Happy Friday! The winner of the happiest story in four words contest is LisforLeslie with “DeVos killed by bear” (I loved your others, too). Leslie, please email me an address where I can send the book, Shade, or if you prefer, I will make a $20 donation to your democratic candidate of choice. And runner up is Anonymousse with “Millennials vote record numbers!” (Let’s hope!!) I made a $10 donation to Amy McGrath in Kentucky, the democratic candidate of Anonymousse’s choice. Thanks, everyone, for playing!
It’s a beautiful fall morning here as I write this and I’m about to head into Manhattan for the afternoon to see my friend Matty, in town from Chicago for the annual New York musical improv fest this weekend. I’ve saved all my drinking calories for the week to enjoy today, so I’m looking forward to a bourbon cocktail after lunch if I can find one, and hopefully a walk in Central Park.
Tomorrow we’re going to Coney Island to celebrate a friend’s birthday and enjoy the rides with a little less crowd and airless humidity than at the height of August, so that should be fun.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
![\"\"](\"https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=r/y/j1a0Sn00OI\")
ktfran October 19, 2018, 4:44 pm
I’ve had a shit day. Due to budget cuts, I had to lay someone off. It was my first time doing so and I feel absolutely awful about it. I know not nearly as awful as the person it happened to and how I feel possibly doesn’t compare. It sucks nonetheless.
I’m happy that I get to have dinner with friends tonight. I usually don’t bring the husband along, but tonight I am because lately, we’ve really only had weekends together. Lots of work travel and a bit of personal. Thank goodness my friends like him. And Sunday, I’m hanging out with one of the friends sans husband, so there’s that.
Anyway, happy Friday and happy weekend.
Copa October 19, 2018, 5:02 pm
@ktfran That really sucks! Back in the spring, my now-supervisor was promoted after my former supervisor retired, and he had to fire two people pretty soon after moving into his new role. He and I spoke on the phone before the first one, I knew it was coming and I think he was nervous based on our conversation — he said he’d never had to do it before, and I told him that I think it’s shitty on both sides. Nobody wants to leave their job involuntarily , nobody wants to be the person delivering that news. IDK if it’s just because I graduated riiiight into the recession, but I can never shake the feeling that I could be dismissed from work at any time.
Kate October 19, 2018, 5:57 pm
It is like one hundred thousand times shittier to be the one let go. No comparison. It sucks, but you’ll be ok in a few days. Did you have to pick the person or have any role in picking them? If so, and they know it, they may be a little pissed at you. If not, do not worry about it.
ktfran October 19, 2018, 10:45 pm
I had a role in picking. I’m not sure the person knew. I’m 100% aware that it’s worse on the receiving end. It doesn’t make me feel less horrible. I told the husband this was worse than calling off my first engagement. I suppose I’m not cut out for this.
Kate October 20, 2018, 5:12 am
Yeah, I think if it’s worse to you than calling off an engagement, you are definitely taking it too hard. No question it’s difficult and makes you feel bad, but you can’t be that personally invested. It’s business, and everyone involved knows that. I don’t know how to tell you not to let your job become your life and as personal and emotional as your relationships, but maybe there’s a book on that. You want to be empathetic of course, but there needs to be a “this is business” wall between work and your soul.
ktfran October 19, 2018, 10:46 pm
I suppose I needed a place to vent. Or let off steam. It’s not an easy thing.
Kate October 20, 2018, 5:17 am
It’s ok. I should have said don’t worry about it either way, even if they are pissed at you. It’s really ok. Everyone knows this is a part of business, and it happens. It’s best for both parties if they can keep the conversation and process professional and unemotional, so you have to really keep it together, then you can fall apart at home. But again, I think if you feel there’s any comparison between doing it and having it done to you, that means you’re taking it too hard.
Kate October 20, 2018, 6:00 am
Also, I’m NOT criticizing you. I get it. But I think everyone is better off if they can get into a, “this is not life, it’s just a job” mindset.
I’m also biased because I got laid off a while back, and earlier that year I had to let someone go.
It was difficult to do the whole process to let the person go, but I was brand new to the role and didn’t know her well. I think that was better. And the boss who laid me off didn’t know me well either. I think that was better too. It would be harder to stay unemotional if you were close at all. Still, it’s a normal part of the ebbs and flows of business.
JD October 20, 2018, 7:55 am
We are supposed to get our first hard freeze tonight. I think it’s going to snow earlier this year but husband says no way as he grew up here. I’ve lived in the Midwest as well but not here but i suspect I am right. We had the wettest October since 1800 something. Can’t remember the year. The one thing that isn’t so bad about not working right now is that i can enjoy the impending snow since I won’t be driving it much. So i am biased toward hoping it comes early. Stepson comes home today and he left with it just barely cooling down and some rain and now two weeks later is coming home to freezing. I am sure he will be surprised if changed so fast.
We really wanted to go back to Ca for Xmas but airlines are insane these days. You used to be able to book tickets in advance for the usual-ish price even for holidays but the last few years it seems they jack up rates in advance just due to the holiday. Our usually $300 round trip would be almost $900 x 3 people, plus hotel, car, boarding dogs and that’s before gifts. Isn’t going to happen. Way too many other things to spend that much money on.
I’m a bit bummed as he has 2 family member here basicallly. Also, not to be an ass but I assume we will spend it with his grandmother. She is not awful or anything but seriously asks my name every time she sees me, and no she isn’t losing her memory. It’s just a passive aggressive thing. I have a big Italian family and we are very close. I am sure he would be just as anxious as I am to attend my family event as I am to attend his, but at least I know they would welcome him with hugs not “what’s your name for the 100th time”. Haha.
Lucidity October 20, 2018, 11:02 am
While LisforLeslie’s entry is hilarious, it’s also kind of sad that the happiest thing we can think of right now is a human being getting mauled to death. That really made me stop and think about the current political climate. I hope Anonymousse’s story comes true because something’s gotta give.