Jeremy and I were talking tonight after he got home from work. We are wondering if and when layoffs will happen. As I have said, he works for an airline.

The airlines are having a really hard time turning any profits right now, as you all know. I’m sure you have all read or been affected by the new fees and charges being imposed on helpless travelers’ in an effort to keep the airlines a float. It just keeps getting more and more outrageous. Not that I disagree with the fees. I think they are horrid but necessary at the moment. I feel very bad for the poor travelers being caught up in all this bullshit. It is really a fucked up situation that our lovely economy just keeps sinking and all we seem able to do is sit and watch and possibly utter a slight grumble under our breath.

So far, no rumors have been heard about any layoffs planned. That is not a comfort though. Usually, there is no warning. It is just announced one day and you are dismissed. Well, if it is an involuntary layoff. Anyway, with the news of other airlines being forced to layoff thousands of employees and hand out early retirement to loads more, I’m sure its coming his way. Soon.

In a way, he is looking forward to it. He really needs a break from his job. So, we are thinking up some fun ways to start making some extra side cash, just in case.

My herb business was killed so that is not an option. For those of you who do not know, I used to have a website where I sold herbs, teas, spices, and other herbal supplies at wholesale prices. It was really great and I loved doing it but the rising cost of everything was too much for us. We had no choice but to close down. Maybe someday we will re-open it but I don’t see that happening for a while. I really hoped it would succeed because I had hopes of building a very large customer base and opening a local shop while continuing to offer the online shop. I guess maybe in the future.

Right now we are thinking about each creating our own website and hosting our blog on there instead of WordPress. This would give us the option of, GASP, adding ads! I know, we all hate ads. They are the great downfall to being online, right? This is what everybody seems to think. I really don’t mind them as long as they aren’t the weird slut ads. Ads are income. That is the important thing. If you can make a few dollars from doing something you already do, writing in a blog, why the fuck not?! I think in today’s economy everybody could use some extra cash and I really don’t feel like it is that terrible to “rent” out some space on the internet for said extra cash. I’m not talking about huge pop-ups or anything. Just some text ads and small banners or something along the sides of the blog. If you use Firefox, I do, you probably have Ad blocker Plus to hide those ads anyway. So, you visit the blog, read what you want, never actually see the ads, and bloggers still get some extra gas money. I really don’t think it is a bad idea.

I read many blogs that are covered in ads and I could care less. I figure they take the time to sit and write shit that I enjoy reading so why the hell shouldn’t they get some perks for it. I know they do it because they just like to share their thoughts, opinions, and what not but if they can make a buck doing just that, go for it! I wish them the best and hope they make enough to at least pay the costs of hosting. That is what Jer and I think, and that is what we will possibly do. I figure, if you really don’t want to see the ads, switch to Foxfire or stop visiting. I think sometimes people forget that running a website costs money. They enjoy the website but seem to think it is wrong for the operator to accept “help” with funding it. Plus, they are just selfish and don’t want to see ads. Thats a bit harsh but its true. If your going to lose all your “loyal” visitors because of some ads, they weren’t “loyal” anyway.

Personally, I really like the idea of ads on blogs. Especially if the ads pertain to the subject matter of the blog. If I’m reading a knitting blog and then I see an ad on the page for really cheap yarn, you can bet your ass I’m going to click that ad. I like the idea of being exposed to new online stores that pertain to my interests. Though I’m not sure what the fuck kind of ads will pertain to my blog. I have a nice medley of everything and not one set subject matter. Matches my personality though.