Another update:
Haven't heard back yet from the last machine shop interview I had, but he's still got more applicants to talk to. I'm sort of thinking the job will be a no-go based on distance, but I'm not ruling it out 100%.
Finally heard back from the staffing agency I signed on with a month or more ago, he said their client is looking to hire but it's a 2nd shift position which may not work for us. I'm definitely not ruling it out, and he's working on hooking me up with an interview sometime this week. The only problem there is that my old boss is pretty friendly with a number of people that work there, and I'm almost positive he'll put in nothing but negative comments about me. They talk on a friend-basis, as opposed to a professional one. We'll see how it goes, like I said I'm not ruling it out.
My friend who works as a manager at an armored car facility explained the situation there a little better as well. The mechanic position I applied to there wouldn't be his hire, so given my lack of professional mechanic experience it's likely I wouldn't get hired, and one of the 2 positions has already been filled. However, there are 2 types of mechanic positions...one where the mechanic stays at the shop and does all the major repairs, and one where the mechanic gets a company vehicle and travels to different locations to prep the trucks for the day. The latter just does basic maintenance and checkups on the trucks. It's more likely that IF I get a job there, I'd get the travel position. We'll see.
What I DO have to look forward to is that he's got another position there that
would be his hire, and he said it's available at any time. It wouldn't pay a ton but it's something, and it's there all the time if all my other opportunities fall through. So at least I've got a failsafe job.
I've also applied at a place that hires people to drive around to their client's locations and do general maintenance and repair work. Company vehicle, company tools, on-the-job training and paid job-related tuition, so there's that to look forward to. My neighbor works there and is going to see if he can pull any strings for me.
So, again, I'm just playing the waiting game...only this time, things are looking even more positive. Whatever you guys are doing, keep it up - whether it be praying, sending good juju, keeping me in your thoughts, whatever, keep it up. I think it's working
Staying positive has been really tough for me to do, it was really hard to go from on top of the game to losing my job over petty BS and being unemployed for 4 months. I've been doing my best to keep my head up, and I'll admit, I fumbled a few times. If it weren't for the immense support from my XterraNation family (YOU GUYS), I'm sure I would have cracked by now. So, thanks for all that.