Let's see....

I woke up this morning, my wife at my side, my son chattering downstairs over something or other.

I was warm, dry, and I went downstairs and found food in the refrigerator and the pantry.

I'm able to log on to the internet...read, type, listen, and do a bunch of other things.

Looking outside, it's a beautiful morning. Clear skies, sun shining, birds munching happily at my feeder.

Both of my parents are still alive. Papa TriSec is about to turn 75; Mama TriSec has some minor medical issues, but is still quite fine at 67.

We all still have our health. Mrs. TriSec has recovered nicely from surgery over a year ago; Javi's asthma and other minor issues are under control, and I've got nothing happening on the medical front, either.

My car is paid off. I go out every day and it starts and runs reliably. Sure, there's some cosmetic things that need fixing, but the "airframe" and engine are sound.

Monday morning, I'll send my child off to a brand-new school building in this city, with a class size of just 19. I know some places approaching 30 kids and in crumbling, decades-old buildings.

We have a vast network of friends and family that live nearby; it's easy to travel to visit cousins, aunts, uncles, and old friends from wherever. Some of them are even always willing to pony up money or food, or help us buy things for Javi if we need help.

The neighborhood where we live, despite having a downturn over the past 8 years or so, is still relatively safe and quiet. There's plenty of kids around to play with, and better playgrounds and a big field to run around in are mere steps away.

Lesser items in the big picture, but I'm no less thankful for being a Bostonian. Despite razzing others on the blog, there's quite a thrill to me to be able to live and work in the same places where John Hancock, Paul Revere, and George Washington trod and fought.

Our sports teams seem to be doing well; after nearly a decade out of the picture, the Celtics and Bruins are both making legitimate runs at their respective championships, and the Red Sox have just opened camp. Spring is coming, for sure!

BC, BU, and Northeastern are all highly ranked this year in my favorite college sport...hockey! We just had the Beanpot, and they're getting ready for the NCAA playoffs...BC won it all last year, and BU is favored to win this year.

Soon, we'll be out and about walking through the woods. Thanks to an extensive local park system, and the wonderful Mass Audubon Society, we have hundreds of acres of land that have been preserved for us city-dwellers to get out and re-connect to nature, many within a few minute's drive. Not all places have that.



I've got a couple more things to be thankful for...

We elected President Obama. He got his jobs-creation package through and that includes extended unemployment benefits and tax breaks for us common folk. I shudder to think what my future might look like this morning under McCain's watch.

The industry I work in is one of the few growth industries left in these United States. Fortunately, I have a skill that is in high demand, and the field is so narrow there's a finite number of people that can do it.

In addition to that, my work career is so varied and extensive, two agencies have already told me that my resume is terrific; they shouldn't have any trouble finding opportunities for me.

Lastly....this blog. Like I posted a few weeks back on that "25 things" we've all seen...."I'm glad some people I know on the internet have turned into real friends."

So....you all know I got laid off Tuesday. I contemplated writing a "woe is me" blog this morning, but fuck that.


:peace: