A New Way of Labor

Labor Day weekend has come and gone.  While many are returning to work Tuesday morning, I’m actually trying to find a few days of respite from the freelance treadmill of the past few months.

The ongoing narrative in some corners is that the world of work is changing. I know that’s true, but it still seems like–at least from my perspective–that most people I know in Maine still work structured hours, often 9 to 5, with available paid vacation time, at least enough to spend long weekends away from their work whenever there is a national holiday, like yesterday’s. Inevitably, they turn these into three, or four-day weekends away from the office.

Vacation Day

Vacation Day

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Hey Baby, It’s the 4th of July

The flag

Today is the 4th of July. It’s a Thursday, normally a work day, but there is no work today for the JBE, mainly by choice. Given that tomorrow is Friday, I imagine many people will extend the holiday and make it the summer’s first long weekend.

Viewed as a day to detach from the 24/7 nature of the 21st century workplace, I’ll enjoy today. I’ll spend it with some family and extended family, near a nice body of water, and there’ll be good food, some drink, and we’ll enjoy one another’s company. Continue reading

Into the black

Shoppers stream into Macy’s for pre-Black Friday bargains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The blending of Thanksgiving and commerce continues to elicit outrage and moral indignation. This year, like in years past, critics of consumerism and those hearkening back to some romanticized version of an America free of consumerism are railing against those who are exercising their freedom of choice to shop early and most likely, often—especially for bargains.

The term “Black Friday” gets trotted out like a fresh “Tom” by the media about a week before Americans sit down to observe one of our high holidays as a nation. While gathering to give thanks for the bounties and blessings from the past year, many of our fellow countrymen are already plotting their shopping itinerary before the meal is finished and the leftovers are put away. Continue reading