Sad Sunday, Empty Again - Day 396 (Yr 2, Day 29)

Raleigh, NC

The campground got very crowded over the weekend; there was a huge Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the PNC Arena and many folks came in their RVs for the event (weekend type trailers).  But this morning, I watched one after the other leave, so we're back to ghost town status again (yay!).

Sunday was sad because it is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.  Known as Tisha B'av, it is a day of mourning for the loss of our Temple in Jerusalem and God's presence which rested there.  The two Temples were destroyed on this same day and our ancestors were exiled (first by the Babylonians and then by the Romans).  A number of other national tragedies also occurred on this day.  It is commemorated by fasting and attending some type of service.  Our shul showed a video called "A Whole Broken Heart."  Anyway, the day does end on a note of hope.

Mitch has decided not to pursue the IT position at this time.  From past experience, he knows how very unreliable and unpredictable it can be.  He's also certain that although it's a nationwide rollout, they would prefer to have local people do the work in each region rather than pay for a tech to travel around the country, especially since he would demand to be paid mileage.  Although IT has always been his career and passion, the philosophy now is "a bird in the hand."  He does not enjoy being  gas pipeline inspector, but he's making good, steady money which is vital right now.

He is also going to be seeing if there's any way, when we move next week (God willing!) that it can be to Charlotte instead of Concord.  He has to report to the main office to pick up his maps and instructions in Gastonia at least once a week.  Concord is about 25 miles east of Charlotte and Gastonia is about 25 miles west, so Charlotte would be right in the middle.  I think I would be very happy in Charlotte because there are 2 shuls we can travel to easily and there's a lot more to do in the area besides racing.  There's also a great transit system so I can get around during the day.