Ramblings, often stream of conscious, journaling the events of my life.
Truth be told, I have many goals today. Two major professional goals and many personal goals.
But for the moment, I have but one goal. Nothing else matters. The house can burn down around me and I won’t stop. A client has reported a problem that I simply cannot reproduce. So my immediate goal, no matter how long it takes, is to reproduce that issue. That is all.
I often hear "Doug, you are too busy." I have missed opportunities because people assume I am too busy and do not offer the opportunity to me. I will be busy the rest of my life. I will rest when I die. Granted, I will get my nightly sleep and I will appreciate nature and meditate but I will not rest until I die. That is to say, I want a full life. I want a life that I can look back upon and smile knowing I have contributed and made a difference. As such, I will do much. And if you ask me to do something that I cannot take on or do not feel fits into my personal mission statement, I will politely decline. If you offer me an opportunity that excites me, I will reevaluate my commitments and decide if something can be removed to make room for your opportunity. Yes, I am busy. No, I am not too busy.
Me: "Who threw clothes on the stairs? I need to strangle a child."
My 14 year old daughter: "I’ll be right down!"
Me, to myself: "I don’t think she understood what I said."
I asked the question a while back. I’ve misplaced the answers. Some were akin to "make a quilt." I’ve given some shirts over to rags n the garage. I hate the idea of simply adding the shirts to the trash. I don’t think any donation service like Goodwill or Ladies of Charity would actually take these. I think they can be added to compost but I’m not composting at the time.
So, what can I do with 300 tee shirts that date back to the 80s?
On this day, February 3, 2017, I reaffirm my commitment to be a better man than I was yesterday.
My wife: "The squirrels are eating my bush. Would you check on it for me?"
Me: *blink* *blink* "Yes dear."
My younger self always thought it had something to do with being a jock, having money, or being with the in-crowd; that younger self would have laughed silly at being told getting laid all hinged on finishing a wood floor.
KNOXVILLE: Anyone have recommendations on a property surveyor for West Knoxville? I want to get the four corners identified, monuments replaced if necessary, easements identified, and recorded at the city/county building.
When there is no food in the house, you invent things to eat. So, today’s lunch is called sweet baby dill pickle wrapped in a single piece of hard salami. Mmmmm.
Me: "Goddammit, quit stepping on the cats!"
(Probably not the most constructive statement in the moment)
After 16 years, I have finally figured out when I can and cannot ask my wife for a special dates. Data is beautiful!
A quick disclaimer about social media and live events.
I recognize that the chance for some of the information I’m distributing could be inaccurate. For example, Arrowmont having burned…we now have pictures that most of the structures are still standing.
I hope most people know that social media brings awareness at the sacrifice of accuracy. Our sharing of information is second or third hand and anecdotal. I am 45 minutes to an hour and a half away from the fires. I am not witnessing any of this first hand.
The choice between posting these things is one of awareness versus accuracy. I’d rather put it out there and have people know what’s going on and what is at stake and make corrections later. I am not always good about including words like “second hand” and “unconfirmed” I think that’s all implied right now.
