Labor Day
Monday, 09.04.06 @ 12:04AM 
This is the first Labor Day I’ve had off work in a quarter-century. Thats because I’m unemployed. My employer decided that the only single parent on staff was the perfect person for the 6AM shift. In a town where there is no 6AM daycare. Then of course, there is no unemployment compensation, because I quit rather than dragging my kids to work with me so I could get fired.
But wait! I remember! I was off work on Labor Day 1999, because I was between jobs. I finished my two-week notice before the holiday weekend, and told my new employer I couldn’t start til after Labor Day. Thats the only way you get holidays off in radio, at least for on-air people. I hope you all are having a great Labor Day.
Jared Bernstein, senior economist, Economic Policy Institute has some thoughts for Labor Day. (via Simply Left Behind)
As any economic cheerleader from Wall Street or Washington will tell you, we’ve been posting some impressive economic statistics, the most important of which is faster productivity growth. These same boosters will stress that faster growth of output per hour is the main channel through which we achieve higher living standards.
But over the past few years, that channel has been blocked, and economic growth is failing to reach many, if not most, working families. Real wages for most workers, after rising for the first few years of the 2000s, have fallen lately, and despite 14 percent higher productivity, a typical worker’s real weekly earnings are down 3 percent over this expansion. Median family income is down about $1,500 since 2000, and more than 5 million people have been added to the poverty rolls.
In other words, the economy looks fine until you take a closer look at the people in it.
My Cubicle
The World’s Most Dangerous Jobs.
The Best jobs in America.
1. Software Engineer
2. College professor
3. Financial adviser
4. Human Resources Manager
5. Physician assistant
6. Market research analyst
7. Computer IT analyst
8. Real Estate Appraiser
9. Pharmacist
10. Psychologist
Doesn’t it figure? I went to school with the aim to be a Number 2 and a Number 10. So much for that.
Bonanza Jellybean is getting a new office, but she’s not too happy about it.
This little ditty from Wulfweard illustrates the difference between those who work, and those who just make suggestions.
What you’d really like to do at work. NSFW (via Yesbutnobutyes)
How to do nothing at work, and get away with it. (via the Presurfer)
30 things you can still do with a dollar, from Maxim Magazine.
What is the first thing you do when you get laid off? Throw a party and dance to Johnny Paycheck.
My Personal Work History
My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned...couldn't concentrate.
Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the ax.
After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it ...mainly because it was a so-so job.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was too exhausting.
Then I tried to be a chef -- figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.
I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.
My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried but I just didn't fit in.
I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.
My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days. Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us if we know what ultimately became of them.
1. The president of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company, Edward Hopson, went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE, Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of the Bank of International Settlement, shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street, Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide.
However: in that same year,1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was Gene Sarazen. What became of him?
He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral:
Screw work.
Play golf.
Thought for today: If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend. ~Doug Larson
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Reader Comments (11)
My cars were not on the road very much on this weekend. Mainly just to drive to lunch and for the important mocha, although the mocha trips were just with the gas miser moped. Most serious RVers consider weekends like this one to be amatuer hour on the roads, making it a much safer weekend to stay in place.
Oh well...where would the rich be, without us landless serfs? ;-)
Happy Labor Day and good luck with your job search. I only hire young women or I would help out.
I actually thought the job history was going to be YOUR job history. After the "I got canned" part, I knew it was a joke.
Funny!
It is so weird how those big time business men died in all manner of awful ways and in poor conditions. It's time for me to take up some golf! I would think that blogging offers a longtime life span as well since it exercises the mind and tickles the funny bone.
I hope your Labor Day holiday weekend has been relaxing and enjoyable.