Lunch with the Old Old Job

I had lunch with two friends from my old, old job today - the job that involved being an engineer and purchaser, was high stress and well, to be honest - sucked every ounce of energy out of my being.
I enjoy occassions with the people from this job - lunches, dinners, drinkies every once in a while. It is a time to catch up, a time to complain and in general a time to let some steam off.
The one friend recently survived the one person in each department must be cut layoff (29 people total), the other did not (but will be working through 12/4). As for the one who didn't, his wife was laid off from the company too in the same bout of layoffs.
For the amount of people that were laid off, some were the right decision. But, I feel they missed some total wastes of oxygen.
But back to lunch - we complained, we let off some steam, and overall I feel sorry for the friends still there. Corporate sucks.

Rooting for the Refs

Let me preface this by saying: I voted this year. For the most part I have been voting since I came of age to vote. I love our country and always have. I agree with the current President on some issues, and I'm sure I'll agree with the President-Elect on some issues too. I disagree with both of them on a lot - does that mean I could fix the country? Hell no. Does that make either of them evil? Not any more evil than politicians tend to be.

When talking to people who are fervent in their position. Be it sports, be it politics, be it religion or anything else that people are spirited about, I decided a long time ago that I can't really change a fanatic's mind. Just like a fanatic can't really change mine. I'm bull-headed that way. I like to have conversations and ask questions, but I don't like to be preached to, talked at or influenced by someone who is an uber-devotee.

When asked in conversation, I have told people who I voted for or planned on voting for, but unless you ask, I don't put it out there. For the most part I'm just a fan of the process. I think you should look at the websites of the people who are running for lesser offices instead of blindly going in there and picking the name that sounds nice. I don't think you should stick to a party line all of the time. I think you should vote - or not vote if both the choices suck. I think you should serve jury duty. I think you should formulate your own opinion and shouldn't let someone sway how you feel either way.

Heads or Tails? - the coin is bound to land on the edge one of these days.
Religion? - pick one or don't.
When the big game is on and I don't care who wins? - I tell people I'm rooting for the refs.
It might sound a little Swiss, but for me - a lot of it is in the process.

Democrat or Republican? - Just exercise your right to vote.