Entry for March 27, 2011

 

Can you imagine reflecting your image 121 ways at the same time. Maybe this is how we are seen by countless others. I know I look at myself sometimes and wonder what others see in me. First impressions, second chance encounters, life long relationships, school mates, co-workers, parishioners, and the list goes on. Who are we in the eyes of the people in our lives? Who do they see? Is it the person you want them to see? Dwelling on trivial notions of what we want others to know about us can twist our minds and warp our projected self. I try not to be someone that I don't want to be. I try not to be someone others want me to be. I try to be me.

Another doctor bites the dust...in my book. I arrived at the G.I. doctor's office ten minutes before my 2:00 appointment. It was 2:35 before I was called back to the exam rooms. At 3:15 I got up from the exam table and walked out of the room. I told the receptionist and nurse that I was done waiting and I was leaving.

"But Mr. Hairston, he will probably be seeing you in the next 5 minutes." 

Sorry, but I've waited to see him long enough, I'm not waiting any longer. 

So I walked out and straight downstairs to my personal doctor's office for a reschedule with another G.I. doctor. I will not be put on hold in a doctor's office like that again. The search is on for a new G.I. physician!

 After the drama at the Dr's office, I was back in my own office for a brief meeting with JP, my ex co-worker to learn more about taking care of the business during his transition out of our company. Then I was heading home to pack up for a weekend in Chattanooga with Gin. We finally left the house just before 7:00 and arrived in Chattanooga around 11:30. Worn out from the long day and long trip, we were sacked out shortly after arriving at my apartment.

Friday morning I took care of some work related issues before we ventured out to the city. The morning was spent driving around and viewing some of the features that I have enjoyed in Chattanooga. We also made a trip to the wholesale clubs to check on any possible discounts at the aquarium or museum (none to be found). After a split platter of turkey burger and fresh made chips, we headed over to the Hunter Museum. The museum featured several paintings from Los Mailou Jones and glass sculptures by Stephen Rolfe Powell. The piece that impressed me the most was  Karen LaMonte's "Reclining Dress Impression with Drapery" made of cast glass. Just Google the name of the piece and you will see several pictures of this awesome work of art.

Saturday we enjoyed the Tennessee Aquarium with cousin Nancy and her husband Glenn. The aquarium has two buildings that separate rivers and oceans. The self guided tours of both buildings was simple to follow with plenty of information about the various forms of life within the displays. The penguins and otters were the most entertaining. The jellyfish room was the most intriguing. Before we knew it, we were done, Nancy and Glenn said their goodbyes and headed back home to Nashville. Gin and I took a ride to the nature park reserve near the VW plant, then to the Fox and Hound Pub for dinner.

Sunday we slept in and took our time packing up for the return trip home. We drove US-64 from Cleveland, TN to Hendersonville and encountered some awesome waterfall displays near Highlands as well as pea soup fog around Lake Toxaway. Overall the trip was relaxing but time consuming. It was nice not having to deal with the lunatics on the interstate roads. Arriving safe at home again is always the best part of the trip. We have new memories of places we enjoy with hope of returning together again.

Keep your headlights burning bright!

P@

Entry for March 20, 2011

Finally the first day of spring is upon us. It was a little chilly today but that didn't stop the daffodils from showing off their love of the season. We have four sets of daffodils planted in front of each set of porch steps. They were given to us at a infant bereavement memory walk a few years ago. We planted them in memory of Beau and Haley. Their arrival helps me remember Beau and Haley and how delicate life is.

I missed posting anything last week. I guess work really took over my weekend which left little time to unwind my mind. One of the corporate owners arrived from Germany with a project manager on Saturday. We worked all day Sunday preparing for meetings that week with BMW and VW. Part of their trip also involved the changing of the guard at my office. I have become the only U.S. employee in the company. We discussed how we can move forward and possible expand the presence of the parent company in the U.S. After their departure on Wednesday, I felt a little better about the prospect of staying with them and helping grow the business. There are many things to be settled and I try to keep in mind that it only takes one step at a time.

This weekend was fairly relaxing. Gin and I didn't do too much on Saturday besides trade in my rental for another and pick up groceries. The new rental car is a Jeep Grand Cherokee and has a real neat feature. I don't need to take the keys out of my pocket...ever. When I walk up to the car, it unlocks. To start the car I push a button and likewise to turn the engine off. To lock the car, I can push the inside lock button before closing the door, or push a button outside on the door handle. I'll also be enjoying the satellite radio on the long trips.

Today I finally cleaned up the yard with the mower. The leaves had been on the ground through the winter. We enjoyed the late afternoon and evening at Patrick's and Jessica's  for dinner and play time with Nolan and Dean. Nolan and I spent a little time on the front porch with Nolan doing most of the talking. After dinner Nolan fell asleep in my arms and I laid him in his bed. This gave me time to wrestle and play with Dean and get some pretty healthy laughs out of him.


Enjoy the season!
P@

Entry for March 6, 2011

Getting my brain to slow down and relax lately is like getting a toddler to do the same. In the photo above, Nolan was able to keep still just long enough for me to snap the picture. It helped to have a freshly applied monster truck tatoo that required some drying time. Earlier he had a truck tatoo placed on his right forearm...which wasn't enough. He needed to have the second tatoo because that's how he rolls. Back to my brain slowing down, the thoughts of job challenges and changes has kept my brain very active. I'm in a current state of limbo on my current job while openly pursuing other opportunities. Playing the field while still being competative at work is mind bending for me. My eating and sleeping habits have suffered bcause of it. That's just how I handle stress. I still run 3 miles a day for three to five days a week. Sometimes the running is enough to take the edge off...and sometimes it feels like a big waste of time. Things will clear up in the near future or at least by the end of the month.

Lately I've been home every weekend I can. No need to hang around Chattanooga when there is little to do on the project site. Still, a short time at home gives little time for too much of anything. In small doses I  have been able to accomplish bigger things. Last weekend it was a trip to Charlotte to meet Caris and Thomas half-way between our towns. This weekend it was a cookout with Patrick, Jessica, Nolan and Dean. The weather was dreary but the company was pure sunshine. Both boys managed to take advantage of Grams and Pappy for play time, hugs, kisses and laughs. We grilled hamburgers, chicken burgers and chicken sausage. We shared time together while watching Marmaduke on the big screen. Marmaduke was one of my favorite childhood book series. The movie was good, but not as good as the company.

Today was a day to make minor repairs to the mudroom floor. A water leak from a few years ago made a section of floor buckle under the washer. Today I made a temporary fix with a hard board to keep the load steady. Major renovation in that room will have to wait until I have more time.

We also enjoyed staying home for most of the weekend. The rain helped curb any wondering around town. Saturday afternoon naps and Sunday book reading were the perfect in-between activities of each day.

A year ago and several months leading up to my current job, I was very vocal on Facebook. Vocal about sharing open thoughts for the day or commenting on current ideas or posts by friends and aquantences. I've been a luittle more conservative in my open posts and any revalation that may have entered my mind. I'm not sure what turn of events caused my sudden decline in running off at the Facebook. I guess I'm a little more cautious and maybe even more sensative to what others may believe. I was not openly for or against any political, religious or social issue. Just open about what was on my mind at the moment. Using my blog to share some of my mindless dribble may have helped replace that openess I shared on a daily basis. I also believe being fully occupied with a full time occupation makes little time for mindless dribble. All I know and believe is, if I spoke my mind openly like some people do, who would listen? Who would leave? Who would stand up to me and tell me their side? I'll just leave well enough alone and let my imagination make those assumptions.

Have a good one!
P@