for whom the bell tolls. it's begun, the downsizing at work. well, it's only been one person so far but the finger of fate will point to at least a few more lucky bastards this week. the question is, how do i respectfully request to be laid off? "here, lay me off, keep one of the other guys around, i don't even really want to be here, thanks." i've figured out that i'll make almost as much unemployed as employed. what's a few dollars when you can be lounging by the beach, instead of jerking around trying to look productive for eight hours a day? a few extra bucks sacrificed for a summer of fun? fair trade i say.

my project officially wrapped two fridays ago, and it was finalized last friday -- game to be released tomorrow. so, from here on out it's boredom central. no more overtimes, no more seventeen hour days, no more weekend work, no more work period? cross your fingers my friends. i've been setting myself up with summer plans pending unemployment but what if they call my bluff and keep me around? dammit, i can't get anything right, not even losing a job. i'm not that good at what i do, really. my head's right there, drop the damn blade already. no hard feelings, honest.

i've heard stories about how people get fired in this industry. group meetings outside, then half the staff gets cut and nobody can go back into the building. i've heard about how they change your password and disconnect your consoles as you're talking to HR. there are no security escorts like they have at major corporations but it's still kinda funny. i've already moved all my personal email and files to my usb drive. i'm trying to be one step ahead of the game. half the guys are out of the office anyway, as we take our rotational three day comp time. so really, we're not sure who's still employed and who's not. we think another guy might have been laid off but his collection of toys is still at his desk. "oh he must be okay, luigi, yoshi and mario are still here." that's how we know if someone is probably still here, by his video game paraphernalia. "wait, did they take his halo cup away? are his gamer magazines still there?"

it could be an exciting week, i'll keep you posted.