Update on ballrub!!!!

[ballrub]

Well…sorry I haven’t been on the site too much, but my world has been turned upside down in the last three months! First off, most of are not aware of the fact that I was “let go” by Speed, Style & Sound near the end of October. They were disappointed in my performance (I didn’t bring the advertisers I said I could…) and I and my advertisers were disappointed by the magazine’s “pull” (none of my advertisers got a single phone call from the ads in S3). I left on fairly good terms, but am still waiting for an accounting and commissions still due. At 50 years old, and suddenly finding yourself without a job was a little traumatic! Even though I packed a lot of savings away for years, my wife who was suppose to be watching the investments in our Franklin accounts, and my other two 401K’s, wasn’t paying attention for the last six months, and lost over $50,000 in my retirement funds, which didn’t help matters. Some of you will remember when my oldest son Max (22 years old) moved back into the house earlier this year. We finally got him squared away at the dorm on campus at Cal-Poly Pomona, and thought we had a 2nd extra room, which we converted into my wife’s studio for her stained glass projects. Well…my oldest daughter Kristina quit college back in June, then lost her job at Viking Warehouse (part of Office Depot), and then had issues with her roommate too. So, at the beginning of November, moved back in and took over the room my office was in. My computer was (and still is) in that room, hence my not being able to get on line as much as I would like recently. To top things off with her, she finally got a part-time job at Albertson’s Market as a cashier, and is also a substitute teacher’s aid in the same school district my wife teaches in, but just two weeks ago, had a mother picking up her kids nail her Ford Focus in the parking lot. At least this accident wasn’t her fault this time (the last three were!). Now I’m coming up on Christmas with no job, no income, lost a major portion of my retirement investment, having to pay for Max’s tuition, dorm and expenses, having the oldest daughter move back in with very little income (paying $100 for food each month), my youngest girl Alicia still a senior in high school and involved in high school and Fullerton JC theatre almost on a daily basis (I’m having to drive her everywhere), and having the wife being very distant and cold over the money issues and no job, was nearing the end of my rope! There’s an even longer story behind how this came to be, but will get to the crux of the good news now! I am the new National Sales Manager of Ichibahn as of last Wednesday! That’s right (don’t laugh, and no “Rice” remarks), Ichibahn! Ichibahn is one of seven companies owned by the same guy. The “bread winner” company is Audiobahn, plus Alphasonik, Digital Audio, Swiss Audio, Xsite, and a new one called Fueled. All car stereo stuff except for Ichibahn, which as some of you know, is all cosmetic automotive accessories (pedals, shift knobs, steering wheels, neon and LED lighting---you know---all the stuff we made fun of and called “rice”). Ichibahn has had no direction here since LJ Garcia left (over a year ago), and is in dire need of attention…and I’m just the guy to grab the reins and make it successful and profitable again. I’ll tell you more when I get back from CES, and get my jokes going again, but I have to get ready for this trade show. Everyone have a happy new year!

[damronjr]

Well, good to see you are OK and back in business! Sorry to hear about S3. I wondered why I could never find their mags on the racks anywhere Hope things turn around for you!Jason

[BlueCrush]

Wow! Sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations. Congrats on the new job. There is an Ichibahn's nearby us but its a Japanese restaurant. A New Year = A New Job. Good Luck!Brian

[nismo]

Yeah, sorry to hear about your bad time. But it's always a great thing to have a job. Ichibahn seems like a good comany. I bought my brother's shift boot from them. Worked out great Inder

[ArcsVibe]

Glad to see that all is now finally going your way. I hope only good things happen to you and yours in 2005 and beyond!

[Psychovibe]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience, but apparently someone else saw it time for a new and better direction for you. Hope this is far better for you and yours. Have a GREAT new year.

[JohnC]

Good luck with the family and new job. Will be looking forward to seeing you put a "Group Buy" together for some Vibe bling.