Archive for January, 2009

Blue Tree

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Here’s something for you to ponder:

What you want will always come about as long as you don’t think about a Blue Tree.

I’d bet you just thought about a Blue Tree.

Consider that next time you say to yourself “I don’t want X”, where X is something you really don’t want.

You can’t “not want” something and not think about it.

.

The alternative is to always think about what you want.

Try paying less attention to Your Reality and more attention to Your Imagination.

Paint Brush

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

The paint brush I mentioned yesterday – the “stubby” is actually made for Sherwin Williams.  It is a “Premium XL” “Tight Spots” with “Comfort Grip Handle”.  They are the first ones listed on this page.  It rocks.

I picked up a real 4″ roller handle and am very happy with the results.  The handle is a bit long, but the action is smooth.

I also cut a couple of 2′ sections off of a 2×4 and screwed the outer hinges of the door into them.  Then I put it on my sawhorses.  The result is the door is standing on it’s “spine” and I can paint both sides in one session.  All I need now is more light and a fan.  I might setup a couple of small ladders so I can paint another door at the same time.

Note of advice: When you need stuff to dry quickly, do a light coat.  I think three light coats cover better and dry faster than one heavy coat and one sticky coat ’cause I didn’t wait long enough for the first coat to dry.

Well, I’m off to paint the upstairs closet.

Still Painting – with a move date

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

I still have the bathrooms and closets to paint.

But I spent a fantastic few days with great friends.

Words cannot express how awesome this has been.

My worldly possessions will be moved from storage to my home on Monday.

I will probably move my personal things from here (Joe’s house) to my home either that day or the next weekend.

I’ve still gotta find a waterbed mattress.  Remind me to tell you the neat story of the woman sleeping in my bed….

Hey Sis – we’re both gonna be in new homes this week, eh?  I love inflatable mattresses too…

Painting with Friends

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

A few friends have driven down from Detroit to help me paint.

It is fricking awesome to have friends like this.

The Two Wolves

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009


One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.

One is Evil.
It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good.
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and than asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed”.

Movie Characters

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Have you ever watched a movie and *really* identified with a character?

I caught Good Will Hunting for the second time over the weekend and damn if there aren’t parts of Will’s character that are spot on.  Like this scene where he explains how easy it is for him to do the math problems?  That’s what it is like for me with computer software.  Easy.  The more complicated the funner it is.

But the scene that really hooked me was this one where he & and his best friend discuss their futures. I’ve begun the process of ‘cashing in’ that ticket by moving down here to NC.  I’m still pretty scared, but … I gotta do it.  Afleck’s character does a great job….

On the other hand, given that I’m over 40 and not 20, I’ve been through some of what Robin Williams’ character has been through – the loss.  By the end of the movie, Williams’ character is ‘willing to put his chips on the table again’.

Same here.

A Comment from Dad

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

I was back at my family’s visiting over the holidays and my dad said something interesting.

First, a bit of backstory.  His dad, my grandfather, was mean bastard.  Really.  He made me look like Mother Theresa.  He was born in the US but was taken back to Europe to be raised.  It was a tough upbringing – pretty close to slavery, from the stories I heard.  Most meals were bread and water.  And he had to carry the water in two buckets tied to a pole.  When they built a house, he had to use a brick to sand the inside so the inner bricks wouldn’t be so rough.  The old man worked at Ford building engines and he had to fight to keep his job many times.  All along, he was insistent that treating my dad like crap would help him become a better man.  Now, my dad is a great man, but I doubt it was because grandpa was such a prick.  More likely because my dad chose to overcome the abuse and treat people with decency and respect – quite the opposite of how his dad behaved.

I told you all that so I can tell you this;  Last week, my dad said to me (paraphrasing) “A little while ago, I realized that for the past 71 years, I’ve been trying to please my dad.  My dad’s been dead for over 10 years and I still find myself wondering if what I’ve chosen to do from day to day will please him.  I want you to know that I’m very happy with you and you’ve exceeded my hopes for a son.”

I thought that was pretty cool of him to say.

He didn’t need to say it, though, because he and my mom raised me in such a way that I focus on me.  I don’t need anyone’s approval for anything I do.  I told him that.  So I’m good either way.  I am self actualized, as they say.
Anyhow, that was the comment from my Dad.

For Christmas Dinner (the day after Christmas) we split a Chateau Brianne at The Dearborn Inn.  Awesome meal.

Happy New Year!

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

Yay!

A new home and a new job for me! (I’m excited.)

I hope you focus on good things in your future.