Are We Done Yet?

Our president actually said all these things during a single press conference the other night (credit to the Washington Post).  Someone needs to get him a Roget's.

· "The legislative process is just getting started, and I'm optimistic we'll get something done."

· " John Bolton can get the job done at the United Nations."

· "In other words, this is a serious problem. And the American people expect us to put our politics aside and get it done."

· "They're wondering what's going on. . . . They're wondering why we can't get Social Security done."

· "And my pledge to the American people is, I'll continue to work hard with people of both parties and share credit and give people the benefit of the credit when we get something done."

· "I don't think so. I think when it's all said and done, we're going to get a lot done."

· "But your grandchildren are going to have a heck of a price to bear if we don't get something done now."

· "You see, it's possible, if nothing gets done, that the payroll taxes will go up to some 18 percent. Imagine that for your children and grandchildren living in a society where payroll taxes are up at 18 percent. Or there'll be dramatic benefit cuts as time goes on. Now's the time to get it done."

Old Pictures III

Last installment.  Here are a few odds and ends.

Old Pictures II

Here's more.  To celebrate the end of Nina's first decade, we went on a family bowling outing.  As you can see, even the littlest ones got into the act. . . . or should I say, of course the little ones got into the act?

Old Pictures I

As promised, I'm going to post pictures from the last several months while the blog has been in hibernation.  Here is the first set.

New Job

So by now it is old news that I've started a new job with Honeywell, but I thought I'd say a little about what I'll be doing.  My new position is Chief Litigation Counsel - Specialty Materials.  I am managing all litigation for Honeywell's Specialty Materials unit, which is a $3.2 billion business that makes, among other things, chemicals, nylon and materials for semiconductor applications.  This unit was part of the old AlliedSignal company, which merged with Honeywell in 1999 after which the combined company took the Honeywell name.  I've put a link to Honeywell's website in the margin, so you can go there and check under Specialty Materials for more on what it does.  Honeywell actually has a plant in Baton Rouge -- so maybe I'll finally get some business trips back home!

State of Nature is Back!

I know you've all missed the blog terribly.  I have missed blogging.  The job transition and all the associated kerfuffle has led to the blog falling by the wayside.  In addition, the old State of Nature site was created on my work AOL account, which, of course, has disappeared into the ether and taken State of Nature with it (although, as we all know, these things never really disappear, and I'm sure that some mole engineer haunting a dark basement in San Jose could find it).  So I bring you State of Nature II, which promises to be just as relevant, amusing and intellectually stimulating as the original.

I have quite a backlog of pictures I'd like to share, so stay tuned over the next several days for what could be a fun recap of the last several months.