Student: What’s that under my butt?!
Master: I call it fire.
Category: Philosophy
Think deep.
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Of Grasshoppers
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Protect the stores!
There are more than 30 events planned in Knoxville for a National Night Out against crime. [Source]
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No A/C Stinks
I’ve been sweating so badly in this shirt that it has started to smell like a moldy tent.
The repair man’s supplier finally came through. We will be upgraded from a 10 SEER unit to a 13 SEER.
Today, it is rare to see systems rated below SEER 9 in the United States because aging, existing units are being replaced with new, higher efficiency units. The United States now requires that residential systems manufactured after 2005 have a minimum SEER rating of 13… [Source]
I rush the estimate to our very kind insurance agent who ala Brazil cannot find my record at first then finds it offering me a Coke and, along with his Oscar winning smile, utters, "uh oh. Bad news." Hold it! When a guy has been in deadly heat for over two weeks and you have just exclaimed, "you’ve been without air for two weeks!" do not follow it with "bad news." Turns out he wrote his last check yesterday. He thought he had another checkbook but said the local claims office will have to get in touch with me and that I should hear from them within the next 24 hours. Yes, story of my life! None-the-less, I am thrilled!
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Truth Be Told!
Peanut and Jam’s honeymoon shaken.
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August Happiness Challenge
Being a Boy Scout leader makes me happy. I enjoy helping some young men define their character and learn new skills. Tonight I demonstrated a Whisper Lite cooking stove and engaged the scouts in a discussion about backpack cooking. Two other leaders demonstrated different types of stoves. The boys mostly enjoyed seeing fire.
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August Happiness Challenge
Sweat pours from my body like I am standing in a light drizzle. I know these experiences make me stronger. Today I cleaned in preparation for the A/C guy to install our new unit. I have a way to go to clear him a wide enough birth. I am happy with the progress made!
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August Happiness Challenge
Watching Tommy perform at the STAR annual horse show makes me happy. I am thrilled that he has achieved such success. Seeing him perk up at the winning of a blue ribbon in one category after taking a 5th place in another made me even happier!
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Of Grasshoppers
Student: What to do when someone else’s problem becomes yours?
Master: Own it! Embrace it! And maybe you can solve two people’s problems at once. -
August Happiness Challenge
I am happy today because I am getting to do the things that I have had to ignore these past few weeks.
Sidebar: This is hard. I was very happy until about an hour ago. I’m not really happy at all right now. I mostly feel like giving up.
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Don’t ever be nice, just be nice about it
Stephen R Covey talks about climbing the corporate ladder only to find that its leaning on the wrong wall. Psychologists all over the place have publications explaining why good girls like bad guys. Nice guys do come in last. All my life I have lived very altruistically, and no Dr. Helen, I haven’t wanted anything for my altruism…it’s just a Southern thang. I am generous and kind living by the motto "wrong me once, shame on you; wrong me twice, shame on me." But in business that just gets you used.
More and more I am beginning to believe that I need to quit being nice. I can still be a nice guy without being a chump. Perhaps if I did less for others and more for myself then those around me would benefit more than having me help them directly. The words "not my problem" just do not roll naturally from my tongue. SEP!
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August Happiness Challenge
August comes at a terribly trying time for me. The A/C is broken and we are all grouchy and uncomfortable. Money is tight and next to Christmas, this is the most expensive time of year for our family. However, I have two things that have made me very happy today (I’ll do 2 since I missed yesterday). 1) The insurance company was eager to help with our hvac woes (keeping fingers crossed that they don’t change their mind) and 2) a major project that has been albatrossing me got finished today. Oh yes, there will be some wrap up work based on client feedback, but now I can move forward!
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Of Grasshoppers
Student: I’ve forgotten.
Master: What? -
Of Grasshoppers
Student: Patience being tried!
Master: Perhaps you should exercise more. -
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I am so capable.
Master: A stone at the top of a hill is capable but does nothing until pushed.
