If you get laid off in advertising all it means is you showed up.
Anyway, it was interesting to me for two reasons: first, now there might be freelance work at Yahoo (see what I did there?). And second, sympathizing with Mel for this or any other reason isn't something I would've ever pictured myself doing not that long ago.
I always read my close, personal friend Janice's blog. I noticed on virtually every post she'd get a comment from someone named Mel, who I'd never heard of and she'd never mentioned despite the fact she was my office wife at Y&R. Come to find out Mel was a friend she used to work with.
Anyway, Mel would constantly leave comments on Janice's posts. Comments I'd often disagree with. Comments I'd almost always be compelled to comment on, usually in that subtle and tactful way anyone who knows me has come to expect. (btw, still waiting for that "unsend" button.)
Suffice to say it wasn't always the most positive or friendly feedback.
Eventually this back and forth got so heated, the three of us decided to meet for dinner so we could each see who was behind the comments. Needless to say, I approached the dinner cautiously (insert joke about me "approaching food cautiously for the first time in my life" here).
Long story short - although I have a feeling it may be too late for that - is that we all had a great dinner and Mel and I hugged it out.
Now I read her blog regularly, and we're pals online, through the occasional email and probably in real life if and when our paths cross again.
It's amazing what you can discover about a person once you give yourself and them a chance. Since I've gotten to know Mel a bit I see how many great things she has to offer.
In fact, there are two things in particular I really like about her: how often she reads my blog, and how often she comments on it.
Ironic ain't it.
