This Week at home.

In the week ending August 14, 2009 I have managed to read 8 library books. I am starting on my ninth library book. This is in addition to at least 5 magazines and 2 newspapers. Yes I am addicted to reading. I have been my whole life.

I read all of the technical literature I could get my hands on while I was a working man. At any one time I had 20 different technical magazines, catalogs, and newspapers received each week. Fortunately most of them were free because of my job. It was one of the ways in which I kept abreast of new technology and new products as they were introduced to the market place. In addition, I attended as many college extension classes, expositions, and seminars as I could manage. By doing this type of constant learning, I have kept my brain active and oh! by the way, I learned a hell of a lot.

I never did understand why most of my co-workers would never pick up a technical magazine, or catalog, or technical manual. When I asked them why they didn't try to kept abreast of new advancements in technology, they would say, I graduated from college, I don't want to go back to studying again.

There is a serious flaw in that type of thinking, when they got laid off, they didn't have the skills or knowledge needed to qualify for a new job or a new career. They were stuck in a rut with no way out. Case in point, look at all the people laid off from the automobile industry, they all had to be sent to some type of training course before they could qualify to go to work back in the auto industry or to any other industry. On the other hand there were a significant number of them that never were able to go back to work.

The one thing I do recommend to everybody is, continue to increase your knowledge, not only in your chosen career field, but also expand your horizons to include a broad range of subjects. I can't stress how important this is to your mental health and happiness. It will also allow you to enter into just about any topical conversation.

I love to read because it takes me away from the mundane day to day existence. I have even started writing my autobiography, and a science fiction novel. It is doubtful that either one will be published. Although it would be really nice if I could get them published. I think I will reconsider pursuing that objective.

God Bless us all,

gahillbilly