Life seems to be spinning faster than we can go. We talk about that late at night, when we lay in bed thinking about people we love and how long it's been since we've seen them.
How lucky we are to have people we miss and long to see. My Wicked Step Mother in Cupertino, Randy's Auntie Norma in Walnut Creek and Pop in SF are in their 80s and hang closer to home nowadays. The new generation is on the upswing with graduations, birthdays and weddings, and of course there's our own responsibilities with work and rental units, home improvement projects and yard sales. We're still trying to integrate our households.
Balancing life with 3 families and carving out space for other things we enjoy is a real challenge. I like reading and blogging and he loves to fish, and we'd sure like more easy Saturday afternoon drives or quiet dinners with friends. Making wiser choices with our time may mean sometimes saying no. I'm going to practice that in front of a mirror ... right after I give Uncle Dick and Aunt Shirl a call.
Jul 19, 2009
An A for Effort
I wonder about people sometimes. In about 10 days, the house was made rent-ready, and we worked nearly around the clock to paint and clean and move and clear out life, re-setting toilets, fixing blinds, flooring and hanging lights. It was an ambitious amount of work, no doubt, and most of it was done by the time the new tenants arrived. And yes, I did get a complaint call there was some unfinished work and items left in the garage ... Ouch!
Life really is in the details. No matter how much the effort, that last day when you have to push past exhaustion to scratch the last 3 chores from the list is as important as all the big days prior. I hope Tim learned a valuable lesson about how finish work relates to the rest of the job.
The tenants offered for Tim to stay on a while if he'd like, but after seeing the house transformed with their stuff, it didn't feel like his space anymore. So he is off on another nomadic adventure in what I presume is Plan B. He's welcome here but subject to house rules.
That being said, thanks for all your hard work, kids. It was an A in my book.
Life really is in the details. No matter how much the effort, that last day when you have to push past exhaustion to scratch the last 3 chores from the list is as important as all the big days prior. I hope Tim learned a valuable lesson about how finish work relates to the rest of the job.
The tenants offered for Tim to stay on a while if he'd like, but after seeing the house transformed with their stuff, it didn't feel like his space anymore. So he is off on another nomadic adventure in what I presume is Plan B. He's welcome here but subject to house rules.
That being said, thanks for all your hard work, kids. It was an A in my book.
Jul 16, 2009
ZenMan
There's this ecclectic high schooler living a couple of doors down. We've been friends for years; in fact, he was part of Randy's and my first date at the bookstore because he hangs out there. I'd describe him as a liberal, idealistic Democrat, a 60s throwback struggling in this bland metrosexual era. Love, peace, joy, man.
He has this refreshingly unapologetic nature when he ignores the more mundane but essential parts of life, you know, like school, chores, and normal sleep and eating schedules. He is curiosity-driven and delves deeply into a subject when it piques his interest. He nails tests in public school without attending regularly and doesn't think it offers much other than a diploma.
There is a natural curiosity about everything that makes him a great sparring partner on social and political topics. He's passionate about learning, language, music, the world, the internet, global warming and American government. We talk about gay rights, parental controls, national healthcare, top Presidencies of the 20th century, and the Beatles, all in an afternoon. He loves Harry Potter books and violent video games.
He's remarkably effacing. This warm and wise and clever guy has communication skills that are off the charts. Might he derail himself with his lack of focus? It's possible. But what I think more possible is that when his body catches up with his brain, life will take off like a rocket. But first, school.
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." --Carl Sagan
He has this refreshingly unapologetic nature when he ignores the more mundane but essential parts of life, you know, like school, chores, and normal sleep and eating schedules. He is curiosity-driven and delves deeply into a subject when it piques his interest. He nails tests in public school without attending regularly and doesn't think it offers much other than a diploma.
There is a natural curiosity about everything that makes him a great sparring partner on social and political topics. He's passionate about learning, language, music, the world, the internet, global warming and American government. We talk about gay rights, parental controls, national healthcare, top Presidencies of the 20th century, and the Beatles, all in an afternoon. He loves Harry Potter books and violent video games.
He's remarkably effacing. This warm and wise and clever guy has communication skills that are off the charts. Might he derail himself with his lack of focus? It's possible. But what I think more possible is that when his body catches up with his brain, life will take off like a rocket. But first, school.
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." --Carl Sagan
Jul 14, 2009
It's All Good
Have you ever noticed that the more stress takes hold, the harder it is to get done what is stressing you out in the first place? I've been told a good way to approach stress is to go outside and clench my fists for 15 seconds. If I do it longer, can I store up extra happy endorphens for later?
I tried clenching my teeth, but that stress relieving strategy seems to be restricted to hands. What about a list? It would be easy to track progress, but then again, maybe it would redouble the stress.
I'll tell you one thing: I am not on board with this It's All Good mindset. What does that mean, exactly? It's not all good!! Stress can't survive in an all-good environment. Let's see how well that Weinermobile driver is embracing the 'no worries' philosophy, shall we?
OK ... close your eyes ... breathe slowly ... count to 50.
So back to this fist clenching idea: this is seriously worth a try (read: I am desperate). Here I am outside in 70 degree weather, in the sun with a little light breeze. I can hear happy chirping sounds coming from the open field across the way.
Gee, I do feel better! Stress is just melting away. This fist clenching thing really works! I'm not sure how to force myself back inside but, hey, it's all good.
I tried clenching my teeth, but that stress relieving strategy seems to be restricted to hands. What about a list? It would be easy to track progress, but then again, maybe it would redouble the stress.
I'll tell you one thing: I am not on board with this It's All Good mindset. What does that mean, exactly? It's not all good!! Stress can't survive in an all-good environment. Let's see how well that Weinermobile driver is embracing the 'no worries' philosophy, shall we?
OK ... close your eyes ... breathe slowly ... count to 50.
So back to this fist clenching idea: this is seriously worth a try (read: I am desperate). Here I am outside in 70 degree weather, in the sun with a little light breeze. I can hear happy chirping sounds coming from the open field across the way.
Gee, I do feel better! Stress is just melting away. This fist clenching thing really works! I'm not sure how to force myself back inside but, hey, it's all good.
Jul 9, 2009
Taking Her Time
Sweet news just in from Blogger Feed:Statia Kealy of Ireland has never married, smoked, drank or even put on makeup. So maybe that's why she's finally ready to cut loose and hit the dating scene at the tender age of 106.
Statia, who could easily pass for 88 or 89, says she's looking for love. If you know any lonely centenarians who live near Ireland, maybe you should pass along her number. She's got a sense of humor, telling one reporter, "Those that get married do well, but those that don't do better." Fiery!
If she can't find a man and is willing to learn Chinese, maybe she could be pen-pals with Wang Guiying, a 107-year old Chinese lady who finds herself in the same "predicament." Although 106 years of eating Pop Tarts alone in bed doesn't necessarily sound so bad.
Jul 7, 2009
Habanero
As I wrapped my arms around their 25 year old son, I reminisced about holding him in my arms at age 4. His folks had gone away for the weekend and he had taken a tumble during a bike ride when I was watching he and his brother. He wrapped his legs around my waist like a Koala bear and tucked into my rib, missing the comfort of mom and any mom would do. Obviously this was the position of choice for that tender-hearted little boy.
It was nice to see them after a brief 20 years, and our lively staccato talk was filled with laughter and stories. There was no lag or loss of continuity, as if the friendship was woven together with one dimensional emails, cards and family photos now upgraded to 3D. It was glorious, vibrant, like talkies - no technicolor talkies! - astonishingly satisfying.
Come play, we rejoined: Texas! California! Oh, we will.
Thank you. Love you.
It was nice to see them after a brief 20 years, and our lively staccato talk was filled with laughter and stories. There was no lag or loss of continuity, as if the friendship was woven together with one dimensional emails, cards and family photos now upgraded to 3D. It was glorious, vibrant, like talkies - no technicolor talkies! - astonishingly satisfying.
Come play, we rejoined: Texas! California! Oh, we will.
Thank you. Love you.
Pomegranate Girl
We've got all this stuff in the garage blocking the way to the workbench. It's draped with old blankets and comforters, piled high with boxes, and I'm fed up with the whole mess. We're stuffed like a turkey in the old house, the new house, the storage unit, and now the garage. Actually, I'd rather put it at the curb with a free sign on it, but RMan's level headedness prevails and so we'll do a yard sale.
The last yard sale was like Amish bartering gone bad -- people traded homemade pomegranate vodka and a little pot for heirlooms such as blown glasses and a Star Wars Millennium Falon model kit. Neighbors came out of the woodwork to visit and some even made return visits to catch up on news and critique our flowers. At one point, Pomegranate Girl popped behind the table and sold a teaset for us. It was a riot.
As irreverent as it is to put my mother's 60s vintage Thomasville heirlooms on the driveway, that's exactly where they'll be: primped and polished and ready for whomever careens to a stop in front of the house.
Gotta dig out somehow. Sorry, Mom.
The last yard sale was like Amish bartering gone bad -- people traded homemade pomegranate vodka and a little pot for heirlooms such as blown glasses and a Star Wars Millennium Falon model kit. Neighbors came out of the woodwork to visit and some even made return visits to catch up on news and critique our flowers. At one point, Pomegranate Girl popped behind the table and sold a teaset for us. It was a riot.
As irreverent as it is to put my mother's 60s vintage Thomasville heirlooms on the driveway, that's exactly where they'll be: primped and polished and ready for whomever careens to a stop in front of the house.
Gotta dig out somehow. Sorry, Mom.
Anticipation
You could say it's been one of those days. Talk had been building for a couple of weeks about a hand-in-glove job change and today was gonna be the day where I'd get the word.
Anticipation is a weird thing. Once momentum starts, it's hard to stop the voices in your head. You deserve this, it says; you've paid your dues. No one is better qualified; take stock of your talents and enjoy the ride! Nowhere does it tell you to hold up, whoa, slow down, don't count your chickens, although you really know you should.
I'd have bet my salary on the deal, and I'm not much of a better. I slide back into place at the desk with faint dusty piles of work and a top drawer that doesn't lock. The same old money jingles in my pocket.
Visualize the process. Celebrate the journey. God knows what he's doing.
Anticipation is a weird thing. Once momentum starts, it's hard to stop the voices in your head. You deserve this, it says; you've paid your dues. No one is better qualified; take stock of your talents and enjoy the ride! Nowhere does it tell you to hold up, whoa, slow down, don't count your chickens, although you really know you should.
I'd have bet my salary on the deal, and I'm not much of a better. I slide back into place at the desk with faint dusty piles of work and a top drawer that doesn't lock. The same old money jingles in my pocket.
Visualize the process. Celebrate the journey. God knows what he's doing.
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