This time last year, I was outside of my home country.  An old friend had invited me to a July 4th celebration at their home (near where I had spent 4 years of my adult life), but I couldn't get back in time for it.  I got another invite this year though, and I went (and had a great time).  An older couple (60's) was there and kept me very entertained with their witty banter.  After a couple hours of "back-and-forth", the conversation turned to work.  I normally avoid the conversation, but considering the company, I figured I'd let out a dribble or two.  As it turns out, the old man is in a position of authority at a place I once worked (and ended up having to leave because the position I was filling was in the process of being dropped).  We even worked on the same floor at the time and he said he believes he remembers seeing me, but everyone has their own projects so no one really knows what anyone else is doing anyway.  I briefly told him that I'd love to get back there (warm weather, beaches, a weekend trip home is possible, etc.) if I could get on the right project (one that isn't going away), and apparently he liked me.  I say that because I received an e-mail this morning saying that there are now two openings for work similar to mine at that location working directly for the old man, and he asked for a copy of my current resume in respect to those positions. 

But of course, that would be too easy.  My reality is that I've only been at this site since early April of this year, so to leave now would set the mother of all fires under this bridge.  What really needs to happen is that these types of positions re-open in 18-24 months from now, because the job I'm doing is moving then and I could justify leaving (although if everything continues as is, they're not going to be happy about me leaving then either).  I asked if similar jobs will be available in my timeframe and was told, "probably, and you have his ear". 

So in these times of recession, I'm very fortunate.  I wish the timing were better, the salary is better than my base here, but I get special pay here that I wouldn't get there, so I actually make more money staying where I am.  I'm not as close as I'd like to be to the beach though, and if I were there I could live ON the beach if I were willing to part with the money.

If I play my cards right, I could be moving there in a couple years.  I think my ex-wife still lives there (I know I sound old, but I'm not, I just have an old spirit and double the life-experience of people my age), but I'd do that research before the move to ensure I didn't move into the same town/neighborhood as her and her newish family.  I'm over her of course, but that doesn't mean I want to run into her...we're divorced for a reason.

Life is good.  My roommate wants me to go with her to a bar tonight because she wants me to be her DD.  I may go, not because I really want to, but because she'll probably go to the gym with me, and I'm trying to be a good friend.

So Ed McMahon passed away, and no one seemed to notice.  In fact, he seemed to have lost some credibility recently when it was exposed that the man giving away millions, couldn't make his own mortgage payments.

Then Farrah Fawcett passed from cancer and she was on tv for about 30 minutes.  But when Michael Jackson passed away, it has taken over the boob-tube.  Look, the guy was TALENTED, no one denies that.  Very few people would deny that being the center of attention at 5 years of age isn't the healthiest of environments, and that lead to the guy having some serious mental issues.  Did he really molest those children?  Only they know...innocent until proven guilty per the legal system...regardless of my own intuition.

But where is the most recent F-22 story?  At $140 million EACH, you'd think it would make big news (http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/26/hill-battle-for-the-f-22/) since everyone is so worried about money right now, but few seem to care or understand the importance of the program and how it affects the very freedom most Americans enjoy.

Also, what is our situation with Iran (or N. Korea for that matter)???  Don't worry about it...they'll wait for all of us to get over the master of the Moonwalk before they launch their next missile.