The work ethic is so ingrained in us all, I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but admit it I shall: I don’t work very hard. … [read more]

I don’t take walks to burn calories or stay healthy, I take walks to get within walking distance of being smart. When there’s a problem to be solved, walking a ways while carrying a spiral-ring notebook and a pen raises my IQ by fifty points. … [read more]

I’m
a non-believer, in God, in the Devil, in SpongeBob Squarepants, what
have you. From being raised in a Christian church, though, I sort of
understand people who believe in God. … [read more]

A guy I know says you’re a loser if you don’t own a house. He’s a prick, obviously, but he’s not the only one who says it. … [read more]

Setting: An insurance company.

Job: Pushing papers, mostly via electronics.

A customer buys an insurance policy, signs up for monthly payments to be drawn from his bank account, but he doesn’t fill out the form with his banking info, just writes, “Call me.” … [read more]

Stephanie and I didn’t have many ‘bad dates’. Even when the food was lousy or the movie sucked or the bus was late, we almost always had a good time just being with each other. … [read more]

This was going to be a letter to management at the place where I work, but while I was writing it, they announced my layoff. So I won’t bother sending this to anyone there, but it’s applicable everyplace I’ve ever worked. … [read more]

In The New Yorker I’m reading, there’s an article about a restaurant owner, and how COVID shut down his business, but now he’s reopening … his 19 restaurants. … [read more]

At my job, I’ve long been part of a workplace improvement committee. It’s a nice idea — workers and management types sit around the same table (lately it’s been a ‘virtual’ table) and brainstorm ideas for improving efficiency — but it’s about 80% bullshit. … [read more]

Here’s the backstory: I work for a company that’s been better than most, but no longer is, and they’re now outsourcing my team. They’ve given us six months’ notice, asked us to help train our replacements, and offered a sizable bonus for employees who don’t quit before the outsourcing transition is complete.So, … [read more]