How brown-nosing can actually make your job MORE tolerable

Forbes ran a piece about narcissistic bosses and how to use their insecurities to your advantage.  The conclusion of the article:  Self-important CEOs aren’t any more effective than “regular” CEOs, so maybe you should find a new job if you work for a selfish, erratic primadonna.  Really?  I think they’re hilarious to observe in meetings and in conversation and, as the article suggests, much easier to manipulate.  But that’s just me.

Yes, I am a cheap bastard

I just noticed that someone here at the office has kindly lain a bounty of California Pizza Kitchen coupons on a table near the water cooler.  Of course, being the cheapskate that I am, I gladly took a couple (ten) and returned to my cubicle.  My wife loves CPK, as do I, so I’m thinking that instead of our usual Indian food forays this month, we can visit CPK instead.  The check at the indian restaurant usually runs about $40.  At CPK, it’s around $30.  However, now that I’m armed with these sweet corporate $5 coupons, I’ll bet I can get out of there for $25 (“just water, please.”)  That means that I can save 50% on going out to eat this month.  Yarrr…

Keep your eye on the prize

It’s easy to get annoyed at work.  At times, the little annoyances add up and can really get to you.  Ben Stein (Bueller, Bueller…) reminds us however, to stay focused on the prize and work smart.  If you work hard, save and invest intelligently, and “stay in the game”, you will eventually provide your own glorious escape from Cubicleland.