I have never been one for going out on New Year's Eve. A friend of mine called it amateure hour, when people who don't know how to drink and drive, try to. And I am not a big fan of crowds, and noise. So New Year's Eve is a night to stay home, to stay in. I almost always stay up. I miss Johnny Carson, and Guy Lombardo, we will see what is done to embarrass sweet Anderson Cooper in Times Square. It doesn't look like Kathy Griffin has been released from exile, sad that.
I little bubbly, fruit cake, caviar, a little cash in my hand, and a kiss from my beloved bear, will help to assure good luck in the year to come.
Have a fun, fabulous and safe time,
I know a lot of people don't make New Years Resolutions, I set annual goals, goals that are reasonable, and within my control. These give me a roadmap a plan. I read someplace, "if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
So how have I done this year? Here are my Goals for 2021
My first airline flight was on Eastern Airlines, from Detroit to Tampa. I flew down to help my grandmother drive home. I flew Eastern a few times in the late 70's. I was in Atlanta changing planes from Delta to KLM, when Eastern shut down.
I flew Continental once. It did not go well. The flight changed destinations during a stopover in Cleveland, resulting in a long wait. The return flight was messed up by weather.
I flew TWA once. My first consulting trip for the largest aging organization in the USA, to Sacramento with changes in St. Louis. TWA had already announced merger with American Airlines.
I flew Northwest a few times, it was not a good option from Lexington as they only had a couple of flights a day, and if anything went wrong it could take days to get rescheduled.
US-Air, was largely the same as Northwest from Lexington. When I moved to DC, I started using US-Air a lot more, lots of flight options from National. My bookmark for American Airlines, still says US-Air.
What long gone airlines have you flown?
1: Was it a good year or bad year for money?
2: Health, was it a good year or bad year for your health?
3: Relationships, was it a good year or bad year?
4: Happiness, was it a good year or bad year?
5: Looking into 2022, are you thinking good year or bad year?
My Answers:
1: Was it a good year or bad year for money? Prices are up, but so are values and investments, good year for us.
2: Health, was it a good year or bad year for your health? Good Year, we remain relatively alive.
3: Relationships, was it a good year or bad year? Good, and in a strange way, I excluded some toxic people from my life.
4: Happiness, was it a good year or bad year? Good year, busy, but happy.
5: Looking into 2022, are you thinking good year or bad year? A good year, I can see some challenges, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Please share your answers in the Comments!
Sometimes you ask me a simple question, and when I finish my answer you feel like the kid who asked dad where do babies come from. I tend to get carried away and talk too much.
A project we have been working on at the office, is almost finished and the answers we found where not what we expected. Some of the questions we posed at the beginning either have no answer, or those holding the answers are unwilling to reveal them. I was reading something the other evening, and I came to understand what has happened. What we have learned is not the answers to the questions we asked, but what questions we need ask. Life is like that.
There was something on FB the other day about remembering when you buy a book, you are rewarding someone for days, months, maybe years spent staring at computer screens, wondering when the world was going to realize they are a fraud. I have those moments, moments when I wonder if I can write a coherent sentence, if I am being to extreme in one direction or the other. I think back to being the kid who grew up a mile-and-half from the nearest paved road, about the failures in my life, and remind myself that origin is not destiny. All the world can ask, is that we take what we have to work with, and do the best we can.
Like everyone there are challenges in my life. I talk to much, but there are things I don't talk about. I sometimes wonder if, I should. But I talk too much.
I used 100,000 Delta frequent flyer miles for seats on Air France. I had been trying for a couple of weeks to book seats on Delta, I called one evening and the operator checked and found nothing, and she said, "would you mind traveling on Air France? I bet I can get you seats on our partner airline." Yes, without a moment's hesitation. We stayed in a comfortable but modest Best Western hotel near the Eiffel Tower. We spent a week exploring, visiting museums, eating incredible food, and relaxing. We had Christmas dinner at Altitude 95 on the Eiffel Tower. It was delightful! Even if the airport was a Zoo when we went to fly home.
My general advice for holiday travel is simple, DON'T DO IT. Go earlier, go later. Stay home and enjoy a quiet stress free holiday. Call, video call, don't feel guilty about not being there. Quality time in late January, beats rushed crowded, stressed time at the holidays. Last year I wrote about stressful holidays and weird family dynamics. I don't think I am alone, likely I am one of the few that is willing to admit that holidays home with just the two of us, are much more pleasant and fun. And shouldn't this time of the year be about happiness and fun?
My holiday travel adventures included, Thanksgiving at Chicago O'Hare a burger and fries in a sports bar. A weather related overnight stay in Atlanta. A plane delayed due to a collision with a baggage conveyor, the plane flew with a dent in the side (and I was glad to get home.) A check-in melt down at CDG in Paris that resulted in being almost the last one to board.
There is no place like home for the holidays. And that is were I suggest you spend the holidays, wherever you call home. If you travel over the holidays, don't say you weren't warned that it might be miserable.
It was a good year at the office. My primary funding was renewed for another five years. We picked up an exciting new project that will keep us very busy for the next two years.
I have reawakened my joy of photography this year. I love taking the camera and going for a long slow walk. I added a second camera and some new (used) lenses this year. I am almost ashamed at the growth of the collection, good stuff, bought at great prices, at a time when I can afford it, but still indulgences. The 18-200mm is an amazing lens, and if I have been a very good person this year there is a little box under the tree with a lens I have wanted for almost 50 years. I have started reading theory, history, art, and technique of photography - probably more seriously than I did when I was a student. There are things I want to do.
It has been a surprisingly good year for reading, my reading list will post near the end of the year.
Still it is hard for me to believe that the sun is setting on 2021, the dawn of 2022 is on the horizon, time flies when we are having fun.
I have mentioned that my boss for the past 13+ years is retiring the end of January and I am filling the spot. A nice little promotion. Not a huge amount more money.
The transition has been awkward. I really respect him, I have enjoyed working with him, there is an honorable legacy, and he is the last of the founding generation of the program I work in, he has been here 37 years. I sense a sadness at leaving work he has found very meaningful.
I have been reluctant to start making plans for what needs to be done, when I start the directors role in February. I don't want my boss to feel that we are pushing him aside, or out. I would actually be happy if he worked a couple more years, until I will reach the point of working because I want to, not because I need to.
We are reaching the point that I need to start making plans for projects we can do in February and March, if we are going to do anything besides tread water in February and March. And it is uncomfortable doing so. One day recently he and I were on a call with his boss, who will be my immediate boss starting in February. She asked about a particular project she would like us to do, and my boss has been reluctant to do. He finally said, "David and his colleagues can decide what they want to do there." Ah, permission to make a plan for something to happen after his retirement.
Moving into an official supervisory role, there are some additional trainings I will need to complete, and I will need approval access to some accounting platforms. Without mentioning it to my boss, I had reached out and asked, "what can I start getting done before I need it." It is not bad, 4 or 5 short training modules. I felt strange asking. I have been very loyal. I have never told him, in 13 years I have only applied for two other jobs, one outside the organization that I was interviewed for, and an internal promotion that I was not. I felt I was being disloyal doing that. I felt bad about asking about getting ready for February, but if we plan ahead, the actual transition can be more seamless.
I don't have plans for radical changes, but I do have some of my own ideas. And I need to spend time with my colleagues hearing their ideas.
We are trying to hire a replacement for me. With my changing jobs more of my time will be devoted to administration, and we have projects coming up to speed that are going to be more hours than we will have staff in February. Three weeks, and one qualified candidate. The first quarter could be a nightmare.
Sorry I am a little late writing this year, I am only asking for miracles - hopefully those are not bogged down in the global supply chain. I know how you hate to be late.
I have been a good boy, as always.
Thank you for last year's election, it was a little late in final delivery, but much appreciated. Those who are unhappy with it should get coal this year.
Would you please make intentional stupidity, painful? Kind of like stubbing your toe on an elf painful. Or maybe make it feel like you just stepped in fresh reindeer poo with your freshly polished boots? Those who are destined for coal need this one too.
Would you please deliver a giant dose of empathy and responsibility around the world? Even those above who are destined for coal, need this one too.
There is little that I want or need. I need a giant dose of generosity, a booster dose of kindness, and regular reminders to be thankful and remain humble. I have so much, probably more than I need.
Please take care of yourself. The world needs you. And you need to take care of you, or you won't be able to help others. Find someplace comfortable and take a nice vacation after the holiday season, Key West is nice at this time of the year, especially if they are hosting Bear Fest.
Until next year,
Thanks again for all you do,
DG
Disney invited choirs from around the country for a special evening parade and performance in front of the train station. I was there for that a couple of times, Rock Hudson was the special guest one time.
Reading that I had a flashback to a very fond travel memory.
About 30 years ago, oh closer to 40 years ago, I did a week long road trip in Florida. I was living in Orlando, we had been out in the panhandle, Tallahassee and out along the Gulf Coast. I have no idea how many different hotels we had stayed in, or how many hours I had spent driving. We ended up, late on the last day before we needed to be home in Daytona Beach. We checked into the Hilton, a nice room with a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. I remember discovering this new cable network MTV, that played music videos. We went up to the roof top restaurant in the hotel, only to discover it was closed for a private event. I don't remember if I was more angry or relieved. I really didn't feel like going out of the hotel, I really didn't want to drive anyplace.
We went back to the room, I did something I almost NEVER do, I called room service and had them deliver a pizza and drinks to the room. We sat out on the balcony watching the surf, listening to Orange Crush playing in MTV. It was the most relaxing part of that week on the road.
At the north end of this is Del Ray Artisans. A small gallery, featuring works of local artists, painters, sculptures, photographers, textile artists, and jewelry makers. Prices range from $20 to $5,000, there is something for everyone. And nothing there is being delayed in the global supply chain, everything is local. Most of it supports local artists, most of whom have to have a day-job to support their passion of making art.
It is fun to get out and walk, and visit these small local shops. I always try to do buy something, on the latest visit it was the cheese shop, for specialty items for the pantry.
There was a time when this kind of local shop was the backbone of every community. Shopping local helps to keep these businesses alive.
* The one thing Del Ray does not have is an easy connection to the subway, the reason I didn't consider buying there. I needed the subway to have a livable commute to my office.
Many of the anthologies stories this year are COVID related. The bread baker story was a delightful change of pace. Let's hope in a couple of years, travel writing returns to travel.
For anyone who noticed, I am late posting today. Truth be told, I overlooked creating a Friday post, and didn't notice until I got up this morning. Sorry, this is 6 hours and 42 minutes late posting.
As bloggers, we are content creators. We have an audience. Loyal readers that look for our updates. They miss us when we are not there. I have emailed a few bloggers over the years who went missing, inquiring into their health and well being.
BF Skinner would say, don't be so predictable, but I am.
Why do I do this daily? Because I want to. It is a commitment to myself. I hope that it my daily posts are looked forward to by my readers. I love the interaction with comments.
How do I do this. Nearly every post is written ahead of time. Some of the theme day posts such as YouTube or Music Mondays, are created and scheduled as much a month ahead. I go back and review, and edit, and replace, or shuffle around posts. I try to be at least a week ahead every weekend. When I feel the need to take a break, I will write as much as three or four weeks ahead. Then I can take a few days off, and my audience still gets a daily post. I have a folder of draft posts, posts that have been started and still need work before they are ready for prime time. Some never will see the light of day. As I write this, I am amassing posts ahead, thinking a few days off from putting out are in order.
I start every post with a photo. Sharing my photos is a special reason for me to have the blog. The photos here are mostly mine, some are old family photos, including a lot of scanned slides from my father's collection.
I do this because I enjoy it. I find meaning in it. I do it to connect with you my readers. I try to share a message, to remain positive most of the time.
So what is ahead for the adventure? I intend to maintain the daily posting. Foodie Friday will go away, I am struggling for ideas too often. Maybe after the new kitchen is installed, I will think about doing cooking posts. The limits on travel the past couple of years, have at times morphed Travel Tuesday into way-back days. The Sunday Five is very popular, I will keep thinking of questions to ask. Music/YouTube Monday is fun. I need to get the scanner out to keep talking about the way we were on Wednesday. I have all of my black and white negatives from the 70's - a few thousand of them to work through (groan!) Over the next couple of weeks I will develop a blog plan for 2022, I did last year, and taped a copy to my computer - it worked.
What should I replace foodie Friday with?
My memories of school that winter? Walking to school, the smell of the air, finger painting, and a school nurse.
We had not planned a float plane tour. We had planned, actually booked seats on a helicopter tour that flew out and landed on a glacier, were we would get out and walk around on the glacier. I had dreams about the helicopter tour. It was one of two must do items on the cruise to Alaska. And it didn't happen. The fog was too thick, the winds too fast, the helicopter's weren't flying.
The float planes were. So change of plans, we were seated in a van down to the end of the harbour. I love to fly, I grew up in and around little airplanes. The pilot looked over his motley crew of passengers, and said to me, I could use about 250 pounds in the front seat, do you mind riding up front? Mind! I would have paid extra! He must have filed an instrument flight plan, we were deep in the clouds for ten minutes, I could see on the radar the mountains on both sides taller than the we were high as he flew down the inlet. We made a gentle turn to the left, then we cleared out of the clouds and there on the left was a massive glacier. The plane had recently been rebuilt, upgraded to a turboprop power plant (a jet engine with a propeller on the front.) It had less than 100 hours on the Hobbs meter.
Looking at this brings all of that back in vivid detail.
I still owe sweetie bear a helicopter ride.
1: What coffee shop has the best service near you?
2: Is there a restaurant that remembers you, remembers the way you like things?
3: What online retailer has the best customer service in your area?
4: When was the last time you spoke with a teller at the bank?
5: What local retailer has the best customer service?
My Answers:
1: What coffee shop has the best service near you? Gregory's coffee near my office on Connecticut Ave in DC. Much better service than your know who.
2: Is there a restaurant that remembers you, remembers the way you like things? The deli on the lower lobby of my office, they were closed for 15 months, and reopened with just two staff. Wonderfully Jose came back, he is the best.
3: What online retailer has the best customer service in your area? Not the one I use the most (Uncle Jeff's) - - - Target. The order are always prompt, accurate, the delivery information is more accurate.
4: When was the last time you spoke with a teller at the bank? At least two years ago, I moved a chunk of money into my account to buy a garage space, and didn't want to deposit a rather large check in the ATM. Then the seller decided not sell the garage space.
5: What local retailer has the best customer service? An independent card and paper goods shop Penny Post on King Street in Alexandria.
Please share your answers in the comments.
We have deer are here in the DC suburbs, but not in huge numbers. There is too little forest, to many busy roads. There was a doe and twin fawns inside the fence here at the Condo this year (we are four high rise towers on 35 acres, we have deep wooded ravines around the buildings.) Down along the River, I saw deer two or three times in a year, only once did one stand still so I could get a good photo.
This photo was taken in Huntley Meadows, a county park not far from home. The property is large, 200-300 acres. Bow hunting is allowed on about half of the park, this wise doe was on the other side of the park. Still she was watching and being weary. Wise lady.
I suspect, the deer see me, more than I see them. This is their environment, they know how to blend in, how see without being seen. Who is watching who?
