Yet.

I’m writing this at work (screw ‘em), and there are still a couple of hours before I leave for the day, so things could change yet. Basically if the upper management leave me alone today – let me listen to Coltrane and get on with my work -  I’ll make it through another day.

If a single one of them comes down stairs and says a word to me, I’ll probably walk out.

I figured out how much money I make a minute (50 cents) and I’m tallying it as I go through the day. Ninety minutes and I can buy Season 1 of ‘Gossip Girl’ on DVD – Dr.O’C’s addicted, certainly not a butch guy like me.

I want to thank you all for your well reasoned comments on yesterday’s post. I find it amazing that people who (for the most part) have never met me are willing to take the time to read and give me thoughtful advice. All of it was helpful and gave me food for thought. I suck at making decisions – and still haven’t made one – but thank you all for your help with my continued indecision.

In short, you guys are awesome.

Among all the outstanding advice, two statements really hit home for me yesterday. The first, from Damon, nearly tipped me over the edge in favor of walking in today and telling them exactly where to put their job:

My point? Don’t compromise your integrity for a job or for a few extra dollars especially when you know that NO one has your back and will put the blame on you in a heartbeat. It only takes a fraction of a second to cross the line.

But the second, from Andrea (showing remarkable insight for a Canadian), slowed me down:

I think if you up and quit now you’ll experience immediate satisfaction and happiness, which will shortly be followed by guilt, stress, angst, what-have-you. Not worth it for you and definitely not worth it for the family.

I had been building myself up for the excitement and relief of giving my notice, of the feeling of liberation that I knew would follow. But I think Andrea’s right, I think that would pass – everything does – and I don’t know what would have replaced the elation.

And it’s best not to push a pregnant woman.

I am setting some boundaries. If I’m asked to lie again, I’ll refuse. I’m reducing my hours – we really do not need the money – so I can invest some more time in the university. I’m going to try to find out if there’s a way to extend my contract there. As a lot of you pointed out, in a pinch research would be better than my current soul-sucking job. I’m going to put every cent that I earn here into savings, so when it does all come to a head – which it will – we’ll have that much more of a nest egg.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll last, but I made it through the day. And that’s all I’ve got to do today.

Look at that, it’s the end of the day. And the beginning of the weekend. A bus ride home and this…

Thanks again, y’all rock! Have a great weekend.

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I’m in a jazzy mood this week. John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is just a masterpiece. Buy it now from .

Image credit:

Giant Steps

-”I’ll Fly Away” – Traditional Hymn

On the rare occasions that I get homesick for the U.S. it’s for the Deep South, where I spent about half of my life and the good part of my formative years. The two things that I miss most about Dixie are the food and the music. New Orleans is kind of the hub for both of those things down south. When I heard the The Hot 8 Brass Band’s version of “Fly Away” the sounds, tastes and smells of Big Easy hit me almost viscerally.

A New Orleans jazz cover of an old Baptist hymn is a little bit of a departure for a music site that’s been focusing on up and coming indie artists. But, The Hot 8 Brass Band is so good that I just had to . Their version of “I’ll Fly Away” is more spiritually uplifting than anything you’re likely to hear in a church. This is classic New Orleans jazz, but it doesn’t fall into the trap of sounding like a pale tribute act. The Hot 8 boys are spontaneous, funky, improvisational and even a little sloppy sometimes. They spoon some rock, a little funk, a dash of soul and hip-hop to taste into their pot and mix it up into an irresistible gumbo.

I’ve posted “Fly Away” as well as The Hot 8 Brass Band’s cover of the Marvin Gaye classic “Sexual Healing”. If you like these two tracks then check out “Rock with the Hot 8 Brass Band” – available from Amazon, or eMusic.

MP3: The Hot 8 Brass Band – “Fly Away”
MP3: The Hot 8 Brass Band – “Sexual Healing”