So one thing you find out when you spend a long time at lower parts of the socio-economic ladder is that networking is sort of an important thing; most people who get really good jobs are one or both of “very, very skilled, at least on paper” and “well-connected in a way that lets them hopscotch the nightmare that is job applications”.

This is relevant for me at the moment because this morning three people joined my weekly manager sync instead of two, and one of them was the “firing person” the company employs to fire people. I’m sure she does other things, but her joining a meeting is a lot like someone showing up to a casual lunch with an executioner’s axe - it’s usually not a good sign, and it wasn’t here.

Besides adding some valuable circumstantial context to the “I’m crazy because I always think I’m about to get fired” article, this has a couple implications for me which I’ll try to present as dryly as possible:

1. I am now out of work with about 3 weeks’ severance. This is pretty damn short-feeling to me but it’s not really legally mandated, so I doubt there’s a lot I can/should do about it.

2. I have a few highly developed skills (predominantly writing, which is why we know each other in the first place) but I’m not entirely sure how marketable they are.

3. I have been informed by others that I wasn’t actually overpaid, but I *felt* overpaid, and generally “pure writer” doesn’t make that much as a job title. I’m not initially sure I can or can’t replace the income I currently make.

All that to say I’m in a period of transition. And, honestly, I don’t know exactly what that means for y’all as readers. I haven’t tried to write through a period like this before so I have as much reason to believe this will increase my posting frequency as decrease it. As always, all content I make is free - about 80 of you pay, and as always should feel very comfortable not paying if I’m not living up to the standards of whatever it is that made you pay in the first place.

I’m not exactly begging for work, but obviously I’m very interested in talking to anyone who thinks they might have use for me. I am available by email at residentcontrarian@substack.com, gearratiossc@gmail.com, and on discord at GearRatio#1059 (Editor Nick says you might have to send a friend request first for this last one to work).

The main promise I can make related to that is that I do attempt to be very honest about what skills I do and don’t have. I am open to having a very frank conversation about both the beautiful and ugly parts of my skill set. After that conversation, if I was a good fit for you, you’d know; if I wasn’t, you’d know that too.

If you are someone who was thinking about reaching out to me for advice or help, please still do. Even if I find myself in a weird emotional place where I can’t help as much as I’d like, I’ll find someone else who can.

As a religious person, I welcome both prayers and well-wishes on this matter. Otherwise, I think that’s about it. I’m very much hoping I find a way to land on my feet here, but I’m very glad as always that you all choose to read what I write and I want you to know you are already helping just by being around.

Thanks!

RC