When You Feel Like a Jerk

Okay, so I have to send out this public apology, because I did something so horrible today... and I don't know how to get an apology out to the person who deserves it.

Today was a horrible, horrible day. First, my car didn't start appropriately (or at all really) so I had to wake my darling husband from his slumber and ask him to be all manly and get the car to work. After examining the oil level in the car, and realizing we don't know when we last got the oil changed... we added some oil. Miracle, the car started -- but I was now running an hour late.

Work was crazy hectic ... I didn't even get time to eat lunch. Which meant my work spilled into the evening and I'm now just finishing. I've been pondering what my next career move will be from a development perspective, and let's just say that today presented me a lot to ponder. To quote a dear friend of mine, it was one of those "tears in my cube" days. Again, just not a good day. One of our co-workers is leaving to move to DC, so there was a farewell fiesta for her. I wanted to say goodbye, but also catch one of our other mutual friends. But, I had a meeting run long, so I got there and only had 5 minutes I could spare... and our other friend didn't show up (at least not for the 5 minutes I was there (ha ha)).

So, on this most sweltering day, I run to catch my bus ... only to get to the parking lot and the car won't start again!! Tragedy. I'm dripping giant balls of sweat, it's truly disgusting. So, while I'm on the phone with the mechanic setting up a pick-up of the car, this very kind soul comes over to ask me if I need a jump start. I abruptly shake my head at her and mouth "no." What an a__hole I am. I should have taken the phone away from my ear and told her that I was on the phone with the mechanic, but thank her for her kind offer. Oh, I feel like scum of the earth. Wretched. Here a kind, compassionate human being was reaching out to me and I pushed them aside.

Tonight I wallow in a cesspool of misery!

The Greatest Song and Video EVER!

Music Video:FREEDOM (by George Michael)

Music Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

Is it the utopian world of beauty presented? The lyrics that speak for my generation? The great beat that makes it okay to shake your ass in the buff in your bedroom? I'm not sure the answer, but I will never forget how I would always get a thrill would I'd be able to catch this video. And let's be honest, the song still resonates. It brings back days of innocence and joy. It's what we're all looking for ... FREEDOM. And knowing that the people in our life won't let us down. Oh, George, you knew it well, didn't you?

Peck Peck

Okay... I've been wanting to write about this for the last week, but I'm now just getting time on the computer. I ride the bus. I love riding the bus. It allows me to transition into work mode in the morning and de-stress at the end of the day. But earlier this year I began to notice this one particular situation and it now eats at my nerves every morning it occurs.

There's this "couple" on the bus. Both of them are quite tall, amazonian type figures. She has long, curly hair and he's sort of barbarian looking. I would say, outside of their unusual tallness, they're pretty nondescript. They sit very close to one another in their shared seat on the bus. They always get off on 9th and Marquette. Then they proceed to say good-bye for five minutes, punctuating every other word with a kiss. I am grateful for the days that the light is green and my bus doesn't have to sit at the light, so I don't have to see this display. But I finally realized this week why it really bothers me.

There is no love/passion in their kisses! It's very perfunctory, almost robotic in motion. It's every other word. She leans in and looks like a bird pecking at the dirt. Alas, I feel for them ... perhaps they are just settling because they cannot find companionship elsewhere. A routine kiss such as theirs makes me weep. The sad thing is, I've now come to realize that she works at the same company I do ... so now I randomly see her in our cafeteria or elevator lobbies ... and I have to turn away. If i look at her, all I see is the peck peck of the morning.

If you love someone ... be sure to really kiss them!

Are the Angels Weeping?

The headlines lately are making my stomach turn. I cannot believe the state of humanity ... the gang violence against our brothers ... all forgetting that in the end we are all connected.

"Eight accused of beating father who defended daughter at Valleyfair"

"Immigrant's beating death exposes tensions in Pa. "

I have only one question ... where is the love?

Relishing Life

Life is an interesting testament of time. Relishing in the simple pleasures like a bear hug from a two-year-old or your husband looking at you in the morning and saying "I love you." Watching your son following his grandpa around like a little shadow. Laughing with your sister over something really, really stupid, but knowing it's okay that you're laughing about it.

It makes me wonder if we all take enough time to relish life. Or are we too focused on the go. go. go. Making sure you're working for the man, so that you can get paid enough to try to have a little spare time to relish life.

Ah, my Fourth of July weekend was a perfect life relishing time. We drove 3.5 hours north to go to a camping/lodge resort where my parents have a camper/trailer:

While getting sunburn was not on my agenda (and unfortunately happened the first day). I did get to enjoy watching K catch a fish, go on a boat ride, watch fireworks, see a few good movies late into the evening and just enjoy myself. Spending time with one's family may not always seem like the first thing you want to do. But I think it's nice to get re-grounded every once in a while to realize what's truly important.

A Few of My Favorite (Kid) Things

When embarking on becoming a parent, there a many things others don't tell you. Things you need, things you don't.

Now that my son is over two years old, I thought I would share a few things that made the first two years go by more smoothly.

Learn Along Leap

This toy was often a life saver when K was younger. As soon as he started to hear the high-decibel alphabet, his cries would wind down. Now, he still loves it, but he sings along with the alphabet. What can I say, if a green little frog helped him learn his ABC's -- I'm all for it.

Swaddling

Swaddling was such an important aspect of early care for us. For K to fall comfortably asleep, he had to be swaddled. True, you feel like your turning your kid into a burrito, but it does wonders. And more sleep for them means more sleep for you. An essential lesson in early parenting. If you do nothing else, learn how to swaddle. (Men seem to have an easier time with this, and that held true for us, too.)

Balls

Okay, my son has every different type of ball imaginable -- rubber balls, soccer balls, baseballs, footballs. But he has so much fun with all the different balls and playing with mommy and daddy that you just can't deny it becomes fun for you to.

Imagination

You will need to be okay with acting a fool and just having fun. Getting down to your kids level is a number one rule to successful parenting. I, of course, read all the books, still read the magazines. But you have to savor and enjoy every minute with your precious children. It goes by so fast, and nothing in my life is more enjoyable than the time I spend with my family.