Consumerism is not God!

I am doing well at my new job. I am so happy working there. But I am tired of the crass consumerism. Everybody wants to be a bigger consumer no matter who they are. It is out of control. I am guilty of it myself. The only thing that will end consumerism is....consumerism itself. Once we have exhausted all there is left to consume, or when we has so polluted the planet with all of our toxic byproducts of our crass consumerism. Oh there are those that will deny this, but if you think about it it is an inescapable truth.

This is me (on the left) with one of my best friends ever, Geoffrey (on the right in the green shirt), Judy (Geoffrey's mom) and Uncle Marvin (in the blue hat) from this last labor day weekend. We feasted on bar-b-que!
Please say a prayer for uncle Marvin. He is gravely ill.

I got a new Job

And they said it couldn't be done...that I was washed up. That no one other than Walmart was going to hire me because I am a "no good rabble rouser..."

I may be still pushing that boulder up a hill, but I'm going to get there, and all the naysayers will be eating crow when I do get there. The new job starts August 31. I am hanging on to the Walmart job part time. As you can see really am pushing that boulder up the hill!

Working our Way back to Africa

I have been working on ''side jobs'' with Ben Pahlow. (That's me on the left with the bulging biceps - no I haven't been to the gym lately, I have been working harder than ever! I may finally be turning the corner on the hard scrabble road. Whew!) Ben is trying to get his seal coating business off the ground. I have been helping. Needless to say it is very difficult nowadays to start a business. (The rich hate the competition!) And the seal coating business is no exception. But the good news is due to the generosity of good friends, I now have enough money to apply for Ruth's visa! The fiancée visa! The one they can't deny! Thank God!

Ruth's visa was denied. Now I need to raise $1200.00 US to attempt to bring her to the US but I am still stuck working at a dead end job that does not pay enough to even live. I have made an appeal to get help. I understand we are living in tough times, but it would be such a good testimony if anyone could help...Oh!

A scolding! (That's helpful!)

How would you like this? First thing this morning, I get a phone call and a severe scolding from a self righteous nag! Aye this person does have a habit of stirring up discord! Oy vey! I don't need that noise!

By the way...Ruth's coming is delayed until at least May 27Th.

Turbulent times

Ruth is scheduled to come on May 15Th. That is great! This could be my dream come true! Even though I have two college degrees, plenty of experience, US Army veteran... I am relegated to working for well below poverty level wages because they sent away all the good paying jobs, so $1482.00 stands in my way and my dream. I have made the appeal to several of my friends. Troubled economic times have gripped most of them, so most are without the wherewithal to help. Those who could help, are not willing for one reason or another. I could get into the reasons why. But it would not change anything!

Global family Rescue Dinner

This was a good reunion for some good friends. This is Bill Borbas with me!

Here I am with Harrison and Jackie. I am sporting the 'winter growth beard"

I have shaved it off since.

No Global Warming?

This is a picture of the north pole on March 18, 2009. For the first time in recorded history on this date there is open water at the north pole. After winter. A cold winter in Chicago.

St Patrick's Day

This is a picture of the Chicago River on St Patrick's day with two tourists taking a picture of it. I am not big on corned beef and cabbage. My idea of Irish food is a bowl of Lucky Charm's cereal... Yuck!

Global Family Rescue Dinner Tonight!

I had breakfast this morning with two of my closest friends (Ben Pahlow and Grampa Burt) and the rock song with some of the oldest lyrics ever came to mind. For some odd reason, I felt like I had to include it in this blog. It seemed apropos, considering the time and circumstances we are going though. Besides I need to put good things in this blog. I certainly don't need to have a potential employer googling around finding some politcally incorect "poo poo" talk somewhere in this blog and hire some other"Chachi" instead of me... (so there!)

"To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to build up,a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time to love, a time to hate A time for peace, I swear its not too late!"

"Written" by Pete Seeger and originally recored by Pete Seeger in 1962. But later and most famously recorded by the Byrds in 1965
(The words are adapted from the bible, book of Ecclesiastes. As a matter of fact all the words eccept the last line " I swear its not too late" and "turn turn turn" are straight out of the Bible. Very clever!) Folk music rules!

Happy New Year 2009

2008 was a very difficult year. We are looking forward to 2009. For me personally, my dad passed away on March 22, 2008. It was difficult to be festive this last holiday season.

I have experienced financial difficulties of my own as well as many of my countrymen. Some of which were brought on by the economy, some brought on by shear meanness, malevolence and corruption and greed of corporate America.

We are l suffering in a corporate climate of greed, working much harder for much less money. I am looking forward to 2009 to be a better year...

Just know that when the American workers are put up toe to on a level playing field we will out perform any workers on the planet hands down.