For about three weeks now, I've been meaning to make a long overdue status update on what the hell is going on (and it is a lot believe me...hence why I haven't posted lately). Before that, there's something that must be said.
I have a lot of friends on Facebook now, and I think for the first time in my life, I have a feel of how the economy is affecting people. I have friends on Facebook who are unemployed because they were laid off, let go, fired, etc etc etc. The net result is that they are collecting unemployment while contemplating their next big move (or lack thereof) in life.
Since Facebook by its very nature has user generated content from users who don't really have anything better to do, a lot of these unemployed people now occupy about 80% of my Facebook page with their various goings on.
One would think that with the rising unemployment levels, suffocating job competition, increasing uncertainty about the housing market and other issues...these people would be pre-occupied with obtaining gainful employment. I can only imagine that if i were in their shoes (and I have been at various points in my life), that I would be mortified. I would cut any frivilous spending to zilch, I would take the opportunity to better myself in some way (if that were to happen today, it'd be exercise) and I sure as FUCK wouldn't assume "everything will work out". I THOUGHT I operated not unlike the rest of the popuation. However, according to Facebook, my attitudes on how to handle the situation when unemployed is completely at odds with how people are getting on. According to Facebook, the following are activities undertaken by my unemployed friends/acquaintences
-Get tattoos
-Go to Happy Hour
-Go to Cubs games (don't these cost money?)
-Go to Social hours at the museum
-Go to Happy Hour
-Take in a "weekend of shenanigans in Wrigleyville!"
-Go to a movies at the IMAX
-Buy a car (???!!!!)
-Go to Happy Hour
-Go to NiNE INCH NAILS!! (OMG WOOT!!)
-Go out to eat with friends
-Go shoe shopping
-Enjoy this rainy day watching movies and being lazy
-Take every single quiz/survey under the sun on Facebook
-Go to the Blackhawks playoffs game
-Go to Happy hour
-Go to yet more Cubs games
I am thankful that my industry is fairly stable and somehwat immune to the economic problems facing our country. But I'm less than thrilled that in the back of my head, I know in some way, I'm somehow paying for these people to have more leisure time and do these things. Granted some of the people doing these activities have them subsidized by would-be male suitors who are only around because they haven't figured out that's all they are there for.
Seriously, I'm all for people receiving unemployment benefits. And to be fair, there are also people I know with Facebook profiles who've hit the skids and are genuinely doing things to improve their situation. Hey, you paid into it, it's there for when you need it. But blowing every coin of it partying away and then flaunting it on Facebook (and then turning around and asking to "help you find a job" in some cases) is industrial strength stupid.
SRSLY people.
SRSLY
DISCLAIMER: to anybody who is going to read this and be tempted to explain to me in detail how "I don't understand" and "how I want to keep my spirits" up...please save those pathetic excuses for somebody who gives a shit. I call 'em like I see 'em and if you are coming around these parts actin' a fool, don't expect to get flowers blown up your ass about it.