January and February 2009 - DE Expressions

The discussion boards on the DE website still aren’t being used by anyone, so I guess I’ll have to keep on answering comments from the AskMen.com pages. I also got two very short messages regarding my review of The Pink Panther 2.

As usual, AskMen.com accepts no responsibility for the content of its message boards. As such, the posts are considered public domain. Also note that AskMen.com is not accountable for my inane responses, so ask yourself, do I go around and rip out your lights? Do I go around and rip out your lights? Then why are you trashing my scene?! Amateur!

No surprisingly, the first comment of the year is in response to my Top 10 2009 Career Resolutions.

Being proactive should have been in the top three. Most bosses and employees have the habit of sticking their heads in the sand when the going gets tough, hoping the big bad world will go away and leave them alone. Plan B should have been number one, especially in this job market that is easily going to get worse.

ADCMELB

Thanks for writing in, ADCMELB. I just noticed this is the second time I answer one of your posts. Anyway, I must confess I didn’t give the order of the resolutions too much thought. I was more focused on finding ten worthwhile pieces of advice generic enough to apply to workers from every sector. Having mentioned that, I still believe "Make the most of your position" deserves the number one spot. Yes, having a plan B is important as well, but it seems a rather gloomy note on which to start the new year. The notion that one should enjoy what little he or she has before it all comes crashing down due to an increasingly unstable economy strikes me as much cheerier. Wait... What?

Our next post is considerably angrier and refers to the article Exit Interview Survival Guide. Well, not really, come to think of it.

This is the absolute worst advice you ever gave. After spending eight years trying to reform a broken system, what, we're supposed to lie and tell everyone it's been hunky-dorey because we're paranoid about the way we might be perceived by the powers that be? You don't get real change by keeping mum. Sorry, I would rather refuse to say than not offer constructive criticism.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" (Dr Seuss).

Rico

I’m fairly certain I wrote nothing of the kind, Rico, but we’ll get back to that in a bit. First, I want to share with you another quote from Dr Seuss, whose insights I sometimes find questionable:

"We’ve got to kill Japs, whether it depresses John Haynes Holmes or not. We can get palsy-walsy afterward with those that are left" (Dr Seuss).

In case you’re still convinced of Theodor Seuss Geisel's unwavering wisdom, here’s another display of egregiously racist propaganda from the good doctor:

As for the rest of your comment, Rico, I think I’m going to let the next reader address your complaints.

Rico, one of the advice is actually "Don't lie." It's written in really big letters on top of the second page. The article also says to "make constructive suggestions" in the third paragraph. Some people just read what they want to read.

Great article! I know I don't always remember to keep my cool, so it's a good reminder.

Candice

Thank you for the kind words, Candice. I'm glad you liked the article and, you know, actually read it. I also appreciate your taking the time to defend the piece. Your comment really captures my general exasperation with the ever so angry Internet community. I’ve just about lost all patience with message boards, which is why I’ve added some to the DE website. Wait... What?

The next two messages refer to my AskMen.com review of The Pink Panther 2, but they were sent to me through this website. This sort of thing happens on a surprisingly regular basis, which means I may be bringing quite a bit of business to the fine folk at AskMen.com Solutions. Yeah, that's how you recession-proof your job, baby!

That bad?! OK... I'm not really surprised.

Maia

I have to be honest here, Maia. Technically, no, it’s not that bad. You see, the text had to be processed in a rush, and my editors misread my critical appeal rating, changing it from twenty-seven to seven. All things considered, it kind of works either way.

Our fifth comment is pretty much the same as the previous one.

Ooh, baaaad.

Alice

It is indeed, Alice. What’s worse is the way I was treated at the screening, but I’ll discuss that at length when the DVD comes out. I'm sure you can hardly wait, or you possibly might not care even a little bit. That's why I mentioned it, after all. Wait... What?

All right, one more for the road.

Thanks, D!

Tonia

You're welcome, T.

Well, that's it for this edition of DE Expressions, which will return two months ago. Wait... What?

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