Halfway thru 2009

Here is another picture of a bearded blue Iris from my yard. For the camera freaks out there, this was taken with a Kodak Z712IS using the Smart Scene setting. Although you can setup this camera so you can adjust all the scene settings, the automatic setting does a nice job of adjusting the depth of field on close up shots. I can put over 1000 6.3MP images on the high speed 2GB memory card that I added and the Kodak rechargeable battery pack will go all weekend without a recharge.

We are creeping up on the halfway point in 2009. I don't know about you, but I don't think much has changed since the beginning of the year. My employer is still struggling. The price of gas is going up again. And the price of everything else continues to rise, while my wages are frozen at 2006 levels. The only good thing I have to report is that the stock market has recovered from its lows earlier in the year. But it still has a long way to go to make up for the loses suffered in 2008. My guess is that the Dow will have a hard time getting past 8800 this year. More likely, with the world the way it is, it will retreat below 8000 before years end.

It might be time for all of us to review our goals and make some adjustments. We have already cut our living expenses as far as possible. Maybe it's time to look for a better job or start a business of your own. At least you wouldn't have to worry about a boss who doesn't understand you. I have set a selling price of $2400 for my 1976 Datsun 280Z (pictured on the right). If you like old sports cars and live in Northern Wisconsin, use my contact form to inquire about it.