Trying to figure things out.

As it is right now, I know I work in a up and down industry. Some of it depends on other companies such as the aluminum industry. We supply products to smelters, construction projects and the general public.

I currently work at a brick factory that has been running for over 100 years, but there has never been stability. Some years we have lots of orders and some years we run out of orders. When I started, i knew that we shut down usually once a year due to lack of orders. It costs a lot to keep the plant running. for example. during one run of bricks, we were using $4000 worth of gas in a day. and that isn't when we have one of our other kilns fired up.

I started out working on the drawing floor where my job was to grade bricks and palletize them for the customer. I was the last person to see them before they left the plant. It was my responsibility to make sure the customer got what they ordered, along with the supervisor in our department of course. But I took pride in what I sent out.

Recently I was given a chance to switch jobs in the plant to a more relaxed and easy going job. It required me to do shift work since the plant runs 24/7, but I was ok with that. I wanted to give it a shot. It pays more in the long run, i just get odd days off. but i can work out my entire year of work so i know when i get days off and when i work. But even with my recent switch in jobs, I don't have stability. if the plant shuts down, i'm too low on the senority list to stay around and clean up while shut down. There has been talk about a shut down happening in the summer. right now we have orders up to march on the list i have available. baring that I am still working for a guy who is off by then, I should have a job up until they exit the kiln for sure and possibly as it shuts down. it takes a while to cool the kiln down safely.

I don't really know what I will do yet. I have a little nest egg saved up, but it was going to go towards a washer/dryer. things have changed though since hearing this news. I'm in saving mode to get through the summer until we get more orders. I don't really like doing that because often I end up spending more when i'm laid off!!

Do i seek out a new job again? Do I try to contact a old boss to see if he is managing another place and could use a worker? Do I just go on EI and volunteer and help Neil at tradex while i wait for the plant to start up again? haha Do i wait it out or take something with less pay and more stability? Do I go to school to learn something? if so, where is the money going to come from to pay my bills.

I have a lot of uncertaintiy and questions right now. if you see me, you can give me a hug ;) what to do ...