WOW, I have not been away from my blog this long since I started blogging so many years ago. What has kept me away so long?
In a word.. WORK! Lots of work crammed into not enough time.
The ongoing financial crisis is global and it has affected many in a negative way. It has not spared me although I think I have a handle on it.
My workplace has had a severe drought of activity which has lasted over a year now. Lay-offs have decimated the company's workforce and we, the blessed working survivors, are trying to be the modern day gods of productivity now that some semblance of economic activity has gradually returned.
In short, activity is up but no new hires!
I guess that's why they call it a "jobless recovery".
If you have ever left your house and had that nagging feeling that you left the back door wide open or left the gas on, you know how I feel each day when I'm driving home from work.
What have I left undone and will it be a problem?
I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm just wondering how wide spread this condition is? If it is widespread, what are the implications concerning the state of mind of all those maxed-out, stressed-out workers out there?
I can't help thinking that there will be some lasting changes even after the economy recovers.
This prolonged state of workplace anxiety must be having some kind of effect on those who truly believe that the buck does stop with them. There is a well known workplace maxim that "if you want something done give the job to the busiest worker".
Where is that busiest worker's breaking point?
Should we be concerned?
I've read someplace that a prolonged state of stress and anxiety in an entrapped environment can cause permanent changes in the way our brains function with results that may irreversably alter one's state of mind. Posttraumatic stress disorder does not present itself on 100% of combat veterans but with the few that it does, the suffering goes on for a very long time with devastating effects on themselves and their loved ones.
Time will tell if this C-PTSD will play out in the same percentile of workers that are asked to do the impossible as in those combat troops.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Friday, October 09, 2009
Obama... Nobel Laureate?
I really thought it was a joke.
I heard that the Nobel Peace prize was actually awarded 12 days after BHO took office. He hadn't even warmed the chair in the oval office yet and already he is bestowed this honor. This jaw-dropping move by the Norwegian parliamentarians enforces what I have been saying all along. Our new president is stealthily following a course which will turn our nation into a socialist one ala EU. Those EU politicians voted not for what Obama did but what he will, they hope, in time deliver. Massive government with a stifling choke-hold on the economy that will secure a more socialist and anti-capitalist mindset in the populace. Thus steering our nation into a kind of economic malaise typically found in the EU and other left- of-center governments.
Their action of awarding this prize seems to be a direct political intrusion by way of a foreign entity to lobby and influence a sitting POTUS to form and make decisions regarding foreign policy. The award has actually "cheapened" the value and symbolic worthiness of the prize.
I know that some readers might scoff at my insistence that BHO is a closet socialist.
The proof? here's just a few:
*His gift of bailing out the auto makers union with stimulus money.
*His backing of freer rules of unionizing procedures.
*His sacking of a corporate CEO. Govt meddling in private industry, a first by a president, ever!
*His obvious support, despite waffling rhetoric, about a "public health option" which everyone knows, will over time, kill off the private insurance industry due to its inherent competitive edge (gvt financed non-profit).
Yes, even his ardent supporters who were convinced he is a "centrist" are now readily admitting his far left leaning (AKA socialist) agenda.
If you're like me and want to see actual enforcement of the laws on the books by our public employees instead of their ignoring them and blaming their shortfalls on the free enterprise system, start to vote accordingly. Let's not throw out the system that made this nation the most prosperous, free, educated and powerful to ever have existed in human history.
Remember to vote the "career political" bums out next election regardless of party affiliations.. I just hope it's not too late.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Travel Log # 13 Copenhagen to Reykjavik to Boston
Monday, June 29, 2009
Our flight leaves at 2PM. Big breakfast in the hotel followed by a lot of careful packing due to all the gifts we bought.
Today is Linda's birthday but we'll be traveling most of the day. Linda did some more shopping at the duty-free shoppes in the airport to get rid of most of our remaining Danish Kronen. She bought a lot of liquor and other small items.
The flight back did not seem as long and I guess it's because we were both ready t come home after all this time.
Our little puppy Remy was literally shrieking with joy when we arrived. It practically brought tears to my eyes. We just could not calm him down for the longest time.
It was good to be home again.
Our flight leaves at 2PM. Big breakfast in the hotel followed by a lot of careful packing due to all the gifts we bought.
Today is Linda's birthday but we'll be traveling most of the day. Linda did some more shopping at the duty-free shoppes in the airport to get rid of most of our remaining Danish Kronen. She bought a lot of liquor and other small items.
The flight back did not seem as long and I guess it's because we were both ready t come home after all this time.
Our little puppy Remy was literally shrieking with joy when we arrived. It practically brought tears to my eyes. We just could not calm him down for the longest time.
It was good to be home again.
Travel Log #12 Copenhagen
Sunday, June 28, 2009
After a big hearty breakfast, courtesy of the hotel, we had the whole day free to do as we please. This is the last full day here in Europe and we decided to do some serious souvenir shopping.
The first thing we noticed is that a lot of young people are wearing black T-shirts with the words Michael Forever printed in white. We assumed this meant that Michael Jackson had met his demise and it turned out to be the case.
We stopped at an open air flea market nearby and then went shopping downtown.
There were a lot of high school graduates riding around in open air trucks everywhere and making noise and being rowdy but all in good fun.
In the evening we visited the world famous Tivoli Gardens. It is a very old (the oldest?)continuous amusement/ entertainment/ flower gardens/ light show park situated right in the middle of the city. We ate dinner there (a bit pricey but good food). There were some orchestras and music bands playing at different venues. When it got dark, what seemed like tens of thousands of colored lights came on everywhere. It was very festive, indeed.
After a big hearty breakfast, courtesy of the hotel, we had the whole day free to do as we please. This is the last full day here in Europe and we decided to do some serious souvenir shopping.
The first thing we noticed is that a lot of young people are wearing black T-shirts with the words Michael Forever printed in white. We assumed this meant that Michael Jackson had met his demise and it turned out to be the case.
We stopped at an open air flea market nearby and then went shopping downtown.
There were a lot of high school graduates riding around in open air trucks everywhere and making noise and being rowdy but all in good fun.
In the evening we visited the world famous Tivoli Gardens. It is a very old (the oldest?)continuous amusement/ entertainment/ flower gardens/ light show park situated right in the middle of the city. We ate dinner there (a bit pricey but good food). There were some orchestras and music bands playing at different venues. When it got dark, what seemed like tens of thousands of colored lights came on everywhere. It was very festive, indeed.
Travel Log # 11 Copenhagen
Saturday, June 27, 2009
As you can see, Linda met up with a Viking who, fortunately for us, was friendly and did not brandish his broadsword at us.
We joined our panoramic city tour at city hall square in the morning and saw all the important sites in and around Copenhagen including Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg castle and of course, "the Little Mermaid".
Later, at 1:30 after lunch, we joined another tour to North Sealand to see the Fredericksborg and Fredensborg castles and also the famous Hamlet (Kronborg) Castle.
As you can see, Linda met up with a Viking who, fortunately for us, was friendly and did not brandish his broadsword at us.
We joined our panoramic city tour at city hall square in the morning and saw all the important sites in and around Copenhagen including Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg castle and of course, "the Little Mermaid".
Later, at 1:30 after lunch, we joined another tour to North Sealand to see the Fredericksborg and Fredensborg castles and also the famous Hamlet (Kronborg) Castle.
Travel Log #10 Hasselt to Brussels to Copenhagen
Friday, June 26, 2009
Since we had to be at the Brussels airport for a flight to Copenhagen at 10 AM and had to turn in our rental there, we had little time to linger in Hasselt. We left early enough but soon ran into rush hour traffic outside Brussels. This caused us a little worry because as we inched along in painstakingly slow traffic we were running out of time fast. After turning in the car at the airport rental office we scurried to our gate and just made our flight with only minutes to spare. The SAS flight was short and Linda was soon in lively conversation with a young gentleman who was seated next to her. He was Danish but was employed in Brussels and spoke excellent English. He turned out to be a fount of interesting information in reference to Danish customs and the history and character of his countrymen. Since Linda's maiden name is Christensen and her father was Danish, the conversation was non-stop until we landed. We had to exchange Euros and dollars for Danish Kronen and this was quickly done inside the airport. Our driver mentioned that the city hall offices would not be open on the weekend so Linda's ancestry research needed to proceed immediately after our hotel check-in. The Hotel First Vesterbro was centrally located within steps from the Tivoli Gardens and City Hall Plaza.
Linda took off after dropping her luggage and took care of her research at city hall. Judging by the uniforms of some of the guests, the hotel is a favorite of crewmembers employed by some of the world's major airlines. Later in the evening, we strolled into the downtown shopping district and enjoyed a leisurely dinner al fresco near City Hall Plaza. It is here that our guided tours will be leaving from tommorow morning. This large open plaza seems to be a gathering place for huge crowds of tourists, mostly young people, who linger and listen to free outdoor music concerts. Short video here...
Since we had to be at the Brussels airport for a flight to Copenhagen at 10 AM and had to turn in our rental there, we had little time to linger in Hasselt. We left early enough but soon ran into rush hour traffic outside Brussels. This caused us a little worry because as we inched along in painstakingly slow traffic we were running out of time fast. After turning in the car at the airport rental office we scurried to our gate and just made our flight with only minutes to spare. The SAS flight was short and Linda was soon in lively conversation with a young gentleman who was seated next to her. He was Danish but was employed in Brussels and spoke excellent English. He turned out to be a fount of interesting information in reference to Danish customs and the history and character of his countrymen. Since Linda's maiden name is Christensen and her father was Danish, the conversation was non-stop until we landed. We had to exchange Euros and dollars for Danish Kronen and this was quickly done inside the airport. Our driver mentioned that the city hall offices would not be open on the weekend so Linda's ancestry research needed to proceed immediately after our hotel check-in. The Hotel First Vesterbro was centrally located within steps from the Tivoli Gardens and City Hall Plaza.
Linda took off after dropping her luggage and took care of her research at city hall. Judging by the uniforms of some of the guests, the hotel is a favorite of crewmembers employed by some of the world's major airlines. Later in the evening, we strolled into the downtown shopping district and enjoyed a leisurely dinner al fresco near City Hall Plaza. It is here that our guided tours will be leaving from tommorow morning. This large open plaza seems to be a gathering place for huge crowds of tourists, mostly young people, who linger and listen to free outdoor music concerts. Short video here...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Travel Log # 9 Antwerpen,Rotterdam & Amsterdam
Thursday, June 25, 2009
We left our hotel in Hasselt early for a day trip in our rental car. The drive took us through Brussels and Antwerpen and into Holland. We encountered a lot of small cars moving very fast on the highways. We also encountered some traffic jams especially near the outer centrums of the large cities.
We stopped in Rotterdam and walked into the central downtown shopping area. Sitting outside in the pedestrian plaza, we enjoyed a good-sized American-style cup of coffee while conversing with a couple of young 20 somethings locals. It was warm and sunny and even the locals were surprised at how pleasant the weather was. There was a large food wagon in the middle of the square that sold french fries in paper cones. I had not seen this since leaving Belgium back when I was just a boy. I asked the two locals where the old historical part of city was and they replied there was none. They then went on to explain that during WWII, the German Luftwaffe bombed this strategic port city day in and day out until there was nothing left standing. Hence, Rotterdam had to be rebuilt from scratch.
After a short stay, we drove further up the coast and made it to Amsterdam in about an hour and a half. Amsterdam is not a car-friendly city as there are few places to park in the heart of the city. Bicycles rule! The majority of the inhabitants we saw were young and the scene resembled that of a university town.
We finally parked the car in the outlying business section and walked about but we were too far away to get to the historic city center. After a momentary scare, we did finally find our way back to our car and decided just to tour the city from our car as it was getting late and we had a long drive back to Hasselt. As usual, we wished we had more time to explore this beautiful old city.
The drive back was long and we stopped at a roadside restaurant in Nederweert just north of the Belgian border. The food was good and plentiful and reasonably priced.
We got back late and exhausted.
We left our hotel in Hasselt early for a day trip in our rental car. The drive took us through Brussels and Antwerpen and into Holland. We encountered a lot of small cars moving very fast on the highways. We also encountered some traffic jams especially near the outer centrums of the large cities.
We stopped in Rotterdam and walked into the central downtown shopping area. Sitting outside in the pedestrian plaza, we enjoyed a good-sized American-style cup of coffee while conversing with a couple of young 20 somethings locals. It was warm and sunny and even the locals were surprised at how pleasant the weather was. There was a large food wagon in the middle of the square that sold french fries in paper cones. I had not seen this since leaving Belgium back when I was just a boy. I asked the two locals where the old historical part of city was and they replied there was none. They then went on to explain that during WWII, the German Luftwaffe bombed this strategic port city day in and day out until there was nothing left standing. Hence, Rotterdam had to be rebuilt from scratch.
After a short stay, we drove further up the coast and made it to Amsterdam in about an hour and a half. Amsterdam is not a car-friendly city as there are few places to park in the heart of the city. Bicycles rule! The majority of the inhabitants we saw were young and the scene resembled that of a university town.
We finally parked the car in the outlying business section and walked about but we were too far away to get to the historic city center. After a momentary scare, we did finally find our way back to our car and decided just to tour the city from our car as it was getting late and we had a long drive back to Hasselt. As usual, we wished we had more time to explore this beautiful old city.
The drive back was long and we stopped at a roadside restaurant in Nederweert just north of the Belgian border. The food was good and plentiful and reasonably priced.
We got back late and exhausted.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Travel Log #8 Genk, Waterschei & Gelieren
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Well, I'm finally back where it all started for me so many years ago. The two places where, as a young boy, I developed an awareness of the world around me.
We left Hasselt and drove the short distance to Gelieren but could not locate the old straw-thatched farmhouse my family left behind to emigrate to the USA when I was just ten years old. Everything was different. After spending what seems like hours driving around and studying maps, we simply could not locate the street called Hoogsij in Gelieren. We then decided to regroup and get our bearings back in Genk and to visit my birthplace and first home in Waterschei in a small coal-mining town called Texas. Unfortunately, Texas was gone! I suspected as much since I used Google Earth and saw only the faint outline of the streets but no buildings. All that was left was a gravel parking lot for a large football (soccer) stadium. I stood at the exact spot where the old house once stood on what was once Fazantstraat #1. We parked the rental car and walked through a small section of woods at the far end of Fazantstraat. I remember many happy days at play here as a child. The mountain of coal tilings, the small pond with lilly pads, and the trail through the woods were still there. It was sunny and warm. There were young children swimming and cavorting in the little pond while others were climbing the mountain which now was overgrown at its crown with trees of every variety. The children looked like they were on a school outing because there were three adults and about 30 children of approximately the same age. We spoke to a caretaker and a couple of local hikers who were happy to share some history about the surroundings. We learned that the little coal mining town was dismantled and removed.
It then was rebuilt as "New Texas' in another location back in the mid-seventies after the coal mines were shut down. After taking a few pieces of coal as mementos from the mountain, we jumped back in the car and made our way to the old railway station on the other side of the stadium. It looked exactly the way I remember it with the same white concrete fence in the picket style and gravel open space in front. We then drove back to downtown Genk where we had lunch in an outside setting and made use of the local laundromat. We then drove back to Gelieren and finally found Hoogsij which is a long winding street. Gelieren is not a town but only a named section of criss-crossing roads. Nothing was familiar. What used to be a very rural area with old farmhouses and wide open fields was now a densely populated street with modern brick homes one after another on both sides. The house that was at the exact number where our old farmhouse stood looked nothing like what I remember. Alas, I guess it is true what they say. You can't go home again. We took some pics at both locations.
For some years before this visit, it was important to me to make this pilgrimage. It was a kind of longing to justify the happy but vague fragments of youthful remembrances. This was supposed to be the centerpiece of this trip. While driving back to Hasselt, I felt a somewhat melancholy and somber mood. I realized then that this place is just a long-lost and faded memory and occupies a much lower prominence in my mind that it had before the trip. Maybe I felt a little disappointed in that there wasn't much left. I am glad, however, that we came to this place even though it is no longer my place.
Well, I'm finally back where it all started for me so many years ago. The two places where, as a young boy, I developed an awareness of the world around me.
We left Hasselt and drove the short distance to Gelieren but could not locate the old straw-thatched farmhouse my family left behind to emigrate to the USA when I was just ten years old. Everything was different. After spending what seems like hours driving around and studying maps, we simply could not locate the street called Hoogsij in Gelieren. We then decided to regroup and get our bearings back in Genk and to visit my birthplace and first home in Waterschei in a small coal-mining town called Texas. Unfortunately, Texas was gone! I suspected as much since I used Google Earth and saw only the faint outline of the streets but no buildings. All that was left was a gravel parking lot for a large football (soccer) stadium. I stood at the exact spot where the old house once stood on what was once Fazantstraat #1. We parked the rental car and walked through a small section of woods at the far end of Fazantstraat. I remember many happy days at play here as a child. The mountain of coal tilings, the small pond with lilly pads, and the trail through the woods were still there. It was sunny and warm. There were young children swimming and cavorting in the little pond while others were climbing the mountain which now was overgrown at its crown with trees of every variety. The children looked like they were on a school outing because there were three adults and about 30 children of approximately the same age. We spoke to a caretaker and a couple of local hikers who were happy to share some history about the surroundings. We learned that the little coal mining town was dismantled and removed.
It then was rebuilt as "New Texas' in another location back in the mid-seventies after the coal mines were shut down. After taking a few pieces of coal as mementos from the mountain, we jumped back in the car and made our way to the old railway station on the other side of the stadium. It looked exactly the way I remember it with the same white concrete fence in the picket style and gravel open space in front. We then drove back to downtown Genk where we had lunch in an outside setting and made use of the local laundromat. We then drove back to Gelieren and finally found Hoogsij which is a long winding street. Gelieren is not a town but only a named section of criss-crossing roads. Nothing was familiar. What used to be a very rural area with old farmhouses and wide open fields was now a densely populated street with modern brick homes one after another on both sides. The house that was at the exact number where our old farmhouse stood looked nothing like what I remember. Alas, I guess it is true what they say. You can't go home again. We took some pics at both locations.
For some years before this visit, it was important to me to make this pilgrimage. It was a kind of longing to justify the happy but vague fragments of youthful remembrances. This was supposed to be the centerpiece of this trip. While driving back to Hasselt, I felt a somewhat melancholy and somber mood. I realized then that this place is just a long-lost and faded memory and occupies a much lower prominence in my mind that it had before the trip. Maybe I felt a little disappointed in that there wasn't much left. I am glad, however, that we came to this place even though it is no longer my place.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Travel Log #7 Paris to Brussels to Hasselt
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We left Paris in the morning on a Thalys train bound for Brussels, Belgium. This was, without a doubt, the most comfortable ride and meal service I ever had. Coffee and breakfast was excellent. When we got to Brussels there was a momentary state of confusion. It was a huge station and we had to hustle and figure out how to find our connecting train to Hasselt. We did, however, after a few miscues. Note: Always check with the conductor to make sure its the right train as some of these trains arrive within minutes of each other on the same track.
The local train was clean and comfortable but almost empty. After about an hour and a half we arrived in Hasselt. Our rental car office was nowhere in sight and after some inquiries we found out that the office was on the other side of town. The bus dispatcher was kind enough to get us on the right bus and had the driver notify us when to get off. The Eorocar office was a short walk from the bus stop and we must have looked odd walking down the side of the highway on the grass with suitcases in tow. We did get new Mercedes MB with a deisel engine which was perfect because we were going to do a lot of touring.
We soon checked into the Holiday Inn on Kattegatstraat. Later, we had a leisurly dinner at the Blue Olive restaurant a few blocks away. It was a warm evening so we dined in the open air section near the street.
The food was great and went well with a couple of bottles of Cristal.
There was a working cigarette machine in the restaurant which was quite a novelty for us as this has been outlawed at home for quite some time now.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Travel Log #6 Paris
Monday, June 22, 2009
We ventured down to the Miromesnil Metro station at the corner and were able to figure out how to get to the Citirama tour office in plenty of time for our excursion.
Our trip began with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral with its huge stained glass windows. It was interesting to tour the interior because it was very crowded with tourists but yet very quite inside. After a sight seeing tour of the Latin Quarter it was time for lunch at the brasserie accross the street from the tour office.
Since we were just across the street, we walked to the Louvre and began an escorted tour. Underneath the building, there were extensive archeological digs which uncovered and preserved the original ancient castle and its many defences.
After spending a short time in the Louvre we took a ride accross town and visited the village of Montmartre with its famous Sacred Heart Bassilica on top of the hill. I am glad we took the funicular up because it is quite a hike to the top. There is a spectacular view of Paris from this high point and a lot of things to see with its famous artists coop and ancient walled vineyard. We did about nine and a half miles of walking up and down cobblestone streets. Thank God for sneakers.
We left the tour around 5 o'clock and took the Metro back to our hotel.
We ventured down to the Miromesnil Metro station at the corner and were able to figure out how to get to the Citirama tour office in plenty of time for our excursion.
Our trip began with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral with its huge stained glass windows. It was interesting to tour the interior because it was very crowded with tourists but yet very quite inside. After a sight seeing tour of the Latin Quarter it was time for lunch at the brasserie accross the street from the tour office.
Since we were just across the street, we walked to the Louvre and began an escorted tour. Underneath the building, there were extensive archeological digs which uncovered and preserved the original ancient castle and its many defences.
After spending a short time in the Louvre we took a ride accross town and visited the village of Montmartre with its famous Sacred Heart Bassilica on top of the hill. I am glad we took the funicular up because it is quite a hike to the top. There is a spectacular view of Paris from this high point and a lot of things to see with its famous artists coop and ancient walled vineyard. We did about nine and a half miles of walking up and down cobblestone streets. Thank God for sneakers.
We left the tour around 5 o'clock and took the Metro back to our hotel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
