BLOG ENTRY NUMERO DOS

A couple blogs back I mentioned that I was trying to move back to Michigan. Well, those plans pretty much fell flat. Despite several attempts, I never heard back about the position in Kazoo. I guess that means I didn't get it. Like I said previously, it will really suck having to stay here and suffer through all this beauty.
And now I have a better reason to stick around. After YEARS of saying that I'm out of the whole dating scene and convincing myself that I would NEVER meet anyone ever again, I was completely blind-sided by an absolutely wonderful man. Yes, I think it's safe to say that this girl is smitten. I don't know if I've ever felt this way before. And I don't really care. I'm just enjoying every single minute of it. That's one very important lesson I've learned this year: embrace the day, make it the best, rejoice in just that. If things are difficult, know that it will only last as long as you allow.
So, yeah, I'm happy. Absolute bliss. Life is good. And I see it staying that way for a long time.

FUNNY? NOT SO MUCH

My girlfriend, Joni, is teaching a stand-up comedy class this summer and said I could sit in on it if I was interested. I'm thinking, 'why not. Many times people have told me that I'm funny. This should be easy.'
Yeah, not so much. Comedy is hard. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm not a professional writer, but I have been putting pen to paper frequently and I have never suffered as much writer's block as I did today. It seems easier to find the funny on the spur of the moment, but try to 'create' a laugh and see how easy it is. I have new found respect for all comedians, and especially for Joni. Apart from her, I'm the only female in the class. It makes it so much more difficult to try to make men laugh at your jokes. I'm not sure what the dynamic is that makes it more of a challenge, but it is there. And I don't blame any of those nice guys for it. I really can't explain the feeling. All I know is I would rather push a pin into my eye socket very slowly than stand up in front of a room of strangers and try to get a chuckle. Ugh! The only positive thing about this experience is the fact that, despite my not wanting to, I did manage to write a few 'jokes'. No they weren't funny, but at least I did complete the assignment. Now I feel fine about tucking tail and running.

THE WAITING GAME

I had a phone interview for a position I applied for in Michigan on Monday and I think it went well. I gave some really good answers along with a couple week ones. But overall, I believe I nailed it and if they don't hire me it will truly be their loss. The worst that could happen is I'm stuck here for a while longer. Ugh, lots of redwood trees and free concerts every Thursday night and free movies every Friday night. I'd have to hang around with my friends here which would be horrible!
I do really need to be closer to my family and will continue to do everything to make that happen, but if it takes time I'm not complaining. Life could be a lot worse. The heat wave is gone for the time being (and it never got over 80 in my house), I have lots of movies to watch for my book, and lots of reviews to start writing.
All in all, things are good. Time will tell and I will know more by the beginning of next week.

THE TIMES, THEY MAY BE CHANGIN'

Things happen for a reason. The purpose of our lives is to recognize that and not fight it. To welcome change and not resist it. To embrace what is now and the direction life is going.
I went home in April and realized something. My strength lies within me and is rooted in family. I left my visit very proud that I belong to such a great group of people. How many can honestly say that? I come from good genes. My mother, father, sisters (and you, Amy) are strong, intelligent, funny, caring, considerate...
I could go on and on.
What I realized on that trip was that none of us are getting any younger. I have spent the majority of my adult life away from all these incredible individuals and I am unable to justify that anymore. So I have decided that I need to be closer to these positive forces.
Does that mean that there won't be problems? Who knows, and I don't care. Too much has happened that I haven't been able to share with them. I need to welcome the unkown. It's not like I haven't done it several times before. And it could happen again. But I'm ready for change.
This doesn't mean I won't miss those amazing souls I've met in NorCal. It just gives me a reason to come for visits. And I have every intention of keeping in touch with all of them.
So wish me luck with what could be a new adventure back to my old stomping grounds.

A LONG STRANGE JOURNEY

It has been so long since I've done this that I'm not sure what to write. Big changes are afoot. I am looking to move closer to my family in MI, but the economy may not be accommodating. Only time will tell. I have an idea for a book rattling around in my head and have begun to work on it. My lack of focus is frustrating, but there's nothing new there.
This will be a short blog, just to get me started again. I hope to add more later, but don't hold it against me if I don't.

A STEP TOWARD CHANGE?

On the first day after such a strong message was sent across the country, I feel it necessary to share some wisdom. Am I happy? Of course. I didn't want to leave this country. But am I optimistic for the future? Well...let's face it, I've become somewhat cynical over the years and am realistic. Can one person change all our woes? I doubt it, but it is definitely a step in a different direction that, I hope, will be better. Only time will tell. So here is what other people have said about politics. Perhaps there is enlightenment within these words (or at least a chuckle or two):

• Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour
• Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against. ~W.C. Fields
• Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
• Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear. ~William E. Gladstone, 1866
• When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it. ~Clarence Darrow
• A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt, radio speech, 26 October 1939
• Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others. ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

And finally...I don't think this is what Obama meant by change, but I think it fits:

• Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown