Unemployment: Day 31

It's been 30 full days since I was laid off. I haven't kept it a secret; I've got nothing to be ashamed of. Being open about my experience may end up helping someone else.

As scary as it sounds, young professionals like ourselves are especially vulnerable to layoffs in economic downturns. That being said, the best advice I can give after all this is to constantly evaluate not only your work performance, but your position with the organization as a whole. Don't let yourself become expendable.

But enough about that, let's talk about what I've been doing.

When I first got laid off, after the shock wore off and I realized this wasn't the worst thing ever, I thought, "this would make a great blog post series. A day-by-day chronicle of today's unemployed everyman."

A month later, this is post numero uno. Sorry. Aside from the job hunt, for someone who doesn't have anything to do, I've been busy.

Top priority has been the scramble to get into grad school. I had been kicking the idea around, but I felt this was the time for action. Getting shit-canned doesn't build character, it reveals it. GSU's application deadline for fall semester is July 31, so I didn't have much time. I had to study for and take the GMAT, get my transcripts sent, get financial aid, and get my immunization record updated. That was big thing I had to get done. I actually got my acceptance today, so I start on my MBA in August.

Other than that, I've been finding ways to fill my time:

- I got a library card, so I go to the library a couple times a week.

- I've sort of become the stay-at-home-mom at the Casa De Esteban, so the dish pile in the sink stays under control.

- I talk to Ryan on G-Mail Chat sometimes. It should come as no surprise that though he is employed, he has even less to do than I do.

- Last week, I found time to completely organize my iTunes by album name and genre. I corrected numerous instances of iTunes calling albums "compilations," and every song now has album artwork. This is my second proudest achievement of the month.

- Today, I typed this entire post from my phone while getting my oil changed.

I hope you've enjoyed my update.. Enjoy your weekend. Happy Friday.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Seriously, Jack. Quit doing this.

Miley Cyrus stalker set free after Tybee arrest.

"McLeod, 53, first drew attention during the carnival scene shoots for 'The Last Song' last month because he was walking up to young girls and making 'inappropriate comments,' Tybee Island police said."

On second thought, maybe this is Donnie.

Guinness

I am now a Guinness fan. Yes, it took me too long, and yes, I am a tool. Hear me out, though. My favorite beers are still Miller High Life and Keystone Light, so obviously I like the piss water variety of beer. The only time I tried Guinness was some night in Athens years ago. I had already been drinking the piss water when we arrived at Molly O'Shea's. Someone either bought me a Guinness or talked me into it, but either way it was the wrong situation to be drinking it, especially for the first time.

I gave it another try last week, and everyone was right: it's great. I get it now. So, apologies for all my past dude comments. However, I do still think it's really weird that Chris Lane brought Guinness cans to binge drink in Chippewa this year.

I am man. Hear me tweet.

Follow Snuffy on twitter.

Jimmy Dean

This old Texas gentleman is not happy with Jimmy Dean.

Things Are Starting To Get Interesting

Let's not kid ourselves. The president is still a relatively popular guy. His numbers are about the same as those 6 months into Bush's first term.

But there is no mistaking that over the last 2 months, support for his policies have begun to drop significantly, as the independents who put him into office begin to side more and more with the Republicans on the economy and health care. The political landscape is becoming increasingly similar to the situation Bill Clinton faced during his first two years as his agenda centerpiece stalls in a Congress controlled by his own party while the Republicans sit back in unison, vote "no" on everything, and watch their popularity numbers surge back to life.

Let's also not kid ourselves about the fact that the American health care system is a mess and needs serious reforms. The main reason the system is in disarray, as I've previously argued, is that consumers aren't in control of their own dollars, so the market is not permitted to function. 60% of dollars spent in the health care sector are government dollars, and most of the rest are spent by insurance companies, not consumers. The trouble is that Obama wants to make the situation even worse.

The solution is abandoning the employer-based model, which we've had since the 1940's and receives tons of unnecessary tax incentives, in favor of individual plans with high deductibles, which are unnecessarily taxed and thus not properly incentivized. Cato's new website has more on this. I encourage y'all to check it out.

JJ

I was at the Braves game last night and let me tell you, Jair Jurrjens is the real deal. In a pitching matchup against San Fransisco's 13 year old phenom Tim Lincecum, JJ lowered his ERA to 2.67, 5th in the National League. And Frank Wren is paying him something like $400K this year AND next year! We traded Edgar Renteria to Detroit for him and Gyrowrap Hernandez a couple of years back, and it appears we've made out like bandits. I hope Wren signs JJ to a contract before his arbitration period begins at the end of next season. KEEP HIM A BRAVE!

Also, Calvary.

Friday Morning Musings from Facebook

Chris Connolly: If you want goverment healthcare move to Holland Ass wipes.

Power Hour Blues - 5th Anniversary Collector's Edition

It was the Summer of 2004. Trucker hats, "W THE PRESIDENT" decals, and girls in white tennis skirts were ubiquitous. We were at a party at Patrick Leonard's house in midtown one night when a few of us came up with the novel idea of burning a collection of our "favorite" tunes from our "favorite" bar, Bourbon Street. The CD would be aptly titled "Power Hour Blues."

In the 5 long years that have passed since that fateful July, the CD has unfortunately been scratched and is seeing its last days. But not to worry, because I am re-downloading the entire collection, and now YOU TOO can own this timeless anthology by...finding the songs online somewhere and putting them on your ipod. It is strongly recommended that you do not disturb the order of songs, however, because the album is meant to "flow" much in the same way that a Pet Sounds or Sgt. Pepper does.

1. Sweet Southern Comfort - Buddy Jewell (trying to find the "Go Dogs Go" version is a mission impossible, but if anyone does PUH-LEEZ let me know!!)
2. Song of the South - Alabama
3. Two Pina Coladas - Garth Brooks
4. Calling Baton Rouge - Garth Brooks
5. Dixieland Delight - Alabama
6. Girl from Athens - Pat Green/McGee??
7. Wave on Wave - Pat Green/McGee??
8. A Great Day To Be Alive - Travis Tritt
9. All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
10. Should've Been a Cowboy - Toby Keith
11. Something Like That - Tim McGraw
12. Only in America (Bush/Cheney '04 Theme Song) - Brooks & Dunn
13. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham
14. Whiskey Girl - Toby Kieth
15. I Wanna Talk About Me - Toby Keith
16. I Love This Bar (Bourbon Street Theme Song) - Toby Keith
17. Closer - Nine Inch Nails*

* = Songs they never actually played at Bourbon Street but we needed filler.

New Poll!!

Please participate!!

BRUNO

Shane, this is the clip I was telling you about.

Bruno on Spring Break - watch more funny videos

Spotted Just Over the Talmadge Bridge