Off topic....but...

[lederstiefel1]

Life can be so hard and unfair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two days ago we all in our office got the information that our branch of the company in Cologne is closing down!

So, I'm out of work...again...

Well, my mate and I are rather down, as I'm already 46...

And all that to the beginning of Carneval!! (Started today here in Cologne until Tuesday) Will not go this year - not in the mood to do so...

And also we are in the middle of the process of signing the buying of a new home: our first house! We looked for nearly two years!
It's really a bargain and a seldom to be found one, too! So now we do not know wether we shall go on with it or if we shan't...

I'm really depressed and angry and aggressive!

Ralf

 

[whirlcool]

Hang in there Ralf. Buying a home is one of the more strssful moments in one's life, plus you have an unusual employment complication to deal with.
I know in Germany people tend to stay in one house for a lot longer than us Americans do hence the number of homes for sale is not huge at any given time.
Patch up that resume, hit the streets seeking out all the possibilities and remember you are trying as hard as you can.
I think you should try to partake in some part of Carnival, it'll cheer you up!

 

[oldhouseman]

Remeber

It comes to pass, not to stay. Don't let it get to you my friend. I am 44 and am also looking for a job closer to home. My home is a 2 hour drive so I had to take a cheap apt. close to the office. I am running into the age factor here. But I am determined to improve my situation. The enconmy here is a mjor factor also. Take a deep breath and get out there!

 

[panthera]

Lieber Ralf,

OK, das ist Scheisse.
Dennoch...
I think you should definitely go enjoy Fasching...or what that pale imitation you folks have up North passes for (just a joke, friends - Carnival in Northern Germany is 10X more fun than Mardi Gras in what was New Orleans).

Your company will have to settle with you, the government will have to cough up some of the enormous amounts of money you have been paying since you started working.

It sucks, but you have our best wishes with you.
Dein
Panthera

 

[mickeyd]

Ralf so sorry to hear

Has the company offered you a transfer to another branch?

GET THE HOUSE!!!!!!! Let the job come as it must to pay the mortgage. You'll never be sorry owning your own home.

I need your address to send you the Hoover Hose I promised you.

Have learned that when I went to things I didn't want to, was delighted to find I had a good time in spite of myself.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I am sorry for your misfortune. I know that you are in shock after getting the bad news. Once you find out what benefits will be coming to you, maybe you will feel better. Maybe there will even be resources to help you and your fellow employees in your job search. I wish you comfort in your distress and success in reestablishing your career.

I am very sorry for what the government of my country has done to hurt so many others.

 

[maytagbear]

Liebling Ralf-

Oh, that is too bad...

However, get the house, go to Carnival, dance, and go forward!

You can do this.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[lederstiefel1]

thanks

Thanks soooo much - that was really nice from all of you and gave me a strong push upward again right now here in the office on Fridaymorning 08:45 h - will keep your hints in my memory and try to act as you advised me.

Well, Keven, Cologne is THE center-city of Carnival in Gemany! Bigger than Düsseldorf, Mainz or München (Munich)!

Hope that everything with the house will be o.k. as we haven't got any reply from the real estate yet!

Keep your fingers crossed for a new job for me! It's said it helps sometimes.....lol

Tom, what do you mean with what you wrote - do not understand the connection to my situation, maybe I'm a bit stupid...smile. It has nothing to do with America; it's the situation here in Germany I'm quarreling with.

Michael - right hereafter I'm going to send you an e-mail with my address! Thanks again!

Lawrence, thanks so much, too - but I think, I will be playing with my new washing-machine instead which I'm planning to pick up on Sunday. I's the one I got from Ebay 3 weeks ago - I hope my mate is not going to kill me when he comes back from his seminar the following week-end - haven't told him about it yet....lol

Let's all stay in touch, wishing you a nice week-end!

Ralf

 

[twinniefan]

Things will change

Hi Ralf,
I was very sorry to read about your misfortune, but keep your chin up and try to stay positive, you see I believe that every dark cloud in life does have a silver lining, even though it may seem you have to wait awhile and have some hard times in the mean time.
I think you will end up in a better job than the one you have lost and you should take the chance and get the house if you possibly can, in the longer term it will benefit you enormously.
Do you remember the old country song-"Just keep on rollin'with the flow."?
Cheers Ralf.
Steve.

 

[foraloysius]

Lieber Ralf

I'm sorry to hear about your job situation. What's your profession? I know the job situation in Germany is not as good as it is overhere in the Netherlands but you must give it your best. A little thinking outside the box might help. Ever thought about starting your own business?

What Tom means is that the American economy isn't doing as good as it could due to the government they now have. A crisis on the other side of the pond has it's effects on the European economy.

Hope everything goes ok with the house. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and your other half.

Louis

 

[pturo]

What's that expression, "The Lord does not close a door without opening a window somewhere"? House metaphors aside, I wish you well, and get that first house, it is the best feeling in the world.