Compiled...

A lot of thoughts lately.

First, some book recommendations:
I'm a Stranger Here Myself
The Naked Soul

The first is short newspaper articles this guy wrote after moving back from 20 years in England. He comments on things like how there are 18 cup holders in a minivan….four more than you would need even if each person in the van had two beverages. It's absolutely HYSTERICAL. I was laughing out loud on my flight back from LA…and couldn't stop. Tears, even.

The second is about God creating in us a need for friendships. It's an interesting look at why we choose friends and the different types of friendship/relationships that exist. I'm about three chapters in and really enjoying it. The author deals with a lot of the difficult questions that I think are often ignored: How do we live in the world but not of the world; how do we focus on giving in a relationship without draining ourselves; how we surround ourselves with people but often end up more lonely than we were in the beginning. So far, pretty insightful.

I had other thoughts….why are they always gone when I'm ready to blog??

Oh, here's a thought. I don't think Vick should be in jail for the whole dog-fighting thing….doesn't seem really that big of a deal when we let abortion doctors run free. Of course, that's just my right-wing, hyper-conservative viewpoint….so get off me. I still think I'm right.

You know how the best sign of maturity is that you like who you are and are comfortable with yourself….even if other people think you're dorky/crazy/weird/etc? I'm finding that the self-confidence that goes along with this doesn't mesh well with a culture in which you need buy-in from anyone who breathes…and in which you need to approach all these people with the utmost care….as they all apparently need handling with kid gloves. If you disagree with something, speak up. If you don’t speak up, you are not allowed to make it my problem. Seriously.

Business travel is draining. But the frequent flyer miles are pretty awesome.

In other news, I am selling:
$25 - NEW golf bag
$200 - Retro/Vintage GE wall oven (white enamel, no chips)
$100 - Matching electric stovetop and hood - beige
$50 - Window AC unit
…please contact me if you are interested….there are already people contacting me about the golf bag, oven, stovetop, and hood. :o)

That is all for the moment. Peace out, bean sprouts.
-R

good thoughts

I've had a lot of thoughts occur to me as I've been traveling this week. They all seemed profound as they came to me....and now of course they escape me. I'll keep thinking...

In the mean time, let me commend to you the book "I'm a Stranger Here Myself". My goodness it is funny. The writer is so witty and able to bring his thoughts full circle. He was apparently born in the US and then moved to England for 20 years. He was roped into writing newspaper articles about his experience upon moving back to the states and the changes he encountered. Really interesting to see our society from another perspective. And funny. Seriously. I was laughing so hard i had tears running down my face. Embarassing....when on a packed airplane to LA....but that in and of itself makes me laugh harder.

Anyway. I'm tired and don't feel like typing. Maybe more in a while.
love.
-R