If you'd like to know the origin of this blog's name, check out the actual hip hop song I recorded on youtube. About 8 years ago, I recorded a hip hop album under my rap name 'Sonny-D' called 'The Suburban Assassin'. I'd like to warn you that there are explicit lyrics (except for the aforementioned 'Ville Street Blues') so don't listen if you offend easily. Remember, they're just lyrics! Coming soon are some newer songs I recorded in a real studio. Special thanks go to my brother in law for putting some of my music up on youtube for me.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSuburbanAssassin
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What Kind of Facebook Status Updater Are You?
It's no secret that the social networking site 'Facebook' has become hugely popular over the last few years. With it has come a whole new way for the self important narcissist to advertise things about their lives that they think other people are really interested in, but only sort of are.
But with the emergence of Facebook popularity has come the popularity of the Facebook status update. The little nuggets of information we post on our page for all in our social network to read. There are different categories of status updaters though. Without further ado:
*The Angry Updater: They post something they are pissed off about all the time. They hate their job, the people at it, and don't care who knows it. They curse a lot too, without censoring themselves. I could divide these into two different categories because the cursers are not always angry, but in the interest of space I will lump them into one. I think a lot of people forget that their parents, priests, or sweet old granny maybe reading their updates, and they may not want to hear how you "motherf-cking love" that new song from your favorite metal band.(yes, they're usually all metal fans too)
*The My Kid Did This Today Updater: We get it. You have a baby. It consumes most of your life. That's normal. But is anything happening in your life? We are friends with you on facebook, not your 3 year old Freddy. You would be hard pressed to find a status update from this person that does not have to do with their kid(s).
*The Movie Quote Updater: I think I am one of the most guilty of this one. Anytime I don't have much to say I put up a random, sometimes obscure, sometimes way overused quote from one of my favorite movies.
Coupled with the above is ...
*The People Who Don't Get That You're Posting a Movie Quote Commenter: No, dear Aunt Ethel, I did not really have a problem with my TPS reports today at work, Peter in 'Office Space' did.
*The Bible Quoting Updater: Um, yeah, religion, I'm not going there. But they are out there. You have one as your Facebook friend.
*The Bad Spelling/No Punctuation Updater: I know Facebook is not a Harvard Essay, but can you make your stuff the slightest bit readable? The run-on sentences with no punctuation choc-full of the OMG's and WTF's are tough to read. I'm so sorry to hear that 'omg u lost ur phone today wtf this is tha worst day ever o well at least i have my babies i will always luv them'. Huh?
*The Melancholy Updater: They're always sad and melancholy, and often sound suicidal. Some of the updates may prompt you to ask them in a private message "Are you okay?" I think sometimes people are so wrapped up in themselves that they do not realize how they sound to others. That obscure song lyric about how 'life is not worth it without your special flower' is killing us. Really. Lighten up. Being alive is a good thing. Also, we get it, you screwed up in your relationship and now you want your girlfriend back, move on.
*The Way Too Many Details About Your Day Updater: Thanks to your status, we all know you're about to change into a red shirt and some jeans, head out to an appointment at 2pm, then meet your uncle for dinner at Carraba's at 6pm, then maybe you'll stop for a drink with Suzie, but maybe not, and then you're home to relax on the couch until you fall asleep. Oh, and we're glad the stuff you ordered from Amazon got there today. We can all rest easy now.
*The Bragging Updater: Personal accomplishments are certainly something to be proud of. No one is denying it. But the constant "today I________!" can wear on your average reader. I'm very glad you did the stairmaster for an hour, very glad for you, but honestly it doesn't do much for me. Plus, you're not being that subtle when you sneak in your status that you went to the gym, among your other errands for the day. You really just want to tell us all that you're working out, right?
*The Obvious Updater: John Doe hates bad weather! Jane Doe hates being sick. Joe Doe hates terrorism. Really? Because we all LOVE those things!
*The Passive Aggressive Updater: Often they direct some sort of gripe, insult, or song lyric at someone, but won't ever mention who they mean. They hate liars. They can't stand backstabbers. And yes, they may be talking about you.
*The Facebook Veejay Updater: They are our Facebook DJ's, or VJ's I should say, as they post music videos all day long from youtube. Seems to be that the Facebook VJ posts a new song for every emotion they're going through. Sometimes, they even do the DJ intros, such as : "Here's one for all the single ladies out there tonight..." Don't get me wrong, I have posted music videos before, and I surely I understand relating to songs in times of different emotions, but when you post 5 different videos within 15 minutes, it starts to looks a little weird. We are barely through your first music video before you are posting a second and third. We can't keep up Mr. DJ!
*The Roller Coaster of Emotions Updater: They're going through a breakup with their significant other. First, they show us phoney happiness about being free, "Good riddance! Can't wait to party as a single tonight! You had your chance with me but you ruined it!". Here's when they change their default picture to a shot of just them by themselves. Second, here comes the anger if things didn't go their way. There's usually some sort of 'I'm better off without you' type of song lyric in there and sometimes they will get mean and nasty, giving the world way too much information. Third, they're regretting the breakup and post some sort of sad song lyric, followed by a change of their default picture again, back to one of the two of them. Fourth, if they get back together with their significant other, they are happy again, before the entire cycle repeats itself soon enough. And this cycle will repeat itself over and over again with this type of updater.
*The Self Important Updater: They seem to think we are sitting by Facebook with popcorn, watching their lives 24-7, as if they are Jim Carrey's character in 'The Truman Show'. They post everything about every move they make, and they just assume we always know what they're talking about. Their sense of what other people care about is a tad out of touch with reality. "Well, that meeting went well, time to practice, and hopefully I can get on the ball this time, lol." Um, what meeting? Practice what? Yes! Please let us know if you can 'get on the ball this time'! We're biting our nails in anticipation.
*The Sports Superfan Updater: We all know who your favorite team is and who your favorite player is. We've seen the countless photos of you in your jersey, and thousands of pictures of the players. In fact, before you came to Facebook, I did not even realize anyone cared about this sport. Thanks for the sports updates. It's a good thing I have Facebook, otherwise, I would not have known that there was a game tonight.
And just to show you what a good sport I am....
*The Self Advertising Updater: Yes, this is me, many times. Listen to the songs I just recorded! Read my blog(s)! Check out the article I just wrote! I need more page views, more facebook "likes". Okay, I know, you get it. ;-)
Happy Facebooking!
But with the emergence of Facebook popularity has come the popularity of the Facebook status update. The little nuggets of information we post on our page for all in our social network to read. There are different categories of status updaters though. Without further ado:
*The Angry Updater: They post something they are pissed off about all the time. They hate their job, the people at it, and don't care who knows it. They curse a lot too, without censoring themselves. I could divide these into two different categories because the cursers are not always angry, but in the interest of space I will lump them into one. I think a lot of people forget that their parents, priests, or sweet old granny maybe reading their updates, and they may not want to hear how you "motherf-cking love" that new song from your favorite metal band.(yes, they're usually all metal fans too)
*The My Kid Did This Today Updater: We get it. You have a baby. It consumes most of your life. That's normal. But is anything happening in your life? We are friends with you on facebook, not your 3 year old Freddy. You would be hard pressed to find a status update from this person that does not have to do with their kid(s).
*The Movie Quote Updater: I think I am one of the most guilty of this one. Anytime I don't have much to say I put up a random, sometimes obscure, sometimes way overused quote from one of my favorite movies.
Coupled with the above is ...
*The People Who Don't Get That You're Posting a Movie Quote Commenter: No, dear Aunt Ethel, I did not really have a problem with my TPS reports today at work, Peter in 'Office Space' did.
*The Bible Quoting Updater: Um, yeah, religion, I'm not going there. But they are out there. You have one as your Facebook friend.
*The Bad Spelling/No Punctuation Updater: I know Facebook is not a Harvard Essay, but can you make your stuff the slightest bit readable? The run-on sentences with no punctuation choc-full of the OMG's and WTF's are tough to read. I'm so sorry to hear that 'omg u lost ur phone today wtf this is tha worst day ever o well at least i have my babies i will always luv them'. Huh?
*The Melancholy Updater: They're always sad and melancholy, and often sound suicidal. Some of the updates may prompt you to ask them in a private message "Are you okay?" I think sometimes people are so wrapped up in themselves that they do not realize how they sound to others. That obscure song lyric about how 'life is not worth it without your special flower' is killing us. Really. Lighten up. Being alive is a good thing. Also, we get it, you screwed up in your relationship and now you want your girlfriend back, move on.
*The Way Too Many Details About Your Day Updater: Thanks to your status, we all know you're about to change into a red shirt and some jeans, head out to an appointment at 2pm, then meet your uncle for dinner at Carraba's at 6pm, then maybe you'll stop for a drink with Suzie, but maybe not, and then you're home to relax on the couch until you fall asleep. Oh, and we're glad the stuff you ordered from Amazon got there today. We can all rest easy now.
*The Bragging Updater: Personal accomplishments are certainly something to be proud of. No one is denying it. But the constant "today I________!" can wear on your average reader. I'm very glad you did the stairmaster for an hour, very glad for you, but honestly it doesn't do much for me. Plus, you're not being that subtle when you sneak in your status that you went to the gym, among your other errands for the day. You really just want to tell us all that you're working out, right?
*The Obvious Updater: John Doe hates bad weather! Jane Doe hates being sick. Joe Doe hates terrorism. Really? Because we all LOVE those things!
*The Passive Aggressive Updater: Often they direct some sort of gripe, insult, or song lyric at someone, but won't ever mention who they mean. They hate liars. They can't stand backstabbers. And yes, they may be talking about you.
*The Facebook Veejay Updater: They are our Facebook DJ's, or VJ's I should say, as they post music videos all day long from youtube. Seems to be that the Facebook VJ posts a new song for every emotion they're going through. Sometimes, they even do the DJ intros, such as : "Here's one for all the single ladies out there tonight..." Don't get me wrong, I have posted music videos before, and I surely I understand relating to songs in times of different emotions, but when you post 5 different videos within 15 minutes, it starts to looks a little weird. We are barely through your first music video before you are posting a second and third. We can't keep up Mr. DJ!
*The Roller Coaster of Emotions Updater: They're going through a breakup with their significant other. First, they show us phoney happiness about being free, "Good riddance! Can't wait to party as a single tonight! You had your chance with me but you ruined it!". Here's when they change their default picture to a shot of just them by themselves. Second, here comes the anger if things didn't go their way. There's usually some sort of 'I'm better off without you' type of song lyric in there and sometimes they will get mean and nasty, giving the world way too much information. Third, they're regretting the breakup and post some sort of sad song lyric, followed by a change of their default picture again, back to one of the two of them. Fourth, if they get back together with their significant other, they are happy again, before the entire cycle repeats itself soon enough. And this cycle will repeat itself over and over again with this type of updater.
*The Self Important Updater: They seem to think we are sitting by Facebook with popcorn, watching their lives 24-7, as if they are Jim Carrey's character in 'The Truman Show'. They post everything about every move they make, and they just assume we always know what they're talking about. Their sense of what other people care about is a tad out of touch with reality. "Well, that meeting went well, time to practice, and hopefully I can get on the ball this time, lol." Um, what meeting? Practice what? Yes! Please let us know if you can 'get on the ball this time'! We're biting our nails in anticipation.
*The Sports Superfan Updater: We all know who your favorite team is and who your favorite player is. We've seen the countless photos of you in your jersey, and thousands of pictures of the players. In fact, before you came to Facebook, I did not even realize anyone cared about this sport. Thanks for the sports updates. It's a good thing I have Facebook, otherwise, I would not have known that there was a game tonight.
And just to show you what a good sport I am....
*The Self Advertising Updater: Yes, this is me, many times. Listen to the songs I just recorded! Read my blog(s)! Check out the article I just wrote! I need more page views, more facebook "likes". Okay, I know, you get it. ;-)
Happy Facebooking!
Friday, August 13, 2010
It's Not Goodbye, It's 'See ya Later'
Today is my last day as a full time employee of SSA's fitness center. I have been here close to 5 years. It's a bittersweet move for me to make, as I am excited about new opportunities at an upcoming job, but sad to leave some of the finest people I have had the pleasure of knowing.
Sure, I have met a lot of jerks here. Let's face it, in a place with thousands of workers, a government facility to boot, you're going to have a wide range of personalities. I have dealt with them all here in the gym. But for the most part, I have made relationships with great people that I am sad not to see everyday anymore.
Such is life, people move in and out of your daily routine quickly. I just wanted to write this blog as a thank you, to all the people who made my days more interesting for the past 5 years. It has truly been my pleasure.
This place has a lot of "ghosts". The walls and ceilings are painted with memories. I now consider it a privelege to be one of those "ghosts", and am honored to be on those walls and ceilings.
Granted, I'm only leaving a job for another one, this happens all the time in life. It's not the hugest deal. But it means a lot to me that I have met so many people in the past 5 years who have made it so difficult for me to say goodbye.
But life is way too short to not keep in touch with people that have meant something to you, so I hope, no I plan, to see them all again in some way, shape, or form.
So I stress that this is not goodbye, just 'see ya later'.
Thanks for the memories.
D
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
-Thomas Meehan and Carol Sobieski
Sure, I have met a lot of jerks here. Let's face it, in a place with thousands of workers, a government facility to boot, you're going to have a wide range of personalities. I have dealt with them all here in the gym. But for the most part, I have made relationships with great people that I am sad not to see everyday anymore.
Such is life, people move in and out of your daily routine quickly. I just wanted to write this blog as a thank you, to all the people who made my days more interesting for the past 5 years. It has truly been my pleasure.
This place has a lot of "ghosts". The walls and ceilings are painted with memories. I now consider it a privelege to be one of those "ghosts", and am honored to be on those walls and ceilings.
Granted, I'm only leaving a job for another one, this happens all the time in life. It's not the hugest deal. But it means a lot to me that I have met so many people in the past 5 years who have made it so difficult for me to say goodbye.
But life is way too short to not keep in touch with people that have meant something to you, so I hope, no I plan, to see them all again in some way, shape, or form.
So I stress that this is not goodbye, just 'see ya later'.
Thanks for the memories.
D
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
-Thomas Meehan and Carol Sobieski
Friday, May 28, 2010
Reading
For the past year or so, I've taken to reading books much more than I ever have.
I resisted it for so many years I think probably because growing up, my parents stressed it's importance so often. Me not reading was some sort of misplaced youthful rebellion that carried on into adulthood out of habit.
But times change and now I find it very entertaining. I like forming the pictures in my mind of what I am reading, rather than have it spoonfed to me.
I am also enjoying reading books recommended to me by other people, that is, people whose opinion I value. I find it fascinating to take in through my own eyes what that person already has, and I believe it makes you and the person more relatable and compatible, whether you enjoy their recommendation or not.
Reading, for me, and I'm gonna get a huge "I Told You So." from my dad on this, has made me a better writer. At least I think so anyway. I'm finding more clarity when I am writing here, in my rap lyrics, or even in the social networking scene.
I know I am just preaching to the choir to people who already know the joys of reading, but for me, at age 33, this is a revelation. I am finding a certain inner peace when I am sitting outside, with no sound but neighborhood kids and birds in the background and I am lost in a story.
Ultimately, I believe I am loving reading because it's always been difficult for me to concentrate on one thing for too long, and I think it helps to tame my self diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder.
I resisted it for so many years I think probably because growing up, my parents stressed it's importance so often. Me not reading was some sort of misplaced youthful rebellion that carried on into adulthood out of habit.
But times change and now I find it very entertaining. I like forming the pictures in my mind of what I am reading, rather than have it spoonfed to me.
I am also enjoying reading books recommended to me by other people, that is, people whose opinion I value. I find it fascinating to take in through my own eyes what that person already has, and I believe it makes you and the person more relatable and compatible, whether you enjoy their recommendation or not.
Reading, for me, and I'm gonna get a huge "I Told You So." from my dad on this, has made me a better writer. At least I think so anyway. I'm finding more clarity when I am writing here, in my rap lyrics, or even in the social networking scene.
I know I am just preaching to the choir to people who already know the joys of reading, but for me, at age 33, this is a revelation. I am finding a certain inner peace when I am sitting outside, with no sound but neighborhood kids and birds in the background and I am lost in a story.
Ultimately, I believe I am loving reading because it's always been difficult for me to concentrate on one thing for too long, and I think it helps to tame my self diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
From The Morning
Sometimes a song just hits you, relaxes you, and gives you peace of mind. This one does that as well as stirs some emotions for me, happy and sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JjJPDz3EE&feature=related
Here are the lyrics:
From The Morning-Nick Drake
A day once dawned, and it was beautiful
A day once dawned from the ground
Then the night she fell
And the air was beautiful
The night she fell all around
So look see the days
The endless coloured ways
Go play the game that you learnt
From the morning
And now we rise
And we are everywhere
And now we rise from the ground
And see, she flies
And she is everywhere
And see, she flies all around
So look see the sights
The endless summer nights
And go play the game that you learnt
From the morning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JjJPDz3EE&feature=related
Here are the lyrics:
From The Morning-Nick Drake
A day once dawned, and it was beautiful
A day once dawned from the ground
Then the night she fell
And the air was beautiful
The night she fell all around
So look see the days
The endless coloured ways
Go play the game that you learnt
From the morning
And now we rise
And we are everywhere
And now we rise from the ground
And see, she flies
And she is everywhere
And see, she flies all around
So look see the sights
The endless summer nights
And go play the game that you learnt
From the morning
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
"Everything Happens For A Reason"
I hear this cliche' thrown around a lot, but I really do not believe in the popular saying 'everything happens for a reason.'
Good or bad, shit just happens.
Sure, bad things that happen can open doors for good things to happen, but it can also be the other way around. Every event that happens in life leads to other events. Imagine the day you were conceived(if you dare). If one of your parents had made one slightly different move that day, you may not be here today to read this incredibly insightful blog. :-)
The point is, I hear this cliche used a lot when people are trying to console someone else after a bad turn of events for that person. And if it makes someone feel better about matters, then by all means, I'm not taking that away from anyone. I'm not writing this with some jaded attitude, I'm merely pointing out that I don't think there are any magical forces at work in the atmosphere. We create what happens with the choices that we make.
If you get fired from a job, then get hired for a better one down the line, some people will say "See? Everything happens for a reason." But how about you just got fired (fair or not), and you applied yourself heavily and got hired for a better one?
Are you going to tell me that if my town gets anniahlated by a hurricane, a natural, uncontrollable weather occurrence, that there was a reason for that? My house is in shambles and people are hurt or killed and I am supposed to find some underlying goodness to it? No, this happened, now I have to react to it. How we respond is really the thing that is under our control.
There doesn't always have to be a reason, or some underlying, uncontrollable force at work in the air. As much as I'd like to believe that, it is not reality. We make our own opportunities. We work to get what we get.
Hypothetically, what if you divorce from someone and someone tells you "everything happens for a reason."? But then nothing good really ever comes from it? What was the 'reason' for that? Maybe it awakens another part of your soul and you get involved in activities and meet friends whom you never would have met if you hadn't of divorced. But is that a magical force or a natural occurrence of events that you yourself made happen?
Hey, I'm all for quips and cliches if they help you get through something horrific. But I do think sometimes that someone going through something awful may not want to hear that there was a reason for it.
I'm sure I am in the minority, but to me, good or bad, stuff just happens. That's just how life is.
Good or bad, shit just happens.
Sure, bad things that happen can open doors for good things to happen, but it can also be the other way around. Every event that happens in life leads to other events. Imagine the day you were conceived(if you dare). If one of your parents had made one slightly different move that day, you may not be here today to read this incredibly insightful blog. :-)
The point is, I hear this cliche used a lot when people are trying to console someone else after a bad turn of events for that person. And if it makes someone feel better about matters, then by all means, I'm not taking that away from anyone. I'm not writing this with some jaded attitude, I'm merely pointing out that I don't think there are any magical forces at work in the atmosphere. We create what happens with the choices that we make.
If you get fired from a job, then get hired for a better one down the line, some people will say "See? Everything happens for a reason." But how about you just got fired (fair or not), and you applied yourself heavily and got hired for a better one?
Are you going to tell me that if my town gets anniahlated by a hurricane, a natural, uncontrollable weather occurrence, that there was a reason for that? My house is in shambles and people are hurt or killed and I am supposed to find some underlying goodness to it? No, this happened, now I have to react to it. How we respond is really the thing that is under our control.
There doesn't always have to be a reason, or some underlying, uncontrollable force at work in the air. As much as I'd like to believe that, it is not reality. We make our own opportunities. We work to get what we get.
Hypothetically, what if you divorce from someone and someone tells you "everything happens for a reason."? But then nothing good really ever comes from it? What was the 'reason' for that? Maybe it awakens another part of your soul and you get involved in activities and meet friends whom you never would have met if you hadn't of divorced. But is that a magical force or a natural occurrence of events that you yourself made happen?
Hey, I'm all for quips and cliches if they help you get through something horrific. But I do think sometimes that someone going through something awful may not want to hear that there was a reason for it.
I'm sure I am in the minority, but to me, good or bad, stuff just happens. That's just how life is.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Driving in Nice Weather
To my future teenage boys (and anyone else who want to hear it):
An important lesson I would like to teach my children when they start driving is to of course, always be careful. But even more important, be extra careful when the weather becomes nice.
Something my father taught me as a teenager when i started driving was to really watch the people around you on the road when it's sunny and nice out. I would like to pass this lesson on.
Something happens to us behind that wheel, and I am not excluding myself, when the weather suddenly turns nice after a bad winter. We get that natural high of endorphins rushing through us when we can finally roll down all of our car windows, turn our radio up, and let that cool, sunny breeze rush through our hair, especially after a nasty, cooped up Winter. We get so wrapped up in the moment that we become a little less aware of what is going on around us. I have witnessed this first hand every time Spring rolls around ever since I started driving in 1992. It happens like clockwork. I will see people in traffic taking dumb chances,speeding,or making dumb moves just because they are feeling so good cruising along in the nice weather.
I think, even though the conditions are obviously more hazardous for driving in the Winter or in the rain, people are way more careful. They're more mindful of their surroundings and driving the speed limit because the weather leaves them no other choice. It's the nice weather you have to watch out for on the road.
Don't get me wrong, I love to roll my windows down and pump my music up on a nice day as much as they next guy. But nice days are the days that we should be extra careful, because most likely there's someone else on the road feeling the weather too, not paying quite as much attention as they should be.
An important lesson I would like to teach my children when they start driving is to of course, always be careful. But even more important, be extra careful when the weather becomes nice.
Something my father taught me as a teenager when i started driving was to really watch the people around you on the road when it's sunny and nice out. I would like to pass this lesson on.
Something happens to us behind that wheel, and I am not excluding myself, when the weather suddenly turns nice after a bad winter. We get that natural high of endorphins rushing through us when we can finally roll down all of our car windows, turn our radio up, and let that cool, sunny breeze rush through our hair, especially after a nasty, cooped up Winter. We get so wrapped up in the moment that we become a little less aware of what is going on around us. I have witnessed this first hand every time Spring rolls around ever since I started driving in 1992. It happens like clockwork. I will see people in traffic taking dumb chances,speeding,or making dumb moves just because they are feeling so good cruising along in the nice weather.
I think, even though the conditions are obviously more hazardous for driving in the Winter or in the rain, people are way more careful. They're more mindful of their surroundings and driving the speed limit because the weather leaves them no other choice. It's the nice weather you have to watch out for on the road.
Don't get me wrong, I love to roll my windows down and pump my music up on a nice day as much as they next guy. But nice days are the days that we should be extra careful, because most likely there's someone else on the road feeling the weather too, not paying quite as much attention as they should be.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Awkward Cheese
This makes me laugh and feel uncomfortable at the same time. I know it was the 80's, but this is the stuff nightmares are made of. Your awkward cheese of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz1N3oQxAyw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz1N3oQxAyw&feature=related
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Love vs. Crush
I'm not claiming to be some expert, but these are just some of my casual observations about the difference between love and a crush. As my priorities have slowly but surely been shifting in these past few years in the great realm of "wifeandkids-dom", these are the things I have noticed.
A crush is when you get nervous wondering if they called, or if you should you call them.
Love is calling them just to hear their voice to find out how their day is going. And, you actually care to know.
A crush is getting very excited to 'fool around' every time.
Love is taking comfort in just having them lay their head on your chest as they fall asleep and hearing them breathe. (But fooling around is still great too:-)
A crush is when you're dating and you barely argue at all.
Love is wondering what they are up to or thinking even after they may have angered you to the point of high blood pressure 20 minutes ago in a huge fight.
A crush is hoping everyday you get 'that feeling' in the pit of your stomach when you see them.
Love is knowing that you're not going to feel 'that feeling' everyday anymore as time passes, but being confident that that is okay.
A crush is glamorous.
Love is not always glamorous.
A crush is being with that person because they make you happy.
Love is being happy by making that person happy.
A crush is having great days with them each time you hang out.
Love is having great days with them, but knowing that other days you are going to have to work at making it great. You will find that earning it is much more rewarding.
And last but not least,your crush may not always be your love, but if you're one of the lucky ones, your love will be your crush.
Being single certainly was fun, but to me, family is what life is all about.
A crush is when you get nervous wondering if they called, or if you should you call them.
Love is calling them just to hear their voice to find out how their day is going. And, you actually care to know.
A crush is getting very excited to 'fool around' every time.
Love is taking comfort in just having them lay their head on your chest as they fall asleep and hearing them breathe. (But fooling around is still great too:-)
A crush is when you're dating and you barely argue at all.
Love is wondering what they are up to or thinking even after they may have angered you to the point of high blood pressure 20 minutes ago in a huge fight.
A crush is hoping everyday you get 'that feeling' in the pit of your stomach when you see them.
Love is knowing that you're not going to feel 'that feeling' everyday anymore as time passes, but being confident that that is okay.
A crush is glamorous.
Love is not always glamorous.
A crush is being with that person because they make you happy.
Love is being happy by making that person happy.
A crush is having great days with them each time you hang out.
Love is having great days with them, but knowing that other days you are going to have to work at making it great. You will find that earning it is much more rewarding.
And last but not least,your crush may not always be your love, but if you're one of the lucky ones, your love will be your crush.
Being single certainly was fun, but to me, family is what life is all about.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
What's Good For The Goose....
For the past 5 or 6 weeks, walking down a certain walkway to get into my work building, there has been a Canadian Goose nesting in one of the gardens that line the walkway. My work campus is full of these things. I like to joke with my wife that these are Mallards, but I know they are Canadian Geese.
But this one particular nesting goose, of whom I have become very fond, has been sitting in the same spot for weeks now. Sitting on top of her eggs, waiting for them to hatch.
It's got to be a thankless job, sitting one spot for weeks, enduring all kinds of weather. But then, my wife reminds me that they are Canadian, and therefore rain and cold do not bother them.
It's just been rather touching to walk by the same goose everyday and see her sitting there, protecting her eggs.
With all that's been going on lately, especially at work, well, I haven't been the most excited to walk in there everyday. But walking past this goose on the way into work now everyday makes me smile before I go in.
Recently, I walked a tad bit too close to her, and she must have felt threatened, because she stood up and put her wings out to the side like Batman before he drops off the top of a building. Of course, I have no intention of harm,this duck charms me as I walk by her everyday, and for some reason makes me feel a little better about life before I go into work. But it was neat too see how quickly she rose to protect her eggs, the future chicks.
This all she does every day. She sits on her eggs, as they mature, protecting them. We all at work assume there is a male duck that brings her food each day, but I haven't seen him yet.
Her only purpose in life is to protect her young right now. And I'm no bird expert, but I think once these chicks hatch, she will nurse them for a while, then they will all fly their separate ways. But right now, her sole aim in life is sitting on those eggs, making sure not a soul gets near them. That's true loyalty.
It's funny to me that we, as a race of human beings, always feel so far superior to animals or mammals of any kind. Hunters shoot living things for sport, or to 'cut down on population', claiming a superiority to anything not human. Heck, we've all on occasion, shooed a dog or cat out of a seat, so we, the humans, can sit down. Because we rule this earth, right?
Textbook-wise speaking, I'm sure that is true.
But I think we could all learn a little something from these creatures, especially this particular Canadian Goose.
She is loyal beyond the measure of several human beings in the world. She is totally selfless. She will not let these chicks down, no chance in hell. I think with humans, there is always a chance we can be let down, even by loved ones. That's just reality. We are fallible. We make mistakes. We let people we love down, though we may try not to do so.
But my goose, she is not letting her chicks down. Sure, one could say that this is just nature. This is the way these creatures operate. They don't have the brain capacity to be as multi-faceted as us humans, for lack of a better term. And yes, we are on top of the food chain.
But this goose, to me anyway, serves as a reminder and affirmation to the beauty of life all around us. We cannot take it for granted, we can't let people we love or claim to love down.
I think we could all learn something from this goose.
D
P.S., I've named her Jane. :-) I'm going to be sad when her and her chicks have flown away. But I'll be happy for Jane that she will again be free.
But this one particular nesting goose, of whom I have become very fond, has been sitting in the same spot for weeks now. Sitting on top of her eggs, waiting for them to hatch.
It's got to be a thankless job, sitting one spot for weeks, enduring all kinds of weather. But then, my wife reminds me that they are Canadian, and therefore rain and cold do not bother them.
It's just been rather touching to walk by the same goose everyday and see her sitting there, protecting her eggs.
With all that's been going on lately, especially at work, well, I haven't been the most excited to walk in there everyday. But walking past this goose on the way into work now everyday makes me smile before I go in.
Recently, I walked a tad bit too close to her, and she must have felt threatened, because she stood up and put her wings out to the side like Batman before he drops off the top of a building. Of course, I have no intention of harm,this duck charms me as I walk by her everyday, and for some reason makes me feel a little better about life before I go into work. But it was neat too see how quickly she rose to protect her eggs, the future chicks.
This all she does every day. She sits on her eggs, as they mature, protecting them. We all at work assume there is a male duck that brings her food each day, but I haven't seen him yet.
Her only purpose in life is to protect her young right now. And I'm no bird expert, but I think once these chicks hatch, she will nurse them for a while, then they will all fly their separate ways. But right now, her sole aim in life is sitting on those eggs, making sure not a soul gets near them. That's true loyalty.
It's funny to me that we, as a race of human beings, always feel so far superior to animals or mammals of any kind. Hunters shoot living things for sport, or to 'cut down on population', claiming a superiority to anything not human. Heck, we've all on occasion, shooed a dog or cat out of a seat, so we, the humans, can sit down. Because we rule this earth, right?
Textbook-wise speaking, I'm sure that is true.
But I think we could all learn a little something from these creatures, especially this particular Canadian Goose.
She is loyal beyond the measure of several human beings in the world. She is totally selfless. She will not let these chicks down, no chance in hell. I think with humans, there is always a chance we can be let down, even by loved ones. That's just reality. We are fallible. We make mistakes. We let people we love down, though we may try not to do so.
But my goose, she is not letting her chicks down. Sure, one could say that this is just nature. This is the way these creatures operate. They don't have the brain capacity to be as multi-faceted as us humans, for lack of a better term. And yes, we are on top of the food chain.
But this goose, to me anyway, serves as a reminder and affirmation to the beauty of life all around us. We cannot take it for granted, we can't let people we love or claim to love down.
I think we could all learn something from this goose.
D
P.S., I've named her Jane. :-) I'm going to be sad when her and her chicks have flown away. But I'll be happy for Jane that she will again be free.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dear Mike
It's now been over one month that you've left us. It has taken me this long to be able to write about it. It's funny that two blogs ago ("Good Weekend")you were one of the good friends I was referring to that I spent time with the previous Saturday. I'm glad we got to hang out that one last time. We reminisced, we played darts, we had a few beers, we enjoyed ourselves. I got to shake your hand and give you the shoulder bump one time before you left. I feel good about that.
I'm not one for religion really, but I have to believe that you are in a better place right now. You're in a better place playing softball, poker, and breaking balls.
We go back 19 years when you sat by me in a few classes because our last names were close alphabetically. That was freshman year at St. Joe in August of 1990. Two 13 year olds with so much life ahead of us. We argued through high school, boy did we. Dice footballs games and arguments about prom logistics had one of us leaving the cafeteria table fuming on any given day from 1990-1994.
Then college years and thereafter came, we went to different schools, but still hung out. Tuesday and Thursdays during the semester at my house, just chilling, watching tv, listening to music, watching 'Friday', and calling girls. Then weekend nights rolled around before either of us were 21 and you could usually find us at Gilston park with beer we 'hey misterred', just waiting for police to drive by and shine their lights, making us run for dear life.
We thought we could sing too, remember 'harmonizing' in that park pavilion? We were trying to impress people around us, but I don't think anyone was really impressed. The pop song of the week was our street corner doo-wop at that park.
Man, what times.
Then we grew up... wives, kids, jobs, and we didn't hang out as much. But when we did, we picked up right back where we left off the last time we had hung out. The mood never changed between us, from ages 13-32. None of that awkward 'we haven't seen each other in a while let's make small talk because we don't have much in common anymore'. That never happened. No, we went right back to breaking balls like we were back at that St. Joe cafeteria table eating that Thursday stromboli that we coveted.
I stood up for you in your wedding, thanks for letting me be a part of it. Thank you for standing up in mine.
Your wife is a beautiful and strong woman. You did good there. We will see to it that she has support from us for the rest of her life. Your kids are gorgeous, and I know you will live on in them. Your son is already starting to get that long and straight hair that you had. Remember when you used to gel it over in high school and we'd bust your chops about it?
Oh yeah-we both know I grew up the heavier kid in school. Thank you for being the one friend of mine who even in a heated argument, never went there. That means more to me than you will ever know.
We had a great friendship, and I will never forget you.
Remember when we were 18 or 19 year olds who thought we had seen it all already? I used to discuss what my funeral would be like, and I told you if anything ever happened to me I wanted "I'll be missing you" by Puff Daddy to be played there.
The other night, before your wake, I went down to my stereo, played it and I cried, like I haven't ever cried before.
I will always be sad, but as time goes on the more I think about you the more I smile and laugh instead of cry, because I am remembering a great friendship. I don't know who I am going to call now every year on October 28th to say happy birthday to, but you can gaurantee not an October 28th will go by where I don't say that to you in my heart.
Yeah, 'that'll work'.
We will always remember you bro, and we will be chilling one day again soon.
"Until the day we meet again, in my heart is where I'll keep you friend..."
I love you brother.
Peace out Mike.
I'm not one for religion really, but I have to believe that you are in a better place right now. You're in a better place playing softball, poker, and breaking balls.
We go back 19 years when you sat by me in a few classes because our last names were close alphabetically. That was freshman year at St. Joe in August of 1990. Two 13 year olds with so much life ahead of us. We argued through high school, boy did we. Dice footballs games and arguments about prom logistics had one of us leaving the cafeteria table fuming on any given day from 1990-1994.
Then college years and thereafter came, we went to different schools, but still hung out. Tuesday and Thursdays during the semester at my house, just chilling, watching tv, listening to music, watching 'Friday', and calling girls. Then weekend nights rolled around before either of us were 21 and you could usually find us at Gilston park with beer we 'hey misterred', just waiting for police to drive by and shine their lights, making us run for dear life.
We thought we could sing too, remember 'harmonizing' in that park pavilion? We were trying to impress people around us, but I don't think anyone was really impressed. The pop song of the week was our street corner doo-wop at that park.
Man, what times.
Then we grew up... wives, kids, jobs, and we didn't hang out as much. But when we did, we picked up right back where we left off the last time we had hung out. The mood never changed between us, from ages 13-32. None of that awkward 'we haven't seen each other in a while let's make small talk because we don't have much in common anymore'. That never happened. No, we went right back to breaking balls like we were back at that St. Joe cafeteria table eating that Thursday stromboli that we coveted.
I stood up for you in your wedding, thanks for letting me be a part of it. Thank you for standing up in mine.
Your wife is a beautiful and strong woman. You did good there. We will see to it that she has support from us for the rest of her life. Your kids are gorgeous, and I know you will live on in them. Your son is already starting to get that long and straight hair that you had. Remember when you used to gel it over in high school and we'd bust your chops about it?
Oh yeah-we both know I grew up the heavier kid in school. Thank you for being the one friend of mine who even in a heated argument, never went there. That means more to me than you will ever know.
We had a great friendship, and I will never forget you.
Remember when we were 18 or 19 year olds who thought we had seen it all already? I used to discuss what my funeral would be like, and I told you if anything ever happened to me I wanted "I'll be missing you" by Puff Daddy to be played there.
The other night, before your wake, I went down to my stereo, played it and I cried, like I haven't ever cried before.
I will always be sad, but as time goes on the more I think about you the more I smile and laugh instead of cry, because I am remembering a great friendship. I don't know who I am going to call now every year on October 28th to say happy birthday to, but you can gaurantee not an October 28th will go by where I don't say that to you in my heart.
Yeah, 'that'll work'.
We will always remember you bro, and we will be chilling one day again soon.
"Until the day we meet again, in my heart is where I'll keep you friend..."
I love you brother.
Peace out Mike.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Bronx Tale
"...but you can ask anybody and they'll tell you, this is just another Bronx tale..."
My sister graced my father and I both with tickets to see 'A Bronx Tale', Chazz Palminteri's one man show, as a Christmas present. Last night was the play, at Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
Being a huge fan of the movie first, I was anxious to see how this show would be done. How does he do it all alone? Does he just speak a bunch of parts back and forth to himself?
No, it was more like just a guy telling you a story, and I loved it. There were no set changes and no intermissions, it was just Mr. Palminteri for 90 minutes (with no water breaks) telling us the story that is so familiar from the movie that was Robert Deniro's directorial debut.
Something I did not know was that the play actually came first, in 1989, before they made it into a movie in 1993. I always thought it was the other way around.
Palminteri brought to the stage a certain energy and mojo, if you will, to the characters of "Sonny" and "C", and he made you feel like you were just a guy on the street corner listening to his story. For 90 minutes I had tunnel vision, watching him act out the engaging scenes and dialogue. His stage versions of certain characters were a little more overstated than they were on screen, but this is normal for the theater. Even though I knew what was coming, I enjoyed it from start to finish.
I definitely recommend it.
My sister graced my father and I both with tickets to see 'A Bronx Tale', Chazz Palminteri's one man show, as a Christmas present. Last night was the play, at Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
Being a huge fan of the movie first, I was anxious to see how this show would be done. How does he do it all alone? Does he just speak a bunch of parts back and forth to himself?
No, it was more like just a guy telling you a story, and I loved it. There were no set changes and no intermissions, it was just Mr. Palminteri for 90 minutes (with no water breaks) telling us the story that is so familiar from the movie that was Robert Deniro's directorial debut.
Something I did not know was that the play actually came first, in 1989, before they made it into a movie in 1993. I always thought it was the other way around.
Palminteri brought to the stage a certain energy and mojo, if you will, to the characters of "Sonny" and "C", and he made you feel like you were just a guy on the street corner listening to his story. For 90 minutes I had tunnel vision, watching him act out the engaging scenes and dialogue. His stage versions of certain characters were a little more overstated than they were on screen, but this is normal for the theater. Even though I knew what was coming, I enjoyed it from start to finish.
I definitely recommend it.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Good Weekend
I had a great weekend.
Friday night I watched a very funny movie called "Burn After Reading". I definitely recommend it.
On Saturday, the weather finally got less "ass biting cold" and I was able to go out and about without bundling up. I think things are just so much more comfortable when it's warmer out. There is more of a bounce in my step.
After a trip with my mom to the dump to get rid of some old electronics, we went to the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Cockeysville . I have never been here before, and it was very interesting. They had delicous food and it was good to spend some time with my mom.
I came home and got to spend a little time with my wife and kids, before my wife went out with the girls for the night and I had a couple of good friends over to play darts and have a few cocktails.
Sunday was spent relaxing on the couch, eating junk food (my cheat day) and watching TV.
I really have no point to this blog, but just to point out that weekends can be as simple as this and still be everything a guy could want in a weekend. It's the little moments that show you what to be thankful for. No one would ever mistake my lifestyle for the rock-n-roll high life. But I realized this weekend that all I really need is to be around loved ones, good friends, and a spritz of 'not-so-bad' weather to have the time of my life.
Friday night I watched a very funny movie called "Burn After Reading". I definitely recommend it.
On Saturday, the weather finally got less "ass biting cold" and I was able to go out and about without bundling up. I think things are just so much more comfortable when it's warmer out. There is more of a bounce in my step.
After a trip with my mom to the dump to get rid of some old electronics, we went to the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Cockeysville . I have never been here before, and it was very interesting. They had delicous food and it was good to spend some time with my mom.
I came home and got to spend a little time with my wife and kids, before my wife went out with the girls for the night and I had a couple of good friends over to play darts and have a few cocktails.
Sunday was spent relaxing on the couch, eating junk food (my cheat day) and watching TV.
I really have no point to this blog, but just to point out that weekends can be as simple as this and still be everything a guy could want in a weekend. It's the little moments that show you what to be thankful for. No one would ever mistake my lifestyle for the rock-n-roll high life. But I realized this weekend that all I really need is to be around loved ones, good friends, and a spritz of 'not-so-bad' weather to have the time of my life.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where's the Tylenol?!
I haven't written in a while. It was Halloween the last time I pulled this up and now Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is upon us.
But even though I haven't written a lot has been going on.
I had my 32nd birthday and I'm trying to find the fun in getting older as much as I can, but still somedays you just long for the care free days of being in your 20's. That's just human nature though.
We went to Disney World for vacation. I was skeptical, plus afraid to fly but I sucked it up. The flight was okay, once we were up there I was fine. I feel like I conquered a fear, but at the same time the thought of flying still doesn't get me too jazzed. But that's just what you have to do sometimes to get out of dodge. And trust me, everybody needs to get out of dodge once in a while. Vacations = keeping sanity.
The wife, kids and I had a blast in Disney World. It was a different type of vacation than I am used to, but a pleasant and rewarding time none the less. The Orlando weather and our hotel alone were enough to satisfy me, but the Disney parks are a good time. I think I understand the "magic" people who love Disney talk about.
When we got back from Disney we were greeted by the newest member of our family, a new puppy. He has been a loving and fun addition to our house, but definitely an adjustment.
Things get hectic in our household, I have to say. Family is a lot of work. But there is also a lot of love in our household that makes the hard work worth it.
For that I was thankful on Thanksgiving. I have to thank my wife for making delicous cinnamon buns for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning which kept my portion control in line when it came time for the big meal that day.
And we were able to keep our family artificial tree in the family instead of retiring it! We put the tree up last weekend in preparation for Christmas time, for which I have always been a big softy.
So there's my last couple of months in a nutshell. I know anxious readers out there were dying for the scoop :-).
"Merry Christmas! Holy shit! Where's the tylenol?!" -Clark Griswold
But even though I haven't written a lot has been going on.
I had my 32nd birthday and I'm trying to find the fun in getting older as much as I can, but still somedays you just long for the care free days of being in your 20's. That's just human nature though.
We went to Disney World for vacation. I was skeptical, plus afraid to fly but I sucked it up. The flight was okay, once we were up there I was fine. I feel like I conquered a fear, but at the same time the thought of flying still doesn't get me too jazzed. But that's just what you have to do sometimes to get out of dodge. And trust me, everybody needs to get out of dodge once in a while. Vacations = keeping sanity.
The wife, kids and I had a blast in Disney World. It was a different type of vacation than I am used to, but a pleasant and rewarding time none the less. The Orlando weather and our hotel alone were enough to satisfy me, but the Disney parks are a good time. I think I understand the "magic" people who love Disney talk about.
When we got back from Disney we were greeted by the newest member of our family, a new puppy. He has been a loving and fun addition to our house, but definitely an adjustment.
Things get hectic in our household, I have to say. Family is a lot of work. But there is also a lot of love in our household that makes the hard work worth it.
For that I was thankful on Thanksgiving. I have to thank my wife for making delicous cinnamon buns for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning which kept my portion control in line when it came time for the big meal that day.
And we were able to keep our family artificial tree in the family instead of retiring it! We put the tree up last weekend in preparation for Christmas time, for which I have always been a big softy.
So there's my last couple of months in a nutshell. I know anxious readers out there were dying for the scoop :-).
"Merry Christmas! Holy shit! Where's the tylenol?!" -Clark Griswold
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween/Birthday '08
Tonight was the closest thing I think I could come to reliving my youth at Halloween.
We took the kids out and made our usual rounds to grandparents houses first, but then when we came home we took the kids from house to house and our street was buzzing.
It hasn't seemed like this in previous years. Trick or treating turnouts seemed to have lulled year by year as I have gotten a little older. Maybe it was because Halloween fell on a Friday this year. That could totally be it. It was also a little nicer out.
It was the perfect fall night. It was perfect sweatshirt weather with that crisp smell in the air of a burning fireplace, that smell that just equals Halloween. It reminded me of being a kid again.
Our streets were crowded with kids in crazy costumes running all over, candy bags being flung from lawn to lawn, and parents yelling "say trick or treat" and "say thank you". People were out on their porches entertaining, and a few houses had little haunted house lawns set up. It just seemed like folks really went all out this year, which was cool to me. Everyone was friendly to each other, and it was like one big block party. Like I said, I don't remember the neighborhood streets being abuzz like this since I was a kid.
Sure, that excitement is not quite there about it being Halloween like when you're a kid. But tonight, for me, had to be the closest thing to it.
And as I get ready to turn another year older tomorrow, this was defintely a cool feeling, perhaps a small gift to share with myself and my family. I'm not saying it was any big deal, it was just cool.
We took the kids out and made our usual rounds to grandparents houses first, but then when we came home we took the kids from house to house and our street was buzzing.
It hasn't seemed like this in previous years. Trick or treating turnouts seemed to have lulled year by year as I have gotten a little older. Maybe it was because Halloween fell on a Friday this year. That could totally be it. It was also a little nicer out.
It was the perfect fall night. It was perfect sweatshirt weather with that crisp smell in the air of a burning fireplace, that smell that just equals Halloween. It reminded me of being a kid again.
Our streets were crowded with kids in crazy costumes running all over, candy bags being flung from lawn to lawn, and parents yelling "say trick or treat" and "say thank you". People were out on their porches entertaining, and a few houses had little haunted house lawns set up. It just seemed like folks really went all out this year, which was cool to me. Everyone was friendly to each other, and it was like one big block party. Like I said, I don't remember the neighborhood streets being abuzz like this since I was a kid.
Sure, that excitement is not quite there about it being Halloween like when you're a kid. But tonight, for me, had to be the closest thing to it.
And as I get ready to turn another year older tomorrow, this was defintely a cool feeling, perhaps a small gift to share with myself and my family. I'm not saying it was any big deal, it was just cool.
Monday, October 20, 2008
5:45am
This morning I arose to fill in for somebody at work and their 5:45-2:15 shift.
Yuck.
Forget the fact that you basically have to settle in the night before and try to be in bed at 9pm like an 8 year old, but waking up while it is still dark out? Well, it's hard for me to figure out how some people find pleasure in that.
Oh yeah, to top that all off it's Monday.
But, I am coming off a quiet (as quiet as one can get with a 6 and 4 year old in the house) weekend home with the family. I didn't even crack open one cocktail, and I didn't sleep in either day. I just watched movies, visited my folks, played with the kids, and spent time with my wife.
It was a refreshing weekend. Again, I have to feel thankful and cherish the days. However, one thing I do not cherish, is waking up at 4:45am to be to work by 5:45am.
One thing I do notice, however, waking up this early and having your day start before most people's, is that my mind feels a little crisper (after coffee of course) and a little more creative. Maybe I'll take advantage of it and write something. Or maybe I'll lay my head down and wish 2:15 would hurry up.
Have a good week, everybody.
Yuck.
Forget the fact that you basically have to settle in the night before and try to be in bed at 9pm like an 8 year old, but waking up while it is still dark out? Well, it's hard for me to figure out how some people find pleasure in that.
Oh yeah, to top that all off it's Monday.
But, I am coming off a quiet (as quiet as one can get with a 6 and 4 year old in the house) weekend home with the family. I didn't even crack open one cocktail, and I didn't sleep in either day. I just watched movies, visited my folks, played with the kids, and spent time with my wife.
It was a refreshing weekend. Again, I have to feel thankful and cherish the days. However, one thing I do not cherish, is waking up at 4:45am to be to work by 5:45am.
One thing I do notice, however, waking up this early and having your day start before most people's, is that my mind feels a little crisper (after coffee of course) and a little more creative. Maybe I'll take advantage of it and write something. Or maybe I'll lay my head down and wish 2:15 would hurry up.
Have a good week, everybody.
The Return of Alexander Supertramp
I really can't complain too much about the camping trip. I was surrounded by a crisp fire, good friends, good food and drink, and beautiful weather. This is more than a lot of people have in their lives, so I feel thankful.
Packing, unpacking, and then packing is a bitch when camping, I will say that. There's so much you have to remember to bring when you camp. Stuffing the car to the gills while you argue with your spouse about "what can fit where" and "do we really need to bring that?" is not so fun, but par for the course. (for marriage and a camping trip --smile--)
But aside for that, it pales in comparison to the nice feeling I had Saturday afternoon. After a good jog and a shower, I sat. I read a chapter of a book, did a crossword puzzle, bullcrapped with friends by a fire, watched kids play, all by a fire in 72 degree sunny weather. A few beers and a bocci ball game later, I settled in for a chilly night's sleep in the tent.
I woke up feeling glad that I went, but also glad to go back home to indoor plumbing and my own bed.
Packing, unpacking, and then packing is a bitch when camping, I will say that. There's so much you have to remember to bring when you camp. Stuffing the car to the gills while you argue with your spouse about "what can fit where" and "do we really need to bring that?" is not so fun, but par for the course. (for marriage and a camping trip --smile--)
But aside for that, it pales in comparison to the nice feeling I had Saturday afternoon. After a good jog and a shower, I sat. I read a chapter of a book, did a crossword puzzle, bullcrapped with friends by a fire, watched kids play, all by a fire in 72 degree sunny weather. A few beers and a bocci ball game later, I settled in for a chilly night's sleep in the tent.
I woke up feeling glad that I went, but also glad to go back home to indoor plumbing and my own bed.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Alexander Supertramp
This weekend we are going on a camping trip. It's not something I am too excited about. I've been camping a couple of times and decided it wasn't for me. But the wife and kids are excited about it so I'm just going to have to suck it up. I've always been more of a beach guy.
I'm sure, once I get there it'll be fun. I like being outdoors in nice weather, and I'm hoping to get in a great jog on one of the nature trails they have.
I've just never really been the 'outsdoorsy' type. Camping is not something we did in my family growing up. It is something my wife did in hers. So, really, it's just like what kind of milk you drink. If you grew up with skim milk you drink skim milk, if you grew up with whole milk you drink whole milk. Odd reference, I know, but I think it fits. It really is true that how you were raised makes a big impact on the things you do as an adult. No one way is better than another, it's just different strokes for different folks.
Of course, this blog's title, if you know what it means, is sarcasm. We are staying at a camping "resort", which I think just means they have a lake and lots of amenities. Alexander Supertramp was the alias of a young wayward wanderer who died in the wilderness of Alaska. He was living a life of solitude in the wild trying to survive on berries and whatever he could hunt. In the end, living off the land didn't suit him. They made an interesting movie about him called "Into the Wild". So really, guys like me just watch movies about guys like him.
Anyway, I'm nervous and excited at the same time to be out of my element for a couple of days. I think it's important to stray from beyond your 'element' even if you really don't want to. I think opening up your world a bit gives you more character. I don't open up my world too often, so this will be interesting.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm sure, once I get there it'll be fun. I like being outdoors in nice weather, and I'm hoping to get in a great jog on one of the nature trails they have.
I've just never really been the 'outsdoorsy' type. Camping is not something we did in my family growing up. It is something my wife did in hers. So, really, it's just like what kind of milk you drink. If you grew up with skim milk you drink skim milk, if you grew up with whole milk you drink whole milk. Odd reference, I know, but I think it fits. It really is true that how you were raised makes a big impact on the things you do as an adult. No one way is better than another, it's just different strokes for different folks.
Of course, this blog's title, if you know what it means, is sarcasm. We are staying at a camping "resort", which I think just means they have a lake and lots of amenities. Alexander Supertramp was the alias of a young wayward wanderer who died in the wilderness of Alaska. He was living a life of solitude in the wild trying to survive on berries and whatever he could hunt. In the end, living off the land didn't suit him. They made an interesting movie about him called "Into the Wild". So really, guys like me just watch movies about guys like him.
Anyway, I'm nervous and excited at the same time to be out of my element for a couple of days. I think it's important to stray from beyond your 'element' even if you really don't want to. I think opening up your world a bit gives you more character. I don't open up my world too often, so this will be interesting.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Restored Faith
Life can make you jaded sometimes. Sometimes, through all the frustrations, minor and major inconveniences, and nastiness in the world you can grow a genuine distaste for humanity. But just when I think I have lost all hope and faith in my fellow man, just whenI have been cut off in traffic by someone on a cellphone one too many times, or when I hear about one too many senseless crimes where innocent people lose their lives, someone will surprise you.
It's a shame that it has to be a surprise, but today, my hope in humanity is restored.
I found myself in quite the quandary today of this Saturday being one of my Saturdays to work. My wife and I had had some miscommunication about the date of an imporant event for our son, who has a slight developmental disability. The event is actually a charity walk for that disability. But I had completely forgotten I had to work.
So, frantically, I scrambled at the last minute trying to find a sub for my Saturday shift, thinking of course, no one will want to do it, especially in this short notice. Plus, who likes to work Saturdays? Then I asked myself, if it was me they were asking, would I do it?
All of a sudden, an employee from another one of our sites, whom I don't know very well at all, offered to cover for me. Actually, she said she'd "be glad to" and to "enjoy the charity walk", and didn't even want me to take one of her Saturdays in return (we all rotate a Saturday shifts).
I consider this person a savior of sorts. She saved me for this Saturday,allowing me to attend this important event with my family, and she also saved my all but lost sense of hope and faith in humanity. The selflessness and kindness she showed truly amazed me, especially in a day and age where it seems like everyone is just out for self.
It reminded me of this quote:
"Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind carries me across the sky." -Ojibwe saying
Indeed.
Although she will probably never read this, I want to send out my utmost gratitude to this person.
Thanks, T.K.
It's a shame that it has to be a surprise, but today, my hope in humanity is restored.
I found myself in quite the quandary today of this Saturday being one of my Saturdays to work. My wife and I had had some miscommunication about the date of an imporant event for our son, who has a slight developmental disability. The event is actually a charity walk for that disability. But I had completely forgotten I had to work.
So, frantically, I scrambled at the last minute trying to find a sub for my Saturday shift, thinking of course, no one will want to do it, especially in this short notice. Plus, who likes to work Saturdays? Then I asked myself, if it was me they were asking, would I do it?
All of a sudden, an employee from another one of our sites, whom I don't know very well at all, offered to cover for me. Actually, she said she'd "be glad to" and to "enjoy the charity walk", and didn't even want me to take one of her Saturdays in return (we all rotate a Saturday shifts).
I consider this person a savior of sorts. She saved me for this Saturday,allowing me to attend this important event with my family, and she also saved my all but lost sense of hope and faith in humanity. The selflessness and kindness she showed truly amazed me, especially in a day and age where it seems like everyone is just out for self.
It reminded me of this quote:
"Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind carries me across the sky." -Ojibwe saying
Indeed.
Although she will probably never read this, I want to send out my utmost gratitude to this person.
Thanks, T.K.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Questions
Questions:
1. Here in Baltimore, we have a news anchor named Mary Rubala. Doesn't that last name sound like some kind of virus? ("this just in, a Rubala virus outbreak infects over half the passengers on...")
2. Doesn't it seem like more than half of white trash/rednecks you see out there always seem to be wearing some sort of wrist brace or cast? Why is that? (i'm serious, watch cops, they almost always have some sort of arm sling, wrist brace, or cast)
3. Do people actually think it is their actual weight when they weigh themselves right after a workout?
4. Doesn't it seem, the way some people look at the automatic checkout screen at a grocery store and take forever, that you'd need some sort of M.I.T. engineering degree to operate it?
5. Why do some families bring their 2 year old child into a Rated R movie? Really, has your 2 year old been talking nonstop about how he is just dying to see "Knocked Up"?
6. Why do people ask for a bag at a convenience store to carry a tiny bag of chips that already come in a bag?
7. How do the elderly, tractor trailers with huge cranes loaded on them, soccer moms in minivans, or 15 year old driver's ed kids always seem to get at the front of the traffic line?
8. Ladies, what's with the skirts and tennis shoes look?
9. Why do people look for platonic friends on craigslist?
10. How come I can manage to get my body in better shape as I get older but my hairline can't seem to do the same?
11. How come every time I choose to go to the grocery store I wind up going when there are 50-60 other people there doing their next 3 months worth of shopping? And why do I always get stuck behind them in line when all I have is a basket?
12. How come in a crowded parking lot, while looking for a space, if I actually do spot someone walking to their car to leave and I can then have their spot, that person always seems to be parked in the furthest away spot possible?
13. Why do sports fans watching a game high five each other when their team scores or makes a good play like they had something to do with it?
14. How come no one can ever find their bottle opener?
15. How come to this day, I can sing along perfectly to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" (a song popular in 1988) and not miss a word, but I can't recall a conversation I had with someone last week?
1. Here in Baltimore, we have a news anchor named Mary Rubala. Doesn't that last name sound like some kind of virus? ("this just in, a Rubala virus outbreak infects over half the passengers on...")
2. Doesn't it seem like more than half of white trash/rednecks you see out there always seem to be wearing some sort of wrist brace or cast? Why is that? (i'm serious, watch cops, they almost always have some sort of arm sling, wrist brace, or cast)
3. Do people actually think it is their actual weight when they weigh themselves right after a workout?
4. Doesn't it seem, the way some people look at the automatic checkout screen at a grocery store and take forever, that you'd need some sort of M.I.T. engineering degree to operate it?
5. Why do some families bring their 2 year old child into a Rated R movie? Really, has your 2 year old been talking nonstop about how he is just dying to see "Knocked Up"?
6. Why do people ask for a bag at a convenience store to carry a tiny bag of chips that already come in a bag?
7. How do the elderly, tractor trailers with huge cranes loaded on them, soccer moms in minivans, or 15 year old driver's ed kids always seem to get at the front of the traffic line?
8. Ladies, what's with the skirts and tennis shoes look?
9. Why do people look for platonic friends on craigslist?
10. How come I can manage to get my body in better shape as I get older but my hairline can't seem to do the same?
11. How come every time I choose to go to the grocery store I wind up going when there are 50-60 other people there doing their next 3 months worth of shopping? And why do I always get stuck behind them in line when all I have is a basket?
12. How come in a crowded parking lot, while looking for a space, if I actually do spot someone walking to their car to leave and I can then have their spot, that person always seems to be parked in the furthest away spot possible?
13. Why do sports fans watching a game high five each other when their team scores or makes a good play like they had something to do with it?
14. How come no one can ever find their bottle opener?
15. How come to this day, I can sing along perfectly to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" (a song popular in 1988) and not miss a word, but I can't recall a conversation I had with someone last week?
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