I am fascinated by ideas. What is an idea? It is a concept, the best explanation of the most events. I am delighted when I discover beneath the complex surface of an elgantly simple concept to explain why things are the way they are. An idea is a connection. Mine is the kind of mind that is always looking for connections, and I am so intrigued when seemingly disparate phenomena can be linked by an obscure connection. An idea is a new perspective on familiar challenges. I revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so we can view it from a strange but strangely enlightening angle.
I love all these ideas because they are so profound, because they are novel, because they are clarifying, because they are contrary, because they are bizarre. For all these reasons I derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to me. Others may label me creative or original or conceptual or even smart. Who can be sure? What I am sure of is that ideas are thrilling. And on most days, this is enough.
Bingo!!! Three words - "Goats and Barley." My fiancee, peers at work, or family can tell you that not all of my ideas are great ones. But usually the ones I think are pretty good make it to this blog. The primary reason for existence for this thing is to share my ideas. Although a few of my favorites are no longer available through this site, a few more are:
Catching a Feather in a Whisper
Umbrellic Space Heaters
Mmmbop to Dave Matthews
I can tell by the way my butt fits
With the drought comes garbage
I love finding connections in simple things in life and discovering the complex nature of the way things really are. Things that may seem insignificant always mean so much more! Nothing is insignificant!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Discovering My Strengths (2) - Intellection
I like to think. I like mental activity. I like exercising the "muscles" of my brain, stretching them in multiple directions. This need for mental activity may be focused; for example, I may be trying to solve a problem or develop an idea or understand another person's feelings. But the exact focus will depend on my other strengths. On the other hand, this mental activity may very well lack focus. The theme of intellection does not dictate what I am thinking about; it simply describes that I like to think.
I am the kind of person who enjoys my time alone because it is my time for musing and reflection. I am introspective. In a sense, I am my own best companion, as I pose myself questions and try out answers on myself to see how they sound. This introspection may tend toward more pragmatic matters such as the events of the day or a conversation that I plan to have later. Wherever it leads me, this mental hum is one of the constants in my life.
Hm. That last statement is probably my favorites and precisely describes me. "Wherever it leads me, this mental hum is one of the constants in my life." I used to tell Mindy that at night I hear voices in my head. I quit telling her that because it freaks her out, but I do still hear them. No, they're not audible like someone is in the room, but they might as well be because it's me just talking to myself. I like to play things out mentally. I will have 100 hundred different ways a conversation could go with a co-worker, a room mate, friend, or family member, played out in my head. It gives me satisfaction just to think about what could be said.
Sudokus? Hm, maybe on an airplane. Crosswords? I'm too impatient. Minesweeper? Muscle memory, not mental activity. I do enjoy the intellectual and mental simulation, but what I'm spending my intellection on needs to actually mean something. It's got to have purpose. My good friend Jeff told me once "Michael, I'll give you this. You're always working on a better mouse trap." He didn't realize it, but he was talking about one of my talents!
This aspect of thinking with purpose compliments my 5th and final talent to be discussed later - Analytical.
I am the kind of person who enjoys my time alone because it is my time for musing and reflection. I am introspective. In a sense, I am my own best companion, as I pose myself questions and try out answers on myself to see how they sound. This introspection may tend toward more pragmatic matters such as the events of the day or a conversation that I plan to have later. Wherever it leads me, this mental hum is one of the constants in my life.
Hm. That last statement is probably my favorites and precisely describes me. "Wherever it leads me, this mental hum is one of the constants in my life." I used to tell Mindy that at night I hear voices in my head. I quit telling her that because it freaks her out, but I do still hear them. No, they're not audible like someone is in the room, but they might as well be because it's me just talking to myself. I like to play things out mentally. I will have 100 hundred different ways a conversation could go with a co-worker, a room mate, friend, or family member, played out in my head. It gives me satisfaction just to think about what could be said.
Sudokus? Hm, maybe on an airplane. Crosswords? I'm too impatient. Minesweeper? Muscle memory, not mental activity. I do enjoy the intellectual and mental simulation, but what I'm spending my intellection on needs to actually mean something. It's got to have purpose. My good friend Jeff told me once "Michael, I'll give you this. You're always working on a better mouse trap." He didn't realize it, but he was talking about one of my talents!
This aspect of thinking with purpose compliments my 5th and final talent to be discussed later - Analytical.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Discovering My Strengths - Achiever
My Achiever theme helps explain my drive, and describes a constant need for achievement. I feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day, I must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about myself. And by "every day," I mean every single day - workdays, weekends, vacation. No matter how much I feel I deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, I will feel dissatisfied. I have an internal fire burning inside of me. It pushed me to do more, to achieve more. After each accomplishment is reached, the first dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing me toward the next accomplishment. My relentless need for achievement might not be logical. It might not even be focused. But it will always be with me.
As an achiever, I must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It does have its benefits. It brings me the energy I need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt I can always count on to get me started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes me to set the pace and define the levels of productivity for my work group. It is the theme that keeps me moving.
When Mindy and I go on vacation, she loves to "relax." You know. Do nothing. Sit. Sleep. Eat. Watch a sunrise over a lake and feel a cool breeze through the trees. Although I do enjoy the scenery and quiet, I still have to do something! I do look forward to my vacations and off days because I know how much I need them, and I do tire of work things. However - if those off-days are not filled with something for me to do or accomplish, my mind will automatically revert back to work thoughts and stress about it. For me, a good relaxing day off means laundry done, a house cleaned, and shopping taken care of. All errands are accounted for, and I can check a few things off the list of things to do. Watching football and a computer screen all day with fantasy footballs scores do count as something.
As far as that fire inside me, I suppose that certain traits/talents can be hereditary. Based on the way this book describes the natural talents, genes and DNA play a role in that. I obviously got that from my father. He does not rest until a task is complete. His work ethic is rivaled by none, and though he does not set his goals in achieving material things, I know that he loves the satisfaction of a job well done, and a job complete.
I look forward to my achievements on my honeymoon in a month.
As an achiever, I must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It does have its benefits. It brings me the energy I need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt I can always count on to get me started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes me to set the pace and define the levels of productivity for my work group. It is the theme that keeps me moving.
When Mindy and I go on vacation, she loves to "relax." You know. Do nothing. Sit. Sleep. Eat. Watch a sunrise over a lake and feel a cool breeze through the trees. Although I do enjoy the scenery and quiet, I still have to do something! I do look forward to my vacations and off days because I know how much I need them, and I do tire of work things. However - if those off-days are not filled with something for me to do or accomplish, my mind will automatically revert back to work thoughts and stress about it. For me, a good relaxing day off means laundry done, a house cleaned, and shopping taken care of. All errands are accounted for, and I can check a few things off the list of things to do. Watching football and a computer screen all day with fantasy footballs scores do count as something.
As far as that fire inside me, I suppose that certain traits/talents can be hereditary. Based on the way this book describes the natural talents, genes and DNA play a role in that. I obviously got that from my father. He does not rest until a task is complete. His work ethic is rivaled by none, and though he does not set his goals in achieving material things, I know that he loves the satisfaction of a job well done, and a job complete.
I look forward to my achievements on my honeymoon in a month.
Discovering My Strengths Series - Preview
I am reading a good book right now that was recommended to me by a couple of work-related mentors. Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. Remembering that I started this blog almost 3 years ago to not only vent about things to others, but for my own personal growth as I "worked through" things in life and ultimately for self development. I love looking back at what I thought, and seeing where I've come in life.
The book defines "talents" as a recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. This seems to make sense to me. A "strength" is the application of knowledge and skills to one's strength (paraphrased). I haven't finished the book yet, but it has essentially said so far that individuals, companies, and educational institutions spend too much time working on people's weaknesses, instead of focusing on their strengths.
The book gives access to an online "talent finding" quiz with about 100 questions. Out of 34 talents available, it calculates 5 talents for you. So, I've decided to write a brief blog for each of my talents, with my initial reaction to it. My goal? To develop my strengths as well as my approach to my strengths. I want to look back on this entry a year from now and feel like I've made progress on my strengths.
Feel free to comment on the entries that follow in this series. I've always believed that one's biggest strength could be their biggest weakness. I don't believe this book will teach that, but that does not mean I would not want to be aware of how my strengths can negatively affect others. That would be part of the development of my strengths.
The book defines "talents" as a recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. This seems to make sense to me. A "strength" is the application of knowledge and skills to one's strength (paraphrased). I haven't finished the book yet, but it has essentially said so far that individuals, companies, and educational institutions spend too much time working on people's weaknesses, instead of focusing on their strengths.
The book gives access to an online "talent finding" quiz with about 100 questions. Out of 34 talents available, it calculates 5 talents for you. So, I've decided to write a brief blog for each of my talents, with my initial reaction to it. My goal? To develop my strengths as well as my approach to my strengths. I want to look back on this entry a year from now and feel like I've made progress on my strengths.
Feel free to comment on the entries that follow in this series. I've always believed that one's biggest strength could be their biggest weakness. I don't believe this book will teach that, but that does not mean I would not want to be aware of how my strengths can negatively affect others. That would be part of the development of my strengths.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Lost in The Office of Facebook
I can't help it. This is the way I view things. Season 3 of Lost, The Wedding Episode of The Office, and "reconnecting" on Facebook. They all have something in common - they were the "Ah-ha. I get it" moments for me about the way this really works. When something good became something normal. When something pure became something deceitful. When something mystical became something transparent.
Have the first 4 seasons on DVD at the house. Watched all of Season 5 online, and haven't missed an episode of Season 6...yet. Until maybe this week when I decide it's not that big of a deal. The "Ah Ha!" moment with this show came during "The Wedding" episode with Jim and Pam. The show has had this episode on their mind since last season when Jim proposed. They had been advertising it since the beginning of the season, and I could swear they originally advertised it to come out October 1st, but pushed it back a week. Lo and behold, October 8th came, and I have to say that I could not have been more disappointed.
"Solomon M - Reconnect with him." The new Facebook set-up informed me to reconnect with Solomon. Humorous as it is that my pet snake has a facebook account inspired by my former room mate in college, I thought it was funny that Facebook was encouraging me to keep in contact with him. So I turned around in my desk chair, looked at him in his tank, and said, "What's up, buddy?" I then "x"ed that box off of facebook and then it told me to reconnect with Mark William Raney - my room mate. I decided to save myself a 10 foot walk to his room. I felt connected enough.
Mindy loves this show, but I had some catching up to do if we were to share this together. So I started renting the seasons, 1 by 1. Season 1? Survive a plane crash, lost on an island, find a steel room in the ground. "I'm intrigued. This could be interesting." Season 2? Pushing buttons, other people are living on the island, and food is being delivered. "Hm. Peculiar, but I'd like to see where they go with this." Season 3? Invisible men, flash forwards (leading to other TV shows), and kidnapping & murder of a man posing to be one of the main character's fathers on an apparently invisible island. "Done!" It took me 3 seasons to realize it, but they had no idea where they were going with that show, and I don't think they did either. After finishing 3 seasons in 3 weeks, I haven't looked back in the last 3 months.
I had been walking along their path, with a carrot dangling in front of me, only for them to be leading me in circles and to get my money while doing it. To get from point A (the premiere) to point B (not even the writers know where this is), they added an infinite number of random stories and impossible, creative, mystical aspects to the story that they will simply cancel out as unimportant to fill up 42 minutes each week of people's lives. I had felt betrayed & stupid all at the same time.
Have the first 4 seasons on DVD at the house. Watched all of Season 5 online, and haven't missed an episode of Season 6...yet. Until maybe this week when I decide it's not that big of a deal. The "Ah Ha!" moment with this show came during "The Wedding" episode with Jim and Pam. The show has had this episode on their mind since last season when Jim proposed. They had been advertising it since the beginning of the season, and I could swear they originally advertised it to come out October 1st, but pushed it back a week. Lo and behold, October 8th came, and I have to say that I could not have been more disappointed. Mimicking the JK Wedding Dance Entrance? Are you kidding me? That's the best you could do for the climax of the most advertised episode in series history? That video was posted online July 19th, was world known by probably the 26th. Given that previews for the wedding episode were being aired in September, that gave them what? Maybe 6 weeks to pull that episode together? The writing, scripting, casting, and filming of that episode? I had felt betrayed. I'm sure the writers did have something planned for the wedding episode, but it obviously sucked so much that they used someone else's idea. Whatever they did have before the video came out, someone said "You know what? I think this newlywed couple has something better than us. Our idea is crap compared to this. Let's scrap what we had and do their thing. Let's let a 22 year old newlywed couple write our show for us" So they ripped it. The whole time I was thinking - "This is the best you can do?"
I don't know if Jill and Kevin get anything for The Office using their video, since it is on a public site for public enjoyment. But I do know some executive for NBC or The Office said -"Hey. Every time someone watches that video on YouTube, they'll think of The Office. It's free advertising. It's perfect product placement without the cost." And that's when the magic was gone. It was no longer a good show. It became a good business.
"Solomon M - Reconnect with him." The new Facebook set-up informed me to reconnect with Solomon. Humorous as it is that my pet snake has a facebook account inspired by my former room mate in college, I thought it was funny that Facebook was encouraging me to keep in contact with him. So I turned around in my desk chair, looked at him in his tank, and said, "What's up, buddy?" I then "x"ed that box off of facebook and then it told me to reconnect with Mark William Raney - my room mate. I decided to save myself a 10 foot walk to his room. I felt connected enough.Launched in 2004, I have been on Facebook since 2005 - when only (major) universities had it. No groups. No Notes. No Photo Albums. No Events. They had the "connection of you:joe:kate:lindsay" thing. And praise God, they had NO APPLICATIONS! But I wonder if anyone else remembers how the thing started. It was called a social networking site. The fun of facebook was seeing your friends, reading their information, finding out more about them, and keeping in touch with them. It was simple. It was a fun, more extensive alternative to email.
Today, it is no longer a social networking site, but a self-promotion site. A narcissistic way of telling anyone who gets on a computer, what you are doing, thinking, drinking, saying, or looking like at any given moment in the day. It is not their choice. Their choice was to simply sign on, and they find out about you. So you better have something good ready to show them! It is not important that you have important photos, but a lot of them. Not something interesting and important to share, but something to share!
But the faze has plateaued. You have so many friends, you think it awkward to write on someone's wall or ask them a personal question. You can't remember why you added that friend from middle school. But praise God! Because you can find out what Disney character you are, what holiday season describes you, how old you will be when you have your first child, and what your name would be if you were a character in a Harry Potter book. "Thank you, Facebook! I can see why this is so important for my own development and social networking!"
So, Facebook went back to the basics. "Hey. Remember this friend? Send them a message." "We've run out of people to suggest to you, so now we'll actually suggest being friends with the people you have as friends." "We know nobody really likes the mini-feed, so we'll filter it to only your real friends and not people you just know." Twitter has the monopoly on the self-promotion, so they'll have to get back to their bread and butter. They even created a diet-facebook, for those who stuff themselves.
Conclusion
I get it. Before you try to comment and convince me of it. I know they're all products in a capitalistic society. Every product has a life cycle. A birth, a life, and a death. And the death of that product is different for everyone. Some people still use landlines. Some people still use tape players. I know. For these 3 products, I have exhausted or just about exhausted all use for their services. This is just the way I see these products.
Conclusion
I get it. Before you try to comment and convince me of it. I know they're all products in a capitalistic society. Every product has a life cycle. A birth, a life, and a death. And the death of that product is different for everyone. Some people still use landlines. Some people still use tape players. I know. For these 3 products, I have exhausted or just about exhausted all use for their services. This is just the way I see these products.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Georgia Tech Under-dawgs
It's a classic middle school scenario. The cool kid. The athlete. The genius. You can immediately think back to "that kid" from 5th or 6th grade. They were always the center of attention in whatever it was that they excelled in. Everyone knew who would be together for the big dance before the football game. Everyone always knew who would win the basketball game on "Free Friday" in gym class. Everyone knew who ruined the curve on the geography exam. It was just a given that the favorites, the popular kids, the best of the best - would never be beaten. They were the darlings of teachers, parents, and students alike. They had the most yearbook pictures, the coolest clothes from the gap, and the best lunch table. They were oblivious to the world around them. Unpopular kids knew who both the unpopular kids and the popular kids were, but the popular kids only were aware of the popular kids. Nothing outside their world mattered.
As an average kid, you began to cheer for their demise. It wasn't necessarily that you had to be better than them at their game, but somebody should. It could be the new kid in school who moved from the north side of town. It could be a late-bloomer who lost the braces and stole the good looking guys. It didn't matter. As long as the favorite, the darling, lost at some point. Somehow, they had to be humbled. They had to be average. This football season has exposed this exact same scenario for Georgia Tech football fans. And I feel humbled that I never noticed it before. As a Georgia fan, I only noticed Georgia Tech for one week a year - the week of Thanksgiving. That was the only week that they were significant to UGA. And for 7 straight years, it was a given that would be a "w" in our record. However, what this season has exposed is the mentality that GA Tech fans have adopted. UGA is significant to them every week. Tech fans do not just cheer for their team, but for the demise of the top-team in the state. Most UGA fans couldn't even tell you what day Georgia Tech plays week to week, much less who they play. But it seems that GA Tech fans follow Georgia games just as closely as their own. It is ultimately a sign of respect to have such attention paid to UGA.
The world of Facebook has revealed this mentality. Just yesterday, these are a few of the statuses of some of my Ga Tech Fans on Facebook:
-"GT = 5-1. How bout them dawgs?"
-"Yesterday was a great day with Tech winning and UGA losing!"
-"Go Vols! Beat UGA! Go Tech!"
-"Well, no excessive celebrations for UGA today (hard to get when you're not celebrating), but they've been penalized in other normal ways... 'Good Ole Rocky....' well, okay."
-"[Tech Fan] is singin' Rocky Top and getting pumped up to kick FSU and Bowden while they're down tonight!"
-"[Tech Fan] Is proud of her Yellow Jackets! Oh and Rocky Top!"
-"[Tech Fan] Is singing Rocky Top and ready to cheer the Jackets!"
More words are said about UGA and their opponents in these statuses than GA Tech. Such a pity for Tech football that their fans are more obsessed with UGA losing than their own team winning. Heck, even equal cyber-space time and words for UGA and Tech seems ridiculous. Tech fans should enjoy this. Every so often, the stars align, and the fat kid will beat the athlete in a game of H.O.R.S.E. The ugly girl will will get a dance with the hot, drunk dude. And the dumb kid will get lucky on multiple choice and get an "A". It just happens.
From 2002 to 2008, UGA has gone 74-18 (.804), 6-1 in Bowl games, and 6-1 against Tech. During that time, GA Tech went 53-37 (.589), 1-6 in Bowl games, and 1-6 against UGA. Tech has never really been that bad. Just average. And that's essentially what they want for UGA - to be average. Enjoy this season, Tech fans. Savor it. UGA will not be voted Homecoming King this year, and neither will you. But I know that doesn't matter to you. It does not matter to you if GA Tech is even on Court, as long as UGA isn't.
GO DAWGS!
As an average kid, you began to cheer for their demise. It wasn't necessarily that you had to be better than them at their game, but somebody should. It could be the new kid in school who moved from the north side of town. It could be a late-bloomer who lost the braces and stole the good looking guys. It didn't matter. As long as the favorite, the darling, lost at some point. Somehow, they had to be humbled. They had to be average. This football season has exposed this exact same scenario for Georgia Tech football fans. And I feel humbled that I never noticed it before. As a Georgia fan, I only noticed Georgia Tech for one week a year - the week of Thanksgiving. That was the only week that they were significant to UGA. And for 7 straight years, it was a given that would be a "w" in our record. However, what this season has exposed is the mentality that GA Tech fans have adopted. UGA is significant to them every week. Tech fans do not just cheer for their team, but for the demise of the top-team in the state. Most UGA fans couldn't even tell you what day Georgia Tech plays week to week, much less who they play. But it seems that GA Tech fans follow Georgia games just as closely as their own. It is ultimately a sign of respect to have such attention paid to UGA.
The world of Facebook has revealed this mentality. Just yesterday, these are a few of the statuses of some of my Ga Tech Fans on Facebook:
-"GT = 5-1. How bout them dawgs?"
-"Yesterday was a great day with Tech winning and UGA losing!"
-"Go Vols! Beat UGA! Go Tech!"
-"Well, no excessive celebrations for UGA today (hard to get when you're not celebrating), but they've been penalized in other normal ways... 'Good Ole Rocky....' well, okay."
-"[Tech Fan] is singin' Rocky Top and getting pumped up to kick FSU and Bowden while they're down tonight!"
-"[Tech Fan] Is proud of her Yellow Jackets! Oh and Rocky Top!"
-"[Tech Fan] Is singing Rocky Top and ready to cheer the Jackets!"
More words are said about UGA and their opponents in these statuses than GA Tech. Such a pity for Tech football that their fans are more obsessed with UGA losing than their own team winning. Heck, even equal cyber-space time and words for UGA and Tech seems ridiculous. Tech fans should enjoy this. Every so often, the stars align, and the fat kid will beat the athlete in a game of H.O.R.S.E. The ugly girl will will get a dance with the hot, drunk dude. And the dumb kid will get lucky on multiple choice and get an "A". It just happens.
From 2002 to 2008, UGA has gone 74-18 (.804), 6-1 in Bowl games, and 6-1 against Tech. During that time, GA Tech went 53-37 (.589), 1-6 in Bowl games, and 1-6 against UGA. Tech has never really been that bad. Just average. And that's essentially what they want for UGA - to be average. Enjoy this season, Tech fans. Savor it. UGA will not be voted Homecoming King this year, and neither will you. But I know that doesn't matter to you. It does not matter to you if GA Tech is even on Court, as long as UGA isn't.
GO DAWGS! Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Michael's Engaging Story
"Hey babe, do you see my map back there?" He glanced in the rear view mirror at his girlfriend as she looked around in the back seat.
"Is it in your bag?"
"NO! *pause* It's not in my bag. I think you're sitting on it."
"Oh yah. Here it is."
He breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. He had been carrying around that engagement ring for 3 days in his Camelback pack. The thing had been only feet from her the whole time and she didn't have a clue. He didn't have a settled plan or speech prepared. He just knew that this vacation would be the time. He had shown the ring to both his father and her's - knowing that he might need their assistance at some point in the future to make sure this whole thing went as perfect as possible. This question is only asked once in most people's lives - sometimes never at all. And the answer for anyone involved or even observing the event, gets their hearts going.
Arriving at the hotel, they walked around the lobby and Sun Room for a little while. One of the first sentences she spoke was "WOW! I want to get married in this room." Dying to say it, but only thinking it, his response was "you'll have to settle for being engaged in it." They decided to take their stroll by the lake. They went back to the car for their rain jackets, which served a prelude to a torrential downpour. The water fell hard and heavy. Even a light rain would not have hindered the occasion, but for those who have lived there, they know a typical Yellowstone thunderstorm comes quick and comes hard. There was no way he could get down on one knee in that rain - at least not without drowning.
So he decided to put it on hold until something else develops. They found two comfy chairs in the middle of the sun room and sat them beside each other. It was really the first time they had been
alone in a few days, and she grabbed his hand and laid her head on his shoulder, and they just sat in the silence. They looked out the window to watch the storm come in and cover the lake, being surrounded on windows on 3 sides. He knew this was the place... but he needed the right words and the right timing. Both of their parents strolled sporadically and occasionally near them and around them for about 15 minutes, never all there at one time. If this were the place, he knew it would be best for all of them to be there, or none of them.
Finally, he broke away from his girlfriend in a quest to create a plan to finally make her his fiance. He needed to gather the troops and find a way to get everyone there at one time. He found her father in the gift shop, and with 3 words, put things into action. "Mark, It's time." Mindy's father's eyes grew large and his demeanor filled with movement. His parents joined them at their chairs, and all that was left was Mindy's mother. Where was she?!?!? Mindy went off to find her mother and grab a cup of coffee. Within minutes, her father had grabbed "premier seating" right in front of the window, a perfect place to propose. At this point, there was nothing left to but to wait for his love to return. He settled is chair and did just that. Waited...
He waited some more.
10 Minutes later.... he was still waiting. This was driving him crazy. He was waiting to ask the most important question of his life, and his girlfriend had gotten lost grabbing coffee.
15 minutes later. Her father could feel the anxiety inside of him. His father felt helpless. But soon enough, the time came.
As she approached the group by the window, he anxiously gave her a gift bag from the gift shop. "Where have you been? I got you a gift since you were gone for so long." She received the bag and reached inside. She pulled the white box out, and then the brown box out of that one. As she cracked open the lid, he dropped down to one knee. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. She looked back. She unknowingly was smiling and appeared to be going into a state of shock.
"Mindy. I love you. I love you more every day." *pause* "Hey. Look at me. I'm down here." In her slight state of shock at the excitement and disbelief at what was happening, she started gazing off into the distance out the window at the lake. In response to his voice, she slowly drew her head back to him and once again met her eyes with his. "Will you marry me?"
Whether she said yes first or pulled him up for his lips to meet hers he could not recall. Perhaps, in some strange way they happened at the same time. As they kissed and then embraced, the audience that they had been unaware that was surrounding them began clapping and cheering - 20 or so strangers all celebrating and rejoicing in their occasion. He slipped the ring on her finger. And just like Cinderella's slipper, it was a perfect fit. Even in the dim, warm lighting of the room, it shone and sparkled brightly to complement the glow radiating from her face.
It was a surreal feeling for him. He had not been overly anxious nor overly excited. His heart had barely altered it's normal pace. Most of his concern was just making it right for her, and once she wrapped her arms around him, he knew that she felt it perfect. It was just right. It was a feeling he had not had in quite some time - just the assurance and peace that he was right where God wanted him all along. Knowing that this was just the next big step in becoming the man (and couple) that God desired. He had asked and prayed for a woman such as this, and God was merciful and gracious enough to provide him with one.
Now he has bigger things to think about - like a wedding and marriage. He is expecting greater things to come.
He had been told to wait. He had been told to be patient, and to save his Goats and Barley for the one who he was truly made for. And God provided. He can't wait to start spending them!
"Is it in your bag?"
"NO! *pause* It's not in my bag. I think you're sitting on it."
"Oh yah. Here it is."
He breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close call. He had been carrying around that engagement ring for 3 days in his Camelback pack. The thing had been only feet from her the whole time and she didn't have a clue. He didn't have a settled plan or speech prepared. He just knew that this vacation would be the time. He had shown the ring to both his father and her's - knowing that he might need their assistance at some point in the future to make sure this whole thing went as perfect as possible. This question is only asked once in most people's lives - sometimes never at all. And the answer for anyone involved or even observing the event, gets their hearts going.
She handed him the map and he tucked it between the driver's seat and armrest. His mother was sitting in the seat beside him. He had brought his parents and she had brought hers to this wonderful, "magical" place of Yellowstone National Park. It was home to him and reminded his girlfriend of hers. Mindy grew up in the pacific northwest and evergreens, lakes, and mountains was what made her happy. The three of them continued the drive through the forests and 
mountains, making their way through the country's first national park. Stopping for photos along the way along waterfronts, and then again for lunch on the lake. Each minute that passed, he knew the moment was getting closer.
Finally, they had left the restaurant from lunch and started headed north, driving for miles alongside the coast of Lake Yellowstone. He was beginning to prepare himself for what it was he was going to say - what it was he was going to do. A private, lakeside proposal near sunset would be just the thing to catch her off guard and wisp her off her feet. She wasn't expecting it. And he was playing everything so cool and to perfection.
mountains, making their way through the country's first national park. Stopping for photos along the way along waterfronts, and then again for lunch on the lake. Each minute that passed, he knew the moment was getting closer. Arriving at the hotel, they walked around the lobby and Sun Room for a little while. One of the first sentences she spoke was "WOW! I want to get married in this room." Dying to say it, but only thinking it, his response was "you'll have to settle for being engaged in it." They decided to take their stroll by the lake. They went back to the car for their rain jackets, which served a prelude to a torrential downpour. The water fell hard and heavy. Even a light rain would not have hindered the occasion, but for those who have lived there, they know a typical Yellowstone thunderstorm comes quick and comes hard. There was no way he could get down on one knee in that rain - at least not without drowning.
So he decided to put it on hold until something else develops. They found two comfy chairs in the middle of the sun room and sat them beside each other. It was really the first time they had been
alone in a few days, and she grabbed his hand and laid her head on his shoulder, and they just sat in the silence. They looked out the window to watch the storm come in and cover the lake, being surrounded on windows on 3 sides. He knew this was the place... but he needed the right words and the right timing. Both of their parents strolled sporadically and occasionally near them and around them for about 15 minutes, never all there at one time. If this were the place, he knew it would be best for all of them to be there, or none of them.Finally, he broke away from his girlfriend in a quest to create a plan to finally make her his fiance. He needed to gather the troops and find a way to get everyone there at one time. He found her father in the gift shop, and with 3 words, put things into action. "Mark, It's time." Mindy's father's eyes grew large and his demeanor filled with movement. His parents joined them at their chairs, and all that was left was Mindy's mother. Where was she?!?!? Mindy went off to find her mother and grab a cup of coffee. Within minutes, her father had grabbed "premier seating" right in front of the window, a perfect place to propose. At this point, there was nothing left to but to wait for his love to return. He settled is chair and did just that. Waited...
He waited some more.
10 Minutes later.... he was still waiting. This was driving him crazy. He was waiting to ask the most important question of his life, and his girlfriend had gotten lost grabbing coffee.
15 minutes later. Her father could feel the anxiety inside of him. His father felt helpless. But soon enough, the time came.
As she approached the group by the window, he anxiously gave her a gift bag from the gift shop. "Where have you been? I got you a gift since you were gone for so long." She received the bag and reached inside. She pulled the white box out, and then the brown box out of that one. As she cracked open the lid, he dropped down to one knee. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. She looked back. She unknowingly was smiling and appeared to be going into a state of shock.
"Mindy. I love you. I love you more every day." *pause* "Hey. Look at me. I'm down here." In her slight state of shock at the excitement and disbelief at what was happening, she started gazing off into the distance out the window at the lake. In response to his voice, she slowly drew her head back to him and once again met her eyes with his. "Will you marry me?"
Whether she said yes first or pulled him up for his lips to meet hers he could not recall. Perhaps, in some strange way they happened at the same time. As they kissed and then embraced, the audience that they had been unaware that was surrounding them began clapping and cheering - 20 or so strangers all celebrating and rejoicing in their occasion. He slipped the ring on her finger. And just like Cinderella's slipper, it was a perfect fit. Even in the dim, warm lighting of the room, it shone and sparkled brightly to complement the glow radiating from her face.
It was a surreal feeling for him. He had not been overly anxious nor overly excited. His heart had barely altered it's normal pace. Most of his concern was just making it right for her, and once she wrapped her arms around him, he knew that she felt it perfect. It was just right. It was a feeling he had not had in quite some time - just the assurance and peace that he was right where God wanted him all along. Knowing that this was just the next big step in becoming the man (and couple) that God desired. He had asked and prayed for a woman such as this, and God was merciful and gracious enough to provide him with one.
Now he has bigger things to think about - like a wedding and marriage. He is expecting greater things to come.
He had been told to wait. He had been told to be patient, and to save his Goats and Barley for the one who he was truly made for. And God provided. He can't wait to start spending them!
Saturday, August 01, 2009
With the Drought Comes Garbage
When I moved from Athens in the fall of 2007, the state of Georgia was experiencing a severe drought. Everyone was drastically changing their lifestyles from not showering to "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, put it down." I remember leaving restaurants and finishing my drinks completely, because I felt like I was wasting water if I let the ice sit there. Seriously. I remember considering water that precious.
Droughts, unlike floods, don't happen suddenly. There's not a flash drought. The paraphrased definition of a drought is a "prolonged or extended season of dry conditions, causing adverse effects on crops or living conditions." In other words, droughts happen over a long period of time and as they wear on, they cause greater damage. Lake Lanier, the lake that supplies large amounts of water to the Atlanta area, had drastic changes in it's water level. These levels could easily be seen from an airplane.
There was one bright side to this problem, however. As the water level in Lake Lanier recedes, decades of trash were exposed. Cars, motorcycles, beer cans from the 1930's, all were now on the surface. Though the water level receded, it created the perfect opportunity to clean the trash out of the lake. People didn't have to search for it. They didn't have to swim or dive to it. No heavy machinery necessary. The trash was obvious, apparent, and made the lake look completely awful. There really wasn't much of a choice except to clean the lake. People couldn't stand looking at it.
This is exactly how I've felt the last few months. Work has been very challenging and frustrating. Personal life has experienced some set backs. My faith has been tested. I've been in such a drought. Instead of contributing and doing anything productive, I've only been letting anything good and valuable dry up inside me. I've created so many of adverse effects on the things I'm supposed to affect positively - the things I'm supposed to give life to. And as that drought prolonged, more and more trash and garbage about myself has been revealed that's been buried for years, and I've had no choice but to look straight at it and say "I can keep it there, or get rid of it."
I suppose that the months of rainfall I had in my life covered up all the trash that I had. I can only pray that as I remove this trash from my life, that the rains will come again and I can once again be filled (but clean).
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