Bren, Scott35,
Thanks for your reply. The support from the forum has really helped more than you all know.
As I wrote to another member of the forum, I think a few years ago I gave to much of "myself" to my job. The guy I was working for at the time saw what I was doing, and did nothing to help. I realize that I received a paycheck for working, but I went way beyond the "call of duty". My wife thought the kitchen table was a "print table" because I always had the "next bid" there. Over time I began to see how the my boss "used" people. I realized (as I learned how the "office life" worked) that he took every advantage of me that he possibly could. I saw how he treated others behind their back. As time continued, I continued to "burn the candle at both ends". I was trying to "project manage" during the day, and bid jobs at night. On top of that, I was going to school 2 nights a week to get my master's license. After I landed my master's, I think he was afraid that I was going to quit, and leave him in a bind. So, he hits me with a raise. That raise was hollow at best. He gave it to me one day over lunch, and it was about as empty "spare" conduit stubbed into a lay-in ceiling in a telephone building (by the way phone buildings aren't adding equipment, they are replacing it with smaller equipment that does more work, and faster). Finally one day I just stopped. I told him that he was going to have to manage the projects if he wanted me to bid work, and though he never agreed to do it, that's exactly what happened.
Where, you may ask, has all this taken me? I realized that the reason that I was taken advantage of, was because I didn't step in, and say no. The conclusion is that it was my fault. That may sound alittle self critical, but I think, if you take a close look, you'll agree. So, in that regard, I grew. I learned, but the effects of it all were still there. I became totally apathetic. The last job that I bid for him was a 15KV project. I had never bid one, and have done very little Medium Voltage work, but I put the estimate together anyway. Some of you may remember the post. We missed it by $1000.00. In a $475K bid, we missed it by a $1000.00. The company I am working for now was "courting" me pretty hard, and I went for an interview on a Thursday afternoon. The next morning (a Friday), I went to work, and received a "pink slip". I was totally blind sided, but it was actually a relief for me. The company I now work for called me on Sunday, and offered me my present job. I told them "maybe", and called back a few days later to except. The effects were still there. I grew, but the daily application of the knowledge I obtained is lagging behind. I know these things to be true. I have a great life, and I am valuable, but the wound is still open, and the taste in my mouth is still bitter.
Thanks to all. I shall overcome.
Purple Heart in hand,
Greg
The Watt Doctor
