Apparently I have a tendency to attract really crazy people. I knew this was the case in my dating years (I once was asked out by a guy whose car I "borrowed without permission," and don't even get me started on the visiting Iraqi professor during the first Gulf War.) When I told my mother of my revelation she casually said, "Yes, dear, our whole family attracts crazies," as if I'd told her I finally realized we were all blue eyed, or something.
This self-awareness, like most, has pluses and minuses.
First the pluses:
1. I now know I must be more tentative with budding friendships where the other party is just a tad too zealous.
2. It is clear to me that my family is not nearly as crazy as I had generally believed.
3. Hmm...that's all I've got so far.
Now, the minuses:
1. My general easy going acceptance of people right when I meet them is akin to a target on my forehead to loonies.
2. I have ignored my Spidey senses at my own peril.
3. Being a grown up means I can't tell people the whole truth about situations where the crazies have been dishonest. (I really hate this one.)
This realization is forcing me to bring my cares and concerns before my Lord instead of anyone else, and I grow in my dependence on Him. Hey! I think I just found #3 for the pluses!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Hello Again, Part II
And another thing...
I've realized another not-so-good net result of the past coupla years: my behavior as a consumer have changed dramatically, as have DAT's plans as a business owner.
Now, even if I could find my fabled "house on the beach for a dollar," I wouldn't buy it. The tax burdens are ridiculous. Do you think DAT is gonna buy that warehouse? I think not. Or add more trucks to the fleet? Uh...notsomuch. And we're not the sharpest tools in the shed, so imagine how much more reserved/conservative/prudent others will be with their resources...
I've realized another not-so-good net result of the past coupla years: my behavior as a consumer have changed dramatically, as have DAT's plans as a business owner.
Now, even if I could find my fabled "house on the beach for a dollar," I wouldn't buy it. The tax burdens are ridiculous. Do you think DAT is gonna buy that warehouse? I think not. Or add more trucks to the fleet? Uh...notsomuch. And we're not the sharpest tools in the shed, so imagine how much more reserved/conservative/prudent others will be with their resources...
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
So...Like...Um...Yeah
So the whole seventh grade experience never really leaves girls....Ouch.
I have (sadly, mind you) come to the realization that those women folk with a flair for the dramatic never really outgrow it. As a "guy's girl" I spent much of my adolescence, teen, and young adult years anxious for full blown adulthood. I thought that when all the girls grew up, the drama-rama would end. Alas, I am a bona fide (read 40+) adult, and this is not the case.
(In full disclosure, I must confess the dramatic use of hands while talking, and prolific use of the following: parentheses, em-dashes, and far too many ellipses.)
I have (sadly, mind you) come to the realization that those women folk with a flair for the dramatic never really outgrow it. As a "guy's girl" I spent much of my adolescence, teen, and young adult years anxious for full blown adulthood. I thought that when all the girls grew up, the drama-rama would end. Alas, I am a bona fide (read 40+) adult, and this is not the case.
(In full disclosure, I must confess the dramatic use of hands while talking, and prolific use of the following: parentheses, em-dashes, and far too many ellipses.)
Back in the Saddle
So, we were off like a relatively well oiled machine this morning. I am grateful to be back at something consistent, but hate having deadlines and living by clocks again. I am by nature a slow mover and procrastinator.
One perk, however, is getting to hear snippets of Dennis Miller as I drive the kids to school. The downside is that I then want to spend the rest of the morning listening to his show and sitting in a cozy chair with lotsa coffee handy.
This morning, I'm online (trying to have an iChat date with Europeanne, but we are experiencing technical difficulties) so I will squeeze in some blogging. What a good job I'm doing, not wasting a moment!
Dennis had S E Cupp on this morning, and I only got to hear a few minutes of her, so I'll be following up with the podcast. She is the author of Losing Our Religion, a book about the American cultural bias against Christians--written by an atheist. Dennis had her on because of this article in the New York Daily News. Her main point is that the atheists are not curious people. To them, all is decided, and only an idiot would continue to seek information on the matter. It's an easy short read and well worth a few minutes of your time.
What I think attracts me to Dennis' show is that he is funny. Quick, sharp and laugh out loud funny. And you know, that's not all that easy to do when talking politics and the state of the union.
One perk, however, is getting to hear snippets of Dennis Miller as I drive the kids to school. The downside is that I then want to spend the rest of the morning listening to his show and sitting in a cozy chair with lotsa coffee handy.
This morning, I'm online (trying to have an iChat date with Europeanne, but we are experiencing technical difficulties) so I will squeeze in some blogging. What a good job I'm doing, not wasting a moment!
Dennis had S E Cupp on this morning, and I only got to hear a few minutes of her, so I'll be following up with the podcast. She is the author of Losing Our Religion, a book about the American cultural bias against Christians--written by an atheist. Dennis had her on because of this article in the New York Daily News. Her main point is that the atheists are not curious people. To them, all is decided, and only an idiot would continue to seek information on the matter. It's an easy short read and well worth a few minutes of your time.
What I think attracts me to Dennis' show is that he is funny. Quick, sharp and laugh out loud funny. And you know, that's not all that easy to do when talking politics and the state of the union.
A Day Late (or 3 or 4)
So, my friend in Rome discovered this cool thing. I don't really even know what it means or is, but it sounds like a good idea. It seems nicely organized, too. Only problem for me, is it's 10:45PM on January 3, and I should have been ready to roll with it on January 1. Provided I can find whatever in the world a Molskine is and prepare one before the week is over, I just may try to do this Partnering to Remember (P2R) thing. Or I may try to find materials for the guy's Ephesians memory thingy, since we'll be diving into that for Sunday school...
Either way, like my friend, my faith is also sagging and needs some steel reinforcements a la this quote from Donald Whitney:
Thanks Anne, for the good info on a great idea.
Either way, like my friend, my faith is also sagging and needs some steel reinforcements a la this quote from Donald Whitney:
Memorizing Scripture is like reinforcing steel to a sagging faith, for it strengthens your faith by repeatedly reinforcing the truth, often just when you need to hear it again.
Thanks Anne, for the good info on a great idea.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Post Christmas Post
It was a good couple a weeks around here, and for that we are eternally grateful. DAT had Christmas and New Year's days off and even had an extra day off since Christmas fell on a weekend. (Finally a federal labor law that is useful.)
My mom, "Nanny", came to visit, and that always makes for a happy time. She is an optimist and then some, and it was good to see her smiling face each morning. I noticed when I picked her up from the airport that her amazing blue eyes fade in my memory; so they were stunning all over again. Each day we got up early and shared a pot of coffee, trying to solve the problems of the world. I tried my darnedest not to talk politics or bad mouth Dear Leader, but I just couldn't help myself. I don't think she was too offended. We didn't go anywhere, really, or do much at all, but it was good to have an old fashioned visit. Remember those?
My mom, "Nanny", came to visit, and that always makes for a happy time. She is an optimist and then some, and it was good to see her smiling face each morning. I noticed when I picked her up from the airport that her amazing blue eyes fade in my memory; so they were stunning all over again. Each day we got up early and shared a pot of coffee, trying to solve the problems of the world. I tried my darnedest not to talk politics or bad mouth Dear Leader, but I just couldn't help myself. I don't think she was too offended. We didn't go anywhere, really, or do much at all, but it was good to have an old fashioned visit. Remember those?
Unintended Bummer
When I re-read that post from yesterday, it seems like such a downer. That wasn't my mood when writing it, but I guess it is what it is. I was actually really happy to be blogging again. And I still am today. Hopefully I will discipline myself to use my time wisely enough to do more of this. It's the cheapest therapy I've ever had. ;-)
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Hello Again, Part I
There have been so many times when I have wanted to blog like mad lately. The time has escaped me, or it's been beyond PG-13, or some form of maturity got the better of me. What a couple of years it has been. Oh sure, the first year wasn't too bad, and frankly we planned for it to be rough. But this past one...uh, no, we did not see it coming.
The net result is such a change in both my husband and I that we are really not the same people we once were at all. This is both a good and a bad thing, as is often the case with dramatic learning curves. Between the professional assaults made personal, and the ever expanding government regulation of small business, it's a brave new world nowadays. And one we just don't care to gamble in any more, thankyouverymuch.
Both Dad-A-Thon (DAT) and I come from entrepreneurial families. It's a breed of human being, really. Perpetual optimists, with occasional brushes with skepticism. Entrepreneurs are what makes capitalism work: some crazy dude with authority issues decides he must do things his way, and voila! He's starting XYZ Window Washer Company. It's a gamble, but one that he hopes will pay off, if not in his lifetime, in the lifetime of his children. This spirit is what has changed the trajectory of many an immigrant's life in what was once called The Melting Pot.
Now, however, the gamble simply isn't worth it. And I am sad to say, that though I despise it, I see a future where the only responsible way to take care of yourself and provide for your family is to beat down that independent spirit and get a secure job. I hate that italicized phrase with every ounce of my being. But it is no longer a gamble to risk time and resources in the hopes that you can compete and win in a free market. It's downright stupid. The bet is rigged for all players to lose and the house to win.
About two years ago, a friend asked me if I hoped that one or both of the Kids-A-Thon would run the family biz one day. My answer--a knee jerk reaction--was, "I hope not! I hope they won't have to work that hard." If she were to ask me that question now, I'd still say "No," but I'd follow it with, "The risk simply isn't worth the cost to one's self and family." (Okay, I wouldn't actually say, "one's self," but you get the idea.)
What I've learned from the past couple of years has been hard, but mostly it's been sad. I'm sad that I've moved from letting the kids consider the idea of carrying on their ancestors' legacies, to actively counseling them against the idea. And I'm sad that this nation once fought so desperately for freedom, and is now handing it over utterly unaware.
The net result is such a change in both my husband and I that we are really not the same people we once were at all. This is both a good and a bad thing, as is often the case with dramatic learning curves. Between the professional assaults made personal, and the ever expanding government regulation of small business, it's a brave new world nowadays. And one we just don't care to gamble in any more, thankyouverymuch.
Both Dad-A-Thon (DAT) and I come from entrepreneurial families. It's a breed of human being, really. Perpetual optimists, with occasional brushes with skepticism. Entrepreneurs are what makes capitalism work: some crazy dude with authority issues decides he must do things his way, and voila! He's starting XYZ Window Washer Company. It's a gamble, but one that he hopes will pay off, if not in his lifetime, in the lifetime of his children. This spirit is what has changed the trajectory of many an immigrant's life in what was once called The Melting Pot.
Now, however, the gamble simply isn't worth it. And I am sad to say, that though I despise it, I see a future where the only responsible way to take care of yourself and provide for your family is to beat down that independent spirit and get a secure job. I hate that italicized phrase with every ounce of my being. But it is no longer a gamble to risk time and resources in the hopes that you can compete and win in a free market. It's downright stupid. The bet is rigged for all players to lose and the house to win.
About two years ago, a friend asked me if I hoped that one or both of the Kids-A-Thon would run the family biz one day. My answer--a knee jerk reaction--was, "I hope not! I hope they won't have to work that hard." If she were to ask me that question now, I'd still say "No," but I'd follow it with, "The risk simply isn't worth the cost to one's self and family." (Okay, I wouldn't actually say, "one's self," but you get the idea.)
What I've learned from the past couple of years has been hard, but mostly it's been sad. I'm sad that I've moved from letting the kids consider the idea of carrying on their ancestors' legacies, to actively counseling them against the idea. And I'm sad that this nation once fought so desperately for freedom, and is now handing it over utterly unaware.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)