... well, almost.
So I disappeared from the forum few a months ago, reason being my general feeling down and stressed because of my unemployment. I lost my job last October, and while I was able to do some consulting on the side it wasnt enough to keep things going. It took me 10 months to find a job, and those were the most stressful months in my life so far. I'm generally positive and don't let small stuff get to me, but around month 6, all of that optimism went out of the window. Financial problems brought about stress, and that spilled over into personal life.
Throughout all this time my fiancee supported me and showed me once more what a loving and caring person she is. Unfortunately, I haven't been my best self and we almost broke up not too long ago (ironically, just as I was about to start my new job). We worked through it (another reason why appreciate my fiancee - after dust settles, she's willing to sit down and work through issues), and we are not better, but of course, it will take time to recover fully.
Last December we adopted a puppy, figuring that since i'm at home, I may as well house train her. She grew quickly (though she wasnt a big dog), and we loved her, but in June she ran out on the street and got hit by a car and we had to put her down It was tough, especially considering that we werent there to say goodbye (we took off to Yellowstone for a week and this happened at my parents' house).
Trying to get over the loss, we adopted another puppy - Rhes - in June. She's a shepherd/husky mix and has waaay too much energy. Oh, yeah, she's teething now. Those of you with dogs know what that means.
Well, I'm back now. Working in mid-town Manhattan in a rapidly growing startup, doing what I love, with a great bunch of people. Long hours, rapidly changing environment, but this is why I love it.
One of the major changes coming down the pipeline is that we decided to move to New York City. I've been resisting the move for many reasons including but not limited to noise levels, accessibility of hiking and firearm laws - I've been commuting from CT to NYC for the past 7 years, and while it was ok while I was single, it doesnt work when you are with someone and pretty much don't see them during the week. Even more importantly, my fiancee is working in the city as well, all the way down at the tip of Manhattan, so the commute has been hard on her. We even considered moving closer to the city while still staying in CT, but the reality is that with our work schedule we'll be home after 7 and need to get up at 4:30 am, so we dont get to spend time as a family. So we decided to move to the city for a few years and see what happens then. It ain't gonna be pretty (moving from 1800 sq ft to 500, selling cars (The MiG STAYS!!!!), living with a dog in the city, for example), but we'll manage. Being back to my optimistic self, I'll try to take advantage of city, with all its museums and galleries and operas.
It will take me time to recover from these past 10 months financially, and even in terms of our relationship, but I learned a few things on the way and got ever more confident that I made the right choice when I proposed to my fiancee. Just wanted to share this experience and that I'm BACK! And most likely closer to LI and NJ/PA for group rides!:rockon:
So I disappeared from the forum few a months ago, reason being my general feeling down and stressed because of my unemployment. I lost my job last October, and while I was able to do some consulting on the side it wasnt enough to keep things going. It took me 10 months to find a job, and those were the most stressful months in my life so far. I'm generally positive and don't let small stuff get to me, but around month 6, all of that optimism went out of the window. Financial problems brought about stress, and that spilled over into personal life.
Throughout all this time my fiancee supported me and showed me once more what a loving and caring person she is. Unfortunately, I haven't been my best self and we almost broke up not too long ago (ironically, just as I was about to start my new job). We worked through it (another reason why appreciate my fiancee - after dust settles, she's willing to sit down and work through issues), and we are not better, but of course, it will take time to recover fully.
Last December we adopted a puppy, figuring that since i'm at home, I may as well house train her. She grew quickly (though she wasnt a big dog), and we loved her, but in June she ran out on the street and got hit by a car and we had to put her down It was tough, especially considering that we werent there to say goodbye (we took off to Yellowstone for a week and this happened at my parents' house).
Trying to get over the loss, we adopted another puppy - Rhes - in June. She's a shepherd/husky mix and has waaay too much energy. Oh, yeah, she's teething now. Those of you with dogs know what that means.
Well, I'm back now. Working in mid-town Manhattan in a rapidly growing startup, doing what I love, with a great bunch of people. Long hours, rapidly changing environment, but this is why I love it.
One of the major changes coming down the pipeline is that we decided to move to New York City. I've been resisting the move for many reasons including but not limited to noise levels, accessibility of hiking and firearm laws - I've been commuting from CT to NYC for the past 7 years, and while it was ok while I was single, it doesnt work when you are with someone and pretty much don't see them during the week. Even more importantly, my fiancee is working in the city as well, all the way down at the tip of Manhattan, so the commute has been hard on her. We even considered moving closer to the city while still staying in CT, but the reality is that with our work schedule we'll be home after 7 and need to get up at 4:30 am, so we dont get to spend time as a family. So we decided to move to the city for a few years and see what happens then. It ain't gonna be pretty (moving from 1800 sq ft to 500, selling cars (The MiG STAYS!!!!), living with a dog in the city, for example), but we'll manage. Being back to my optimistic self, I'll try to take advantage of city, with all its museums and galleries and operas.
It will take me time to recover from these past 10 months financially, and even in terms of our relationship, but I learned a few things on the way and got ever more confident that I made the right choice when I proposed to my fiancee. Just wanted to share this experience and that I'm BACK! And most likely closer to LI and NJ/PA for group rides!:rockon: