It is not the fall that kills you but rather the sudden stop at the bottom!

After 19 years at the same company this wolf finds himself downsized and on the out side looking in. 41 years young, Bachelors Degree, 20 years of experience in corporate life with a wide and varied skillset.....no problem bouncing back right?

Wrong! The job market sucks and the job search process has changed drastically. No longer can you approach a company, resume in hand, and expect a fair chance at getting to speak with someone. Now, a semi-conscious receptionist points to a sign with a web site on it or hands you a business card with the same.

Sites like careerbuilder and monster work the same way. Anonymous applications are now pouring onto HR desks from people (who in a lot of cases) would NEVER have applied the old way. Under-qualified, under-aged, under-everything...but because it is so easy and anonymous..they do it.

The result is a saturation of e-mail boxes and a delution of the job pool. Today it is more luck than anything. Companies are not only accepting resumes ONLY online, but they are not even reading them. The high volume of incoming applicants has forced them to employ software that pre-screens the documents for key words before it is even passed to an HR HUMAN to see..

Wrap your head around that..your entire chance of landing a job with some companies does not lie AT ALL with your skills, experience or talents but rather in your decision to use the correct words when composing your resume.

So.Many talented individuals find themselves in underpaying and less desirable positionsjust to get an income stream of some sort, which then ties up time to find better positions (or at least fill out on-line applications and pray) The position this Ulfric was forced to take fits that mold.

On paper it sounds great. Casual dress code, call center support for select clients. Typical IT atmosphere where things are open and kind of fun and friendly. BUT once you remove a layer or 2 and see the poor pay structure and less people friendly aspects you realize they have to operate that way to keep people at all. You can tell a lot by a companies net nanny. It blocks virtually NOTHING..except job search sites like monster and careerbuilder..

Wanna search porn..go ahead, Gamble..no problem,..Hell we don't mind if you sit around and play WOW when you are not taking a call..but look for a job?..NO!

Rock bottom..I have heard of it, now know what it looks (and feels) like.

For those that do not already know, I would like to announce that on Thursday April 3, 2008 at 3:11 AM my daughter gave birth to my first grandchild.

Cameron Adrian "Camo" Wilson came into the world at an even 7 lbs and with a full head of hair. He was quite the charmer and within moments of being born had won the entire family over.

He already has his kilt (matches Grandpa's), a little flogger and a set of mocs. He is ready for this years MDRF season.

It is the tiniest things that can cause the greatest joy and this is so evidenced by this wonderful little person who has so enriched my life. 

Since beginning the mug business I have never really kept track of the number I have made. I sat down last night looking at pictures and personal mugs and began to count.

I was amazed to realize that the next mug I produce will be the 50th Ulfric mug released into the wild!

I plan to begin numbering them now, starting with # 50. Unfortunatly I will not be able to go back and retro-number the ones already made and I am pretty sure I would get them in the wrong order anyway.

The only one I KNOW would be correct is the mug I currently use at faire, as it is #1! It has some miles on it but I still love it and can't give it up.

Anyone who has one of my mugs and would be interested in knowing the number, drop me an e-mail and I will try to figure out which one you are. I can narrow most of them down pretty close if not exact.

Thanks to all that have helped me hit this milestone!

I am pretty sure that everyone has seen this already, but I would like to mention the AMAZING accomplishment Wednsday of the U.S. Navy.

The U.S.S. Lake Erie knocked down a dying satellite with an SM-3 missle, rupturing the fuel cell WITHOUT using a warhead and causing the target to shatter into small pieces that will burn up on re-entry (and most importantly, burning off the toxic fuel cells contents)

This involved hiting a target roughly the size of a mini van, 130 miles above sea level, travelling at 17,000 mph...let that sink in..22 TIMES the speed of sound!

This is roughly like shooting a BB gun and hitting a baseball fired from a pitching machine about 3 miles away...

A round of Huzzahs for the crew of the Lake Erie and all those involved...

Can't help but think that Puller would have shot it down with an M-1 though..

The United States Marine Corps has decided to reserve the right to honor your wishes!

If the United States is ever invaded by sea or air from the west coast, the front has now been located to Stockton!

You do not want the Corps in your town - FINE! KEEP THAT IN MIND when artillery is sailing over your head from both directions. Make sure you let the invaders know that you are on thier side--I am sure that will help keep your head attached to your shoulders!

Berkley has made it official, they no longer desire to be under the protection of the U.S. Marines - No problem, just remember you shall reap what you sow!

Seriously though..The town of Berkley is empowered to make assanine pandering actions like this BECAUSE of the strength of the very military they despise.

Even though they are subversive as any enemy, Every Marine would stand the line and give all to defend the ungrateful people of Berkley! It is this dedication and commitment that makes a Marine!  

If you are a resident of this misguided city and DO NOT agree with the attacks against the Marine Corps (that are being made IN YOUR NAME), now is the time for you to speak up in defense of the brave men and women who defend you!

On another note, How 'bout those Giants.

I am not a Giants fan by any stretch of the imagination - but I was last night! Seeing Billichick tear up and scamper off to the locker room with a second left on the clock! You can't make it up!

Giants D-Line and pass rush was on point! Offense was good enough to win and most importantly they never quit. It was obvious in the beginning of the game that the Pats thought the game was just a formallity, and that the Vince Lombardi was already thiers..

I am SOOOO glad they were wrong.