DadJack.com Blog

I know I wrote a few blogs on hope about 4 years ago when the last Presidential election was kicking off.  (Don’t get excited my red state friends, this is not going to be an Obama bashing post…  There are plenty of other places you can find those.)  My personal situation is not that different than it was during that last election period… Unemployed.  What has changed is my perception of hope… or the lack of it.  There has been a drastic deterioration in my “hope.”

I have been unemployed 2 of the last 4 years (I know, shut up, I’ve already complained about this), so I’m currently right about where I was 4 years back… the difference is my level of hope.  I used to still hope I could find a job in radio.  I used to hope that someday I may be able to actually better my situation.  I used to hope that things would get better for us all in general.  Now I hope I can pay my bills.  That things won’t get any worse.  That I’ll find a job that won’t require  another massive pay cut.

My only hope is that things are better for my and your kids… I hope by the time they graduate college there are some good opportunities for them. (Especially since they’ll have to support their Dad! Only joking!)

To help to restore some faith I have tried to do some good.  I volunteer at the kids school (which is actually pretty fun!)  and Stench and I are going to jail… But it’s for a good cause!  We will be locked up to help MDA …  Yes, Stench is my cellmate, I guess I’ll have to rough him up and make him my b***h!

I had a great time Friday night hanging with some of the pod peeps at Champ’s in Burbank… Although the service was horrible!  I’d say avoid it if you’re looking for a cold one in Burbank!  I recommend The Snug (drinks only, no food), The Hollywood Way (for food and drink), Gordon Biersch (food and drink), The Tallyrand (breakfast and drinking with old people), Mo’s (small bar, great food) and Tony’s Darts away (currently the hip spot in Burbank – food -beer and wine only).

I was originally bummed about Halloween being on a Monday this year, but it has made it possible for lots of cool stuff to happen on the weekend.  Some ideas: Enchanted Hallow’ Eve at the Eco Station, Boo at the L.A. Zoo, Mickey’s Halloween party at Disneyland, All About Pumpkins at The Underwood Family Farm, The Harvest Festival at Pierce College, The Anaheim Fall Festival and Parade and tons of other great events!

Have a great Monday! Rock on, Jack

I was reading an interview with Bill Clinton in Esquire magazine, And something he said really struck me.  In response to question about the state of mind of the American people in the 90′s he said: ” …I think what breaks people is not adversity; what breaks people is thinking that tomorrow is going to be just like yesterday.  That’s what’s numbing – if you think you can’t change, you can’t be better.”

Do you feel tomorrow… The next day… Next year will be better?  I hope it is, but I am not one of those people that can fool myself into believing something.  I have never known in my lifetime a time so crappy for so many people…  It cuts across every occupation, education level and skill.  You look at how things have changed and it is very difficult to see things going back to the time when we thought we could move up in our jobs… Heck, just not worry about keeping them (for those of you who have jobs).

I’m not trying to be a downer, or spread doom and gloom… I just feel that “hope” that America seemed to have during the election fading… And we all knew it would, reality would have to set in at sometime.

I have been told so many times that you have to keep hope alive, have faith.  And I have tried it… I had hope in my 20′s, faith in my photography skills… But the industry was destroyed by digital photography, no amount of hope could have changed that.  I put the same effort into radio with very similar results in my 30′s. And let’s not forget marriage… Another hopeless endeavor that failed and was beyond my hope and control.

I think we need a sign, some sort of indication that things will be better.  We will have jobs that are secure and pay decently, the world will stop collapsing around us and actually start to re-build, that the worry and suffering of so many will be minimized (I know it is impossible to get rid of).  And it doesn’t need to be complicated… Seeing my friends get back to work, have houses, health insurance, a little extra money, would be the perfect sign.

Anyway, enough of that.  Lucy was feeling better and went back to school today… Which always makes me feel better.  I went for a long walk today, from my house to the Burbank Mall… I like to wonder through the old ‘hood.  BBQ’d some turkey burgers and veggies for lunch… Just trying to take advantage of this summer like weather, it’ll be gone before we know it.  Do you know what you’re going to be for Halloween?  Bing (a.k.a. Bowling Girl) wants to be a dragon or a strawberry and Lucy wants to be a shark or Lisa Simpson… And I’ll be a huge, gay Teletubby!  Still camped out at Panera, my apartment building seriously sucks… If you want to live in the NoHo area I suggest you live anywhere else!

Last night on the CRN show we learned that Tomas lives with his Ex and her new boyfriend (who we named Ted)… I thought my life was messed up!  We’re trying to make things better for him… On tomorrows Pod we try and find him a mate, We’re good friends!

Crime and Grime fighters.  I’m not a fan of the guy, but no parent should have to go through this.  Congrats Tommy.  Priest’s love strippers. Hey, we’re number 63!  Dog fighting and daycare don’t mix.  Guess what the “C” in KFC stands for?  Some things are better left to professionals!  Having trouble counting?  Balls kill!

Rock On, Jack

Sunset From My Table at Panera