A day with Nick

     So my friend Nick came into town to hang out for a bit and see some old friends.

 

In the car heading to see some friends.

 

Stopped st Target for a card .

Stopped off to surprise the mother to be and drop off some gifts.

 Amber wasnt able to make it because she was stuck at home with this.  Poor Penny got spayed so she has to wear a cone for a week.

Posed for a photo with some of the old gang from high school. Good to see them again even though it was a short visit.

Then it was off to see the father to be.

Had a few beers and some food.

Chris was kind enough to lend me his hoodie because it was cold in the bar.

Quick stop by the Shoe for a photo.

Finished the evening playing Mad Gab and having a few drinks. 

Man it was great to see Nick again everyone was excited to see him.  Penny is doing well, she was a bit out of it yesterday but woke up this morning back to her old rowdy self again. 

News

            Recently I decided to take a look at the newspaper, so I went to the newspaper.  Well, actually I saved a $1.50 and looked at the Columbus Dispatch online and with no surprise the first head line was a political one.  The next story had to do with college construction, then a murder story, a very short article about the losing Blue Jackets (hockey team), and so on and so on.  As I “clicked” through the pages I discovered more and more negative type stories through out the paper.  So I moved on to another, the Chicago tribune, and it continued with more negative stories over positive.  So I was intrigued to see if this negative news trend was the same in other papers, so to the LA Times, then the Oregonian, Atlanta Journal, and a few others that I could look at without having to subscribe.   It was all pretty much the same pattern more negative then positive.  I can say I wasn’t that surprised.  But then I started thinking, “is it just the news or are people truly negative more so than positive?”  For the most part, yes.  I work in a medical field where I am in contact with anywhere from 5 to 40 different people a day, and amidst the polite small chatter there is usually a negative spurt of words that are said.  Most recently it has been about the weather too cold, too wet, or just not perfect for someone to be out in.  Now I'm not one to say anything because I complain about the weather myself, but some people just go off about it.  Really I have no reason to complain, I live in the north, its February, and its 45 degrees out, at least I’m not piled up to my knees in snow with temps at negative 10.  Another obvious is gas prices, I hear that quite a bit.  Since I work at a major medical center we see patients from all over the state of Ohio and some from out of state, but it’s the people that live within a 5 mile radius that complain the most.  Come on people if you are that upset buy a car that gets 30 miles to the gallon or buy a bike, Denmark is one of the happiest places on earth and almost everyone rides a bike and their economy isn’t crap, I see a pattern (love them Danish).  The list goes on about what people have to complain or be negative about and I feel that just brings me down to a negative slump sop by the time I get off work I’m grouchy and tired of hearing it. Then amber has to deal with me being crabby and that’s no fun for her or me. 

            So I have decided to fight back, that’s right I’m going on an anti-negativity campaign.  For every negative thing someone says to me whether it is a complaint about the weather or whatever, I will spout back a positive. This will be more of an experiment then a challenge and the judge is my wife since she gets to deal with me everyday.  “Experts” say that when you feel positive you tend to be healthier so I plan on seeing if it helps.  I will give my self a month to see if things change for the better.  I will take a weekly set of vitals weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, and a few others then after a month see if things change.  Maybe even get amber to chime in on my attitude to see if she says there is an improvement.  

            So until next time, have a nice day (positive).

 “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

                                                                                    -Dalai Lama

Chris and abandoned people

A good friend of mine, Chris, recently started a blog, http://whatisityousay.blogspot.com/, which I was happy about because I like hearing him talk especially the stories. I think it’s because he can be so detailed when he describes objects in his stories that you almost say to him, “ yea, I remember that place,” when in all actuality you have never been there.  Anyway, he wrote about his dream job which is a music producer/record label owner, providing the world with new and wonderful sounds. Well it got me thinking, what my dream job would be?  Over the years I have gone back and forth on what would be awesome to do for a living, super hero, doctor, racecar driver, and every other boys dream, but there is one job that has never escaped me as being one of the most extraordinary jobs.  I don’t know what to call it and it’s something that no one really thinks about but sees it every day.  There is a job where movie production companies pay a person to travel the globe searching for places to film movies.  Think about it, all expenses paid to where ever you want to go.  It could be just the next town over or across the globe.  You could be spending time on a beach in a paradise type-setting, strolling down the Great Wall of China, or creeping around corners of an abandoned town trying to avoid rats and tetanus.  Where ever you were or are going you know that even if you had seen that place a thousand times or if it was a new one to you, millions of people would get to see it when that movie hit the big screen. 

Talking about abandoned towns and dream jobs, another job I would be happy to do is free lance photographer.  Again, you would get to travel the globe taking pictures of whatever you wanted and selling them to magazines or to the public for them to decorate their houses or offices.   I am always looking at photographer’s web sites and blogs just to see what’s out there.  I have been really intrigued by photographs of abandon towns, amusement parks, buildings and even people.  “Abandoned people?”  Well kind of.   There have been a few sites where people take pictures of homeless people, a kind of socially abandoned person, someone people tend to avoid on the streets or struggle not to look at while you’re in your car and they’re standing there with a sign asking for help.   One name of photographer that sticks out is Lee Jeffries.  When looking at his photos of people, just like Chris’ stories, there is so much detail.  You can see not only the person but the emotion they have, pain, sorrow, regret, sometimes even happiness.   It’s compelling, surreal, amazing, and awe inspiring all at the same time.  Anyway all you have to do is Google Lee Jeffries and you will see what I’m talking about.

So, check out Chris’ blog and lee Jefferies, they may inspire you.  So until next time, Paul is the walrus.  

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”    -Eleanor Roosevelt

Amberface and cell phones

How’s the resolution going?  My list is coming along, which seems to grow daily.  I feel like everyday I add something to it.  Latest addition, to build a cabin that is completely self sufficient using solar, wind power and natural gas or wood burning.   Now remember my list is a lifetime list not a yearly list so there won’t be any self sufficient cabin photos posted within the next few years.

            Also some news, my wife has started a blog, Amberface blog, which will feature “all things girl” along with some recipes, which are very tasty, especially the desserts.  You will also get to see some DIY projects, wine recommendations, and a few other things.  So check it out, become a follower, and enjoy.

            Now I would like to talk about something that amazes me, not such a thing like Angel Falls in Venezuela that drops water from 3,200 ft high. No, I’m talking about the fact that in 1969 we could communicate with a man on the moon 239,000miles away but in 2012 my cell phone still drops calls with someone who is 5 miles away.  At any given time I can whip out my phone, which is smarter than me, and look up directions on how to get to the local pet store or go to Wikipedia and learn about Angel Falls. But I can’t talk to someone while driving through a twenty foot tunnel. Now I admire the fact that I can head into the wilderness and not be bothered by a ringing cell phone but when I’m sitting in my office in the city and trying to talk to someone on the phone and I lose a signal, that’s irritating. I also try not to be that annoying person on the phone in the elevator, but sometimes it’s unavoidable, so I end up repeating myself for the entire ride down, “Are you there?”  Annoyingly amazing.

            So, that’s my rant for this post, remember to check out Amber’s blog, http://justamberface.blogspot.com/, or go to the link in my links section below.  Until next time, someone is always watching, isn’t it creepy? 

“…it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off.”

                                                                                    -Florence and the Machine

Listed...

And here it is, the New Year, time for everyone to make that first step in achieving their New Year’s goal. Whether it’s lose weight, quit smoking, be a better employee or boss, work harder, or what ever your new ambition is, good luck to you.  I know I said I wasn’t going to do a resolution this year, and I probably won’t.  However, I do feel the need to move forward in life.  What I mean is, to become better at things such as saving money for me and Amber (wife) future, buying a house, retirement all that grown up stuff.  But I don’t just need to consider my monetary future. I also need to look at my health.  I’m not going to claim that I will exercise more or eat better but start planning yearly physical and dental exams just to keep everything on the up and up.  Hopefully along with this I will start to eat a little healthier and exercise a little more.  I will be hittin’ the big 30 this year so its time to be an adult.  Well, as much as I can handle.

Speaking of the New Year, according to the Maya calendar, a calendar 2000 years old, 2012 is predicted to be the last year of Earth.  If it’s true then we have less then one year to clean up that bucket list.  So, my question to you is, if this were true what would be on your bucket list?  Maybe that should be every ones new years resolution is to work on their bucket list.  Mine looks pretty typical sky dive, learn to and go sailing, climb a mountain, race a car, the usual.  It helps too when you have someone to do these with, someone who can push you out of the plane or over the edge.  Wait that doesn’t sound good but you get my point.  Someone there to support you through your list, even do some of the things if not all of them with you, and you, in turn, get to help them with theirs.  That’s were Amber comes in.  I get to count on her for that.  Whether I check things off the list this year or in fifty years, I get to count on her love and support and hopefully some participation.  Ok, enough mushiness (real word).  Back to the list, I don’t like the name “bucket” list, how about renaming it “Phucket” list, as in “Phucket, I’m doing it” (see what I did there).  I mean, who says the end of the world has to be coming or you have to be dying to start to do things you have always wanted to do.  Damn it! I think I just backed myself into a corner.  Looks like I have a New Years resolution now.  Nay, a Phucket resolution.

            Now, now I know this post seemed slightly depressing with all the talk of dying, end of the world, and growing up, but fear not my loyal readers, these are merely words that are not meant to hurt or depress you but to help and motivate… wait a minute I’m no philosopher or self help guru, no need to go that deep.  But just for a laugh, a horse walks into a bar, and the bartender asks, “Why the long face?”  

             I don’t plan on achieving something on my phucket list weekly but I do plan to work on it this year and it may take some years to complete especially if I end up adding things to it over time.  So, for my first challenge of the year, form a Phucket list and I challenge you to do the same.  So until next time, may the force be with you (Star Wars marathon over the weekend).

“All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better.”

                                                                        -Ralph Waldo Emerson   

New Years

Well good morning everybody.  Been a couple of weeks now, so I figured I give you a few words to take you into the New Year.  My Christmas was spent in the great state of Alabama.  I got to see family and friends, get some gifts, give some gifts, drank a few cocktails, and I ate real bar-b-que.  Now I say real bar-b-que because if you live above the Mason Dixon line then you have only had imitation “Southern style” bbq.  I don’t know what it is but it seems if someone up here in the north decides to open a bbq joint they can’t get it right. For some reason they don’t have the ability to make it correctly.  It just doesn’t taste the same.  Well I guess all you can do is give them yanks an A for effort. Another thing the north can’t seem to grasp is sweet tea.  Sure you can go to McDonalds and get a big ol’ sweet tea and it might taste good until you get in the south and drink the real thing. Again, I am baffled why the north can’t get it right. Oh well, I'm sure there is things in the north that the south can’t get right.  Anyway, I love Alabama; it is a beautiful state that has mountains in north Alabama and a beach on the south end.  My sister lives on top of a mountain down yonder and there is nothing like waking up in the early morning and walking onto the front porch and seeing valleys and mountains in front of you.  Here in Ohio when I get up all I see is houses and buildings, ain’t no mountains off my front porch.

If you are not familiar with some of the words above then you are not from the south so here are a few definitions to help you better understand the above paragraph;

1. yonder- somewhere other than where you are;
2. yank or yankee- someone who lives above the mason Dixon line
3. ain’t- if “isn’t” and “aren’t” had a baby you would get the word ain’t

I have been thinking about New Years resolutions and how everyone comes up with them but hardly anyone actually follows through, so this year I decided on trying a different approach.  My new approach is to claim the opposite that way if I don’t do it I go in the right direction.  For example; if my new years resolution was to loose weight I’m going to make it to gain weight, that way if when I don’t keep to my new plan I actually loose weight.  Or I could just not make a resolution that way I wouldn’t be disappointed in myself for not keeping up with a plan.

Speaking of plans, my fruit cake challenge was a bust.  I didn’t realize it takes weeks to actually make a good fruit cake.  Apparently to make a good cake they fruit has to soak in alcohol for days or even weeks and around my house alcohol is lucky to be there for more than 24 hours.  No sense on wasting alcohol on fruit or cake for that matter, so I didn’t bake or mail a fruit cake.  However, I did try some fruit cake, well fruit cake cookies, and they were delicious.  I need to research my challenge a little better before making them. 

Moving on, my blog has a stats page that allows me to see how many page views I get per day, where they are viewing them and what device they view them on or through.  I mostly enjoy seeing where people are viewing my blog from. I get occasional views from the UK, Germany, Singapore, China, Turkey, Russia, Canada (eh), India, and my favorite Denmark.  Now I don’t know if these are real people viewing them or spammers or the company that I do my blog through or what but I like to say thanks for taking a peak, and to the people in Denmark, how am I doing when I talk about Denmark?

Well I think that’s about enough for this week, I don’t really have a challenge for myself right now but I’m open to suggestions.  So until next time, happy New Year.   

“New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.”

                                                                                    -Mark Twain

Penny Lane

            Well, we got a dog.  Well, actually a puppy that will grow into a dog, a cute 8 week old Australian cattle dog or blue heeler.  She is a little chunky and fuzzy soft, she looks at you with a pitiful look as though you don’t show her enough attention.  When she sleeps she has little puppy dreams and she grunts the cutest little grunts. I mean, come on it’s a puppy, how could anyone not love the thing. 

            She is a bitch.  And I don’t mean Webster’s definition of a female dog, I mean, a bitch, like the woman in the coffee shop that yells at the clerk for not telling her that her hot cup of coffee that she always gets is hot and she found out by dripping a little onto her hand while putting creamer in it with her hands full and talking on the phone.  I’ve never witnessed that but I bet it has happened.  Anyway,

Penny Lane

, our new bitch puppy, has decided that it is time to terrorize the house.  She yelps, barks, bites, hides under the couch, poops and peas inside, and doesn’t listen when you say no. Ugh, she is a pain.  But she is our pup and we love her and will fight her until she learns who the boss is.  The good news is she is good when she sleeps which is about 20 hours of the day.

            So since I have my work cut out for me for the next few weeks then my challenge is to train a pup.  So until next week…Penny! No! Damn it.