Okay, even I’ll say I’m being a bit overdramatic but in the past three days the culmination of problems with my job, my car, my house, and trying to dissolve my LLC have overcome me; too much at one time. Thank Jeebus I don’t have a girlfriend/wife because I’m sure I’d be in the throes of an argument with her at the moment as well if I did.
Step One – Put It Into Perspective
Most of my current problems are not problems I created; I’ll take the full hit for the LLC. Because of this I need to chalk it up to “Life” and deal with it the best that I can. Also, there are many people I know who are facing problems far greater than mine. I need to keep reminding myself of this.
Step Two – Slow The Fuck Down
I need to start budgeting more time for breathing (physically as well as metaphysically).
Last night I drove down to Decatur and ate a decent dinner with some beer at Twain’s before walking over to Eddie’s Attic for the Rhett Miller show. The show was sold out so I knew that it was going to be crowded, too crowded for me actually. Oddly I noticed that Eddie’s has done some sprucing up and inexplicably has removed the banner that encouraged the audience to remain quiet during the performance out of respect to the performer. Pity, I’m sure Eddie’s would still like this to occur but the banner used to state it clearly. I saw this banner as my last hope for talk-free performances. If I’ve not made it abundantly clear I am of the belief that I have paid to hear the musician and not some conversation about whatever you think is so important that you need to scream it to your friend/lover during the middle of a song. Perhaps I should stop going to concerts.
I wound up staying for only three of Miller’s songs. To me his voice seemed much thinner than it had when I saw him perform solo and then with his band the Old 97s a handful of months ago at Terminal West. I didn’t want to tarnish that memory any more than the first three songs had already. I’m sure everyone else loved the show. Besides, by leaving early it allowed me to return home to do a million things that I needed to do last night fall asleep early.
The biggest downer of the evening was when I was told “Thank you sir.” by the young women for whom I held the door open as I left Eddie’s. I know. I’m 49. I am old (especially to most people going out to see shows). It still smarts.
Step Three – Throw Money At My Problems
During this week of giving thanks I reflect on the good fortune that I’ve had (and hope to continue to have) financially. I am not wealthy, far from it (by American standards), but I do have the means to repair the Jackmobile (a-gain) and to get all of the work performed on my house for either my benefit or the benefit of the next owners.
However, I need to remember to spend my money judiciously because I am the sole supporter of my household and when I’m old (enough to accept being referred to as “Sir” when I hold doors open) there will be no one for me to turn to for financial support.
Step Four – Finish The Job
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Because of this I should take one mile at a time, doing whatever I need to do in order to complete each, and eventually I will reach the finish line. Doing this may hurt as much as it did when I actually ran (and had to walk at the end because I developed an IT-band problem) the only road marathon I attempted — way back in 2000 in Duluth Minnesota — but I will always be able to look back and say that I did it.
And Now For Something Completely Different
Today I’m getting and iPhone 6. And and iPhone 6 Plus! We’ll, I’ve purchased one of each for testing at work and will be expensing the cost after I pick them up today. I should probably go ahead and buy one for myself too while I’m at it to respect Step Three.
Ich habe keine Deutsche Klasse heute Nacht
(I have no German class tonight. I think my translation above is correct even though it goes against what Google Translate says.)
Due to this being Thanksgiving week I have no German class tonight. Irritatingly because this is already Tuesday again it means that I’ve gone an entire week without doing enough studying. I will be trying to rectify this behavior over the next week so that I feel (in)adequately prepared when I return to class next Tuesday. Sometime during this week I will also be registering for German A1.3, the next course in the series, because I need to continue to study if I have any hope of accomplishing my dream of traveling to Germany and speaking only German before I die.
In the absence of going to German class I will be headed to the lavanderia Waschsalon to do laundry tonight.
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Congratulations of having a better attitude, sir. (I crack myself up)
Since you continue to attend shows that draw a younger crowd, I wouldn’t think this is the first time this has happened. And I understand about wanting to remember a better performance- we recorded Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on PBS some weeks ago and I think I finally deleted it. He was stiff, staring at the teleprompter, and not in great voice. Not pretty. It may be time to settle into retirement… at 87 (!!) he’s certainly earned it.
All quiet around the farm last night- pretty quiet around the office as well.
-FP
Come take my class on Thursday (yes, Thanksgiving, already have 3 people that want to come), you can’t help but be happy jumping on a trampoline!
Perspective is an amazing tool, use it, you are a fortunate man, you have your health (regardless what you keep saying), you can provide for yourself and you have a wealth of friends, few are so lucky.
From time to time I look back at where I was compare to where I am now, it’s overwhelming…I can’t believe how far I’ve come. There were many dark days and times when I didn’t think I could go on. I’m so glad I did, I’m thankful everyday for all that I have. My life isn’t perfect, but I’m going to keep working at it!
When does your class start, Martha?
6:15am…
Whoa, wasn’t expecting that. I have a feeling that I shan’t be up that early on Thursday, but if I am I will be at your class.
Holy Jeebus, you people are crazy.
And double what Martha said.
I’ll be up, I feel like I’ve been ‘up’ since last Thursday. I can have Nibbles come and spend the night, she usually starts moving around 4:30am. That will give you plenty of time to make it to class.
There are rumors of post-workout prosecco… oh did I mention Betsy will be there 🙂
I wish I could learn to be an early morning person, but I just don’t go to bed early enough to let that happen.
And – don’t let being called sir bother you, maybe it was just someone that was raised with some manners. I know those people are few & far between these day, but still……..
Out Thanksgiving dinner group keeps getting bigger, good thing we have a big garage to set up some tables. (I think Allan’s mom is going to freak when I tell her I think we’ve got about 20). Hopefully the weather will be nice enough to at least do appetizers out on the deck. I guess tonight I need to make a list of what all I need to do, find tablecloths, plates, cups, etc…… I’m so not organized right now.
Hmmm, this isn’t good. Coworker’s OBD-II monitor reports that the Check Engine light is on because of transmission issues. It could be low or dirty transmission fluid or could be something much worse.
Considering I replaced the goddamn transmission four years ago (unfortunately not at a national chain or repair shops) while in Boulder I don’t see myself doing this again for the Jackmobile. I’ll take it down to Lam today and let him give me the final verdict.
go get a Subaru for yourself for Christmas. I think you would be very happy with a car from there.
I am thinking that I just might do that.
Don’t freak out just yet, when my check engine light came on a couple of months ago (and the car clearly had an issue) it was just dirt in the throttle, the garage cleaned it up and only charge me like $25 for the diagnostic.
However, I am thinking about new tires before our next trip north, I’m just about at 60K miles and at least one has a slow leak.
And do it before the end of this month and get a great deal!!
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/513/129-cars
Going to let Lam tell me what it’s going to cost. Honestly, if the repair is more than $500 it may be time for me to shift gears (pun intended) and look into to getting the Jackmobile’s replacement.
ask Lam if he wants to buy your car…….. he just might……..
Well, it’s in Lam’s hands. More on my adventures tomorrow…