faulker009

Whether I choose to believe it or not, there really has been a whole lot of good to come out of my unemployment. There’s... and of course.. and who could forget... Ok, but seriously folks. There is nothing more special or important than the opportunity I have had to spend the quality time with my family. I'm sure they are tired of me, but they realize I am fragile and they won't say it. Perhaps my most lasting memory of this most miserable episode will be this blog. It has connected me with so many wonderful people I have never met and re-connected me with so many lifelong friends I had lost contact with. When I started writing this blog, I really planned on keeping it to myself. I’m not sure if I was insecure about the quality of my writing or embarrassed of what my life had become, but after a couple of entries, I started changing my tune. Not only was I proud of the way I was writing, but I was really proud of what I was writing. To quote the great Canadian poet Brya...

Let’s face it, we all just want to be loved. Whether its a spouse, a boss, a secret admirer or 50+ French-Canadians we’ve never met before. We all just want to be loved. Well, I officially feel loved. Thanks to Nicolas’ article in La Presse Saturday, I will never have to buy my own Pomme Frites at a Trois-Rivieres Junior Hockey game again. Chicoutimi could be another story. I have been absolutely blown away by the incredible response from our friends to the north. From sweet Murielle, who sent me a beautiful note, all in French (a language unfortunately I do not speak), to my new buddy Martin, who just wanted to wish me luck and courage. The overwhelming message is very clear -- I am not alone. When Mylene tells me that her husband lost his job in 2009. Check. And he is 42. Check. And they’ve been together for 15 years. Check. I am reminded again that my story is one that connects with others. And then she says that I am now one of her favorites. I melted. Or h...

I think I'm in love. I know I am married, but with my wife more than 1,500 miles away, I just met someone very special. Her name is New York, as in New York City. I've visited her many times before, actually MANY times before, but I've never seen her look so beautiful. Maybe it was the possibility of getting a job there. Maybe it was my hotel in the heart of the city. Maybe it was the two-plus days of less-than-miserable winter weather, but whatever it was, she was perfect. As Joan Jett once said, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." I love walking around Times Square at 10:00am AND 10:00pm. I love eating a slice of pizza at midnight. I love buying chestnuts, which were really roasted on an open fire, from a street vendor. I love riding the subway. I love the accents -- and nobody loves a New York accent, not even New Yorkers. I love the many options for your morning paper, and I bought them all. I love the 2-for-1 ticket booth for Broadway plays, w...

For the last 15 months, my therapist has learned a lot about me. This week, I learned something about her. She likes buying books from amazon.com. Big books, little books, new books, old books. Just books. This week, she showed me a used book that she purchased called, “I Believe in You”. Based on the title, I’m guessing its pretty inspirational, but we never made it to page one. On the inside of the front cover was a handwritten note from a man to his daughter, dated Christmas 2000. Kelly, 24 things to always remember and 1 thing to never forget. your presence is a present to the world you're unique and one of a kind your life can be what you want it to be take the days just one at a time count your blessings, not your troubles you’ll make it through whatever comes along within you are so many answers understand, have courage, be strong don’t put limits on yourself so many dreams are waiting to be realized decisions are too important to leave...