Every day I get up at 5:00 a.m., walk the dogs, and then sit down to read the New York Times. It's my ritual.
I've never understood how anyone could be in the business world, offer insight and advice to clients, and not be informed about what's happening on the world stage.
After I'm done with the Times I move over to the Internet and go to a directory in my browser called "Daily Vitamin". In it are short cuts to a list of the top 25 viral videos, the Daily Beast and Mashable.
If I'm feeling really news hungry, then I go read the WSJ as well, just to see what insights they have that the NYT missed.
It only takes two hours, but at the end of it, the day seems slightly more in control, and, usually, I've found some articles to forward on to people who will find them helpful/interesting in their days. At least, that's what I hope.
Another part of the ritual, and what sparked me to write this post, is coming across the report of casualties - "Names of the Dead" as the Times puts it bluntly.
Each day, I'm cruising through the paper (I use the Times Reader) and I go past that page. Then, I stop, go back, and I read each name. Why? Out of respect for those people that lay down their lives for the US.
Whether or not you agree or disagree with why we're wherever we are -- those people are still dead and there's a family and friends somewhere crying their eyes out. Here's today's list:
COX, Nathan W., 21, Specialist, Army; Fremont, Calif.; 101st Airborne Division.
HOTCHKIN, Gunnar R., 31, Pfc., Army; Naperville, Ill.; 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps.
JOHNSON, Joseph D., 24, Specialist, Army; Flint, Mich.; 20th Engineer Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps.■
I wonder if Gunnar had kids. He's 31. Nice name. He was an engineer. I wonder how and why he died.
I don't spend more than a minute, but I make a point of stopping, reading, acknowledging, respecting, thanking, and then, I move on.
I love mornings, and I love reading the paper and trying to be informed. And, each day, I acknowledge those who's lives have ended in some far off land, far from home. Thank you Nathan. Thank you Gunnar. Thank you Joseph (I wonder if he was a Joe). Sadly, tomorrow, there will be more.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Okay, let me begin by apologizing. How ridiculous is it to have a blog and then post one thing and stop. Life's been busy, but we all have busy lives and that's no excuse. So, on with the post.
There's much criticism about what electronic devices like iPads are doing to isolate people in society. We spend more and more time staring at screens and less talking with each other. But, I had an experience yesterday that made me love, love, love the digital world and was a perfect example of doing the opposite of separating.
My daughter and I often drive together back and forth to our farm on the weekends. I'm a very dedicated books-on-tape listener (though, of course, now they're on CD or my iPod), and sometimes my daughter will listen along with me (if we're too tired to talk). A favorite thing of ours to do is keep a book in the car and she'll become the reader. She's quite good at her dramatic delivery and there's nothing more fun than sharing a story together.
Yesterday, as we were getting on the highway, we were talking about Breaking Dawn, one of the Twilight series books. We both agreed that the scene where Bella wakes up as a new vampire and goes out for her first hunt was an amazing time in the book. "Dad," she said. "next time we're in the car, I'll bring the book and we can read that together."
What a great invite for a dad to have from his 14 year old daughter. A whole lot better than, "leave me alone, I'm listening to my headphones!"
Being the highly impatient person that I am, I immediately started my mind working on a faster solution. "Do you have your Kindle?" I asked. "No," she replied. Then it dawned on me. "Grab my iPad," I said.
In less than a minute, we had downloaded the book, found the part, and she had begun reading the chapter. Over the next 90 minutes I got to enjoy a wonderful time with my daughter, with her reading, us talking, and our imaginations running wild with stories of Bella, Edward and Jake.
Technology, in this case, brought us together, and not to play a video game, but to read, talk and get transported to wonderful imaginary places. What a wonderful Father's Day present that was.
There's much criticism about what electronic devices like iPads are doing to isolate people in society. We spend more and more time staring at screens and less talking with each other. But, I had an experience yesterday that made me love, love, love the digital world and was a perfect example of doing the opposite of separating.
My daughter and I often drive together back and forth to our farm on the weekends. I'm a very dedicated books-on-tape listener (though, of course, now they're on CD or my iPod), and sometimes my daughter will listen along with me (if we're too tired to talk). A favorite thing of ours to do is keep a book in the car and she'll become the reader. She's quite good at her dramatic delivery and there's nothing more fun than sharing a story together.
Yesterday, as we were getting on the highway, we were talking about Breaking Dawn, one of the Twilight series books. We both agreed that the scene where Bella wakes up as a new vampire and goes out for her first hunt was an amazing time in the book. "Dad," she said. "next time we're in the car, I'll bring the book and we can read that together."
What a great invite for a dad to have from his 14 year old daughter. A whole lot better than, "leave me alone, I'm listening to my headphones!"
Being the highly impatient person that I am, I immediately started my mind working on a faster solution. "Do you have your Kindle?" I asked. "No," she replied. Then it dawned on me. "Grab my iPad," I said.
In less than a minute, we had downloaded the book, found the part, and she had begun reading the chapter. Over the next 90 minutes I got to enjoy a wonderful time with my daughter, with her reading, us talking, and our imaginations running wild with stories of Bella, Edward and Jake.
Technology, in this case, brought us together, and not to play a video game, but to read, talk and get transported to wonderful imaginary places. What a wonderful Father's Day present that was.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mornings and the USPS Guy
Each weekday morning I get up at 5:00 a.m. and take the dogs out for a walk before settling in with a cup of coffee and the New York Times.
The rhythm of the morning fascinates me, and, in fact, is one of the great motivators for dragging myself out of bed each morning.
There's the nice guy from the 10th floor who goes down to pick up his Wall Street Journal -- about 5:20. Sometimes he has a dog with him (which he doesn't take out for a walk at that time). I can't decide if he has a girlfriend that comes over occasionally (and why we only see the dog intermittently), or if he has piddle pads upstairs and doesn't need to walk the dog.
Then there's the nice woman with the Greyhound. Every time I see her I think of 101 Dalmatians. There's that scene at the beginning where they talk about how pets look like their people. They go through 5 or 6 examples and I always found it amusing. She looks and walks just like her Greyhound -- and she always has a friendly hello and a quick comment about the weather.
Then there's the USPS truck driver. Every day, he pulls up across the street in his 18 wheeler and sits for half an hour while he reads the paper -- every day.
We have a routine. I walk out of the building and cross the street. Zoe, one of the three dogs I have in tow, will usually pee right when she gets outside, and then we tromp across the street to walk next to the park. He's always looking up when I look up -- we share a friendly wave and he goes back to his paper. I don't look up too soon, and he doesn't go back to reading his paper until we've acknowledged each other -- usually at 5:25.
The rhythm of the morning inspires me. If I hear his truck pull up and I'm not out of bed, I feel guilty that I'll take him out of his rhythm, after all, I know he's waiting for the dogs and me. I'd miss my weather consultation with Greyhound lady, and, oh yeah, I forgot to mention, on-his-way-home-from-work guy.
It's a part of my day that I depend on. But I gotta say, Wall Street Journal guy has been letting me down lately and sleeping in. Doesn't he know the drill?
The rhythm of the morning fascinates me, and, in fact, is one of the great motivators for dragging myself out of bed each morning.
There's the nice guy from the 10th floor who goes down to pick up his Wall Street Journal -- about 5:20. Sometimes he has a dog with him (which he doesn't take out for a walk at that time). I can't decide if he has a girlfriend that comes over occasionally (and why we only see the dog intermittently), or if he has piddle pads upstairs and doesn't need to walk the dog.
Then there's the nice woman with the Greyhound. Every time I see her I think of 101 Dalmatians. There's that scene at the beginning where they talk about how pets look like their people. They go through 5 or 6 examples and I always found it amusing. She looks and walks just like her Greyhound -- and she always has a friendly hello and a quick comment about the weather.
Then there's the USPS truck driver. Every day, he pulls up across the street in his 18 wheeler and sits for half an hour while he reads the paper -- every day.
We have a routine. I walk out of the building and cross the street. Zoe, one of the three dogs I have in tow, will usually pee right when she gets outside, and then we tromp across the street to walk next to the park. He's always looking up when I look up -- we share a friendly wave and he goes back to his paper. I don't look up too soon, and he doesn't go back to reading his paper until we've acknowledged each other -- usually at 5:25.
The rhythm of the morning inspires me. If I hear his truck pull up and I'm not out of bed, I feel guilty that I'll take him out of his rhythm, after all, I know he's waiting for the dogs and me. I'd miss my weather consultation with Greyhound lady, and, oh yeah, I forgot to mention, on-his-way-home-from-work guy.
It's a part of my day that I depend on. But I gotta say, Wall Street Journal guy has been letting me down lately and sleeping in. Doesn't he know the drill?
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