Day 13817, & another year...

So, I wrote about my 9/11/01 experience 1 year ago.

Sadly, my little protagonist is no longer with us.

Happily though, little Violet is now one year old. She is pretty great.

I am pretty sure that she liked her Auntie Chris, too.

My point? what is it? Oh yes, things change.

There have been quite a few changes over the last 12 months for me. My business footing, my running, my sanity. All changed. I have a tendency to play the victim in much of this change. I have a tendency to dwell in self pity.

On this day though, I have to realize that it is not so bad. My troubles? Minimal. My struggle? Trivial. I am not the victim of circumstance that I like to pretend. On this day, we remember what it really means to be a victim of circumstance.

And while I might think that I deserve to bitch, complain, and wallow in my self pity, I need to suck it up and move forward. Because some people? Some people have a lot tougher than I do.

I have never met Joe, but I have been friends with his wife since college. I read through some of this blog today while I drank my coffee. And then it hit me. I am sitting on my couch at home, drinking coffee, watching TV, and reading. My life? Not as bad as I might think.

So, I am going to try to hold onto this perspective throughout the year. It is not something to be remembered only once every 365 days.

Meanwhile, here is another picture of Violet. Why? Because she is adorable. And? Because she makes me smile.

Cheers!

Day 13815, &...

I am not a president, but I play one on TV...

Day 13797, & I just noticed something strange...

So, the way I see it, I have not written a blog post since the Fall, 2008.

Sure, I have posted some things, all silly. I would not consider whimsy to count as insight into my genius. I would consider it to be a lame attempt at maintaining the attention of my readers, both of them.

Anyway, what did I notice over the last few weeks of my hiatus? Well, I noticed that most of the blogs that I tend to give my attention to are also quite unattended. It would seem that EVERYONE is in a rut.

I can't help but wonder what is causing this universal writers' block. I would say it is the heat; but, speaking from my southern perspective, it has not been hot. I could blame work for my slump, except that I have plenty of free time to thrill you with the Real Adventures of Chris and Jay and Their Struggling Business.

Is it the economy? Doubtful. Blogging is free, after all.

I have been on a trip or two. I have had many a funny story to tell. I have keen political insights, enough to last for many months of posting. How long is this rut going to last, I wonder?

Is everyone busy trying to read the health care bill? That would be a reasonable excuse for leaving me without morning reading. Still, I suspect that this is not the case.

Well, I am going to wait it out. I am going to trudge forward and try to reclaim my burning desire to share the triviality that is my life.

I hope that everyone else finds a way to do the same.

And, mostly, I hope that I still have at least one of my two readers.

Day 13793, & I just have this...

So, I have no time, but this is so funny to me...

And, there are more. All genius...

Days 13775-13777, & the recapturing of youth...

So, it IS coming, the post about the All Points West festival last weekend. I just have to find the time to write it while I catch up on all the work I missed. I will get there, I promise. Meanwhile, enjoy these. One, I saw. One, I missed. And, check out the new music link to the right (my new theme song is Track 1, as I try to start re-engaging in the world of exercise...)

At least this is more of a post than Nat has mustered...

By the way, you know how you know I'm gay?

and

That's right, you know I'm gay because I DO like Coldplay...

(I just forgot that I did...)

Day 13717, & welcome to my nightmare...

So, a few months back, Jay went to cook on one of those midday shows.

He hates doing TV but I require it of him once every 5 years or so. I would be happy to do it myself but it is the age of the chef.

Anyway, the following morning there was a message on the voicemail at work.

Wanna hear it?



You can imagine our surprise. Quite a strong opinion against ball caps. And, let me just say, it isn't like she was a Cubs fan and Jay was wearing a Yankees hat. It was a restaurant hat, official issue.

Anyway, I returned her call and left a very polite and professional message on her answering machine. I simply explained that she obviously didn't understand what kind of restaurant we were and that if she really took issue with our choice of hat wear, she might want to dine elsewhere.

Apparently, Jay was not satisfied by my approach. He called her back later that day. She answered. It seems that, in case you were unaware, that Jay is a "god damned punk" and Ms Koch is "quite the lady" and also likes to talk to her parole officer with that mouth, so thinks Jay, anyway...

My point? I had forgotten how armed and ready people are to criticize a new business. There are chips on all shoulders. The patio is too sunny. The butter is too rich. The French winelist doesn't have Kendall Jackson on it. My favorite? I DO NOT park in parking garages.

The result of these criticisms? I am worn down. I am tired. And, I am fed up. Time to shift my focus. Time to do what I know. Time to move forward and ignore these dipshits.

Time to make lemonade out of these lemonheads.

Listen up:

To give credit where it is due, one of our genius linecooks downloaded the message off the phone and did the remix himself. Our IT guy converted it to a video file so I could post it. I know my techno-limitations...

I miss everyone. And get ready, Dodge City 2009 is less than 1 month away.

Day 13684, & I swear this is the last non-post...

So, I sooooooo owe this blog an honest to goodness update.

Yeah, well, anyway, I was at 3 Crow tonight having a beer on the first night that I left the restaurant early.  Parents, I know you know the feeling- the first time you left the kid with a sitter.

Anyhoo, I called twice and texted once.

I forgot all about it though, when this song started.  WOW!

I have my new training song!

I have registered in a time group for the P'tree and I am registered for the Middle Half in M'boro.  Gotta get going yesterday!  Damn, I am fat...

Meanwhile, I also bought some art this AM.  Two pieces.

Life still seems sucky, but I am pulling through.

Hugs, bitches!