Placemarker

Wow, I have REALLY stepped away from the journal writing. I'm not really sure what did it. So many times during a week I will have ideas for a journal post but then, once I get the time to write them, they do not come. Even now it's sort of like pulling teeth as I sit here, stare at the screen, and try to come up with something to say that might somehow be humorous or entertaining.

It might have been moving to the more then full time job. It is no coincidence that I finally get a chance to rethink things (and actually post) while I am off a full week for the holidays. And now that I actually have the time, once again, I don't seem to have anything to say! It's rather maddening. Regardless, I am sitting here and hammering out a few more paragraphs in the hopes that some things will get kick-started. If not now, then perhaps down the line.

The past several days have been, well, peaceful. Semi-peaceful. We returned home after several days up at the in-laws homestead in Indy where model rockets were flown, old movies were watched, and gingerbread house was crushed. All very exciting! Once home, it's been a good mix of recharging and reorganizing.

As the new year comes steadily onward I'm finding myself doing what a lot of folks do this time of year which is review. You know, going through old piles of things that have sat unattended, sorting through old ideas that have floated in the corner waiting for their time to come, as well as looking what can be revamped and maybe brought back to the fore of things. Maybe my next post should be a review of my year past?

Heading to Atlanta

This morning -- 10:05 AM

I’m sitting in the Indianapolis airport trying to get to Atlanta. My adventure started at 4:30 this morning. The pick-up car couldn’t find my house, I nearly stranded my wife by taking the car keys with me, the driver then couldn’t find my co-workers place, and then, after getting to the airline gate with PERFECT timing, the flight was delayed four hours due to “electrical issues.”

And here I sit. We’ll be boarding soon on a flight switch-up and finally headed southward. I had the oddest thought when the driver mentioned that their company’s normally functional printer had stopped working and that when he called me, he couldn’t reach my home phone number. I had the thought, “Oh, I’m not supposed to get on this flight.”

I guess I was right!

When things like this start to happen, I’ve learned its better to just relax, kick back, and wait for an opening to clear for you. I watched as so many fellow travelers threw fits of frustration. Panic and anxiety do nothing for you. Also, it’s times like this that I am so thankful for my laptop. In the time sitting here I’ve been able to review what I need for the event, get some writing done, and worked on this blog post. It’s all in how you look at things

To add to the backdrop of this adventure, we are headed into Atlanta which is currently in a state of emergency (or close to it) in regards to the severe draught and water shortage. We’ve been told that the situation at the hotel is not too bad and that we should be fine through the totality of our visit there.

I wonder if the folks flying into New Orleans were told the same thing? I doubt it. Paranoid images of fighting for my life against crazed Atlanteans trying to survive without water are probably further off then my imagination would have me believe. Heh. Crazed Atlanteans looking for water…

That’s funny stuff.

My flight boards in fifteen minutes so I’m shutting things down and heading for the little travelers room. Then, I’m on a flight and airborne.

Hopefully.

Halloween Evening

Finally got a lunch break at work that didn't involve...uh... working. Quite happy about that fact! Last night saw me undertaking the annual trip to a nearby haunt for trick or treating. The place we go is loaded with kids, parents, and residents. The sidewalks are packed, the houses are made up, and some residents even go as far as to dress up and scare the kiddies with de-chained chain saws and bloody hatchets. It's typically thirty minutes of complete pandemonium.

With the horde in tow and a fifteen minute costume on, we ventured forth into the night. Some pics will be coming up shortly revealing the fun and candy bag filled craziness of it all. I was very pleased to find my brother suddenly filled with the Samhain spirit at the last minute and joining us dressed in his fantastic Gandalf outfit.

And now, it's November 1st and All Saints Day. And, I might add, finally feeling like Autumn!

Last night the wind whipped around our house causing the window frames to creak and the roof to woodenly pop. From the inside and after all had gone to their beds, I could hear the windchimes, twirling and banging. Through the windows I could see silvery clouds skimming by quickly overhead. In other words, it was perfect for late Halloween night.

I ventured out into it for a short while. The wind kept up its frantic pace, snapping about me and attempting to push me off balance. This continued for some time until I put out several plates of offerings in the form of candy, milk, coffee, scotch, and corn meal. Almost instantly, the wind stopped and moved away from our porch although it continued to twist and rush about elsewhere on our property. For the rest of the evening, the wind stopped its restless fury on or around our house. There are a myriad conclusions that could be reached as to how that happened but I prefer to stick to the more magical and esoteric reason.

Happy November and Happy New Year.

Congrats Sox

Just finished watching game 4 of the world series. I am pleased because I'm comfortable, I'm home, and one of my teams just won it all. Though my main team is the ever unpredictable Seattle Mariners, the Red Sox has been my back-up team for a few years now. Mainly, I'm a baseball fan. I love to watch all of it, the stories that develop, the rhythm of it, the rise and fall of teams and players. The other reason I'm happy is that back in June I looked at a friend who happened to make the mistake of engaging me in a baseball discussion. During that discussion I had said, "The Red Sox have a good chance of winning it all." Throughout the entire season I believed it because I saw a team which was not only balanced but incredibly deep with talent. However, my main reason was because I saw a team having intense fun with what they were doing.

It was odd to be in a World Series city while the event was going on. Unfortunately, it was during the first games in Boston and the town had that "away game" sort of feeling to it. We were out on the street and moving toward a sports bar to take in the first Series game when the Rockies hit their home run in the first game. I've never heard a city roar before but I'll never forget how that sound rolled along the streets, echoed around the towers, and lifted into the sky.

Finally, this may be a no-brainer but hang onto any Jacoby Ellsbury or Dustin Pedroia cards you have from this season. From the way those rookies came out of the box and performed in the past two games of the Series, it might be worth something one day.