kbartramMy life was more or less upended in July of 2025, when I was laid off from my job in Tucson. While eligible for rehire, no such thing has occurred. I wasn't overly worried, as my employer was rather generous in paying my unused vacation time. I was set for at least two months with my final check and my savings. At the time, I had quite a bit of available credit on three credit cards.
As it turns out, my industry (transportation) was and still is struggling. Fuel prices are further exasperating an already delicate situation. My former employer has laid off at least one other employee since my dismissal. As always in hard times, this employer powers through to connect to better days, and they have done so since the late 80's or early 90's.
I tried for about six months to get a new job in my industry, and others, in Tucson. Unfortunately, this was not to be successful. Unemployment stopped, savings emptied, and the credit cards got out of control, but I was still on lease for my apartment in Tucson. I managed to complete my lease, rent a truck and a trailer, and move to Hereford, AZ, on Tuesday, March 31. I have since quit drinking. Very soon, I will take on smoking cessation.
It's been a bit of a bitch, but I am still hopeful. At the worst I had dropped to 146 lbs, I am currently back up to about 160, which at my height (6'0") is still considered underweight. My high school graduation (Scottsdale, AZ, 1992) weight was 175 lbs and my heaviest ever was in Seattle, WA (2002), where I weighed in at a whopping 213 lbs! I take all kinds of vitamins every day, and I even have regained a muscle or two again.
I finally had an interview today, my first in MANY years. I was on-time, calm, and focused. I think the interview went pretty well, but no job offer yet. They had other scheduled interviews to conduct. Mine was the first of the day. We will see how this turns out. In the meantime, I will continue to be hopeful and keep looking. Comments?