Not to toot my own horn but I really feel good about two big things this year.

Nearly two years ago, I lost my job in a power struggle at a multi-national.

Then just over a year ago, I landed a job as director of engineering at a small startup. It wasn't a perfect fit but they needed help. While I was unemployed, an acquaintance came to me asking me to help his best friend find a job. He had been out of work for 5 years. Two kids in college and a mortgage. His wife was supporting the family with her job as a high school teacher. The acquaintance didn't know that I too was out of a job but I didn't tell him.

About three month into the job, the place wasn't for me. The owner had some issues. And I wasn't willing to put up with it. The best friend didn't care as long as he was back in the market. I resigned and managed to get the best man hired as my replacement. The best man is happy, his wife even came to the office at lunch to thank me. She was crying... The owner is happy he has another very competent engineer. And I'm happy to give the best friend a best present of his life.

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When I moved to Portland, I was way too busy to set up a chicken coop so we ended up buying a semi-custom made coop from a local person. He and his wife were very nice young couple. Struggling with the economy and making the best they can. They sold me the coop for way cheap. So as a Christmas gift, I gave them the difference between what he charged me and what I thought it should cost. His wife wrote back to me saying how much it meant for them. They said it would go a long way to paying their landlord and from being evicted...

I sent her an e-mail. I'm going to have the husband do some needed fixes to my house and was willing to give an advance so that they would not get evicted. I wanted them to have a happy Christmas. They have a nice son and I want him to have a memory of happy Christmas. You are child only once and it is just so fleeting. They've been living there for six or seven years. More the reason I don't want to see them being evicted on New Years eve. Besides, he is really meticulous with his work and being a carpenter in this economy is so hard.

This is just my little way to make the world a better place.

and oh yeah.. I still help with the cat rescues.

I must have lot of personal guilt

I may not post till after Christmas so Merry Christmas to all and wish all of you good health, nicer and friendlier world to live.

peace be with you.