There’s something about traversing the country (and then some) on a single 10-hour, three-legged trip. There is something about watching, with suspended belief, each time an airplane carrying you and 300 others is able to break its earthly ties and point skyward. There’s also something about arriving at your final layover to find your flight home delayed late into the night. There is something about eventually settling into the driver’s seat of your trusty Jetta at 3:30 the next morning, turning the key, and hearing the familiar sound of the starter as it turns the car engine over. And there’s definitely something about hearing the same sound of the same starter turning the same engine over 10 seconds later….20 seconds later. There is just something about confirming with the AAA representative on the line that she did indeed just say your membership includes only THREE free towing miles, when you’re forty miles from night’s end. I promise you, there is something about finally crawling into bed at 5 A.M., realizing you have to work in a few short hours. But, most assuredly, there is nothing like hearing the sound of your own laughter as you drift asleep, ultimately reveling in the fact that, however twisted its path or frustrating its complications, your life will never be boring.

I rolled out of bed late Sunday morning and hopped on the computer for my daily brush-up on the news. Braced for reports of massive bombings and mass boycotts on your election day, I instead found myself silently cheering the fact that an estimated 72% (which was later revised to around 60%) of your population defied threats of violence by taking to polling stations around the country, making their voices heard.
Continue reading “Iraq: I Applaud You”

Memphis, TN. I do like the accents here. I’m not sure the spoken words are even relevant. I could probably be on the receiving end of a Tennessee belle’s drawl-laden public berating and still just grin and nod. I don’t plan on putting that theory to the test during my brief stay here today, mind you.
Continue reading “Layover”

While “21st Century” itself sounds futuristic enough, the years 2000-2004 teetered so precariously on the tails of the 20th Century, as if in danger of slipping back into the ’90s, that to me they weren’t convincingly representative of a new century/millenium (nevermind the technically accurate argument that the 21 Century didn’t begin until 2001, anyway).

With the arrival of 2005, however, I feel as if the the future is here. 5 years in…there’s no going back now. 2005 carries with it the credibility that several years of bumps and bruises bring with them and yet still manages to maintain that fresh-start zeal of a new era. I think the 21st Century is only starting to wind-up and has barely begun to show us all it has to offer. While the 1900s brought with them the massive scale with which humankind can annihilate itself and the planet on which it resides, this new century promises us the opportunity to wield such weapons as tolerance and ingenuity to live in harmony with the earth and its inhabitants. The big question is, will we do so? I, for one, am optimistic.

Happy New Year.

Well, Christmas is here, and with it have come those things which over the years have become indelibly branded onto my brain as signifying the arrival of the Christmas season. It’s funny how certain objects can bring seemingly forgotten memories racing to the forefront of one’s mind. This phenomenan is not limited to tangible items, either; there are sounds and smells that I have come to subconsciously associate with the queen of all family holidays.

One of the primary indicators in my folks’ house that Christmas is upon us is the Christmas Mice.

Now, I’m not sure if it’s the fact that these mice have resided upon that same lamp every Christmas I have known or the fact that my dad seems so paternalistically attached to them, but they have taken on a role bigger than that of mere decoration; I’ve found their perennial emergence to invariably carry with it warm feelings of years past. Though in themselves only one example, the Christmas Mice are representative of those things which mark the holiday season.

In closing, I thought I’d list some of my Christmas favorites:

Favorite CD: John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
(one thing that’s recently come to my attention: the later release of this album is absent THREE songs on the original, including such classics as “Lil’ Saint Nick” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”…so beware)

Favorite Show: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Favorite Movie: Die Hard (it counts!)
(yes, I considered “A Christmas Story;” it comes in a close second)

Favorite Food: anything in quantity (except for sweet potatoes)

Favorite Weather: snow (and lots of it)

All-Time Favorite Gift Received (adjusted for loss of kid-at-heartedness): probably the Capsela 1000 of yesteryear, maybe the original NES, maybe my 1st R/C car the Grasshopper…
(in all fairness, this year’s slot car sets have to be up there, too)

Merry Christmas, folks.

63 years ago today, 361 Japanese warplanes attacked American airfields and shipyards at Pearl Harbor, disabling 19 ships, destroying 200 planes, and killing over 2300 men. The pre-emptive strike prompted this country to plunge headlong into the most destructive war in history. It was a defining moment, to be sure; one which ultimately marked the turning point in a war of unprecedented scale.
Continue reading “Slumbering Giant”

If you ever watched the show Twin Peaks (great show, by the way), you know that Dale Cooper, Special Agent, had a penchant for enjoying the little things in life. Though dutifully fulfilling his law enforcement obligations, he understood the importance of living and thinking dynamically, not submitting to the monotonous routine many believe inescapable in today’s world.

I’m with Agent Cooper; I refuse to accept any implication that “settling into a groove” is somehow the all-encompassing proper way to live. On the contrary, I believe that to do so is to deny our own human nature. After all, we thrive on diversity; our physical existence is defined by our exposure to external stimuli. To subject oneself to the same routine, day-in and day-out, would serve only to dull our senses, and with them our sense of life.

I know, I know; it’s not as if the real world allows us the luxury of simply doing as we please ALL of the time. I understand there are certain responsibilities that must be tended to on a daily basis, certain constraints we must live within; however, it is up to us, whenever possible, to add some much-needed zest to what could otherwise be a sadly two-dimensional (depressing?) existence. Often this means taking advantage of the little things. I don’t think I could put it any better than the words of Dale himeself: “Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it, don’t wait for it, just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store, a catnap in your office chair or…two cups of good hot black coffee. Like this.”

Man, did that guy love coffee.

Okay, so two politically-oriented topics in as many posts, though this one will also remain (with some effort) non-partisan. After all, it IS voting day.

I just wanted to share with you my relief at this day having finally arrived. At this point I just want it over with. I didn’t believe either one of our primary presidential candidates a gem to begin with, but after hearing them bicker playground-style for the last few (several?) months I find myself even more disappointed in our choices. Come tomorrow, no more campaign ads…it’s almost hard to imagine. While waiting to cast my ballot this morning, an older gentlemen was commenting on how this was the most heated debate he has ever known, and how both sides got so dirty that neither can claim to have clean hands. I couldn’t agree more; what a spectacular example these two have set.

One thing is for sure: I have never seen this country so divided. I can only hope that when all is said and done the “losing side” can put the election behind them and we can take positive steps into the future. Though today promises to be anything but predictable, if I had to guess I’d say G.W. by a smidgen (just thought I should get it on record). Either way, all signs point to this being one exciting election.

In general, I admire ingenuity and creativity, but such attributes strike an even greater chord with me when demonstrated in the context of mischief. That said, I thought it only appropriate (and fair?) to tip my hat to the clever batch of co-ops we had at work this past summer, despite the fact their fun came primarily at my expense. Hey, I’m man enough to (reluctantly) admit it.

All three college students who worked in my deparment for the summer were women, which itself is odd in a place of engineering (first time in my four years we’ve had such an instance). Also unusual about this crew was the outright temerity they exhibited in planning, mobilizing, and executing a strategy to abscond with a cherised piece of my OU memorabilia: a 32 oz. aquarium glass from “The Pub,” which finds intermittent use as a candy bowl in my office. Things immediately became personal when I walked into my office that fateful morning to find this note on my desk:
Continue reading “Due Credit Where Credit’s Due”

I saw a sign today that said:

“You Are What You Think About.”

It scared the hell out of me.