More is less.

One of my moronic manager’s favorite expressions is “step it up,” as in we all need to do more. If there were ever a case of projection, this is it.

Given the number of us who have traipsed over to HR with a litany of complaints about her, presumably she’s gotten some coaching from HR focusing on her management skills and style.

One critical component of management, of course, is effective communication.

Her misguided attempt to being a better communicator is to force us to suffer through stand-up status meetings every other day, rather than just the single insufferable weekly team meeting we’ve had in the past.

I guess she feels like she’s stepping it up.

So we gather needlessly three times a week now to repeat the updates that we give each other on our projects routinely every day. And she stands there with nothing to say or contribute, as usual.

<100

Since I began working in office jobs in mid-1966, 15,710 days have elapsed.

I decided last year that my 2009 birthday gift to myself would be to end FT conventional employment just before my November 10 birthday, which will mark the day I qualify for full Social Security benefits.

There are just 99 days to go until Friday, November 6. I have completed 0.994 percent of my time enduring the Rat Race.

The end is so close I can taste it.

The Mother of All Mental Lapses

I’m a very good job hunter. I’ve got the resume/cover letter/phone screening/interview drill well in hand, with the results to prove it.

However, this past week I made a mistake for which I’ll be beating myself up for a while.

I’m in the process of putting in place a number of permanent part-time freelance positions that will enable me to move away from FT employment toward a semi-retirement supported by several income streams.

One of my current freelance jobs is for a West Coast media company that provides content to many websites. I edit short articles for the company.

I found an identical position posted on craigslist for a Boston company looking for copy editors. I applied online. And then I realized that, indeed, I had taken leave of my senses when I composed the email cover letter.

Among other things I wrote: “I am most interested in the copy editor position and am currently doing similar work for a company on the West Coast.”

Let’s rewrite that, shall we, for a tip on how not to get a job: “I’m working for one of your competitors.”

Wishing you were here: You’d be more than welcome to act on the “Kick Me” sign on my butt.