Escape

Lately I've been taking Mini-vacations at work. It's easy and it only takes a few minutes when the phone isn't ringing you just let your mind drift away... here's my latest trip:

I look out the window in my boss' office, today I can see the ocean; it glistens in the distance like a mirror. It doesn't always look so beautiful or clear but today is a treat. I can see the cars bustling about, going in all directions. The light reflects of their windows & mirrors... it looks like an erratic sea of cars, with each reflection being its own wave crest. The 405 looks like a healthy flowing artery, much unlike the clog it'll experience when we all decide to go home; nonetheless, it looks sane, purposeful and in working order. To the right there's the lush Veteran's memorial, such a nice site amongst the sea of cars & concrete.

Time to come back... work needs to get done... it was quick yet relaxing. Till next time...

Where did my Funnies go?

It's been a long time since I wrote a more-funny-than-usual post. In fact, I can't seem to make fun of situations... b/c I am actually happy - not that I wasn't happy before... but now, I'm just contently happy. Wow... that doesn't sound happy at all. In fact, it seems that we must be ecstatically happy, or not happy at all, but contently happy is good. It's stable and slightly predictable and it allows us to really enjoy the ride. Bring on the C-happy!

Here's the paradox in funnies, in order to be funny the 'funnies' have to be witty, sad, tragic, mean spirited, negative and/or make fun, in any combination, of the aforementioned; possibly adding a hint of other 'stuff' I've forgotten to mention.  

However, despite this oxymoron... I have found something rather amusing in the last couple of weeks - and no, it's not people on the freeway. It's Politics! Oh god no! Even I know not to go there... it's, it's the fact that the more positive thinking I try to do, the less I can make fun of people. Though this may not sound funny, it actually is! It requires tremendous amounts of energy to dedicate mean spirited thoughts to any given subject/individual. Not to mention the possible retaliation one must be prepared for. In fact, ignoring it is much easier and possibly even selfish; it boils down to: I just don't care - now there is a funny remnant. Ok... so maybe it's not that I don't care... but then where did my funnies go? Somehow I feel like this is ominous... is this C-happy here to stay? Have I completely lost my witticism? Ah! ghastly thought and yet it's a catch 22, so long as you miss your funnies, they are not gone for sure.

Here's a catch 22 quote:

" He (Yossarian) had decided to live forever or die in the attempt"

Being hungry

Lately I've been pondering what 'being hungry' means. Finally, I had a mini-epiphany... I was eating this chocolate chip scone and it tasted sooooooooo good. Then I had lunch, as if breakfast hadn't been enough, and that also tasted sooooo good. Not being 'starving' hungry, could it be possible that the food was absolutely delicious today although in past times it hasn't been? And then it hit me (slap your forehead with the palm of your hand for added effect) somedays things are just better. Not only food, work, driving, weather, career, etc... Pause for a second... career? are people hungry in their careers? Is it safe to assume this hunger is in pursuit of success? Is that why we crave good-work days? Or even better... is that why some people crave job status... is it sheer hunger? Not too long ago I would've answered 'Yes' - emphatically so. In fact, I would've also said, not only do we need to be hungry but we need to be seeking out opportunities to be hungry and demonstrate what a voracious appetite we have. Now... now I'm not so sure. I'm hungry, yes... but just hungry to do things well and although I think that's enough to prepare you for opportunities, I'm not so sure if it necessarily makes you successful. (Success being a discussion for some other time... 'cause that's going to take a while)

Back to sheer career hunger. So, some artists are hungry to express their art; some executives are hungry to make 'things' happen; sales people close deals; academics publish papers - and all these people share one common thing - Targeted Hunger. So, what happens to the rest of us who are hungry but don't have a set goal just yet? I used to feel like such a loser b/c I absolutely believed that I have it in me to be better and yet I couldn't seem to focus on any one thing for too long. I am now trying a different strategy - hunger rationing. Ration hunger to satisfying doses, which will keep you hungry longer and ultimately more focused. In other words, that same fueling hunger sometimes burns us up. Wow! I guess sometimes eating those not-good-for-your-body scones turns out good for your mind. 

Funnies

Generally speaking my blog is a bit... blah?.... just b/c there's no pretty pictures to look at, and we all know that pretty pictures make a world of a difference (my 4yr old nephew can attest to that). So today I'll 'spice' things around w/ 2 pics I found cute & 'oh-so-perfect' for those really, really slow days. Here we go:

(credits: Anneke's gallery from Picasa web Albums... and no, I don't know her (I think it's a her) but I loved this picture)

Isn't this one just perfect?.... 

Olympics

The Olympics are almost over. There was a chinese frenzy, all over the world, over this momentous event. Not that there wasn't a Greek frenzy for the last Olympics but let's face it, there's a lot more chinese than there are greeks. This commotion has got me thinking... thinking about what it is like to be an Olympian. WOW.... doesn't that just give you thrilling goose bumps? Imagine being able to call yourself an 'Olympian'.... wow.

Funny enough, they are not that different to the rest of us; except, of course, for their record setting feats. They get married, they have children, they go to school and work-out (if you can call it a workout). Above all, they have fierce determination & incredible work (or workout) ethic. And, despite scandals of some athletes using drugs to enhance their performance, we think of Olympians as very honorable individuals. Yes, along w/ the Nobel Prizes, medalling in the Olympics is generally regarded as having achieved a rare pinnacle reserved for the 'honorable' few. 

So, this got me thinking even more... why? After all they are just athletes. That, was the catch! I came to the conclusion they are not just athletes. They are held to a completely different standard than the rest of us. The Olympic Spirit carefully details in their mission: "Building a peaceful and better world... in the Olympic Spirit which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." In essence, Olympians are ambassadors, of honour, integrity, kindness, etc... But, somewhere in the unspoken they also represent THE hard-work of their nation. It is the latter that makes us most proud and for a brief 2 weeks we root for them, cheer while watching swimming or track & field events, thousands of miles away. We just hope that through them our country might be perpetuated in history, and with that our heritage will be also. For those who care, and it's not everyone, it feels that we share in their glory when they win... and frankly it feels nice. It's a bunch of people putting their best foot forward, everyday, for the 2 weeks they are under public scrutiny and they show us, admirably well that this can be a better world. Then, we're back to the grind, the news about how politicians can't make up their mind with the state budget, how Russia invaded Georgia under some bogus excuse, how Obama & McCain are going at it again, etc... we drown our are senses with negative news for another 4 years... until the Olympics role around again. Ok, so it's not that bad, but I make it sound good, don't I?

Talk about dreams Jay...

You are walking along side a creek... alone. There is no rush; you hear the leaves crinkle as you step on them. It's a cool autumn afternoon and the sun will soon lazily set. The stream of water next to you soothingly bubbles & turns it's way to the ocean. You won't walk that far, soon you'll turn to go home but for now the walk feels great. No worries in the world, you just left all that troubles you behind. Nothing is due anytime soon little things like the breeze caressing your cheek, distract you. It's absolutely beautiful; it's quiet & peaceful; it's not perfect and yet it is.

You keep walking, you feel warm but not hot. Leaving the creek behind, the path leads you to the top of a hill from which you can see the neighboring town. Thin streams of smoke creep from the chimney of some houses in the distance. You stare and absorb it all in... you hope you'll never forget how little and insignificant you are and how wonderful that feels. Life has a wonderful way of unfolding in front of your eyes.

End of July

Oh my!!!! it's the end of July and I haven't posted anything this month. To be honest, there's been a lot on my mind. 

Let's recap the month in just a few words:

• Lang Lang, Tchaikovsky & Fireworks: Sooooooooo much fun. We went to the Hollywood Bowl, had a terrific picnic with waaaaaaaaay too much food left over. Some delish Empanadas, Chicken, Chinese food, champagne (or was that wine)... and of course great music. 
• Julie Andrews concert: Again we went to the Hollywood Bowl (I was on a roll when I bought the tickets). Although she didn't sing much it was still nice to see her MC her event. I'm guessing that might be one of the last time she sings in public so I'm really glad we got to see her.
• Viewsonic Dragonboat Tournament: Yay!!!! We had a blast of a weekend. Although Alpine didn't medal this year (and we were close... oh so close) We did medal with KG. Just bronzes... but SF.... (pause for effect) HERE WE COME!

So, I hope to write more often... but for now, that's July in a nutshell :-)