Here's to you, Jay and Wayne

During my time in Boston I came to enjoy spending hours at the Boston Public Library perusing the books, doing research, attending concerts and presentations or simply people watching.

This past Tuesday I returned books to the library (and paid a late fine, of course!) and I mentioned to them that I wanted to leave with a clean balance since I was headed to Kentucky for a job, following my 11-month layoff. The person at the desk, Jay, told me that the BPL was preparing to lay off all those workers with less than 10 years of service at the end of the month. Jay has been at the library for nine years. This is almost too cruel, but the story does not end there. He went on to tell me practically everyone working the desk would be laid off. I looked at his colleague at the other end of the counter, Wayne, who looked at me and nodded in grim, sad agreement. We instantly shared a kinship that few working people can appreciate. I am just coming out of my lay off, one of the worst and most difficult moments of my life; they are about to enter a very trying and frustrating time. These are good people and it bothers me that they have to suffer this. I shared with them my routine for dealing with the layoff --they enjoyed hearing about my use of the punching bag and when I told them I imagined someone's face on it, they laughed.  I really hope these guys make it back on their feet.

The sad thing is, the president of the library makes $175,000 a year. I have a suggestion: why doesn't he take a pay cut as a contribution toward preventing people from losing their jobs?

Here's to you, Jay and Wayne.

Arrivederci, Roy Makaay

Today I read that the Feyenoord striker, Roy Makaay, announced his retirement at the end of the current season. With the departure of Makaay, the football loses a legitimate hit man whose every entry onto the pitch changed the complexion of a game. Makaay made a name for himself playing in Spain's La Liga where he played for Tenerife and Deportivo de la Coruña, helping the latter to its first league championship in 2000. He was a constant threat to the opposing side's goal keeper and his uncanny ability to find the back of the net places him in very select company. His 29 goals for Deportivo in 2003 capped an incredible year for Makaay as he dominated the scoring tables. I saw him play for Deportivo against Espanyol in Barcelona years ago and I was impressed by how fast the defense zoomed in on him when he entered into the game as a substitute.

Many Americans say they do not like soccer because it is low scoring. They should have been watching Roy Makaay play.

English is not enough

Learning a language is a good thing. I grew up speaking English and Spanish and I have learned Italian. In addition to being fun, it has many, especially cognitive, benefits. Read English is not enough by Catherine Porter to learn more.