It's a relief

Everyone seems so disturbed by the meltdown that is Charlie Sheen right now. First of all, I don't believe that many are truly disturbed by it (it's just the sort of thing that we love to watch) and if they are, I don't understand why. I'm gonna tell you right now that I am on Charlie's side. Yes, there is some evidence that he has some problems. Maybe he parties too much. Maybe he has a slight mental disorder. Maybe he has some rage issues. OK, I hope he gets past them without hurting anyone. But in the meantime...he looks like he is having a pretty good time..and honestly, he isn't the only person with some issues, is he? I think he just might be a little more honest about his. But the biggest reason I am rooting for Charlie Sheen is because he is giving us all a break from the perfect, righteous, "blessed" celebrities that are setting a really bad example for the rest of us. I thank him for that! I am sooooo sick of all these do-gooder actors that are being hoisted up on those pedestals by the rest of us. How can we live up to their perfection? They work out five hours a day, they eat purely organic food, they drink fair trade coffee, they adopt starving children from around the world and they brag about just how "normal and boring" they really are. They are "blessed." Ugh....they are probably just as flawed as Charlie...they just keep a better lid on it.
The thing I like about Charlie Sheen is that he is tired of pretending that his life isn't great. He has gobs of money, he has two girlfriends in their 20's (men like that!) and he has access to everything he wants. Nice. Charlie is not trying to be perfect and righteous. Whew! It's refreshing. It's what we used to expect from Hollywood.....excess!! And it just feels more normal to me.
And maybe, just maybe there isn't one thing wrong with Charlie Sheen. Maybe he is just taking a different approach that most don't understand. That is certainly possible. Maybe he is just as sick of the righteous, judgemental people in this world as I am...and he is making a point. Just because we don't understand it doesn't mean he isn't right.

Where thanks are due

I have to thank my sister, Jennifer, for a couple things. First of all, she, her husband and their daughter (who is a member of Team Awesome, yours truly being the other member) brought me an early birthday present today...their old TV. No, this is cool. It is definitely an upgrade from my TV that was from the 80's I think. Anyway, now I can sit in any chair in my living room, not just the closest one and see the TV. And as nice as that gift is, that is not the main thing I want to thank her for. I mostly want to thank her for turning me onto the best show on TV: An Idiot Abroad.

Now let me digress for a moment. I know that the last blog was about TV and this blog is again about TV and some may think that I am wasting my life in front of the idiot box. Let me remind you that it is February/March this is the time of the year that you just hang on and do whatever you have to to make it through till spring makes an honest appearance. It's close, this spring.....but not quite here. When it happens I will be out there making better use of my time (whatever that is...)

Okay, back to An Idiot Abroad. Seriously the best travel show, ever...and there have been some good ones. The thing that sets it apart is that the "host," Karl, is like so many people out there that you encounter when you travel...he is an idiot. But he, unlike most idiots, seems to understand this and embrace it. He makes no apologies for the way he is. He doesn't care..he just wants to go home. Karl is what his friends refer to as "a typical Englander,"...he doesn't like being out of his comfort zone. So, what do they do? They send him waaaay out of his comfort zone. Karl sort of tries to be a good sport about it..grudgingly, and will vocalize how stupid and meaningless it all is. But he does what they tell him to and hopes it will be over soon. One reason that it's such a good travel show is because the places they put him up are more like where you and I would end up...some not so great..some downright scary. It's a travel show for real people....people who have no idea what they are doing.

The creators of the show (his mates) say they are trying to expand Karl's mind through travel. Nah, they just want to watch Karl stumble around the world so they can A)create good television and B) laugh at him. It's brilliant. But, Karl's mind will probably get expanded anyway..it has to. For instance..he learned that in third world countries, people are usually born into their jobs. It's not like they applied to be a goat milker...their father and grandfather before him were goat milkers and so he is a goat milker. That's just the way it is. Karl encountered a guy in Mexico who lost an eye from making fireworks. Fireworks builder is this guys profession. Karl exclaimed that "maybe this chap isn't the best man for the job." He seemed not to understand that a fireworks maker is what this guy is. And of course the man was proud of his profession...as he should be. Just because he had a few bumps in the road (i.e. being blinded by a firework accident) doesn't mean he should abandon who he is. It's dedication like we maybe cannot understand.

Karl has had to do a few reckless things with folks from around the world. He doesn't understand why. Another thing that Karl might learn from these activities, that he will possibly not learn in England, is that life is to be lived....it is not to be conserved, saved for later or really protected very much at all. What's the point of saving up all your living for later?? That has to be a good lesson for all of us.

As you can see, An Idiot Abroad is a win win situation. Karl's mates get to laugh at him and put some money in their pockets. The viewer gets to see some beautiful places and maybe learn something. And Karl...Karl gets to see the Seven Wonders of the world (most of which he never even heard of) and he acquires a vast amount of things to complain about. Everybody wins!!

I found it!!!

What did I find, you ask? Gold? No. My white bra? I found that a couple days ago, remember? My virginity? No, it's still lost. I found true happiness, that's what I found! Now for many, true happiness can be found gazing into a lover's eyes, or on top of a mountain, or after hours of sitting uncomfortably meditating, or halfway through running a marathon. For me, true happiness wasn't that far away or that hard to attain. For me it was a simple phone call to the cable company. The conversation went something like this. Me: "I can't live like this anymore." Cable company employee: "What do you mean, ma'am?" Me: "I need DVR." Cable company employee: "I understand completely." And poof, a few days later I am sitting in the comfort of my own living room skipping through the commercials. That is true happiness right there. To be more specific, not having to listen to the drug ads. They make me insane. Wait, there's a pill for that! UGH.

Now I have to tell you that this is not my first time with the DVR. I did have it back in the day when I was cool, when I had a real job and money to blow. I loved it then, but when I came back from my adventure in Reno, I went with the "just the basics." And having been without for about 2 years has given me much more appreciation for the simple things in life. I can't even tell you how downright giddy I felt when I could fast forward through the commercials. This is truly a sign of a civilized world...and I just couldn't not be a part of that anymore. So, I'm back, baby!

So, if something's got you down, like Valentine's day (true evil, that day) or the weather or just the ENTIRE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, do something nice for yourself. It can be something just as simple as what I have done. Love yourself. You will appreciate it!

Snow day!!

Yesterday was a snow day. I never had a snow day when I was a kid because we did not live in a place that snowed. I was always envious of those kids who got up in the morning to see that there's piles of snow outside and then find out that school is cancelled for the day. What a gift from the heavens!! Well, I got to experience that yesterday. I woke up to a bunch of heavy, wet snow and thought, great...looks like treacherous driving conditions today. Then I got the call that the massage place I work at in Bend was closing for the day. I was like, sweet! A day of sloth! And that is what it was; one movie, some reading and two naps.

Finally I decided to go outside and take the dog for a walk. As I was on the return leg of my walk I saw a group of unsupervised kids roaming the path in the canyon....it was, after all, a snow day for them as well, and they were probably bored with video games and such and decided to go look for trouble. There was a shopping cart that a group of unsupervised girls were playing with earlier..and left in the canyon. One boy declared that he was going to "toss the shopping cart off the top of the canyon." I thought, great, good use of your time, kid. Now, some of you might say that if I was a responsible adult that I would have intervened here and said, "no, you little punk, you shouldn't do that." But let me make this clear to you now. Unless there is someone getting hurt, the days of me interrupting your roving bands of delinquent brats are over. I did that for over 20 years with very little gratitude. I have done my part and frankly, it is not my responsibility. So the one kid (all his friends were ignoring him....they realized just how stupid he was) started hauling the shopping cart up the cement stairs. He got it up about 4 stairs. Then he let it go. I started laughing. How frickin' lazy can you be? See, that's what's wrong with our country these days. That is what's wrong with our youth. They will not take two minutes out of their completely unproductive day to commit an act of mild criminal mischief just for the pure joy of it. The second it becomes too hard and you don't have the masses jeering you on...you abandon all efforts. Pitiful.

Speaking of that...do you know where your kids are?

Missing anything?

Do you lose stuff sometimes? Now, I am not talking to those people who misplace everything...those people who can never find their keys. I am talking to those folks who are reasonably neat and organized but who sometimes just cannot find one thing....usually an article of clothing, say a bra or a hat or a sandal. And maybe you don't miss it right away...but then after a while you think to yourself, "I thought I just bought a new white bra?? Where the heck is it?" So you look in all the usual places. Nothing. Well, I have a suggestion: Look in your luggage. I swear, every time I haven't seen something in a while, I end up finding it in a pocket on a duffel bag or suitcase that I haven't used in a while. One time I was convinced that this girl who was over at my house once stole a ball cap that says "it's all about me." This hat was a gift from a friend who knew that "it's all about me" and I liked it. Well, I accused this girl of stealing my hat (well, not to her face...because I really had no proof) for over three years. We still refer to her as "the hat stealer" even though she was vindicated when I got out a piece of luggage I hadn't used in a really long time and I slid my hand into one of the outside pockets and came out with my hat. I felt pretty bad that I had blamed this girl for so long. But I was also pretty happy that I found my sweet hat! And it happened again the other day when I was laying in bed thinking, "didn't I buy 2 bras before Christmas? Why am I only wearing one of them?" And then before I could blame anyone falsely for stealing from me...a voice came into my head and said, "check your suitcase you idiot." And so I did and voila....my brand new white bra was right there! And on a side note...you know that your missing socks are in the corners of your fitted sheets, right?

Don't be like me. Look before you blame.

A new year

I don't know why people get excited about new years. I can understand being happy enough to say goodbye to a bad year, that I get. But I don't understand wanting to get hammered counting down the ball and all that. I am all for partying, God knows...every other day of the year...but New Year's Eve? It's "fraught with peril" as my old boss used to say...and there is a good chance of meeting up with way too many amateurs..especially on the roads. So, I never go out on New Year's eve. I cannot stand the thought of waking up with a hangover on the first day of the year. That would just be depressing. Again..any other day.....I'm fine with it.
So, for New Year's eve I made myself a delicious dinner and had some nice wine..and watched a movie. Dullsville, population me, I know. And for the first day of a new year that is full of promise and hope, I cleaned and fixed little things around the house..just to make me feel fresh; start things off on the right foot. I re-caulked the tub and cleaned the oven and fixed a towel rack that has been loose for about two years and bought two new pot holders. Because, you know....nothing says old and tired and worn out than nasty, burned, stained with God-knows-what potholders. This may sound pretty small, heck maybe downright pathetic but I like to at least try to bring a certain energy to the new year..that "life is what you make of it" energy...that "at least I am trying to make things better" energy. I am hoping that current will carry over into my business, of course....and my personal life. That energy that says I have the power and ability and will to make things the best I can make them. I am in control. I got this. I am not and will not be a victim of circumstance. I want to be a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little dirt clod of pain and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making me happy. (Don't you love that last line?? I read it somewhere..on the daily Buddha on Facebook I think. I loved it so much I wrote it down. Perfect!) My new year's resolution (I usually don't make one) is that things need to work for me this year. If they don't they are cut out. That can mean anything and everything; a relationship, a business practice....a logistical detail, whatever. If it ain't working for me I ain't doing it. Period. I am hoping that this tricks me into thinking I have any control over my world. But we all know the truth don't we?

It's only business

Business is tough these days. Anyone who is trying to make a living knows just how tough it is. But even if you are one of the lucky ones that have the steady income you had 4 years ago, you are still affected by how people conduct business. Basically, what I see are two different kinds of business people. The first kind are those who are taking it personally. These people think that the economy is singling them out and keeping them from the lifestyle in which they have become accustomed. These people, as a result, are jacking up their prices to compensate for the decline in sheer numbers....I believe some call it gouging. Or if they aren't gouging they are getting downright angry with anyone who doesn't (or can't) do business with them. It's as if these people feel entitled to your business...perhaps because you have done business with them in the past. But we are all, regardless of our situation, being more careful about who we do business with. And competition is a good thing. The pricing issue is one thing. It's easy to just say, "no...can't afford that" and walk away. It's the attitude stuff that bothers me more. I really don't think it's fair to be hit in the face with your anger because your business isn't doing so well.

The second type of business person is the one who is grateful for what they have. These folks are understanding of the situation that so many people are in and doing what they can to, A)stay alive but B)giving people a break. I have to believe that this second type of person will come out of this recession in better shape. Maybe I am naive, God knows,....but maybe, just maybe those people that you treated fairly will be loyal customers when things improve. I choose to believe.

I can tell you that there are a few of category one people who will never get my business again after having to deal with their negativity. And, you know...these people should be upset by that because, although I don't have any money right now...I might have money tomorrow...and won't they be so sad! And there are more out there who share my attitude...and some of them do have money now.

I guess if I had one wish I would wish that there was more widespread spirit of generosity. I am trying to do my best with walking the talk. I am offering reasonably priced massage to everyone. And I keep offering affordable massage for those people who know how good it is for their health. I am not simply trying to lure in new customers, although, frankly, I could use some, so if you are reading this please come see me!

I have to believe that what you put out there is what you will get back. It doesn't always seem that way, but I'm not gonna give up. There are two old sayings that are either anonymous or I just don't know who to credit. "Like finds like." and "Giving opens the way for receiving." Believe!!