Interesting Speech, Mr. President….

We finally dried out around here and looks like sunshine for the next week.  Great news for me because I get to put on my shorts again.  Not a lot of news around here to speak of. 

Me, still looking for work and writing articles like a mad man. 

The wife, still working hard but enjoying sixth graders, usually. 

The girls are all about school, finals, winter formals and keeping me jumping.

Watched the State of the Union address last night.  Normally not something I would do.  Most President’s use it as a chance to puff up their egos and look good to the American public.  However, the local NPR radio station asked me to watch it and give them feedback, so I did.

I found Obama a bit on the moderate side in his speech.  You don’t normally have a Democrat speak about tax cuts and spending limits.   Kind of reminded me of Bill Clinton years ago.  Parts of his speech seemed to be a bit apologetic to how the first year of his administration went.  I think he knows that he may have burned some bridges on the Republican side and was looking for a way to redeem himself.  That’s not to say he didn’t also have a bit of “fire and brimstone” in his speech about health-care and Iraq.  I am glad that he started his speech talking about jobs.  Being unemployed that was an important topic for me. 

All in all, I’m glad I heard it.  Let’s see how it all plays out in the next few months.

If NPR decides to air my opinions, I share the link with everyone. 

In the meantime, stay dry, stay warm and in the immortal words of our President, “God Bless the United States.”

Time to Start Building That Ark….

So much for sunny Southern California.  Those wonderful guys at the weather channel have said we are in for a LOT of rain in the next week.  Something like five (yeah, five!) storms are all backed up and coming our way.  No sunshine till next week sometime.  Everyone knows I enjoy wearing my shorts most of the year.  I wonder if I can get rain slickers as shorts? 

On another note, Russ over at Dad’s Who Mock the World  sent me an email about vacationing with his wife.  Russ knows that I love to wine taste and California has some great wineries to explore.  However, he and his lovely bride would like to explore the Great Pacific Northwest.  I’ve not really had the opportunity to check out wineries in Oregon or Washington.  So as a friend, I’d like to send it out to anyone who’s had the chance to partake in the grapes of those two fine states. 

Maybe Ken over at Daddy Forever  who is in the great state of Oregon could help us out. 

Hope this blog post finds everyone in good spirits and that those who have the MLK day off (unlike I, who has everyday off) enjoy it with family and friends….

A Novel Idea…

I’ve been contemplating this for some time now.  During the holidays I met up with some friends who know of my situation.  Out of work and living in the sunshine state.  We talked about what I’ve been doing to keep myself out of trouble.  I told them basically writing anywhere and everywhere.  Of course suggestions of getting a job writing came up. 

Again, I had to remind them that jobs are hard to come by at the moment and it’s not like I haven’t been trying.  The conversation got onto other things when one of the guys said, why don’t you write about your time looking for a job this past year.  Talk about the trials and tribulations of a late 40’s man looking to secure work in a really bad economy. 

As a writer this struck me as something plausible.  I’m not sure how I will put this together yet, but the wheels in my head are breaking the dust and rust off and it seems very interesting. 

Now having the opportunity to live in Southern California and enjoying the sunshine most days, I thought of a title “A Year In Shorts.” 

Anybody know a publisher out there?

A 4th Anniversary…

Holly Toledo, I’ve been very neglectful of this blog.  I hope everyone had the best holidays.  Mine were great with family and friends around to make the season and the New Year festive this year. 

My wife and I last week celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.  For those keeping track, the 4th anniversary is celebrated with fruits, flowers or…. appliances?  We’ll she got a new grind and brew coffee maker for Christmas and I wasn’t about to get her another one for our anniversary.  For some reason an appliance seems like the wrong thing to buy.  “Happy anniversary, here is that brand new vacuum you wanted.”  I’ve been married way too long to fall into that trap.

But my wife, bless her, came up with a great anniversary gift for me.  She took the fruit theme and ran with it.  She bought me a bottle of Gran Marnier (a liqueur), two small bottles of fruit infused vodka (one orange, one lemon), a dark chocolate bar with raspberry filling, a cherry flavored cigar (yeah, a cigar) and the best was a package of “Fruit of the Loom” boxer shorts. 

If that doesn’t scream love, I don’t know what does…

I Hate My Job…

Obviously being unemployed, this doesn’t refer to me.  However, I have been in this situation myself (hating my job) and when I saw this I just needed to pass it on.  Enjoy….

When you have an ‘I Hate My Job Day’  Try this out: 
 
Stop at your pharmacy and go to the thermometer section and purchase a 
rectal thermometer made by Johnson & Johnson. Be very sure you get this brand. 
 
When you get home, lock your doors, draw the curtains and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed.  Change into very comfortable clothing and sit in your favorite chair. Open the package and remove the thermometer. 
 
Now, carefully place it on a table or a surface so that it will not become chipped or broken.  
Take out the literature from the box and read it carefully.  You will notice that in small print there is a statement: 
 
“Every Rectal Thermometer made by Johnson & Johnson is personally tested and then sanitized.” 
 
Now, close your eyes and repeat out loud five times,‘ I am so glad I do not work in the thermometer quality control department at Johnson & Johnson.’ 
 
HAVE A NICE DAY; AND REMEMBER, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE WITH A JOB THAT 
IS MORE OF A PAIN IN THE ASS THAN YOURS! 
 
…Remember, if you haven’t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart…  Then maybe you should go and work for Johnson and Johnson