rockfish Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 Hello,It's been a long time since I've been to this board, and I thought maybe some folks wondered what happened to me (Lou recently e-mailed me to ask how I'm doing), as I was once a regular here, and I did have many friends here.After losing my daughter last February, my life (as you can imagine) went into a tailspin. Along with the loss of our daughter, we also had to deal with losing our jobs. I had been employed for the same company for 18 years, and downsizing finally got to me. My wife was also outsourced from her job and she has still been unable to find a full time job, over a year later. I have worked as a machinist (my day job) for 25 years and I have minimal experience with CNC equipment, which is basically what everyone is now using. Once I realized that I didn't have the necessary skills to fit in a modern job shop, I decided to start out on my own, with equipment I knew how to run. I've invested my life's savings into a full machine shop, and I've managed to survive 8 months in the worse manufacturing economy anywhere.....Michigan. I have had some financial help from my Dad (he's owned his own shop a few times before) and he works with me every day. We've managed to acquire nearly a dozen customers and we are actually quite busy right now.It has been very hard to play after losing my daughter. I haven't been able to get into the groove. I look at my guitars, and I want to play them.........but I just can't feel the music anymore. It's very hard to explain. I have found that over time, I've just let my music slip away. I have probably sat down and played three times since her funeral. I used to play every day. Sorry to sound like such a downer. I just wanted to let folks know what happened to me. It is so easy to have circumstances in your life take over and set you on a different path, one that you have no idea where you're going or why your going there.
hamerhead Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 My condolences. That's got to be very hard......It's nice to have you back. Stick around. These guys are always ready to help.If you get tired of being your own boss (yeah, right :angry: ), I have a job for you here (in Wizzconsin) if you ever need it. Good machinists are hard to find.
atquinn Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 I can't imagine what you've been through in the past year, but it sounds like you're doing well considering the circumstances. Music might not be important now, but as long as you keep keep at least one guitar around, it'll be there however long down the line when you need it. Good luck.-AustinHello,It's been a long time since I've been to this board, and I thought maybe some folks wondered what happened to me (Lou recently e-mailed me to ask how I'm doing), as I was once a regular here, and I did have many friends here.After losing my daughter last February, my life (as you can imagine) went into a tailspin. Along with the loss of our daughter, we also had to deal with losing our jobs. I had been employed for the same company for 18 years, and downsizing finally got to me. My wife was also outsourced from her job and she has still been unable to find a full time job, over a year later. I have worked as a machinist (my day job) for 25 years and I have minimal experience with CNC equipment, which is basically what everyone is now using. Once I realized that I didn't have the necessary skills to fit in a modern job shop, I decided to start out on my own, with equipment I knew how to run. I've invested my life's savings into a full machine shop, and I've managed to survive 8 months in the worse manufacturing economy anywhere.....Michigan. I have had some financial help from my Dad (he's owned his own shop a few times before) and he works with me every day. We've managed to acquire nearly a dozen customers and we are actually quite busy right now.It has been very hard to play after losing my daughter. I haven't been able to get into the groove. I look at my guitars, and I want to play them.........but I just can't feel the music anymore. It's very hard to explain. I have found that over time, I've just let my music slip away. I have probably sat down and played three times since her funeral. I used to play every day. Sorry to sound like such a downer. I just wanted to let folks know what happened to me. It is so easy to have circumstances in your life take over and set you on a different path, one that you have no idea where you're going or why your going there.
Mindseyes Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 I lost my mom 3 weeks ago, i think i kinda know what your going threwI send you my best wishes brother!
Rockola Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 I always remembered something smells fishyI fully acknowledge your lack of interest in playing... you've been shaken to the core. That core is what matters most and I hope you find some peace and success with your abilities. And thank you for sharing what has been going on in your life. I can't imagine the loss you've experienced... the career shift by itself is enough to scare the peripheral activities out of any person. Welcome back and I hope to hear from you soon.regards,Steve
Matt Mattson Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 Very best of luck to you and your new direction.
BTMN Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 Good to see you are in a place where it will start to get easier to "have a good time" again. All of those events you mentioned are serious stuff. Good wishes to you. Keep at it. Playing and working. Day to day minute to minute if ya will. :angry:
ArnieZ Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 So sorry for the loss of your daughter, I can't imagine the pain it's caused you. Very much hoping that your life will continue to turn around and you find you voice again!ArnieZ
Brooks Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 welcome back. my condolences.man, i had a hard enough time losing my job, i can't imagine having a heavier tradegy on top of it.hang out here, broseph. it will make you smile, and soon fan the music embers.
Disturber Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 Really sorry to hear. I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose a child. All I can say is that I hope that the music will find a way back in to your life, because it is something that can also bring back some positive feelings, and music can also help a healing process. Hang in there and keep posting on the board from time to time!
silentman Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 Replied to your email, Frank. Contact me anytime.
princeofdarkness56 Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 My friend, you have been to the gates of hell. You may be different, but you have survived and are taking steps to get on with life because that is what the living do. Stay on this board and I bet you will get a few laughs every now and then. Some of these guys can get on a roll about anything. They know a little bit about guitars too.
Buzzy Fretts Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 yes, hang tough and take care. and although its hard to imagine, those guitars will find their way into your life. quite possibly in new ways. ones that might even help you through a dark moment down the road.
Bloozguy Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 My thoughts and prayers are with you...I've been out of a job or two in the last few years and I thought it was painful, but probably nothing compared to losing a child.What sort of machine shop did you start up? I run a small electronics contract manufacturing company outside of Minneapolis and I need short runs of machined parts from time to time. Most of the shops locally are full CNC or very heavily into the "money is no object" medical products market here. If I can send work to an HFC brother I'll certainly do it. PM me and let's talk.Ray
BLuesBuster Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 My friend, you're being tried and you have to keep the faith. I had no idea about what happened to you, please accept my sincere regards and thoughts.
bamboohead Posted February 7, 2008 Posted February 7, 2008 Sorry for your loss. Do keep the faith. I was a machinist for 20 years with very little CNC experience and haven't been able to get in a shop since. Makes you feel like a dinosaur. But keep on truckin' and pick up that Hamer and rock it again.
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