October 03, 2008

The auto industry is doing awesome. So awesome, in fact, that the auto parts maker where I work decided to celebrate the latest industry successes by laying off half the IT department.

My turn came late in the afternoon. By that point it was pretty obvious what was happening. So when they called me downstairs for “a quick meeting,” I just handed my badge across the table before anyone had a chance to say anything. “Oh, how did you know?” the HR manager asked. “Oh, I’m totally blind to the world around me and don’t notice obvious things,” I wanted to say. But there was not time for witty replies.

I picked up my letter of termination, said a few hurried goodbyes, and walked out of the building into a blissfully rainy afternoon. I strolled to the bus station with wet, soggy shoes, each step colder than the one before.

Then the sun came out and all was well. Unemployment is the new awesome.