So after the announcement yesterday that our company would be making cuts, which would result in layoffs, our company scheduled a "town hall" style meeting hosted by our very own CEO.

To sum the seemingly endless 45 minute chat up?

1. "Don't blame yourselves...it's not your fault." (which...OMG, are you serious? it hadn't even occured to me to self-flagellate over this whole issue since it's very obviously NOT the fault of the employees)

2. We don't know anything more then we already told you. (so the point of this meeting was what? For you to read the email outloud for those of us who can't read?)

3. Keep it real. (I'm not joking...it was in the company email AND he said about 5 times. I'd prefer if he mixed it up a little and maybe used "this shit JUST got real" as an alternative)

4. Stuff. (he kept calling the layoffs, economic consequences, and general revenue issues "stuff"...as in "Stuff will happen...don't worry about stuff...we don't know when this stuff will end." Can't ask for anything more specific then that! *cue eyeroll*

Gotta love the CEO corporate chat! It was like watching John McCain in the Presidential Town Hall debate...wandering around and gesticulating all over the goddamn place while essentially leaving you with the dual-feeling of worry for his overall health and frustration at not hearing anything of substance that pertains to you. Good times.

So today has not been the best of days for a number of reasons...but the main reason? My company - like so many others these days - has just announced major layoffs are coming down the pipe...imminently.

Figures...just managed to get myself a promotion too.

Now whether I'll be affected or not remains to be seen, but a similar company in Canada just laid off over 500 positions so it's likely my department will get hit, even if I don't. The only reason I'm the least bit optimistic is that the "digital" (aka new media) area is a huge growth areas in the business, so I'm hoping that the company will decide to just put a hire freeze on our area and not let anyone go. Gah. So stressful.

We'll know more on Wednesday afternoon after our CEO holds a Town Hall meeting with all employees. All I know is that if they lay people off and then go ahead and throw the regular massive (multi-million dollar) holiday party...I might quit in protest anyway. Honestly, I'm willing to forgo the open bar, ice sculptures, caviar and midgets playing balalaikas (seriously...they had one last year to "compliment" the theme of Dr. Zhivago/pre-revolution Russia) if it means I can keep my job. Seriously.

So what's a girl to do after getting depressing news like that? Why get a bangin' new haircut, of course! I figured I might as well spend the money while I still have it ;)