We Won!!!

My son's Pinewood Derby car won 1st place for his Den and almost took 3rd place for the pack overall (bad luck ruled out heats where his car was 1st place, another car kept flying off the track, so they threw out those results and he ended up not taking 3rd place). But it was a good day overall and we're going off to the District races on April 30th!

Pinewood Derby Car!

Here's my cubscout with his Pinewood Derby entry. It's our first time at the Derby, so while we don't expect to win, we at least wanted to look good.

Robert Reich Just Calls It Like It Is.

I love reading Robert Reich. Why can't we have more of this!?!?

What's Good For Wall Street Ain't Necessarily Good For You

Look at this, in the New York Times. I've been thinking this for a while now.

As I Have Suspected

I haven't been reading the Cab Drollery blog in a while. It's an excellent blog and this tid bit, while no surprise to me, is depressing.

Lower Expectations

The past year has been a sea-change for me and my family. Recently I had the one year anniversary of my lay-off from my last job. It is an anniversary I view with mixed emotion because on one hand I knew I wasn't going to stay with that company, there was no way that would be tolerated and on the other hand, it represented a zenith in my compensation. I do not believe I will ever make that kind of money again as a staff programmer with the current skill-set I possess. This past year has been a difficult one in many ways and liberating in others. It is the liberation of lower expectations. I now take much more delight in simple things. My son, who is really at heart, kind of an outdoorsy kid, will get to enjoy some camping. Something that I never did as a kid except in the backyard with a pup tent. So, it will be something to try. Also more use of the boat and 'camping' on it. One of my Xmas gifts was a nice twin inflatable mattress that I hope we can use for the cockpit of the boat so the three of us can overnight on it. I'm looking forward to it.