I have to tape LOST tonight. I’m going to my MKP circle. Needless to say, I’m coming straight home and watching from the VCR. Taping a show on VCR seems so 90’s. However, I haven’t made the jump to digital cable. I’m keeping my cable bill around $14 per month these days. I’m happy with that.
For anyone who needs a pre-show fix, here are some websites:
Find 815 • Lostpedia • LOST-TV • Lost-Media
Enjoy the show tonight!
G
I’ve decided to write off January. I’m not saying that nothing happened in January or that it was a freebie month. Quite the contrary. I’ve made significant investments in my life this month. Big decisions are being made as we speak. However, the return on these investments is indeterminable. Thus, I’m removing January from the balance sheet of 2008.
There will always be record of January. It happened. It is (was) an asset. I’m simply moving things around in the “books” of my life using my powers of spiritual bookkeeping. I’m making an executive decision.
Some may say it’s too early to close the books on January. They might be right. I’m trusting my gut and staying open to the possibility that these investments may bear fruit. And, I’m hunkering in until February. If I have to “cook the books” later, so be it.
Spiritually and emotionally, it feels like January is going to end up “in the red.” That’s OK. Like the markets or your 401k, my life goes up and down. If you look at the graph over time, it is always moving upward and growing. That’s me. I’ll keep making investments. Some will produce great returns. Others will be sold off.
The idea of writing something off may be a bit of a misnomer to many. For me, this idea used to bring up the connotation that something written off is effectively free. Not true. There is almost always a cost to every decision. Something given up. A road not taken. Something. This need not be negative. Many times it is very positive.
Another misnomer might be that an asset which has been written off is worthless. Again, not always true. Even if an asset is written off, there are usually salvageable parts and pieces which contain value. I’m sorting through the parts and pieces of January now. There is value here. No doubt about it. I will find it. Or it will find me.
I’m looking at January as a “rebuilding” month. In sports terms, my team showed up and played the games. We won some. We lost some. We have strengths and weaknesses. It’s time to look at all of these in order to post a better record next season. The bigger questions are “What game am I playing?” and “How am I keeping score?”
I’m taking these questions to heart and I might even share the answers 
Be well, my friends!
Gregory
I just got home from an Antje Duvekot concert at The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. Antje performed another great show. I really love her songwriting, voice and stage personality. In the middle the show, I remembered something very important (to me). I’m not going to call it an epiphany, but it’s good stuff.
When I was planning on moving to Oregon, I realized I would miss the folk music scene in New England. I have come to love the easy access I have to musicians like Antje, Ellis Paul and more. Now that I’m staying, I’m once again grateful for the ability to see musicians I love on a consistent basis.
This simple, little thought inspires me to list other things about New England for which I am grateful. I really like this idea, however, the exercise ain’t gonna happen tonight. I’m wicked tired and my brain might freeze up.
I’m also grateful for this simple idea of gratitude. It feels like my energy is shifting away from “wah-freaking-me” to “what’s next?” I’m all for a little grieving and the shift is a good thing. Very good.
More later. For now, be well and be safe.
Peace and love,
Gregory
Apparently, I’m not going to do it myself. This is my third winter in New England and I have yet to ski or snow board. I’ve never done either. Ever. I need a push. I’m asking for help.
If you’re interested and up for a challenge, shout my way via email or comment. You won’t have to hang with me on the bunny slopes. You’ll just have to get me to the mountain. I think that’s how it would work. Quite frankly, I don’t know. I’ve never been.
My schedule isn’t open for a few weeks. It looks like I’m available after the first weekend in February. Does anyone else want to learn? Group outing? I’m putting it out there.
Peace,
G
Where’s the spiritual seeker these days? Where are the self-examining questions that inspire me to look deeper within and without? Where is the postitive, uplifting perspective I’ve come to know? I wish I knew. I feel bitchy. If I can’t bitch on my own blog, however, where can it happen? This is the place. Now is the time. Strap in.
Maybe it’s where I am in my life in this moment. Maybe it’s that I AM bitching a lot. Maybe I’m being hard on myself. Whatever the case, I feel like I’m on here whining and complaining more than entertaining. I know I wasn’t put here solely to entertain, but you deserve more than my gripes. Maybe tomorrow. Or the next day.
Upon landing in North Carolina on Friday morning, I received an email from my landlord. He wants $150 more in rent per month and a new 12 month lease if I am to stay in my current home after March 1 . My current lease expires on Feb 29. If you’re doing the math, that adds up to $1,800 more per year to stay put over the next 12 months.
I wasn’t expecting this. When I decided to stay in New England, I thought I would stay in my current place for a while. The extra cash outlay wasn’t a part of the plan. Is $1,800 enough to bitch about or should I just pipe down? I need some perspective. I have the money, but an increase chaps my ass. I suppose that’s the real truth. Rent increases piss me off.
I’ve run the numbers both ways. Let’s say moving will cost me $500. Let’s also say that changing utilities, cable and other various odds and ends cost me $300. I know that’s high, but I’m using the number. Assuming I can find a place for the same rent I’m paying now, I will be left with $1,000 more over the next 12 months if I leave 6 Gary Lane.
Of course, the BIG assumption is that I’ll find a place in Portsmouth (or another seacoast locale) for the same rent I’m paying now. I’m paying a lot in rent right now - $1,300 per month. I’m already paying more than I paid on my mortgage on a NICE house in Cincinnati. Tack on another $150 on there and I’m at $1,450.
There’s always the purchase option. My landlord has offered to sell me this house. I’m thinking about it. In order to truly consider this, I would have to run those numbers, too. It’s a buyer’s market. We shall see.
Okay. I’m done bitching for tonight. Part of me thinks I should quit whining and pick a direction. Any way I slice it, I’m in for a year. The question is - where do I want to spend the next year? How do I want to spend the next year? That’s a great question, too.
Be well, my friends!
Gregory
PS - I’m not sure why this is such a big deal. Maybe it’s the back-to-back “this doesn’t look how I thought it was going to look” decisions I’m having to make. That, or I’m just a drama queen. Whatevs.
I’ve been in my own little world of work busyness, decision making, relaxing, tuning out, unplugging and such for a week or so. I’m fine. Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Here’s what is on my mind right now:
SHOUT OUTS: I owe some acknowledgement of monumentous life happenings - Noelle turned 30. Happy birthday, Noelle! - AND - Stiletto Heights is getting married. Congrats, Stiletto!
FLIP FLOPS: Even after I posted about it on Saturday, I was feeling a wee bit uneasy about communicating my decision to stay in New England. Part of me felt like I was living my own little “got caught in a flip-flop” (like a politician). I said this was going to happen. Now, this is happening. I’m over it now, but I want to fess up publicly. I’m not sure why.
BLUE SCREEN: Usually, the term “blue screen” is preceded by a full complement of curse word descriptors. I’m not talking about the blue screens that accompany computer malfunctions and reboots. I’m talking about the GPS screen in my car. When my GPS screen gets more and more blue, I’m getting closer and closer to the ocean. Last night (Wednesday night), I drove over to the ocean after visiting with a friend in North Hampton, NH. The half moon was shining so bright that I saw…you guessed it…moon shadows. Have I mentioned that I love moon shadows? I think so. Regardless, I get downright giddy every time I see them. Add in the ocean? Fuggitaboutit!
ADVENTURE SUM: I love my adventurous spirit. It’s part of my essence, my core. Adventure comes in all shapes and sizes. It need not be a 3,000 mile move. Adventure can be a trip to the ocean at night to look at the moon. It can be sleeping in the backyard. Adventure can be a sunrise motorcycle ride. I love it. Of course, I love the BIG ones. I’m really appreciating the smaller ones, too. Add it all up and that’s a lot of adventure.
RESOLVE SOMETHING: I’m feeling some resolve. I’m feeling like I’m out of the limbo I was in for the last three months around Oregon or no Oregon. It feels like I have some solid ground on which to stand. It’s time to re-solve some areas of my life. Clear the clutter. Organize. Remove the superfluous. Move more (exercise, that is). Go places. Do things.
SPACES BETWEEN: Some say it’s the spaces between notes that make music. Others say it’s the spaces between letters that create words, sentences, paragraphs and more. I say it’s the spaces between posts that make the blog. Of course, I’m only saying this because I am taking a few days between posts.
NORTH CAROLINA: Speaking of going places, I’m trying Skybus again. I fly from Portsmouth, NH to Greensboro, NC in the morning. The round trip flight cost me $32. Hopefully, it won’t cost me any more than that. I’m trusting you again, Skybus. Don’t let me down and you get to stay in the Circle of Trust.
OVERAGE OUTAGE: No, I’m not talking about my belly after the holidays. I could be, but I’m not. I’m talking about signing off. Did you know? In proper voice procedure, “Over” means “I’m finished speaking and await your reply,” while “Out” means “I’m finished speaking and expect no reply.” They are contradictory terms when used together. Who knew?
Much love. Meyer Over. (Yes, I await your reply.)
In years past, I would change my facial hair when something was shifting in my life. Now, I can save myself the painful “growing out” period by changing my blog theme.
I was tired of the dark blog theme. It seemed too brooding. Now, I’m ready for a fresher, cleaner look. What does this say about me? Maybe no more than I like to change themes.
Regardless, here’s the new theme-of-the-week. How long will it last? Hard to tell. I might change it when I get home from the Buddhist center tonight.
Ahhhh, the Buddhist center. I miss thee. It’s been a couple of months since I visited. I’m looking forward to visiting tonight.
On a similar note, it’s been a couple of months since I’ve done a lot of things (or so it seems). The holding pattern is over. Thank Buddha!
Peace and love, friend!
Gregory
I broke up with Oregon. There. I said it. We had a three month love affair that took me to far away places and gave me dreams of new adventures. I still have those adventurous dreams. Those will never go away, but Oregon is not the one for me right now.
I’m guessing this comes as a shock to many/most. Breaking up is never easy. No doubt, I will have periods of grieving Oregon and all she had to offer me. That’s normal and natural. However, I need to tell you - this was my choice. Not my company’s choice or fault. There is no victim here.
The numbers on the relocation didn’t quite line up. That’s one factor. The intangible factor is that my company just isn’t ready for this kind of move. The process of asking for what I wanted/needed was like having teeth pulled without anesthesia. I came to realize that I would not be well supported out there in the Pacific Northwest.
There’s something else. My company offered me another position locally. I accepted. I will be focusing on the health care market exclusively. This is a good thing as it blends my undergrad and grad degrees with my career. Who thought this was possible? Also, I can travel anywhere in the US where my company can travel. Fun!
So, my friends, it was a difficult choice. It was one I did not make lightly. I weighed it all and came down to this - not now. I’m not closing the door. Oregon and I will still be friends. I’m hoping to visit again soon. I want to ride the coast on a motorcycle, and specifically, stay on Cannon Beach. This will happen in 2008.
New England friends, you get to see my mug for a while longer. I have a wonderful life here with great friends and amazing communities of support. For this, I am very grateful.
Happy weekend to you all and much love!
Gregory
PS - I apologize to those of you who first hear (read) of this on the blog and feel like I should have called you or contacted you personally. I’ve been working the phones a bit this morning. It IS a Saturday, ya know
66 degrees and the sun was shining - all of New Hampshire should have come out to vote today. At this point (8:27 PM), results are coming in and victories are being celebrated.
As fate would have it, people in my company are staying at the same hotel as John McCain HQ in NH. He already has the check mark (with 12% in).
We’re in the hotel bar watching people celebrate. As soon as the speech starts, we’ll head for the room to see him. Hopefully, it will be cool.
PS - I didn’t vote for McCain. I voted Obama. Obama is currently 2nd to Hillary. Yikes.
AFTER MCCAIN’S SPEECH UPDATE: While I’m not a John McCain supporter, it was very cool to be a part of the buzz on the night he won the NH Republican primary. We went to the ballroom to hear him speak. It was packed! I was standing next to the event staging manager who set everything up. It was way interesting to hear him talk about how he had never seen a media frenzy quite like this…and he has done All Star Games and major sporting events. Oh yeah. I was also standing next to the confetti cannons. I got out of there right before they went off. I didn’t want to take a confetti cannonball at close range. Who does?
I swear. I’m not feeling it right now, but I’ll be back. Hopefully, with some flourish. I’m not down about anything, just taking a break.
I just got back (tonight) from a one-day trip to Michigan. I closed a nice deal up there, went to Windsor, then came home to watch Ohio State lose the BCS Championship. Dammit. The SEC ate the Big 10’s lunch again. It sucked.
I’m working on the numbers around the move. One company came back with a more aggressive quote. Another moving company is coming over tomorrow to provide a quote.
In the meantime, check out my blogroll for more interesting blogs from my peeps. ========>
Happy January, friends!
Gregory
PS - I will vote in my first New Hampshire primary tomorrow. It’s exciting! I so wanted to attend the debates on Saturday night in Manchester. It didn’t happen, but I watched some of them.
PPS - Jon Stewart made an interesting point tonight. In reference to Iowa, Stewart said, “Cold white people have spoken. In New Hampshire tomorrow night, colder and whiter people will speak.”
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