Another New York Times article (this time by Paul feckin Krugman of all people!) detailing the miserable state of the Irish economy. Straight from the beginning it's bleak: “What,” asked my interlocutor, “is the worst-case outlook for the world economy?” It wasn’t until the next day that I came up with the right answer: America could turn Irish. Ouch. Cue all the replies in Irish newspapers complaining about the unfair picture foreign governments and journalists are giving about Ireland.. via NY Times

Anytime I read the paper from back home its more doom and gloom - how many more ,000 people have lost their jobs. Ireland's economy is being compared to that of Iceland, who's economic and banking collapse could have happened back home if it weren't for the Euro. Even Japan is shedding thousands of jobs from big brand companies like Sony and Toyota and the economy is as bad as anywhere. So I guess I should feel extra thankful at this stage to be working at all. Just a couple of months ago I was facing no extension of my visa and the prospect of job hunting anywhere else would now seem to be impossible. Australia is facing ,000 of job losses and recession. And with so many Australians abroad returning home from the UK and other countries whose economies are in trouble, it's almost a miracle I have a job at all! So it's probably time to temper my complaints about a long commute and less than inspiring work with the thought that I'm not thinking about paying for a mortgage when I've just lost my job.