Step in My Office...

Let me just first say that this posting has been a long-time coming. I've had lots of time to think about it so hopefully the wait has been worth it.

For me, getting laid off has been weird. Not weird in the sense of someone trying to open the obviously locked bathroom stall door while you're in the middle of an evacuation but weird in the sense of how happy I am as a result of this "reduction in force".

Which, for the record, is the stupidest buzz phrase for a massive nation-wide LAYOFF. You're not taking troops out of Iraq, KPMG, so let's just be honest...Just sayin.

Sorry about the disgression...Yes, I'm happy that I got laid off. Thrilled, in fact. Relieved too. Thinking about how hard I'm NOT going to be working during the months of January through April is a huge weight off my mind. I have many friends that are remaining in the trenches and I've got to say that it may not be the best year to still be there. The unfortunate reality of the sitch is that the amount of work has not changed and has probably increased. Meanwhile, the amount of the people working has most certainly decreased.

Now, you don't have to be a MIT graduate to figure out this equation: MORE WORK + LESS PEOPLE = MORE WORK PER PERSON. Oh and when MORE WORK PER PERSON goes up, your personal life GOES DOWN. BIG TIME. Does this clear up my serentity for you?

Regardless of my logic, there will be friends and colleagues that will think that I am still nuts and that's fine. I can't expect everyone to appreciate my perspective and that's not necessarily what this blog is about.

All I can say is, don't worry for me. DON'T. I'm asking this of you because not only am I happy, I'm feeling completely liberated. It's hard to explain. Perhaps it's the type of feeling that you have when you're so dissatisfied with a situation and then suddenly it is fixed far beyond your expectaions.

Not only that, I can't help but think that being a part of this large financial meltdown doesn't do something interesting for my life story...Granted, there are many people like me but they're not necessarily writing about it but certainly hope they are all enjoying themselves as much as I am.

Post-Election Debrief

Gosh - just like that it's all over.  I can honestly say that I'm glad, although I'm not sure what I'm going to read about on the Internet now.  There are lots of interesting things that came out of this election cycle:

1.  The "blue" state of New York is more partisan than the following "red" states: Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and several others.  New York went blue with 62% going for BO while the red states all went for JM with less than 60%.  Is that meaningful?  Maybe not, like I said, just interesting.  

2. Massachusetts voters approved to decriminalize marijuana which, in my opinion, is a vote for common sense.

3.  Arkansas voters approved to not allow unmarried adoption.  Language from MSN regarding Amendment 1: "Provides that a minor in Arkansas may not be adopted or placed in a foster home if the individual seeking to adopt or to serve as a foster parent is cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage which is valid under the constitution and laws of this state."  This, seems to be the complete opposite of common sense.

4. Minnesota is having a recount between Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken (D).  Yes, that, Al Franken of SNL.  I read one of Franken's books a while back and he is pretty funny but I hardly would want him serving in Congress.  But it's the state of Lake Wobegon so whatevs.  

 

I spent the election in the East Village which was mucho fun.  I promise to post a few photos to give everyone an idea of what Election Night was like.  Anyway, I guess I'm going to work on finding something else to do with my time...

At Long Last...

Good morning, my fellow Americans.

I thought I would drop a quick note to remind everyone that if you are registered to vote, please do so.  Here's also a quick recap from NY Mag in case you need a reminder of how long and frequently hilarious this campaign was.  

Some examples: Fred Thompson asked supporters for applause, Joe Biden calling out Rudy Guliani for 9/11 usage, Dave Letterman complaining about a flakey John McCain, Sarah Palin's daughter's baby-daddy drama.  Isn't it a shame that it all ends today?

On an interesting side-note, I voted around 6:30 am today after waiting in line for approximately 30 minutes.  For the first time, I actually pulled a lever in order to cast my vote.  Apparently this isn't new for New Yorkers but I had never literally pulled the lever for anyone.  I figured those things had gone the way of the dodo bird moons ago.

Happy Election Day!