Csquared Thoughts

bummer

Today was the last day at work before the Christmas shutdown. Normally we have a holiday brunch with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, orange juice, and all that. It was always a nice marker of our last day before we returned to work in January.

This year, no brunch. The food service was willing but the company said no.

Bummer.

"ain't it awful"

I find myself using that phrase with some regularity, both in my own mind and in conversation.

Sample usage: "Before all the reorganizations and workforce reductions, the four of us used to have lunch together in the cafeteria and play ain't it awful."

I guess that dates me. You have to be a certain age to get the context of that phrase. And who has even mentioned Transactional Analysis since the 1970's?

sigh

perspective

I have a friend who is a an expatriate CPA living in China. He specializes in ex-pat tax returns and also writes and lectures on issues of economics and tax. The former he hates, but it pays the bills. The latter he loves, but it brings in little money. I have to say that I respect his ability to balance the two, support his wife and daughter, and make time for things he enjoys.

I try not to grouse too much about work here. My inability to accomplish the kinds of things I would like is frustrating. But it's the reality given the economic environment and the very deliberately designed IT infrastructure at my company. I don't feel justified in complaining much, though. First of all, I'm employed. That's a big one right there these days. I have a good manager. I work from home most of the time.

Outside of work, I have plenty of leisure time. I spend time in the kitchen cooking, I share this blog with you, I've got lots to read, and oh, yes, I've become a Facebook addict. And with all that, I get in my treadmill time, thanks to the DVD player.

So if I keep my work in perspective, I really have created a balance every bit as much as my expatriate friend.

alternative careers

With all the rounds of workforce reductions at my company, I sometimes think of alternative careers, should that become necessary.

I've had two thoughts. One is being a bra fitter at Nordstrom or Macy's. The other is being a tanning room attendant.

Of course Terry would certainly not permit either option. And the chances of my getting either job are extremely remote in any case.

Oh, well.

where am I?

I was at Costco the other day, and I thought the person in front of me was taking longer than necessary to write their check.

It made me think of my days in retail many years ago. I worked at B. Dalton Bookseller. In those days we didn't have scanners, and had to enter the SKU number for each book into the cash register.

I remember times when someone would buy a big stack of books and just stand there while I rang them up, entering each SKU. After I had done so, they would finally pull out their checkbook, open it up, look around, and say, "What is the name of this place?"

ARGH!

I can't say I'm a whole lot more patient now than I was then.

it can be tough out there

We had a layoff (more properly called a Workforce Reduction or WFR) at my company a few weeks back. Friday was the last day in the office for those affected. I'm still surprised at the skill and experience of some of those affected, especially in relation to that of some of those who remain.

Announcer voiceover:
"Life is harsh and difficult in the plains and savannas of corporate America."

sometimes a short week doesn't feel like a short week

This was one of those weeks.

more of the same

We had another round of Work Force reduction (i.e. layoff) a week ago today. This is becoming a depressingly regular thing. To the degree that I no longer have survivor guilt when it happens. Compassion and empathy and a feeling of pain for those affected, yes. But not survivor guilt. And, of course, gratitude that I'm still employed. But that I experience every day, believe me, no matter how wacky and frustrating things get.

Such are the times.

that sort of week, so far

I can't quite tell whether it's "Wednesday already," or "only Wednesday."

losing people at work

On Monday many parts of my company experienced a WFR (Work Force Reduction, more commonly known as a layoff). One fellow who had been in my organization a few years ago and was WFR'd from there, had found a new job in the company but was WFR'd again Monday. Damn!

My manager called me on Monday to tell me my job was safe. That was good to know, though I wasn't aware it was in jeopardy. Not any more than on any other day, at least. But that's how WFRs have become. We used to know they were coming. Now we don't know until they hit.

This week we lost one key member on our immediate team. Well, since the WFR in June 2007, when we lost a number of people, everyone left was key. But this individual had a lot of the outside contacts that helped keep our Web site current. Now she's gone. At least all of her contacts will be a great resource in helping her find a new job.

Of course, all this means more work for me and all of us who remain.

But I'm not complaining. I'm just grateful to still be employed and for all that I have.