The Weekly J

My 89 year old friend is in rehab after suffering a fall.  At the facility they have a happy hour every Friday.  I visited her at one and she was quite ecstatic to get her martini (a nightly treat she enjoys when at her own home).  Upon receiving the martini in an actual martini glass ( instead of the drinking glasses she uses at home) she stated “This is the second time I have had it in a proper glass.  I usually have it on the rocks…a jam it in the veins type of deal.”

Get well soon, Virginia.

Holocene – Bon Iver

This morning I found out that my coworker friend died.  It was completely unexpected.  We had observed she was not 100% on our last trip in November, but nobody (including her) thought it would be anything this serious.

I’m at a loss for words and the emotions are still raw and overwhelming.  Jane was one of the most caring people I’ve ever met and her passion and work ethic were unmatched.  She drove me crazy occasionally, but she was my friend and that’s what friends do from time to time.

I don’t know what to say, but I know that my pain is nothing compared to what her family and friends back home are going through.  She was devoted to her family and loved her nephews so much.  One of the best nights of 2011 was in a hotel lobby in Panama City listening to her tell a hilarious story of her escapades from the most recent visit to see them and her transition to an iPhone which also occurred the day her nephews got in their first fender bender (with her at the wheel).  We stayed up late that night laughing and it was such a joyful evening.

This week I was planning on having a call with her to wrap up our latest project and to see how she liked the cd I sent her for Christmas.  I now doubt the package was even received as I was late in mailing it.  I talked to her two weeks ago about upcoming trips and we looked forward to seeing each other again.  It’s inconceivable to me that I will never see her again.

Like our friend Jordan said, we will forever think of you everytime we have a glass of your beloved Malbec.  In fact, I bought a bottle this afternoon to have a toast in your honor tonight.  You will be missed more than you will ever know and it was an honor working with you.  I’m happy to call you a friend, even if our Facebook friendship is still pending because you never log-in to check it.

Jane pictured at right this past September

The main theme of this year has been travel.  It felt like I was gone all the time, but it only worked out to about 3 months for work trips and another month for vacations and extended weekend trips.  Below are all the places I traveled, though I probably forgot a couple.

• Montreal
• Greensboro
• Houston
• New Orleans (x2)
• Taiwan
• Toronto
• London (Ontario)
• Windsor
• San Juan (Puerto Rico)
• Iceland
• Nashville
• Dominican Republic
• Atlanta
• Costa Rica
• Panama
• San Francisco

I’ve got no clue what 2012 will hold, but I’m sure adventure awaits.

It’s that time of year when we reflect on all our failings throughout the previous 12 months and then draft a plan to repent, and sin no more.  I set resolutions every year and of course I find I’ve not made the progress I’ve wanted come every December 31st.  I could use this post to talk about the goals that have not been met; however, in order to create a more balanced recap  I’ll focus on both the good and bad from the past year.

The Good

• In July of 2011 I transitioned to the world of vegetarianism.  I’ve been happy with the transition and have not regretted it.  Of course, I do miss Chick-Fil-A from time to time, but overall I’ve been very dedicated to my new life and have eaten meat only a handful of times since July.  Going forward I want to continue diversifying my diet and cooking more at home. I’ve got a bunch of recipes to try and a vegetarian cookbook hiding somewhere in this condo.

• I work with a local non-profit, Operation Broken Silence, and this year we became a 501(c)(3) non-profit.  I spearheaded the effort and was ecstatic that everything went as smoothly as it did.  2012 is a big year for us and I want to dedicate a lot more time and resources to making it successful; however, I’m still proud of the progress we’ve made in such a short amount of time.

Areas of Opportunity (Polite Way of Saying “The Bad”)

• Fitness.  I’ve definitely fallen off the wagon.  After March of 2010 I really slacked at working out.  I’ve not gained weight or become completely out of shape, but I can do so much better.  I want to be leaner and stronger and maybe have some awesome pecs.  My nightmare is to wake up one morning with man boobs and a spare tire.
• Money.  I spend a lot of it.  My goal for 2012 is to hang onto more of it.  I need my back-up plan in the event of unemployment or illness to be more robust than just “move in with granny and grandpa.”

Part I of my 2011 recap is short and sweet.  Two strengths and two weaknesses.  I will address the latter in my 2012 resolutions and hope to report good progress has been made this time next year.

Love Long Distance – The Gossip

Cold December – Matt Costa

Because We Are – The Autumn Film

Losing My Mind – Dorothy Collins

Make You Feel My Love – Adele (Dylan Cover)

It’s Too Late – Carole King

Helena – Nickel Creek

One – Harry Nilsson

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder

As Lovers Go – Dashboard Confessional

Well, I’ve decided to move this site to a new host where I hope to have more control and security.  So far things have gone quite well, and I hope that’s a sign of good things to come.  Once more I’ve got more tweaking to make the site what I want it to be, but that will come in time.

I’ve been thinking a lot about content and what I would like this site to be.  I’ve had over a month, so you might expect a plethora of funny, insightful, engaging posts, right?  If so, you might be at the wrong blog…

I’m glad to be back online, and hope this time we’re going to be here for awhile.

See you soon.

If you are Memphis native, or happen to be a resident for any extended period of time, you can’t help but notice a lot of people talk shit about Memphis.  It’s true it has its fair share of problems, but overall it’s a pretty cool place with a lot of potential.  Luckily, people are continually trying to make it better.  You can physically see the transformation from the new bike lanes being painted all around the city to the plans for Overton Square.  We are a city on the move.  Everytime I get back from an extended trip out of town I’ m shocked by the changes that greet me when I return.

I was reflecting on how much Memphis has to offer this weekend after taking in the River Arts Fest, Farmer’s Market, and Avenue Q at Circuit Playhouse.  As I wandered down South Main with a new friend who just moved here, I got the feeling that I so often yearn for…contentment.  I paused and thought “There is nowhere else on earth I’d rather be right now.”

Memphis has been good to me both personally and professionally.  It’s where I’ve met my closest friends and started my first full-time job.  We are not destined to be together forever, but while I’m here I will invest as much as possible and explore all I can.  The opportunities to volunteer, give, create, and grow are waiting.  You just have to stop complaining and start doing.

I’ve been a bit of a funk lately.  I feel like I was somehow thrown out of my usual routine and it’s taken weeks to get back to normal.  I think I’ve cleaned up the blog okay and implemented some security options that should stop the stupid spam links.  I will know in a few days.

Right now I’m sick because this time of year nature tries to kill me.  My allergies are out of control and asthma is worse than usual.  I had two episodes yesterday and it was not fun.

This post is boring and a tad whiny so it will end.  See you later.

Sadly I’ve been hacked again.  This is getting old.