It’s Feel Good Friday and sometimes in order to feel good, we just need to let it all out and like the commercial, 

LET’s VENT!

Layoffs are never good - especially in a down economy - but when it happens to you three times in eight years you begin to wonder if you’re the plague.

My first “real” job was at the Aston’s Waikikian on the Beach Hotel. Fo’ da MLC crew - dat’s the hotel next to da Tahitian Lanai. Fo’ da “not too old, not too young” peeps - dat used to be da two story hotel wit da Tahitian Lanai neon sign in between da Hilton garage and Ilikai. Fo’ da youngin’s - dat’s da new condo dey building on Ala Moana Blvd called, Grand Waikikian - guessing in honor of nostalgia.

I worked my way up from bell to front desk to reservations and next thing I know, BAM! Pink slip. Hotel is closing. My conspiracy theory? The hotel was nearing landmark status and the cost to upkeep it was too great so that meant A Hui Ho to da staff - just my theory.

Before coming to the Advertiser, my previous workplace had layoffs because of 9-11. My conspiracy theory? Management wasn’t managing very well but who loses their job? Da workers on da front lines… I just missed dat cut.

Now, The Advertiser has announced and proceeded with the layoffs.

Wassap Wit Dat!

And once again, I survived this time around but who’s to say I won’t be next? I’ve never applied for jobs lightly. I always considered longevity in a company as long as the company I work for takes care of it’s employees. I firmly believe that when a company shows “da love”, it gets reciprocated back ten-fold. You take more pride in it, you work harder and give intangible value that can’t be shown with a price tag.

For all the people who have given their lives to a company to be told, “Mahalo and Aloha but we don’t need you any more” is sickening. The feeling is not more so that the company doesn’t care about you but how are you going to take care of your family?

During my first layoff I was single so it didn’t matter so much - I coped, I managed, I survived. At times I didn’t eat for a day or stretched my meals for more than a sitting and most times just ate once a day. I wore the same underwear two days in a row…. wait, I still do that now. But I was single back then.

If I was to get laid off right now, I don’t know what I’d do. How would Da Wife and I adjust? I grew up a hard life - some things even Da Wife doesn’t know - and I don’t wish that upon anyone, especially Da Wife. There’s no doubt in my mind that she can handle but would I want her to go through what I’ve gone through? No frickin’ way! For now it’s just her, me and the dogs (keiki hopefully soon). The company doesn’t care what the heck happens - people care. Last time I checked, people make the company right?

So my heart goes out to all 54 of my fellow co-workers - some who I’ve gotten to know pretty well in the short amount of time we’ve worked together. I’ve been there. It isn’t a nice road to be on and honestly, I would trade places in an instant if I could and that’s just me. Now I have a family to worry about, finances to take care of, real life issues that can’t get resolved without a J-O-B so priorities are a huge factor.

The pitfall of layoffs is now everyone is watching out for numero uno. Morale is down and people get a little more defensive especially if they’re on the fence. What if there was one more job to be cut and it was between you and your cubicle-mate whom you’ve gotten to be friends with? Would you fight for your job or would you “volunteer” to leave? You both have families, you both have bills. That’s the real life issue going on right now.

The saga will continue I’m sure for a very long time as we try to get back to BAU (business as usual) but how can you be happy working while someone you know has lost theirs? Heck yeah I’m thankful I still got a job and it is difficult staying although not nearly as worse as being forced to leave.

Pop. Phiiizzzzzz. Gulp. Gulp. Guuuulp.

Yup. Dat was an imaginary can of Coors Light because today……

LET’s VENT!

So go ahead! Let’s hear your frustrations or problems from today, yesterday, whenever and whatever you’ve got to say! Boyfriend/girlfriend acting like a pill? Friends acting like jerks? Damn cheaters on da roads!

Let it all out and get it off your chest - lift that weight off your shoulders! Isn’t that how we begin to heal and “move on”?

btw, yeah dat was a fake can….. you tink I’d be drinking at 4:30am?! By myself?

…..I only drink bottles anyways…