Hey, I have a job now, I don't know why I look so tense!
This is from The National Post and is the follow up to an article I wrote over 2 years ago.
Then it was all about getting fired and a lot of people seemed to relate to it. Now I have a gig and I was asked to put that into perspective as well.
The original is here.
You'll notice I'm making much the same face as now.
The new article begins like this:
The last time I was employed by a radio station was July 13, 2006. It was a beautiful summer day, and little did I know that a phone call was about to change my whole world. I was fired. I know it seems weird to be fired over the phone but it's my own fault: I knew I was being canned and I didn't want to drive all the way downtown just to be told in person that I no longer had a job.
A week later I wrote an article about the experience for the National Post and I received a lot of great feedback. Apparently getting fired happens to a lot of people and my little article resonated with a bunch of them. I ended the piece, ''... and the words all recently fired people ask....Now What?"
"Now what" are the scariest words for a newly fired person and I was no exception. What would happen to my family? What would happen to me? Would I ever work again? That's really the big one -- will I ever work again and what will that job turn out to be?
Read the rest here or in today's National Post.
Category:
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Comments
I'm very proud of you Howard.
Mrs. Howard
Posted by: randee | August 20, 2008 / 16:40
Very nicely written. I related to a lot of what you wrote. What you were going through took me back to my own demise in radio in 2004. I lost my Dad that year too, but the last 5 months that I was able to spend with him, and pal around with him wouldn't have been possible if I kept my gig with Corus Entertainment.
Surprisingly, I didn't burn a bridge with Corus too. I know, it's hard to believe considering my fiery Lebanese Italian temper. I sure was pissed the way they gave me the boot, but I held my head up high.
20 months later, they came calling again, and I was able to return 'home' for one last gig. I have to tell you, when I left the next time, on my own terms, a small part of me found it very satisfying.
I hope you are comfortable and happy at the new old place and it takes you in to retirement in another 20 years when you hit 55.
As you know, I'm in Olympic hell now and have been unable to listen to the new show, but my Mom and Donna fill me in regularly.
Mom says it is so great to hear your voice again, and that you sound like you are having a blast.
Excellent article Hum, keep up the great work and try to post a little more often if you can. I hope you are able to maintain this website.
all the best.
Shwarms
Posted by: Shwarma | August 20, 2008 / 21:34
Howard.. I have to agree with Mrs. Howard up there... I'm proud of you too. Excellent article. Excellent life lessons.
Good on ya!
Posted by: Stephanie | August 20, 2008 / 21:53
Excellent piece, terrific perspective. You are entering as I prepare to exit - my choice! (This time!) But life..and radio..will certainly go on!
Cheers,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | August 21, 2008 / 07:18
You have all your hair, a new job, and your show is engaging (ok, perhaps not so much to people 30 and under but despite that I'm still digging parts of it) I think you should let some of the tenstion go man..
And major "props" to the photographer, what an awesome shot... and you look right at home...
Posted by: Jason | GetYourOJ.com | August 21, 2008 / 08:51
Hey Howard, I just read your article in the Post and popped here to catch up on your blog. You're a great writer, too, BTW. I haven't had the opportunity to listen to your new morning show yet, but I am sure going to check it out.
The hubs and I were huge fans of you & Freddie at CFNY... we miss the days when we were the demographic of the Edge... but I guess nothing stays the same.
Morning radio in TO hasn't been the same without your presence. Congrats on your new gig and all the best.
Posted by: Karen | August 21, 2008 / 22:59