A Life's Pursuit: January 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Maze of Discontent



The snow is gone but its energy still resides. We spend our days chasing a dream, some say "the American Dream;" but can a country claim a dream? Are all the rats in the maze aware that all the paths but one are dead ends? Its funny odd because everybody is selling the "one" way and any logical mind knows there are at least several ways to a destination. In America, at least for the moment, it's very easy to see that the BIG companies have let us down. Jobs that people thought were infinitely secure are gone. The system appears to be killing off the little people, the mom and pop companies and farmers that are truely the backbone of this great country fall by the hundreds. Radio shows (some) seem to be focused on FDR, the Great Depression and WPA when they aren't cramming down our throats how BAD the future is and what a mess the President is going to make.


Can he really make it any worse than the "know it alls" that got us here as they ran away with the loot have done? How do you do a job that bad and still get to keep your jobs PLUS get MORE money to manage again? Sign me up! Oh the billions flowing down the hill, long dried up before they reach the backbone. Skeletons without a spine fall from their own weight. Sure, lets give em more money and slap their hands for just being American.... And what stupid idot would boldly say "I want the president to fail!?" Are not all our destinies linked and bound together? That reminds me of the story of the frog and the scorpion. If we cannot change our private thoughts, our public displays will always be a disgrace.


There won't be any shortcuts and before its done; we'll all have to roll up our sleeves and push the car out of the mud. Yes, we're gonna get muddy, dirty, sweaty, testy, exhausted and probably sick of one another; but we won't be defeated! You can pick your career but you can't choose your family. Somehow this country typically prevails in spite of itself. While that shouldnt make us sigh with relief and complacency; it should make us endeavor to be that much more steadfast at accomplishing restoration of strength, unity and stability. No house stands divided. Surely things will be better; even if we all choke on hope.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Exceptions are the spice of life!

exceptions


This is a phrase I am "borrowing" from the Prelate of Pensive," in his latest blog. It never fails to jar something lose in the background of my dull mind and inspires some few short words to kickoff a new blog. Today is a day no different from another.

I think about the spice of life and remember so many times that the spectacular happened from the most ordinary of circumstances. Some of them happened simply when I did what I thought was right and the other times were just gifts. I could spin you some fabulously entertaining stories; but really you would have had to been there to believe it. So I won't insult your absence.

parking exceptions


It is these exceptions, that really make your eyes sparkle and your spirit leap inside your skin. Have you ever been in a situation that couldn't possibly be real or true? Then without reason or promise, it's all real and right there surrounding the moment that encasees you. It would seem most days that everything around me is some sort of exception. They say you attract what you are....thats pretty terrifying but not short of terrific. I guess that also counts for all the strange set of characters whom I call friends and aquaintances.

hands free calling


I can only wonder if part of the grand design is for us not to be perfect. Wouldnt perfect really be quite boring? Exceptions keep us laughing at ourselves, as well as others. Dont we crave the moments that really aren't that perfect; especially if it is happening to someone else. Perfect is best served like the eye of a hurricane. or perhaps you prefer an oasis in a smoldering desert. Granted, none of this is to say that there arent occassions, situations and timespans that you are more than happy to have perfection visit for some continuous stretch of time.




Thursday, January 22, 2009

America Believes

Its Thursday and I am pushing my mind through a day thick as mud like extra dry peanut butter. I dont really have anything to blog on today. There are few thoughts and even less to think about. All is good in the ville. One shining spec in the heavens belongs to this cool shirt I saw while flinting about the internet. Whether its a sign of the times or a sign of how bad times are in the past four years, change has arrived — at least visually so far anyway. There is a tidal wave of hope washing across our shores. The young people have changed the world again. Yes We Can, Yes We Did, We did it TOGETHER; NOW WHAT: well, we'll see! America Believes!

America Believes Shirt



thinking thoughts lizards

Friday, January 16, 2009

Hoodies, Tshirts and All the Hot Cool Stuff

It's that time of the year, chilly even cold. Wear what you like; it's your body. It's the new year and you deserve more.
Enjoy this styled logo on cool, comfortable but relaxed garments! The smiling people
know exactly what you mean.






Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Top Character Strength Discovery

I'm not too proud that I typically accident upon interesting sites. I would also admit
that I dont mind sharing good news or something that might benefit someone else
despite my selfish disposition. This is none other than that.

VIA Institute
The nonprofit VIA Institute on Character was founded to create a scientifically rigorous classification of character strengths (the VIA Classification) and a way of measuring them (the VIA Survey). 
The Institute is devoted to advancing the scientific understanding about character.


I took the shortest survey, the VIA Strengths Brief Survey, cause I "had other things to do" and because I typically hate these types of personality yada yada yada surveys. I found this one entertaining in its disclosure of what I suspected or just found out.

Your Top Character Strength
Creativity [originality, ingenuity]
Thinking of novel and productive ways to do things; includes artistic
achievement but is not limited to it
Creativity, ingenuity, and originality - Thinking of new ways to do
things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with
doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.

Your Second Character Strength
Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]
Taking an interest in all of ongoing experience for its own sake;
finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering
Curiosity and interest in the world - You are curious about
everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects
and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.

Your Third Character Strength
Love of Learning
Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on
one's own or formally; obviously related to the strength of curiosity
but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to
what one knows
Love of learning - You love learning new things, whether in a class or
on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and
museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.


Your Fourth Character Strength
Perspective [wisdom]
Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking
at the world that make sense to oneself and to other people
Perspective (wisdom) - Although you may not think of yourself as wise,
your friends hold this view of you. They value your perspective on
matters and turn to you for advice. You have a way of looking at the
world that makes sense to others and to yourself.

Your Fifth Character Strength
Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]
Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled
performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics
to science to everyday experience
Appreciation of beauty and excellence - You notice and appreciate
beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life,
from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The Monkey Always Follows the Banana

Monkey on My Back

I like simple truths. Whether its the old country guy sitting on the front porch, the blue collar worker who just supports his family without any fanfare or the occassional idiot who is indescriminately showered with a moment of nirvanna, the simple truth is the essence of whats left at the bottom of the pot of boiling water. One of the things I have always admired about my father is his ability to cut to the chase, wrap it up short, hold the lettuce and mayo, etc. He has an artform to being brief but enlightening.

Monkey on My Back


After an accident that was not my "fault" due to someone running a red light, he responded with "just cause the light's green, don't mean go." Yeh, at first that wasn't met with any joy, thrill or approval...but upon further examination; it was potent. This day's reflection comes from a coworker asking me about a project that has been looming for a year on my back, occassionally even taking food from my very own hand; an oversized monkey not nearly worth all its trouble. Today I threw that monkey onto someone else's shoulders with some foundational questions — tossing the banana, if you will. What do you know, I'm 50lbs lighter for at least a couple of days.

Monkey on My Back

Friday, January 09, 2009

The Goat: How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Friday Fixins Too Sweet to be a Couch Potato
I LOVE a good sweet potato and these chaps smack lips. Look at those beautiful baked sweet potatoes....WOW!
The Goat: How to Bake a Sweet Potato

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Yesterday in Disguise

In my mind I know its a new year; but it feels the same! Does anybody else feel that way? I didnt make any resolutions, I didnt care. For the most part, I have what I want, very few things I would change, maybe improve, so whats the fuss? Its "Resolutionary Time" at the gym; the right people already know what that means so I wont bother explaining. I enjoy 60 minutes with Andy Rooney...he just says it like he feels it. Maybe I am getting old; but I just dont care so much about political correctness and just going along not making waves. People tend to get in a tizzy about holidays, occassions and events when its really the same day with the same amount of hours and minutes, the same possibilities, losses and hopes. Its the same day yesterday they wasted today. Whats the fuss? Seize the day! ANY day is a good day to start; dont wait for a holiday, birthday or whatever; do it NOW!