I’ve never really been good at putting together a roadmap of what my next 5 or 10 years might look like. The version of me that I want to be in 5 years is one who has taken advantage of whatever interesting opportunities have come my way. I tend to be a bit like a raccoon in that respect, being distracted by shiny new possibilities. Finally, I’ve realized that I need to build that knowledge of myself into my plans.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that my long-term goal is not to stay at my current job forever. It’s a great job at a fantastic company, but ultimately, my passion lies elsewhere. And if you’re going to be happy in your career, you have to do what you’re passionate about, right? So where does that take me?
It takes me everywhere. I’m interested in a lot of different things, mostly creative in nature. I love photography, and I’m picking up more gigs doing that. (By the way, I cleaned up and fixed my gallery, which had also been attacked by that virus last year.) I’m still doing some web work. I enjoy writing.
One thing I have a dream to do is to combine these talents to help people document their family history. I love doing work that makes people sentimental, and the gratitude for catching that family portrait or sharing old family photos with others is really fulfilling.
I can’t wait until the day that I can focus on my own business and choose to pursue the types of jobs that I really enjoy. And I’m trying to be realistic about my strengths and weaknesses. Paperwork: weakness. Sales: weakness. Luckily, I have people around me who can help with those things.
Bottom line: I have no idea what my future holds. It’s a good thing I thrive on change and uncertainty.
Have you heard of Hulu? It’s a website where you can go to watch tv shows and movies online. NBC and Fox both use it to offer up their shows for viewing, including old shows (what’s up, Doogie Howser?!).
Check it out to catch up on Chuck, Fringe, Friday Night Lights (welcome back!), and more.
First things first - thanks for all the prayers for Poppa. He’s doing pretty well after his surgery - drugged up and trying to get some rest. Will keep you posted as I know more. Oh, they’re leaving him in the immobilizer for about a week I think, to give him a chance to heal first before he starts physical therapy. I’m sure it will make that more painful and difficult, but the primary concern is avoiding any problems with the healing process.
My jaw dropped when I just visited TV Guide - not one, not two, but three of the shows I watch faithfully are going to be cancelled after their 13 episodes are up this winter: Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, and Dirty, Sexy Money. Boo! Especially for Eli Stone, which has quickly become one of my favorite shows on now. Maybe it’s not too late - tune in at 9:00pm on Tuesday nights for Eli Stone. It’s good stuff.
Joe (Tom’s stepdad) is getting his new knee tomorrow, so please say lots of prayers for him and the doctors. It’s been a horrendous year of recovery and frustration for him. He had a clean-out surgery a few weeks ago that was luckily successful so that he would be able to get the new one put in. The first one, back in February, wasn’t successful, and we need this one to be. No one should have to go through all that he’s been through this year.
As for me, I’m hanging in there. I’ve been struggling a bit with my insides lately - lots of pain and not much sleep. The happy news on the work front is that I got a promotion, so that’s great news. It’s nice to be recognized for all the effort I’ve been putting into this job.
We’re hosting Thanksgiving again this year, so we’re trying to clean up the house a bit. We got a new sofa & loveseat for the living room. That’s right - no more comfy couch. This new set is comfy couch 2.0 though - it’s got recliners on all 4 ends. Good stuff. We also got a new fridge, of the french door/freezer on the bottom variety. It’s really nice, and I like it a lot more than our old one. I’m a big fan of the layout.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’m working from home today, so it’s time to get cracking!
My grandpa passed away this morning. He has been through more illness in the last 20 years than any person should have made it through - heart attack, multiple bouts with cancer, and a stroke 2 years ago. I think he survived it all because he was just that stubborn.
He was an incredible man. He was still working well into his 80’s until the stroke happened. He was super intelligent, and loved his family fiercely. He and my grandma always had an open house and open hearts to anyone and everyone. They taught me so much about how to live life fully. Anyone who met them knows that they stayed young at heart throughout their whole lives. My brother always said that they were teenagers trapped in old bodies. He was always interested in our lives, and was so supportive and encouraging.
There are so many sayings and mannerisms he had that will live on in our family. One of the most memorable grandpa moments ever was when he was playing pinochle (a family pasttime). If you don’t know how to play, it’s a partner-based game where one partner calls a suit that is trump. Their partner will pass them three cards to try to improve their hand, and then the caller passes back three cards. My dad had called hearts as trump, and grandpa was his partner. Dad picked up his three cards, and stared at the first one like it was an alien. He shows it to everyone and stares questioningly at grandpa. It was a 9 of clubs. That is THE crappiest card that he could have given him (9 is the lowest card in pinochle). Grandpa explained that he didn’t want to break up some points that he had in his hand. I think almost every time we play now, we don’t make it through the game without someone making a 9 of clubs crack. At the wake, I’m totally going to bring a deck of cards and slip the 9 of clubs into his casket.
I think back and am so grateful that my grandparents were able to make it to our wedding, and that I danced a polka with grandpa. I’m sad for my brother that he won’t be there for his wedding. My heart breaks for grandma that he’s gone. They were married for 54 years. Please say some prayers for her and the rest of the family. Even though we knew this was coming, his passing happened really quickly. I know that I’m kicking myself for not making a trip down there, but I thought I had more time. I’m sure others are thinking the same thing. I will miss him terribly, but knowing that he’s watching out for all of us from heaven just the way he did in life gives me some peace.
Tom & I were in the car yesterday when we heard this for the first time. It’s a song that Eddie Vedder (the lead singer of Pearl Jam) wrote about the Cubs at Ernie Banks’ request. Someone put together a little slideshow of photos and posted it up to YouTube. Check it out, even if you’re a Sox fan - it’s a great song.
You can download the official version of the song for $0.99 on Pearl Jam’s website.
