Hey Nic,

I've have similar past and enjoyed your work throughout your career and we both have the same issues.  I am an IT professional who performs modeling and run simulations for both the private and public sector.  I was supposed to be in Iraq this month but was boned over by the contract house.  And that puts me back to my old bad habits, tipping too much and always ordering the best of food.  OK, not my biggest problems but you get the jest of the matter.

I just read your news story (blood-suckers just like recruiters and people that are bleeding you to death.  I hit 40 this month and decided that I will not allow anyone to take advantage of me.  Since I'm from Detroit, I only allow people that I think that I can trust to do that to me.  The last guy was a contractor who put over 25 years in the Marines.  I always have respected people that protect us but a good buddy from the Air Force told me that I can't trust people based on their background and have to look out for myself.  She was right.  Nobody is going to look out for you or me, only themselves.  And we take it out on ourselves.

Your finance issues will pass, things have a way to work out.  But please take care of yourself first so you can take care of people that are important in your life.  I trust my parents, my girlfriend of almost 2 years is still on the fence but after I was boned over on my last contract, she told me to move in with her and she will take care of me until I get my next contract.  That was a big surprise, I've only depended on myself my entire life and looked out for everyone else.  I've had to live in the worst areas in Detroit, catch the Greyhound versus flying, you name it.

Now from my advice, I expect you to make another kick ass movie.  Don't have a pity party for you, we all get screwed over from time to time.  Typically it is from the people who are con artists that gain your trust.  And then we take it out on ourselves for being so stupid to allow it since we are both very smart.

If you want to chat, write me at wanmanager@hotmail.com & I'll send you my phone number.  I don't want, need, nor accept anything in return.  Ever.  Outside possibly a buddy.  And buddy's don't ask but know when they need to help.  Financially, I'm cool.  Not making the big bucks like you but don't have any debts.  The only good side of getting burned on my contract in Iraq and Afghanistan is I was cleared through DoD, the FBI, and got my clearance which is good for 10 years.

I can tell that your work is based on who you are and we are both too good to get screwed over by other people.  But we need to take care of ourselves, learn from our past, and move on knowing that better days are still ahead.

Best of Success, you deserve it for yourself.

Gary M. Janssen