Happy ThanksgivingI

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, rather than feeling gloomy and blue as I have for most of this week I thought I would make and effort to see If I could list some things that I am truly thankful for.

1. My wife: She's my best friend and her love and support is always there for me. I probably don't show and tell her that enough but after 23 years I think she knows it.

2. My children: Watching my kids grow up. There have been so many special times I couldn't even list them all. With all the ups and downs that parenthood brings I'm so thankful to have them.

3. My parents: I'm thankful for the support and love they have shown me in trying times and in good times. They have always been there.

4. My friends: Even though I don't have many close friends I do have quite a few what I'd call acquaintances. These along with my true few friends a am thankful for.

5. My siblings: It was a blessing to grow up with brothers and sisters. Even though we've grown apart over the years, I know they all still care about our well being and would be there in a pinch.

6. My health: I thankful that I am healthy. Through age 52 I really haven't had any health issues. I put my body through hell from time to time but everything checks out good. Good genes I guess. Thanks to Mom and Dad again.

7. My job: With so many Americans unemployed I am thankful that both Maureen and I have jobs.

8. eBay and the Internet: This is something I truly enjoy doing. Saturday mornings looking for bargains and then listing and reselling these things on eBay. We've almost hit 2000 feedback. The Internet has opened so many other doors for us.

9. Golf: Nothing like an enjoyable round of golf. If I get to walk the 18 holes it's even that much better. I sure wish I could do it more.

10: The Teamsters: The Teamsters have done so much for me. They have accounted for my job security, good health care and benefits. My position as president of Local 67 has given me the ability to help save jobs, negotiate good wages and keep local employers in check.

11. Travel: I've been fortunate over the past 8 years to travel on business 2-3 times per year. Our trip to Hawaii last November was full of special memories.

12. Cancun: My trip to Cancun, Mexico last spring with Jamie was just as special. Fond memories.

13. American: I'm thankful to be an American. Even with all our faults it's still the best country in the world and I get to vote.

14: Quitting: I'm glad I was able to quit smoking cigarettes, even though I'll occasionally enjoy a good cigar.

15: Gadgets: Computers, Laptops, iPad, iPhone, iPad. All have made me learn and communicate better. I could do without TV because of all the crap they show.

16: Digital Cameras: Made it so easy for me to record special occasssions and other cool things.

16: Music: I'm thankful for my ability to play rhythm guitar. I truly enjoy strumming chords to background music.

17: The seasons: Even though I hate this season becasue of all the work it creates, I am thankful that our weather changes 4 times a year.

18: Mistakes: I'm thankful for the mistakes I've made. They've given me the chance to learn from them and get better.

19: My Home: Even with a mortgage, I'm thankful that I have a place to hang my hat and call home.

20: Simple Things: All the Beautiful and simple things that I take for granted. Sunshine, rain, snow, smells, flowers, trees, animals, newspapers and on and on.

There you have it 20 things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. Have a great Holiday.

Our Trip to New Orleans

We traveled to New Orleans because of the Annual Employee Benefit Conference I attend every year around this time. We arrived around noon and after checking into the Hotel we ventured out for lunch. I can't recall the name of the restaurant but it featured Cajun food. I had cup of Gumbo which was delicious, then we both tried Po-Boy sandwiches, Maureen with shrimp and I had the fish. They too were very good.


After a short walk we came upon the Mississippi River and decided to take a ride on a Steamboat. It was a two hour cruise up and down the river. It was nice seeing the port of New Orleans from the river. The narrator did a good job explaining the sites along the shore. There was a jazz band inside playing typical New Orleans jazz. It was a sunny afternoon and a very pleasant boat ride. The picture is at the back of the boat. Notice the huge red paddle, which powered the ship through the water.

Later that evening we walked about 5 blocks and found ourselves on Bourbon Street for the first time. It was Saturday Night of Halloween weekend and it was crazy. Wall to wall people. You could barely get down the street it was so packed. Many were dressed in costume but we had decided earlier we would dress up on Halloween night. It made the streets of Vegas look tame. All kinds of strip clubs, queers and pornography. I did not care for all the Homosexuals. Way to many of them and they were right out there. The group of 12 dressed as the Christmas reindeer took the cake. There were plenty of young people having a good time and we did too.

Monday was Halloween. We dressed up to attend some parties that were being sponsored by some of the vendors at the conference. This picture was taken on a balcony at the first party we attended. That was fun being up on a balcony watching the folks parade down Bourbon street. We had plenty of beads to toss their way. We stayed there a couple hours and then went further down Bourbon Street to another event which was being sponsored by Aetna. They had the entire club rented out and once inside everything was provided they even had dancing upstairs. We had a good time there. Next we headed to the last party which was another block down the street at club 51. There was a line outside because they were at capacity so as 2 came out they let 2 in. We only waited about 10 minutes and decide that was enough let's head back. Good thing we did because about a half hour later there was a shooting right there outside of club 51. the news account the next morning said there were 3 separate shooting Halloween night on Bourbon street 2 people killed 16 injured, 1 conference attendee had be hit in the arm. As we were walking back to the hotel you could tell it was a whole different type of folks coming in, thug types from the inner city. It didn't look good. Glad we got out of there. That was our last at Bourbon street.

Tuesday while I was at the conference and before her flight home Maureen signed up with the Concierge at the hotel for a swamp tour. Here is a picture of her with the tour guide. It sounded like a fun. They picked her up at the hotel and took them right to the marina where they got onto one of those airboats and were taken out into the Louisiana swamps in search of alligators. They saw a bunch of them and in fact some pretty close up to the boat.

Wednesday, the conference was over adn I had the entire day to go sightseeing. I spent the morning at the National World War II Museum. Then I walked through the warehouse district and made my way to the french quarter. Many street musicians and artists along the way. The weather was perfect that day. Sunny and in the low 70's. Once in the French quarter I walked through the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest in the US. Beautiful inside. This is a picture from across the street.