Stink-bugs are a bore

Hi Folks,

Merry Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or whatever you celebrate! At least we can all agree on the fact that a new calendar year is coming tomorrow. Time for resolutions? Haha!

I just had a really good week with my kiddos....unbelievable fun and good jokes around the dinner table and Christmas tree. My brothers are never short for pranks and jokes!

Now it's back to the job-hunt. Seems like there are some good options out there, but all the HR departments are shut down for the Holidays. Why is it that HR people are the first ones to bug out when holidays come around? Well, they are the ones who manage the holiday schedule, and the leave approvals for everyone else. So, if there is a workforce requirement of 75%, they can make sure that they are in the 25% who is missing. I love it! Need to get a job in HR!

In other news, and back to my original topic......

When I got up this AM and went to install my new printer, I noted that there was a buzzing noise around the ceiling fan in my living room. (You could hardly call it a living room, it's more like a 16' X 12' junkyard with a TV and a table--think Sanford and Son.)

Anyway, I checked on the ceiling fan, and it was fine. However! There was a stink-bug flying around in the wake of the fan! Buzzing around in circles due to the draft from the fan. The little shit is still up there as I write. Going around and around, beating his wings and his tiny heart to death, I guess.

As I watch him spinning around, I can't help but think of our modern life....turning around and around on the wheel.....like the bug on the wake of the fan.

Should I trap that bug, put him outside and let him free, or take him out of his lonely, pointless existence?

Hmmm.

I guess he can fly around my house for now, since he doesn't bite, and doesn't stink unless you crush him.

Love and Peace to all!

Hi Folks,

I was just looking through some music that I did with my friend Deon in Iraq. Don't know if I uploaded it all to the Blog....

Some really good songs we did together, and some that Deon did on his own.

My brother, Mike, also has really good songs.

Perhaps we'll make a record some day!

Meantime: Happy Holidays to each and all! I can't wait to see my kiddos!

Love and Peace!

Snow in the nation's capital

Hi Folks,

Yeah, we had a little bit of snow overnight. Guess you can't say much for it compared to last year.

The neighborhood kids with whom I played soccer earlier in the fall came by to shovel the steps and the driveway. For $5 they cleared the steps, swept the car, and salted everything. I can't believe it!

I think when my brother C and I were kids we used to get $5 for the driveway and sidewalk.

These kids are Latinos, though, so perhaps they're used to less!

Either way, it's good to see kids getting out and doing something to earn a bit of money.....

I was so happy to give them $5. I even went out with them to solicit other business. I think I'm still wearing my Dad's jump boots.....but he doesn't know what he's getting for Christmas.

Hope everyone has a good Holiday season!

Love and Peace to all!

Day One

H Folks,

Today I realized that my separation benefits are going to run out soon. So I applied for unemployment. Can you believe that I actually talked to a real human being, and a kind, smart one, to boot?

The guy was really friendly, and got me through the application process with no trouble, and a few jokes here and there. He was super!

I've applied to a school in Ghana for a teaching position....perhaps English, maybe World Politics and Economics. Should be a good gig, if I can get it. Salary is not great. but benefits are fair, so we'll see where it goes.

Done with Christmas shopping. The budget is more than busted. But at least all the gifts are wrapped.

Insh'allah I will spend a week with my kiddos soon.

Hope you are all well!

Love and Peace to all!