The economic crisis of America has finally come to roost in Canada.

A few close friends have gotten the boot, and many Canadian Companies are ready to engage in a mass (a fond HR term) "restructure." The uncertainty and tension at workplaces is palatable. People are walking around like zombies, wondering who is next.

Being the consummate professional that I am, I have come up with a few to do’s in the event of an impending lay off:

Clean out your office- It is simply amazing how many shoes one accumulates under one’s desk after five years. I was happy to re-discover a pair of red leather pumps…
Clean out your laptop- Put all your personal items in a special folder, and save to a thumb drive, then leave instructions with trusted work friends, to delete the folder in the event that you are walked out….same goes for your personal email
Take home any non essentials- i.e. your emergency sewing kits, perfumes, and generally anything you would be sorry to never see again
Create a contact list of all essential contacts, think who of these would be in a position to assist me in finding another job or be a great reference?
Lay Low: Don’t be the iijet that chooses such a time to have conversations with their boss about not being ‘busy’ enough. Keep your head down, spread paper on your desk, do what you need to, to look as busy as ever. I recommend watching a few Seinfeld episodes in preparation.
Prepare yourself: There is nothing worse than having the unexpected happen to you. Often during times of mass re-structuring people go about justifying their positions to themselves. Instead, imagine what the ‘pink slip’ talk will be like, and picture your ideal reaction.
Know Thy Rights: Figure out what you’re entitled to under the Employment Standard’s acts. Understand how Employment Insurance works.
Have a Back Up Plan: Now more than ever understand your financial situation. How long could you survive? What are you alternative income sources? Who can you rely on to get you through this tough time?
Dust off that Resume: Give your resume a facelift. Make sure its up to date. Create a network of close friends you could ask to help you find a new job. Linked In is a great site for connecting with employers.
Rejoice at the Gift of Time: Yes Money is a challenge, but if you had the gift of time, what would you do differently? Would you travel? Would you go visit family? Would you visit friends? Would you build a new shed? Would you paint your house?

Most of all believe in the phrase ‘This too Shall Pass.’

People always have great expectations for a new year.

They make resolutions they go on to break.
They hope for new loves.
They feel a sense of freedom of fresh beginning.

This year the world got their fresh beginning in the form of Obama. Watching TV and reading articles on the transition got me thinking about how much the language of the world has changed. Words like hope, love, civic duty, obligation and possibility are being flung around willy nilly.

Someone on Oprah, said, the greatest challenge we face is s allowing ourselves to live beyond past hurts.

I think our fascination with the Obama’s lie in how much like us they are. Sure they are more brilliant, articulate and thoughtful versions of ourselves. But they also have come out of pasts that include slavery, single parent homes and bad choices. They are an example of living beyond past hurts.

I spend a lot of time wishing. I wish that I could be more disciplined: to be a better student, woman, kinder daughter and sister and a more productive worker. I wish I were stronger and wiser, able to be the leader that I want to be, without subjugating the spirits I am surrounded by. I wish that the story swirling within me would come out, full force and give me options for my future. I wish that love had found me quicker, that the process would have been easier and less fraught with challenges. That someone would have looked at me, into me and picked me.

I wish, I wish, I wish.

I don’t have any resolutions this year, albeit one, this year, I would like to find a way to live beyond my past.

To that end, I give myself this week to be cranky. To cry, to mourn, to whine about the men that left, the man that didn’t call on my birthday, to wonder about would have been’s, the careers I could have had, the friends that I’ve lost, the shitty child hood things that one never speaks of. Four cranky days.

And then… come Feb 1, I, Cranky Putz wow to focus on possibility.

(If all goes well who knows I may have to change the name of this blog to: Hopeful Putz?)

It’s the 23rd of Jan, and I have been amiss in updating my blog.

But there was too much going on in the world, too much hope and fuzzy feelings bouncing off my TV for me to do anything but rush home to be glued to my couch.

There was also Mexico, a week of indulgence and debauchery. Isn't the Mayan a beautiful place? Why again did I willingly come back to minus 30?

Now I am back. With warm fuzzy feelings, a light tan and a sense of hope and renewed feelings of wonder at our marvelous world.

Stay tuned.

Notice of Intent to Disappear

To Whom It May Concern:

Please note that I, Cranky Putz, intend to disappear for the following period: 2 weeks.

In that time, I will be engaging in the following activities: going on a date, placing my newly manicured feet into the Atlantic ocean’s aqua blue water, drinking Strawberry Daiquiris to my hearts content, watching cheesy nightly shows that involve Mexican Elvis Impersonators, sprawling out nearly naked in order to get the most glorious golden brown skin and most of all not updating my blog.

A search warrant may be necessary upon my return.