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March 07, 2009
The View From Your Recession
…At the risk of sounding somewhat obnoxious, I am finding this economic crisis rather soothing.
Back in 1999, I was earning a decent salary (about 60k a year) and had good career prospects at a major daily newspaper. Then, pre-millennial angst crept in: Is this all there is to life? So, I cashed in my savings and dropped out. I moved to Paris, I worked with an art project, I wrote a couple of books, I spent time living in Beijing and on the Greek Islands.
My philosophy was that the one thing a person can’t afford in life is regret and this mantra carried me off on adventures I couldn’t have even imagined back when I was slogging away at the newspaper. The doubts and panic started last year. I am worth nothing: no assets and a bank balance that rises into four digits on only the rarest of occasions. I find myself approaching 40, a less romantic age to live hand-to-mouth. And then my girlfriend became pregnant. All of a sudden, I was sneaking longing glances at those who had stayed in the game and had pensions, homes, and the wherewithal to give their children a decent start in life. I became very very nervous…
A Huge Depository of Unusual Things To Do With Your Life Here
March 7, 2009 in Do Something with your Life | Permalink
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The View From Your Recession. 2009_recession …At the risk of sounding somewhat obnoxious, I am finding this economic crisis rather soothing. Back in 1999, I was earning a decent salary (about 60k a year) and had good career prospects at ... [Read More]
Tracked on Mar 8, 2009 7:32:13 AM
Comments
My sentiments entirely. I did exactly the same and am now penniless with no pension, social security and similar protection, including health care. But I wouldn't change it if I rewound the clock 30 years.
Posted by: Web Design Bangkok at Mar 9, 2009 5:24:40 AM
While its nice that your comfortble and have no regrets, some of us are hard hit.
has proposed drug testing people who file unemployment claims.
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/030709_drug_testing_for_the_unemployed
Can we spread this around and possibly spank him before something like this takes hold.
TOO LATE.
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=262611
I paid into the system and no one gave a dang if I was stoned or not. And now that I might need to get some back they want to set conditions.
Is this even legal?
http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4256427&startid=49356213
Posted by: IXLNXS at Mar 9, 2009 9:51:42 AM
Excellent post. Happy Purim
Posted by: Jeff at Mar 9, 2009 5:25:52 PM