Is There A Better Way?

Questions posed from a very good friend of mine in an e-mail:

"But again, maybe there is something inherently wrong with the system of government set up by our forefathers over 200 years ago? Maybe we need more checks and balances? Maybe there should be no one single head of government (POTUS). It may have worked at one time for a nation of few, but for a nation of 400 million? Maybe there is a better way of government of the people, for the people and by the people?"

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with our system of government. It beats all others that have EVER been tried throughout history. I think we, as a populace, have allowed it to go unchecked for years and are paying the price for that today. It takes a strong, independent and engaged populace to stop the injustices and stupidity of those we have elected to represent us. We have become complacent, apathetic and have generally ignored what goes on in Washington for decades. We have given up our freedom for the "security" of a benevolent (or so we think) federal government. We want easy. We want simple. We want convenience. We want instant gratification. We think we deserve it all because we are America. Never mind working. Never mind sacrificing. Never mind accountability. Never mind responsibility. Those are words that we no longer use and appreciate. We covet. We covet everything and we expect it to be granted. And granted for no other reason than it should be. So, we have become self-centered and forgotten that we have piece of the pie in the equation of "...government of the people, by the people and for the people." We have a responsibility to stay vigilant and stay on top of those who represent us. We have failed mightily in that regard. Unfortunately, we have turned from a representative republic to a democracy, which is nothing more than mob rule.

While it may appear that we have one, single head of government, in reality we SHOULD have a working triumverate of government; executive, judicial and legislative branches as defined by the Constitution. Again, we have allowed the three to run amock and all are now singular and NOT working together to complete thier assigned duties according to the Constitution.

The Constitution has checks and balances written into it...and written into it very well. We have ignored them and allowed politicians to effectively ride rough shod on the Constitution. We have either a rule of law or we have rule of man. We don't get it both ways...but we want it both ways.

I go back to the Constitution a lot. It is NOT a living document. It has objective meaning in all of its glory. If there is no objective meaning behind it then why do we even have a Constitution? It spells out the LIMITS placed on government, not what government should do. Our founders knew this because they new man and his imperfections. Throughout history there are numerous examples of man trying to rule over man. The founders knew that given his vices, man will always try and rule over other men. What they created was a means to disallow that to happen. It worked for many , many years. Now, it isn't working because "government...by the people" has checked out of our responsibilities to do just that.

The question I ask: "Is it fixable?" Sadly, I am of the opinion that the ship is listing too far to one side and that we will not be able to right her and continue down the path of our republic...at least during my lifetime. That is unfortunate for our kids. They will have the pain of growing up in a newly and quickly growing socialist/facist country. That saddens me to no end.

When is Enough Enough?

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/dc-res-ticketed-for-parking-in-own-driveways

I am still trying to figure out where in the heck this country went wrong. It can't all be about religion and abortion. At some point in time, after 100-125 years of self-rule, apparently the populace decided that it was ok to not be free and to be ruled by someone or something else. That is unfathomable to me. Why would I give up the ability (freedom) to live as I want to live to an entity that isn't anywhere near me or has no remote interest in me or my family's well-being? And they keep sending these idiots back to D.C. thinking they do care about us. Why? The historical evidence is astounding against that viewpoint. Except for cases of war, the government has never had the best interests of the people in mind. Not once. And the Specter move proves it beyond a reasonable doubt. He doesn't care about his constituency. He cares about acquiring and keeping his own sense of power. Is it that difficult to see?

If You Dress Up a Pig...

...it's still a pig.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97RKDNO1&show_article=1

"I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," he said in the statement"

Yep. Thank you my fellow Pennsylvanians for your trust (and your money) over these past 29 years. It has meant...well, it has meant that I get to come to D.C. every year and be a fat cat who cares absolutely nothing about you or your principles. Sorry 'bout that but I am sure you understand. See you in November!

"As recently as late winter, he was asked by a reporter why he had not taken Democrats up on past offers to switch parties. "Because I am a Republican," he said at the time."

Specter has been a RINO for all 29 of those years...and the leading poster child for all the problems in Washington. Intoxicated by their own sense of power and accomplishment, our reps forgot about us a long, long time ago.

We used to call them traitors.

Now we call them Mr. President.

What Happened to Cutting the Budget?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-land27-2009apr27,0,7967905.story?track=rss

President Obama has proposed spending $420 million next year to buy land for national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, and to help states fund parks and recreation projects. That is more than double the amount Congress provided for 2009

It's ONLY $210 million. What's a million amongst comrades?

I have never been a fan of parks, green spaces or other contrived government wastes of taxpayer money. It is just another way to employee those who are otherwise unemployable in the private sector. Unfortunately, I live in a county where the current parks big shot loves to buy (or snatch up via emminent domain, whichever is cheaper) up as much land as he can and turn it into green park space...or soccer fields where he can charge a premium for us taxpayers to use the land he just purchased with taxpayer money in the first place; "for the good of everyone in the community." I fully expect him to be in line with his hand, lapping at the boot of PBO to build another flower bed somewhere.

Are we REALLY that stupid?

But HE Promised...

Just another in a long line of the idiots who voted fro this guy to take care of them...and THIS is the norm across America today. Cna't pay your bills? Fear not. PBO will take care of you!!!!!

Morons.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/25/AR2009042501870_2.html?sid=ST2009042502839

I Wish I Could Write THIS Well!

One of THE funniest pieces of writing I have read! (Tippped from Boortz.com)

Reprinted from here: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/openletters/6always.html

AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. JAMES THATCHER,BRAND MANAGER,PROCTER & GAMBLE.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years, and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core™ or Dri-Weave™ absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?
As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter.
Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period."
Are you fucking kidding me?
What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness—actual smiling, laughing happiness—is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlúa and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreens armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?
Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.
Best,
Wendi AaronsAustin, TX

Lurch Knows All

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/22/kerry-aims-to-rescue-newspaper-industry/

"America's newspapers are struggling to survive, and while there will be serious consequences in terms of the lives and financial security of the employees involved, including hundreds at the Globe, there will also be serious consequences for our democracy where diversity of opinion and strong debate are paramount," Mr. Kerry said.

That's rich. In other words, who is going to write what I want them to write? Kerry has no more interest in "diversity of opinion" than Keith Olberman, Chris Matthews and George "Hippopautamus" does. They no what is best for you. They will tell you what that is and you are supposed to genuflect (sp) at their all knowingness. All three have thebrain power of a scuppernog seed...

"I am committed to your fight, committed to your industry and committed to ensuring that the vital public service newspapers provide does not disappear," Mr. Kerry told the Globe employees.

If you ask any editor he will tell you (well, if he doesn't he is a liar and making shit up) that he is not serving some "vital public service." He is serving the pocketbook. As with all media, it is about advertising dollars pure and simple.

Mr. Kerry, who has called for Senate hearings on "the future of journalism" to begin May 6, also cited the negative influence of "agenda-driven reporting" and media conglomerates.

Control the flow of information...and that is EXACTLY what Kerry and company mean by "the future of journalism"...and you control the people. Freedom of the press and speech is meaning less to these idealogues.

Welcome to Flyover Country

These kinds of articles still give me pause. Nebraska football has been well known for many years...all of mine...but I am still amazed that there are people out there who have no idea...and this guy was in town to cover the NCAA gymnastics championship.

Back in the day the Huskers had a pretty good program there too.

Welcome to Lincoln!

http://walsh.tuscaloosanews.com/default.asp?item=2365613

Spring Game 2009

For fellow Husker fans, here is what happened on game (practice) in LIncoln, Nebraska from my good friend ScottieD. You won't find any more relevant and insightful information than this. He needs to be a newspaper writer, imo.

On to the Huskers: I'll try to make sections out of it and keep the topics relevant.

QB's - Zac Lee has full command of this offense. It was very evident after the spring game why Patrick Witt left. Lee is every bit as good as Taylor,Keller, andGanz. As he gets more game experience he is going to be scary good. He has a good throwing motion and you could see him checking down to 2nd and 3rd receivers.Timing was a little off, but expected after only 14 practices that wereall spread out.But once he got his rhythm he shredded the defense. I can't wait to seehim run. The refs really had a quick whistle with the green jersey's. Washington looked WAY better than I thought he would. That boy has got some ZIP on the ball. He needs to work onhis touch passes a little. Tends to throw on a rope instead of dropping the ball in the corner of the end zone. He did throw a very nice ball to Antonio Belldown the 7 yardline. Bottom line is if Kody Spano can't make it back this fall, Ithink Washington can be a capable backup. He might even be a good push for Lee, but right now it is easy to see the separation between #1 and #2 it is not even close. Lee is the starter. CodyGreen looked exactly like you thought a 17-year-old out of HS wouldlook. Timing was off, speed of the game was faster than he was, and he doesn't know theoffense very well.Green jersey probably limited his ability some. Kid does fill out a uniform nicely though.With some work with Watson (please stay in Lincoln) he could become the next Tebow. When he started playing with the ones he was moving the team down the field so on pure athletic ability, the kid has it.

RB's - Castille did not have a good day, but then I don't thing he needed to show much.He looked like he was trying to not to get hurt. Plus he was going against Suh who pretty much dominated the first quarter. The bright spot of the RB spot wastwo other RBs who played quite a bit. One of them is Austin Jones, remember that name. Once that kid gets this offense down and how to play at this level. he looks like Ahman Green runningthe ball and has Ahman size. Quick burst, great balance, runs well between the tackles and just looks so natural going through the line. Never got stopped behind the line, ran with power and speed. Castille better look out, this kid might be #2 behind Helu. Lester Ward looks OK, but didn't really impress. Both Ward and Jones were running against the #2 red team defense which didn't look good at all (more on thatlater). Collins Okafor stole the show for the running backs with his 33 yard jaunt for a TD. He got up to the line saw the hole and was through it before any defender knew what happened. Granted it wasprobably the 3rd and 4th string defenders in that time in the 4th quarter but he easily outclassed anyone on the field at the time. It would be interesting to see what he can do against top talent. But looking ahead, the RB spot looks to be the strength of the team forthe next 4 - 5 years. We definitely go 4 deep right now with Helu, Castille, Jones, and Okafor being (in my opinion) 1, 2, 3, 4. If Ward can develop and they redshirt Burkheadwhen he comes in the fall, that is 6 very capable RB's that will be in the program a long time. I see no need to even think about playing Burkhead this year. Plus he would have to be a Reggie Bush or Adrian Peterson type running back to play ahead of Helu, Castille,and Jones. Those three are that good.

WR's - of this group Chris Brooks, Marcus Mendoza, and Antonio Bell looked the best. Antonio Bell is a freshman and if he plays during the regular season like he did in the spring game, look out. He will surpass Johnny Rogers and Nate Swift on all the charts. The kid just gets open and catches everything thrown to him. I like this kid a lot and right now is probably my favorite WR. Mendoza easily separated himself from defenders all day and once Zac Lee found him, he kept going to him. This kid is going to get better and will give the Huskers the deep threat they have been missing. Good hands and fearless over themiddle. Chris Brooks started out very hot catching everything thrown his way. The TD pass he caught from Washington was a thing of beauty. He finally looks like he is going to have his breakthrough year. But easily Bell is the best of the bunch right now. Holt was a HUGE disappointment. He better pick it up or he will find himself riding the pines this year. Will Henry was an even bigger disappointment. Neither looked very good at all. Niles Paul better keep his nose clean this fall or these other guys are goingto knock him off the two-deep. Wes Commack looked good too!

Tight Ends - I can't remember a time in Nebraska football where we have had somany pass catching TE's. McNeil picked up where he left off. They guy just gets open and catches everything. But Ben Cotton looked great. He dropped a sure TD pass when he was WIDE OPEN and you could tell he knew it and was disappointed. But the next play, Lee went right back to him and he didn't drop that one. Dreu Young threw himself into the mix, but easily the best play of the day was Kyler Reed taking a dump off pass from Washington (nice check down from Washington too bythe way)and Reed running 71 yards for the TD. He flat out RAN AWAY from Philip Dillard(who might as well quit the team now) and the rest of the defense. Reminded me of Matt Herian. We are easily 4 deep with McNeil, Cotton, Young, and Reed.

Oline - still needs work. Could NOT run the ball when Suh was in the game. When the backups on the white team went against the reds, the reds started moving the ball. White team moved the ball all game long, but inexperience on offense hurt them at times. Bottom line was the Oline needs more work, still the weakest spot on the offensive side of the ball and will be the reason why we don't win at VaTech early. Could cost us games at Kansas and Baylor is scoring points is a problem.

Dline - what more can you say except Suh. This guy is already at another level IN THE SPRING!!! What is going to happen in the fall? They had to take him out after the first quarter because the red team couldn't do anything when he was in. I think after the first quarter the red team had 6 yards rushing and 9 yards passing.Suh was in the backfield that whole first quarter. Lee couldn't do anything against him and the offensive line couldn't block him. Suh was everywhere. He had two tackles for loss and sack and only played in the FIRST QUARTER!!!!!!!Which shows in the stats that the red team had ZERO points in the first quarter. They sat him in the 2nd quarter and that is when Zac Lee found his rhythm and the read team scored 14 points. What that shows though the most is that the defensive linedepth that bothPelini's were bragging about isn't there. Jared Crick was almost absent from anything that happened inside. But Baker Steinkuhler showed some good things. He looked good out there standing head and shoulders above everyone else. When that kid gets better you can see that he can be as good as Suh. Pierre Allen was good against the run and the pass but other than Suh and Allen, nobody really looked good on the Dline. Definitely a very big step back from last year. If Suh comes off the field we are in trouble.

Linebackers - Dillard should just do everyone a favor and leave the team now. He is either dogging this spring, or just doesn't care anymore, he is fat and slow and looked out of position every play. Very obvious that he is on the 4th string. Colton Koehler looked good as did Matt May. Will Compton made some nice plays as well. But overall this is the group that has to improve the most since really there are no returning starters and no seniors here (except Dillard...yawn).

DB's - you have got be kidding me, after all the talk about how good the corners were, they got lit up. There were guys STANDING in the secondary that were open. Didn't see a corner or safety make a play all game. For all the hype about increased interceptions in practice and athleticism in the secondary? I didn't see it. No interceptions and no fumbles. That has got to be eating at Pelini today. Safeties were even worse. Same old story seeing Asante getting burned across the middle. By BEN COTTON no less! Can Marvin Sanders see that Asante hasn't learned to cover thedeep middle yetor not?

Special teams - awesome! Look for Antonio Bell and Tim Marlowe to berunningback KO and punts this year. Both guys catch the ball and start running north and south immediately. They are fast, elusive, and have great vision. Marlowe looked like Johnny Rogers returning punts it was beautiful. Or else weare still so bad covering kicks and punts that those two guys looked like superstars.Look for Henery to be doing everything this fall. He missed a 50 yarder wide right but had the distance but then kicked a 40 yarder straight down the middle. His kick offs hit the end zone every time and there wasn't much wind. Kunalic's kickoffs hit the 10. Henery's first punt went 55 yards and the crowd oood and awed. The kid can just flat out kick the ball!

Can You Say Luddite?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515647,00.html

1. I DO still have a landline, however, it is mostly because my alarm system is not wireless...yet.
2. I haven't used a floppy disk in over a decade. I have them but just have not had the time to download them to my hard drive.
3. I have worn a watch all fo my life and I really dont' believe I will give that one up. I feel naked without one...and trust me, no one wants to see that. (Sorry for the visual)
4. The VCR is still on my television...mostly because I am lazy
5. This one cracks me up...my former employer still used beepers for the on-call rotation. My former employer will probably also be bankrupt before the end of the year.
6. My ex-F-I-L just returned from a cruise where he proudly displayed his camera, circa early 19-something. Yes. He had to search for a place to have his film developed and wasn't sure why.
7. These are NOW just obsolete? I haven't seen one of these in over 20 years.
8. I have three of them; one of each. Can you say eBay?
9. I have only used dial-up for an instant before I moved to cable modem 10 years ago
10. I dont' watch enough to care.

And I Am Unemployed!

James Kauchis you are EXACTLY what is wrong in and with this country today. You expect to be taken care of by someone every minute of your life and when your expectations are not met you scream its not fair and the government comes running to allow you to suck from the teat of the rest of us. Unfortunately, 55% of voters agreed with you and we now have the nanny state that all you parasites have wanted.

Unions are as archaic and as useless as t*ts on a bull. It is time to thrown them on teh ash heap of history.

Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame...the remaining 15 minutes of your lunch break was paid for by the blood of the thirteen people killed. Moron.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515624,00.html

Both Kinds of Music: Country AND Western

The country music audience is hard to crack and I am sure all the troubles in her life caused everyone who listens to listen with a doubtful ear. I met her, spoke to her and she seemed genuinely happy to be part of country music. The Us Weekly reporter is right, you really have to crave being on the road, singing and meeting people in the country music world. It is the model that just about every country artist has had to follow in their careers and it is a model that won't be allowed to change. The expectations from the listeners are different; they expect to be treated like real people and dealt with honestly. After all, they vote with their pocket books. If you are honest and genuine with them, they will reward that with the purchase of the album. From what I observed, she was doing that and the boys from Rascal Flatts are right. Leave her alone and let her sing...because I promise you that she can definitely sing. The night I met her was the openeing night show for the tour with Rascal Flatts and she NAILED the music. N-A-I-L-E-D! I even commented to everyone around me that "girl could sing." She has a tremendous set of pipes and she knows how to use them. Now she needs to just work hard in the industry...one album does not an artist make no matter how much we want instant gratification in all things...and let the fans reward her in their time. One can rely a long time on one or two songs in the pop world. In the country world, the music has to come much more rapidly. I believe they will reward her well if she continues with her move to country music and its lifestyle.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/jessica-simpson/news/jessica-simpsons-country-career-hits-sour-note--12174859

This article also mentions a couple of other pop stars crossing over to country music. Darius Rucker (leade singer of Hootie and the Blowfish...they ARE still together) and Jewel. Jewel is in the same boat; pop singer (although, if you listen to her music, it has so much more depth and honesty than say the chick who sang "I Kissed A Girl" or "Umbrella" ) who is trying to find her niche. I believe she will reach her audience quicker because her music lends itself to the country listener; honest, real and tells a story that people can relate to.

Darius Rucker will be cemented in the country music scene this summer when he goes out with Rascal Flatts. One of the most unique, distinct and well-known voices that my generation has ever heard. Again, his music lends itself to the country listener VERY well; real, honest, genuine, and the stories are relatable to anyone who listens. He is humble in is approach and grateful for everything the country fan will be giving him.

Cigars, CIgarettes...

Hey, why not? Do we not participate in"free trade?" (That was a rhetorical question)

With the economy in the tank, let's oen up the network in Cuba...somebody has to buy our stuff.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97HN1000&show_article=1

Day 7

I spent about 20 minutes answering 137 questions on a questionnaire for a government job. Yes, I said 137! Unbelieveable. The questions were inane and full of government speak.

I still don't believe that ANYONE has EVER been hired from a government job application online. No way. There cannot be anyone looking at the applications. The time to scrutinize every question would take forever. Then what is the criteria to disallow an answer?

Bitter, bitter day today....

Girls, Girls, You're All Pretty!

I have also thought about this same thing...except in a different medium. However, I see the same problems.

It is interesting that I have always found myself better able to work for women than for a man. I've never had any serious issues with my male bosses, however, I have just always felt more comfortable working for a woman.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1168182/Catfights-handbags-tears-toilets-When-producer-launched-women-TV-company-thought-shed-kissed-goodbye-conflict-.html

Day 6

Nothing new today...the resume sending continues. Please note, there ARE IT jobs available, however, those jobs are not in my area so a relocation would be a must. Not that I am opposed to that but in 2009 the virtual office is a reality and I think, if I were an employer, virtual offices would be a great way to cut costs. See Amazon et al. Brick and mrotar versus virtual HAS to be cheaper, imo.

Another friend comes through for me as well...no openinga but I am the #1 candidate for their 1st opening. It helps the psyche to hear that.

I have even sent my info to a "Work From Home" website and am considering that option. Hey, depserate times call for desperate measures..."would you like fries with that" truly is an opportunity that not many people will take advantage of. It's "below" us to work at a place like that. Not me. I can go in and work 80 hours a week (no one will out work me) speak english and be a manager in 30 days or so.

For those of you who celebrate, have and enjoy a blessed Passover!

Day 5

I understand teh term network and I understand the need for networking in 2009 but thus far after over 35 resumes sent to various job boards, the ONLY contact I have had has come from resumes that friends have sent for me. Are all the HR people REALLY that lazy? Sheesh.

One telephone interview today that went well...I am her #1 candidate once the openings at the company begin to become available. A month or so. WHile not bad it is the ONLY hope I have at the moment...and I have a former co-worker to thank for that as well.

Day 4

Note to all employers looking for an employee. Just a thought but when you schedule a phone interview a week in advance, please do your best to keep teh appointment...and if you can't keep the appointment, contact your candidate at some point and let them know that something has come up (hey, I understand that...I have been in IT for 20 years and KNOW how IT really works) and that a need to re-schedule has arisen. No problem with that.

Needless, to say the interview did not happen today as scheduled. The sad part is I had to initiate the correspondence back to the possible employer asking if I was mistaken (it HAD to be my fault, else I look the fool in questioning the integrity of sadi employer) or I missed the call. The response, edited here for the innocents sake, certainly has a tenor of "look, idiot. She didn't call you. Get over it."

I do apologize - **********has a very tight schedule and got tied up this afternoon. I will check with *** tomorrow to see when ***like to reschedule your phone interview and will contact you.

The question: shiould I follow up and inquire when this interview may take place or simply let it fall by the wayside?

Day 3

The kindness of complete strangers never ceases to amaze me. I have my name in front of the hiring manager at two local companies now. One due to a former co-worker and theother due to a complete stranger. Now it is just a waiting game to see when "they" can get to it. See my Day 1 post.

Also, in discussions with a friend of mine, I am going to pursue the PMP certification. While I find that ridiculous, one can either do the work or cannot, but as today we are more impressed with initials behind our name rather than actual experience and knowledge, it makes sense. I dread it because it is all theory and not practical, I have to play the "game."

Day 2

A much better day today, however, you job board people are for the birds. Like everything else you have sold the world a bill of goods...well, except for the one response I received from some headhunter firm in NJ. They sent me a URL where I have to go and complete a logic test to make sure I am "qualified." I call this laziness. If someone can't READ a resume and decipher that someone is or is not qualified for a technical position, then that person should not be in business. I saw one of these once...in 1982 when I took a logic test for the USAF.

Three friends have sent me leads and all three have paid off with phone interviews. Again, I am so blessed by their kindness and support.

I was talking to another co-worker in the radio biz...I'm a part-time country dj (sorry, Elb, I know you can't stomach c&w) today and he said something profound...as he usually does. I made the comment that netowrking and "it's not what you know it's who you know" are really the key in todays world. He corrected me and stated "no. It's who YOU are." The "YOU" being non-personal and anyone. And he is right. He is one of the best human beings I know and I am humbled by his friendship and counsel.

Look, I am by no means perfect and mistakes are plenty in my life but in dealing with people, I have always understood that the relationship matters above all else. And that is how he 'splained it to me. If I (or anyone) were not the person I was, then the "...who you know" portion of that equation would NEVR materialize. Let's face it, If we're all @ssholes then no one would give us the time of day. Instead we make a conscious effort to treat everyone with dignity and respect and the return investment in that is 100-fold. It's karma to a certain extent; surround yourself with solid human beings and good things will more times than not happen. he even had a commercial from Liberty Mutual that he showed me to get his point across. Check it out...it will make you feel good abotu humanity again. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwoexR1evo

Day 3 awaits...

Unemployed Day 1

Well, it is actually day 3 but it wasn't official until midnight today. I hope to give a running monologue on the feelings, thoughts and emotions behind becoming laid off. I'll get pretty vulgar to so it will not be for the faint of heart.

Listen, I understand it. I KNOW I am not guaranteed a job (unlike most PBO voters) but it is still disconcerting and one takes a very big psychological hit. I don't care who you are or your disposition in life, the psyche cannot help but be beat up a little bit. The ability to overcome that beating is what separates us from most others; we get up, dust ourselves off and fight on...or I hope I do.

Day 1 was met with some denial. (This can't be happening to me.) Some anger. (How in the hell could that idiot CEO cause all of this?) Some planning. (If I just do this...) and a lot of thought to the others like me today. It was not only me but anywhere from 75-100 of my fellow (ex) co-workers. Good and smart people who all of a sudden are outside the window looking in. If you've ever seen "Trading Places" it is the dinner scene where "Winthorp" is outside the window of the swank country club looking at "Valentine" as they dine, drink and laugh the night away.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I was "Valentine." Today I am "Winthorp."

Now some intemperate thoughts:

1. Friends - Are hard to come by but when you are in need your true FRIENDS (emphasis mine)show their colors. They are vibrant, energetic and supportive. To my FRIENDS, I am blessed and humbled by our friendship and I am equally as humbled by your words of support. Thank you does not seem enough but it is all I have at the moment.

2. Acquaintances - You know who these people are; the ones you thought were your friends but really are not. They are around for the good times but shrink and crawl away during the not-so-good times. I must learn to temper my expectations.

3. Job Boards - If you have posted a job opening on one of these boards...and they are mostly recruiting firms...please let the person know who has posted a resume for that job know what is happening. Do they just fall into a bit bucket somewhere? As someone sitting here looking for work, I see the openings and believe that the organization who has posted the job must have work that needs to be done...otherwise why post the job? It behooves both the employer and the recruiting firm to fill the job quickly; recruiter makes a nice commission and the employer has the person to complete the work. I find the "it doesn't work that quickly" mantra to be an excuse. I wonder how many times Bill Gates or Warren Buffet said that? Again, I must learn to temper my expectations but if I ran a business that way...like my last employer rusn thier business...I would be (and they will be) bankrupt.

4. GSA - Um, yeah. It is usual government bureaucracy at its finest. PBO and libs everywhere are INCREDIBLY proud of the dependency they have created. First of all, the online application process is confusing. You have no idea where you are in the process and then when you apply for a second job, you end up going back over the same questions you just answered for the first job you applied for. Again, government is good at one thing...well, 2 but the military doesn't count...creating and expanding bureaucracy. I want to meet someone who has actually gotten hired by applying online at the GSA website or the USAJOBS website AND I want to know how long it took them from the application to actually beginning to work. In all honesty, I can see it NEVER happening. Talk about falling into the bit bucket. Somewhere there is a server farm full of nothing but applications submitted online that has NEVER been seen by a human being. But that's government that we so duly elected in November. 2010 you say? ROTFLMAO! Do you REALLY believe an "R" can beat PBO? if you do, I have a lot of land in Florida for you. All of you "R's" and RINO'S had better settle in for a long, long, long , long winters nap because the closest you will see the White House is on the sidewalk out front. But I digress...

Day 2 begins shortly...

And I Was One Of Them

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5303F820090401

More to come on my thoughts and emotions behind being laid off...