Well, here we go again. A second cold this winter. Thanks Jane.

As the red head and I hunker down, again, for a sneezing, blowing, watery eye, dry lipped Sunday, I thought it might be nice to put together a sort of holiday letter to family or about family. I've never, ever done one of these things, so watch out.

The job hunt has changed directions. It would be a fool's errand to try to put together anything in the private sector at the moment. Besides which, the years of work seem unappreciated by the former employer. Going back to the drawing board makes some sense.

It is the one continuing worry here. Thankfully we are financially secure with unemployment, but that won't last forever. At some point in the process, before the Oregon trip, I discussed with Tim M of the Econ department at my undergrad school the idea of teaching workshops on the subject of creating business plans.

As I have time, I'll update the Linkedin profile so that it represents the new interest and discusses why this is a good idea for me. Tim explained that there was an even better idea, namely that four year colleges often hire people like me to teach courses as adjunct professors.

I can already hear those people who remember me from St. Peter Canisius saying “hey professor.” Yep, that was my nickname back when. I don't remember what caused that. I think it was an interest in science that was killed by a high school teacher. Shame on her.

It turns out there is a very small market for independent people writing business plans. That work usually is performed by a company's lawyers or accountants. However the inquiry did discover there was an interest among colleges in people who have business world experience, in working with undergrads. After lots of work with the grad school and the undergrad school, I began putting out resumes last week.


Things continued to melt down in the state this week. The arrest of his royal hindness on Monday being an obvious sign. It is hard to see how the State of Illinois can cleanup its act. Normal people are saying thank god for the US Attorney. The Governor's crimes have been known for years.

Why don't we just vote him out of office? I suppose that in retrospect, Judy Baar Topinka was the better candidate two years ago. I really don't remember how I voted. I suspect I voted for Topinka, but can't remember.

The GOP has simply disappeared locally. Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who is becoming the White House Chief of Staff, had a Republican opponent. But the man was handily defeated.

That's unusual. Blagojevich is a typical response to the dominance of the Democratic Party. He would be far more comfortable as a Republican. But, how can you get elected as a Republican? This isn't to say that all Republican's are crooked, but to say that his policies were more in line with the GOP, BTW.

So, the Democratic Party has people who really have Republican world views locally. (Fast Eddie Vrdolyak is another good example). How to get the party healthy enough to run under its own banner?

The scandal is causing all the rats to scurry for cover. Hopefully people will remember the scandal in two years and begin electing new blood. Look, Daley, Stroger, Lipinski, Madigan, Blagojevich (and Mell), Jackson. All of these current political family names willed their political power to their offspring. This is a terrible situation for democracy. Each of those names, BTW, Democratic.





I wanted to put some more pix up from the Oregon trip. They are on a slide show on the kitchen screens. I just love the pictures of Ceili, Ceili and Kaitlin together. Working with our friends Mike and Nancy, Jane got their slide show together a few weeks ago, it led to our finally getting our slide show together too.

All these great photos from years back are coming up. At one time Ceili took one of our first digital cameras out and shot pictures throughout the neighborhood. Lots of things I've never noticed.

Of course, I noted how much Ceili has grown into a beautiful woman. Adam, our neighbors son, is now in high school. Danny turned into a little jerk and thankfully moved away.

Between Anna's initial push and Jane's final push, the rear yard has been transformed. I'll take some credit for the hard scape ideas, thank you. There are great shots of our egg “hunts.” The old siding, the peeling yellow paint on the garage...

From time to time I meet Kim as she heads out to work in the morning. I kid her that the men in the building are thankful that the women are supporting them. I know it irritates Kim. And I love her for that. Brian reminded me that he moved into the building ten years ago October. I was digging through the garage, throwing out old papers and found his initial application for the apartment.

He's become a friend. His son and now his step-daughter, have grown here. And it has been wonderful.

While Kim has been freaked out that there are only two payrolls paying for everything. I think Brian and I, who both went through divorces while living here, have been through worse. Things will be okay.


Finally, no Florida trip for us this year. The story of why we have a house in Florida needn't be discussed here. For the first time in about five or six years we decided to use the place, and it won't work out. So, Christmas in Chicago again. Yea!

Our last visit there we managed to take in a night launch. Ate some great seafood... Our plans this time? Take in a launch and eat some great seafood. Progressive huh?