My Personal Blog

I'm kinda glad the Giants won because I like it when the underdog prevails.  New England was hyped all year and got all the press and Tom Brady was being hailed as the all time greatest quarterback, blah blah blah.  And, Peyton Manning was getting almost as much hype and everyone expected these 2 guys to meet on Super Bowl Sunday.  But, quietly sneaking up behind was the wild card team the Giants with Peyton's little brother Ely at quarterback and they never got much attention outside of NY.  Well, the Giants sure did put New England in their place.  They legitimately kicked their asses and nobody can argue that.  I wonder how many bookies are on the run because they lost their shirts!  Oh, and I'm old enough to remember the '72 Dolphins undefeated season and even though NE did go undefeated, for more games than Miami, they didn't go all the way.  That means the Dolphin record is still intact...which warms my heart.  :)  You done good NY!  Enjoy the moment! 

Well, it's been a helluva year for me. 

It started with a secure job in a box, in a downtown office
It ended with incorporating my own company and working from home. 

It started with my being very bitter with the corporate world.
It ended with my being very bitter with the corporate world.  But, I don't have to deal with them anymore! 

It started with 2 computers (3 monitors).
It ended with 3 computers (5 monitors).

It started with 5 guitars, 1 mic, 1 amp.
It ended with 6 guitars, 2 mics, 1 piano, 1 drum kit, 1 digital 8 track recorder, 1 PA system. 

It started with many friends.
A few of them are no longer with us.

It started with parts of my family becoming fragmented, but manageable.
It ended with it fragmenting even more and it breaks my heart.

It started with thinking that I know who my friends are.
It ended with knowing who my real friends are.

It started with forming a friendship with an old friend of my deceased wife. This was a very strange and moving experience that involved too many emotions to list.
It ended with a better understanding and acceptance of life and it's chaotic order.

It started with a few dates with women I met online, with only a few connections but nothing that lasted more than a few weeks.
It ended with lots of dates with women I met online, with a few more connections but nothing lasting more than a few weeks.

It started with my exercise routine being a bit mediocre.
It ended with an almost daily exercise routine that is anything but mediocre.

It started with my spirituality intact and an optimistic view of the future.
It ended with my spirituality even more intact and I'm still optimistic about the future.

I had a lot of fun and got to do a little traveling and spend some time in San Francisco, Miami, Virginia, Maryland, Philly, New Mexico, and LA.  Some highlights include:
Spending time with my cousin and her son while in PA.
Spending a day with my brother and his girlfriend while they were here in FL.
Learning how to eat new Asian dishes in San Francisco.
Spending a weekend in Miami with one of my best friends and watching her sing on stage.
Spending a day with one of my best friends and watching his concert.
Forming a close bond with my nephew.
Incorporating my company and making it successful.
Learning how to play the piano.

With all things considered, I think I've moved more forward than backward which is really all I can ask of this world.  Well, I can ask for a lot more...and maybe I will this year!  How's that for optimistic?

Happy New Year!
 

Recently, my favorite Uncle (and the only one I have left in this world) had a stroke.  I went to visit him in the hospital in Virginia where he had his stint surgery.  All went well and he's on the road to recovery.  When this kind of thing happens, I think of my own mortality and what this life is all about.  It's funny how a family will all come together for a guy like my Uncle.  He's always been one of my heros.

He is a retired 25 year veteran of the Marine Corps.  He is 68 years old and still works for the Defense Intelligence Agency.  He's a war hero and has done so much for this country and his family.  He's a very strong and proud man and one to be respected.  When I look at my contribution, so far, to this world, it truly pales in comparison to what he's done.  I can only hope to be remembered as fondly as he will when he passes.  I hope that's not for a very long time.  Thank you Uncle Tom!

www.embryodesign.com

Are you as tired as I am about corporate America?  Especially, the executives that think they know everything yet actually know nothing and most of the time screw up everything.  Then, the next guy that comes along will blame the predecesor, revamp the system, screw it all up, and hand it over to the next exec to start the cycle again.  And all the while, the general workers collectively know the problems and solutions but the execs think they are so far above the average worker, they simply do whatever they want.  Then, the average worker is left to clean up the mess of the prior exec, fill in the new exec, then wait for the new one to do the same as the old.  And then there are the HR departments that are directly under the company exec which means they are beholden to the company 100% and are no longer a help to the average worker. 

And it really bothers me that nobody seems to have the nerve to stand up and speak for what is right.  Everyone seems to be worried about their job more than what is right and wrong.  I understand people have families they need to feed.  But, do you want your children to grow up pussies and know only how to say yes because they might lose their worthless job?  Not me!

www.embryodesign.com

Why are there so many bad drivers?  Is it the cell phones?  Is it the media, or therapists, telling them they are the only person that matters and the world revolves around them?  Why do drivers in the fast lane drive the slowest?  Why do people on the highway drive side by side for miles when they can obviously see the hundred of us directly behind them waiting for them to move aside?  Why do people feel the need to turn just a little bit left before they turn right?  What the hell is that all about?  Aargh.  I think most people on the roads today need a slap in the face.

www.embryodesign.com

I’ve always said that if I see too much shiny scalp on my head, I would never try to cover it up with products or grow it longer or the worst…do a comb over!  Ooohh!  So, I looked in the mirror yesterday and decided I would try my hand at using my electric clippers to give myself a haircut and crop it kinda short.  So, I set the level to the highest position and give it a test run.  It feels like it’s going well so I get a little more aggressive, when all of a sudden I put a mowhawk streak down the right side of my head.  Now I have no choice but to crop it really short all over and I’m ready.  So, I take the clipper and set it low and buzz away.  I had my sink filled half way with clumps of my hair.  It’s a bit tough getting the back to look right, as you can imagine.  But, I do the best I can, feeling my way through.  I think I’ll wait for Jeff to come home and have him look at it and see how good I did.  He loved the front but laughed at the back.  I asked him to trim it so we went in the garage where he meticulously trimmed the rest and did a great job.  I love the new look!  And, it’s fun to rub my hands over it!  LOL  I feel like a new man! 

Oh, and I also joined the local Planet Fitness for $10 a month!  Not bad, eh?  Between the new hair and the rejuvenated body, I AM a new man!  How’s that for positive energy! 

www.embryodesign.com