Musings

General-purpose musings

There are 780 posts filed in Musings (this is page 35 of 78).

One year later

It was one year ago today that I lost my job at AddressDoctor. While at times I wished that job might have lived up to its potential, I certainly don’t miss the headaches involved with the way I was managed. It’s in the past now and as always I landed on my feet. Should I ever again interview for a position I will insist on having only one boss to whom I’m responsible. Anything else is a recipe for disaster.

I don’t even need clearly defined responsibilities, though that certainly does help. I am flexible to change along with my job. In fact, I excel at entering new situations and figuring out my way around. When it comes to setting my priorities I need to hear from one person only.

Tuesday was also the one year anniversary of my totaling the minivan and barely avoiding causing serious injury to Travis. I’m so lucky things weren’t worse.

Yes, in one week alone I crashed our car and lost my job. Things have gotten considerably better since then!

Veteran’s Day

American Flag and Cross in Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Today is Veteran’s Day here in America. Like my fellow vet Ken Thomas, I’m never sure how to respond when people thank me for my service.

So here’s an idea: if you feel the need to thank me and the millions of other veterans for their service, the best way to thank us is to find a way to serve yourself. You don’t have to join the military, of course: there are many, many other ways to serve.

Read books to young kids at a school. Work on a project to improve your neighborhood. Visit with the elderly and make them feel welcome. Coach a youth sports team. Contribute your time and energy to a good cause – one right in your own backyard. Everyone can offer something.

Heroes aren’t found only on the battlefield: they are all around us. Every day. Become one in your community.

It’s the best way to honor service.

Sublime

I was listening to some Sublime on the way to work this morning. The band’s self-titled album from 1996 is such a great disc with the “What I Got” single making it to number one. Lead singer Brad Nowell never saw it happen, though: he died of a heroin overdose two months before the album was released.

I can only imagine what kind of music the band might have made if Nowell hadn’t been so self-destructive. What a shame.

How I made time stand still

This month I will have gone without wearing a watch for one whole year. While that may sound like some sort of personal goal it was really an act of laziness.

It began when my watch band broke while biking to work. I managed to scoop up all the parts but have not gotten around to getting a new pin put in my watch band. In the ensuing time I found that I really didn’t need a watch.

I suppose I’ll take it in sometime this week, if only to have some nice jewelry to wear every now and then.

The case of the mangled remote control

Exhibit A

Exhibit A

Kelly and the kids had a mystery to solve this afternoon. They stepped outside for a half hour to play in the driveway and when they returned, they were astonished to discover the TV remote control was destroyed. Parts were littered everywhere and the case of the remote control was shattered. Strange indentations were found on the end of it and what was left of the device was covered in an unusual oily substance.

The family searched the house but could find no signs of forced entry. All the locks were locked and no other valuables were affected.
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This blog is turkey based

I stopped into Subway for lunch in-between working the polls yesterday and ordered myself a Cold Cut Combo. It was then I saw an odd notice on the menu board:

“All meats are turkey based.”

I couldn’t help but interrupt the woman making my sandwich.

“Excuse me, what does that statement ‘all meats are turkey based’ mean?”

“It means all the meat is turkey,” she answered without looking up.

I was incredulous. “Even the ham?”

“Yes, even the ham.”

I’ve got nothing against turkey – I eat it frequently. When you’re selling a sandwich meant to have turkey and ham in it you expect to get real ham.

Maybe the next time I pay for my Subway sub, I’ll hand them money with a disclaimer that says “all currency is newspaper-based.” We’ll see how they like that!

Juggling breakthrough

This evening when I put my juggling balls back into the air again, I noticed a startling effect. For a moment I felt as if I had all day to catch the falling balls! My mind was completely in tune with the falling objects.

Athletes talk about being “in the zone.” Today I was in the zone with my juggling. It’s a great feeling and a sure sign that my juggling is coming along nicely.

Sad, sobering news

Meena Bali at her first (and last) soccer season, May 2009.

I’ve been dreading the day I had to post this. For over two years, the daughter of our friends and former neighbors, the Balis, has been battling cancer: an inoperable tumor that was slowly taking over her skull. Four-year-old Meena passed away Sunday afternoon after battling that tumor two full years longer than doctors had expected. We’re all going to her memorial service this afternoon.

It made me realize just how crazy it is when I complain about the things I complain about. Being ten minutes late to work this morning could’ve set me off. Or the lack of progress in the economy. Or frustration with my job. Or a perceived slight from someone. Or any of a million things that I could bitch about, simply because I wanted to bitch about something.

None of that is important. Not a damn bit of it. All that matters is that we love our life and the people that share our life. Life is far too precious to spend it doing anything else.

Juggling

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m now juggling! As an anniversary present Kelly bought me my own set of juggling balls, having seen how much I liked it last month. I’ve been practicing with them whenever I get a few minutes. I’ve found it’s easiest to park myself in front of our bed when I practice: I don’t have to stoop to pick up the dropped balls that way.

Another thing I’m finding about juggling is the meditative aspect of it. It requires a focus that is far more intense than I anticipated. If I let my mind wander – boom! – I lose the rhythm and balls go flying everywhere. I can see the very nature of juggling will help my concentration skills. Pretty cool.

Ten year anniversary

Exchanging Rings - 11 September 1999

On this day ten years ago Kelly and I were married. The luck that allowed our picture-perfect wedding to take place between two hurricanes (Dennis and Floyd) has continued to serve us well. As the man standing before that beautiful bride, it would’ve been hard to fully comprehend how blessed I would become – how blessed we would become. Even now I can’t fully comprehend it.

Thanks to everyone who helped make that day special, and to my lovely wife who has made every day special ever since. I love you!