BJ Tavern

Epic Battle

2009-05-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

It was an epic battle. A war between good and evil. A classic struggle for righteousness and all that is good and just.

A battle of wills. A fight to the end. A fight where only one would be left standing. A fight like no other before.

These are the wars they teach to children. These are the wars they write stories about.

This war will be told in song and in fables and through interpretive dance and puppet shows.
And the people will weep. Aye, they will weep but through their sobs they will say, "We have witnessed today something so stunning and so fantastic that the very depths of our souls will never be the same."

Well, um...

(Ok, the puppet show response might not be that strong. I'm not sure all the people are ready for puppets.)

But the rest will raise up their voices because they will know that today marks the day that indeed a great wrong has been made right. An evil as been bested. A mighty tyranny has been vanquished.

Whilst it put up a very brave fight, today is the day that Jeff defeated the lawnmower.

Wow, what a wild May this has been

2009-05-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

May is not even over yet but it's been one interesting month, to say the least. There have been some very high points this month. For example, May 2 might have been one of the best days I've ever had! My 40th birthday was this month (not sure if that is a very high point or not). And my career is really moving in a great direction. May is also the month I made a serious commitment to my health in some pretty extreme ways. And, so far, so good. Lost a bunch of weight already and in better shape than I've been in years.

May has also been a time for some serious introspection. How did I get to where I am today? What are my next steps? Am I truly happy and what makes me happy? I think I've been on "cruise control" for a while now and it's time I followed my own advice and put myself in the driver's seat. I need to make more conscious decisions about my life and not just let the events of the day dictate my destiny. And, like all the important things in life, this is not easy to do.

Now, since no one really reads this blog, and those who do really don't give a crap about all this "deep dive into Jeff's head" stuff, you will be spared the details. Just feels good to write about it from time to time, so I'll use this space to do that.

I'll also try more frequent updates on the 101 in 1001 days lists. 11 down so far (yay!) and at least two dozen others in progress. Some I decided probably won't be done, but that's ok. I don't want to do these items just for the sake of crossing them off the list. These are goals - and good goals -and I will do my best to meet them. But, I also won't beat myself up too much if I don't. There are probably another 101 important things I need to do over the next 2 years that will be more valuable than some of these. The important thing, I think, is to have a goal and strive for it, and not to just be a passenger in my own life.

On a much lighter note, Red Sox are in 2nd place and playing pretty well. Our starting pitching isn't as strong as we all thought and a few bats in the line-up (you know who you are) are still waiting to make a big impact. But I'm enjoying the season so far!

OK, more updates soon-ish!

Web 2.0 or Just how many profiles do I need?

2009-02-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

So, I joined Facebook today. Excuse me. I joined FB today. So now I have a FB profile, a LinkedIn profile, a Twitter profile, and Blogger profile, and a Plaxo Pulse profile. And that is just the non-work stuff! At work there are another half-dozen sites that I need to maintain and update. Want to guess how many of them actually match? Yeppers - zero! But some are more equal than others...

Anyway, Red Sox played two Spring Training games today so that means winter is drawing to and end in my book. I know it's not offically spring for another month, but I've grown weary of this season already. Bring on spring!

For those of you keeping score at home, 2 items out of 101 are complete. A few dozen are in progress. I'm way behind on a few and ahead on some others. A more complete update some other time. Happy Wednesday!

101 in 1001 List

2009-01-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm sure the last thing the world needs is another blog, but here goes...

I don't have much to say today, except for the 101 in 1001 days list I started. Never heard of this? Neither did I until I learned about it over at Soxy's Diamond. The basic idea is to create a list of 101 things you want to accomplish in the next 1001 days. Kind of like a New Year's Resolution, but with some serious attitude! Anyway, without further ado, here's my list

Health
1. Colonoscopy
2. Annual stress test
3. Dentist every 6 months
4. Eye doctor annually
5. Exercise at least 20 minutes 3 times a week
6. Lose 10 pounds
7. Lose 20 pounds
8. Lose 30 pounds
9. Lose 40 pounds
10. Lose 50 pounds
11. Make a list of all medications and put it in my wallet

Professional/Educational
12. Finish MBA
13. Gain one new industry certification (MBTI? CPLP?)
14. Complete Microsoft Project Step by Step book
15. Update resume every 6 months
16. Update LinkedIn profile every 6 months
17. Get promoted
18. Present at a national conference
19. Present at a local industry organization meeting (like ASTD or PMI)

Financial/Legal
20. Meet with a financial advisor
21. Make a will
22. Medical power of attorney
23. Get a Bank Safe Deposit Box
24. Pay off credit card debt
25. Move old 401(k) to current 401(k)
26. Increase 401(k) contribution by 1% every open enrollment period
27. Get deed for Time Share
28. Place $50/month into savings account
29. Open investment account
30. Make sure we both have enough life insurance
31. Make sure we have the right amount of home owners insurance
32. Inventory and document all belongings for insurance
33. Put $10 in Savings for every achieved goal and $50 for unaccomplished one

Family/Friends
34. Send a card to my grandmother every month
35. Send flowers to J at least once every three months
36. Date night at least once a month
37. Visit parents at least 6 times a year
38. Visit Sister #1 at least 3 times a year
39. Visit Sister #2 at least 3 times a year
40. Get grass at cemetery in good shape
41. Visit cemetery at least 4 times a year
42. Visit M at least 3 times a year
43. Scan my old family pictures
44. Scan J's old family pictures
45. Copy pictures to discs for family and friends

Household
46. Enter house maintenance stuff into calendar
47. Title all digital photos and back them up
48. Get a new computer
49. Back-up computers every 6 months
50. Donate at least 25 items to charity
51. Have a yard sale
52. Get lawn in good shape
53. Get beach lawn in good shape
54. Get landscape in good shape
55. Thoroughly clean out the garage
56. Organize the kitchen cabinets
57. Organize master bathroom cabinets
58. Organize guest bathroom cabinets
59. Organize my office closet
60. Organize hallway linen closet
61. Organize CD collection
62. Organize DVD/VHS collection
63. Buy energy efficient light bulbs every time I need to replace one
64. Change batteries in smoke detectors annually
65. Install a new thermostat
66. Clean out dryer vent annually
67. Get fireplace inspected
68. Power wash deck
69. Organize all household files/paperwork annually
70. Clean/drain hot water heater annually

Travel/Recreation
71. Figure out Time Share and start using it!
72. Visit at least one state I’ve never been to
73. Watch at least one new movie every month
74. Read 6 recreational books
75. Visit beach house at least 12 times a year
76. Cook/Bake 10 New Recipes
77. Visit 3 Museums I have never been to
78. Watch at least 100 of IMDB top 250 films
79. Have dinner with friends at least once a month
80. Go to Cooperstown
81. Go to Spring Training
82. Go to Las Vegas
83. Take a road trip
84. Take J to a winery
85. Take J to a golf driving range

Personal
86. Reply to personal e-mails weekly – less than 20 in Inbox
87. Make a photocopy of everything in my wallet in case it gets stolen/lost
88. Watch 5 sunsets with J
89. Watch 5 sunrises with J
90. Donate 5 toys every Christmas
91. Donate food for a food drive – and not just junk from the pantry
92. Vote whenever there is an election
93. Build platform for Fenway Park seats
94. Become certified in scuba diving
95. Buy a new suit
96. Participate in a charity walk/run
97. Develop 5 habits to make my life more “green”
98. Try 5 local restaurants we’ve never been to
99. Wash the car every month
100. Become committed to being a class fund agent or resign
101. Organize/delete/backup old work files from PC