Brain Circles

Last night I was awake at 0345 because my brain was running in circles - round and round and round.

It amazed me the number of topics that floated through:

• Lyrics and the chorus of 'Rock the Boat' (a 70's disco song)

• Details on a work project

• Upcoming weekend plans

• Replaying the winning goal in Thursday night's hockey game (Let's Go Blues!!)

• Visualizing scenes from the last couple of books I've read

• ...and on and on and on.

This is not the first night that this has happened. And, it seems to be happening more and more.

Why does that happen?  Is it insomnia? Do I have too much going on in my life? I wish I knew the answers.

I do have vacation time scheduled in less than a month. Hopefully that time off and away from the everyday will solve this issue.

Anyone else have this going on? Suggestions for help sleeping? 

That Black Hole

Long time no blog!

There were times I felt I had nothing interesting to say, and others were I, frankly forgot about the blog.  I remembered the blog last night. That's not to mean what I have to say has suddenly gotten interesting!

Last night I went down that black hole known as YouTube. I'm not sure why my interest at the time involved car/truck accidents, animal encounters and babies. But, it did. (I've also been known to watch cake & cookie decorating videos - go figure.)

One theme on some of those I watched were dash cam videos taken by Russian drivers. I have to say (and this is VERY generalized) - I think those cameras are probably a legal necessity. The blatant disregard for any driving laws, particularly in intersections, is ridiculous!!! They need the dash cams to prove fault in an accident. (I spent the first 16 years of my working life in the insurance industry. That experience has stayed with me for all this time.)

I also figured out that people will film almost anything. And, as long as people like me are willing to watch, some of them make money at it. More power to them. Maybe I ought to research that as a possible revenue stream, eh?

Anybody out there ever been down the YouTube black hole? What types of videos did you get hooked on?

Pockets of peace

I saw the phrase 'pockets of peace' in a book today. It started me thinking about where I find my peace these days.

Sometimes that pocket is just simply quiet time with my Bible and my God. Amazing how that can rejuvenate one for the remainder of the day!

At other times it is more secular - maybe a few minutes in the Quiet Room at work reading a book; maybe just the drive to/from work with the radio off; maybe those last few minutes just before I fall asleep at night. I can usually find a 'pocket of peace' just about anywhere.

It doesn't always have to always be quiet. I've found it sitting on a hilltop in Florence, Italy listening to the children laughing and the church bells ringing. It's been found surrounded by a couple of hundred people on an airplane going on a long-anticipated trip. I can be at peace surrounded by my family, listening to them interact with each other (even if that involves fireworks!)

My 'pockets of peace' seem to come when I'm content with my surroundings.

Think about it - where do you find your 'pockets of peace'?

Traditions

Last weekend the small town of Puxico, MO (pop 881) celebrated its 67th annual Homecoming. This celebration is organized by the local VFW. It closes down Main Street from Tuesday through Saturday of the 2nd week in August. Carnival rides and booths are set up along with concession stands selling typical carnival food. 

The locals use this celebration to organize family reunions and class reunions or just take the time to travel back 'home'.

Homecoming is surrounded by traditions, particularly in my family. Outside of my parents attending alumni events, there is their annual attendance at the Methodist Men's Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning. This is followed by the annual question, "What time does the parade start"? (The answer is 1 o'clock - every year.)

The parade is a tradition in and of itself. It always starts with the color guard followed by the PHS marching band. Then, it's an assortment of contest winners - Miss Puxico and her attendents, Little Miss Puxico, Grandparent's Delight winners in various age groups, emergency responders from the surrounding area. Then it's Shriners, antique cars and tractors. The horses, horse-drawn wagons and mules bring up the rear (for obvious reasons). 

This year our family had 4 generations watching the parade. My great-niece was exposed to it for the first time. She may not remember this year specifically; however, if the Good Lord is willing, she'll repeat it for many years to come. 

We're not done with Homecoming traditions. Saturday evening is set aside for a swim in nearby Lake Wappapello, followed by pizza for dinner. 

My family has traditions around both Fourth of July and Christmas as well. I'm not a big fan of 'we've always done it this way" in everyday life, but the legacy of traditions on special occasions bring their own kind of comfort. 

Think about your family and friends and the traditions you maintain with them. 

Food for Thought

There was a conversation in my office today about this restaurant in Northern California. Seems it is one of 'the' restaurants one should go to if one is anyone.

I looked up the place on their website. Seems you can only book reservations no more than two months out. When you get there you will have your choice of two 8-course menus, each costing around $270.00 - per person!! Yes, I wrote $270.00 per person. How insane is that? And, that's before the beverages (usually wine) are included.

Can you imagine an intimate dinner for two costing around $600.00? Me, either. Seems to me that people who insist they have to eat at someplace like that have no sense of priority in their life.

I know we all have our own personal hobbies and obsessions. What makes us individuals is the different likes and dislikes we all have. But, really, what kind of food is worth almost $300.00 per person per meal?  Me, I'd prefer a really good burger and fries. A meal I can usually get for around $10.00.

Let your mind wander today to those things you prefer to spend your time and money on. Anything similar to eating in 5-star restaurants and overpaying for food?

Roads not taken

Over the last few days I've been thinking about choices I've made during my lifetime. Choices that, in one way or another, have led me to where I am today.

Specifically, there are two incidents that come to mind.

1. In my 20's I signed up with the Peace Corps. I'd received my assignment (South Yemen) and was getting ready to head out for my testing/training when I got the word my assignment had been cancelled. The choice here was that I did not follow up about an alternate assignment. Wonder where I'd be if I had?
2. A couple of years after that I spent a week of vacation in Los Angeles interviewing for a couple of different types of jobs. I got as far as a second interview with one, but no further. No real choice there except that I stayed in the job I had at that time. Wonder where I'd be if I had gotten one of those jobs?

I think about friends I've had for 30+ years because I chose to change colleges in my sophomore year. Then, there are the new friends I made last year because I said "Sure, I'll go back to Singapore."

Look back at decisions made in your life (no matter how long or short that life may be). What put you where you are today? And remember that there was probably a guiding hand in those decisions that put you right where you are. And, that you're where you are now for a reason not yet known to you.

Why not me?

I've been nagging (gently, I hope) my youngest nephew to begin a blog as a way to showcase his writing, both style and content. I suggested he write on his observations of life as a college student as well as life in general.

Today I got to thinking - why not me? Why couldn't I write about my observations (minus the college student part)? And the answer - no reason I could come up with. Thus, this blog.

I have a couple of other blogs, both travel related:

• On the other side of the world - My 2010 trip to Singapore and surrounding areas
• Singapore Part II - What it says (My 2012 trip)

So, as I have observations, thoughts, ideas, ruminations, etc. I will try to document them here.

Later!