Beginnings and Endings
I'm not so sure the vacation is a success, except that I seem to be making up for being behind on my sleep. Maybe that's because it's still been a very stressful time. I'm still anxious for all the election hoo-hah to be over--and yet I jumped at the opportunity to stand in the sun all day to attend an Obama rally last Thursday. It was amazing in many ways, not the least of which was the demonstration of unity and power in our community. Whipped as I was at the end of the day, it was a much-needed infusion of optimism.
As today is The Day, I admonish everyone to get out and vote. Take your kids. Wear sunblock. Take plenty of water, if not a picnic basket (we voted over a week ago and missed those long lines, but standing in line with 12,000 people to see That One taught me something). Take the little old lady next door who can't drive herself. This election is making history and we should all claim our spot in it.
I find myself wondering just how the promised measures to discourage offshoring will affect our fields. I suspect it's too late to undo because the big nationals are already so established outside the US and are raking in the big bucks. Lose the rest of their "high-priced" American MTs and that would probably offset any penalties they might pay. . . On the other hand, I do believe sanctions will help stem the bleeding in general, as well as many of the other specifics for revitalizing US-based business. With GM's profits down 45% and Ford's announcement they're down 30% on the heels of the massive (and misguided) bank bailout, it isn't looking good for the economy. Will MT wages fall even further? Will they still be able to treat us like peons because we're so desperate for income of any kind? I hate to speculate, but I'm starting to think the survivalists might have the right idea. . .
As if this wasn't enough, I've also had family angst to contend with. For months, my daughter has been threatening to move across the country to join her boyfriend and become an adult. Suddenly, their plans came to fruition and I had only a week to gird my loins for it. As excited as I am for her, it was bittersweet to send her through that security gate to a far-off place, knowing I will hardly see her again. My kids and I have been joined at the hip forever, and my baby's flown the nest. Luckily, I got home and found she had left a disaster in almost every room of the house, so that took the edge off my sorrow. Bad enough when I don't have energy to keep up with housework, but it will be easier when I don't have someone working at cross purposes. (My kitchen counter has been crumb-free for days, and I am astounded at how many bath towels I have, now that they're not all in a damp pile in her bedroom.)
Sad as I am, this signals adulthood for both of us. She will finally get a job, go to school, and pay her own bills. (I suspect the toilet paper expense alone will be an eye opener.) I will finally be free to focus on my post-divorce reclamation of my life, start treating myself to luxuries (for me, this could be something as extravagant as new underwear. . .), and hopefully, put the hammer down on my CTR coursework before it kills me. I'm reluctant to look further ahead than that, but in general, am expecting to have to deal with an internship, certification testing, new job, a move, and (goddess help me) maybe even two-person sex again in this lifetime.
LOL--only I would fritter away a vacation fretting about things. Here's hoping tomorrow I feel a burst of enthusiasm and am ready to hit the future head on.
Now--go vote!