I haven’t posted here in a while, mostly because the week has been so overwhelming. First, my mother, niece and nephew came to visit for a few days. It seems my niece, age six, really wanted to see the liberty bell, and being the Philadelphia relative, I was most able to fulfill this request:

My brother was to join us, but weather dealt his schedule a blow, and he didn’t make it. Needless to say, I was anxious to see my mother and find out how she was doing. She didn’t say much, and wore long sleeves the entire time, so I don’t feel as though I got much more information, but at least she seems be doing well, though even more tired than usual. I’m worried that the mental strain, as well as the physical abuse from my mentally ill sister in law, are taking a toll that will be difficult to rectify.

This alone has been overwhelming – I’m falling farther behind in my duties for the quaker meeting, as well as for the scouts. Work has taken a turn for the worse, if that is even possible. The customer who has been paying for my time while not giving us any work has decided they only need three bored people instead of four, so I am the odd man out, and not only have nothing to do, but no one willing to pay for me to do nothing. I hope we will find more work, but I don’t really know if my company will survive the year, let alone keep me employed.

With the administration’s trickle-down economic failure, combined with industry’s desire to spend any trickle-down effects in India rather than at home, I don’t know what will be available for a 50 year old computer programmer. I’m sure that means nothing to the demi-gods of haliburton, the Bush-league leaders of the country, and their friends, but it does to me.

In general, I’m feeling beat-down, and pessimistic about the future.

On the upside, I’ve brewed some damn fine beers lately. I’ve finely found a yeast, and the techniques, to make Flander’s Red and Oud Bruin style ales, so there is at least a little hope for me.