Inevitably, during all the bloviation and rhetoric, someone asks "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"
Answer: Hmmn
Four years ago I had a good job at good wages. My mutual funds were at an all time high. My daughter had just given birth to my first grandchild. When I went to the airport, my biggest fear was losing my suitcase. There was no such thing as "Threat Level." Life was pretty good.
Today, my family income is less than half what it was in 2000. For the past year, I have been fruitlessly looking for a job in an economic environment that stubbornly favors cost-control over growth. We are afraid to fly - heck we are even afraid drive to the airport. The cost of a gallon of gas has skyrocketed. The stock market goes apeshit everytime there is a suicide bombing in the news. Most of the robber CEO's walk free as crows, but Martha Stewart has been convicted of crimes against humanity and is headed for jail. My grandchildren moved to California.
Democrats are still talking about "stolen" elections and "coo-day-tat", as if they did not understand the Electoral College. Republicans - with no evil empire to oppose - bark about moral principles, and the evils of those who would deny tax cuts to the richest Americans.
Neither party can produce a leader that the majority of voters can rally around enthusiastically. Most voters support their guy mainly because they are afraid of the other guy.
Read: Afraid of the other guy's Supreme Court appointees.
Republicans - in the ultimate cynical strategy - contribute to Ralph Nader's impotent and vain attempts to become a real candidate, in hopes of spoiling Kerry's draw on independent voters. Nader, once seen as a principled struggler against special interests is now seen as a sad buffoon.
Our confidence in the System is shaken. We now know that the past two Presidents have been making military decisions based on flawed intelligence data about terrorists. Political debate has devolved to mere shouting matches and mudslinging. We seek for the truth in vain. (Maybe Cheney is right - we can't handle the truth).
Are we better off than we were four years ago? Perhaps the key question is, will we be better off or worse following the election in November?
Hmmmn.
7/27/2004
7/26/2004
Railing Against The Man
The DNC is at last underway. At the very last minute, the Fire and Patrolmen's Union backed-off on their threats to picket the welcome parties in a petulant attempt to spoil things for just about everyone - especially Menino. It will take a 9/11 event to restore their vaunted status as Protectors of the public. The glint of heroism has been etched dull by the acid of greed and extortion.
I'm thinking of going in town today to protest against wanton joblessness. I think the discrimination against aging, well-fed people - who don't want to take orders from assholes - is a blight on our nation. I'm bagging-up some cat poop to throw at any one I see wearing a fur coat. Attention must be paid!
I see Bill Clinton is in town signing copies of "My Lies. " Has he no shame? Is every event just an excuse to engorge the Clintonian coffers? And, did you see the clip of Kerry "throwing" out the first pitch at the Sox Yankees game last night. Maybe he thought it was bocci instead of baseball. You call that a Pitch? The ball dropped like a stone 10 feet in front of the plate and dribbled between the legs of the hapless catcher (was his name Buckner by any chance?). My Grandmother could throw a better pitch than that, lefty. And the next first lady, in Pennsylvania deploring the un-American tone of public discourse. When a reporter pressed her for examples of the un-American speech, she denied having said what she had just said on tape. Further efforts at clarification were rebuffed and the reporter was invited to "Shove it!" Hmmn. I think it should be an interesting 4 years with Theresa in the white house.
I'm thinking of going in town today to protest against wanton joblessness. I think the discrimination against aging, well-fed people - who don't want to take orders from assholes - is a blight on our nation. I'm bagging-up some cat poop to throw at any one I see wearing a fur coat. Attention must be paid!
I see Bill Clinton is in town signing copies of "My Lies. " Has he no shame? Is every event just an excuse to engorge the Clintonian coffers? And, did you see the clip of Kerry "throwing" out the first pitch at the Sox Yankees game last night. Maybe he thought it was bocci instead of baseball. You call that a Pitch? The ball dropped like a stone 10 feet in front of the plate and dribbled between the legs of the hapless catcher (was his name Buckner by any chance?). My Grandmother could throw a better pitch than that, lefty. And the next first lady, in Pennsylvania deploring the un-American tone of public discourse. When a reporter pressed her for examples of the un-American speech, she denied having said what she had just said on tape. Further efforts at clarification were rebuffed and the reporter was invited to "Shove it!" Hmmn. I think it should be an interesting 4 years with Theresa in the white house.
7/22/2004
But Not For Me
There was a help wanted ad in the Globe last sunday for the CIA. Clandestine Services. The job that demanded "superior intellect, ingenuity and courage, facing complex, unstructured circumstances..." That sounded a lot like my kind of work. It was interesting until I ran into the qualifications which included, "Maximum age for entry into the service is 35."
Then paradoxically, "We are an equal opportunity employer..."
Hel-lo Government! "Equal Opportunity" means no discrimination on issues, such as age!
Besides, what is wrong with geezer spies? Do they talk too much? Do they forget their secret codes? Do they nodd-off on stake-outs if the last later than 9:30pm?
So, I had two responses to the ad. One, they don't even understand the definition of EO. Two, the reason we are in such a mess today is that they are a closed shop. They get young people into the organization and brainwash them to do things "our way." By the time they get to be 45 or 50 any creativity, sense of persepctive and autonomy has been breeded out.
According to my research, this is precisely the age group when most anarchists, white collar criminals and terrorists are in their prime. Thus CIA operatives are pitifully outmatched by their non-bureacratic, high risk peers in the enemy camps.
In the mouldy old days, big companies like IBM, NCR, Proctor and Gambel did not hire people from outside the culture. They got people right out of college, fed them the party line and molded them to the culture. When anyone got promoted to a senior staff position, they already had a lifetime career with the company and fully understood the culture, ie,
Good old boys get promoted and renegades get the boot.
But around 15 years ago, things started to change in corporate America. Renegades from IBM and NCR spun off their own companies or joined start-ups. Big corporations and their awkward command and control structures were like huge tankers on the ocean - very hard to turn quickly. The companies with non-bureacratic structures proved to be very adaptable. These new adaptable cultures began to eat the lunch of the big unwieldy firms. For example consider how upstart Microsoft stole the PC operating business from IBM. And how Apple took Xerox discoveries and made many people rich by productizing those ideas.
Pretty soon the old line companies started to open up and let in some new blood. People started jumping from place to place. Companies stopped placing the value on longevity and started spotlighting contribution. Nowadays, nobody talks about "corporate culture," except as a lip service "values" blurb in the annual report. Companies have adopted the EO mantra seriously, to their (and society's) benefit.
In a nutshell, the point is: A truly diverse organization is made up of talented people from all origins and of all ages. Old ones, young ones, Skinny ones, fat ones, short ...you get the idea.
We all know from movies and TV that the FBI and CIA still work under the old bureacratic, command and control style of management. Perhaps the problem with our clandestine operations is that there aren't any old spies with new blood and fresh eyes.
I hear the terrorists are recruiting people of all ages.
Of course, I wouldn't mind having a job where I carried a gun legally, and could intimidate (or even shoot) law-abiding citizens with impunity. But, I still would not apply for a job that required obedience, discipline, ability to keep a secret, or all night stake-outs.
Note: This blog is an equal opportunity rant, no one is safe, regardless of race, creed, breast size, hair color, age, gender preference, or other physical attribute.
Then paradoxically, "We are an equal opportunity employer..."
Hel-lo Government! "Equal Opportunity" means no discrimination on issues, such as age!
Besides, what is wrong with geezer spies? Do they talk too much? Do they forget their secret codes? Do they nodd-off on stake-outs if the last later than 9:30pm?
So, I had two responses to the ad. One, they don't even understand the definition of EO. Two, the reason we are in such a mess today is that they are a closed shop. They get young people into the organization and brainwash them to do things "our way." By the time they get to be 45 or 50 any creativity, sense of persepctive and autonomy has been breeded out.
According to my research, this is precisely the age group when most anarchists, white collar criminals and terrorists are in their prime. Thus CIA operatives are pitifully outmatched by their non-bureacratic, high risk peers in the enemy camps.
In the mouldy old days, big companies like IBM, NCR, Proctor and Gambel did not hire people from outside the culture. They got people right out of college, fed them the party line and molded them to the culture. When anyone got promoted to a senior staff position, they already had a lifetime career with the company and fully understood the culture, ie,
Good old boys get promoted and renegades get the boot.
But around 15 years ago, things started to change in corporate America. Renegades from IBM and NCR spun off their own companies or joined start-ups. Big corporations and their awkward command and control structures were like huge tankers on the ocean - very hard to turn quickly. The companies with non-bureacratic structures proved to be very adaptable. These new adaptable cultures began to eat the lunch of the big unwieldy firms. For example consider how upstart Microsoft stole the PC operating business from IBM. And how Apple took Xerox discoveries and made many people rich by productizing those ideas.
Pretty soon the old line companies started to open up and let in some new blood. People started jumping from place to place. Companies stopped placing the value on longevity and started spotlighting contribution. Nowadays, nobody talks about "corporate culture," except as a lip service "values" blurb in the annual report. Companies have adopted the EO mantra seriously, to their (and society's) benefit.
In a nutshell, the point is: A truly diverse organization is made up of talented people from all origins and of all ages. Old ones, young ones, Skinny ones, fat ones, short ...you get the idea.
We all know from movies and TV that the FBI and CIA still work under the old bureacratic, command and control style of management. Perhaps the problem with our clandestine operations is that there aren't any old spies with new blood and fresh eyes.
I hear the terrorists are recruiting people of all ages.
Of course, I wouldn't mind having a job where I carried a gun legally, and could intimidate (or even shoot) law-abiding citizens with impunity. But, I still would not apply for a job that required obedience, discipline, ability to keep a secret, or all night stake-outs.
Note: This blog is an equal opportunity rant, no one is safe, regardless of race, creed, breast size, hair color, age, gender preference, or other physical attribute.
7/16/2004
Crossing Lines
As someone who has not had a pay raise since the year 2000, and who has been unemployed for over a year, I am not sympathetic to greedy union members who aren't happy with a 13% pay increase offered by the city of Boston. I cannot be expected to rally to the cause of the Boston police and firemen unionists who are holding the DNC festivities and public safety hostage in their contract dispute with Mayor Menino. I think the term is extortion.
Like the terrorists, the union leaders have adopted the policy of punishing innocent bystanders in order to make their case with the party they disagree with. They hope that the sensible population will exert pressure on the city to settle the contract dispute in their favor rather than risking the decision of the arbitration process.
On one sense this is not much different than the strategy of those cowardly and deadly attacks on civilians by insurgent militants in Iraq. I am not saying that the union leaders are killing innocent people, but their approach is markedly similar to that of bomb throwers everywhere. They feel that their cause trumps everyone else's rights and interests.
In the WSJ today, a cogent piece entitled "Courage Against Evil", written by the foreign minister of Australia, reminds us that "if we give in to terrorists once, what will be demanded in the future?"
History provides ample evidence that giving-in to unreasonable demands creates more demands. (Anyone who has parented a teenager knows this fact of human nature.)
A line must be drawn. Menino should be applauded for taking a stand. When the spotlight is turned on next week, it is the Police and Firemen who will suffer the blame for disgracing Boston if the DNC becomes a fiasco.
Like the terrorists, the union leaders have adopted the policy of punishing innocent bystanders in order to make their case with the party they disagree with. They hope that the sensible population will exert pressure on the city to settle the contract dispute in their favor rather than risking the decision of the arbitration process.
On one sense this is not much different than the strategy of those cowardly and deadly attacks on civilians by insurgent militants in Iraq. I am not saying that the union leaders are killing innocent people, but their approach is markedly similar to that of bomb throwers everywhere. They feel that their cause trumps everyone else's rights and interests.
In the WSJ today, a cogent piece entitled "Courage Against Evil", written by the foreign minister of Australia, reminds us that "if we give in to terrorists once, what will be demanded in the future?"
History provides ample evidence that giving-in to unreasonable demands creates more demands. (Anyone who has parented a teenager knows this fact of human nature.)
A line must be drawn. Menino should be applauded for taking a stand. When the spotlight is turned on next week, it is the Police and Firemen who will suffer the blame for disgracing Boston if the DNC becomes a fiasco.
7/13/2004
The Big Lie
Last week I took a roll of film in for developing at The One Hour Photo store.
The young girl at the counter asked "When Do you need these?"
I was thinking that she should have said These will be ready in an hour. But, not being in a rush, I told her that tomorrow would be ok.
"Tomorrow, after one o'clock?"
"How about tomorrow morning." I was being reasonable, friendly, agreeable. After all, the sign in the window said One Hour Film Developing. In big letters.
"What time?" she persisted.
"I don't know." I was getting annoyed with the harrassment.
"After eleven?"
"You know, you should really take down the 1 Hour sign. You obviously do not want to even try to develop film in one hour."
Overhearing this exchange, the older gal in charge came over, gave the first girl a let-me-handle-this look. "We can have them done today by 5pm."
"Ok," I said, "Have them ready at 5pm and I'll come in sometime tomorrow."
As I left, the one who had been overriden called after me, "Have a nice day," cooly, not meaning it. Giving me the Look - like I was some kind of unreasonable geezer and she was not a muddle headed, gum-snapping teeny bopper with acne.
I gave her the bite me look, but said "See you tomorrow."
When I came to pick up my film, the photos of my grand kids had somehow gotten mixed-up with the pictures that belonged to a dog breeder. Instead of my cute grandkids at the beach, the photos were these ugly newborn puppies and other offal-eating hounds. It took another day before they could locate my pictures. Funny.
Is it just me? Or is 1 hour photo developing a big Lie??
The young girl at the counter asked "When Do you need these?"
I was thinking that she should have said These will be ready in an hour. But, not being in a rush, I told her that tomorrow would be ok.
"Tomorrow, after one o'clock?"
"How about tomorrow morning." I was being reasonable, friendly, agreeable. After all, the sign in the window said One Hour Film Developing. In big letters.
"What time?" she persisted.
"I don't know." I was getting annoyed with the harrassment.
"After eleven?"
"You know, you should really take down the 1 Hour sign. You obviously do not want to even try to develop film in one hour."
Overhearing this exchange, the older gal in charge came over, gave the first girl a let-me-handle-this look. "We can have them done today by 5pm."
"Ok," I said, "Have them ready at 5pm and I'll come in sometime tomorrow."
As I left, the one who had been overriden called after me, "Have a nice day," cooly, not meaning it. Giving me the Look - like I was some kind of unreasonable geezer and she was not a muddle headed, gum-snapping teeny bopper with acne.
I gave her the bite me look, but said "See you tomorrow."
When I came to pick up my film, the photos of my grand kids had somehow gotten mixed-up with the pictures that belonged to a dog breeder. Instead of my cute grandkids at the beach, the photos were these ugly newborn puppies and other offal-eating hounds. It took another day before they could locate my pictures. Funny.
Is it just me? Or is 1 hour photo developing a big Lie??
7/11/2004
Not My Fault
Accused of conspiring to loot his own company and other serious acts of malfeasance, former CEO, Ken Lay was vigorous in his own defense before the microphones yesterday. He admitted that he accepted responsibility for the disastrous collapse of the company but only in the sense that it happened "on his watch."
He, personally, was not guilty of any crimes nor responsible for the instant ruin of many thousands of employees whose life savings and pensions evaporated as Enron's stock values plummeted.
Lay said that he was responsible only in the sense that he had participated in the selection of Mr. Fastow, who Lay points to as the villain in this affair. Mr. Lay admits that he is definitely not to blame because he didn't know what was going on. He did not indicate any plans to return the $10 million bonus he got just before the implosion. It does not seem to occur to him that if he doesn't deserve jail, then he certainly did not earn the bonus.
Now, today, there is a similar item in the news. The Senate Intelligence Committee reports that the CIA unwittingly deceived the President and his staff about the situation in Iraq. At all levels, the presumption of Saddam's WMD's was simply accepted without critical inquiry. Supporters of Co-Presidents Cheney-Bush have been quick to vindicate the actions of the Presidents, because, "It clearly wasn't their fault." The faulty intelligence is the culprit, not the ill-advised decision to act upon the faulty intelligence.
So, you might ask, "Who's fault is it?" The answer is blowin' in the wind, my friend. It's that big sucking sound that CEO's and Politicians make when they are distancing themselves from accountability. It's the sound of finger-pointing - always to some hapless minion who didn't completely cover his own ass.
He, personally, was not guilty of any crimes nor responsible for the instant ruin of many thousands of employees whose life savings and pensions evaporated as Enron's stock values plummeted.
Lay said that he was responsible only in the sense that he had participated in the selection of Mr. Fastow, who Lay points to as the villain in this affair. Mr. Lay admits that he is definitely not to blame because he didn't know what was going on. He did not indicate any plans to return the $10 million bonus he got just before the implosion. It does not seem to occur to him that if he doesn't deserve jail, then he certainly did not earn the bonus.
Now, today, there is a similar item in the news. The Senate Intelligence Committee reports that the CIA unwittingly deceived the President and his staff about the situation in Iraq. At all levels, the presumption of Saddam's WMD's was simply accepted without critical inquiry. Supporters of Co-Presidents Cheney-Bush have been quick to vindicate the actions of the Presidents, because, "It clearly wasn't their fault." The faulty intelligence is the culprit, not the ill-advised decision to act upon the faulty intelligence.
So, you might ask, "Who's fault is it?" The answer is blowin' in the wind, my friend. It's that big sucking sound that CEO's and Politicians make when they are distancing themselves from accountability. It's the sound of finger-pointing - always to some hapless minion who didn't completely cover his own ass.
7/10/2004
Back from the Sub-continent
We are back from the fetid swamps of Florida. Every day the weather was monotonously predictable. Sunny and 95 degrees from 8am to 4pm, followed by 3 hours of thunderstorms, followed by cool humid evening breezes. If we lived in Florida during the summer, we would have to stay inside all day, like vampires.
We spent most of the time we were in Orlando seeing the kids and grandkids. Orlando is nothing more than a huge tourist trap. The "Attractions" are a rip-off (eg, tickets to SeaWorld for a family of four = $169). Not one but two toll booths are located in the 5 mile stretch between the airport and the city as a testament to the municipal participation in the shameless gouging of visitors. Taxes, fees, car rental packed charges are all part of the game. The hotel charges you a daily rental fee for the in-room safe - whether you use it or not. They also warn you that they will charge an "early check-out fee" of $50 if you don't like the place and decide to move. Unheard of in other places.
I do not plan to go back again, and will instead pay for the kids to visit us here.
We drove down to Vero Beach to re-unite with as old college classmate who has retired there. VB is a nice quiet affluent community on a barrier island off the East coast. We enjoyed our visit there but probably cannot afford to retire to a place where the houses we want to live in cost about two million more than we are able to pay.
As we drove down I-95 south, we passed several communities where where there were large mobile home parks. You know, the type of place you see on the TV show COPS - where they go out to the trailer homes to check on a domestic disturbance report. Invariably, the cops end-up dragging some shirtless (and usually dentally challenged) drunken lout out of his rental trailer in handcuffs and putting him into the back seat of the cruiser.
Yesterday's Boston Globe featured a full color photo of a handcuffed Ken Lay (the former CEO of Enron) as he was forced to make the "perp walk" for the news media in Houston. The only thing lacking was letting him wear a tie and jacket rather than dressing him up in an orange standard issue jumpsuit. Lay is charged with conspiracy, fraud and (shades of Martha Stewart) making false statements. Scary stuff!
The guy turns himself in on non violent offenses, but the numbnuts authorities feel obligated by policy to humiliate him by cuffing him for the cameras. I know a lot of you enjoy seeing crooked CEO's brought low, but I see it as pictoral evidence that our justice system is f*cked up.
If this is the way we treat non-violent rich guys, I shudder to think what they are doing to the poor, toothless, cursing, shmucks who get dragged out of their trailers nightly in Brevard County.
When I am Emperor, people who clearly do not pose a risk will not be cuffed just to embarrass them during indictment. They will be treated with dignity, tried fairly, and then, beheaded.
We spent most of the time we were in Orlando seeing the kids and grandkids. Orlando is nothing more than a huge tourist trap. The "Attractions" are a rip-off (eg, tickets to SeaWorld for a family of four = $169). Not one but two toll booths are located in the 5 mile stretch between the airport and the city as a testament to the municipal participation in the shameless gouging of visitors. Taxes, fees, car rental packed charges are all part of the game. The hotel charges you a daily rental fee for the in-room safe - whether you use it or not. They also warn you that they will charge an "early check-out fee" of $50 if you don't like the place and decide to move. Unheard of in other places.
I do not plan to go back again, and will instead pay for the kids to visit us here.
We drove down to Vero Beach to re-unite with as old college classmate who has retired there. VB is a nice quiet affluent community on a barrier island off the East coast. We enjoyed our visit there but probably cannot afford to retire to a place where the houses we want to live in cost about two million more than we are able to pay.
As we drove down I-95 south, we passed several communities where where there were large mobile home parks. You know, the type of place you see on the TV show COPS - where they go out to the trailer homes to check on a domestic disturbance report. Invariably, the cops end-up dragging some shirtless (and usually dentally challenged) drunken lout out of his rental trailer in handcuffs and putting him into the back seat of the cruiser.
Yesterday's Boston Globe featured a full color photo of a handcuffed Ken Lay (the former CEO of Enron) as he was forced to make the "perp walk" for the news media in Houston. The only thing lacking was letting him wear a tie and jacket rather than dressing him up in an orange standard issue jumpsuit. Lay is charged with conspiracy, fraud and (shades of Martha Stewart) making false statements. Scary stuff!
The guy turns himself in on non violent offenses, but the numbnuts authorities feel obligated by policy to humiliate him by cuffing him for the cameras. I know a lot of you enjoy seeing crooked CEO's brought low, but I see it as pictoral evidence that our justice system is f*cked up.
If this is the way we treat non-violent rich guys, I shudder to think what they are doing to the poor, toothless, cursing, shmucks who get dragged out of their trailers nightly in Brevard County.
When I am Emperor, people who clearly do not pose a risk will not be cuffed just to embarrass them during indictment. They will be treated with dignity, tried fairly, and then, beheaded.
7/02/2004
Photophobia
We are back from a week in Mattaposett where the weather was perfect. Sunny days and cool nights. We rented a place on the beach, well across the street from the beach. We could keep an eye on it from where we sat on the deck, under the shade of a wide blue umbrella, sipping our mojitoes and dipping steamers into bowls of butter. We read. We swam. We sat on the beach for no more than ten minutes at a stretch. We returned as pale as when we left. We like it that way. We are photophobes. EPA's (Exceptionally Pale Americans)
This avoidance of the sun's damaging rays keeps our skin young and beautiful, while our sun-worshiping peer group is starting to wrinkle like the prunes that they eat for breakfast - you know, to stay "regular".
People look us over and challenge us. "You don't look like you've been to the beach!" "Where is your Tan?" "Did it rain the whole time?" "You look different."
Like, maybe they suspect us of going off for cosmetic surgery instead of a relaxing week across the street from the beach. I usuallly lose a few tons of fat by swimming every day, so maybe it looks like I've been to the Lyposuctionist. So, I take these jibes as complimentary even though they're intended to convey disapproval.
Anyhow, we are re-packing and doing laundry in preparation for next week in Florida. For those who would ask incredulously "Why the (bleep) are you EPA types going to Florida of all places? In July of all times!" I have only one answer: Grandkids.
We survive in Florida because of ubuquitous and efficient Air Conditioning. When forced to venture outside, we run to the nearest cool place. We dash across the sand to the ocean, then back to the shade of the poolside bar. We listen in on other people's conversations and then write humorous satires of them when we return home. Some people come home with a tan. I return with my notes and my stories.
===========
Job Search Update.
Activity has dwindled from spotty to zero. There may be a recovery going on out there, but it seems to be passing me by. This may force me to invoke Plan B (Retirement).
I'm old enough. I'm eligible. And Doggonit, they owe me.
I'm thinking of retiring this blog and re-tasking it to focus upon exploits of a retired freelance writer instead of working themes. Any thoughts?
This avoidance of the sun's damaging rays keeps our skin young and beautiful, while our sun-worshiping peer group is starting to wrinkle like the prunes that they eat for breakfast - you know, to stay "regular".
People look us over and challenge us. "You don't look like you've been to the beach!" "Where is your Tan?" "Did it rain the whole time?" "You look different."
Like, maybe they suspect us of going off for cosmetic surgery instead of a relaxing week across the street from the beach. I usuallly lose a few tons of fat by swimming every day, so maybe it looks like I've been to the Lyposuctionist. So, I take these jibes as complimentary even though they're intended to convey disapproval.
Anyhow, we are re-packing and doing laundry in preparation for next week in Florida. For those who would ask incredulously "Why the (bleep) are you EPA types going to Florida of all places? In July of all times!" I have only one answer: Grandkids.
We survive in Florida because of ubuquitous and efficient Air Conditioning. When forced to venture outside, we run to the nearest cool place. We dash across the sand to the ocean, then back to the shade of the poolside bar. We listen in on other people's conversations and then write humorous satires of them when we return home. Some people come home with a tan. I return with my notes and my stories.
===========
Job Search Update.
Activity has dwindled from spotty to zero. There may be a recovery going on out there, but it seems to be passing me by. This may force me to invoke Plan B (Retirement).
I'm old enough. I'm eligible. And Doggonit, they owe me.
I'm thinking of retiring this blog and re-tasking it to focus upon exploits of a retired freelance writer instead of working themes. Any thoughts?
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