I am facing a buyout at work. There is one head on the chopping block in our little subdivision of the newsroom, and three candidates, two old friends and me. I am in a position to force out one of the old friends with less seniority, but frankly I think it might be pyrrhic treachery, as it will mean more work for those of us left, and for me, less cartooning and more writing. If I go, the sad reality is that they will be able to plug in generic cartoons that come cheap from Outside. If I stay I will have to maintain a pace that will be blistering. This is at odds with Parkinson's, to put it mildly. To paraphrase the immortal Scotty (Who, by the way, had PD) I am not sure I can take warp 8 much longer.
Pam has cleverly been recognized as too important to consider parting with, so if I leave, we will retain insurance. We have savings, last time I checked. And there is about half a year of severance pay available for me. Furthermore, My son's college is free to families making under $75,000 a year. I believe that in 5 years, I will be able to begin collecting retirement.
And I have a shoe card at Skinny Raven with several stamps that will get me well on my way to a free pair of running shoes. And my sense of humor.
I have made no decision yet. Cue The Clash, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" I will keep you posted.
2 comments:
Peter,
It would be a loss to the state if you leave the paper. Your cartoons have kept us laughing at the follies and foibles of Alaska politics. Without your sense of humor, we might not have any other choice but to cry.
Dirk
Thanks Dirk, that's right, lay a guilt trip on me, "The man who killed laughter in Alaska".
Just because I don't want to end up in the dock facing a charge of premeditated and cold-blooded murder of humor in the first degree, I intend to continue cartooning on a freelance basis with the ADN and elsewhere, as well as on a new blog. Details soon.
Best,
Pete
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