In These Times
What strange, conflicting times we live in. Every time I turn on the radio, read a newspaper or check the internet, there is discussion on the recession. They talk about people getting laid off from companies in the thousands. The stock market has gone so far down it's not worth even looking at anymore. Real Estate values have dropped. Business's are going under. Unemployment on the rise. Uncertainty is everywhere. Even in my company, layoffs are coming... apparently. The future looks bleak.
I however, I still get up every morning. I have my coffee, eat my toast and drive into work. Sales are down but I'm busy. Very busy. Gas prices have dropped. Retail sales are everywhere. Buying a house is almost affordable again (if it ever really was in my life time so far). Theoretically, we should be on top of the world. All this while I hear about the thousands of people losing their jobs. Conflicting emotions to say the least.
But I am now thinking more than ever before, that it could be me. It could be me to lose his job. To lose his home, his car, his worldly possessions. Aren't I living paycheck to paycheck? Do I really have any real savings? How many degrees of separation lie between where I am now and me living in a cardboard box. How frightening it would be to lose my job right now. And the ironic thing is that I've never felt that way before. When you're young in a strong economy you think "go ahead you jerk... fire me, what do I care... Better yet, I quit". But for the first time I'm like... um... where would I go? What would I do? And what makes it even more odd is that I still get those feelings like I just want to quit my job. Get the hell out of Dodge. But I can't.
Sadly I've always been a 'grass is greener on the other side' guy. But I'm starting to get the idea that it really isn't. Now what am I suppose to think? The grass is perfectly fine where I am? That goes against 40 years of my evolution. And this may sound really odd... but I know that the cosmos has a perverted sense of cruel humour. I've jinx'd myself. Now that I realize that I would be messed up if I lost my job... I'm going to lose my job. When it didn't matter, luck would always go my way. But for some reason, I'm not feeling lucky. Oh sure, there is plenty I should be grateful for which is one side of luck. But now I feel like a sitting duck. Is it just a matter of time?
Getting back to the recession foreboding that is playing the airwaves like chicken little looking up at the sky, I feel like I'm waiting for a storm to blow in even though the sun is still shining. Remember back in the early 60's around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis? In school, they would have bomb drills where a siren would go off and the kids would crawl under their desks waiting for the big one to fall from the heavens. I'm not sure what they made elementary school desks from back then but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't save you in the event of a nuclear bomb... but I digress. Those poor kids. Bomb drills for bombs that never came. Is this what we're doing? Are we crawling under our proverbial desks in the event of a possible recession explosion? Or maybe implosion as the case may be.
I wish I knew.
But here's the real question that keeps me up at night. If you knew that a bomb was coming... would you wait to get under your desk? Or would you preemptively saddle up your horses... and get the hell out of Dodge while you still could?
January 14th, 2009 - 22:59
OK, take a deep breath and sit down on the couch; nothing has happened yet and nothing is going to happen. You’re an intelligent, nice guy…oh wait, that might not be the right attributes to survive in this jungle.
Anyway, what do you care. The only real commitments you have is a loft that has appreciated over the last couple of years and an maybe even more appreciated apartment that is rented out. With double incomes, no kids you are the last person to worry about what is going on.
January 15th, 2009 - 02:25
ditto to what Fred said. sounds like you’ll be ok to me and worrying won’t help
January 15th, 2009 - 02:53
The news is bleak but I’ve learned something since leaving our friendly shores: the extent to which the news in sensationalised as bleak is far more exagerated at home than elsewhere in the world: catastrophe sells and the more catastrophic you can make the impending event the higher your readership/viewership. Nevermind that it exacerbates the situation by creating an unneccessary sense of panic. Responsible journalism is an oxymoron.
All this to say, it’s probably not as bad as it sounds and in any event where would you run to? It’s like getting in a door frame during an earthquake. What’s the point if the foundation supporting the doorframe disappears from under you?
I have come to the conclusion that life is an elaborate game of Pin the tail on the Donkey. So heat up your coffee and chase Rachel around the room with a thumb tack and a paper tail. It will keep you occupied during the fiscal storm and when you finally take the blind fold off and discovered what you’ve pinned where the sun will be shining again…
Dear Rachel: Please do not take the reference out of context. I am by know means likening you to a donkey it’s just the best analogy I could come up with before breakfast…
January 15th, 2009 - 07:40
Running doesn’t work… just look at that financial advisor/stunt pilot in the US who tried to fake his own death by putting his airplane on autopilot and jumping out… it didn’t work.
Then when he found out his plan didn’t work he tried slashing his wrists in a campground in Florida… only to be found by police barely clinging to life.
Now he’s got to answer to alot of people, face possible jail time and face his friends and family.
No, I’d say running doesn’t work… at least it didn’t for that poor bastard… he just wouldn’t die.
January 15th, 2009 - 19:14
Good Grief! You sound low…All you may need is a good night’s sleep some sunshine and some chocolate!!!! Remember money may talk but chocolate sings!!!!!! Things will get better, they always do….just take care of your health…Luv to Rachel….Mom
January 15th, 2009 - 20:40
Paulie – all you need is love, love, love! From your wife The Donkey (according to a pre-coffee Robert)! xxx
PS Are you trying to get me to increase your allowance?!
January 15th, 2009 - 23:32
Tanya aka “net-chick” sent me.
wishing you prosperity and health in 2009
January 16th, 2009 - 09:01
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.
January 16th, 2009 - 10:51
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…
January 16th, 2009 - 13:20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_tKAg5KIuQ
January 16th, 2009 - 13:29
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!
January 16th, 2009 - 14:16
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…
)
January 16th, 2009 - 17:49
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.
January 16th, 2009 - 18:08
Welcome David and Thomas!
January 17th, 2009 - 20:30
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!
January 18th, 2009 - 07:02
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.)
January 18th, 2009 - 22:42
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.