Thanks, Roland. What I would love to do is get back into woodworking. Some of my past work in wood is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Design. Seems like I should be able to make it work again. Seems like I am still waiting for that Jell-o to set though.

Richard, I really loved VT and it was really hard for me to leave but since I have really done better. There is opportunity everywhere but one has to find it. It easier in places where it runs up and hits you. I too worked for a company that was downsizing and I loved that job. I ran the country fixing their problems and hiring people. Thats what I do best. I learned efficiency and problem solving from the restaurant business and also from years of being a liaison between mom and dad. If you think you have a chance of staying on and its solid go for it otherwise the ol philisophy of when one door closes another opens. If you are allowed to stay try and make sure you get any expenses as low as you can just in case there is a crunch, you'll get through it and be ok. Keep thinking outside the sphere. Interesting product. We could use many lightening rods down here. They are beginning to appear on houses again and that might be a viable thing to expand into for diversity, eigh? What ever you do I'm sure you'll do great. Keep the faith bro! Just think, most of us did leave and never looked back though. You can let go of somethings and thats good but dont let go of your individual self being! Thats truely when you won't want to get up in the morning.

Here is some Computer Haiku to soothe you:

Chaos reigns within.

Reflect, repent, and reboot.

Order shall return.

Roland, I am a product development manager for a company that makes cable, connectors, & lightning protectors for radio basestation build-outs. You know, cellular networks. We don't make any hurricane protectors though. Our company has reduced from 7500 globally to under 4000 and another 8% will be gone in the next 6 weeks. I sat in a room of 10 people yesterday, and we were told that 3 of us will be gone. It's a little numbing and I am starting to forget why I have always loved to wake up in the morning. This is when you get by on gristle, not strength. There is a sign in Bakersfield, CA that says that "Tough times never last, tough people do." When I start listening to country music, I know things are getting hard. Here's the one I'm listening to right now- "There ain't a lot that you can do in this town. Drive down to the lake and then you turn back around." . . . "Someday I'm finally going to let go, I know there is a better way. I want to know what's over the rainbow. I'm going to get out of here someday . . . . someday"

Richard, that should be easy as I recall there are many, ha ha. What do you do. Last time I heard (long time ago from Doc Noble) you were doing something on you own. We had a big Lucient Plant here but ATL tried to pull those kind of businesses. Yes, they have cut their forces considerably. I had a chance to go back to VT with a good job but my mom said, "why would you do that and fight all those nasty winters?" so I stayed here. It is nice to visit but one can never reallly go back except to visit. Time marches on and I do like to keep moving and facing new challenges, people, etc. Gosh, we certainly are getting one hell of a monsoon season this year and more to come says the weather bureau. Hurricane season is supposed to be rough. Guess I'll mould garden as thats about all thats growing these days, ha ha.

Hope it works out, Richard. Good luck. Avi's business is also feeling the effects of the economy now. He had to fire workers and cut out the night shift. He starts looking for solutions right away, so he's concerned but not really worried. Business always has its ups and downs.

Patti, the New Sweden story made it to the front page of the Los Angeles Times today. So now I'm not feeling so left out!

Hi Lori, My job is going OK. My 6 month trial period ends in 2-1/2 months. I have to land some new business before then. I can count my potential chances on one hand (that is missing two fingers), so my chances are few. Fortunately I have two opportunities that will either work out or look bad by July. Lucent is one of these two and they are in so much pain. They have reduced from 140,000 people to under 40,000 people. I guess I better get another cup of coffee and see if that helps.

Roland- Find a bar within a burger toss of Burlington and I'll buy the first round.