Someone brought up the subject that the new Presidential administration is much different then that of the former President. I know, I know, I said that I would try to stay out of politics, but a few good issues were brought up during the conversation. American government has a strong reputation for being a leader in foreign affairs and for many years has played a persuasive role in how foreign situations have been handled. President Obama has already taken the initiative to visit foreign soil and even shake hands with Hugo Chavez. He has also opened up the possibility of relaxing sanctions against Cuba. Even as America

    I had a meeting this week with my manager to discuss what makes me tick. I asked him up front if he really wanted to know. And before telling him about me, I inquired as to what prompted such a question. My manager went on to explain that some days I seemed moody, while other days I was energetic and more involved with work. Fair enough explanation…so I began. I told him that all though I am equipped with an industrial tongue-brake, I will speak my mind when I feel something may be unfair or politically incorrect.
     Also, I told him that I like conversation that is engaging, and not driven by just one opinion. (that meaning, you speak then I speak, and we know where we stand on the subject) Money and a sense of accomplishment in my work is a definite wind in the old clock-spring, as well as, being provided the opportunities to prove my abilities. Maybe the ...

     I was eating lunch at work, and listening to the conversations about refinancing and the costs of getting loans. A co-worker brought up the idea of micro-lending. I have heard of micro-lending before, but really did not pay much attention. Most of the lending seemed to be to other countries where the cost of living was much lower than most Americans. In today’s time and economy, with stricter guidelines and policies for acquiring loans, what options are we left with when the banks say NO? Since the third quarter of 2008, I have been downsizing, and selling off non-essential items and frivolous toys. Many things were sold on Ebay, or Craigslist, but the money only goes so far. When the money is gone, what’s one to do?
     For micro-lenders the idea is that investors can get together and evaluate what you are asking to borrow money for, and before saying no. A ...

    Looking beyond the American border, and at a global economy, everyone seems to be in equal or worse conditions. The G-20 summit that just took place definitely attracted more attention than I assumed it would. How is stimulating other countries going to help the U.S.A. recover faster? I have heard that it would boost our export industry, but do people in other countries have the money to spend right now? I am aware that we import a whole lot from other countries, but do we really have a robust export industry as well? Maybe someone should slap me on the top of my head for keeping in the sand for so many years, and not paying attention to what really goes on in our country. One should think th ...

    I was on my way home from work today and when I exited the express way and was sitting at the light, I noticed an older woman standing in the emergency lane with a sign asking for money. Pan handling in the state is illegal, but people still do it. I have seen more and more people lately standing at intersections asking for money, looking desperate, carrying their cardboard signs, and waiting for someone to hold money out their window . Some years back, a news station did a special report on a large scale scam where people were just acting homeless, but really not. And to make matters worse, a few of them even bragged about making $500-$750 a week of tax free money. Needless to say, people were outraged. Pan-handling then became illegal, and crackdowns soon took place.
     With the economy suffering such a bad recession, more people seem to be returning to the corner ...

     It seems like every time I have watched the news lately, that after watching I have to ask myself what’s the point? I remember when I was growing up as a child that the news was much different. The reporters and journalists actually found some positive and helpful topics to bring to the publics attention. I almost wonder what happened to the happy part of reporting. Do the news outlets prefer to report on negative and devastating issues because that what sells? Have we become such a morbid society, or have we just become unhappy?
     Don’t get me wrong here, not everything is bliss and roses, but if the news just contained at least one 5 minute segment on something positive, what would it hurt. I would not mind watching a story about someone who did something heroic, or maybe a town that came togethe ...

     The financial markets seem to be stirring a little bit. Home refinancing is up, and home sales recently reported a movement upward. Some companies are still cutting back and unemployment rises and falls each week like the beach tide. I recently have started to take notice that while those who are employed are counting their stars that they still have a job, some are also making mention of how their employer is treating them like a number instead of a person. Maybe some have taken a cut in pay,

   I always liked playing with a Yo-Yo until the string started to twist over its self and sometimes even produced a knot or two. I learned a few cool tricks like walking the dog, around the world and dropping it down and just letting it spin freely in place. Lately, each day of the week can seem like a Yo-Yo. The day may start off going great and I might even think to myself, wow can this be real. One day comes a little unexpected twist, or knot to bring things to a halt. The good thing is that I have family and friends to turn to when I get in a bind. And over the past year or so, I have found out who I can really trust to confide in. Have you ever heard someone say they did not have time for someone else's problems because they had trouble dealing with their own? Or maybe someone you talked with just gave you an empty blank stare for a response. (hey ...

    As parents we try to teach our children different things as they are growing up. I don't know how many times I have heard people say that they want their children to have a easier life and a better lifestyle when they become adults. I know that I am guilty of saying it. My parents told me the same things when I was growing up. With so much going on in our society right now, children are being exposed to some negative experiences, that their parents wish never happend. Do you remember how old you were when as a child bad economic times affected you and your parents? If you are a parent now and your children have noticed changes what do you say to them? This is no doubt a really bad recession, but is it better that it happened to us, rather than happen later when your children have become parents themselves. What lessons do we teach, ...