happy anniversary...(and other random goodness - with a small stream of consciousness detour...)

oh, yeah - 4 years ago, yesterday i got the boot from my old job... while i still have some issues re:it, the people involved - even the one that gave me the axe, i have no ill will - as it gave me an opportunity to reinvent myself - and pursue a long held goal of teaching full time. so many positive changes came out of the little *push* they gave me... still have dreams about working there... in real life, however, i feel i have found my calling...and aren't moving anywhere...

here's a couple of cropping/manips of a photo i posted before and maybe even another time - who knows...:


indeed it is a remix culture and i like it

i thought of this lyric by the pretenders - it makes me think of my kids...

WELCOME TO THE HUMAN RACE
WITH ITS WARS, DISEASE AND BRUTALITY
YOU WITH YOUR INNOCENCE AND GRACE
RESTORE SOME PRIDE AND DIGNITY
TO A WORLD IN DECLINE

WELCOME TO A SPECIAL PLACE
IN A HEART OF STONE THAT'S COLD AND GREY
YOU WITH YOUR ANGEL FACE
KEEP THE DESPAIR AT BAY
SEND IT AWAY,

here is a good article about introverts - it is right on the mark. i feel introverts are often misunderstood - i know i have been - people assume angry, or perhaps aloof, when i have been focused inward - i also like the distinction between introvert and shy:

Introverts are not necessarily shy. Shy people are anxious or frightened or self-excoriating in social settings; introverts generally are not. Introverts are also not misanthropic, though some of us do go along with Sartre as far as to say "Hell is other people at breakfast." Rather, introverts are people who find other people tiring.

Extroverts are energized by people, and wilt or fade when alone. They often seem bored by themselves, in both senses of the expression. Leave an extrovert alone for two minutes and he will reach for his cell phone. In contrast, after an hour or two of being socially "on," we introverts need to turn off and recharge. My own formula is roughly two hours alone for every hour of socializing. This isn't antisocial. It isn't a sign of depression. It does not call for medication. For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating. Our motto: "I'm okay, you're okay—in small doses."

although i am not as *shy* as i always am, i will always be introverted - i once heard it put is the best test of intro/extroversion is to complete the following sentence: "after a tough day at work, i am most likely to _______". if the answer is go out and be with people - extrovert. if it is to go home and hole up for a while - introvert. i only want to be around people when i feel good this poses an interesting dilemma - esp. with someone with anxiety/depression issues - as to draw into yourself is to feed the beast - i am sure someone has studied the correlation of depression and introversion - as i've said, things are going great lately, but been having oddly timed anxiety - i think it's time to go spartan and hit the straight and narrow...i'm also doing my best to take care of myself - i.e. gave myself permission to take to easy at work... etc.... link originally found on that old recluse neal stephenson's site

in other news...did a big chunk of my christmas shopping today...

also, my dear wife is going out of town this weekend (party at the zellers house) as the youngest daughter said...also she has a trip in the spring...i hope we don't slip too far into squalor (i would, if i were you, purchase stock in frozen pizza companies - i expect they will experience record sales...) - but anyhow, i am responding the way any mature adult would - i'm jealous of her and want to go on a trip myself - i am crunching the numbers and seeing what's feasible - right now, i am looking at perhaps a trip to ny between spring and summer semesters - and. poss. a little puddle jump over to iceland - who knows - i am just in the planning stages...i want to do something on the cheap. another option is that glorious, kerouac-ean american tradition - road trip...i have found these guys who may be able to help a travel rookie such as myself...

if i never see another leaf, it will be too soon - kinda takes the fun of taking photos of trees having to rake up everything! it was a fun family activity for the first few hours, then....blech

fall came all at once - i swear, one day, trees were full and green -a few days later they all changed, a few days later they all fell - never remember fall being this....um - sudden...


also, i misquoted nickelback - the actual lyric is "look at this photograph" - my sentiments stay intact

rip "uncle" eddie... the next time i lie, cheat or steal, i'll think of you ;-)
bless you and your family!