Welp, No Job For Me Anymore

canadianwood

I agree with everything said above, I also feel your pain freemason. When the economy collapsed in late 2008 out here in Alberta I had no work, no calls & no leads for Nov.08 & Dec 08. Worse yet, we had a huge job that we started on in Oct 08' but the homeowners backed out of at the last minute.

If it wasn't for my girlfriend getting a $3K scholarship in Dec, I'd have missed my mortgage payment that month. I managed to close an excellent basement development in late Jan, and used the deposit to pay off my debts from the prev. months. Those were some thin months...

I'm 27 years old, up until 08' all I knew about this business was BOOM, it was red hot in Alberta for the construction industry, it was literally like printing money. I'm grateful that I experienced the pain of a BUST, honestly, it taught me a ton about myself and about this industry. I'm also grateful I stuck it out and am back on my feet again.

This was also an excellent lesson in self-reliance. Being self-employed means that I have ZERO financial support in thin times, I can't collect Employment Insurance, I can't get welfare or subsidies, I can't rely on anybody to provide anything for me, except for me. I won't judge you for collecting EI while getting paid cash for a job, thats your business, your life and your conscience. However, I'm a big believer in karma, I try to make everyone involved in a job a winner, that's the mark of a good deal, one in which everyone wins.

The thin times made me hungry, this made me work even harder, it was a challenge, I assure you. In mid January I was installing windows in -30 degrees Celsius, working over 12 hrs a day, well into the dark nights of winter, and I was earning substantially less than I ever did before, but I survived, with a warm house and food in my belly. Also, when I got back on my feet and started on my own jobs again (for which I get paid wayyyy better) I didn't tell my boss to got to hell, I told him the truth, and that I'd be glad to take on more work when I'm less busy or when he really needs me.
And you know what? he's called me back every month wanting to know if I want full time work, I've had to turn him down everytime, but it still feels good to be wanted, and also know that I have work with him if I ever need it.
Don't burn bridges freemason, it'll only hurt you in the end, despite it feeling good in the moment.

billy d

Free mason 21 this whole thread just wants to make me puk 'Tomstroble' you never said it better man.