Happenings in the Land of Erin

Ok... I am sitting at work, where due to the economy I have had to revert to my original job at Onthank plus my current jobs with a few modifications. The problem with this is the fact that they had to lay people off. I know that if that hadn't happened, we all may have had to take a salary cut, or worse, I could have been the one laid off. So, I am still thankful to have a job given this economy. But... here is the most current problem: it's not that I find myself above my old job or above the customer service people, it's that I was only on the Order Desk for six weeks two and a half years ago (!!!) the first time around, and the last 2 weeks of that I was learning my Purchasing position. So, basically what I am saying is that I feel sort of under-qualified for my Customer Service position. That, and I hate being on the phone. Since business is basically as slow as it can be, I am generally just bored. I mean, it's a completely vicious cycle.
Speaking of vicious Cycles: our economy sucks. People are spending less money due to rising energy, food and what used to be gas costs. Companies are selling less due to lack of consumer demand. Because their sales are down, companies are forced to lay off employees and streamline all of their work in order to stay afloat. More people become unemployed as lay-offs rise. So now, people have less money and what little money they have, they aren't spending because you never know when the next round of lay-offs will occur. Less people doing more work, so general morale is down - people don't even have enough money to drink! And now we're back at the beginning of the cycle. Welcome to the New and even Suckier Millennium Depression. How will the world dig itself out? Who knows... I keep hearing that the US owes China tons of money... is that true?


So... next week is Scott and my 4th wedding anniversary. We usually celebrate by going out. And this year, we actually have 2 sitters lined up, so tradition can continue. But will we have the $ to do anything? Who knows? Let me get to the point... does anyone have any brilliant, yet inexpensive, ideas for what Scott and I should do on our special day? We need a refresher coarse on the fun of being married... if you know what I mean.
By the way... Save the Date for Halloween Next Year. It's our 5th Anniversary, Scott turns 40, I turn 30 and Weston turns 1, it's a big year for us!

Speaking of Big years and birthdays... check out this article on the Slate. Hilarious and totally true! Though, no one ever paid for my birthday dinners or even offered. Then again, I never expected it of my friends. But the general idea is true and it's very well written.
http://www.slate.com/id/2202646/