New Beginnings…

“Life always gets harder near the summit” – quote from fortune cookie from tonight’s dinner.

So, two days ago I started a new job.  While this in itself is not big news, this will be my fourth job over the last four years, it is a big deal because I took a leap. 

I liked my last job, and had my best boss ever with that company.  I have kicked myself on several occasions over the last four years for not taking the leap.  I have had offers that involved very similar situations, new industry, new people, new location.  The latter was always the hang up.  I was scared to move.  I was scared to be in a new place, with new people, and no support.  I started each decision excited about moving, excited about all the things I could contribute to that company and that team, and excited about a new home, but soon I scared myself out of taking that leap. 

 Moving has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and according to my parents, even back to my first days.  We moved quite a bit, and I spent many years living with my grandmother, and moving each time our lease was up when I lived my dad by myself.  I had two different schools for 1st grade, a different one for 2nd grade, and thought it was the greatest thing when I was in the same house and school for 3rd through 5th grade.  But, we moved again and I thought it was the end of the world.  We were going to move two states away, and I was so scared that I threatened my parents that I was not going, that I would never leave.  Funny now, but at 11 years old that was my world, and I wouldn’t have the only home I had known for more than a year taken away from.  Turns out it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me up until then.  Since that move I had one home and one school system for the next six years, and the same hometown for eleven years. 

I have always answered the question, “Where are you from?” the same way for the past 34 years, “Richmond, Virginia.”  It is my home.  It is where I got my first post college job, It is where I met my wife, where my kids were born, and where I bought my first house.  It is a place that makes me feel safe, and lets me know that everything is okay.  It is where I told Molly, “I love you”, for the first time, where I coach my daughter’s soccer team, and where my son is learning to be “very fast”.  It is my comfort zone.

I as I reflect on all of this I remember going to Busch Gardens for the first time, and not riding the Loch Ness Monster rollercoaster, despite the prodding of my father and sister.  I kicked myself after we left.  Years later when I went back, that is the first thing I did.  After riding Loch Ness I kicked myself even harder for not taking that ride before, it was not as scary as it looked, hell I rode the Big Bad Wolf on that first trip and it was ten times scarier.   And how, in the last email my boss sent me, he said, “I hope that I helped you learn to step out of you comfort zone, because this will certainly help you going forward”.

 I guess what I am getting at is, while I can’t go back and take those other jobs, I can take this one.  I can take the leap.

And yes, it’s still scary.

Thanks for listening;)

Happy New Year!!

While I am sure there are millions of posts like this today, and yesterday, I felt the need to be here.  It has been since March.  I have had hundreds of ideas pass through my head since then, but never had the desire to post them.

This year has passed with few changes or updates in our lives, except for one million little things that make each and everyday a journey.  Molly still has a job, for now.  I still have a job, though I am constantly looking for that next great opportunity.  Clarice started Kindergarten, though not that big of a thing since we went through the pre-school  change in 2008.

I am not usually one for resolutions, or goals for that matter, but this last month has made me rethink that, and life in general.  About four weeks ago I decided I needed to do something about my overall physical health.  I guess it kind of started back in June, right before Clarice’s 5th birthday.  I went and saw a doctor for the first time in about, oh let’s call it 6 years.  He is a quack, but it helped me to understand that I needed to change, and that medicine is really only a way to help me along that path.  For years I suffered from chronic sinus headaches.  They got better when I stopped smoking in April of 2008, but still lingered.  He gave me some nasal spray, which I still can’t pronounce properly, and put me on Claritin, and some low dose blood pressure medication.  The latter stems from me being overweight, and several episodes over the years where stress and fatigue have put my life at risk.  The worst was about 9 years ago when I had a reading of 150/ 155, and had severe body tremors while at work (150 is bad enough but the second number should be well below 100).  I now have a reading of about 130/80, good, but still not where it needs to be.  The headaches are gone for the most part, but if I fail to take my medication, like I did about 2 weeks ago when I had a stomach flu, they come back with a vengeance. 

Even with that flu episode I have still maintained a relatively regular running and workout routine.  I decided that I would run in the 10k here in Richmond at the end of March.  I started slow, knowing that starting too fast would put me in harm’s way, both physically and mentally.  I Wiied for the first 10 days, building up my muscles and stamina.  Then on a cold morning on December 14th at about 6am, after a brief Wii warm-up, I ran outside for the first time in about 15 years.  Wow, was it exhilarating.  I sucked, but it felt great.  13:34 was my one mile time, a long way from the 70-74 minutes I signed up for to run 6.1 miles.  After one week, on my 4th run I hit 10:55.  I now average about and 11:15 mile and am running about 80% of a half-mile.  My official training starts on January 16th with the YMCA, in which I will run 3 days and 4 miles, building from here to the race on March 27th, 2010.

I say this because of how this post started.  I didn’t decide this yesterday, but it is my goal.  I didn’t decide this yesterday, but it will change my life.

I have a plan to run a 5k in mid-February, after I turn 35, and another 5k in April with my sister, who is back on the running wagon, or is that off the wagon and running…but anyway, I have a goal and a plan to get to that goal. 

Most of my life has been a series of read-and-react exercises, and maybe that is why I find myself where I am today.  This may the first time in my life where I have thought something out with a plan and an end-game goal.

So, go ahead, make those resolutions, but think them out.  How will you get there?  Who will be there with you?  Where will you be at the time t you fulfill them?  But maybe, more importantly, where will they take you?

Thanks for listening;)

Musical Meme Answers

1. Don’t walk too close, don’t breathe so soft–Jewel “Don’t”

2. Wanna’ wake up and know where I’m goin’–Tracy Chapman “I’m Ready”

3. I’m through with standin’ in line to clubs I’ll never get in–Nickelback “Rockstar”

e-beth got it

4. Oh, look at how she listens–Dave Matthews Band “Grey Street”

5. Straight in, suck up and go–Dave Matthews Band “Too Much” my favorite DMB song

6. Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom–Fleetwood Mac “Dreams”

sis got it

7. I’m puttin you, baby, I’m puttin you right out of my mind–John Mayer Trio “Out of My Mind”

8. A thousand times a prophet–Blues Traveler “NY Prophesie”

9. I’m just a boy working in a record store–Everclear “White Men in Black Suits”

10. Wild Thing, you make my heart sing (this one is easy, but can you guess my artist…)–Jimi Hendrix “Wild Thing” –sis got ‘em both

11. Nobody knows, Nobody knows but be that I sometimes cry–Pink “Nobody Knows”

12. I’m not surprised it’s come to this–Bare Naked Ladies “Upside Down”

13. Now I stared at you, from across the room–One Republic “Won’t Stop”

14. You don’t have to be old to be wise–Angelique Kidjo & Dave Matthews “Iwoya”

15. All I need, is right here on my sleeve–Live “All I Need”

16. You gotta pop that style, rock that watch dial–Jay-Z & Dr. Dre “Watch Me”

17.There must be some kind of way out of here (again, pretty easy, but what artist is my live version…)–DMB “All Along the Watchtower”–sis got ‘em both again!

18. Laughing in a crown of jewels–Indigo Girls “Center Stage”

19. Stoplight, lock the door–Evanescence “Snow White Queen”

20. If the fish swam out of the ocean–Sam Sparro “Black & Gold” great song that no one knows

21. There’s a red house over yonder (easy, again)–Jimi Hendrix “Red House”

22. People on the street now, faces long and grim–Ray LaMontagne “How Come”

23. Now deep in the heart of a lowly kid (probably the toughest one here…)–The Band “Stage Fright”

24. You’ve been so kind and generous (oh, come on….)–Natalie Merchant “Kind & Generous”–sis got that one too

25. Your shadow walks faster than you (probably my favorite one)–Jack Johnson “Hope”

 

Thanks for playing, and thanks for listening;)

26-50

This is the continuation of what I started so long ago…seems like a theme in my life…but, better to finish some time then to forget forever…

26. Listening to really loud and obnoxious rap music while driving in your car with a shirt and tie on.

27. Mulching, and teaching your daughter how to mulch.

28. Seeing your son win the race down the driveway, and then saying, “I’m the winner, I’m the fastest scooter driver in the world!”, even when he’s the only one there.

29. Watch an old couple look at each other and communicate about life without saying a word.

30. Help protect a perfect stranger.

31. Drive the green on a Par 4.

32. Eat candies, only two a day, and truly savor the deliciousness that is Russell Stover.

33. Watch the pink sky with your family.

34. Just shoot the breeze at work for an hour.

35. Realize how great being 75 is for your grandmother, and how great she is.

36. Throw your grandmother a 75^th Birthday party.

37. Make believe that you are a giant squid…just ask Clarice and Rudolph about this.

38. Write a poem about how you feel.

39. Show up to work whenever you want at least once a month.

40. Show up to work early every chance you get.

41. Talk to your friends whenever, and how ever you hear from them.

42. Make Chinese Food from scratch at home.

43. Close your eyes randomly for a moment.

44. Mock the guy who drives a white Porsche 928 with a license plate that says PERL 928.

45. Drive back home with your daughter to get her “regular clothes” even though you are already at school and dressed, so she’ll be happy, and maybe for a moment you’ll feel she’ll be cool.

46. Cheer every time your 3 year old goes potty.

47. Cheer even louder when your son says, “I wanna’ go like you.”, and he does it just like you.

48. Make a point to pat your wife on the bottom at least twice a day.

49. Realize that you have a great life, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

50. Blog.

Musical Meme

I stole this from my sister’s blog, and she stole it from someone else, so I am guilty of receiving stolen goods, and now, so are you.

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Post the first line of each of the first 25 songs, no matter how embarrassing.
3. Strikethrough an entry once someone in the comments guesses both the artist and the song correctly.
4. For those who are guessing, googling or otherwise searching for the lyrics is CHEATING (we use the honor system around here).
5. If you like the game, feel free to post your own.

I’ve got some real fluff on my iPod currently, so I hope I don’t get wildly embarrassed doing this.  Let’s roll the dice, shall we?

1. Don’t walk too close, don’t breathe so soft

2. Wanna’ wake up and know where I’m goin’

3. I’m through with standin’ in line to clubs I’ll never get in

4. Oh, look at how she listens

5. Straight in, suck up and go

6. Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom

7. I’m puttin you, baby, I’m puttin you right out of my mind

8. A thousand times a prophet

9. I’m just a boy working in a record store

10. Wild Thing, you make my heart sing (this one is easy, but can you guess my artist…)

11. Nobody knows, Nobody knows but be that I sometimes cry

12. I’m not surprised it’s come to this

13. Now I stared at you, from across the room

14. You don’t have to be old to be wise

15. All I need, is right here on my sleeve

16. You gotta pop that style, rock that watch dial

17.There must be some kind of way out of here (again, pretty easy, but what artist is my live version…)

18. Laughing in a crown of jewels

19. Stoplight, lock the door

20. If the fish swam out of the ocean

21. There’s a red house over yonder (easy, again)

22. People on the street now, faces long and grim

23. Now deep in the heart of a lowly kid (probably the toughest one here…)

24. You’ve been so kind and generous (oh, come on….)

25. Your shadow walks faster than you (probably my favorite one)

Good Luck!

Thanks for listening;)

Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program

These last couple of months have been wild.

Most of my blogging has consisted of politics over on D&B Politics.

I am overjoyed at the nation’s decisions in their elected leaders.

My job has been crazy, but great at the same time.

The kids are growing and loving life.

My sister has a boyfriend, and loving life.

I am undefeated in my $$ Fantasy Football league.

And I am finding my inner peace through writing again.

I haven’t written in a long time.  Mostly poetry, but some tirades and soliloquies mixed in, it’s good.

I hope to be more consistent in my blogging, but as with most other times here I fail to produce, so, don’t hold your breath.

Tomorrow and Friday I will wind up my most productive week at work, and will be staying over night in western VA to make it happen.  My brother and sister-in-laws will be putting me up for the night, so that will be a good thing too.

Homecoming was a couple of weeks ago and I had a blast.  thanks to my sister filling in, in loco parentis!  I got to catch up with so many friend and brothers.  It was the 25th anniversary of my fraternity’s chapter founding, even though we lost our charter a couple of years ago, s there were plenty of alumni about.  I spent Friday night and all day Saturday reliving those times, and seeing how all of these crazy drunkards became moms and dads, and upstanding citizens in our society.

My grandmother came up this weekend and finally met my sister’s boyfriend.  We hung out as a family for dinner on Saturday night and had a great time.

Any time I get together with my grandmother I am always greeted with love and an inquisition, but not in the Spanish way.  We talked for two hours over dinner together Friday night and after dinner Saturday.  I could talk to her for hours, and obviously I did.  I always find out new things about my family and my life when I was younger.  She was always there for us, and I wouldn’t trade the time with her for anything in the world.  She is 74, and would kill me for saying that, but she is still the same as I remember her when I was five, that was twenty-eight years ago.  She has hardly aged, and is still going to school and teaching at a daycare.  I didn’t want to go to school when I was 18, I can’t imagine wanting to go at her age.  She is truly amazing.  We talked about family, politics, and the economy.  We transistioned seamlessly from one topic to the next, and for two very opinionated people we do it in such a way that no one even bats an eye at some of the more shocking topics.  If I can be as vibrant as she is when I am 54, I’ll be happy.

My sister is incredibly happy.  I do approve of her choice in boyfriends.  I have only met one of her past boyfriends, and I definitly like this one the best.  He’s witty, yet awkward, and can hold a conversation about anything.  (Oh yeah, and sis, I do think that his spreadsheet is genius even though I glazed over it.)  Mel is another truly amazing person in my life. 

I count my blessings for the family and friends that I have in  my life, and am learning more and more each day to appreciate their presence.

Thanks for listening;)

Politics to the side

Hey, sorry for the tirade of posts today.

I have moved them to www.dandbpolitics.wordpress.com my new politically based blog.

Please enjoy them as often as you like.

Thanks for listening;)

Last Palin for the Day…

Keep in mind this is a blog link,  but written by an Alaskan who seems to be pretty balanced.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

Thanks for listening;)

Who can choose what?!?

While this site can be a little of kilter from time to time, this issue is just too important to pass up.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/6/161324/6723/561/589293

Thanks for listening;)

If it weren’t for Laughter…

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=184114

…we’d all be crying.

Thanks for listening;)