I can still dream

While having my Monte Carlo maintenanced, I was waiting in the dealer's showroom and saw the newest Camaro. My brother thinks I'm crazy to want one with all the problems our economy is having. All I think is it's great to have a dream to reach for. I can think of no other reason to go back to work, other than obtaining food and shelter.

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro

Men on the moon

Rest in peace Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

(June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010)

Rest in peace Gloria Stuart

Gloria Stuart

(July 4, 1910 – September 26, 2010)

Some good news

I found out I'm eligible for Washington State extended unemployment benefits (EB). This buys me three more months, then I become a "99er"... no longer capable of collecting state or federal insurance benefits. It is still a day-to-day search for someone who will hire me. The state's worksource website lists 18,953 jobs in Washington. I have no problem finding appropriate work and I apply to them with very little feedback. I'm trying to stay in the Northwest, but I'd like to stay in my field, so I'll relocate for the right job.
Meanwhile I keep interested in my endeavors by reading (Stephen Hawking "The Grand Design"), listening to music (Neil Young "Le Noise"), and playing guitar. And watching a lot of tv.

New data brighten outlook for economy

Now it gets real

I'm proud to be an American

I am not ashamed to be an American because I can't find work. The company I worked 19 years for decided it couldn't survive economically if it didn't lay me off. I have drawn design scale maps from aerial photography for governments, developers, and engineers for 36 years. As of this date I have been out of work for 79 weeks. I'm not putting anything into a retirement fund... I don't currently contribute to Medicare. I had to liquidate my entire retirement funds to survive. I have applied to and documented 234 jobs I felt I could do to survive. I have had 2 interviews, one with a firm in San Diego that decided they would wait to see if the economy improves before hiring me. It hasn't. The other interview was in Ames, Iowa for their Department of Transportation. No reason given for not hiring me. But I haven't given up yet. That's the American way...
Rebuttal on 'The Ed Show' 08/23/10 - TV Replay