2008 Wrap Up

A year ago I was working in midtown Manhattan for an online advertising firm. I was underpaid but enjoyed the people and work enough to stay on despite the wage differential between myself and market value for someone of my experience. I even turned down a couple of job offers to stay at the company. But as spring turned to summer the company announced a merger with a traditional advertising firm and layoffs ensued. I was included in the layoffs and have had a crazy ride ever since. A 9 week stint at an email service provider in late summer/early fall and a few support call assignments for my friends consulting business interrupted an otherwise quiet rest of the year until I started the assignment I’m currently on.

Though the professional setbacks and frustrations really brought me down I somehow managed to keep good spirits through most of it. That was due mostly to my kids who have entertained me daily. It was nice being home to meet my daughter as she got back from school. It was nice being able to take a break from whatever I was doing in the middle of the day to play with my son. Though child rearing is not always a picnic the fun of it far outweighs the frustrations and it probably what got me through the year without my professional issues adding significantly to the rate at which my hair is turning gray.

All in all I have a lot to be thankful for from the past year despite the hit my career and income took. We’re all healthy. The kids are doing well in school. And despite spending a significant part of the year unemployed we managed to stay ahead on our mortgage payments and not fall behind on any of our other bills. Considering the shape of the economy in general and the credit market specifically I’d say that puts us ahead of the game compared to the average American household.

As we head into a new year I can’t say I expect things to get better but I can’t help being optimistic. Though I don’t know exactly how long the current assignment will keep me employed (or how long I actually want to be on it) I have to believe that my professional life will improve in the new year. I feel that the hardships of 2008 improved me as a person and have prepared me for a possibly tougher but hopefully better 2009.

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