I decided to take the day completely off. It a a shame because it was an absolutely gorgeous day for running. Oh well. Still gonna be warm tomorrow.
I thought my life was complete until I heard the Jimi Hendrix version of Little Drummer Boy today! Fabulous! It is actually an instrumental medley of several christmas hymns. Very cool.
Speaking of dead musicians, I'm very sad to hear that Joe Cocker joined that group today. I suppose it's a small miracle that he lived to be 70 considering the way he lived. I suppose he got by with a little help from his friends. :)
And that brings us to iconic, still living musicians. Although he has turned pretty weird in his old age the "Madman Across The Water", was always one of my favourites. Elton John just got married. Way to go Rocketman!
North Korea didn't do it, but they promise more of it!! Good one Kim!
One of the major fringe benefits of having a grandson is that you can buy all kinds of shit that you wished they had, and/or that you couldn't afford, when you were a kid. My grandson has a birthday 4 days after Xmas so it's a doubly super time for me. I feel like a little kid just waiting.
I'm afraid I'm getting fat. I need to seriously get a grip on my eating habits! Soon! Very soon! Like not tomorrow, but soon! Maybe right after Xmas??
I had coffee this morning with 2 very dear. long time former coworkers who are of an age with me, and who both retired recently as well. They both have technical backgrounds as well, and it occurs to me that that technical history may leave one much better prepared for retirement. Like me, neither one of them is at a loss for stuff to do.
Speaking of stuff to do, Roo asked me the other day to build something for her Mom, and my spontaneous reaction to the request made me realize how much I appreciate my mother-in-law. She raised nine kids in circumstances that I have gradually come to realize make my own upbringing seem idyllic.
I'm telling you this next part not to get any credit but rather so that I can confess my selfishness. I made a resolve this year to never pass a Salvation Army kettle without putting something in it. Furthermore I decided it was always gonna be bills. Even though they are a religious organization I suspect that they actually put more of their donations to good use than any of the rest of them, so I'm kinda partial to them. Anyway, the part I want to talk about is the way I feel every time I put some money in their bucket. I feel selfish. Because of my rule, sometimes I'm disappointed that all I have is a twenty...no fives or tens. Sometimes I think about the fact that I can't get a tax receipt. Sometimes I wish I could get a pat on the back, although I know none is warranted. I think some of my thinking is distorted. Why these negative thoughts? It confuses me.....
And despite that, and finally for today, I am feeling more grateful than ever for the joys in my life. Chatting with my buddies this morning, both of whom have also travelled to some of the worlds shit holes, I was reminded once again of how some people live. One of the guys told a story of whole families (mom, dad, kids) digging trenches in the dirt of India, using only improvised tools. This labour got them enough money just to buy food. The trench they were digging was to bury high speed fibre optic cable to supply the state of the art automotive plant being built! My freaking god eh?? It confuses me...
And that's really it!
Three more sleeps...well actually only two for us cause we're gonna start a day early!!
"Before I came here I was confused about this subject. Having listened to your lecture I am still confused. But on a higher level."---Enrico Fermi
I thought my life was complete until I heard the Jimi Hendrix version of Little Drummer Boy today! Fabulous! It is actually an instrumental medley of several christmas hymns. Very cool.
Speaking of dead musicians, I'm very sad to hear that Joe Cocker joined that group today. I suppose it's a small miracle that he lived to be 70 considering the way he lived. I suppose he got by with a little help from his friends. :)
And that brings us to iconic, still living musicians. Although he has turned pretty weird in his old age the "Madman Across The Water", was always one of my favourites. Elton John just got married. Way to go Rocketman!
North Korea didn't do it, but they promise more of it!! Good one Kim!
One of the major fringe benefits of having a grandson is that you can buy all kinds of shit that you wished they had, and/or that you couldn't afford, when you were a kid. My grandson has a birthday 4 days after Xmas so it's a doubly super time for me. I feel like a little kid just waiting.
I'm afraid I'm getting fat. I need to seriously get a grip on my eating habits! Soon! Very soon! Like not tomorrow, but soon! Maybe right after Xmas??
I had coffee this morning with 2 very dear. long time former coworkers who are of an age with me, and who both retired recently as well. They both have technical backgrounds as well, and it occurs to me that that technical history may leave one much better prepared for retirement. Like me, neither one of them is at a loss for stuff to do.
Speaking of stuff to do, Roo asked me the other day to build something for her Mom, and my spontaneous reaction to the request made me realize how much I appreciate my mother-in-law. She raised nine kids in circumstances that I have gradually come to realize make my own upbringing seem idyllic.
I'm telling you this next part not to get any credit but rather so that I can confess my selfishness. I made a resolve this year to never pass a Salvation Army kettle without putting something in it. Furthermore I decided it was always gonna be bills. Even though they are a religious organization I suspect that they actually put more of their donations to good use than any of the rest of them, so I'm kinda partial to them. Anyway, the part I want to talk about is the way I feel every time I put some money in their bucket. I feel selfish. Because of my rule, sometimes I'm disappointed that all I have is a twenty...no fives or tens. Sometimes I think about the fact that I can't get a tax receipt. Sometimes I wish I could get a pat on the back, although I know none is warranted. I think some of my thinking is distorted. Why these negative thoughts? It confuses me.....
And despite that, and finally for today, I am feeling more grateful than ever for the joys in my life. Chatting with my buddies this morning, both of whom have also travelled to some of the worlds shit holes, I was reminded once again of how some people live. One of the guys told a story of whole families (mom, dad, kids) digging trenches in the dirt of India, using only improvised tools. This labour got them enough money just to buy food. The trench they were digging was to bury high speed fibre optic cable to supply the state of the art automotive plant being built! My freaking god eh?? It confuses me...
And that's really it!
Three more sleeps...well actually only two for us cause we're gonna start a day early!!
"Before I came here I was confused about this subject. Having listened to your lecture I am still confused. But on a higher level."---Enrico Fermi
Love
Peter
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