Diaries of a Temp, Chapter 17: Tony Micelli: An American Hero
2009 April 15
1984 was a big year: the Apple Macintosh was introduced, “Karma Chameleon” was a hit song, and a gallon of gas was $1.19. But more importantly, Tony Micelli was embarking on a brand new life; a plan B.If you’re a child of the 80’s like me, you already know that I’m referring to the hit show, “Who’s the Boss?“. As I have been pondering John’s expose on what it means to be career-ended and out of options, Tony Micelli and his big blue conversion van immediately come to mind (You too, right?).
You see, Tony Micelli is not much different than you and me. After a shoulder injury forces him out of his career as a second baseman for the St Louis Cardinals, he is faced with a dilemma familiar to many of us. What now? What will I do next? How will I survive?
Tony’s answer was obvious: move out of Brooklyn and into an upper-class Connecticut neighborhood as a live-in housekeeper for a successful single mother. But it did not come without a price. Tony is forced to swallow his pride in order to do what is best for himself and his family. And he also had to deal with Mona’s sexual advances. And that pipsqueak Jonathan.
There is much we can learn from Tony’s story. “Who’s the Boss?” is abounding with themes of starting over, making sacrifices, humbling yourself, and rising above your circumstances. But don’t worry. Everyone knows his are big shoes to fill. We’re not all going to find ‘Plan B’s’ that allow us to challenge gender roles and defy racial and class stereotypes all in under a half hour. But we can certainly try. And if we’re lucky we might even fall in love with our next employer and go back to school at the same college as our daughter. It never hurts to dream. Or drive a conversion van.-
As usual I shall leave you with a touching lyric. This is from the “Who’s the Boss” theme song. Prepare to be inspired.
There’s a time for love and a time for living.
You take a chance and face the wind.
An open road and a road that’s hidden
A brand new life around the bend.
You take a chance and face the wind.
An open road and a road that’s hidden
A brand new life around the bend.
Facing the wind,
LR
To hear more of Lyndsay’s musings, check out her blog.
My original Plan B: I went back to school at the same university as my daughter and got my Bachelor’s degree in Women Studies in 2004 just a year before she graduated She’s moved on to medical school with a bright, well paid and secure future ahead of her. I moved into the work force because I was eager to start working after 20 years of being a homemaker and my future is looking a bit bleak.
Now I’m 48, five months into unemployment, and scared that I’m loosing valuable working hours that I won’t have time to make up because of my age. I’ve been working in cosmetic sales but along with layoffs, positions have been left unfilled and hours cut. The pickings are slim and competition fierce compared to the field 3 years ago.
My revised Plan B: I want to go back to school and earn a Master’s degree in public policy but my state is planning hefty tuition increases. I don’t know if I could comfortably take on a larger than life student debt and save for retirement with only 15-20 working years ahead of me. I’m feeling paralyzed right now not knowing which route to take to maintain self-sufficiency and avoid a penniless retirement.
Lisa
great post! from now on whenever my unemployed self is feeling down, i will hum the “who’s the boss” theme song for inspiration.
Well, with a valuable degree,like Women’s Studies, I can’t see why employers aren’t bashing down your front door to hire you.
Major in Education. In the San Luis school district, (central Calif.)
40% of the teachers make $84,000. for 180 days work, and have a very generous retirement plan.