Some random thoughts on my 2012
Politics
Too much of the Presidential campaign over the summer, ended up politically disgusted by the time the actual election came along. Note the word..."disgusted". Still "disgusted" by politics. Years ago I attended an alumni event at Penn State where the speaker was a state legislator from the Allentown area. He said something like "politics is the only sport for real men", a phrase still remembered vividly to this very day. He was wrong. Politics isn't a sport, it's the colon cancer screening of society: necessary, but still none too pleasant, mostly dwelling in the bowels. It's a disgusting, dirty business, perpetrated by many who otherwise wouldn't make it in the private sector.
Books
Not reading enough books. Tons of stuff read all the time, but few actual cover to cover books. Need to re-think the book strategy. Part of it is just an inefficient use of time. Part of it is interest. Part of it is opportunity. Regardless, more is needed for 2012. Tired of looking at Daniel Pink's DRiVE sitting on the desktop.
Domicile
Time to end the self-imposed banishment to Elba. Too many temperature extremes. Too many randomly full cat food dishes. Too many late night knocks on the door for silly things. Too many decisions made for me about my time. Difference between being an owner and actually owning. Too little privacy & there should be no need for extra locks on bathroom and bedroom doors. A need to be typing the 2013 year in review from somewhere else. Garage, with workbench, is required.
Photography
Not enough in 2012. More of it in 2013.
Eating
Too much bad stuff in 2012. More good stuff in 2013.
Exercise
Not enough in 2012. More in 2013.
Cats
More.
Facebook
Less.
Less.
Penn State
Rehab (image...). It ain't about football any more.
Professional Colleagues
Blessed.
Significant Other
Exceptionally happy & truly blessed. There is much to do.
Blogging
Closing in on 1300 postings. Closing in on a page view milestone. Time to consider starting a professional blog. Or at least consider the thought more seriously. Enjoyed many local blogs...we produce some world-class blogging stuff in NEPA.
Professionally
Time to start becoming a bit more secure. Time to start taking some chances. Time to start using some of the implied authority I have been given. Time to start cashing in some of the respect earned over the years. Cashing in some of the chips. Time to be a bit less subtle. Time to start using some of the access I've been given. Time to get over the silly distaste for networking. Time to let them know I am here.
Fatherhood
Always keep learning and taking nothing for granted. Learning to let go is the only sure fire way to know that you actually have anything in the first place. Being honest but not too honest. Parenting is like a symphony: many different parts, all blending together to hopefully make one sound. It's different when your "children" are capable of being parents themselves. Continue to do less "saying" and more "showing", as life is a contact sport. Always trying to set a good example. Take nothing for granted.
Family
Time to get down to see my sister this year. For real. South Central Pennsylvania is my second home anyway. Time for more coordination with my brothers. Enough compromising. Time to make long term decisions for those who are unwilling or unable. Too much dichotomy between my professional and certain parts of my personal life. Looking forward to spending New Years on the top of Walton's Mountain with some very wonderful people: there will be hiking, conversation, food and battery recharging.
Scranton
Playing the Limbo: how low can it go? Home for a good part of my life, but there is nothing holding me here. See "domicile". Disgusted, see "politics". Clearly, an escape plan is required. Cost/benefit equation has tilted way off kilter. 2.4% raise just for leaving is very appealing.
Violence
Far too much. Solutions to violence shouldn't include more violence. We've turned death into either a news spectacle or a video game cartoon. The Boomtown Rats were right: "...the lesson today is how to die...".
God
Talked, but not as much. Not feeling abandoned though and not asking for favors. Life lessons continue, and it's pretty clear that the only way to know where you are going is to first get on the road. Miss having a church to attend. Have enjoyed attending Grace Episcopal in Kingston. Still getting my arms around Protestant church organizational structures: Wardens? Sextons? Democracy is a tough concept in religion when you grew up in a totalitarian state.
Philosophy
Best quote found this year: "For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness - happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." - Father Alfred D'Souza
Scranton
Playing the Limbo: how low can it go? Home for a good part of my life, but there is nothing holding me here. See "domicile". Disgusted, see "politics". Clearly, an escape plan is required. Cost/benefit equation has tilted way off kilter. 2.4% raise just for leaving is very appealing.
Violence
Far too much. Solutions to violence shouldn't include more violence. We've turned death into either a news spectacle or a video game cartoon. The Boomtown Rats were right: "...the lesson today is how to die...".
God
Talked, but not as much. Not feeling abandoned though and not asking for favors. Life lessons continue, and it's pretty clear that the only way to know where you are going is to first get on the road. Miss having a church to attend. Have enjoyed attending Grace Episcopal in Kingston. Still getting my arms around Protestant church organizational structures: Wardens? Sextons? Democracy is a tough concept in religion when you grew up in a totalitarian state.
Philosophy
Best quote found this year: "For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness - happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." - Father Alfred D'Souza
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