Just Because...

I'm always amazed by even the most simple of things.

I'm perhaps one of the luckiest people out there.  I have a great job which I love, I have a gorgeous wife who loves me, and two great boys who are nothing short of miracles in my heart.

I was coming home after Dylan's baseball game today and, in an effort to get a bit to eat, took a slight detour for some fried chicken (don't go there; it's not often I have fried chicken...).

I happen to look up into the sky after departing the drive through and saw the mauve sky, the setting sun.  I couldn't help but reflect on the afternoon's events and the time I spent with my wife and boys.

As tomorrow comes, I don't want to make a practical joke on anyone.  I think I'll make a serious effor to be the nicest I can be to anyone around me.  God forbid, if something happens to me, I want to be able to depart with all my beloved family and friends knowing without a shred of doubt that I loved them and appreciated their companionship, friendship, and love through and through.

As much as I like to write, I actually found a quote that really summarizes my thoughts here today.  And no, it's not the Beatles.  Of course, Lennon and McCartney were right.

Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  ~Michael Leunig

facebook: I'm almost addicted

"I don't need those...I have real friends."

I don't know how many times I've said this when asked about using mySpace or facebook.  The fact is that I guess I never really gave it a chance (or kept an open mind).  I've had numerous discussions about it with mainly younger people and the biggest attribute that I couldn't discount was keeping in touch with long-distance friends.

And here we are today.  No, I don't have a mySpace (my space still continues to be anything within my arm's reach of me), but I just set up a facebook account Friday.  I was...specatacularly surprised by how enthralled I became with it.  I just kept coming upon friend after friend that I had not spoken to in years.  Obviously there were friends that I regularly visit with, but this was a common avenue with so many more.

Perhaps it's the newness of it all, but I find myself anticipating logging on and seeing what's new with my friends.  I doubt that I'll be one of those that post eight times a day, about every little turd I drop, and about the dumb ass driver that cut me off and almost made me spill my machiato.  I like how some people (I'm actually referring to Kelley this time...) post simple succint things, such as "Would give anything to be outside, soaking up the sun and sxsw atmoshpere."  It's the bits like that that really cause you to 1) appreciate that person for who s/he really is; and, 2) take the time to consider that person's perspective.  Using the same example, I got to enjoy the outside and soak up some sun due to my coaching duties, but I've been stuck in the classroom all day on beautiful days and had golf practice on dreary wet cold days as well.

I conversed with one friend who was in my wedding and haven't verbally spoken to in perhaps two or three years.  I conversed with another friend with whom I haven't spoken with in over ten years.  I hooked up with a few peers I just hung out with hours prior.  In the end, facebook proves itself as a viable tool (yes, valauble tool) for maintaining social networks (I can see personal and professional uses here...).  Will it change my life?  I doubt it; it definintely cannot change my son's diapers or pick up pizza for me.  But it will enable me to simply share a few words with some far away friends.  

To quote Shakespeare: 

The are but wild and whirling words, my Lord. - Horatio, Hamlet I.V.133

And that's what it's about I guess.

Spring Break

Sigh...

A contented relief exhaled upon a computer screen, done so without obligations or work-related responsibilities.

It's been a rough patch these last few weeks.  I've missed many a days due to golf tournaments.  TAKS loomed its ugly arse (standardized testing just plain sucks).  And to top it all off, I also had about eight packets to grade for Future Problem Solving, or commonly referred to as FPS.

I can't say that my life is at a bad spot; in fact, I'm at my most fortunate right this very moment.  One of my boys is playing Guitar Hero: World Tour and jamming out to some old classic rock.  The other is taking a bubble bath (after defacating in his pull-ups; I just wanted to share).  

I guess, I'm really looking forward to Spring Break.  I've been working hard (not to say that all you wonderful blue collar folks [ahem...Dad...cough...Nelson...Jessica...cough cough...] don't work.  I just do my part to the best I can.  Maybe in my younger years (when I knew it all), I didn't work as hard as I do now and didn't mind the longer periods without a break.  Now though, I enjoy, relish the time with my family, the interruption from the grind, and just a chance to enjoy the absence of work.

Amidst all the previous work I have been doing, I've been slacking on this blog of mine.  My apologies to you three readers.  In respect for you, here's a song that's probably my theme song for the upcoming week.

Be safe to all you traveling.  Don't hit me or my family, or anyone else's for that.

Cheers,

The Mert