Stanley time .....again

Well, I haven't been real faithful about this blog, but perhaps now that I have some additional free time I can write more. The free time comes by way of a layoff. Things in the Architectural world in Michigan are about as bad as being an automobile manufacturer. My (former) firm started the year with 12 - 16% pay cuts across the board. My was around 16%. Not a happy time in the Gumper's household.

We had work, but the forecast 6 months out looked bleak.

The cash flow was flowing out rather than in and a number of late paydays were experienced.

We finished up a major school project, which the whole office worked on, and I finished up 2 small renovations for 2 Healthcare clients.
The school was a Herculean effort for all involved and we posted it to our FTP site around noon on Friday, May 1, for the contractors to download and begin the bidding process.
At 1:30 all the staff was requested to attend an "Important Staff Meeting" where our CEO announced that despite all efforts to keep everybody employed at our present staff level, the prospect of not having anything else to begin working on next forced an across the board layoff which totaled 4 people, yours truly included.

We've been promised that as work returns, we will be called back.

As the economy stands today, the stimulus package dollars do not seem to have much effect yet. Healthcare and Educational architecture normally fair well, but right now, even those areas are hit within this recession. A colleague in Denver, (see WhyArchitectsDrink.blogspot.com) can attest to this. Pixie, fortunately is still tasking away, although just barely hanging on to 40 hour weeks.
If you pray, give thanks if you're still working and also for those who are searching and in need of a job. Prayer works.

Speaking of prayer, how has your team done in the Stanley Cup race so far?
Mine, THE REDWINGS, you chowder heads, are doing great. Into the Conference Finals against Chicago and heading for the finals against (insert team name here.)
Now, not trying to be too cocky or over confident, which could jinx the whole thing, the odds of a repeat again look pretty good. I sure do like this time of the year. GO WINGS!!!! Contrary to my buddy Addy's wish, there are NO Canadian teams in the playoffs. So what's up with that, EH?

With the weather turning warmer, and with a lot of free time on my hands, a lot has been getting done around "Casa de Gumper", to the extent that I haven't really had an opportunity to play much, especially in the way of golf or Petanque.
I miss my Petanque buds downtown in the "D" and perhaps may get a chance to play tomorrow.
Great sport/pastime. Try it, if it is available in your area. If not, buy some boules and start your own club.

Mrs. G and I are heading for the cottage this weekend, as it is Memorial Day coming up. How time flies......Lots to do up there too. My honey-do list is long but I'm chipping a way at it.
We plan on staying about a week this trip, but am hoping to spend more time there this year than I normally do. If anything, unemployment gives me a taste of what being retired in a few years will be like. Hey, if I get all the stuff done now, before I retire, I can really just kick back and play. Ha, as if!

Peace out,

Gumper