When I got sober in AA, I stopped fighting my trauma. I immediately ended up in the mental hospital. I did not see that coming. I spent the next 6yrs in group homes, in and out of the mental hospital. At 4yrs, I told the group home counselor I was getting a job at Burger King. He said not too, that I wasn't ready. I ignored him and got the job. I would get there at 10am everyday and make salads until noon. After about a week, I woke and discovered I couldn't summon my will. It felt like I was in a grave, I could literally feel the walls of the pit around me. I cried in frustration as I laid there, unable to get out of bed and go to work. Later, I went down and apologized to my manager. He gave me another chance. I was now to fry french frys everyday for 11-1. But I couldn't anticipate demand and get ahead of the rush. The young women working the registers were angry at me and said so. I was fired. A year later, I tried again. But I had a much worse experience. I was fired. I called my contractor, he was angry. He said to get the deal, he had agreed to pay my first month's salary, which is now a total loss. I went into a flashback, and wandered for hours in the parking garage looking for my car. I discover it has been towed for a gas leak. I walked 10miles home back to same group home. Just like last time, the counselors were furious at me for ignored them again.
Today is 28yrs later. I am a principle EE at a startup in Silicon Valley. I am well liked by everyone. My friend is a PhD in Antenna Design, called me and told me the founder, a PhD from Stanford, is jealous I call my friend more than him. I am highly regarded as an expert in many fields. I am giving the toughest problems and I am considered the ace in the hole. I do circuit design, board layout, an expert in wireless, firmware, software, computer security, and manufacturing. I am an expert mechanic, I once worked at Infinity. I was semi-pro motocross racer. Last year I won a kart race. I am 60yrs old. The young guys ask me questions about gaming (seriously, I am the only one with a VR headset, and I am an expert at Skyrim politics). I love to mentor, and pass on what I know. I will end with this, a text sent 3 weeks ago by my good friend, the PhD in Antenna Design:
"Bill, you are a magician, I am awestruck by your versatility, experience and work capabilities .."
Today is 28yrs later. I am a principle EE at a startup in Silicon Valley. I am well liked by everyone. My friend is a PhD in Antenna Design, called me and told me the founder, a PhD from Stanford, is jealous I call my friend more than him. I am highly regarded as an expert in many fields. I am giving the toughest problems and I am considered the ace in the hole. I do circuit design, board layout, an expert in wireless, firmware, software, computer security, and manufacturing. I am an expert mechanic, I once worked at Infinity. I was semi-pro motocross racer. Last year I won a kart race. I am 60yrs old. The young guys ask me questions about gaming (seriously, I am the only one with a VR headset, and I am an expert at Skyrim politics). I love to mentor, and pass on what I know. I will end with this, a text sent 3 weeks ago by my good friend, the PhD in Antenna Design:
"Bill, you are a magician, I am awestruck by your versatility, experience and work capabilities .."