faulker009

Yesterday I completed my seven-week freelance job. The first real job I’ve had in over a year. What’s nice is it brought in a couple of bucks. It gave me a chance to make TV again. But most of all, it reminded me that I STILL GOT IT. The shows I produced are the best I’ve produced in the last 20 months. Ok, they are the only shows I’ve produced in the last 20 months. But all jokes aside, I’m really proud of what I just did. While the subject matter didn’t really interest me, I rolled up my boots (if that is possible) and put together some very entertaining TV. Self-confidence has never been an issue with me. And neither has over-confidence. I know what I can do, I know what I do well, but you won’t ever see me struttin around like Vinnie Barbarino. Confidence is such a weird thing. If you don’t have enough, that’s a problem. If you have too much, that’s a real problem. The challenge is finding that perfect bowl of porridge. When I was working, at the peak of my day, there was nothing t...

Even though my recent three-day retreat with my daughter’s class felt like a vacation at times, as one of about a dozen chaperones, there was definitely work to be done. There was making sure the kids cleaned their plates and cleaned their tables at every meal. There was making sure that our group got to every assignment on time. And of course, we needed to make sure EVERYBODY had a good attitude and a good time. I didn’t say it was hard work, but a job is a job.   Especially these days. But perhaps my greatest responsibility was being the voice of reason, along with one other parent, as we shared a cabin with seven 7th grade boys, ages 12-13. And we were really tough.   Well, not really. LIGHTS OUT AT 9:00PM!!!     Ok, 11. YOU NEED TO SHOWER!!!   Unless you don’t want to. WOULD YOU TALK LIKE THAT IF YOUR DAD WAS HERE? Surprisingly, of the 25 or so boys that came on the trip, not one of their dads joined them. Those working people really have it tough. All of ...

It was the great 21st century poet, Destiny Hope Cyrus who once spoke of The Climb.   You may know her better as Miley, but it’s very clear that she has really connected with the plight of the unemployed: My faith is shaking but I got to keep trying, got to keep my head held high... the struggles I’m facing, the chances I’m taking, sometimes might knock me down, but no, I’m not breaking. Like many of the millions out of work these days, I have lived and died and lived through this most miserable rotation of highs and lows. Just when you think your destiny is out of hope, some small sign comes your way giving you another lead to chase. Today it was an email from my good friend Jon. Attached to the note was a new job posting. Being that Jon is happily employed, his only goal was to help me and help me he did. His note gave me more of an energy boost than the Americano at Starbucks. Within minutes, I applied online... emailed somebody I know, not very well, at that company... fo...