Random Thoughts About Specific Things

As I pondered what in the world to write about, it occurred to me that I may be over thinking  this entire process. I mean, sometimes there may be many things to write a little about instead of one thing to write a lot about. This is one of those times. So here we go in no particular order.

1) Went to Milwaukee on Friday the thirteenth to see Steely Dan perform their classic album “Aja” at the Riverside Theater. I am a huge Steely Dan fan and have been for years. That said, this show was fantastic. They first did the entire Aja album and followed that up by playing quite a few of their greatest hits for the next hour plus.

While the show was great, the entire evening was special thanks to my wife Tracee and our very good friend Luke. We had a wonderful dinner before the show great conversation and a lot of laughs on the way down and back. Sharing a memorable evening with people you love and care about is definitely a recipe for a successful evening.

2) Congratulations to my son Andy for achieving one of those teenage rites of passage by passing his drivers license examination. I vaguely remember this being a pretty exciting event for me  and I am equally as excited for him. Now if he could just find a job… it never ends does it?

3) We put up our Christmas tree this past Thursday. Now, those of you who know me well know I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas specifically, and the holiday season in general. But we needed a tree and found one that could help change my attitude about the holidays, at least a little. And what kind of tree could have this kind of affect on the holiday challenged such as myself, a PURPLE tree. It’s an amazing thing. First of all, it’s a deep purple, like grape juice, not that hideous,putrid, Minnesota Viking purple. (I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. I am over it)

Secondly, it’s two things that all Christmas trees should be, slim and pre-lit. Just plug it in and before you can say Harry Bailey, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

And lastly, a purple tree doesn’t seem as traditional as a standard green tree and therefore Christmas has a new element of fun in it. Christmas will forever be too commercial and start way too early but the vibe from our purple tree has seemingly put a little fun back in the season for me. Lets hope it lasts.

4) On our way to Milwaukee Friday night, one of our conversations turned to politics and the fight over health care. Now to be perfectly honest, none of the three of us really understand the issues enough to have a meaningful debate, but I did comment that this was a very difficult time for the president and was reminded of a quote by Theodore Roosevelt that I feel is appropriate to that subject and just a great quote in general that any of us could apply to our own lives.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, oe where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm and great devotion, who spends himself is a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end triumph of high achievement and who at worst, if he fails, while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Until next time when I’m playing in quicksand.