Friday, February 25, 2011

The End... Hiatus?...New Beginning.

I look back at the building one last time as I pull out of the parking lot.  Goodbyes have been said to all the friends I have made over the last 15+ years.  I was a rough day.  They all have been lately.  

Over the last few years the plant I have worked at has slowly transferred more and more work to a facility in Mexico.  Little by little people have been let go as the work moved south.  Over the last few months it became obvious that I would eventually be destined for the same fate.  It doesn't make sense to let go of so many hourly laborers and keep the same amount of management so I started to look for some other means of employment.  Unfortunately there is not much work to be found in a town of only 15K, especially when the place you work at had 700 people 2 years ago and it now only has 300.  

So I pull out of work for the last time today and I pull out of town tomorrow.  I could have held on a little longer at work, another few weeks, months, maybe even a year; but since I knew it was going to happen eventually, I tried to get rid of the house and once I was out from under the payment there wasn't reason to hold out for the inevitable any longer.  Now I'm NOT a person that is accustomed to lots of change.  Not only have I worked in the same place for over 15 years, I drove the same vehicle for 14.  Change has never been my friend.  (I almost cried when I sold my Jeep last week)  Now change is something I am going to have to get used to cause I'm in for a big one.  I'm moving from a town of 15K, where I can't go to a store, gas station, or restaurant without seeing someone I know, to a town of 1.5M, where I know a total of 5 people.  Plus I am going from 15+ years of steady employment to an unknown job,  going from bread winner of the house to 2nd fiddle (at first anyway).  Yes things are going to change.  

Not all change will be bad.  There is good that is going to come with it.  Right now I have to drive an hour and a half to get to a card store or card show.  I don't yet know where they are at but Phoenix must have some card shops somewhere.  Plus there is Spring Training in town, not for my team but it is still baseball.

I spent the last few weeks/months on the blog not blogging.  I hinted that some things were going on in posts and comments I left on other blogs.  I also tried to get rid of as much of the clutter in my collection that I could, I made LOTS of trades lately.  I didn't do any trade posts cause I just haven't felt like it and I just didn't have the time.  To everyone that traded with me lately I would like to say I'm sorry I didn't post all the great stuff you sent but I thank you very much for it.  The reason my last post was a plea to ask if I missed sending someone cards is because it got real confusing as I tried to send so much out and pack things up at the same time.  Everything that is not one of my main collections has been traded away to bloggers or a given to friend and fellow collector to be listed ebay.  I'm going to give him a percentage just so I don't have to mess with it.  All the stuff I'm keeping is already in boxes and ready to load into the moving van tonight.  

I'm going to be out of trading/blogging for a month or so as I get settled into a new town.  I had a few trades where I sent my package out but haven't seen anything come back yet so if you are planning to send me something it should get forwarded for a few months by the USPS or email me for the new address.

So give me a few weeks, maybe a month and I will be back.  I still plan on reading blogs and commenting in my spare time so I won't be totally gone just no posts.  (I write this like someone will even miss my writing, but I know...)  Along with reading blogs I'm still going to be managing my fantasy teams/leagues, which many bloggers are in.   So good luck to all until I return.

23 comments:

Captain Canuck said...

what an exciting time for you! congratulations on the move and new job!
just think of the new adventures that lay in front of you...

Nachos Grande said...

Good luck with everything! I've had nothing but change lately in my life (5 residences in 6 years, 3 jobs in the same time period, 2 cars, etc.) I wish you the best, and while I will miss your writing, I'll wait for your return soon!

night owl said...

Good luck, buddy. It's hard for me to imagine what you're dealing with, but I know it'll work out.

Let me know your new addy, etc., when you get situated.

RedSoxCollector said...

Best of luck Adam. As I look out the window watching a foot of snow pile up, I envy the move to Phoenix! I just completed a move of just 5 miles and I know what a pain the packing, moving, and unpacking is. Be talking to you soon!

Steve Gierman said...

Good luck! E-mail me your new address when you get settled.

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with the move!

Carl Crawford Cards said...

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I know several people in Phoenix area (including one of my brothers) and I'm sure you will do well there. Enjoy the uneasy feeling that change gives you, 'cause there's good things out there that you don't know about yet.

Dawgbones said...

I wish you the best of luck. Moving away from comfort is scary as hell, but I've done it and survived (I went from a population of roughly 1.7 million to a town of 11749 of which I knew 3, CULTURE SHOCK!!!).

I do love Arizona, I drive out there from the east coast every other year, it's beautiful country between here and there too. If you are driving, enjoy the view.

As for us, both the Red Sox and your fellow bloggers will be here when you find your way back. Travel safe.

longlivethewho said...

Good luck bud, no matter how lonely you get in your new town, you always have the blogosphere.

Scott Crawford said...

Hang in there, Adam, and keep us all posted on stuff.

Play at the Plate said...

I feel your anxiety over the change. I'm not a big fan of change either, but it's a fresh start and a great opportunity for new experiences. Be sure you let us know your néw address. We will still be here when you get back to posting.

Derek Hill said...

Good luck with the move and everything else going on. We'll be here when you get back, and baseball season almost will too

Daniel Wilson said...

Best of luck to you! Make that 6 people that you know, I'm in Goodyear, AZ. Once you get settled, check out The Batter's Box card shop on 28th Avenue and Cactus. They have 3 weekly in store auctions and lots of vintage as well as new stuff. You can also check out AZ Sports Cards on 100th Ave and Camelback. They have the best prices on new boxes that I have seen around town. Welcome to the Valley of the Sun!

Section 36 said...

Good luck on your new adventure. We'll leave the door open for you.

Funner Here said...

Kudos to you for taking this huge leap. I can't wait to send you a whole bunch of Red Sox cards to your new address!

AdamE said...

Thanks for all the support guys.

dkwilson - thanks for the info on the card shops. I was curious were some were.

SpastikMooss said...

Best of luck to you dude - change is not my friend either so I hope you do well with it!

Contrary Guy said...

Good luck to you!

Spiff said...

Best of luck man. Hope your transitions will all be smooth.

Cardsplitter said...

Good luck man. Let us know when you get settled.

Unknown said...

Best of luck with the move Adam! I hope it's a smooth transition for you and your family. I owe you a trade package so once you get settled I'll send it to you.

Corky said...

I am in the Phoenix area too in the East Valley, so along with dkwilson make it 7 people you know. If you are on this side of town hit Hot Corner in Mesa on Main and Power.