Temporary setback or way of life

Alright, so you remember how last year when I was broke and having trouble
finding a position and you were living paycheck to paycheck...and you kept
making all those disparaging remarks about how I can't even provide for
Gabriel and that Liz is the one providing for him?  Do you remember all
those stupid things you said in your emails?

And, do you remember me telling you that in my case its just a temporary
setback, but in your case scratching by, paycheck to paycheck, is a way of
life?

Well, here we are, two years later, and let's take a moment to reflect on
our current respective positions and the accuracy of our respective,
historic statements:
(1) I am no longer in the temporary, financially depressed situation I was
in at that time; I am no longer without a professional position and
reasonable income; in the 5 months I have been working at EA I have, with a
few exceptions, been able to put some portion of each paycheck into a
savings account; since receiving my first paycheck from EA I have never
once had less than $1000 in the bank; my bills have consistently been paid
within 2 weeks of receiving them (there have been no late payments); I will
be receiving my next paycheck tomorrow morning, at which point my combined
(checking and savings) account balances will exceed $11,000.

So, it would seem that I was right, when I said that my circumstances 1-2
years ago were temporary and that I would overcome them.  And it would seem
that you were talking out your ass with your stupid comments about me not
being able to provide for Gabriel's needs.  And now you look like a
complete idiot for trying to be smug and condescending.

(2) Let's consider your situation, now.  Two years ago you were living
paycheck to paycheck.  You had no savings and no financial stability.  You
were perpetually on the verge of financial ruin.  Yet you had a steady and
consistent income.  One year ago - no change.  Today - your situation has
changed...but for the worse.  You still live paycheck to paycheck and have
no savings.  But now you're also faced with the prospect of being laid off
from the company you thought was so great (remember how you used to brag
about working for the largest university in the country?).  You have a
degree from that same university, which you're probably starting to realize
(if you haven't already) means squat because University of Phoenix is not
considered a real university in professional fields (like Systems Analysts,
Engineers, or even DBAs (I mean real DBAs, not that MS SQL Server
nonsense)).  But should be helpful to get you a position as a Technician or
in a QA role.

So, you're situation was actually worsened over the last 2 years, even
though you've been steadily employed and receiving consistent and reliable
paychecks.  How can that be?  I mean, if a person knows they'll be making X
amount each two weeks for the next Y months/years then how is it possible
they DON'T improve their situation?  Oh, that's right...because trailer
park people consider buying video games, and big TVs, and going out on
Friday nights, and going on trips to Vegas for their friend's wedding more
important than self improvement or financial stability.

So there you have it!  Mine was a temporary setback, which I have overcome
and now am doing fine and am comfortable.  Your's is (present tense, not
past) a way of life, which you will never overcome because it's all you
know.  And people (typically) will always gravitate to what they know.  Or,
maybe one day all my bitter words will sink in and you'll actually start
thinking about becoming a better person, if for no other reason than to
spite me.

Good evening, and stay predictable - much of my plans depend on it:)
Fox