Friday fragments

Welcome to Friday fragments, my weekly recap of topics too big to forget, yet too small to be their own post.

On Wed evening I went to my doctor's office for a physical. It had been 2 1/2 years since my last one (due to a cancellation in Feb when we had the blizzard), but since I am very healthy I don't worry about getting one every year. As I expected, the doc gave me a clean bill of health, but highly recommended a flu shot. Does anyone get flu shots? Why or why not?

Spouse lost another 6 lbs over the last 2 weeks. (Last week he couldn't weigh in because his Weight Watchers meeting was cancelled.) This brings him to a total of 63 lbs lost so far. Everyone continues to compliment him on how great he looks, and those who haven't seen him since he start WW in July are shocked. He went 'shopping' the other day in the closet where he keeps all the clothes he had grown out of, and found a couple pairs of dress pants and dress shirts he can now where to work.

My friend Jared sent me this hilarious card!

I have been simply amazed by support of friends, even those who are readers of this blog whom I've not met in person, related to my being laid off next Fri. Everything from help reviewing my resume, to online articles with interviewing tips, to offers to circulate my resume, to just plain old care and concern for how I'm holding up. Everyone has been so wonderful and I really appreciate the support and encouragement. It really helps!

My friend Jared provided me with this gem as well!

In last night's episode of Project Runway we learned which of the 4 designers was NOT going to show at Fashion Week. I really, really, REALLY wanted it to be Gretchen. I'm not saying she's a bad designer, I just don't feel like she's a fashion designer. Rather, she's a specialty designer for women who like her 'Bohemenian Chic' look. Its a look, but it doesn't say "fashion" to me. Honestly - I can't imagine her clothes on a catwalk. I was really hoping it would be the triple gays: Mondo, Andy, and Michael showing at Fashion Week. But Michael was sent home, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to seeing his collection. My prediction (like everyone else's) is that Mondo will win, which is just fine with me. I love Mondo's use of color and mix of prints.

No big plans for the weekend for us. How about you?

Crush du Jour: Matt Lanter

Action

As the reality of my imminent unemployment sinks in, I'm trying hard to stay calm and not panic. Fear and panic can lead to paralysis which will result in accomplishing nothing. So instead I am trying to choose action.

I made my list of things to do and am working on accomplishing them and scratching them off my list. It feels good to accomplish things, even things that aren't directly related to my preparation to be laid off and search for new work.

I have been doing a LOT of thinking. Most people feel more safe with the familiar, so one of my tasks is to update my resume and look for jobs in the same industry, returning to what is familiar to me. But another part of me wants to break out and do something different. I have some ideas of different things to do but they are not 'familiar' so they are much less 'safe'.

So I decided to do both. I'm going to look for similar jobs in the same industry AND research the opportunities for doing something completely different. If only it were as easy as simply deciding what I want to do! But the reality is that I must also do my best to meet my financial obligations, which makes it scary to pursue something different, uncertain, and unfamiliar.

I will gladly and gratefully accept all amounts (small and large) of optimism and positive energy directed my way!

Crush du Jour: Marco Borriello

What to do next

I'm trying to stay focused on solutions rather than the problem. Thinking too much about the problem is very depressing. There's so much to think about!

What do I really want to do?

What am I qualified to do?

What would I like to learn how to do?

How/when do I tell friends?

What are our expenses?

How much money do we need to stay current?

What are the financial options?

I definitely need to make a list of all the stuff I need to do, research, consider, and take care of. Spouse is being very sweet and supportive, but its really hard for me not to panic.

Crush du Jour: David Costa

TKO

TKO - noun, abbreviation for technical knockout

the termination of a bout by the referee when it is the judgment of the attending physician, a boxer's seconds, or the referee that a boxer cannot continue fighting without sustaining severe or disabling injury.

I've been hit with a TKO: I've been notified that I will be laid off at the end of the month.

I'm in shock. Although its been no secret that my company has been unstable for a while now, I just didn't think it would happen to me. I've survived 2 layoffs within the last 2 years so I guess I thought I'd be kept on forever. Or at least until I chose to leave.

I suppose this could be a blessing in disguise. I've not been happy at my job for a while now. Maybe this is the Universe's way to telling me its time to move on. Time to re-evaluate how I want to spend my work hours each day. Time to re-define myself.

But I've got bills to pay!

I'm in shock and I'm scared.

Crush du Jour: Kurt Warner

I'm scared

Last night I heard on CNN that CA is about to layoff 20,000 state employees, due to the state's budget deficit. You can read about it here. State employees = police, fire fighters, and teachers. This will add 20,000 more unemployed citizens to the state. CA has already informed some that the state is unable to process their state income tax refunds.

Then I saw today that Kansas has also suspended state income tax refunds, and says they may not be able to meet payroll.

Today the company for whom I work had to layoff employees from all depts. The dept. in which I work was reduced by 50%. Fortunately I still have my job, but my work load is going to increase exponentially.

I'm scared.

Crush du Jour: James Blake