Not Finished Yet

Today, the Careerbuilder website cites a study that predicts the creation of 1.5 million new jobs in 2007.

You are probably thinking, "This is just blog fodder. Why do you give a crap? We thought you were retired, anyhow."

Well, faithful reader, I need to remind you that this forum has always interested itself in the world of employment and the meaning of work in our lives. So I do give a "crap" - as you put it so indelicately. Besides, I have never declared myself to be "retired". I just said I was "on a sabbatical" or "Not currently Employed" (NCE).

I don't like the sound of the word "retired." It sounds so old-guyish, so end-of-the-line, so out-of-the-game. When you see an old guy walking down the steet during a weekday morning, you can usually tell the retired guys from the ones who are on vacation. Retired guys don't shower and shave every day. They tend to wear dark colors, old un-ironed sweatshirts, or gray chinos, and maybe a baseball cap. They probably need a haircut. They shamble grimly toward their destination (odds are, it's the Quickimart to buy a paper and a lottery scratch ticket.) They seldom make eye contact with others.

Old guys on vacation are usually clean shaven, appear to shower with regularity and are typically dressed in newer, brighter colored clothes. They are often smiling and appear to be interested in everything around them.

So, that is why the Careerbuilder piece caught my eye. I was interested to see that there will be more work opportunities. Granted, the chance that one of these new gigs might meet my stringent requirements is remote, but still, the odds have improved ever so slightly.

So, yes, I am still in the marketplace for a job. The other day in the paper there was an article about Sheraton's search for a National Beer Officer. The person would be responsible for tasting and ensuring quality at the bars in Sheraton hotels, and going to Octoberfest. Despite the fact that it was a nonpaying position they had about 5,000 applicants from thirteen countries. Including mine.

I can hear you thinking, "Wait, I thought that you were abstaining from alcoholic beverages." Ok, that is technically true. But I have continued to be a fan of beer. And I would consider an exception if selected for this position - a lifetime dream job if there ever was one.

More than likely, if I go back to work, it will be in one of those humdrum jobs doing database conversions and snoozing through monthly staff meetings.

A note on the blog: to those of you who still check it, I have resolved to be a better blogger this year. I plan to visit here regularly, you should too.