All he did was look for a job and now he's dead. Poor bastard!
A temp worker in Long Island, NY was trampled to death on Black Friday as early-bird customers literally smashed down the door--which buckled like an accordion--to get in for the best sales at their local discount retailer.
We'll all pass away someday but one way I never imagined possible in our uber-modern country: death by trampling of over-eager consumers.
Could there be a worse way to die?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Health is Wealth!
Today is Thanksgiving...a time to reflect on the past year; to be grateful for all our blessings.
Tops on my list is good health for without it, nothing else matters!
Next, a warm house and a loyal mate. Ditto, family. They may not live nearby, but through the magic of modern technology, it's much easier to feel closer than the miles between us.
I'm also grateful for our neighbors who have one eye on our house while we do the same for them. Though we keep to ourselves and enjoy our autonomy, everyone knows who's who. We'd be there for each other in an instant, if circumstances dictated the need.
Friends...where would we be without them? They love us in spite of our quirks and sometimes, G'bless 'em, because of them!
Work that feeds my soul, I'm grateful to do what I love, teach art.
Finally, peace, quietude....and Time, Sweet, Time to reflect on all those people and the things that matter most!
Tops on my list is good health for without it, nothing else matters!
Next, a warm house and a loyal mate. Ditto, family. They may not live nearby, but through the magic of modern technology, it's much easier to feel closer than the miles between us.
I'm also grateful for our neighbors who have one eye on our house while we do the same for them. Though we keep to ourselves and enjoy our autonomy, everyone knows who's who. We'd be there for each other in an instant, if circumstances dictated the need.
Friends...where would we be without them? They love us in spite of our quirks and sometimes, G'bless 'em, because of them!
Work that feeds my soul, I'm grateful to do what I love, teach art.
Finally, peace, quietude....and Time, Sweet, Time to reflect on all those people and the things that matter most!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Oh, Boy!
I read the news today...about an unlucky couple who find themselves in a position that could happen to any of us, any day.
The husband had a stroke! After "the system" saved him it is now proceeding to milk them, quite literally, to death! They've sold their vehicle, put their house on the market and burned through most of their retirement savings, selling all their prized possessions, in order to pay their health care bills.
Gone is their quality of living. Gasp!
We are told "buy long-term disability insurance" for this exact purpose. At a time when so many people have NO health insurance, I've always just been grateful for what we do have.
However, if a person's lifestyle can vanish in an instant due to lack of sufficient coverage, it's enough to get my attention.
Hhhmmm, perhaps we ought to rethink that decisison.
The husband had a stroke! After "the system" saved him it is now proceeding to milk them, quite literally, to death! They've sold their vehicle, put their house on the market and burned through most of their retirement savings, selling all their prized possessions, in order to pay their health care bills.
Gone is their quality of living. Gasp!
We are told "buy long-term disability insurance" for this exact purpose. At a time when so many people have NO health insurance, I've always just been grateful for what we do have.
However, if a person's lifestyle can vanish in an instant due to lack of sufficient coverage, it's enough to get my attention.
Hhhmmm, perhaps we ought to rethink that decisison.
Monday, November 17, 2008
When's the last time you served?
Jury Duty ...
What a trip!
Of course(!!) I got seated on panel today...not for a one- but seven-day trial! Guess you could say I got a temp job.
After taking public transportation, going through long lines and security, I got settled in the assembly room seated next to none other than our city's mayor. Uh-huh!! Tom Potter!
When I first joined his table--where only one other guy was sitting--I didn't acknowledge him (so as to respect his privacy). But once I finally addressed him, I said, "Now, alongside YOU, I'm honored to do jury service!!!!". He shot back his signature smile, approvingly.
The other guy finally asked, "How is it that the mayor can't get out of jury service?" to which he replied, "Since I'm always advocating for others to do their civic duty, it'd be pretty hypocritical if I didn't do it, too."
In the third round, after my name was called, I wished him a well-deserved, great retirement. Off I went...
The case I'm on? Big, Fat YAWNER! The 'voire dire' portion of the process was more interesting; one woman (actually!) said her hobbies are "bar-hopping and TV"; she (of course!) is my seat mate. Oy!
When, at 4:30PM, I whispered "only 30 more minutes!", she chimed in, "...and 6 days!!!!!!!!"
Oh, yeah, must remember: Civic Duty!
What a trip!
Of course(!!) I got seated on panel today...not for a one- but seven-day trial! Guess you could say I got a temp job.
After taking public transportation, going through long lines and security, I got settled in the assembly room seated next to none other than our city's mayor. Uh-huh!! Tom Potter!
When I first joined his table--where only one other guy was sitting--I didn't acknowledge him (so as to respect his privacy). But once I finally addressed him, I said, "Now, alongside YOU, I'm honored to do jury service!!!!". He shot back his signature smile, approvingly.
The other guy finally asked, "How is it that the mayor can't get out of jury service?" to which he replied, "Since I'm always advocating for others to do their civic duty, it'd be pretty hypocritical if I didn't do it, too."
In the third round, after my name was called, I wished him a well-deserved, great retirement. Off I went...
The case I'm on? Big, Fat YAWNER! The 'voire dire' portion of the process was more interesting; one woman (actually!) said her hobbies are "bar-hopping and TV"; she (of course!) is my seat mate. Oy!
When, at 4:30PM, I whispered "only 30 more minutes!", she chimed in, "...and 6 days!!!!!!!!"
Oh, yeah, must remember: Civic Duty!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Who'll Be The Next In Line?
Bailouts? Whatever happened to boot straps?
The auto industry is next in line for a hand-out...but people are starting to question, "What will it entail?"
It makes no fiscal sense to go back to business as usual. A crisis of this magnitude calls for new attitudes and approaches. Everyone involved needs to change their ways and means.
This applies to all of us.
It doesn't take a degree in economics to understand the need to get back to ba$ics or to recognize that a house built on cards instead of cash will soon crash. That goes for the consuming of all goods.
So why should we bail out irresponsible industries?
I understand the ramifications of inaction--a devastating domino effect--but it sends the wrong message--that bad decisons might not necessarily be held accountable--and runs polar opposite to what we were taught about financial responsibility.
So where do we draw the line?
I may not have the answers but this much I know: we need to keep asking the questions.
The auto industry is next in line for a hand-out...but people are starting to question, "What will it entail?"
It makes no fiscal sense to go back to business as usual. A crisis of this magnitude calls for new attitudes and approaches. Everyone involved needs to change their ways and means.
This applies to all of us.
It doesn't take a degree in economics to understand the need to get back to ba$ics or to recognize that a house built on cards instead of cash will soon crash. That goes for the consuming of all goods.
So why should we bail out irresponsible industries?
I understand the ramifications of inaction--a devastating domino effect--but it sends the wrong message--that bad decisons might not necessarily be held accountable--and runs polar opposite to what we were taught about financial responsibility.
So where do we draw the line?
I may not have the answers but this much I know: we need to keep asking the questions.
Monday, November 10, 2008
$ame Boat
Two little words...which carry a huge burden:
Job Search!
For the unemployed masses--10 million Americans and counting--it can be an exhausting proposition especially in our current economic state.
It matters not, what line of work or area of study you're in, nobody's buying it...because everyone is in the same boat, just trying to keep heads above water.
So when it comes to looking for work, where to go? A creative person's options are limited, even with the benefit of paper credentials.
Nothing is guaranteed in today's job market!
The demise of stalwart businesses like investment banks, newspapers and other antiquities replaced by technology, shortens the playing field; a secure position no longer exists there.
Unless one is vested in a field that is under-staffed like nursing or geriatrics, the road to employment can be long and winding!
Educator? Get in line! Food service? Ditto!
As recent statistics cited, the average American will have 14 different jobs in their working lives.
In fact, those two words--secure position--may someday become an oxymoron.
Lucky are the retired for they can exhale...er, unless their savings just went "poof!".
If so, $ee you in line!
Job Search!
For the unemployed masses--10 million Americans and counting--it can be an exhausting proposition especially in our current economic state.
It matters not, what line of work or area of study you're in, nobody's buying it...because everyone is in the same boat, just trying to keep heads above water.
So when it comes to looking for work, where to go? A creative person's options are limited, even with the benefit of paper credentials.
Nothing is guaranteed in today's job market!
The demise of stalwart businesses like investment banks, newspapers and other antiquities replaced by technology, shortens the playing field; a secure position no longer exists there.
Unless one is vested in a field that is under-staffed like nursing or geriatrics, the road to employment can be long and winding!
Educator? Get in line! Food service? Ditto!
As recent statistics cited, the average American will have 14 different jobs in their working lives.
In fact, those two words--secure position--may someday become an oxymoron.
Lucky are the retired for they can exhale...er, unless their savings just went "poof!".
If so, $ee you in line!
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