The Bosque

Yeah...totally failed on delivering this last week. Oh well...it's here finally.

In addition to snapping photos at the town hall, I also tweeted as it happened. You can find me on Twitter here. clairecmc is McCaskill's Twitter account, and any tweets with her account name are ones that she received from me. She can pretty much handle anything you throw at her, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the event with her. Whether she read my tweets or not, that's a whole 'nother story.

# At JeffCo Field House. 2 rows reserved for VIPs, 3 rows and the first row of bleachers for the disabled. Big crowd already. 12:00 PM Aug 11th from txt

There were probably 750-1000 people already there when we arrived at noon. The total crowd was estimated at 3000.

# Lots of security. No signs, food or drink allowed. Looks like a good mix of people so far. 12:06 PM Aug 11th from txt

Apparently, those rules were set by the college, not McCaskill.

# Rarely do I have enthusiasm for a politician. @clairecmc is one of maybe 2 or 3. 12:09 PM Aug 11th from txt

McCaskill is truly representative of the state. She grew up in southern and central Missouri, rose through the ranks in Kansas City and now calls St. Louis home. She is proud to be a Democrat, but isn't afraid to buck the party. She's intelligent and tough, but also warm and friendly. I believe that she is in this job because she truly wants to serve Missouri and its residents...rarely do I get that vibe from a politician.

# and the Mrs. are in Hillsboro summiting with the masses. 12:16 PM Aug 11th from txt

# Sitting near folks saying that @clairecmc "better vote the right way" if she wants to keep her job. They sound pretty conservative. 12:56 PM Aug 11th from txt

In hindsight, I don't want to necessarily say that this crowd was predominantly conservative...but I suspect they were. Jefferson County is rural, but generally votes Democratic, IIRC. And this was the only town hall held in the area, after one the previous week was canceled by the school district hosting the event. And conservatives seem more riled up about health care reform than the libs...though that might be changing.

# @clairecmc is in the house! And I believe she brought her mom. 1:06 PM Aug 11th from txt

She did indeed bring her mom, Betty Anne McCaskill. She helped the Senator campaign for the seat in 2006. She's a sweetie, but tough as nails.

# Here comes trouble! 1:19 PM Aug 11th from txt

McCaskill was trying to determine the best way to take questions (pre-submitted online or upon entering the field house), but some wanted her to take questions directly from the audience...and they started getting riled up.

# @clairecmc: "This can't be about who's the loudest." 1:21 PM Aug 11th from txt

# @clairecmc used the USPS/UPS/FedEx comparison when talking about the public option. 1:27 PM Aug 11th from txt

A lot of people ridicule this, but think about it. There is an argument that the public option will destroy the insurance industry. The Postal Service and other package delivery services run side-by-side...the USPS is not destroying those private companies. Public schools run side-by-side with private ones. Amtrak essentially saved passenger rail service. Now, I'm not gonna get into how well they run...I'm just using these as proof that private and public can co-exist.

# @clairecmc is breaking down the bills as they currently stand. 1:31 PM Aug 11th from txt

She really knew her stuff about each bill. Either she has great staffers or really studied the bills...or both.

# Abortion is the contentious issue at the moment. 1:33 PM Aug 11th from txt

# @clairecmc just pulled a distraction manuever, I think. 1:35 PM Aug 11th from txt

I forgot what the question was, but she didn't answer it right away...she asked everyone to applaud the veterans in the crowd, IIRC. And I don't think there was a connection between her doing that and the question asked.

# Wow. People can be brutal. This is why I can't be a politician. 1:36 PM Aug 11th from txt

Some of the folks there weren't going to give her a break. She was trying to keep her cool, and did well for the most part.

# @clairecmc No single-payer system. Not even an issue. 1:41 PM Aug 11th from txt

# I think some people just like to complain. 1:54 PM Aug 11th from txt

# @clairecmc is getting schoolmarm-ish. That's disappointing. 2:14 PM Aug 11th from txt

This was 1:15 in...originally this town hall was only supposed to be an hour, but was extended to 2 hours after the one in St. Louis was canceled. I don't think McCaskill expected this type of crowd, and it seemed to be wearing on her.

# I firmly believe that some of these folks are only here to start shit. They wouldn't be happy with anything @clairecmc says. 2:14 PM Aug 11th from txt

# Uh oh! @clairecmc just pulled the emotional card and the crowd was pissed! 2:15 PM Aug 11th from txt

I think she did a "Think of the children!" routine, and people were not happy about it. I wasn't either.

# @clairecmc is being a little too indirect. At the same time, the crowd seems easily swayed. 2:16 PM Aug 11th from txt

She would answer the question, but really dance around it for a while. And during the entire town hall, the crowd would quickly alternate between boos and cheers...it was interesting to watch.

# @clairecmc: I can't guarantee that I will support the final bill, bc I don't know what the bill will be. 2:16 PM Aug 11th from txt

# Lots of cynics...a ton of them. I understand it to a point. 2:18 PM Aug 11th from txt

# Some folks seem deathly afraid of a single-payer system. Don't ever see it happening. 2:19 PM Aug 11th from txt

# I love the folks that "want the government out of healthcare." That's cool...don't take Medicare or Social Security when you're eligible. 2:21 PM Aug 11th from txt

Seriously...if people truly don't want the government involved in their health care, they should be able to sign away their rights to use Medicare. Until maybe the past week or so, there seemed to be a real disconnect with some folks that Medicare is a government-run health care program. Although I think this is only one of several disconnects.

# Definitely a conservative-leaning crowd here. @clairecmc is trying to handle the crowd, but she's talked down to them at times. Not cool. 2:34 PM Aug 11th from txt

# A group of women came in with signs...big no-no! Someone tried to snatch one away and a scuffle ensued. Not sure who was representing who. 2:44 PM Aug 11th from txt

The most exciting part of the town hall. This is video of what happened:



A group of women showed up about 1:30 into the town hall with signs. Police were originally checking people for signs when they came in, but I guess they stopped after the event started. The crowd started yelling at the women, and McCaskill told them to put their signs away...and they did so. Someone from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (a photographer, IIRC) came up to the woman at the end of the aisle and wanted to see the poster--apparently this particular one had a photo of Rosa Parks. That's when the guy came up and snatched it away, causing the ruckus. Both were escorted out, but he was arrested...for assault, I think.

# April brought up an interesting point: there are at least 3 people here with snake flags. Why were they not required to take them down? 2:50 PM Aug 11th from txt

# @clairecmc There were at least 3 people at JeffCo with snake flags. Why were they not required to take them down? 2:53 PM Aug 11th from txt

I think these flags were considered the same as buttons by police. I'm not sure that was right, but they didn't bother me.

# @clairecmc has been on top of her game when it comes to answering questions. She's also been condescending and seemed spacey at times. 3:09 PM Aug 11th from txt

# All done. Good...my butt hurts! 3:09 PM Aug 11th from txt

# And this liberal will tell you that it was not a mob scene. There were plenty of dissenters, but it was NOT a mob. 4:12 PM Aug 11th from txt

There you have it, and there you are. It was definitely an interesting experience. And if I ever find myself in a situation like this where I'm against something, I will do my best to be respectful. I understand that this is an emotional issue, but some folks acted like they had no manners or sense.

So, I'm running a bit late here...but here are the pics I took at last week's town hall meeting with Sen. Claire McCaskill in Hillsboro, MO. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone camera, so the pictures kinda suck.

I also tweeted during the event...I'll post those along with commentary tomorrow...for real.

Workers setting up the stage:


All the floor seats were filled at this point (an hour before start time)...most of the bleachers were filled by start time:


The crowd builds:




Dr. Raymond Cummiskey, President of Jefferson College, introducing Sen. McCaskill:


Dr. Cummiskey with Sen. McCaskill and her mother, Betty Anne McCaskill. The elder Mrs. McCaskill has campaigned for the Senator in the past...she spoke for a few moments before Sen. McCaskill began:


The back bleachers...there were 3 sets of bleachers and floor seats surrounding the stage:


Hey look! It's my beautiful wife!


Folks with "Don't tread on me" flags...I'm not sure why these were allowed, but not signs:




The Senator speaking to the crowd:


Protesters outside the field house after the meeting:








Hard to see, but look at Adolf and Barack side by side in the poster on the left...cute:




I think the poster in yellow was a joke. It read, "Youth in Asia will kill your grandma":


Someone having a little fun with a protester:

I was woken up just after 9 this morning by my temp agency. Apparently, the software company has more work and would like me to come back for the week...I can come back as early as today.

No can do today...going to a health care forum in Jefferson County with the Mrs. But I'm more than happy to go back out to Riverport for the rest of the week.

And did I mention that the agency has a permanent job that I may be interviewing for this week?

Good times.

100 job applications, 7 rejections, one interview...not counting the courier and delivery jobs I applied for.

Not bad...an 8% reception rate. Could be worse, right?

Music: Eminem, Soundgarden, The The, Miles Davis

Radio Stations: St. Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax

Emotions: Sad (about leaving the assignment), happy (first paycheck came in the mail today), sleepy (haven't slept well all week), sick (didn't eat well today)

And now, it is time to head to Slumberville...it's been a long week, and I am worn out!

Sadly, my last day at my assignment is tomorrow. I've really enjoyed being in an office again, and hopefully I'll have a new assignment for Monday.

So I was at the shredder bin this morning. A lot of companies have bins where you can put papers that need to be shredded, and it's usually emptied once every week or two. At my last job in Philly, we had a specific company that came and picked up our shredder material.

As far as I can tell, there is one shredder bin on our floor. It's basically a large trash can with rollers that has its lid secured, and has a slit cut in the lid for depositing papers. It looks like a trash can that the City of St. Louis uses for customers without alleys.

Anyway, so the slit on this shredder bin seems bigger than usual. You could probably fit your hand in there, but that would be about it. And that got me thinking...what if someone put a turd in it? And not a dog turd...a human one.

First, it would stink to high heaven...people would wonder what the fuck the smell was. If someone were standing near the can, it would probably lead others to think that said person either farted or crapped themselves. Then, what if that shit literally got shredded with the papers? Could you imagine the mess that would make?! It would be insane!

I would never do such a thing...but if it happened, I'd probably be highly amused...and impressed.

Obviously, I have an active imagination. I'm not responsible for any of you copycat shitheads!

And it wasn't even the greatest lunch ever!

So I went to Quizno's for lunch today...got a sandwich, a bag of chips and a can of Amp. The total was $10.16, and that's what my cash register receipt said. They run their credit cards on a separate machine, and when I started to sign my name on the receipt, I got quite a surprise...

$101.66.

I didn't freak out...shit happens, and I don't think there was any attempt to scam me. I let the gal know right away, and she immediately apologized and refunded the difference.

The only problem per se was that I used my debit card, and I usually don't keep a lot of money in my checking account at this time of the month. The $102 immediately overdrew my account, and refunds don't always show up right away. I have overdraft protection via my savings and nothing outstanding on my checking account, but I decided to go over to the credit union after work. I wanted to double-check on things and make sure that I wouldn't be penalized.

I had a Turkey Bacon Guacamole sandwich along with Miss Vickie's sea salt & vinegar chips...the meal was alright, but worth nowhere near $102.

I saw an employment ad on Craigslist yesterday that caught my eye. It was a supervisor position in a town about an hour south of here. I met all the qualifications, so I figured I'd apply to it.

About an hour after doing so, I got an e-mail from the owner of the company...guess she was busy with work stuff early Sunday evening. The company is actually based here in town (less than a mile from my house), but their service center is in a town in St. Francois County. She asked me if working in the town would be a problem, and I said, depending on the salary, not at all. At this point, I'll work anywhere.

Then a short time later, she sent me a list of questions to answer...ones you'd find in your typical job interview: "What do you like about supervising people?", "What do you want your new job to look like?", etc. I answered the questions and sent them back to her along with my salary requirement.

No response yet, but I'm hopeful. I don't think my salary requirement is unreasonable, and a 140-mile round-trip commute wouldn't be bad. Or even living down there temporarily. We'll see, right?

...a new bass.

Sadly, as part of our financial restructuring last month, I sold my guitar, my bass and my bass effects board. I hated doing that, but we needed the money and those items were the easiest to sell.

Though I miss the board and guitar, I really miss the bass. I didn't play it as much as I should have, and of course, now I really want to play it since it's gone.

Oh well...it's replaceable. It was a nice bass, but a low-end one. When April and I have good jobs and are financially secure, then I can get a really good bass. And when I buy it, I'll remember this time, and work that much harder at playing.

Howdy peeps! Yes, I am back...no, I am not planning any more hiatuses...yes, I missed a lot while I was gone...yes, I missed you all. Of course, all 10 of you that read this want the 411 on my break...so here we go.

I decided on June 13th that I would leave the Imo's franchise by July 31st...and I have achieved that goal. My last day at Imo's was July 8th, and after a few weeks off, I started my new job on Thursday. I'm working for a temp agency...the same one that I used when I moved back home in '05. I enjoyed working for them last time, and wound up getting hired at the first place they sent me. I wasn't sure if it would be financially feasible to do temping again. But after April and I reviewed our finances, we determined that it would work, depending on my hourly wage. I sent an e-mail to the agency last weekend; they called me Monday and I did some online tests. I went out there Tuesday to talk to my rep, and by 5:00 Tuesday afternoon, I had an assignment for Thursday. I love it when a plan comes together!

No complaints so far. They sent me out to a software company in the suburbs...nice people, very relaxed, easy work and good money. And so quiet...the only thing I really hear is the A/C. I work in a cubicle farm again...and I couldn't be happier. Unfortunately, the assignment might end early next week, but I trust that the agency will send me to another good place. I also have a phone interview on Monday for a courier job. So good things are happening in Sycamoreland!

The missus has also picked up a new job...she'll be working the deli counter at one of our grocery chain's stores. This could wind up having a nice tie-in to her budding career as a chef. She recently cooked and served food for a couple of parties during the MLB All-Star Game festivities here in town.

In the midst of all this, I've also been busy sending my resume out...84 office-like jobs in the past month, along with several sent to temp agencies and courier companies. So far, I've gotten 3 rejection e-mails, the call from my temp agency and the call from the courier place. So, figuring that I've sent out about 100 resumes, I have a 5% response rate...that's actually pretty good!

And these resumes have been going out across the country, with the bulk of the non-St. Louis ones going to New Orleans. I have never been to The Big Easy, but it has similarities with St. Louis and is still going through tough times. If I can help "Renew Orleans," I will.

I don't want to leave St. Louis. If I do, it will have to be for some serious money; and I'll be solo, because April has a year left of culinary school here. But she's given her blessing to looking outside St. Louis, and I have to go where the jobs and money are. I've been trying to keep my focus on the Midwest, though I've applied to several jobs on the East Coast, including my last employer in Philly.

I just want to find a job that will truly utilize my skills and education. After I got my Masters degree in '07, I thought a good job would be easier to find...ha! For far too long, I feel like I have just drifted along, wasting the talents that God gave me. And it has to stop. I'm still young and have a lot I want to see and do...and I won't be able to do those things the way I want to if I don't start doing some serious work.

That's enough for now...still have lots more to talk about, but I'll save it for later posts. Need to keep a fresh pile of material for the peeps!