What a week

It's been a hell of a week here in the land of Zach.....

Work has been the focus of a lot of emotion this week. More, in terms of emotion, than I usually put into my job. After about a year of crappy business and a week of rampant rumor, the management of my department laid off about 18% of the staff. When there are only about 65 people in the department...well...you do the math. This hit close to home for me. Two people that I work closely with got cut. I just thank the powers that be that I still have a job.

Last week, I got news that a really big, exciting proposal that I had written was not selected for funding. That, on its own, generally wouldn't have put me into a morose, awful mood. We have to write proposals to get R&D work. We win some and loose some. However, with the layoffs added in on top, my mood went to hell.

I've been through layoffs before. It's painful to watch your colleagues loose their jobs. However, in a sick sort of way, it's very validating to dodge the bullet. This time, with a wife a child that depend on me, I feel even more lucky....and sorry for those with more kids who are out looking for work. Luckily, my friend and I were able to work some contacts to get those close to us interviewing for new jobs.

The icing on the cake was that I had to write another proposal this week to try to bring in more work. Oh, the irony...

On the plus side, I've still got a great wife, kid, family and friends that would have supported me if I had lost my job.

Also, some good tunes on the old iPod. Since I was depressed and angry, I took a trip back in time before I purchased two new albums:



This was my trip back in time....a vintage 80's metal concept album. One of many things that I hacked through on my first drumset in Mom and Dad's basement. Sometimes, in a moment of depression, one must regress.

And the two new albums:






Two albums that are absolutely nothing alike, but I dig them both. This was my first foray into Shivaree, but the band came highly recommended. It's good music for sitting at work trying to get things done or relaxing with a bourbon after a tough day.

The Twilight Singers album is growing on me, as Greg Dulli's stuff often has to. The arrangements are great and I'm enjoying the tunes. This time, Dulli's vocals are pretty much in tune without loosing too much of thier raw character. The nasal vowel sounds still get on my nerves though.....

Today brings to a close a long, depressing week. I'm going to cap it with some Maker's Mark, a hug for my kid, a kiss for my wife, and the start of planning for a bachelor party for Phil.

Until next time....