I guess the customs inspector thought that I looked too poor, too American, or too smart to try to smuggle anything into France, and I was waved through quickly. The passport verification line looked long, but it seemed to be moving quickly. Here I was, holding the first passport I had ever been issued, and was getting excited to think that the first stamp in my first passport would be France! I reached the window, and wouldn't you know, this would be my first encounter with a bored French government worker who knew that his job could never be in jeopardy. He glanced at my passport, looked up at me with half-closed eyes, handed me back my passport and that was that. No stamp, no "welcome to France", no "What is the purpose of your visit, Monsieur Ugly American Who Thinks He Can Dictate To The World?" No. Just a quick flick of the head to show me how to get out.
I wanted to say, "Hey! How about a stamp here? What if the people who check my passport on the way home don't see a stamp and think I snuck into the country?" Then I realized that the people checking my passport on the way out would be a lot like the one who checked it on the way in. So I moved along before I bored the official into a complete state of inertia instead of the partial state he was in at the time.
Welcome to France. Home of the Bored Government Employee. Now Go Home. But First Leave Your Money.
I weaved my way through the mass of tourists and natives to get to the exit. There, waiting for me was my fiance. As tired as I was, my energy level took a huge leap. It had been nearly a year since I had seen her, and she looked lovely; nervous, but lovely.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
French Bred - Ch 1 - The Arrival
I don't know who thought that all airline passengers would be under 5 foot 8, but whoever it was should be taken out and shoved into a shoebox. As I boarded Air France for my 12-plus hour flight from San Francisco to Paris, I realized that someone was having a good laugh at my expense. I was flying coach, and seated next to a German man who spoke almost no English. It was close to 3:00 in the afternoon, and I had been up since about 5 in the morning, packing my bags and heading to the second day of a convention at the Cow Palace in Daly City. The convention was to begin at 9:50, and I had to be at the nearby airport by 2:00. Needless to say, by 3 I was exhausted, and was looking forward to sleeping most of the way to Paris. Or not.
The details about the flight are a blur. I know that I was nervous, because I was traveling overseas for the first time and would be greeted by my wife-to-be. I was also nervous because I was going to be spending the next four weeks living with her brother and her sister-in-law. They spoke no English, and I spoke no French. No problems there, right? I was crammed into an airline seat specifically designed for Gary Coleman or Paul Simon. I am 6 feet tall. Trying to sleep in such a seat is like trying to get comfortable being folded in two in a hospital bed. You've seen the cartoons, right? The bed has a little control box and someone pushes the wrong button, causing the bed to fold in such a way that the patient was able to examine his own heels. That's how I felt on the airplane. No way to sleep. No conversation. No desire to remain conscious.
However, despite the constant fear that Air France would go on strike in the middle of my flight and drop me off somewhere near the Bermuda Triangle, we landed safely at Roissy / Charles de Gaulle airport on the outskirts of Paris. As I got off the plane, I wondered how so much pollution could creep in through the air conditioning units of the airport. I didn't know that Paris was so smoggy! Then I realized that what I was experiencing was a wall of cigarette smoke from all of the passengers waiting in the gate area. Instant cancer was a real concern as I carved my way to the baggage claim area.
The first sign that I saw in English woke me up quickly. It said, and I am not making this up, "Unattended baggage will be exploded." There was a little pictogram of a piece of luggage being blown up. Baggage will be exploded. Exploded? Not examined? Not x-rayed? A poor little innocent bag, just sitting there waiting for its owner, would be taken hostage and quickly detonated. What kind of animals were these French?
Well, this wouldn't cause a problem for me. I would just go to the baggage claim area, claim my baggage from the area, and head out to greet the love of my life. So, I waited. And I waited. Everyone else had claimed their bags, but mine had not yet arrived. Minutes passed, and I began to have terrible thoughts. "Oh crud! They've exploded my bag!" I tracked down someone from the airline and asked where my luggage was being held hostage. The employee was actually helpful, and tracked down my bag that was still sitting in the luggage compartment of the airplane. As my heartbeat slowed to something below a rock band drum solo, I took my bag and ventured out into the airport, searching for the customs inspectors, the passport inspectors, and freedom.
As I walked towards the customs inspectors, I noticed quite a number of men dressed in black uniforms, some with dogs, and all with rather scary looking rifles. They looked prepared to attack any piece of luggage that threatened to attack an innocent passenger. They also looked prepared to dispose of any American who dared to eat processed cheese in their presence. I decided that discretion was the better part of not being shot, and quickly moved to the customs line.
The details about the flight are a blur. I know that I was nervous, because I was traveling overseas for the first time and would be greeted by my wife-to-be. I was also nervous because I was going to be spending the next four weeks living with her brother and her sister-in-law. They spoke no English, and I spoke no French. No problems there, right? I was crammed into an airline seat specifically designed for Gary Coleman or Paul Simon. I am 6 feet tall. Trying to sleep in such a seat is like trying to get comfortable being folded in two in a hospital bed. You've seen the cartoons, right? The bed has a little control box and someone pushes the wrong button, causing the bed to fold in such a way that the patient was able to examine his own heels. That's how I felt on the airplane. No way to sleep. No conversation. No desire to remain conscious.
However, despite the constant fear that Air France would go on strike in the middle of my flight and drop me off somewhere near the Bermuda Triangle, we landed safely at Roissy / Charles de Gaulle airport on the outskirts of Paris. As I got off the plane, I wondered how so much pollution could creep in through the air conditioning units of the airport. I didn't know that Paris was so smoggy! Then I realized that what I was experiencing was a wall of cigarette smoke from all of the passengers waiting in the gate area. Instant cancer was a real concern as I carved my way to the baggage claim area.
The first sign that I saw in English woke me up quickly. It said, and I am not making this up, "Unattended baggage will be exploded." There was a little pictogram of a piece of luggage being blown up. Baggage will be exploded. Exploded? Not examined? Not x-rayed? A poor little innocent bag, just sitting there waiting for its owner, would be taken hostage and quickly detonated. What kind of animals were these French?
Well, this wouldn't cause a problem for me. I would just go to the baggage claim area, claim my baggage from the area, and head out to greet the love of my life. So, I waited. And I waited. Everyone else had claimed their bags, but mine had not yet arrived. Minutes passed, and I began to have terrible thoughts. "Oh crud! They've exploded my bag!" I tracked down someone from the airline and asked where my luggage was being held hostage. The employee was actually helpful, and tracked down my bag that was still sitting in the luggage compartment of the airplane. As my heartbeat slowed to something below a rock band drum solo, I took my bag and ventured out into the airport, searching for the customs inspectors, the passport inspectors, and freedom.
As I walked towards the customs inspectors, I noticed quite a number of men dressed in black uniforms, some with dogs, and all with rather scary looking rifles. They looked prepared to attack any piece of luggage that threatened to attack an innocent passenger. They also looked prepared to dispose of any American who dared to eat processed cheese in their presence. I decided that discretion was the better part of not being shot, and quickly moved to the customs line.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
French Bred
I have been asked to write about something a bit more "light-hearted" than the drivel I have been spewing for days. I really couldn't think of anything to write. So, I'm going to do something I've dreaded doing. I'm going to post a few of my anecdotes that I am thinking of including in my ever upcoming book effort. Needless to say the following:
All rights reserved 2009, Adam Himmel. Copyright 2009 Adam Himmel. All legal rights 2009, Adam Himmel. Anyone trying to copy or use this material without the express written consent of Adam Himmel (and not Major League Baseball) will be prosecuted and deemed to have very bad taste.
The working title is "French Bred", and will focus on the differences between French and American culture, seen through the eyes of a very fortunate American who married a fantastic French woman. (That ought to get me out of a few problems, eh?) Starting tomorrow, and being posted intermittently, I will try to grind out some anecdotes for the so-called book. If anyone has ideas, I welcome them, as I tend to get writer's canyon (writer's block isn't big enough for me).
Anyway, I will try to start this tomorrow. The first tale will revolve around my first visit to France, which happened to be my first visit to any other country other than Tijuana, Mexico, and the strange things that happened as I realized that France was not just an offshoot of the United States and actually had its own culture and customs. Strange idea, eh? Allow me to set the stage quickly...
I had been a pen-pal of a young French lady since high school. Years went by, and our lives took different paths. However, after a break of nearly 10 years in writing, she got back in touch with me. Our letter writing recommenced, and after a visit by her to the U.S., I did one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life, and proposed to her. Strangely enough, she said "yes", but had to go back to France to get things organized. About one year later, I traveled to Paris to marry her. The French system of laws required that I reside there for 4 weeks before I could marry this Parisienne, and many interesting things happened in that time span. These stories will start with my arrival in Paris, and take the reader through some of the events that led to my hating France and the French, and then to my loving the country and its people.
Stick with me and please give feedback. For the longest time I have been told that I have the makings of a writer. I never believed it, and never really gave it a try. Maybe this is a way to find out if I do.
Have fun with me, and let's see where this takes us...
Allons-y!!!
All rights reserved 2009, Adam Himmel. Copyright 2009 Adam Himmel. All legal rights 2009, Adam Himmel. Anyone trying to copy or use this material without the express written consent of Adam Himmel (and not Major League Baseball) will be prosecuted and deemed to have very bad taste.
The working title is "French Bred", and will focus on the differences between French and American culture, seen through the eyes of a very fortunate American who married a fantastic French woman. (That ought to get me out of a few problems, eh?) Starting tomorrow, and being posted intermittently, I will try to grind out some anecdotes for the so-called book. If anyone has ideas, I welcome them, as I tend to get writer's canyon (writer's block isn't big enough for me).
Anyway, I will try to start this tomorrow. The first tale will revolve around my first visit to France, which happened to be my first visit to any other country other than Tijuana, Mexico, and the strange things that happened as I realized that France was not just an offshoot of the United States and actually had its own culture and customs. Strange idea, eh? Allow me to set the stage quickly...
I had been a pen-pal of a young French lady since high school. Years went by, and our lives took different paths. However, after a break of nearly 10 years in writing, she got back in touch with me. Our letter writing recommenced, and after a visit by her to the U.S., I did one of the smartest things I have ever done in my life, and proposed to her. Strangely enough, she said "yes", but had to go back to France to get things organized. About one year later, I traveled to Paris to marry her. The French system of laws required that I reside there for 4 weeks before I could marry this Parisienne, and many interesting things happened in that time span. These stories will start with my arrival in Paris, and take the reader through some of the events that led to my hating France and the French, and then to my loving the country and its people.
Stick with me and please give feedback. For the longest time I have been told that I have the makings of a writer. I never believed it, and never really gave it a try. Maybe this is a way to find out if I do.
Have fun with me, and let's see where this takes us...
Allons-y!!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
An Open Letter to Calif. Service Union
Okay, I try to avoid delving into political matters, but this one has me completely confused. According to the Sacramento Bee, dated July 27, 2009, "members of California's largest state employee union have been voting on whether to give their leaders permission to call a strike." In addition, the Bee notes that "Government officials say that a walk-out...would violate labor agreements and that the state would punish anyone who strikes."
Here is where some common sense is needed. First of all, does anyone remember when the air traffic controllers went on strike during the Reagan presidency? It was deemed to be an illegal strike. What did Reagan do? He fired all of the striking employees. Does the SEIU think that the California legislature and the Governor wouldn't just jump at the chance to reduce the state labor force by legally canning the strikers? Just think of the money they would save!
Yes, it stinks being put on furlough and losing 20% of your pay. I mean it really stinks. Tell that to the thousands upon thousands who have completely lost their jobs, are living on a pittance of unemployment, and can't find new jobs. Do you honestly think there wouldn't be a line to apply for a State job even at a 20% lower rate of pay?
Eventually, one would expect that the economy would turn around (unless this system of things ends before that happens...), and then the State will probably do its normal idiotic routine of throwing money around on pet projects like there's no end to the funds. But until then, understand that your union leaders aren't really doing you a favor. If an illegal work stoppage takes place and you lose your job, will you really be happier and doing better financially? Ask the fired Air Traffic Controllers.
Until things turn around, tighten your belts, live within your means, and hope that the economy turns around for you. You'll be doing the same thing that the majority of Californians are doing right now.
Here is where some common sense is needed. First of all, does anyone remember when the air traffic controllers went on strike during the Reagan presidency? It was deemed to be an illegal strike. What did Reagan do? He fired all of the striking employees. Does the SEIU think that the California legislature and the Governor wouldn't just jump at the chance to reduce the state labor force by legally canning the strikers? Just think of the money they would save!
Yes, it stinks being put on furlough and losing 20% of your pay. I mean it really stinks. Tell that to the thousands upon thousands who have completely lost their jobs, are living on a pittance of unemployment, and can't find new jobs. Do you honestly think there wouldn't be a line to apply for a State job even at a 20% lower rate of pay?
Eventually, one would expect that the economy would turn around (unless this system of things ends before that happens...), and then the State will probably do its normal idiotic routine of throwing money around on pet projects like there's no end to the funds. But until then, understand that your union leaders aren't really doing you a favor. If an illegal work stoppage takes place and you lose your job, will you really be happier and doing better financially? Ask the fired Air Traffic Controllers.
Until things turn around, tighten your belts, live within your means, and hope that the economy turns around for you. You'll be doing the same thing that the majority of Californians are doing right now.
Friday, July 24, 2009
When Will They Get The Picture?
Well, Californians are up in arms again. Once again, the Legislature and the Governor let them down, and passed a budget that cuts and cuts from the needy and does nothing to address the underlying problems.
In the United States Congress, legislators are arguing about health care, and every time someone suggests a fix, it gets shot down by people who are in the pockets of the insurance industry.
Wars and threats of wars are everywhere. The swine flu is predicted to hit a huge section of the population this autumn. It all seems to be spiraling downward. I mean really...even the SciFi channel changed its name to SyFy! (That has to be in the book of Revelation somewhere!)
And yet, when someone suggests to them that human governments have failed, they get offended and even angry. Why? I'm sure that the last time they read the newspaper (if they read newspapers any more) or their news website or Fox News or whatever, they probably were ranting about the elected officials who don't know what they're doing, or about some other country that is threatening their country, or so on.
How about a little honesty? How about admitting, just once, that human beings have proven incapable of ruling themselves? Wouldn't that kind of candor be refreshing?
Yeah...it would be. But that's okay. Over six million people know it, along with millions of others who are studying the Bible with them. There is hope.
Although the person who named the SciFi channel SyFy should be dragged through the brambles by his shoelaces. I'm just saying...
In the United States Congress, legislators are arguing about health care, and every time someone suggests a fix, it gets shot down by people who are in the pockets of the insurance industry.
Wars and threats of wars are everywhere. The swine flu is predicted to hit a huge section of the population this autumn. It all seems to be spiraling downward. I mean really...even the SciFi channel changed its name to SyFy! (That has to be in the book of Revelation somewhere!)
And yet, when someone suggests to them that human governments have failed, they get offended and even angry. Why? I'm sure that the last time they read the newspaper (if they read newspapers any more) or their news website or Fox News or whatever, they probably were ranting about the elected officials who don't know what they're doing, or about some other country that is threatening their country, or so on.
How about a little honesty? How about admitting, just once, that human beings have proven incapable of ruling themselves? Wouldn't that kind of candor be refreshing?
Yeah...it would be. But that's okay. Over six million people know it, along with millions of others who are studying the Bible with them. There is hope.
Although the person who named the SciFi channel SyFy should be dragged through the brambles by his shoelaces. I'm just saying...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Another Round of Short Bursts
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another installment of "Short Bursts From a Tired and Twisted Mind". Please note: all commentary is designed to be apolitical, although certain common sense questions may be posed. I bear no responsibility for any insanity that runs through my brain.
Health Care: Doesn't it seem illogical for a rich country like the U.S. to have so many people uninsured and underinsured? It also seems illogical that people go hungry or homeless in a rich country, but that's another topic for another day. Granted, health care costs money. But how do these huge insurance HMOs have so much money to spend on commercials and lobbying if they're just doing things for the patients? Just asking...
Starbucks: Why is everyone so surprised that Starbucks closed a bunch of stores? I mean, I can walk out my door and down the street about 3 blocks, and there's a Starbucks. Then, about 1/2 mile away there's another. And another 1/2 mile away there's a Starbucks in a Safeway supermarket. Overkill, you think? Or maybe overcaff. (Someone pick me up a skinny vanilla latte', will you?)
Basketball: Why do I care anything about basketball in the offseason? Am I that desperate for the Kings to have a good season that I'll grasp for any straws in the news that might encourage me? ... umm ... yes, I am.
Electronics: I love my iPhone. I do. And I really love my new MacBook Pro. I do. But I'm not in the tank for Apple. I'm not. Really. I'm not. ---- I AM!!! OK??? I AM in the tank for Apple! (There...I feel better now. Don't you?)
Food: I had dinner at La Provence last night for my anniversary. I positively love the food there, as well as the ambiance. Anyone who can eat at that restaurant and not say that it was great loses many, many points on my scorecard. I don't really keep a scorecard, but if I did, they would lose points.
Sacramento Valley: Tell me again why I live here. Is it the climate? Yeah...110 in the summer is just peachy. The economy? Hey, California Legislature and Arnie...get a clue, bozos! The roads? Ask the suspension on my car. Come to think of it, I haven't the vaguest idea of why I live here, except that now that I bought a house, I'm stuck here. (Good thinking there, buddy boy.)
French language: I hate verb conjugations!!! I do!!! Can't I just speak it like Tarzan speaks English?? They'll understand. "Me go there...eat good food...go store later...then go sleep. Ugh. Watch for elephant droppings." I stink at this language. My brain only works in English, and even then I couldn't define a participle to save my life.
That's it for now. Be sure to tip your waiter. I'm here till Tuesday. Try the veal. If you had any adult beverages, don't drive home...call a cab. Goodnight everybody!!!
Health Care: Doesn't it seem illogical for a rich country like the U.S. to have so many people uninsured and underinsured? It also seems illogical that people go hungry or homeless in a rich country, but that's another topic for another day. Granted, health care costs money. But how do these huge insurance HMOs have so much money to spend on commercials and lobbying if they're just doing things for the patients? Just asking...
Starbucks: Why is everyone so surprised that Starbucks closed a bunch of stores? I mean, I can walk out my door and down the street about 3 blocks, and there's a Starbucks. Then, about 1/2 mile away there's another. And another 1/2 mile away there's a Starbucks in a Safeway supermarket. Overkill, you think? Or maybe overcaff. (Someone pick me up a skinny vanilla latte', will you?)
Basketball: Why do I care anything about basketball in the offseason? Am I that desperate for the Kings to have a good season that I'll grasp for any straws in the news that might encourage me? ... umm ... yes, I am.
Electronics: I love my iPhone. I do. And I really love my new MacBook Pro. I do. But I'm not in the tank for Apple. I'm not. Really. I'm not. ---- I AM!!! OK??? I AM in the tank for Apple! (There...I feel better now. Don't you?)
Food: I had dinner at La Provence last night for my anniversary. I positively love the food there, as well as the ambiance. Anyone who can eat at that restaurant and not say that it was great loses many, many points on my scorecard. I don't really keep a scorecard, but if I did, they would lose points.
Sacramento Valley: Tell me again why I live here. Is it the climate? Yeah...110 in the summer is just peachy. The economy? Hey, California Legislature and Arnie...get a clue, bozos! The roads? Ask the suspension on my car. Come to think of it, I haven't the vaguest idea of why I live here, except that now that I bought a house, I'm stuck here. (Good thinking there, buddy boy.)
French language: I hate verb conjugations!!! I do!!! Can't I just speak it like Tarzan speaks English?? They'll understand. "Me go there...eat good food...go store later...then go sleep. Ugh. Watch for elephant droppings." I stink at this language. My brain only works in English, and even then I couldn't define a participle to save my life.
That's it for now. Be sure to tip your waiter. I'm here till Tuesday. Try the veal. If you had any adult beverages, don't drive home...call a cab. Goodnight everybody!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Television Tastes
I hate most reality shows. I really do. Things like American Idol, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Really Annoying (I made that last one up, but I think it would be a hit, don't you?) are all knock-offs of the same basic idea: if I can get in front of a camera and not make a complete and total idiot of myself, I can be famous! And people watch. I mean really, what's the point of "I Survived a Japanese Game Show!"? It feels like these shows are just dumbing down the viewing audience.
A while ago, I ranted about the cancellation of a smart and clever show: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. If you haven't watched it, rent (or buy) the DVDs. It's another Aaron Sorkin show, and it was brilliant. The problem was, in my opinion, that it was just too smart for the room. People wanted mindless drivel over something that involved some thought. "Oh good! Simon Cowell is insulting another bad singer! Let's record that so we can watch it again!"
So what's on my DVR these days? Mindless drivel? Sure...at times. But shows like that are akin to dessert. It's okay once in a while, but you can't survive on it. The shows on my list right now are:
Doctor Who - Always clever, always smart, always fun.
Psych - Again, clever and smart with references you have to listen for, while still being hilarious.
Top Gear - BBC's car show, with three hosts who look like they absolutely have a blast working and playing together. It's silly at times, but they show some awesome cars and I can watch the show over and over again and long for more.
Burn Notice - This is more my son's thing, but I have to admit that the writing is pretty smart.
Deadliest Catch - Very guilty pleasure. I'm not sure why I'm addicted to this show, but I am. It's the same basic thing every week - catch crab - but the sheer effort of doing the job just boggles my mind.
Mythbusters - Another guilty pleasure. I don't watch it every week, but it's always fun.
Fort Boyard - Not on very often, and only on the French channel TV5, but I get into this show! It involves a group of athletes or celebrities completing challenges to win money for their chosen charity. It isn't mindless, but it involves brains, athleticism, and overcoming fears.
Anyway, that's what I watch. I will also catch Poirot or Miss Marple whenever it is on, and will throw on BBC America News to find out what is really going on in the world, but that's about it. It amazes me that I can scan the million channels on my digital cable box and find absolutely nothing worth watching. Here's hoping that Aaron Sorkin comes back to television and that people kick-start their brains into watching something that doesn't involve bad singing, vampires, or sex and violence. Fat chance.
A while ago, I ranted about the cancellation of a smart and clever show: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. If you haven't watched it, rent (or buy) the DVDs. It's another Aaron Sorkin show, and it was brilliant. The problem was, in my opinion, that it was just too smart for the room. People wanted mindless drivel over something that involved some thought. "Oh good! Simon Cowell is insulting another bad singer! Let's record that so we can watch it again!"
So what's on my DVR these days? Mindless drivel? Sure...at times. But shows like that are akin to dessert. It's okay once in a while, but you can't survive on it. The shows on my list right now are:
Doctor Who - Always clever, always smart, always fun.
Psych - Again, clever and smart with references you have to listen for, while still being hilarious.
Top Gear - BBC's car show, with three hosts who look like they absolutely have a blast working and playing together. It's silly at times, but they show some awesome cars and I can watch the show over and over again and long for more.
Burn Notice - This is more my son's thing, but I have to admit that the writing is pretty smart.
Deadliest Catch - Very guilty pleasure. I'm not sure why I'm addicted to this show, but I am. It's the same basic thing every week - catch crab - but the sheer effort of doing the job just boggles my mind.
Mythbusters - Another guilty pleasure. I don't watch it every week, but it's always fun.
Fort Boyard - Not on very often, and only on the French channel TV5, but I get into this show! It involves a group of athletes or celebrities completing challenges to win money for their chosen charity. It isn't mindless, but it involves brains, athleticism, and overcoming fears.
Anyway, that's what I watch. I will also catch Poirot or Miss Marple whenever it is on, and will throw on BBC America News to find out what is really going on in the world, but that's about it. It amazes me that I can scan the million channels on my digital cable box and find absolutely nothing worth watching. Here's hoping that Aaron Sorkin comes back to television and that people kick-start their brains into watching something that doesn't involve bad singing, vampires, or sex and violence. Fat chance.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Salute to the Wife
Yeah, I know the title is a bit corny, and this isn't going to be a long post. But I just want to give a shout to my wife of 14 years. When she married me and moved to this country with her then 6-year old son, a lot of things could have gone wrong. She was an independent woman who had her own life in France and her whole family within Metro distance. Still, she decided to marry this guy with numerous idiosyncrasies, anxieties, and other issues and do her best to make a life with him.
I'm very pleased to say that after 14 years, our life (IMHO) is a very happy one. She is everything I could have dreamed of and more. We now have a house of our own, a step-son turned adopted son who is about to turn 21, and goals that we share and work towards as a team. In addition, she is beyond doubt my best friend, who I rely on and who I enjoy spending time with more than anyone else.
To my wife...you are absolutely the best. I truly look forward to every day with you, and that means to eternity.
Sappy stuff over. Future posts will return to their sarcastic normal selves.
I'm very pleased to say that after 14 years, our life (IMHO) is a very happy one. She is everything I could have dreamed of and more. We now have a house of our own, a step-son turned adopted son who is about to turn 21, and goals that we share and work towards as a team. In addition, she is beyond doubt my best friend, who I rely on and who I enjoy spending time with more than anyone else.
To my wife...you are absolutely the best. I truly look forward to every day with you, and that means to eternity.
Sappy stuff over. Future posts will return to their sarcastic normal selves.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Hesitation
I really wish that I was an organized person. As I sit here looking at my desk in my home office, I see scattered papers and miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam that has no business being on a desk. That isn't the worst of it, though. The worst is my habit of procrastinating. Not just any kind of procrastination. It's the kind where I physically cannot force myself to do what I need to. For example, if I have an assignment to give a talk, I have the worst time just sitting down and writing. Unless I have an idea in mind, I waffle and waver and refuse to get going. It's very frustrating.
I was at a convention over the weekend. It isn't the type where people wear funny hats and talk about new forms of orthodontia. Actually, it was a religious gathering where we are taught from the Bible. Now, I find the topics entirely interesting, but then my ADD kicks in and I have the worst time focusing. Still, I got most of the info out of the weekend. But hiding at the back of my mind the whole time was the fact that I brought my laptop to the hotel to work on my assignment for the following Saturday, and never worked on it. Was I tired? Yes, but not to the point where I couldn't do the work. Was I lazy? Yes, but not to the point where I was immovable. Instead, I just dreaded doing the writing.
Anyway, I stayed home from work today to recuperate, take care of some "honey-do's", and write the talk. The first draft is done, and I'm sure I'll have to edit and cut and time it out to 30 minutes. I just wish I had finished it a week ago. Don't worry. By the time I have the next assignment, I'll forget the wish I just made and procrastinate again. I'll tell you about it...sometime.
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