Forced out. Now I'm bored.

by Freeway Willy

I worked for the same company for 33 years. After 33 years and having risen to a rank in senior management (2nd in command at a company of 250 employees), the owner sold the company to an east coast operation.

I was kept on for a transitional period, but was then forced out being offered only menial entry level jobs. They were clearly trying to get me to leave in order to save the cost of my salary. I was hoping to work for at least 10 more years until I was 70.

So, I found myself at home trying to find some way to while away the hours. I thought I could quickly find a new job - even if it wasn't in an executive or even management role. That's when I found out that age discrimination is alive and will in Portland, Oregon. No one wanted to hire a 60 year old for virtually anything.

Now, I sit at home and have virtually nothing to do. I've tried volunteering, but have found nothing fulfilling or that ignites any passion. I have given up on finding employment at all. I have enough money to get by for a few years, but not enough to carry me through more than 6 or 7 years. I find myself hoping to die early so that at least my family will have the life insurance proceeds.
There's really nothing to do anyway.

I have a few years until I have to pull that trigger (so to speak)! But I'm out of my mind bored and can't come up with a thing to do with my life now that I've been tossed out of my career because I aged. They wanted "new blood", a "fresh perspective" and then they didn't even interview anyone over 35 for my old job. Yes, I'm bitter, angry - but mostly just bored with my empty days.

Aging and retirement are horrible, kids. Do all possible to avoid both!

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