Time for Blog Resurrection

Change has happened, and it has been a wonderful experience so far. Due to reasons concerning my current employment at the time, I did not fully disclose all the information pertaining to the new journey upon which I was about to embark. What transpired after the interview I mentioned in the previous post was like a dream coming true.

Fast forward to now... I've been in Cleveland a full week! Considering the amount of fuss involved in a transition of this sort, I haven't had the will nor the time to keep bloggers posted. My obvious lack of blog-time did not go unnoticed, as pointed-out a couple of weeks ago by blogger-pal and Facebook friend, William.

And so it begins again. Now, more than ever, I will be utilizing Blogger to keep family, friends and onlookers up to date on my whereabouts and activities. Below are videos I took during my interview visit, and soon to follow are photos from my weekend activities last weekend. As I complete this post, I will be out the door with the Canon, and off to explore NE Ohio, Lake Erie and beyond...

Cheers!

Change

I've been waiting for change. Today, change came and there is plenty more on the way. Not only did I visit with a legal professional about personal matters, but also the job interview that has been in question for over a week is now going to be a reality. I leave next Tuesday afternoon for a two-day working interview in Cleveland. Thursday I return home with hopes of having a job offer!

Cleveland? Yes, Cleveland.

My favorite ending to any television series has to be for Six Feet Under. That show cut through new emotional grounds for many, including me. Life... it is inexplicably challenging. How we live it is more often by choice and less by circumstance. One moment we will all face, no matter how underachieved nor accomplished our lives, is death. Embrace that fact first, and only then will you begin to live.






As I've been living this life of mine, I know that I have been guilty of living it according to the will and hopes of others more than what made sense for my own sake. Having grown in many ways these recent years has enabled me to more finely hewn my own self-perspectives. My need for approval is more centered within now, and is much less an external force. It is rather handy a trait to have now, as I will likely be making decisions as to the direction of my and Joe's life that will not garner a heap of support. There's been a job opportunity fall into my lap, and it would require a major relocation. There is always the chance that I will refuse the offer. Should it be the right thing for me, my only answer can be "yes". I know I will have full support of the most important person in my life, but to the rest of my family the result will be shortly lived in pandemonium. However long, I've no idea.

Then, there's the friends.... Some are supportive, some are indifferent, some fail to see the point completely. At this point in my life, I don't really give a flying flip about any of the negative responses. I've got too many other things to occupy my time.

It's Hard to Believe

I haven't posted since April 27. I believe I have reached the age where time is beginning to get away from me. But, I should tell that life here at The 602 has been humming right along w/o stopping. I will go into the major points in another post, as it is now a dreadful 11:48 pm on a Wednesday evening, and I just haven't the energy nor the will.

Let's just say that some is good... some is not so good... and some is too boring to even consider posting.

Until then..... Shalom.

I Don't Know Why

I can't explain why I am so emotional lately. The smallest of things either get under my skin or they touch me so deeply I easily come to tears. I heard this OMD song on the radio just a while ago, and for one short moment, I was carried away. It had been ages since I've heard it, even still, the connection was instantaneous. Struck a chord with me, I guess you could say.

I suppose one reason I've been so touchy is because I'm about to turn 40. But, it's not really that simple... but rather everything that comes along with changing that first number...

Am I where I should be in life at this point?

Am I really doing what I want to do with my life?

Am I ever going to get that surprise Corvette for my birthday?

I just told Joe the other day that my life is as good as it has ever been, and it's true. I've lived through some awful messes and would rather stick pencils in my eyes than to have to relive them... but for some reason, right now, nothing seems good enough.

Is this normal? Is it okay to feel this way?

Just Keep Swimming....

It’s a motto I have taken to heart. Yes, a silly line from a movie many of us have grown to love, but it has become so much more to me. Dory, the forgetfull one, knew that no matter what you are up against, you just have to keep on swimming….

Lately, I’ve felt a bit like Dory, i.e., lacking real direction in my fitness goals and plans for the future. As you can see from my previous posts, I whole-heartedly dove into working P90X as a way to whip myself back into shape. Unfortunately, I over-exherted myself and was in no way prepared to tackle such a large goal. I became sick from not having sufficient fitness that is necessary to perform those exercises, and ultimately, lost my will to complete the program.

Through some deep inner desire, I have once again begun the process of reaching for my fitness goals. However, this time I am being more realistic in what I can achieve. Once I am able to afford the effort involved, I will take P90X on again, but not until then. When will that be able to take place? I have no idea… and therein lies the wisdom I have gained: Only take upon yourself, that which you can sufficiently perform. Neglecting this simple principle will leave you sick, injured, and even worse, lost of your fitness inspirations.

What I am doing is quite simple, and I am going to continue keeping it simple b/c I wish for it to become a habit I keep for life. One hour each day, I only walk. The other 23 hours of my day are spent watching what I eat and getting the rest my body needs. Doing this simple regiment will enable me to take on more activity as my body slims and tones. Several years of inactivity cannot be reversed in 90 days. It is unrealistic.

When I have lost the weight I deem necessary, I will see where I stand physically then make the necessary steps to increase my activity level. One day, I will own a P90X body. It is a promise I have made to myself, and I will not stop my progress towards that.

A Lazy Friday

I'm at work alone today. My only co-worker is off, and I am here by my lonesome. It's quiet, 'cept for the XM radio in the back room. I have case-work to do for a dentist in Arkadelphia, but I have no will to get 'on it' today.

I've become slower to blog lately, too. I guess I should just give a few updates about what is going on in my life and around The 602:

*Charles moved in with us a couple of months ago... a result of his breakup with his bi-polar girlfriend. He ended up having to bring along his 500 year old beagle... "Betty".

*Betty smells like a beagle.

*Betty bit my foot yesterday.

*The 602 now has 6 residents: 3 men, 2 Scotties, and 1 Betty.

*I've been walking diligently since giving up on P90X... I will start that program again, but only after I've lost more weight. All the jumping around killed my knees, hips and ankles. Lately, I've been walking The Promenade behind Bathhouse Row every day after work, making the mile-long circle 3 times.

*One of my Great-Aunts keeled over last night. She's one of the last I still have. I bet my Mom and all her sisters will go to her funeral. She lived in Palm Springs.

*I would love to go to Palm Springs... but I don't want it to be for a funeral.

*Joe is looking for another job, while I have decided to keep the one I've got.

*Joe and I have finally worked out a financial plan for the next few years, which puts my mind more at ease than it has been in a very, very long time. (We are working to be totally debt-free in the next couple of years!)

*My convertible Cadillac Eldorado, Esmerelda, will soon be getting a complete makeover and rebuild. ...look out, streets of Hot Springs!

Another Friday Flashback

Peter Schilling's Major Tom

Flashback Friday

A Flock of Hairdoos... I mean, Seagulls.

Job Hunting Season is Now Open

The dental field has lost it's magic with me. I'm sick of self-centered dentists and their selfish, backstabbing staff members. There is only one solution:

Look for another job.

Yes, that time has come. After being involved in this field for a number of years (I was first introduced into it in 1990), I am ready to move on... do something different.

I've already begun a few online job applications, in hopes of catching a real sweet new job. I realize, too, that times are tough out there for many, so competition may be stiff. Regardless, all I can do is put my best face on and show it to as many potential employers as I can. Surely, something will come along....

Describes Me in Many Ways

I have good days. I have bad days. I can't let it stop me.

Goodnight, Mr. Rourke

I have spent the last hour, or so, sitting in front of the tube, watching a biography on Ricardo Montalban. (I'm at home, sick....) And at the close of that episode, the image of him appears and soon to follow are the years of birth... and death! I didn't know, but he died Jan. 16, 2009 at the age of 88.





I LOVED Ricardo. Even as a child, I thought he was one of the most distinguished actors of our time. With that dark hair, sometimes even combed into a wave-do, which was popular for men in the 1960's and before, that rich voice of his (the accent... eh, not so much), and that body he kept toned all throughout his adult life, I thought he was ultra-male. Especially taking into consideration how handsome the guy was up into his sixties in his Fantasy Island days.


I remember a movie in particular, of which the name escapes me - thank you, Robitussin, that shows a dame in Ricardo's arms, and the frame is filled with him and the back of the lady's head. Before he locks his lips on her, the observers can't help but notice the man had a chest-full of hair, as it brimmed out and over his shirt. His arms were just as... if not more hairy. I tried to look for (steal) a representative photo on the net, but all I've been able to find are shots of him in full-sleeves..... or SHAVED!!! I suppose some of those Hollywood big-shots said, "Ricky... keep that beastly hair under control". (They were obviously straight, as most of the gay producers would've included such in as many shots as possible.)

Here's another great shot of Ricardo (shaven, mind you):

So today, my heart is kind of heavy. One of the very men that helped me to shape my formative concepts of manhood is gone. And I'm sure he's left a huge empty spot in the hearts of many others.

Good Night, Mr. Rourke. I hope you are resting easily now.

I almost forgot... I wanted to leave a link to a great website. Brian'sDrive-InTheatre is a treat for any movie buff. I've parroused the site for a few years, and thought I'd share it for anyone who's never been there before. There's loads of info on actors and actresses that many of us have long forgotten. Take a look!