Monday starts my 25th week of unemployment. I can't wait to celebrate the end of this stint on the bench. Saying it sucks just doesn't give it justice. I'll keep it clean and mention that it's no picnic.

Last week I applied for more work at places I should qualify to work for. Being more of a realist, I believe most of those positions are allocated for those with academic qualifications over physical experience. The current system favors this because it is economical to pay collegiate interns lower wages than to take on experienced workers with all practical knowledge of the drudgery. I get it! It is crystal clear to me. With that said I'm changing speeds and straying from my previous job searches to include those of lesser pay and experience. Hopefully I land in the middle of the road where pay and experience are sufficient to satisfy my inner self. The pay is not as important anymore in so much as the satisfaction of existing as an employee who enjoys what he is asked to do for a living. I will also be pursuing short term education funded by my tax dollars (and some of yours) to help me “Qualify” for more meaningful employment.

One of my first changes I made last week was to finally get my case worker to pass my file over to a more experienced counselor who has a larger network of industry professionals. I will be meeting her as well as her “Job Club” group this coming Wednesday. I have set my sights on educational training in computer aided drafting, better known as AutoCAD. I have some experience with mechanical drawing as well as AutoCAD experience. Unfortunately, I do not have enough experience or educational credits to obtain a position in this field. I do believe with formal training combined with my industrial background, I will be able to sell myself to an engineering firm as a worthwhile asset to their portfolio. It all sounds good and I believe I can make it happen.

Friday we received about 3 inches of fine powdered snow. Unofficially, I believe this season has been the most active for winter weather since we moved to South Carolina. The powdered snow was a welcome sight for me. Cleaning off the driveway, steps and walks was much easier this time. I used my push broom to clear the fluff away. There was a fine layer after the sweep down, but the warming we received Saturday made short work of the remaining snow.

We picked up Nolan Saturday morning for an al-day and part of the night stay-over. Caris and Thomas arrived shortly after lunch and departed just before dinner for a Christian Concert Festival with Patrick and Jessica in Greenville. Nolan was all over the place and kept Gin and I on our toes most of the day. Gin tried to lay him down around 8 o’clock, but he was still too wound up. I rocked him in my chair as he babbled away with “Uh-Oh Mac-Mac”, “Uh-OH Train”, Uh-Oh Tractor”, “Uh-Oh Daddy”, Uh-Uh Mommy”, etc., etc., etc. He finally got worn down enough for Gin to lay him back down on the couch as he drifted off to sleep. It was after midnight when the kids returned and Nolan was on his way back home.

I don’t know how much longer I can stay-up tonight. It is now 9:25pm and feeling like 1am. The last two nights were late and the following mornings were early. It is time to make a change back to normal, whatever normal is.

Have a good week. Thank your boss for keeping you employed. Be thankful for the day, your life, your family and friends. Never forget that you are important to someone and they need you to share your life with them.

P@