Another Nail in the Business Coffin, Another Straw on the Camel's Back

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Yesterday's managers meeting was long and arduous. The highlight came as my boss and the CFO announced the new sick leave policy for us salaried folk. Before, if we had a dental appointment or the like, we knew it would be made up by all of the unpaid time that we worked. Now, that hour spent with the dear ol' doc is to be paid by deducting 4 hours out of our yearly allowance of 24 sick leave hours.

Ok, I understand that the powers-that-be want a policy in place to use against abusers of the system --- of which there are none. Still, it was the comments that our overlords made during the Q&A session. Since we are salaried, not only are we expected to put 8 hours a day but, if the work load demands 18 hours a day, then so be it --- with no compensation.

The quality manager brought up how we often don't take all of our vacation time because of the demands of work. At year's end, we lose that time. Our benevolent Overlords respond with what amounts to be "too bad."

Some of us come at 7 am to take advantage of the calm before the work load hits the fan at 8 am and leave no earlier than 4 pm. But NO! Such effective work practices are no longer allowed. Everyone is to adhere to an 8 to 5 schedule!

Sometimes I wonder how happy management would be if we had enthusiastically smiling cardboard displays of ourselves in our dim cubicles -- obediently silent and at our desks 24 hours a day. Who cares if work gets done! It's all about attitude and not being out of the plant.

Anyway, our morale takes yet another dip, the overburden camel takes the burden of yet another ridiculous straw, the business coffin gets another nail -- when the economy turns around and jobs begin popping up like wild flowers in the spring, will there be any questions about the mass exodus from our company?

Dogs vs Cats

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As I worked at my computer, I learned an important lesson today on the differences between dogs and cats. A dog will lay besides you as you work, a cat will lay on your work -- so much for that report. I can't wait until we get my daughter's cat neutered and declawed. I will have no problem living with a furry pillow that does nothing else but eat and sleep.

Diet and Exercise

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I've been thinking about expanding my writing exercises to include things like diet pill reviews. Not your ordinary type of reviews. After all, who am I to arouse your false hopes --- that's what the first four hours of a diet are for. My posts would less productive, such as "This colorful little pill goes well with rich brown gravy and a large cut of beef." Or, "This little number should be served with a fine red wine ... several glasses, in fact." Or even, "This tasty tablet will perfectly complement a balance meal, provided that balance meal is a turkey drumstick in each hand."

I don't know when I'll start with these little diddies. Hopefully, the weight won't be too long ...

Bore Me ... Please

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All-righty then, may I have a round of applause from everyone who hates clapping? I thought so. Lately, my days seem to be filled with contradictions and hypocrisies. Like those employers who preach how government should rewarding good businesses while those same employers deny their workers the rewards of their hard work. Like restaurants demanding your satisfaction for a $100 meal of a 1 ounce steak. Like companies promoting benefits of a product such as ephedra sinica while it's no longer available. But I guess without such constant brain-jarring events in our daily lives, life would be boring. You know, boring can be nice at times ....

Under-Size Me

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Have you watched the movie "Super Size Me"? It's about one man who not only eats McDonald's food for a month but gorges himself on it. At the end of the movie, he's overweight, experiencing chest pains and bad health. Gee, I wonder why.

I'm waiting for part 2, "Under Size Me". In this equally idiotic sequel, our brainless filmmaker consumes vast quantities of appetite suppressants for a month. At the end of the movie, he and his absurdities have either disappear or he becomes a super model because of his bizarre twiggy beauty that some models have --- one of the train wreck appearances that you can't stop looking at. Anyway, I'll wait for the movie to come out on DVD ... the paper thin version.

New Milestone of Life

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The talk of marriage between my girlfriend of 6 years and myself has progressed to an intense level lately. One of the main questions we are contemplating is whether we need to start looking at Wilmington NC real estate or move things to my location. It's not like it is just a simple union of her life and mine. We both have children in school and other obligations. I wish things would be easier ... but what would be the fun in that?