I was talking to a friend of mine about work. We were discussing the Pro’s and Con’s about our jobs. Neither one of us has a desk job, or an office, nor do we travel. We both have the freedom to take a break when we feel the urge, and can take lunch at any time of the work day. But, the work hours we have are long, and the physical and mental demands of our jobs can really take a toll on us. I asked him if he was doing the job he had dreamed about as a kid in school, or even in college. A definitive no was the reply, and after a short story of events that led to his current job, I was amused that he ended up in his current job.
     We are both well passed college, but not close to retirement. I proposed that it is not too late for him to get in the field he has always wanted to be in. What are the reasons for not working in the field we dreamed or h ...

    I recently spent some time with a group of senior citizens and we were all discussing some changes in social America. Our country has progressed further and faster than many people expected it would. Important building blocks have been put in place so that a solid foundation for improvement in the social sector can continue to take place. One very crucial contributor to helping American’s stay informed has been the news media. Many of the people I was talking to told stories how family and friends would tune into the local radio stations for new stories. When television came along, part of family time included watching the news reporters and their daily segments about local news.
&a ...

     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 ...