Cashier's Checks Ahoy!

What's in your draw? I don't mean the one at work. I mean any draw that you have access to. If your name is Bernard Madoff, how about $173M in cashier's checks. Madoff was just about to mail them out to family members and close acquaintances before he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Boy, If I could only change my last name to: Made Off with other people's money. Then again Federal Time in Jail is no laughing matter. I will always opt for freedom with an anorexic bank account instead of jail time with an overweight one.

Flour Power

I need flour for cakes, pastries, cookies, dumplings and of course bread. Food today, food now and food forever. This according to 30 year old Shanon Thomas, a contestant on NBC's show, The Biggest Loser. Shanon recently assaulted a tenant or someone who had the "audacity" to take away a bag of self rising flour from her.

You can mess with anything you want buddy! Don't take away my flour from me or else there will be hell to pay. I will do time in jail if you mess with my food. You think I gained this much weight by eating the skinny-girl diet ha? No way buster! It was all carbohydrates! Flour for life! Hail to the bag of self-rising flour.

Slash and Burn Paterson

Today's State of the State address by governor Paterson was more of the same. Governor Paterson would have been a great general during the Russian conflict with the Germans in the World War II era. He is a slash and burn specialist.

Increases in user fees at a time when unemployment numbers continue to climb and us city residents are just trying to keep our heads above water. Reduction in education assistance for city students and increases in tuition at the City University of New York (CUNY). Great going governor Paterson.

What's more troubling is the deafening silence and lack of outrage from interest groups and city residents who will face even more stringent times during this current recession. I have a budget idea governor. Why not cut the salaries of Albany Fat Cats who are quietly earning six figure annual salaries.

We know that the state earns some 25% of its tax revenue from the financial services sector. Thus, whenever Wall Street goes to hell in a hand basket, the state coffers has a huge gaping hole. So why not diversify and reduce the dependence on Wall Street tax revenue? Besides, just how did the state find itself in such a huge hole anyway?

But that will not happen. Instead, you keep taking and taking from those who can least afford it. Hail to the Chief of Slash and Burn. You're doing a fantastic job governor.

Single Black Guitar

There he was, unmasked in blue jeans, an orange T-Shit and an orange cap. Playing his music probably hoping to sign a record deal at some point in his career. The empty black guitar case held the dollars, nickles and dimes donated by patrons.

Who can argue with cash? Especially in these times. Cash, no checks, no bosses, just cold hard cash. If I could only play an instrument.

Father Time Is The Boss

While assisting an elderly gentleman across the street with his walker, well I'm not sure if he was a gentleman, I realized how fleeting time is. Within a few decades I will be there myself plus or minus the walker. Recent conversations with my parents have changed slightly.

Conversations now center along the lines of Social Security Payments, one minor ailment or another and what body part did not hurt from one week to the next. One week it's knee and joint pain followed by back pain the next. We should all make a commitment to live and enjoy every given day. Once that time passes it will never be regained. We're only young once. Just where did the time go?

One day I could run like a deer, hang out late at the clubs and everything else in between. I sure had fun though and I hope everyone in reader land is having fun too. When it's over, all we have left are the memories of our youth engraved like a statue.

Oh father time, you just keep marching on with no end in sight. I thought you would never march down my street because you were so busy with everyone else: My parents, the neighbors, my grandparents and so many others. Now it seems that you are walking down my way. slowly but surely.

You're the unwelcome guest that I must cater to whether or not the cupboard is filled and the ice box has drinks. Will you please slow down your march down that lonely road. I have so many things left on my bucket list. If I could only find the fountain of youth.

Alas: The Bully Boss

A job is more than something that we're proud of. It is the means by which we trade our skills, talent and training for a living wage. What do you do when your boss behaves more like Jerome the lunch room bully, who enjoys stealing your recess, instead of that pragmatic superior who treats you with respect?

Besides taking one for the team, there are several key things that employees can do to fight back. Diagnosing the person, and the era in which they were born is the key. Employees whose bosses are Baby Boomers, need to understand a few key concepts, according a study from Cornell University, School of Labor and Industrial Relations.

When managing boomers, show them how you can help them use time wisely. Assess their comfort level with technology in advance. Demonstrate how important a strong team is and customize your style to their unique needs.

If these tips fail, taking a step back is essential. Remember, you're not less of a man or woman when you take a step back. Instead, emphasize that working with you will be a good experience for them. Follow up and check in and ask how the individual is doing on a regular basis. Lastly, remember that people will only do to you, "What you allow them to do."

Please share your horror stories on this site. You can remain anonymous.

Fifty Stinky Dollars

What does $50.00 buy you these days? How about, one construction strap engineered to code, no indictment, seven lives spared, one high rise building in pristine condition and a permanent stay-out-of jail card. So says Manhattan's District Attorney, Robert Morgenthau, in a recently unsealed indictment.

Oh well, enjoy your time in the Big House contractor William Rapetti. Maybe you will assist with the construction of a new fence for general population. If that one fails, you only have riots to contend with led by buffed guys serving life sentences. Have fun.