I've had a bit of a bad day

[spongy]

I had to work. We're only a small company. We work all hours. I've considered starting a "bell cheese for boss" thread as some of the stories I have about mine will seriously make you say WTF! If someone goes sick for a day it really puts pressure on everyone so if we're ill we still come in and push through it. Unless we are actually properly sick ie flu where you can't physically get out of bed. None of this "I've got a cold so can't come in today" that I think is bullshit personally.

But thank-you for all the replies. It has helped. I would have rather have worked today as it kept my mind off everything. I've only really broken down into tears about an,hour ago as the beer has kicked in.

Tomorrow is another day, same,shit different day. It's dealing with the personal stuff there that is hard. We have our own machines, with bits and pieces, measuring equipment all laid out where we want it etc.

I found myself swearing at him today as he keeps his vernier caliper in a hidden spot to stop other people using his stuff and breaking it. Bloody git.

His apple and tin of sardines is still on the side ready for today's lunch. I couldn't move it. His glasses are,still on top of the control.

I need to put the hours in at work. I've just loaded a credit card as the Mrs car broke down for the third time this year last week, she didn't trust driving it anymore so we bit the bullet and bought her another. Which I now have to pay for. Today has completely funked my reasoning for buying it. We should have made make do and I should have made her get on with it until I finish paying for this HNC as I need to pay work back £6k by next August. Things are already tight enough without that expense.

I've already lost an uncle to a heart attack and her nan has been admitted into care for dementia this year. It just never ends. 2017 can just **** right off.

Thanks,for the replies though. It does help. I'm gonna have a tough night but tomorrow is a new day. I hope.

 

[StonehamPark]

Sorry to hear about your day. That sucks but indeed I think of all of us go through thinking about the work life balance. In the last 5 years or so I have not taken any promotions or applied for them, I did also cut down to 4 day weeks at a previous job. I am much happier to have less money and more free time. The whole working in order to consume routine really is ridiculous when you think about it.

100%

Work less, play more. Enjoy life.

Brighton's a tough place to 'live' imo. Outgoings are far too high to have a great quality of life.

 

[Wilko]

I had to work.

I will stop you there, no you did not need to work and your boss should have recognised this straight away. You should have been sent home mate. No way can a days work be more important than a friends life.

 

[spongy]

I will stop you there, no you did not need to work

I did need to. What else would have I done? Gone home and sit in front of a TV? My reaction at that time was to keep busy. I did what I thought was right. Me not being there would have left us even shorter staffed and put more pressure on my other colleagues. And that wouldn't have been fair on them. If I'd have taken today off I'd have twice as much to do tomorrow in half the time. Working for a,small engineering firm is hard. Big multi national finance company's with different offices or office based work is a,completely different world to me.

Sorry to rant a bit. I'm tired and drunk. Think it's best if I come back to this thread later.

Thank-you though.

 

[essbee1]

Spongy,

Could I ask about the HNC please?

 

[BNthree]

RIP Graham. What a shock this must have been for you. Just to warn you this will be effecting you for months to come afterwards, sometimes it can take over 6 months for it to get out of your system. Be kind to yourself and seek positive contact with others as much as possible as you'll need it.

 

[Juan Albion]

Life can be really brutal sometimes. I've just spent the afternoon with a family planning their wife/mother's funeral. I sat in the same chair with the same people two weeks ago planning her son's funeral. And in between the two meetings, her brother died. They are left wondering "who is next?" and you can't blame them.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Just wanted to say hang in there and keep strong,awful for you-

I know this is not for me to say really but keep an eye on when you stop drinking,what with and early start and driving and all-

All the best-

 

[AmexRuislip]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your colleague.
As previously mentioned, it's about finding a happy medium between home and work, which I very much hope you'll find.
Me personally have worked 12 hour shifts, days and nights for over 25 years, which lately I am finding hard to manage.
After my wife was made redundant while off sick, it's just my wage coming in to pay for all things in life.
Basically you HAVE to adapt, in which we have, quite well.
Try to save, but there's always something on the horizon that needs replacing or paying out for.
It'll be nice to have wealth, but for us, money's not everything.
Longing for retirement is a dream, but I know in reality, it'll come eventually, so I'll just have to be patient.
I do hope that things do start picking up for you

 

[Jack Straw]

I had to work. We're only a small company. We work all hours. I've considered starting a "bell cheese for boss" thread as some of the stories I have about mine will seriously make you say WTF! If someone goes sick for a day it really puts pressure on everyone so if we're ill we still come in and push through it. Unless we are actually properly sick ie flu where you can't physically get out of bed. None of this "I've got a cold so can't come in today" that I think is bullshit personally.

But thank-you for all the replies. It has helped. I would have rather have worked today as it kept my mind off everything. I've only really broken down into tears about an,hour ago as the beer has kicked in.

Tomorrow is another day, same,shit different day. It's dealing with the personal stuff there that is hard. We have our own machines, with bits and pieces, measuring equipment all laid out where we want it etc.

I found myself swearing at him today as he keeps his vernier caliper in a hidden spot to stop other people using his stuff and breaking it. Bloody git.

His apple and tin of sardines is still on the side ready for today's lunch. I couldn't move it. His glasses are,still on top of the control.

I need to put the hours in at work. I've just loaded a credit card as the Mrs car broke down for the third time this year last week, she didn't trust driving it anymore so we bit the bullet and bought her another. Which I now have to pay for. Today has completely funked my reasoning for buying it. We should have made make do and I should have made her get on with it until I finish paying for this HNC as I need to pay work back £6k by next August. Things are already tight enough without that expense.

I've already lost an uncle to a heart attack and her nan has been admitted into care for dementia this year. It just never ends. 2017 can just **** right off.

Thanks,for the replies though. It does help. I'm gonna have a tough night but tomorrow is a new day. I hope.

Spongy, please check your PMs.

 

[DJ NOBO]

You've had an absolute shocker of a day. Horrible.
I'd try really hard not to overthink things right now.
Be kind to yourself for a little while.
The bigger picture can wait for another day,

 

[Wilko]

I did need to. What else would have I done? Gone home and sit in front of a TV? My reaction at that time was to keep busy. I did what I thought was right. Me not being there would have left us even shorter staffed and put more pressure on my other colleagues. And that wouldn't have been fair on them. If I'd have taken today off I'd have twice as much to do tomorrow in half the time. Working for a,small engineering firm is hard. Big multi national finance company's with different offices or office based work is a,completely different world to me.

Sorry to rant a bit. I'm tired and drunk. Think it's best if I come back to this thread later.

Thank-you though.

I meant you should not have had to work, totally understand you wanting to keep busy though and full respect to you for doing so.

 

[spongy]

Spongy,

Could I ask about the HNC please?

Of course what would you like to know? PM me if you'd like. I've had a lot of help on here tonight and it's the least I can do.

 

[essbee1]

Of course what would you like to know? PM me if you'd like. I've had a lot of help on here tonight and it's the least I can do.

I just think that it's a really great thing you're doing. Keep going mate.

Believe me I know - but can't say any more.

 

[spongy]

Why not? That's left me somewhat bemused. I know I'm drunk now and I'm thanking auto correct for seeming quiet sober. I need to go to bed as I have to get back to it tomorrow.

 

[spongy]

Thanks. I just didn't know what else to do. A few of the other guys are struggling just asmuch as me. He had worked here for 27 years. I was the last to join 7 years ago I think. The other guys have known him a lot longer than me. Our staff turnover rate is ridiculously low. He taught and trained me. My mentor so to speak. He had probably forgotten more than I know.

Another proper engineer leaves us. The skills and experience he had is now gone. Although he has taught me a lot I can say for certain an awful lot more has died with him.

 

[Hillian1]

Get some sleep if possible matey.

 

[sir albion]

Just using here to get some thoughts off my chest really.

I was driving to work early this morning on my usual route and saw a car parked half on the road and pavement at a funny angle and thought it a bit strange. When I drove passed I had a look in the window and saw it was a colleague of mine who lives close by. It looked like he was reading so I carried on.

I had a feeling something wasn't quite right so I turned around at the roundabout at the end of the road and pulled up next to him and tapped on his window but he didn't respond. I moved my car and ran up to his and opened his door. No response from him.

I started to panic and phoned an ambulance. The call handler told me to get him out of his car and lay him down and wait for the ambulance.

What seemed like hours but probably only a few minutes later the ambulance arrived and the 3 girls started cpr and tried to help him.

They worked on him for a good 20 minutes before loading him into the ambulance and on to hospital.

Whilst this was happening I had to go to his house and get his wife so she could go to hospital with him.

I went into work and told my boss. News reached us at 11.30 that he hadn't made it.

To top it all off I've had to run his machine today. All his stuff there, it's been horrible.

I've worked with him for nearly 7 years. Him and me were the two there all hours, working all the overtime to get things done.

He was in his 60's and considering retiring.

It's got me thinking a lot today. Although I'm "only" 38 we were quite similar. Work bloody hard to try and earn a living. Working 55-60 hours a week instead of 37.5. Every week.

It's OK earning money but I really need the overtime to have half a chance of having any kind of social life. I don't own my own house. Probably never will as me and the Mrs and stuck in the renting trap.

I've got a 2.5 year old daughter that I love with all heart. I ****ING die right now for her if it meant she had half a chance in this shitty world.

I don't see her at all during the week. I'm out to work before she's awake and home after she's in bed. I've always told myself it's just the way it is, I never really saw my,dad growing up in pretty much the same situation.

I'm currently studying for an HNC in engineering so I can get qualified and move up so I don't have to put,all,these hours in but I'm finding the long work days, busy weekends and late nights studying every day are beginning to take its toll on me both physically and mentally and my whole work/life balance is so screwed I woke up and got ready for work at 6.15 on Sunday.

What is life thing all about. Judging by today's events it seems you work ****ing hard and then die. And Im not going to leave a house for my daughter. My only pension is the work one which started 2 years ago so it looks like I'll be working til I die anyway.

Just what is the point of it all?

Sorry for this. Just needed to get it out.

RIP Graham. A lovely bloke and great colleague.

What a bloody awful day bless RIP
It was always live to work and now it's work to live....Don't care about the monetary side as much now as a chilled life is the way forward for me.

Certainly must have opened your eyes and all this planning for retirement is a pile of shite....live for now and have fun

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Whatever else goes on, there are a lot of people on here who are on your side, and who care and who probably wish they could do more.

 

[SUA Seagull]

Hi Spongy, I’ve been working all day and only just seen this. Really sorry to hear about your experience today and especially for your poor old mate Graham, RIP. Many condolences to his family for whom this must have come as a total shock.

When we met in the Hassocks a couple of weeks back all you talked about (apart from the Albion) was the bambino and the missus. That’s what you need to focus on right now.

Chin up mate and, as we discussed, feel free to PM or email me your latest HNC assignment so I can cast an eye over that if it helps take a bit of pressure off you.

PM me if you want a chat. I won’t be down in Sussex until next Monday.