posted
Twenty six years in this business. Started out at twenty two full of get up and go. Worked the usual eighteen hour days, believing some day somehow I would be wealthy with others doing most of the work. i'd be playing golf two days a week, and two or three holidays a week. Don't get me wrong. I've paid the bills this far and have three beautiful daughters, almost all grown up now. We're a very close family with my wife working part time with me and she's great. Unfortunately, the fire has gone from my belly. I don't know if it's the constant hard luck stories I hear daily, the thoughts of growing old or indeed the idea of my own parents growing old. I just seem to be punching in the hours at present. Sorry for bending your ears. Anyone relate to how I feel or indeed can anyone provide a bolt of inspiration to give me a kick start for the next twenty six years
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Well...Ireland's a nice green pretty place to be in, compared with here... I've spent 24 years here in largely droughty circumstances as far as the environment goes. Also paid the bills & have three great daughters, but try a pair of earmuffs so you don't have to listen to the negativity you mention, and try a bit of what Raymond wrote of Dan: 'spend a little time each day working toward that dream'.
Look how far the industry has swerved in the past 26 years, and you've made the journey around the curve with it to be here- wonder which way the next turn will take you, and all of us?
Creative inspirations & good design remain on top, even though techniques alter with time. Do you see problems in the industry in Ireland which you're not mentioning, or perhaps there's a new wave in the distance you can swim out to, to catch a more exhilirating view of the same beach?
[ February 18, 2010, 03:54 AM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Hi Ian. You're living in one part of the world I would love to visit one day. Have a particular affection for Australia. have some mates there who I stay in contact with through Facebook. We have good people emigrate from here weekly. It pains me to see them ago but I'm also envious. It's more the opportunities my daughters could have elsewhere. Unfortunately, as I see it, Ireland made bigger mistakes than most over the past few years and it will take us years longer to pull out of it. It saddens me that the great youth of our country and especially my family, will have to pay for these mistakes for the rest of their days. Part of me would like to see my girls move away to better opportunities, climate and lifestyle. Of course, I know that would also break my heart but I want whats best for them. The ear muffs are a great idea. I already switch off all negative rubbish on TV and radion when it comes on
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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I hear ya Kevin. I`m twenty years in this sign business,a beautiful wife two beautiful kids,living in west cork,doing a job that I love and I feel like the fire has gone from my belly(and I have a big belly).The only thing that keeps me going is my Family and their needs.The odd beer and soccer match really helps too. Kevin,I wont tell you to pull yourself together,or guide you to self help websites and such.All I can say is, I hear ya Kevin.
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Hi Declan. Wasn't so bad when the kids were young, but when you see them reach adulthood, the eldest in a dead end job but a terrific hard working, kind hearted beautiful person, you just wish you could steer them towards something better. A lot of her friends did the college thing and they're now unemployed. I suppose it's up to us lot to pick up the pieces and make this place good again. The important thing is we're all healthy. Sorry for using this forum for venting my frustrations
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Seems like that happens when you reach 50 for some people... my wife tells me not to read the negative stuff, it can really have an effect on you, and you might not be aware of it. I have a 22 year old son in University, he's a great young man, he's doing business and accounting, he has the brains for it as well. The one good thing about economy here in Newfoundland is that it's very strong, but, people here even with all the work that's taking place, still will cut each other's throat to get the business... and that can put a damper on things.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Don't want to dampen an already droll subject, but listening to others describe your children in such high regard, and worry, has brought me to tears again on that subject...I'd give the world to have my son back,to worry about him, to guide him, to enjoy a beer like buddies with him....he left this world at 24, no more than a boy in my eyes...the pain is still there, no less than the day it happened...only reality is the one now, that's what keeps me putting on my socks and doing it again, day after day.....life is not fair and no one ever said it was, that's reality and the one I was left with, nothing I can do on the face of earth to change that, nothing...all efforts, even though quasi noble, fail, he won't be back...think about how lucky you really are, great times w/kids, job that pays the bills regularly, compensational weather, you got it made, come walk a few yards in my shoes, that will pop a ray of reality into your life...besides, all the fretting only burns daylight...no sense wasting it on the negative...only way for me to not kiss the train is to stay positive, for me, that's all that's left...again, that's reality.
Sorry if I bummed you out, but take a look at the other side, yours is much more attractive...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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God Frank, you reply has made the hair stand on the back of my neck. I can't begin to understand what you've gone through. I actually feel ashamed of my original post and promise, whenever I'm feeling a little down, I'll think of you. I will give the kids a big hug too when I get home tonight. Thank you Frank for giving me a kick up the backside I needed. A friendly kick though
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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I think we all get down, frustrated, and or discouraged from time to time. After reading your initial post, the first thing that came to mind that you are a wealthy man, it all depends on where you place your value.
Not quite sure why we spend our days struggling for more money, when the time comes that our days are done, there isn't enough room on that bus for our body, silly us for thinking we can bring along any "stuff".
It is times like these that are very valuable, we can take stock, re-evaluate and make changes if necessary.
Funny how if we just change our perspective, it can sometimes change our whole world.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Frank, I do take stock of things, and I appreciate my wife and son every single day... Thanks for the reminder.. and I do feel for you, and am sure glad that you carry on.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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We all get caught up in the day to day "making a buck", paying the bills, acquiring a few things, but ultimately what is most important in life is our family and the friends we make while we are here. I am thankful and proud that so many of you on this forum are part of my Family !
-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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No, thank you, if it wasn't for the reminders, like your post, that take me back to my reality, I would never be able to build "mettle"...for that I'm thankful, because w/o it, the pain would win...keeps me grounded.
My prayer is that you find your peace...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Some great feedback here.It seems the change is universal.Bitch is we didn't come with a handbook when we were born to figure it out.Oops, yes we did but not everybody reads it.I learned lessons of letting go of stuff years ago. I was pretty good at collecting stuff and through circumstances kept losing it.My priority on having stuff is not the same as it used to be.I've lost loved ones and that is the hardest. Everybody goes through it. I am content and feel blessed to have a loving family now and am able to do my art even though my surroundings are "humble" by some persons standards.I don't have to look far to see I am living like a king.
posted
just remember someone is always in worse shape than you. be thankful for your health and being able to work. god will always be there.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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You'd be surprised at how the people around you influence you. A couple years ago I started eliminating negative people from my life and I've seen a huge difference. I'm not making millions, but I look at things differently now & my health is better, etc.
Was having a conversation with a friend's friend about negativity and her new years resolution was to "eliminate toxic people" from her life. I hadn't thought about negativity being toxic, but she's right.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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