If it was a horse we’d be talking about sending it to the glue factory. If it was a car, we’d be looking to trade it in. If it was a character in a soap opera, it’d be that guy who is laying unconscious in a hospital bed while the other characters shake their heads and whisper about how sad it is.

For the economy to improve, it’s going to have to catch its second wind; get a new engine; or wake up from its coma and realize that it has to win back Jessica who ran off with Dr. Harmon. In short, the economy needs a rapid infusion of cash … stat! The only way this is going to happen is if people get out and start buying stuff again. I’m looking at you Mr. and Mrs. American Consumer. (Full Text)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Like this excerpt? Want the whole story? Listen to the audio version by clicking the ‘Play’ button at the top of this post. If you’d rather read it, you can find the full text at http://wp.me/pjV28-b3
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

An awful lot of folks are angry at the American banking industry and they are expressing their outrage by way of obscene gestures, foul language, and poorly-spelled letters to the editor. The government, sensing the restless mood of the public is responding by giving huge piles of crisp new dollar bills to the banks. The banks, in a bid to keep the cycle going by annoying people even more, are using the money to throw big parties.

One major financial institution — not to name names, but their initials are AIG — spent nearly a half million dollars on a corporate retreat at a lavish resort. Members of the American public — many of whom find themselves unexpectedly and unpleasantly unemployed — asked, “Could you bring me a doggie-bag from the buffet? Or maybe a doggie duffel bag? I’d kind of like to feed my family this month.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Like this excerpt? Want the whole story? Listen to the audio version by clicking the ‘Play’ button at the top of this post. If you’d rather read it, you can find the full text at http://myfavoriteshortcomings.wordpress.com/2009/03/21/keeping-up-appearanceskeeping-up-appearances/

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Notes:

• PodcampSLC is less than a week away.  I’d love to meet you there.  All the details are at:
  http://www.podcampslc.org
• I mentioned Alex in the notes this episode. He’s a podcaster in the UK and has a great background in social media. Check him out on his website and if you need his kind of help, take a look at his on-line resume:
  http://newforestpodcast.wordpress.com/
• Another website worth visiting is Chuck Tomasi’s.  You can find him at:
  http://www.chuckchat.com

Somewhere along the line, most of us trade our shiny dreams for lackluster respectability, a decent dental plan, and a few bucks in our pocket at the end of the month. Employment holds all the appeal and excitement of a bicycle with two flat tires and a missing seat; you can’t get anywhere fast and the ride is pretty uncomfortable.

The truth is, work is what you make of it. With a little mental effort, you can trick yourself into having a good time each and every day. Imagine your office as the most interesting, amazing place on Earth. That’s right — pretend you really do work for the circus.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Like this excerpt? Want the whole story? Listen to the audio version by clicking the ‘Play’ button at the top of this post. If you’d rather read it, you can find the full text at http://myfavoriteshortcomings.wordpress.com/2009/03/07/too-many-clowns/

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Notes:

• You can follow me on Twitter at:
  http://www.twitter.com/kevinleec
• I had a nice note from writer J. Timothy King on the blog version of this site this week.  You can find out more about Tim’s writing at:
  http://www.jtimothyking.com/
• If you’d like to audition for Angel Between the Lines, you can find out more at:
  http://www.angelbetweenthelines.com/