Midday Siesta

Just when you think you know them, one goes missing. Blondie loves the garage and the filthy, dirty rug at the people door. Most evenings (at least until 10 PM) she and Buddy will be found lounging out there. This morning, after her hour out in the grass and on the deck, she went to the garage and has been happily "resting" there ever since.

BK, demonstrating his true background of "feral" likes to enjoy the screened in porch. From this vantage point he can see Chuck without the threat of attack. Although the porch was screened for all, BK uses it the most. He has really settled in to the rhythm here and is part of the "colony" at Casa Del King.

Then there is Buddy - what a sweetie. When not in the garage, he will either be under the chair in the living room, or in the closet. He doesn't like rainstorms or other loud noises, so seclusion is his comfort. He is also very afraid of the ceiling fans - probably something to do with his life before being found on the bike path.

Black Beauty - finally located! No, she wasn't lost - she knew exactly where she was. I just couldn't find her - behind the television is a now locale for her (she is usually found on top of the kitchen cabinets lolling in a basket). The "indoor" kitties are still made at me for yesterday. They received their monthly flea treatments. Only BK avoided the monthly ritual - mostly because (a) I can't catch him and (b) if I did, he would likely scratch me.

Now that the mystery of their locations has been solved (and Buddy has moved into the garage with Blondie, while BK had a snack and returned to the porch), I can get back to the day's activities. Time to locate the job that is out there and waiting for my application. I agree - it is already there, waiting for me.

"Cats regard people as warmblooded furniture." - Jaquelyn Mitchard (in "The Deep End of the Ocean")

Lincoln

Yesterday in honor of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, my friend Beth, her mom, sister, and great nephew (who starts kindergarten this fall) went to Springfield, Illinois, and toured the new museum, library, his house and the "old neighborhood." I can clearly state that if you are in the area, the museum is a definite "don't miss it" stop. I came away with several new impressions of the great president.

First, there was a series of rooms in the museum that contained political cartoons of the time. To say that Lincoln was not a favorite is an understatement. The cartoonists clearly felt that he did not have the appropriate experience to be president, that his actions were not for the betterment of the country, and that he was less than presidential because of some remarks he made. I couldn't help but draw a parallel to today's commentaries (what's new is old).

Secondly, Lincoln (as we were all taught in school) is known as the Great Emancipator. There is little doubt that his actions ultimately resulted in freedom from slavery. However, Fredrick Douglass (who is identified in David Donald's "Lincoln" as one of three "Republican Radicals" who influenced the president to act) was not impressed by the president and the proclamation. During the "movie" at the museum the facts of the emancipation proclamation were described in this way:

1. The proclamation did not free any slaves in the northern states (because they were not know as slave states)
2. The proclamation did indicate that slavery would not be allowed in the former southern states, but since they had left the union, this did not "free" any slaves.
3. The only states that were affected by the proclamation were three border states, and the presidential move was not endearing to the population there (even though there were no slaves in them).

Very interesting indeed. Most impressive was the number of citizens that observed the funeral train as it moved from Washington to Springfield. Twenty-five per cent of the population turned out to pay respects. That was amazing.

"People who are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history." - Dan Quayle

Electric Blueberries

Alright, now I have your attention. The blueberries are merely that - blue. Yes, one more trip to Arthur and another five pounds of berries for the freezer. I love this little jewels - and the best part is the lack of guilt! They are actually good for you. Yummy!

As for the "electric" part - well, that is a "long-distance" story. Poor mom - her lifeline went off and alerted Jean. Since Jean is on vacation, she called me to solve the problem. Once again, Mom had misplaced the electric bill and also any warning that the power would be cut-off. Quick fix - used my debit card to clear her debt.

The day has been busier than that (including checking almost every hour until I was assured the power had been restored). I have written and submitted supplemental information for a position that will be located out west. If all goes well, the phone interview will be the week of August 3. Also, responded to an e-mail about another job out west - that phone interview will be either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I already have (again, out west) a phone interview lined up for Monday afternoon. Who knows, at this rate I might become employed before the extended benefits finally run out.

Moving remains a lower priority, but in this economy I might have to take a job and then deal with the real estate question. Still have hopes for a job in Iowa, and/or the contract near St. Louis. However, none of those are a "sure thing," so the daily Internet hunt for leads continues. Speaking of which, in all the activity today, I have not taken the time for an electronic hunt for leads. Guess it is time for that activity.

It has become apparent that I will miss this year's festivities on the Au Sable. There isn't enough time to get up there (at least an 8 hour plus drive) and return with all my wits for phone interviewing. Who knows, there could be time in the fall. Labor Day (for the annual boat races) will also not be feasible (one more wedding).

"Fishing is a delusion entirely surrounded by liars in old clothes" - Don Marquis (1878 - 1937)

Non-Stop

Non-stop. That is exactly what today has felt like. My task list still has several entries, but the hour is getting late.

First, and most important, I now have "country high-speed" for connecting to the Internet. This should prove to be a real boom in the near future. If nothing else job hunting should take less time, because connecting to and downloading from the various job boards and other websites will be quicker. I am excited about this new development.

Second, laundry is done, fish pond filters cleaned, and a quick run was completed. Getting back into the running grove has been relatively easy with the great weather (fall like, see post below), but I dread the day that the heat and humidity return. It was sticky enough this evening and the temperature was only in the mid-70s.

Third, there is much to be accomplished tomorrow: call to unemployment, fax to unemployment to confirm job contacts, get to Starbucks in Effingham before 10:30, and then get to Sullivan and deliver old desktop to "friendly Fred" to get the files removed to CDs. Wednesday will also be busy - planning a trip to the court house and an attempt at reconciliation of mom's checkbook with the bank statements (as well as search for a job and apply).

Fourth, the house is in "shambles" (and I don't necessarily mean the area of London, but I could). I did vacuum the office and main room before the high-speed dude arrived, but the rest of the place will have to wait for my return. Of course, I have to pack between now and when I leave in the morning.

Fifth, after I get back there is a trip to Arthur called for on Thursday. There are numerous other tasks that must be accomplished all while attempting to keep on track with the requirements to continue receiving the extended benefits check.

On a different note - employment. I have been in early discussions with a firm about a 2-year contract deal over by St. Louis with the expectation that it will be a permanent position after the first two years. A local address in that area will become a requirement as well.

This afternoon I received an inquiry/follow-up based on my submission two weeks ago. I sent my resume (they have problems pulling resumes off the websites, I gather). Anyway, they want additional information (before I leave in the morning?) about some of my experience. Job location - not in Illinois and not a commute-able distance from this home. Could be a problem, but it will be closer to great fishing.

So much for my day. Whew! I was lucky to get one application made today (two counting the job near St. Louis). I really do like days such as this - keeping busy makes you feel as though something was accomplished (even if you can't put your finger on it).

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." - John Lennon (1940 - 1980), "Beautiful Boy"

Is it fall?

Today Black Beauty discovered the fish! What a fun time watching her pace around the pond, attempting to catch one of the little golden beauties (and getting her front paw wet).

Yesterday I had to rescue a fish (have you ever rescued a fish?). One of the really big Koi managed to swim into the shallows that surround the sunken pond and was flopping noisily. I had to scoop it back into the main stream (so to speak).

Now to the topic at hand - FALL! It is about noon here in south-central Illinois and today (I have checked three calendars to ensure accuracy) is JULY 17! The temperature is now 67 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a good breeze from the north-northwest. Good day for being outside - like taking a run on the country roads (or even sitting on a mower riding around the yard).

Job statistics have been met for this week (in fact, a recruiter/contracting firm just called with a couple potentials - will have to put on the sheet for next week). Blog is now updated (I think I am almost back on track), and I hope to get some writing done.

Other major achievements: ordered "high-speed" Internet connect for new desktop, should be installed on Monday, reduced phone bill by almost $20/month by revising service, and about to review the TV situation for additional reduction in cost.

Did I mention that FALL is my FAVORITE season? That said, it is a very good day here.

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." - Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864)

The Purpose of Work

What is the real purpose of work? I used to think it was (a) an exchange of your effort for cash or (b) something to keep the majority of the population entertained during the daylight hours for at least five days each week. Now that I have been unemployed for more than a year, I am starting to question exactly that - what is the purpose of work?

I still believe in the exchange of monetary gain for one's effort - but some work is completed without the exchange. Consider the "work" involved in planting and maintaining a garden. There is a lot of human effort required to bring in a suitable harvest for the table (perhaps that is part of the result - not monetary, but certainly life sustaining).

To sustain life is an interesting angle to the work question. Before the days of commerce, work was exactly that. Human effort required to sustain life - and included hunting, gathering, making of outer wear suitable to the environmental conditions, and (eventually) the making of tools to enhance the hunter/gatherer activities.

Work as defined by physics (mechanical) is "the amount of energy transferred by a force," while in thermodynamics work is "the quantity of energy transferred from one system to another." Both of these require energy to be transferred. In the book, "Your Money or Your Life," the authors have equated work to one's "life energy," which is given in exchange for some other item (generally money, but in the event of voluntary efforts, in the overall satisfaction of assisting others).

Make no mistake, gaining monetary compensation can be important (and certainly is when one is unemployed), but work in general needs to be evaluated in terms of human satisfaction. If you are not deriving some satisfaction by the expenditure of your effort (i.e., energy), then what is the purpose?

So finding employment has become more difficult. If we all have a limited number of hours/minutes/years available, and at this point I have expended more than 2/3rds of my allotment, then how should I expend the remaining energy? Monetary rewards may not be the full picture. I certainly enjoy eating and a libation from time to time fits in, but what will hold my interest.

Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs, discusses the motivation for work (see his 1943 paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation"). He postulates that there are five levels of needs, the first four are considered "deficiency" needs while the fifth and highest level is considered "self-actualization." The lower four levels, he believed, must be met before the highest level can be considered. Thus, one must conquer physiological, safety, love/belonging, and esteem before you can move to self-actualization.

The problem I see is we (at least in America) have moved all of our needs to be achieved in the attainment of "work." This leads us to becoming very dissatisfied with an employer and moving to another to find (a) a sense of "belonging" or even more important (b) to find the self-actualization need being met.

At this time my physiological need is met (food, shelter, and the like), safety (have new health insurance and neighbors who look out for me), belonging (friends, family, and the expanded community of former coworkers and church members), and esteem (no one has ever mentioned that I haven't had more than my share of successes thus far in life), which not brings me to the highest need - self-actualization. That said - what is the purpose of work?

"Work is the curse of the drinking classes." - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Electronic Overload

I am longing for the black and white TV set and the phone without a dial (the black one that was in the front hall). There is too much information these days, too many e-mails, and too many information sources to be checked on a routine (sometimes daily, certainly semi-weekly) basis. The day has become a blur and still not enough has been accomplished.

At least the sheets and towels are clean. Dried them on the line (saving energy for all the other electronic devices that are starting to curse my existence).

Spotted Chuck a few times today. Managed to rescue the kitties (Bud isn't the sharpest pencil in the box, you know) before they encountered the wild furry one. I can only imagine what those long, digging claws of his would do to one of the declawed ones, but it would not be pretty!

Now that the sun is getting lower, I must have time to seek and apply for a job. I spotted one in Kentucky yesterday, so there is time to get my electronic resume whipped on the Internet for submission.

The new computer arrived on Friday. It is still in the box. Maybe later tonight I will set it up (or maybe not). I need to get the files retrieved off the 9-year-old Gateway that was such a good machine. I hate it when they crash.

First on the agenda, however, is a break from the modern. It is time for an evening bike ride. Believe me, I am ready!

"Electricity is actually made up of extremely small particles called electrons that you cannot see with the naked eye unless you have been drinking." - Dave Barry in "The Taming of the Screw"

What is ...

... purple, red, and bumpy? My right arm. One week and the poison ivy/oak/whatever is still here. Actually, it isn't as bad as it has been. Not as many bumps.

Job hunt is getting more difficult. Not as many options to send resume out in order to meet the minimum requirements for my extended benefits.

There are funny parts to this job search. I talked with a recruiter this morning. Good job in the cement industry. After three sentences I said, "I have already interviewed for that job." Apparently, Essroc still can't find anyone to take the job in West Virginia. Job would be fine, location is beautiful, plant manager is a jerk!

MJ is in the golden casket. News is back with all the doom and gloom of politics, high-profile murders, and the economy.

House is almost clean. Don is here. Wildlife Habitat sign will go up tomorrow. Mowing, blueberries are in, and Friday we head to Peoria for a Chiefs' game.

"America is the land of wide lawns and narrow minds." - Ernest Hemingway

Salute to America

Happy 4th of July!

Every year we pause on this day to reflect on the freedoms that we, as Americans, all enjoy. Freedom of speech, religion, the press, and the right to bear arms (among others).

The day is spent in picnics, at campgrounds, and on our waterways enjoying friends and family. The evening skies are full of colorful fireworks, which we have long forgotten represent the night skies over Fort Sumter so many years ago.

Freedom for me today was the right to enjoy a rainy day by spending it inside. Baked some brownies, checked e-mails and Facebook, and now cleaning house. Intersperse that with calls to family and friends and it is a great day.

Sometimes I wonder if we (as the "big people") are doing our job and passing on the values that were given to us as youngsters. Our new president speaks to service, volunteerism, and the like. We learned such values in church and scouts. Where do the youth today turn to learn these things? What is our responsibility?

"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." - Soren Kierkegard (1813-1855)