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After going up in recent years, employee engagement in the U.S. saw its first annual decline in a decade, dropping from 36% in 2020 to 34% in 2021, according to Gallup data.

This pattern has continued into early 2022, as 32% of full- and part-time employees working for organizations were engaged, while 17% are actively disengaged, an increase of one percentage point from the previous year.

The researchers said that some of the elements that decreased the most during this period were people's level of agreement that they have clear expectations, the right materials and equipment, the opportunity to do what they do best every day, and a connection to the mission or purpose of their organization.

But to get a better understanding of how these factors manifest in real life, let's take a look at the Instagram account 'Employed AF.' It shares memes about the struggles in jobs from all sorts of industries, hilariously describing what it's like to be a part of the modern workforce.

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    Employers should take note of these memes too. In a perfect world, they should be aware of their workers' emotional state. "Disengaged, unhappy people aren't any fun to work with, don't add much value, and impact our organizations (and our economy) in profoundly negative ways," says Annie McKee, who is a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the director of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program.

    "It's even worse when leaders are disengaged because they infect others with their attitude. Their emotions and mindset impact others' moods and performance tremendously. After all, how we feel is linked to what and how we think. In other words, thought influences emotion, and emotion influences thinking."

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    Premislaus de Colo
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This phrase actually means "Once you accumulate enough weath, accumulating even more does not make you happy". It's being exploited to make us feel complacent with what we have so that the elites can have more

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    McKee believes that it's time to finally blow up the myth that feelings don't matter at work.

    "Science is on our side," she says. "There are clear neurological links between feelings, thoughts, and actions. When we are in the grip of strong negative emotions, it's like having blinders on. We focus mostly — sometimes only — on the source of the pain. We don't process information as well, think creatively, or make good decisions. Frustration, anger, and stress cause an important part of us to shut down —the thinking, engaged part. Disengagement is a natural neurological and psychological response to pervasive negative emotions."

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    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Michael Largey
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every so often, talk to your bosses when you're in an extra good mood. It will confuse and frighten them and made them wonder what you know that they don't.

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    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    VioletHunter
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Smart grandma. Everyone should have separate accounts though. They don't even have to be secret.

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    #9

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Cat Palmer
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For some reason this reminded me of the time I was in a whole company Zoom meeting and the cat started digging to Australia in her litter tray so I muted myself to yell at her to [poop] more quietly and discovered that the host had muted everyone and I had unmuted myself so the entire company heard me yelling at the cat about sh****ng, so if anyone wants me I'll be here dying of embarrassment at the memory.

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    Over the span of a few years, McKee and her team at the Teleos Leadership Institute have set out to study dozens of organizations and interviewed thousands of people.

    Their findings about the links between people's feelings and engagement are fascinating. "There are clear similarities in what people say they want and need, no matter where they are from, whom they work for, or what they do," she explains. "We often assume that there are huge differences across industries and around the world but the research challenges that assumption."

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    'employed Af': 50 Hilariously And Painfully Relatable Memes About Work (New Pics)

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    Vasana Phong
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When ever a boss goes” can I speak to you in my office “, of course your heart rate is going to go up, so saying that beforehand is just wonderful

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    Alex Davis
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know some companies that do sort of 'school trips' with their employees. One place I worked at we went on a water sports day out and learnt all about the reservoir we were at worked and then got to have fun doing various water sports or land based activities for those who didn't want water. Should happen more often imo, was great none forced team bonding. We also did bowling, trips to national trust places and all sorts. They weren't compulsory but everyone went. Staff moral was so high and I'm still friends with many 10+ years later!

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    detective miller's hat
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I don't say some version of this at least once a day, am I even doing my job?

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    To be fully engaged and happy, virtually everyone told the researchers they wanted three things, starting with a meaningful vision of the future.

    "When people talked with our ... team about what was working or not in their organizations, and what helped or hindered them the most, they talked about vision," McKee shared.

    "People want to be able to see the future and know how they fit in. And, as we know from our work with Richard Boyatzis on intentional change, people learn and change when they have a personal vision that is linked to an organizational vision."

    Sadly, far too many leaders do not paint a very compelling vision of the future and they don’t communicate well. This is a major reason why they lose people.

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    Then, there's a sense of purpose. "People want to feel as if their work matters, and that their contributions help to achieve something really important," McKee continued.

    "And except for those at the tippy top, shareholder value isn’t a meaningful goal that excites and engages them. They want to know that they — and their organizations — are doing something big that matters to other people."

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    detective miller's hat
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was kind of hoping for some grey at my temples at this point so I can finally look like an Adult. 39, none have shown up yet.

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    Finally, we have great relationships. According to McKee, people join an organization and leave a boss, so a dissonant relationship with your superior is downright painful.

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    But so too are bad relationships with colleagues. Leaders, managers, and employees have all told the researchers that close, trusting, and supportive relationships are hugely important to their state of mind — and their willingness to contribute to a team.

    #22

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Fakeus nameus
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some days I feel like I should just climb out the window and leave

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    Emotions matter a lot at work, and happiness is important to everyone. To find out more about the stuff that gets in its way, open up our previous publication on the 'Employed AF' Instagram account.

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    #27

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

    iamemployedaf , danielleweisber Report

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    OnlyMe
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't worry, it's not for long. Climate change is destroying all that.

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    #29

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    iamemployedaf , femaleredhead Report

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    Igor914624
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From a 30 year IT vet... thank you for the appreciation. And I love the "Tech Daddy" moniker.

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    #30

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Passerby
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I teach online, and I sometimes use those 3 minutes to ponder whether I should quickly use the toilet, or hold it in for a while so I have a legitimate excuse to have a small break during the class. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, but it can be so tedious at times, especially when it is at the end of the day and I have been teaching for 5+ hours already. (For reference, I once had around 180 hours of teaching in a month. It's not my current workplace. Mind you, this is just teaching hour and nothing else.)

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    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Has to be 15 years. No way they could have the necessary experience after only 10 years. As for 5 years experience, ha!, worthless rookies.

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    #32

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Australia, Xmas and New Year are summer events, so we have that going for us, which is nice. (Going the the beach on Xmas Day is almost a tradition for lots of us.)

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    #36

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    HurlWurk
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just reply to emails "my fault, it's fixed", and move on. People don't know how to attack someone that accepts blame easily, but they can waste hours complaining about people who dodge responsibility for missing an apostrophe.

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    #39

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    Nichole Harris
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My hubby and I do that together..... We alternate reassuring each other that we're not horrible lazy people 🤣

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    #40

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    Chihuahua Mama
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favourite screen is the back of my eyelids.... sleep, my favourite "activity" is sleep. Never seen such new and creative content anywhere else.

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    #41

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    #42

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    Jason
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm bad about this in general. If I look like I'm interested it's cause I'm bored as f**k and have set my body on autopilot so I can dream about anything else. If I look like I don't care it's because I'm actually paying attention listening and I'm using that autopilot brainpower to actually compute, remember, and listen to what you are saying. Same with taking notes.

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    #43

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Amy Manning
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one really talks about the fact that the 8 hour work day was designed for men who have wives at home doing all the things we still have to do when we get done with our 8 hour work day. Like cooking, cleaning, laundry, changing the bed, and washing the dishes. We all have multiple full-time jobs at this point, but we only get paid for one of them. Happy Monday.

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    #44

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

    iamemployedaf , ronnui_ Report

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    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've designed the perfect meeting room. No chairs, no tables - stand, or sit on the floor. Want to take notes? Use a clipboard. After 30 mins, doors open automatically, strobe lights flash, loud brass band/marching band music plays from loudspeakers.

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    #45

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Fast paced ' means 'we have no planning skills, so every thing is done in a rush' and 'dynamic' means 'we have no idea where we're headed with anything, so we're constantly changing the rules and moving the goalposts'.

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    #46

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    TheBlueBitterfly
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the 3rd alarm for "Sink shower, dry hairspray, cold poptart in the car, and I look like crack today." Edit: I just realized I meant dry shampoo. I slept through my 3rd alarm, obviously.. 😅

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    #48

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Gustav Gallifrey
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a Boomer, and i seem to recall that this was our philosophy decades ago. Millennials/GenZ becoming Boomers?

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    #49

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Panda Dressed as a Capybara ;)
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me, or when a post has no comments I have no idea what to say, however when a post has comments I have the brightest idea in the world?

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    #53

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    #54

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    afia kooma
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Night workers coming home to be awake while i fell asleep was my rescue 💕

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    #56

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    TheElementalGod️️
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would like to unsubscribe from the world please. No more emails, no more events, no more ANYTHING! just select and delete. Poof. Gone. Into the blissfulness of the void. And then I wake up and cry because I can't unsubscribe from the world.

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    #58

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

    iamemployedaf , TevonBlair Report

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    Iampenny
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just rewrite it slightly “If you have any further questions. Don't. Hesitate to ask.”

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    #60

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    SCamp
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Feel like ‘one minute it’s Friday night, you blink and next minute it’s Monday morning’ is more accurate

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    #61

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    CwtchyMama
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I gave these feeling also but am a sahm my coworkers are my dog and kids and they will not leave me alone.

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    #62

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Jason
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The trick is with such a high number unread you never notice. Was just 10361 a new mail that came in? Who knows best just to ignore it

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    #63

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Maartje
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have learned to interpret "on it" as "I am turning over and going back to sleep".

    #64

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    VonBlade
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stand back Oscar Wilde, speak no more Dorothy Parker, we have a new wit world champion. /le sigh.

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    #65

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    #66

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    TheBlueBitterfly
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From my boss. I usually just get "ok" or on some occasions, "kem." (Which might mean the same thing in his native language?) Very frustrating when you've carefully typed up an intelligent, professional email.

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    #68

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    #69

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    VioletHunter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can combine the sleep and no speaking week into one, then cook for a week, then pay someone to deep clean it all in one day and then add the last 3 days.

    #71

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    Jason
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's kind of like me trying to explain some cool code I wrote. Kind of just start trailing off and give up

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    #73

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    TheElementalGod️️
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN GET OUT OF HERE I CANT MAKE IT OUT ALIVE SAVE YOURSELF

    #74

    Work-Memes-Iamemployedaf

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    VioletHunter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel the same. Some of my friends have jobs I simply can't understand.

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    #75

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    Rebelliousslug
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Slip n slides are more fun when you’re older. Sure there’s the threat of breaking a bone that will take months to heal, but that extra weight translates into so much enjoyable extra speed

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    Rebelliousslug
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember when $126 paid for everything I wanted for 2 weeks until the next check. I miss you mom and dad (they’re still alive, I guess I meant I miss you paying to keep me alive while I just f***ed around and had fun with my money)

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    Michael Largey
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always tried to come weird for work. My showing up normal made my students worried and uneasy.

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