Boomer Randomness

I am a little behind in my blogging, as a certain dear friend has reminded me.   My crazy busy life sometimes refocuses my schedule and gets in the way of some of my interests, including writing.   I’m on vacation this week, so I am attempting to spend some time on things I don’t have a lot of time for, like cleaning my apartment.   And writing. So here are a few things on my mind this week, in no particular order. Ferguson.   I do understand the frustration of many residents of that St. Louis suburb on hearing the news that a grand jury did not indict the police officer who shot an unarmed man.   I do NOT understand how that justifies burning cars and local business to express their anger.   Vacations.   I think time off from work is very important.   It helps us recharge.   The down side: I get so wrapped up in the chaos of work that it takes days to unwind.   I have a whole day today, for example, with no time-specific ag...

This is the second year in a row that my job sent me to Nashville to help a DJ record interviews with country music singers during CMA week.   I love my job. During two days, he interviewed 80 different singers or groups.   I recorded every interview and took pictures of every performer.   The interviews are ultimately heard on nearly one hundred radio stations across the country. Me and Miranda Lambert I’ve met countless celebrities during my career, so I am not usually that impressed, but standing five feet from the biggest (and smallest) names in country music IS impressive.   These people are so real, so genuine.   In these interviews, they are mostly ego-free and this particular DJ is good at getting the singers to reveal personal feelings and thoughts. Nashville is the heart of country music.   It’s business, pleasure, struggle and success.   Every bar on Broadway Avenue has a wannabe superstar singing their heart out. ...

OK, I know it’s now November, but I had a busy October and got a little behind in my blogging.   The highlight of my October was a long weekend in Asheville NC, one of my favorite towns.   I spent this time with two of my favorite people, two women who mean the world to me.   One is an incredible friend who lives there and the other is an incredible friend (and more) who lives here.   There is so much more to say about the latter, but it’ll have to wait till next year.   Think about that a minute and you’ll understand. My Nikon got a nice workout during a visit to the Biltmore Mansion.   This was my second time there and the first time for my travel companion.   The house and grounds are a living shrine to the rich and famous of a bygone era.   Even today’s wealthiest people don’t live like this.   The house has more than 200 rooms, 43 bathrooms, and is surrounded by 8000 acres of beautiful grounds.   Here are a few of the 165 pi...

Wow, it’s October 16 th already and I haven’t posted anything since the beginning of the month.   Writer’s block?   Too busy?   Nothing to say?   Two out of those three would be accurate. Randomness:   I’ve had some kind of abdominal situation for the past two and a half weeks.   Tests and evaluations, seven hours in the ER, a doc visit … diagnosis? Uhhh, they don’t know.   Treat the symptoms.   Had an entirely different medical situation two years ago with the same outcome … they don’t really know, so they treated the symptoms.   It’s a little scary.   Generally I am in good health and my family lives forever.   Wish I/the doctors knew what’s going on. Coming soon: a short road trip to Asheville NC, one of my favorite places in the world, to visit one of my favorite people in the world.   And my travel partner is another of my favorite people in the world.   And these two favorite women will meet each othe...

I started using a personal fitness trainer almost a year ago. I am not in any way a body builder or athlete but I am in better shape and I lost a little weight. I don't think about it much except when I wear older, larger clothes. This week TWO different people I haven't seen in awhile said things like 'wow, you're half the size you were last time I saw you' (an exaggeration) and 'have you lost weight?' (Closer to reality). I've lost about 10-15 pounds, one pants size and my shape is slightly more athletic looking. Slightly. The compliments did feel good though. Cars are more reliable than ever and last a long time.   My current ride is almost ten years old, has 158,000 on it and is in pretty good shape.   That doesn’t matter, though, because I want something newer.   NewER, not new.   The luxury SUV I want is 4 years old.   But even that ride is too expensive for me right now.   So I thought about just leasing a brand new not-so-luxury SUV.  ...

If you know me, you know I hate chaos. You know I hate ambiguity and seek clarity. You know I am usually diplomatic and respectful. You know that while I don't seek attention I do hate to be ignored. You know I am not a genius but I am smarter than average. You know I think things through and try to consider multiple factors and points of view.   You might not know how much stress I am under when people I work with do not consider the big picture and do not pay attention to my insight into things.   Sometimes I long for the days when I was unfiltered. I often wish I could shout out exactly what I'm thinking (flashback to the beginning of my career when that behavior got my ass fired from 3 of my first 5 jobs) instead of being diplomatic and respectful (which significantly adds to my stress levels).   You know that sometimes I am arrogant and egotistical until I realize that behavior means I am also sometimes a jerk.   You know I think I am right m...