Since 75% of my billable day is spent playing on Twitter, watching YouTube, and reading blogs (jealous much?), I come across burgeoning Internet sensations all the time.  This latest satirical site (video above) may not end up in the Internet meme timeline, but its wry message embodies the state of our economy while imparting a special Christmas lesson.

It’s also a bittersweet reminder that, as we punch another hole in the leather to tighten our belts, some of business’ biggest pillars of greed and excess are getting the Bob Cratchit treatment, too.

Yes, Virginia, that’s the kind of schadenfreude money just can’t buy.

When he’s not here, M.M. McDermott is here.  Email him at mmcdermott@getrenegade.com or follow him on Twitter.

From today’s b, the paper

With Maryland’s jobless rate at 5 percent — the highest it’s been in 12 years — it’s vital that you stand out if you’re looking for a job. Your resume is key to that.

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So I’m in D.C. (my fav city aside from Bmore) for a political reporting conference.

I’m excited to be here with friends, excited about talking politics, and also at the prospect of making new friends with whom to talk politics.

I’ll be here til Sunday the next to last day of my four day weekend.

Being able to do this conference meant a lot of juggling, and it also means my work week starts on a Tuesday and ends on Sunday (with another day of rest somewhere in there.)

So even when you’ve managed to escape work there it is, ruling your life.

My friend says, “Every job wants to play you before you go somewhere.”

Or in my case, come back, therein lies the inevitable trade-off.

President Bush in 2000 (left) and in 2008

Our Commanders-in-Chief haven’t had a good go of it in recent times.  Having the weight of the free world on your shoulders and the Big Red Button at your fingertips is enough to give anyone a few gray hairs.  And liver spots.  And turkey jowls.

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From today’s b, the paper

It seems as though the presidential race has been going on for about seven years. So for those of you (i.e. most) with ADD, b wants to help. Here’s our look at the A-Z of the 2008 election, from the ACORN controversy to the zzzzz’s most Americans were letting out during the first two presidential debates. Just call us the Webster’s of democracy.

A — ACORN:
Short for Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, the liberal group, founded in 1970, hired more than 13,000 part-time workers to register voters in minority and poor neighborhoods in 21 states. AP reports some of the 1.3 million registration cards submitted to local officials used the names of cartoon characters or pro football players, leading to allegations of widespread misconduct. Must avoid urge to make blind squirrel joke …

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I rarely drink coffee (a bag of ground beans has been sitting in my freezer for about two years), but I was sleep-deprived this morning and stopped at the Starbucks in Belvedere Square — only to learn that today is its last day of operation. A sign on the door announced the departure. They were giving out free samples of Verona roast, and one barista told me about a going-away reception from 4 to 8 today, a sendoff with items to be given away, and contributions from other Belvedere Square retailers.

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It’s Monday, and money’s on a lot of people’s minds including mine.

The Sun is reporting that the stock numbers are up. A good sign, but one that doesn’t tell us a whole lot because we still need to see how the financial bailout will pan out.

As for me, the financial crisis certainly makes me think a bit about my personal finances. How do I keep from having my own financial crisis? Read the rest of this entry »

At Sunday’s news meeting, we started talking about an upcoming story on the economy – what we wanted to know and what was on our minds: Employment security. Recession-proof industries. Saving. Rent increases and the prospect of landlords being foreclosed on. Home buying. 401(k)s. Our parents’ retirement. Food and gas prices. The holidays.

So, we wanted to know what was on your mind. When you see news going by about Lehman Brothers, AIG, employment, a $700 billion bailout, interest rate cuts, world credit markets, etc. … what goes through your head? How does it affect you? What does it mean to you? What do you want to know?

Workers prepare the stage for the VP debate {AP Photo}

I’ll be tap-tap-tapping away on the typer, live blogging the VP debate from my working man’s castle in North East Baltimore beginning at 9 p.m. EST.  Drink ‘em if you’ve got ‘em.  The rules are simple:

1. Every time Palin gives a response that sounds like it was run though a free online language translator, I’m going to have myself a sip of a crisp, refreshing adult beverage (from the Land of Pleasant Living).

2. Every time Biden harps on the Alaska governor’s lack of experience, I will also take a nip.

It’s a good old-fashioned debate party, friends, and you’re invited. But remember: the first rule of Debate Party is, you do not talk about Debate Party…without a beer in your hand.  Let the bloodletting begin.

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Introducing Chris

Hi, everyone — Christopher Nelson here. I’m happy to be a new contributor to bthesite. I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know a little about me.

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