Comments on: In These Times

By: shnewt

shnewt — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:42:52 +0000

DUDE!!!

Are you serious? Unemployed people can afford high speed internet? Cause that would be great! Puts my mind at ease anyway. phew.

Oh, and you’re better?? That’s fantastic too. Almost as good as the internet thing.

Can you please send me an email letting me know how you’re doing for crying out loud? I mean, how selfish can you possibly be not sending me updates???

Good news indeed.

By: Cal

Cal — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:02:10 +0000

First of all, those atomic bomb drills were an elaborate hoax the rest of Canada played on Winnipeg. While you were diving under desks, we on the west coast watched your antics via hidden cameras. GIven that the cameras were the size of Volkswagens back then, we all thought it hilarious that no one caught on. We got to watch the tapes at special school assemblies where were encouraged to make fun of people from Manitoba.

Then after we finished laughing at you and your friends Paul, we went outside and had an extra long “Dance-Party” recess. Instead of bologna sandwiches, we ate Foie Gras on saltines and celebrated some of the very first Pinot Noirs to come out of the Napa Valley. It was great growing up here.

And about the whole depressed musings thing, I have two thoughts to offer for your consideration:
1. Even the unemployed can afford High Speed Internet
2. I don’t have a brain tumor anymore so FUCK YOU cancer.

One last thing: has anyone seen my Long Term Disability Cheque? I put it down next to my BC grown “anti-nausea medicine” and I don’t remember what I did with it next. I remember eating pretzels and listening to my old Styx tapes. But I don’t remember doing anything with the cheque.

(If anyone asks about my “anti-nausea medicine”, just tell them the effects of chemotherapy can go on for years and years. And if you don’t mind, please tell the Long Term Disability people the same thing if they call.)

By: spanky

spanky — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:30:15 +0000

Shnewt, it looks like this uber-depressing post has brought you new readers, well done. A few more of these and you could be huge!

By: shnewt

shnewt — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:08:17 +0000

Welcome David and Thomas!

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:49:02 +0000

We are all living through some very difficult times right now. Everyone is feeling the crunch, and as a nation, we’re all cutting back. I hope that this recession, or whatever folks are calling it these days, comes to and end soon so we can all relax for once.

I like what you said about still getting up in the morning and going to work. What we all need to do is to carry on with our lives and hope for the best.

Thomas

By the way, NetChick sent me.

By: shnewt

shnewt — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:16:34 +0000

Char, what you guys are doing is so exciting. Not many people are that brave to go out into the world. Enjoy this time so you don’t feel like you’ve wasted it when you come back (if you ever come back… )

By: Charlene

Charlene — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:29:22 +0000

You have nothing to worry about. As Fred mentions, you do own two homes that even with the drop in real estate values have got to be worth more then what you orginally paid. I on the other hand am about to do something that most would say is very foolish in these uncertain economic times. Steve’s not worried in the least, me I am stressing. I’m going to take a leap of faith and hope that when I do need to look for work sometimes in 2010 where ever that may be, things will fall into place. I would say that you are in a better position then a lot of people. So don’t fret and worry about something that may never happen. Seems I should heed my own advice. Easier said then done!

By: Rayman

Rayman — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:20:40 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_tKAg5KIuQ

By: shnewt

shnewt — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:51:14 +0000

Wow. What good friends.

James… you.. complete me…

Thanks for everyone’s words of support. I think James is right though, as worried as I am, this is an introspective look at the world around us today. Fred is correct, as far as situation go, we’re sitting pretty good.

I think what I really wanted to call out (and maybe not as effectivly as when I said it in my head) is the ongoing contradiction of the Recession news. Then I put myself into the situation where the recession hit me directly and what that would mean.

Mind you… our studio will be doing layoffs soon. They just layed off a bunch of people in our Florida studio…

By: James

James — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:01:40 +0000

The comments posted earlier to this post provide some really worthwhile suggestions Paul. Of all of them, I think your mom is the MOST on target.

Everyone who knows you is aware that you are a really smart introspective guy – so we “get” the fact that you are mulling over the current situation. No one is immune from those thoughts today.

It is a cliche that a recession is when a lot of people lose their jobs – and a depression when YOU lose your job – but business is still going on, folks still get up and make their toast and coffee as you mention, and the world just keeps on spinning.

You are too talented, too respected and too valuable to have too much of a problem in the current environment.

Too many people know what you are capable of – and know that you can add value to their own efforts for you to be really exposed on a long term basis.

Looking at the environment as it is – building a bit of a buffer, deleveraging our own debts, these are just smart things to do when the world looks dangerous.

You are one of those guys that companies NEED. Buck up Bubba…

Those of us who trust you are going to be looking out for you – just as we know, that you will keep an eye out and help those that YOU trust.

Think about coming down to FL for a few days to get warm, have a couple of bottles of wine and a visit if you like…. you and R are always welcome here.