There are a few potential challenges with his chosen way of life for me and likely many others, but several times in the video I couldn’t help but say “huh”. The “huh” sound is what I do, and I’ve found many others do when something we have traditionally thought true is challenged. As crazy as his way of life may seem to many of us, it may not be so crazy.
Big Island Panoramas
Going The Extra Mile
Nine times out of ten when I start my day I see the following set of trash cans as I arrive to the office. I keep the trash cans under my desk on the right-most side which is exposed to the hallway so that the person who empties the trash/recycling can access them easier. Every time I see someone hasn’t gone the extra one or two steps to put the bins back under my desk once emptied amazes me. We all have jobs to do and when I get home I empty the trash, clean toilets, and do anything and everything needed like we all do. At work I would empty my own trash but a janitorial service does it for us (the task itself isn’t the point).
Always go the extra mile and take pride in what you do.
“No one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required, that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction.” – Charles Francis Adams
Hey Dad, That Lady Has Crazy Mean Eyebrows – Sigh
My son Tyler and my mother-in-law were sitting in a doctor’s waiting room with my wife a few weeks ago. Tyler saw a lady across the room with unusually shaped eyebrows and immediately asked me loud enough for her to hear: “hey dad, why does that lady have crazy mean eyebrows?”. I immediately looked at the lady who looked back at me and not knowing what to do or say in the awkward situation said “hey buddy they’re not mean, so what do you want to do later today?”. Trying to get him off that topic quickly seemed to backfire because he replied back with “but dad, why are they so crazy looking though?”. Truth be told her eyebrows were unusual but I’ve seen so many things out of the ordinary in my life I think I’ve become immune to the unusual and never would have noticed.
I smiled back at the lady who scowled back a bit and then looked away. After we were out of the environment I coached him a bit but kids don’t know our social norms (which we probably have hundreds, if not thousands of). We learn social norms over time but sometimes not fast enough to hurt/offend others. If you’ve had kids I’m sure situations such as this have happened to you. How did you handle it and how did it work for you?
San Ramon Art & Wind Festival
Went to the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival yesterday. I didn’t see much art but we loved the wind. Note to self: next year, bring a “real” kite instead of making the free one and bring allergy medication.
Maui For The Day
We landed on Maui around 9am and I got talked into getting a Jeep by the car rental agent. Normally you can’t talk me into anything that isn’t already in my mind too easily so I was either really wanting the Jeep anyway, the agent was good, or all of the above. Truth be told I think it was that it was only $10 more for the day. It was one of the best things I’ve done in some time, it was really fun to drive and I really enjoyed it. It was fun to know wherever we were I could get out of a sticky…or sandy situation. We put the Jeep to quick work by going up the north end of the island on a very windy and remote road which was really fun to drive. We took part of the top off so we could enjoy the weather and every few minutes I stopped to take some pictures.
We stopped at the very north end and took some pictures and then got some lunch and went swimming for a while. We stayed at a nice (but affordable) place and the concierge helped get us a champagne catamaran cruise that evening. Once we got off the ship we took a quick walk on the beach. The whole day was amazing, one of my favorites. I think at one point on the cruise as the sun was starting to set I said it was one of my top 10 favorite days which is really saying something. We’ll definitely be back to Maui again some day.
Coolest Job Ever
When I saw that we didn’t have to go through TSA, had to weight our bags on the same scale that weighed us, I knew I was in heaven. We waited about 30 minutes at the very small “airport terminal”. The co-pilot loaded all of the bags and about 10 minutes later the captain went down a ramp and yelled “going to Maui” and we all followed him (all seven of us). Christina and I were in the first row so we literally sat right behind the pilots which was amazing. The captain was a really nice guy who gave us a quick 2 minute tutorial on buckling up, what to do if anyone gets sick, and to turn off our cell phones. I turned off my cell phone but the person behind Christina had her phone out the entire time. I didn’t turn off my camera and waited for him to say something but he luckily didn’t seem to mind.
I took a video of the take-off and the landing so I may have that posted later if it turns out I think someone may find it half entertaining. When we landed I told the captain “you have the coolest job ever” and he said “I know”. He escorted us away from the aircraft and through a gate and we were in Maui. The only way to travel! It was amazing and I loved every minute.
Tyler’s 5th Birthday
From Beach to Airport Bum
Darn airport paparazzi, my wife Christina taking pictures of my geek out session before the flight to Oahu. Had to stay charged up for the flight!
