Summer's ending. A late summer cold has tried to tell me to slow down. Unfortunately I haven't listened. I've kept up my normal pace, wearing down toward evening each day, and not feeling much better. Full day and travel tomorrow. When I get back I'll either be better, or so sick I have to take a couple of days off.
Which should I hope for?
Reset
Cleaning off / up / out and starting over can be so refreshing. The past is done and gone. Life needs more reset buttons.
Praise
I dreamed of a coach trying to teach kids to pitch a baseball. He would walk behind them as they threw clapping and encouraging them each time they made a mistake, but once they got the hang of it the clapping stopped. One child puzzled over why the coach stopped praising their efforts, once they got it right. The realization was this -
Praise is only necessary until one becomes competent. Once competent, successful achievements provide the sense of accomplishment.
Praise is only necessary until one becomes competent. Once competent, successful achievements provide the sense of accomplishment.
Online
Why? I've come to the point, where I think to myself why do I need to be online. I have to be online for work, but otherwise I think real life holds more appeal for me. I don't want to spend my time gaming - although I would love to. I would be one to plug-in and ignore the outside world given the choice, but should virtual accomplishments and adventures come anywhere close to to the feelings and experiences of the real world?
Well...
so much for the increased activity on here. Sorry, Facebook lured me back, and so far haven't been hacked yet. Work is terribly busy (I know it's a good thing) and I need to learn to adjust and not react to stress and demands. Travelling a lot, but not taking pictures. Ready to rest.
The Emerald Isle
It was wonderful!!!!
We lost half a day due to Delta not being able to push their plane out from the gate in Boston, causing us to miss our connection in Amsterdam, but it was a small trouble in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
We landed in Dublin, caught our bus to Merrion Square, and walked around the corner to our hotel. Then we walked through Merrion Square, St. Stephen's Green, up Grafton Street and down Nassau Street. We ended up in Foley's for dinner, where we were introduced to Club Lemon (a soft drink) which was delicious, because they were out of Club Orange (our other favorite Irish drink). We were also introduced to the HUGE portions that seemed to be standard for every meal. Fish and chips that first night. Delicious!
The next day we went to catch our bus to Powerscourt and Glendalough, but the tour was cancelled (we were the only two that signed up), and ended up just going to Powerscourt instead. It's an old great house (read estate) with 50+ acres of manicured grounds. Beautiful grounds with several varieties of gardens. My favorite was the Japanese gardens and a little rock labyrinth area off to one side. My other favorite thing, was the little alcove they had for storing a rowboat. It was a "had to be there" thing, but really cool! We then returned, saw the book of Kells (fascinating, if a little overpriced, but you have to see it), and had an early dinner of crepes at Lemon, a cool little creperie that I wish would suddenly appear in Hillsboro. After dinner it was time for some pub hopping. We started with the Dawson Lounge, the smallest pub in Dublin. It's a little room in a basement off Dawson street, and holds maybe twenty people if everyone's standing. Then we went looking for music and ended up in the Temple Bar area and at long last found --- Oliver St. John Gogarty's --- Yes, we loved the music there. They have a regular line up of musicians that cycle through on some arbitrary schedule, so you never know who will be in playing, but the music was loud, good, and by the end of the trip we could even sing along with a few of the songs.
Next day was the hop on/hop off bus tour. Our two main stops were Dublin Castle (including the Charles Beatty library - houses an exceptional exhibit around religious art) and Kilmainham Gaol (a must if you want to understand the fiery passion for politics and freedom of Dubliners). We ended up the evening listening to some live music in The Blarney Inn, a pub closer to the hotel, but the highlight of the night was the snow! Yes, we saw it snow in Dublin, which according to the locals is rare indeed.
The next day was Sunday and we spent the better part of the day just going out to attend church with the Finglas Ward. A grand time was had by all, and yes the church is the same everywhere you go. On the way back to the hotel we dropped in to the National Museum of Archeology (I wanted to see the bog men) and were amazed at the quality and age of some of the pieces on display.
Overall a wonderful trip, experience, adventure ... just a good time all around.
We lost half a day due to Delta not being able to push their plane out from the gate in Boston, causing us to miss our connection in Amsterdam, but it was a small trouble in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
We landed in Dublin, caught our bus to Merrion Square, and walked around the corner to our hotel. Then we walked through Merrion Square, St. Stephen's Green, up Grafton Street and down Nassau Street. We ended up in Foley's for dinner, where we were introduced to Club Lemon (a soft drink) which was delicious, because they were out of Club Orange (our other favorite Irish drink). We were also introduced to the HUGE portions that seemed to be standard for every meal. Fish and chips that first night. Delicious!
The next day we went to catch our bus to Powerscourt and Glendalough, but the tour was cancelled (we were the only two that signed up), and ended up just going to Powerscourt instead. It's an old great house (read estate) with 50+ acres of manicured grounds. Beautiful grounds with several varieties of gardens. My favorite was the Japanese gardens and a little rock labyrinth area off to one side. My other favorite thing, was the little alcove they had for storing a rowboat. It was a "had to be there" thing, but really cool! We then returned, saw the book of Kells (fascinating, if a little overpriced, but you have to see it), and had an early dinner of crepes at Lemon, a cool little creperie that I wish would suddenly appear in Hillsboro. After dinner it was time for some pub hopping. We started with the Dawson Lounge, the smallest pub in Dublin. It's a little room in a basement off Dawson street, and holds maybe twenty people if everyone's standing. Then we went looking for music and ended up in the Temple Bar area and at long last found --- Oliver St. John Gogarty's --- Yes, we loved the music there. They have a regular line up of musicians that cycle through on some arbitrary schedule, so you never know who will be in playing, but the music was loud, good, and by the end of the trip we could even sing along with a few of the songs.
Next day was the hop on/hop off bus tour. Our two main stops were Dublin Castle (including the Charles Beatty library - houses an exceptional exhibit around religious art) and Kilmainham Gaol (a must if you want to understand the fiery passion for politics and freedom of Dubliners). We ended up the evening listening to some live music in The Blarney Inn, a pub closer to the hotel, but the highlight of the night was the snow! Yes, we saw it snow in Dublin, which according to the locals is rare indeed.
The next day was Sunday and we spent the better part of the day just going out to attend church with the Finglas Ward. A grand time was had by all, and yes the church is the same everywhere you go. On the way back to the hotel we dropped in to the National Museum of Archeology (I wanted to see the bog men) and were amazed at the quality and age of some of the pieces on display.
Overall a wonderful trip, experience, adventure ... just a good time all around.
New and improved ...
OK, this little piece of my life is about to get a lot more activity. I deactivated my Facebook accounts, and all that creativity will now show up here. Theoretically leading to more and better posts. We'll see.
Drive
I feel an upwelling of hope, inspiration, vision - the drive to make things as they should be. I want to clean my office, put everything away, beautify the yard, be a loving husband and father, be a friendly neighbor. Then, I HAVE to do something for work, or an assignment, I get distracted, and the buoyant feeling of progress dissipates into the apathy of life goes on. In the best cases I drop everything, forget everything that needs to be done, and go spend time with my family.
I had a Dream ... Again
Had a dream where I was trying to get change from a change machine. I put in a bill and various coins appeared, but it was never the right amount. People around me were taking and adding coins, and the total was never right. I kept trying to grab the coins, checking the total, trying to tell everyone to stop so I could get the right amount.
As I awoke, the clear single thought occurred to me - "I need change!"
As I awoke, the clear single thought occurred to me - "I need change!"
Seasons
I haven't decided on an adjective for this Autumn's season yet. On a down day I'd say dreary without a second thought. On a crisp day, when the low sun is shining and the Fall colors are glowing, I'd use beautiful, or majestic or even radiant. But on a rainy day like today, even with wind blowing and the general dishevelment of drippy blowing scenery, I'd say that Autumn is elegant in it's muted display of bold colors or even graceful as it descends slowly into winter's slumber.
Sounds
Do you have a favorite sense?
My sense of smell is my strongest sense, but because of that causes as much discomfort as enjoyment.
I take my sense of taste for granted, but do enjoy strong flavors. I think, maybe my taste for spices and spicy foods has diminished my ability to savor subtle flavors.
Sense of touch? Too much pain there currently (headaches and such) so ask me later.
I have to say sight would be the one I derive the most enjoyment from. I love looking, watching, experiencing the beauty that's in the world. A beautiful sunset is always awe inspiring, never grows old.
Oh wait, I forgot about that little thing called hearing. I've got a bad ear, so my hearing causes me as much trouble as enjoyment (half heard conversations, missed words) but I do enjoy complex music and strong rhythms.
So even though I still have to say sight rules as favorite, I wanted to add a couple of quick thoughts on sounds of seasons, natural sounds, not people or man made.
Spring: water, light rain, melting snow, splashing puddles, birdsong
Summer: storms, insects, the itchy, irritated, dusty, crisp sound of a very hot summer day
Fall: the drip of the first winter rains, wind through half dead leaves, the crunch of fallen leaves, the whispery scratch of dead leaves blown across a landscape going dormant
Winter: silence
My sense of smell is my strongest sense, but because of that causes as much discomfort as enjoyment.
I take my sense of taste for granted, but do enjoy strong flavors. I think, maybe my taste for spices and spicy foods has diminished my ability to savor subtle flavors.
Sense of touch? Too much pain there currently (headaches and such) so ask me later.
I have to say sight would be the one I derive the most enjoyment from. I love looking, watching, experiencing the beauty that's in the world. A beautiful sunset is always awe inspiring, never grows old.
Oh wait, I forgot about that little thing called hearing. I've got a bad ear, so my hearing causes me as much trouble as enjoyment (half heard conversations, missed words) but I do enjoy complex music and strong rhythms.
So even though I still have to say sight rules as favorite, I wanted to add a couple of quick thoughts on sounds of seasons, natural sounds, not people or man made.
Spring: water, light rain, melting snow, splashing puddles, birdsong
Summer: storms, insects, the itchy, irritated, dusty, crisp sound of a very hot summer day
Fall: the drip of the first winter rains, wind through half dead leaves, the crunch of fallen leaves, the whispery scratch of dead leaves blown across a landscape going dormant
Winter: silence
Been a while ...
So I thought I'd just put up some thoughts.
Updated my reading list, and realized, I've got some good ones coming up, and some good ones I've missed. Have been reading whatever looked good off the quickie-mart shelves in the airport, and it's mostly been worthless. A couple I didn't even finish. Future reads will be higher quality.
I really enjoy fall! Bright days. Cool air. Warm clothes.
Updated my reading list, and realized, I've got some good ones coming up, and some good ones I've missed. Have been reading whatever looked good off the quickie-mart shelves in the airport, and it's mostly been worthless. A couple I didn't even finish. Future reads will be higher quality.
I really enjoy fall! Bright days. Cool air. Warm clothes.
Worth While
It seems like anything really worth while takes effort, whether it be a work of art, a project, raising a child - it's a lot of work. Does that mean, that if it doesn't take effort that the end result isn't worth while or a work of art? Or does it mean that every thing we consider of any worth in life took effort on someone's part?
The Emerald Isle
For my birthday I'll get to go to the land of my dreams with the girl of my dreams! I expect to be cold, wet, weary and have an absolutely wonderful time.
There are many places I would go by myself that I enjoy and would thoroughly relax and recharge me (read high-desert canyons), but I've always wanted to visit Ireland, and that's one trip I would never make without my sweetie by my side.
There are many places I would go by myself that I enjoy and would thoroughly relax and recharge me (read high-desert canyons), but I've always wanted to visit Ireland, and that's one trip I would never make without my sweetie by my side.
They're everywhere!
So how about some sort of nano-router that can forward an internet connection, even if it's only a fraction of a milimeter? If you have enough of them embedded in paint, floating in the air, hitching a ride with the dust that permeates our lives, couldn't you create an everywhere accessible internet?
Politics
It seems there is a growing number of people who only exist comfortably in a virtual world, and many of those who deal best with reality are virtually lost.
How long before we have real governments and virtual nations with no physical boundaries, only ideological groupings?
How long before someone sets up a floating squatters island where those who can afford it live only in a virtual world with all their other needs taken care of?
Can you give up you're real world nationality/identity in favor of an online persona?
How long before we have real governments and virtual nations with no physical boundaries, only ideological groupings?
How long before someone sets up a floating squatters island where those who can afford it live only in a virtual world with all their other needs taken care of?
Can you give up you're real world nationality/identity in favor of an online persona?
Family
Just got through with a wonderful family reunion. For pics and such, sorry, you're going to have to find me on Facebook. My boys are of the official opinion that my brothers are great to hang around and listen to, but they're glad I'm their dad. Made me feel like I'm at least doing one thing right. Hopefully get to see my folks in a week or two (they're planning a visit, but the exact dates are up in the air).
Blinded
Ok, the stress of many trips in little time must be getting to me as, yep, it's another rant.
I am so tired of old women in low cut blouses. Sure you're proud of them and want to show them off - BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM. I know summer is coming on, but I'm sorry, I don't want to see any more flabby, wrinkly, jiggly, pasty, freckled or sun damaged skin!
I am so tired of old women in low cut blouses. Sure you're proud of them and want to show them off - BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM. I know summer is coming on, but I'm sorry, I don't want to see any more flabby, wrinkly, jiggly, pasty, freckled or sun damaged skin!
Prius
Ok, if you're going to redesign a system - like the ignition system on the Prius - you should have some instructions - or not hand one over to a novice without instructions. Last trip (LA) I was given a Prius as a rental. No instructions. I could see the key didn't turn. I hit the power button and stuff would light up then turn off when I hit it again. Somehow the first two times I magically got the car to start, but it wasn't until 5 minutes into my frustrating trial and error process that I figured out you have to have your foot on the brake when you push the start button to actually have it start the engine.
Oh, and the engine switching between electric and internal combustion (making me think the engine had died) was unnerving for a newbie.
Oh, and the engine switching between electric and internal combustion (making me think the engine had died) was unnerving for a newbie.
I had a dream ...
There were powerful dragons who were in opposition to man, but for every powerful dragon there was a man of power to oppose it. I dreamed I was almost destroyed by the second most powerful dragon, and only just saved by the most powerful man coming to my defense. I came to find out, I was the supposed to be the second most powerful man, and should have been able to do all sorts of amazing things, but I just didn't care enough to learn. The dream ended as I began to feel a small inkling of what I could do, and an anguish of not knowing if it was too late to begin caring.
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