CHRISTMAS BONUS, 2010 STYLE

I expect squat for a Christmas bonus and I've received squat.

Like OTR, I've never received a Christmas bonus in my journalism career.

 

I'm one of the fortunate ones. My paper has given Christmas bonuses every year for 50 years. It's a week's paycheck.

Folks in my family wouldn't be getting Christmas presents without it.

 

Wasn't sure if it was coming, but got the double check two weeks ago. Hallelujah. It's already long gone, of course.

 

Several years ago management of the paper where I worked gathered the desk folks together and we drew numbers out of a hat. When they called your number they gave you an envelope. Inside of mine was three one dollar bills. Didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

As a side note, in the 14 years I've been in the business I've been to zero Christmas parties. The reason I have not been able to attend is because these type of newsroom functions are always on a Saturday night, a day which sports copy desk guys are never off. From what I hear from co-workers though, I'm not missing much.

 

Got the $25 gift card to the local grocery (last year they gave it out and a day later asked for it back to give to needy families, I refused). My awesome boss, however, gave us a $50 gift card to the local Chillis and $100 to Wal-Mart. That will go a long way for my family this year.

 

the big bonus came in. . . .$10 gift card to Applebees.
(try to contain your jealousy)