Happy Leap Day
Julius Caesar and Leap Days 
If the 2016 presidential election was determined by a coin toss
heads (Caesar) tails the Lady (Hillary) - Who would win?
Leap Day always speaks to me of a presidential election year. This one is definitely memorable in terms of candidates, issues, and dramas. Tomorrow takes us to Super Tuesday. "State" tuned ... This is more action-packed than last night's Academy Awards. Statements were made, Chris Rock skewered the academy for its lack of diversity and was the host the ceremony needed, fashions as always highlighted, and awards went to well deserving actors and films. You can read it all online or see highlights and commentaries on TV. Congratulations to everyone.
Winners: "Spotlight" won for best picture, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu gained his second straight win as best director for "The Revenant" which also gave Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar, for best actor. Brie Larson won best actress, for "Room", and "Mad Max: Fury Road" led all films with six awards, including several in the technical categories.
Here at home ...
Maybe it was the Spring-like weather in the city this weekend, but I was bombarded with clients, most of whom called at the last minute, some turned away.
One of the more interesting highlights of February's readings had to do with high school seniors - male and female - who came with their moms - we're hopefully graduating in June and we're not academic. What's next? Most of them plan to go to trade schools or will work with a family member or have no idea what they are going to do. One girl was thrilled she got a job as a cashier in our local supermarket - her goal for now. She finds academics too difficult. No one in her school or family has had her tested for learning challenges and depression in a system that is broken.
Is this any different than adults today who find their careers unsatisfying, lower paying than in the past, leaving them to feel on the brink of destruction? Some keep the "hope" thing going while others just drop out .. something they never would've imagined at age 18.
Many of these teens do not have proper role models in terms of what a good marriage and successful career are about.
Ellie, the High School teacher, took careful time to lay out future options ... never discussing reality as a hologram. They are just too young to get it ... Or are they?
Some of the girls are still stuck in past programming where they feel they don't have to worry about career for different reasons. Some believe they will married in their early 20s to a boy who can support and take care of them as they live happily ever after in the decades ahead. That scenario has long since gone the way of the dinosaur. People work so career has to be an important goal for everyone - for richer or poorer in sickness and health for better or worse .... till (finish this statement).
How many "trust fund babies" still exist in today's economy? Even they have to put their inheritance to good use or the money will be gone in the blink of an eye. The smart ones invest in real estate.
And so a new generation will graduate high school wondering about their futures in the world where the adults around them often can't keep it together, the 2016 race for president is a joke, and as far as they are concerned everything is falling apart.
What's left to do? Hang out with friends, party, and get into trouble much like generations before them.
