Saturday, November 26, 2011

Will you take that leap?

Yesterday, on the last full day of our Thanksgiving vacation, we headed out to Seaworld in Orlando. The girls were excited, we were excited, but there was a bit of tension in the air...Manta was looming in our girl's minds.

See whenever we visit a theme park Babe or I usually have to sit out some rides because one child or another has reservations. In a way this cuts into "Family" fun together. Historically one of us waits with one child while the other rides with the other child. And while we never force the issue on truly fearful attractions, it's a downer when we know they would enjoy it if the just gave it a try.

So as we walked in to Seaworld and approached Manta we were again hearing the yeas and nays a kin to the NBA negotiations. This time however, and unlike the NBA commissioner, we laid down the law and stood in line with our girls. During our 40 minute wait in line we heard everything from "I don't want to go", to "We're gonna die". As we boarded I could see one of our kids take the roll of a safety inspector, checking out every nut and bolt. All through the ride, and between "woo hoos", I reassured our little one. Needless to say we survived, our little one in tears and the other wanting to ride again. However that soon changed. We left the park 7 hours and 3 Manta rides later. Yes you heard right. They both rode again and again; especially our little one who wanted to ride Manta at night. Who would have thought, besides Babe and I, that if they just gave it a try they would overcome their fears and have fun where they thought there was none. It was an awesome sight, an "awesomer" day.

True is the same in life. People fear things that are new/different, things that are beyond their comfort zones...not realizing their true happiness. I can say that had Babe and I took that approach we wouldn't be living the euphoric life we live together every day. Sure all things within reason, but not living in a bubble of fear that will leaving us saying "what if"?

Go out and live life to the fullest, try new foods, new things, new TV shows, meet new people...make new friends. You only have one life and it's yours. There are no do overs so live your life. Give it a try. Through it all there are twists, turns, and drops, but in the end life's a ride...TRY IT, ENJOY IT!!!

Willy

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Your reasons are your Thanksgiving

Maybe the world's all war,
Maybe the peace is dead,
Maybe our wounds’ still sore,
Maybe our hands are red.

Maybe the earth is shaking,
Maybe the wind won’t stop,
Maybe the ice is baking,
Maybe there’s no more crop.

Maybe the banks are closing,
Maybe there’s no more work,
Maybe our homes are going,
Maybe your boss' a jerk.

Maybe they won’t stop crying,
Maybe the school wants out,
Maybe they’re just not listening,
Maybe the drugs won out.

When we all look around,
It’s hard to have any hope,
With all the things gone wrong,
It’s even harder to cope.

But as the world keeps turning,
As the sun shines on,
Much more has me grinning,
And makes my heart so warm.

So this time of year,
When you stop to think,
Remember all who are dear,
And give them all a wink.

For those are your reasons,
The air you breathe,
In each and every season,
They are all we need.

Happy Thanksgiving

Willy

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Vampire or Mortal...Just Be YOU!!!

Ever since I can remember I have woken up early, maybe from the days in the Coast Guard...5 AM is the usual every day. It's just happens; no alarm, there's nothing that needs to get done at that time. Even on days where there's a reason to get up even earlier, my internal clock and brain somehow synchronize and I find myself waking up on time or just a few minutes earlier than the "just in case" alarm. I make the most of this time by ridding Babe and I of chores, reading, working out, or writing down my thoughts on this blog. ;)

Every morning is mostly the same ritual. I wake up, get out of bed, "water the plants", take my pills, grab my phone (etc.), and make my way out of the bedroom. All this under the cloak of darkness and silence. Like a ninja without a cloud of smoke, I usually accomplish this without a hitch. But on occasion my silence is for not and not just a little. See when I fail in my "radio silence "attempts ' I go all the way. I make sure I wake up the dead.

Just the other morning I awoke in the normal fashion, like a switch just turns on my mind. Oh, I forgot to mention, I rarely remember my dreams. I go to bed and everything shuts off then I get switched on. There's no in between. But as I was saying, I woke up and did my thing. In total darkness and silence I made my way around the master bedroom like a vampire hidden from the moonlight; invisible both visually and audibly. I didn't cast a shadow, my footsteps didn't make a sound, and I'm sure the mirror wouldn't show my reflection. Continuing in my Draculian ways I proceed to my night table to get my not so vampire-like iPhone, and there my mortality betrayed me. Stumbling as if mimicking a 16 year old boy on a first date I knocked over a glass of water, which I still almost caught (yes night vision), it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. My prey, I mean Babe, shot up out of bed wondering what had happened. I weaved my way around my broken pieces of failure to Babe's side of the bed and assured her it was nothing, all is good, kissed her, and told her to just go back to sleep...very much like my immortal counter-parts do. ;) I then went on and out into the dark house and began the day.

Sometimes being too careful, being too cautious lead to results you aren't looking for. Sure I think I leave my bedroom without making a sound, but there are plenty of times when I thought I escaped detection only to find out from Babe that the second I left I woke her up. Sometimes not being yourself will also result in undesired conclusions. Can you imagine living your life as someone else? Being someone you're not due to self-esteem or to please another? You got to be you. Sure there are situations where we have to play the game and appear more professional, for work for example, but I am talking about at home, with friends, with family. If for whatever imaginary reason you're wearing more than one mask in these situations you are not happy regardless of what you try to convince yourself of. Personally I like to have fun. I poke and prod in good fun and in jest. And while there are times I push a little more than most and bannish myself from the daylight, I see the cloves of garlic I have hung around people and situations, where I just won't go. Besides I've imprinted on Babe the only person who I am totally me with, forever till eternity. However, I see people every day who live a sham, who try to be someone they're not. I sense it. The key is realizing that happiness comes through in the form of acceptance. Accepting yourself for you, accepting others for who they are, and find the Bella or Edward who will accept you.

We are not immortals trapped in a soul cage in some undesired life, we do cast shadows, our noisy feet do leave imprints, and our mirrors do cast a reflection. We must let the shadows we cast not be of doubt, let others see and hear our foot prints, and most importantly look in the mirror and be that reflection

Be it Vampire or Mortal...Just be YOU

Ever since I can remember I have woken up early, maybe from the days in the Coast Guard...5 AM is the usual every day. It's just happens; no alarm, there's nothing that needs to get done at that time. Even on days where there's a reason to get up even earlier, my internal clock and brain somehow synchronize and I find myself waking up on time or just a few minutes earlier than the "just in case" alarm. I make the most of this time by ridding Babe and I of chores, reading, working out, or writing down my thoughts on this blog. ;)

Every morning is mostly the same ritual. I wake up, get out of bed, "water the plants", take my pills, grab my phone (etc.), and make my way out of the bedroom. All this under the cloak of darkness and silence. Like a ninja without a cloud of smoke, I usually accomplish this without a hitch. But on occasion my silence is for not and not just a little. See when I fail in my "radio silence "attempts ' I go all the way. I make sure I wake up the dead.

Just the other morning I awoke in the normal fashion, like a switch just turns on my mind. Oh, I forgot to mention, I rarely remember my dreams. I go to bed and everything shuts off then I get switched on. There's no in between. But as I was saying, I woke up and did my thing. In total darkness and silence I made my way around the master bedroom like a vampire hidden from the moonlight; invisible both visually and audibly. I didn't cast a shadow, my footsteps didn't make a sound, and I'm sure the mirror wouldn't show my reflection. Continuing in my Draculian ways I proceed to my night table to get my not so vampire-like iPhone, and there my mortality betrayed me. Stumbling as if mimicking a 16 year old boy on a first date I knocked over a glass of water, which I still almost caught (yes night vision), it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. My prey, I mean Babe, shot up out of bed wondering what had happened. I weaved my way around my broken pieces of failure to Babe's side of the bed and assured her it was nothing, all is good, kissed her, and told her to just go back to sleep...very much like my immortal counter-parts do. ;) I then went on and out into the dark house and began the day.

Sometimes being too careful, being too cautious lead to results you aren't looking for. Sure I think I leave my bedroom without making a sound, but there are plenty of times when I thought I escaped detection only to find out from Babe that the second I left I woke her up. Sometimes not being yourself will also result in undesired conclusions. Can you imagine living your life as someone else? Being someone you're not due to self-esteem or to please another? You got to be you. Sure there are situations where we have to play the game and appear more professional, for work for example, but I am talking about at home, with friends, with family. If for whatever imaginary reason you're wearing more than one mask in these situations you are not happy regardless of what you try to convince yourself of. Personally I like to have fun. I poke and prod in good fun and in jest. And while there are times I push a little more than most and bannish myself from the daylight, I see the cloves of garlic I have hung around people and situations, where I just won't go. Besides I've imprinted on Babe the only person who I am totally me with, forever till eternity. However, I see people every day who live a sham, who try to be someone they're not. I sense it. The key is realizing that happiness comes through in the form of acceptance. Accepting yourself for you, accepting others for who they are, and find the Bella or Edward who will accept you.

We are not immortals trapped in a soul cage in some undesired life, we do cast shadows, our noisy feet do leave imprints, and our mirrors do cast a reflection. We must let the shadows we cast not be of doubt, let others see and hear our foot prints, and most importantly look in the mirror and be that reflection.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Prop

Our cat, Misha, and I have a special relationship. I occasionally feed her and change her litter, when instructed, and she stays out of the way; keeping her existence and carbon footprint to a minimum. She never complains except with the standard “My litter box is full” little morsels she leaves about the house as a reminder to us. Otherwise, Misha doesn’t come out too often in part due to our four dogs, but when she does she seeks comfort and cuddling from our two youngest daughters. She’ll lift the rock she’d been hiding under and unexpectedly sit on their laps, purring as if to say “Hey remember me, I need a massage”. Our daughters always oblige and reward her with the usual feline-type petting; yes cats are special you can’t just pat them on the head. They require that scratch-rub combination. You know you’re doing it correctly when you get the “figure eight walk-through” between your ankles or the “look how I can arch my back” butt in your face pose.

Now as I said before, Misha and I have an unwritten, unspoken understanding. She rarely comes to me for her attention. However, some early mornings when no one else is around, and if too much time has passed between her spa days, Misha will put on her best cat-woman face and prance over to me while I’m watching the early morning news. Now being runner up isn’t my pedigree, but sometimes I will let her sit on my lap and pet her. I’ll admit it; I’m secure in my manhood. However, there are times where I’d rather not play the game and just brush her away. In the end it doesn’t need to come from me, it’s our girls she loves and I’m good with that.

In any relationship, (be it with siblings, friends, or partners), no one wants to feel like a prop; simply there to occupy time because no one else is around. Humans desire to be truly needed, loved, and wanted. It is present in all of us, and once you’ve experienced them you crave it evermore. Call it dopamine for the soul. We all want to be loved, but what all lovers are really after is the “Lover’s Holy Grail”; to feel needed, to feel loved, to feel wanted. In essence, to be the source, the one, and to feel special. It’s one of my three relationship wants…”Make me feel it”. In a relationship nobody wants fluff, empty conversations, or just to be dealt with because we believe we have to. We want it all!!! Honestly, when it comes to love we deserve it all. In my relationship with Babe there is no trying to make the other feel special because we are special and perfect for one another. Hand holding, cuddling, sweet-nothings, consideration for each other’s feelings are a part of our everyday lives together. I LOVE YOU BABE!!! Nevertheless, in many relationships it’s a bit more complex. In reality it comes down to this…NEVER GET USE TO EACH OTHER. Treat your partner as if you were still in the courting phase…do this every day. I’m not saying you should do the whole flowers thing; watch the game with him, or opening doors for her every time. Just make sure that the things you do are geared towards reminding them that they are your one. We deserve to be put on a pedestal and not be reduced to a scratching post by some cat that only sees us as a prop.

Willy

Monday, November 14, 2011

Lost Puppy

While driving to work a few weeks ago I found a puppy wandering on the side of the road, and after making a few inquiries with some people close by I soon realized that I had a new puppy to go along with the four dogs we already had. I quickly took her home, gave her some water and made my way to the office. Throughout the day my Babe and I had discussions on what to do with our newly found puppy. The one constant was that there was no way we could deal with five dogs; did I mention we also have a cat? Obviously we wanted to find and return the puppy to its rightful owner, although my daughters had already named her. That evening we printed and posted her picture and our contact information allaround the neighborhood. The days progressed and the lack of calls prompted us to believe that this poor puppy, Chloe, was abandoned. We agreed that the following week we would put an ad in the local paper offering a free puppy to a good home.

That Saturday while attended a college football game with a few friends…Go Canes, we told the story of our Chloe and one couple whom we rarely see or hang out with at all, or better yet ½ of that couple, fell in love with Chloe after simply glancing at her picture. The husband was adamantly against taking Chloe, but the wife assured us that it would happen. Sunday evening Chloe was picked up from our house and secretly taken to her new home. It’s been more than a week now and from all accounts Chloe and her new found family are happy…yes the husband loves her too.

Love usually comes slowly. It usually begins with meeting someone, getting to know each other, wasting days at work when you can’t stop thinking of them, wanting more together time, waiting for the other person to hang up first, and if Mars aligns with Venus, marriage. However, sometimes it’s where you never thought to look, like car keys in a Cheeto’s bag (True Story). Or better yet, sometimes it comes out of nowhere hitting you all at once with a stranger, a long lost friend, anyone, or like me a former love that you thought would never speak to you again…You just know that regardless of the rules that you’ve found it and nothing else makes sense. It’s when you realize that you never fell in love before; you just previously stepped in a few times. As I always preach, “Love finds you, don’t go looking for it, never settle, never push”; correction one shouldn’t have to push. Live your life. You may think you’re a lost puppy just wandering about. But when its right you’ll understand that you were never abandoned, you were never wandering, you were never the fifth dog; you were just succumbing to the laws of nature, going through the dog days to get where your heart is home. Then unexpectedly at the lowest time, when all hope is gone, out of nowhere, just with a simple glance your forever is written.

There are no lost puppies only hearts waiting for their simple glance, chance meeting, their call from
home.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

My Blog

I believe that the essence of a relationship is the space that exists between two people, that invisible bridge, that place where we can truly experience our connection. When we allow another's world become our own, we are finally there and will never be the same.

However, relationships have their period of lulls. Periods where that bridge, it seems, is off in the distance. One of the best ways to keep the spark alive, to re-bridge our relationships, is to laugh together. Nothing beats these lulls than few cherished moments of togetherness spent just laughing.

My Blog

I believe that the essence of a relationship is the space that exists between two people, that invisible bridge, that place where we can truly experience our connection. When we allow another's world become our own, we are finally there. the world/reality of another person or group into ourselves, we can never go home the same. Even the relationships have their period of lulls. Periods where that bridge, it seems, is off in teh distance. One of the best ways to keep the spark alive, to re-bridge our relationships, is to laugh together. Nothing beats these lulls than few cherished moments of togetherness spent just laughing.

So here is my insight, in my own unique story-telling way, on some of these moments. Parabelized in my real world words.

About

About.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Hydration is Man's Best Friend

Hydration is Man's Best Friend.

Hydration is Man's Best Friend

I am the worse when it comes to drinking my 8 glasses of water a day; but I am the best in reminding others to do so. Today however there was no need for additional moisture, no raining on our parade, no "headache" would hinder our play date.

With our glasses full of wants and needs, our play date started of as sweet as a warm indian summer, but our reptilian brains were quick to take control. While our hunger demanded we leave our minds and policitcal correctness behind, our familiarity guided our instincts. It's was a no holds-barred, all's fair, anything goes lover's passionate quarell to the finish line...just like it should be, just it always is, just how we like it. This time however there was a sudden squall that brought my prior day's preaching to a head, and just as her goal was accomplished and she reached the finish line after our marathon, Babe's leg developed a cramp. Although Babe completed the race and I received a DNF, (Did Not Finish), we both bursted out in laughter. My immediate response was, "This is going in my blog". We couldn't believe the timeliness of her leg cramp. (I take full credit!!!) We ulitmately just held each other as we joked and poked fun, talk about how much fun we have, how we are so much alike, etc...Babe ended up falling asleep in my arms.

There are many times we are reminded about the importance of replenishing our bodies' supply of water. Signs could be something as simple as a dry mouth, dry lips, headaches, etc... Sometimes our bodies do not cry out for hydration at all, or at the worse times imaginable they scream. ;) This is not only true of of bodies, but also of our minds and souls. When we are in need we must quench our thirsts. Regardless of who you are you are always needing just a sip or at times a full Gatorade drenching. We all thirst for love, attention, and sex...WE ALL DO. You mustn't wait for a sign like a poor pirate bride walking the shore awaiting her lover. For me I am one of the fortunate ones who's priate bride needn't wait. Tonight my body may not have completed the marathon, but my soul and mind came in first place. Two out of three ain't bad. Besides, I'll get mine, I'm sure of it... ;) The night ended for me with my girl in my arms and while I may still be thirsty don't fret. The ink's still wet in our lover's passionate quarell...we're not even close to done.