In the movie Up In The Air, George Clooney's character says, "Cameras are for people with bad memories." I kind of agree. I don't take a lot of pictures. For the most part I like to enjoy the event and move on. Although to be honest, I would probably take more pictures if I ever remembered to take my camera with me. That's another kind of memory issue.
Around the office here, we have developed a fairly deep hatred for the word fine. If I ask you how something is, and you respond, "It's fine," I am going to conclude that you're also saying that it's not great. Fine is fine, and great is great. There's no confusing the two. If we're satisfied with fine, we are likely not pursuing great. And that's not a place I like to be.
We did a lot of camping as a family when I was a kid. We packed up our van (mom and dad did all the work, but I still like to say we), and the five of us piled in for more hours in a vehicle than any family should ever spend together. Our itinerary usually took us west. Yellowstone, Canada, Tetons, Mount Rainer, Badlands, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Mount Rushmore, Wall Drug, Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA. You get the idea.
Quick. Close your eyes and name the first five people that come to mind that you think have a great attitude. (Mary, James, Hanna, Meg, and Mike.) Ok, good.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend the Indianapolis 500. You have to see it to believe it. I recommend putting it on your list of things to try and sneak in once before you die. It has nothing to do with being a racing fan. The sights, sounds, smells, and more than 300,000 fans. It is bigger than life. It's always scheduled for the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, so the 2010 version is only a few weeks away. They Daytona 500 is next on my list.
So one May Day in elementary school (a long, long time ago) my classmates and I spent the day with our teacher making May baskets for our moms. We cut and pasted, and decorated, and drew, and colored. We filled them with candy, and pictures, and flowers. They were third-grade masterpieces.
I had dinner with a friend last night who likely has a secret mantle full of trophies for all kinds of competitions he has won for being the worlds biggest worrier. I mean really. Worry about work, about family, about world peace, about the weather, about the economy, about Iraq, about Iran, about the Yellowstone super-volcano, about icy roads, about a sore throat, about terrorism, about germs, about Obama, about Bush, about a hair in his food, about how his meat is cooked, about health care reform, about...
I wish I had played a little less football in the yard with my friends in fifth grade, and taken piano lessons instead. Now, of course there's no way anyone could have convinced me of that in 1978. (In fact, my inner child is on the floor right now rolling around in laughter!) But, today I find myself with virtually no musical talent. I don't even subject the bottle of shampoo to my singing. I wish I had stuck with those piano lessons. Oddly enough, all of my front-yard football didn't land me a position in the NFL either. I wish I knew then, what I know now.
From all accounts, Heisman Trophy winning Texas Longhorn, New Orleans Saint, on again, off again Miami Dolphin running back Ricky Williams had a tough childhood. There have been allegations of abuse among other things. His tough childhood has transformed into an unpredictable adulthood. As I was watching his bio last night on ESPN, I was really inspired by something he said.
Ok, there are just some things we'll never see eye to eye on. I get it, and I'm fine with it. Just please don't hurt me for what I am about to say.
I have been spending the last few days with my parents in Minneapolis. When I was growing up, my dad used to corner me (and likely my brother & sister too) and force me to have meaningful discussions. Meaning of life kind of stuff. Of course all we wanted to do was escape, and sink back in to an episode of Tom & Jerry, or a game of football in the yard with friends.
Education is good. Knowledge is good. Experience is good. Planning is good. A mentor is good. Street smarts are good. Advice is good. Common sense is good. Research is good.
