100 words a day

Cracklin’ Rosie

Rose — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:48:24 +0000

I loved my wedding day (August 14!) every second, (minor glitches and all).

My major concern leading up to the day was that I’ve cried uncontrollably every single time I’ve ever seen a bride walk down the aisle. I knew if I started, I’d never stop.

So I figured out what makes me cry. The music. And….last minute, I went off-script.

Reviewing our playlist, seeing Neil Diamond’s name I wondered briefly if it would be too weird.

And now, I guess I have a theme song. One original detail, that didn’t make me cry during my walk up the aisle.

“Teen Appreciation Week” - Really?

Sharkboy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:12:35 +0000

Driving through my village near Chicago yesterday I saw a sign at city hall proclaiming August 8 -14 “Teen Appreciation Week.” There were similar signs at the police department and high school.

I thought - what a nice idea to remind teens to appreciate being at that stage in life. They have few responsibilities, plenty of free time, few if any bills and the big concerns are fashion and texting limits. That’s a lot to be appreciative of; along with free meals, laundry, cable TV and high-speed internet.

Then I realized we are supposed to appreciate teens. They’re kidding, right?

Time To Catch The Schoolbus. WTF - Over????

Sharkboy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:20:58 +0000

My son begins middle school today; 46 days from the first day of Autumn. The temperature is in the mid-90s, he’ll be in shorts and flip-flops and its Friday. How many things are wrong with this scene?

The sixth day of the eighth month belongs to beaches, boats, campfires and fireflies. Fridays introduce the weekend; not a whole school year. When was Labor Day discontinued as the last holiday BEFORE classes began?

He’s excited about science, math, music and computer, but he would have learned more in the next few weeks barefoot than he’ll learn in the next few months.

Lots To Learn When You’re Listening

Sharkboy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:10:40 +0000

I appreciate words of wisdom; whether from someone prominent or written on a bathroom wall. Quotes, phrases and catchy sayings play an important role in my life from “one day at a time” to “you can’t spell families without L-I-E-S.”

The words of the Tao and Toltec thought have weaved their way into the fabric of who I am. The voices of Twain, Buddha, Voltaire and my father allow me to think more clearly.

One powerful thought comes from my children’s grandmother – now with angels. “I wish, I wish, I wish I were a fish.” I say it every day.

Go Ahead, We’re Listening

Sharkboy — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:04:15 +0000

My children’s grandmother died last week. Her angels knew she was tired of being so sick for so long. There was a memorial presentation showing pictures of a little girl, a mother of three, grandmother of four, a wife, a nurse, a traveler and a friend.

There were no pictures of her family fleeing their home from WWII bombings. No candid shots of immigrating to South America and finally to California without knowing either native language. There were no pictures of the hundreds of people she helped save as an ER surgical nurse. Those pictures she told us in stories.

Glad To Be Here….Again

Sharkboy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:29:18 +0000

I joined the 100wordsaday family two years ago with a few goals in mind and I met all but one – the 100 words “every” day one. So, a new challenge waits. Much has changed lately and I want and need to write about those changes.
I have shared the only three rules I thought everyone should live by. Be nice, tell the truth and flush. A great deal of thought, a lot of time at the short end of the stick and the wisdom of my Debbie has made my list complete. “Little Bits” joins my perfect set of rules.

A Thing of Shining Beauty

Lytspeed — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:50:51 +0000

I watched the International Space Station fly over again tonight. As I scanned the western sky, she leaped out from behind Venus and arched over my house, a thing of shining beauty slipping between clouds, stars, and silhouettes of trees. She passed from the muted blue of dusk through the gradient into night, and I smiled. In her wake, I felt hope. I felt peace and inspiration, and the wonder that Ray Bradbury had awakened in me when I was a child.

Nature’s beauty is always there, but sometimes it takes a pinpoint of light to make me look.

Tweets from a Twoll

Lytspeed — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:10:25 +0000

There’s a science fiction writer whose work I admire, and whose personal integrity and discipline I admire even more. I’ve known for some time that this writer has a group of anti-fans and Twitter trolls (twolls?) but I never expected to interact with them. However, after I sent out a tweet mentioning the writer yesterday, I received responses from one of the twolls shortly thereafter, insulting the writer’s abilities and success.

What drives people like that? Why do they hate this writer so much that they resort to baiting and taunting him in a public forum?

Is it just jealousy?

Old at 44

Lytspeed — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:38:04 +0000

I overdid it riding my bike to work this morning. I felt faint and had to lie on the floor for a while in my office before I could start my day.

I only live a mile and a half from work, but over that short distance my route drops about 120 feet in elevation, then climbs back up another 90 feet. Back when I was mountain biking regularly, that would have been nothing. Now that I’m older and out of shape, pushing hard on that climb — even on pavement — is too much.

At least someone brought doughnuts.

(crickets)

Rose — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:27:56 +0000

Has it really been four and a half months since my last post? I don’t know why. I love posting!

In the last four+ months, I started and quit a new job, working for a shitshow of a decorator I couldn’t stand. Then an old client resurfaced with a nice project.

I got engaged on March 26!

The planning alone could provide a ton of material here. I don’t want to make this all about the wedding so I’ll try to mix it up. Write more often.

Wedding date, Check. Venue, dj, florist, photographer, dress, shoes, cake baker, invitations, checkcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheck.