It could’ve been a lot worse. And maybe it’ll still get worse if the oil economics don’t improve. But for now, I’m doing okay – and feeling grateful. I know that many people out there are in a much more precarious situation 🙁
Just wanted to share this since I know blog updates have been more sporadic than usual the past few weeks, especially this one, and this is the reason why. Now that the immediate crisis has passed and my nerves have calmed, I think I’ll have that focus back 🙂
Hope y’all are hanging in there as well – we certainly are living in unprecedented times. Best wishes, and take care!
💕
I know how you feel. Here in Argentina we’ve been in a rather atrict quarantine for 6 weeks already. One more week to go before we know if it’s extended again. I work at an industrial company and while march and april salaries will be paid in full, I have no certainties beyond that. There’s already talks about paycuts deals being made between the government and some unions so everything is up in the air for most of us. As you said, it could be worse and for some people it is. I’m just grateful that until now all my family and friends are healthy and doing ok. All we have to do is take care and hope for better times ahead.
Well said <3 I'm so glad to hear that your family and friends are healthy; mine are too, and it sure is a blessing!
That quarantine sounds awful 🙁 I hope that things will go back to normal for you soon, and that your work situation/pay will resume without interruption.
Take care, friend - my thoughts are with you! <3
Well, since your writing provides me with much entertainment and distraction (especially during this time), I would be willing to spend money on your writing & blog. Maybe other would too? Is there a way to pay/donate/tip for fics?
Hey, thank you! 🙂 I don’t have any tip or donation option set up now, but thanks for the suggestion! I’ll consider it, especially if I end up getting laid off in the next few months – alternatively, if I’m out of work, maybe I’ll have the time to publish some original stories on Amazon or something, if you guys would like to support me that way <3
All things to consider, but hopefully life will get back to normal for all of us soon <3 <3
Sorry to hear about the job cut. Sending hugs. I work in HR and my main source of income was furloughed two weeks ago, and my hours have been halved, so I’ve been spending my time building my graphic design business (which I’ve been doing for about nine years). It’s a lot, and stressful, but at least I have a source of income I can tap/work on independently. Sending hugs and all that.
You can add a “send me a cup of coffee” option, I’m sure.
Sending hugs back – sorry to hear about the furlough, but that’s awesome that you’re using this as an opportunity to build your graphic design business 🙂 I think if something similar happened to me, I’d use it as an opportunity to try to finally get some original works published. Spinning gold out of straw, right? 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion about the ‘cup of coffee’ option – I’ll definitely keep it in mind, especially if things take another turn for the worse…
Take care, friend, and best of luck in your endeavors!! <3 <3 <3
Thank you very much! 🤗 And yes, either way I’m encouraging you to publish your original work (or “rework” some of these stories) because you’re a fantastic writer and we shouldn’t be the only ones enjoying your talent.
You take care too~
❤️❤️❤️
That’s really unfortunate to hear about your pay cut 🙁 my husband is a software engineer at a big company and we were also afraid he would be at the receiving end of a pay cut, this month is secure at least but the future is still uncertain, and with a baby due in September, we are definitely sweating stuff a bit more than usual. I so very much appreciate your commitment to this blog and to your writing talents and hope you do consider some sort of donation space for people to be able to support you in that way since it takes so much of your time and people are indeed very willing to donate! I see some who use kofi often – but of course no pressure but know that I think it’s only fair you receive some sort of monetary compensation for using your time and talents toward entertaining us during these times especially. I hope your stay well and that you never want for anything, great luck to you and yours <3
Congrats on the baby, Mecca!!! 🥰
I’m so relieved to hear that your husband’s job and pay are secure. Hope things continue to stay steady for y’all through these times 💕
Thanks for the suggestion about kofi! I’ve seen a couple folks using it as well – don’t know much about it myself, but if I end up going the donations route someday I’ll certainly look into it.
Best wishes and take care!! ❤️❤️
I truly sympathize with your predicament. We are all experiencing a disruption ro our lives that we were never prepared for. That’s life, right? I myself am having the most difficult time navigating through this pandemic. Stress has taken a front seat producing pandemic pounds and oodles and oodles of anxiety amongst the people nearest and dearest to me. Friends who have lost several relatives at once. My mother who was ill but regained her wellness. It’sall very uncertain.
I’m a creative person at heart but find it almost impossible to create. Creating with pain has never been a good catalyst for me. It hinders the message, it misconstrues the objective. I find comfort in returning to familiar things. Also finding new things like your blog. I admit I envy when someone is able to utilize this time to help them ‘cope’ with difficulties. I assume once I pull my head out of my ass and get tired of twiddling my thumbs, I too will find that moment of clarity in an unprecedented time in history.
I’m happy that you are managing and can proceed with some security. It honestly makes the world of difference. Please consider the suggestions from your blog fans. You are a constant in the lives of strangers that you are helping in your own way. A fun distraction from an otherwise disrupted world.
We’ll get through this
I feel for you and I’m sorry for the cut. My job has also done a complete 360. Your writing literally makes me SO excited (well… in “that” way too ;)) to come here and read whatever is new from you! Thank you for taking the time to still write even during this period. I hope for the best and hope things will turn around… eventually.
We think you’re absolutely amazing!
Aww thank you so much!! <3 Sorry to hear you've been going through work stuff as well...hang in there! We'll get through this 🙂
Glad I can do something with my writing to help in the meantime! Thanks again for all the kind words and support!!
Take care out there! <3 <3 <3
I hear you. Im on unemployment now. But my job is gone (I hated that job anyways) and nobody’s hiring me. So now I’m on unemployment. Which is fine with that extra $600/week, but when the pandemic is considered “over” and that money is gone, I’m screwed. So sorry to hear about your troubles though. A paycut is no joke. It’s still stressful as hell to have to figure out which bill can wait. But I’m glad you at least got to keep your job despite the paycut. I hope everything is going well for you otherwise. Stay safe!
Thank you – I’m hanging in there all right, and so is my family, which is a blessing 🙂
So sorry to hear about your work troubles…. 🙁 I hope things take a turn for the better for you very soon. Best wishes, friend <3 <3 <3