In kindergarten, one of my brothers told a friend on the playground that our father had discovered America. At about the same age, I dreamed that he was God.
1. Today's first line title plucked from Under a Wing by Reeve Lindbergh. It should come as no surprise to those of you who've read here for any length of time that my own father lived in similarly grandiose style within the vibrant world of my youthful imagination.
2. Gonna get through this entire list of thirteen things without one single mention of ... the thing second most on my mind. Just for you.
3. My favorite bookstore is calling area citizens to economic action by promoting what they call 'The 10% Solution'. To wit: If there was just a 10% shift from shopping at chain and on-line stores to shopping at locally owned, independent businesses, Durham could get 800 new jobs and tens of millions of dollars in increased economic activity. There is a study to back this up, but even if there weren't, it just makes sense. Now more than ever - Think Local!
4. I reduced my 401k contributions at work from 7% to 2% earlier this month. Leaving my money in there, but not feeding the beast any more than I feel like I have to.
5. A co-worker took the opposite tack, raising his contributions from 5% to 20%. His theory: this stuff is dirt cheap right now and the market will, eventually, rebound. He's willing to sacrifice the take home pay for a while to take advantage now.
6. Meanwhile, I'm cutting money-sized slits in my mattress.
7. For reasons I don't care to understand, two of my feeds appear to be broken vis a vis bloglines. While not being picked up through that particular reader (the atom and index.rdf versions), the actual feed seems to be alive and kicking. But then, how the hell would I know? Anybody got skillz in this area?
8. My daughter has her second interview with her "dream firm" tomorrow. The company is in Charlottesville, meaning no more Richmond commute, and the job involves doing exactly what she loves doing most in all the world (well, work-wise). They've already done all the reference and background checks, etc., so I have high hopes that after the meeting tomorrow, she'll have a new career path in her pocket.
9. And speaking of jobs, someone very close to me (as in shares my bed) currently has three active offers on the table. Which is a little surreal given the state of things in the world outside my window, but there you have it. He's in a solid growth industry, and he's one of the best at what he does. This has all been dragging on far too long for my liking, however, and the sooner a final - and FIRM - decision on ultimate direction is made, the better.
10. I wish - in a half-assed way - that I still cared one iota about major league baseball. Truth is, I don't even know what teams are in the playoffs this year. And I like it that way. Go (1979) Pirates!
11. Looks like I found myself a little watch party for the WVU-Auburn game while I'm in Atlanta a couple weeks from now. Missing the live action in Morgantown due to the trip south, but might get to hang out for the evening with a few true blue and gold like minded souls after all.
12. Public Service Announcement: Sam Adam's Octoberfest brew is a damned fine complement to the goodness that is Fall.
13. I am excruciatingly boring tonight. And also a little buzzed. It all evens out in the end, though, if you know what I'm sayin'.
Yes, all of them involve a move. A pretty significant change, at that. However, the option of staying put and continuing as is remains on the table, too. Given the economy and the very real things it would impact in terms of our decision (selling the house, for one), the winds shift almost daily.
I've got a bit of whiplash about the whole thing, actually.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 11, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Do any of your husband's job offers involve moving? One thing about living on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi is that there seems to be no fall. The temps are a bit lower and more comfortable than they were in the middle of summer, but not so much as you would notice. Still living in shorts and flip flops, no new boots or jackets.
Posted by: Marsha | October 11, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Sam Adams makes some of the best beers around. We only get the Boston Lager on this side of the border, and oh how I wish we could import a few more!
Posted by: Nancy | October 11, 2008 at 01:23 AM
8. and 9. good luck to them
11. Hope WVU plays like Vandy did against Au....Go dores!
Posted by: pat | October 10, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I'm doing the two-percent thing myself. I haven't exactly lost my shirt, but I'm not sticking my sleeve out for no good reason.
Posted by: CGHill | October 09, 2008 at 10:07 PM