I recently found out that I am going to lose my job. Before you assume it’s my fault, I’m not losing my job due to the rampant alcoholism I suffer from or the constant showing up late or punching people I work with either. No, it’s because the company apparently needs to make cutbacks.
I have not mentioned the company I work for by name because I guess that’s where my corporate allegiance began and ended. I just figured that the company I work for wouldn’t want it known that someone of such talent was wasting away at an office job. That changes today. I work downtown for AT&T. There. It’s out now. Like it matters. What are they gonna do? Fire me?
I have worked for the same company for twelve years. I have worked there for that long because just like everyone else I need a paycheck. I have no one else to depend on in this world. Some people have wealthy parents or trust funds. Not I. I haven’t been without a paycheck every two weeks for twelve whole years. I resent myself for having worked that long anywhere but I suppose in some sense that it is a commendable accomplishment. It either shows a stellar work ethic or apathy beyond reproof or perhaps a little of both.
I’m only worried because I have no savings, no degree and no real marketable job skills. I can write well and crack some jokes but the job market isn’t rife with opportunities for creative smart asses. That’s why there are office jobs for shclubs like me.
But where did this come from? My losing my job I mean. Well apparently AT&T ,per last reports, made $5.2 billion dollars in 2005. I can see how a company like that would want to cut corners. I mean you pretty much have to. How are the CEO’s expected to make ends meet?
I suppose I am lucky in that I am reasonably young and, despite how sad it might be, I don’t have a girlfriend or wife or kids or anyone who depends on me to live. I have about ten grand in debt and that’s it. I am trying to be positive about the opportunity now afforded me by my pending unemployment. I am also trying not to worry about homelessness which is also something afforded one when they are unemployed.
I feel really bad for the people I work with who have nothing more than that job to keep their families fed. I know it’s an exercise in futility to point out that corporations are evil and how they screw over the little guy on a regular basis, so I’ll try not to do that. It is just unbelievable that the largest telecommunications company on the planet has the audacity to just lay people off whose lives are actually worth living. People who have children or spouses or serious medical needs. It saddens me. Then again corporations are in the business of making money, not friends.
Life is more than an office job. Life is more than sitting staring at a computer for eight hours a day while someone else gets rich. I truly believe that you should you follow your dreams because at the end of your life you won’t remember the times you spent at the office. You’ll remember the people you loved and those who loved you back. You’ll remember what made you happy and I’m pretty sure no one on the planet will have wished they would have spent more time at the office.
Sure it’s gonna suck for a while, but I’ve been through worse in this life. It will all be ok and I know I’ll be better off for it.
Also, I’m pretty good at asking people if they want fries with things.
RIGHT NOW
SONG - Put Your Records On (acoustic) by Corrine Bailey Rae. It’s the free download on iTunes this week. It’s the kind of song that is perfect to listen to on a calm and breezy summer day. I highly recommend it if you like calm and breezy things. If you don’t then you can go straight to hell Ken!
MOVIES - In America. Nuff said really.
Holla.
- Joel
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