Got so much love and even more theories

Was standing in the shower, rinsing the conditioner from my hair, and thought about how absurdly blessed I am that I was born in the US where a shower and conditioner is even available. How a majority of people in Africa have to fight for drinking water, let alone enough to be luxuriously letting a wave float over their hair and back. I'm so flipping lucky and I take it for granted. Bad G.

And then I sit at Book Club where I am spouting ridiculous theories to my peeps about why I can't take up photography because I have a dear friend who also takes pictures and I wouldn't want to infringe on her hobby. The dim sum waiters came and went, the conversation continued, and still I was reminded of my blessings in life.

I have it good. Amazingly good. I'm happy and have love all around me. So when I am dark and feeling blue, I need to remember those things.

Irritations and aggrivations

While trying to quit smoking, these are the topics which have set off shouting matches at the abode:

Toothpicks left on the counter
Bad drivers at Sprouts parking lot
Misplacing a drivers license
Getting a video to load on the MacBook
Walking out of the room while still talking
Bandaid wrappers on the floor
Washing whites with colors
Why we are watching the end of a depressing movie
How to properly do an ab exercise
Where to hang a painting
Whether the painting was level
The handle of a gladiator sword
Two bank of America cards

That's what we have argued over in two days.

Glynis... FTW!!!!

Fascinating and intriguing morning I've had. My head is full of questions, thoughts, concerns, desires, dreams and potential opportunities. What challenge am I going to place in front of myself? Do I have "the stuff"?

With my fancy-pants new haircut (it was a Locks of Love donation time) and positive outlook, I'm having a great day. Coupled with some inspirational quotes from the strangest of places, I wonder if this is the new direction my career may be heading? Who knows!

"Sometimes you are the dog, sometimes the fire hydrant." - as seen outside Veterinarian on Josey Lane.

"If you're not going forward, you are going backwards." - Nor'Kirk Church sign

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable or happy. The amount of work is the same." Francesca Reigler on Little Pink Book email.

Dr. Evildriver or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Boston Roads

Learned quite a few things about driving around Boston, Massachusetts this past weekend.

One: Don't travel to Boston on the weekend of the Boston Marathon. Furthermore, do not expect to be able to negotiate the city with roadblocks and numerous pedestrians. Pedestrians will not adhere to crosswalks or signals. Much like a squirrel running in front of you, be prepared to stop.

Two: The maps Enterprise Car Rental will give you are wrong. Bring (or in my case buy) a GPS system. And preferably, get it before the last day of your visit. Boston is notorious for either NOT displaying a road sign, camouflaging it, or making it generally impossible to figure out where you are. One way streets will change. Names of streets will change. You will end up in Southie before you know it.

Three: As soon as it turns green, you need to move. Otherwise, you WILL be honked at repeatedly. To offset the frustration, honk back with "shave and a haircut".

Four: A word about round-a-bouts... they are evil. The potential for fun is there, but until you get used to them, you may end up reenacting a Griswald European Vacation scene. Why this country has round-a-bouts, I have no idea. Boston is NOT a grid city and the City Planners should be reprimanded.

Five: Try to relax. Easier said than done, but high blood pressure and panic attacks aren't going to help when Tremont goes one way and Washington the other and there doesn't appear to be a cross street.

Just a perfect day

I returned home from a lovely bike ride along the Carrollton Greenbelt this morning. The city has recently expanded a portion near our house, with new paved paths to link all the way from Hebron to Beltline. Granted, we only made it as far to the Disc Golf fields and my thighs are burning, but it was so pleasant and warm outside.

Stopped at a park bench and chatted with an older gentlemen, Chris had an extra Gatorade and he was happy to share. Lots of people walking their dogs, going for a stroll and enjoying the ponds. With the exception of the gnats flying into my face, it was a perfect morning. And yes, we spent a considerable amount of time at the children's playground on the swing set.

I really need to invest in a digital camera to share these photos, but holler if you'd like me to mobile them to you.

Universal Effervescence

There is a photograph on my library wall of my mother sitting cross legged on the ground next to various statues of Thai Buddhas. I think I took this photograph in Bangkok around 1999.

She is calm. She is smiling and beautiful. She exudes a feeling that makes you want to inhale and exhale a deep breath.

With one glance at this photo, I am instantaneously transported into my happy Zen place. What is the object, photo, song that can do that for you?