Alecia - I'm considering wearing the Paris jacket to the reunion. Since it's supposedly "casual" .... maybe I will wear it with my dark-wash skinnies? Could be fun! I'm sure I will get use out of the velvet slacks this season and future seasons - nice classic to have in my closet. So those are not going back, but the cream ATL slacks are, and pressure is off for further hunting!
Laura, sorry to hear about your book deal! And, you reminded me, I actually have it on my personal to-do spreadsheet "read that email from YLF writer's group".... I think there is still something in my email inbox? Or did I dream it?
Patience, I can't help but feel that this economic downturn is different - but not in a doom-and-gloom way. Every economic downturn is the same, and as Angie says, a boom will follow. What I mean is that I can't shake this feeling that all over the world there is this mystical something or other - we just got a new president, environment is becoming top of mind, etc. It's not JUST the economy. Something big. Change in the air .... hokey stuff, I know. I guess I just have renewed faith that we can all pull together and face major challenges ahead of us, as a nation and as a world. Since I work in internet arena, I think the internet will play a big role in bringing people together, and encouraging new business models to fuel the economy. I could go on and on....let's just say, I think a chapter is closing (it was 100 years long) and the next chapter is just beginning. These are interesting times.
Tarzy - my heart goes out to you in particular. About 18 years ago, we had an economic downturn, and my dad got an early retirement at age 55. It was a major blow to him. He loved his job. He never expected to retire that early - and he had fears because he was retiring in the middle of a downturn. So I have a sense of what you are going through, after seeing my dad go through it.
I can assure you that my dad wound up in a really good place eventually! Not just financially - but *emotionally* *mentally* etc!! He learned to turn his passion and energies towards a combo of consulting, volunteer work, and getting involved with his local gov't. It keeps his mind active and engaged, and brings in some $ too. As Angie says, when a door closes, a window opens. This is just so true!
I don't think I'm at any immediate risk of layoff, but if I did get laid off, my "trouble" will be figuring out which new venture I should put my energies into! My list of potential ideas is getting long! The good news is, things I'm doing at work are giving me exactly the right experience for many of these ideas to actually.... work. So we shall see!
To the writers: my daughter and her friends have their own little writing group. One friend is working on a novel. I have read the first two chapters and given her feedback. I believe she is quite talented and with encouragement will someday successfully publish a novel. I may be partial, since she's a sweet kid and kinda like an adopted daughter! But, I am wondering... would any of you be interested in helping her by reading chapters and giving her constructive feedback? Less about editing - more about shaping plot and character development, with lots of positive feedback for the things she does just right. I am very behind on her latest chapters, and feeling bad I have not had room in my life to keep up!
