Rant.

Much like everyone else, I've watched the economy tank over the last few years and have had my own hardships and struggles to deal with - some related to the economic decline, but most not. I've had to take a long, hard look at myself and realize that there was a LOT that needed to change.

I have come to the following two conclusions:

- Most of us are whiners. On one hand, I understand the fear of running out of unemployment all too well. I can also comprehend the struggle of those who have families to support in these tough times. Taking all these things into consideration, I still believe that most people in this country live *well* beyond their means (as I did for years), confusing "want" for "need," and "could" for "should." There are plenty of jobs, they just aren't the jobs you want. Do you want to continue to wrap your degrees and certifications around your sense of entitlement and starve, or would you rather be able to eat? Because it's decision time.

- Politics in this country has devolved into a watered-down version of the NFL, without the cool halftime shows, cheerleaders, or definitive end result. Two diametrically opposed points of view are at war in Congress: one side is uncharitable, greedy and short-sighted; the other, while sympathetic and generally kinder, commands about as much authority as a 7-year-old armed with a super-soaker in a shark tank. And sadly, neither side really gives a crap about YOU. They know full well that the longer they can go without compromise, the longer they can continue to argue pointlessly, sit in big leather chairs and collect a check.

If you want to do something to help - make sure your OWN house is in order first. Because Washington couldn't care less.

I'm not necessarily talking about hunkering down for tax increases from the big, bad democrats. I'm talking about something more basic. Like giving up $5 Starbucks lattes for the black sludge you hate at work. Like paying down credit cards. Like not trading in your current car for the latest Hybrid rip-off because it crossed the 100,000 mile mark.

It isn't easy, but it can be done. I wouldn't say these things if I myself wasn't trying to do the same.

TGIF.

Ambition. Jobs. Get money. The End.

Unless you are lucky enough to be making a living doing what you LOVE - it's a *job*. Get money. Go home.

There was a time in my life when I had an ego about "jobs" - ie. where I worked, how it looked to the rest of the world, how much money I was making, etc. etc. Recent life experience has taught me otherwise. In December of 2009 I was as financially destitute as I have ever been. January-August I was delivering pies for a major nationwide pizza chain. Now I'm working as an instructional designer, using my "degree," and the contract ends in a little over a month.

I remember being in my recruiter's office before I was hired for my current position. She was young. She was excited. She was going on and on about her career ambitions...how she wanted to ultimately be the *best* (paraprhased) "...senior vice president in charge of something-something-multimedia instructional-something-sales and development-blah-blah for the southeast regional business unit level-something-x with a concentration in oligopoly..." that she could be!

Who grows up thinking that? I wanted to be a police officer. ROFL not so much anymore.

Actually, I wanted to be a Lego expert or a Nintendo game tester.

What got me thinking about all of this? I read the job postings on Craigslist every day. All I see are a thousand qualifications required and a million hoops to jump through for: pennies on the dollar; a comfy chair; and a moon roof (oh, and the company only pays for half). I really do pity recent college grads. To enter a job market like this, an economy like this, with no experience...makes me shivver.

If I could, I would tell them all, "Ask yourselves what's most important to you. Then taylor everything else in your life to serve that end. Because they will have you chasing paper, chasing titles and brass rings, and driving you to drink. And in the end, you will have wasted years, and they will have made a fortune."

Bottom line: my priorities are my music, and the people I love. Aside from that? I get money, and I go home.