15 minutes

You know you are pretty busy when you break your life into 15 minute increments. I have approx 5 minutes to write something now, as I need to get back to more pressing appointments. So to provide a glimpse, things I am thinking about: studying, fitting in another jog, friends, people I need to call back, my to do list and some other things in between.

4 minutes left. What new adventures remain this week? Boat cruise with the lawyers, possible though the conversation will be filled with legal references. Breakfast club with the finalists, possible though they will be stressed. The 3 books I am reading for fun on top of my work, most likely.

1 minutes left. It is good to have something left over. Until next time . . .

Yet another great morning

So, I tend to wake up around 6, spend 20 minutes reading the headlines and sending out emails, then proceed to a run. This morning I went jogging with a friend who is a bit more of distance runner than I am (which doesn't take much to qualify in this category). Alas for me, the combination of rugby on Sunday, basketball on Monday and a 6 mile run today has left me feeling, in a word, sore.

You only tend to think about these things after your exercise routine is over, as the lactic acid build up and general soreness tends to take up thoughts as you sit and reflect. I think it is a bit much to complain over and over again about these things (though I have been doing so over the past few days), so I would like to write a little bit of how beautiful it is here.

Because it rains so much in England, it is a very lush and green country. There are so many amazing parks and gardens here. Today I took a detour from my usual routine as I met up with my new running friend and we ran around some very beautiful park grounds that I had not previously seen. The best part was a stretch where a short pond follows the running path to the left; this morning a family of ducks was swimming up the pond in perfect unison, a mother, father and 5 to 6 ducklings.

Election Night 2010

Ok . . . that was quite an education in British Politics. Stayed up all night with friends watching the returns, passed out around 3AM and woke every hour after asking, "Is it over yet"? Well, it seems the British people have spoken, but the political system still has to do the final writing to present what is next.

Time

Walking back for an appointment, I bumped into someone reading a book about time. The nature and philosophy of time. Now that is a bit too abstract for me to really get into, but the general topic of time is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. How much time to complete one project, how much time to dedicate to another, how much time has happened since X, how much time till Y event occurs, etc, etc.

I say often to others, seize the day, make it happen, don't wait, go, go, go . . . my favourite movie as a child was 'Dead Poets Society' and the message of the film has long been with me. However, there are many times when I don't live up to this, but circumstance has a way of robbing our messages at times. That aside, I try to learn quickly and make adjustments, another of my favourite themes. Do you?

2nd week

Is after the 1st. US news is quite busy and the British General Election will close in a few days. This weekend was extremely eventful; capping a week filled with travel, food, cocktails and conversation. Several writing projects are beginning to take form, work is very busy but organized and further studies are well, developing.

Thinking about how to maximize time, where to put emphasis and writing letters. Just write!

Beautiful morning

Still writing left over work, but have taken note at how such beautiful it is this morning. I am rushing myself to a self-imposed deadline that I will surely break, as I am writing here instead of where I need to be, but my mind is drifting to other beautiful mornings gone past. I look more forward much more than I look back, but in doing so it is so critical to not take for granted things we have had, which I think we can all do if we are not careful.

England

Since childhood, England has been a second home. In fact, I have spent more time in England than I have my native United States . . . I landed at Heathrow this afternoon and started thinking about this. It's funny, in so many ways I am the quintessential American, heavily influenced by my military upbringing and conservative parents, but I believe it inevitable that I have been influenced significantly by this country though very separate from me, has been such a big part of my life.

I have essays to write this evening and though I would rather be exploring a new bar in London or having a talk with friends while walking along the Thames and overlooking Parliament, I am content as I am back in this country I have great affection for and look forward to what adventures remain.

Luis Fernando Verissimo

Tuesday night headed to Verissimo's . . . food was good, jazz was better, learning more about the owner of the Bar, even more interesting. 70 years old, playing sax in his own place . . . this guy is officially my hero.

Via Olimpia

This is a great part of Sao Paolo. Monday night was out with 2 colleagues, we had a never ending meal and cocktails; the local favourite is the capriana. Now, I made the mistake of not respecting this drink -- as an avid martini drinker, I question most. Well, 3 later and I was throughly making a fool of myself, not that it takes much.

After dinner we headed to a little cafe where some live music was playing. After making an appearance the music shifted from Portuguese to English for the rest of the night! I requested Billy Joel over and over again, but was greeted with some of my other favourites: Journey, Aerosmith, Chicago and the like. I managed to avoid dancing, to the entertainment of others, but singing along in tone deaf sounds was of course required.

Sunday mornings

So the weekend in England has been beautiful; Sunday morning has returned us to a more typical English day - overcast and seasonal temperatures. I had a glorious Saturday where I did absolutely no work. The morning was spent outside talking with friends, the afternoon was eating outside with friends, the early evening involved random debates/lounging with friends and the evening was dinner and various adventures into the early morning.

I managed to get up sometime around 730, changed my alarm to buzz me at 845 and then organized my room into a state of organized chaos. Brunch will be in about an hour and I beginning to think about everything I need to do to get the week started properly. I like thinking about Sundays as the beginning of the week -- a reset and new beginning.

Change

I spend a lot of time thinking about things I would like to make different. The reason is, when you do this, I believe most of the time, you can be quite successful. The nature of challenges is that they are just that, obstacles to overcome. Determination is a gift that is granted through resilience and success is dedicated to hard work and commitment to alternate perspectives.

Things become more complicated when our aims prove unsuccessful. And then there is the slow march to acceptance that perhaps the change we seek is not possible. To this latter point I struggle and I believe all who are truly committed to seeing the best of intentions implemented should reject this acceptance, despite circumstance.

Cherwell - C2 - Making it Work

Cherwell - C2 - Making it Work

Routines

My parents raised me to be a routine driven person. My father was a military man and as such was very disciplined. My brother and I woke up very early and went to bed at the same time every day. We always did our schoolwork after school, played outside during set times and followed the same schedule each week. This pattern has remained with me throughout my life and the moments when I am preforming best are when my routines are maximized.

Beautiful morning in England; now time to routine my way to a run.

The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

--A. Lincoln

from Vincent van Gogh, in a letter to his brother

One cannot always tell what it is that keeps us shut in, confines us, seems to bury us, but still one feels certain barriers, certain gates, certain walls. Is all this imagination, fantasy? I do not think so. And then one asks: My God! It is for long, is it forever, is it for eternity? Do you know what frees one from this captivity? It is very serious affection. Being friends, being brothers, love, that is what opens the prison by supreme power, by some magic force.

Pitching

Thinking about pitching this morning as last night I found myself in an unexpected situation where I ended up soliciting some work. I was having a conversation with someone who happened to be in a field where I had some signficant domain knowledge and ended up being offered a job, indirectly. Well, that was unexpected, but suddenly business school had some relevance or did it? Most good deals are an element of personality, timing and good jokes -- at least I usually bat over .300

Competitions

I love competitions. As Roosevelt would say, I love being in the arena. I did not grow up in an overly competitive home, but competitions were a regular part of the activities I was involved with as a child by default. Though I did not win often, I relished the opportunity to give it my all. In fact, losing more often than winning taught me a lot and to this perspective, extends my desire to get out there and roll up my sleeves.

Internship

So I have this 4 week part-time internship this summer at a sports agency. Although somewhere in my mind I have visions of being Jerry McGuire, the ultimate reality is that this work will be a combination of skills application in analysis of contracts and organizational management. I have been playing in my mind about various career paths outside of consultancy for a long time, though I am pretty sure that dabbling in this industry will not net a new path, but be a tack along the course that will ultimately achieve my primary ambitions.

I think part of writing great commentary or even great non-fiction is having many different experiences. One of the criticisms I have of my professional work experience over the last 10 years is that it has been pretty exclusively working in the web . . . am slowly mixing things up.

Writing

Following adult confirmation in the Catholic Church during Easter of 2008, I became highly interested in the academic study of Theology. As part of confirmation one participates in detailed analysis of the doctrine of the Catholic faith; I loved all the debates, discussions and investigation of the source of the faith. I also always have had interests in the various religions of the world, but have had limited exposure to their tenets. So during that summer I made the decision to apply for a course in Theology, because it would achieve two goals. It would satisfy my developing interest in the study of religions and would also enhance my dream to become a writer.

Up until this point in my life, my previous academic training had been either completely in computer science or in business. Although this training has been key in my profession as a management consultant (advising companies on the implementation and design of web systems), it has not done much for my interests in social or political commentary or the expression of these ideas to paper.

Fast forward to April 2010; up to this point, I have written sixteen 2000-4000 word essays on various topics of theology . . . I am slowly making progress in expressing myself. I can see myself growing as a writer and beginning to find my voice; it is my hope that by the end of this course I will have developed a clear style of argumentation and can persuasively present my thoughts and ideas, whether on my favourite topics or ones much more abstract. This of course says nothing of the merits of studying theology, it is a real gift and opportunity – better understanding of our relationship with God makes us better people. I am afraid I cannot live to all the expectations of this knowledge, but I try my best.

Goals

I am a big planner and I would offer that planning is key to all our lives, whether we are ambitious or not. In thinking about my goals, something that I do often is make changes to where I want to go and how I want to get there. This nimbleness has afforded me a degree of flexibility in my life, but has also caused problems when navigating the subtle changes that are sometimes necessary. When we think about change, it is easy to forget the challenge of extreme movements. But agility often is an asset in life.

My favorite poem reminds us to not make dreams our master. Now I must get back to work.

This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://edwardmeinert.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://edwardmeinert.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Fired up and ready to go

It is a tough day to be a democrat. Scott Brown has won Teddy's seat and the 60 vote democratic block in the Senate is gone. On one hand, I feel like this is a good thing, because it will force the democratic leadership to look for more centrist proposals in legislation. On the other hand, I do not believe the republican party is interested in getting much work done -- they are amazing at running in opposition and because the economy is not going well for most Americans, it is easy to paint the President and the Congress as the reason for this, although it was over 6 years of republican leadership that contributed to the situation we currently face.

What's next? We get fired up and ready to go. The house should pass the Senate version of Health Care Reform with the caveat that the unpalatable provisions will be fixed through budget reconciliation. We must get something done now and the President and the congress must sell it to the people. We cannot allow the republicans to continue to dominate the dialogue on this bill -- it is a great thing for this country. We need serious reform to the financial management of healthcare and this bill does just that; the problem is no one really understands the key features and benefits of the bill.

The Congress must also act quickly on deficit reduction, jobs creation and turning around the economy. The Congress must convince the american people, through action, that it is well equipped to deal with these issues.

2010

So a new decade . . . a lost happened in the last 10, but even more changes are planned for this one we are now beginning. The challenge is keeping the momentum going. Have made a resolution to use this a bit more than I have . . .

With facebook, twitter, wave and all sorts of forms of communication, will just need to keep up.

The dream will never die.

RIP Ted Kennedy.

Somewhere over the atlantic . . .

(Listening to Ignition (a cover from R. Kelly)....The Hangovers - Cornell University)

"Sipping on coke and rum...bounce, bounce, bounce....Privacy on the door......"

So I have finished up 2 weeks in fair Boston. Having lived there for 5 years of my life, it was quite a nostalgic trip. In thinking about it, I have lived longer in Boston than I have any other part of the world, but it feels much more behind me, than ahead.

(Listening to Leaving Las Vegas....Sheryl Crow.....being brought back to High School)...

"Life springs external, on a guarded neon street...I pour a drink and pull the blinds...."

EMBA V will be making an appearance for a dinner party at the Meinert abode this weekend. With little room (London), no menu and just one day to prepare, this shall be interesting. But these are good challenges to have.

(Listining to something I will not admit)

"Another day another drama...I'm Mrs. lifestyles of the Rich and Famous...."

switching songs...

(Listining to Ignition....I love this song)

"Usually I don't do this...I'm not trying to be rude..."

OK....I really need to go to sleep. Catch you on the other side of the A.

In between London . . .

OK...been spending a lot of time on planes, trains and . . .

Jet lag is taking on new meaning, but there is something fun about figuring out new routines.

Um . . .

http://kateharding.net/

Disappointed.

Just need to concentrate on what does not.

Hope

http://emba.sbsblogs.co.uk/uncategorised/the-macroeconomics-of-hope/

Theology

So let it begin . . .

The great escape, revisited

or . . .

The great escape

Do you really believe it is possible to be two places at once? Of course not.

Hillary Clinton

As you know, I have been a passionate supporter of Barack Obama since he announced his candidacy last year. I remember the day I received my campaign T-Shirt and 2 Door Signs; I promptly placed a door sign in my window and another on my bookshelf.

As Hillary Clinton announces her endorsement of Barack Obama today, I wanted to take sometime to discuss Mrs. Clinton and her candidacy. Her candidacy was predicted on the claim that she was the most experienced to lead America into the next election (a belief I agree with). The problem is that America's mood was one focused on change and her campaign was unable to respond to the change surge that had become the bedrock of the spirit of Mr. Obama's campaign.

There was also something else lurking in the political discourse. Whether it was Chris Matthew's comment that she would not have been in a position to run for President had it not been for her husband or the jeers made to her gender throughout the campaign by ignorant people, Mrs. Clinton's campaign highlighted an issue of gender bias that is not an active one in political debate. There was not much discussion by the media on her significant institutional disadvantage at the hands of majority male press core (and those nuances) and only become salient when she commented about it during a debate where she questioned why she always had to answer controversial questions before Mr. Obama.

Mrs. Clinton has often been characterized by the press as tough and unemotional, as though this is a disadvantage, while when these characteristics are put to men, the men are defined as being strong. We need to spend sometime thinking about why this happens and work very hard to remove it from our thoughts, as we have tried to do just as hard in the context of race.

Do I believe Mrs. Clinton lost the democratic nomination purely because of sexism? No. However I do think it may have been one of the many factors that lead to it and for that reason am pointing it out. It is not fair that one as accomplished as Mrs. Clinton not be given the weight and consideration she deserves and although she was unsuccessful and I did not politically support her, I am proud of her accomplishment in the race and the door she has opened further for equal opportunity in regard to the American Presidency.

Salutations

Just got off the phone with an Uncle from Panama who is visting the Sunshine State, unfortunately he speaks Spanish . . . We had a fun conversation covering the weather, food and greetings. It was good to chat, ahh, my never-ending quest for dual language competency, in something, anything!

Just do it.

Edward Meinert

Race won't matter

"In 1996, Republican Sen. Bob Dole edged President Clinton 46 percent to 43 percent among white voters."

Random

It has a been a bit since consistently posting, I will try to avoid the drought. I have been very anti-blog lately, I think it is something to do with a rejection of technology.

What if you cold take several things back? What would you change?

One Week after the marathon

No more using the marathon as an excuse not to do things . . .

Al Gore for Nobel Laureate

Search for Video Stream of:

Former V.P. Al Gore at Senate Environment & Public Works Cmte. Climate Change Hearing (3/21/2007)

Goals

Not necessarily so straight forward, if only we would listen when it would suit us best. Misunderstandings are to be expected . . .

No better nor worse

I understand your sentiments, "no better nor worse" and fully agree. Your sense of accomplishment is rather 'ambitious', but I'm glad you push the envelope.

You may have few friends and feel lonely but you're not. Why do you seek such enlightenment? For yourself or for others? Barack, having nearly finished his memoir, used knowledge to induce change. Although he grew up under interesting conditions and environments, seeking to find himself, he does have purpose for the general good of humanity. Is this you also? Or do you seek redemption from others; others to say,"well done"? In my eyes, you've done a lot already and will continue to do so. I feel you have nothing to prove to others (fuck'em), only to yourself, without losing yourself and losing perspective.

If you want to go into the history books that's cool. Make sure your purpose is true. Do what you want, what makes you happy. I don't think you should carry the burden or the load.

but seriously, I don't judge you, never have...if I did, I would of dropped you way back in the day. No, I just want you to be professionally happy as well as personally. Do what you must, but always remember...stay true to your friends, cause they'll save you in the end.

Hungry?

Spartans! Enjoy your breakfast, for tonight we dine in Hell!

-300.

State of the Union

We need new direction. I am for Obama.

He's Going In Deep!

Rodney's sisters wedding - December 2006

Answers.

Do not always resolve their questions.

If there was only a way to put other people in our own minds, so they would understand and not confuse intention.

Bobby.

"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world."

-Robert Kennedy

Here's one: 5,000 words on why you'll stay the fuck out of my home.

"You're the man now, dog!"

-Finding Forrester.

Where should we go today?

To live a life of possibility, without restraint. To seek the unattainable and to be focused on the steps to achieve it.

Happy Birthday . . .

Tom Bishop: Happy Birthday, Nathan. Did you know Langley has seven different birth dates for you?

Nathan Muir: And they're all wrong.

Tom Bishop: I know, believe me, it wasn't easy. KGB, Mossad, also wrong. Fortunately I was well trained.

- Spy Game.

You may be right

. . .don't try to save me.

When all else fails,

Reboot.

I want some ice cream

I like getting it; I just get lazy in the summer heat

Do you remember when?

See, listen and hear.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Quote by Maryanne Williamson

--Last Sunday, I went to a chinese restraunt with some friends. Chinese is not one of my favorite cuisines, but the part I love best is the fortune cookie at the end of the meal. My fortune that Sunday read, "Do not fear failure".

Things to do before the end of 2006.

10. Visit and learn more about Wales.
9. See a show once a month.
8. Israel.
7. Every other movie I see should be one that I would not neccessarily have selected.
6. Road trip across the US.
5. Finish what I started: Publish, publish, publish.
4. Vancouver.
3. Sail.
2. I never said I would, but Las Vegas.
1. See mom and dad more.

See, listen and hear.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Quote by Maryanne Williamson

--Last Sunday, I went to a chinese restraunt with some friends. Chinese is not one of my favorite cuisines, but the part I love best is the fortune cookie at the end of the meal. My fortune that Sunday read, "Do not fear failure".

So where is the passion when you need it the most?

Sincerity.

4AM routines.

Writing emails that I will send later.

Doing too many things and not one particularly well.

Extending precious moments and focusing on that person who matters.

Better days.

Late night

Early morning

We talked until there was nothing left to say

It was strange

The war was on

But I've never felt so safe

No, I've never seen better days

-Five for fighting

Favorite Songs.

Well, the rain keeps on coming down

It feels like a flood in my head

And that road keeps on calling me

Screaming to everything lying ahead

And it's a winding road

I've been walking for a long time

I still don't know

Where it goes

And it's a long way home

I've been searching for a long time

I still have hope

I'm gonna find my way home

And I can see a little house

On top of the hill

And I can smell the ocean

The salt in the air

And I can see you

You're standing there

And you're washing your car

And I can see California sun in your hair

And its a winding road

I've been walking for a long time

Still don't know

Where it goes

And it's a long way home

I've been searching for a long time

Still have hope

I'm gonna find my way home

All these dreams took me so far

And I felt I just couldn't go on

And I want to hang

Out the window of your car

And see just how good this baby can run

'Cause it's a winding road

I've been walking for a long time

And I still don't know

Where it goes

And it's a long way home

I've been searching for a long time

Still have hope

We're gonna find our way home

It's a winding road

Still have hope

One day we'll find our way home

It's a long way home

I've been searching for a long time

Still have hope

We're gonna find our way home

-Bonnie Somerville

Snips.

My life is brilliant.

My love is pure.

I saw your face in a crowded place,

And I don't know what to do,

But I won't lose no sleep on that,

'Cause I've got a plan.

-James Blunt

Carpe Diem.

We struggle to find our paths and along the way circumstance can disappoint. Those who were once leaders my fall, perhaps when no one is looking we fail.

Reach out. Strive. Fail, but do not stop trying.

Now you know.

Have you ever taken a glance and discovered something new? Have you ever stopped a song to think or paused a dvd because the moment demanded it?

Goodbye.

No matter how strong circumstance has made us, the quantum leap is when we can empathize and give even more, even when the gasp can be too much.

I tried, but you cannot force others to understanding. Or maybe it is just that I want someone to work as hard as I have had to work, in that I recognize their dedication.

There are no points for doing something you should.

Returns.

Seldom gone for long.

Multitasking.

Finding center among competing ambitions.

Yet another beginning.

We try to forget those confusing messages. Often successful, however sometimes slipping into recollection. No matter which way we come to these recollections, will we be open to new thoughts?.

Resisting disappointment.

Misunderstandings.

Clarify them.

Late night phone calls.

Followed by early morning thoughts. To make things different, courage and expression . . .

Learning from others.

Leaving opportunity to find something new or making room for the possibility. Those random escapes for junk food or the converse, those moments when we remember “why”.

To friends, old, new and those in between.

Olympic moments.

Achievement for purpose, time spent on a worthy goal.

Busy days.

Even the multi-taskers sometimes have days where they wish it was all simple.

Staying a bit longer.

If you ever were ever right about a personality trait, this would be the one to be right about.

A quest for fun.

I have no problem making the plans, as long as you have no problem being there.

If you don't ask, you don't get.

What is it that separates the bold from the timid? Besides the obvious, perhaps is that subtle distinction in courage.

Saying thank you.

There are some things you cannot overdo; especially for people who always seem to find a way to do the right things.

Questioning.

Past the answers, we look for what remains.

Making change.

To those that heard, but did not listen. To those who showed little faith and realized it too late.

In search of a few words.

You make a plan, you modify it, you struggle and somewhere in between things change. Maybe at times you were somewhat over focused, other times aloof, but what is the point?

Piano Man.

If for one moment, we can find that smile, that instant of purpose, where we realize our own river of dreams or complete our lullaby . . . if for one moment, we can look somewhere and the response is one of comprehension of the things we have the courage to say and those thoughts we hold back because we struggle to find expression.

Management, cont.

Will those words be there when you need them? Will the report make sense? Will the letter make an impact? Will your thought make sense to someone else?

Moreover, will she hear you?

Management.

Guidance of events is a central element of what we do. Finance, professional, social, family; the extent of the coordination of our thoughts is the foundation by which are paths are set.

Choices. Confidence. Fear. Discernment. How many times do we find ourselves on the verge of opportunity? Here is to the bold moment before a great pitch . . .

Fresh starts.

With the end of January a week away, lets not forget that this is a new year. "Put your past behind you and start over" . . . (more text here).

-G.A.

Keys.

Somewhere in between faith and conviction, we are open to hearing what all that dribble means.

If you can make it there . . .

Inspiration.

Random notes.

It is sometimes difficult to discern meaning, as these are merely glances.

Sometimes we can write for just that, other times for those private moments when we laugh, smile or reflect on moments we hold onto.

A collector of experiences.

The trip just completed, to the next one unplanned. To the top of a building, to the subway ride downtown . . . (more text here).

Courage.

Comes in many forms . . . the new venture, the proposition others cautioned against taking, the chance, facing fear, doing something unknown, adversity, success, failure and everything in between.

Planning and lists aside, the real question becomes, “how far do we go?” Moderation is our guide, but in the pursuit will we find our voice, will we be secured by a commitment to reaching out beyond what we were capable of before?

How many things have been lost because an absence of this spirit? How many moments let go because of a failure to be bold?

Too many are transfixed on the limits of others and a commitment to images, which are merely that.

If you are to find those things you have sought but have evaded you, question your past approach. Realize your strength, with equal measure to your weaknesses and see most deficiencies are rooted in failing to embrace the lonely strength only determination, boldness and courage can bring.

Thursday.

Tomorrow is Friday.

Be there soon.

Rhythm.

Noticing rhythm can sometimes be difficult if you are not paying attention. It has a lot to do with taking note of small things that are easy to take for granted. That walk each morning, that phone call and its quirks, coffee, cocktails at 5; you name it, there is some music to it.

Play it again.

Lists.

10 things to do in New York City, objectives for January, Reminders why something, someone is meaningful.

I heard somewhere.

This is going to sound a little obsessive.

One year, coffee and some experience.

Glancing out the window, from my favorite chair, in the coffee shop missing the “s”, typing, listening to Verdi (with white headsets), thoughts meander as snow falls to the ground outside.

Soon this paper will find itself complete and my year will really begin.

Missing words.

There is some irony in an author not being able to write or say something. But then again, with no book in print, or the ability to claim royalties for anything I have placed here, perhaps the title “author” is somewhat dubious. In between Boston and a New York Chronicle – indeed.

It is very simple. All those stops, stutters and delay are guided in a notion of things to come. This is what is new and unique. Despite anything before, I never really felt, saw or believed in things in this way - here is what is now distinct. Each moment becomes more of a validation of this; I smile because I am surprised.

I may have received a journal before, but yours was the first to receive my words and is the first to be near me. There are many other unique ways to touch people, even if on the surface it seems similar. Try to understand how this is different and cherish that.

Listening and hearing is such a gift - sincerity secures meaning.

Speaking in circles? Just ask me what I mean, until you understand.

A thought.

Have you ever noticed the way someone can encapsulate a thought you have been missing? And when you hear it, it's as though the thought was your own and never too far way.

Some thoughts require thorough meditation, as to avoid misplacing their value.

Someone gives you a gift. A notebook to write in, a book to read. Unexpectedly, they have given you something more valuable than several gifts before.

. . . private thoughts and somewhere in between.

Taking a deep breath, executing and enjoying the outcome.

Taking the first step is probably the most difficult, as the sequence of events which must follow can be overwhelming . . . (more text here).

Truth (hearts & right hands).

Father & Son.

- Cat Stevens.

Deadlines.

Self-imposed. Tangible. Business driven. Objective orientated. No matter the context, we circle a proposition. To meet an expectation -- our own or anothers.

2006.

. . . to living in the present.