Pfui!

[the_gneech]

Anybody who knows me knows that I have two jobs. My real job is cartoonist/artist/writer, and my other job is whatever will give me a decent enough living while interfering the least possible amount with my real job. Currently, that job is web programmer for a gov't contractor.

The fact that the side business eats 40 hours/week that I'd rather be spending on the real job, is an unavoidable nuisance.

Anyway, lately the side business has been getting a little annoying; the boss is getting even more Rabbitey [1] than usual. Lots of pointless "overhead" jobs are being created and so all of us who do actual billable work are getting pressured not to have overhead expenses (because our work pays for the people who aren't bringing in income) -- which also means that there will probably be little or no bonus next year because it's all going to pay for the indirect people, that kind of thing. Also, interoffice politics are getting particularly bad -- certain people are being targeted as persona non grata and having their jobs turned into a living hell, so that they'll get disgusted and leave without actually having to be fired, and so forth. (The fact that they've been with the company for a decade and put up with tons o' crap for the good of the company, doesn't seem to matter.)

Lots of fodder for the Dover/Lagston storyline, but honestly I don't need fodder this badly. :P

This job is starting to not fulfill its primary requirement, which is that it not interfere with my real job. :P I'm going to have to figure out something to do about that.

-The Gneech

[1] Ref. "Rabbit" of Winnie the Pooh

Comments

[makovette.livejournal.com]

Arrrgh...

Keep your head low while you gently poke around for another job if you can, the economy isn't exactly boomin' (and the powers that be are very aware of that!) so don't be inna hurry to reach for the rip cord quite yet...

Good luck and think Prozac Thoughts ;-)

CYa!
Mako

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I don't want to get another job unless I have to ... this one is at least better than Starbucks was! :)

-The Gneech

[koogrr.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's sort of been my life for the last few years. They turned it into a hell then discovered it wouldn't kill me.

[bauske.livejournal.com]

Hah, I know how you feel exactly. I've been having the same thoughts about my work as well. It's not bad, but I think it's beginning to affect my mood, which affects my overall artistic performance outside of work.

[kelloggs2066.livejournal.com]

Blah.

Just try to enjoy the little universe inside your head and let everything else slide off your back.

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Ramble away! :) I hope you're feeling better than you were the other day.

-The Gneech

ba-dump...ching!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

well my my... who on oith ever tole ya that? *fuzzles yer fur*

it is my appointed duty to unseat that rumour hitherto! ;D

actually, at least in cases I've observed, it can sometimes make the hoochy coochy even all-the-more a special reprieve and restoration, when other things may seem more bothersome than usual..

*wags* :>

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Gah. I did Powerpoint presentations for a government contractor. Just thinking about how they treated me makes me angry. I won't go into it here, but let me share their Vision Statement, which I cut out of the newsletter and still keep tucked into Chapter 3 of my copy of The Dilbert Principle:

"Our vision is to become recognized for Centers of Excellence, to be the customer's firm of choice providing highest quality technical services and manufactured products, and to achieve continuous improvement through the professional growth and active involvement of all our people."

Too bad I don't have a digital version of the video

[laurie-robey.livejournal.com]

Written by a far-too-dedicated Circle employee before we worked here; performed at a holiday party with the accompaniment of a dirge-like tune:

The Circle Song

If the present doesn't suit ya
If you're merely growing old
There's a rainbow in the futcha
With a different pot of gold
Let it circle your horizon
As you plan a brand new start
Trust in the Circle
Trust in your heart.

Let nobody tear asunder
In a twinkling of an eye
All the glory, all the wonder
Of that circle in the sky
Let the Circle draw you closer
'Though you started far apart
Trust in the Circle
Trust in your heart
Trust in the Circle
Trust in [fill in the blank]!

Leonard Greenberg, 1987

Fortunately, this place isn't nearly as scary now. Unfortunately, they haven't lost *all* vestiges of their past.