Separate but Equal

Minneapolis has a very intricate skyway system. It's truly an item of beauty, allowing you to traipse from one end of the city to the other without having to go outside. Something that is pure magic on the coldest of days, the stormiest of hours or the hottest of waves. However, I've often contemplated that the true genius would be two have to such systems in place. You see, during the week, when I am maneuvering through the skyway system it is usually because I have 5 minutes to make it to a meeting. I. am. in. a. rush. I have a purpose - a goal - a direction that I am headed and I must get there as soon as I humanly can.

So, what's the issue? There are civilians who have no cares in the world and are just meandering the skyways passing time sight seeing, or the homeless trying to stay out of the elements, or the stay at home moms who thought it would be fun to come down to the city during the day. Ha! I want to bulldoze them over. People actually translate the "Minnesota State Fair Gait" into something suitable for the skyways. Not so! Not so!

Now, don't get me wrong. When I am in the city on the weekends or a holiday for some sort of event. I, too, become a leisurely stroller of the skyway. Therefore, I completely get the need for two different paces. I embrace both paces and believe there is a perfect need for each. I just wish they didn't have to coincide.

I feel the same way about the highway system. I've always wished that freight and truckers had their own private roadway system - so they could get to their destination without having to deal with weaving in and out of the civilians on the road.

Fear. Excitement. Trepidation.

Today, I learned that I'll be entering a whole new world when it comes to my career. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm a mix of emotions. I'm leaving what has been my comfort zone for the last two years and I'm diving into new territory. Scary, scary territory. New boss. New direct report. New subject matter.

I must brace this change and take it for all the opportunity it will provide. I must jump in with both feet and let the world tumble by. I must do this with my eyes open.

Disappointment

Lately, I've been learning that there are a lot of secrets floating around me. Secrets from people I trusted, people I care about, people I thought could confide in me. It's all around me. Of course, I have my secrets, too. Secrets no one knows about, but me. Something's brewing, that's for sure. It becomes a game of trust. Who can I trust at work? Who's not trying to use politics to leverage their own careers and care nothing about who lies in their path?

It's funny how some people appear when they think no one knows their secrets or thinks no one is looking. That's when true personalities shine through. That's when their real disappointment with life seeps through their pores and decorates their face.

Disappointment helps us appreciate the good things in life that we are given. So I guess I'll just take my disappointment from today and shelve it for later, when I need some true perspective.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

The smell of grease permeates through the air, mixing ever so delicately with the smell of manure.

Mullets and bellys can be viewed far and near.
It's an ocean of people, unlike anything you've ever seen. Truly one of the wonders of the world.
But there's also a multitude of animals abounding.
We saw a baby lamb come into the world.

We shared curds of cheese and a roasted cob of corn.
Dining on local wine and the delectable ice cream of honey.
Ah, the tastes of once a year!

Our legs grew tired and weary.
Our dad tried out an acupressure machine.
I signed up for many a home-improvement sweepstakes (goodness knows how many calls all get in the next month for "free estimates!"


The sun kissed our skin.
We saw heads carved out of butter.
Fish swimming in the pond.


Once again, it was a glorious fest, but one I can only handle once a year.

People Still Smoke?

Today after work, we had a small little happy hour in honor of me being the in the department five years. (In Sept. I'll have been at the company for seven.) At the table next to us there were three old men smoking cigars. It. Was. The. Most. Disgusting. Thing. I've. Ever. Endured. What makes me angry is the fact that we were at our table first, and they could have had the courtesy to ask if it was okay. They smelled wretched. They had absolutely no consideration. We may have been outside, but they kept blowing their smoke in our direction and we had to smell it. Yes, we could have moved, but why must I endure the nasty habit of others? I don't force my bad habits on to them, do I?

Sorry for any smokers out there reading this, I just detest the habit. First off, your harming yourself by sucking in a number of carcinogens, but your also harming so many others who don't ask for it. Nancy Reagan had it right. Just Say No.

On a positive note, at same event, we had a psuedo celebrity siting. Good ol' politician in the making Al Franken. The table of liberals that we are, we were only slightly giddy. But I have to say, he looks a little different in person than what I thought he would. Thankfully, due to other people calling him over to a table to talk, we could confirm that it was actually Mr. Franken.