Now’s as good a time as any, I guess…

Updated on April 4, 2014 By Ken Begg 30 Comments

I found out Monday that I will be let go from my job as of the end of the month. It’s not for cause. The Library has been suffering from severe budget cuts for years now, and we finally hit the point where they was nothing to be done but let several staff members go. Sadly, I am one of them. Unsurprisingly, I’m a littled freaked out right now.

You seldom stop to think of how good something is until you lose it. I’ve worked here over two decades. I made OK money, but had a lot of vacation time, which for instance allowed me to take off time both for B-Fest and to travel down to Texas a few times  a year. I have worked with and seen on a day to day basis most of my best friends. Also, this throws my retirement plans, meager though they were, completely out the window.

It’s not a great time to be looking for a job (especially in Illinois), so I don’t know where life will take me now. In the end, I may have to move down to Kentucky where I have family. That would mean leaving all my friends and my life as I’ve lived it my whole life behind. But in the end, few of us are really the captains of our lives, and must do the best we can with the cards we’re dealt.

Anyway, there it is. Kind thoughts and prayers always appreciated.

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  • bgbear_rnh

    Well that is f’d up but, as they say nothing is forever and new opportunities etc.

    My wife lost her job last year after working at the same place since high school with only a short time out for college. Tough for a 50 something to be looking for work. This is where being married pays off (sorry Ken, no offense meant). Good you have family, I am the one lacking on that front.

  • Gamera977

    Great, just friggin’ great. After twenty years that esp sucks.

    My thoughts and prayers Ken.

  • Acethepug

    Ken,
    Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

  • Eric Hinkle

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mister Begg.

  • kgb_san_diego

    Hopefully, life brings a few good surprises along in the wake of this nastiness. My thoughts and prayers are with you, sir.

  • Flangepart

    Ken, we love you and all wish the best. Mayhaps you can find a gig, and do some writing on the side. Of your writing ability, we have no doubts.

  • Ken_Begg

    Thanks, everyone. I’m trying to keep my pity party window in reasonable lengths. I’ll just try to keep the faith and see where things go. I appreciate everyone’s very kind sentiments greatly, though. Thank you all.

  • chrisjmagyar

    Ken, you’ve always been amazing and generous to me. If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

  • Ken_Begg

    Thanks, Chris, I shall. (Heaven knows I never failed to bother you with site needs.)

  • Here’s hoping things take a better turn for you soon.

  • Rock Baker

    Not sure what to say here. You’d think 20 years would bring with it a certain amount of job security, but I guess in this economy all the rules of logic are out the window. God bless and keep you, Ken. We’re all pulling for you.

  • Ericb

    Sorry to hear this Ken. I know it’s tough. I’ll probably be going through the same thing at the end of the year (after 18 years and having just turned 50). My thoughts will be with you. Good luck.

  • Frank Bauroth

    Man, that sucks. Hang in there, Ken. Let people know if we can help.

  • GalaxyJane

    Love and light and all our prayers, Ken. If you decide on doing any interviewing in Virginia, let us know and we’ll help any way we can!

  • Petoht

    Ouch, Ken. That sucks. Hang in there, man.

  • The Rev.

    Damn, that’s just terrible. So sorry this happened to you. The girls and I are sending all our hopes and positive thoughts your way. I don’t know what help I could offer, but if there’s anything I can do, I will in a heartbeat.

    Is there any chance of other branches/libraries hiring you on? Maybe a library at one of the colleges or universities there?

  • CumaeanSibyl

    God, that’s tough, Ken. All best wishes from me and Charles.

  • Jamie B.

    Sorry to hear about this. :(

    I will send prayers and good thoughts your way. Hope that something turns up real fast.

  • Jamie B.

    And to repeat what GalaxyJane said below: If your search takes you to Virginia, we’ll do what we can to help.

  • Curtis Fullom

    That’s terrible news, Ken. My family and I will be praying things get better, and that, in the end, you’ll wind up better than ever before through this. Peace at all times in all ways, sir.

  • Ken_Begg

    Thanks for the support, everyone. It very, very much appreciated. Hopefully things get back on track in fairly short order. Again, thanks though.

  • Beckoning Chasm

    Very sorry to hear that, Ken. Best wishes and prayers.

  • Crap. Hopefully you can find something in the future, Ken. Best of luck.

  • Marsden

    I hope it all works out for you, like Homer says, “Crisitunity”
    Also, and I’m not making fun of what happened just trying to get you to smile, when I read your post the first thing I thought of was Thunder’s little advice to Grace Law, “Pray your cards right, Rive to talk about it!”
    No really Good luck and I’m praying for you.

  • ghoyle1

    I’ve been there, Ken, though admittedly I was not leaving a 20-year gig. I found that keeping busy kept my spirits up somewhat, and volunteered at a local high school. Hang in there.

  • Charles_Goodwin

    Ken, I am so sorry to hear about your situation (and sorry to come upon this news so late). Indianapolis is not exactly the garden spot of the Midwest, but if you’d like me to scope out any opportunities for you around here please don’t hesitate to let me know!

    Meanwhile our thoughts and prayers are with you!

  • Luke Blanchard

    Best wishes, Ken.

  • Joliet Jake Blues

    My best wishes for the future and I am saddened by the news. I’ve been loving your work here since at least 1999, I think – I’ve lost track of when or how I found the site.

  • Ken_Begg

    Thanks, my friend! I’m still wrapping up my last weeks at the library, and then will start looking in earnest. I’m optimistic something will come up.

  • Sandy Petersen

    I can only say that Texas’s unemployment rate is 5.7%. Illinois’ is 8.7% (the second highest!) Plus we have whataburger, waffle house, and NO Sizzler’s “restaurants”.