Henry III

After I finished my framebuilding course the summer of 2011. I started tech school last year for welding and metal fab. After I graduated this past May we packed ship and moved from Wisconsin to southern Oregon and come next month will be our year anniversary of being Oregonians. I landed a TIG welding position this past fall in a small family owned sheet metal shop. So I was pumped being able to land a TIG specific welding position at one of the only companies all of Southern Oregon that did higher end items. Though after a few months I begin to have second thoughts if this was something I really wanted to do.

After awhile I was just unhappy and it began to show. I mean I still had perfect attendance and was kicking out the products and nothing being returned or comments back from the customers(who weren't too shy from complaining about anything). I began to have health issues stemming from anxiety and panic attacks last month. So I left on medical leave and the owner was completely understanding and willing to hold my position for as long as needed.

In the end I knew I wasn't happy anymore working there and instead of waiting to see if things would change coming back. I just gave my noticed and we both left on good terms. He was sad to lose a good employee but I just needed a change. Completely.

So yesterday I registered for the Professional Repair/Shop Operation course at UBI. It's works out nice also since it's only about ten miles from my house. So even though it doesn't pay out like a welding position would. It pays out in happiness. I dropped a resume off at local shop and they asked me if I could get in any sooner as they had an opening right now. Unfortunately I'm not able to get in until July so we'll see if they're willing budge and take in someone with no prior "shop" experience but passion instead.

I'm getting close to feeling back to normal getting some R & R at home playing Mr Mom. lol. Been getting out and riding again since I stopped for almost two months when everything first started. I had no energy, constantly tired and just felt nauseated most of the time. Not to mention the anxiety and panic attacks which made me feel like I was having a nervous breakdown. Lets just say I wasn't having much fun.

So things are looking on the up and up again and through out everything. What made me feel good and got me out of bed was to go into my shed and crank some wrenches on my bikes. Sometime there wouldn't be anything really wrong with them but I'd still try to dial in my derailleurs or calipers more. Just anything to get me out of bed and doing something productive. I'm truly excited to do something I've always wanted to do regardless of what the pay is. Money is not the root of happiness...for me atleast.

I even started my very first blog during my down times to get things off my chest. I've never been one for reading blogs or ever had any interests in writing one but my wife and brother suggested it. So if any folks are interested let me know and I'll send them the link as it's a bit personal.


Henry

eschlwc

"Sometime there wouldn't be anything really wrong with them but I'd still try to dial in my derailleurs or calipers more. Just anything to get me out of bed and doing something productive."

+ ~

(that's infinity.)

dddd

Your welding experience might complement a Repair/Shop opportunity, so keep on learning.

You won't know what a good operation is until it's happening, but the schooling gives you another foot in the door.

I think it's good that you recognized your dissatisfaction with production welding.
This reminded me of Bob Hannah's very successful subsequent career.

I'd follow your blog if you can provide a link.

Henry III

It was enjoyable for the first couple months but got to be like "Groundhogs Day" punching in every monring. Nothing challenging new came and was just doing the same jobs over every week. I mean it's production welding but when you can only take "I've Got You Babe" so many times until it starts eating you up. lol.

I've been eyeballing a jig locally and Nova Cycles at tubing and a lug kit. THough that'll have to wait until after the course since I'm on a pretty tight budget until I land a position someplace. The framebuilding bug isn't too gone and still pretty fresh.

Italuminium

Good luck on your new venture Henry. Glad to see you're efforts to make your own frames and components are just on hold and not stopped by this turn of events.

Henry III

Gotta drop a gear when the hill gets tough but I'm still going forward and didn't turn back.