Aisle or Window?

I personally like the window seat when I fly. I rarely budge from my seat; once on a 14 hour flight to Tokyo, I did not get up at all. Because I do not move, I do not like to be bothered by people who do get up. I also like to lean up against the wall and sleep. Oh how I like to sleep.

When I am not sleeping I enjoy looking out the window. On the flight to Dallas, clouds blanketed all that I could see. It looked like snow draped over the country side. Thick and beautiful. It was amazing to see the multiple layers in the sea of cloud.

Until next time, may you enjoy the view.

Skate

Last Solo

I leave back for home tomorrow making this my last night here. While there were close to a thousand people here, I did not socialize with anyone outside the conference. People stayed close to their cliques. I have managed to enjoy myself. Tonight will be no different.

Until tomorrow, may you find your time enjoyable.

Skate

Another Day, Another Dollar

My adventure went well last night. I must have looked good as I was hit on by a couple of old Japanese men. While some, or most, straight men might let themselves feel uncomfortable about the situation, I took it as a compliment. I passed a crazy lady who was screaming into a phone and attracting all the wrong kind of attention. She was yelling at the person on the other end of the phone; I do not blame them for leaving her.

For dinner I was attracted to a place that had a prime rib special and cheap drinks. I enjoyed a few drinks before heading back to my room to catch the Thunder.

I am eagerly awaiting our bounce back in Game 6.

Another full day of conference. I again set up lunch plans. We will have to see how this one goes.

Until tomorrow, may your eyelids fight the good fight and stay upright.

Skate

Cannot Stand Still

This will not be a shock to anyone: I have a hard time doing nothing. This is magnified when I am with a group. So when I wasted an hour of what was supposed to be a two hour break waiting for a group that never formed, I was less than pleased. When it became disappointingly obvious that the group I planned to go with was not going together I went to my room for a nap.

Though it has only been two lunches and an evening I cannot waste anymore time. Yesterday day was the first day of the conference and I expected that there might be some difficulties getting together. Today's lunch was giving people the benefit of the doubt and that was squandered. Tonight I will blaze my own path of adventure to one of the various restaurants in the immediate area. I cannot stand still.

Until tomorrow, may you create your own adventure.

Skate

Survived

I somehow managed to stay awake during all of meetings at the conference I am at. It is not so bad at this point. I have noticed that I do not mix all that well with company people. And other than the people I came with I do not know a lot of people. For the people from my past jobs I must not have left a lasting memory as most have passed me by without noticing.



Until tomorrow, may this blog from my phone work.



Skate

Too Awesome?

Yesterday I auditioned for a narrator position for a very important ceremony. I was nominated by one of my higher bosses for this opportunity and went up against another person who had been nominated by someone else. I went last and gave it my all. I thought I did well. I answered the questions after the reading well. I was lauded while I was there. One member on the board was so awestruck at my narration that he had said that he wanted to tape me. Every member loved my style and voice for the position. They were incredibly pleased and wowed.

When it came down to a vote, I lost 4-1.

I did not receive the honor of narrator position for this highly respectable position. The worries of the board members were that I was animated and so good that I would take focus away from the ceremony as it would be on me and that I have experience as a narrator. The same reasons I was nominated in the first place, largely considered to be strengths, were my downfall. I do have a strong presence and I am animated in the sense that I use inflection and emphasis during my narration. I have done many different events in the past. People would ask whenever a need would arise and I would gladly take on the honor. This would have been my first time for this event, but I do have the experience to lean on.

Unfortunately, both those assets must have been more than they were looking for. I was asked to be the back-up, and of course I accepted. I enjoy these types of opportunities and cannot turn them down. I am sure I will have more chances to narrate, I am just not sure when.

Until next time, may your strengths be your strengths.

Skate

A Quick Day

Today should go by quick. I start the morning off prepping for an audition for a narrator position, then head to an awards banquet that will last for ages, then come back to prepare for a narrator gig I have in the afternoon that will close out my day. I do not think that a lot of actual work will be done, but it will go by quickly.

I do hope to get the narrator position I am trying out for today. It will be very high profile and get me back into the groove of being the go-to-guy for narration. A couple of years ago I was that guy that people came to when they wanted a narrator. Then I stepped back to give others the opportunity, and had not taken a gig for some time.

A young lady for my office is up for a quarterly award and the whole office will be there to support her. If my interest was not already invested, I am now her supervisor. I do hope she wins, my other coworker and boss worked hard on her awards package, and I prepped her for board panels that she would meet. She has already won at two levels and this would be icing on the cake.

Until tomorrow, may your day go by smoothly and as fast as you want it to.
Skate

Scattered to the Wind

So far this year I have a friend move to the Chicago area and one move to Japan. Here in a few weeks another friend will be leaving for Germany. While normally not a big deal, as I am used to moving and friends moving. Somehow though, I have managed to become used to having people stay around.

I do wish all of them well. And I am thankful for technology that allows us to stay in touch. Who knows, maybe I will set up trips to see each one individually at some time. I at least expect them back for the wedding next year.

Until tomorrow, keep your friends close.
Skate

168

Shelly D. Bland, 25, of Tuttle

Carrol June "Chip" Fields, 48, Guthrie

Rona Linn Kuehner-Chafey, 35, Oklahoma City

Carrie Ann Lenz, 26, Chotaw

Kenneth Glenn McCullough, 36, Edmond

Cynthia L. Brown, 26, Oklahoma City

Donald Ray Leonard, 50, Edmond

Mickey B. Maroney, 50, Oklahoma City

Linda G. McKinney, 47, Oklahoma City

Kathy Lynn Seidl, 39, Bethel

Alan G. Whicher, 40, Edmond

Ted L. Allen, 48, Norman

Peter R. Avillanoza, 56, Oklahoma City

David Neil Burkett, 47, Oklahoma City

Donald Earl Burns, Sr., 63, Oklahoma City

Kimberly Kay Clark, 39, Oklahoma City

Susan Jane Ferrell, 37, Oklahoma City

Dr. George Michael Howard, 45, Vallejo, Calif.

Antonio "Tony" C. Reyes, 55, Edmond

Lanny Lee David Scroggins, 46, Yukon

Leora Lee Sells, 57, Oklahoma City

Jules A. Valdez, 51, Edmond

David Jack Walker, 54, Edmond

Michael D. Weaver, 54, Edmond

Frances "Fran" Ann Williams, 48, Oklahoma City

Clarence Eugene Wilson, Sr. 49, Oklahoma

Diane E. (Hollingsworth) Althouse, 45, Edmond

Andrea Yvette Blanton, 33, Oklahoma City

Kim R. Cousins, 33, Midwest City

Diana Lynne Day, 38, Oklahoma City

Castine Brooks Hearn Deveroux, 49, Oklahoma City

Judy J. (Froh) Fisher, 45, Oklahoma City

Linda Louise Florence, 43, Oklahoma City

J. Colleen Guiles, 59, Oklahoma City

Thompson Eugene "Gene" Hodges, Jr., 54, Norman

Ann Kreymborg, 57, Oklahoma City

Teresa Lea Taylor Lauderdale, 41, Shawnee

Mary Leasure-Rentie, 39, Bethany

James A. McCarthy II, 53, Edmond

Betsy J. (Beebe) McGonnell, 47, Norman

Patricia Ann Nix, 47, Edmond

Terry Smith Rees, 41, Midwest City

John Thomas Stewart, 51, Oklahoma City

John Karl Van Ess III, 67, Chickasha

Jo Ann Whittenberg, 35, Oklahoma City

Sgt. Benjamin LaRanzo Davis, USMC, 29, Edmond

Capt. Randolph A. Guzman, USMC, 28, Castro Valley, Calif.

Olen Burl Bloomer, 61, Moore

James E. Boles, 50, Oklahoma City

Dr. Margaret L. "Peggy" Clark, 42, Chickasha

Richard "Dick" Cummins, 55, Mustang

Doris "Adele" Higginbottom, 44, Oklahoma City

Carole Sue Khalil, 50, Oklahoma City

Rheta Bender Long, 60, Oklahoma City

Paul Gregory Beatty Broxterman, 42, Edmond

Paul D. Ice, 42, Midwest City

Claude Authur Medearis, S.S.A., 41, Norman

Lucio Aleman, Jr., 33, Oklahoma City

Mark Allen Bolte, 28, Oklahoma City

Michael Carrillo, 44, Oklahoma City

Larry James Jones, 46. Yukon

James K. Martin, 34, Oklahoma City

Ronota Ann Newberry-Woodbridge, 31, Edmond

Jerry Lee Parker, 45, Norman

Michelle A. Reeder, 33, Oklahoma City

Rick L. Tomlin, 46, Piedmont

Johnny Allen Wade, 42, Edmond

John A. Youngblood, 52, Yukon

Sgt. 1st Class Lola Bolden, U.S. Army, 40, Birmingham, Ala.

Karen Gist Carr, 32, Midwest City

Peggy Louise Holland, 37, Oklahoma City

John C. Moss III., 50, Oklahoma City

Victoria (Vickey) L. Sohn, 36, Moore

Dolores (Dee) Stratton, 51, Moore

Kayla Marie Titsworth, 3.50, Lawton

Wanda Lee Watkins, 49, Oklahoma City

Harley Richard Cottingham, 46, Oklahoma City

Peter L. DeMaster, 44, Oklahoma City

Norma "Jean" Johnson, 62, Oklahoma City

Larry L. Turner, 42, Oklahoma City

Robert G. Westberry, 57, Oklahoma City

Woodrow Clifford "Woody" Brady, 41, Oklahoma City

Kimberly Ruth Burgess, 29, Oklahoma City

Kathy A. Finley, 44, Yukon

Jamie (Fialkowski) Genzer, 32, Wellston

Sheila R. Gigger-Driver, 28, Oklahoma City

Linda Coleen Housley, 53, Oklahoma City

Robbin Ann Huff, 37, Bethany

Christi Yolanda Jenkins, 32, Edmond

Alvin J. Justes, 54, Oklahoma City

Valerie Jo Koelsch, 33, Oklahoma City

Kathy Cagle Leinen, 47, Oklahoma City

Claudette (Duke) Meek, 43, Oklahoma City

Frankie Ann Merrell, 23, Oklahoma City

Jill Diane Randolph, 27, Oklahoma City

Claudine Ritter, 48, Oklahoma City

Christy Rosas, 22, Moore

Sonja Lynn Sanders, 27, Moore

Karan Howell Shepherd, 27, Moore

Victoria Jeanette Texter, 37, Oklahoma City

Virginia M. Thompson, 56, El Reno

Tresia Jo "Mathes" Worton, 28, Oklahoma City

Baylee Almon, 1, Oklahoma City

Danielle Nicole Bell, 15 months, Oklahoma City

Zachary Taylor Chavez, 3, Oklahoma City

Dana LeAnne Cooper, 24, Moore

Anthony Christopher Cooper II, 2, Moore

Antonio Ansara Cooper Jr., 6 months, Midwest City

Aaron M. Coverdale, 5.50, Oklahoma City

Elijah S. Coverdale, 2.50, Oklahoma City

Jaci Rae Coyne, 14 months, Moore

Brenda Faye Daniels, 42, Oklahoma City

Taylor Santoi Eaves, 8 months, Midwest City

Tevin D'Aundrae Garrett, 16 months, Midwest City

Kevin "Lee" Gottshall II, 6 months, Norman

Wanda Lee Howell, 34, Spencer

Blake Ryan Kennedy, 1.50, Amber

Dominique Ravae (Johnson)-London, 2, Oklahoma City

Chase Dalton Smith, 3, Oklahoma City

Colton Wade Smith, 2, Oklahoma City

Scott D. Williams, 24, Tuttle

Teresa Antionette Alexander, 33, Oklahoma City

Richard A. Allen, 46, Oklahoma City

Pamela Cleveland Argo, 36, Oklahoma City

Saundra G. (Sandy) Avery, 34, Midwest City

Calvin Battle, 62, Oklahoma City

Peola Battle, 56, Oklahoma City

Oleta C. Biddy, 54, Tuttle

Casandra Kay Booker, 25, Oklahoma City

Carol Louise Bowers, 53, Yukon

Peachlyn Bradley, 3, Oklahoma City

Gabreon D.L. Bruce, 3 months, Oklahoma City

Katherine Louise Cregan, 60, Oklahoma City

Ashley Megan Eckles, 4, Guthrie

Don Fritzler, 64, Oklahoma City

Mary Anne Fritzler, 57, Oklahoma City

Laura Jane Garrison, 61, Oklahoma City

Margaret Betterton Goodson, 54, Oklahoma City

Ethel L. Griffin, 55, Edmond

Cheryl E. Hammon, 44, Oklahoma City

Ronald Vernon Harding, Sr., 55, Oklahoma City

Thomas Lynn Hawthorne, Sr., 52, Choctaw

Dr. Charles E. Hurlburt, 73, Oklahoma City

Jean Nutting Hurlburt, 67, Oklahoma City

Raymond "Lee" Johnson, 59, Oklahoma City

LaKesha Richardson Levy, 21, Midwest City

Aurelia Donna Luster, 43, Guthrie

Robert Lee Luster, Jr., 45, Guthrie

Rev. Gilbert X. Martinez, 35, Oklahoma City

Cartney J. McRaven, 19, Midwest City

Derwin W. Miller, 27, Oklahoma City

Eula Leigh Mitchell, 64, Oklahoma City

Emilio Tapia, 50, Oklahoma City

Charlotte Andrea Lewis Thomas, 43, Oklahoma City

Michael George Thompson, 47, Yukon

LaRue A. Treanor, 55, Guthrie

Luther H. Treanor, 61, Guthrie

Robert N. Walker, Jr., 52, Oklahoma City

Julie Marie Welch, 23, Oklahoma City

W. Stephen Williams, 42, Cashion

Sharon Louise Wood-Chesnut, 47, Oklahoma City

Steven Douglas Curry, 44, Norman

Michael L. Loudenslager, 48, Harrah

Rebecca Needham Anderson, 37, Midwest City

Anita Christine Hightower, 27, Oklahoma City

Kathryn Elizabeth Ridley, 24, Oklahoma City

Robert N. Chipman, 51, Edmond

Trudy Jean Rigney, 31, Midwest City

My family had moved to Japan just months before the Oklahoma City bombing. I was ten years old, asleep when it happened. It was just after midnight there, and it was not until the morning of the 20th that I knew.

Remember them always.

May we never forget,

Skate

Second Second

I did not get first in the rib eating contest; a young man bested me by three or four ribs. I did, however, finish ahead of my rival from last year. In the first round, I breezed through getting to a second set of ribs with little to worry. I sat back and let the time finish out. The two time defending champion and I were sure of victory as we were the only ones to finish a full set in the opening round. In fact, the kid who ended up winning was the last and questionable selection from the first heat. It appeared to the crowd that the man sitting next to him was ahead in ribs and had them cleaned. That is of little concern to me, as that kid was the only one to reach a second set of ribs in the final round.

I came to the table prepared to take the crown. I was placed next to the defending champion and that would help me keep my pace. I beat him through the first rib. I saw him throw down a rib that was counted and saw how much I would have to eat to make one count. That helped as it had been cleaning to the bone. I raced through several bones to be just ahead of the defending champion. Then the defending champion stood up, much like he did when I was ahead last year, but this time he reeled toward the trash can next to him. He coughed once and returned to face the table. He coughed several more times spraying food over an opponent and me. I paused briefly as I thought of the nastiness of the situation then continued to chew. I would not be denied. As the last minute was being called I was ahead and sure of victory. Or so I had thought. I was informed that there was someone in their second box. I hurried to keep pace. I kept asking for a second set only to be denied. With time dwindling I would rush to take a bite or two and request only to be told to go back. Time was called. There was no question who had won. The kid was the only one to reach his second set. I was awarded second, one place in front of the defending champion who was still a bone behind me.

If I am around for next year's contest I will participate. I cannot leave without getting first place.

Until tomorrow, may you obtain what you seek.

Skate

Rib Eating Contest

I have waited for this event since last years epic battle. This time I will not leave any doubt as to who the winner is. I have prepared my stomach for a massive intake of ribs. Now all I need is to focus and chow down.

Until next time, may you be witness to the victory at hand.

Skate

Morons and Idiots

I have plenty of other things to write about, but on my way home from being a test proctor I witnessed something that irks me. Morons and idiots. I do have a little bit of road rage in me. Most of the rage is sparked by people who cannot drive properly. The other portion is motorcycle drivers who do not wear proper protective equipment.

The One will tell you that I will shake my head and sometimes even shout at the ones without helmets. I never fail at noticing them as they go by. At the very minimum bikers should have a helmet secured to their noggin. I will still shake my head at the ones who wear their helmet but insist on riding with shorts and sandals.

I find it mind boggling that people would take that risk. I do not care if you are an experienced rider or just going down the street. People are bad drivers. If you are on a residential street people might be backing out and not paying attention. Kids might run across in front of you requiring you to maneuver quickly. If you are on a city street or highway, between how fast you are going and the amount of vehicles and other idiot drivers out there you are in danger. People in cars at least have the car to offer some protection. Bikers have nothing if they wear nothing. One unexpected pot hole, one teenager texting while driving, one person changing lanes and not paying attention and a biker can be dead.

I cannot fathom why someone would not wear their protective equipment. I wear my helmet when I go bicycle riding!

The person I passed on my way home was at least wearing a leather jacket, jeans and boots. He was not wearing a helmet. Of course I scoffed at him as we were at a stop light. Then I saw him raise his hand up to his mouth and take a puff of a cigarette. Really?!?!? He was smoking a cigarette while riding a motorcycle? What on earth could he be thinking? How did that ever come across as a good idea? There he was as the light turned green, he returned the cigarette to his mouth and began to ride. I was dumbfounded.

Until tomorrow, may you not be a moron or an idiot.

Skate

No More Pup

The One is going to be emotional over the next couple of days. She will hand over Dog for her surgery this afternoon and we will not get her back until Friday. It is a routine spaying and one year old shots, so I am not too worried.

This will officially mark Dog as a grown dog and no longer the pup she is. My only worry would be that this surgery will change her demeanor. We love her for who she is, and while calming her down a little would be nice, a complete changeover would not.

Until tomorrow, may you find comfort when handing over something you love.

Skate

Rise Together

After the fourth loss in five games the Thunder have locked up the eighth seed in the Western Conference and will face the Lakers in the first round.

Bring it.

It will not be an easy series, but the whole world will be watching. All it will take is one close game for people to take notice. I want them to win. I believe they can win. And you better believe I will be looking for tickets.

Until tomorrow, may you feel strongest during the most trying of times.

Skate

Wonderful Weekend

This weekend was quite the weekend. My day off Friday started off relaxing, then turned to excitement. The One, TeeHee, and I met up with my friend Mac to go catch the Thunder game. It was an awesome time, I won another T-shirt. The Thunder won! Afterwards we hung around downtown and enjoyed each other's company. It was a great time. Thank you Mac for traveling up here!

Saturday started off just as relaxing. The One and I went to work function and other than service complaints I cannot complain too much. It was free food and drinks, some light entertainment, and I won $20. Still, I left with a bitter taste in my mouth over the way they were treating significant others after they told us to invite them. After the work function we headed over to a local bar for Blu's birthday. We missed the surprise portion, but we still said surprise on our way in. It was another great time.

Sunday was spent relaxing for most of the day on my part. The One started up yard work and the front is very clean cut. Our backyard jungle will be waiting until next weekend if the weather holds out. The Thunder did lose last night which did not make heading for bed a happy adventure. That was until The One popped out a book and read aloud a couple of chapters. It was a wonderful way to end a wonderful weekend. I really do not want to return to work.

Until tomorrow, may your week be relaxing.

Skate

Ah, Friday

I love it when I wake up on a weekday and I do not have to go into work. I took another day off. It seems I have been away from work as much as I have been to work. The One has off today as well which is a double delight. We are headed to the Thunder game tonight. It should be an exciting game that I hope the Thunder pull out after two devastating losses. Now that the playoffs are guaranteed we want to make sure we get a seed that would be beneficial. We do not want the number eight seed as we would face the Lakers.

Until next time, Thunder Up!

Skate

Lily's Eyes

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? That one song that you just sing at your desk without even realizing it. It will pop up out of no where and people look at you like you are crazy.

Well you are. But you are not alone.

I also get obsessed with songs. I just have to listen to the song over and over and over and over and over. Most people would get annoyed with as often as I listen to my obsession. In a few days I listened to Meatloaf's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" over one hundred times. Over the last few days my obsession has been "Forever Young" by Jay-Z. My obsession was interrupted today by a song I get stuck in my head rather frequently since I tried to learn it on a trip back from the City.

I can thank BoBo for this.

I found myself randomly singing "Lily's Eyes" in the shower this morning. It continued to haunt me throughout the day. I would spontaneously belt out the words I remember regardless of who was around. Usually I would start off strong and as the looks grew more confused I would trail off. I got to the point where I could contain it with in my head or just lightly hum it. For the life of me, I could not get rid of this song.

Not that I really was distraught over having the song in my head. It brings back a fond memory of BoBo and I serenading The One, largely against her will. We had plans to do a duet. While I might get crazed looks, it is worth a happy memory. Plus it is a good song.

Until tomorrow, may you have an enjoyable song in your head.

Skate

The Little Things

After an aggravating loss to the Utah Jazz where a no call decided the end of the game, and then the subsequent articles that make it seem as if it was a clean block, I had to calm myself down. My usual path to a better state of mind is deep breathing and thinking of the little things in life that are wonderful and/or amusing. Thankfully I have had two rather amusing situations over the last couple of days.

The first was on Monday when I driving home from work and I passed a bicycle cop with a radar gun. The mere image, in my head, of him pedaling after a speeding car was quite amusing. I could just picture the scenario over and over in my head where he clocks a car going 15 over the speed limit, straps his radar gun down, turns on a light and siren and pedals after the vehicle. I would have really like to have seen that; so much, in fact, that I was really tempted to be the speeding car just for a good laugh.

Yesterday, I was amused by a sign that was posted outside business. The sign read: Open: We apologize for the inconvenience. This sign was not alone; it had several copies strewn across all entrances for this corner lot. The idea of a store apologizing that it open for business is hilarious. I could not come up with a good pitch to make it seem less bizarre. It seems someone put them out hoping that no one read below the open portion of the sign. I am okay with that, as it gave me many a giggle yesterday afternoon.

I still find myself a little aggravated this morning, large in part to my reading of several more articles that play it off as fair. I am left with one calming notion to manage my passing rage. The players and coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder played one heck of a game and should have won. The foul/no foul at the end of the game only makes them hungrier to win. And most of all, the team and coach have responded well to questions about the call. They have taken the higher road and let it not be what decided their future. I look forward to seeing their response in the next game.

Until tomorrow, may you find peace and joy in the little things in life.

Skate

Personality

I took a personality test that I want to share with everyone. For being quite simple, it really did an excellent job at determining my overall personality.

Laid-Back Doer

Laid-back Doers are friendly, happy persons. They enjoy being together with other people. Smart, eloquent, witty and charming, they like to be the centre of attraction. They do not like to be alone. Their zest for life ensures that others feel well in their company and that they quickly get to know people. Laid-back Doers get the best out of every moment - many people of this type have a gift for making their whole life one big party. Boredom is unknown in their presence because they are very good at carrying others away with their enthusiasm, their good mood and their optimism.

Abstract thinking and profound philosophising about the meaning of life appeal less to Laid-back Doers. They are pragmatic, realistic and live completely in the here and now. At work too, they prefer it when it’s all go and they can act out their purposeful manner to the full. They have no problem handling several tasks at once and they blossom out in crisis situations! A varied field of activity with a lot of social contacts is just the right thing for them. One will also seldom find them inactive in their spare time; due to their open, curious nature, they mostly have many hobbies and interests. They are not afraid of the unknown: as they are flexible and creative, they quickly adjust to new situations and make the best of them. They sometimes come into conflict with strict rules or hierarchies by which they quickly feel constrained and against which they rebel.


As friends, Laid-back Doers are generous, helpful persons who attach great importance to harmonious relationships and a good atmosphere. Their sociable manner means that they have a large circle of friends and they love having the house full of many different types of guests. They are happy to give in to their spontaneous moods and fancies in the just one or two important things. This makes them appear somewhat unpredictable to those with a quieter nature. When it really matters, you can rely on them one hundred percent. As partners, they are creative, impetuous and imaginative - as long as their partner knows how to fascinate them. They can hardly stand boredom or routine in a relationship. They do not like conflicts at all; if a relationship becomes too strenuous or involves too much effort, they tend to withdraw from the partnership and start to look for a new partner. However, if one manages to keep their curiosity alive in the long term and surprise them again and again, one has a loyal and loving partner.


Adjectives which describe your type: extroverted, practical, emotional, spontaneous, enthusiastic, friendly, playful, lively, talkative, nonchalant, tolerant, happy, pleasant, generous, flexible, wily, attractive, relationship-oriented, generous, adventurous, fun-loving, creative, helpful, action-loving, casual, sociable, open, sensitive, touchy, erratic, curious, noncommittal, action-loving

(The only questionable word in the list of adjectives is touchy. If it means that I am easily offended, it would be wrong. If it means touchy in a physical sense, then it is fine.)

Career

The Laid-back Doer is an extroverted Doer. You don’t enjoy being alone, but are a typical team worker instead. You would not stand working all by yourself. Dealing with other people, communicating as well as a friendly, collegial atmosphere is more important for you than for most of the other types. You love being part of a group where variety and the new are inspirational and exciting - so there are never enough social contacts.

For you, harmony is of central importance. You prefer a work environment without intrigues and political manipulation and where less elbow activities and confrontation, and more cooperation are the order of the day. Here is one of your major strengths: You are prepared to do a lot, mediate conflicts, reduce tensions, and are in top form when you are part of a positive working climate. To spread geniality and make peace among the worst troublemakers is often easy for you. Consequently, you are appreciated by colleagues and superiors, and have almost no problem getting along with the diverse people in your working environment.

Rather than too much routine and predictability, you need variety, and a certain amount of unpredictability as a part of your responsibilities at work. Your flexibility makes it easy for you to deal with several projects simultaneously. It does not bother you if the phone rings and somebody sticks his head through the door while you are in the middle of preparing a report. You juggle several activities synchronistically without a problem, and during your contacts with others you always remain friendly and obliging. It is a long time before one hears a cross word or any sign of excessive demand out of you.On the contrary, these situations are the icing on the cake for you, and without them your work is going to get boring in a hurry.

Then it can happen that you - wittingly or unwittingly- provoke a crisis by putting things off or becoming lackadaisical. In this way, you are trying to create a little more action during your daily routine. In the long run, you just can’t live without a certain amount of pressure, challenge, and excitement. There is certainly the possibility that these maneuvers occasionally backfire. Therefore, it is very important for you to make sure that adventure, fun, and the need for fast decisions are an integral part of your job description from the very beginning. The more unpredictable situations, alternatives for choice, and new impressions you have to face every day, the better.

Love

Your type’s trademark is “easygoing.” That applies to love just as to the rest of your life. For you, it is important that your partnership is a source of fun, excitement and inspiration. With a sentence like: “I think it is time for us to be working on our relationship again”, you can be chased out of the house in a hurry. You want to enjoy and not strain yourself, preferably with a partner who feels exactly the same way - someone who is as similar as possible, and with whom you have the least sources of friction.

Your disposition is warm, generous, and passionate. No wonder many people fall hopelessly in love with your charisma! Contrary to some other Doers, you have no problem expressing your feelings verbally, as well. Vivacious as you are, you are also capable of falling in love head over heels, with an unrivaled intensity. Whoever becomes the object of your love is showered with attention, declarations of love, and tenderness. You are not fond of boundaries, and your affection for someone is boundless and boisterous - as long as it lasts - because (and that is the flipside of the coin) only very few types manage to fascinate you and keep your interest in the long term.

For you, there always has to be a little of the “magic,” a little of the enchantment of your relationship’s beginning. Otherwise, you quickly get bored and begin looking for a new challenge. Literature describes you as the type who is most likely to flirt with an affair if the titillation of love is not fresh any longer. Consequently, your partner is well advised to accept your passionate protestations about your eternal love with a certain skepticism: Even if you know that everything is going to stay that way for the rest of your life, for people of your type “forever” is better interpreted as “for now.” However, as long as you are happy with him/her your partner can literally bathe in your love and will in all likelihood have problems catching his/her breath, sexually as well. Your charisma and tendency for being extravagant turn you into an almost irresistible seducer.

If you made it through all that, great. I have not even read it all. I skimmed through portions of it. For those of you interested in reading your own personality:http://www.ipersonic.com/

Until tomorrow, may your true personality shine.

Skate

McNabb Nabbed

While I had every intention of posting other ideas this morning, the Redskins made a trade that I could not ignore when they plucked Donavon McNabb from the Eagles. I am not happy with the trade.

I have been open about not wanting to take a quarterback early on in the draft, especially Sam Bradford who would be put into the ground repeatedly possibly re injuring his shoulder. Now we have a QB who has missed quite a few games over the last 8 years from various injuries. How do we expect to keep him upright and healthy?

Why is there a win now mentality in D.C.? I thought that under a new GM and new head coach that rebuilding was vogue and acquiring players that other teams do not want was out. McNabb is a good QB, but he is 33 with a lot of wear and tear. Philly traded him to the Redskins, so they must not be afraid to see him twice a year. Between this and the stable of old running backs that we have picked up, I really wonder what people are thinking.

The only things that I can be happy about was that he was picked up relatively cheap for someone who has had as much success as he has. Giving up a second rounder and a third of fourth next year does not seem too bad when there is the possibility of high performance.

Maybe I'll change my mind. Maybe he will be the next Sonny Jurgensen. For now I just have this pit in my stomach that tells me this was a great trade for Philly, and one that we will regret.

Until tomorrow, may you not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Skate

A Surefire Sign of the Apocalypse

Someone better check the temperature in Hell, it looks like 2012 might be coming a few years early. I am heading to a Methodist Church on Sunday for Easter.

To say I am not a religious person might be an understatement. I do believe in God, and that Jesus Christ was His Son. I say my prayers; I just do not go to church. I do not attend public gatherings for faith and spiritual reasons. I think they are great for those that enjoy them, I do not think they are necessary for everyone.

I was raised Catholic. At the start of my teenage years Mother let me try out different paths instead of trying to force feed me Catholicism. I went to a few other church groups to see what they were about. I would attend a Catholic one every now and then. I listened to the ramblings of atheists and agnostics. I had great discussions with friends who were Muslim, Jewish and Wiccan. I enjoy my search, but in my search I found that I was not all that religious.

I decided that I would remain Catholic, albeit a largely non-practicing one. I never was confirmed. I chose not to in the beginning of my search. I have been to a few services since the start of the church, some even on my own. The last time I went to mass was Christmas Eve of 2004, where I pulled a couple of friends to go with me. Since then I stepped away from going, but I had vowed that if I were ever to return to a church it would be a Catholic one.

Even then I have basically refused to attend mass on request. I certainly refused when asked to attend a non-Catholic service. Until now. The minister who will marry The One and I is her Methodist minister. The One had asked me several times before to go out there for a service, but I had always said no. (I did encourage her to go.) I said yes this time because I have yet to meet her minister and I need to. It should be an interesting experience to say the least.

Until next time, may the holy water not boil over.

Skate

A Special Second Cause

While yesterday's Operation: Spread Hope was a disappointment, ( Thank you The One and Mother for being the only two to repost.) today's endeavor was not.

I was asked to be an announcer for the Special Olympics that were being held here. I spent all day in front of a microphone calling out the winners of all the events. It was truly a blessing to see the kids smile when their names were called. Some were sheepish, others were rock stars, all were champions.

What I think I love most about the Special Olympics is seeing how kind hearted people can be, even more so for the participants themselves. They seem truly happy and care for others around them. You meet some amazing people there who might have a disability, but it isn't a lack of heart. I think a lot of people could learn to be better people by being around these generous and thoughtful people.

Until tomorrow, may you not have been the fool.

Skate