More odds than ends

August 31, 2012 — Yesterday just happened to be one of those days.

I know that statement isn’t unique. We all have days like that.

Still, the events stole precious time away from me – time that made me forego things on my “to do” list, such as writing a fantastic blog post for this morning.

And I blame it all on the Clydesdales.

Yes, that’s right. Those pesky Budweiser Clydesdales, the very ones used to promote the all-American beer provided an odd ending to my already hectic day.

While driving home after cell phone shopping with my son – a unique experience on its own – I had to take a detour because the Clydesdales were parading down Fairmount Avenue, right smack in the middle of Philadelphia. I have to admit it was a pretty interesting sight, but one that I wasn’t prepared for.

I did my best to circle back to Fairmount Avenue from the detour, since it was the only route I knew home, but ended up so lost that plan didn’t work. I finally made it back to an area that looked sort of familiar, but a typical 25 minute drive took nearly an hour to complete.

Exhausted and frustrated upon arrival home, I went to bed, forgetting about the blog, and a bit annoyed that I had missed Clint Eastwood’s speech at the RNC.

So, it’s 8 a.m. EST on Friday morning and I’m writing this post because my routine is to post on Fridays, and I don’t want to skip the last day of August. Next, I’ll find a video of Eastwood’s speech on the Internet, and feel appreciative that we live in an age where that is possible so quickly.

I’m happy that today began much better than yesterday.

Summer sounds of the 1970s

August 31, 2012 – It’s hard to believe that this weekend, we will celebrate Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer.

For me, it means that Autumn, my favorite of the seasons, is almost here. The end of summer doesn’t make me feel melancholy as it may for many others.

Still, there are things I will miss once the warmest season is gone; less traffic in the morning for one, as the streets become crowded again now that vacations are over and the school year is in session.

Most of all, I miss the sounds of summer that bring back my fondest childhood memories.

From the echoes of the seagulls at the Jersey shore, to the ice cream vendor and newspaper man who walked the beach with their cries of “Fudgie Wudgies,” and “Philadelphia Daily News, Daily News here”, these sounds are ingrained in my memory, just like the scent of Coppertone.

On the boardwalk in Wildwood, N.J., I also became accustomed to the recorded, nondescript voice that warned me to, “Watch the tram-car please.” That was always followed by a little embarrassment since I rarely watched where I was going.

Even at home, the clatter of summer played a significant role in my life. I recall Jersey farmers and their trucks driving slowly down our street, while the hucksters cried, “Jersey Tomatoes for sale”. Nothing compares to a freshly grown Jersey tomato.

Likewise, the Mister Softee or Good Humor jingle sent many kids in my neighborhood into a frenzied delight. And hearing the roar of lawn mowers in the background meant the smell of freshly cut grass would soon bring another racket to light – plenty of sneezing!

An orchestra of crickets on a summer night takes me back to sitting on the front porch listening to baseball on the radio, the crack of the bat ringing in my ears, and also to catching fire flies (which is undoubtedly a poetic way of saying lightning bugs, as we called them in the city).

I miss those summer sounds of childhood.

Thankfully, fallen leaves crunching under my feet, the crackle of a fireplace and football game cheers were always close behind.

Intolerance

August 17, 2012 – Flipping through television channels on Wednesday night, I came across a feature on Turner Classic Movies, a silent film from 1916 scheduled to run from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

How intriguing that a silent movie from nearly 100 years ago could run that long. The three and a half hours in length alone was enough to make me pay attention.

After I hit the information button, I learned the name of the movie, ”Intolerance”, which also piqued my interest and compelled me to watch a little longer, is considered one of the great masterpieces of the silent era. Not that I am an expert on silent films, but I had never heard of it before.

Directed by D.W. Griffith, the film tells the story of several events that highlight intolerance throughout history, from the Babylonian Empire to modern Day crime and redemption up to and including the Ku Klux Klan. At its release, it isn’t surprising that it was a colossal failure.

This isn’t a recommendation for something to watch this weekend; it held my attention for about 25 minutes, but that’s about all I could take. It’s more of a revelation that hit me while I watched. I’m amazed that with everything this world has been through since the beginning of time, and all of the intolerance we’ve faced, we’re still no better off than we were a few thousand years ago. It’s as if we’ve learned nothing. Things may have improved slightly, for now the United States and other countries around the world have better laws in place to fight against intolerance, but we’re still divided, with politics and other social issues drawing attention to our differences.

When I was younger I used to cringe every time one of my parents would say that the world is a pretty terrible place and it used to be so much better in the 1950s or in their day. This drove me crazy, and I didn’t want to believe it because the present time they spoke negatively about was all I knew.

In an odd way, my revelation made me happier, and proved my parents wrong. At least about the world not being any worse off than it was in the 1950s, or in ancient Babylon for that matter.

We still have a long way to go, and if history is doomed to repeat itself, I can’ help but wonder if we’ll ever get there.

P.S. I just realized that my last two blog entries have been very negative in nature. I guess I had to get it off my chest. Didn’t mean to bring you down on a Friday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Something in common with Dr. Seuss

August 10, 2012 – Yes, I worked in advertising in a former life, and although I wasn’t anything like Don Draper, I had my creative moments.

This week I was mighty excited to learn that Dr. Seuss also worked at an advertising agency before he became the best-selling author we all know and love.

You see, there’s hope for me yet.

If you’re a fan of Seuss – and who isn’t – you’ll be amazed by these advertisements he illustrated back in the 1920s and 30s, during his early career. They seem so familiar, don’t they?

And if that isn’t enough Seuss for your Friday, here are 10 things you may not have known about him and his books. I am blown away by #4.

And to think that I saw it on buzzfeed.com!

What’s a blogger to do?

July 27, 2011 – It is Friday, a regular posting day for me, yet I am at a loss as what to write about. I am not sure if my situation officially constitutes writer’s block; I could probably write pages and pages about nothing, but I’ll spare you.

I thought about giving you a peek inside my routine and show you that as much as I love blogging, sometimes it’s difficult to do so at least three times a week. And right now is one of those challenging times.

Or, I could write something about the Olympics, which begin tonight. But then I’d have to explain that as much as I love what the games represent, and I’m a sports fan, I rarely watch. It may seem odd that I don’t find the Olympics appealing, although I will admit the summer games are more exciting than the winter games, and the opening and closing ceremonies are usually interesting.

Maybe I could tell you that today I will reach a blogging milestone, as I am a mere 24 clicks away from 25,000 all-time views. That may not seem so impressive since I’ve been blogging since November 2010, but it’s still an achievement considering I began with a mere few hundred clicks a month back then, and have steadily grown to 3,663 views for July 2012, so far.

It’s 5:03 a.m. on Friday morning, and I’m sitting in front of my computer instead of sleeping. I’m not sure whether that indicates dedication or insanity. Have a great day, dear readers, and try not to hold today’s post against me. 🙂

Unraveling the mysteries of the universe one at a time

July 20, 2012 – Why are there still so many reality shows on television? I thought it was just a passing phase, but after 12 years on the air they are still going strong and multiplying.

Sure, they’re cheap to produce; that’s why network executives love them, but why do we tune in?

Most of them highlight people being awful to each other. Why do we like that? Don’t we get enough of that in our real lives?

If you can make me understand the answers to these burning questions, I’d feel obligated to personally finance your campaign to run for Ruler of the Universe, because you’d deserve it.

Things I’m afraid to tell you

July 18, 2012 – One of the joys of blogging is discovering other bloggers and reading what they have to say.

While perusing through the Fresh Pressed blogs that Word Press features each day, I came across an entry that lead me to a blog by Jess Constable entitled “Things I’m Afraid to Tell You”. Jess wrote about some of her biggest fears and although she didn’t do it to start a movement for other bloggers to follow in her footsteps, they did so and willingly.

I’ve been inspired by the honesty and bravery of the bloggers that took part in this experiment and decided to give it a go. Each confession below is one I do my best to hide from the world, so this is a little unnerving for me to admit. Perhaps I am naïve to think that others can’t see through me, but bless the little souls of everyone I know who haven’t told me that I’m not fooling them.

I may be a little late to the party, but here goes:

I’m not sure I’ve ever been in love.
This might be the saddest confession of all, but I wonder about this each time I hear my friends talk about the sadness of ending a relationship. I simply don’t see the point in wallowing over lost love, and seem to get over relationships very fast. Even stranger, the last time I felt like I had my heart broken, I was a teenager.

I suffer from writer’s envy.
I can’t tell you how many blogs, books, movie scripts, short story ideas, etc. that make me crazy jealous I didn’t think of the idea first. Maybe this is a common fear for most writers, but sometimes it paralyzes me and makes me question if I have any talent at all.

I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied.
Every day I strive to live a grateful life, but no matter how much I search for or achieve, it still feels like something is missing. I’m not sure what to do about that.

I worry too much.
This is something I also try to keep in control; I’ve even read books on the power of now and living in the moment, but it usually doesn’t work. I’m not sure why worrying is my go to emotion. I’m lucky that most things turn out well in my life. My big fear is that I’m one of those people who aren’t happy unless they are worried about something.

I go out of my way to avoid any confrontation — probably because I’m insecure.
I remember being a freshman in high school and watching the seniors do their thing. I thought they had it all together, and I told myself that by the time I was a senior, I’d have it all together, too. That was 35 years ago and it still hasn’t happened. I’m still insecure, and it’s a terrible burden. I thought the greatest part about growing older was growing wiser and gaining confidence.

I cried when I wrote this post.
It’s the scariest post I’ve ever written. I can’t say that I feel liberated by it as others have stated, but I’m glad I did it.

Made from the best stuff on earth

June 20, 2012 – Seems like the folks in London are consumed with a lot more than simply preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games these days.

After years of research, scientists at Leatherhead Food Research in the British city have put together not just a healthy meal; it’s the healthiest meal ever, made from the best stuff on earth, and no, it doesn’t include a Snapple.

Instead, these super foods include salmon terrine, a smoked salmon served with fresh herbs and olive oil, a mixed leaf salad drizzled with olive oil, chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables, and a high-fiber multigrain roll.

Since there’s always room for dessert, the healthiest diners can treat themselves to yogurt-based blancmange, which is similar to vanilla pudding and topped with walnuts and sugar-free caramel sauce.

The healthiest meal ever is a pretty hefty claim, but the scientists have backed it with plenty of proof. Salmon is packed with Omega 3, which is good for the arteries, heart and brain, olive oil is good for maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels, the folates found in high fiber bread can help boost the brain, and the chicken with lentils and mixed vegetables is full of protein and other nutritious elements. Finally, yogurt is good for digestion, the teeth and blood glucose control.

If you snack between meals, don’t worry, there are a few treats you can consume to take the edge off cravings. A handful of walnuts are the healthiest alternative, according to the scientists, along with a cup of hot coco or sugarless gum sweetened with Xylitol, a sugar alcohol sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables.

Plus, the healthiest way to wash it all down is with pure spring water.

If that sounds like a complicated meal to prepare, don’t panic. A simple rule of thumb is to eat foods in their freshest most natural state, which means much of the processed food on the store shelves are not going to make the cut. Instead, opt for the perimeters of the supermarket where the fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, and yogurt can be found.

Bon Appetit!

On celebrating the big milestones and other things

Mom with her twin brother Jimmy, age 6

June 8, 2012 – My mother celebrated her 80th birthday this week.

That’s quite a remarkable accomplishment considering she’s the first in her family to reach that milestone, and she’s been in and out of the hospital over the past year with one thing after another. Damn cigarettes. Smoking was the biggest cause of her problems, for sure.

Thanks to the help of some wonderful doctors, nurses and rehab specialists, she’s back to her normal self, she’s quit smoking and people often call her a miracle. We’ll celebrate the miracle and all of her accomplishments on Sunday with family and friends at what promises to be the gala event of the season.

Life’s milestones provide an opportunity for us to pause and look back on the defining moments of our lives. They also give us cause to celebrate. Here’s a brief interview with my mother to commemorate this grand occasion.

Jane: Do you think it’s ever okay to lie?
Mom: It’s always better to tell the truth, but I think it’s okay to lie a little to spare someone’s feelings.

Jane: How important do you think it is to look good?
Mom: Very.

Jane: Is there any experience that you have not had that you regret not having?
Mom: As a kid I always wanted to try ice skating, but we didn’t have the money.

Jane: What is your all-time favorite song?
Mom: How Important Can it Be by Joni James

Jane: What is your all-time favorite movie?
 Mom: I suppose it would be Gone With the Wind

Jane: If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Mom: Share it with my family. I know you expect me to say something about casinos, but I honestly don’t think I would be that much fun to gamble anymore if I had a lot of money.

Jane: As a kid, what was your prized possession?
Mom: I had a pickle pin I wore every day. I loved it.

Jane: And as an adult?
Mom: My claddagh ring. It came from Ireland. Of course, I don’t have it anymore. I gave it to Carly (granddaughter) because she used to love wearing it when she was a little girl.

Jane: What did you get in trouble for when you were a kid?
Mom: I was a good kid who did what I was told to do. But I do remember one time I got in trouble for drinking the last bit of milk that my sister Mary was saving for her strawberries.

Jane: What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
Mom: I remember my English teacher reading my book report out loud, and saying that it really wasn’t well written, it just offered a different slant on the story. That embarrassed me.

Jane: What is the thing you wanted most that you haven’t gotten?
Mom: I have everything I want. When I was a kid, though, I always wanted new clothes. We were poor and as the youngest, I only wore hand me downs. My sister Elizabeth bought me a sweater with a reindeer on it once and I was so happy that it was new. Unfortunately, it made me breakout and I couldn’t wear it.

Jane: What advice do you have to offer to the younger generation?
Mom: Don’t smoke!

Life, the best education I know

June 6, 2012 – Thirty-five years ago this week I graduated from high school.

For me, that is difficult to believe.

Back then, Jimmy Carter was president, the first ever Apple computer was on the market, Elvis had just died at 42, Star Wars was playing in theaters across the country, and a gallon of gas cost 65 cents.

Those gas prices are difficult to believe, too.

I wanted to share just how different my life turned out from what I originally planned, and perhaps offer a few pearls of wisdom to new graduates. However, looking back on what I can remember about my 17-year-old self, and what I expected to accomplish, I’m drawing a blank.

Come to think of it, I don’t recall thinking about my future at all in 1977. There are no memories about what I wanted to be or where I thought my life would go. I hadn’t thought about college yet, or a career and I certainly had no plans to get married and have children. Even though I didn’t make a plan, all of those things simply happened along the way when they were supposed to.

Turns out, like many teenagers and some very fortunate adults according to “The Power of Now” author Elkhart Tolle, I was a “live in the moment” kind of a person. Tolle, whose philosophy states that living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment, believes that to be the ultimate goal.

I’d like to think I’m still that way, but I realize that I missed out on bits and pieces of my life worrying about things that I have no control over. Even though I do my best to live in each moment, I’m not always able to, and I don’t believe many adults can. But I’m OK with that, because I stay in the moment more often than not.

So, if I was to offer any sage advice to new graduates, it would be to live in the moment as often as you can. Tolle’s theory of “The Power of Now” is right on, it’s just not practical for many of us to live that way every second. I believe it’s necessary at times to think about and plan for the future. And it might even be helpful to go a little “off your rocker” once in a while; if anything, it really makes you appreciate the good times.

I read once that a Chinese philosopher said, “When you do the dishes, become the dishes.” In other words, be aware of what you are doing in the moment and do it well. Very wise words.

Life teaches many us many lessons along the way, whether we have a plan in place or not. And even if we have a plan, it doesn’t always let us follow it they way we expect to. A happy compromise is an open mind and expandable plan with plenty of room for change.

Congratulations to the class of 2012!