Too bad it's nearly a grand...
April 30, 2010
April 23, 2010
Happy 20th, Hubble!
Hubble was launched at just the right time for my budding scientific curiosity. At nine years old, I found space enthralling (doesn't everyone want to be an astronaut at that age?!) and the media attention around Hubble only encouraged me. Of course, I didn't end up working for NASA, but the fascination with math and science endured.
So bottoms up, Hubble! Testament to humanity's innovation, and provider of awesome wallpapers!
So bottoms up, Hubble! Testament to humanity's innovation, and provider of awesome wallpapers!
April 18, 2010
The Best Way to Start a Sunday Morning
Just came back from a private viewing of Kick-Ass, courtesy of our local comic book store. It was fucking awesome. Pretty much everything I wanted in this kind of movie was there, and in a spectacular way.
No spoilers here, but one of my favorite parts: first person shooter fans, there's a scene that belongs to you!
No spoilers here, but one of my favorite parts: first person shooter fans, there's a scene that belongs to you!
April 3, 2010
Heartache and Headache
This past week has been the most tumultuous in my life so far.
On Wed afternoon, the entire risk mgmt team of my business unit was fired, along with our head managing director and chief operating officer (my boss). Not because of financial performance or budget woes, but some legal shit that unfortunately couldn't be explained in detail due to that most haunting of phrases: "ongoing investigation."
I didn't expect to be so emotionally impacted by this. But these guys have been with the business since its inception. They were around when the company was struggling to meet payroll and meetings took place in someone's kitchen. Later, they took a shot at a graduate fresh out of school, trusted her with tons of responsibility, and rewarded her for hard work and the right attitude.
And so I realized not only did the business lose valuable experience and knowledge, but I personally lost mentors and friends. I respected my managers, not just for their financial acumen, but also the small company corporate culture they fostered and maintained, even though we were swallowed by two large institutions in as many years. It hurt to see them let go, especially when 2009 was our most profitable year to date. I surprised myself by oscillating between rage and depression.
Oh, and fear as well. I have a new boss. A whole chain of folks from outside the business have been called in. I have to start all over establishing myself, making sure my direct reports are taken care of, finding where I fit in the new world order. I have to play the corporate politics game. The small company feeling is already gone; in its place is the typical Wall Street jockeying and bureaucracy built on ego. I fear not only for myself, but for the business as well. Risk is everything in asset investment, and by taking out our risk team, they have taken out the core of our success.
The shock and fear will ebb, I suspect. But my job has become that much more stressful. Spring is traditionally our busiest season - there is so much work to be done, and to achieve both financial results and coalesce with new management is going to be one hell of a challenge.
On Wed afternoon, the entire risk mgmt team of my business unit was fired, along with our head managing director and chief operating officer (my boss). Not because of financial performance or budget woes, but some legal shit that unfortunately couldn't be explained in detail due to that most haunting of phrases: "ongoing investigation."
I didn't expect to be so emotionally impacted by this. But these guys have been with the business since its inception. They were around when the company was struggling to meet payroll and meetings took place in someone's kitchen. Later, they took a shot at a graduate fresh out of school, trusted her with tons of responsibility, and rewarded her for hard work and the right attitude.
And so I realized not only did the business lose valuable experience and knowledge, but I personally lost mentors and friends. I respected my managers, not just for their financial acumen, but also the small company corporate culture they fostered and maintained, even though we were swallowed by two large institutions in as many years. It hurt to see them let go, especially when 2009 was our most profitable year to date. I surprised myself by oscillating between rage and depression.
Oh, and fear as well. I have a new boss. A whole chain of folks from outside the business have been called in. I have to start all over establishing myself, making sure my direct reports are taken care of, finding where I fit in the new world order. I have to play the corporate politics game. The small company feeling is already gone; in its place is the typical Wall Street jockeying and bureaucracy built on ego. I fear not only for myself, but for the business as well. Risk is everything in asset investment, and by taking out our risk team, they have taken out the core of our success.
The shock and fear will ebb, I suspect. But my job has become that much more stressful. Spring is traditionally our busiest season - there is so much work to be done, and to achieve both financial results and coalesce with new management is going to be one hell of a challenge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)