Things Worth Remembering The three habits that lead to success are: Patience, Application, and Vision.
Take care: The person who will tell others' faults to you - will tell yours to others.
It is always better to be underestimated.
There are three things that are better than riches: Health, Freedom, and Honor.
Think swiftly, speak softly, act wisely.
"The world is neither Scottish, English, nor Irish, neither French, Dutch, nor Chinese, but human, and each nation is only the partial development of a universal humanity." - James Grant on founding the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, 1862
All from: The Book of Celtic Wisdom
|
“And you, young Skywalker; we shall watch your career with great interest.” Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
I have been watching, on and off, The Universe on demand from Netflix this week (thank you awesome internet-ready Samsung TV and forced week of vacation!), and I have decided that when I grow up I’m going to be an astronomer. Then again, if I get back to watching Mythbusters I may decide to return to my earlier decision to be a Physicist. I think the fact that we only get one short ride on this rock is deeply unfair.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: ” What took you so long?”
Anakin Skywalker: “Oh, you know, Master, I couldn’t find a speeder that I really liked, with an open cockpit… and with the right speed capabilities…”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
Here’s the Green Lantern, all fresh and shiny with bonnet stripes. Isn’t he purty?
“This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away… to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless.” – Yoda, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Perhaps. But I’m also blissfully happy at the moment. It may be an un-Jedi-like trait, but it’s very, very real.
The stars aligned. A couple of excellent deals were offered. The current landspeeder had required yet another expensive repair. It was time. So as of last Thursday night, we are now the new owners of a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman. It’s British Racing Green with a black roof, mirrors and – going on next week – bonnet stripes. I’m calling it The Green Lantern, in honor of a comic book-loving friend who first dragged me to the Grand Rapids Car Show back before Minis were even in production because he KNEW it was the car for me. Indeed, it was love at first sight, and I’ve been Jones-ing for one ever since. I’ll get a picture up just as soon as the bonnet stripes are on.
Last night, as we were getting ready to go to trampoline practice, Dad Windu said, “I love everything about this car.” Shockingly high praise for a “Yeah, dinner wasn’t half bad” kind of guy. Our nearly 16 year old Padawan Learner is just itching to drive it, but he will not be touching The Green Lantern’s clutch until he gets a few more miles under his belt driving the old-slow-mobile. We’re keeping the old, larger car around for a bit, in case PL follows in my tracks and learns to drive the extreme way – by crashing into someone/something else in the first few months of having a license.
“Move against the Jedi first…you will then have no difficulty taking the Queen back to Naboo, where she will sign the treaty.” – Darth Sidious, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
You know what I like? Kids that are willing to work hard and do things they think they could never do. It’s a very Jedi thing to do. The Empire hates it when we won’t give up. Want to meet some kids like that? Here’s the LEGO in Paradise Robotics Team from West Michigan. One of Padawan Learner’s good friends, Wedge Antilles, is a member of the group. The projects these kids come up with (and then build!) are amazing. Indeed, they were so amazing that the team won first place at both the regional and state competition levels this year.
So if you’ve got an extra few bucks you want to donate to a good cause, please consider making a paypal donation to the team to help defray some of their expenses as they go to the World Festival in Saint Louis, MO this coming April. Any little bit would be appreciated and spent wisely – trust me this area’s Dutch descendants don’t spend money wantonly. Every dollar will be used to within a thousandths of an inch of its life.
Oh, and if you’re in the Saint Louis area (*cough* Gail *cough*), consider stopping by and watching the tournament. PL, DW and I are thinking about going if we can find a hotel room that doesn’t cost an arm & a leg.
“Rest easy, son, you’ve had a busy day. You’re fortunate you’re still in one piece.” – Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi, Star Wars IV: A New Hope
Holy cow, Ben has no idea.
Something exciting has been happening here on Tatooine. Dad Windu, Padawan Learner and I have traded in the roving life and bought ourselves a condo. As you read this, we’re busy getting utilities hooked up, appliances moved in, and personal belongings packed, loaded and moved. Busy being the operative word because we have to be out of the apartment by midnight tomorrow.
No problem, right? hahahahahahaha
So if you find yourself hanging out in Des Moines, stop on in for a visit. We’ll share our view and probably a few refreshing beverages as well.
“Let’s hope this hyperdrive works and Watto didn’t get the last laugh.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
Good news. Great News. My mom found a job – in a very roundabout way – back in Michigan. She’s not going to have to move or lose the house. She’s already working today. What a huge relief – for her, me, my brother & sister, and my guys.
It was one of those friend of a friend of a friend of a friend things. She was one of 70 people who applied within the three days the job was available… and the company never even advertised the position.
Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes. I owe you all one!
“Yeah, I’m responsible these days. It’s the price you pay for being successful.” – Lando Calrissian, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
What do you do when your mother calls to announce that she still has no job prospects – not even part-time/temporary/seasonal – after almost two years of looking for work (Yes, it really is that bad in some places.), is about to run out of unemployment benefits in three months, has cranked up some serious credit card debt, refinanced her too-old-to-be-refinancing-it car to pay down other bills, and is about to lose her house to foreclosure? “I want your advice because you’ve always been smart with your money.” Oh, and I should mention that she’s also fiercely independent, bull-headed, and prone to hatching “fabulous plans.” Seriously, what do you do? Because I don’t have a frick’n clue.
I have officially joined the Sandwich Generation.
(Note: I am honored, and happy, to help her. But I’m also a little freaked out.)
|
|
