In my quest to make the most of my benefits while I still have them, I went to the eye doctor today to get totally checked out. I'm pretty much blind (although I'm the least blind of the sisters, which is actually somewhat terrifying), and my level of nearsightedness means that my corneas are really, really thin. So the eye doctor put in drops that dilate my eyes so he could look at every nook and cranny. Which led to the following conversation with Andy:

Andy: So, can you not feel your face?
Me: I didn't go to the dentist, I went to the eye doctor. So my eyes are dilated, and I can't really focus.
Andy: Oh. So it would be bad if I did this? [Waves arms wildly]
Me: Ow. Please stop.
Andy. And it would be bad if I, say, threw a large heavy object at you?
Me: Yes. Because it would take a while for me to cut your head off, as my aim would be off. But I'd manage eventually.
Andy: Point taken.

See? I told you I was a good manager.

So far, the sentiment seems to be that being laid off is a good thing. This e-mail from Newton is representative:

And with a single bound, she was free!

I am prepared to BET MONEY that this will turn out to be the best thing that's happened to you in years. All the very best for your brand new life.

I am kind of seeing it as a not-entirely-bad thing right now. I can see the upside. I still panic about being able to both pay the mortgage and feed myself, but I really think this is going to be ok. It's an opportunity.

Check back with me come December, if I'm still unemployed. We'll see how much of an opportunity it feels like then.