QOTD - What was the easiest thing about today?

Certainly not figuring out how to catch up on another month’s worth of Question of the Day posts.

It appears I’ve been slacking again so I have another marathon writing session coming up.

The easiest thing about today was everything because I did pretty much nothing.

I woke up, showered, made coffee, read a book, drank said coffee, made more coffee, drank that coffee with my wife and her mother, ate breakfast, read the paper, surfed the net, checked my email, ate pizza for dinner while watching a movie, surfed the net, and sat down to write some blog posts.

Is a sentence that long allowed?

Oh, who cares?

1 down and about 30 more to go.

 

 

While writing this, I was listening to Coming Home by John Legend from Once Again.

QOTD–Today was a complete _____________.

Day.

What else is there to say.

It was a good day.

It was a productive day.

It was a cloudy day.

It was a chilly day.

It was a quiet day.

It was a happy day.

The #1 search result from Google was “Well, today was a complete waste of makeup”.

By the way, that doesn’t apply to me.

No pun intended but you can take it however you want to.

 

 

While writing this, I was listening to Brand New by Pharrell Williams Feat. Justin Timberlake from G I R L.

QOTD–Did you work hard today?

Yes I did.

I mowed the front and back yards including the shared strips between us and the neighbors.

Spread some grass seed.

Planted some zinnia seeds.

Turned the automatic sprinklers back on. They didn’t work. Managed to soak myself from head to toe. They still don’t work.

Took a shower (you’re welcome).

Napped

Been writing furiously to catch up on a month’s worth of “Question of the Day”.

Still typing.

Going grocery shopping later.

Still typing.

 

 

 

While writing this, I was listening to Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache by Brian Setzer from Rockabilly Riot, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Sun Records.

QOTD–What Are You Glad You Did Today?

Got out of bed and went out for breakfast with the wife and mother-in-law.

After 3 days of allergies/cold/fever, that was a major accomplishment. Then I went home and took more meds.

QOTD–Man I Suck At This

Ok, that’s a statement, a fact. I haven’t answered a question since Feb. 11th so I guess it’s time for another marathon session.

Since I do good to remember what I did this morning, there’s no way I’m going to be able to answer these questions as if it was the day they were asked. Therefore (ooo, big word), I am answering them based on today, March 6th.

Here we go.

How many photos did you take today? 

Zero, zilch, nada, none.

What book are you reading right now?

The Art Of Neighboring by Jay Pathak. I read 2 pages of the introduction 3 days ago so I guess that counts as currently reading.

How many hours of sleep did you get last night?

A rare 7 hours. Normally its around 5 1/2 to 6.

Last thing you wanted but didn’t get.

ROOT BEER! I was drinking 1 or 2 root beers a day for a while. I just couldn’t get enough, then I gave up soft drinks for Lent. Man, do I miss root beer.

What mood are you in today?

Kind of melancholy. I’ve been having some inner struggles staying upbeat due to having a chance to advance my career but being knocked down because I don’t have a college degree. It’s tough to keep up on a “happy” face when you know you are qualified for something but can’t get for only one reason.

What was the last new thing you tried?

Pollo Con Cremaat 3 Margaritas in Greenwood Village, CO. One of my favorite dishes!!!!  Rosanna Waldo loved & spotted this about 4 years ago.

If you’re talking food then it’s the Pollo Con Crema at 3 Margaritas. I would highly recommend it anytime.

Non-food? I have dabbled a little with meditation but not enough to stay focused without my mind wandering (or falling asleep). Guess I need more practice.

My biggest hope is______.

That Evelyn and I will be able to catch up on our financial obligations aka the bills by the end of year. Then we can plan the cruise that I have been promising her for the last 20 years.

What has challenged your morals?

I have a really strong moral compass so not much has tempted me. I live in Colorado where marijuana is legal but have no desire to partake. Lying and stealing would make me so uncomfortable that I would give myself away. That’s what good upbringing and a conscious does for you.

What kind of car are you driving?

A 2002 Jeep Liberty on most days. A 2000 Dodge Neon on the others.

List your pets.

I have no pets.

What are three things you need to buy?

Toilet paper, a winning lottery ticket, and maybe a new shirt.

Today I felt really secure knowing ______.

That my friends, family, and co-workers support me even when I’m being extra hard on myself.

Whose life did you make a difference in today?

Hopefully my co-worker. she applied for the same position that I applied for but I don’t have the degree and she does. I was asked by her potential future boss how I felt she would do in the position and I told the truth, I think she would do very well and had been encouraging her to apply all along.

What is your superpower?

Lately, it’s been professionalism and poise in the face of disappointment.

What is annoying you?

Me. Or mainly my self-doubt and frustration over this whole no degree thing. I know I made the right decision 32yrs ago when I dropped out of college. I had a new wife and a baby on the way, I needed to go to work full time for them. I just need to let myself be ok with all this and quit obsessing over it.

Obsessing, that’s mine and Evelyn’s word of the week.

What would have made today perfect?

I’m writing this while sitting in Mimi’s Café and drinking a wonderful cup (ok, bowl) of cappuccino, and writing. It doesn’t get much better than this. Well, maybe if I was doing this with Evelyn in Santa Fe, it would be perfect.

What stresses you?

Me. Most of my stress is self-induced and it’s usually over stupid shit.

The funniest thing you heard today.

During a department meeting this morning one co-worker was explaining the Fire Alarm Emergency Kit that she had assembled for us. It has a checklist, bullhorn, reflective vest, flashlight, and orange traffic cones in it. During her presentation another co-worker interrupted her to ask if we were supposed to put the cones on our heads and shout “Follow Me!”.

If you could have a new talent what would you want?

The same confidence in myself that others have in me. I’d also like to learn how to crochet.

Who is your best friend but not your spouse?

I’m kind of lacking in the best friend department right now. I have good friends but not one or two that I hang out with or confide in on a regular basis. Besides Evelyn, I guess my cousin would be my closest friend.

What do you wish you had left unsaid?

Oh so many things. Too many to list here. I tend to run without a filter on most days so I say quite a few questionable things.

What was the first thing you ate or drank today?

A banana followed by a cup of coffee.

Are you saving or spending?

About 10% saving and 90% spending. That’s going to reverse itself as the year progresses and we start to pay off more bills.

 

Whew! That took a while. Let’s see if I can keep up from here on out.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" from "Facing Future" by "Israel Kamakawiwo'ole"

 

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?
Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue
And I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world
Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I?

QOTD–I Wish I Had ________

a little more courage to step outside my comfort zone.

I have missed out on past opportunities because of a fear of the unknown.

There have been times throughout my life that I knew I had the talent, abilities, and qualifications to do things differently but the fear of embarrassing myself or drawing attention to myself or repeating past mistakes has stopped me. 

Oh, woe is me. The life of an introvert.

I marvel at family and friends who can step right out and take risks without constant analyzation of the “what if” scenarios.

You know, what if I fail, what if someone is offended, or laughs, or….

For the past few years, I have been building up the courage to step outside my box a little more. I’ve made big strides, little by little.

Whining, confessing, and bitching on this blog for the past 7 years has helped too.

In the last couple of years, I’ve scooted a little further out on the limb and in the near future I plan on scooting out a little more.

The limb hasn’t broke yet.

 

“Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is.” –Mark Twain

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Don't Try So Hard" from "Queen Forever" by "Queen"

 

If you're searching out for something -
Don't try so hard
If you're feeling kinda nothing -
Don't try so hard
When your problems seem like mountains
You feel the need to find some answers
You can leave them for another day
Don't try so hard
But if you fall and take a tumble -
It won't be far
If you fail you mustn't grumble -
Thank your lucky stars
Just savour every mouthful
And treasure every moment
When the storms are raging round you
Stay right where you are
Don't try so hard
Oooh don't take it all to heart
It's only fools they make these rules
Don't try so hard
One day you'll be a sergeant major
Oh you'll be so proud
Screaming out your bloody orders
Hey but not too loud
Polish all your shiny buttons
Dressed as lamb instead of mutton
But you never had to try
To stand out from the crowd
Oh what a beautiful world
Is this the life for me
Oh what a beautiful world
It's the simple life for me
Oh don't try so hard
Oh don't take it all to heart
It's only fools - they make these rules
Don't try so hard
Don't try so hard

QOTD–What Did You Get Done?

This sounds like a question one of my old bosses would have asked.

Boss: What did you get done?

Me: Nothing

Boss: Why?

Me: Because you change my priorities every 15 minutes.

 

Yes, I used to work in a Dilbert world.

http://dilbert.com/strip/2015-01-14

By the way, Wally is my hero.

 

As to how to answer this question for today? I’m not sure.

Today was a cookie cutter type of day. I woke up, went to work, came home, ate dinner, watch some TV, wrote a blog post, and will go to bed.

Not much out of the ordinary happened but I got all of my typical duties completed.

Maybe tomorrow will different.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " If I Had My Way (Feat. Regina McCrary And Ann McCrary)" from "Downtown Church" by "Patty Griffin Featuring Regina McCrary And Ann McCrary"

 

If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down
You read about Sampson and from his birth
The strongest man that ever lived on Earth
One day old Sampson was walking alone
He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone
He swung it over his head, swung it over his head
When he start moving ten thousand was dead
If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down
Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson joined up on the lion's back
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paw
Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
He ripped that beast till the lion was dead
The bees made honey in the lion's head
If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down
Delilah was a woman so fine and fair
She had a lovely good looks and a coal black hair
Delilah came down on Samson's mind
First he saw a woman of the Philistines
She set down on Samson's knees
Tell me where your strength lies if you please
She spoke so kind, talked so fair
Samson told "Delilah cut off my hair,
Shave my head, clean as your hand
And my strength will be like a natural man."
Took old Samson by surprise
They picked up a stick and then they punched out his eyes
Backing down to the judgment hall
Chained him to the stone cold wall
They left him there ‘til his hair turn brown
Strength to tear that building down
If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down
Tear this building down
Tear this building down
Tear this building down...

QOTD–What Is making You Mad?

Mad?

As in crazy. Insane. Angry.

The problem with these questions is some of them have double meanings.

That’s starting to get annoying.

Really, if I had to answer this question 2 years ago, I would have had to answer everything. Whether it be financial or work related, the smallest things were enough to make my angry and act childish.

Today, not so much. I’ve spent a lot of time the last few years reflecting, reading, and learning how to be calmer and happier.

Like the question the other day about change, I have been able to create new habits that make me stop and think instead of reacting. Sure those old habits are still there and if  I’m tired I start to feel the old frustrations resurface. I’ve learned to reroute those frustrations by distracting myself with something that makes me happy such as picking up a book or turning on some music or blogging.

The key is to realize that some people or situations are not going to change so you need to change how you react to them.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Slide" from "Whatever: The '90s Pop and Culture Box Disc 7" by "The Goo Goo Dolls"

 

Could you whisper in my ear
The things you wanna feel
I'd give you anythin'
To feel it comin'
Do you wake up on your own
And wonder where you are?
You live with all your faults
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything at all
So why don't you slide
Yeah, I'm gonna let it slide
Don't you love the life you killed?
The priest is on the phone
Your father hit the wall
Your ma disowned you
Don't supposed I'll ever know
What it means to be a man
It's somethin' I can't change
I'll live around it
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything at all
So why don't you slide
Ooh, slide
And I'll do anythin' you ever dreamed to be complete
Little pieces of the nothin' that fall
Oh, May
Put your arms around me
What you feel is what you are
And what you are is beautiful
Oh, May
Do you wanna get married Or run away?
And I'll do anythin' you ever dreamed to be complete
Little pieces of the nothin' that fall
Oh, May
Put your arms around me
What you feel is what you are
And what you are is beautiful
Oh, May
Do you wanna get married
Or run away?
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything
And I'll do anythin' you ever dreamed to be complete
(Yeah, slide)
Little pieces of the nothin' that fall
(yeah slide)
And I'll do anythin' you ever dreamed to be complete
(Yeah slide)
Little pieces of the nothin' that fall
(Oh, oh slide)
Yeah, slide between the sheets of all them beds you never knew
(Yeah slide)
Why don't you slide into my room
Just slide into my room
Oh, we'll run away, run away, run away

QOTD–What Was The Last Major Accomplishment You Had?

Well, I woke up when the alarm went off this morning. That meant I survived 1 more day.

Sarcastic? Yes.

I really don’t think about major accomplishments. I tend to measure my life in smaller segments.

I know, I can hear you and every motivational speaker saying “That’s not LIVING life, that’s just existing.”

Maybe.

I was never that macho guy grunting at my bros about bench pressing 300lbs or the alpha-male psyched up over the big sale I just closed and the new luxury car I was going to buy with the bonus check.

Maybe, it’s my natural inclination toward being introverted that kept me from being that guy.

In the past whenever I attempted to be an assertive extrovert I came across as a competitive and bullying  jerk.

I’m pretty sure I missed out on some good friendships because I didn’t just be myself.

*sigh*

Ok, back to the question.

Professionally – I passed my Comptia A+ certification about 2 years ago.

Financially – We purchased a house a few years ago and it hasn’t been foreclosed on.

Probably the last major personal accomplishment I had was when I went to bed last night knowing that I was true to myself one more day.

 

 

While writing this I was listening to " Fly Like an Eagle" from "Fly Like an Eagle [30th Anniversary Edition] [CD/DVD]" by "The Steve Miller Band"

 

 

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle into
the sea I want to
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirits carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, its a revolution

Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

Read more: Steve Miller Band - Fly Like An Eagle Lyrics | MetroLyrics