real buried treasure

Ran into a former co-worker today. He and I worked in the same department for a few years. He was eventually laid off while I remained for nearly 10 years. Things have changed tremendously, especially in the past few years. While I don’t doubt that there are talented people out there, it takes a special kind of person to work where I work. It’s no longer about how much cash I can pull down or how long will it take for me to reach the top. It’s about creating something new, being passionate about it and doing it with people who are just as jacked as you about doing it.

I think the thing I am learning most during the time where everyone is expected to do more with less is that there is opportunity. You can pickup what others have dropped or cannot handle. Granted, life is pretty hard right now. But, it wasn’t that much harder. People are just asking more. As they do it, they are also somewhat forgiving. So, let’s get to it. Or back to it. There’s some great things that await you out there. Don’t hold back.

All things celebrity.

Here’s a link an episode of Chickenman.

Send your hate mail to this station.

Here’s a trailer for The Foot Fist Way. (It’s the red band version.) Some nice extras here.

As part of the new year, I’ve set a number of goals. One is simply to be nice. Now, I’m not one who is a bastard to those around. But, I do have this level of sarcasm that can bite. So, in 2009, I’m setting out to be nice. No more jabs, tweaks, ribbing, etc. This isn’t a reactionary move; most people who fall victim are pretty thick-skinned. I just need to treat people better and I haven’t at times.

I’ve gone as far as sharing it with a co-worker who I’ve gone after from time to time. He’s great because he gets accountability. We caught each other yesterday at the gym and he checked in. Good stuff.

I’m really trying to cut back on TV this year, but I will be glued to Lost next week.  I’ve always been a bit inspired by one of the characters, John Locke. Here’s the scene I mentioned along the way.

BTW: What’s holding you back?

Hope you enjoy the podcast.

I’m one of those people who has to talk things through. To the point that I can’t process it in my head. I have to walk through the various scenarios and then discover which one is the right one. Sometimes it’s not so obvious which is the right direction; other times it’s clear. Regardless, I think it gets old for those around me. Especially my wife, who tends to think things through [pause] and then have the answer.

But, it’s not what you think.

This is my first foray into the world of podcasting. It’s been one of those things I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. Over the holidays, I got a nice microphone. And, instead waiting on someone to chime in, I jumped into it alone. Here’s my first offering. Enjoy.

It’s time to suck less. Seriously. 2008 was a good year. But, man, I really could’ve made something of myself. The good news is that it’s a new year and a time to begin anew. I’m going to spend a little more time here documenting all that is going on. Not huge updates. Just little nuggets, all around sucking less. That’s me.

For the past five years, I’ve been in the family service at our church. It involved me strapping a huge angel costume that I operate inside, like a massive puppet. My kids are of the age that they participate as well as shepherds and wise men. (Angels are reserved for the kids’ choir.) The past two years my daughter donned the shepherd costume and even got to bring a sheep down the sanctuary isle during their time to meet Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. (She’s the one touching Mary’s head.)

This year, our schedule was crazy. And, it never is easy making it into Buckhead, especially during the holiday season. We decided after Thanksgiving that if the kids wanted to participate, they would have to be part of the wise men entourage. It doesn’t require nearly the amount of rehearsal time. You simply show up the night before Christmas Eve, try on a costume and walk down the isle with your respective king. My daughter was fine with it until we began the final walkthrough and she realized that she was not a shepherd.

As the story unfolded in the sanctuary, as it does each and every year, she grew sad. It was too difficult, she bowed out the second time through and decided to watch from the back. She later said she wanted to quit. Here’s where it was tough. She was fighting back tears as we talked to several leaders for the service. They understood and empathized. If she wanted to back out, it was OK. It was never spoken, but it was understood: My daughter didn’t go to the shepherd rehearsals; therefore, she couldn’t be a shepherd.

I will say this… I volunteer a ton of time with our church. And, she had done this the past two years. There could’ve been a moment where I was “that parent.” You know, the one who demands and cajoles. The one who says “don’t you know who I am?” But, I’m not that guy and that’s not what this service is about. That card was never drawn. And, there could’ve been an opportunity for one of the leaders to cave and switch things around. But, they didn’t and I’m really glad. It was tough to see this all transpire. As a dad, you want the best for your kids. You also want them to make it through life’s lessons. It wasn’t easy and my heart was breaking as well. We left with it resolved that she would sit out instead of being part of the entourage.

Here’s where something wonderful happened. There was a show that I wanted to catch at one of the local theaters this evening. It was the last night of it’s run and I had hoped to catch a few friends there. One by one, they had last-minute plans come up. I also realized that there was not going to be another night. I got on the phone after the rehearsal and mentioned to my wife that I was canceling my plans. Instead, I was taking my daughter out to dinner. Not to coerce her into changing her mind. Not to berate her. I just wanted to be there for her. She picked the place and for about 30 minutes, we just hung out. It was one of the best times we had together in awhile. Later, she thought about it and said she’d like to give it a try tomorrow. Honestly, I don’t know what will happen and I don’t care. I’m realizing more and more that time so limited and I can’t waste it on things that aren’t that important. I’d give everything thing away just to have moments like I had with her tonight at dinner. In the coming year, I’m going to do just that.

As I was seeing my son off to bed later this evening, he gave me a huge hug and told me I was “the best dad ever.” (He didn’t even read the blog post yet.) I dismissed it to some degree. He can quickly turnaround and call me “the worst dad ever” as well. But, for a little bit, I wore that crown with pride.