Abundance

This is the season when bargain hunters are out in force.  I'd like you to consider something:  come from your place of abundance.

When we were children, people would ask my sister and I what we wanted for Christmas.  As adults, we pretty much acquire what we'd like when we want it, so this year I'm suggesting people consider what they have - don't give more "stuff".  "Stuff" is what people will need to rent a storage locker for when it won't fit in their home or when they cannot regift it. Here's some suggestions:

-Give people an experience - take them to a show, a museum, the zoo.  The memories will be cherished
-Do a project together (as a couple, a family, a group of friends).  Help a church, an animal shelter, a soup kitchen - they all need your help
-Give to people who don't have anything
-Teach a child or an adult to read or to use the computer - knowledge is power

Any of these things will give you happiness beyond measure.  That's the true spirit of the Winter Holidays.

Counting Blessings Instead of Sheep

We're cheek by jowl with the major Judeo-Christian winter holidays, and Solstice, where these holidays began.  It's during this time that I am especially thankful for the good energy of this entire year, and my family, chosen family, colleagues and acquaintances that make my life so rich.

The things that ticked me off when I was - ahem - "less experienced" seem like small potatoes now.  Each year I feel a gathering of power, but I'm not willing to wait a few years to get that coveted "Red Hat" status.  I'm starting NOW!

Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Thanks Giving

This year there's much to be thankful for in the daily dealings of my life.

I'm healthy, and I am taking the time to enjoy the aspects of each day that make it special. Even if one of those aspects is the rain that makes the flowers grow.

Tonight, I'm going to see "Richard II" at Pearl. Sean McNall is in the title role and he's a most accomplished actor. I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with one of my favorite relatives, and tomorrow night after work? Well, let's just say that my pedal axle has arrived.

At. NO. CHARGE!

Light at the end of the Tunnel?

Sometimes good things happen to good people.

On my last post, my beloved elliptical had become an el-limp-tical when the pedal axle sheared off. I spoke with someone last night at ICON Fitness who had actually looked at the pictures. But what a journey!

First, I was told by Liz, the telephone support person, that after a "supervisor" had viewed the pictures, what that person said I needed was the housing for the pedal that had fallen off. Um, NOPE! After a little back-and-forth, I then asked whether the supervisor who had viewed the pictures had ever disassembled one of these units. She could not confirm or deny.

I did my best to keep my patience with Liz, the person on the phone - she was really trying to help me. Ultimately, she agreed to show the pictures to someone who had more intricate knowledge and that person would phone me back *within the hour*.

Nearly two hours later, the person called. Dane, another supervisor, had viewed the pictures. He agreed with me that the parts originally suggested were NOT correct and that the parts I had outlined originally were in fact what was actually required for the repair. He apologized profusely and ordered the parts to be sent to me for receipt next week while we were still on the phone together. Judicious application of intellect and patience, and a smattering of whup-a$$. I was firm, not mean-spirited or nasty.

Most of the time, people will do the right thing, the ethical option, when you present your case as a rational human being. There's no substitute for knowing the facts. While this repair is technically out of warranty, by presenting photographs of the damage I was able to make a case for a defect in the manufacture of the equipment that the experienced technician could see as well.

A bit of positive reinforcement goes a long way. It's always better to be nice than not. ;)

[A note: when someone does you a "solid" (a favor, in the parlance of the Northeast US), you thank them, and explain that the people helping you did what they could. I suggested to Dane that when he next trained co-workers, he take them into the shop to show them the real-world version of the exploded view of the equipment. And I thanked him. ]

Besides, I need the parts before Mercury goes into retrograde on Thanksgiving Day.

Long, Long Time

Best made plans pave the road to the nether regions, don't they. Blogging is a daily occupation, or close to it, just like working out. Speaking of working out, they certainly don't make things like the used to make them. I'll give you an example.

About 5 months ago, I purchased a new elliptical machine. My old elliptical machine had an issue with the flywheel and it was not user-serviceable, and apparently not technician-serviceable either. I dragged its butt out to my complex's dumpster and hauled off to a local discount store.

I thought I'd done my due-diligence. I "googled" and read every review I could find. I discovered that it would take me about 2 hours to assemble, that I'd need help getting it home and that I should find it useful for getting in shape without exposing myself to MERSA or other people working out. Furthermore, I could stream whatever motivated me to work out whether the debates for the next election or back episodes of favorite TV shows. I thought I was set....

Two mornings ago, I saddled up as I usually do. The first downstroke of my right foot held resistance then suddenly - NOTHING! My foot dropped immediately down and the right half of the flywheel had separated from the hub. Luckily, I wasn't injured, just shocked and appalled - how could something that had seen only 5 months of use be broken already?

At this point, I've taken pictures and sent them to the very helpful technician at the service company. The flywheel seems okay, it's the pedal axle that is the problem - it's a cast piece and the right side has sheared off. How, you might ask? Excellent question. I am waiting a response, once it's after 9am Utah time.

I'll keep you posted....

Enjoy the Silence

There are so many things in our lives to be grateful for that people take for granted. Clearly this is nothing new sentiment or action-wise but I am very aware these days of the beauty of the sunrise, and how the angle of the sun saturates the trees with colors.

There are so many people caught up in their daily lives who feel that they must take their lives to bring the harassment they suffer to an end. Some of these people are only school children who are made miserable by classmates whose actions cannot be explained away by that old saw "the cruelty of children". Some are inexplicable as the 24 year old who hanged himself online because people in the online community where he was chatting urged him to kill himself, and quickly.

Things do get better but mostly when that still small voice inside says "look beyond this circle of torment". People manage to be happy in this world, and if you can take a moment and enjoy the silence inside, things will get better.

Keeping Up Appearances

It's been more than a year since my last entry and my horoscope was right! I need to reach out and touch people every single day.

Let's see, I'm sick about Tyler Clementi and concerned about the backlash of those so-called Christians who are concerned that all of us getting along (which is what Jesus died for) amounts to condoning what they consider to be an evil or misguided lifestyle. Hmmmm....

Let's see, Jesus was New Testament, but they scripture that most of these folks quote is Old Testament. Jesus included everyone, and these folks include no one unless they are in lock-step belief with what they all believe.

Thought for the Day (and the past year, quite honestly): Let's look at the ways that world religions are the same - a flood myth, treating others as your family, being one with that Spirit that animates and permeates us all, rather than "My God can beat up your God".

All I am saying is give Pizza a Chance.