Wednesday, November 30, 2005
November 30 Responses
Mark, I don't think the problem is so much that people loose touch with the child within. Seems to me, too many of us are screwed up because to few of us spend much time with our inner ADULT. All this liberal angst... and no one to wipe away my tears. Whaaa... it was all my mother's fault. , WM
Wednesday Nov. 30, 2005 - Year 3, Day 255 - give me lots
CD celebrates a birthday today – may you get what you want & want what you get – say ‘give me lots’ . . it will show up !
‘Map out your future, but do it in pencil.’ – Jon Bon Jovi
projects deadlines dominate days, sleeplessness dominates nights
things seemed so unimportant when put on the ‘to-do pile’ . . less so now
my cup runs over a bit, fatigue a lens through which each new opportunity this week is relegated to the ‘to-do next year pile’
images of warm places, sand between my toes, snoozing on a massage table & tripping away for weekends are just a pre-sleep fantasy these days . .
I can sleep next year . . right next to my ‘to-do next year pile’
coffee, black . . give me lots & lots . . . and bring me pencils !
Mark
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
November 29 Responses
Tuesday Nov. 29, 2005 - Year 3, Day 254 - CPR time
maybe artists have answers
‘It takes a long time to become young.’ – Pablo Picasso
or singers - with tunes like ‘please, release me, let me go’
or . . Michaelangelo, as he ‘released’ David from a chunk of marble
me too - waiting to be released from marble constraints, or is that butterscotch ripple ?
seriously, why cannot we just ‘release ourselves’ from things that constrain us ?
I do not mean try the CPR method I saw on TV last night, I mean the metaphorical CPR
re-start your heart ?
why not revive our spirit of playfulness that made us so successful as children ?
our structures are not physical, but rather the bonds of ‘how things are’ or how we’ve been trained to behave; societal norms, family ways & relationship politics
I see others, see myself, remaining prisoners without walls - held by things that should not bind us or hold us back or prevent a free spirit from emerging
I’ve spoken recently with several people whose aversions to things that should not matter, whose tales of people who stayed way too long in unhealthy relationships [oh, haven’t we all] in one form or another leave them seeking to be ‘released from that’, seeking ‘to find their new ME’ . .
struggle that shouldn’t be struggle
the creative process we had as children to draw what we dreamed deserves revisiting
who cares whether we colour inside the lines or on the outside of the box ?
look in the mirror
wonder & ponder – do we see those same things we’ve seen for years or do we see the playful energy of our youth ?
I found myself observing others & commenting on things . . of things, patterns, behaviours & issues that never change – realizing I have my own set of foibles, possibly just as frightening to someone new in my life as some of those ‘issues du jour’ are for me in someone else’s
I’ve made some new connections – always fun, always an adventure – will they be freeing ?
will they be child-like fun ?
never knowing what a walk, dinner, slice of cheesecake or box of crayolas may bring
revive me, my spirit - give CPR, repeat . . give CPR a chance to revive my spirit
Mark
Monday, November 28, 2005
Monday Nov. 28, 2005 - Year 3, Day 253– stray sticky
my out-of-touch daughter is no longer out-of-touch & the Edmonton Eskimos defeated Montreal to win the Grey Cup in overtime; life is good
this one with a name or that one with an idea or another note of an event long past – or the ones with no text, no phone number – just a word or a phrase written ‘in the moment’ to be stuck next to my computer screen, on the fridge, the bathroom mirror or on today’s pad of to-do things
some sticky notes are destined to get attached to the wrong material, only to surface one day in the wrong file – like a missing favorite pen - at that moment of re-discovery [expletives deleted] I find surprise, joy or sorrow
they had meaning in the moment they were written
important reminders, scribbled ‘notes du jour’
3M’s low tech device is part of our culture like databases & cell phones
to throw away this old sticky or put it in a different spot, that is the question ?
should it be treasured, not to be lost ?
surely the meaning of those words scrawled one day will have meaning again, but what ?
some meaning is surely intact, it is my memory that does not adhere
now curled, wrinkled, ratty; as they age, losing their stick
like people we encounter & keep around in our lives, some old sticky notes REALLY matter, others never did
Mark
Sunday, November 27, 2005
November 27 Responses
Sunday Nov. 27, 2005 - Year 3, Day 252 – great expectations
‘There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.’ – Oscar Wilde
and, ‘what would Dickens say ?’ . . he had those great expectations
getting, getting what we want, getting ‘some’; all familiar terms, but how do we get what we want ?
I am reading something I’ve been asked to critique; it challenges me, not so much to comment on the writing, which is pretty good, or the content which is overflowing . . . but it is overflowing with the angst, pain & anger of someone who cannot get over the loss of something that, it would appear, was not so joyous or at least not to the other party
I’ve ranted - most of us have when we’ve left a relationship or when we’ve been left or when things go horribly off track; I’ve brooded about what went wrong, about whose fault it was
how many times, I wonder, do couples together get what they both want ? or, speak openly about how 1 or both is not !
I often encounter men & women who have split; when I hear their tales of woo & woe, chronicles of anger, betrayal & loss – I am amused, not in a laughing way, but in a ‘why could they not see the forest for the trees’ way
losses, I often wonder, are not loss of what they had [since their retrospective is usually coloured with so many stories of mediocrity or worse] but of their expectations of what they had
great expectations, lost
were they realistic, ever ?
it does not matter . . the loss of those expectations hurts deeply . . without regard to whether they were realistic in the first instance !
oh such great expectations lost & gone
as I consider new adventures, new opportunities to have sweet & fruity dessert & great company too . . I am challenged to keep my balance
it seems it is Grey Cup Day - go Esks !
Mark
Saturday, November 26, 2005
November 26 Response
Saturday Nov. 26, 2005 - Year 3, Day 251 – out of touch
when we talk; when people talk – often getting it wrong, sometimes getting it right – there is a sense of connection, a sense of attempting to communicate
on the other hand, there is silence
when we are out of touch the silence brings no appreciation of tone, body language, volume, mood, intent, emphasis or anything physical or sensory that conveys information, ideas, mood or personality
silence
can speak so loudly
silence in the presence of someone is really ‘just being quiet for a while’ while still ‘present’
silence at a distance – out of touch, not communicating – a different matter
what is he/she doing, thinking, feeling, experiencing ?
it is all a mystery, it is unknown, it is private
private to them – yet I yearn to know
not to know intimate thoughts that are not my business [ok, maybe some of that too], but . .
are they OK? are they safe ? are they well ?
are they happy or sad ?
are they connected to me in some way ? . . . are they disconnecting ? . . or
has disconnection occurred ?
sometimes we speak loudly – sometimes we speak louder with silence
I am feeling that a bit right now
a few people in my life – a friend who needs time & space, an acquaintance who is clearly out of touch while stating the opposite & a daughter who has dropped out of touch . . .
silence is good
silence makes me think
silence is powerful
silence sucks
Mark
Friday, November 25, 2005
November 25 Response
Friday Nov. 25, 2005 - Year 3, Day 250– déjà vu moments
déjà vu . . .French . . means, literally, "already seen” . . a feeling that you've already experienced this very thing -- same friends, same dinner, same topic etc. – sometimes it’s just a remembering fondly thing sparked by some event or someone or a note on the calendar
déjà vu . . . ‘it’s 1 month till Christmas & I have not bought a thing or made a plan’
déjà vu . . . walking along the Bow River in Eau Claire last night, a place I’d been before
déjà vu . . . meeting someone new . . . for the first time . . .again
déjà vu . . . some days are too vivid - moments/a day nearly everyone forgets, but as fresh & precious as the original event for just 1 person
Mark
Thursday, November 24, 2005
November 24 Response
November 24 Responses
cooler today, 0C/32F, twilight reveals clear sky – refreshing walk
I recognize some of the things I do best for clients – moving things forward, finishing things & being meticulous about details is one of the areas where I am weakest at in my own affairs; like the shoemaker’s kids who go barefoot, my affinity for paperwork, accounting & form filling is something I do so well at the office & so poorly at home
my dining room table over-flow-eth with paper
speaking of overflowing . . . it is the season of harvest wealth & cornucopia displays . . of Christmas shopping & football & happy Thursday to our US muser friends, enjoy your turkey . . . or maybe ‘enjoy your shopping/Thanksgiving long weekend opportunity’ !
"It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor ..."
- Samuel Adams, November 1, 1777 (adopted by the 13 states as the first official Thanksgiving Proclamation)
a VERY proud BB called to announce his newest grandchild – congrats & best wishes for many more !
Mark
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
November 23 Responses
Wednesday Nov. 23, 2005 - Year 3, Day 248 – temperature rising
Jack Nicholson’s character said: ‘Do you ever wonder if this is as good as it gets?’
in golf, re-writing & personal encounters I like mulligans
‘do-over’ opportunities because I want it to better or sometimes just because there is a chance
a second chance to make a first impression is not always deserved; I’ll take it when I can get it
a second chance to experience the thrill or the spill or to win or to move something forward
a second chance to get it right, get it better . . . or get it at all
success, winning, problem solving & overcoming obstacles – each would be nice if I could do it with a single action, a well crafted sentence, a deft move, a call at just the right moment
I consult my treasure file - wise words, cute phrases & things to ponder – each leave me pondering, wondering, challenging . . . a little confused, optimistic & poised
adrenaline courses through my veins, probably an elevated heart rate, frenetic activity, nervousness in wait, in want, in wonder
anticipation
what is this energy ? Sigmund, vhat dos dis mean ?
anticipation
starting anything new brings anxiety, thrill, spill, risk, reward
anticipation
does it really matter whether it is a new opportunity, a new activity, a rendezvous or a re-visit of something/someone we choose to re-examine, re-visit
an idea ? someone ? a new business idea/activity ? a project ?
on the cusp of any opportunity I wrestle – not with demons – but with many deep & convoluted thoughts about what to do, write, say etc while remembering most events & people that have enriched my life have not been the product of deep deliberation, but rather the innocent little connection, the slightly different path taken, the call returned, the words captured or a note from ‘anonymous’ with wise words & good advice
life is great, I’m breathing deeply doing things I love doing every day; I have richness in my life in so many ways . . . maybe this is ‘as good as it gets’
I’m enjoying it with few regrets . . . then again . . . too few to mention
Mark342,744
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
November 22 Responses
Tuesday Nov. 22, 2005 - Year 3, Day 247 – exploremore
“A 'No' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.” – Mahatma Gandhi
is NO final . . or interim ?
is YES any more definitive ?
are either based on real information, deep intuition . . or just a mood at the moment ?
when first impression leaves me saying NO, NEXT or a weak MAYBE, I have rarely done a re-visit, preferring most times to move along, always exploring a new branch of a new path – not returning to revisit very often
maybe that is hasty sometimes when I could easily exploremore
very simply - I am looking for opportunities that offer intrigue, challenge & learning
a busy day is already underway – gotta run . . need to exploremore
Mark
342,768
Monday, November 21, 2005
November 21 Responses
Monday Nov. 21, 2005 - Year 3, Day 246 – impressions
since my first sales training at age 17 I’ve learned impressions matter, especially first ones
they mean so much in the course of dealing with people
often they are treated off-handedly [mea culpa] so that someone’s impression is radically skewed from a true picture of who we are or what we are about
interesting sometimes to re-think why we said yes, no or maybe to an opportunity, a social connection . . a second meeting . . a second date . . or a hotel room
I have many spectacular people in my life – the fullness of who they are could never have been understood at ‘first impression stage’ – so glad we gave each other a second chance to know each other
should I ever give a confusing ‘impression’ to anyone, this should clarify:
I have desires – want only opportunities
I have challenges – want only more challenges
I have needs – want nothing but to pursue getting them met
sometimes I need a second chance to make a first impression . . a deep impression, maybe an indentation - perhaps a permanent alteration to 1 or more lives will result
a week of venture, adventure & misadventure await . . . ta ta
Mark
Sunday, November 20, 2005
November 20 Responses
Sunday Nov. 20, 2005 - Year 3, Day 245 – experience that repeats
11C / 52F strong warm west winds push back twilight & clouds revealing a molten sphere as it backlit the clouds in crimson & purple as we returned from our walk
most weekdays, whether my musing is long or short, I am pressed for time – hurried; I just let that which is on the surface spill out, then publish it complete with typos & clumsy phrasing spell-checkers never flag absent polishing & massaging which produces - wide ranging response from ‘that hit home for me Mark’ to ‘it seems so much the same each day’ . . .
the ‘weather + walk’ report opening is now habit; it sets my writing routine in motion
if you don’t care about the weather in south Calgary or what Gusta sniffs along the trail, then skip that part if you are pressed for time
the ending is written first or the night before but inserted at the end - little reminders to myself to pay respect to a birthday or accomplishment or to say thanks for time spent with a muser; which fills space where a conclusive ending might otherwise be found
but no one is fooled
my ‘middle portion’ does not draw conclusions, does not bring readers to a definitive end – my intent is to leave my thoughts as ‘just there’ for the reader to take or leave or refute
the theory fails often, as I draw conclusions & spout opinions with authority I usually lack
seriously, I would rather a musing reader draw whatever conclusion they might from their reaction to my thoughts; I care less whether someone agrees, disagrees, identifies or denies my points as being anything like their own views . . . that is not what I care about
I care about stimulating thought – not debate necessarily, but thought & dialogue – as much for my benefit as for anyone else’s
preachers writing weekly sermon rely upon structure in the order of service; they paste their thoughts into a proven program that consumes time & space such that non-critical observers might not notice a weak & empty sermon
sometimes I fight with myself feeling that what I’ve written is too short, too limp, too ineffectual to be of value – only to read the next day that someone thought it was superb & it saved them from making a dreadful decision or prevented them from missing a glorious opportunity – oh bother, what to do . . .
this brings me to the middle – that blank section in the middle of the page crying out each morning saying ‘fill me up’, ravage me, spill out your soul here & empty your emotions in this spot . . . it begs me to fill it with something worthy of 4600 people investing 3 minutes of their time
today’s ‘middle’:
spending Saturday night alone with Gusta & my leftovers, no takers in sight, I have been reflecting on defining what I want besides a frequent regular dinner companion to commiserate with about the day, laugh at ourselves & to be joyful with:
I’m looking for an incredible 1 night experience that repeats more than 180+ nights a year, I’m looking for a year that repeats 40 times which should leave me 94, worn out & ready to expire, but since I plan on living to 95 . . . I’ll have to rethink this position somewhere down the line; in re-reading this I recognize I am describing the quality of an experience rather than the characteristics of a person.
end:
Lauren [LR] & Mark celebrating their 1st anniversary today & no doubt they continue, makin’ whoopee experiences at every opportunity
title:
choosing a title each morning is often easy . . . sometimes very difficult; I usually pluck a phrase from something in ‘the middle’ that captures in 2-3 words a mood, theme or point, my hope being the reader will be looking for that reference & its meaning
muser responses:
I don’t have anything figured out any better than the next person – but when readers flatter me with praise & recognition I shamelessly bask in it; it moves me when someone reports that I inspired a thought or an action that has made a difference, made a change, made things better in their life
when I make you shake your head, make you laugh or cry or touch you somewhere deeply - if I do that just once . . . then all these daily writings are worth it, worth the time, worth the effort, worth the tummy twisting that creates them.
‘We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.” – Anne Lamottt
to my 4600 shipmates, have a wonderful Sunday
Mark
Saturday, November 19, 2005
November 19 Responses
Saturday Nov. 19, 2005 - Year 3, Day 244 - leftovers
someone pooh-poohed me yesterday - I mean ‘dismissed me arrogantly with self indulgent smugness that was so unnecessary & unbecoming’
Q. ‘do I do that to someone else ?’
A. ‘no . . . well . . actually . . . yes, sometimes’
just as the person I’ve mentioned, I know I write people off, write opportunities off because a ‘first impression’ tells me it will be a waste of time or because I will get my head messed with or both . . or just ‘cause my gut says NEXT !
so why was she such a fat cow [not a reference to her girth, but a metaphor meaning incredible idiot] ? why is it some people, me included, dismiss others arrogantly, ignore a chance to get to know someone who might be interesting ?
Q. why do we pass on an opportunity to pursue a challenge that might be interesting, instructive, impossible & absolutely worthwhile ?
A. ‘Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.’ – Albert Einstein
Albert understood human behaviour better than Sigmund or maybe he worked for a large accounting firm
the frenetic day & busy week ended pleasantly - AW came over for dinner; Gusta loves attention she gets from visitors, especially when they are dog owners – she can smell another dog but cannot find it
I like company & enjoy cooking a ‘real meal’ + the leftovers it generates are often better the next day re-heated
leftovers - lingering enjoyment of someone’s company . . and, oh yes, the food in the fridge too
my thoughts this morning a Saturday morning jumble – the ‘to do’ list, the ‘to do’ pile, the ‘to do’ errands . . . as visions of warm beaches, groomed golf courses, weekend getaways & magical yes & yes moments creep in to my mind, they dance in my head like visions of sugar-plums
I think I’ll - work, read, play, errands, work, read, play, errands, work, read, play, errands – I love repetition
it would be nice to have a massage & a lazy afternoon curled up with a good book about a hot woman . . . or maybe better without the book
anyone in Calgary single & free tonight ? yes & yes gets leftovers & a movie !
Mark
Friday, November 18, 2005
November 18 Responses
Friday Nov. 18, 2005 - Year 3, Day 243 - Golden metaphor
‘Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” - Arthur Golden
I have no idea who Golden is/was, but a smart man indeed !
this morning watching recently installed insulation, building wrap & shingles flying off new homes under construction taken together with recent coverage of hurricanes drives this really good metaphor home for me
albeit pale compared to the challenges many face, I’ve faced my share of ‘stripping it all away’ times & know what it is like to stare at what remains
what remained when I’ve lost ?
what remained when I’ve failed ?
one constant – the essence of who I am
as I look at those I know who have dealt with genuine adversity, genuine trauma, the ‘dreaded diagnosis’ come true I am reminded that – in the eye of that hurricane of trouble – is who someone really is
basking in glory & success is a happy time – watching others revel in it is great because we are happy for them, but we never see or reveal our grit when that happens
sometimes it is someone just putting their head down & bravely moving forward, sometimes it is someone making a huge sacrifice for friend or family member, sometimes it is someone going out of their way to make sure someone’s hurt gets attention – this is when character is revealed
some days my brain is teased, tormented & intrigued more than others – some examples:
- RS & I had a very stimulating discussion about character & politics & integrity – I’m glad he’s in my corner, glad he is friend, colleague & co-conspirator !!
- infrequent yet always insightful observer PM in Steamboat Springs sent parting points worth pondering & thanks too to KE for your kind words
- someone asked me if I write to convey a message to someone or to the group; the answer is ‘yes, but rarely’, but the better answer is that I write what is on my mind, in my belly at the moment which, sometimes, if focused on some interaction I’ve recently had with someone
I was supposed to attend a 7 AM NAIOP function; frustrating to waste my ticket, but needing to be at my desk writing 3 offers + 2 new proposals to work on is great consolation; 3 files in the ‘must do this morning’ pile, 3 million it seems in the ‘must give lots of attention soon’ pile; this week has been frenetic - its unlikely to change today
yesterday closed with hop-scotching to functions & errands – a cast of thousands [hundreds at each event] munching shrimp & visiting with tasty treats; great brief chats with AR, JR & AC; so often we form impressions of people from brief snippets – the snippets accumulate but are no substitute for investing time to truly get to know each other; these connections deserve more of me & I’d like to know more of them
speaking of warm people & warm windy places, best birthday wishes to Pam, Bermuda muser ‘PI’
Mark
Thursday, November 17, 2005
November 17 Responses
Hi Mark. I could say that I'm too busy, or my email box is too full, but the truth is that I felt that I was reading the same thing from you most everyday. Maybe I've just moved on in my life and no longer need to hear the daily mantra that everything is just around the corner. Everything is in me I am discovering and the external world is a reflection of my search, not the search itself. Anyway, we are in different places in our common search for joy and love. I wish you well. PM
Some feedback from one of your local and loyal readers: I find 'Musings' to be compelling and look forward to reading it when I arrive in my office and check my morning e-mails. Knowing you, as a guy in the same industry, is also a reward. Since many of your readers do not live or work in Calgary, I thought they should know that Mark K. is a really nice person, when you deal with him, as I have for the past 4 years since we met at a seminar. This is important to realize if you alsofind 'Musings' compelling and inspiring. It would be a real bummer if the Author wasn't a great person, and it would be a real disconnect. Thankfully, this is not the case., K.E.
Hi Mark, I hope you will keep us posted on Henny. I have been in touch with her, and will send something. I have been in her position before, in fact I am now, and it never occurred to me to include you in my list. So when you receive an email from Carla and the Hope Peace Chamber you'll know it is from your reader, Carla the Artists in Maine, We chatted briefly this summer, one Sunday afternoon. Do you suddenly feel responsibility for this thing you have created, 4600 connections? Let it feed you , not drain you. Be the hollow bone. I send you love. What is your favorite charity?, CS
Thursday Nov. 17, 2005 - Year 3, Day 242 - blur
I sang most of my Toastmasters speech last night which gave rise to several members advising that I not quit my day job; clearly I lack talent, but make up for it with enthusiasm; on reflection, Frank & I have much in common . .
‘I’m supposed to have a Ph.D. on the subject of women. But the truth is I’ve flunked more often than not. I’m very fond of women; I admire them. But, like all men, I don’t understand them.’ – Frank Sinatra
months blur by . . .
familiar paths – like the one I walk every morning get me through the neighbourhood
others map my day; these habits, these patterns in daily life bring small measures of order into an otherwise chaotic blur of calls, meetings & tasks . . get me through this day, daily
these days & paths, habits, routines . . they get me through the days & weeks
weeks get me through the months
months blur by . . .
busy day waits . . . but it won’t wait long . . . meetings & tasks . . . blur
Mark
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Wednesday Nov. 16, 2005 - Year 3, Day 241 - helping hands
yesterday’s REIX Board meeting followed by a fabulous dinner at La Chaumiere + lots of coffee & some work/calls & a dog walk when I got home . . . needless to say getting to sleep by 3 AM did not produce early rising
I was supposed to do coffee with CD @7:30 – sorry Chris, I blew it . . we’ll have to reschedule
whenever things are great, we are not as good as we think we are; when things go badly we are not 1/10th the fools we often see ourselves resembling
everyone who has enjoyed good fortune – I’ve had my share – realizes good fortune is much less about good luck than it is about good management, skill, perseverance & determination
conversely those of us who have been ‘down on our luck’ – I’ve had my share of that too – realize bad management, lack of skill or failing to try hard are rarely the culprits; though decisions we regret, planning we didn’t do & poor estimating are realities that confront & confound most skilled people, sometimes we find ourselves in a tough spot with no way through it in sight
sometimes things just happen; when they do we have the opportunity/responsibility & sometimes no alternative than to work our way out of those challenges – asking for help is hard for everyone & impossible for many; it assaults our dignity & is so very very humbling
I’ve been in that spot & had help from kind people
I have no difficulty recalling - powerful feelings of helplessness – followed by amazement & relief as someone reached into their heart for me . . .
case in point: Henny, a muser for a long time is down on her luck [see yesterday’s feedback]; she is asking for some financial help if anyone can spare a few dollars
Mark
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
November 15 Responses
Thanks for all the e-mails. How do you find the time? Some days I don't find the time to fill in my personal journal yet you never miss a day. However I find myself deleting your messages before ever reading them, then feeling guilty that I may have missed something, one more emotion I don't need/want. Keep up the good work though Mark, I am sure many people are inspired by your musing. From one of the ships!, NC
This might be the wrong subject, I want you to pass the details to your friends who also wanted to help me. Now they are going to kick me out the house soon. Hope there are some people who really want to help some one in need. Been working hard, but for what. I am desperate now, because of my big money problems and now I don't have a penny any more...... the bank, house rent, taxes and other bills, all of these are unpaid. So please if there some one who wants to help me, help me. My e-mail address is hdejoode@home.nl or hennydejoode@hotmail.com. Thanks to those who read my message and Mark please don't delete this message. HdJ
Tuesday Nov. 15, 2005 - Year 3, Day 240 - medical benefits
sometimes connections we make – the voice on the other end of the phone might just as easily be across town as 1000 miles away – can be completely uninspiring; then again, some are
we reach out not knowing what we will find; often surprises, sometimes delights, once in a while something life-altering, how do I know which is which & which is Witch ?
everyone I elect not to meet, as a ship passing in the night oblivious to what we might have seen & learned; while everyone I meet represents risk
I might get hurt, I might waste my time, I might get annoyed, I might be rejected, I might be ignored, I might mess with my head . . . or . . .
I might find joy, enlightenment & pleasure; I might meet a friend, find a lover, expand my horizons & find a wide range of needs are met in a new way
just as Gusta learned the best part of the bone is the juicy marrow inside, I think people are a similar metaphor for life – sometimes a stiff exterior, a durable outer surface designed to deflect harshness & troubles, with lots of wonderful stuff inside
ironically perhaps, when people have exhausted medical options, bone marrow transplants are their answer – amazing all that goodness regenerates & heals comes from the marrow inside a bone
I am writing a little later this morning; I started in earnest but phone calls & emails – each one seems to lead to another – have delayed me; quite a contrast of daylight if nothing else to be writing @ 9 AM vis-à-vis 7; an afternoon meeting ahead . . some rush ‘must do’s this morning spread out before me . . .
must motor now !
Note: for those who asked, there is a new beardless photo on both BLOG sites
Monday, November 14, 2005
November 14 Responses
Monday Nov. 14, 2005 - Year 3, Day 239 - Wright turn
most Monday mornings I am really bagged from working till 2AM [or later] on my newsletter Sunday night, but a 12:30 finish produces a very different & energetic result
this is the start of a new week
my focus forward, my focus concentrated, my focus on things that are real, worthwhile & achievable – they are worth it & I can win
short term realities mixed with feasible dreams
my mind will sometimes drift into fields of delusions of grandeur, but not for long . . . just long enough to inspire me to those goals which are achievable
do you remember what were you fretting about a year ago . . or two years ago ?
I can’t remember either !
So, do we focus energy on now & future things with potential, or do we dwell in the house of the past, the ‘stuff that really doesn’t matter’ ? which way should we turn ?
‘I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.’ – Frank Lloyd Wright
have an inspired week, take lots of Wright turns
Mark
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Sunday Nov. 13, 2005 - Year 3, Day 238 - type faster
my breathing – in & out – my chest rising & falling as we sprint back from the lagoon where Gusta explored walking on the lagoon ice . . just firm enough to hold her weight, she could see the bottom but not understand why – her education continues
often the best thoughts come while walking; sometimes a new beginning or an ‘ahah’ moment will come out of it, while other days it is just following a dog & picking up after her – some days it is while getting ready to rush out the door
‘If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.’ - Isaac Asimov
clock tics, six minutes to ; a daughter in town; I’m off to pick up my dad to be meet Carla for breakfast
I find it hard to rush words some time . . but never hard to rush off to meet them
have a great day . . . rush off to hug someone you love
Mark
Saturday, November 12, 2005
November 12 Responses
PS: If you want, you can attribute this babble to rampant pregnancy hormones ... regardless of it's source, I don't mean it any less.
Saturday Nov. 12, 2005 - Year 3, Day 237 - joy around the corner
I saw ‘Wingfield’s Inferno’ with AW last night, # 6 in a series of plays about Walt Wingfield’s exploits . . . the premise is getting a little tired – amusing, but not as good as the previous ones, but good company made up for the play’s shortcomings
check out: http://www.banderasnews.com/0511/nb-festivalopener.htm
waytogo KT, your first published piece from PV !
my head busy, racing ahead with my ‘day ahead things to do challenges’, hard to pin down this thought to explore it; I was intent on returning home inspired to write this piece + my speech for this week’s Toastmasters meeting; I liked the walk but found inspiration harder to summon than usual this morning
I think, whether we walk or fly or sail somewhere, our lessons appear to be less in the trip as much as they are in the process of seeing things through different eyes, seeing things from a different perspective
but that is just window dressing
just an illusion disguising what we learn
whether we travel on a path near home or a far off beach or golf course, what we see - what we have the opportunity to see – is ourselves
when I see myself walking, distractions of dog behaviour & landscape crews aside,
when I see myself observing how much trash blew in, mingled with leaves summer left behind those observations matter little
what matters are my thoughts & intentions of today, the experiences I’ve yet to have
observing that which is left behind that cannot be re-lived, re-constituted or repeated serves me little more than to keep me in some past place a little longer; to smile at memories & mourn losses, but all I can do is replay & replay the past – changing nothing
the past is passed
the future uncharted
like skiing down a mountain, when I turn my head to look in a new direction, my body follows; as I turn again, my course corrects never to be the same as the last run – no matter how hard I try to re-live it, re-trace it or experience again the thrill I had
the greatest joys are not behind us, they are in front of us; the next corner has a surprise around it - I can’t wait to get to the corner
to those who know me well & try to read between the lins, this is NOT a subtle reference to some woman named Joy, but if there was a live Joy around the corner, I’d not change a syllable
for now I’ll expect my joy around the corner may be an experience, an idea or maybe a live person . . perhaps someone to call Joy
Mark
342,008
Friday, November 11, 2005
November 11 Responses
Friday Nov. 11, 2005 - Year 3, Day 236 - poppy & a bugle
GL is having a birthday today - always easy to remember that date; all the best my friend !
but, is the darkness gone ?
do we live in an age of enlightenment, or simply one of information overload without understanding ?
today we pause for a couple of minutes silence; 11AM, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; the anniversary of the end of WW I & other conflicts too this is a Canadian tradition marked by a poppy & a bugle – as we remember those who lived as well as those who died, those who fought, those who worked, those who did our dirty work in war time & peace time & the tenuous in-between times
I am encouraged when I read/listen to historians analyze the progress of democracy around the world, explain how it reduces conflict & warmongering – I am encouraged but skeptical because I live in Canada just 200 miles from the most powerful democracy on earth, which is mired in a conflict on the other side of the world - a conflict they started, a war that sends body bags home every day
I had the privilege of hearing a speech earlier this year delivered by retired Lt. Gen Roméo Dallaire who commanded Canada’s peace-keeping force in Rwanda among many other distinguished accomplishments
I was struck by the peaceful spirit of this great Canadian, now a Senator, former COO of our country’s war fighting machine
I was struck by his vivid descriptions of unspeakable atrocities behind the headlines; more than anything, I was struck by the stories of Canadian soldiers braving unspeakable dangers to save lives, doing things soldiers from other countries were avoiding – in harm’s way they work for us every day while we sit comfortably in the largest safe democratic country on the planet
conflict, war & killing is stupid – few would disagree, but will there come a day when we citizens of the world in this 21st century start a true revolution in human behaviour?
is the darkness gone ? will it ever be gone ?
for those who are today or have ever been in harm’s way for us, we owe them our lives because they risked & often lost there’s for us
lest we forget
Mark
Thursday, November 10, 2005
November 10 Responses
Excellent perspective presented in your comments today, Mark. I've been struggling lately with some self-esteem / what's it all about issues. Time to realize I should take control THIS day of my actions and attitude. Regards, BM
Hello Mark, I would like that file as my father was overseas. Tomorrow is importantto me and SHOULD BE for all of us who are here appreciating this wonderful opportunity filled world afforded to us by the sacrifices from SO MANY. Thanks Mark,JJ
Mark - I was very inspired by your musing today. On that note I am getting into my car and heading West into the mountains without an agenda. Leaves are still changing and it is a balmy 72 degrees. Good day to make some positive changes in my life. VBL
I continue to marvel at the randomness and synchronicity of the events in our lives. How would our lives be different had we been born a year later, not slept in and missed the bus, or as you suggest - made the choice to take one path while the another was equally inviting? Who would we be? As Tennyson suggests, we are part of all that we have met and all that we have experienced; and truly, that does make all the difference. Thanks for sharing, Mark. LS
Thursday Nov. 10, 2005 - Year 3, Day 235 - THIS day
THIS day, this incredible one of a kind day begins, never to be repeated exactly the same
this day is not ‘just a Thursday’ or any Thursday . . or just another set of 24 hours
like that dawn sky, my original masterpiece ‘THIS day’ begins as blank canvas/page every day
I can paint whatever I want or leave it blank
I can make it a day of rest, play, work; I can make it a day when I reach out or I can make it a day to hide-out
I can initiate many things . . . or avoid it all
I can start something, or finish something or change direction completely several times during the day . . or before lunch; these many choices intermingled with the choices others make will determine whether something worthy of hanging somewhere special will result at day’s end or if it will just leave me with 24 hours less in my life with nothing fresh created
24 hours - too precious to waste sitting on my hands, my mouth or holding back on what I want to do, say or accomplish
whatever I paint today, I’ll surely paint another tomorrow
and the day after that; and the day after that, but why waste today’s opportunity ?
what causes us to take a particular path, choose a career, move from here to there?
sometimes those series of multiple collisions of random events, sometimes ‘decisions du jour’ made for reasons that seemed important at the time take us somewhere very special, take us on a winter picnic . .
uncharted paths diverging in the wood beyond what Frost could have ever dreamed
everyone has their own crooked path with sharp changes in direction, each as unique as a snowflake or a finger print . . no 2 alike
such divergent paths - we each have them – compound when we meet others with equally randomly chosen paths
will we intersect . . will we picnic ? . . or just paint them over leaving a brief image in yesterday’s canvas but not today’s ?
magical opportunities present themselves every day, though we don’t often recognize them
I try try hard to look less & see more, to see those opportunities, see them & put them up on my canvas – exploring possibilities
when I connect with people who, had either of us made a single different step along the way, would never have had an opportunity to meet, I feel adrenaline flow
not because I have any notion of where that connection might go, but thrilled to know I will learn lots & likely see a change of some sort to my life as a result; maybe it will only be a splash on my canvas for 1 day never to appear again, but likely something more indelible
a single step brings us closer . . while a step in the other direction doubles the distance apart
my random life is richer today, not because of what I did yesterday, but because of what I will do today, which brings me to ‘what will I do today?’ , but because I am ready to picnic !
clearly the pile of sequential organized priority items piled on the corner of my desk will get attention – the sequence will probably be altered at least twice before 9 AM if the phone doesn’t ring; likely 4 or 5 changes if it does
my point, yes I have one, is this:
my masterpiece can neither be planned or predicted
my masterpiece will include energy & care & randomness & beauty & truth
what will yours be made of ?
rear view mirror thinking is not something I do lots of, but tomorrow why don’t we all look back to see what kind of masterpiece our today was ?
[note: since I started drafting this I’ve received 2 emails from Krista [my gawd she is so excited about her new job & new love & move] & 1 a catch up note from KT confirming all is well in PV; the 2nd email from Krista included a 5 minute video clip that EVERY Canadian should see this remembrance day; it is a big-honkin file so I cannot attach it but I will send to anyone who asks - my canvas changed already & it’s just 8 AM ]
Mark
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
November 9 Responses
Wednesday Nov. 9, 2005 - Year 3, Day 234 - fear factor
I am wondering, how does one market proactively to fear based thinkers ?
‘fear based’ thinking is so pervasive, I am wondering if my entire marketing strategies should be repositioned to bring clients to my door more effectively . . by addressing their fears
yesterday a client & I met with a Mayor & an advisor – to inform, to persuade & advocate for my client’s project . . . in the end progress was made because we were able to get them to open up about ‘what they are afraid of’, for in fact they are very supportive . . . our selling job is not one of promoting the aspects of our project of merit, but rather one of helping them address fears – most of which will be dispelled by good information
last night, conferenced in on to a meeting of a town council on a very different project, I found the same elements present; in the end the two dissenters became allies once their fears were addressed
fear, clearly a factor in both instances – overcoming those fears required providing information to dispel them with fact, with provision of a broader understanding . . nothing more
sometimes I chase a phantom; I chase the missed opportunity, I chase the possible . . but I don’t do it from a fear based perspective; maybe I should rethink that . .
if we conquer fear, what obstacles remain ?
a full day ahead of meetings & writing & Toastmasters tonight, but first, breakfast with WB . . gotta run
Mark
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
November 8 Responses
. . .
WHO ARE YOU??????....SORRY IF I CANT SEEM TO REMEMBER??..OR JUST MAIL FROM THE SKY??.., JM
Tuesday Nov. 8, 2005 - Year 3, Day 233- those were trips
my daughter Krista [kk] is excited; she got the job she was seeking in Edmonton . . so she will be leaving Lethbridge later this month – big news !
about 30 years ago, listening to a radio show in the evenings while I worked building a basement rec-room – the combination of great music coupled with readings of Joseph Konrad’s writings took me away . . far away . . romance of the sea, images of exotic ports of call, all without leaving my basement – those were trips !
when on vacation I ponder the differences between that & home; I’m wondering this morning how much ‘home’ is like vacationing – answer: not much, but maybe it could be !
playing with a zeal for exploration, relaxation, seeing new things, seeing old things from a new perspective could just as easily be put to work at home as on some far-off beach or new place
I wonder what I will discover today if I am looking ?
I wonder where I can go ?
I’m off to an early breakfast with JJ . . gotta run
Mark
Monday, November 07, 2005
Novermber 7 Responses
Mark, It has been fun, but could you remove me from the distribution list. Thanks, JS
Monday Nov. 7, 2006 - Year 3, Day 231 - only two functions
most of my weekend was pleasant, domestic & calm [translation: alone !]
I am energized; maybe it was the walk & fresh air or the calls & flurry of faxes already this morning or maybe it’s the caffeine
just got off the phone with a municipal official I am dealing with on behalf of a client; the discussion went in a direction that could only be described as marketing & innovation which is cool because the rest of this was already drafted before he called
‘Business has only two functions - marketing and innovation.’ – Peter Drucker
this week’s pile o’ work should be conquered by close of business Tuesday leaving the rest of the week for exploration . . .
I’m percolating
I’m bubbling
I’m brewing . . . . more coffee please !
Mark
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Sunday Nov. 6, 2006 - Year 3, Day 230 - I got the ahs
the musing ‘list code’ indicates how long you have been a muser; each of the 15 lists has about 400 addresses - to lose someone from list 1 is a very big deal !
but, it is time to bid farewell to Pat [PB] . . who wrote rarely but always thoughtfully; he has left us with parting words of his recent experiences in New Orleans & a link to his photography
ah . . thanks to my Toastmasters friends for a great time at the banquet last night; the long program & mediocre meal was made bearable . . we were well entertained at our table; a speaker yesterday inspired me when he spoke of the many forms of the ‘ah’
ah . . . dogs [retrievers named Maggie(2) & Sophie(6)] & rabbits [2] entertained Gusta this morning, as she pulled us both across ever piece of ice covered by snow you could imagine – broken bones barely avoided !
ah . . . not much better could this morning be unless in the company of someone who enjoyed Sunday morning lounging around coffee & papers as much as I do
ah . . to imagine a weekend in Portland [great article in the NY Times on Portland Maine v. Portland Oregon] or golfing in Puerto Vallarta or sprawled on a massage table
awe . . we are what we think about
what are you thinking about ?
awe . . . opportunity, that what we miss unless we grab it
awe . . amazing, the range of thoughts conjured in a room when everyone was asked to name their favorite thing . . . c’mon . . . what’s yours ?
not your list of things you like, but your 1[ONE] favorite thing
no need to publish it . . just know what it is, where it is & how you are going to get lots of it
maybe it’s in Portland or Tucson or Puerto Vallarta or right here .. ?
ah . .
Mark
Saturday, November 05, 2005
November 5 Responses
I wrote him with some questions . . here is his reply:
MK - You've been around a long time . .but silent for a long time too !
PB - sorry about the silence. Many changes have taken place in the past year, and even though I had scant chance to exchange thoughts or comments, I found the routine of reading and/or deleting your log notes to be a connection with the land to the North. Something other than subtropical New Orleans. The first blow to my focus was when I took on exhibiting my photographs in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi starting in February. It was a radical addition to my other two local monthly markets (Bywater and Mid-City) and racheted up the business end of my photography enterprise. Of course there have been new relationships and a much wider range of people, so my time reading "Mark's latest" was mostly crowded out by "today's latest." Life does that to you. O, then there was that...thing...in late August. I didn't read you at all in September or October but I was aware that I was now getting two emails related to your blog.
MK - How did you fare in the hurricanes?
PB - I skated through relatively ok, Mark. Spent the storm in my second story complex apartment in River Ridge on the outskirts of New Orleans watching the show of a lifetime. I have an alcove porch that overlooks the parking lot and from that vantage, I blog'd my way through that Sunday night and Monday morning (Aug 28-29) until 5am or so when the whole world went dark. Of course at 5am in late August dawn is only minutes away so as the sun rose, so did Katrina's fury. Think of the worst thunderstorm you've ever been through, double the wind and take away most of the thunder and you have something approximating that morning. The throaty roar of the wind was amazing. With the power out, the usual electrical utility hum in the air that we're not even aware of was gone and only pure the sound of nature in stampede continued. Pieces of God-what-the-hell-was-that flew into view across my window occasionally. Almost everyone had evacuated a day or more earlier. In an 18-building complex (40 apartments per unit) there were no more than a dozen residents who stayed, an amazing statistic considering the dozens of hurricanes that locals usually ride out here. Everyone knew that this was the famous BIG ONE that would probably hit New Orleans, as did Betsy in 1965. In 1969, hurricane Camille came close and decimated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As of Saturday afternoon, people were jamming the highways headed North and West. Katrina did both. I rode it out originally because I became aware of a lot of elder residents that are here and, having lived on my own for a bit more than a year since my separation, I decided that I should stay for decidedly heroic reasons. Having committed to the decision, someone stole all my old people. Sunday morning they all left and only two other apartments far down at the other end of the atrium were still occupied. So now it was just me and I needed another reason cause I was sure stuck here for the duration. As the storm approached I realized that the elders had just been an excuse, a device if you will, to allow me to do something that is so ingrained into those of us in Southeast Louisiana that we don't even think about it. To ride out The Big One in my own home town. I was born here. Grew up in the uptown Carrollton neighborhood. O sure, most took one look at the approaching maelstrom and ran like smart rabbits. In past hurricanes I had taken the family to the downtown Hilton and reserved a room on the 19th floor looking down river. A comfortable view of nature's bluster. But never with winds above 150mph. Outside, Monday morning, huge pieces of oak trees tumbled past my vantage. I described the wind as doing a samba, then a mambo and later a wild cha cha. The crown of the oak across the way swayed with a fury I didn't think was capable in so stout a tree. Twice during the morning I ventured out beyond the sliding glass partition to the porch with my camera, naked, and pressed myself against the back wall of the alcove, trying to find a still shot that could describe what I was seeing. Nothing between me and the meanest most furious wind that could be imagined. Later I realized that nothing could have conveyed those moments. My shots are, even to me, just a big rainstorm. The magic was so wild it was uncapturable. Mostly I remember the wide range of pressures against my body. A hurricane is, after all, all about pressure. Very LOW pressure. You can feel it all through yourself and, in addition to the terror that one tries to suppress, works to make one breath in short gasps. You cannot relax in a cat 4 or 5 hurricane. It took almost a day before the winds died down, but Monday night was the darkest night I'd ever experienced. The lights of the suburban neighborhood that give the horizon a bronzy glow, the distant lights of the great city...were out. Gone. It was as if I was far in the woods. I felt like the only human being left on the planet....and I dug the wildness of it all. After two more days I was feeling a bit too animal for my own comfort and drove to Alexandria 300 miles away. Needless to say, Katrina has brought everything we take for granted to a screeching halt, and only in the past two weeks has there been a spare moment during which we might forget what has been alternately blown over or drowned or twisted beyond recognition. The gallery below gives something of the after effects. I am a carpenter, so the reminders of Katrina are a bit more frequent for me, and having work gets me out where the amazing stuff is still there to see. I suggested to a tour guide friend of mine that he should offer disaster tours. He tried to give one but became too depressed. O, I still photograph (mostly Katrina debris pics) and am setting up an eBay outlet to move my photographic collection as I am able (pre-Katrina New Orleans photography is suddenly chic), but it would take a book-length effort to explain the chronicle of the past 2+ months beyond what you hear or read in the news. Still, it's good that you remembered me. I know the growth of the daily meditation serves to center your life. I once saw a picture of you and your father together and remarked at how alike you two looked.
My name is XXXX. I reside in Palmdale, California. I'm the type of person that goes with the flow, a current caught me, and I guess that's how I got on your list. I'm writing in response to someone nearing her due date, how people could get together in spirit, might I suggest getting together electronically? My daughter moved to a different state. She misses her pet rodents (and her family and friends, of course). Home sickness comes and goes, but the Logitech (R) QuickCam chat works great, it even comes with a headset. My husband will be sending one to our daughter soon so that we could see her when we chat.. Just a suggestion. Carry on with your musings, never heard of it before. With yourself at the helm, you probably wonder what faces are reading your words. So when I get my scanner up, I'll send ya a photo, ok? Or maybe I have a pix of me online somewhere???? I'll check. Sincerely, AP
Saturday Nov. 5, 2005 - Year 3, Day 229 - I’ll do that on the weekend
my Globe & Mail is late . . whatever will I do ? how can I start my day ?
I think I should invent something new to describe that time between 5PM Friday & Monday morning – I think I’ll call it the WEEKENENDBEND, more of a slow curve turnaround devoid of sharp stops & starts than that of a genuine break between work & leisure
I say ‘I’ll do that on the weekend’ or ‘I’ll finish that by week’s end’
when does a week-end, when does a weekend end . . or begin for that matter?
it seems I always have a target of 5PM Friday, but by Monday morning there is always something I was ‘going to do by the end of the previous week’ staring me in the face as first order of business; the week/weekend/start of next one long ago ceased to be a separation
this continuum really works best for me as I mix work & play & things that interest – not stopping too long to say ‘I am alone with nothing to do’; no shortage of things I need to do, the by-product of having taken procrastination beyond affliction, morphing it into an art-form
more ‘free-form’ working - a couple of days for resting & reading & doing domestic chores, visiting with friends etc.
work is leisure, leisure is work, work is play, play is work; they blend together, usually in some degree of harmony
works for me !
for me a putzing around home domestic day + 3 files on my desk await ‘the calm & quiet concentration’ they deserve; or that was my rationale for not dealing with them yesterday; then off to a Toastmasters event & dinner later
Mark
Friday, November 04, 2005
November 4 Responses
Mark, your 'bringing musers together' as you know has worked terribly well for me and my now very good friend Joan, altho she is based in Edmonton and I am near Edinburgh in Scotland a life long friendship has been forged. Our children have visited each others homes and each year we will seek each other out either at our base or worldwide. For me the together component initially would need to be internet based and then if the layering of communication gave seed to a friendship the meetings would follow. Certainly a good idea for like minds...I often wonder who it is who is contributing to your feedback and the ones I appreciate could be told directly. Of course friendship is only one avenue, perhaps there would be room for romance too in those who have the essential chemistry... and then even photographs could be provided with the ID.. All food for thought.. Good luck with this., SF
Friday Nov. 4, 2005 - Year 3, Day 228 - apple swapping
ideas – they jump out all over the place – sometimes we catch one going by, often we don’t; someone stepped out of the box, grabbed 1 of my ideas, made it better & handed it back to me on a platter yesterday in turn advocating for someone to give me a very nice assignment with loads of potential – thanks TH !
‘If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.’
- George Bernard Shaw
yesterday, a ‘turn the corner’ day on several fronts & deals + some ‘small world’ moments of laughter - as the crossing of paths by friends who have friends in common makes ‘6 degrees of separation’ seem like amateur hour
the notion of bringing ‘musers’ together is something I explored a couple of years ago, but we never did it . . perhaps it was too ambitious a plan involving people traveling substantial distances; I’m thinking of doing something early in the new year . . .maybe a Friday evening pot-luck in a community hall or something like that; I’d be interested in feedback . . .
Mark
342,200
Thursday, November 03, 2005
November 3 Responses
Mark, Your Paul Simon quote reminds me of another. "You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." -American Indian Proverb, Navajo , JT
Thursday Nov. 3, 2005 - Year 3, Day 227 - where’s Claire ?
sometimes we strain hard to see things deeply or to see into the future while the most important simple truths are often in our face, in our hands but we are visually impaired to see things as they are
I remember as a youngster hearing about clairvoyance for the first time – about insightful visions of things to be . . I thought it was a writer named Claire Voyance
from a modern day prophet, a timeless axiom, explaining definitively why we can be so focused & so ignorant all at the same time . . in just 12 words
‘ A man sees what he wants to see, And disregards the rest.’ – Paul Simon
last night’s little epiphany – I realize I am no longer seeing the group as a speakers club – but more as a group of friends who happen to run a Toastmasters meeting each time we gather; I doubt I am alone in that view
Mark
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
November 2 Responses
Wednesday Nov. 2, 2005 - Year 3, Day 226 - yesterday was both
just when we least expect it, people amaze us; more often than not I find people exceed my expectations as opposed to disappointing in any way – not sure if that means I am hanging out with a better class of people or if it means I used to be too cynical ?
whirlwind yesterday, meetings went well, catch up chats with several people, dinner with JB + a ton of calls & 200 more emails than I really wanted to deal with last night as I extricated myself from the 3 hr slippery ride that should have taken 90 minutes; were goals met, did we really make a difference ? hhhmm???? some days are for doing, some for learning, some for both, some for neither . . I’d like to think we did a bit of each
comments yesterday caused me to re-read it; I’m amazed, flattered & thrilled when something I’ve written strikes a deep chord with someone, even more amazed when it is something I turned out quickly or from someone of the feminine persuasion who ‘wants to meet me’ !
some days I look back at some old musings . . often checking the same date in a previous year, in part looking for inspiration, in part reminiscing . . today I re-read something I wrote Nov. 2, 2003 that took me back to that day with very vivid memories, so I thought you might enjoy it:
November 2/03 – Sunday morning Y&Y musings. . .what a great morning walk. . . mild with light fluffy snow falling . . making me itch to be on a ski slope . . . . as I read my NY Times at Bass Brothers [Starbucks next door was full] . . . I had an interesting contrast – on one side of me was a couple meeting for the first time . . music appreciation clearly their common bond . . she was nervous, he was petrified . . but they seemed to be hitting it off . . . ; on the other side a married couple ‘bout my age . . she was scrumptious and he clearly has forgotten that . . . they were reading papers together . . and she mentioned a cruise, his reply was concerned more with the cost than any observation of her expression . . delight declining to . . to . . to a dimmer place …are we not like dimmer switches . . or tri-light bulbs . . . with 50w, 100w & 150w settings – how is it we miss the difference . . when someone’s 50w smile could be a 150w hot glow in an instant . . . just requiring a little sensitivity . . a little inspiration . . or perspiration . .
Mark
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Nov. 1 Responses
Today was all planned. A pleasant day's excursion to the Seattle Art Museum, chauffering two elderly friends and my best gal pal to a Lewis Comfort TIffany show. Supremely pleasant and undemanding. I dodged into my office to check on a few details and push the day's alotment through the fax machine. The phone rang and the tiny holes in the receiver seemed to blow a tornado force that made my hair whip and tears stream from my eyes. Thus spoke Andrew. Unfulfilled expectation, new documentation, the total transformation of my day. Undeterred and unable to contact anyone to postpone departure, I started to punch the sour dough of my daily bread and attempt to raise it into a new and equally sustaining loaf. What was to be a light hearted trip with friends became a more arduous trek through truncated conversations, coordinated and re negotiated details disturbingly threaded through the visual delight of Tiffany and upscale lunch downtown. More calls, wandering through the Pike Place Market and exercising my marketing skills via cell phone. Approaching the ferry home the loose threads all settled into an acceptable pattern and my sour dough was remade into a fresh and nourishing loaf. Have a Nice Day! , CH
Hello my musing friend, Today you were exceptional. If I weren't so busy I would try to get in touch with you, but see you are heading out of town, I leave for Palm Desert tomorrow for my three weeks there. I will be back in Calgary for about two weeks after that, sooooo if you haven't fallen deeply in love and I haven't been swept off my feel by some handsome dude from California, maybe we two could meet. My best, GP
Tuesday Nov. 1, 2005 - Year 3, Day 225 - order maintained
routine gets things done for me, my days full of schedules & lists & the change of direction in a day’s activity that can happen each time the phone rings – the routine keeps me steady, gets the day to day necessities taken care of . . . pushing through with things too easily left aside
I’m off to Edmonton early for meetings there today & back tonight
it’s the uniqueness of the people involved each time are the butterscotch ripple in business that is often pure vanilla – otherwise the elements of my work deal largely with execution of transactions, each one not that unique from many others . . . pushing through, pushing on gets it done every time
then sometimes . . yesterday’s meeting & another one today being great examples . . . extraordinary things get started, get better, get figured out . . with all the smart kids in the sandbox, it is so much fun to play
we get to collaborate in invention; my team & their team together figuring out something that has not been done before – where only an extraordinary result will do, where going beyond the extraordinary is where everyone’s mind is focused – pushing through the routine, pushing through convention . . looking for the wisdom that would elude us if we did not try so hard & engage the minds of so many really incredible people
“ I never did anything worth doing by accident; nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.” – Thomas Alva Edison
“ Too often we forget that genius, too, depends upon the data within its reach, that even Archimedes could not have devised Edison’s inventions.” – Ernest Dimnet
compelling need, extraordinary solution, interesting clever people & teamwork – a recipe I like a lot; following our meeting yesterday an interesting chat with KB as she explained how an interior design background prepared her for a career in accounting - described as ‘maintaining order’ in things . . . I liked that
maybe I’ll change my thinking about routine . . . to ‘maintaining order’
Mark