The Week After

It has been nearly a full week since the Christmas / New Year’s holidays concluded.  Of course this meant the kids had to go back to school and my wife and I had to go back to work.  As we have done the past couple of years, we took the week off between Christmas Eve and the day after New Years Day.  This year, with New Years falling on a Friday, that meant we got another full weekend to enjoy before returning to “normal life.”

I have come to really look forward to, and enjoy this time off.  It is a nice way to end the year.  It is especially nice because I find the actual holiday days so stressful, so it is important to have the other days to settle down a bit and relax.  What has become frustrating is the feelings I have the day or two before having to go back.  It doesn’t seem to matter how much time I take off, I never seem fully “ready” to get back to work.  The result is, I stop relaxing a full 48 hours earlier than I have too because I am thinking about how unready (is that a word?) I am to return to “normal life.”

Does anyone else have this experience?

Why does this happen?

It is not that I don’t like my job – but it does seem that it takes the better part of the first week before I am beginning to feel engaged again.  I understand it more this year than in past year.  This is because I had a To Do List that was very long during this past break.  Much to my surprise, as well as those who know me well, I managed to knock out about 80% of my list.  I kept myself very busy throughout the 11-day break.  For really the first time in my life, I decided I could keep myself pretty busy in retirement. During past breaks, I have often become “bored” at some point.  But despite those feelings of boredom, I still experience the same “start-up” challenges when I return to work.

So I ask again – why does that happen?  I would love to find a way to prevent these feelings in the future.  Anyone that has any great ideas, please post them in the comment area of this blog post. 

Besides just getting some suggestions on how to work around these sluggish feelings, I think I am just really trying to find comfort in knowing that others experience the same feelings I do.  I really desperate attempt to feel like I belong – I’ll admit it!

Captain’s Log Stardate: Right Now!

Growing up I spent a lot of time with my dad watching the original Star Trek series.  I was never a big fan of the original series, but because my dad was, I watched and I came to care about the characters.  So as I got older and the original cast moved to movies and a Next Generation cast was created for the TV – I found myself becoming a huge fan.

When the J.J. Abrams movie hit the theatre last summer, I was at the theater opening night with my dad and younger brother – thrilled to be having another Star Trek experience. 

As I continue to be a fan, I can’t help but marvel how many of the devices that Roddenberry introduced in the 60′s are becoming mainstream in today’s technology culture.  I know many people have noticed how our cell phones seem to look a lot like the portable communicators.  I can’t help but laugh every time I see someone walking down the street with a blue tooth phone device hanging from their ear.  Let’s face it, it was silly when Uhura was doing it with her communicator / translater in 1963 and it is still silly now.

As my wife and I watched the new Star Trek movie at home last night, I had a sudden shock as I realized another comparison in today’s world.  (Spoiler Alert) – Shortly after the destruction of the planet Vulcan, we see the crew and Vulcan survivors on the Enterprise as we hear Spock enter his “Captain’s Log.”  Captain’s Log or Personal Logs were always a favorite of mine as I watched the shows and movies.  It was an excellent way to get critical insight, knowledge, or updates on character feelings and development.  It took the understanding of the story and characters to a deeper level.

It dawns on me that those of us who write blogs or who create podcasts are really just doing Captain / Personal logs.  I know the topics are not always about us specifically, but they are about things of interest to us, or our personal knowledge and observations of events in today’s world.  Just like the characters in Star Trek, many of us don’t exactly know who will be reading / listening, but that is not important.  What is important, at least to me, is to record the thinking at the time.  I think it will be a wonderful record of who I was and what was important to me at this moment in time.  Those who are interested are welcome to read and comment – if they so feel inspired.  If not – that is fine too.  I’m having fun and know millions more join me.

So for now, this is the “Personal Log of Delaware Jerry.  Stardate 121909.”

Blog About Nothing

My blog post today is about nothing.  I suspect most readers of blogs would say they have encountered many a post about nothing.  I am new to blogging – both writing and reading - so I am not really versed enough to offer an opinion, but my suspicion is that all blog posts are usually about something - at least about something of importance to the author.

However, in this case, I will admit my post is about nothing.  I am actually frustrated about this because it means I have fallen into a bout of writer’s block.  Do they call it writer’s block in cyberspace?

When I began this blog less than two months ago, I admitted in my initial post that I really didn’t know what I would be blogging about.  Some of the best practices sites I have reviewed said you should develop a theme, or image that is your blogging approach.  That is the best way to attract readers to your site.  Anyone who has read my various posts knows I haven’t done that.  I have written about President Obama’s Nobel Prize, the Philadelphia Phillies attempt to win another World Series, the passing of the family pet, and my week-long revisit of our family’s trip to Disney World in 2000.  But two weeks after my tribute to our cat Pumpkin, I am left wondering what to blog about now.

Perhaps this lack of creativity is due to the pending holidays and being concerned about getting those last few presents.  Maybe nothing interesting is going on in my life, or the world.  Or maybe I am just working to hard and have nothing left for my personal blog.  Any of these could be possible – but it is probably that I have just hit a period of non-creativity.

So, in keeping with the spirit of the title of this blog post, I should make sure I don’t go on too long about nothing.  I will, however, end with one small request.  I don’t really know how many unique people are viewing my posts – but to those of you who are curious enough to visit – please add a comment or two to this post.  Tell me how you think I have been doing as a new blogger, and if you have any ideas about topics you would like to see me cover in the next weeks and months, I welcome your ideas!

Visiting Lady Liberty

Earlier this week my family and I visited the Statue of Liberty.  For my wife, this was a return trip for her, although it was the first time since she was a young girl scout.  For myself and my two daughters, this was our first visit.

While I really wasn’t all that fired up about going, I found the trip to be well worth it.  This was just a day trip for us, so our goal was to visit Liberty Island and climb the statue.  Well, OK, it was my wife and children’s goal to climb the statue.  This past summer we climbed the Hatteras Lighthouse (approx. 200 steps).  I made that climb, but was very winded at the top.  Considering a climb to the crown was nearly 350 steps, I knew I was not in shape to complete it.  When Ellen called for tickets, she was told they don’t recommend the climb for people over 6 ft. tall.  Apparently it is a pretty narrow staircase.  At nearly 6’2″, I was presented with an additional reason to stay on the ground – which was really where I preferred to be.

I have invited my wife and oldest daughter to contribute blog entries about their adventure.  So check back later this week for their tales.

The ranger who took my family into the base of the statue to begin their climb indicated approximately 30 minutes for the entire trip.  It was more like 75 minutes – so I had time to kill - but no worries.  I was prepared with a plan. I had my iPod, a beautiful fall afternoon, a wonderful view of the harbor and Manhattan Island, and many people to watch. 

I was fascinated by the amount of foreign languages we were hearing both on the ferry and on the island.  Since for most kids it was a normal school day – it probably made sense that the biggest part of the crowd was foreign tourists.  As I was sitting on the wall people watching, I had one lady – who spoke little English, ask me if I would take a couple of pictures of her with NJ and NY in the backgrounds.  I was honored to assist her in this endeavor.  After reviewing the photos I had taken on her digital screen, she looked at me with a big smile and simply said “Good!”  I guess I met her expectations!

As I was taking the photos, I couldn’t help but think about how the skyline of NYC just didn’t seem right without the Twin Towers.  Back in the fall of 2000 I traveled to NYC for a short business meeting with two colleagues.  We traveled the last leg from NJ to NYC via the Path Train that dropped us off under the World Trade Center.  As we were leaving in the early afternoon, we stopped and had lunch in a restaurant of one of the towers.  Just 11 months later would be 9/11 – a horrible day.  Like many people, I don’t think I can ever just look at the NYC skyline and not think about what happened in 2001.

As I was reflecting on this, I happened to catch sight of three people waving from the top of the stone base, but just below the feet of the Statue of Liberty.  My family!  Forty minutes earlier there had been some others who were waving from the same spot.  I wasn’t sure if it was them - but I had waved.  It turns out that first occurence wasn’t them – but it was pretty obvious this second time that it was my wife and daughters.  They were making some odd gestures, almost like they wanted me to come closer to the base.  Turns out they were just trying to signal to me that they were in the process of descending. 

Based on their stories, it sounds like they all enjoyed the experience – but as I said before, I’ll let them tell their story in a future blog post.

When a Conservative Leans Left

This morning I learned, along with the rest of the world, that President Barack Obama won the Noble Peace Prize.  To say this was a surprise is an understatement.  I was watching the “breaking news” blurb at the top of the Today Show this morning, and the gasps of shock  that came from the audience in Oslo, Norway at the announcement told the entire story.

Shocking?  Yes.  Too soon?  Perhaps.  Regardless, they made their decision and they had many, many months to consider it.  Apparently, as I have learned, the deadline for submissions was last February 1st.  So, they spent eight months reviewing this.  They obviously have their reasons.

Regardless of whether or not he should have gotten it is not the point of this blog.  What has upset me is the way the Republican Party has totally dismissed this accomplishment.  It is embarrassing, insulting, and just down right rude.  When in this country did we lose respect for our national leaders?  Anymore we only seem to respect our leaders if they are from the same party as ourselves.  That’s crazy.

I have been doing some reading lately about our founding fathers.  While they didn’t always agree on the right approach for our country (including if we should even look to gain Independence) the one thing they always did was maintain a level of civility and respect toward one another.  We desperately need to get that concept back in our society.

Whether you are Republican (which I am) or Democrat, black or white, we should be darn proud that the Noble Prize committee has selected our President as their Peace Prize winner.  Given how hated we have been throughout the world the past decade or more, we should hold our heads high that we have a leader the world respects and admires.  I know I do – and his message of Hope and Change is the reason this life-long Republican voted for the Democratic ticket for the Office of the President in November 2008.

My Entry to Blogging

“Hello World!”  Yes, I know this is how Tiger Woods / Nike chose to introduce himself to the world of Professional golf nearly 13 years ago; and yes it has probably become a very common way for many new blogs, tweats, etc. in cyberworld, but it seems to be the appropriate way to start my blog.

The key question is, is anyone listening?  And, will they answer back?

Both great questions.  My suspicion is, probably not at first, and maybe not for awhile.  But maybe eventually friends, family, other people may notice, and they might even care.  If they don’t, will anything be lost?  Probably not.  But like many who have come before me, I am curious about the internet and the role of blogging – so I have decided to take the leap and see where this thing goes.

So, if you opt to follow – hang on, this could get interesting.  I don’t know exactly what my focus will be.  I have many interest and passions – some that might surprise those who know me – and some, not so much.  But, hopefully I’ll entertain, maybe even inspire, but at the least, I hope to generate some thought and some conversation.  Those who have seen me work in my career as a corporate classroom facilitator know, I like it best when the room is talking, exploring, and learning together.

Maybe that should be the goal of this blog.  I’ll offer some thoughts, those who opt to follow, hopefully you will offer back - and we can generate ideas together.

Are you ready?  I know I am!!!