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You can barely make out the outline of my building in the fog (center just behind the evergreen.)  The walk from my condo to the nearest subway station crosses a large open park.  Last spring someone paved a new path along the edge of the park, making the walk relatively easy and level.  I am still working on rebuilding my strength and endurance, when I can I walk to the subway (the condo runs a shuttle bus, and I can also drive and park at the station.)  

I love a foggy morning, assuming I don't have to try to drive through it.  It reminds me of early winter mornings in Florida when I was in middle and high school.  School started early, I have vivid memories of riding a bike in the fog up US-1.  

All in all, I like condo living.  I didn't enjoy lawn work or gardening.  I don't have to deal with any exterior maintenance. I walk across the hall and drop trash down the magic cute and it is taken care of from there.  I have access to nice amenities, (I have been using the gym 6 times a week since mid November.)  The compact space is forcing me to think, do I really want or need that in my life, in this space, it is in my life, not out of sight in the other end of the house.  The only thing that would make it better would be more shopping that I could easily walk to.  If only they would build a Whole Foods in the park. A developer that owns property between here and the Metro station has talked to Metro about rebuilding the wobbly parking garage at the station, in exchange for being allowed to build retail space above the garage - in my dreams.  

Tell us about where you live?   

Tourist Watching Second Edition

Las Vegas, waiting for the Bellagio Fountains 

Grant Park in Chicago 

Titusville, Florida 

Newport Aquarium, Kentucky

People seemed to enjoy my tourist watching photos, so here is another set.  

See anything that looks like fun? 

Pushing Through the Tough Days

Ugg! It was a challenging day.  My collaborators on a couple of major projects are not collaborating.  The office bureaucracy is making it impossible to do anything the easy way.  A coworker who is doing the work of three people, is slamming projects through without thinking about others.  It was cold and humid outside - not my kind of weather.  

I was on the second endless conference calls this afternoon and was mindlessly web surfing while trying to pay attention, and I opened the link for the pictures of the last summer's trip to Italy.  Someplace about Venice, I felt the stress start to melt away.  Ah! How do I push through the tough days, by remembering the adventures that all of this makes possible.  http://picturesoftheadventure.blogspot.com/?view=classic 

Easily Distracted by Bright Shiny Objects

Fun to look at, but would I seriously want to own one?  No. 
I prefer something lower in maintenance. I like my car, but I don't obsess over keeping is clean and shiny.  It is there when I need it, but it is not the center of my life. I don't worry that someone might touch it, or scratch it, (it has been hit twice in 5 years.)   I have owned a lot of cars (like 15 of them in 40 years.)  Some were junk, some very nice.  In the end, my middle of the line, easy to drive, no need to be obsessed over it car does everything I need.  

Still I like pretty cars, I like fast cars, like classic luxury cars.  I am easily distracted by them. But I don't need to own one.  I do have a soft spot for a soft top - I should own a convertible while I can still enjoy it.  

What are you easily distracted by? 

Health Update Good News and Sad News

First the good news, my spine and all of the related hardware is right where we left it the last time, and nothing appears to be growing where it shouldn't be. The strength and control in my legs was normal, my reflexes are weird - probably always will be. My next follow up is set for 12 months (up from 6 months.) For anyone wondering what this is about, look back at May-July of 2015 for my adventures with a spinal tumor. 

The sad news, my neurosurgeon is leaving.  I like him, I like his attitude, his personal style, and I believe my ability to roll out of bed, wiggle my toes, feel my toes and walk - is largely a result of his talent and dedication to details.  He is a young Doctor, I would say probably mid 40's.  He is not happy with the direction "corporate medicine" is headed. Between the insurance companies and trying to make his corporate employer happy it is not worth it for him. He works crazy hours. He is going to do research and teaching, maybe cover emergency rooms one weekend a month.  His talents are a real loss to the community.  

Traveling Solo

I am frequently a solo traveler.  Nearly all of my work trips are done alone, on the very rare occasion that one of my colleagues is attending the same meeting or conference, we almost always travel independently.  Jay and I travel together for leisure, though sometimes we end up on different flights, we have met up in Stuttgart, Athens, and London, having left home on different days and traveled entirely different routes. Because we work in two different cities, we travel back and forth solo to see one another.  I have family in Florida, and travel to see them every year - often solo.  

There are things I like about traveling solo - and there are things I don't. 

I like: 

•  Being in control of the schedule and agenda
• Not needing to wait for anyone
• Only needing to check one person in for a flight and check luggage for one person
• Only needing to keep track of myself and my luggage 
• Being able to sit alone on planes or trains 
• Being alone in hotel rooms 

I don't like: 

• Eating dinner out alone  
• Doing all of the problem solving solo 
• Not having anyone to watch the bags for a few minutes while I take a walk in the airport or shop in the shops 
• Not having anyone to share the adventure or wonders with 

What do you like about traveling solo? 

Back to the Sunday Five Questions

I had questioned, if I would continue the Sunday Five Questions, it is not always easy coming up with questions, and then this popped up on my Facebook feed.  Five simple questions - the alternate format is fun and kind of easy.  I will try this for a while longer.  

1: Cats or Dogs - probably Cats, though Blitz the wonder dog is working hard on opening my mind 

2: Tea or Coffee - Coffee - dark and strong. 

3: Sports or Music - Music 

4: Books or Movies - Books 

5: Sun or Rain -  Sun by a narrow margin 

And yours? 

San Juan Memories

I did a project in San Juan, Puerto Rico, late March, early April about 9 years ago.  I left the frozen mid-west, with the trees weeks away from having leaves, and arrived in San Juan a few hours later to 75 degrees, and windy.  Very windy, a steady wind blew in off the water all of the time I was there.  My room at the Hilton had sliding glass doors onto a small balcony, I opened the door and the wind nearly blew me over.  I slept to the sound of the wind whistling in the windows. Yet it was warm.  

PR was an easy place for an American to travel to.  First, no passport, immigration or customs issues for US citizens, we forget that PR is part of the USA. I don't speak Spanish and found that little difficulty in communicating. The people were wonderful, the taxi drivers were kind and welcoming.  The food was tropical and tasty.  The local host for the program was the AARP state director.  They did an incredible job of planning and organizing.  The audience was warm and welcoming.  My only regret was that the trip was short, just two nights, and mostly work.  I would go back on a moments notice.  

What island would you like to wake up on tomorrow? 

My that is a Big One!

There are tall cities and short cities.  I work in Washington DC, a wonderful short city.  Not the only great world capital that is short, so is Paris, Rome, Athens, until the last 20 years London.  DC and Paris are short cities, as in cities filled with short buildings, by choice.  DC passed building limitations limiting the height of the building based on the width of the street right of way, as a way to preventing tall building from blocking the view of Washington Monument.  Paris had done something similar.  

Yet, I truly love big ones, tall buildings, cities with towering skylines - like New York, Philly, Chicago, and San Francisco.  

I read that if you want to draw a lot of page views, writing an enticing headline - I'll tell you in a few days if this one worked. 

So do you prefer tall cities or short cities?

Go Do It!

Where do you want to go?  What do you want to do?  What is standing in your way?  What is holding you back?  

Time - a lot of us think time is standing in our way.  Guess what we all have the same amount of time.  The demands on our time, always exceed the time that is available.  Everyday, we let things slip, so that other things get done.  The difference between those who go and do what they want to do, and those who don't, is making different decisions about what you are not going to do, or are going to spend less time doing today.  Many of us fear that if we work fewer hours, either our work will not get done, or our employers will decide they don't need us.  Through my medical adventures back in May - July of 2015, I learned that the office didn't stop getting work done when I was not there, and at the end they were very glad to have me back - they kept saying things like, I didn't really understand what you did, until I tried to do it.  

Money - I tend to travel cheap - travel is a priority for me - I drive a lesser car - I fly more and stay in nicer hotels - I am a bargain shopper on clothes - I find fun adventures along the way.  I leverage frequent traveler programs for free or reduced cost air travel, free and reduced price hotel rooms.  I focus nearly all of my travel on two airlines, and two hotel groups.  I use credit cards that earn me extra frequent flyer or hotel points.    

What is standing in the way of you next adventure?  What choices can you make to make the adventure happen? 

Forward Into the Fog

We like to see where we are going, we like to think that we are in control of our destiny, and to some extent we are.  But in other ways we are not.  When faced with a fog, you can stand still and not move, or you can moved boldly forward into the fog.  If you stand still, don't be disappointing when you later find yourself in the same place you were before. Only by moving forward into fog, will you find yourself moved in the direction you want to move.  Now I am not advocating wildly running forth, but, if like this train, you have some direction, even if you can't clearly see what is ahead, move forward on that track.  There will be surprises, some bad, but most of them good.  Only by moving forward, will you move from where you are.  A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.  

What direction are you moving today? 

Tourists in Venice

I kind of enjoy people watching.  In my mind I am creating the story for the people I see.  I do it when I travel, I do it when I am on the subway train to and from work.  

Are the two guys in the top picture traveling together?  Do you think guy in the black shirt knows that he looks wonderful in those shorts?  In the bottom picture, is the young girl in the T-shirt and leggings seriously window shopping, or just marveling at the sights?  If the woman in the purple t-shirt comfortable?  Is she hoping there is someplace ahead to sit down?  

What do you think about when you sit and watch people? 

Leap and the Net Will Appear

I have read a couple of places recently about the walls that contain our creativity, are the walls we build around ourselves.  Over the decades I have set limitations, or let my fears of the unknown, or of change, of venturing outside of my comfort zone, hold me hostage.  We all do it.  And there have been times when I have taken the leap, going outside my comfort zone and I am glad to report that it has pretty much always turned out just fine.  

I recently offered a friend the suggestion that if he is seeking adventure in his life, he should do the thing that scares the shit out of him or the thing that brings a tear to his eye, or makes his voice crack when he talks about it.  We need to do the things that take us outside of our comfort zones.  

Sometimes these a big bold moves, sometimes they are little things, close to home, but outside our usual routine.  I still get goose bumps when I think about riding on a Zeppelin, but I also get the same feeling when I think about the first time I went to the Union Market in NE DC.  It is in an area of town, I had never been to, it was venturing into a different world, and yet it was close to home and easy to get to.  Going to law school was a big leap, even a bigger leap was taking the job in DC 8 years ago.  

There are a few leaps yet to come.  I want to ride in a hot air balloon.  I want to drive an Indy Car.  I have two states left to set foot in so I will have been to all of them (plus DC and Puerto Rice.) I want to live in another country for 2 or 3 months, long enough to immerse myself in the culture.  I want to see a volcano.  There are other simpler ones close to home.  A couple of rails to trails ride near home I want to experience.  There is a new MGM Casino just across the rive from home that I want to see.  I want to snag an invitation to the White House.  I want to join the Bar of the Supreme Court ($200 and a little paperwork.)  

The bridges above.  The modern bridge is one of the few "S" shaped bridges in the world.  The steel railroad bridge, is no longer used by trains.  It is owned by a bungee jumping company.  Talking about taking a leap.  

What do you want to do that is outside your comfort zone?  

Keep on Rolling

Riding a bike is an amazing way to get to know a place.  When you walk you see the people, the traffic, and the sidewalks (pavement to the Brits) at a pedestrian pace.  When you drive or ride in a car, you see traffic and building from the window line up at a faster pace.  Riding a bike is a mix of the two, it is faster than walking, more exposed than driving.  On a bike you feel the texture of the place.  You smell the essence of the landscape.  On a bike you know where the hills are - both going up and coming down.  

I am so glad I learned to ride as a child, and that I have rediscovered the joys of riding as an adult.  

I only travel with a bike, when I am driving, and then only when I am traveling solo - I don't a car large enough for a bike, two people and luggage.  I have rented bikes when I travel.  More and more cities have "Bike Sharing" systems.  I have used bike shares in Boston, Chicago, New York, and DC (I am an annual member in DC.)  I have rented bikes in San Francisco a couple of times.  Don't be afraid to rent a bike.  The good rental services will have a bike in your size, in good repair.  They provide a lock, and most provide loaner helmets.  

The Bike Sharing services provide daily or short term memberships.  Pretty much all of them work the same way.  You use a credit card, it charges the rental fee to your card, and places a security hold on your card (usually $200.)  You ride the bike, dock it at the next station, and when you are ready for your next ride within the period of you have paid for, you use the same credit card, it verifies your number and does not charge you as long as you are within the time frame you paid for.  You can use a dozen bikes in the same day, without an extra charge.  The Bike Sharing systems have a time limit on each ride, generally 30 minutes.  To avoid an extra charge, you need to return - or dock the bike within 30 minutes of starting checking it out. But you can turn around and check the bike back out again - immediately.  If you are a casual rider, 30 minutes is a long ride, most time you will be glad to return the bike, take a break and then check out another bike and move on.  The key to a longer ride with a bike share bike, is to break the ride into short, less than 30 minute segments.  If you planning a ride longer than 30 minutes (4-5 miles) don't use a Bike Sharing system - rent a bike from a service.  

Does your town have Bike Sharing or a good bike rental service? 

New Years Goals

 Happy New Years! 

A year go I posted the following for my goals for 2016. How did I do? 

• I need to rebuild my strength and stamina.  I will keep walking and riding the bike, and I will get back in the gym this year. 
• I did okay on this, I am stronger, still not ready to climb a mountain, or ride a bike across the country, but much stronger than I was.  
• Eat more carefully - allow an indulgence - but balance it with care  
• I did good on this one.  Quality over quantity.  
• Continue to write in an array of ways.  A page a day in the office would finish a book in a couple of years.  
• Not so good, rather than make excuses, I'll simply say, I dropped the ball on this.  I could have done better. 
• Blog everyday 
• Mission accomplished. 
• Balance work and personal time 
• I did really good.  I have recently started limiting checking office email when I am not working.  A day off, needs to be a day off.  I don't sleep in my office, I try not to work in my bedroom. 
• Add a personal day to work trips whenever possible 
• Fail.  I had planned this for California last January and a snow storm delayed my outbound flight, I didn't do this on the rest of the year.  I need to work on this.  
• Seek out variety in everyday life - the routine things in life need not be boring 
• This is a work in progress,  I am a creature of habit and variety requires variation from habit.  I did a hybrid rail and bike commute for a week when Metro was doing track work, Why didn't I do that after that?  
• See some of my virtual friends in the flesh 
• Fail.  Sorry Anne Marie, John Gray and Dr. Spo - can we make it happen in 2017? 
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            Goals for 2017

•  *  Give myself six hours per week, to go to the gym, walk on the treadmill, the elliptical, swim, ride a bike, take a hike, or take an unnecessary walk. 
• *  Continue to seek organization in my life, the other closet and the bookcase in my bedroom need to be sorted through this year.  I will feel better for having done that. 
• *  Set aside $20 a week out of my "spending money" to buy myself indulgences.  
• *  Deliver a surprise, a random act of kindness to someone, at least once per month. 
• *  To be humble and give others credit. 
• *  To think seriously about what I want to do with the last quarter of my career. It is not so much about legacy, as it is about doing work that I find rewarding in the here and now.
• *  Add a personal day, into at least one of the three work trips I have planned for this year.
• *  Blog every day.
• *  Check at least one item off of the list of things I'd like to do before I die. 
• *  Have more music in my life.  
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• So, what are your goals, or New Year's resolutions?     
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The Last Five Questions about the Adventure of 2016

Once again, I am going to do my five questions on Saturday this week, so I can do my traditional New Year's Resolutions post on Sunday.  

1: What was your greatest adventure of 2016? 
2:  A lot of the Adventures of Travel penguin involve hotel stays, how many nights did you spend in hotels in 2016? 
3: What was the farthest you traveled from home in 2016? 
4: What adventure did you experience in 2016, that you would love to repeat?  
5: What adventure are you planning for 2017?

My Answers: 
1: What was your greatest adventure of 2016? - going to Italy, there are a few highlights, seeing the inside of the Colosseum, the Pope, Venice and having my picture taken in a Ferrari. 

2:  A lot of the Adventures of Travel penguin involve hotel stays, how many nights did you spend in hotels in 2016? 42 nights, slightly above my 12 year average of 37.33 nights per year, yes I have a record of every hotel I have stayed in for the past 12 years. 

3: What was the farthest you traveled from home in 2016?  Rome, about 4,500 miles.  And I was as far west as San Francisco a little over 6,200 miles from the farthest west to the farthest east. 

4: What adventure did you experience in 2016, that you would love to repeat?  I'd go back to Italy, on the drop of a hat. 

5: What adventure are you planning for 2017?  Gee, I asked the question, and I don't have a clear answer.  I am going to Boston, Newport Rhode Island, and Newport Beach, California.  Those are all work.  I will be in Florida a few times.  I should check a couple of things off the bucket list, a balloon ride in Florida?  Drive an Indy car?  We will see.  

Holiday Rambling

I posted this picture on Facebook on Christmas day and received a stream of Merry Christmas comments, either no one noticed, or no one mention the joke hidden in the image.  Go ahead and take a moment to see if you can find what is really kind of strange in the image.  Yes, there is, a sheep wearing viking horns in the bottom left of the image.  He says he is a Nordic sheep.  The terrace gnome, and mini Zeppelin are nothing unusual.  

We had a quiet Christmas at home. I was off for three days, and didn't move the car.  I did hit the gym at least once each day.  It was nice to spend a couple of quiet days together with no agenda, the best Christmas gift, a gift of time with someone you love. 

I am working this week.  It gives the appearance that someone is working in my section.  Most of my colleagues are off.  It is also a quiet week when I can work on projects. 

DC is bracing for the inauguration.  Hotels are starting to sell out, for the event and for the protests.  It would be a good weekend to be out of town, but my office has decided we need to work.  I will likely telecommute that day.  

We will be home for New Year's.  I almost always am.  As an old friend of mine put it, New Years Eve is amateur hour for drunk drivers, people who don't normally drink and drive, try to on New Years Eve. It is a good evening to stay home, off the streets.   I will stay up late.

The weekend posts are already written and scheduled. With this I have made it through the year without missing a day.  I look forward to looking back as I create my annual state of the blog address for mid January.  

For next year, should I do a blog or more per day again?  Should I stick with the Sunday 5 questions for a second year? 

Yes, It Is Real

I have a new addition to the collection on my desk, a taxidermy gator head. These are actually quite easy to find in Florida, they are described as "recycled scraps" from gator farming. He kind of reminds me of a few people - I won't say who.  A few years ago I saw a three foot taxidermy gator in an antique shop, and didn't buy it, I have regretted passing on that.  

I think I will put it on my desk in the office, it should scare the crap out of some people and gross out the vegetarians. 

What do you regret not buying when you had a chance? 

Holiday Commute Observations

This was taken at 8:15 AM on the Friday before Christmas,  on any other Friday morning at 8:15 AM, half of the car would be full, sometimes 80% of the car is full at this station (the end of the line station near my condo.) We moved up the line a couple of stations and held in a station with the doors open.  The train operator announced that we would be holding because of a "sick passenger" on a train several stops ahead.  We held, and held, and held, about 20 minutes overall.  The guy sitting across from me was melting down, shouting into his phone about how Metro was screwing up his day.  All I could think was, "we are having a better day than the person being taken off a train by paramedics up ahead."   

And yet, I know my view of the world is not perfect.  That morning as I stepped out my door and walked to the elevator, I saw a very-large black man coming from the other end of the hallway.  I will admit that my initial thought, was who is he, and what is he doing here, am I safe? We met at the elevator and rode down together.  He introduced himself as Derick.  His wife has owned the condo for over a decade, they have been married 8 years.  He said, "I always try to introduce myself, people see this huge brown guy and wonder what I am doing here."  I am ashamed to admit, he is right.  I need to work on that perception of people. 

Is your "commute" impacted by the holiday season?  

2017 Christmas Letter

Our friendly bloggerhood shrink, Dr Spo, challenged us to write next year's Christmas or Holiday Letter now in 2016, and check on it regularly through the year, and see if we achieve what we project.  I have already written my 2017 goals email to run on New Years day.  So here is my attempt at next year's Christmas Letter.  

2017 was a fun and challenging year.  While no major trips were planned, it is hard to keep a traveling penguin home and four business trips and multiple trips to visit family were made.  Because of my parents failing health, I made several trips to Florida to check on them, and the begin settling their affairs.  While not pleasure trips, I did try to slip a little time in each trip to see old friends, revisit familiar stomping grounds and generally stop and smell the roses.  Life is to short, even if almost 90 years, to not enjoy the adventure along the way.  

In April I had a major conference in Boston.  It was a busy and hectic visit with a board meeting on one end and a major presentation on an emerging issue on the other.  I did manage to sneak away to visit Harvard Square, something I had never seen.  

The end of June I had a board meeting in Newport Rhode Island.  Jay went with me, for the first time to a NAELA board meeting.  

In November I had a board meeting and conference presentation in Huntington Beach, California, and I finally made good on my promise to add a personal day into a work trip.  It was great fun spending a couple of days exploring the Pacific coast just south of LA.  

Late this year, Jay received a retirement buy out contract from the University of Kentucky.  He has one more year to teach, then they will pay him for a year, then he is done.  We will be selling the house in Lexington late in 2018. I am also moving forward with plans to replace the kitchen in the condo, with plans to have it finished before Jay leaves UK a year from now.  

I have been saving up all year, and just splurged on something special for myself, I can't wait to see what it is.  


So what does your Christmas 2017 letter look like? 

Swansea

My paternal grandmother was born in London, her mother, my great grandmother on my father's mother's side (following that?) was born in Swansea on the south coast of Whales.  Her name at birth was Mary Louise Broadhurst. Her father was a brick-maker.  Her mother was simply listed as housewife.  She was born about 1890, died in 1977 in Michigan.  

She married a former coal miner, turned tunnel digger and moved to London where my grandmother and her older brother were born.  On the eve of World War I, her father took a job digging tunnels in New York and the family moved to New York.  After World War i, he worked in Mexico City for a couple of years sending his wife and kids back to London.  After Mexico (a job that paid a fortune of about $20,000 a year) he returned to New York, and eventually worked in Chicago, Memphis, Minneapolis, Toledo and Detroit.  

Nearly 15 years ago Jay and I visited Swansea. I had a photocopy of her birth and marriage records.  We went into the visitors bureau in Swansea, and they were able to give us directions to the neighborhood she was born and raised in.  The house was gone, lost to bombing in World War II.  The church she was christened in was there.  It was a nice adventure to connect with old family history. 

Tell us about connecting with your family roots.  

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years 

May your holiday season be filled with 

peace and love

May your New Year be filled with health, happiness, and great adventures! 

Much Love

David and J. 

Merry Christmas from our Flock to Yours!

For the first time in 8 years we have all of the Christmas collection in one house, and the animated penguins are back in action. Enjoy! 

Christmas Eve Five Questions

I normally play five questions on Sunday, with the holiday falling on Sunday, I am doing five questions on Saturday this week, my little Christmas gift to my readers. 

1: Do you believe in Santa? 
2: Do you go to church at Christmas? 
3: Did you send cards this year? 
4: Do you buy gifts for everyone, or just a select few?
5: Which would you prefer to receive clothes or gift cards? 

My answers: 
1: Do you believe in Santa? Santa is the spirit of kindness, sharing and giving - yes I do believe that spirit is alive and well in many of us.
 
2: Do you go to church at Christmas? No, I am not a practitioner of any organized (or disorganized) religion. 

3: Did you send cards this year? No, sorry - thanks to AM, and JV for the lovely cards. 

4: Do you buy gifts for everyone, or just a select few?  Very few. 

5: Which would you prefer to receive clothes or gift cards?   Easy for me, gift cards, I am very fussy about clothes for someone who dresses like a slob most of the time.  I am very hard to buy clothes for.  

2016 Holiday Letter

2016 Found us Happy, Healthy and Humming along.  Jay went back to Lexington to teach in January.  I had a board meeting in California in late January and had planned a couple of days on the beach, only to be delayed a couple of days flying west because of the biggest snow storm of the year.  In the end I made it in time for board meeting, but missed all of the fun part. 

In April I had another board meeting in Denver, I stayed for the conference and saw a little bit of Denver.  Jay arrived in Virginia in early May for the summer as usual. 

Normally we go 2 to four years between trips to Europe, and we had been to Germany in 2015, then Jay was invited to speak at a conference in Rome the end of May.  Never one to pass an adventure, we spent a week in Rome,  the second week was split between Venice and Modena.  For details see. http://picturesoftheadventure.blogspot.com/?view=classic . 

We went to Florida for the 4th of July to visit my parents and family.  Mom and Dad continue to be in very poor health, I made return visits in September and December.  

Jay went back to Kentucky to teach in September, and I went to Lake Tahoe in Nevada for the last board meeting of the year.  

I went to Kentucky twice this year, in February and November.  On both trips distilleries were visited in search of rare and high quality Bourbons.  

Our health was good, I continue to get stronger.  For the most part the feeling in my feet has returned and my balance is near normal.  I continue with follow-up MRIs a couple of times this year, and so far nothing appears to be growing where it shouldn't be.   

Wishing you all the best in the holiday season and the new year. 

So-Cal Pacific Coast

A few years ago Jay and I went to San Diego for a conference.  An old grad school classmate of his, picked us up one morning and took us just north of San Diego, out to see the coast for breakfast in a small town.  I don't remember the name of town, breakfast was good, but not a standout. For decades I didn't eat in the morning, but as I have grown older I have developed a love of going out for breakfast. I love a good eggs Benedict or well made omelet. A good breakfast out can easily be the best meal of the day.  

One of the things that stands out, was the number of exotic cars. Ferrari, Rolls Royce, and Lamborghini - all together in one small town - as we cruised around in a Prius.  We stopped at a point and walked out onto the rocks.  There were sea anemonies in the rocks, creatures I had only ever seen in aquariums before. There were seals on the beach.  It was a short morning, just 2-3 hours with an old friend, that created very fond memories, Thank you Teresa. 

What short encounter created fond memories for you?  (And yes, I know for some of you this could bring back memories of a different kind of encounter.)  

A few of my favorite things

• Good Strong Cheese 
• Dark Fruitcake
• Good Single Barrel Bourbon
• A tender filet steak 
• Italian Sausage 
• A warm fuzzy bear
• Fluffy sheep in a field 
• Home made bread 
• Heading out on an adventure 
• Heading home after the adventure 

What are 10 of your favorite things? 

View From The Top

A few years ago, when I was going to be in London for a couple of days, I decided I wanted to ride the London Eye.  I had walked past it a few times, looked at the line, and said no.  I hate long waits, crowds and lines.  I looked online and discovered that I could book a "champagne flight" that included a glass of bubbly and a scheduled time with direct access to the front of the line.  We gathered across the way, in the ticket office, walked across as an escorted group and went directly into the next available car.  Champagne was served, it was a wonderful ride, just at sunset.  

Ah, well worth the extra cost. I have learned to check online and see if reserved tickets are available.  

What tips do you have for skipping the wait? 

Gator

As I mentioned, I was recently in Florida visiting family.  I had lived there for almost 20 years, thought it has now been 20 years since I left there.  All of that time, I seldom saw an alligator, it was only the last couple of years that I lived there that I figured out how to spot them.  Most of the time you see a bump, kind of like a rock sticking out of the water.  Most of the gator is below the surface. Only when the water is cool and the air warm do you find the entire gator out sunning them self, and  you won't see them out if the air is really warm. 

This one I found last Tuesday morning.  I was out for a little after breakfast walk, he was in a drainage pond next to parking lot at Cracker Barrel. Nasty water, you can see the oil streak on the water surface.  My guess is he is 2-3 years old, between 2.5 and 3 feet long.  Not big enough to hurt you, but he could nip a finger or two.  
If you want to see a gator in the wild, meet me in Florida some day, I can usually find them. 

What wild animal are you good at finding? 

Sunday Questions

Using only ONE WORD...,
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your hair? thinning 
3. Your dad? pain 
4. Your other half? Soon
5. Your favorite food? cheese 
6. Your dream last night? work
7. Your favorite drink? bourbon 
8. Your dream/goal? adventure 
9. What room you are in? bedroom 
10. Your hobby? bikes
11. Your fear? pain
12. Your home away from home? Lexington
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? stupid 
15. Muffins? silly 
16. Wish list item? SLR
17. Where you grew up? Complicated 
18. Last thing you did? dishes
19. What are you wearing now? shorts
20. Your TV? off
21. Your favorite pets? inanimate 
22. Friends? few
23. Your life? fun
25. Missing someone? Jay
26. Favorite breakfast food? toast 
27. Something you're not wearing? tie
28. Your favorite movie w/one word title? ?????
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Cried lately? yesterday  
32. Who will repost this? John 
33. One place that I go to over and over? France 
34. One person who messages me regularly? Spo
35. My favorite place to eat? Home  
Copy then paste it to your page and put in your answers.

Isn't it always

Isn't it always a good day for a good day?  I recently finished reading what may be the best book I have read all year, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck."  It is a book of modern popular psychology.  I kind of like that kind of book. A few points from the book.

Happiness is a choice. 

Life is pain and discomfort, you can choose the discomfort of sloth and poverty, or the discomfort of working and making a good living. You can choose the pain of being overweight, or the pain of being careful about your diet and spending hours at the gym each day (I have done both in my lifetime.)  

Unrealistic goals and expectations, make people feel like failures, who are really quite successful.  

People spend to much energy, being miserable, about things that are unimportant, or beyond their control.  

A key to happiness is learning to only give a fuck, about things that are within your control, and that really matter.  Ignore all the rest.  

What is your favorite book of the year? 

Update From Florida

I was in Florida last weekend visiting family and checking on Mom and Dad. I was last there in September.  

My siblings are doing well.  My sister and brother-in-law continue to labor tirelessly as caregivers for my Parents.  Without Karen and Pete, Mom and Dad would be unable to remain home where they wish to be.  My oldest brother has decided on a career change, he signed up for Medicare this fall as he turned 65 and discovered that most of the people selling Medicare supplemental insurance were not well informed, he can do a better job, and the company has offered him a job, he is in the process of obtaining the needed licenses. It has been about a year since he left his last IT job, I am glad he has found a new direction and I think he will be good at it, it is a good match for the way his brain works.  My middle brother came over for a visit on Saturday.  The Rat (as in Micky Mouse) has been busy, he has worked a ton of overtime.  He is making good choices about what he wants to do, and not letting others make the choices for him - very good.  

Mom is unbelievably thin and frail.  Her skin is breaking down.  She says little, and little of what she says makes any sense.  Blitz (the wonder dog) was barking at something and Mom shouted at him, "Quiet Down and Get Back Here," it was the only complete and logical sentence she said in the couple of days I was there, her face lit up with a look of utter amazement that she had pulled together a statement that everyone, including the dog, understood.  She sleeps most of the time, some days she does not get out of bed at all.  

Dad had a bad fall three weeks ago, and is in pain, but won't say anything unless you really dig in with questions.  The doctors believe his cancer is metastasizing. He uses a walker and we remind him to ask for help if he is not feeling up to it.  

Both of them are receiving care at home through hospice.  Our goal is to keep them comfortable at home, and as happy as possible.  

I bought the two of them a giant bag full of good chocolates, and encouraged them to eat all they want.  

I will go back in January, sooner if needed.  It is increasingly difficult to go and visit, leaving each time with full knowledge that this might be the last time I see them alive, and then going back again a few weeks later and repeating the process.  

Why Brussels?

A few years ago I was planning a trip, I was going to be in England, I wanted to revisit Amsterdam, and I had decided to go to Normandy to see the D-Day sights.  I looked at taking a Ferry to Amsterdam, and it was overnight, in both directions.  I decided that a trip through the Chunnel, the channel tunnel would be fun.  At that time the Eurostar ran as far a Brussels, so I decided I would spend a couple of nights in Brussels.  Other than it being in Belgium, a country I had never been to, I knew nothing about Brussels.  

I booked a nice Hilton, just north of the pedestrian zone and across a square from a subway station and away I went.  The trip through the tunnel was delayed and then at low speed through the tunnel.  There has been electrical fire in the tunnel and power was not back to full strength.  

I had no idea what to do in Brussels. The hotel provided a map, I found something marked museum center, an easy subway ride.  Once there I stumbled across a large car museum - featuring European cars.  I had a wonderful wander around.  Had a nice lunch, strolled around the park, peaked in the art or history museum next door, and went back the hotel.  It was totally unplanned, and totally fun.  

The next day I walked into the train station and bought a seat on the the cheapest train to Amsterdam, leaving in 20 minutes.  The train seemed to stop every two miles.  It was great fun.  The college kids on the train kept going off between the cars to smoke, and each time they came back they were more and more wasted.  I don't know what they were smoking, but they really seemed to be enjoying it. I behaved myself, like I always do. It was a great experience in unplanned adventure.  

I ran across an interesting quote in a book the other day, "most are afraid of death, because they are afraid to really live."  Show no fear, go out and enjoy the next great adventure.  Like it or not, you are going to die some day.    

Dear Santa

Dear Santa! 
I have been a good boy this year.  I have been honest, kind, trustworthy.  I have helped old men cross the street - even when they didn't want to cross the street. I haven't dishonored anyone, not challenged anyone to a duel, dueled or seconded - I don't know as that is important - but it is in the oath of office for Kentucky.  I have supported the finest Bourbon distillers by sampling and collecting their best.  

So what would I like for Christmas this year? 

• I could really use a little more order in my life. Once things start to get messy, it kind of spills over.  A nice houseboy who could keep my bedroom in order would help. He really needs to be willing and able to clean floors and bathrooms.  
• I am looking for inspiration for my traveling adventure next year.  My office travel budget is limited, we have not received an invitation for a conference in Europe this year, and frankly I don't have a clue what to do or where to go. It does my mind so much good to take a couple of weeks off and head off on a great adventure.  Help me find a sign, deliver one of us an invitation to an exciting venue, something that will inspire us.  
• This might be a good year to have someone come visit us this year.  It has been a long time since we have hosted out of town guests for a few days.  DC is a fun place to show people around.  I promise to take a few days off from work.  Give someone else a nice conference in DC, so we can spend a few days showing them around town.  
• It is going to be a year of transitions in DC, please keep me sane and grounded.  I can already see others running in circles looking up and crying-out, the sky is falling - the sky is falling.  Even if the sky is falling, remind me that I can't told it up single handed.  
• It is also likely to be a year of transitions in my family. If you could slip an easy passage for those likely to leave us, and map forward for my siblings under the tree this year - it would make our lives better. Sprinkle in a whole lot of patience and understanding - we will need that.  
• A winning lottery ticket, or a lucky pull on a slot machine would really come in handy.  I love my work and all, but I promise I would do the parts that are really important if a stocking stuffed with enough money to cut back my hours appeared under the tree.  

Thank you for being there for all of us good boys and girls.  I'll write again next year.  Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. 
Love
David 

So what do you want from Santa?  What does Santa want from me? 

My Irrational Fear

I have an irrational fear of flying birds.   Chickens are just fine.  I know chickens can fly, but not very well, or very often and I am fine with them, the same goes generally for turkeys.  Water birds don't really bother me, what scares the crap out of me is small tree nesting birds.  The kind that fly at me, by me, especially near my head.  Maybe this is a result of watching Alfred Hitchcock's The move "The Birds" as a child, but small flying birds scare me.  

Rationally I know I have never been hurt by one, in fact no one I know has ever been attacked by a small flying bird.  But they always seem to be headed directly toward my face.  Silly I know.  

We all have irrational fears.  I was on the metro one morning recently.  The woman sitting in front of me was drunk, no two ways about it, you could smell the booze from five feet away.  As she sat there staring at her phone and there was a spider crawling down the sleeve of her coat.  This freaked out the person sitting next to me, who fled down the aisle.  I calmly said, "mam, there is a spider on your sleeve", she flicked it off on the floor, stomped on it and went back to her phone.  One person freaked out - I know how she felt, I might have done the same thing if it had been a sparrow crawling down the sleeve of the woman's coat, two of us were unfazed by the spider.  What is rational and what is not, is all a matter of your mind or state of intoxication. 

So, what is your irrational fear?