Happy Place

Things I love:

My wife: She's the best. We're on the same wavelength with so much of our lives. Jobs. Kids. Parenting. Roles around the house. She's amazing and been really patient with my challenges at work right now.

My kids: There are times I see probably more of me in them and their actions than I would like. My heart broke a little when Ethan was in goal yesterday and didn't know much about how to play the position (other than he wouldn't be running much). Our coaching staff forgot to put a goalie coach back by him, until about 6 of his teammates on the field were yelling at him on where he should be playing. I told him after the game I was proud he tried something new and we'd work on it this weekend.

Fall: Pumpkin is my favorite flavor. I like the weather changing. I'm tired of mowing the grass and I'm not ready to shovel snow yet, fall gives me a break (oh, I forgot about raking leaves). I love pro football (but Tom Brady has killed my Fantasy team), and back in the day I LOVED FSU football. I left them behind when I had kids, but I really enjoyed watching yesterday (for the first time in like six years) when they went up and down the field against a pathetic Hurricane Defense and beat the U. The game wasn't as close as the score indicated.

Frightfest at Six Flags: Techinically it could be considered part of the point above, but I love how they really go all out to remake the park for one month out of the year. We have passes, so it doesn't cost any extra and we're going later today.

Hockey: The Blackhawks should be better this year.

Old Friends: I spent forty five minutes this last week catching up with one of my childhood friends that I hadn't talked with in years. I ran into his bride at the grocery store and got his number again from her. This past week I ran into one of my old banking buddies and I think we'll meet for drinks and catch up on Friday. I do believe God was at work in re-opening these lines of communication. It's something I've needed desperately lately with my frustration at work and my rant in my last post. There are still others I don't quite make time for (and they're pretty busy too) that I'd like to see again before the snow falls. But I'll work on them too.

Marquette Basketball: We'll see if Buzz can coach as well as he recruits.

Bike rides: I've got Ethan on two wheels and there's a fantastic path that's part of the park district near our house. Ethan can't quite go as long and hard and fast as I'd like, but we can go together and maybe next year he will. It's great exercise and I'm finally riding my bike more. My friend Jason encouraged me a year or so ago when I went out to visit him. He was right.

Monster Cereals: Frankenberry, Boo-Berry, & Count Chocula should be coming to Target again soon. These sugary sweets my parents denied me as child I've embraced as an adult for the last few years. I love them (and I agree with Walt and Barb in saying it's too much sugar for a kid, especially since I'll only let Ethan and Cam have it on the weekends).

My sisters: I have great siblings. My oldest is so caring, thoughtful and sensitive. I hope she's able to find something in the job market that is fulfilling for her. She's got a great guy in her life and I think they're great together. My second oldest is a professional and she hosted a really nice party last weekend that I enjoyed immensely. I don't talk to her nearly enough. My youngest older sister. She's been in a similiar crossroads career-wise as I have been (amazing since we both work for the "Big H"). Her husband is a neat guy I enjoy talking to, and we should get together more frequently just to watch a game or shoot the bull.

Push ups: I had been doing them religiously the last few years, but the crap that's been going on at work lately, I've been sluffing off on them. I'll get back on that this week and continue again.

I have a great life and need to focus on the things and people in this post, less so on the bullshit in the last one.

I feel better and I'm going to get cleaned up and head to fright fest with my bride and my boys.

Dark Place

I don't know how much more of this nonsense I can stand.

Cubs: They've failed again. Why did they waste all that jet fuel to get to LA, when a postage stamp would do? They completely mailed it in. No passion. No desire. You could see it at the end with the players on the bench from the seventh inning on. Why weren't they on the front step, encouraging each other?

Do I box all my Cubs stuff up and put it away in my basement? I haven't decided yet because I don't think it's wise to make these sorts of decisions in haste. I don't want to be frustrated any more by them. Do I no longer throw myself in after them? Do I pass on Spring Training? Do I no longer attend games? Do I hang up the royal blue pinstrips forever? Do I discourage the boys from loving the Cub? Fortunately (or unfortanately) neither Ethan nor Cameron have the patience or attention span yet to sit through a game either on the couch or at the park).

Politics: I'm tired of the Republicans being painted as stupid/corrupt/bumbling/evil/incompetent by the Mainstream Media. I'm tired of watching the Democrats get a pass for all their indiscretions and failures. How can Barney Frank still have a job after the Fannie/Freddie debacle THAT HAPPENED ON HIS WATCH? How dare he and his party lay the blame for this solely at the feet of everyone on the other side of the aisle? They're ALL PIGS, they've ALL FAILED their electorate. This "bailout" package is a sham and never should have been passed. I'm tired of being forced to pony up and pay for everyone else's mistakes. I'm tired of watching politicians and their friends get theirs by working the system. WHERE'S MINE????!?!?!?!

What do you when enough is enough and you've had enough?