Zoinks!

Last night, I was a bit punchy about the first round of layoffs that had occurred. Many good, hard-working people were sent packing. Everyone knew it was coming. It's not a reality until you see your friends -- gone. I was a bit miffed and succumbed to the possible that I might be going as well and challenged the man to bring it on. I was having a Scrappy-Doo moment and I should have known better, because I can't stand that character pup.

The parking lot this morning felt like a car-cemetery. A foreboding and uncomfortable chill set-in under my skin. But I was fine. Until I realized that where I sit is in direct view of the office being used to counsel people - OUT. Was I to be called into that room. Rumors of layoffs on other floors kept coming at me while I watched one-by-one, members of my own area called in and let go. Holy cow, I never imagined I could feel the way I did. Time seemed to stop and I could not help but tear up as both men and women exited with tears. On other floors, entire groups were layed off. The reality set in, my team, IS going to get cut. We are not as important as I want to think we are. Remember, I'm the Optimistic Pessimist. I think positively but plan for things to go wrong. Oh crap, I did not plan well for this... and my optimism flew right out the window, several floors up. That is when this set in:

and we waited
and waited,
and waited

Our team was finally called in and we were given the news. We had been spared being layed off. We all let out a big sigh of relief. Then, the talk of survivor-guilt set in. Not long after that, I received a message that my former manager had been let go. I'm such a wuss, I just cried. What it boils down to, is that I have really grown accustomed to many of these people that I spend a majority of my life with. You can't help but care about them. While I am relieved I still have my job; I worry for the others. Pessimism sucks, but that is where my mind is for these people given the current economy.

I'll wallow for a moment and will drink till I'm silly Friday night with work-friends-family. Then I need to dig deep for my MMGL to come out. Because "Can't Never Could Do Nothing!" I'm going to help where I can.

Damn, where's my power-ring? Oh wait, there it is!!!

Sadness

Today was the first of two very sad days. Layoffs began, and we lost some very good people that I call friend and have felt like they really are my work-family. One very important loss to me is someone that I trained. I believe she may have been the very first person that I trained for this company. And she truly excelled at her jobs. A wonderful person. A solid ray of sunshine on gloomy days and a fresh blast of cool air on a hot summer day. Completely competent, though slightly flawed in her politics. I'm at a loss to understand, why her? As soon as she told me, a tear came to my eye. Then another...

Indigo-Orion - I am so very sorry that you were layed off and I wish I had the power to change that for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm here when you need me.

Bring it on, round 2

Suspense

Tales of Suspense #49 - The New Iron Man Meets the Angel!

I could have posted about a lot of things today but I wasn't really sure what. So I let some Internet surfing guide me. I ran across this cover and I figured it was in part an image of how I feel. Iron Man can beat Angel any day. But here, it looks like The X-Men's Angel is winning. The Invincible Iron Man is in a free fall. A lot of folks at work are on pins and needles this week; many of them feeling vulnerable like Iron Man. We are due for a 1000 count layoff by the end of the week. Everyone keeps asking me what I think will happen, who's going to get cut, when do I think Thor's hammer will fall. As if I'm some Madame Web of the company. It just ain't so. I hear all the gossip that everyone else hears. And some of it I do keep to myself if it's a bit askew of the trend.

I'm wishing everyone powered-up layoff repulsor rays. And if not that, then I pray you have an Angel in the air to catch you.