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They always say, "It's not what you know, but who you know." But not in this case.

At the Bull & Finch, a Boston bar that served as the inspiration for 22 seasons of sitcomery (the NBC program Cheers and its spinoff Frasier), bartender Eddie Doyle was laid off, a victim of the economy says the bar's owner. (Though don't people tend to drink more when they're in a Great Depression? Oh, sorry, recession.) Doyle worked at the place for 35 years.

So raise a glass for Mr. Doyle tonight, but don't feel bad (he doesn't). And in fact (per the The Boston Globe), he may even have a new career ahead of him -- he's thinking about writing a book about his life.

The lesson for all you Pink Slipped masses: The possibility for reinvention can come at any age, under any circumstances. Pay attention, and don't be afraid to reevaluate the road you're on.

--Posted by Todd Obolsky, Vault News & Commentary