Buddy Blog: Unemployment Haiku Weekly

Did you ever think that your layoff was haiku-worthy? Like me, you probably never thought about it, but there are a pair of bloggers that create some very funny single-frame cartoons with haikus that are all about being unemployed. Their site is called Unemployment Haiku Weekly - using the classic 5-7-5 form of Japanese haiku, and mixing it with some rather irreverent humor! Definitely worth a visit...

Unemployment Haiku Weekly

Story 5: A Layoff A Day...

By: Pink Lady, San Francisco, CA

Soon after my layoff I went to the doctor for my yearly checkup. I only have COBRA for a few weeks, so why not get it over with? When I filled my doctor in the latest news, she considered for a moment and then told me this story...

"You know, back in the days of the dot-com bubble, about eight years ago I guess, I had a lot of patients coming to me with stomach issues. I mean, a lot of patients... It seemed like I was diagnosing IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) at least three or four times a day, and refering others for more internal exams for possible ulcers.

Then, the bubble burst and the layoffs started to happen. All at once, the IBS and other issues seemed to fade away. It was all the stress and craziness going on in that economy that had created all of these stomach issues, and once it was over, all of that was gone.

I even had one of these patients tell me that she thought getting laid off was the best thing for her health. I remember her saying to me: 'I think getting laid off has actually saved me from myself.' "

Buddy Blog: Letters to Your Former Employer

Did you ever just want to give your boss a piece of your mind? Well, read the blog called Letters to Your Former Employer - you'll get just the dose of employee-on-boss vitriol you'd love to say in person, without actually saying it in person. Letters are wildly funny, uncouth, and odd - just like the site mascot Mr. Burns.

Letters to Your Former Employer

Story 4: Laid Off, Just in Time

By: No Regrets, Burlingame, CA

Two and a half years ago when I interviewed for my former position as Executive Assistant at a chemical company, my interview premise was "when the recession comes I want to be in a stable company, that won't be imminently affected". So they were affected, but only their cash flow due to their extended credit line, as banks faltered. As the years went by, I grew tired of the personalities: the chauvinism, the egos, the power plays, the paranoia, the overstressed CEO who had recently started to turn a bright shade of red on a daily basis, and Jekyll and Hyde.

It must have shown. I knew too much to be fired outright. But, I didn't have time to look for another job since I was engaged in physical therapy daily due to an injury I had sustained. I knew I would have to eventually be laid off so I begun to speak with HR about lack of work and the Executives being extremely self sufficient. I wanted out of the bad karma that was now making every day at work torture.

So that day came in a vengeful way: I was laid off my first day back at work after a 3 week vacation, stating my position was being eliminated. Was I asking for it by deciding to take the 3 week vacation, the answer is yes. The good news... the vacation brought about an engagement ring, so nothing could have been sweeter than being laid off, just in time.

No regrets.

Oddity: Pink Slip iPhone App

Yes, you read that title correctly. When this came up in my search results I couldn't believe it - I thought it must surely be a joke. Alas, too true. The product description states that this app is meant to help the user "1) how to prepare if you hear the proverbial footsteps outside your door; (2) how to handle the "pink-slip moment" if it happens to you; and (3) how to pick up the pieces afterwards. We hope you'll find these strategies helpful to have at the ready -- but never actually needed!"

Great. Download this app so you can live in fear with a daily reminder of impending doom. I've heard of some bad ideas but this is ridiculous! Oh, and did I mention you have to pay for it?

Buddy Blog: Miss Pink Slip*

Yet another fabulous blogger with a pink-ish slant: Miss Pink Slip* is written by Amy in Atlanta, GA, who bills herself as someone who has a "kick-ass resume and nowhere to go Monday-Friday from 9 to 5." This site site was meant to "give unemployment a sense of humor..."

And for Being Pink, that's rule #1!

Miss Pink Slip*

Buddy Blog: Little Miss Pink Slip

A reader just forwarded me a link to a blog entitled Little Miss Pink Slip. It's a blog by Abi, a woman in South Carolina who was also recently laid off. Her entire blog is devoted to her story and I, for one, will be staying tuned to see what happens!

Little Miss Pink Slip