I Have Learned
That family may be both the best and worst people in your life.
That bad things often happen because good people stand idly by.
That best friends aren't always forever.
That you cannot will a person to be better.
That it can get very dark before the dawn.
That the rules of engagement are highly subjective, and
That unsportsmanlike conduct is sometimes necessary.
That at times you need to let go of something you love, and
That the timing of this will always be bad.
I have also learned...
That these experiences build character.
That help often appears in the nick of time, and
That it may come from the direction you least expect.
That things work out alright in the end, and
That if it's not right, it's not the end.
That every person carries with them their own unique wisdom.
That circumstances have made me what I am, but also
That I made the circumstances and can make different ones.
Perspective and Priority
"Don't treat anyone as priority if they treat you like an option."
Kudos to Karan for this one.
Bombed
At the airport ticket counter I tried to explain why I had no boarding pass even though I'd checked in online. My browser had crashed before I could print it.
My simple explanation was that my printer had 'bombed'. Thankfully, Edmonton is a really relaxed town. The word 'bombed' is high on the list of unwelcome words at the airport.
I caught my flight on time, and yes, I'm still a man. There was no snapping of the rubber glove...this time.
John F. Kennedy – Wikiquote
"Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."
The World Needs…
At times we look down on those that we consider overly idealistic. This is especially true as we age and (some of us) seek to weed this character 'flaw' out of ourselves.
Certainly this trait can be a downside, especially to the person displaying it. It can lead to disappointment in a world which often reveals itself to be less than perfect. Others who mean well may even belittle the idealist, urging them to be realistic in an effort to help.
These days I'm of the opinion that the idealist is essential to my survival and yours. We need the idealist like we need air. Free of usual constraints, he or she paints beautiful pictures of how the world is, or more importantly, how it could be. With their simple straightforward belief, they can inspire the rest of us to do better, dream bigger, and keep hope.
A big thank you goes out to one such person in particular, blessed with a persistence bordering on obsession. You know who you are.
Drugs, Drugs, Drugs…
Which are good? Which are bad?
DO NOT GET SICK, whatever you do. After listening to my wheezing lungs, the doctor prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler. "If they were my lungs...", he said. Good enough for me.
The extensive drug information sheets, NOT already packaged with the drugs but provided as a courtesy by the pharmacy, state these possible side-effects:
Antibiotic
-Moderate to severe diarrhea (and if so, NOT to be treated with OTC medicines, either)
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Bad taste in mouth
-Indigestion
-Stomach pain
-Headache
and, to consult a physician ASAP if any of these occur:
-Emotional or mood changes
-Confusion
-Hallucinations
-Depression
-Nightmares
-Trouble sleeeping
Inhaler
-Fast heartbeat
-Nervousness
-Tremors
-Headache
-Difficulty sleeping
-Nausea
and, to consult a physician ASAP if any of these occur:
-Rash
-Hives
-Itching
-Wheezing
-Increased difficulty in breathing
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I complained of "emotional or mood changes, confusion, and hallucinations", they'd extend me an invitation to drug rehab...
Brave and Crazy
"He packs his car and picks a course upon a map
Maybe East of Eden or maybe farther West than all of that
Then he writes down everything he's seen, and everything that he feels
Then rips it up it doesn't say enough, and throws it in a passing field
Brave and crazy...brave on "
from "Brave and Crazy" by Tom Cochrane
Sweet Fortune
My favorite part of any Chinese food experience is the fortune cookie. Not only are they all made from the same perfectly tasty recipe, but the messages are often thought-provoking. These are some notable fortunes I've received:
"Listen not to vain words of empty tongue"
"Wisdom is like a river, the deeper it is the less noise it makes"
"Your home is a pleasant place from which you draw happiness."
"You were born with the skill to easily communicate with people"
"Your independence shall bring you bold adventure"
"People will listen to you and could be willing to help"
"Make use of contacts recently established."
The messages are generally right on time as well.
Speaking of right on time, my friend once opened a fortune cookie that declared "The time is now". Panic ensued and the rest of the day was spent speculating on what exactly it was time for. Better her than me.
Mythbuster Buster
Most of you have seen the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters". First of all, I want to say that I'm a big fan. Secondly, if you boys want to retire then look no further than me for your replacement.
There is a small issue of logic, though. It's very possible to prove that something can be done, but nigh on impossible to prove what can't be done.
The Possible:
1) Hurtle an icicle several floors down a tube toward a piece of meat.
2) Icicle pierces meat.
3) Prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a person could indeed sustain serious injury from a falling icicle.
The Impossible:
1) Blast a human subject with a variety of very powerful, low frequency sounds.
2) Subject retains bowel control and his/her underpants remain intact.
3) Prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the fabled "brown note" does not exist.
Thomas Edison stated " I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work " .
Be careful when attempting to prove that something can't be done. You will only succeed in demonstrating how it can't be done.