"Monk Moments"

I am doing extensive research into an unexplored area of psychology, and of course, wisely using that time to work toward my Doctorate in, as I like to call it, "Monkology". Yes, you heard me, Monkology. No, I'm not planning on moving to a monastery or becoming celibate..... (However, I guess I'm part way there..... but I digress.....)

No, I'm talking about "Monk like" actions, as you'd see on the detective TV show. He has his peculiarities, as I contend that we all do. And I think I can prove it. Take today for instance.......

I have a small , blue, plastic garbage can in the corner of my garage. I guess you could call it "purgatory" for the Steenhold garbage. It's where our trash goes temporarily when I don't feel like taking it outside to the main garbage can. (I'm assuming the recycled bottles in the garage pray for that trash to make it to the big garbage can "in the sky" so it doesnt' smell up the garage.....)

Anyway, yesterday I put this garbage can in the corner, but it was backward, with the higher side sticking out when that side really should go against the wall. I said at that time, who cares, I'll be dumping it soon anyhow. Well, that lasted about two trips by the garbage can. Today, I could take it anymore, and HAD to turn the can around properly. That's craziness! It's a garbage can in the stinkin corner of the garage! What's the big deal?

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg..... For instance, when I adjust the volumn on the television, for some reason I can't move it from 15 to 19, or 20 to 24.... It either has to be on 20, or I have to move it to 25. The volumn HAS to be on an increment of 5. That makes about as much sense as the 9.7% of unemployeed people in our country today. (Okay, not the same cents.... sorry.)

Now, I told a good friend of mine about this, thinking he would laugh and ridicule me until I cried..... like back in college.... oh, never mind. But no, he just proceeded to tell me how for some strange reason, when he climbs stairs he can't do it without counting them.... no ridicule.

So, come on, I know you're out there. Share with us one of your "Monk Moments". We all need to know we're not the only one's out there. We need to support each other and lead the way, letting the world know that "strange is the new normal"...

I look forward to hearing from you.

Today

I'm looking out the window and it's really pretty out.... I also saw my first leaf drop.... which let's me know that.... uhhh.... fall must be real close..... unless it was just a dead leaf.....

(I'm trying really hard to post something every day. Whew, this isn't easy.)

Road Rage Tips

Let's just jump right back into this thing....... meaty stuff from the very start...

Say you're in a bad mood, somebody pulls out in front of you and you really want to lay on the horn and then see where things go from there. TIP: You must be observant, and assess the situation first.

For instance, I had that happen to me just yesterday. I was driving along and a ragged, run down muscle car pulled right out in front of me. I wanted to honk, but did I? NO. And do you know why? Because I was observant and assessed the situation. I noticed that the car had just pulled out of the gym...... not a good idea.

Now, if that car had just pulled out of a beauty salon, I'd say lay on the horn and enjoy yourself. After all, what's the worst that could happen.

I know, I know, some of you are thinking, "Hold it Terry, I know some women who I think could beat you up, so that tip doesn't hold water." First of all, maybe or maybe not.... I've been working out, you know. But secondly, think about it. What woman who just had her hair and nails done is going to take the time to try and catch, stop and beat up a 50+ year old man. Uh huh, see what I'm talking about? Be observant and assess the situation first.

So remember, from the gym -- no honk. From the beauty salon -- go for it!
You're welcome. Glad I could be there for you.
It feels good to be back.

Lazy Days of Summer

Okay everybody (and by everybody -- I do mean both of us), the lazy days of summer are almost over. I've had a busy summer of travel.....some was work and some was play. But it's all coming to an end, and fall is upon us......

I think I'm ready to get back on this "horse", and share some of my thoughts and experiences again, whether you want them or not.....

I just wanted to prepare you so you had time to cover your ears, etc. Stay posted. We can all experience and share things together.

God bless.

Grandpa duty calls.....

I know it's been way to long.... sorry. I've had a lot of travel, which gets me backed up on paperwork, which means I have to spend more hours in the office.... you know the drill.

Fortunately, this current trip is out to see my gorgeous little grandchild. We arrived in Springfield last night, and I had the chance to feed Alie for the first time.... what a joy!

Words cannot express the feeling you get watching this darling baby eat, sleep... do whatever. Okay, the crying thing and the "gas" I can do without.

But, how could you not love this thing, no matter what she does.....

I'd like to blog longer, but I think I hear "Big A" calling me.......

Advice For the Gym Rat.....

They don't call me Silver Fox for nothing.

I don't want to hear that this blog doesn't have something for everybody. Take today for example..... Here's a thought on "throwing the steel around" at the gym, (as I so eloquently describe working out to my wife).

Now when some guys around you finish a set, after grunting through their reps, they drop the weights to the floor and we all hear "da boom" as it resonates through the gym. (The "da" was the first bounce, and the "boom" was the second hit to the floor.) These are usually big guys lifting heavy weights... Fortunately for me, I don't get intimidated easy. I just have to use some specific techniques to be in the free weight area.....

Now, you don't want be the guy that drops his weights after a set and hears them go "tink", with no double sound..... not good. SO, not that I need to do this, but I've thought about this technique for those who might not be able to throw the heavy stuff around....

As you're finishing your set, you kinda THROW the weights down, not just drop them. THEN you get more of a "tha thud". Sure, it's not a "da boom", but it's not a "tink" either.... and you get the double bounce. Pretty good stuff, huh? Nobody stares at you and smiles... so I'm told.

NOTE-- Don't throw the weights down too hard. Especially if they are pretty light....as you have a good chance of breaking your nose on the high bounce...... and how are you going to explain that too one....

By the way, if I run into you this week, you might notice the nose brace from when I saved the widow lady from being robbed by three thugs. One of them caught me while I working on the other two.....

What Really Makes You Rich?

Is there really anything in life we can accumulate that is more valuable than family and friends. Sure, family members are precious to us, but let's consider things of value that we make a choice to invest in..... (most of our family just happened.)

When you're on your death bed, what else will come to mind, what else will you reflect on, what else will you take pride in, what else will seem well worth the investment, what else will make you feel like a rich person .... than the friends you've made over the course of your lifetime.

Never think you're too busy to invest in and develop friendships. As I reflect on my life to this point, friends are a priceless commodity. The stockmarket can go as low as it wants, but the value of my friendships steadily grows as the years fly by. And you know, it really doesn't take that much time to create a lasting friendship when things click.

Yesterday I had a chance to "catch up" with a couple old college baseball teammates. And when I say "old", I mean, "old". I haven't seen Lonnie "Flame" Spencer for around 33 years! He, Scott Laing and I had a great time enjoying the memories of the good ol' years. We realized how much fun we had in those few years of college that has bonded us, and helped make a connection that will last for a lifetime, no matter where we are or when we meet again. When you think about that, it's really amazing. We picked up where we left off in college.... unbelievable.

Which makes me think about today......what am I doing to add value to my "friend portfolio"? Can I ever have enough friends? Isn't there somebody that I come in contact with now, that if I made an effort to spent more time with, I could let them "diversify" my "friend portfolio". They could be another friend that if I saw in another 30 years, I would be able to have a great day, catching up where we left off last, and enjoying the day together.

Let's commit to making more friends in the days ahead. I guess the easiest way is by being the kind of friend to others we would want them to be to us, and making the effort. Yes, it is hard work, but that's probably one effort I don't think we'll ever lose our investment on.....