Last time on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"...
... And now the conclusion.
(My apologies. That was the ST:TNG geek in me.)
A little over a month ago in the blog post "All Good Things" I alluded to some upcoming changes in my life.
It is time for those changes.
Today, June 19, I will be handing my manager at what I refer to as the "OGRE" and the "Great Retail Empire" the following letter:
June 19, 2009
To whom it may concern,
Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., effective on July 03, 2009. I have enjoyed my employment here and appreciate all I have learned.
I hope that this two-week notice is sufficient for you to find a replacement for me. If I can help to train my replacement or tie up any loose ends in the next two weeks, please let me know.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to work here.
Sincerely,
Erik Rubright
Simple letter. And totally stolen from the Internet. Why reinvent the wheel?
I'm sure some of you are cheering already. I know the disdain many have for Wal-Mart.
Even though the retail sector signed my paycheck every two weeks, I worked in IT at the Homeoffice supporting roughly 200,000 Windows workstations globally. I experienced many technical opportunities that I would not have had working any where else in the world. It truly is a unique environment (much to the disdain of many of us who worked there, and to many of those who we called on as vendors) and helped shape the technical knowledge I now have under my belt. A knowledge I feel I am now mostly abandoning.
Instead of the 45 hours per week I spend at Wal-Mart and the 12 hours or so I had been able to squeeze in at my tattoo studio, I will now be devoting all those hours to improving my skills as a tattoo artist and growing my own business.
A total of 13 years Wal-Mart has been a part of my life. Almost one-third of my life. This is the second time I will have left the employ of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. I was with the company five years previously and left in 1999 to help my Husbear start the salon we still own. It has been eight years this time.
I should be excited, but I am scared as hell. I'm a worrier and a creature of habit, and those "habits" are now changing. No more safety net of a steady salary. No paid vacation or sick time. No health insurance (until I can find replacement coverage being self-employed). But these are chances I—with my Husbear's backing and support—am going to have to, and now willing to, take.
I am well aware some people think I am crazy for leaving the security of any steady job in these difficult economic times. It does seem contrary in light of so many people having lost or losing their jobs and unable to find work. But I have to do it. For myself.
It is time.
So to all the associates and vendors that I have worked so closely with over the years: thank you for putting up with me along the journey, which I know has been a chore at times. And hopefully I'll see you in my shop one day....
And to my supportive Husbear: thank you, and I love you.
Until next time...
Terry commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:21 am:
I have been in your ORGE shoes 3 times. I totally understand. Sending good energy and bear hugs.
me commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:28 am:
hey congrats! your work looks great from what i've seen. i'm sure you'll be a huge success!
Tory commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:30 am:
Good luck Erik. Dwayne and I are happy for you!
Jonathan commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:37 am:
Hey ERIK i know you will do GREAT !! best wishes !!
JCROWE
Dead robot commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:50 am:
Wait before you go can you get me some toilet paper and a pack of smokes?
Seriously, you'll be a success, I know it!
Cobban commented on June 19, 2009 at 6:58 am:
You, sir, rock! Good for you for being proactive and making such a big change. All the best of luck. ...I still need a tattoo...
Cb commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:04 am:
If it isn't contributing to your happiness- then get rid of it.
I applaud your decision. It takes guts to walk away. Good for you!! And good luck in the new direction!!
Dan commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:14 am:
Congratulations! I imagine you have a huge knot in your stomach, but I am sure it will go away in time. It will be better than the pain in the ass you have felt at times dealing with the WM system. During my brief time working there "thanks for that opportunity" you were one of the few logical and realistic people in the department. Good luck on a your future at the shop. I know you will do well. Hugs
Kevin-Andrew commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:23 am:
Bravo! It's wonderful to follow ones dreams and you are not crazy for it. You have family and friends who support you. You have a great man in your life there to back you up and this makes it all the more wonderful.
You will do just fine. Congratulations!
kyle commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:23 am:
i had a wonderful witty comment for you - but then i had to log into wordpress and the entire thing crapped out and lost it all.
suffice to say; i'm very proud of you - its difficult to turn that corner and walk boldy into an unknown future. i'm so excited for you.
i know you will be successfull.
cheers.
Alexander commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:26 am:
Congratulations and best of luck, Erik! I'm sure you'll do great in your "new" career.
Love and Hugs...
Dyl commented on June 19, 2009 at 7:32 am:
So excited for you. Wish you well and well done for going with your dream
josh.pautz commented on June 19, 2009 at 9:22 am:
Sorry to hear buddy. But I think you'll be happier and better off.
Java commented on June 19, 2009 at 4:44 pm:
I think that's a wonderful idea. Congratulations and all the best to you and the Husbear. Boldly go away from the OGRE. Strike out with enthusiasm for what you truly love. I'm excited for you!
Brian Clevenger commented on June 19, 2009 at 8:21 pm:
Dude! Good luck! Thanks for everything you have taught me... I know you will do well...
the replicant commented on June 20, 2009 at 2:39 am:
It's great to see people following their dreams. Way to go, Erik!
Urspo commented on June 20, 2009 at 8:14 am:
All major moves into the unknown evoke fear "what did I do? where am I going?"
You are a brave man and I admire you so for 'going for it'. It may be tough for a while but soon in hindsight you will wonder why you did not do this sooner!
Bravo!
matthew thompson commented on June 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm:
Congrats Man! I know with your talent you will be incredibly successful.
Moby commented on June 20, 2009 at 10:40 pm:
Good for you bud. I wish you all the success in expanding your skills/business.
SharkBoy commented on June 21, 2009 at 5:11 am:
Very happy for you, and from what I've seen of your work, I know you'll be a big success
rg commented on June 23, 2009 at 4:21 am:
I echo the sentiments of CB - if it doesn't make you happy, get rid of whatever it is that is holding you back!
Congratulations - I know you'll be a great success.
So, I guess I have to put up or shut up and get my ass to East Pig's Knuckle Arkansas and get that damn tramp-stamp from you now huh? LOL