Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Dilbert Drama
Another "so much for attempting to be literary" entry.
Sitting here, I can hear one end of a telephone conversation -- one of my coworkers "over the wall" is getting reamed out. Even though my coworker is sometimes difficult to get along with, I feel his pain.
An issue that I might address with Chapter III of Luscious Desert is my next job. I realized two things with the first two chapters:
And on that note...
Listening to the radio this morning, they were interviewing folks in Warren County. BIPC's campus straddles that county's line.
Warren County has seen explosive growth, noticeable even in the few years I've been here, with every attendant negative aspect of a suburban lifestyle I abhor: Endless subdivisions of chockablock mini-mansions with three-car-garage wings and swimming pools; box-like strip malls with parking lots filled to the brim with SUVs.
Beyond that insufferable environment, my question is financial: How can these folks afford it? The houses in Warren County are, I would guess, typically several hundred thousand; even the "affordably priced" ones start around $160,000. And, even a semi-decent used SUV costs upwards of $30,000.
While you readers will be so-oo disappointed that I will not post my 1040s here, statistically I am doing OK in american earnings -- above the average, apparently. And while isn't that nice, I'm far from rolling in cash. After the mortgage, the car and the student loan, I can barely afford my weekly jaunts to Paris! (KIDDING!)
Assuming both husband and wife work and make at least $50,000 each, maybe then they can afford it -- but even then it would be a stretch. I never looked into leasing a car, but I've heard those have a lower monthly payment -- is that how it's done? And then, with kids? (shaking head symbol.)
The interviews involved polling who they would vote for. Answer? George.
Is this the lifestyle and thinking of the American Dream? I don't get it.
Later that same day...
I think it may be easier to take a bullet personally than to watch someone else get shot. As the voice rose in the next row ("This is the first I'm hearing of it!"), it became more and more difficult to sit here.
My poor ex-boss, too, who I know was on the other end of the telephone. It's awful to have to tell people something you know will upset them. Still, better to get it over and done with.
I had to get away. So... I left work for awhile. I called a friend (911 Boy), and we went out to eat and then to a movie at the $uper$aver Cinema: 13 Going On 30.
(*whew*, and I have just enough left over for the 42" plasma TV, thank God!)
The movie was just what I needed! Now here I am back finishing a few items in peace & quiet.
Golden Handcuffs...
Sitting here, I can hear one end of a telephone conversation -- one of my coworkers "over the wall" is getting reamed out. Even though my coworker is sometimes difficult to get along with, I feel his pain.
An issue that I might address with Chapter III of Luscious Desert is my next job. I realized two things with the first two chapters:
- I haven't particularly liked any of my past jobs.
- The salary and benefits at this one are better than nothing at all.
And on that note...
Listening to the radio this morning, they were interviewing folks in Warren County. BIPC's campus straddles that county's line.
Warren County has seen explosive growth, noticeable even in the few years I've been here, with every attendant negative aspect of a suburban lifestyle I abhor: Endless subdivisions of chockablock mini-mansions with three-car-garage wings and swimming pools; box-like strip malls with parking lots filled to the brim with SUVs.
Beyond that insufferable environment, my question is financial: How can these folks afford it? The houses in Warren County are, I would guess, typically several hundred thousand; even the "affordably priced" ones start around $160,000. And, even a semi-decent used SUV costs upwards of $30,000.
While you readers will be so-oo disappointed that I will not post my 1040s here, statistically I am doing OK in american earnings -- above the average, apparently. And while isn't that nice, I'm far from rolling in cash. After the mortgage, the car and the student loan, I can barely afford my weekly jaunts to Paris! (KIDDING!)
Assuming both husband and wife work and make at least $50,000 each, maybe then they can afford it -- but even then it would be a stretch. I never looked into leasing a car, but I've heard those have a lower monthly payment -- is that how it's done? And then, with kids? (shaking head symbol.)
The interviews involved polling who they would vote for. Answer? George.
Is this the lifestyle and thinking of the American Dream? I don't get it.
Later that same day...
I think it may be easier to take a bullet personally than to watch someone else get shot. As the voice rose in the next row ("This is the first I'm hearing of it!"), it became more and more difficult to sit here.
My poor ex-boss, too, who I know was on the other end of the telephone. It's awful to have to tell people something you know will upset them. Still, better to get it over and done with.
I had to get away. So... I left work for awhile. I called a friend (911 Boy), and we went out to eat and then to a movie at the $uper$aver Cinema: 13 Going On 30.
(*whew*, and I have just enough left over for the 42" plasma TV, thank God!)
The movie was just what I needed! Now here I am back finishing a few items in peace & quiet.
Golden Handcuffs...