Layoff Smayoff

So, this was originally started as a blog in response to my layoff. I probably should give an update.

Let's see its been 15 months and I can say with 100% confidence:...

GETTING LAID OFF WAS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME

• I now work at a company that despite the recession is doing well
• I no longer waste my life stuck in DC traffic
• My cost of living is half of what is used to be
• I never collected a penny of unemployment
• My apartment is bigger than my condo
• My apartment doesn't require a monthly visit from Tyrone the pest control man
• Other people are paying the mortgage on my inflated Northern VA condo
• I can go hiking every day after work a state park near my house and not worry about rush hour traffic
• When I go out my tab is usually less than $20
• The other day the cashier at Rite-Aid insisted on giving me 6 cents so I didn't have to break a $20
• People seem less stressed and better able to balance work and life and therefore are much nicer

I am still getting used to apartment living though. Its not much different from the condo - I still share a wall on each side with neighbors.  But if something breaks, I don't have to pay for a new one. 

Currently I have loud house music man on one side.   

One the other side, I have the woman who was blasting sad breakup music very morning. It suddenly stopped. Apparently she has a boyfriend again. I had to re-arrange my furniture so my bed is on the opposite wall. 

Overall, it could be worse. 

I love it here in NC. 

But I will never be a Duke fan. 

I heart Starwood

I was travelling a few weeks ago. I am very partial to the Starwood brands of hotels. When you travel a lot for work its nice, after a long day of airport security and surly flight attendants and sitting next to people whose girth lops over onto your seat, to stay at places that are familiar and laid out the same. Mainly, so I don't stub my toe on furniture on the way to the bathroom. And also to collect points so I can go on nice vacations for free.

Starwood is always helpful. I don't know if I'd be able to function without these helpful little signs.

I was also sent this from another fellow business traveler:

There wasn't a little sign for "Toilet" and I was very confused. Apologies to the housekeeping staff...

Bleh

I didn't quite finish my health care series. I give up.

My new attitude is - "who cares, I cant do anything about it so why get worked up about it, Ill just try to drown out the fact that I work 2 full days out of every 5 to pay more taxes by watching bad reality TV instead of the news."

So, I'll try to go back to lighter topics in the next few posts...