Dog days of summer

After surviving the opressive heat and humidity that hasn't been seen on the Saskatchewan prairie in a long, long time, I decided that I should begin the month of August with a renewed effort to keep my "thriving" readership from starving for my commentary (or what passes as it anyway). It's been a fortnight (for my Canadian impaired friends that's two weeks) since my last post and I need to do a lot better in this department, especially since I have all the time in the world at the moment.
For those that don't know, I have been back in the market for a job since early May and - unfortunately - have had to turn down a few offers due to a lack of ability to survive (read - couldn't pay the exorbitant rents in Alberta on the salary, if that's what they call it, the company was putting forward).
That seems to be the biggest reason for the job hunt having to continue lately. Oh yeah, and the fact that I can afford to be picky right now. There has been no lack of interviews: several newspapers - both for editor, news or sports reporter positions - along with a couple of radio stations and a few posts on the "dark side". The majority have been in Saskatchewan, but there has been ones in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. I haven't really gone after anything further east, unless it was something that was very intriguing.
Once I figure out how to do it, I'll post some articles and photos I have kept from my career so far.
As for the rest of the time I have had off, I have spent much of it with my family - my wife and three children - who were sad to see my without a job, but extremely pleased that they can once again see me more than an hour at lunch and a few hours before bedtime a few times a week. That's the one thing that has been a blessing during this time - a chance to have kind of a vacation with the family, something that we have missed having for the past three years.
I really don't want it to end, but the oldest goes back to school in less than a month, so if I get a job soon it won't be like I'd be missing a lot more than if it happened a month or so ago. And this "break" has also helped me better appreciate the time I have been able to spend with the family, as well as knowing what I should do more of when I do get a job.
To end this post, I'll give "Just an observation" on a few things from the later part of July:

• As I was on my way back home this past Monday (July 30) and I began to hear reports of tornado sightings in an area that I could have been driving through - should I have choosen that route home - I was taken back 20 years to Black Friday. I had only 30-40 minutes earlier, driven through the area of Sherwood Park (AB) where the killer tornado of July 31, 1987 struck before it moved onto the trailer park. Hearing about a tornado nearby put me right back there and stirred up sights, feelings and memories that will never be forgotten. Also, being a volunteer firefighter now, gives me even more appreciation for what the rescuers had to do back then in the aftermath.
• The casual sports fan could soon become the amateur sports fan, as the gambling and drug abuse allegations combined with the overall apathy towards professional athletes as of late take its toll on several sports - ie: cycling, baseball, hockey, basketball....Maybe if fans weren't so interested in the everyday occurances of the athletes and more focused on just what went on in the games, then it would become a sport again -- instead of a soap opera.
• Is it just me or is everyone about sick of hearing about the spoiled Hollywood brats and supposed stars in every newscast during the day??

Okay, that's it for now....Everyone have a good long weekend and stay safe.