Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

[fusion5]

Such a nice gesture! Enjoy!

 

[Bowmoreman]

OK I am joining the ranks of the "Retired," albeit involuntarily. My company has informed me my services are no longer required as of 15 May. I'd say it smelled of age discrimination, but the entire semiconductor manufacturing support ecosystem is currently in turmoil and companies like Intel are laying off 20%, so it likely has more to do with business being off significantly. I am not the only one viewing the sharp side of the axe.

In any case, I plan to serve out these last two weeks in a professional short-timer manner, take a couple weeks or months off to depressurize, then figure out what, if anything, comes next. I've already been offered a couple consultant gigs but that decision will come later.

Onward!

Good luck. Ageism IS a huge thing and especially in tech. One is either massively “overqualified”, or not believed when one says one no longer wants a “career progression plan”.

My 2nd startup had our funding pulled when I was 59. Took me 9 months to land my next gig, and even that was having to convince them that - having previously run sales/marketing in my startups, Product Management for a $2BN company, and before that various ever-growing career jobs - I was NO longer interested in that: just give me a good senior level INDIVIDUAL contributor level position, at decent pay, I have NO desires to be a VP/President anymore, BTDT. What worked was my passion to be a MENTOR to the younger un’s…

I’m officially the oldest employee at my current company, watching 30 and 40 something’s on my teams get promoted, etc. which is FINE. I’m the “trusted advisor” (who can handle managing 5 products now, was hired for only 1)… but, I do expect that IF times should get tight for our business, I hold no illusions. I’m at the max salary possible within the role/band. I want to get another 10 months so I can hit the magic 66 and 10 months (and more would be better), but it isn’t end of the world if sooner. Ideally, I last long enough that we IPO and my (fully vested now) options can be cashed <fingers crossed>…

Consulting/gigging is always an option for some types of jobs, but for my realm of expertise, not so much; sounds like you may have that as a distinct possibility.

Good luck!!!

 

[unclefred]

Especially if you prefer a V-shaped sound. I can't convince you to like a U-shaped sound.

I go for an A+ sound.

 

[riffrafff]

I'd say it smelled of age discrimination...

IBM did the same to me. I shifted gears back to a previous life (metrology) and can't say I miss the on-call hours of a sysadmin.

 

[Les Strat]

By the way, the first thing my wife asked when I gave her the news was not about healthcare, but if losing my salary meant we now had to learn to like cheap American beer. NEVER!!

Excellent!

In a similar vein, one of my friends' favourite maxims is 'Life's too short to drink cheap wine'.

Here's to a happy and healthy retirement.

 

[sam6550a]

Thank you. Yea, healthcare is the biggest issue worrying me right now. Fortunately we both qualify for all Medicare has to offer, plus I have some supplemental plans available at very low to no cost through the VFW that I am exploring. But yea, if she ends up in the hospital ICU again with insufficient insurance to cover, then living in our car might be our next retirement plan.

I faced the same layoff issue in 1993 when Gorbachev had the audacity to dismantle the Soviet Union and the company that I worked for shrunk our division from 11K to 3.5K persons. Take your time, decompress, try a few things, but don't be discouraged. Medical is a big concern, but full Medicare plus an F plan supplemental [you will soon learn what those plan letters mean], will cover almost all of your medical. [I get my Medicare supplement insurance through IEEE]. My wife has been in and out of the hospital at least 5 times this year, and my out of pocket is currently zero. Drugs are another story. Even with Medicare D insurance, drugs are a big out of pocket expense.
Stay positive, take little side jobs that are fun, and enjoy the freedom. Best of luck to you---after all we former shipmates are hard to put down. [Yes, I know that you were a submariner and I was an airdale, but we are still shipmates].

 

[fusion5]

Order the Valhalla 3 now or wait for impressions? First world problems, I know.

Well, you made it this far. I'd expect some impressions being posted here over the weekend.

 

[Ripper2860]

Well, I can honestly say that impedance multiplier is not needed for my Hifiman OG Arya (35 Ohms). Sounds awesome, but I'm not doing any serious listening yet. I'll do that tonight when it's quiet.

Next up is the 16 Ohm DCA Aeon Flow Closed.


Note: Note sure how extensive my tube rolling will be as it looks like I'll have to stick to natively supported tubes as it looks like a tube adapter (at least the ones I have) will not fit. No biggie. I have 6DJ8s (Bugle Boys and a few others that I cannot recall) as well as a pair of Genalex 6922s.

 

[MindBreak]

OK I am joining the ranks of the "Retired," albeit involuntarily. My company has informed me my services are no longer required as of 15 May. I'd say it smelled of age discrimination, but the entire semiconductor manufacturing support ecosystem is currently in turmoil and companies like Intel are laying off 20%, so it likely has more to do with business being off significantly. I am not the only one viewing the sharp side of the axe.

In any case, I plan to serve out these last two weeks in a professional short-timer manner, take a couple weeks or months off to depressurize, then figure out what, if anything, comes next. I've already been offered a couple consultant gigs but that decision will come later.

Onward!

Sorry to hear about your forced retirement. Good luck.

 

[sam6550a]

OMG!!!!! I am actually unable to speak and tears are welling up in my eyes...

Got back from breakfast with my father and sat down to catch up on HF when there was a knock on the door. It was FedEx needing me to sign for something. I thought, geez, the wife bought some more freakin' shoes, but the package was too heavy -- and it was addressed to me and not her. AND IT WAS FROM SCHIIT!!! So I signed for it and set it on my desk wondering what to do next. I decided to open it and and am in utter and complete shock!!!



Somehow, some way, I am the recipient of a VH3!!!!!!!!!

I have no idea how many of you fine folks are involved, but I am in shock!! I'm just sitting here typing, while shaking my head in disbelief. THANK YOU!!!! I will set it up and post more pictures after I regain my composure!!

What an awesome group of folks. I keep saying this is not just a forum but a community!! I dare anyone to try and convince me otherwise!!!

OMG!!!

So, we now know how to make you speechless!!

 

[docBliny]

Order the Valhalla 3 now or wait for impressions? First world problems, I know.

Order now and leverage the trial period from Schiit? Shipping shouldn't be too bad since it's a smaller unit (unless of course you're somewhere where the shipping costs are extreme).

 

[Ripper2860]

So, we now know how to make you speechless!!

If by that you mean give the man Schiit so he'll shut-up, then you may be right!

** BTW -- I'm still able to type when speechless.

 

[docBliny]

So, we now know how to make you speechless!!

Oh, this is going to get expensive from now on...

 

[MindBreak]

Getting ready to set her up. Vali 3 in the background will find its new home on my nightstand.

(This office setup is a bit smaller as I relinquished my bigger office to the wife since she works from home everyday. It's an intimate setup, but works for reading/posting on HF and other stuff. Audio-wise it's a good setup too.)

Enjoy your Valhalla 3 good sir.

 

[Ripper2860]

Potential VH3 tube rollers beware: Tube adapters may be out due to restricted tube opening size.