So a friend sent this to me as a counterpoint to Battle of the (Toilet Room) Sexes. Text below is as per the original email, which someone forwarded to her.
MEN'S ROOM MURAL
Edge Designs is an all women run company that designs interior office spaces. They had a recent opportunity to do an office project in NYC.
The client allowed the women of this company a free hand in all design aspects. The client was also was a company that was also run by all women execs.
The result...well...we all know that men never talk, never look at each other...(I personally wouldn't know this) and never laugh much in the restroom...The men's room is a serious and quiet place...but now...with the addition of one mural on the wall...let's just say the men's restroom is a place of laughter and smiles.
End of email.
So I guess this is what happens when we get years and years of bad lighting and not enough mirrors and places to put our stuff.
MONDAY, JULY 6TH 7:20PM 270 GREENWICH STREET, TRIBECA
I took my last trip to Whole Foods this evening for a while. Even when trying to be careful, I spent more than I thought I would just because products there are just not cheap. I know I'm going to have to try either The Associated or the PathMark nearby, even though the quality isn't as good as Whole Foods, it's more affordable.
Last Thursday started off as a good day. The day before a three day weekend, everyone seemed in a good mood in the office, looking forward to spending some time with friends and/or family, watching fireworks, eating hot dogs...in general, celebrating our country's Independence from the limeys. Then, we had an office meeting.
The partner's wanted to discuss the 'state of the office.' Oh no. Over the next few minutes came the bad news: everyone would need to take a 20% pay cut for the next three months. At least. Ouch. We would all also have to take two weeks off without pay in August. Again, ouch. I immediately starting thinking: OK, where can I cut costs?
1. As mentioned above, cheaper groceries.
2. Suspension of 401K contribution. Company is still contributing 3%. Sounds strange to some people, but I guess they want to maintain some things for morale.
3. Forbearance on student loans.
4. Sail more. I love being relief crew right now.
Other things like shopping for things I don't necessarily need will of course also be cut. As will my air conditioning (what I would give to live on a quiet street where I could actually open the windows. I'll have to live with fans). With this combination, I'll be able to make up the difference in my take home pay. That's the plan.
I remind myself that this is temporary, that once we're back to full time, I'll do things like pay extra on my loans to get back on track, and bump up my contribution to my 401K. When I first figured out the difference between my salary and my pay for the next three months - I admit, I gasped. 20% is pretty significant. However, even with the decrease, I'm making a pretty decent salary that I know I can survive on. That, I need to keep in mind.
