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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sideline Sam" data-source="post: 80245" data-attributes="member: 4772">Hey folks, this is Sideline Sam chiming in for the last time.  Many of the people in my district figured out who I was by the ceaseless quotes that I have shared and used over the years.  Those of you still guessing, Ill give you one later that will give it all away. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/redface.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":o" title="Embarrassment    :o" data-shortname=":o" />ffice<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/redface.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":o" title="Embarrassment    :o" data-shortname=":o" />ffice" /><o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>I have posted about 20 times using about 12 different names on this board.  Sometimes I posted to flame the pomposity of an author, other times to dismiss the stupidity of another  of course, always MY opinion  subjective at best.  <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>I took my own advice and resigned from UPS under the Voluntary SAP.  Yeah, I volunteered.  About the first time I have volunteered for anything at UPS in a long time. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>I hope this small downsizing has given pause to each of you to reflect on your personal situations (your life, happiness, debt, desires).  I say small and will probably get a frowned-lip scrunched-nose Hmmm from many of you.  I know it is not small to those impacted.  However, in the end, the company does appear to be attempting good for many.  I know there are posts of dubious efforts by the company.  I bet some of those are spot-on true.  That really sucks.  I am sorry to hear this.  Otherwise, this is just the nature of things.  Hell, we had a great ride for about 15 years in TSG.  In the beginning, the supervisors and managers, of today, did the work.  They werent considered Techs; they did it as management.  Then, it was a part of Accounting, known as Information Services.  I came just after it was assigned to IE, renamed as TSG.  It really was a good job.  Raises came quick and were big (sometimes gigantic).  Technicians had free roam of our buildings and ran the roads visiting our customers without much concern.  Man, those were the days  no PMT, no sales leads, not even the Activity System  just a timesheet turned in weekly or monthly.  The only thing that sucked was the suits  the ones we had to wear.  It was a sweet ride back then. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>This is where it all went wrong for me.  The job was never that exciting.  Even back then, I saw that I was never going to be able to use all the technical ability that I was developing, or desired to know.  I did learn things back then, I cannot deny that.  However, somewhere between a year and, maybe, three years in the job, I started to stagnate.  I was lucky enough to make Tech II in my first year.  I never had anything to strive for after this. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>During this time, I came up with my signature quote; Are you a Technology Professional who happens to work for TSG at UPS, or, are you a UPSers who happens to work in TSG.  I probably changed the words a few times, but this is the gist of the original rhetoric.  I answered it the first time the same way I answered it every time thereafter.  I never changed my mind.  In case your still wondering,.. I always considered myself a Technology Professional. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>In light of my boredom, lack of challenge, and confessions that I like Technology more than Transportation, I did nothing about it.  Several years later, maybe five, I began getting certifications (about 4), and interviewed for jobs.  I got a couple of offers.  For whatever reason, I lost sight of my career goals and started considering creature-comforts.  I came to the conclusion that UPS, contrary to our griping, did offer better benefits (medical, dental, vision, legal, vacation, PHs, etc.) than anywhere I looked (although, I did see that state government was about equal).  Anyway, for some reason, I traded my ambition for a day off when I wanted  for all those really good benefits. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Now it is ten years later.  Im sick that it took me a decade of my prime working years to see what the younger, immature ME knew all along.  I grieve for my friends pushed out of UPS, I also grieve for my lost years. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Dont ever mistake that UPS is a good job  you name the job  UPS has a lot to offer.  However, I think most positions at UPS are just jobs.  If you have ambitions, management is the only option.  If management is not an option for you, then join the club I presided over for so many years.  Come on in, membership is guaranteed  so is the loss of your dreams and aspirations.  If you can tolerate your job, and you can clearly see doing this for 10 or 20 years, then you are good-to-go.  God bless you, I tried.  <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Anyway, I read over my posts and considered my rhetorical quotes and realized that if the company was willing provide me a face-saving opportunity to leave on good terms, along with a good bit of money, then it might be the last chance I had to salvage my dignity. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>As I said to another poster, I know that I have had velvet handcuffs holding me in detention for a long time  incarcerated for violating the will of my dreams.  I am guilty of complacency.  I am guilty of addiction to a comfortable job  I became numb and binged on its ease.  This downsizing was my Intervention.  Im embarrassed, but I am grateful. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Maybe all this is just blather to most of you.  I might get flamed for the waste of your time.  You know what, I can live with this because there might be one or two people who might take solace in all this. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>I hope that I will be allowed to finish a two-week notice with UPS and leave on really good terms with my management team, my peers, and UPS.  You see, it was never UPS fault.  I just had different dreams.  I lost my way.  <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>In the coming weeks and months, I hope that this board and UPS become a fading memory for me.  I need to move on.  I plan to stay in touch with my friends I leave behind.  Hopefully, we will have common ground that does not include talking about UPS. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Good luck to you all.  I hope your dreams include UPS.  If not, read this again. <o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />></o<img src="/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/tongue.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue    :p" data-shortname=":p" />>Sam "no longer on the sidelines -- finally, back in play"</blockquote>

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