Being "only" December 28, the year known as 2009 isn't officially over yet. But it's close enough for me to do a little reflecting, recapping, reliving, regurgitating...whatever.
Not to darken this entry, but 2009...sucked. I worked all of five months of it. My home is inching ever closer to the dreaded "f" word of real estate...fore...eh, I can't even finish it. At least my car is paid for and in good condition. I could probably live in it for awhile.
Job recruiters tell me that things should look up in 2010. They also tell me that I have the "skill set" that employers want and that my Associate of Science degree is just right for what I do. But they've been telling me that, so why haven't I been taken on by some nice company?
Will 2010 be better? I sure hope so. It certainly can't be any worse than 2009 was.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This is a Test...
Those of us who consider ourselves believers of the Lord know that sometimes He throws us a test. During the last few days, I've been given what very well could be one of those divine tests. And not just once.
Sunday evening, I was on my way home from SFMM (that's the Official Theme Park Fans abbreviation for Six Flags Magic Mountain) and decided to stop in at Del Taco to get a quick bite for the trip home. A woman approached and asked me if I had any money for her. She needed gas and something to eat (and I think she mentioned children, but over the sound of traffic, I didn't quite catch that). I told her that I, too, was down on my luck and didn't have anything to give her. She was very nice, thanked me anyway, and disappeared. Throughout dinner and on the way home, I had some second thoughts about not even offering to get her at least a small meal. I could have swung that.
Then, just today, I went outside to go over to CVS and the post office, when I spotted an older woman coming up our steps with a walker. I approached her and asked if I could help her, and she replied with almost the same story. She was down on her luck and needed a few bucks for food. Again, I was short myself and couldn't help out, and also explained that I was down on my luck as well. She was very nice and thanked me. Just after getting into my car, I looked to see where she was so I wouldn't run over her when I backed out of the driveway. I saw no trace of her. Using a walker, she couldn't have gotten away THAT quickly...could she? Was this my imagination?
On my way back from the post office, I saw her heading down a different street, so I knew that she was still going through the neighborhood, most likely from house to house. I'd just sent a few bucks to both of our newspaper carriers and had little to last me till I can get to the ATM again in a couple of days.
Were both of these encounters a test from God? I don't recall the actual Scripture references, but something reminded me of turning away a person in need is like turning away Jesus--like a test of our faith. Could I have given these two women a buck or two, despite my own tight financial situation? I'm sure I could have. Unfortunately, my reluctance is due to the number of people out there scamming. Some don't want your help, just your money so they can buy cigarettes, booze, drugs. It's hard to tell who is really in need, especially with the recession and Christmas being so close. Maybe that's what the test is all about.
Sunday evening, I was on my way home from SFMM (that's the Official Theme Park Fans abbreviation for Six Flags Magic Mountain) and decided to stop in at Del Taco to get a quick bite for the trip home. A woman approached and asked me if I had any money for her. She needed gas and something to eat (and I think she mentioned children, but over the sound of traffic, I didn't quite catch that). I told her that I, too, was down on my luck and didn't have anything to give her. She was very nice, thanked me anyway, and disappeared. Throughout dinner and on the way home, I had some second thoughts about not even offering to get her at least a small meal. I could have swung that.
Then, just today, I went outside to go over to CVS and the post office, when I spotted an older woman coming up our steps with a walker. I approached her and asked if I could help her, and she replied with almost the same story. She was down on her luck and needed a few bucks for food. Again, I was short myself and couldn't help out, and also explained that I was down on my luck as well. She was very nice and thanked me. Just after getting into my car, I looked to see where she was so I wouldn't run over her when I backed out of the driveway. I saw no trace of her. Using a walker, she couldn't have gotten away THAT quickly...could she? Was this my imagination?
On my way back from the post office, I saw her heading down a different street, so I knew that she was still going through the neighborhood, most likely from house to house. I'd just sent a few bucks to both of our newspaper carriers and had little to last me till I can get to the ATM again in a couple of days.
Were both of these encounters a test from God? I don't recall the actual Scripture references, but something reminded me of turning away a person in need is like turning away Jesus--like a test of our faith. Could I have given these two women a buck or two, despite my own tight financial situation? I'm sure I could have. Unfortunately, my reluctance is due to the number of people out there scamming. Some don't want your help, just your money so they can buy cigarettes, booze, drugs. It's hard to tell who is really in need, especially with the recession and Christmas being so close. Maybe that's what the test is all about.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Week Begins
Christmas is here...this Friday in fact. Am I ready for it? Pfft...no. OK, I did get Diana something, and it's something she asked for. What do I want? A job. To get my life back into order, whatever that entails. 2009 was a rough year. I hope and pray that 2010 is better. Much better. For everyone.
To all who may be reading this and any future blogs of mine, may you have the merriest Christmas, or the happiest Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. And a very happy and productive New Year!
To all who may be reading this and any future blogs of mine, may you have the merriest Christmas, or the happiest Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. And a very happy and productive New Year!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Drive-Thru Nativity
Tonight I visited my very first drive-thru Nativity event at the local Baptist church. I'd read on their website that there were four scenes that you drove past, and over the course of the drive, you'd see and hear the story of the Nativity. Having grown up in a Baptist church myself, I already knew this story by heart, but was interested in seeing how it was enacted here.
But first, dinner. I had a $5 off coupon for any merchant in the Camarillo Village Shopping Center. And what better way to use that discount than to fill my tummy. Greek food sounded good, so I stopped in at Daphne's. Honestly, their food is to Greek what Taco Bell is to Mexican, but it is pretty good. After downing a gyro, salad, rice, and a chicken kabob, I was ready to take on...THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS.
The church was on my way home, so I pulled into the driveway. There was an arrow indicating where to turn in, and its visibility was such that I saw it just as I almost passed it. I turned in and was welcomed by a young lady who handed me some church information, a survey card to fill out, and a candy cane.
I turned off my headlights and proceeded into the lot. They had paper bags with candles inside marking the path through the course. Somehow, as only I can do, I went off course, thinking that the scenes were behind the church. I kept driving and in the dark found myself nose to nose with an old Crown school bus, preventing me from going any further. Now, I know that crowns are mentioned in the Scriptures, but somehow I got the idea that this wasn't the kind they meant...
I had to back up to get back on course, but the crowds had not yet arrived. That made it easy. At each stop, a Real Live Person read a passage from Scripture on the drivers' left, while a scene from the Nativity was placed on the passenger side. At the fourth scene, the guy asked for the survey card, wished me a Merry Christmas, and sent me on my way.
Overall, an A for effort. In future years, better signage might help other drivers get through without exploring the outer reaches of the parking lot. Or maybe next time I go, I'll let someone else drive...
But first, dinner. I had a $5 off coupon for any merchant in the Camarillo Village Shopping Center. And what better way to use that discount than to fill my tummy. Greek food sounded good, so I stopped in at Daphne's. Honestly, their food is to Greek what Taco Bell is to Mexican, but it is pretty good. After downing a gyro, salad, rice, and a chicken kabob, I was ready to take on...THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS.
The church was on my way home, so I pulled into the driveway. There was an arrow indicating where to turn in, and its visibility was such that I saw it just as I almost passed it. I turned in and was welcomed by a young lady who handed me some church information, a survey card to fill out, and a candy cane.
I turned off my headlights and proceeded into the lot. They had paper bags with candles inside marking the path through the course. Somehow, as only I can do, I went off course, thinking that the scenes were behind the church. I kept driving and in the dark found myself nose to nose with an old Crown school bus, preventing me from going any further. Now, I know that crowns are mentioned in the Scriptures, but somehow I got the idea that this wasn't the kind they meant...
I had to back up to get back on course, but the crowds had not yet arrived. That made it easy. At each stop, a Real Live Person read a passage from Scripture on the drivers' left, while a scene from the Nativity was placed on the passenger side. At the fourth scene, the guy asked for the survey card, wished me a Merry Christmas, and sent me on my way.
Overall, an A for effort. In future years, better signage might help other drivers get through without exploring the outer reaches of the parking lot. Or maybe next time I go, I'll let someone else drive...
So Here is My Second Blog
So, with my belly full of Daphne's Greek food, I've decided to add an entry into the ongoing saga of...me. It'll take awhile to get the hang of online blogging—it's a far cry from the journals I used to do from 1989 till 2006. These won't highlight my every move, every morsel of food I eat, and every foot I travel. Instead, you'll get to read about what's on my mind and how I feel about various things. That just might make you run for the hills. But that's not a bad thing either—you'll end up getting some exercise, something we all need once in awhile.
Friday, December 18, 2009
My First Blog!
So, after looking for a place to write, it appears that I've found just the place. Right now, I'm just going to write a very short blog so I can get used to doing this, but over time, I'll share more and more. Hopefully I won't corrupt anyone's mind.
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