Muzak Moment

Much of the ATL population (read kids) will be most excited to learn that schools are closed today. However, the mystique of snow days is missed by parental units who are required to wake up an hour earlier and peruse the web and local news stations for accurate school closing information. And somewhere, deep down inside, we always wish that our jobs would freakin close- or at least the daycares would open up- so that we could quickly make the appropriate assessment and roll back over in our warm comfy mattresses and go back to sleep or get up and press on as usual.
But here I sit, watching the endlessly scrolling tickers of Channel 2 Action news, refreshing MARTA's page for any crazy rail announcements (I'm still not gettin on those icy train tracks). I figured I needed an appropriate soundtrack to personalize my angst as I sit here dazed and confused, trying to figure out how to plan my day in less than one hour (at 5 am). Do I call out and lose a valuable sick or vacation day? Do I resolve to take my kids to work with me (which is not allowed) and risk reprimand or worse, 8 hours of serving the general public's demands as well as the demands of 2 restless kids suffering from cabin fever?
What sound has temporarily calmed my mental rantings, you ask? Muzak of course. I'm pissed cause I can't download it for free, but I did find a nice little website that allows you to download an entire Muzak CD for only $99 (right). Until I figure out how to legally download at least one Muzak track for free, you'll have to use your imagination.
But I have now decided to pay homage to the marketing genius that is Muzak and rightfully so. It's simultaneously soothing and incensing, kinda like me sometimes. And we all have moments in life where a little bit of Muzak pumped into the room would make everything so much better. Enjoy. Have a cup of joe and listen while you read my blog. You'll thank me for the experience. Muzak CD download

ProcrastiNATION

OK, so I googled 'procrastinators anonymous' as a lark, just to see what would pop up! Lo and behold, there is a support group for those of us who put off today what might get done tomorrow, or the next day (or something like that).

There are so many one-liners and sarcasms I could verbalize right now... but that would be so wrong! I am literally battling within myself NOT to say anything...really.
In all fairness, I know procrastination can have a serious effect on one's daily existence. Chronic procrastination can alienate one from social gatherings, ruin relationships or even damage your credit. But I don't know anything about that personally.
So...if I can help one person today by posting this link, then it was worth keeping my mouth shut. Check it out and please, let me know if it works for you. Procratinators Anonymous

(Baby) I Got Your Money

Word on the street is many Southern Republican Governors may refuse portions of the economic stimulus funds because it could cost more in the long term for their respective states. For example, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported "...Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal...announced he will reject as much as $33 million in federal stimulus dollars to expand unemployment insurance because the state would have to increase unemployment taxes on businesses after the money runs out in three years..."
Now I make no claims to be any sort of accountant or economic analyst but it seems the general population of unemployed citizens are the folks we should primarily be concerned with. If we want to talk long term effects let's talk long term effects for the people who will lose out on unemployment benefits during this long term recession. Fewer jobs (and furloughed police officers and firefighters) will eventually equal more crime, lower property values and more business closings. Why? Because the unemployed citizen would have to set new priorities. The unemployed cannot purchase a home or drop by their local deli and drop $5.99 on a combo meal, but they can stuff a can of formula under their jacket to feed their baby.
Desperate times do indeed call for desperate measures, and I hate to say it, but isn't falling into debilitating debt the American way?
The way I see it , businesses are going to have to take some more hits just like the general public and it's either gonna come right off the top or on the back end in taxes. This stimulus package, while it's not perfect (and President Obama has made no claims as such), would indeed do just that; stimulate the economy. An citizen receiving unemployment benefits can continue to frequent their local businesses for a while longer. They can pay their insurance and keep their cars legally on the road a while longer. And hopefully, somehow during this extended timeframe, find the employment to continue their part in stimulating the economy.

What do you think? Should the Governors accept the whole kit and caboodle?