Tuesday, October 21, 2008

It's the Economy, Stupid (John McCutcheon)

Hey, I have the day off tomorrow! - actually... I have many days ahead of me. I was laid off from my office assistant job today - what a shock (major understatement)...

The economy was given as the reason... and I have no cause to doubt - I was also paid until the end of the month but cleaned out my desk and turned over my key this afternoon when the news was delivered. I'm okay - really...

I sent the following e-mail to my bosses/co-workers, shortly after I got home today:

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 7:20 PM
Subject: thanks to all...

Hey, B, E and V -

Just wanted to drop a note to thank you all for the opportunity to have worked at _______ for the last 19 months - it was a challenge... and a learning experience... and a pleasure...

I most certainly understand the ripple-effect repercussions of an economic recession - let's hope this election turns things back around to hope and change...

You all know I've been trying to cut back my hours to part-time since last March - Pollyanna that I am, I'm trying to look at this as a blessing in disguise, to free myself up: to deal with many ongoing home projects, to regain focus of my own exercise and nutrition regimen and to finally get these f*cking plumbing issues resolved... :-)

V, it was wonderful getting to know you... and E, I appreciated the chance to know you *better* - B, you will remain one of the special people in my life...

Thanks again to all - take care and stay in touch... <3

Today's song, as you will see when you click the lyrics link below, is inspired by Wendell Berry's Jayber Crow - synchronstically (or... as usual, in my case), I bought the book over a year ago and it's been waiting on my nightstand to be read. If that's not a sign from something greater than myself, I don't know what is - I will begin the novel, among so many other things, tomorrow... <3

SONG: It's the Economy, Stupid by John McCutcheon

BOOK: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

POEM: Not the loss alone by Gregory Orr

Not the loss alone,
But what comes after.
If it ended completely
At loss, the rest
Wouldn't matter.

But you go on.
And the world also.

And words, words
In a poem or song:
Aren't they a stream
On which your feelings float?

Aren't they also
The banks of that stream
And you yourself the flowing?

QUOTE: "The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time." ~ Abraham Lincoln

7 comments:

  1. oh Susan...I hope this is a blessing in disguise for you...
    The US financial situation is scary and sits in the back of my mind every day like the proverbial troll under the bridge.

    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  2. ((((Susan)))), I have no doubt that you will handle this situation with your usual grace and optimism! You always turn lemons into lemonade, my friend.

    Selfishly, I'm thinking..ok, now Susan and I can do lunch..right? Name the day, I'm there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello, All ~

    Amy, thanks so much - hugs back at you, my dear!

    Catherine, believe me... I had my troll moments in the first 48 hours - now I'm seriously thinking a fairy godmother is looking out for my best interests... :-)

    M, I so appreciate your kind words regarding my lemonade-making abilities - funny enough, one of my first thoughts was: now I can *finally* have the time to get together with M (let's look at next week and I'll give you a call... <3 )

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glinda, the Good Witch, said..."(Susan) you always had the power..."

    I hope you'll have a little time first to figure out which *best interests* you like the most...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never done well when things happen to me where I had no choice and/or I didn't see it coming. Even if, as it most often did, work out in the long run, in the short run I felt dis-oriented and vulnerable.

    I do not like this. ;)

    So, until it all orients and you are once again un-vulnerable, your friends will try to be your rocks. Should you choose to throw them, give me a call. But I think you're more likely to hang on to the rock firm foundation you have in your life until the swaying stops.

    A glass of wine - one glass of wine - ok, two - is permissable under the circumstances.

    Fred

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey, Fred ~

    Awww, how sweet of you to stop in and comment - thanks for the support, as always!

    The more time passes, the less un-vulnerable I am - in fact, today has me feeling downright empowered. I got so much done around the house, and made a list of many things I want to accomplish in the next week/month/two months - it's such a relief not to feel torn between obligations...

    However, I know where I can find a good rock-thrower should I need one - always a plus... <3

    I went to Luna Star Cafe tonight and actually had two *beers*, one of which was La Fin du Monde (The End of the World) - insert predictable joke here (and I feel fine... :-)

    ReplyDelete