Christmas- 2009 2010

If I think back hard enough, I think I can remember that we actually celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving this year, but it would be difficult to convince me that 4 weeks have passed since we did!  If “time flies” when you’re having fun, I’ve spent the last year in Disney World!  So, based on the fact that today is December 20^th, let me be the first to wish you a Very Merry Christmas (2010)!

It has been a fun and challenging year.  Lots of new experiences, changes and emotions have peppered the year with a great deal of spice.

The boys (men) are no longer permanent residents of Easter Estates- they have pretty much set up their own shops.  Ben graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University this past spring.  Dianne and I traveled to Prescott, AZ to witness the event and make sure he hasn’t just been making up the past 5 years of good grades, good friends and college experience. If he has been, and graduation was just the finale of the ruse, he did a good job in setting up the final act!  Prescott is an eclectic little town- kind of a cross between Boulder and Estes Park (for those of you familiar with Colorado eclectic towns).  Graduation took place out on the softball field with a great deal of sunshine and wind.  ERAU set up a great speaker too- one that definitely caught the attention of the graduates.  The owner of Wing Aviation (former military pilot) spoke (oh yeah, I forgot to mention that he is the founder of Samuel Adams Brewing Company).  It truly was an inspirational speech- not the typical “this is the beginning of real life” trifle.  I think the grads did actually think about what he was saying- I know I did. After the ceremony, we all went (quite appropriately, I might add) to the Prescott Brewing Company and celebrated. Ben has moved up to Seattle to be closer to the hub of the aerospace industry as he continues to look for a job.  It’s a tough market out there with folks that are being laid off taking the intro jobs that used to exist.  We remain confident that the right position will come along.

A very windy day!

Grant officially finished classes last week at CSU.  His final semester will be spent in Richardson, Texas doing an internship at Verizon.  Pretty cool gig, too!  He will be working for the corporate wellness center developing health plans and working with employees in maintaining their health and fitness.  He is really excited about the whole opportunity.  And, as is typical for Grant, he sees it as an opportunity for a great adventure!  Andrea (Grant’s girlfriend) graduated from CSU in May and is enjoying her job as an executive with Target.  It is a joy to have her in our lives!  While she isn’t looking forward to having Grant gone for 5 months, she is very supportive of him during his internship.

Grant and Andrea in Seattle:

During the spring, summer and fall, Grant and I had the opportunity to drive around on a golf cart several times. (Grant played golf—what I did cannot be described as “playing golf.” So, we’ll just keep it as I spent time driving a golf cart around some very beautiful golf courses.)  Spending a few hours with him on the course however was wonderful- and getting to know him as a man (not just a son) is priceless.

Dianne’s year has been a combination of challenges and growth that almost feels surreal at times.  It has been amazing to watch her business during these times. Of course, the economy has been a challenge for her.  But, as one of her clients put it, “I drive by 3 other personal training studios on my way to see you.  Yours is the only one still in business.”  She has done better than simply survive the down turn.  Dianne was featured this year on the cover of PFP (Personal Fitness Professional) magazine with a great feature article. (How many guys get to say their wife is a cover girl?)

My Cover Girl

Most importantly, however, are the amazing relationships that she builds with her clients! The mutual respect they have for each other quickly transcends a typical client/trainer relationship into a very deep friendship.  When she left the world of finance and insurance, she told me that she wanted to have a job that “makes a difference” to people.  Mission accomplished.  Dianne makes a difference to a whole lot of people

In July, we got to travel to Quebec City, Canada for an IB conference.  We, quite frankly, fell in love with the city.  The history, the people, and the food (including the wine!) are unbelievable!  The respect for history, art and culture were so evident- as was looking towards the future.  We will definitely go back to Quebec some day!Dianne and I are both fortunate (and blessed!) to have jobs that allow us to travel to some amazing places.  This year was no exception.

In October, we traveled to Fort Lauderdale, FL for a few days for a conference Dianne was attending. As most of you know, Dianne is part of a consortium of trainers from across the US and Canada who are changing the world of personal training.  During the training, she worked with some of the top names in personal fitness and had a blast!  Again, with a gift that only Dianne has, she continues to build strong relationships (friendships!) with people from all over the country.  (While she was at the conference, I got to spend some time on the beach and with my grandmother in Fort Myers.  My grandmother will turn 96 this April.  But, I see that time is catching up with her quickly now.)  We both really enjoy Fort Lauderdale.  Again, a good portion of that is the food (AWESOME!) and culture (Live music is everywhere!).  For me, just being that close to the water is a tonic!

My year has also been an exciting one.  At school, we’ve added our Junior class.  The Junior year is my favorite of the four years of high school- that’s when the excitement really starts for the kids with new experiences (driving to school, Prom, college entrance exams, college visits, etc).  Prom?  Ugh!  I continue to work with some of the best support staff, teachers and colleagues around.  And my Assistant Principals and Administrative assistant are simply the best-period!  Team that up with kids that are unparalleled and a supportive parent/community base and you’ve got the makings of an unbeatable school!  Outside of school, I continue to teach Taekwondo and work with an amazingly beautiful personal trainer (who has her hands full trying to keep me in shape!)

I am very fortunate to be cocooned by a great job, supportive friends and a wonderful family.  The world outside my cocoon seems to get crazier by the minute.  It is so important to remain anchored in reality so that you don’t become part of the craziness.  The “Reason for the Season” needs to be forefront in our minds as we run frantically into Christmas and the New Year.  For what man was unable to do through the law, God accomplished by sending his Son into the world- the ability to live with a personal God in your life through his Son that came on this day as a baby.  Peace be with you!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Dianne, Jim, Ben and Grant!

The Climate Conference 2009 will be held in Copenhagen in early December.  At the Conference, many in the world are hoping that significant changes in carbon emissions will be agreed upon by the world community.  Issues of the validity of climate change aside, I find it fascinating the tactics being taken by both sides of the debate.  Both sides have resorted to extremist arguments based on fear.

The “skeptics” have taken two paths- first to question the validity of the data and secondly to question the motives of the conference.  A quick look at “Climategate” on Google brings out all kinds of articles, blogs and discussions on how the “scientific” community was fraudulent and deceitful in their presentation of the climate change data based on emails that were “hacked” from the “scientists” involved.  (No one is bringing up the morality of hacking into someone’s personal email accounts, of course.)  A search for Copenhagen 2009 brings up, in the top 10 no less, a discussion of how the Copenhagen agreement will result in a “Marxist world government.”

The “advocates” for the treaty have ramped up their own rhetoric.  You now hear and read phrases like, “we don’t have 100 years, we have 100 months” until there is irreparable  damage.

Both of these tactics fascinate me.  It is beyond my capacity to believe that the “leak” of these emails was not timed intentionally.  It also doesn’t pass the “giggle test” (the inability to make a statement without a giggle) to say we have 100 months to act came out right before the Convention serendipitously.

Both sides are guilty of creating a crisis crisis.

I cannot accept that the world population is so ignorant that, if presented with TRUE and UNBIASED data, we could not make decisions that will benefit and sustain the human race.  (Notice that I carefully chose my words there “sustain the human race” and not “Save the Planet.”  Earth will ALWAYS be here.  The question is really about what type of life will be here.)

My background is in science.  I am beyond appalled to see that “scientists” are manipulating data for political gain or viewpoint.  (I’m also not naive enough to believe that it isn’t happenings- and hasn’t happened for decades, if not millennia.)  They should be stripped of their “scientist badges” and made to do grad level lab work for a decade until they remember what science is.  Science is a tool to gather data upon which intelligent choices should and can be made.  It is not a political forum to be manipulated at will.

Knock off the Crisis talk and give us real science upon which we can base decisions.

Dianne and I went to see Julie and Julia last night. (Awesome movie by the way, but this isn’t really about the movie).

In the movie, Julie Powell decides cook her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and blog her adventure.  365 days, 524 recipes.  The movie shows the insanity of it all- from having to cook that many items to having to blog every day- I can’t imagine either.

As I was watching the movie, I wondered, “when was the last time you updated your blog?”  It’s been over a month.  “Why?”  Don’t really know.  Reality- I’ve gotten too used to sending out tweets  and facebook updates rather than taking the time to fully form thoughts and truly write about them.  Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m alone.

Don’t get me wrong- I love Twitter and their 140 character limit! It forces me to be concise in my communication.  On the other hand, it’s tough to be deep within that restriction.  I cannot help but wonder how that is impacting the sharing of thoughts and ideas on the Web.  Is it possible that creative thinking is being stifled by the lack of deeper thought- both on the part of the writers and readers?  The impact that Julie had on others surely would not have even been noticed had it been communicated solely by Tweets!

In any case, I had a jolt of guilt/enlightenment/commitment last night to review how I am communicating with people.  Is it with short, to the point, lacking in detail/depth spurts or is it with fully thought out ideas that can spur additional thought and conversation?  Hopefully, it will make me think about writing more often!

Thanks for joining me on my Journey!

Dianne and I just got back from a wonderful trip to Quebec City Canada. What a wonderful experience!

Quebec City is a beautiful city- historical, clean, safe, and VERY alive!  The gastronomical experience would take several blogs itself.  Food second only to San Fransisco in my travels. Restaurant after Bistro after Cafe’- one expereience that beats the next.  Large to family owned, each had amazing food and amazingly friendly and professional staff.  Some of the more memorable establishments were:  Cafe’ du Monde, the Tratorria, The Petite Chateau, The Hobbit, L’Omlette, Le Gran Cafe’, and the Aux Anciens Canadiens.  

The history of Quebec is, well, historical. A city that is over 400 years old and the only city north of Mexico that is still surrounded by wall, that very much wants to hold on to its French heritage- and does a great job of it.  Many times we felt more like we were in Paris than in North America.  We sat in restaurants with walls that were 350 years old!  The city values its roots, origins and history.

Here’s what surpised me. I had heard over and over again about how the Quebec people hated English speakers- they would treat you rudely, spit in your food, refuse to speak English, etc.  None of this could be further from the truth.  EVERYONE that I met was extremely friendly, accomodating and helpful.  They readily switched between English and French (much to my embarrassment that I was not able to even come close!) They even patiently helped me with my own French.  Quebec was actually one of the most friendly cities I’ve ever visited.

So, going back to “my Journey,” what should I take away.  First I need to seriously doubt negative stereotypes that one people put on another.  I went in with caution, but with an open mind.  I’m glad I did. I was not dissappointed.  The Quebec people are as friendly as anyone I have ever met! 

Secondly, I was embarrased that I was so ignorant of their culture and history.  What a great city and culture it is.  We visited the Musee de la Civilisation and learned a great deal that I never learned in school.  That too, is a shame. I know it is impossible to include the history of EVERYONE in school.  But, as an adult, I have to take the initiate and time to learn about other countries and cultures.  Without doing so, I am missing out on a lot of really cool stuff!

Finally, I can’t encourage you enough to visit this wonderful city!  You will not be dissappointed!

Thanks for joining me on my Journey!

Time Magazine’s Howard Chua-Eoan  just posted an article on what we’re “not seeing” in Iran concerning the contested elections.  His article is definitely worth a read- it brings a soul-level face to what is happening in Iran right now.

President Obama has called the Iranian Government response to the demonstrations “inappropriate.” A diplomatic understatement to say the least.

I can’t help but to think about the change that is possible.  Regardless of the outcome of the current election/protest/unrest, Iran will never be the same again.  The government will undoubtedly squelch the current riots and protests, but the civil unrest has now sprouted like grass from underground roots that have spread below the surface.  My thoughts are with those who are being tortured, beaten and shot in the streets for demanding accountability and change.  Hopefully it is not blood shed in vain.

My thoughts now turn to what I can or must learn from being exposed to these events in Iran.  To be honest, it has been hard to discern.  I feel the emotions or disgust, anger, and hope.  I see that dissent cannot be repressed by force- it only spreads. I see that I am fortunate to have been born here where such events are rare.  Yet, I see freedoms eroding even in this country in the name of security, yet the reality is that freedom is lost in the face of fear.

It seems that every issue I write on comes down to the same issue- civility.  More appropiately, it comes down to the loss of civility.  In this case, civility and trust are banished by control and fear. Zealots have replaced relationships (with governments or ultimately with God) with control and legalisms.

In my journey, I must remember that treating others as I want to be treated is not simply some quaint rule from Sunday school.  It is a mantra that must be foremost in my mind.

I had the most remarkable experience on the commute home tonight.  As I pulled off the highway, I came to the stoplight at the bottom of the exit ramp as it was turning red.  It was quite nice out and I had my window rolled down.  It looked like there was a pedestrian crossing the street, but as I approached, I realized it was a “panhandler” with a worn cardboard sign that simply read “Need Help.” Behind the sign was any old panhandler- kind of rough looking, sun baked, dirty clothes—you’ve seen them a thousand times. 

As I pulled up to the intersection, my first thought was, “Ah crap-my window is down and this guy is going to harass me for money.”  I contemplated rolling up my window, but- that would be too obvious.  Sure enough, as I came to a stop, I heard simply a “Good evening.”  “Hiya,” I replied.  The “bum” walked up to my window (Uh oh, here it comes) and said, “This is stop light trivia.” 
“OK”
“What horse race is this weekend?”
“Uh… the Kentucky Derby.”
“Nah, that happened already” (Dumb me—but I really don’t follow horse racing. “Which one comes next?”
“The Preakness.”
“That’s right.” And his dusty, hand gray with age and road soot reached in my window clutching something.  I reached out my hand and he dropped in a single, pink Starburst candy.

“You think we could make a TV show of it?” he asked?
Still a little bit dazed, I replied, “Out of what?”
“Stoplight trivia.  I just made it up about 10 minutes ago.”

We both laughed, and the light turned green.  As I pulled away, he simply said, “Have a great night.”  “You too!”

I’m still kind of dazed by this whole thing.  There was a guy, obviously in much worse shape than I, giving ME candy, smiling at me, obviously just feeling good about life.  I was so stunned, I couldn’t even think about giving him a twenty- or a hundred- which I wish I would have done!

What can I learn for my Journey?  First, I can’t help but think what I would have missed if I had rolled up my window as I approached, or would have simply ignored him at the light. I would have missed someone totally at ease with himself.  And someone who, even though down on his luck, wanted to make ME smile!

It was also a great example that maybe there are still people in the world that think more about others than they do themselves.  It was such a contrast to some of the people I see every day that demand “their” rights or make demands on others like somehow they have the power to do so.  This gentleman, and I use that word intentionally, didn’t demand anything- he gave.

I hope I live more like this man than those who are more “privileged” and feel like they can place demands on others.  Who  is more “Christ-like?”  Who has taught me more of what it means to be a servant  and to care for others?

I hope I see this amazing man again.  I want to thank him for putting some new food in my head (and heart) for my Journey.  I doubt that he ever gets to read this—but if he does—“Thank you, Sir.”

Thank you for joining me on my Journey!

Wars, genocide, famine, political turmoil, global recession and now swine flu.  Words from the 1970’s ring in my ear, “Stop the world, I want to get off.”

People are scared. Governments are scared.  Markets are scared.  It seems like everything is so out of control.  I can’t help but wonder, however,  if this cluster of crises is any different than in the past, but somehow, we are just more shaken by it by our awareness. 

Obviously, the internet has created a world in which communication is global in seconds.  Through Twitter, Facebook, Instant Messages, News Services and a myriad of other means, I can hear about, and in many cases see for myself events happening across the world as they happen.  Wars that are occurring in Africa today would have gone unnoticed even a decade ago because of their isolation.  I would have had no knowledge of the financial crisis in Iceland.  The swine flu would probably yet be noticed on a global level. 

Today, I listened to the BBC interview people in remote areas of Africa, South America and Iceland. I’ve seen pictures of markets in Mexico where everyone has on a blue surgical mask.  I’ve seen video of civilians in Sri Lanka trying to escape political violence.  Last week I heard a professor state in an interview that unless you are in parts of the Congo, the Antartic or Amazon, your location can rarely be called “isolated.”  You are always within 48 hours of some “civilization.”

Awareness is part of the problem, but another is the way events are now being reported.  Listen to your nightly news and count how many times the word “crisis” is used.  EVERYTHING is a “crisis.”  The financial crisis, the global warming crisis, the health crisis, the education crisis.  It is a wonder that the whole world isn’t taking Prozac from being in “crisis” 24/7.

Those of us who have a faith and belief in a living God can and should be able to look at a crisis and see that even through the most egregious evil, good will emerge. I do believe this.  Even without that shared belieg, one can see man’s ability to be good and loving in the midst of such events. 

That is the very point– even in the crisis of crises in which we live, we can and must maintain our civility, compassion and concern for our neighbors.  If we cannot, start passing out the Prozac.

Welcome to my blog!  I guess it takes a bit of ego to put your thoughts out on the web and think someone would actually care enough to read it.  I guess I have that ego, but in reality, I see this as just a way of working through things in my own head.  If someone else can learn from it and save themself some mental origami by following my thought processes, so much the better.  With this in mind, I don’t expect myself to always be consistent in my thoughts and reactions to things.  Hopefully, I will see some maturation of ideas (and ideals) over time as I take this journey.

Since I am putting this out for the world to see, it would be such a waste not to listen to and learn from those who take the time to read this.  Thus, I welcome you to my journey and welcome your comments.

I will only have one rule on my blog- All thought is welcome, but civility must be maintained. Disagreement is inevitable, conflict is not.

Welcome to my journey!