Greetings,
I hope all is well with you and yours.
As you can see by my output here (or lack thereof) I don't blog often. I have always thought myself more an Analog than Digitally oriented man and thereby I take some minor pride in avoiding social media except whereas it is needed for work or professional networking.
In the last few years I have undergone some radical changes in my life. Six years ago, I owned a condo, had two cars, many friends, a great-paying job and was able to travel to Brazil at least twice a year.
Now, I live in a small efficiency apartment, drive an older though, thus far, dependable vehicle, have no friends and work two jobs to make ends meet. One of these jobs has each of the last four years had a terminating contract which places me each June in the unenviable position of not knowing where my next pay check will come from.
Four years ago I lived in Houston, Texas and I had been a resident of the city for nearly 30 years. I loved Houston and miss it terribly. Now I live in Raleigh, NC and while this is a lovely city and state with many positives, it still doesn't feel like home to me. Five years ago I was able to visit Rio de Janeiro twice sometimes even three times a year; now I can only dream of visiting that marvelous city as my two salaries leave no margin for exotic vacations.
All things considered, I could be worse off. I know that there are hundreds if not thousands of people my age who are unable to find work of any kind and must depend on government programs or charities for food and shelter. I certainly do have a perspective on Life and realize that things could be worse...even much worse.
All that stated, I am not about having a "pity party", rather I am constantly seeking ways to achieve a better life. I have been writing and hoping that soon I will be able to publish a work that will begin my career as a professional author. I am exploring ways to once again travel, if not to Brazil then closer to home where I can enjoy a change of scenery and local cuisine.
Lately, I have been selling off some of my cherished collectibles on eBay. And as much as it hurts to part with things I have owned for 30-plus years..they are, after-all, just things and at least I have them to sell and then convert them into funds that will pay rent, or bills or buy food.
Halfway into 2016 and I am facing challenges both personal, and financial but I am always hopeful. Recently, it appears that I have landed a new job which will start in August; between now and then, my boss at my part-time church job is giving me two weeks of full-time work to help cover my bills, and in July I have 16 days of part-time work in the Wake County Public Schools summer school session and after that it appears that I may become the technologist for a brand new school which opens in August. The principal of this new school has told me she wants to have me as her site technology support...I hope that she is able to swing that...if not then I will likely be an instructional aide at that school.
In the last six years three cities have had major influence on my day to day...and even though it seems that two of those cities are at present in my rear view...I always have thoughts of taking a wide u-turn and returning to them.
So, there you have it. It's funny how Life can take turns that you least expect but as Elton John sings, "I'm still standing".
