They Were Flying for Us!

Where were you 25 years ago today?

I was in the cafeteria at my college - a technical school. We were all watching the Space Shuttle Challenger launch. Something like that is a big deal at a tech school. The computer folks (like me) were discussing the programming involved. The electronic students were marvelling at the circuitry needed to make something like that happen.

Then the unthinkable happened. In an instant. 11:38 EST. It all ended. We were stunned. And confused. Most of us (guys included) cried. Time stood still. After watching the TV in silence for another hour or so, we all left school for the day.

That 40 minute drive home was a lonely one. How on earth could the Space Shuttle have just blown up? It was scary. First, it was a tragedy for all involved. Second, just minutes before the launch, we were all talking about what we could have added to the space program - how we could be involved in something that spectacular after we graduated. The enormity of what we were studying hit home with all of us. For the first time, we realized that we were embarking on careers that could result in fantastic victories - or catastrophic endings.

So, where were you? What were you doing?

Think of those astronauts today. After all, they were flying for us.

Book It Tuesday...delayed this week

Sorry, gang, I have a miserable cold and haven't finished the book I'm reading. As soon as I can see through my sneezy-tear-laden eyes, I'll finish it up and give a report.

Just a couple thoughts though. As I was sitting here in the recliner, head in hands, praying for a cure to the common cold, I heard a report of a celebrity being released from a couple days in the hospital. He was sick to his tummy and just didn't feel good.

What the hell? The rest of us common folk buck up and fight through illness. Sure, we might whine and bitch a little, even. But, do you know anyone who not only goes to the hospital but is admitted for the minor ailments? It seems that sniffles can render these delicate celebrities hospitalized for days!

Okay, off my soapbox. My ears are so clogged that I'm afraid I might get dizzy and fall off if I stay on it any longer.

Take care. Wash your hands, use your hand-sanitizer, and drink your orange juice.

Book review to follow soon!

Jacked Weigh Up

Have you seen the commercials for the "Jumbo Deal on a Big Meal" at Jack in the Box? For $3.99 you can get Jacked weigh up!!

Now, some of you read my post many months ago about Taco Bell's "Fourth Meal". I was left speechless when I first heard those ads. This new offering by Jack made me sit down and look it up online to make sure I'd actually heard what I'd heard and had seen what I'd seen.

For $3.99 you can get a Jumbo Jack hamburger, 2 tacos, a small order of fries and a small soft drink. I gotta tell you, never once have I headed towards a fast-food place thinking "man, if I could only get a couple tacos with my hamburger and fries, I would be so much more satisfied".

I did the math using the Jack in the Box website. Jumbo Jack hamburger - 499 calories, 27 grams of fat. One taco - 194 calories, 11 grams of fat...times two = 388 calories, 22 grams of fat. Small fries - 333 calories, 15 grams of fat. Small non-diet drink - 227 calories. (Since when is a small drink 20 ounces?!) Add it all up...1447 calories, 64 grams of fat. Opt for the diet drink and you drop down to a "mere" 1220 calories. Still with 64 grams of fat.

I'm not sure how many calories Tums or Rolaids have but you would probably have to toss a few of those in for dessert.

Are you kidding me?

I always refer to Jack in the Box as "the big-headed guy". Eat that meal and you'll be the big-butted customer. Maybe - maybe - if you're going to feed a family of 3 with this meal, I could see someone purchasing it. A burger for the adult. A taco for each of the kids. Split the fries for a greasy side treat. But, my guess is that the majority of folks who purchase this have no intent of sharing.

OMG! The next commercial for this place better be set to Jack singing "I like big butts and I cannot lie".

Weigh too much in this meal for any of us!

Book It Tuesday - Tim Gunn Makes It Work

I'm thinking of starting the "Tim Gunn for President" movement. I've always liked him and the way he carries himself. After reading his new book Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, I'm convinced he should be the leader of the free world.

Mr. Gunn breaks it down into 18 simple rules. Some are etiquette related. Others are inspirational. All of them are fun. His examples throughout the chapters are fabulous stories that will have you laughing, cringing, and wanting more.

From pointing out that the world owes us nothing, to reminding us that we should never underestimate karma, we are lead through a series of thought-provoking lessons that made me say "he's absolutely right" on almost every page. I marvelled at the audacity of the folks in some of his stories and celebrated the simple joy and power of the human species in others. (I have an urge to visit Walter Reed. Wonder if I could make that work?)

This is the book that I expected to read when I picked up Whoopi Goldberg's "Is It Just Me?". I wasn't inspired or entertained by Ms. Goldberg's book (although I certainly enjoy her). On the other hand, Tim Gunn could have been channeling me with some of his thoughts and observations.

Bottom line, Mr. Gunn will let you know that living with integrity does make a difference - and that a good life is only one of the rewards of doing so. Do yourself a favor and learn a little something about yourself - and laugh more than a little - by reading Mr. Gunn's book. It's a great way to start the new year.

Okay...carry on!

The Write Thing

Did you get any letters at Christmas? I'm talking real letters. Hand-written. Not those mass-produced "how great our year was - bet it was better than yours" computer-printed essays.

I got two. And, I've read them both several times. For me, there is nothing better than sitting back in the recliner, hand-written letter in hand, and hearing my friends' voices as I read their words. They told me what they knew I'd love to hear about . They related things to past shared experiences. They were - well, personal.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy those computer-printed letters but they somehow carry a bit of detachment with them. I still love to hear what my friends have done during the year. But, it's just not a special event to read them. (Matt & John, you're the exception to this. I can't wait to get your newsletter each year! Love them!!!)

When's the last time you wrote a letter to someone? I try to write at least two a month. This year, I'm upping the ante to one a week. I hope the recipients feel the same way I do when I get an honest-to-God letter.

Most friendly resolution on my list...doing the write thing each week.

Book It Tuesday - Fannie Flaggs' new novel

Tuesday's are going to be "Book It Tuesday" from now on. Another one of my resolutions for this year is to read more. One book down, many more to go over the next 51 weeks.

I just finished reading I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg. EXCELLENT!! I like to laugh when I read. And, I enjoy a good mystery. Laugh I did while reading this funny novel that mixes a bit of mystery with quirky characters (some of whom, I sure I know), love (lost and found), and thought-provoking wisdom.

Ms. Flagg rocks with her guaranteed surprises.

So, what happens when a former Miss Alabama end up selling real estate? Well, one thing is for sure, there are sure to be some skeletons in the closet. We should all be so lucky to have friends like Brenda, Ethel and Hazel in our lives. And, we all know someone like Babs "the beast of Birmingham" Bingington.

Oh yeah, and haven't we all been caught doing something we're not too proud of? You know, like having our weight loss sponsor finding us in the Krispy Kreme donut shop? (C'mon, you know you have!)

Do yourself a favor, get lost in this funny, southern belle of a book. It will be time well-spent!

For more info, click here: I Still Dream About You

BYOB

That's right...another one of my resolutions. And, I hope after you read this, you will make it one of yours.

Bring Your Own Bag.

Plastic bags are handy - but they cost way more than the convenience is worth. You're probably thinking "so, I get a few plastic bags a week, no big deal". But isn't it amazing to open the pantry door and have them attack you? They add up quickly. More quickly than you might believe...

• The average family of 4 uses 1,460 plastic bags a year.
• Plastic bags are made using petroleum (polyethylene).
• Every year Americans use 380 Billion plastic bags. Do you know how much oil that translates to? 12 million barrels! For plastic bags. EVERY year!!! (Just think if some of that could be diverted to one of the many other uses of oil. Maybe gas would be cheaper. Maybe we wouldn't have to kiss the butts of countries that don't like us so much. Maybe...)
• Do you know how long it takes a plastic bag to completely break down? 1000 years. Of course, the toxic chemicals from the break down start leaching into the ecosystem as soon as the bag is disposed of. Toxins from last decades bags have already started to make it into today's food chain. Think about that.

I remember the first plastic bag I ever got. I spent the summer of 1982 in Spain. A few days into my trip, I visited a popular Spanish department store and was given one filled with my purchases. I was amazed at how convenient and what a good idea they were. I couldn't imagine that we didn't have such a thing in the US. I mean, my goodness, I thought Chicago had everything.

When I returned home, I handed out gifts to people in the bags. Mom even took one into the grocery store she worked at. Everyone agreed that it would be so much easier to pack groceries into them than the paper bags that all the stores here used.

Apparently America fell in love with the concept of the bags because not too long after the summer of 1982, they started making their way into our society as well. Who knew then that they'd grow into menace they've become?

So...can you add another resolution to your list? We'll all get plastic bags somewhere along the line this year despite our best intentions. But I am going to do my best to avoid them by carrying my own bags every time I go out. And, you can bet that I'll recycle every plastic bag I do get this year. Hope you'll consider doing the same.

Blank!

It's January 1st and we've all just been handed a blank book with 365 pages. Isn't that exciting? We get to write our story for another new year.

Each page - each day - is ours to make of it whatever we want. We can choose the story. It is ours to create. Sure, stuff happens that we might not like and, unfortunately, send our story in a direction we hadn't anticipated. But, what is important on our page of the day is the way we choose to react to things beyond our control.

So, have you made any resolutions? Have you chosen a new habit to replace one you'd like to change? (That's the key to success, you know.)

I have a few resolutions. One of the most important is to end each page - each day - with a thought that reads "I'm glad I did" instead of "I wish I hadn't".

I'll share my other resolutions over the next several days. But I'll end here by saying...

"I'm glad I posted an entry today. I love writing and it's high time that I make it a priority in my life again." (Oops! Did I just give you another one of my resolutions?)

Happy New Year, everyone. Now, go write a good tale!