NPR.

Hey, Robert. I love these anniversary balloons.

Thank you.

Are you celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States?

Oh, no.

I totally forgotten about the Sester Centennial.

I think they're calling it the semi-quincentennial.

To each his own.

But no, these balloons are my yearly celebration of the anniversary of the very first beige book in 1970.

The beige book.

Of course, our favorite government document filled with juicy anecdotes about the economy from around the U.S.

It was just as juicy 56 years ago when it started, although back in those days it was a secret

report that only people at the Federal Reserve got to read. Now, of course, everyone can celebrate it.

And what is the standard way to celebrate the beige book?

Fireworks, a beige arch in front of the MPR building? How about an award show?

It's the Bezsche Awards, our eight times a year salute to the art and science of telling stories about the economy.

I'm Robert Smith.

I'm Adrienne Ma, and eight times a year, they call that an octaneary.

Nice.

Today on the show, we look at one-way workers are reacting to the nervous job market right now.

The Declaration of Independence says we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And we find a magical place where some job seekers are finding all three.

...