This year 2011, What's the worst thing that has happen to you

Mine is, I was told that I would be going on a forced sabbatical to finish my degree back in September. On the (Thursday) last day of work at the Christmas party I ask if that plan was still in effect. I was told no that since the school could not find  substitute for my position I would have to work, but will verify and inform me. I was called on Friday while on break at 5:40 P.M. and was informed that not only am I to work but that I still have to finish my degree. So, while teaching a subject that I haven't taught in 3 years I also have to take and pass 7 college credited classes. So I get to start planning while on break and this was thrown at me at the last second. I guess I can kiss my free time good bye. Nice school!! 

I had to study Swedish. 

Quote from: ghostrider_23 on December 20, 2011, 09:09:24 AM
This year 2011, What's the worst thing that has happen to you

Mine is, I was told that I would be going on a forced sabbatical to finish my degree back in September. On the (Thursday) last day of work at the Christmas party I ask if that plan was still in effect. I was told no that since the school could not find  substitute for my position I would have to work, but will verify and inform me. I was called on Friday while on break at 5:40 P.M. and was informed that not only am I to work but that I still have to finish my degree. So, while teaching a subject that I haven't taught in 3 years I also have to take and pass 7 college credited classes. So I get to start planning while on break and this was thrown at me at the last second. I guess I can kiss my free time good bye. Nice school!! 

oye. how long will this "plan" be in effect. hopefully they can find someone to make your original plan materialise Eh? w/o too much interruption

It wasn't technically in 2011, but the end of 2010. My 7 week old daughter passed away suddenly from heart failure. Almost destroyed my marriage, started smoking cigarettes again, started drinking more than what I was comfortable with, etc.

Quote from: Big Rich on December 20, 2011, 09:27:24 PM
It wasn't technically in 2011, but the end of 2010. My 7 week old daughter passed away suddenly from heart failure. Almost destroyed my marriage, started smoking cigarettes again, started drinking more than what I was comfortable with, etc.

Oh damn, that is so sad.
Cool.
Buddha.

lost my church, what I thought were friends, the woman I loved and a job I didn't need.
Learned a lot of life lessons and gained a cause about which I am quite passionate now.

Wife lost job in September three days before our nonrefundable vacation. She developed health problems right after (weakness, constent cough, chest pain and shortness of breath) and the docs can't figure out what's wrong and they try one treatment after the other but she seems to get better at first but then symptoms come back.

But all things considered, we still count our blessings.  Even though we've spent most of our savings to pay bills, we know there are a lot more folks out there worst off then us.  We still have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and a bike to ride.  What more could we need.

-Porkchop

I've managed to hold on to my contract job, managed a 1000 mile R/T to NYC to pick up a bike of all things, met up with my sister and family in NYC after 5 years, and collected up and played with a bunch of things, went to jury duty, made up with a friend I had an argument with last year, argued and made back up with another friend, sold a couple bikes nothing too great, and everything else has stayed the same or improved slightly.

The one and only harrowing moment came when I had to file a lawsuit against my HOA. Oh yea almost got run over by the VW after I removed the blocks under the wheels in my driveway. Chemical burns on my face due to stupidity, and right on the heels of that dumped the 3000 lb virago in my backyard trying to load it in jeb's truck. Good I didn't get creamed by getting under his truck I guess. Essentially good year inspite of my stupidity.

Cool.
Buddha.

Crashed, lost fairings (too expensive for me to replace), lost small chunk of kneecap somewhere in my body, still have slightly weakened state of tendon 4 months later.
And a dent in my frame!! GRRRRR!

Could have been worse.. learned valuable lesson about not (un)brakeing in turns, and the importance of GOOD gear, not just "any bike gear sold in a bike store".

ballistic type (heavy) textile=good.
general lightweight "comfort" textile = bad.

short boots are better than shoes. but full boots with twist protection, should be as mandatory as helmets.

oh, and when it comes to kneepads: bigger=good, hard cover=good. Plus, oddly, it's important to protect ABOVE knee, not just low part.

Quote from: Big Rich on December 20, 2011, 09:27:24 PM
It wasn't technically in 2011, but the end of 2010. My 7 week old daughter passed away suddenly from heart failure. Almost destroyed my marriage, started smoking cigarettes again, started drinking more than what I was comfortable with, etc.

I am so sorry to hear that.  My deepest, most sincere condolences.  I lost my wife Sep2010, she suffocated to death in her sleep at her dad's house, due to her allergies to cats.

As for 2011, I was bit by a dog, my girlfriend was hit by a car on her bicycle, and I lost my job.

Got shafted by BP after losing lots of hours at work last year from the oil spill, took an internship that was really cool but didn't pay nearly enough, had to start taking out tons of student loans, broke up with gf of 2.5 years, and had my dog die while I was away from home.

All my problems seem petty compared to the tragedies others of you have faced so I won't even bother mentioning them.  I wish better luck to you all in 2012!

Quote from: spc on December 20, 2011, 10:46:38 PM
lost my church, what I thought were friends, the woman I loved and a job I didn't need.
Learned a lot of life lessons and gained a cause about which I am quite passionate now.

May I ask what cause sparked your passion?

-Jessie

lost mom 2 years ago january 14. basically now told by govt, to f%$k off. not much goin for me atm 

I can only echo BaltimoreGS, all things considered I've not had a bad year. If I didn't wake up with a few aches and pains I'd wonder if I was alive or not, comes with age I suppose. Compared with that mentioned by others my troubles are trivia.
I edged a little nearer retiring properly by mothballing one of my two small businesses which simply amount to one-man-band pert time jobs really.

To those who had a bad time this year i wish you a change of fortune for the future, dare I add "and a prosperous new year"

I'd prefer a "what's the BEST thing that happened thread". Focus on the positive instead of dwelling on the negative.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on December 23, 2011, 02:24:01 AM
May I ask what cause sparked your passion?

-Jessie

I will elaborate tomorrow and things are very beta as far as legal structuring and even the website, but all is under way.  I intend to expose the poor manner in which the Catholic church conducts its affairs and treats non-clerical employees.  There are a lot of very appalling things the church covers up other than pedo-priests....

Mister - I like your Idea - You could start a "best thing" or positive thread with something like "The best thing about Christmas in Oz is getting new shades as a present and wearing them to an outdoor lunch"

while enjoying a few drinks with the missus on the beach. or at least somewhere pleasant

yamahonkawazuki,

that was the worst thing to happen to you 

Quote from: ghostrider_23 on December 25, 2011, 08:36:28 AM
yamahonkawazuki,

that was the worst thing to happen to you 

noooo sorry just saw that. that was a continuuation of misters comment ( the one preceding mine)