Hodge Podge

• Reader's Digest had an article on how to stay middle class.  Idea #1 was to teach our kids more science and tech.  I completely agree.  One statistic:  "job growth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries over the past decade has been three times faster than growth in other fields, and people in these professions earn 26 percent more than others."  As I've said before, you can say anything with statistics.  In this case I choose to agree considering the profession I'm in.  :-)  If your child has an aptitude for science or math, encourage it, and let them know about the careers that are available in that type of thing.  Even a company like UPS that you might think isn't making a product and is only a providing a service and thus wouldn't need engineers: they still hire engineers to design their logistics systems, design packaging, etc.  If your kids don't want to be in a health care profession, then maybe they could consider a STEM career.  Case in point:  with the reduction in force we experienced last week at work, there were a few lay-offs in the engineering organization, but not as many as in the business part of the organization.
• Yesterday I got a text from an unknown number.  It was a text from a random number I didn't know, and attached was a picture of a girl in her Halloween costume.  Thank goodness she was fully clothed.  Her costume had some sort if mid-evil look to it.  He/she sent a text shortly afterward to clarify that they had a wrong number.
• Dreary November will arrive tomorrow.  It's not my favorite month, but I'm pretty sure I'll survive it with some activities on the weekends.  Work for the next two weeks will definitely keep me occupied during the week.  And then:  December!  I see a warm destination in the crystal ball.  Plus, I kind of like to go to work at the end of December when nobody is there, it's nice and calm, and I can work on the stuff I want to work on or get caught up on those quadrant II activities.
• I feel like I'm getting a cold, so I plan to go to bed early tonight.  The first day of a cold is the worst when your throat is so sore you can hardly swallow.  Maybe if I drink lots of fluids and get lots of sleep it can be averted.
• My massage therapist today was Tina.  She's my current favorite, although sometimes I'm not able to get on her schedule because her hours are limited.  She applies just enough pressure that it hurts, but not so much that I can't stand it.  Plus, she usually finds all the spots that need attention.  And, I'm not usually too sore afterward.  That's a win win win.

All for now folks!  Have a lovely week.