Time On My Hands

August 12, 2009 — Since I have basically retired from the corporate world and have been staying at home, I find myself with a lot of time on my hands. It's not good to just sit around and I am sure most people realize that. So, I am looking for things that interest me that I can do that keep me intellectually engaged and somewhat active. I'm not talking about woodworking or doing handy man sorts of things. I am definitely not very good with a screwdriver in my hands. But using things like this computer or doing some teaching...now that is what I would like to do.

Anyone that knows me at all also knows that I am a big advocate of our military service men and women and their families. Even more so I am a strong advocate for that class of citizen known as Veterans. I am a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and an active member in my Post. That Post does not currently have a web site. Well I have the software tools and the skills to build and maintain such a web site. So, this Thursday I will make a proposal to the Executive Committee of the Post to get behind spending the money for a web hosting service and the appointing of a committee by the Post Commander to make recommendations to that Executive Committee on web site content. To me it is a sound proposal that could have many benefits for the Post and it's members. It is not only an inexpensive way of advertising our presence in our community, but could open many doors, or I should say windows, to our membership on issues affecting them and information about those issues that is available on the web. Yes, one has to be careful what they read and access on the web. You sure don't want to be guiding someone to bad information or blogs such a this one that might be slanted (more on that in a moment). I do know however it could have so many good benefits if it were available. Plus it is something that I like to do as a hobby...building web sites that is. Oh I almost forgot...I like to play golf also.

This teaching thing I believe is a part of me that I owe to my Mother and a couple of her sisters. I have had several siblings that were also very good teachers. I have spent a lot of time in the two careers I have followed in providing technical training and in technical training curriculum development. I like to teach and to lead others to an understanding of some issue or at least to a broader perspective of that issue. However, I have never done this formally with children or young adults. I have applied and been accepted by two school districts where I live to do substitute teaching this coming school year. I think it is going to be a great experience even though the opportunity to do some real teaching may be limited. I am certainly going to give it my best shot.

This blog started out so I could express myself about things that really matter to me. It has proven to be a time consumer because not only does it take me awhile to input this sometimes gibberish...as my typing skills are not the best and in fact are like the old newspaper reporter sitting at his Royal typewriter and tapping with two fingers. It has also caused me to stop and think about what it is I want to say and to do so intelligently. I do not know if I am successful at that or not or whether others read this blog, but I do know that it is very good for me. It's been stimulating and fun so far...and to me...it's what really matters!