A Year in Review

After over a year of hiatus from my blog, I have come back to it. I would have to say things like Facebook have probably taken a real tole on blogging. It seems like social networking is much more interactive these days than the communication formally served by blogs. I guess that's why FB has done so well. However, I think the instant quip-quip speak/response mechanism of FB loses something in the process. I'm not quite sure what except that people tend to be more short-worded, more abbreviated in their response, and etc. So, the blog still has a place on the net in my opinion.

So, during the elapsed year, I lost my job (this year) and found a new one! The old one was in telecom and had lasted me some 16 years in which I was fully loyal to my employer. Sadly, these are not times in which some employers remain loyal to their employees. As net profit dips and dives with the economy, so do the loyalties of the employers to their employees - some industries are naturally worse than others. Apparently (based on the numbers) I was in one of the worst. That fact is verifiable by the nearly constant continuation of layoffs over 11 years. So, after they decided they needed to improve their operating margins by laying off another 530 employees (one of which was me), I decided (with their help) it was time for a career change. So, I left telecom and have ended up in farming! (who knew?!) :O)

Well, I would have to say the change has been one for the far better. I now have a job with a company that seems very secure and not given to the layoff behavior of the telecom industry. Their profits are robust and positive each quarter and I love what I do for them. What do I do for them you ask? I program the multiple computer controllers that ride along on planters that are pulled behind tractors! That is, I program the controllers to serve the functions required to plant corn, soybean, etc. It's a blast. There is so much to learn! Today's farming clearly merits the term 'precision farming' as there is so much computerization of the tractor and trailing implements (seeders, sprayers, planters) with things like GPS and hydraulics and other electrical doo-dads permitting these devices to do the work of 20 men. We have planters now that can plant up to 36 rows of corn at a time! Many years ago, it would have taken a lot longer to do that than it does now. So, they are amazing pieces of machinery. What's more, they are BIG! The tractors are big, the planters are big and what little boy doesn't enjoy working around large heavy machinery?!!! ;O)

I hope to keep my blog more up to date in the future for those of you who still find something about it of interest. Feel free to comment on posts. The comments are moderated - meaning I have to review them before they appear publicly on my blog - but I appreciate your comments and shared thoughts.

I have quite a few ideas for blogs and no doubt some unplanned topics will arise as always too.

For now, take care - be happy, and always thank God for your blessings. I have much this year for which I can be thankful and I am trying to remember to express that gratitude in prayers daily. He deserves it! :O) - JR -