Not many of life's moments can be totally juicy and delicious, but treasure the those that are, because they more than make up for the bland ones.
This bit of wisdom is aimed at McMonk, who enjoyed a slice of downtown living this week.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Finding Purpose
After a very waffly holiday season, life seems be leveling out and I'm getting things accomplished.
Details to follow.
Details to follow.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Post-New Year's Post
I have learned that middle-age manhood is all about collecting and practicing the telling of good stories at the appropriate time amongst your peers.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Downhill
On May 15, 2001, I received the news that my office was going to be shut down and everyone in that office would be losing their jobs by the end of the year. I took some time to digest this news and went through most of the stages of grieving. I went quickly through denial (hard to deny something when the CEO is standing in the front of an all-company meeting telling everyone what is going to happen) straight into angry. I stayed in angry for about a week. Bargaining was taken care of by the HR department. I was a bit too busy for depression - besides, my department (Technology and Infrastructure) and my minions had a crap-load of work to do before the lights were turned off and Seattle stopped paying the bills. Suddenly, I found myself in acceptance. Acceptance that maybe, finally, this *might* be the winter that I could ... ski.
Being a responsible, family-oriented dad has always been first and foremost in my priorities. I want my loved ones to have what they need and some of what they want. I made plans (which I made known to my concerned wife-at-the-time) for acquiring new and gainful employment. I would consult, a new company would be created and I would continue to bring in money. A secret motive existed for this arrangement, though - being master of my own schedule meant to me that certain days could be 'booked' to allow me some time in the mountains that I love so much.
Another benefit of the big layoff was a severance package. Some of this money I claimed for myself went towards the extravagant (at the time) purchase of some good-quality-but-used demo skis, boots and bindings from a local high-end ski shop. This was one of the few treats I allowed myself in those lean years. I hadn't skied a whole lot previously, but knew that I loved it. I thought that this winter would hold much mountain-time for me.
Fate had other plans. Days after the office had officially shut down, the old gang called me up to be their infrastructure guy. The (ex)wife was beating me with a stick to get out there and drum up business, and very little ski time was had.
Years pass. A divorce happens. Life bcomes busy with re-establishing myself. I become master of my own time. A home is set up. Children become older and require less hands-on time. Some financial resources are freed up.
Suddenly, I can afford a Sunshine Pass. Suddenly, HR at my current job realizes that they have been calculating my vacation accumulation incorrectly this year, and I actually have two weeks stored vacation time instead of the four days I thought I had to stretch through the winter.
Could this be the year that I actually learn to do moguls?
Being a responsible, family-oriented dad has always been first and foremost in my priorities. I want my loved ones to have what they need and some of what they want. I made plans (which I made known to my concerned wife-at-the-time) for acquiring new and gainful employment. I would consult, a new company would be created and I would continue to bring in money. A secret motive existed for this arrangement, though - being master of my own schedule meant to me that certain days could be 'booked' to allow me some time in the mountains that I love so much.
Another benefit of the big layoff was a severance package. Some of this money I claimed for myself went towards the extravagant (at the time) purchase of some good-quality-but-used demo skis, boots and bindings from a local high-end ski shop. This was one of the few treats I allowed myself in those lean years. I hadn't skied a whole lot previously, but knew that I loved it. I thought that this winter would hold much mountain-time for me.
Fate had other plans. Days after the office had officially shut down, the old gang called me up to be their infrastructure guy. The (ex)wife was beating me with a stick to get out there and drum up business, and very little ski time was had.
Years pass. A divorce happens. Life bcomes busy with re-establishing myself. I become master of my own time. A home is set up. Children become older and require less hands-on time. Some financial resources are freed up.
Suddenly, I can afford a Sunshine Pass. Suddenly, HR at my current job realizes that they have been calculating my vacation accumulation incorrectly this year, and I actually have two weeks stored vacation time instead of the four days I thought I had to stretch through the winter.
Could this be the year that I actually learn to do moguls?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Photo Booth
I was the subject (and photographer, kind of) for a good photo. Let me set this up before you view it.
At our company Christmas party this year, we rented a photo booth. It is a pretty standard booth that takes 4 black-and-white pictures and puts them all on one print, one after the other. You (and as many as your friends as you deem worthy) get in the booth, choose your background (a curtain or a plain white wall), sit on the stool, and push the button. A blinding flash hits you, then you have six seconds to choose and prepare yourself for the next pose.
Just six seconds.
OK, now perhaps you'll fully appreciate the series. Click on the photo to the right to see the full photo strip.
At our company Christmas party this year, we rented a photo booth. It is a pretty standard booth that takes 4 black-and-white pictures and puts them all on one print, one after the other. You (and as many as your friends as you deem worthy) get in the booth, choose your background (a curtain or a plain white wall), sit on the stool, and push the button. A blinding flash hits you, then you have six seconds to choose and prepare yourself for the next pose.Just six seconds.
OK, now perhaps you'll fully appreciate the series. Click on the photo to the right to see the full photo strip.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
indebtedness
I just heard that someone in our office signed up for a 40 year mortgage.
Them leg shackles are gonna chafe for sure.
She's a young, happy, no-so-sharp pencil that is starting a new marriage and family. They recently bought a BRAND NEW car and I bet they both dine out for dinner all the time. Yikes.
I hope her hubby has got a good, stable job that pays well.
Them leg shackles are gonna chafe for sure.
She's a young, happy, no-so-sharp pencil that is starting a new marriage and family. They recently bought a BRAND NEW car and I bet they both dine out for dinner all the time. Yikes.
I hope her hubby has got a good, stable job that pays well.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Today's Lesson
If you need to send a message to a woman, you should use a card and flowers.
If you've done a proper job on the card, the flowers will only be the punctuation at the end.
If you've done a proper job on the card, the flowers will only be the punctuation at the end.
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