Out with the old and in with the new

Like everyone else I am going to write my year end blog and put in some resolutions that like most people I will probably not be able to keep.

I am taking a different approach this year.

I am not focusing on my health or things that are bad for me. I am not going to try and change my bad habits. I mean why should I? I have been perfecting them for over 35 years, why change now?

I think the resolutions I am going to make this year are a bit more logical and obtainable.

As I reflect back on the year I see that I made some substantial changes in my life. Some good some not so good, but I made changes.

As I was preparing this entry, i thought it funny how many people look at the New Year with such open eyes and the feeling of rebirth.

How many people feel they get a "fresh start" with the new year? I do. But in reality it is really it is no different then the day before.

I still owe money, I still have bad habits, and I'm still miserable about things. I guess it is what it is and each person finds the value in the New Year tradition for what it is worth for them.

So here is my list of 2008 New Year resolutions:

1. Be a better father
2. Be a better husband
3. Be a better friend
4. Be less of a prick
5. Laugh more
6. Pay off my financial debts
7. Weight 200 Pounds at some point during the year

These are some very simple yet very hard resolutions. Number six is really a goal for me and something I hope to nail.

I am going to post my current debt position in another post and see how I fared by this time next year.

With that all said, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy, & Prosperous New Year.

The way I see it: This is the time of the year where we all recognize our shortcomings to the point where we put pen to paper and say that over the next 365 day we are going to fix these shortcomings. I say "Good luck with that!!"

Horoscope

I am not a big horoscope person. I think it a a bunch of hooey.

I happened to have picked up the Daily News on Friday the 28th and here is what my horoscope said:

Pisces FEB. 19-MARCH 20

Go after your dreams, Pisces. There is nothing stopping you this year, particularly if you're strategic about the way you climb up the ladder of success. Remember, there's always a level of protocol to follow, and you would be wise to take note of this before plunging in and making your own decisions. But really, you're on a roll. No one is going to stop you from moving onward and upward - think big!

Now as far as these things go, this is a pretty good one. It has a good tone, nice motivation, and I can live with it.

Jennifer Angel, The Daily News writer of "my" horsocope, was kind enough to write a three part series for 2008. Here is what my year is supposed to look like:

PISCES - Part One

MAIN EVENT Love is ever present for a Piscean with opportunities to fall passionately in love, but building a career is the main area of growth this year. By year's end, you'll be in a position to demand more money.

MOST ROMANTIC MONTH Feb. 21 lunar eclipse indicates change. August is a month when you can be lucky in love. It signifies the onset of something permanent when you commit your love to someone special.

LUCKIEST MONTH/S March is when every-thing falls into place. It's also a time when you will gain a greater understanding of where you're going and how to get there. October and November are powerful for career.

DEFINING MOMENT/S The Feb. 21 lunar eclipse is a moment of truth for matters of the heart, with a realization around March 10. Nov. 27 is a new start for career or expansion at work. Dec. 8 brings positive news.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION A gigantic leap in uplifting my lifestyle and status in the community/society.

DREAM CATCHER AFFIRMATION I am now widely recognized for my talents and skills on a professional level. With love, I attract the perfect romantic partner who supports my goals and dreams to share my life.

PISCES - Part Two

January is a month for reflection. With a lunar eclipse in February, intense feelings can throw you off balance, causing you to look at love and life more seriously. Getting in touch with what you want and who you want to spend your life with is possible - with some Pisceans experiencing a huge wake-up call. It's a Piscean trait to want everything to be perfect, but that's on an intellectual level. Right now, you can expect your heart to take over. With Venus in your sign from March 13, your heartstrings will not only be pulled, but seriously tampered with as well. If the elusive presence of love has not crossed your path, then the new moon on March 7 can change that forever. Expect love to intensify during April. Be careful of being possessive. Being protective is one thing, but jealousy is not a befitting character trait. Get ready to make decisions in May. Early June presents a complex situation. July and August promise to be a highly romantic time. During September, an impulsive moment could take over and see you confessing undying love. Love and business are entwined during November. December's full moon prompts you to put thoughts to action!

PISCES - Part Three

CAREER January is a busy career month. Even if you're on holiday, it's likely you'll be doing some work. A positive new phase begins in March. Things not only will feel different but be different. There's no stopping you now. This is your time to shine. In June, mixing business and pleasure may be a recipe for trouble. In August, the emphasis is on teamwork. In September, an idea makes you a star! October is optimistic, and the Nov. 27 new moon signifies a time to start something new and brilliant. By December, you're in the power seat, with an offer of a new job or promotion moving you up through the ranks.

MONEY For the first quarter, keep money flexible until you're certain that an opportunity is a sure thing. Something new in April promises to be positive. Unexpected expenses come up midyear. Money comes and goes, but there's always more than enough to go around. In September and October, money from secondary avenues will require work on your part. In November and December, the power is in the way you negotiate: Be strategic when it comes to money discussions and you'll win even more than you expected!

The way I see it: If this stuff comes true then I'm a believer and I am going to get this chick to pick the lottery numbers for me in 2009!

Nuggets Vol. 1 Issue. 2

For the first time ever I took a New York subway the other day. I took the N train uptown to 59th and Lex.

The ride was totally uneventful except for the fact that the 59th street station is so far underground.

I couldn't believe how far underground I was. It took almost 5 minutes via multiple steep escalators to get to street level.

I enjoy coffee every morning. When I make it at 7-11 I get it with some Vanilla syrup. When I got to Dunkin Donuts I get it coffee light and sweet (extra sugar and milk).

The only time I drink Starbucks is either on the road or if I want a Caramel Macciato <sp?>.

At Starbucks you either get some crazy concoction, or if you can figure out how to order it, a regular coffee.

I was in La Guardia airport the other morning early and I ordered a regular coffee. A few observations:

1. Starbucks will give you some wacked out mixture of milks, flavors, toppings, and sauces but if you want milk and sugar, its self service.

2. No matter how much milk or sugar you put into Starbucks black coffee it still tastes burnt. As far as black coffee goes, Starbucks is horrible.

I guess that's why they serve it with so much stuff in it, to hide the burnt taste.

This Saturday night the New England Patriots wrap up what could be a perfect season when they play the New York Giants.

I really want to see them become the first undefeated team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins as well as the first 16-0 team. What a great accomplishment.

Kudos to the NFL for simulcasting this game on NBC and CBS. I really hope they use the same broadcast crew so that Bryant Gumble can finally be exposed for the fraud "journalist" "commentator" that he thinks he is.

Hey Bryant, we ain't laughing with you. We are laughing at you.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Oh the pain

It just dawned on me... The Redsoxs have theirs, the Pats are a massive favorite, and the Celtics are invincible.

No one cares about Hockey anymore so forget about the Bruins.

I'm not a hater but this is too much for one New York/New Jersey sports fan to digest.

The way I see it: its gonna be a long year if your not a Boston fan.

Black or White, Wrong or Right

Like most people I followed the story of John White and the death of Daniel Cicciaro, Jr. in Long Island.

For full details on the story click here.

Personally, I thought it was an open and shut case. Here was a man, a father, protecting his son, his family, his property from a 17 year old punk who had gathered a group of friends to go after White's son.

Thanks to his family, "Dano", as he was referred to, was shown to be a spoiled, rotten, privileged kid with nothing better to do then to try and incite hate.

When the verdict came back on Saturday I was shocked. Shocked at the timing not the actual verdict.

Do juries normally deliberate on the weekends?

The jury was deadlocked. All but one juror voted to convict.

Here is what happens next:

The judge, Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn, requests all the jurors Sunday religious schedule. One hour later the jury comes back with a guilty verdict.

Do you think the jury got a bit nervous that they might get stuck over the weekend and eventually the holiday?

Holdout juror Francois Larche later said in an interview he felt pressured to finish before Christmas and ultimately voted to convict.

I am sorry but that is enough pressure for me to convict my grandmother.

I would have no problem with this if it was a 50-50 split amongst the jurors, but it wasn't.

I firmly believe that the last hold out juror was coerced by the judge and fellow jurors to cave in and in turn delivered the knock out blow to John White.

The way I see it: Judges should not "force" jurors or cause a rush to judgment due to time constraints. Peoples lives and property are at stake in most cases.

New Look

I decided to give the blog a new look. Like I said before this is a work in progress.

I added a few elements to the page like what I am currently reading, what Ive read, and a few other tidbits, so not only can you read about what I see, You can now see what I see.

I'm excited about the pictures. I think they will reflect a lot about me such as the beauty I see in certain things or my warped sense of humor.

I plan to be selective in the pictures I put up only because I do not want to overwhelm the blog with pictures (for now).

Mostly it will be things that catch my eye like that dudes crack showing or the Empire State Building.

The only rule I am going to try to follow is that I have to use my Blackberry Curve camera.

I will also post if there is a good story behind the picture.

Things to do before I die:

Lists, everyone has one, whether its a To Do or Shopping list.

I subscribe to a blog called the To Do List. I think it is one of the best blogs out there.

I saw a trailer this week for a new movie starting Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman called The Bucket List. The story is about two guys that write a list of things they need to do before they die. The catch is they are older men and I think both are terminally ill.

I checked out To Do Lists blog and found one Things To Do before I die list.

I think the author of that list is still in College/University based on some of the things he wrote on his list.

Since I am in my mid 30s my list is a bit shorter.

I'll probably end up adding to this list, and hopefully completing it someday. If I do I will add the date its being updated.

So without further ado, here is my List of things To Do before I die.

1. Walk my daughter down the aisle and dance with her at her wedding.
2. Run for public office.
3. Open a bar.
4. Open a restaurant.
5. Learn knife skills and how to cook. 6. Get bartender license.
7. Learn Mandarin.
8. Learn Cantonese.
9. Watch my boys celebrate a championship/first place.
10. Start a company.
11. Take a company public.
12. Run a public company.
13. Catch a 30 pound plus bass.
14. Catch a 26" or bigger fluke.
15. Visit every state in the USA and spend at least one night in each state.
16. Go to every Disney park.
17. Go to China, Greece, Italy and Paris with my wife before 40.
18. Take another cruise.
19. See a Championship NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL game.
20. Play with my grand kids.
21. Meet a U.S. President.
22. Invent or patent something.
23. Write a book.
24. Learn to fly a plane.
25. Own my own home.
26. Be debt free.
27. Save a life.
28. Be a mentor to someone.
29. Sky dive.
30. Write a video game.
31. Be in a movie.
32. Be on a game show.
33. Be a voice that is heard in politics or on an important issue.
34. Be a bbq'r I can be.
35. Build a web site.
36 Get a degree.
37. Work because I want too.
38. Meet Brett Favre.
39. Spend two nights at Mt. Everest base camp.
40. Visit the pyramids in Egypt.
41. See a Nascar race live from the infield.
42. Lose 25 pounds.

More to come......

Dimming the lights

I love the holidays. No matter where you are there is no better time of the year than Thanksgiving to New Years.

As the 2007 Holiday season comes to a close, I've noticed something.

Being Jewish, I do not "celebrate" Christmas. I am not going to get into why, or that anyone can celebrate anything, I'll save that for another time.

However, I enjoy the sights, sounds, and overall joy that seems to posses this time of the year.

It seems to me that people are celebrating Christmas less and less, at least visually.

I can remember the days when you could drive around town and see house after house decked out with lights.

My wife and I would drive around and "rate" houses on their display and use of lights.

Gradually it seems as if less and less people are putting up lights.

I take the train everyday back and forth to New York City I pass through a lot of towns. The lack of lights is evident.

Every year the PNC Bank Arts Center has a drive thru light display for the holiday. Its magnificent when seen from the Garden State Parkway. This year it seemed as if they only used half the lights.

As a Jew, I don't get to put up lights or deck my house out for any holidays. The closest I get to anything like that is Hanukkah when we put the menorah in the window. But that only stays illuminated as long as the candles burn.

I guess I have light envy.

I think, secretly, my wife thanks god every year that we are jewish because she knows what kind of damage I could do if I celebrated Christmas.

The way I see it: Yes the grass is always greener on the other side. The holiday season is a great time of year and although some people do not celebrate certain holidays, I feel we all enjoy the spirit of each holiday.

The blog is evolving

I was thinking about my blog and the purpose of it. My original thought was this would serve as a place where I can express my thoughts about things, about life.

Yesterday was my first installment of Nuggets, short snippetts on things going on. I also want to point out that the Nugget entries are in memory of Owen Hart.

It dawned on me that this blog could also become a time capsule, a place for me to record events that are relative to me. A place where I can retell stories of the good and bad times in my life. A place where I or anyone can look back.

I never thought of it this way, but I guess this has become my digital scrapbook.

So, in addition to "The way I see it" and "Nuggets", I'll soon be having "Flashbacks".

Nuggets Issue 1 Vol. 1

Well, I jinxed it. Congrats to the Dolphins on their first win of the 2007 season. Boy was I hoping too see them go winless. Well there is always next year.

Thanks to Direct TV and the NFL package, not only was I able to watch the Ravens blow it in the OT, I was able to see the Dolphins' locker room celebration.

Memo to Miami: 1-15 is still pathetic.

I would like to give a big "FU" shout out to Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, & Kevin Curtis. You would think after going 11-2 in regular season head to head fantasy football, securing a first round bye, and having the Pats' D put up 24 points, that I would have no issue advancing to the championship.

But no. Romo's got Jessica Simpson on the brain, Curtis decides to be invisible, and Westbrook, who had a dismal game, decides to take a knee at the one instead of getting me 6 points with a TD.

Grand total points from these three?? -5!!! Thanks boys.

So Arod is now saying it was all Scott Boras' fault for him opting out of his contract and making the announcement during game 4 of the World Series? He also claims not to know that this was going to happen? He is so upset that he is not talking to him? Hey Alex, you think he gives a damn? He has already made his money off you. Oh and what were the two of you doing in Cali the week before with Boras?

Unlike you I will still be loyal to the Yanks long after you I mean your agent opts out of the contract again. But please do it soon so that we, the true Yankee faithful, can once again return to World Series glory.

I have not read the Mitchell report yet. I plan to from cover to cover but Say it aint so Roger, say it ain't so!

Karma is a bitch

I hope that by writing this now I don't "jinx it" but here goes.

The one football milestone that I cannot stand to see celebrated every year is the 1972 Miami Dolphins and their toast to being undefeated.

Don't get me wrong, I think its a great feat, but not one that deserves a champagne toast every time the last undefeated team loses.

Ok, so as I write this, maybe its a great feat that deserves to be recognized on an annual basis but boy won't it suck when New England goes 16-0 and Miami goes 0-16?

I think the Pats are going into the two toughest weeks of their miracle season. They will be going up against the Jets who have nothing to play for other than to whip their hated rivals. Then comes Miami who is really the last team that will put up any kind of fight to stop the Pats from reaching their goal of a perfect season. .

What about the NY Giants the last week of the season you ask?

Well the Giants look like they will make the playoffs next week and they will most likely mail it in the rest of the regular season to give their starters a few weeks to get healthy.

So with three games to go I am rooting the Pats on to go undefeated and I am rooting for Miami to go winless.

The way I see it: New England is arguably the best team to ever walk out onto a football field and the will not be denied a perfect season. How much pressure do you think the players are under? Do you think their chances to Super Bowl champs is easier or harder if they go undefeated in the regular season?

Strike Two

As you all know the stage hand strike is now over and NY is back to normal, or as normal as NY can be.

Before the stage hands there was and still is the writers strike.

You probably didn't notice it yet because unlike live Broadway shows, the writes write for shows that are recorded and then aired at a later time.

This along with reruns gives most shows some time to figure it things out.

The strike does have immediate affect on live shows such as Leno and Letterman.

I am not going to get into why.

In todays AmNy (a free daily newspaper which I personally love and read cover to cover) reported that late night hosts such as Letterman, Leno, Kimmel, Colbert, and Stewart are "spreading holiday cheer" by keeping their staff on payroll through the end of December.

Why?? I understand that they are not striking and have nothing to do with the strike. But if there is no work then there should be no pay.

Cold hearted? Yes! Rational? Yes!

The way I see it: Unions need to learn once and for all that, while they are trying to better themselves they are hurting so many others.

Over Advertised and what's in it for me!!

It never really dawned on me how much we are surrounded by advertising till the other day when I was on a US AIR flight.

I was sitting on the plane en route to Charlotte enjoying the view, and waiting for the infamous "ding" that would signal I was now permitted to use electronic devices. I will admit that sometimes I use certain electronic devices such as my Ipod or cell phone camera before the "ding" as evident by the photo of the Old and New Yankee Stadium below.



Finally the "ding". I pulled out my laptop and lowered my tray table and BANG! There it was. An advertisement pasted to my tray table. This was not just any advertisement, this was an ad from United Technologies. Who you say? Who cares I say.



The point is why do I have to sit there and look at an ad when I was always very content staring at a blank tray.

I opened all the trays in my row and found that each seat had a different ad from the same company. As much as I wanted too I did not get up and check all the rows. But I did check out the seat in front of me and they had ads as well but from a different company.

Since I didn't come up with this idea, I find this to be very annoying. I'm jealous. I wish I came up with it.

So as I am sitting there "enjoying" this frozen commercial, when the flight attendant asks me if I wanted "breakfast". I'm thinking, two hour flight, breakfast, wow it's great that Us Air is taking the additional revenue earned from this ad campaign to treat their customers to "breakfast".

So I said yes. The flight attendant asked me what I would like to drink and I ordered a cran-apple drink.

With that she turned to her cart and presented me with "breakfast":



Nice huh?? Boy was I stuffed after that.

That's when it hit me that I am totaly over advertised and there is nothing in it for me.

A few days later I'm waiting for a train at Newark-Penn Station and check out what rolls into the station:



It's the History Channel Acela to where ever.



I'm wondering if traveling on that train is cheaper then my non-ad laden train??

The way I see it: If ads are going to be thrown in my face shouldn't I get paid for looking at them? Shouldn't my seat be cheaper because of these ads? I guess I'll just have to start walking around with my eyes closed.

Do you think I could sell ad space on my butt, because before you know it, it is going to be the last blank spot in town?

Death to the Death Penalty?

According to the Asbury Park Press, my home state of NJ is getting ready to start what should be a very heated debate.

On Dec 13th Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts Jr. has scheduled a vote on killing the states death penalty law.

However, as early as today, a state budget panel is going to consider the bill.

The bill is being sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak.

And here is why.... According to a January report by a special state commission, it costs more to execute a criminal then it does to keep them in prison for the rest of their lives and that the death penalty doesn't deter murder.

Huh???

Let's see if I understand this correctly....

Mr. B commits a crime punishable by the death penalty at age 25.

Option A. - Mr. B gets executed 10-15 years later.

Option B. - Mr. B gets sentenced to life and dies after 30-40 years in the state pen.

You mean to tell me that Option A is more expensive then Option B??? I need to research the numbers.

The article goes on to address how "cruel, morally infirm, ineffective, costly for taxpayers, and little solace for vast majority of survivors or homicide victims" this according to Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo of Essex.

Of the 8 people on death row, I wonder how many of their victims Mr. Caraballo "polled" to see how many of the victims families would find little solace.

A few other things to digest:

1. NJ reinstated the death penalty in 1962 but has not used it since 1963.

2. This bill is being floated out during the "lame duck" legislative period. This means that this bill can pass or fail based on votes by legislators who decided not to run for re-election or lost their seats.

3. 550 religious leaders wrote a letter to lawmakers stating the death penalty is "not in the best interest of our state, our justice system, or the safety of our people".

Anyone else worried about separation of Church & State here??

Why is this the first time we are hearing about this? Shouldn't't this be front page news (instead of page 3???) or is the fact that two jersey shore schools lost football games yesterday.

The way I see it: I am in favor of the Death Penalty. I'm not exactly a "kill'em all, let god sort them out" type of guy, but without this type of punishment and enforcement of such punishments, what is going to deter criminals.

Bah UNIONS!! Part Two

Ok, before I rant on I want to make two points.

1. It is not my intention to continually write about Unions. It/they are however becoming a sore subject for me the more I research what they do, don't do, & demand.

2. Even though no one has read my last blog I do want to apologies for them mish mosh rambling. I hope to be able to improve on this as I blog more often. Practice makes perfect.....I hope.

Now on to part two of Bah Unions!!!

So after doing some more research, I decided to post about Unions and Local One some more.

Here are some interesting things I found:

Wikipedia has a great page dedicated to the strike. The following are the contract issues:

Contract issues

Contract negotiations generally focused on work rules. Broadway shows offer a standard eight performances per week ("performance calls"), each of which lasts three to four hours. Additionally, there are "load-ins" (periods during which a show moves into a theater), rehearsals, "maintenance calls" (during which scenery, lighting and sound equipment are serviced, repaired and maintained), and opportunities for overtime. The League has accused the union of using its contract to secure featherbedding, a practice made illegal by the federal Taft-Hartley Act. Among the work rule changes sought by the League are:

• Loosening load-in rules: The load-in period may last several weeks and cost $1 million or more. Current work rules require producers to determine ahead of time how many stagehands are needed on each given day. These numbers cannot change once load-in begins, requiring produers to pay salaries even if no work occurs. The rule forces producers to better manage load-in and ensures that workers will not be on call (and unpaid for it) during the load-in period. The producers proposed essentially eliminating the rule. The union agreed to loosen the rule, but sought to keep a minimum number of stagehands at work each day.
• Overtime: The existing contract says that if any stagehand is required to work overtime during a load-in, all workers must stay and be paid overtime. The rule, like other load-in rules, is designed to force better management of load-in and force producers to hire an adequate number of stagehands rather than force a few workers to work lengthy amounts of overtime. The producers proposed loosening the rule so that producers determined how many stagehands would stay and earn overtime. The union agreed to discuss modifying the contract, but only if the League agreed to strengthen other parts of the contract.
• Performance and continuity calls: The current contract says stagehands may only perform work related to the performance during a performance call. If the producer wishes the stagehand to perform other duties, the producer must issue a one-hour "continuity call," even if the stagehand has no more work to do. If the one-hour continuity call is not long enough, producers are required to pay for a four-hour shift. Producers call the rule wasteful. But the union says the rule discourages theaters from forcing employees to work past midnight. The union also notes that many stagehands supplement their income with daytime jobs, and late nights significantly interfere with these arrangements.[1] Producers proposed widening the tasks stagehands may perform during performance calls and reducing the required four hours of pay. The union had agreed to discuss reducing the required four hours of pay in exchange for improving other benefits.
• Wages: There are four classes of stagehands. Head carpenters and electricians, who are in the top category, make about $1,600 a week. But most stagehands (riggers, winch-workers and operators) are in the lowest class, and make only about $1,200 a week. The union claimed that the proposed rule changes would cut workers salaries by 38 percent. The League offered different pay raises for different classes of workers, but the union argued these did not make up for the lost income.[2]

But many labor relations experts say the negotiations are not about work rules or economics, but the relative power of the two sides. Producers, who pay the theater owners, are also part of the League, and for the first time have taken a vocal and active role in pushing for contract changes in order to break the union's control over theater management. Subsequently the League established a $20 million "defense fund" to help theaters weather a strike.[1] In response, the union established a $4 million fund to help its members during a possible job action.[3] The strike was called by stagehands over dispute in the new contracts, which sought to reduce the number of stagehands employed by production houses. The old contract ended on July 31 and required that productions hire 22 stagehands at a minimum for big musicals.

The New York Times reports that under the terms of the new deal musicals now need to hire a minimum of 17 stagehands.

The strike, which began on November 10, had shut down 31 theaters, 27 shows as well as a Duran Duran concert. The New York City comptroller's office estimated that almost $40 million were lost because of the strike. This figure was calculated on basis of a $2 million loss per day.

Author : Ryan Jones earthtimes.org

So basically Local One decides to cripple New York City's economy because Producers, aka "employers" , who layout the money and take all the financial risks, want to slim down overhead by having to hire 22 stage hands as opposed to a number of workers that they know they need to run their shows as economically as possible.

Every business in the world is always looking at ways to cut overhead and increase profits. Why is it that every union feels that because their employer makes money they deserve an equal portion of that?

I am curious if Unions give back money if the shows fail and close with financial loses.

Why do employers put up with "Job preservation"? There are no inherit rights in this country for Job Preservation.

You want Job Preservation? Start your own company.

And this time, the Broadway owners and producers adopted a hard-line strategy against their workers.

Last month, the theater owners adopted the same aggressive stance with the stagehands. In the middle of contract negotiations, they unilaterally imposed new work rules on Local One's members.

That didn't intimidate (James) Claffey (President, Local One). He knows Broadway is booming these days. Ticket prices of $100 and $200 a seat are almost routine and most theaters were playing to full houses. Even in these boom times, the owners demanded more cuts to their labor costs.

It's getting to the point in this country that anyone who works with his hands is expected to labor for peanuts and not aspire to a middle-class lifestyle.

The line "anyone who works with his hands is expected to labor for peanuts and not aspire to a middle-class lifestyle" is probably one of the silliest things I have ever heard a "professional" say. I know non-union workers in other fields that are dominated by unions who make a very good living. They are WAY past the "middle-class" lifestyle.

According to the producers, their "average annual earnings," in salary and benefits, is more than $150,000, with many stagehands earning more than $200,000."

The union says the majority of its members make an average of $67,000 a year. However, many people believe that this is strictly a salary based number and does not include benefits.

So now that the Unions have most businesses by the balls, what can we do stop it or make them fall more in line with the way real businesses run.

Question of the day:

If I was a producer and I wanted to start a show and bring in my own team of stage hands and musicians, could I or am I a slave to the Unions??

The way I see it: We need major reforms when it comes to Unions. They use strong arm tactics to kill the economy.

1. ^ ^{a b c} Steven Greenhouse and Campbell Robertson, "In Broadway Dispute, Questions of Fairness," New York Times, November 25, 2007.
2. ^ ^{a b} Campbell Robertson, "Broadway's Showdown: The Lowdown," New York Times, November 14, 2007.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Campbell Robertson, "Stagehands Bracing for Broadway Showdown," New York Times, July 26, 2007.

Bah UNIONS!!

I know there are a lot of problems with our country, but I think one of the biggest problems we have are Unions.

Wikipedia has a great explanation of a Union: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_union.

Do I believe that Unions once served a purpose? Yes. When our great nation was forming and commerce and industry was growing, Unions were a necessary entity in order to make sure that employers did not take advantage of employees.

Labor laws were lax and unenforceable. Whistle blowers were few and far between.

Do we really need Unions today? Are people not strong enough to stand up for themselves? Do the file have to suffer while the rank get rich?

Is making $160,000 + a year to move stage equipment around not enough?

Do i have to get "raped" every time I want to move in and out boxes when I have an exhibit booth at Javits in New York or Las Vegas Convention Center in LV?

The Unions are KILLING our country.

Just because someone has a gripe the unions have to go on strike and suck the life out of a city? By the way, I have seen work done by Union and Non Union employees and I have to say, most of the time, you cant see a difference except in the bottom line.

If the Unions are so good for our country then tell me how they plan to help all the people that have lost their jobs or wont have the money to have a decent holiday around Broadway because working 4-5 hours a day and making $100K+ isn't good enough.

Oh and by the way, that blow up rat they use is pretty stupid. If a company is willing to hire non-union workers and get the same results, why should they have to pay $50+ an hour?

I'll have more on this later.

My first post

Greeting one and all (or none if no one reads this).

Everybody is blogging these days, so why not me? I have always wanted to start a journal or a diary, but never really had a time.

I still do not have the time but every time I talk with people about my views on certain topics, they always tell me I should write a blog, mind you, these people do not always agree with me, but they like my view.

Recently, things have been going on here and abroad which have made me seek an outlet for my thoughts and views so I have decided to start my own blog.

So here is my disclaimer:

1. I have titled my blog "The way I see it". My title says it all. This is the way I see things. I maybe right, I may be wrong, or I may just be crazy, but again, this is the way I see it.

2. I am not a professional writer so accept my apologies in advance for any spelling or grammatical errors I may make and miss.

3. I welcome anyone who reads this blog to leave comments.

About me:

I really do not classify myself as a Republican or Democrat. I vote (always) for the person or agenda that I agree with most. I am married and have three wonderful children. My job takes me around the world so I get to see a lot of different things.

Anyway, you will learn all about me through my blog.

Next Topic: Unions