Okay, this time I think I've got it all figured out.
Well, of course I don't. But I have learned something very important here in the last few weeks.
It's just not worth it. It's really not.
Anyone who knows me understands that I have a scorching case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nothing has been officially diagnosed, but I sure do seem to need a sense of order to things. Anything that's out of sorts sets me off. Someone not turning off a light. Not signaling for a safe lane change. Folks not waiting their turn. If I see a news story where order is not followed and rules are not obeyed, watch out.
This is where I just tell myself that it's not worth it. I used to want to fight every battle. I used to want to tell others and scream from the mountaintop when someone interrupted a speaker, or was rude, or whatever.
But I'm learning to release. Especially when I am merely an observer and it's not my problem. If I get worked up over every little thing, it'll eat me alive. It's someone else's concern and not mine.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Vegas II
It's Las Vegas, so there's always plenty to see.
One of the first things I did was go watch college football from the sports book at the Excalibur, which is a unique experience. I'm used to being on one side or the other and rooting for a win or a loss. There, people are obviously more interested in the spread, so it was interesting to see who was cheering for who, and why.
The one thing I did most was walk. You can walk, and walk, and walk and still never get where you're going, even though you can reach out and touch the place you want to go. With all the walking there was lots of people watching. I saw one tastefully dressed person wearing K-State purple. I was not similarly dressed, but I did give him an EMAW as we passed one another. He replied in kind. This was not too long after the Cats beat Miami 52-13, so all was right with the world.
Many others chose to dress poorly, seemingly always wearing (or not wearing) things that do not flatter themselves or their body types. I'll let it go at that.
I also remember sitting in McCarran International Airport and looking out the windows. I saw mountains that really looked like the homeland. I know I've been away from the desert longer than I was a part of it as a kid, but it sure reminded me of the terrain in El Paso and seeing mountains as soon as I walked out the door. Kinda seemed like home.
Let's see-- what else am I missing here. Oh yeah, the casinos. I'd been to Sin City in 1998 or 99 with some different friends, and I was curious to see what all the gambling was about. So I tried some craps and some blackjack, and lost a minimal amount. But I'm older (wiser?) now, and I had zero interest in any gaming. None. May have something to do with being married to a financial planner, may have something to do with working hard enough for the money we do have. So we laid off the tables, except for the two bucks I lost on video poker. I kind of wanted to see my friend in action, since he's had his rooms comped by casino types because he's been there and done this. But no such luck.
One of the first things I did was go watch college football from the sports book at the Excalibur, which is a unique experience. I'm used to being on one side or the other and rooting for a win or a loss. There, people are obviously more interested in the spread, so it was interesting to see who was cheering for who, and why.
The one thing I did most was walk. You can walk, and walk, and walk and still never get where you're going, even though you can reach out and touch the place you want to go. With all the walking there was lots of people watching. I saw one tastefully dressed person wearing K-State purple. I was not similarly dressed, but I did give him an EMAW as we passed one another. He replied in kind. This was not too long after the Cats beat Miami 52-13, so all was right with the world.
Many others chose to dress poorly, seemingly always wearing (or not wearing) things that do not flatter themselves or their body types. I'll let it go at that.
I also remember sitting in McCarran International Airport and looking out the windows. I saw mountains that really looked like the homeland. I know I've been away from the desert longer than I was a part of it as a kid, but it sure reminded me of the terrain in El Paso and seeing mountains as soon as I walked out the door. Kinda seemed like home.
Let's see-- what else am I missing here. Oh yeah, the casinos. I'd been to Sin City in 1998 or 99 with some different friends, and I was curious to see what all the gambling was about. So I tried some craps and some blackjack, and lost a minimal amount. But I'm older (wiser?) now, and I had zero interest in any gaming. None. May have something to do with being married to a financial planner, may have something to do with working hard enough for the money we do have. So we laid off the tables, except for the two bucks I lost on video poker. I kind of wanted to see my friend in action, since he's had his rooms comped by casino types because he's been there and done this. But no such luck.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Vegas I
A good friend from college got married in Las Vegas over the weekend, and the wife and I got home last night at about 11:45 PM after a three-day and two-night excursion to Sin City.
I'll try to break things down a little bit at a time by category and not chronologically over the next little while. First up-- the traveling itself.
First thing Saturday morning was 3 o'clock, and we left the house a little after 4:00, stopping at the fast food joint on the way out of town. We got our order in decently enough, but decided to punt after sitting in the same line, in the same place for ten minutes.
So we headed into Birmingham without breakfast, and no prospect of it. Our Delta flight left the gate on time but took off 30 minutes late, which didn't help us, since we had to catch a connecting flight. The original plan was to fly into Memphis and then head west, but then the plan changed (and so did our seating assignment, thanks) and we flew into Atlanta and followed a half-hour flight with a 3:47 trip across the country. The vibe on a plane headed for Vegas is upbeat, and there were lots of folks with energy to burn. Given when our day started, we weren't among them. No checked baggage, so we went from the gate to the cab line and off to Excalibur.
American Airlines flew us home, leaving McCarran International at 2:45 Monday. We flew into Dallas and then to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth at 10:40 PM. It was really weird walking into an airport that was basically closed. All the shops were shuttered for the night and there were very few people who weren't travelers. It seemed like a ghost town. We headed west on Interstate 20/59, driving home in just under an hour.
We would also like to take this time to thank the Department of Homeland Security, who is keeping our country safe. They're also keeping a half-empty bottle of the wife's shampoo in the name of national security. They even ran a test on her contact lens solution on the way out of town Saturday morning. The bottles weren't the required size, I realize, but come on.
Anyhow, more to follow, including people watching, the wedding, my friends, the scenery, and more.
I'll try to break things down a little bit at a time by category and not chronologically over the next little while. First up-- the traveling itself.
First thing Saturday morning was 3 o'clock, and we left the house a little after 4:00, stopping at the fast food joint on the way out of town. We got our order in decently enough, but decided to punt after sitting in the same line, in the same place for ten minutes.
So we headed into Birmingham without breakfast, and no prospect of it. Our Delta flight left the gate on time but took off 30 minutes late, which didn't help us, since we had to catch a connecting flight. The original plan was to fly into Memphis and then head west, but then the plan changed (and so did our seating assignment, thanks) and we flew into Atlanta and followed a half-hour flight with a 3:47 trip across the country. The vibe on a plane headed for Vegas is upbeat, and there were lots of folks with energy to burn. Given when our day started, we weren't among them. No checked baggage, so we went from the gate to the cab line and off to Excalibur.
American Airlines flew us home, leaving McCarran International at 2:45 Monday. We flew into Dallas and then to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth at 10:40 PM. It was really weird walking into an airport that was basically closed. All the shops were shuttered for the night and there were very few people who weren't travelers. It seemed like a ghost town. We headed west on Interstate 20/59, driving home in just under an hour.
We would also like to take this time to thank the Department of Homeland Security, who is keeping our country safe. They're also keeping a half-empty bottle of the wife's shampoo in the name of national security. They even ran a test on her contact lens solution on the way out of town Saturday morning. The bottles weren't the required size, I realize, but come on.
Anyhow, more to follow, including people watching, the wedding, my friends, the scenery, and more.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Conventions
I've spent the last week or so watching the political conventions. The Republicans last week, and the Democrats this week. The First Lady and I watched most of last week, and we're on track to do the same this week.
Most times, I tend to get too wound up in the political process, but right now I've found the conventions to be great fun. We pay little attention to what they say (it's been said over and over) and focus more on the entertainment value. How bad his (alleged) hair looked, crowd cutaways, and what so-and-so wore are all fair game for us. Sometimes we share it with each other, sometimes with our friends on Twitter. And the folks we follow on Twitter usually have nuggets to share. I've done pretty well so far, keeping things in perspective-- understanding that 99% of this is just theater.
As for the political parties, my leanings are a little more toward the Democratic side. That said, I know that most (all?) are bought, sold, and paid for. On both sides.
What disappoints and saddens me is the hate. People wishing that evil things happen to decent people just because someone disagrees. We can and should and must do better.
Most times, I tend to get too wound up in the political process, but right now I've found the conventions to be great fun. We pay little attention to what they say (it's been said over and over) and focus more on the entertainment value. How bad his (alleged) hair looked, crowd cutaways, and what so-and-so wore are all fair game for us. Sometimes we share it with each other, sometimes with our friends on Twitter. And the folks we follow on Twitter usually have nuggets to share. I've done pretty well so far, keeping things in perspective-- understanding that 99% of this is just theater.
As for the political parties, my leanings are a little more toward the Democratic side. That said, I know that most (all?) are bought, sold, and paid for. On both sides.
What disappoints and saddens me is the hate. People wishing that evil things happen to decent people just because someone disagrees. We can and should and must do better.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Footy
Well, I guess we all know how that last experiment turned out, don't we?
I can remember being in junior high in the 1980s and being able to watch Australian Rules Football on ESPN, via a one-hour TV program sent to the states from our friends Down Under. Stephen Quartermain was the studio host, and they'd show standings (the ladder) and game highlights from the previous week in what was then the Victorian Football League. My recollection is that Hawthorn and Carlton were two of the better sides in those days, and that Richmond was always a doormat.
I don't remember a whole lot from those days, but I do recall the old Fitzroy Lions and Footscray Bulldogs, who now exist as the Brisbane Lions (nee Bears) and Western Bulldogs. Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, and Fremantle are the squads that are still pretty new to me. I even bought a preview magazine plus a West Coast and St. Kilda t-shirt when my ship pulled into Cairns, Australia in 1993. I paid too much for them, but I was 21 and didn't care.
Unfortunately, these days, I've been unable to find any game to watch-- even the Grand Final, their Super Bowl. St. Kilda and Collingwood played two Grand Finals a couple years back (first one, remarkably, ended in a tie), and ESPN3 streamed it, but nothing since then. But through the magic of Twitter, I've rekindled my interest by following the AFL feed. I have no real rooting interest in any of the teams, but I enjoy getting the tweets, even if they play mainly during the overnight hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I can catch a little before I go to bed and the tail end when I'm having my first cup of coffee the next morning. Video highlights are even available on YouTube.
I don't pretend to know much about tactics-- to me it all seems like a big free for all. It's definitely not a sport for the faint of heart. But I've secured a promise from the First Lady that I'll be able to attend an AFL match should we ever travel to Australia during the season.
I just wouldn't know whose colors to wear. I'd probably just wear K-State purple to be safe.
I can remember being in junior high in the 1980s and being able to watch Australian Rules Football on ESPN, via a one-hour TV program sent to the states from our friends Down Under. Stephen Quartermain was the studio host, and they'd show standings (the ladder) and game highlights from the previous week in what was then the Victorian Football League. My recollection is that Hawthorn and Carlton were two of the better sides in those days, and that Richmond was always a doormat.
I don't remember a whole lot from those days, but I do recall the old Fitzroy Lions and Footscray Bulldogs, who now exist as the Brisbane Lions (nee Bears) and Western Bulldogs. Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, and Fremantle are the squads that are still pretty new to me. I even bought a preview magazine plus a West Coast and St. Kilda t-shirt when my ship pulled into Cairns, Australia in 1993. I paid too much for them, but I was 21 and didn't care.
Unfortunately, these days, I've been unable to find any game to watch-- even the Grand Final, their Super Bowl. St. Kilda and Collingwood played two Grand Finals a couple years back (first one, remarkably, ended in a tie), and ESPN3 streamed it, but nothing since then. But through the magic of Twitter, I've rekindled my interest by following the AFL feed. I have no real rooting interest in any of the teams, but I enjoy getting the tweets, even if they play mainly during the overnight hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I can catch a little before I go to bed and the tail end when I'm having my first cup of coffee the next morning. Video highlights are even available on YouTube.
I don't pretend to know much about tactics-- to me it all seems like a big free for all. It's definitely not a sport for the faint of heart. But I've secured a promise from the First Lady that I'll be able to attend an AFL match should we ever travel to Australia during the season.
I just wouldn't know whose colors to wear. I'd probably just wear K-State purple to be safe.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Direction
I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about where to go with this blog. I've not been here much recently, because I just don't think my life is all that exciting to where I should come here and tell you about it. Besides, the important things that are going on under our big top need to stay there and don't need to be aired in a forum like this. The little things, such as my inability to return library books promptly, would bore you to tears.
We've tried the storytelling thing, I've enjoyed it and I'll probably still do it, but that ties into my perception that I'm not worth all that attention. I've thought about talking about current events, but I see how toxic that atmosphere is, and I don't really need any more angst in my life. I love running, but my Woodrow Miles blog (link at the right) satisfies that jones.
So right now, my thought is to write a short story. I've never done this before-- never taken a course for it or anything. I don't know who the characters will be or what they'll be like. I'm unsure if I'll even want to continue, though maybe the people in the story will want me to end things, lest they be left hanging out there in limbo.
But hopefully this will keep me coming back to this place and putting myself out there a little bit-- commit to something and see what I'm really capable of doing. I don't think I'll become Stephen King or anything, but I like the feeling of accomplishment after I write something on either of my blogs. There might be a little day to day and I might tell an old story or two as well.
So we'll see.
We've tried the storytelling thing, I've enjoyed it and I'll probably still do it, but that ties into my perception that I'm not worth all that attention. I've thought about talking about current events, but I see how toxic that atmosphere is, and I don't really need any more angst in my life. I love running, but my Woodrow Miles blog (link at the right) satisfies that jones.
So right now, my thought is to write a short story. I've never done this before-- never taken a course for it or anything. I don't know who the characters will be or what they'll be like. I'm unsure if I'll even want to continue, though maybe the people in the story will want me to end things, lest they be left hanging out there in limbo.
But hopefully this will keep me coming back to this place and putting myself out there a little bit-- commit to something and see what I'm really capable of doing. I don't think I'll become Stephen King or anything, but I like the feeling of accomplishment after I write something on either of my blogs. There might be a little day to day and I might tell an old story or two as well.
So we'll see.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day
While I worked at the radio station in Clay Center, a coworker asked me to fill in as the engineer for a remote broadcast. Two guys were who knows where but in separate locations, and I was in the studio at base camp, in charge of recording their program for playback later in the day.
Turns out, I sat in on a Veteran's Day-themed broadcast on the said day. One of the two gentlemen on the show knew of my time in the Navy, and thanked me for my service. I thanked him for his remembrance. They asked me a little bit about my time, and what Veteran's Day meant to me. More on that in a bit.
I served from 1989 to 1993 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and reported to the USS Benjamin Stoddert in February '90 and made one Eastpac deployment that October. The Navy tried to keep family members in the same neighborhood, and my brother was also stationed on a ship in Pearl.
Following the Stoddert's December '91 decommissioning, I worked on the base, doing various jobs until my new ship, USS Worden, returned to the islands. I cut grass with the First Lieutenant's office, then I worked with a Seabees unit that helped refurbish military housing. If there was ever a person miscast as a builder, it was me. I had no idea how to hang sheet rock. Still don't. But it was shore duty, and I wasn't about to complain.
While I was between ships, the Worden was in the Persian Gulf, early in 1992 as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. It was a time of instability in the Gulf, and USS Stark had been hit by a missile in 1987, and USS Samuel B. Roberts hit a mine in 1988, so there was precedent that bad things could happen. Shipmates told me a little bit about what it was like to be in that kind of situation. One story still travels with me: a friend not worrying about being on watch (in an area near the bridge, similar to where the Stark was hit), but about going down below to sleep, wondering if he'd get up, or if he couldn't get out of the berthing area. The Navy is serious business, but I'd never felt that kind of pressure or stress during my time on the Benjamin Stoddert.
So the Worden I reported to was full of battle-tested sailors who had to be at their absolute best. I stood watch with many of those same guys in 92-93 during Operation Southern Watch.
It's the primary reason why I don't really puff my chest out on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day-- other people were getting shot at or wondering if they'd wake up the next morning. Not me. I came to understand that it's a common thought among soldiers and sailors-- that the other guys were the heroes.
So I'm always honored by the kind words from folks, but others deserve them more than me.
Turns out, I sat in on a Veteran's Day-themed broadcast on the said day. One of the two gentlemen on the show knew of my time in the Navy, and thanked me for my service. I thanked him for his remembrance. They asked me a little bit about my time, and what Veteran's Day meant to me. More on that in a bit.
I served from 1989 to 1993 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and reported to the USS Benjamin Stoddert in February '90 and made one Eastpac deployment that October. The Navy tried to keep family members in the same neighborhood, and my brother was also stationed on a ship in Pearl.
Following the Stoddert's December '91 decommissioning, I worked on the base, doing various jobs until my new ship, USS Worden, returned to the islands. I cut grass with the First Lieutenant's office, then I worked with a Seabees unit that helped refurbish military housing. If there was ever a person miscast as a builder, it was me. I had no idea how to hang sheet rock. Still don't. But it was shore duty, and I wasn't about to complain.
While I was between ships, the Worden was in the Persian Gulf, early in 1992 as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. It was a time of instability in the Gulf, and USS Stark had been hit by a missile in 1987, and USS Samuel B. Roberts hit a mine in 1988, so there was precedent that bad things could happen. Shipmates told me a little bit about what it was like to be in that kind of situation. One story still travels with me: a friend not worrying about being on watch (in an area near the bridge, similar to where the Stark was hit), but about going down below to sleep, wondering if he'd get up, or if he couldn't get out of the berthing area. The Navy is serious business, but I'd never felt that kind of pressure or stress during my time on the Benjamin Stoddert.
So the Worden I reported to was full of battle-tested sailors who had to be at their absolute best. I stood watch with many of those same guys in 92-93 during Operation Southern Watch.
It's the primary reason why I don't really puff my chest out on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day-- other people were getting shot at or wondering if they'd wake up the next morning. Not me. I came to understand that it's a common thought among soldiers and sailors-- that the other guys were the heroes.
So I'm always honored by the kind words from folks, but others deserve them more than me.
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