Can We Ever Say "When" to War?

As my husband, son, and I drove up to the diner today, the usual groups were stationed at their usual spots with their usual signs and flags. Heading north, there are the folks who shout their support for the troops and America with their flags and military gear. Heading south, there are the folks who also support the troops and America, but theirs is a voice of withdrawal from the war rather than continuing it. They have American flags, but among them are ones with the word Peace and one with a dove.

You might think that these people represent the extreme right or left viewpoints in this country, but I don't think either side is that extreme. I believe they both love and respect this country, and support the troops; they're just communicating differently. I'm all about supporting our troops -- many of whom are much younger than my own children -- but I want them all home safe and sound. Also, once they get home, I think we could do more for them to show that their volunteer enlistment is appreciated and acknowledge that they have seen stuff of nightmares in their postings overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of our soldiers volunteered because they believed that they could make a difference, and they have with their efforts to rebuild schools and to reach out to those citizens whose lives were shattered by bombs and the killings around them. Unfortunately, a lot of them have joined the service because the U.S. economy is so bad that the incentives offered by the services (sign-on bonuses, college education, pension) are too good to pass up. I don't mean to get on a soap box, but how effective is our going into a centuries-old culture ever going to be...we cannot bomb our own culture into their lives...this has been proven time and time again.

If you go onto CNN's website, they have the statistics of how many of our soldiers have been killed in the years since Bush sent them, where they were killed, but more importantly, where they are from in terms of the United States. As you watch the maps populate with the dots representing cities and towns, you realize that we have lost so much. For whatever reason, as a species, we have a crazy notion that if we count and graph everything we do, from SATs to war casualties, it gives us a better sense somehow of control and progress, and maybe an acknowledgement of our existence in the space-time continuum.

Season Finales

So we watched the season finale of "Chuck" tonight, and I must say, I'm feeling as if my own sitcom/drama/reality show has been canceled.

Don't get the wrong idea, while I like "Chuck" a lot, my feelings have nothing to do with the show...it just seemed so fitting that at this time of year when shows are wrapping up their plot lines or creating new ones via the proverbial cliff hanger, my own plot line has stalled. A job that I had hoped for appears to have been filled. I understand that HR groups are probably getting really hit with a lot of resumes, but I miss the courtesy of a "thanks, but no thanks" letter or phone call. I'm thinking it's filled because it no longer appears on the company's website. I guess I could fool myself into thinking it was just a timing down for the posting, but I'm thinking...NOT!

I really, really, really need to get back to work...financially and personally. The thrill of being able to stay up late wore off a really long time ago, and I need to get back into a grownup guise again. That's not a slam against anyone who is taking care of a household and does not also have an outside-the-house job...this is me I'm talking about.

It's not even as if I'm getting any more or better sleep 'cause when I do sleep, I dream about various incarnations of work...sometimes mixing distant past jobs with the just-left job...help!

When COBRA Slithers Its Way Into Your Life

After reviewing all the health package options offered by the company I retired from 10 years ago, along with other "outside" options, my husband and I are giving in...we're signing up for the COBRA package that is automatically sent from the company I just left. I appreciate having it, but I sure would have liked to NOT have to use it.

I have gotten to the point that I'm envying people in commercials who are sitting in cubicles. I want to be back at a job, at a desk, cubicle, office...SOMEWHERE!!! Enough with the vacuuming and dusting and cooking...I need to find my place back in the workforce...STAT!

It actually dawned on me that at this time of year, employers may be waiting for college graduates to apply. After all, it would be a lot less expensive to hire a newbie from the graduating class than someone who has had the experience and has salary history expectations, right?

It used to be that when you applied for a job, you at least received a letter or phone call to tell you that while your skills and experience are very impressive, they chose another candidate. These days, you may get that via email, but most likely just experience silence. Are HR departments really that busy that they cannot offer the simple courtesy of breaking up with you before anything gets serious?

Anyway, I signed up for one of my outstanding electives (3) to complete my B.S. degree. I had some funds saved, and my husband encouraged me to do it. I'll be taking "Readings in Journalism" online this sumemr, and looking forward to getting back into the online discussions with fellow students. I'm just hoping that by the time this 10-week course is complete, I have a job 'cause I'm so over being in this transitional place.

Employment, can you see me? Employment, can you hear me? Employment, are you somewhere in the realm of possibility? Can you hear me praying, anything I'm saying, even though I'm only one of millions?

(I so apologize to Barbra Streisand for the above.)