I Am Now A Statistic

The statistics are broadcast on the news every day. Unemployment is skyrocketing, jobs are hard to come by, and that the only thing not going up are salaries for the ones that actually have a job. So for 28 months I go to a job I don't like and to work for people that don't like me. I tell myself that any job in this economy is better than none, even a job where I am bullied by those less intellegent than I and am babysat by a boss who couldn't manage her way out of a paper bag. I go for the salary and the benefits, telling myself even though I am more miserable at this job than I have ever been, its good to have a job, a job with benefits.

Then in a flash, its gone. The job I hated with a seething passion, gone. I couldn't believe I no longer had the routine, the daily challenge of pushing back the bullies and not letting callers get me mad because they are mad. 28 months of my life forcing myself to go to a place that made my stomach hurt just for a paycheck. Now the job and the check are both gone.

The day started like any other. I woke up, studied, went to Weight Watchers and headed to work so I would be on time, like usual, at 3pm. By 5pm, I was headed home, last paycheck in hand, wondering what to do now. Its amazing how quick your life can change and how unprepared you are when it does. Where my life used to be navigating the waters of angry callers and angrier co-workers, it is now used to navigate government programs and unemployment. (That mess is worthy of a blog all its own and I will write about that adventure tomorrow)

I am now a month removed and can see that all things happen for a reason. I truly believe God took me out of that toxic environment and has great things in store, not least of which is finishing school. The challenge will be finances. However, I know that if we follow, God will provide. And he has. It just takes time and faith.

I used to be an an employee but for now, I am a statistic. I don't mind. God has my back and I am more than ok with that.

Best Show You Aren't Watching

I admit I am a television addict! It's not a secret. My tivo is currently 85% full. Among my can't miss shows are "White Collar", "Glee" and "Chuck". Fine shows, all of them. One show stands head and shoulders above the rest and I am glad its getting the recognition it so richly deserves.

"Southland", airing Tuesday nights on TNT, is a gritty police drama from the creative team behind such quality work as"ER", and my all-time favorite,"The West Wing". Centering on a rookie cop, his partner, and a group of detectives, "Southland" paints a picture of the L.A. rarely seen: raw, ugly and real! Superbly written and well acted,"Southland" is the rare gem among all the reality crap forced on us by laxy TV execs these days.

This article is excellent! Read it and then check out the best show on TV:

"Southland" finale: TV at its best

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Hello Again

Hello blog!
Miss me? Ive missed you! I know I haven't been the best writer, disappearing for months, making promises to write and not keeping them. This is going to change. Technology has caught up with my need to have all things portable and purse friendly and bestowed upon me this amazing device called the "tablet PC"! It is essentially a computer the size of a paperback book and I am in love!

There are apps for things I didn't know I needed an app for. You, my dear blog, even have an app! Yes, "there's an app for that"! Blogger-droid lets me easily blog from anywhere! No more looking fora place with free wi-fi and the quickly disappearing place to sit. Now I just whip out my Galaxy and start blogging while waiting for the dude who has been at Starbucks for twelve hours to vacate his seat.

Now, if only the Zuckerbergs of the world would invent the anti-procrastination app......

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Back To School

Ah, back to school! Back in the day, back to school meant the end of summer and the start of the fall TV season. It meant time to see our friends and catch up on who did what and with who and where while we we apart during summer vacation. It meant new clothes, new supplies, new teachers. It was a time mixed with dread and excitement!

As I sat in my overcrowded classroom this week, I lamented over the good ole days. I wish back to school meant what it used to. Now it means fighting for classes, praying your teacher gives a damn and hoping against hope that the cost of textbooks won't bankrupt you! New clothes? You are lucky after paying for tuition and books if you can afford cup of noodles, much less clothes. Summer vacation, three months off? Unheard of!

The one thing that remains the same between then and now: I can't wait to be finished with school.

Island Paradise

About 20 miles off the coast of Southern California lies an island that almost belies description. It is an area almost as pristine as the day it was developed. Chain businesses are forbidden so Vons and Coldstone are the only names you would recognize. Mom and Pop places abound and many have been there for decades. Families come back year after year, often with children and grandchildren in tow.

Welcome to Catalina Island and the tiny town of Avalon. This is the place my friends and I come back to year after year for fun in the sun relaxation. Everything is scaled down here. Smart cars are the only vehicles on the island outside of golf carts. Even FedEx has to scale down. Check out this tiny truck:



Catalina is a quaint village that can be exactly what you make of it. You can have a margarita at the bar:



Or on a beach:



It isn't all drinking and shopping. One of the coolest things to do is to rent a golf cart and tour the outskirts of Avalon. On one such journey, we encountered some locals! They were very calm and photogenic:



We love Catalina! My roommate took me there for the first time 8 years ago and I fell in love with the place. It is romantic, tropical and a wonderful place to get away. I look forward to this trip all year!