Workers of the world Unite!

Growing up in NYC where unions are the norm, I've come to generally have a distate for most of them.

In my view, there are no good unions left, their time has come and gone. The purist vision of a union was a great idea when they became relevant in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Over time though they became bloated and corrupt with mob influence directing their activities rather than the original mission statement, protecting their members.

But now........I think a union might not be a bad idea. Here's why..

The original intent of unions was to protect the single worker from the greed and mistreatment of the company he or she worked for. In the vein of that mission why isn't there a union being formed to protect the modern day cubicle dweller from the abuses of the global corporation? Since many of us aren't even employees of the company we work at these days, this idea actually should grow some roots.

Think about it, if a union was formed to promote, protect and lobby for workers that are at risk of being offshored, companies would be less inclined to make these waves of moves to off shore companies.

It can happen. An accounting union comprised of members that do AP, AR, ledger work etc forms nationally. Their membership can create pressures across multiple companies whenever a company reviews the possiblity of offshoring their functions. It's potentially a powerful lobby, with reach not only in the company that is considering the offshore move but other companies as well.

A national "sick out" happens when XYZ co in Denver starts talking to a Wipro about offshoring their IT staff. Productivity drops off all over the place, that's millons of lost time and effort.

Why not?

There was a time a union was needed to protect the little guy. The little guy was the average blue collar joe who toiled hard for himself and family.

Now I am seeing that the "little guy" can easily be a post graduate degreed white collar professional. Who would have thought?

I have to get back to work now, but I will explore this in the future.

What do you think?

Watching the Blood letting from a layoff - and continue to work though it all.

If you ever have been a part of a company that has done some layoffs (duh, of course you have) then you know the feeling of "dreary" that encompasses your coworkers and yourself.

I've been through most likely about four layoffs in my cubicle career. I've dodged three of them. Truth be told, it's almost a relief when it comes down.

You know it's you. A package is coming.

What I want to impart on you is that although the mood is absolutely horrendous, you have to slog through it if you're not one of the unlucky many who get the tap on the shoulder. I know, the mood is awful, and just try to get something done now that the layoffs have been handed down.

But you have to try anyway. The sooner the organization gets a sense of normalcy the better you look in the aftermath.

Hey, I'm all about comiserating with your fellow dwellers about the unlucky breaks in the world, but heck man, you didn't get one!

Now get back to work, trust me you'll thank me for it later.

This city will be a ghost town

Okay, I admit it, I'm a B&T resident, living in NJ. So as said trasher, I am happy to report that I drove through the Lincoln Tunnel to work today in record time 39 minutes to be exact.

What does this signify? Simple, the last hurrah summer vacations are in full swing.


In no uncertain terms, the time I left, driving to work, would have netted me a good hour of commute suffering and pain. The stop start stop start crawl into the Tunnel was actually pleasant as I made it into the mouth of the beast without the usual "What the fuck is this idiot doing?" primal screams that I usually belt out at some ethnic box truck driver.

Even better, the parking lot closest to the bank was actually NOT FULL. Whoo hoo, cheaper rate, and a two minute walk to my elevator!

Anyway, enough of my commute. I hope.

The last hurrah vacations make for a pleasant commute for sure. But, if you want to actually get any work done, you are shit out of luck, because nobody is around.

I have a hard time with this period. I never take vacations and work during these times. So as a professional contractor (yes, laugh away, I make loot though) it's disconcerting because it's in my wiring to actually accomplish something when I'm at work. I can't get anything done!!!! I'm going to get fucking fired!!!!

I know I need therapy, because the people tend to slack, and I tend to overwork. Is that bad?

Anyway, answer my question, my loyal readership, and maybe I'll take you out to lunch.

30 minutes though, I have to get back to work.

When the boss goes on vacation?

What to do, what to do. I think I'm going shopping for some CD's. Maybe, I'll come in 9:30 AM.

The new group from the guys from Blink 182 sounds good "Angels and Airwaves". I think they dumped that loser drummer Travis Barker.

No such luck. I have three projects that are ramping up right after the Labor Day holiday. Which means if I don't have my @#($(% together, I'll get slammed with extra hours at the office.

But I'll definitely schedule some gym time this week.

It's weird, my job doesn't really depend on face time, but I find myself ensuring that I'm around when my boss is on site. Don't know why I do that. My job's validation is delivery of projects, I can do it from home in my jammies.

This is a rant, I don't have anything insightful to blog about today. I'm mailing it in.

Sue me...

Product endorsement time - Power Blast Energy Drink powder

This stuff is FANTASTIC.

Get a 20 ounce water bottle, drop this in first, then fill with water. You are revved up, but not in a heart wrenching "Oh god, why can't I stop fidgeting" sort of way.

The one odd thing that is really disconcerting is the fizzing and bubbling that it makes when water comes in contact with it.

Hope it's good for my insides. Ah well, screw it, I'm going to the home stretch getting things done without jumping out of my skin.

Check it out. http://www.powerblastenergy.com/ I bought it in Costco for about 20 dollars for a box of 24.

Tick tock tick tock tick tock

What to do, what to do, what to do.

Am I the only one that doesn't start off well on a Monday AM?

Usually I'm up the night before, dreading the week start. Last night I made a focused effort to go to bed at 11:00. Still watched TV till 12:30.

By the way, Paycheck, straight to video, C+ review. Ben Affleck is NOT a leading man.

Either way, it's 10:30, and I haven't done a thing!

Except, read Gawker, get coffee, call my wife, check the job boards, look on Ebay for the wheels I want for my car, checked the job board, talked to my boss about the weekend, listened to two other conversations in other cubicles, turned on my cell phone and listened to messages, checked for a triathalon in New Jersey that I may want to do.

You see, haven't done a thing.