disclaimer: this post was created on the plane, drunk.
The buzz word in the financial circle is recession. Unless you’ve lived under a rock during the last quarter of ’08, you’d know by now that Uncle Sam is pretty much in deep shit. And like everything else USA, it cascaded to the whole word; everyone is now in the same deep shit. Pardon my French but the analogy/expression nails it. My company, having been born and bred in obama’s backyard, had implemented strict cost saving measures that would make Scrooge look like the most giving person. Tough times, tough measures, tough love, tough luck. That warrants a post of its own should I decide not to be in the ‘boat’ (sorry, private joke).
Fast forward to now, lulling the time at the nwa lounge together with every Joe, Mate, lad and Papichullos. I noticed that half of the room is filled with Juans, your regular farm plowing Juan less the carabao. One trendy Juan was carrying the 2009 s/s men’s Gucci tote, although not in croc, still pricey (I know, I was eyeing that bag for myself), clad in last season’s Prada loafers and Dolce jeans. First reaction, color scheme is off, too dark; needs a touch of color. 2nd realization, wtf! Am I in an alternate/parallel universe? What recession? People have the money to fly business and first class, Not just anyone, Juans, cost cutting my ass. Though I feel that the airline did some cut backs as well, crappy food less snacks. The nwa lounge in Detroit airport is now a paid club, to hell if you paid hard earned, top dollars for your plane fare. Everyone is indeed feeling the crunch, should have flown SG.
Unlike those rica Juans, I am in denial. I feel the recession chasing my fanny, breathing down my neck, so I run faster and faster, deny more and more. Fuck recession, I’ma kick its nuts off. My company will try to weather this financial instability (who are we kidding, it’s a crisis) through whatever means necessary, even how unpopular. I’ll cut back on Starbucks and shoes, that should get me through this mess, crossing fingers. One bag every 6 months, and no more expensive trips, no more fine dinning. Goodbye Dunhill tote, goodbye Prada slip-on, goodbye good ol’ times. That’s my share, anything more is plain unacceptable. Why would I compromise my life for bad choices of not even even my leader (see, in denial!). No prisoners!
On a side note, as all nwa flights, we passed by Japan via Nagoya to change plane. I am flying a code share flight to Detroit, means it’s 2 flights folded to one, Delta and NW. It’s packed! They really mean lowering cost. Been mistaken as Japanese, Korean and Chinese again, but I’m used to it by now. Sometimes I even play along using my rusty and broken Nihongo. And I resent the kids beside me, they’re flying business while I have to slave for months to afford this flight. They don’t even know the difference of patte and liver spread. Darn spoiled brats. I’ll settle with Moet & Chandon, now let see those kids have a sip of that!
listening to: 
