Thoughts
I haven’t had much energy recently. The collapse in the financial system comes at somewhat personal costs. I’m not referring to my job – that’s keeping me extremely busy at the moment and while any position is dispensible I reckon mine’s safe for now.
Nonetheless, it does take an emotional toll to look on and contemplate the after effects, both professional and personal.
I’m not a real fan of obnoxious bankers (which are a good majority are, admittedly). But some of these people affected are people I know personally personally. Some franchises that will go, are those I am familiar with. I feel for them, because behind the corporate greed, there are some real people, decent folks.
That’s why I don’t understand when I hear some acquaintance cackle at the bad news, gleeful when this bank goes down or another firm is humiliated. Is it jealousy or petty vindictiveness that wants to see another fall from grace? There is a good amount of hubris among bankers I meet, but no sympathy? Kicking them while they’re down is bad taste.
I wonder if these acquaintances understand the personal economic costs. The inevitable slowdown means jobs will go, wages could be cut, more work, less perks. It could either fulfill all that doom and gloom, or be of varying effect. Being enveloped by this blanket of economic insecurity is getting to me. I know it makes me tense and I’m working my way around it, but the fear is palpable.
Maybe it’s because of some personal experiences. I looked on in awe at the bounty of jobs over the last few years that I’ve also benefited immensely from. But five years ago when I came out to work, it was hell frozen over.
It took me six months to get a job, out of four months of serious searching. At that time, it didn’t matter that I had a respectable degree (go UW!), nearly everyone took that kind of time to get a job that paid peanuts.
I sent hundreds of resumes and didn’t get very many responses. I jumped at the first job, a bit of a shit-hole, and was paid a humbling amount of money. I left within months after being approached by another firm that gave me living wage.
I remember those months of sitting around twiddling thumbs, the emotion, the angst, the uncertainty. Those are good lessons.That’s why when I’m headed to work on a sunday, I try not to be too upset about it.
