10:45 AM Wednesday
From Deep in the Bowels of the MIC
The morning Rat Race brings me to the weekly 10:00 meeting.
What an astonishing quagmire of incompetence, frustration, and onerous processes the Pointy Shoes have unleased on us Peons.
“A new program with a dangerously short fuse timeline? This is a PERFECT time to change EVERY design and release process under the roof!”
Our competitor can win simply by being less horrible than we are. (That’s a very low hurdle to clear.)
According to the Third Floor “Leadership”, this is the ultimate, major, “must win” program for our company. (Except for all the other new “must execute” projects)
All resources on deck!
Screw the other established programs that pay the bills and bring in the money. The Big Shots insist on nailing the NEXT program. Every time. Let the Peons worry about fulfilling our current, old, boring, contracts.
After all, no man gets the big bonus, corner office, and highly cleavaged secretary for keeping production running smooth.
Bonuses, promotions, and prestige are based solely on new contract awards
Engineer: “Hey Mr. Suit and Tie Big Shot, while everybody was chasing the new Bright Shiny Program, quality issues have popped up on our current production. The line is stopped. Can we get some help?”
Mr Suit: “Of course! I will authorize all the unpaid overtime you need! In fact, how about MANDATORY 20% OT until the problems are resolved? C’mon if you aren’t a good team member the whole company suffers. Call my satellite phone if you need more ‘help’ this weekend because I’ll be on my boat”
The Overtime Will Continue Until Morale Improves
Most of the Engineers around here are resigned to their fate. They’re ok with being treated like interchangeable tires on a car. Rotate every few thousand hours. If one gets worn out or a little low on air toss it. Throw on the donut.
Typical Guy Around Here: Retirement is just a few years away! C’mon 401k! C’mon NVDA! Gotta ride this prison bus until get my kid through cowledge
Me: Take your OT and shove it. I have no more debt. I ain’t sending my kids to cowledge. My family doesn’t use the company “health” care. Mr. Big Shot I dare you to march me off the plank. Don’t threaten me with forced freedom. Hey, I WANT the money from this gig but I don’t NEED it.
This goes back to my Beach Bum analogy. Instead of trying to win the Rat Race trophy, I’m taking my “retirement” in small daily bits as I go.
Look… I’m fortunate.
I recognized years ago that debt is a set of chains keeping us little guys well-behaved and in compliance with The System.
Other than my rental properties with PRODUCTIVE mortgage debt, my wife and I have paid off EVERYTHING.
Yea, our house is too small for our three children. We drive old vehicles. But peace of mind and NOT NEEDING these God-forsaken cubicle gigs is worth millions.
It also helps that my Wealthy Bastard Investments portfolio has been kicking butt.
Of course… everybody’s 401k has been kicking butt lately. But the Bastard portfolio doesn’t suffer the gut wrenching drops like the greater market did back in April. My portfolio hung in tight and has grown at over 30% annually the past several years.
Not too shabby!
If you want to learn more about it, check it all out here: www.WealthyBastardInvestments.com
Else, sit tight.
I’ll be showing up again tomorrow.
CHIEF
P.S. Is it me or does it feel like THEY are lying about EVERY thing?