HO Friggin HO HO

[Ken G]

Nothing says Happy Holidays like finishing off your Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings a couple of days before Christmas.

The process actually started 3 years ago after shutting down my canoe shop and having half it's debt roll over to personal debt. Getting divorced back then didn't help.

Getting remarried was nice. Having her die on me twice and then almost die on me twice more till she got fixed was no fun. Puts a strain on finances. She's good now.

Then who the hell saw the collapse of the graphics industry coming. Especially if you're over 50. Heed this oh young graphics brethren, get the hell out by your 40th birthday. You'll be useless after that.

I'm healthy, broke but healthy. That's a good thing.

Job prospects look like shit, but I am waiting for an answer on one that will have me moving to the driftless area of Wisconsin. If it happens. I'm not holding my breath. It would be along the Kickapoo River, near the other 100 miles or so of trout streams that feed the Kickapoo. I could live with that.

If any out there believes in prayer, He is obviously deaf to mine, put in a good word for me, will ya?

How's that for a Christmas letter, eh? Oh wait, the perfunctory pictures. . .









Di doesn't like her picture taken. I think she's cute, picture cute.

Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate. I personally like the word Kwanzaa. It just sounds happy. So I'm celebrating Kwanzaa.

[Cory]

Damn Ken. You make me want to drink the Koolaide.

I have been sending positive thoughts your way on the job front. Send my best to you and your family. Keep on trucking and maybe we can actually get you to "walk on the ice" or maybe you and I and Ed can hit a wwd and share some stories this week.

[Ken G]

The only way I'll walk on ice is if it has a layer of concrete beneath it.

I was thinking about the shit plant. They're talking snow the next couple of days. It's actually beautiful along that stretch in the snow.

I'm building an oak railing next week in another house my landlord owns. Working off some rent I'm behind on. Not sure what my schedule is going to be.

I had prospects of working for Crate and Barrel come January, but that looks like it's now being put off to some time in February. Since they're in Northbrook, it would require me moving up your way.

I'm hoping and wishing for the Wisconsin job.

If those fall through, I'm heading for Puerto Rico and will take whatever I can find.

Thanks Cory. Put rum in the Koolaid, it's not that bad.

[Special Ed]

I think Ken needs a hug. ()o()

Oh wait, that looks like a butthole,...... meh, what's the difference?



I feel for ya Ken, and you know I am in your corner. Job woes are hanging heavily upon the freinds and families in my social circle as well. If I can't finish up school soon and make something of my degree, I'll be right behind you on filing for forgiveness, school aint cheap.


I never put away my waders, they have been calling to me everytime I walk past them and grab the short rods. Maybe they deserve a Christmas present too.

[Ken G]

I just heard some idiot say that the reason gas prices shot up recently was because the recession is over and gas companies are taking advantage of the situation.

Really, the recession is over?

The next 18 month foreclosure rate is going to make the last 18 months look like a warm up.

I don't know anyone in and around my age that lost their job and got another one at the same pay rate.

I know few that have lost full time jobs and are now working full time.

That being said, those with secure jobs are doing fine. They just whine because the price of things have gone up and their play money is being eaten up.

The best thing that could happen is for real estate to collapse to late 60's levels. Real estate is the culprit behind the skewed cost of everything. Was talking to my dad about this. He paid $23,500 for his house. Was making $6.50 an hour. His mortgage was less than $200 per month. With a little bit of overtime, he was doing fine.

Now, if you're lucky you can find a job paying $15 an hour. Average house is around $200,000. Means your chance of getting one is pretty much zero.

I hear in the last few years manufacturing jobs have disappeared by the millions. Manufacturing relies on cheap labor. You can't have cheap labor and high real estate values without a total collapse of one or the other. Most likely both. Which is happening now.

I give it 3 years. We are in a depression, not a recession. It's going to get worse.

At least in Puerto Rico I can live under a bridge and not freeze to death.

And they have Peacock Bass in the inland lakes.

[Fishin Musician]

Well, This certainly has been up lifting read!!!! First off I will pray for you all, My wife has been out of work since September and even though she is a RN. worked in intensive care neo- natal has a lactation specialty, and worked in pediatric clinics for the last 10 years.... No jobs. Oh, I forgot to mention she is 55 years young as well, I am sure that is not a factor in her finding work. Seems like there could be work with nursing homes but she is dealing with her sickly mom and since she is our last parent left, it doesn't seem like the right choice after watching three of our parents dying in the last decade. You mentioned play money Ken, and the sad thing is if you don't have A LOT of it you can't even play the game of life!!! As sick as I can get in thought and despair there is enough fish and game around here to sustain a family if things go south, just as long as you dont mind getting your hands a bit messy plucking geese and skinning deer. The prayer thing has helped because I see how futile all the anxiety and worry is in this life, we have all gotten this far and I know WE all know people who have or have had it so worse. So, MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU ALL, keep the powder dry and the hooks sharp. KEVIN

[Ken G]

Well, This certainly has been up lifting read!!!!

That's the depressing Polock in me coming out. For the most part, I'm in a decent mood. Lot's on my mind.

Your wife isn't the first RN to hit that snag. Ran into a few others where age was the factor. When they were offered jobs, it was at 25% less than what they making.

It's odd, I stop and just start chatting it up with people about these things. Like I have some kind of research thing going on. Amazing what you find out. People want to vent, I guess I'm a good sympathetic ear.

Really though, Merry Christmas everyone. I plan on eating myself into a stupor.

[Rob P]

A buddy called me today to say he finally got work.
He's been off for 2 years.
Its only 3 months term but its better than nothing and has possibility for more time.
I was thrilled for him.
He said his wife cried when she got the news.

He's not alone by a long shot.
3 months is forever for him.

I can't remember ever having this many friends out of work.
union and professional career guys.
unbelievable conditions and i also agree its no way close to being over..

its hitting closer to home for us.
My sister in law is out of work so we're helping my nephew with costs to finish college.
we wouldn't let him drop out to get a job and help out.
My inlaws and my parents are all on fixed incomes.
They talk routinely about less income, rising costs, and no rainbow in sight.
Can't sell their homes to downsize since all the values are in the shitter.
Plus neighborhood has foreclosures 50% less within a block..
How do you compete with that?!

Not a pretty picture for everyones future.

I don't believe the hype that its coming to an end with brighter days.
All BS from Washington Dc and Springfield, IL..
I plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Recession will be over when i say it is.

Ken
things will work out.
Wisconsin home values should be better than chicago.

praying things get better.

one good thing.
I saw gas for $3.55 in Chicago.
god help those bastards!
Only when it hits $4 will we see any change.

[ThunderStick]

A real recovery wont happen until the housing market bottoms out.

Doesnt look like thats happened yet.

ANd it doesnt appear to be in sight.

[Bob P.]

Ken,
Will pray that you get that job offer. Driftless area is some really beautiful country. And i think brook trout are just gorgeous looking fish.

I can sympathize with you and everyone else here on the economic disaster. I'm in the construction industry and in my late 50's. A double whammy for sure. In '09 i worked 7 months, and 2010 i very luckily worked 10 months. Just got laid-off last week. Problem is, the next 6 months look more bleak than the last 2 years have. The only real work out there in my field is happening at select colleges, medical facilities, and the very occasional municipal building. The residential and privately funded commercial areas are literally dead in the water. All of this with no real end in site.

With one son still 3 semesters away from finishing college, the immediate future looks pretty scary indeed.

Don't have any real answers. Our so-called elected officials at all levels of government have been placed there to supposedly help to make our lives better. It has become my firm belief that all of them(regardless of which side of the proverbial isle they sit) have forgotten some very basic, yet profound ideas. I don't think our founding fathers intended for any of those elected positions to become life-long careers.

They are all blind to the simple fact that it isn't or shouldn't be about them. As President Lincoln so eloquently stated, this is supposed to be a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people". I guess in todays world, you're only included as part of the "people" if you are very upper middle class, wealthy, or a politician.

I think the time is long overdue for a "restructuring" of all levels of our government. We need people in office who are truely committed to working together. Not just constantly forcing either their own personal aggenda or that of their parties. I can't bear to watch or hear the constant mud-slinging and finger pointing any longer.

I guess i just need to sell everything; move somewhere rather remote; and do the "Jerimiah Johnson" thing. lol


Anyway, good luck Ken. I will continue to pray for all of us who are troubled right now. Hopefully the new year will somehow look brighter.

C. P. R.

Bob P.