My New Year's Trip

Me and a few friends went to a casino for New Year's eve. It was a nice time. They had a concert and countdown and TVs showing Times Square. Not a bad venue to ring in the new year. I'm not a gambler, so no money was lost or gained, so you don't even have to worry about asking. What I did want to mention was the clientele that I can across while at the casino. I'm not trying to talk about anybody or anything, just stating what I saw.

The New Inheritance

I was listening to NPR not too long ago and there was a guy on there talking about today's inheritance that today's youth are seeing. He made a very valid statement, "Today's parents are giving their kids their inheritance  while they are all still alive." That makes plenty of sense. He was saying that parents today are more often than not helping their children out far more today than they did in the past. He stated that parents are more likely to help their kids financially today rather than wait until they passed away to leave their kids a large inheritance. The more I look around, the more he seems to be right.

Parents are helping their kids out more. I see them allowing students to move back in after graduation, or upon maybe losing a job. Parents are helping their kids get houses and keep up with bills as more and more people are becoming unemployed and underemployed.

I thought this was a very interesting turn of events as many people seem to wait on their inheritance with bated breath. Now it seems as though more people are quite content being able to see their inheritance come to them as they try to start families or fall on hard times. Either way I think it's commendable that parents are there to help their children even as those kids become adults. I know this isn't in every case out there and there are still a butt load of inheritances still waiting to be had, but for those those that do get a bit now when they need it most, be sure to say thanks to the ones that are there for you in those times. "Thanks!" Take care.

How To Get Beyond Your Current Situation?

This post isn't so much what I think, but more of a way to pick the brains of others. Currently I'm thinking about another career, but I'm feeling a little unsure about how to do that. The first question I'm having trouble answering is "What do you want to do?". Truth is, I'm not sure. To the question, "What can you do?" the answer is an easy one....anything. But, anything doesn't get you a job or to another place in life. You need to have a plan. I seem to be falling short on that end.

I'm currently teaching. I like it, but it's not something I can do too much longer. I'm in a broken system, that underpays, under appreciates and over expects from its employees. Sure I'm happy to be employed and I know the grass isn't always greener on the other side, but I would like to not have to worry about a paycheck to paycheck living. I'm not sure if I want to go the full-time route with something part-time on the side or if I want to ditch it all together and go to something else? All that I do know is that I would like to move on from my current position and go on to better things. I'm currently trying to find or take any suggestions that I can get as far as how to do that. The next thing I'm not sure about is whether to go back and get more training. After getting one college degree and seeing where I am now, I'm very hesitant to go back again for some other degree or certificate that may or not pay off in the end. It's a very confusing spot to be in. I've even thought about my own business, but I think the logistics of it sort of scares me away from the idea and once again....I'm not sure what that business would be. Wanting to change careers in this job market is a very abysmal place to be in. Employers are taking their time hiring, if they're hiring at all. I'm also looking at going back to a starting/entry-level salary by switching from education to most other fields. My microbiology degree seems to be just dwindling and becoming less and less meaningful as time goes on.

So what I bring to you, are questions. Have you ever switched careers? If so, how did you go about doing it? Was it the right move? What advice would you give to someone trying to switch? I also welcome any other advice you may be able to shed on the situation. Thanks and take care!

Political Season and I'm back!!!

It's been a while, but I'm back on the grind. I've been writing down notes that I've wanted to share with you all, but I'm just now getting a chance to put them out there. I may make this one post it may be more. Heck, it's my blog so I can do what I want!!! Now that that's out of the way down to the nitty gritty. This will be my political blog. I'll put out some thoughts that I've noticed since this political season has started and we can discuss, so some of these thoughts may be a little dated, but still pertinent.

Ron Paul won't ever win an election. Not because he doesn't have the support or the money, it's because he talks. Ron Paul is good for about two sentences and then he falls off a cliff. I know a lot of people support him whole-heartedly and that's their right, but his views can't and won't win an election. Not because of his supporters, but because of the other people that he needs to vote for him. The conservatives, the old GOP voters, the moderates, they don't look at Ron Paul for his attributes, instead they look at him for his downfalls. When people become focused on what it is that you're not doing well, then you are all but lost. He has given a great showing and I hope that his run in the primaries will allow us to see the shortcomings of the political process and lead us to make it better.

I'm going to end this piece by simply saying, Ron Paul will not win, but we can learn from his efforts. I hope the country watches and learns that we can still put people up that we want to see in the running. What we need to find a way to change is the overall process. We can have corporations paying to put people in office. We all see where that has gotten us. It feels good to be back. Take care!!

Casey Anthony

So a jury of her peers found her not guilty and it set off a wave of dissent and anger. As I sat with my aunt, yesterday, watching the verdict and post trial punditry go on and on about how shocked they were and how they couldn't believe she got off, there was one thing mentioned that got brushed over. They all admitted that the public had more info than the jury. They admitted but didn't want to harp on the fact that the general public knew more that the jury. This was a very important fact. The jury ruled based on the evidence that was given to them. Obviously, the prosecution didn't present a good enough case to convince the jury of the defendant's guilt. I've heard a lot of people talk about how unemotional the lady was or how she was out partying while her child was missing, and how it took her so long to report the child missing. All of those things look bad, but they don't necessarily prove her guilt. That's what the public needs to be made aware of. We can't send people to jail based on the suspicious things they do. Our justice system has been criticized numerous times over the years, but sadly enough it's the one we have and in this case it worked just the way it was supposed to. The jury was selected, they were presented with evidence and they ruled based on that evidence. So if people want to look at someone to be upset with, then point your blame at the prosecution. Did Anthony commit the crime...we may never know, but the system worked the way it was supposed to. Feel free to comment. Let's talk about it.

Day 17

We got a chance to see more of London today. We went to the London school of economics to hear a former member of Parliament speak. He was very knowledgeable and interesting. After that, we went for a medieval banquet for lunch. Post lunch we made our way to the tower of London and got a chance to see the crown jewels and other royal emblems. The jewels were pretty amazing. Then we took a boat ride on the river Thames.
We ate at Ye olde cock tavern, where we had rewarmed hamburgers that weren't that great. We are then heading to the theater to see love never dies. I can't lie I'm sort of tired, I hope I can stay up through it. And stay up I did! That play was awesome! Love never dies was a down right marvelous way to end this trip.

Day 16

Headed to foggy London town today. She be a fun day. We get to see the changing of the guards, the tower of London, the London eye and whatever else London can throw at us.
We stopped at Harrod's to have a look around and that place is ridiculous! Nuff said.
We spent the day walking around London and our tour guide was a piece of work. A quite quaint old lady, but was very all over the place. She made for a great tour.
It was a long day. We had an interesting time with a couple of delegates who took some extra time shopping, but we handled the situation. All and all it was a long day.