The Bostonian Abroad

....................................................

I've written about this before, but it bears repeating: The government is lying to us about inflation. Either this, or the way they calculate it needs to change drastically. Every day, I see on the news that housing prices have risen at a double or even triple digit percent, college tuition has gone up in the double digit percents, gas prices, automobile prices, health care - and the list goes on and on. All of these skyrocketing prices, and they tell us that the inflation rate is something around 3 or 4 percent. It just doesn't add up! I'm no expert on economic matters, but as a regular person with an average level of intelligence, it is plainly obvious to me that we are being misled. People have to work 2 or more jobs just to get by because they have gigantic rent or mortgage payments, huge health care bills, and or huge college loans to pay off (not to mention cell phone, home phone, and Internet charges - oh, and an ADT system, Life Alert, video games, DVDs, and all

In my profession, it has always been easy to find work. It seemed that there was always a place in need of my services, and there were more than enough students to go around. After I returned from Peace Corps I found a job within 3 days of sending out my first resume. In Hawaii, I didn't even have to send out a resume. My next door neighbor "knew a guy," and I had a job within a day of talking with her. On the other hand, L has never had it easy in getting a job. In Boston it was tough, and in Hawaii, it was next to impossible. It was truly depressing for her, and for me. In fact, one of the major reasons for our relocation was the job issue. In moving here, I hoped that it would get easier for her to find work, and I secretly harbored the odd wish that our situations would be reversed - in terms of job availability. Well, it looks pretty much like I'm going to get my wish. I have looked high and low for jobs in my field, and there are few (whereas L is havin