I try to not leave Christmas shopping until the last minute, but I usually do anyway. Some people are difficult to shop for. I know I am one of them. There are other people who are difficult to shop for and remain within a budget. There are others who are members of my (extended) family whom I have no choice, but to admit that I barely know them. I eat Sunday dinner with them at my parents' house. I have gone to Baptisms, Holy Communions and Confirmations and usually given money as gifts.
Particularly when I was younger, I appreciated receiving money as gifts. I got to buy my own things with it and I knew I would like the things. As an adult, I have been guilty of taking the easy option and giving a card with money in it. It finally occurred to me what I am saying when I give cash. I am saying that I don't really know the recipient very well.
At least when I have given a gift card to a store that carries a specific type of merchandise, I am saying that I may not know exactly what you want, but I know you're into clothes, electronic gadgets, musical instruments or food. Giving cash says that I don't know anything about the recipient. I am just giving something because I am supposed to give something and don't want to give something entirely incorrect for the occasion. It's really odd to examine how my perceptions have changed. I used to appreciate the monetary gifts more than the material gifts. Now I am embarrassed to give money as a gift because it means admitting to myself that I don't know the recipient as well as I should.
Even though I may not know the recipient as well as I should, I don't want to "get it wrong". Giving money may not be exactly right, but I also know it's not going to be wrong.I guess there are worse things.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
It Was a Great Roadtrip!
This past weekend, my daughter, my youngest brother's fiance' and I too a road trip from Ohio to Connecticut. We left after I finished work on Friday and arrived at 5:40 a.m. Saturday morning. Ed's fiance' & I had some really cool conversations (and some completely goofy conversations, too). Natasha slept most of the way out.
After a few hours of rest (I couldn't sleep), we went for lunch at Shady Glen. The cheeseburgers are amazing. There are photos and an explanation on line. I am not going to try to explain it here. Natasha & I went to the neighboring hotel and I went in to get a room. I failed to explain to the innkeeper that I needed a room with two beds. He made the assumption that the two people were to sleep in one bed. When I went back and explained that I was traveling with my daughter, he switched our room. Sleep came easily that afternoon.
We had wanted to visit Mark Twain's home, but we were still too tired. When we finally got up, we went bowling, ate pizza, and went back to Ed's room to watch Zombieland and drink a bit. The extra hour of sleep on Saturday night was so wonderful.
Beth did a little driving on the way back so I could look around a little instead of watching the road. I got to see the Hudson River on the way out of Connecticut. After all the lunch meat & cheese I bought, we ate one meal out of it. Next time, I think I will have the sandwiches made up ahead of time and add the condiments as we go. We arrived at my parents' house at 1:30 a.m. and dropped Beth off. Natasha & I continued home and arrived at 2:00 a.m. My bed felt really good.
We are already planning to do another road trip. We haven't decided where or when, but this weekend was a lot of fun, so we are going to do it again.
After a few hours of rest (I couldn't sleep), we went for lunch at Shady Glen. The cheeseburgers are amazing. There are photos and an explanation on line. I am not going to try to explain it here. Natasha & I went to the neighboring hotel and I went in to get a room. I failed to explain to the innkeeper that I needed a room with two beds. He made the assumption that the two people were to sleep in one bed. When I went back and explained that I was traveling with my daughter, he switched our room. Sleep came easily that afternoon.
We had wanted to visit Mark Twain's home, but we were still too tired. When we finally got up, we went bowling, ate pizza, and went back to Ed's room to watch Zombieland and drink a bit. The extra hour of sleep on Saturday night was so wonderful.
Beth did a little driving on the way back so I could look around a little instead of watching the road. I got to see the Hudson River on the way out of Connecticut. After all the lunch meat & cheese I bought, we ate one meal out of it. Next time, I think I will have the sandwiches made up ahead of time and add the condiments as we go. We arrived at my parents' house at 1:30 a.m. and dropped Beth off. Natasha & I continued home and arrived at 2:00 a.m. My bed felt really good.
We are already planning to do another road trip. We haven't decided where or when, but this weekend was a lot of fun, so we are going to do it again.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Anticipation
I love taking road trips. Hours of driving and daydreaming are some of the best wastes of time I have ever found. My daughter, my brother's fiance' & I are going to drive 12 hours to Connecticut for a 24 hour visit before coming back. A lot of people will think this is a horrible waste of time and energy for such a short stay. I disagree. The privilege of seeing new places is something I enjoy. While I make this trip, I will be making mental notes of places that I will want to stop when I make a more leisurely journey in the Spring.
The one difficulty I encounter, when planning such a trip, is my own excitement. I will get so wound up by the preparation that I lose some sleep. I run around a lot and wear myself out. As a result, I tend to start the trip already tired. Unfortunately, I tend to yell at people and say unkind things when I am tired. As, in prepping for this trip, I noticed this issue, and subsequently becoming mindful of it, I think I have managed to minimize the negative effect that it has had in the past. I have been making myself rest. I have been yelling at co-workers who are not going on the trip with me.
As of this point, I have not packed anything, but all of my clothes are washed. Most of the food for the trip is bought. All I need to grab is bread, mustard, mayonnaise, Mountain Dew and Red Bull.
The one difficulty I encounter, when planning such a trip, is my own excitement. I will get so wound up by the preparation that I lose some sleep. I run around a lot and wear myself out. As a result, I tend to start the trip already tired. Unfortunately, I tend to yell at people and say unkind things when I am tired. As, in prepping for this trip, I noticed this issue, and subsequently becoming mindful of it, I think I have managed to minimize the negative effect that it has had in the past. I have been making myself rest. I have been yelling at co-workers who are not going on the trip with me.
As of this point, I have not packed anything, but all of my clothes are washed. Most of the food for the trip is bought. All I need to grab is bread, mustard, mayonnaise, Mountain Dew and Red Bull.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Politics
I voted this morning. I am not going to extol the virtues of one political party versus another. I am, however, going to point out the misconduct of some campaign volunteers. Upon entering the parking lot of the polling place, I saw several campaign signs. The public school, in which the entire city of London, Ohio votes, is public property. Campaign signs are prohibited on public property. I know volunteers have the best interests of our community at heart, and that they consider their political party's way to be the only way to get it done, but rules are there to keep things civil. Regardless of political leanings, people should be civil to each other.
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
My name is John. I am the married father of three really wonderful children. I don't talk to people until I have had coffee. I like big, laid back dogs. I spend a lot of time driving, so I have a lot of time to daydream.
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I was a discipline problem throughout the 9 years I spent in Catholic schools. As a chronic academic underachiever, I surprised everyone when I attended East High School in Columbus and achieved honors in vocal music, Latin language, general academics and became an officer in the school's ROTC program.
As an adult, I have spent time in U.S. Army Psychological Operations, banking, bar-tending, utility construction and industrial electronics. Given my varied background, I tend to see things from several points of view.
I have character flaws. As an impatient person, I probably understand how much of a virtue patience is. I am not an indecisive person. I bore easily. I prefer to look past the flaws in my friends. I am my own worst critic.
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I was a discipline problem throughout the 9 years I spent in Catholic schools. As a chronic academic underachiever, I surprised everyone when I attended East High School in Columbus and achieved honors in vocal music, Latin language, general academics and became an officer in the school's ROTC program.
As an adult, I have spent time in U.S. Army Psychological Operations, banking, bar-tending, utility construction and industrial electronics. Given my varied background, I tend to see things from several points of view.
I have character flaws. As an impatient person, I probably understand how much of a virtue patience is. I am not an indecisive person. I bore easily. I prefer to look past the flaws in my friends. I am my own worst critic.
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