Back on the Chain Gang

[bostontricky]

After three years of (ostensibly) preparing a book on industrial architecture but which included dabbling in a number of worthwhile and unworthwhile pursuits, I will be re-entering the work force as an architect one week from today.

Needless to say, I've never had such a lengthy break in between jobs before and have no idea what kind of adjustments I need to make besides not lurking around JC all day.

Has anyone else had experience with massive downtime between jobs?

(Off to upgrade the wardrobe...)

[Gary Sisco]

I've always tried to make it as massive a time as possible so I'm not one to ask.........

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by bostontricky

Has anyone else had experience with massive downtime between jobs?

Yes, mine was called unemployment. Getting back to work was better than the alternative.

[moneyp]

I went through a lengthy period when the tech market crashed, although I did have enough freelance work so that it didn't feel too much like unemployment. When I finally landed a regular 40-hour per week job, it was a noticeable change. Altogether welcome, but admittedly stifling. You'll find that whatever routine you were using to take care of stuff around the house won't work any longer, as you don't have the time you once did, so make the adjustment now. The most important thing, to me, is getting off to a good start. Have everything prepped the night before so you don't have to struggle in the morning. It'll set the tone for the rest of your day.

I don't know what your mindset is about returning to the workforce, but going in with as positive an attitude you can muster is recommended. There will probably be a lot of things about a nine-to-five job that will grate on you. Look at them as challenges rather than hindrances. And always leave work at work, by which I mean, don't bitch to your other half about your troubles there. Enjoy your wife and kids, recharge your batteries, and get back on the horse the next day.

Good luck!

[rollhead]

Yea, but I pretentiously called it being a "freelance writer."

[Dr Dave]

Here are my predictions/warnings:

You will be very tired at 2:30 pm, and you will not be able to take a nap. This will suck.

You are going to have to do errands on Saturday, like the rest of the world. This also sucks.

Unless you are working in an exceptionally enlightened environment, you are going to have to get used to making accommodations for others, especially for others who strike you as deficient in any of a number of ways. If you forgot what it meant to put your Game Face on, you'll be reminded soon enough. This may or may not suck, depending on whether you still feel the need to go through Character-Building Experiences. If you feel your Character is already Built, then you may enounter difficulties.

I hope the money is good. As we know, Money is Validation. And it feels good to feel Validated.

[Scott Dolan]

Even the shittiest jobs aren't so bad if you've got a lot of hot little broads running around in sexy clothing!



I hope this helps.

[Gentle Giant]

I was out 10 months very early in my career (meaning nearly 20 years ago) because I wanted to break into a new industry and didn't want to settle. Put me deep in debt but when I finally got a job it was one that I loved. I was motivated for it, too. A friend of mine at the time told me not to sweat it, that I'd be working until I was 65 and that it was OK to have and enjoy the downtime.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Originally Posted by bostontricky

I've never had such a lengthy break in between jobs before and have no idea what kind of adjustments I need to make besides not lurking around JC all day.

Yes, resign yourself to the fact that you'll no longer be able catch Jerry Springer on a daily basis. Other than that adjusting to the working world should be a piece of cake.......................

[bostontricky]

Well, we'll see how this goes.

The timing is a bit off, but this is almost the perfect situation for me to be in: preferred office size, preferred type of building, materials, project team size etc. etc. etc. Most architects are by nature flexible, and as such people come and go when they please, as long as they are putting their hours in. I'm pretty excited, actually.

Also, I can see Mrs. Tricky's office building from my desk, she's across the massive sea of parking lots in between the Fort Point Channel warehouses and the new World Trade Center buildings in the Seaport district. Which couldn't get better as far as logistics go - one of us takes the subway early, the other drops the girls off at school and drives in; and vice versa in the afternoon.

The biggest hassle in all this are recent extracurricular developments in the lives of the Trickettes. Right now, they're in two different schools, and both have to be picked up by 5:30. Except on certain days, when there are swimming lessons, Brownies, soccer practice etc. What's a dad to do?

- - -

Pete, you gotta find yourself a Sugar Mama.

Mone's point about daily preparation is well taken. One bonus is three mornings a week I'll be taking the subway to work (for the first time in ten years), which is a great place to clear your mind and get psyched for the day's work. Trying to keep distraction-free during the day will be a good challenge.

I'll have to address Dr Dave's concerns later, as I need to slide out of here to teach a class at the Boston Architectural Center tonight. All of these were problems at the last joint I gigged at, more later on that one.

Scott - I think if you throw out the support staff at architectural offices I've worked over the years I'd be surprised if more than 20-25% of the workforce was female. And to think I passed up the opportunity to manage the local Hooters to get back into architecture...

- - -

Heh, heh, heh. Saturday errands do suck - my wife was ready to crack after only two stops a couple of Saturdays ago. As long as I'm not running 95% of the weekend errands, I'll be just fine.

[moneyp]

Originally Posted by bostontricky

As long as I'm not running 95% of the weekend errands, I'll be just fine.

Two words of advice: assume nothing.