Allentown Where's The Jobs?

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The Way It Once Was
A partial list of significant jobs within the city limits which no longer exist
     A&B & Swift meats
     Western Electric
     Mack Trucks
     Bell Telephone
     Allen Laundry
     Dozens of textile mills
     Several large department stores
     General Electric
     Numerous repair shops (we don't repair things anymore)
     Gas station attendants & repair bays
     Dairy, beer & soda makers
     Home delivery & huckster jobs
     Metal and large machinery repair shops

I'm sure old timers can think of many more. What each had in common was a kid could get out of high school and land one of these jobs without additional education. Most employers provided their own onsite training.

Here's The Pickle We're In
There are tons of people who graduate each year who will have none these same opportunities Few will become rocket scientists, world famous physicians or entertainment superstars. There are all kinds of reasons why these jobs no longer exist. Still the fact remains these kind of job opportunities remain a relic of the past for the average schmuck. The vast majority will be relegated to finding a warehouse, service or burger flipping job being unable to support families. Far more feeling left out in the cold and frustrated from even landing these kind of jobs.

How Do We Fix This?
One thing I can tell ya jobs scraping the ice, bartending and flipping burgers at the arena on event nights a couple of nights a month isn't going to cut it. Neither is being on call to clean hotel rooms and offices. Frankly I wouldn't wait for a political hack to come up with solutions at either the federal, state or local levels. Everything's changed.

If I were graduating high school today here's a few things I might consider* Two years will get someone a ticket in the fields of radiology or nursing
* 6-24 months earns one a ticket to become an EMT or Paramedic
* Cops get paid well requiring minimal education for some departments
* Join the Navy or Air Force (where you're not likely to get your butt shot)
* Plumbing or electrical work
* Apply everywhere for city or park work
* Run unopposed for state office (not silly as it sounds)I'm sure there's plenty more I haven't thought of. What each has in common they require the least investment in both time and money. One thing's for sure, it beats waiting around for some politician's promises. None of them are ever going to bring back manufacturing or the job opportunities of the 60's.

Phrases You Don't Hear Anymore

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Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.

Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter in the mail today.

Quit slamming the screen door when you go out !

Don't forget to wind your clock before bed.

Don't you go outside with your school clothes on.

Take that empty bottle to the store so you won't have to pay deposit.

Quit jumping on the floor, I have a cake in the oven.

Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by.

Don't lose that button; I won't be able to sew it back on.

Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so it doesn't get infected.

Hurry up and finish drying the dishes.

I'm going out and compression start the car.

I have to take the wash off the line before we leave.

I'm running out of fresh boiled diapers.

Why would I need a phone in my bedroom?

Don't forget to leave a note for the milkman.

The car needs to get it's points adjusted.

Isn't a skateboard nothing more then a scooter with a broken handle?

I just met the cutest 'soda jerk'.

Got to go and boil some baby bottles.

Socks need darning.

TV's acting up. I'm going down to the store's tube tester.

The coal bin is almost empty.

The record player needs a new needle.

I ran out of carbon paper.

The 8 track mangled the tape.. AGAIN !

I got that information on my 'rolodex'.

The Mimeograph needs more stencils

The handle is broke on the office adding machine.

Encyclopedia salesman is at the door.

Insurance man is here for this month's payment.

Check the oil. Give me $2 worth of gas.

I'm taking the toaster down to the fix-it shop.

What's 'revolving credit'?

Hospital says there's no smoking near the oxygen tent.

When cigarettes go to 35¢ I'm quitting!

Try pumping it & pull the choke out.

Use the electric plug in the floor.

Where's the # key on my rotary?

Beer delivery man is here !

Did you hear, the soda's machine is going up to 25¢?

With cable TV you can now get 12 channels !

HiFi Stereo.. wow !

Which should I buy.. VHS or Betamax?

Why should I put 'siding' on my house?

Triple track windows are the way to go !

The push mower needs sharpening

The ash man comes on Tuesdays.

The wringers are shot on my washing machine.

My dungarees need patching.

Doctor says we can pay him next time he comes to the house.

Fevers Are Good For Your Health

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Flu and cold season will soon be here along with accompanying fever. This is when most people start popping temperature reducing over the counter drugs. Unless one's temperature exceeds 104 degrees for a length of time it is exactly the wrong thing to do. While it makes someone more comfortable it slows down recovery. This is also true when someone is taking antibiotics which of themselves cause temperature rise. It's part of how they fight infection.

'The Daily Beast'
The Case for Letting Fevers Run Their Course

"Fever isn’t an illness. It’s the body’s attempt to fight illness. So when we treat fever with antipyretics, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen, we only handcuff an important part of our immune response. Although it might seem counterintuitive, several studies have now shown that antipyretics increase the severity of infections."
Sweat It Out
I figured this out for myself. Several times I went to bed fully clothed under the electric blanket turned up high. Daytime I put on a heavy coat indoors. Most times after a day or two I felt much better, Before I tried massive doses of vitamin C and cold medications to little avail. For me what always worked best is just sweating it out.

A Word Of Caution
Like I mentioned it's not a good idea for an adult to let their temperature rise over 104 degrees for more then a few hours. If it should rise to that level for too long taking medication will help bring it down to safer levels. Somewhere between 100-102 degrees is normal for a fever.






I call this blog "Lehigh Valley Clancularius Introspectives" for a reason. It's because you'll never know what I come up with next. Please follow me via email (right sidebar) or through an RSS feed. Even if it's only one or two items you find of interest to you.
Thanks, LVCI

Why Are People So Damned Nasty!

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I was inspired to write this after reading so many nasty comments left at various social sites on the internet

I Got Mine, So The Hell With You
I'm not talking about the majority of people, but it only takes a much smaller number to mucky this world up. Especially if they are high profile people in Congress, the media or cooperate management. These are the folks who exert the most influence over sheepeoples' who are far too predominate in this world today.Fallacy #1: I deserve great healthcare coverage because I earned it by working my ass off. Anyone who doesn't have coverage are uneducated and/or too lazy. Everyone knows medical treatment should only be available for those deemed worthy of it. So The Hell With You.

Fallacy #2: No one coming into this country illegally has a legitimate reason for doing so. I don't want to listen to your pathetic little stories. Not my problem. Tough. Go back where you came from. So The Hell With You.

Fallacy #3: Only good guys with guns can ... So The Hell With You.
Is there some sort of test for who's a 'good guy' ?

Fallacy #4: Everybody knows if you didn't do anything wrong you have nothing to fear from the law. You must have done something. So The Hell With You.

Fallacy #5: Government regulations. Don't need no stinking regulations. Companies always end up doing right by their customers. So The Hell With You.

Fallacy #6: Entitlements is nothing but code for those who think they deserve things just because... So The Hell With You.

Fallacy #7: All conservatives/liberals are alike. So The Hell With You.

Living In A World Of Black And White (Simple Minds)
Anyone who truly believes the world is made up of only one thing or the other lacks comprehension. No not all Israelis are saints anymore then the Palestinians. No not all cops, priests, teachers, politicians, neighbors and so forth are whom we perceive them to be. Even our best friends can surprise us.

Money is an invention of mankind as another means of separating one persons worth as opposed to another. Laws, religion and opinions also serve three other ways to divide humanity from itself. All these serve to separate and divide These and more can be said to serve as tools for the devil. All of which are divisive and tend to divide the world into being either black or white depending how ones measures worth.

How Is True Worth Measured?
It's beyond thinking the world is either this way or that. Each and every person has a story. Each and every person should not be measured by where they were born. How much they've attained in wealth or stature. Rather a true person's worth should be measured in understanding and having empathy towards another person who may not have had as good a fortune in this life to enjoy the wealth, health or family as another was born into.

Sure their are some who have evil in the hearts, but there are far too many of us who refuse to accept weaker people then ourselves who truly have good intentions but fall along the way. As a result, because of our lack of patience and understanding having written them off, causing them to lash out in a most negative way. What do you think happens when someone keeps telling these kind of people they are worthless?

No one is truly 100% either this and that. There's some good and bad in everyone. No one's perfect. Neither is the world made up of only one kind of person or another. Nothing is either just this or that (B&W). Bottom feeders in the media are laughing all the way to bank over fools who listen to them.

It's Been Said...
Wherever there is conflict in this world the devil comes to feed. Without it, the devil starves. So the question becomes are you feeding the devil or nourishing your soul through compassion and understanding?

The devil or God is mankind's choice. Let each be accountable to oneself for the choice they make.

Happy Halloween From LVCI

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