[Railroader]

Well, not really, but I have decided to take a year of from work to pursue my woodworking.

I hope to develop my artistic side of my woodoworking skills and try to learn some skills I have yet to even try like Lathe turning and free sculpture carving.

I have saved up about a year's salary and my employer is allowing me to take a year's laeve of absence with the freedom to come back to work before then.

My wife is ecstatic and has a ton of household improvements planned for me to do. I am still a bit nervous. I am going to miss a lot of GREAT people at work that I would probably never see otherwise.

Just thought I'd share.

Carry on with you regularly scheduled posting/lurking.

[isao bered]

:-) almost as cool as taking the time off to "walk the earth". enjoy the extended seventh day - i hope you accomplish all that you hope for and more.

be well.

laeth

[Railroader]

I am learning tonight how difficult it is to get all of your stuff home from a job you have been at for 10 years.

I had no idea how much stuff I have at work.

Toolboxes, locker contents and personal supply cabinet contents are going to nearly fill the mini-van tonight!

[Pendergast]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Well, not really, but I have decided to take a year of from work to pursue my woodworking.

I hope to develop my artistic side of my woodoworking skills and try to learn some skills I have yet to even try like Lathe turning and free sculpture carving.

I have saved up about a year's salary and my employer is allowing me to take a year's laeve of absence with the freedom to come back to work before then.

My wife is ecstatic and has a ton of household improvements planned for me to do. I am still a bit nervous. I am going to miss a lot of GREAT people at work that I would probably never see otherwise.

Just thought I'd share.

Carry on with you regularly scheduled posting/lurking.

Best wishes of success with this endeavour!

[Mastrap]

Excellent plan. Congratulations on having the nerve to follow your dream. Too many people don't and then one day find out that it's too late.

Also, the way the car industry appears to be going, a new skill seems a very good thing to have.

[RAILhead]

I could use a new coffee table. Preferably Koa, or at least a Koa laminate.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by RAILhead

I could use a new coffee table. Preferably Koa, or at least a Koa laminate.

I am going to work quite a bit with veneers. It's another skill I know little about and hope to hone my skilz at.

[residentEvil]

Railroader - how did the guitar come out? i was watching a program on, i think hdnet, about a man and his sons who make them out of their little shack/workshop. no power tools. very neat. i thought of you and your quest from a year or so ago.

[Kevin]

You'll go blind.

[Maflynn]

Railroader what do you do now for living. That's pretty amazing that your employer will allow you a leave such as that. Just as amazing that your could save up a year's salary in this day and age.

Good Luck
Mike

[Cody Dawg]

all the way, Railroader.

THAT is awesome.

I see it as taking a year off to get to know yourself, your wife, and your family better and find it very admirable.

to you.

[Cody Dawg]

Oh, and yeah, show us some of your handiwork, will you?

WE DEMAND IT!

[wdlove]

Sounds like a great plan to me Railroader. I wish you all the best. Woodworking is an honorable skill.

I also would like to see some of handiwork.

[DarwinX]

That is sweet dude Live it up, learn your skills and don't neglect the 'NN for the hampster may get mad!

Haha, congrats

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by Maflynn

Railroader what do you do now for living. That's pretty amazing that your employer will allow you a leave such as that. Just as amazing that your could save up a year's salary in this day and age.

Good Luck
Mike

Saving up the salary to do that is indeed impressive, but many employers are allowing leaves-of-absence like this now. As I understand it, it all started with the FMLA, which gives new parents (not just mothers!) the right to take an unpaid leave of (IIRC) up to a year to care for a newborn baby. As typically happens with well-intentioned entitlements like this, older workers and workers who can't have or don't want to have children shouted "How come I have to have a kid to get a year's unpaid leave?", and many larger companies who could afford it started to institute similar "once-in-a-lifetime" leave-of-absence programs for all their employees.

As I understand it, Intel has a sabbatical program where all their employees get an extra 12 weeks of paid vacation every seven years, with the stipulation that they have to use all their extra time all at once in the year it was given! They do this to prevent burn-out, since so many Intel employees work crazy hours and never take vacation....

And Good Luck to you, RR'er! Are you taking orders?

[Doofy]

Sweet!

*cough*
Did you know that nobody makes 24 fret 16" radius maple-fingerboard guitars any more but there's still a huge market for them?
*cough*

[Stradlater]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Oh, and yeah, show us some of your handiwork, will you?

WE DEMAND IT!

Thirded.

Good luck on your endeavors!

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Kevin

You'll go blind.

Beat me to it.

[Artful Dodger]

Great decision Railroader. You'll find an unmitigated sense of accomplishment and peace while embarking on such a down to earth endeavor. At the very least it will be a catharisis from which you'll have wonderful functional/artistic pieces to show for. My close relative dedicated is life to woodworking starting in the 1950s and now his work is in museums. Make yourself a nice rocking chair....

[forkies]

i think that pursuing one's interests is always a good thing. it sounds like you've been planning this, so i'm sure it will work out well. this will no doubt give you a chance to try things you didn't have time for / weren't able to do before. 偉いだろう

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Railroader - how did the guitar come out? i was watching a program on, i think hdnet, about a man and his sons who make them out of their little shack/workshop. no power tools. very neat. i thought of you and your quest from a year or so ago.

I bought the wood and started with the body first. Realized I know ZERO about veneering or steam bending and scrapped that wood. I have been watching a show on DIYnet called "Handmade Music" and have been learning a lot.

This is on a list of things I hope to accomplish still.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Maflynn

Railroader what do you do now for living. That's pretty amazing that your employer will allow you a leave such as that. Just as amazing that your could save up a year's salary in this day and age.

Good Luck
Mike

I work for GM as a skilled trademan, Machine Repair Machinist.

GM allows time off up to a year for education or hobby work. Technically I am not allowed to go into any type of business ventures, so this is simply a time for me to hone my craft.

All you have to do is pocket about 8% of your base salary every year and be debt free. It took me about 10 years.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

all the way, Railroader.

THAT is awesome.

I see it as taking a year off to get to know yourself, your wife, and your family better and find it very admirable.

to you.

That's what my wife sees it as too. I wold her I want at least 40 hours a week in the workshop.

But from saving my commute each week I'll have over 16 hours a week extra at home in addition to the 40+ hours I usually worked.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Doofy

Sweet!

*cough*
Did you know that nobody makes 24 fret 16" radius maple-fingerboard guitars any more but there's still a huge market for them?
*cough*

Hmmm....

Noted!

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Artful Dodger

Great decision Railroader. You'll find an unmitigated sense of accomplishment and peace while embarking on such a down to earth endeavor. At the very least it will be a catharisis from which you'll have wonderful functional/artistic pieces to show for. My close relative dedicated is life to woodworking starting in the 1950s and now his work is in museums. Make yourself a nice rocking chair....

Chairs are one of the hardest things to make.

Sam Maloof is one of my woodworking idols. He makes the most amazing chairs.

http://www.oma-online.org/maloof_exhibit.html



I would love to be able to emulate his work.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by Railroader

I bought the wood and started with the body first. Realized I know ZERO about veneering or steam bending and scrapped that wood. I have been watching a show on DIYnet called "Handmade Music" and have been learning a lot.

This is on a list of things I hope to accomplish still.

Haven't watched that show yet; I'll check it out. Once you get familier with steaming/bending (check out the Woodwright Show on PBS, he has a tape/dvd of just that) you will be able to make dingys and canoes...instead of buying the kits already formed. That is something I hope to make one day.

I've been watching their Home Theater Workshop series lately...and laffing. Granted, I have learned a couple of things; but man, I'll stick with what I did myself in my theater. (http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dhtw/) Course, I'm still waiting for the new chairs to come in; I've moved the recliners upstairs into the living room. So well, the theater isn't used right now.

[Maflynn]

Originally Posted by Railroader

I work for GM as a skilled trademan, Machine Repair Machinist.

GM allows time off up to a year for education or hobby work. Technically I am not allowed to go into any type of business ventures, so this is simply a time for me to hone my craft.

All you have to do is pocket about 8% of your base salary every year and be debt free. It took me about 10 years.

Kewl

As for the 8%, I commend you. It takes a lot of discpline.

[Gator Lager]

Hey Railroader check out this guys work. http://home.pacbell.net/ebeniste/home.htm
I thought this might give you some additional idea's.

Also remember what Picasso said "Good artist copy, Great artist Steal"
So get to it and like others have said. Post pic's.

[ReggieX]

Pretty cool! My boss does woodworking for a hobby, and he's been getting the itch to do more. Have a blast!

[Artful Dodger]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Chairs are one of the hardest things to make.
Sam Maloof is one of my woodworking idols. He makes the most amazing chairs.
*image snip*
I would love to be able to emulate his work.

That's the relative I was alluding to. I knew you'd figure it out...you know your stuff, Railroader. Notice the lumbar support on that chair. It truly is beautiful and comfortable. Best of luck and I'm sure you'll make many special pieces. Patience and simplicity is what it takes.

[turtle777]

My company offers something similar, but not as long.

You can get a sabbatical contract for 12 or 24 months, which gives you 2 months paid time off in addition to your regular vacation.

For the 24 months, you'll have to give up 8 % of your salary, for the 12 months 17%.
It's not bad. I have not taken this opportunity yet.

-t

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Railroader

I am learning tonight how difficult it is to get all of your stuff home from a job you have been at for 10 years.

I had no idea how much stuff I have at work.

Toolboxes, locker contents and personal supply cabinet contents are going to nearly fill the mini-van tonight!

MICHAEL
Wow, our last day at Initech.

SAMIR
I can't believe they had security escort us out. Not like we're gonna
steal something.

PETER
I stole something.

MICHAEL
Oh yeah. I guess we all did.

PETER
No, I stole something else.

SAMIR
What did you steal?

PETER
We'll call it a going away present.

[Scene A field. They drop the printer. Samir stomps on it four times
and Michael, eight times. Peter hands Samir a bat. He hits the printer
twice and Michael takes over. He starts to punch it. Samir and Peter
pull him away, but he runs back to destroy the evil printer.]

[Railroader]

UPDATE: Looks like I may make my sabbatical permanent. GM is offering me $140,000 to sever all ties to GM except my vested retirement.

Time for some serious soul-searching/future considerations. I have thought about finishing up my teaching degree and joining my wife as a teacher. Summers off, good vacations and other benefits.... hmmmm....

ON TOPIC UPDATE: I have not done as much woodworking as planned. Instead I have gotten much deeper into my photographic hobby and my children. I have gotten further on my guitar project and I have made a couple tables and a few cabinets... but not nearly what I had planned.

With all of this time to myself to think, the above offer is looking VERY attractive.

What would you do?

[davesimondotcom]

$140,000 is a lot of money.

DEAL OR NO DEAL, Railroader?

I think if you could live long enough on it to finish your teaching degree or whatever you want to do, go for it.

You could buy a new lathe and upgrade your photography equipment, your Mac, etc.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by davesimondotcom

$140,000 is a lot of money.

DEAL OR NO DEAL, Railroader?

It is a lot of money. Serious considerations are being made. It's hard to give 10+ years to a company and then cut all ties. No decision yet. It'll probably take me over a week to decide.

Originally Posted by davesimondotcom

I think if you could live long enough on it to finish your teaching degree or whatever you want to do, go for it.

Realistically, I don't even have to work right now as long as my wife is working. But I like to spend money and donate money so I work. I am spending less money during this sabbatical than I thought.

Originally Posted by davesimondotcom

You could buy a new lathe and upgrade your photography equipment, your Mac, etc.

I am a man of cheap means... when my simple eMac can't do what I want I will buy another cheap Mac. I am also getting more and more into hand tools over power tools. I could use a nicer band saw though

[residentEvil]

I would love a buy-out (i'm in education/IT, 13 years now) but well, they don't do that for administrators.

I can 'sell' back my unused vacation time after 15 years of service. So I might take that offer up. I can bank 45 days worth at a time...350 hours basically. And since i earn 20 days a year (150 hours) and only use 12 days or so, sometimes 15...i never fall back below 350 hours. That would make a nice paycheck extra if i can sell them back. And every 3 years roughly, sell another 350 hours back.

[Spliffdaddy]

About a year and a half ago I took a buyout from AT&T after 16 years of service.

No regrets whatsoever.

I make more money now than I ever would have if I stayed at AT&T.

And I work a lot less.

It was a difficult decision at the time....but looking back, I couldn't have made a better decision.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

About a year and a half ago I took a buyout from AT&T after 16 years of service.

No regrets whatsoever.

I make more money now than I ever would have if I stayed at AT&T.

And I work a lot less.

It was a difficult decision at the time....but looking back, I couldn't have made a better decision.

That's the kind of thing I want to hear!

[davesimondotcom]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

About a year and a half ago I took a buyout from AT&T after 16 years of service.

For some reason I always thought you were younger than you must be!

[Salty]

If you like kids I'd say maybe you should consider joining your wife as a teacher. I knew a few teachers who did it and they seemed to enjoy it. My mom took a buy out from CN Rail, she got 70 000, that said make sure that you are able to take the cut in pay in a healthy way. My mom took her buy out and my dad retired from his PT job with the army brining out family down from a 2.5 income home to a 1 income home and my parents never learned to stop spending money the way they were accustomed. They're in a lot of financial trouble these days.

[von Wrangell]

Probably a stupid question but...

How do these buy-outs work?

And good luck to you Railroader in whatever you decide to do.

[Maflynn]

Will you get paid in a lump sum or over the years. I ask because of potential tax implications. getting a single payment of 140k means you in line for a serious tax charge.

[ambush]

I doubt that what you do can be considered "art" today. I wish you luck nonetheless.

[Spliffdaddy]

Originally Posted by von Wrangell

Probably a stupid question but...

How do these buy-outs work?

And good luck to you Railroader in whatever you decide to do.

"Buy-outs" aka "voluntary termination packages" are primarily offered to employees in union-represented workplaces as a means to reduce the workforce. Typically, these offers are made to employees who would not otherwise be affected by lay-offs due to their job title/position or their seniority. Layoffs aren't cheap in a union environment. In many cases, the employees still collect a salary - based on their seniority (years of service) - for a period of up to 2 years *after* they're laid off.

So, if you want to reduce your workforce - and the positions you want to cut aren't currently filled by low-seniority employees, then it's an expensive proposition.

A "buy-out" is usually a lump sum of cash that exceeds what the employee would otherwise be entitled to collect if he was laid off. Otherwise, the employee would simply wait until he was laid off. The employee must agree to "leave the payroll" (quit) by a certain date - and the employer will provide a settlement that includes cash and sometimes insurance benefits for a brief time period (1 year or so).

AT&T offered me 6 months of medical insurance and the equivalent of 2.5 years of wages + a pension enhancement that is payable in a lump sum - instead of waiting until I'm old.

I'm 39, by the way. I think somebody asked.

[von Wrangell]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

"Buy-outs" aka "voluntary termination packages" are primarily offered to employees in union-represented workplaces as a means to reduce the workforce. Typically, these offers are made to employees who would not otherwise be affected by lay-offs due to their job title/position or their seniority. Layoffs aren't cheap in a union environment. In many cases, the employees still collect a salary - based on their seniority (years of service) - for a period of up to 2 years *after* they're laid off.

So, if you want to reduce your workforce - and the positions you want to cut aren't currently filled by low-seniority employees, then it's an expensive proposition.

A "buy-out" is usually a lump sum of cash that exceeds what the employee would otherwise be entitled to collect if he was laid off. Otherwise, the employee would simply wait until he was laid off. The employee must agree to "leave the payroll" (quit) by a certain date - and the employer will provide a settlement that includes cash and sometimes insurance benefits for a brief time period (1 year or so).

AT&T offered me 6 months of medical insurance and the equivalent of 2.5 years of wages + a pension enhancement that is payable in a lump sum - instead of waiting until I'm old.

I'm 39, by the way. I think somebody asked.

OK, thanks.

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Railroader

UPDATE: Looks like I may make my sabbatical permanent. GM is offering me $140,000 to sever all ties to GM except my vested retirement.

Told ya.



5 out of five lols.

Here' where your ***less life takes a dive.

[ism]

Go for it. Sounds like an ace opportunity.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ambush

I doubt that what you do can be considered "art" today. I wish you luck nonetheless.

ambush why are you such a hateful, negative young man? Your views are narrow and blind-sided.

I'll just mark it up to you being young and naive.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

Told ya.



5 out of five lols.

Here' where your ***less life takes a dive.

More hateful silliness. What exactly did you tell him?

Seek help.

[Mastrap]

Best of luck Railroader. Remember, the money WILL run out if you're not careful. And from your post above it looks like the woodworking dream might stay just that, so maybe that's not a viable source of income. Have you considered buying real estate for cash and becoming a landlord?

Rental income is a good thing.