Imaged adapted from TandTINC.com

For those of you that have been following me know the last year or so have been tough.  So I’m going to take a break and explain it all to you and give you the update on my status.

As many of you know I lost a job in Washington DC then moved to take a job in New York City.  For various reasons that job lasted until the mortgage crisis hits its high and the banks didn’t need contract labor.  So I once again packed my bags to move home to Birmingham because I decided to start my own Business stemming from my work with SEO by Chris and start a business of my own called Birmingham SEO. During the few months after my move back to Birmingham I need to get my health in check.  I had all kinds of physical and emotional problems that required some overnight stays for testing and observation.  Most of these so called “Problems”  were all related to stress and being overworked.  Some might just call it “exhaustion”.  So about the middle of June all is well and I’m ready to get back at it full time. Plus we all know money doesn’t grow on trees it comes from somewhere.

Image Adapted from library.thinkquest.org

During June I built my business plan and implemented the web portion.  In the process I picked up a couple sites of my own that I would use to supplement my consulting income.  The websites did show real potential. But all the while not producing money.  So into July I took a short term contract as a political consultant for the Humane Society Legislative Fund while trying bring in some revenue and potential clients down the road.  The revenue part worked well but the clients were hitting a slow.  I would make calls and look through the want ad’s for people needing services.  The state of the economy was starting to really hurt my target business and they did not or could not afford services.  So in turn business hit bottom.  I put a lot of time in building up my sites that have turned out to be only a supplement and produce about enough for a Mc Meal a day.  Since we all know money doesn’t grow on trees I have decided to get back into the regular employment market to make ends meet while I wait for my customer base to come back around.

I am currently in the process of talking to several employers but they are either almost too scared to hire or want someone with many qualifications and years of experience.  The current employment situation is a company’s dream.  They get a much better pool of applications to choose from.  I got turned down for a job that the only posted job requirement was “Pass a Drug Test” and “Graduate High School.”  The person they hired had a Masters Degree and Spoke 3 languages.  If I was the hiring manager that person would have been my choice too.

Logo from IBEW.org

Adapted from WoodFramers.com

So I am going back to my roots and what I know.  I’m a third generation union worker with an electrician brother.  Blue Collar work runs through my veins.  I have fought it and tried to change it – you just can’t change who you are.  So the most promising leads for employment is with craft unions in Birmingham.  Accepting  one of these jobs will still enable me to pursue and grow my business.  Weather it be with the Carpenters or the Electricians I hope to find the fix to my economic woes.

So really the state of the economy has effected me.  I’m not bad off like some places.  I am very fortunate and do see that if the economy doesn’t rebound and correct itself I could quickly be with the others.  My business plans are on hold for the moment.  Not really on hold – I’m waiting for the market to rebound and allow me to get back to work.

Wish me luck and wish America Luck.  Times are tough for many people. My contribution is buying American.  It may be more expensive but is a better product almost always.  Plus it helps out your neighbor.  If you neighbor is working then that means things are going to be ok.  If we get Americans back to work our Economic Crisis will be over.  Its really simple.  if people are spending money then that means there making money.  So help me do my part and make it yours.  Buy American.  Real Patriots buy American.

Image adopted from Wikinomics.com

In the end the Big 3 US Automakers will get assistance and I hope they do.  I just want to make sure it is used correctly and not to line the pockets of the wealthy.

MSNBC.com and Reuters is reporting that GM is Returning 2 Leased Jets from their corporate fleet.

GM to return two leased jets amid criticism

By Poornima Gupta

DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Corp will return two of its leased corporate jets amid intense criticism in Washington this week on the luxury travel arrangements of its chief executive even as the company pleads for federal aid.

CEO Rick Wagoner was in the capital to testify on the company’s dire financial situation but his testimony was overshadowed by irate lawmakers who blasted him for flying on a private jet to ask for public funds and failing to make personal sacrifices in exchange for federal assistance.

Chief executives from Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler LLC, who were also there to plead for $25 billion in federal aid, came under fire too for flying to Washington in private jets.

GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said on Friday GM decided to return the aircraft because of a “really aggressive cutback in travel.”

The company, which is in a cost-cutting mode, is scrutinizing every trip, he said, but declined to disclose the name of the company it leases the airplanes from.

Wilkinson said the decision to return the leased corporate jets was made before this week’s hearings and that the company in September returned two other of the seven jets it had at the beginning of the year.

“There is a perception issue,” Wilkinson said of Wagoner’s travel to Washington on a private jet. “We need to be very sensitive to that going forward.”

He, however, said the company has not decided on what mode of transportation Wagoner would take if had to travel to Washington again.

Wagoner and Ford CEO Alan Mulally are required by their companies to fly by private aircraft for security reasons, according to company documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The policy for Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli is not required to be disclosed because the company is not publicly traded.

Skeptical lawmakers took to task the three CEOs for their luxurious travel arrangements at congressional committee hearings.

“Couldn’t you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled or something to get here?” Rep. Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, asked the executives at a hearing held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.

Even Democrats who said they were sympathetic to the automakers’ plight expressed frustration that the executives used private jets while professing ruthless cost-cutting measures.

A Chrysler spokesman said the automaker also leases or charters jets. He, however, declined to comment on whether the company was rethinking the use of private jets for executive travel, saying it was a “private matter.”

Ford did not have an immediate comment on its corporate jet policy.

According to Ford’s proxy, CEO Mulally’s compensation included $752,203 in 2007 for personal use of company aircraft.

About two years ago, the head of Ford’s North American operations, Mark Fields, gave up use of a corporate jet for personal travel to his home in Florida after the arrangement came under criticism at a time when the automaker was losing billions and slashing jobs.

He now flies first class on commercial planes.

(Additional reporting by David Bailey, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

Ben & Jerry’s wants to celebrate democracy by giving you a scoop of ice cream.

Krispy Kreme: The doughnut chain, which has two locations in Orange County, is giving a free “star-shaped” doughnut to voters. To find locations, go here.

The main point of this post is to let you know about the National Eagle Scout Association putting on a search to seek out Eagle Scouts. Rest assured they are trying to sell you something and you know solicitiations will follow once they find you. It is always good to give back to something that has given you so much. I wouldn’t be the same person today if it wasn’t for the influence of the Boy Scouts of America. Read this page and give Harris Connect, the organizers in-charge of finding all the Eagle Scouts, a call and update your information, at 1-866-753-3506.

NESA Eagle Scout Search is Underway!

The Eagle Scout court of honor is undoubtedly the proudest moment of a young Scout’s life. Years of learning, teaching, and hard work culminate in this special honor that only the most determined Boy Scouts obtain. This is one reason why the National Eagle Scout Association has launched a national Eagle Scout search program.

“We want to find and contact every living Eagle Scout and register his achievements, past and present,” said NESA Director Bill Steele. “This effort will culminate in Roll Call: The National Eagle Scout Registry–a publication that will capture the tradition, history, and honor of our nation’s Eagle Scouts and will be available only to bona fide Eagles.” Steele added that only Eagle Scouts who agree to be listed and who are adults will be included in the directory.

Eagle Scouts for whom the Boy Scouts of America or the National Eagle Scout Association has a current address will soon receive correspondence from Harris Connect, Inc. out of Chesapeake, Virginia. Eagle Scouts receiving correspondence from Harris Connect should respond as requested.

If an Eagle Scout does not receive correspondence from Harris Connect Inc., he can call toll-free, 1-866-753-3506, to submit his information and or to purchase the directory.

From the time I was six years old till now a day doesn’t go by that I don’t benefit from the life skills I learned were not beneficial. You can see my local Boy Scout Organization here. Some other organizations that I often contribute to are Auburn University Political Science Department and the Saint Paul Foundation.

You too should add your favorite organization to your blog or you can post it in the comments below and hopefully google will pickup the link.