Musings from the Madman!

The Hardest Part

2011-11-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

In the last few weeks, I’ve lost a couple members of my family—my extended furry family. My sister- and brother-in-law, and my best friends both lost dogs.

When we take on the responsibility of having pets, we take on all responsibilities, including having to know when to say goodbye. As I think about my dogs, I try to live the prayer that says: “Lord, help me to be the person my dog believes me to be.”

As far as canine guidance, I don’t believe anyone has said things better that the unknown author of this piece—words that I can never read with dry eyes—called A Dog’s Plea:

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements.

I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Even though we know intellectually that we have provided a good life for them—what they give to us, and how they attach themselves to our hearts—makes losing them one of the most difficult things we have to go through in our lives. Knowing when to say goodbye—that’s the hardest part.

Sweet dreams, Cosette and Kate. You will be missed.

-M

New Beginnings

2011-09-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I posted here on the ol’ blog. Lots of stuff has gone on since my last entry. Sadly, some folks have left us, I had some back surgery—and I’ve been laid off at work. It’s been a trying year.

So as I sit here on 9/11 and reflect with the rest of the country about moving on from a tragedy like the attacks on the Twin Towers, it puts into perspective my personal “tragedy”.

Tomorrow is my last day with The Walt Disney Company, my work home for 14 years. I’ve learned a lot in my time there, and believe it to be one of the best companies there is to work for. That is not to say, that, as a large corporation, it does not have its share of problems! But, this is the company that I chose to work for. It means something to me, because I believe in the company. As my friends have heard me say over the years about Disney—“Yeah, I drank the Kool-Aid”.

Not a place I want to leave, for sure—not until I’m able to retire (if that day ever comes!).

What I have been touched by, is the outpouring of concern my fellow workers, as they learned that my position was being eliminated. I’ve had people watching for jobs for me, giving me words of strength, affirmations of my abilities and contributions, and even adding me to their families’ prayers (!).

This has made a very difficult event for me a bit easier to handle. In the eye of the hurricane, it is hard to get perspective—and finding a new job at my age and in this economy, seems a daunting proposition.

One of my good friends, Boze Harz, has been through this recently—I hadn’t known as I was lamenting to him about my layoff on Facebook. He sent me back a note that I’ve thought about, every day since I got it. He spoke about faith, learning about himself and being humbled. Also, that he is better in some ways having been through this difficult period.

I know that whatever happens, and wherever I end up—I’m still applying for Disney jobs—it’ll be OK—and most likely, better than in the past. I’ve got people who support me and believe in me—especially my wife, Mo.

But I’m telling you, in the eye of your own hurricane—small as it may actually be as you relate it to the events in the world—it is sometimes hard to see your New Beginnings.

Terminally Unhip

2011-02-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve just finished reading Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter by Randy L. Schmidt. I recommend it as an interesting read...

One of the things that I found interesting was the fact that, a lot of modern artists, as well as artists of the time the Carpenters were in their prime, hid the fact that they were fans of the duo’s music, and of Karen’s unique and beautiful voice. It just wasn’t hip to admit that you were a fan.

Well, here goes—I was and am a fan of the Carpenters. I totally appreciate a well crafted “pop” song—in fact, I’m much more of a “pop” guy than a “rocker”. I grew up with Top 40 “Boss Radio”—everything was a single. And unlike today, you could hear Barry Sadler’s “Ballad of the Green Beret” followed by “Strangers in the Night” by Frank Sinatra, then The Stones with “Paint it Black”. Even as the music evolved, you’d hear Yes, followed by Rick Springfield—Elton John followed by Sammy Davis, Jr. I appreciate great arrangements, clean and crisp production, and excellent engineering, regardless of the genre of music.

This is not to say that I don’t enjoy kick-butt, three-chord rock—I do, both to listen to and to play. But I also like artists that have always been derided, defiled and dismissed by the “too-hip for the room” crowd.

For the record, besides the Carpenters, other taboo artists that I enjoy (and even own!): Barry Manilow? Check. Donny Osmond? Check. The Jackson Five? You bet. Michael Bolton, Wham!, Monkees, Tommy James and the Shondells and many more are all are in my music collection.

The irony of this is that, most of these artists’ hits can play, and everybody knows all the words. Disco may have “sucked”, capped by the disco records destruction in 1979 at Comisky Park organized by DJ Steve Dahl in Chicago, but at every wedding I’ve been to in the last 20 years, there isn’t a person that doesn’t know Y-M-C-A...including me.

What can I tell you? I’m just terminally unhip.

-M

Epitaph for the Madman

2010-12-18T15:59:00.000-08:00

I found myself, a couple of months ago, in a odd situation.

After what seemed like a “normal”, albeit very uncomfortable, bout of self-diagnosed food poisoning, I ended up being admitted to the hospital.

Sparing you the details, I must say that it is a very strange place to be—both physically, then mentally—when you hear a doctor speak to you about being in a life-threatening condition, and what “could have happened if any more time went by”.

After 8 days, I have a new appreciation for the dedicated nurses that helped me while I was there. I will say that they did get a kick out of me, as I was not a “normal” patient—up early, dressed, not in bed, but reading my Kindle with my iPod on in the mornings, or strolling around the halls taking my IV drip for a walk, but most of all, with my laptop at a makeshift desk, working. Great wi-fi signal at the hospital, by the way...

While I was there, I didn't think too much about anything but going home. After having a couple of months to reflect, I have thought about quite a few things.

I've never been one to think or speak too much about death. It was also never mentioned in our family growing up. I was once visiting Penny Terwilliger and her family in Iowa, and was floored to hear a rollicking discussion about “who gets what” when family members were gone! After I got married, my father-in-law was always talking about his demise—mostly in a comic way, but sometimes very seriously, when it came to planning, financial arrangements and the like.

I think it is a healthy thing to discuss in a family—it certainly doesn't mean that it needs to be dwelled upon, but a healthy discussion, with some humor is not a bad thing.

As for myself, I have actually thought a bit about my legacy for when I leave the planet. As I reflect about my life so far, my assessment is that I've done an OK job living up to my own expectations—not a gold star mind you, but not terrible.

As I think about how I’d like to be remembered by those that I’ve had contact with, I’d be very happy if they would think about me and say “He was a good guy”.

-M

Everything Old is New Again

2010-12-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

I got a postcard in the mail, inviting me to come to a GM event that would allow me to drive several new cars side-by-side, at a test track set up at Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA.

The thing that jumped off the postcard for me was not the ability to drive a brand new ’Vette or Camaro. Nope. The words that got me excited were “Come and drive the all-new Chevy Volt.”

If you have not been following the development of the Volt, it is GM’s new electric car that is a true plug-in hybrid. It can be powered completely using the batteries and electric motor up to a rage of 60 miles—this, of course—varies with your driving style, the terrain, what accessories are being used, etc. After you use up the battery power, a small gasoline-powered engine kicks in.

I can hear you yawning now. Sounds like a Prius, circa 2000—man, Mark is easily amused (or completely losing it...). What holds my interest? two things—unlike a Prius, a Volt can be plugged into a standard 110 volt outlet overnight, and you get fully charged batteries. If you don’t drive over 60 miles a day, this mean you would never use the engine, and you’d be purely using electric power. Statistics show that over 75% of the drivers in this country don’t drive over 60 miles a day (they obviously don’t live in Southern California...).

They truly revolutionary thing about the Volt, is what happens when the battery power is not enough to power the car. Like a Prius, a gasoline-powered engine kicks in, but instead of that engine providing actual power to the front wheels (a la the Prius and other Hybrids today), the Volt’s engine generates electricity to power the electric motor—at no time does the engine actually power the car. This is exciting.

All is lost, if the car is not practical, and the Volt is just that. It is a small sedan, with all the modern comforts we’ve come to expect, and GM engineers even gave it some style. It is pretty responsive, have good acceleration and braking and is really comfortable to drive. It’s a bit pricey at $40K, but the Federal Tax credit available is $7,500.00 which nets you out at $32,500.00. They have made the lease very attractive as well.

Electric cars have been around since the 1800s. Battery technology has been one of the major drawbacks in the development of practical electric cars, but technology is moving on. New batteries and the DC motors now available have take electric vehicle development to a whole new level.

Unlike the $120,000 performance 2-seater from Tesla motors (absolutely beautiful...) www.teslamotors.com or my favorite, the 2-seat, experimental Aptera www.aptera.com, the Volt, for me, is an exciting first step from a major car manufacturer in mass-producing an electric vehicle for all of us that is bringing some “firsts” to the market. Not unlike the iPad, the Volt and its’ technology will be the first step for practical electric vehicles.

I'm not naive enough to believe that these cars don’t have their own issues—an increased demand for electricity would have us burning fossil fuel to generate, and lets face it—our power grid has it’s own set of challenges.

The first practical electric car in the US was in 1891. I’m excited about the Chevy Volt in 2010. For me personally, I’m not able to run out and buy one—we’re already a 3 car family, and there are just 2 of us(!). But I'm excited for the future, and the new choices I’ll have when I’m in the market.

Much like Dean Kamen (the inventor of the Segway) talks about—he takes existing technology and applies new ideas to make it practical—I believe the electric car is a steppingstone to change the way we will drive in the short term—and maybe the long term as well. I know that my 9 year old nephew, Jackson, will have may choices when he is buying his first car, and that is exciting to me.

Everything old is truly new again...

-M

New Beginnings

2010-10-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

Just over a month ago, my niece Desiree Withers married her fiance, Monzelle Dozier. It was a beautiful wedding—a serious ceremony, then a celebration and a time to join with friends and family.

It made me think of being a newlywed, now thirty-one years ago. All the new adventures Des and Monzelle will take together, the love, the laughter and even some tears. I hope for them that they share the experiences that I have shared with Mo—as we have grown together in our lives, individually and together.

Marriage does not mean losing yourself or your identity, or becoming the same person, rather, it allows you to grow and strengthen your individuality in the comfort and confidence of knowing that your partner always has your back.

In this way, marriage is not constraining, but liberating.

Congratulations to Monzelle and Desiree. Here's to new beginnings.

-M

In Praise of Long Term Friends

2010-09-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

I'd like to think that I've made quite a few friends over the years, and always enjoy meeting new people. I've been fortunate through work, summer camp, youth group and church to have been exposed to lots of different people and make friends all over the country.

That being said, I'm most appreciative of friends that I've known for a long time—those “evergreen”, “hang in there through thick and thin”, “couldn't imaging them not being there” friends. I’m genuinely sad for anyone that doesn’t have this type of friends in their life, and I’m surprised how many people I know who don't.

My longest term friend, Pat and I have known each other since 4th grade (we were actually in kindergarten together, but didn't know each other then!) We see each other infrequently, but—like with all my long term friends—when we get together, it seems like time melts away. The beauty of these friendships is that they have not only the past in common, but there is a genuine interest and concern about all the things that have happened in our lives since the last time we were together. We’ve grown together, added wives and kids and others to our friendship circle.

I was very tight with a friend in high school, Don. He and I were inseparable for a few years. As I went off to my short-lived college career, and to summer camp, then on to live in the Chicago area, we lost touch. We were able to get back together awhile later, back in Seattle and had a great time reminiscing, but after talk of our escapades in high school ran out, we found that we had nothing in common any more—we had moved on, but separately. I remember feeling profoundly sad at this experience at the time.

I met my friend Hap in 1970. Our friendship continued and we were roommates for a couple of years in 1974. I see him every few years (in fact he's coming for a visit next week—I think it’s been 5 years this time). We talk and e-mail a bit, but when we get together, we just pick up where we left off last time. Much fun and some serious stuff always ensues.

Facebook has been a fun way to see what friends that you haven’t kept up with are doing, and for those past friends who you’ve lost touch with, it is nice to “connect” in the electronic realm.

It’s really wonderful to have our really close friends, David and Lynn, and their kids just across the street from us (for 8 years this month....). How’s this for long term? I met David in 1971, and have know Lynn since she was in high school (and apparently had a crush on me—but that’s a different story...).

I’m truly blessed to have all my wonderful friends, but this is a special shout out—in praise of long term friends. Thanks to you all for enduring, and making my life better.

-M

The Lure

2010-08-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

We have a problem in this country with our borders. The country built on immigrants has a problem with immigration. This is a particularly hot topic right now, with the Arizona law in the news, and the staggering amounts of money that non-citizens who are here illegally cost us.

I have no easy answers— because there are none—we do have a serious issue here. What makes me think is the hostility we see come out of this issue—not at governments, but at people, particularly those that cross over from countries to the south of us.

What I marvel at, is the spirit of those who come here to provide a better life for themselves and their families, often left back home. While I'm not sure the United States is still thought of as “the land of milk and honey” anymore, can you imagine the lure of opportunity that would have you risk your life to get it?

Now, I'm not so naive to believe that the situation is always as I've described above, like in all of society, there is a percentage of folks that are just doing the wrong things.

But can you imagine, as a young father or mother, leaving your spouse and kids to come to the US to make a better life for their family, by working and living far away and sending back money? Or being an individual that feels that moving north is the only way to make a decent life for themselves?

Those of us blessed to live in this, the greatest country on earth, often take for granted our freedoms and the lifestyle that we are afforded. This is a human issue first, before a political one. These “illegals” are humans— just people, looking for what we all want in life.

Most of us have never felt the power of that lure.

-M

A Noble Profession

2010-07-31T06:44:00.000-07:00

For several years, I have been participating, as a teacher in a reading program for second graders—a one-on-one tutoring session, just for a half hour on Thursdays.

I’ve got to say that, for many Thursdays, that is the best part of my day! We read together, do vocabulary, and play word games. I enjoy the enthusiasm of a seven year old, conquering that word, as he sounds it out, and we discuss its meaning.

The teacher I work with is very appreciative of the program and believes that even this short session is responsible for improved testing scores as the school year progresses.

Over the years, I’ve been told that I am a natural teacher, and I take that as a supreme compliment. All I know is that it is very enjoyable for me to do. Maybe I got it from my grandmother—a lifelong elementary school teacher. I'm fortunate that corporate training is also a part of my job—it helps keep my teaching ‘chops’ up.

It is a rush to watch a student grasp a concept and make it part of their knowledge base. And it’s not just kids—I was in a software training class just last week. As our instructor was sharing some real-world tips and tricks she had used, the dynamic in the room became electrified—really!—as the realization of how we could apply that learning to our own projects came over the room.

Some really great teachers have affected my life—both in school and out. One proof of that, all these years later, is that I still remember what we did, and what I learned. Today's teachers, faced with limited budgets, large class size and apathy have an uphill battle, both in the classroom and with the politicians that hold the purse strings.

It is hard to understand anyone who does not support increased emphasis on education. It cannot do anything but help our society and our country, to have a well educated population. Kids in other parts of the world are passing our kids in science and math knowledge. Multi-lingual students are de rigeur everywhere else but the US. In other countries, education is serious business.

Teachers are a crucial part of a vibrant education system—in our formative years we spend more time with them than our families. They are expected to impart knowledge, wisdom and values in many instances.We need to elevate our teachers’ status, give them the support and funding they need.

In a profession where a teachers’ salary isn’t comparable with corporate America, the teacher at my elementary school routinely buys supplies out of her own pocket, because, “...otherwise, the kids won't have them.”

Many areas of the country have a shortage of teachers...Hmmm, I wonder why? Job opportunities dicey, budget cuts and layoffs for those already in education, starting salaries that make it hard to survive, lack of support from parents and the community.

What, then, is the motivation for someone to want to be a teacher? It is something inside that they cannot deny—I'll go as far as to say it's a calling. We should be very glad that we still have people that hear the calling to teach, and be a part of this—a noble profession.

-M

Instant Reference

2010-07-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Back when my sister and I were in school, my grandmother, a teacher, lived next door. This was a great resource for homework (...and great snacks!). One of the amazing things that she had was a full World Book encyclopedia, complete with year-end updates.

When doing research and homework, many times we didn't even have to go to the library—just next door for our instant reference. Sometimes, we would just sit down with a particular volume, and thumb through for entertainment. The year-end volumes were particularly relevant, because they showed things we had just lived through.

I was surprised to find out that the old World Book still publishes a printed version—the 2010 version is a mere $1,100.00, but when was the last time you looked at an encyclopedia—or visited a library, for that matter? You are reading this blog on the new Instant Reference—the internet. And, lets face it, it is not all that new!

With as much junk as real information, sometimes navigating these waters is a bit bumpy, but I can't imagine not having this available to me. The reference information online is staggering, and it has changed the way I research everything.

How things work, product reviews, how to do...most anything—all a few keystrokes away. My friend David and I often tell each other of our experiences in finding information online, and marvel at what it would have taken to get that information, just a few short years ago.

For my niece and nephew, both 8 years old, this is just the way it is—Jackson first came out with the comment "Uncle Mark, why don't you just look it up on the internet?" at about age 5. The internet is their "World Book". What they will see, and look back on when they are my age is exciting.

What makes my use of the 'net so exciting, is that I've lived through its coming to life, and it is all Jetsons and Star Trek come to life. What a fascinating ride we continue on.

-M

Independent Contractors, All

2010-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Back when I was looking to find my so-called career, I spent quite a bit of time changing jobs, (partially trying to find myself), but also because for many years I’d work in the fall and winter, then go off to Colorado to work at a summer camp from May until September—that experience was incredibly important to me. One of the things that I was warned about, was the 'spotty' job history on my resume—because it looked like I couldn't keep a job.

Wow, do things change! Most all the folks I work with are younger, and their work experience is radically different from we ‘Baby Boomers’. The mindset is 180 degrees from the “work hard for the Company and you will be rewarded” mentality that was drilled into our heads.

They see their job as an opportunity to learn, take what they can, then move on. Someone, like me, who is celebrating 14 years at the same company seems archaic! Two to three years, tops, it seems, is the new norm.

A lot of my new co-workers are straight out of college or grad school, or this is their first foray into a large corporate environment. Also, based on the reputation of our company, they have the attitude that “...Disney will look good on my resume!” And they are right.

What an interesting mindset. I think that they are much more in control of their own destiny, and that’s exciting. They also have a refreshing attitude about work-life balance, that is more focused on their personal fulfillment, of which work is only a part.

What does sadden me is that the loyalty to the company seems to have disappeared—that is not to say that these workers don't do a good job while they are here—just that the company itself is not necessarily the reason to stay. We end up losing some really top-drawer workers as they leave to climb the ladder elsewhere.

Unfortunately, in today’s market, companies talk the talk about their commitment to worker loyalty, but when things get tight, most will kick their workers to the curb in a heartbeat—so much for the lip-service. For old dogs like me that ‘drank the Kool-Aid’, the company is important. I need to work for an organization that I believe in, and need to believe that my being there makes a difference.

In some ways I envy the young batch of new workers, with their attitude much more like that of an independent contractor—it seems they may have more choices, without any kind of stigma of having jumped from company to company—if anything, that action will be seen as them being more well rounded.

For me, I’ve found a company that I want to stay with, for as long as they’ll have me. I’ll continue to learn from the new crop, as they come and go and just maybe can shed some light for them on some of my experiences that they can take with them as their careers unfold.

-M

Heroes Among Us

2010-06-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

I think it is good for all of us to have heroes. They give us inspiration and aspirations—and allow us to take a look at ourselves. Lots of us have famous heroes—one of mine is Walt Disney. But what about the "everyday heroes" in our lives?

My sister, Penny is one of my heroes. She has raised four wonderful kids by herself. In this day and age, that is no small feat. And she has done it, as all parents do, with self sacrifice. But it is her rock-solid integrity, soft strength and and firm resolve that I find heroic. Now, her circle has widened, with the addition of two lucky granddaughters.

After almost 20 years of marriage, alone, my friends David and Lynn adopted 3 kids, all at once. After looking for an infant (just one!) for quite awhile, the opportunity to foster 3 siblings came up. They took it, and moved to the adoption fast track. Talk about 'instant family'! They will tell you that they are the ones fulfilled by the experience, and I understand that—to me this is still heroic.

Certainly one of my biggest heroes is my wife, Mo. She is a mentor and protector to her employees, an intensely loyal and devoted friend, the best aunt a kid could have, and tireless volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Mo has a deep appreciation and empathy for people, and a they bring her great joy. She is simply, one the best people I know.

What all these people share is that they do it all with a matter-of-fact attitude. They don't see what they are doing as anything out of the ordinary—it is just what is right, and what they do.

That, to me, is truly heroic.

-M

Music is Life's Rhythm, Melody and Beat...

2010-06-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

The words in the title are lyrics from a song I wrote many years ago. It goes on to say "If you want to get in music, you've got to let it get in you." Easy to see why I'm not a songwriter...

But I do still love music—love to listen to it, play it and see it performed. My iPod has all kinds of music—over 5,000 songs with me all the time, new and old, from Green Day to the Carpenters.

We all know how music can take us to a place and time instantly, truly the soundtrack of our lives. For me, it also reminds me who turned me on to a song or an artist, and I think of how many folks that—hopefully—I've turned on to music that has excited me over the years.

I used to work at a summer camp, and ran music for the dances. I heard a lot of new music there, as new campers came and went from all over the country, but as a benevolent dictator in the sound room, I could play songs that I liked and wanted to share—creating some new entries in the playlists of the lives of all the campers and staff.

There is great joy in playing music and having the audience enjoy what you are doing—not unlike a chef who loves to cook, for the joy it brings his patrons. We are in the process of auditioning new players for our band—The BOOM Band, (this an acronym for Bunch Of Old Men) and it is great to be playing again.

As I'm taken back when I listen to music, I'm also taken back when I play—to the first recital when I was taking lessons; the first band with Ken Kvalheim and Don Roberts, that evolved into Sumwatt Unique (..we thought it was cool!), some of the most fun playing with Bob Seay, Don Houge, Boze Harz and many iterations of Sumwatt. Hap Holly and I played everything—all possible because of Hap's encyclopedic knowledge of songs—and I can't believe our neighbors didn't move out.
I had about 20 years or so when I didn't play, and I did miss it. I started up, again—rusty but determined in 1999, to play for our 20 year wedding anniversary party. I always thought I'd play at my wedding, but back in 1979, I wasn't playing at all. My brother-in law Bob Berra and I got something together for the party, where we slogged through some songs and had so much fun we continued on and formed The BOOM Band.

We've been playing on and off every since. For the last year or so, we've been off again. We are trying really hard to get something back together again. Everyone is so busy with work, family and, well, life that it is hard to get players.

As time goes on, I can't take much time off from playing—because I realize how much I need it.

-M

My Best Friends

2010-06-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

I think the bond between humans and their pets is amazing. I'm in the camp that believes that having pets makes us better people.

We have two dogs that never cease to amaze me, for all the same reasons that you've heard countless times. Sparky and Zorro never fail to put a smile on my face. I've been fortunate to have some projects where working from home has advantages, and I find Zorro with me most of the day. He just wants to be where I am.

Both Sparky and Zorro are happiest when they are "hanging with their humans".

How many of us have people that feel that way about us? Or people we feel that way about...?

We have always had Keeshonds, and support Southern California Kesshond Rescue.

Zorro just came upstairs, waltzed in and licked my arm while I was typing this, then plopped down behind me, with Sparky right behind. For me, we didn't rescue them, they rescued us.

-M

Welcome!

2010-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

As if there are not enough folks on the Web, making their thoughts known, the last thing we all need is one more.

Of course, that is not stopping me...

Why? Is it because I fancy myself with some great truth to share? Believe that I'm a visionary? Think that I'm 'all that?'

Nope.

But all of us, each one, has a unique view of things. I find that fascinating, frustrating, educational, humorous— and everything that touches my life changes me a little—some for the better, some...well, let's just leave it at that.

I have a poster here with a giant thumbprint in the middle. Underneath the thumbprint are the words "There never has been, and never will be anyone exactly like you." I believe that to be true.

This is my little place to share my thoughts on this life.

-M