Gregg Williard decodes the meaning of the happiest spam on earth.

“Once you’re the printer there’s nowhere to go.”  Tom Larsen inks the fountain.

“Most people assume calling 911 is only for emergencies; while I admire their integrity, there are many others with a less discerning dial finger.” Honest to goodness City Firefighter, Russell Koharchick, elaborates.

“Let’s interface.” Sara Greenwald exploits the layoff love.

“The week Jim got down to his last fifty dollars, he decided something had to give.” Patty Somlo proves it isn’t always a man’s world.

Today we present two poems by Philip Kao, and caregiver weeps.

This week, to kick off the new WORK year, we present 2 poems by perennial WORK-er Mary Slocum.

Check out Ms. Slocum’s past poetry here documenting the vindictive rage of a wronged employee, here where she hangs with schizophrenics, and here in which she goes to a meeting gone awry. What better way to ring in the new year than with writing such as this?

Yes, it’s a new year here at WORK. We hope you have enjoyed three solid years of quality writing on the topic of work. A friend said as I wrote this post, “See? Persistence pays off.” He did not, however, offer to assist in the creation of Mary’s pages. So, please, validate my existence and read, read, read.

Ever your editor,

Julie

—
go pin yourself
then tweet about it
and tell all your friends

Ann Neuser Lederer demonstrates how often times it’s not the job itself that is interesting.

Emily Strauss makes example of why, even when it seems like it couldn’t be so, there are never too many poems about teaching.

Easy money? This week, Denise Emanuel Clemen shares the true story of selling her body and her blood.