Monday, June 30, 2003
Mostly packed and ready to go!!!
Well I am mostly packed which is good since I am moving back to Chicago tomorrow. I found a great place in Chicago which I am very excited about moving into. It was more than I wanted to spend but sometimes you ust have to say what the hell and throw logic out the window. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, so I can host visitors quite nicely, plus a ton of space which means for the first time in my life I will actually have space and money and must decide how to decorate and buy real furniture. I also have to be into work Thursday for a meeting so things are going to start a bit sooner than I anticipated so I am already looking forward to the weekend. To my friends, I will be in touch with contact info soon, if you need me call my cell phone.
Some of the Blogs I read have posted on last week's Supreme Court rulings so I thought I would quickly throw my 2 cents in. In my view a very bad week for the court. First a set of contradictory and sure to be tested rulings on affirmative action, and then an awful decision on the Texas sodomy law. Now before you email your rage let me state that I could care less that the law dealt with, or was used against homosexuals. In my opinion people should be free to date, sleep with, whoever they want--I think the law itself is stupid and the fact that this is the best thing they could find to legislate in Texas is quite disturbing. My problem is that the Court should have never heard this case in the first place. Since when is the Court an agent of culture change in this country, I thought the states were free to make their own laws. The court seems to entered a very slippery slope all for the purpose of leading culture change in the nation. I can only wonder what could possibly be next and how far the Court will go before people push back....
Well I am mostly packed which is good since I am moving back to Chicago tomorrow. I found a great place in Chicago which I am very excited about moving into. It was more than I wanted to spend but sometimes you ust have to say what the hell and throw logic out the window. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, so I can host visitors quite nicely, plus a ton of space which means for the first time in my life I will actually have space and money and must decide how to decorate and buy real furniture. I also have to be into work Thursday for a meeting so things are going to start a bit sooner than I anticipated so I am already looking forward to the weekend. To my friends, I will be in touch with contact info soon, if you need me call my cell phone.
Some of the Blogs I read have posted on last week's Supreme Court rulings so I thought I would quickly throw my 2 cents in. In my view a very bad week for the court. First a set of contradictory and sure to be tested rulings on affirmative action, and then an awful decision on the Texas sodomy law. Now before you email your rage let me state that I could care less that the law dealt with, or was used against homosexuals. In my opinion people should be free to date, sleep with, whoever they want--I think the law itself is stupid and the fact that this is the best thing they could find to legislate in Texas is quite disturbing. My problem is that the Court should have never heard this case in the first place. Since when is the Court an agent of culture change in this country, I thought the states were free to make their own laws. The court seems to entered a very slippery slope all for the purpose of leading culture change in the nation. I can only wonder what could possibly be next and how far the Court will go before people push back....
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Quick Note
I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes on my new job. I have been meaning to post more info or email you with the details but things have been frenzied as I try to get packed, find an apartment, and move all in a 2 week time span. More details will be coming soon but right now I need to get back to Chicago and find a place to live. Details hopefully coming this weekend. Hope you all are doing well. In other news the Fed cutting interest rates only 1/4 point seemed a bit perplexing to me, but more on that when I get back as well...
I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes on my new job. I have been meaning to post more info or email you with the details but things have been frenzied as I try to get packed, find an apartment, and move all in a 2 week time span. More details will be coming soon but right now I need to get back to Chicago and find a place to live. Details hopefully coming this weekend. Hope you all are doing well. In other news the Fed cutting interest rates only 1/4 point seemed a bit perplexing to me, but more on that when I get back as well...
Monday, June 23, 2003
Time for Johnnie Walker!!!!
Anyone who knows me knows I like to celebrate big events in my life with my friends, a good meal, and a good drink.. Well finally something to celebrate as I have obtained the job I wanted in Chicago and will be drinking a nice expensive Johnnie Walker blue and eating big steak tonight with friends. I feel so blessed right now it isn't even funny. Six months ago I was just getting out of the hospital and not sure I would find a job, now i have my health and the job. Well i could go on but I will just get to the celebrating...hope everyone is having a great day!!
Anyone who knows me knows I like to celebrate big events in my life with my friends, a good meal, and a good drink.. Well finally something to celebrate as I have obtained the job I wanted in Chicago and will be drinking a nice expensive Johnnie Walker blue and eating big steak tonight with friends. I feel so blessed right now it isn't even funny. Six months ago I was just getting out of the hospital and not sure I would find a job, now i have my health and the job. Well i could go on but I will just get to the celebrating...hope everyone is having a great day!!
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Back again
Sorry dear readers that I have been absent for so long but things have been hectic as I have been bouncing between Chicago and Bloomington trying to get a job. Potential big news coming on this front come Monday. I could have gotten it Friday but I was playing golf on an absolutely gorgeous day so now I am forced to wait the weekend. Must say the whole search has gotten a little overwhelming and with only a month to go before my lease runs out the pressure is on myself and my friends to find jobs quickly.
Anyway the weekend is beautiful so I will be spending most of it outside doing miscellaneous things. I think there is a street fair this weekend and some other things going on.
On the political front, I must admit I haven't been paying as much attention to that as I have the stock market and economic forecasts. The news on that front appears to be positive at least. It may take some time but things look like they will turn around. Although a recovery probably won't mean an abundance of jobs or huge prosperity, becuase as we saw during the tech boom you can now do more with less.
Anyway off to enjoy the day, I hope the day is sunny whereever you are....
Sorry dear readers that I have been absent for so long but things have been hectic as I have been bouncing between Chicago and Bloomington trying to get a job. Potential big news coming on this front come Monday. I could have gotten it Friday but I was playing golf on an absolutely gorgeous day so now I am forced to wait the weekend. Must say the whole search has gotten a little overwhelming and with only a month to go before my lease runs out the pressure is on myself and my friends to find jobs quickly.
Anyway the weekend is beautiful so I will be spending most of it outside doing miscellaneous things. I think there is a street fair this weekend and some other things going on.
On the political front, I must admit I haven't been paying as much attention to that as I have the stock market and economic forecasts. The news on that front appears to be positive at least. It may take some time but things look like they will turn around. Although a recovery probably won't mean an abundance of jobs or huge prosperity, becuase as we saw during the tech boom you can now do more with less.
Anyway off to enjoy the day, I hope the day is sunny whereever you are....
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Job Search
Good Morning all!! Feeling better after a good night sleep in my own bed. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind and it is good to be back home. I think the interview went ok yesterday but I am not expecting to get that job. There is a difference between a good interview and a great one and I only had a good interview. A couple of things I probably could have done better but all in all I thought I did an ok job, I just didn't click with the interviewer.
A good article in the WSJ today about how companies are eliminating their higher paid workers () in order to cut costs. As many of my job seeking friends and I are finding out, salaries are not what they used to be and even having a master's degree doesn't guarantee salary or position. I am enjoying some of the ads I am seeing as I search...things such as 5-7 years exp with an MBA and the salary offer is $50,000. Are things really so bad out there that someone with those qualifications would take a job with a salary so low?
Will he stay or will he go??
This being America I know most people don't care but Man U traded David Beckham over the weekend to a team in Barcelona. Thankfully Beckham (who is one of the most talented soccer players in the world) is blocking the trade and therefore will hopefully remain at Old Trafford for the upcoming season. I am still bummed I cannot afford to go see Man U on their American tour, but in the summer of joblessness sacrifices have to be made.
Middle East
It looks like Hamas is taking credit for the latest suicide bombing in the Middle East today. Looks like there will be serious roadblocks to Bush's peace plan. This should not be surprising. While I feel Bush should be lauded for his efforts at peace, I see some disturbing attributes of this policy. I don't see how America can justify going after all terrorists threats to the country while not allowing Israel to do the same thing. Their citizendry is under constant attack and current US policy seems tells them to turn the other cheek in pursuit of a lofty and possibly unattainable dream of peace.
Looks like rain this week so I will be curling up with some books instead out enjoying the summer. If anyone has any good recomendations let me know. Currently I am about to start Diamond, which follows the path of one of the largest diamonds in the world as it is fought for by various parties. Should be a short read however so by the end of the week I will need something else....Later all
Good Morning all!! Feeling better after a good night sleep in my own bed. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind and it is good to be back home. I think the interview went ok yesterday but I am not expecting to get that job. There is a difference between a good interview and a great one and I only had a good interview. A couple of things I probably could have done better but all in all I thought I did an ok job, I just didn't click with the interviewer.
A good article in the WSJ today about how companies are eliminating their higher paid workers () in order to cut costs. As many of my job seeking friends and I are finding out, salaries are not what they used to be and even having a master's degree doesn't guarantee salary or position. I am enjoying some of the ads I am seeing as I search...things such as 5-7 years exp with an MBA and the salary offer is $50,000. Are things really so bad out there that someone with those qualifications would take a job with a salary so low?
Will he stay or will he go??
This being America I know most people don't care but Man U traded David Beckham over the weekend to a team in Barcelona. Thankfully Beckham (who is one of the most talented soccer players in the world) is blocking the trade and therefore will hopefully remain at Old Trafford for the upcoming season. I am still bummed I cannot afford to go see Man U on their American tour, but in the summer of joblessness sacrifices have to be made.
Middle East
It looks like Hamas is taking credit for the latest suicide bombing in the Middle East today. Looks like there will be serious roadblocks to Bush's peace plan. This should not be surprising. While I feel Bush should be lauded for his efforts at peace, I see some disturbing attributes of this policy. I don't see how America can justify going after all terrorists threats to the country while not allowing Israel to do the same thing. Their citizendry is under constant attack and current US policy seems tells them to turn the other cheek in pursuit of a lofty and possibly unattainable dream of peace.
Looks like rain this week so I will be curling up with some books instead out enjoying the summer. If anyone has any good recomendations let me know. Currently I am about to start Diamond, which follows the path of one of the largest diamonds in the world as it is fought for by various parties. Should be a short read however so by the end of the week I will need something else....Later all
Monday, June 09, 2003
Livin out of a suitcase
Sorry readers for the lack of posts in a week or so but things have gotten hectic here. Spent the weekend in Manhattan(or Newhattan as it was called over a round of shots at a bar in 2 am) for a friend's wedding. I enjoyed New York a lot. The city was great and it was much less intimidating than it was the last time I was there. Good to see some old Chicago friends who I haven't seen in a long time. Made me realize how much I miss hanging out with at times and how things have changed since I have been gone for two years. But more on that later I need to keep this fairly short as I am returning to Chicago for another interview tomorrow.
I will say that the last week has been interesting to say the least. Sammy Sosa busted for corking and Martha Stewart busted for lying. I will say that I feel no remorse for either one of them. Both of them are multi-millionaires who wanted to play by a different set of rules, and hopefully they both get what they deserve.
Best news of the day is that the mini-series V, the one with the aliens who were trying to take over Earth to eat the people, is coming back to NBC in some form. Reports have it as a three hour return movie or something. I loved that show as a kid and would love to see another movie made. Take care readers much more when i get back from Chicago tomorrow...
Sorry readers for the lack of posts in a week or so but things have gotten hectic here. Spent the weekend in Manhattan(or Newhattan as it was called over a round of shots at a bar in 2 am) for a friend's wedding. I enjoyed New York a lot. The city was great and it was much less intimidating than it was the last time I was there. Good to see some old Chicago friends who I haven't seen in a long time. Made me realize how much I miss hanging out with at times and how things have changed since I have been gone for two years. But more on that later I need to keep this fairly short as I am returning to Chicago for another interview tomorrow.
I will say that the last week has been interesting to say the least. Sammy Sosa busted for corking and Martha Stewart busted for lying. I will say that I feel no remorse for either one of them. Both of them are multi-millionaires who wanted to play by a different set of rules, and hopefully they both get what they deserve.
Best news of the day is that the mini-series V, the one with the aliens who were trying to take over Earth to eat the people, is coming back to NBC in some form. Reports have it as a three hour return movie or something. I loved that show as a kid and would love to see another movie made. Take care readers much more when i get back from Chicago tomorrow...
Sunday, June 01, 2003
A quiet day around the hold homestead as I just took care of things around the house. Managed to get some golf in with a buddy of mine which was great. Supposedly the weather around here isn't supposed to last so had to get out today and at least enjoy the weather. This week will be more of the same involving the job search and trying to enjoy the summer at the same time. Friday I leave for a weekend in NYC which should be great. I haven't been there in a couple of years and am curious to see how the place has changed since 9/11. I remember a very energenic city teaming with life that was almost intimidating. Should be good catching up with some old friends and exploring some aspects of NYC that I didn't get to explore the last time I was there, ie the bar scene.
My sister gave a great review to Finding Nemo which is almost enough to make me see it. I don't get to see many animated movies these days as they don't seem very interesting and normally make good date movies but for some reason this one looks entertaining so I may go see it.
Seems a storm is brewing in Washington over whether or not the Iraqis did in fact have weapons of mass destruction. If in fact they did not this could have serious effects both on the Bush reelection efforts and UK/US ties. Signs are starting to point to an absence of weapons which means one of the principle reasons for going to war was in fact incorrect. This even in the face of a strenthening economy could be the opening, and perhaps the only one available, the Democrats need to make the 2004 presidential race in fact a race. Even more frightening is the fact that the US runs the risk of losing a strong ally in Tony Blair. Blair's primary backing for the war came, I believe, because of the existance of the weapons. If he was in fact wrong, he could be replaced as British PM which could put a strain on relations. Should prove to be an interesting couple of weeks....
My sister gave a great review to Finding Nemo which is almost enough to make me see it. I don't get to see many animated movies these days as they don't seem very interesting and normally make good date movies but for some reason this one looks entertaining so I may go see it.
Seems a storm is brewing in Washington over whether or not the Iraqis did in fact have weapons of mass destruction. If in fact they did not this could have serious effects both on the Bush reelection efforts and UK/US ties. Signs are starting to point to an absence of weapons which means one of the principle reasons for going to war was in fact incorrect. This even in the face of a strenthening economy could be the opening, and perhaps the only one available, the Democrats need to make the 2004 presidential race in fact a race. Even more frightening is the fact that the US runs the risk of losing a strong ally in Tony Blair. Blair's primary backing for the war came, I believe, because of the existance of the weapons. If he was in fact wrong, he could be replaced as British PM which could put a strain on relations. Should prove to be an interesting couple of weeks....
