Jobfair, boil pit, and back to winter.

G'day Everyone.

Well, I'm home again. It's been a nice trip to DC. Saw the ASL Expo, and enjoyed a quiet Sunday.

But, this past Monday's (11/17) Disability Career Fair shows a lot of important stuff that goes on in the disabled community. As many of the people that attended to many booths, I was amazed at the moderate crowd of people. Even I was more amazed that a few HEARING people, who were not disabled, managed to get into the fair by LYING their way in. They looked a LOT desperate for a job. I watched one employer that took that poor lying SOB down to a level that made the poor desperate seeker look mentally retarded instead being physically disabled. He left the place red faced. How many normal hearing job seekers take to realize that this day is for DISABLED people to try a chance for work? We're all in an economic ditch here. That's where we are equal.

I meet many people: old friends, new friends, all of us looking for work. Some have told me that they're looking to change jobs due to various reasons. I can understand those very much. Common reasons when I asked why? 1. stress levels. 2. pay rates. I feel bad for them. But wished them the best of luck in the job hunt.

One woman, I won't name who, was talking to me and she said (after I handed her my business card), that I looked like I "stand out in the crowd and must be very popular with a lot of friends". That was the one moment that I had to pull her out of the job fair, sat down with her, and had a long 15 minutes of laughs that was one of the best I've ever heard in years. I was amazed that this "pick-up" line was used on me for the first time in my life. But, I managed to recover and thank her for that. Though I try NOT to stand out. I'm more made for the theater stage (which is where I should be with Tom Neville. ). But having a lot of friends? Well, let me say this. I do have a SMALL LOYAL group of friends in my life. I'm very thankful to have them. But those of who I knew back in High School, NTID, and Gallaudet were friends, but not the kind of friends that want to know me AFTER school days. So that's life. But I did thank her very much. I asked her to keep in touch via e-mail and who knows.. maybe something good will happen for me down the road. But, I wouldn't surprise me if she didn't.

So, going back to the job fair, I managed to meet some several employers who were interested in me. One actually pointed out that I had a glaring omission on my work history. *Red faced time* But that's ok. Simple mistakes can be corrected. I'm hope to talk to this employer on the 'net as well.

I went to one both of the former company I worked for before. It was more of a *professional respect call*. But, the staffer and I both knew that the company won't help me. Life goes on. That's the way things happen. I am looking for a better opportunity in this life. I believe good things will happen soon.

Afterwards, I dropped my friend off the bus stop and rode on over to a friend's home for an overnite stay. Just too tired to take the drive back to PA. I hate driving in the dark. My friend, Waldo, had a hot tub as well. His was new and he said, "I want to go hot tubbing in the back yard with you tonight". I looked at Waldo and he looked like he had just stepped off the cliff. I asked him: "Are you insane? It's 30* outside and it is snowing a bit. We'd be lunatics out there". Never the less, he persisted. So I gave in and grabbed my swim shorts. Just look at two grown men, sitting in a hot tub that looks like an outdoor boiling pit in the cold winter November air. Steam was rising and it was an experience I won't forget. Cold air on my head/shoulders, warm hot water on the lower part of my body. It was amazing. Would I do this outside hot tub experience again? Uhh.. give me an outside building that has the hot tub with a privacy curtain and then we'll talk business. :-D

I finally got home in PA. It's cold here. But for my friends in NY and other parts of the nation, they said it's not only is cold, but it snowed. Ahh.. we're back to winter early. I was thinking that was going to happen early this year. Which means, soon I'll have to drag my snow blower out and start throwing snow again. One tweak of the engine and *EAT YER HEART OUT TIM ALLEN!* (cha-boom.. there goes a snow ball! whoops.. it just hit wilson's house! *run away!*)

Well, it's a week to dark Friday. That is the FIRST DAY of Christmas shopping. Malls and various places have already put up Christmas decorations and some have Santas coming in early. But, shopping for Christmas this year isn't going to be pretty. Economically, people are trying to save money in this challenge of a time of our lives. We're all not in the mood to celebrate Christmas. Even the retailers realize this.

But I would say that this should be our year that we should have Thanksgiving first and giving God praise that we've have many things to be Thankful for in our lives. So, whatever happens, be ready for a nice holiday season this year.

So, till next time. Semper FI.