Overcoming Human Nature

You can see the sun peeking through the clouds, in the center of the photo, just above the pier. Not related to the topic, but no one wants to see another picture of Al.

As the class arrived and began taking their seats, they found the following on the chalk board:

9×1=9

9×2=18

9×3=27

9×4=36

9×5=45

9×6=54

9×7=63

9×8=72

9×9=81

9×10=91

One by one, they began to quietly mock him with their eyes, giggles and whispers as he had made a mistake. The correct answer for 9×10 is 90.

The professor waited for everyone to settle down and then said, “despite me answering the first nine questions correctly, no one congratulated me. Instead, when I get one wrong, everyone started making fun of me. This means that despite being very successful, society will only notice the smallest mistake and make fun of it. Don’t let simple criticism destroy your dreams”.

The professor?  Albert Einstein. Maybe you have heard of him?

Good advice from a smart man.

Unfortunately,  life often reflects that classroom.

One by one, day by day, we can choose to be different.

 

Are We Not All Guilty?

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.

Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts”

-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

He died almost 100 years ago and we still haven’t learned that lesson.

It is prevalent in politics, the news and the workplace.

 

‘Nuff Said

Do you know why birds sing in the morning?

Because they don’t have to go to work!

 

thanks to @bluelady329

“Plan B” Is A Much Better Option

Today was a rare (well, maybe not that rare) Sunday that I had to go in to the office for a few hours. On my way in, I stopped by the beach and watched the sun rise at exactly 0700 hrs.  Nothing like the smell of sand and salt, mixed with the aroma of coffee to get you started.

As I stood waiting for the dawn of a new day, lots of thoughts crossed my mind as to what I would write about tonight. A variety of topics made the short list and I felt as if I was heading to lament about how things that once brought me great joy were no longer of interest  and how once friends were now strangers.   Clearly, it was not going to be an uplifting description of the changes we all go through. That was “Plan A”

Then, in the flash of time it takes to get a text message, I went from melancholy to exuberant and I realized these two little humans are bringing more joy to my life than I ever recall experiencing.  I can’t wait for Megan and Andrew’s son to be born in November. And then there will be three.

Can you imagine being in the grocery store early this morning and seeing little Adeline, enjoying life as only a two year old can?  Could you not help but smile… especially with her standing in line, waiting for her potato salad at the deli counter, looking at her play cell phone or waving to other shoppers.

Damn the past and the failings, my cup runneth over today.  I have been blessed and part of me will live on in all three of them long after I am gone.

Adeline is a bucket full of sass.

 

And. . .  my little buddy Theodore, who bears a striking resemblance to my late father in law.

Always Remember

One of the slogans that came out of the 9-11 attacks is “Never Forget”

I recall writing a column  and I used that phrase. A week or so later, I received a letter from a man who had read it, suggesting that “Never Forget” uses two, negative words, maybe it would  be better to use two positive words. . . “Always Remember”   Since then, I have adopted that mindset.

I’ve written a plethora of posts about 9/11 in 20 years and may I suggest you click on the link below to my old blog, where the first article sits, with lots of links and videos and be sure to listen to the “Reading of The Names” by Jessica Locke. I guarantee you never heard anything like it.

Always Remember.

Cold Turkey

I’ve made the break, cut the cable and put the TVs away. As rates increased, my wife and I watched less and less to the point where we agreed to drop the service.

It’s been a week now  and I’m surviving just fine, listening to that old iPod and remembering some great songs I forgot about years ago.

Here is a picture of my “new” entertainment system. . . a Bose Wave Radio and an iPod from the early part of this century, sitting atop an antique chess stand.

I do allow myself to occasionally listen to some local talk radio, mostly for the traffic reports and just enough news so I don’t become uninformed.

“Listening to music you used to love is like getting back in touch with an old friend”

 

 

Throwing It Back, Pt. II

While cleaning out a closet last week, I came across this photo which our daughter Kelliann identified as being from Thanksgiving of 2006 when we decided to take a family cruise, thus solving the puzzle of whose family we would visit on the holiday.

I do recall that turkey was on the menu.

#MakingMemories

Throwing It Back, Pt. 1

Granted, appreciation of music is subjective. Our tastes vary, just like in other aspects of our lives. That being said. . .

We al have our own lists of “perfect” albums.  Near the top of my list  is  So What, from Joe Walsh.

Not a weak song to be found in the 36 minutes of the record.

If I recall, I was 15 and experienced my first, fumbling attempts to kiss my “girlfriend” while listening to this album and the song Falling Down in particular. Ah, the things we remember.

 Most of the nine tracks feature solos of unquestionable quality in his usual rock style. The classic rock genre that the man so well defined with his earlier albums is present here throughout, and it is pulled off with the usual unparalleled Joe Walsh ability.

 

If The Truth Be Told

Four CEO’s of beer companies are having a meeting and they decide to get a drink together.

The CEO of Budweiser orders a Bud Light.

The CEO of Miller orders a Miller Lite.

The CEO of Coors orders a Coors Light.

The CEO of Guinness orders a Coke.

One of the other three CEO’s  asks him, “Why aren’t you ordering a Guinness?”

He replied, “If you guys aren’t drinking beer, then neither will I.”

I agree with his stated position.

 

4K In 7

During the last seven days, I have driven over 4,000 miles.

I swore I’d never do it again, but I upped my game this time and this trip involved a significant family event, coupled with significant family members.  I believe it was a success.

The reason I am telling this story is because if you drive 4,000 miles in seven days, you are likely to meet and interact, albeit casually with lots  of people.

This stupid virus (yes, I know that the virus isn’t “stupid”) has taken a toll on society. Some people have chosen to be victims, grumpy, inpatient and just miserable. Others however, shine, using the situation to spread goodness and love.

The government continuing to pay people not to work, coupled with the virus has created a shortage of employees in all types of businesses. Common sense, (remember that?) would tell you that if a restaurant is understaffed, you might want to walk in the door knowing it might take a little longer to get seated, to order and to be served.

Does it make any sense whatsoever to yell at the workers who did come in and who are working extra hard under difficult conditions? I witnessed a few of those situations, one so outrageous that the manager of the restaurant, after trying to satisfy the father/grandfather of a group of 9 (during lunch rush)  suggested he might want to go somewhere else as he was not going to tolerate this customer abusing the staff. (We were close enough that I had a front row seat for watching this fool for almost 30 minutes)  The guy settled down and since we had the  same server, made sure she got lots of smiling politeness along with an extra big tip from me.

Traveling through several states, there were people wearing masks, people wearing masks over their mouth but not their nose, people not wearing masks and people even driving on the Interstate, alone in their vehicles, windows closed wearing a mask.  We all have lots of information to digest and it is difficult to sort the facts from the propaganda.

I talked with and engaged with people at gas pumps, in stores and restaurants. Most were doing the best they could, smiling and being polite. That was encouraging and made me feel sorry for the grumpy guy at the Cracker Barrell, off I-81, just North of Roanoke, VA on Monday. He appeared to be surrounded by family, yet he seemed miserable. I wonder why?

Folks,  life can be and often is difficult, but we can choose how we respond to those difficulties.

Choose wisely and consider the words attributed to St. Francis:

Photos taken by me (this morning) at the Grotto of Lourdes at Mt. St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD.