EMPLOYED!

Dear Friends,

I can honestly say that I am EMPLOYED! Ok, employed again, but still. I got offered a job at a company that deals with fire suppression systems on heavy equipment. Ok, so now you can all say that you know a real  gay man--totally kidding. I got offered the position at a good salary and accepted the position, plus I have prior experience.

This coming week I will be going to a conference in Charlotte with two of my colleagues and am looking forward to the time alone for contemplation and meditation. I may take the book, 'The Celebration of Discipline' with me. A Lutheran pastor suggested I read it when I was in a bad time in my life. Yeah...it's looking like my backpack wants the book, so I guess I'll throw it in there. Hey, I have three nights to read it-should be plenty of time, right?

I'll talk later...maybe when I'm still here in Columbia or if I'm in Charlotte at the conference.


Love,

Will

Unemployment

The past two weeks I have e-mailed cover letters and resumes to over one hundred law firms and other positions within Human Resources Dept. I get replies like, "I appreciate your resume, but I am fully staffed. I will keep your file anyway if I get any inquiries soon. Best of Luck"

I will continue to be unemployed, walk up and down Main St. in Columbia searching for jobs--but I refuse to speak to those people who say they can find me a job. I'd much rather find one on my own.

The Way You Look Tonight

Well, Tony Bennett has done it yet again. Do you ever get that nostalgic feeling of jumping up in a warm bed at night? This may sound pompous, but I still get that feeling with my love. Well, I was fortunate to be gifted Tony Bennett's original signed copy of his autobiography, 'Life is a Gift.' I have found that the small, simple things mean so much more than the extravagant things.

Two great quotes in his book have molded certain parts of my life: "When the uncreative tell the creative what to do, it stops becoming art." and "Never underestimate the knowledge or understanding of the public."


I think Alexander Powell and Sanford taught each other these virtues, with the help of their art teacher Sally, of course. I met Tony while living in New York and his editorial skills aren't as good as his voice--but hey, we can't be perfect at every thing!

For those couples who doubt one another, remember a lyric from one of his songs...

"With all your faults, I love you still...It had to be you."

Remember--I'm only an e-mail away. 

Sincerely,
Will

Living Life

Listening To: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

I didn't find love--It found me. Like many people at a young age who have been through a hard time, I was broken. Broken pieces can be repaired, though,

Do you remember, as a child, putting together a puzzle? Well, that is the way you live your life, essentially. Some parts fit and others don't, but in some magical way they all come together to make a masterpiece--differences and all.

Life is much like a puzzle, in that it helps us learn--young and old. When putting together a puzzle, we become creative, innovative, challenged, and ultimately proud of our work.

But our work can make us discouraged quite often. How we overcome this frustration will be explained in the following blog entries. Now, you must note that I don't have all the answers, of which neither you or I will ever have, but I hope it can be a tool for you to attempt to find your inner happiness.

Note: The following several blog entries are dedicated to Alexander Powell and Sanford Dinkins.

Confronting the "Gay Lifestyle" in Columbia

I want to preface this post by saying that I am not afraid of my partner's parents, nor am I intimidated by them.

My partner told me today that he was almost fired because of certain actions he performed. These actions include, but are not limited to: "acting gay in public," "referencing Will to well-known attorneys in Columbia", and "being a "bad representative in Columbia society because of your sexual lifestyle." 

I am certainly mature enough not to address any names who spoke these words, as Columbia is a small town; however, I am not afraid to address my opinions, as I have the right to do that. 

Article 19 of the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights,' drafted in 1948 states that...  

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

Frankly, I do not care who you are, how much money you have, or how much power you think you have. I will tell you this: Our government can overthrow your petitions regarding this capacity, and you will have to answer to someone one day.

Blessed be to God and all of the people struggling with this issue. If you are struggling with these issues, I am only an e-mail, Facebook message, or phone call away to talk to.

Regards,

William Baker