www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hopefully you are experiencing some "inspirational disatisfaction."

Been there. Done that. USE IT. You're pissed.............USE IT! Don't let it use you! And especially don't listen to the "aholes" calling you a wimp.

Yeah, I know words are cheap when you feel the way you do. All that means is you need to get a little more pissed. Get mad enough and next thing you know................... you're inspired! You may even want to try and get mad at the high and mighties criticizing you. They don't know you. They don't know your life. "EFF EM!" They can't even spell "empathy."

Like I said, "been there and done that." You are not alone my friend.

Listen to my buddy Zig. Now there's a man who knows how to overcome adversity. If he can do it you can too. In fact, Zig had to overcome a physical AND a mental handicap. His problems from birth are big but now that he's "grown up" he has to live with being a HUGE PERVERT.

Rocco



Zig,

Love ya buddy. See you in CR right after the divorce.

Gringotom
Just remember buddy the worst hour of your life only lasts 60 minutes.

Roverman

What is the CRT record for posts and responses in a particular time? Whatever it was, it's heading to 2nd place in a hurry.

This thread, while disturbing, will find a permanent place on my harddrive. Posts here offer huge insights into the constituents of this board, and, on a broader basis, into the hearts and minds of some of the most successful people from the most successful country in history.

Nearly everyone posting here has overcome personal and professional obstacles. It's easy to forget how rich in experience and knowledge so many of you/us are. It makes sense. How many millions of men would love to do what we do? Find the time and the means to travel to exotic locales to experience emotional and physical fulfillment only imaginable to most?

To the guys on this thread who seem ready to send GT duty-free rum and a pistol, you're confusing a generally good strategy for life with the short-term emotional crisis being faced by one of our members. Good God, have a little compassion. Give the guy a little time to vent.

To GT, most of us don't even know you personally, but you have 3 pages in less than a day of impassioned responses to your post. Several people have offered sound professional advice and a couple have essentially asked for your resume'. If you get THIS response from relative strangers as a result of a despondent post, think what you'll get when you begin to impart positive energy to friends and colleagues! I know a bottle of rum sounds better, now. Enjoy that, stay away from cliffs and guns, and come out swinging next week.

_________________
SlickWings


Seems like I spend half my life drinking, gambling, and mongering. The other half... I waste.

GringoTim

I know what it feels like to lose hope. It sucks.

A good case of the "phuckits" can be a healthy thing.

Most guys here have lived it. For what it's worth... find something you care about. Find something to hope for. Use your frustration to push you, move you, inspire you.

be pissed, and use it to keep you moving. Obviously there are people who care and have your back.

Be humble and utilize your resources to get help.

Any man can lay down and die when things get hard.
You can do better than that... you can keep fighting....

Find something to care about.
Find something to hope for.

We are all pulling for you man. Go kick some ass!

KS

_________________
check yourself before you wreck yourself

Lots of great comments!

Many of us are facing the question of our retirement future based on limited resources. That's part of what's made CR the home for, last I read, 30,000 Yanquis (bet most of them are male )

Most of us are planning to earn in US, while we visit CR, and hopefully, save up enough to have a more permanent option there later.

When any of us suffers a career setback, it forces that "retirement" date both later and earlier than we would want it to be. Later, in that we won't have as much money saved, or earlier, in that you may need to move to a cheaper place sooner. Of course that's a depressing situation.

Knowing your way around CR, or other habitable less-developed countries, is a plus in this dilemma. At least GT is one-up on most American men in having this knowledge. And perhaps the insight that lots of Gringos are going to be pushed closer to 3rd world status at home if they remain in the US. How many are a couple paychecks, or a divorce, away from poverty as it is right now?

The attraction to younger females, stigmatized in the US, is built into our male chemistry. Goes back millions of years (probably even those 600-year-old guys in the Bible were marrying 500-year-old women, eh? )

Part of the fun we share together here is that we've given up fighting against that part of our nature, and decided to let ourselves enjoy it. To find it more reachable (affordable and culturally acceptable) in CR than in US is a bonus upon the bonus of possibly living more cheaply outside the US.

Many more of us American men are going to be forced into squeezes like GT's, so the presence of a sympathetic brotherhood as shown here gives me hope that there's an out when things get bad, and I'll get the best advice and hearing here that puts all this together in the best possible way.

It's a reality, and we're dealing with it.

Gringo Tim,
Sense there is a lot of talk about rum I want to give you the fallow-up on the El Dorado 15 year "special reserve" finest Demerara rum that we discussed a month or so ago.
Well. when I went on my last trip I did stop by the duty free and picked up a bottle of the 15 year El Dorado.
That night I took it over to the Sportsman's lodge and gave it to Bill with the only condition is We have a taste now and when ever you get in town the 1st. few drinks were "on the house"

Bill set up about 4 brandy snifters and we all had a drink.
OH MAN we all were amazed at the smoothness and the aroma and taste was outstanding !! The best rum I have ever tasted. Bill commented that it had a sort of Macadamia nut taste. Muy rico

When we talked before I had the El Dorado 12 yr. and I really liked it but I must say that there IS a BIG difference in the two..
How does 3 yrs. make a difference ?? I don't know ???? Is rum like fine wine ?

Upon my return to the Sportsman's 1 1/2 day's later I was told the 15yr. was history
It is that GOOD .... Can't blame um...

So on my way back home I ,of course, grabbed another bottle.

So now if you are still bent on doing yourself in ( and I hope not)
You should do it in style. So I am willing to send you this unopened bottle
( only reason it is not open is I still have some 12yr. left)
and if I open the 15yr. I won't want to go back to the 12yr.

I am doing this because once you taste the 15yr. El Dorado again I believe it alone may be just enough to give you a good reason to keep on living realizing that there are still very enjoyable things in life. ( Don't forget about the Chica's )

GringoTim,
My offer of the rum is not contingent on you doing yourself in.
I would be happy to send it to you just to brighten your day.
PM me with your address and it will be on it's way.

Remember that,
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem...

Hang in there Buddy,
Sincerely, Nucknfuts

_________________
Throughout the history of mankind there has never been one shred of evidence that supports that life is serious..........
Don't believe everything you think ............

Hang in there my friend, you find something your'e missing in the last place you look.


http://academic.evergreen.edu/e/elltri07/fukitol.jpg
Hope this gives you a smile.

It's nice to see the overwhelming majority of guys here being supportive of our brother in bad times. And it is obvious from many of the posts here that a lot of guys have been through terrible times with their "backs to the wall". Kudos to you guys who have come out with positive ideas, comments and offers to help.

This series of posts have also reminded me of some of the main reasons I jumped the mainland early for offshore living. While many great things can be said of our nation and the opportunities there compared to most of the world...I truly believe the haves and the havenots are getting further and futher apart and the diminishing middle class in still a reality...primarily because of huge taxation of the middle class in my opinion. This tied to the competitive nature of our culture to maintain materialistic image has a vast majority of our work force living in huge debt and stress...even with comparatively large salaries and wages worldwide. With growing corruption in politics and a waning constitutional interpretation of freedom within our government, the squeeze has only just begun on aging AMericans who have not quite "made it" yet. Secure jobs in corporate america just arent there like they were for my parents. People change jobs like underward now...and security in the workplace just isnt there. It's like being an entrepreneur now...with benefits. I have a large number of my former technology workmates working as independents now in an invisible network online since the 2001 market demise. Regular jobs just arent there or dont pay enough, so many of us take the independent entrepreneural route. This "road less taken" has more ups/downs and stresses than the "secure employment" route. At the same time it is my belief there is no better way to judge your success or productivity than in the open marketplace. But...that works for me. I realize that a majority of people dont have the temperment, risk tolerance, or broadrange training/skills to do what others have done. Thats where some of you guys who have successfully overcome YOUR darkest moments need to have patience and understanding that others dont necessarily have the same ability or even luck that you had. Thats where the "compassion" comes to play that Playtime so effectively stated. No one expects handouts here, but a "helping" hand or idea can change someones life...and that can make the helper AND helpee both feel good about life and themselves. The fattest hog usually gets slaughtered. Give a little bit...it will make you feel good if you are in touch with your humanity.

All of this to say, thanks to GringoTims honesty and openess, many of us are more in tune with the macro issues and shared life experiences on this forum. The reality is...those of us who are currently working or fortunate to have built successful enterprises had better "save for a rainy day" and be realistic with our future financial planning and strategies. Many guys on this board are VERY well heeled as I have discovered from knowing so many of you...but others of you are probably living paycheck to paycheck, scrimping dollars together to come to Costa Rica and get what you cannot afford or want in the USA. While these short term drives and satisfaction is obviously important...be sure and keep that in balance with your future security needs and always be prepared for that "rainy day". When that day comes, you will be so depressed you will not have much desire or passion for sex or Latinas. So lets keep it all in balance...and let compassion reign through this forum.

There has been enough periodic comments and conversations about business connects and job prospects either within our network or in Costa Rica, I am wondering if it wouldnt be prudent for admins to add a Forum category for posting professional questions or those looking for jobs or networking within this community of now over 3100 gentlemen. Think I will ask Admin 1 about this. Any others interested in this idea?

I too wrote into this fourm about ready to call it quits.You can look up my posts.I lost a hellava Union gig.I had been there for 15 years.was making top scale.Then over night,the company I gave it all for dropped the Union.Then changed their name.then hired guys for half the wage.I almost cancelled my trip to the first CRT get together.I was so dam depressed.With kind words from other members I went to CR anyway.I had a blast.I did not once think about that stinking job while I was in CR.Then when I got back home.I got on the phone called all my former contacts.I networked all my old friends.And it paid off.Today I have a job that I love.It is non Union.But hell I make a good or better living than I did before.DO NOT LOOSE FAITH.PUT UP A FIGHT.There is a job for you out there.GO FIND IT.It will not find you.Take care WE ARE PULLING FOR YOU.D C

Tman...I think this is an excellent suggestion. I for one wish I had more time to contribute to this board. Many times my post are very brief, curt and to the point. I sometimes feel a little guilty about all of the great information that I find here and that I don't post as often as I should.

The brotherhood of this board, as demonstrated by the many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting, is only as strong as the hand that reaches out to grab when a friend reaches out. There is always someone who knows someone who needs or is looking for a great associate to work with.

There is nothing wrong nor out of the ordinary in looking to friends to "network" when it comes to looking for investment partners, employers, or opportunities. While the board has grown to over 3000 members, there are now many more of you that I have not met than I have.

I have made it, lost it, and made it back. Trust me when I say that you will always see who your real friends are when you are down and need the support the most.

Tim, I hope that you are reading these post and that you see you have people whom you have never met that are concerned and willing to help. Granted that statement and 1.75 will get you a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks (depending on where you live) and nothing more.

I for one believe that Tmans suggestion should be given serious consideration. For all 3000 plus of us who more likely than not know another 10 decision makers, that number is pretty astounding.

Besides, what one of us wants to lose a fellow monger and friend?

_________________
These girls are all virgins once you get past the used part.

Gringotim:
Stop and look over your shoulder. There's no one coming after you. About eight years ago I stepped over the edge (51 at the time) I looked over my shoulder and what I saw scared the hell out of me. I was in a deep dark hole and there was no one in there but me. I had two choices stay in that hole or get my ass out of it. I was alive and had no use for a hole so I started climbing my way out of their. That bottle is not the way out. Get a job any job. The job is not important having a reason to get up is what's important. You're not out of a job you just don't have the one you want. Do the one you don't want till you get the one you want. It's kind of like women if you can't do the one you want do the one your with.


Lee

As a 51 yr old programmer with 23 years of experience I think I can relate to what Tim said. I'm afraid some of you missed his main point.

I would guess at 52 years old Tim's background is in mainframe programming (as is mine). How many of you are familiar with mainframe?

That's what I thought. It's been around for 60 years and has been good to me but those jobs are not popping up all over like PC/web/unix/client-server type jobs.

Also the movement to India is a very sore subject with me. We have a number of people from India right in my office. We also have people from Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, China and Russia. They are very nice folks and do a pretty good job but I get real tired of going into a meeting and I'm the only American there.

We've had 3 rounds of lay-offs in my division in the past 4 years and the majority of people layed off were Americans.

I think that is what Tim was getting at. Not that he can't find another job but the fact that the American technology base is moving OUT of the USA and that is a tough pill to swallow.

I just got home from a work related road trip and quickly read all the posts on this thread. Not one of you stated the obvious. Gringotim IS suffering from extreme depression. It's probably clinical depression set off by situational depression. Most of you have responded with compassion which is a great start for Gringo tim. Unfortunately, as usual, a few had to offer the standard cheap shot. I did not belong to the old board that folded...but, I am starting to see some destructive trends on this board that could lead to its' demise. To GringoTim I say, hang in there, lean on your friends even if it is by PM, get some counseling and possible some meds even if only temporary. No matter how low you feel, if you think about it, there IS some who are worse off than you. Last but not least; the good thing about hitting bottem is that, the only place left is "UP".

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I think everyone should read Witling's post twice.

What's happening to the tech industry happened to factories 30 years ago.

The customer service industry is only a tiny bit behind.

What's left?

_________________
SlickWings


Seems like I spend half my life drinking, gambling, and mongering. The other half... I waste.

Yes,
Things in the "good Ol US of A" are on the downslide weather you want to believe it or not. Still one of the best countries in the world. ( in many ways ) but not all ways.
Getting a little worse every day. ( could coment on the existing Gov.)
but do not want to start the thread in the wrong direction.

Start saving your money stop spending on useless things.
Live below your means and start planning on getting the "Hell out of Dodge".
That's what I am doing now.

Final note: The main reason I want to leave the US is due to the total lack of interest in the Gringas.
There are other reasons also.
Some food for thought,
Just Nucknfuts

_________________
Throughout the history of mankind there has never been one shred of evidence that supports that life is serious..........
Don't believe everything you think ............