Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thankfulness
It's been a tough year, but that only underscores the need to appreciate what's gone right. Here's what spring to mind:
1. I don't have to go to work today.
2. The good health of those I love, after a rough stretch last year.
3. People who care.
4. I don't have to go to work tomorrow.
5. That the turkey I made last night (I named him Jeremy) just might be the best one I've ever done.
6. New friends and new beginnings.
7. I don't have to go to work on Saturday--and there's football.
8. The memory of hard times overcome and promise of better things ahead, through he who gives me strength.
9. Loving the city I live in now, and the thought of breathing the salty sea air when I back where I grew up tonight. It's awesome to live in cities that have unique identities.
10. I don't have to go to work on Sunday--and there's more football.
11. Not having to conform my thoughts to conventional top-ten lists.
12. Vacations.
13. Blog readers.
Have a wonderful thanksgiving, and don't forget to be appreciate what's in front of you. I'll see you soon.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Reader Mail: On Holiday
Every few months, Andrew Smith makes up fake questions to which he offers ridiculous answers in his running feature: Ask Andrew. This isn't one of those months. Instead, it's merely a regular question and answer session. For reasons to be explained, you should lower your expectations accordingly.
Q: Andrew- Are you going to blog this December or are you going to re-live your tradition of Mailing It in for the Holidays? (As described here.)
A: As much as I'd like some rest this holiday season, there's just too much good material to pass up. I'm especially looking forward to revisiting more Bad Christmas Songs. But I do need a little break, so I'm going to take a few weeks off in November instead. My birthday was last week and this little break is present to myself.
I checked with my wife, who keeps up with these things much than I do, and we can even afford this one.
Q: So, how long are you taking off? And why?
A: I just need a few weeks. My current life schedule is so busy that I don't have time to keep a calendar. Instead, I just wait for the panicked calls of others asking me why I'm not wherever I was supposed to be half an hour ago.
This way, I don't get stressed about everything on my plate. Life is simpler that way. At least for me.
But those around me would probably tell you that I need a little break. At least, they would if they weren't on their phones trying to figure out why I missed my latest appointment.
Q: Wait, this was supposed to be "Reader Mail," but the second question here clearly built upon the first one. I don't see how that's possible.
A: That's not a question.
Q: So what are we to do without you this month?
A: Well, for one thing you migh--
Q: Ok, stop. You're clearly making up these questions. No one would actually ask you that.
A: Umm...
Let's just move on.
Q: Last week was your birthday. Don't you usually do a post about what you learned this year in your life?
A: Yes, but there's no time for reflection in my life these days. That's why I need this break.
But ok, since I'm here, 5 quick things: (1) the raccoon in your attic is not your friend. (2) There's no reason to get to a movie theater until at least 20 minutes after the listed start time unless you expect it to be sold out. (3) the lower you set your expectations, the more disappointed you'll be when they aren't met. So sometimes it's best not to have any at all. For example, if you failed to heed my initial advice about lowering your expectations for this blog post, you are most likely sorely disappointed by this point. (4) Forgive. (5) It's weird that being "disruptive" is bad, but being "ruptive" isn't even a thing.
Q: Any closing thoughts?
A: Funny I should ask. I need a fourteen hour nap, a long vacation, and answers to a couple specific prayers. But since I can't count on getting anything more than a long weekend (thank you, Veterans!) and a trip to upstate New York to see my awesome Aunt and Uncle, I'm going to take a few weeks off from the blog to get some rest.
I'll see you back here somewhere around Thanksgiving. I think the blog will be better for the break, but if the blog still doesn't meet your expectations, well, you should take my advice and lower them.
Q: Andrew- Are you going to blog this December or are you going to re-live your tradition of Mailing It in for the Holidays? (As described here.)
A: As much as I'd like some rest this holiday season, there's just too much good material to pass up. I'm especially looking forward to revisiting more Bad Christmas Songs. But I do need a little break, so I'm going to take a few weeks off in November instead. My birthday was last week and this little break is present to myself.
I checked with my wife, who keeps up with these things much than I do, and we can even afford this one.
Q: So, how long are you taking off? And why?
A: I just need a few weeks. My current life schedule is so busy that I don't have time to keep a calendar. Instead, I just wait for the panicked calls of others asking me why I'm not wherever I was supposed to be half an hour ago.
This way, I don't get stressed about everything on my plate. Life is simpler that way. At least for me.
But those around me would probably tell you that I need a little break. At least, they would if they weren't on their phones trying to figure out why I missed my latest appointment.
Q: Wait, this was supposed to be "Reader Mail," but the second question here clearly built upon the first one. I don't see how that's possible.
A: That's not a question.
Q: So what are we to do without you this month?
A: Well, for one thing you migh--
Q: Ok, stop. You're clearly making up these questions. No one would actually ask you that.
A: Umm...
Let's just move on.
Q: Last week was your birthday. Don't you usually do a post about what you learned this year in your life?
A: Yes, but there's no time for reflection in my life these days. That's why I need this break.
But ok, since I'm here, 5 quick things: (1) the raccoon in your attic is not your friend. (2) There's no reason to get to a movie theater until at least 20 minutes after the listed start time unless you expect it to be sold out. (3) the lower you set your expectations, the more disappointed you'll be when they aren't met. So sometimes it's best not to have any at all. For example, if you failed to heed my initial advice about lowering your expectations for this blog post, you are most likely sorely disappointed by this point. (4) Forgive. (5) It's weird that being "disruptive" is bad, but being "ruptive" isn't even a thing.
Q: Any closing thoughts?
A: Funny I should ask. I need a fourteen hour nap, a long vacation, and answers to a couple specific prayers. But since I can't count on getting anything more than a long weekend (thank you, Veterans!) and a trip to upstate New York to see my awesome Aunt and Uncle, I'm going to take a few weeks off from the blog to get some rest.
I'll see you back here somewhere around Thanksgiving. I think the blog will be better for the break, but if the blog still doesn't meet your expectations, well, you should take my advice and lower them.
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