11 September 2001
11 September 2011
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There's 6 minutes of quiet time for me today.
Sunday 11 September 2011
Saturday 10 September 2011
Desiderata
Given tomorrow's history, I thought this somewhat apropos.
Desiderata (Latin for "desired things") is a 1927 prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann (1872–1945). The text was largely unknown in the author's lifetime and became widely known after its use in a devotional.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Desiderata (Latin for "desired things") is a 1927 prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann (1872–1945). The text was largely unknown in the author's lifetime and became widely known after its use in a devotional.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Friday 9 September 2011
10 years ago Sunday
Much like the assassination of JFK, I think every one of us alive and able to remember 11 September 2001 knows exactly where they were that day.
I remember getting ready to take my ex-wife to an ultrasound appointment for our then unborn daughter. Right before we left, my ex's mother called.
"Turn on the TV ... my God, you won't believe it."
And there was the WTC ablaze. An accident, they called it. Somehow, tragically, a plane crashed into the Tower.
Then the second hit, right in front of our eyes, and my heart sunk. This was no accident, this was intent.
My heart sunk for two reasons. One, for all the tragic and senseless loss of life. Secondly, I vividly recall thinking, "what have I done, bringing a child into a war zone?"
Remember, to that point, these were heady times. The Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall had come down, we were riding the technology boom wave and had survived the New Millennium. January 1, 2000 hit and the world rocked on, crack me another beer. I had grown up living under the tail end of the Cold War and the threat of global thermonuclear war. At the time, I couldn't fathom bringing a child into that. Then all was right in the world.
Boom.
At time wore on, I grew to accept our new reality, primarily because I, as well as my siblings and friends, were born to loving parents despite the cold war, just like they were born during WWII. We were all fine (more or less, depending on definition) and survived it.
So will my daughter.
And not a day has gone by that I've regretted having her, not a day has gone by that I've not thought of her and smiled, and considered myself the luckiest Dad in the world.
I remember getting ready to take my ex-wife to an ultrasound appointment for our then unborn daughter. Right before we left, my ex's mother called.
"Turn on the TV ... my God, you won't believe it."
And there was the WTC ablaze. An accident, they called it. Somehow, tragically, a plane crashed into the Tower.
Then the second hit, right in front of our eyes, and my heart sunk. This was no accident, this was intent.
My heart sunk for two reasons. One, for all the tragic and senseless loss of life. Secondly, I vividly recall thinking, "what have I done, bringing a child into a war zone?"
Remember, to that point, these were heady times. The Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall had come down, we were riding the technology boom wave and had survived the New Millennium. January 1, 2000 hit and the world rocked on, crack me another beer. I had grown up living under the tail end of the Cold War and the threat of global thermonuclear war. At the time, I couldn't fathom bringing a child into that. Then all was right in the world.
Boom.
At time wore on, I grew to accept our new reality, primarily because I, as well as my siblings and friends, were born to loving parents despite the cold war, just like they were born during WWII. We were all fine (more or less, depending on definition) and survived it.
So will my daughter.
And not a day has gone by that I've regretted having her, not a day has gone by that I've not thought of her and smiled, and considered myself the luckiest Dad in the world.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Well that was quite the weekend
Simply amazed, I am.
First, I'm staggered by the amount of people that are actually coming by here. Not only looking, but reading, posting comments and emailing! I'm truly flattered ... thank you!
I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a camping resort with very good friends of mine this past long weekend.
Well ... camping is a misnomer. Yes, it was out of town, and yes, there were trees, and a lake ... but there was also pools, hot tubs, beer, music ... Labour Day football on a big screen TV on the main stage ... where bands played at night. You know, camping.
Stop looking at me like that.
Anyway ... good food, friends, the hot tub, beer, music, dancing, laughing, fires, letting my daughter run amok through the site with her friends. Coming home tired and smelling like smoke.
For a while, the world stopped, and everything was perfectly right. Right to the point, you recall events, and it brings you an immeasurable feeling of peace.
First, I'm staggered by the amount of people that are actually coming by here. Not only looking, but reading, posting comments and emailing! I'm truly flattered ... thank you!
I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a camping resort with very good friends of mine this past long weekend.
Well ... camping is a misnomer. Yes, it was out of town, and yes, there were trees, and a lake ... but there was also pools, hot tubs, beer, music ... Labour Day football on a big screen TV on the main stage ... where bands played at night. You know, camping.
Stop looking at me like that.
Anyway ... good food, friends, the hot tub, beer, music, dancing, laughing, fires, letting my daughter run amok through the site with her friends. Coming home tired and smelling like smoke.
For a while, the world stopped, and everything was perfectly right. Right to the point, you recall events, and it brings you an immeasurable feeling of peace.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Oddities
Is it just me, or does there seem to be this "game" that's played between men and women when it comes to dating?
Can't seem too eager ... that means desperate. So if you play too 'loose', that means you're self centered and egotistical. Or, you just don't care.
I don't really favour either, so I just try to be genuine. Somehow, it still gets interpreted either way.
Maybe I'll just give up out of frustration!
Can't seem too eager ... that means desperate. So if you play too 'loose', that means you're self centered and egotistical. Or, you just don't care.
I don't really favour either, so I just try to be genuine. Somehow, it still gets interpreted either way.
Maybe I'll just give up out of frustration!
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