Monday, August 01, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
The next post
I often think to myself what other peoples lives, total strangers, must be like. What are they thinking about now, I mean in the moment that I see them.
The other day I saw a young man, maybe 22 or so, Mexican, long white shirt, just like the two fellows walking alongside him. He had a very confident stride, and a small ear stud with a star shape to it. Was the star significant to him, and if so, what did it mean? It seemed out of place on such a macho guy. Why did he choose the white shirt? Is the social world he is in so rigid that all the men must wear the same shirt? Where were he and his friends walking to? What was the source of his confidence? Was it bravado that he wore just to be tough enough for the street?
I hope that he is happy with his life and his friends. I hope that he is prosperous and that he is or becomes a good father and role model to his children. I hope that he lives to be an old man, with his family around him, and love in his heart. I hope that his star ear stud makes someone else smile at the whimsy of it.
The other day I saw a young man, maybe 22 or so, Mexican, long white shirt, just like the two fellows walking alongside him. He had a very confident stride, and a small ear stud with a star shape to it. Was the star significant to him, and if so, what did it mean? It seemed out of place on such a macho guy. Why did he choose the white shirt? Is the social world he is in so rigid that all the men must wear the same shirt? Where were he and his friends walking to? What was the source of his confidence? Was it bravado that he wore just to be tough enough for the street?
I hope that he is happy with his life and his friends. I hope that he is prosperous and that he is or becomes a good father and role model to his children. I hope that he lives to be an old man, with his family around him, and love in his heart. I hope that his star ear stud makes someone else smile at the whimsy of it.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Rip Van Blogger
Just a few short weeks ago, it was still snowing at the cabin. We went and worked anyway...
And yesterday it was about 80 degrees, we went swimming in the lake, and the interior of the house is actually looking like you'd like to rent it.
Andy asked me, "How do you stay motivated to keep working on it?" I think it's because it is so relaxing to be there.
Andy asked me, "How do you stay motivated to keep working on it?" I think it's because it is so relaxing to be there.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Remember me? I used to blog here.
Hello kids,
Let me share the latest news from Tahoe:
SNOW ON MOUNTAINS MAKES LARGE PILE OUTSIDE HOUSE
The amount of snow we've had this year is, we are assured by the locals, way more than usual. This has made a huge pile of snow that we've had to dig through several times. SO MUCH FUN! Since we've gone up there every weekend for a month, we've dug in the snow for at least a couple of hours each time. Last week, Sharon dug a huge pile away from the windows (both of them) so we could have light in the house.
And now the latest from inside the house - the ugly fireplace is NO MORE. Looky here!
After all of that fun, there was electrical stuff to be installed above the fireplace and inside on the right there (done), and a whole lot of plumbing work to be finished up in the kitchen. When that was all getting done, our (awesome) friend Andrew labored away on finishing up some upstairs demolition, and installing some itchy insulation. YAY ANDREW!
The snow (yes, even more snow on April 22) started falling when the kitchen plumbing was getting done and we had to get all finished up and get on with the driving home. Each time the drive seems a little shorter and more zen-like. Even so, it's still kind of a long way.
Next week, sheetrock and some gas plumbing (this time, done by other$). Shortly after that, we'll be getting a brand new, and stunning, gas fireplace.
Summer rentals, here we come!
Let me share the latest news from Tahoe:
SNOW ON MOUNTAINS MAKES LARGE PILE OUTSIDE HOUSE
The amount of snow we've had this year is, we are assured by the locals, way more than usual. This has made a huge pile of snow that we've had to dig through several times. SO MUCH FUN! Since we've gone up there every weekend for a month, we've dug in the snow for at least a couple of hours each time. Last week, Sharon dug a huge pile away from the windows (both of them) so we could have light in the house.
And now the latest from inside the house - the ugly fireplace is NO MORE. Looky here!
The snow (yes, even more snow on April 22) started falling when the kitchen plumbing was getting done and we had to get all finished up and get on with the driving home. Each time the drive seems a little shorter and more zen-like. Even so, it's still kind of a long way.
Next week, sheetrock and some gas plumbing (this time, done by other$). Shortly after that, we'll be getting a brand new, and stunning, gas fireplace.
Summer rentals, here we come!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hi Mom!
I called my mom today for the first time in a long time, way more than a year. Though she's not geriatric, she lives in an assisted living setting because she had a major stroke several years back. I'm happy to report that she's doing well, and that she was delighted to hear from her long lost son. We shared the news that each other had missed out on, and she was (naturally) astounded at how the kids had grown up.
She tells me she's reading now; it wasn't possible for quite a while after the stroke, and that she gets in lots of time for her art and for spiritual reading.
We reminded each other that we loved each other. It was great just to talk to her again.
And yes Pam, I am a punctuation perfectionist. :-)
She tells me she's reading now; it wasn't possible for quite a while after the stroke, and that she gets in lots of time for her art and for spiritual reading.
We reminded each other that we loved each other. It was great just to talk to her again.
And yes Pam, I am a punctuation perfectionist. :-)
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
The news of the moment...
Facebook has made a mockery of my blogging fortitude. My pithy outlet has become posting quips to my friends' updates. Sheesh. I come here to my spiritual center, The Flaming Scroll Of Doom™ to redeem myself.
Most importantly, I have a cold. I spent the bulk of the day sleeping. It's an exciting life I lead. After snoozing til three, I felt the cold hand of death lifting from my mortal body and I got up and had breakfast. Charlie Sheen only wishes his existence was so interesting.
Last night I had the time of my life doing a backup and restore on the iPhone. Actually, since it's Apple, they call it a reset that you then optionally restore at the end of the process. It was needlessly confusing. The process allowed Mr Phone to recognize the SSL certificate needed for the new email system at work. I know, too exciting!
Would you believe that the dog wants to get walked? I know, the glamor.
Most importantly, I have a cold. I spent the bulk of the day sleeping. It's an exciting life I lead. After snoozing til three, I felt the cold hand of death lifting from my mortal body and I got up and had breakfast. Charlie Sheen only wishes his existence was so interesting.
Last night I had the time of my life doing a backup and restore on the iPhone. Actually, since it's Apple, they call it a reset that you then optionally restore at the end of the process. It was needlessly confusing. The process allowed Mr Phone to recognize the SSL certificate needed for the new email system at work. I know, too exciting!
Would you believe that the dog wants to get walked? I know, the glamor.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
And then there were none
Long ago (really long) I had three very close friends. We saw each other daily more or less. We worked together on rebuilding a theater, we ate together, hung out together, and shared a few million laughs. To this day, we are friends. We may not see each other often enough, but when we do it's always comfortable.
As a youth, I new their fathers in addition to my friends. Each was his own man, with his own foibles and personality, just like my dad. Each of them shared traits that at the time I didn't see, but now in the long view I can see them clearly.
They loved their sons, and they were dedicated to their sons becoming men, not just bigger boys. Each of them in their own way ensured that we knew that we weren't as smart as we thought we were. None of them did this with a heavy hand, they used their wit and with gentle reminders of the facts that we, as big boys, ignorantly overlooked.
Each of these men became somewhere between acquaintances and friends of mine when I was finally an adult. I worked for my father many times, and he taught me so much about working with my hands that I can't even begin to catalog all of them. One of them graced my home as an occasional guest for some 30 odd years. I acted onstage with another one, who had been my drama teacher so many years ago. I went to work for one a few times in one of the most arcane jobs I've ever held - assistant pipe-organ technician.
None of them were young when I first met them, and one by one they have left us to fend for ourselves.
First, Dave's father Allen passed away. His son took over his business for a time, and now breeds show dogs and still works in the theater that I acted in under the tutelage of one of the other men.
Then my father passed away. That left a pretty big hole in my life, as you might imagine. No longer could I share what I had done with the man that had taught me so much.
Then Bill's father passed away. His memorial gathered about 750 friends, family, and former students - some of them famous, others just passionate about how much they had learned. A few months before he died I shared a stage with him as he portrayed Thurston Howell III. It was moving.
This last week, My friend Fred, Julian's dad passed away. He had delighted us with stories of his youth, impressed us with his skills as a jeweler, and been one of the most jolly fellow I've ever known.
I knew these good men for a good long time. Each of them was a great man each in his own way. They weren't rich and powerful, but they had a big effect on me and I'll miss each and every one of them for a long time to come.
As a youth, I new their fathers in addition to my friends. Each was his own man, with his own foibles and personality, just like my dad. Each of them shared traits that at the time I didn't see, but now in the long view I can see them clearly.
They loved their sons, and they were dedicated to their sons becoming men, not just bigger boys. Each of them in their own way ensured that we knew that we weren't as smart as we thought we were. None of them did this with a heavy hand, they used their wit and with gentle reminders of the facts that we, as big boys, ignorantly overlooked.
Each of these men became somewhere between acquaintances and friends of mine when I was finally an adult. I worked for my father many times, and he taught me so much about working with my hands that I can't even begin to catalog all of them. One of them graced my home as an occasional guest for some 30 odd years. I acted onstage with another one, who had been my drama teacher so many years ago. I went to work for one a few times in one of the most arcane jobs I've ever held - assistant pipe-organ technician.
None of them were young when I first met them, and one by one they have left us to fend for ourselves.
First, Dave's father Allen passed away. His son took over his business for a time, and now breeds show dogs and still works in the theater that I acted in under the tutelage of one of the other men.
Then my father passed away. That left a pretty big hole in my life, as you might imagine. No longer could I share what I had done with the man that had taught me so much.
Then Bill's father passed away. His memorial gathered about 750 friends, family, and former students - some of them famous, others just passionate about how much they had learned. A few months before he died I shared a stage with him as he portrayed Thurston Howell III. It was moving.
This last week, My friend Fred, Julian's dad passed away. He had delighted us with stories of his youth, impressed us with his skills as a jeweler, and been one of the most jolly fellow I've ever known.
I knew these good men for a good long time. Each of them was a great man each in his own way. They weren't rich and powerful, but they had a big effect on me and I'll miss each and every one of them for a long time to come.
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