How things can change in a year...

[jlepre]

This time last year I was living life for the moment. I had my health, a wife and step-son, and life was good. I went on 2 vacations last year, and all was good. I had 6 balls with another on the way (Bongo Fretless), and all seemed calm.

Fast forward to NOW:

The economy is down, and my company cuts my salary by 20%!
I bought a house in November that needed alot of work. put tons of $$$ into said house, so I sold a couple basses. Found out in February that I'm gonna have a baby (GIRL)! I'm 47 so this was a little bit of a shocker.

Sold 2 more balls and a practice amp. Now I have to sell 1 more! :eek
I'm saying all this as I NEVER thought I would sell these basses, as they were ALL perfect!

Anyone else ever find themselves in a life changing situation?

 

[Big Poppa]

find the good in change.....it make s the world go around......

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Found out in February that I'm gonna have a baby (GIRL)!

Sold 2 more balls and a practice amp.

It wasn't the Ernie balls that were responsible for that!

 

[jlepre]

Oh I'm not complaining, well maybe the 20% salary cut, but just making an observation how things can turn in less than 12 months.

I'm excited and VERY happy about the baby, and not TOO upset about losing some of my balls. I was just making an observation that my life has really changed, and is almost unrecognizable from last year. The only constant is my wife, step-son, and a few of my balls.

 

[GGK]

Oh I'm not complaining, well maybe the 20% salary cut, but just making an observation how things can turn in less than 12 months.

I'm excited and VERY happy about the baby, and not TOO upset about losing some of my balls. I was just making an observation that my life has really changed, and is almost unrecognizable from last year. The only constant is my wife, step-son, and a few of my balls.

I'm with you dude, lost some $$, business moral is poor, have some of my own family issues to contend with. All I can say is "congrats"with the new baby en route, hug that wife and stepson of yours, and if you can: try to hang onto as many balls as possible. It's all too easy to be brought down by negatives, but to find and focus consistently on the positives will always get one through, take care.
Regards

 

[JustinM]

Dang, John - that really sucks. I hope everything works out for you.

I know how it goes with the What A Difference A Year makes thing (we discussed my exp. on the phone) - sometimes it ends up positive. Like GGK was saying - it sounds like you have an amazing family and everything there is going well!! Family really helps.

I also want to give a plug for a great seller You'll be relieved to know the Stealth Bongo is being taken care of very well at it's new home.

Justin

 

[jlepre]

I also want to give a plug for a great seller You'll be relieved to know the Stealth Bongo is being taken care of very well at it's new home.

Justin

Hey Justin!

Thanks for the free unsolicited plug. Things are actually great here, I was just realizing how my life had changed in less than 12 months.

I'm so glad the stealth went to a great guy who will enjoy her! Keep in touch ok and check out the for sale thread for what else I am selling.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Oh I'm not complaining, well maybe the 20% salary cut, but just making an observation how things can turn in less than 12 months.

Well be thankful, at least you have a job. Mine got eliminated 3 mths ago after 16 yrs of service and i've got 10 yrs on you my friend. At least my kids are all grown up.

But i'll still be placing my order next January for a new Big Al 5. Somethings just never change.

TD

 

[Aussie Mark]

The economy is not great anywhere at the moment, but that's the first I've heard of somebody being forced to take a salary cut! That would be highly illegal over here.

In terms of old farts becoming fathers, you can join the same club that Lord Bongo and I are members of. I became a father for the first and second time at 44 and 45 years of age, and I think Jack launched the tadpoles at around that age too.

I'd gladly have 1 bass and 2 kids rather than 9 basses and no kids. Congrats!

 

[Steamthief]

Congratulations on your good news! You can always buy another bass down the road, but a baby girl of your own? That's priceless. Although you may have to sell another Ball down the line to invest in a good shotgun...

 

[jlepre]

Mark,

Thanks for the information. Funny how things work out for us 'ol daddies huh? I agree that I can buy a bass anytime, but a baby girl is priceless!
Oh btw here's one of the balls on the chopping block:

 

[scottbass71]

find the good in change.....it make s the world go around......

I must remember those words - really profound.
for me too, things have really changed in the last 2 years as well.

 

[five7]

Even if you had to sell all of your gear, family is the most important! Can you feel the anxiety pains building in your chest. Everytime I got the news from my wife that she was pregnant that pain would kick in. It is a sign that you are a good father! I have two daughters and a son and without a family I would have no life. Hang in there, life will get better.

 

[HeavyDuty]

The economy is not great anywhere at the moment, but that's the first I've heard of somebody being forced to take a salary cut! That would be highly illegal over here.

Sadly *very* common Stateside at the moment. I have at least a dozen friends that have taken pay cuts at their jobs ranging from 7% to 35%. Their attitude is that it's better than losing the job entirely.

 

[AtomicPunk]

Well, I guess I will chime in here..

A year ago I bought a new house, was working as an architect, making close to 6 figures, playing in my band, all was well and I was happy.

Then the company I worked for went under and I lost my job (still haven't found another architecture job 8 months later, came in second on more than a few interviews), had to file for bankruptcy, gave up my '06 Toyota Highlander in favor of a paid off '94 Jeep Cherokee, have been trying to keep my house and my sanity. Had a minor stroke / aneurysm that resulted in total left side numbness, and even 6 months later, still feel it in my foot and leg.

Minuses? Went from 21 basses to 3. My #1 is my Bongo and will be the last to go if I am totally desperate, but other than that, nothing is sacred. The others are a doubleneck that I will never find another of and a POS 5-string Jazz bass just in case something happens to the Bongo 5.
Cashed in my 401K to pay off debt trying to avoid the bankruptcy.

Pluses? I found out I don't need a lot to be happy. I found out who my real friends are. I found out that my girl is in it for the long haul with me. I am getting by and still wake up every morning with hope that today is the day it all changes. Got my high blood pressure under control.

A lot of my friends have said they can't figure out how I stay optimistic and wonder how I haven't fallen into some deep depression or drink every day to try and forget what's happening. And I have to admit, there HAVE been days where it is not easy, but I've gotta keep fighting.

That's just how I roll.

 

[N.F.A.]

Good luck with the baby! Good luck with selling your bass.

 

[jlepre]

When I started this thread, it wasn't for me to feel sorry for myself, or to rant about how my life sucks. I am very happy with my life, but I was noticing how in less than 12 months things have really changed. I mean if you asked me last year if I would sell any of my basses, or if I would be on the verge of becoming a father, I would have said you're crazy!

Well those things have become a reality, and I am just sitting back looking at where I've come. I can't wait until November when I can hold my daughter in my arms, and thank God for all I have, though it be minus a few balls.

 

[AtomicPunk]

Kids make us look at the world differently, in a good way. Looking forward to hearing your observations next year after the baby comes.

 

[DTG]

we should all write a country song !

i was forced to take a 30% pay cut and then was put on a 3 day week and lots of gigs have stop having bands.

i have never had so little money and been so happy before.....working a 3 day week means i have 4 day with my family.plus i wake up every morning and smile as i look at my balls !

 

[jlepre]

we should all write a country song !

i was forced to take a 30% pay cut and then was put on a 3 day week and lots of gigs have stop having bands.

i have never had so little money and been so happy before.....working a 3 day week means i have 4 day with my family.plus i wake up every morning and smile as i look at my balls !

YEEHAW!!!