Monday, January 17, 2005
Outside Looking In
“Play me, Coach!” For those of you who have played organized sports and had to stand
on the sidelines, this is probably a familiar phrase. For those of you who feel you have the skills, know-how and determination
to do bigger and better things, but just can’t because of the circumstances, you most probably relate to the frustration.
The frustration of waiting for the right opportunity. The frustration of seeing other do while you stand back and watch.
You know that if you could just ‘get in the game’, you would make a difference.
But instead of being given the
nod, you have to stand back and wait. Wait for someone to retire. Wait for someone to ask for your help. Wait
for someone to make up their mind. Waiting is a tough thing to do, and patience is an increasingly scarce commodity
nowadays. Hey, don’t look at me. When it comes to personal matters, I have less patience than a hospital in Antarctica.
Not only do I want to start the game, I want the ball in my hands every play. I make Randy Moss and Keyshawn Johnson
look like Buddhist monks! Spell my name backwards and it’s an acronym for Lotsa’ Instant Gratification!
So
when I find myself holding the proverbial clip board, both personally and professionally, I must resist the urge to just snap
it in half and say “F it!” All I think about is how I need to get in the game. I deserve to get in the game.
“What are you waiting for? Put me in, coach!” Yet I know it’s not that simple. Situations are what they
are, and many times the decision makers in our lives are restricted in their ability to make things happen. Be it office
politics, money, or just personal insecurities, many times the situation is beyond anyone’s immediate control and we simply
have to wait things out.
So where do you draw the line? Where do you find that balance between accepting
what you have now and finding a new direction for yourself? Let’s stick with the sports analogies. Do you pull
a Willis McGahee who demanded he start or be traded, or a Damon Huard who fought hard for a chance to start, but is destined
to be a career backup? Willis defied all the odds, came off a gruesome knee injury, and led his team in rushing last
season. Damon was quietly traded from the Dolphins to the Patriots, and although he didn’t start, now owns two Super
Bowl rings. And which is better, to be a backup with rings (whoever played backup to Troy Aikman, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw),
or a star with no titles (alas, Dan Marino)?
I know I would rather define myself by my capabilities and my actions
than find success in the shadow of someone else. Although it’s a tough call when all you want …… when ALLLLL you want
….. is to feel that ring on your finger. Besides (and I really hate admitting this), it worked out pretty well for Tom
Brady. I guess good things come to those who wait.
4:25 pm est
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Good People
I got around to watching the movie ‘Collateral’ tonight. I need to begin by saying Michael
Mann did a phenomenal job in making the city of Los Angeles another character in the movie. The film was beautifully
shot, and it reminded me of how he made my hometown just glisten in all those episodes of Miami Vice.
But the
point of this entry is not cinematography. In watching the character played by Jamie Foxx, Max, I was reminded of how
rewarding life can be when you allow principles and discipline to guide you. When you stay the course and work hard
for what it is you want. When you apply decency and service to what you do.
It also got me to thinking
how, in life, there are good people and there’s everyone else. Beuna jente, as we would say in Northern Cuba … um, I
mean Miami. I am not implying that everyone else is bad or evil, but rather there is a unique yet common quality to
good people. I believe this quality is not always tangible or visible, yet it is definitely distinguishable when set
against the contrast of everyday life.
Good people have perspective. They understand they are part of a system or community, with each interaction experienced
leading to another event in life. Good people understand there are consequences to actions and inaction. They
understand that good behavior, good intentions and good will are eventually reciprocated to you. Good people tend to
be humble and fair. Good people show restraint and class. Good people understand the concept of the greater good.
I have been very fortunate to meet and associate with many individuals whom I consider good people. I
am also glad that I have known my fair share of non-goodies. I say glad because every interaction with someone who is
cruel or egotistical or demeaning is an opportunity to learn what not to do in life. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
Learning, growing, and finding betterment in our lives. I had a professor in college tell me once, “If you’re not learning,
you’re dying.” I take that to heart, and look for life lessons in everything I do.
It’s also said that
if you want to be good, surround yourself with good people. If you want to be great, surround yourself with good people
who disagree with you. I don’t claim to be great, not by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, I do know I am surrounded
by good people, some of which actually disagree with me (the nerve of them!). And to all of them I say, “Thank You!”
I know I am a better person because of the good people in my life. Here’s hoping you take time to identify and recognize
the good people in yours. Believe me; it will only lead to good things!
11:24 pm est
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Thank You
Do you know what the two most used words are in the English language? They are Thank and You.
Really! They are used, on average, 3.75 times more than any other words. Hey, stats don’t lie. Look it up.
Heck, Citi launched an entire marketing campaign around those two words. I guess it’s now up to 3.76!
And are there any more powerful words than Thank You? Apprentice fans would say “You’re Fired”, but technically
that’s three words. Thank You is appreciation and admiration. It’s understanding and acceptance. It’s living
a moment and looking forward to the next. It’s so many things at once, that it’s almost a shame the brevity of the phrase
overshadows the complexity of its meaning.
Thank You creates a covenant of meaning solidified in the honest communication between two people. Thank You applies
innocence and sincerity to a world that is all too often cynical and jaded. Thank You makes a handshake firmer, a hug
tighter and a kiss so much sweeter.
Thank You is a trip back to Margaritas for her and Beam and Coke for him. To an arm around the waist, and a kiss
never to be forgotten. To a leather sofa and nothing but all day. To a quite table in a very quaint Italian restaurant.
Thank You is also a fast forward to a life imagined. To the many firsts yet to be lived, yet to be shared, yet to be
experienced. Dinners, movies and road trips. Science projects, soccer games and laundry days. Thank You
encompasses all that was and all that will be, and brings those moments of past and future to the here and now.
With every Thank You we utter, we build on the equity formed in friendship, love and common, everyday decency.
We make better our lives by reminding ourselves that life is not only to be experienced, but also cherished and appreciated.
With every Thank You we make ourselves better people. Stronger people. More complete people. With every
Thank You, both given and received, we make a dent in releasing ourselves from the personal challenges that hold us back.
Like I said, stats don’t lie. And there are no two other words that even come close to matching the popularity
of the words Thank You. Well, except for maybe I’m Sorry …… but then again, that’s three words.
KML….Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
10:28 pm est
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Sigh of Relief
It’s funny how your mind can play tricks on you. Even though every rational sense you
have tells you one thing, there is always this little voice echoing in your grey matter telling you different. Situations
and circumstances that deviate from the norm are no longer seen as random, but rather as calculated and deliberate.
So thank goodness for sighs of relief! For those reality check moments where you stop and think to yourself, “well
that was stupid of me!” And very few feelings surpass the pleasant and reassuring surprise that comes with a ‘sigh of
relief’ moment. It’s the 54 yard field goal attempt that just squeaks inside the upright as time expires (with all of
us leaning for body English). It’s your ride pulling into the parking lot at 7:00, even though your watch says 7:03
and it feels like you’ve been waiting an eternity. It’s getting to the top of the bridge and seeing that the whole thing
is intact. OK, maybe that’s just me and my phobia of driving over big bridges!
So why do we feel compelled to think or expect the worse? Why do we allow so much self doubt to not just seep into
our minds, but take up residence! Is it our psychological norm to be miserable, therefore making the smallest triumphs
worth celebrating? Or is it simply easier to be pleasantly surprised than it is to be disappointed? Why do we
allow ourselves to set expectations so high, or – again – is it just me? I am starting to think it’s just me because
if everyone else is running around with such crazy thoughts, we are all in trouble.
The bottom line, I believe, is that our need to doubt is not in a lack of faith in others, but rather in ourselves.
It’s the manifestation (I love that word) of our own doubts and insecurities. What’s really ironic is that in not wanting
to be let down and by allowing that “Omigosh!” mentality to kick in, all I am doing is disappointing those in which I have
placed my trust. The key is to remind myself that in the end, things will work out and everything will be fine.
Every problem has a solution, and the solution always starts with the firm belief that it can be solved. This belief
then grows into strength and trust, first with yourself and then with others. I know this is all easier said then done,
but when you look back on those experiences where you have pulled through and realize that you can and will once again make
it, all that’s left to say is …… phew!
Day by day, we get stronger and stronger.....
1:50 pm est
Saturday, January 8, 2005
Reset
I’m sitting here a week removed from one of the worst nights in my life. From one of those nights
that can be either a soul crushing event or a reaffirming moment. Or perhaps it was a little bit of both.
So
I sit here thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. Numbing my mind with playoff football, yet opening
the flood gates of my emotions, torturing myself as I try to figure things out. To be honest, there is not much to figure
out. The torture is in waiting. The struggle is in being patient as I wait for events to transpire.
This
past week was a reset week for me. A reset of my feelings, fears, desires and concerns. And although this past
week was healthy for me, it’s still tough knowing that so much still has to happen in order for things to be ‘right’.
Sting sang, “If you love someone, set them free.” That’s the irony of the situation. In order to realize that
‘right’ moment, I have to learn to let go. I have to be willing to set that love free. I have to reset my emotions
and feelings and learn to let fate take its course. I have to stop living my life in the memories of yesterday or the
dreams of tomorrow, and I need to start living it day by day.
I have to be supportive and understanding.
Empathetic and positive. Believing and patient. I have to change the way I express my resolve and my belief of
what I want in life. Instead of a full court press, I need to play a soft zone. Instead of tugging on the line so hard,
I need to let the wind take the kite where it will. Instead of turning up the heat in hopes of cooking the meal in half
the time, I need to set the timer and just wait for it to be done. And with that, I am officially out of analogies!
Ironically
enough, I draw on the words of Ken Brock as I look back on that night in Orlando and the seven days that have passed since.
“So I wait and I wait / And I run old scenes through my tired head / Of the days we laid by the school and said forever /
Was that the best I'll ever be” I know now the best is still to come, and the waiting and the patience is what will
make it all possible.
KML…..I understand now. Thank you for being so understanding and patient
with me.
11:43 pm est
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Time for a Change?
I wipe a tear away from my eye, not because I missed the Sister Hazel concert last night
at the House of Blues, but because today was the last column posted by Dave Barry of the Miami Herald. For those of
you who are not familiar with Dave Barry, shame on you!
But seriously, Dave Barry is one of the reasons I started
writing this blog. He is one of my writing heroes. He is one of those columnists that makes me say, “Man I wish
I could be him.” Because what’s better than making a living by writing, well …. other than making a living playing beach
volleyball? (Two words ….. Gabrielle Reese!)
Dave is hanging up his column to work on other stuff. Usually
lines like that are reserved for individuals who are politely ask to resign from their positions. “Steve has decided
to leave the company and move in a different direction professionally.” That is usually interpreted as, “You’re fired!”
In Dave’s case, I am sure it’s a matter of needing time after 30 years of writing.
And what better time
to make a change than a new year? I spoke yesterday about resolutions and new beginnings, and it’s really funny how
a short period of time – say, 24 hours – can throw a wrinkle into the best laid plans. I will miss Dave’s columns as
a source of inspiration, but we all draw inspiration from so many places. Right now my inspiration is found in the memory
of a glance shared. It was short, brief and very rudely interrupted, but it was deep, real and magical. You think
you are past the point of no return only to have fate remind you that everything is not always clear cut.
I
shed several tears last night and I thought there was nothing left from which to draw inspiration. But with the help
of family and friends and MANY cups of coffee, I was able to get my head back on straight and sort things out in my brain.
Dave is moving on to pursue other things. For now, I think I am going to hang out and give the benefit of the doubt.
There were fireworks in your eyes and the Super Bowl is five weeks away. Baby, we still have
time!
1:56 pm est
Saturday, January 1, 2005
Merry New Year It’s January 1st and I wanted to wish everyone a Merry New Year. OK, I know … it’s ‘Happy
New Year’. But as long as I am quoting old movies, I just need to say, “Monkey? Monkey? I’m a gorilla, you clown!”
It’s
a new year and that means ALL the “I am going to do …” stuff that goes with the purchase of a new desk calendar. My
list is way too long to mention. <aside …”The list is long but distinguished.” “Yeah, well so is my johnson.”>
I don’t know if I will meet all (if any) of my resolutions, but I guess the trick is to at least give it a shot. Unless
you’re talking to Yoda, who will tell you “Do or do not. There is no try.”
I think I finally get the point.
There comes a time where the absence and distance and lack of communication is in itself a very loud and strong message.
I get it. So, not only is today the first day of a new year, it’s the first day of a new chapter in my life. Remember
when I was talking about God working in mysterious ways? I went to see the movie “Spanglish” yesterday afternoon.
I was expecting a feel-good, happy ending (sound familiar?). Instead, the movie ends with dysfunction, confusion and
heartache. All I can say is ……. <sigh> yeah.
But that was LAST year. This is THIS year.
And there is no one happier to see 2004 in the rear view mirror than me. Well, maybe Florida Gator fans. And on
that note, I want to say hi to Susan from the concert. I hope you your foot gets better. See what happens when
you combine a pole and oil? I also want to give a shout out to all my friends who helped make 2004 (especially the second
half) tolerable. I am confident that 2005 will be a blast in comparison.
So as my hero would say, “Life moves
pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” I totally expect 2005 to be a year
where I stop missing it, and get on with living it. HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
PS. Thanks to NGFGF
<wink> for the quote.
12:21 pm est
Monday, December 27, 2004
Good 'Ol Times
Growing up sucks, don’t it? I mean, life was really so much simpler when we were kids.
With Peyton Manning breaking Dan Marino’s record, I started thinking about life back in 1984. (BTW….I still think the
headline to every Sports section in every newspaper today should have read, “Peyton’s Place in History!”).
But life 20 years ago was not like it is today. Granted, in 1984 we had to deal (as kids) with the threat of World
War III with those nasty Russians, we were just 3 years removed from the Adam Walsh abduction (and consequently more aware
of child abduction), and we had no idea how we could ever wait for the rumored prequel to the Star Wars trilogy! Nevertheless,
life was easy. For me, it was Boys Club football on Saturday afternoons, watching the Dolphins go to the Super Bowl
(yes, I still hurt from that loss), and Ronald Reagan crushing Mondale (it doesn’t get more one-sided than 525 – 13 in the
Electoral College!).
It was a Friday night line-up of Knight Rider, Stingray and Miami Vice (the hottest cars on TV)! It was Family
Ties and the A-Team! It was not worrying about stuff like retirement plans, college investment accounts and gas prices.
It was not worrying about mortgage payments, rent payments and alimony payments. The biggest decision was whether to
play in the park or hang out at the neighbor’s house. Now it’s whether to move on with life or wait for the woman you
love and cherish to make up her mind. Like I said, growing up sucks. But I guess that is the entire experience
of growing up.
Funny how I look back now and really identify with a song from that time. The song is New World Man by Rush (Yes,
I know that song came out in 1982, but work with me!). “He's got to make his own mistakes / And learn to mend the mess
he makes / He's old enough to know what's right / But young enough not to choose it / He's noble enough to win the world /
But weak enough to lose it”. All I can say is, “Ain’t that the truth?”
“He's got a problem with his power / With weapons on patrol / He's got to walk a fine line / And keep his self-control”.
Easier said than done, my friend. I am not sure if I am a new world man or not, but I do know this is a new world for
me. I don’t know if I can keep that self control and walk that fine line …. be patient and wait for that call (ANY call!)
…. but I know there is no going back to the good ‘ol days. Like I said yesterday, maybe it’s all about new beginnings
(and growing up some more), but I guess only time will tell.
PS. KML, it would be really nice to hear from you.....
9:49 pm est
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Calling Baton Rouge
I titled this entry ‘Calling Baton Rouge’, but unlike Garth Brooks, I did not spend last
night in the arms of a girl from Louisiana (although there are a couple of names that come to mind………. OK, I’m back!).
The reference is to the apparent ties Miami fans now have to the Bayou Bengals from LSU. Still don’t know what I am
talking about? Let me explain.
First, there is the Miami Heat. They just came off a huge win against the LA Fakers …. I mean, Lakers.… in the
City of Angels. The Heat currently own the best record in the Eastern Conference, and there is no doubt their success
is directly attributed to the acquisition of The Diesel ….. Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq, as his friends like to call him,
is probably the best baller to come out of Louisiana State since ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich. And although we still have
lots of basketball yet to play in the NBA, this season is already a huge success. And when you have a 7-foot, 300-pounder
in the paint, how can it be anything but huge!
Then there is the signing of Nick Saban. All he did was lead the Tigers to their first national championship in
…… I don’t know, forever? (Actually, 1958). Now he will head up the Dolphins next year, and we can only hope he will do for
the ‘Fins what The Big Aristotle has done for the Heat. Do I think he will be successful in the NFL? First of
all, he can’t do any worse than what we suffered through this year! Second, he is a disciple of Bill Bellicheck, and
great coaches tend to produce other great coaches (see Bill Walsh). Finally, He will bring a fresh, new outlook that
is much needed in South Florida. I am officially looking forward to next season!
All this gets me thinking about what I wrote a couple of days ago. Maybe it’s not about happy endings, but rather
new beginnings. The Heat had a new beginning last year with Stan Van Gundy and D-Wade. They added to it this year
with Shaq. The ‘Fins are desperately waiting for the end-credits to this season’s show. What started out as a
drama ended up being a comedy of errors. Too bad we can’t fast-forward to the draft! As for me, maybe I need draw
from the bayou roots and look forward to a fresh start? I am still very confused about everything in my life, mostly
because I am a greenie (a.k.a. Tulane Alum) and I am supposed to not like LSU, but also because I have been put on the shelf
emotionally until the Super Bowl. Guess I am supposed to just sit and wait and feel taken for granted until then………..
But then there is the idea of forging ahead with new beginnings. Coincidentally, one of my previous life experiences
regarding starting anew has a tie to LSU. In spring 1990, I traveled from Miami to New Orleans for a campus visit.
And let me say you have not lived until you drive 15 hours in a 2-seater Toyota Tacoma with seats that don’t recline (Stope,
I still love you, man!!!). On that trip, I met Nacho Albergamo, a player eventually named to the all-time LSU team who
forewent a shot at the NFL in order to attend medical school. It was my first experience with someone who pursued his
dreams regardless of other people’s opinions. I guess his courage planted a seed of inspiration in my soul. So
as I wrap up this entry, I call yet again to Baton Rouge and draw from a Better Than Ezra song. “I don't know what I'm
saying / Well, I don't know if you're there / In the words you are feigning / Do you even care?”
10:14 pm est
Friday, December 24, 2004
Happy Endings
Do you believe in happy endings? No, I am not talking about the oriental massage shops
you see advertised in sports section of your local paper. I am talking about our cultural fascination with happy endings.
In movies, it’s called Hollywood endings. In literature, it’s called …… um …. well, just happy endings.
But you get my point. Why are we so enthralled with idea of everything working out? Maybe it’s because
we need those storybook endings to make us feel good about life and ourselves. How said would it have been if George
Bailey were stuck in that world of his, the one where he did not exist? The movie would not have the same meaning or
message. It would be sad and dark, and it would not be the holiday classic it is today.
I have been thinking a lot about happy endings. I feel as if I am in the middle of my story, waiting anxiously
to see what happens next. As much as I want to believe in happy endings, I get the feeling this is no Hollywood feel-good
situation. Maybe this is one of those stories that just ends abruptly, leaving everyone bewildered and just a little
jaded. Maybe this is like American Beauty, where the story is full of life changing events and dysfunctional intrigue,
only to have a ‘splattered’ ending. Maybe this is the middle part of the story, where the outcome looks bleak
and there is no hope for our hero (that would be me, BTW!). Either way, I just want to fast forward to see what finally
happens.
And if anything sucks about life, it’s that there is no fast forward, no rewind, not even a pause. We may think
we can pause the action, but we can’t. Life is simply a matter of pressing play and sitting back. I guess the
popcorn is optional. And in the grand scheme of things, me being stuck in the middle of my story, hanging precariously
over a ravine from a tree limb as not one but two scorpions race down my arm (I know ….. I tend to be dramatic) is not the
worst thing in the world. It’s my dilemma and my problem to resolve, and I have to have faith that the ending, whether
it be the happy ending I want or the cliffhanger, to-be-continued scenario I dread, is what it is for a reason.
I sat here about a month ago and wrote about friendship and how this friendship will get me through the tough times.
In a way, friendship serves as a fast forward in life. A way to distract your attention from the drama playing out before
our eyes. But you can only draw from the well so many times. Sometimes you need to just sit alone and bear through
the pain, despair and anguish. Support gets you to the river, but strength gets you across it. And although I
feel like my raft is sinking and the crocodiles are chomping beneath me, I believe in my happy ending and I believe I will
make it across. I have to, because I know I don’t have the courage or energy to live through a sequel!
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Is It In You?
I titled this entry “Is It In You?” First of all, I would like to tell the Gatorade folks to
calm down. No one reads this blog anyways. But seriously, the question is not without merit. What drives you? What keeps you
going? What allows you to toil through a repetitive cycle of seconds becoming minutes becoming hours becoming lifetimes? For
some people it’s their kids. For others it’s financial gain. For me, right now, it’s hope. Lots of hope. Star Wars Episode
IV kinda’ hope.
And this hope is a combination of a lot of things. Hope of turning the corner professionally. Hope of rediscovering a
spiritual direction. Hope of realizing a dream that at many times can be consuming. It’s the idea that today is the day I
make my mark at work. Today is the day I get that phone call I have been waiting for. Today is the day that something big
happens in my life.
And it’s sad to think about people who live with out hope. Is that even possible? If you have no hope, can you truly
be alive? I guess everyone is driven by hope in some way or another. Hope can be such a powerful thing. As I write this, I
am watching a show on Vietnam fighter pilots. When they were shot down, all they had was hope. As a parent, you always hope
for the best with your kids. Hope is ever present, and hope gives us the strength and courage to press forward.
And in many ways it’s this courage that makes hope possible. When you are sitting behind a wall of fear, you need courage
to take that first brick down. And once you do, you start hoping that you can do that again, until brick by brick you have
torn down that wall and are able to truly live and experience your life. It may not be a quick or easy process, and some bricks
may be harder and more painful to remove. But the tough times, although painful, are temporary and the hope of achieving that
special something with that special someone makes it all worthwhile.
There are no certainties in life, except for death, taxes …. and hope. Because without hope, life is not worth living.
7:37 am est
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Getting Plugged In
As you may already know, I was in San Francisco last week. What you may not know is I am
a techno-gadget geek, so between my laptop, PDA, cell phone and iPod I was constantly looking for somewhere to plug in. I
have a Juice universal charger from iGo to keep me, and all my devices, up and running. I am the person for which that special
section in the back of airline magazines regarding electronic devices was written.
Well, it just so happens that in the midst of digitally coordinating my itinerary between my laptop and PDA, and across
three time zones, I had a snafu and missed my flight out of San Fran. I thought it peculiar that I could leave at 2:00 PST
and arrive in Tampa at 8:30 EST. So let this serve as a reminder, always double check and confirm your flight departure information
the night before. And instead of making it back in time to watch Ocean’s Twelve on opening night, I had to stay the night
in Dallas.
Thankfully, I have family in Dallas and they were very pleased to scramble last minute and be inconvenienced by my brain
fart. (Thanks, guys. I owe you huge!!!!). Nevertheless, it was great seeing them, albeit for all of 7 hours. It’s important
to note I did not stay with just any, ho-hum family member, I stayed at my cousin’s house. She happens to be my Godmother
and her daughter is my Goddaughter, which I guess makes her her daughter’s Godgrandmother. And yes, that made my brain hurt,
too.
My Godmother was very influential in my life when I was growing up, and I realized that I was very out of touch with
my Goddaughter and what she is into, which right now includes all things animals and anime (and to clarify, she is NOT Kagome!).
I realized that I need to do a better job staying in tune with her and being there for her the way her mom was (and always
is) there for me. I realized that my flight ‘situation’ was God’s way of reminding me to plug in again with my family. After
all, nothing can get us charged up (both good and bad) like family, right? I’ve written before that God works in mysterious
ways, and this is just another example.
I guess I needed a reminder that on the road to wherever, you need to pull over sometimes to reset and get back to basics.
To get back to that place that defines you. To remember to come out from hiding and spend some time on base, safe from those
things out to get you. So as you bustle around in life checking your PDA while listening to you MP3 and IM’ing your GF to
tell her the battery on you Mac was DOA, try and find some time for a personal CTRL+ALT+DEL. ‘Cause if there is something
we can learn from Bill Gates, it’s that a simple reboot solves most of our problems.
11:06 am est
Friday, December 10, 2004
I Left My Heart .....
As I wrap up my week in San Francisco, I need to begin by saying this was a great trip.
And not just because of the Oracle conference (as an aside, if you ever want to see how a company can go all out to put on
a show, make it a point to attend Oracle Open World next year), but because of all the people I met who made this trip nothing
but memorable.
I wrote in previous entries about friendship and companionship. I will always remember this trip not because I got a
chance to see three big time CEO’s (Carly Fiorina, Michael Dell and Larry Ellison), but because of the new friends I made
while here in S.F. I want to take a moment to thank them personally for making this week such a memorable experience.
First, thanks to everyone at the ‘fun’ table. Jack, your words of wisdom serve as a reminder of how great things can
be. It’s a fond look back at the glory days of fGTE, and I hope to foster our relationship for many years to come (or at least
until July 1). Kirti, another one of the good guys, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you. I am sorry I missed your presentations
(although it would have been over my head anyways), but I will be sure to pick up a copy of your book when I get back. James,
thanks for the insight into what you do, and thanks for making me feel like a very valued customer. I won’t hold it against
you that you are a Huskie.
I move on to those at the REAL fun table (XYZ Bar) ….. Jason, very cool meeting you. I hope that I can be such a sharp
and snazzy dresser when I grow up. And there is nothing wrong with fat Chandler. Rick, thanks for the drinks. And thanks for
the drinks. And BTW, I just ordered 2 more Grey Goose and Red Bull against your tab. Thanks again for the drinks. Kelly ….
what can I say? It’s refreshing to meet someone who shares the same management philosophy AND can quote just about every movie
ever made. Remember, Single A Wichita (ME), New York Yankees (YOU). I am so not worthy. But seriously, best of luck with the
L.A. thing, and tell Misty May I say hi.
Finally, I have to give special props to my two personal tour guides.
Peter, who would have thunk a phone call about MetaLink ID’s would turn into such a good and promising friendship? I
can’t begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for taking the time to show me around and really make this week great
(thank goodness for expense accounts!). We’ll always have walks on the beach, Margaritas at Tommy’s and stories about the
‘Pipeline’. OK, that is the gayest thing I have ever written, and my man crush officially ends when I get on my plane! <laugh>.
Best of luck with all your ventures, and I am sure you will continue to find success in all you do.
Bernadette, mi prima, not only did you make this trip possible, you made it spectacular. You took time out of your schedule
(thanks again, Kelly) to make sure I got a chance to see the city and have something to do. We clicked from the get-go, and
I know this is the start of a beautiful friendship. Thanks for all the insight, for the personal attention, and for continuously
feeding me on this trip (or should I thank Uncle Larry for that?). I have to say that you have not experienced San Francisco
until you experience while riding shotgun in the Redcomvee. I am sure you, too, will find success in everything you do, and
who knows, maybe I will see you celebrating in the winner’s circle at Daytona some day? Keep smiling, keep running, keep praying
and definitely keep away from 12-year guy <awkward moment>. Bust most importantly, keep in touch.
As I finish up the thank you’s, I am obliged to mention that very special someone who just absolutely captivated me…..well,
for fifteen minutes at least. To Oracle Mary, we’ll always have Rick’s bar tab!
2:51 pm est
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Companionship
So I am in San Francisco on a business trip. I know what you are thinking, but seriously it’s
business. I have had time to walk a bit around the city, and there is a something to be said about the sense of romance that
exists in San Fran. It’s as if it is in the air …. or maybe it’s just the Old Spice. But walking around on my own got me to
thinking about how experiencing something new is just not the same when you experience it on your own.
Which got me to thinking about companionship. Which also got me to thinking about that line from Jerry Maguire. “He doesn’t
know how to be alone.” Which got me thinking about why would anyone want to be alone? I mean, I understand that everyone needs
personal time every now and then, but isn’t life better experienced when you are with someone? From partnerships to friendships
to marriages, we find ways to keep people in our lives. And it’s not just a symbiosis thing. It’s a “This is just not as fun
when I’m by myself thing.” ….. <OK, Leigh. Get your mind out of the gutter!>
I think we need companionship in our lives. Be it casual acquaintances or life partners …. umm, did I just say life partner.
I meant soul mate. Boy, I need to get out of SF!! Anyways, I think we all need someone in our life with which we bounce our
ideas, express our frustrations and share our secrets. We need to surround ourselves with people who think like we do, and
yet disagree with our points of view. We are all social creatures and to live a life without some form of companionship is
to truly be alone.
Whether we admit it or not, other people make us better. We learn from their stories, we share in their experiences,
and we grow from our exposure to the wide variety of people who come into our lives. Some are short lived and simply in passing.
Others leave an indelible mark in our lives and have the capacity to change our lives altogether. So from the people whom
you find interesting, to those who make you laugh, to that special someone who owns your heart, don’t forget that experiences
are made better when they are shared.
11:23 am est
