buried

So for the past several months I've been wading through piles and piles of bankruptcy paperwork -- 456 dockets so far, to be exact -- to try and discern a clue about what the hell is going to happen and when. And tonight I think I've finally discovered why this has taken so, so long -- but still no indication to when something's going to happen.

Two big documents I discovered -- one was a hidden objection to the motion to reject the lease, filed by the landlords at my facility. I missed this one initially because it was buried in a motion pertaining to Chicago locations. The objection was two-fold -- one, that the language was very vague in the original motion to an extent that is not admissible; two -- that a motion to reject the lease is premature because my company was hunting for buyers to sell to. (Also, in the course of the objection, the landlords assert their right to assume complete and full control of the premises on date of rejection, should it happen -- a validation of my 'chains on the doors' theory -- yep, it really could happen. I wasn't very far off on that at all.)

Ahhhhh.

The other document -- an itemized bill from legal counsel. Bankruptcy requires transparency, and flipping through the logs for June, one discovers that...YES. My location had an interested buyer, complete with Asset Purchase Agreements and Bills of Sale drawn up, who subsequently disappeared after June 12 -- the same day above mentioned objection was filed.

Am I through the looking glass yet? I seriously doubt it, but somehow I think this may drag out even further. They're going to try and sell the location rather than have it rejected, because they can get money off that. But there will come a point that they're running out of time... and I hope that's very soon, because I've taken a couple of gambles now. There's still a few weeks to let the chips fall and the dust settle, but still -- this is scary.

Incidentally, I've really gotten to hate my job as it is right now. I don't think I've ever done anything harder (mentally at least) than pull myself up to go into work every day. I've been through some really tough stuff in my life, too, so that's saying something!

reprieve

OK, I can breathe a little now. Just a little. I've touched base with NYC, and with roommate, and I have a little room to work.

N -- new roommate in NYC -- was planning on building out my room before I entered the picture -- so he'd already planned to not have a roommate for the month of August so he could hang drywall and windows and such. We talked today and I explained the status of my job at this second in time, and it's no problem. Smooth sailing. So I don't have to worry about losing the pad if nothing happens this week. I have a little time. PLUS, if that doesn't work out... his other roommate is also leaving, on September 15 - a better room, more space... so that could all work out beautifully.

Current roommate has secured his new roommate -- for September 1. So I have some breathing room locally, too. I can let some dust settle and take things as they come. But if you know me, you know I've never been one for stasis. I had that horrible feeling of nerves and dread going into work tonight. I just don't want to be there anymore. It's so frustrating. One of my former colleagues told me he knew he was done when he found himself crying on his way to work... and I feel like I'm getting close to that. It's time to move on.

But a bright spot this week has been the presence of my sister and nephew. Dinner with the fam on Sunday night was great, and Zoo Atlanta this morning was a lot of fun -- somewhere I'd never been before! I may get to hang with them again tomorrow before they depart back to FL on Wednesday. I do wish I were a bit more mobile than I am -- the ability to easily go see family and friends is definitely a large gap in my life. Ironically, a move to NYC might make things easier -- a better paying job makes it easier to pay for plane tickets!

...

You have GOT to be kidding me.

At the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND... as in 5 PM, close of court clerk business today... tomorrow's hearing has been adjourned until August 10. At least THREE MORE WEEKS OF THIS CRAP.

I'm just floored. We all know the end result here. Delaying the inevitable like this is pure torture. Put us out of our misery already!

At this rate, I may lose the NY apartment... I'm trying desperately to be responsible and smart about this -- that I won't make the move until I have a new job in NY or the gym closes so that I won't lose my insurance or be stuck on unemployment for an unreasonable amount of time. A new job is nearly impossible to secure unless I'm physically there.

I'm thisclose to tossing decorum out the window and going straight to the top - a carefully worded, respectful email or phone call to my CEO, basically asking him to allow me the opportunity to make an informed decision instead of being ambushed. And honestly, I don't think there's much to lose at this point -- though if I was hoping for a transfer (and I have inquired about this to deafening silence) -- it might not be an option. But hell, maybe it isn't anyway.

Bright spot, though.. I get to have lunch with my old boss tomorrow. I miss her so, so much.

like a hurricane blew through

The interesting week officially got more interesting today. The way I figure it... I'm either out of a job on Friday, or out of a job on August 1. Either way -- I'm out of a job!

As mentioned in the previous post, Thursday is the lease rejection hearing. No adjournments have been filed. The stalking horse bid has been accepted and qualified -- and now just needs final approval from the court and it's just a short jaunt to their closing day where ownership is officially transferred. They are running out of time. Looks like any possible sale of the facility has completely fallen through because this afternoon, the property manager plowed through the doors with about twenty people in tow. A couple of people who work for the management company... but mostly people in business suits with clipboards and folders and pens for taking notes -- and not a single business card available...or so they claimed.

A little digging reveals that our property management has quietly started notifying real estate agencies that my facility will soon be vacant and they're looking for a replacement tenant ASAP. And there you have it. Bankruptcy is bloody business, and I knew I'd get cut sooner than later. And at this point, I'm not sad or upset or anything -- I've already gone through those grieving stages several months back. I'm very much at acceptance, now, and I'm ready to get moving on with life. Of course I'm annoyed that this process has taken so long, because it means I have to forfeit my deposit on my current pad, and the move to NYC is not August 1, but probably closer to August 5, or 15, or somewhere in there. But I'm coming to the end of this arduous road, at long, long last -- preparing to set foot on a new arduous road instead. All it comes down to now is exactly when. In all likelihood, my prediction of coming in Friday with chains on the doors is going to be correct.

Next!

--

Healthwise... my left arm is giving me all kinds of trouble. That's the formerly broken arm. I seem to be more sensitive to weather patterns now, and for the last two days my arm has been giving me all kinds of grief... and now my index finger seems to be joining in the fun. Can't be arthritis...could it? It's just the one finger. It's what I imagine arthritis must feel like though. Hurts! A lot!

chains

Ooo, boy, this is getting interesting. A lot of stuff coming right down to the wire.

Hearing to reject the lease is Thursday. If precedent is anything, the last two times they adjourned, it would have been put in by now. But they have not. This hearing is at the exact same time as the hearing to approve the bid for purchase...which was finalized today. And other clubs on the rejection motion have bidders lined up to purchase their assets. Mine? Not one of them.

I'm beginning to think that Friday, we will show up to work with chains on the doors, and that's how we'll be notified we're out of a job. Bankruptcy is nasty stuff.

could it be?

Something's happening!

Don't know exactly what, but there are many indications this coming week is going to be...eventful. Stay tuned.

the waiting game

This is all taking so much longer than I'd really like. I'm trying my damnedest to not get discouraged over any of it but...sheesh. I gotta know something! There are moments where I wish I was completely in the dark so I wouldn't feel like I'm just waiting...waiting...waiting...

And the clock ticks forward. Just a little.

to be continued..?

This whole thing has gotten so wild... I'm kind of alternating between really excited and nervous and kinda feel like none of it is happening to me. Like I'm sitting in a theatre watching it.

My interview tomorrow got called off. Not sure why. I was at first going to react with disappointment -- another chance down the tubes -- until I got a followup email moments later:

"If an opportunity came along and it was the right fit for you, how soon can you be back in NY?"

I'm not out of the game!

I responded: "I prefer to give my current employers the customary two week notice. However, with the unique and uncertain circumstance of my job right now, in the interest of self-preservation I might make an exception. I could feasibly coordinate and execute the logistics of a move from Atlanta to NYC in a week or so."

Which I could. I mean, I'd be getting next to no sleep at all and I'd be dishing out a pile of cash for my flight -- but I could do it.

But I think they're interested. I think they're...very interested. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

what, again?!

This appears to have turned into the work drama blog. I apologize for that, it's just consuming my life to a ridiculous extent right now.

That investigation I've been working on this week has been rather twisty and turny -- which appeared to culminate yesterday when one of the people involved decided to stop cooperating. It pretty much became a foregone conclusion that person would get the axe, but just under the deadline ... we're back in, and this thing just continues to spiral.

As far as the phone interview I had earlier this week... well, I don't think it could have possibly gone any better. So good, in fact, that I have a second phone interview with the director of operations on Tuesday. I already have JW won over; as far as she's concerned I can have any job any time (at least, that's the impression I'm getting). But of course, there are layers and levels that must be seen to, and I intend on being the most compelling and impressive candidate possible. And I've got the best person possible in my corner.

Tuesday was also the scheduled hearing for the motion to vacate the lease at my current location. I thought they were taking their sweet time with giving us some sort of notification, and tonight I found out why: The hearing has been adjourned for a second time... but this time only one week instead of the three weeks of the previous adjournment. They have not withdrawn the motion, though -- only delayed it -- which indicates to me that they are still intent on closing us down... but perhaps we'll get some notice after all. I hope they move fast, though. At this very second, I'm playing a game of chicken between this company I'm interviewing with and the one I'm at now. Now, if I come away from my interview on Tuesday morning with a job offer in hand, I'm liable to simply submit my resignation that afternoon. I already know the pay scales and after doing a bit of math, I realized I'd be able to pay rent, COBRA, and general life expenses...living a bit tight for a few months, of course. I ... could actually DO this. I can leave my job on my terms if I so wished. Of course, I'd much prefer taking a heavily reduced COBRA rate if I can wrangle it by just being a little patient.

I've been getting a little sick over the past couple of days... sore throat, headaches, etc. Went to the doctor today, and now I'm chucking down three amoxicyllin every day for the next ten days. I HATE antibiotics, but I can't wait to start feeling better again. I've been lucky to be as healthy as I have so far this year. Lets hope the pattern sticks.

Incidentally, I was supposed to have an appointment with Dr. Z today too -- she's out of town, though, so I must reschedule. I'm a little nervous, though -- this is the one I may be told it's time to go on meds. Just as I'm transitioning to a new job or no job. Flippin' great.

down the home stretch

I guess I'm coming to the end of this chapter. As far as I can tell, at least. I caught someone in HR with a rare moment of candor (as a result of a rare moment of candor of my own) indicating that yes, the days are numbered, but not sure how many numbers are there. It's good to know, in its way.

Anyway, in the lead up and aftermath of the holiday weekend, several people are out of town. I've been holding down the fort, and in that course of time I have two employees who decided to get into it. I'm now neck deep in an HR investigation of assault. What's worse is that it involves my two rock stars -- the two people I know I can count on to step up to the plate and help out every time. It's been tumultuous -- both are being accused of things that are so, so, so far out of character and everything seems so ridiculous. My thoughts on the matter have gone very much back and forth in each person's favor, but with the development that one has suddenly decided to stop cooperating with the investigation, I've suddenly realized I'm going to have to fire someone I held in great esteem by the end of the week. It's disappointing, but this kind of foolishness (especially so close to the end) is inexcusable.

This resulted in my having to work a thirteen hour day today. Several hours of that were spent conducting interviews and writing summaries while fielding phone calls. Now take that, and add someone breaking the ADA elevator beyond simple repair (we're talking several thousand dollars here)... AND a boil water advisory (no drinking water. no fountains. no ice. NOTHING) and... yeah, a truly maddening, stressful day. Perhaps as stressful as I have ever, ever had in my professional life. I'm finally home after all that, and I'm exhausted to say the least.

Yet, in the middle of it all, a glimmering beacon of light. I managed to walk away from the club for about an hour to get a bite to eat and just NOT BE THERE. I pulled out my phone and checked my email. Last night, I was surfing through some of the job ads on the internet, as I've been wont to do lately. I spotted a company I'd heard some good things about in NYC and thought ... Hey, what the hell? I'll drop a res. It was one of those generic email addresses -- a faceless receptor of piles of resumes to be weeded out by some person somewhere. But worth a shot, even if it's in the dark, right?

That shot in the dark now appears to have hit with perfect precision -- because during my break I received an email from JW. JW is my former superior's superior's superior. She worked for my company for TWELVE YEARS, and left two years ago for this new company. I have a great deal of respect for her, and though I've only met her once or twice, apparently I made a big impression on her, too. She knows me. She remembers every detail about what I was doing for the company when she worked there. And now, I have a phone interview with her at 1pm.

I don't think I've ever had the stars align so perfectly before in my life. I have been walking around in a completely stunned and giddy state for the past seven hours, despite being completely exhausted. Without a doubt, the best surprise I've had in months if not years.

I won't get my hopes up, but this is the best reason for optimism I've had in a really, really, really, really really long time. Send your positive vibes!

the prophecy is complete

According to an old Bloom County comic strip, you can tell the future through anagrams with your name.

So I tried.

Gyms Jeer Downgrades
Newsy Joggers Madder
Gym Grows Jaded Sneer
Newer Gyms Dread Jogs
Newer Gyms, Sadder Jogs
Jagged Rye Swordsman
Gym Wrongs, Seer Jaded
My Joggers Dread News

...there's lots more. But...yeah, I guess it's true!