In response to market conditions Barclays shed another 2100 jobs today

The economic recession just got a bit more real for me, as my job was one of the ones to go as Barclays Global Investors reigned back their development activities in the UK. A couple of weeks ago I had been sure my job was safe but recent interactions at work meant that on the day itself it did not come as a surprise.

After some soul-searching, self recriminations and reflection, I really feel quite good about it. I have been given an opportunity to develop my on-line business ideas and expand my knowledge of internet marketing.

For the last few years my income has been almost exclusively all in the ‘E’ sector (employee); now is the time to start trying in earnest to replace it with ‘S’ (self-employed), ‘B’ (business) and I (investor) streams.

I have set myself a ’90 Day Challenge’ to put myself on a path to replacing my income within 12 months.

This evening, I found myself at Broadgate Circle, drinking champagne at the bridge of the boat-like, Corney and Barrow, overlooking the ice skating rink, safe from the icy winds in the warmth of the bar. It was a New Year’s drinks party with some colleagues and recent ex collegaues.

I was reminded of the scene of the band playing on the deck of the Titanic as the lifeboats were manned. The talk was not of jobs or markets (or icebergs) but of iPods, HDTVs, digitals cameras, holidays in warmer climes and new online businesses. The only recognition of the state of the current economic hardships was that we were drinking the cheapest champagne on offer, a Laurent Perrier Non Vintage at £46.96 a bottle (only £23.95 at anybooze.com. Well, at least we were doing our bit for the economy, spreading the wealth around

As I left, after a couple of hours of amiable chat, I drew my scarf more tightly around my neck. It is going to be a long cold winter.