Words To Live By: Calvin and Hobbes

Needed a pickup after one hell of a month and found solace within “The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes.”

Bill Watterson’s into:

I made a big decision a little while ago.
I don’t remember what it was, which prob’ly goes to show
That many times a simple choice can prove to be essential
Even though it often might appear inconsequential.

I must have been distracted when I left my home because
Left or right I’m sure I went. (I wonder which way it was!)
Anyway, I never veered: I walked in that direction
Utterly Absorbed, it seems, in quiet introspection.

For no reason I can think of, I’ve wandered far astray.
And that is how I got to where I find myself today.

Following your dreams: No one said it was going to be easy…

The new digs. Had to cut costs and move closer to work. Reality was I sacrificed the bed and dresser, which means the floor and tupperware. Is it worth it? Hell yes. No one ever said following your dreams was easy.

Water Works: My Baby Sister’s Wedding

Since I couldn’t keep back the tears, I thought it only fair to post the toast I gave at my sisters wedding. It was an amazing night. One of those moments when you step back and realize what is happening will be etched in your mind for eternity.

My fathers toast, “I’m supposed to picture all of you naked.” My mother’s inability to keep it together during the service. My sisters best friends dancing the night away. My brothers slipping a beer.

It was truly a special night.

The Toast

Bethany Laurel Clair Antinita Young

In the end it was a pink bag. Not the ring, save the date announcement, purple Mazda always in our driveway.

Nope, it was a pink bag hanging ever so casually in your room hiding the dress you are wearing now that told me you were getting married.

The next three hours will be interfused into hundreds of sequential split second events. The first dance, cutting of the cake, kissing while precariously perched atop eight men’s shoulders.

But something else is going to happen tonight. Something that I want you to cherish. After running down the stairs, out the door and into the crisp night air, I want you to turn around before slipping inside your getaway car. Turn around, and for one last time tonight, be lost in the emotions of others. And when you close the door, and are suddenly enveloped in quietness so load, you can hear your own heart fluttering.

I want you to remember the little girl who watched My Best Friends wedding so many times the tape nearly wore out.

Remember the little girl who dressed up early for every wedding and sat by the door with an enthusiasm reserved usually for the bride.

Remember the girl who came to her brother late on a summer day, and said ever so casually she was in love.

The girl who would rather have a Bunny Shoe gift certificate than flowers. (Don’t ever forget that Steven.)

The girl who only moments before, was in a whirlwind of euphoric emotion, running down the stairs, hand in hand with her husband; her best friend.

Bethany, when you look back for the final time, before sliding down in your seat, feet forward, his hand on your knee, remember that you have a family who loves you. A family who is still standing there, watching the taillights, unable to turn out of a love formed by so many years of kindness, gentleness and happiness.

Bethany and Steven. Steven and Bethany. The Young’s.

May God grant you many, many years.

Delayed: Thoughts while flying

There is a huge billboard overhead that states, “Visionary,” it has a picture of Thomas Edison and a tagline reading, “What it Takes”. I can’t help but wonder which idiot made that call. “You think they could be visionaries themselves and find their planes,” I overhead. Pure Genius.

I had my first security bag check today. I guess I wasn’t too surprised, a MSR camping stove and water filter were in the bottom of my carryon. “Um sir, we need to check your bag,” the lady calmly said. “And you need to be honest with me about what is in there before I go digging. It looks like a bomb, I need to know.”

Sitting down writing this one of the most attractive women I’ve ever seen sat down next to me. She delicately laid down her Gucci purse, daintily crossed her legs, and then muttered under her breath, “Ah men…always looking at me, never saying anything.” I turned to her a few seconds later and said hi. She shot me the look of death. Guess it’s no wonder she is single.

Fast food is plentiful. Burger King, Panda Express, Dominos Pizza just to name a few. But what would happen if say the airlines got smart and served light healthy food? “I feel so fat,” a young teenage girl told her friend while eating a hamburger. “I know what you mean,” her friend noted. “No wonder I always feel like crap when I fly.”

Customer service in an Airport is like telling a puppy he can’t pie on the carpet; possible, but highly unlikely. Case in point: “Excuse me, I see my flight is delayed and there isn’t a scheduled departure time. Any chance you can give me an idea of what I’m looking at?” “If it isn’t on the screen, then I can’t help you.” “So you basically know as much as we do?” “You’re a smart guy.” – Wow, this chick knows how to sell.

Money does buy happiness. Whoever said otherwise has never seen the express lane for “private executive passengers,” when going through security. Poor = long drawn out lines. Rich = bliss.

Slow people suck. Seriously. We’ve all flown since 9/11. The no liquids, laptop out, coat off, shoes in the bin, rules should be obvious by now.

Boulderisms

Standing in line today at Whole Foods and overheard the following conversation. Note: It was already going on, so I missed the first part.

Patagonia wearing woman #1: It’s so sad that Mexicans built my house.

Trendy lade #2: What do you mean?

#1: Well, you would hope that Americans would work that hard.

#2: Yea, people are becoming lazier these days.

Checker: I know what you mean. So what do you lady’s do?

#1: Oh, we’re just housewives.

God I love Boulder…