Why Are You Limping ?

Today at work many people asked me the title question of this post.  Despite my desire to respond sarcastically and act all offended like "This IS how I walk!  Why are you picking on me?!" I chose the discretionary path and just fessed up to my injury.

I sprained my left ankle yesterday playing basketball.  This is rather unimportant in and of itself, but the way in which the injury occurred gave me an idea for a blog post.

What age do you perceive yourself to be?

We hear the expression 'She's an old soul.'  We know people who are 'wiser than their years' or deal with people who are 'old enough to know better.'  But I think each one of us views ourselves as a certain age or at a certain stage in life.

I have a friend who has always seemed like he is nearing retirement.  It's not just his hair color (frosty white) or his complexion (his face has lots of wrinkles), but his mannerisms and activity level.  He just seems old.

I myself, think that I am still in my late teens or early twenties.  I engage in stupid behaviors (eating ice cream for dinner, staying up way past my bedtime).  I look at middle-aged (40 or older) people and wonder how they have any energy for anything.  I use slang words and listen to Top 40 music (sometimes).  And I play basketball with reckless abandon and expend much more energy and effort than someone MY age should.

The reality is too harsh to write here, but suffice it to say that I am NOT that young (nor is my friend that old).  In fact, I am very close to what I used to consider middle-age and that truth stares at me in the mirror each morning.  I find myself wondering things like 'what happened?' or 'how did I get here?' or 'when did I start growing hair there?!'  I don't like these questions.  I don't want to believe it is happening.  So instead I hustle for my own rebound on a shot I shouldn't have missed, and in the process land my slower foot on an opponent.  TWIST.  ouch.  Game over ... at least for a few days.  :)


Song Of The Day:
It's not a new song any more, but I did recently hear "Human" by Christina Perri on the radio and it felt appropriate for this post about the fragility of our physical bodies.  I think it's human to play hard, but it's also human to forget that we're not teenagers any more.

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No Shave November or Movember ?

There are two types of people in this world:

- Those who celebrate No Shave November

- And those who celebrate Movember

At work this past month, 4 of the 5 men in my work group participated (albeit with no rules or official invitations or anything formal at all) in No Shave November.  Everyone eventually went their own way with it (one guy trimmed his beard - both around the neck and on the cheeks and also the actual length of the beard throughout the month).  I, personally, find that cheating - it's not 'grow a neatly trimmed beard November' now is it?! - but it's also not an official event so it's hard to be bothered by various interpretations.

As a sort of homage to Movember, at least 2-3 of us have agreed to shave the raggedy beards and leave just the mustache for today (Monday, Dec 1st.)  We're calling it 'Mustache Monday' and we'll see if it creates a tradition.

     

So what do you favor?  No Shave, Mo, or no change at all?

Song Of The Day:

If you don't automatically think of the 1970's when you see Movember pictures, then you're probably too young to remember those heydays of mustaches.  I recently heard again the song "Reminiscing" by the Little River Band and felt it would fit nicely here.  The 11th month of the year is certainly a time for reminiscing of decades ago.  Thankfully it's just a brief, harmless revisit of this terrible facial hair style.

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Where's The Door Handle ?

While driving I often notice new or different vehicle styles.  This is likely from my days spent processing vehicle addition transactions on auto insurance policies, where I had to be reasonably well-versed on different makes and models of various automobiles.

Today I noticed the rear doors on the 4-door Chevy Sonic and couldn't immediately see the door handles.  At a stop light, when I finally noticed where they were ... I felt like we were in the future.

They are up on the top, back portion of the door, just to the side of the window ... weird, but also kinda cool.

Song Of The Day:
Since it's kind of impossible to link a song from the future to this post, I've decided to go back a few decades and share "Open Your Heart" by Madonna.  There's not really any good songs that come to mind about opening car doors with a unique door handle.

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What's Your Favorite Season ?

I wondered this question aloud on my drive to work the other morning, not entirely sure who I was asking it to.  Being alone in the car, I figured it best to answer myself, after all, no one wants to give the silent treatment to themselves.

I began by explaining that I was super excited about Fall or Autumn and explaining several reasons why it must be my favorite season.  The nights are getting cooler.  The house doesn't get as hot during the day.  The colors begin to change on leaves in the trees.  Pesky bugs that take over whole sections of the yard begin to hibernate in their miniature caves.  Weeds miraculously stop growing like, well, weeds.  Fall sports begin, including football and basketball, while baseball starts getting serious.  And for those that love clothes, it's time for an all new wardrobe, or as is the case with most common folk, a rediscovery of the wardrobe you stored away for the summer.  Ahhhh yes, Fall is the best ... except ...

Winter is really cool too, no pun intended.  There's just something about the first snow fall that gets me excited about the upcoming end-of-year months.  Then of course there are the holidays where we give thanks, celebrate our Savior's birth, and ring in the new year with fun and frivolity.  Hot cocoa on a chilly morning and wrapping up in blankets and/or cuddling with a loved one to keep warm.  Even seeing your breath in the air as you scrape ice off car windows can be downright delightful.  Yeah, I guess Winter might be my favorite ... however ...

Spring is absolutely amazing!  After the eventual doldrums of a long, hard winter set in, Spring comes roaring in, bringing with it new growth and eternal hope for brighter days.  That first unseasonably warm day when you can travel without a jacket feels like a miracle.  It is impossible not to notice that the days are getting longer and even if you hate cleaning, the 'Spring' kind always feels great to get done.  I really love that first sweep out the garage of each year and the kids love that their bikes are rescued from their hanging hooks above the cars.  Spring sure scores a lot of points ... but ...

That brings us back to Summer, and doggone it if those dog days aren't something spectacular!  Break out the swim gear and the suntan lotion.  Get ready to feel the warmth of the sun on your face as you ride bikes or take leisurely strolls in the late but still lit evening hours.  Simple pleasures like a glass of refreshing ice water or laying in the fresh cut grass of the front lawn remind us that life is just wonderful.  And the backyard grilling of hamburgers and hot dogs coupled with the excitement of fireworks, often all season long, are unmatched.

So, at length, I came to this conclusion:  my favorite season is whatever season we are in OR whatever season is coming up very soon.  In that sense, I may love the changing of seasons more than I enjoy any one particular time of year.


Song Of The Day:
It would be a near-blasphemous error to not feature a song by the Four Seasons in this post, so here is "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" in all it's disco-sounding glory.  I very much dislike disco, but I've heard a few renditions of this tune and just dig every one, disco-themed or not.

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Who Do You Root For ?

Today I was reflecting on the title question above.  But not from a sports or competition perspective.  I was considering the implications in the game of life.

I root for:
- people who do the work
- companies that care
- goodwill, peace, and charity

I root for:
- success to find individuals who have earned it
- my children to have the strength and commitment to overcome challenges
- anyone, anywhere who wants to learn and grow and change for the better

I DO NOT root for:
- people who seek first to take the credit
- companies that are all about the 'bottom line'
- negativity or finding someone to blame

I DO NOT root for:
- success to find individuals who just think they deserve it
- my children to be better than other people's kids
- anyone, anywhere who refuses to learn or grow or change

I rejoice in achievements and accolades for those who truly deserve it, while secretly being glad when failure finds those who don't.  I do not wish or hope for bad things to happen to people, but I reserve my rooting for those people that are choosing to do the right things whether anyone else is watching or not.  I've recently seen several examples of people quietly, almost secretly, doing great things for others while trying not to draw attention to their efforts.  I find myself taking note and then cheering them on, indiscreetly of course - go (person's name)!  Thank you to each of you who have done this!  You are inspiring and I truly believe life will reward you for your choices!


Song Of The Day:
I really like the song "In The House Of Stone And Light" by Martin Page and so it's my choice for today's post.  The artist was someone I rooted for, but I also just love the sounds in this tune.

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What Is This Feeling ?

What a glorious sunrise!

Lately I just can't shake this feeling that something is coming.  It's a feeling like it is something I've been preparing for my whole life without even realizing it.  I have no expectations or even guesses about what it might be, but the signs seem to be everywhere.  To be more specific, I find myself being drawn more toward things of a spiritual or soulful nature.  I've been seeing more things through a different set of eyes or perhaps just from a new perspective.  I am sure I will have failings.  I am certain to struggle, in fact this is what some of the signs have amounted to, but I feel a peacefulness or even quiet strength.  It is a great feeling and I hope I can keep it.


Song Of The Day:
This morning, while driving 5 young men to Seminary, I heard a song for the first time and it really echoed what I've been feeling.  "Greater" by Mercy Me is a great tune for a Monday morning.  The infectious drum beats certainly would be enough to pump anyone up, but the message behind the words is equally, if not more, inspiring.  Greater is the one living inside of me than he who is living in the world.  This line itself speaks to a truth I know and hold dear to my soul: I am a child of God and He loves me.

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How Does All This End Up In The Laundry ?

Song Of The Day:
While it is true that the above photo represents items 'saved' from the washer and dryer over the preceding 3 or so months, I don't think it makes it any less questionable how some of these things were found in kids' pants pockets.
And this was just the downstairs laundry - yes, in a house of 9 people, dual washer/dryer areas are a virtual necessity!
Today's song is "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Maroon 5, because it reminds me that the time is not far away when my kids will be grown up and I won't have the humor that comes from rescuing their 'prized possessions' before they get washed away.

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