cause' it's friday
February 27, 2009, 9:16 am
Because it’s Friday I am not going to freak out…
Since it’s so beautiful, I am going to choose to enjoy each moment.
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Regretters Paradox
February 25, 2009, 10:35 am
I live two blocks from a beautiful church, so today while walking Taylor to school quite a few people passed who received their ash crosses. As previously mentioned I am pretty good about making a decision with the knowledge at hand then moving forward without regret.
Seeing the crosses on the foreheads of passer-byes made me reflect, and over the course of the last few weeks I couldn’t think of anything I would have done different. Then I thought about so many conversations I’ve had with people, who are constantly needing validation for themselves and what they’re doing.
If people who constantly fret, frown, worry and regret didn’t have anything to fret,frown, worry and regret about- would they then regret not having done anything to regret?
Of course I am not talking about irresponsible behavior-rather I’m suggesting that when we attempt something great no matter the outcome our spirits grow because it’s been allowed to conceive that which it has not before.
“PowerLine Puddle” – Charlottesville, Virginia
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Cab Wise: 3 cabs, 3 stories, 3 lessons.
February 24, 2009, 7:39 am
I have every cab and car service company phone number from Tijuana to Tampa and Miami to Maine. I used to have a really bad cab problem-
Still I struggle sometimes…I’ll be walking into a metro and see it coming down the street, backseat empty- begging me to raise my hand and wave it down. I don’t know why but the whole experience has always been euphoric for me.
One day at a time- Mike, one day at a time.
The reason I mention it is because over the last week I’ve had three very different but very unique and fulfilling conversations with 3 cab drivers so I thought it would be a crime not to share.
The Mad Cabber: After some discussion about family, he said he wished he had a gun to kill the mediator he and his wife had visited during a “rough patch” in their marriage- citing “he put poison in her mind”
lesson: Anger holds you- “letting it go” will not resolve it, you have to push it down and run the other way.
Dr. Cabbie: with a Ph.D in mechanical engineering from university in london although originally from Sudan- he had been married in france for 9 years, and had recently moved to DC from NYC because his new wife got a job in the new administration.
lesson: In general I’ve come to realize just feeling like you are better than someone else is proof enough you are not.
Family Tradition: After passing a house I love that’s been on the market for several months the driver let me in on a secret- he has lived in the same house his whole life, so have his children and their children. A house currently worth $800k which is parents bought in 1952 on 6th and penn ne for 14K.
lesson: To me the value was not the 800k dollar house- that will surely be dust one day. The experience and love shared by that family within those walls can never be destroyed by time or space.
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Lessons Learned: Dad on the Front Lines
February 23, 2009, 11:00 am
We are just over 3 weeks since my 12 year old daughter came to live with me in DC.
Immediately upon her arrival I began to see huge holes in my “housemaking” abilities,
and were I a woman you might call what I’ve been doing since her arrival nesting.
But since I’m a man, what I’ve been doing is acquiring the critical equipment for thats essential for mission success.
The last 3 weeks have been great and like measuring cups, slotted spoons, spatulas, shampoo and face lotion I have also been acquiring great life lessons on dealing with children and people.
Even a 12 year old knows when you just checked out a pretty girl.
It’s best just not to mention her hair- compliments make you ignorant, laughing makes you a monster.
Girls 12 to 25 all like when you carry their books home~
No matter how old the child they will never clean up after a dog… themselves, or you.
Small gestures = big smiles – I suppose this is true with most.
The quicker I start smiling after a tiff the faster she will also.
She believes in me and I believe in her too.
I hope you have a great week!
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Saturday Photo
February 21, 2009, 9:45 am
I am thoroughly enjoying this beautiful day- thinking beautiful thoughts about wonderful people and appreciating the spectacular struggles that led me to a place of peace…at least for now.
Have a great weekend!
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Laughing at Your Anus… Uranus.
February 20, 2009, 9:22 am
I know it’s childish, but Taylors report on “Uranus” was too much for my elementary sense of comedy. She didn’t understand why I laughed when she told me what the report was on, and I am glad she was not with me when I checked it this morning.
“Uranus is very unique” – they all are.
“Uranus does not have a solid surface” – no they don’t.
“Uranus has fifteen moons” – more than that if you plan your evening right.
“Uranus has winds blowing by at 645 kilometers and hour” - I was in tears.
Smile at a Stranger today!
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Me and My Arch Nemesis!
February 19, 2009, 10:12 am
I love my AN- (arch nemesis)- it’s true. Although over the last year I’ve spent countless hours figuring out how to subtly irritate him, its really all love.
Whether turning everything slightly tilted to the left on his desk, to slightly tilted right everyday; or drawing mustaches on whoever was gracing the cover of his National Review. I’ve found great pleasure watching my work corrected at the beginning of each day…then un-correcting it each night.
The truth is what we dislike in the other- are the qualities we see in ourselves. Of course I’m sure he’d disagree but I believe our differences are what make us so similar. Listening to another perspective from a passionate person who disagrees has helped me greater define who I am and what I believe.
I am not sure when disagreeing became synonymous with disliking but I think it’s unfortunate. If it weren’t for intellectual discourse between passionate people with counter points of view mankind would have never come this far.
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If you "don't get" Social Networking
February 17, 2009, 10:06 am
When something makes a technophob nervous- they add an “a” to what the rest of the world has already made into a verb.
Starting with what’s “agoogle”? When the rest of us were googling and being googled. Now add a g to anything and it’s probably a (g)ood (g)uess googles (g)involved.
While late critics asked what’s “amyspace”? The rest of us were asking what’s your myspace, then telling them to send us a myspace. Of course myspace now dying a slow death because it lacks what we all demand, instant connectivity and immediate updates from everyone in our universe.
It’s an ever changing world- it’s going to keep changing. So when I read articles from journalist who “don’t get it” it makes me agree completely… yes you don’t get it.
Take away all the technology and business aspects from social networking it’s about friendship. Keeping in touch with old friends and making new ones. Just like face to face interaction your going to meet jerks and just like being face to face you can cultivate mutually rewarding relationships.
If you’re shy, or hesitant to engage in social media why not sign up and look for things you currently do that may already have a group online. Church groups, Arts, community activities, political groups and even more unique past times are all available online and more likely to put you in touch with people with similar interests and beliefs than trolling around aimlessly.
Next be involved with the group, share related articles that you find interesting, pictures you find beautiful and comment on what other people share. Being a good friend online is the same as off, be interest and involved in what others are doing (don’t stalk), be caring, and have mature boundaries.
Make a friend today.
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Love's A "B"
February 14, 2009, 8:27 am
In every area of my life, I make a decision and move on.
Only when it comes to love do I question myself,
flip flop,
flap jack and beat my head against a wall.
Then apologize, then get angry that I did, its confusing…
err complicated.
How do you redefine a relationship thats only ever been one way?
The same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.
Happy Valentines Day!
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A Practical Lesson in Humility
February 13, 2009, 11:03 am
Last summer walking through Georgetown with Taylor, she was playing with her new cell phone and inevitably fell on a street packed with both pedestrians and cars.
Admittedly, I was laughing as I helped her up which she did not appreciate.
“Why are you upset?”
“Because it’s embarrassing!”
“Taylor I am sure each and everyone of these people have tripped and fallen before and if you saw one of them fall you’d laugh too . Unless someone got hurt falling is always funny-”
Yesterday, as we were passing the Capitol building we began “the race home”. We were laughing and running, life could not have been better.
Then we crossed Independence Ave and started down the hill in front of The Cannon House Office Building. I tried to catch an angle and cut across some grass, as I made the transition from grass to sidewalk I knew I was moving way to fast for my feet…
(When you’re about to eat doo at rush hour on Capitol Hill you be come keenly aware that the homeless, the elected, the appointed and most likely 100’s of other satellite feeds in Government agencies around the world are going to watch you bust your ass. )
Watching a 250lb man fall holding a pink sweatshirt, and wearing a kids backpack must be quite a site. As I hit the ground ever so delicately, I rolled one time and the momentum somehow brought me back up to my feet.
Truthfully- it was funny as hell, and I was happy to show Taylor that I preach only what I practice and that everyone of us is human, fallible and sometimes… even a little off balanced.
Laugh it off and move on.
I thought I would need a tourniquet.
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