July Already?

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is July 1st. Wow. The months seem to fly by like minutes... I am looking forward to a long weekend - the office has opted to close on Friday for the July 4th holiday. I have plans to work on my office organization project a bit, so I get that much closer to my goal of being clutter free by labor day. That's not to say, I won't take advantage of my "free" day to get in a little pool time on Friday morning and enjoy a little leisurely reading during the heat of the afternoon. Living in Arizona, you quickly learn why countries with hot climates have adopted the mid-day siesta! I've adapted to rising early to exercise and run errands, then waiting until after the sun sets before attempting any outdoor activities at night. It's the only way to get through the summer months here.

There are benefits to living in a City where it gets so hot you could fry and egg on the sidewalk.

• Traffic is lighter, because the "snowbirds" (winter-only dwellers) are long gone, schools are out on summer break and many locals travel further north to escape the summer heat in the Valley.
• You quickly learn to respect Mother Nature. The Desert is an amazingly beautiful but brutal place in summer, and you either adapt to the environment or die trying. I mourned the loss of several plants lost to the ravages of Arizona summers past. But, I'm proud to report I've managed to keep a lovely hibiscus, fragrant Arabian jasmine, and a Mexican Lime tree that is finally producing normal sized fruit alive and thriving for 3 years (and counting)... with the help of my handy neighbor, Carrie, who volunteers her time to give my plants a better chance at survival than they'd get if left to my rather haphazard care. I've added a few cactus plants to the patio mix, since it's easier to grow plants that have already learned to survive here and can handle a few neglected waterings (hey, no one's perfect)...
• You have a built-in excuse to nap during the day.
• You suffer through 2 hot months a year to enjoy 10 months of nearly perfect weather with temperatures that allow you to be outdoors even in the midst of winter. (Nothing like enjoying dinner on the patio under the stars in January... )

Living through a desert summer certainly makes you appreciate life. Sure, I'll admit, my first summer I questioned my sanity. Then, I found, if you just give into it - realize you cannot conquer it - learn to accept it and work through it - it's not so bad after all.

Enjoy your summer!!! I know I will.

Falling Star

Yesterday the world lost Farrah Fawcett. Sadly, her death was eclipsed by the passing of Michael Jackson just hours after. Countless Michael Jackson hits play on radio stations, television networks run Michael Jackson footage intermingled with interviews from friends and colleagues, and today news crews hover like vultures outside a coroner's office in California waiting for the first morsel they can get on the cause of Michael's death.

Like so many others, I grew up a fan of Michael Jackson. Michael pictures adorned my bedroom walls. I devoured Michael articles in Tiger Beat magazine. I even sported my own navy blue velvet cap, because I thought it resembled a cap Michael wore. I desperately wanted to look like his sister LaToya, and unsuccessfully attempted to style my own curly locks to look like LaToya's. As I reflect on the passing of a pop icon I grew up listening to, watching, even fantasizing about, I cannot help but think of other famous people whose larger than life lives have ended in tragedy. Why is it these rare and gifted people who possess an undeniable magnetism seem to be denied the opportunity to grow old gracefully and pass peacefully? I think of Marylin Monroe, Elvis Presley, and even Anna Nicole Smith. Now it's Michael's turn to have every sordid detail (fact or fiction) of his life as front page news for days to come.

Fame seems to exact a tall price from uniquely magnetic supertars. I wonder is a shortened life span part of their genetic makeup, or is it the burden of fame that causes their larger than life energy to crash and burn too quickly?

One thing is for sure, it's impossible to forget a life that burns so brightly - even after that light has fades to black. Memories - that warm afterglow - remain.

Friend by Definition

I was struggling for a topic today - so I went on to the merriam-webster online dictionary to look up what their definition of the word "friend". Here's what they have written [ edited by me ]:

Main Entry: 1friend
1 a: one attached to another by affection or esteem b: acquaintance
2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)

I'm not sure what exactly I was looking for, but I will admit I was a little disappointed. Where's the stuff that makes one person really refer to another person as their friend? Where's the stuff that truly defines a good friend? Like:

- someone who's got your back (even when you don't realize it)

- someone who accepts you as you are and likes you just the way you are

- someone who believes in you when you might be struggling to believe in yourself

- someone whose presence in your life helps to make you a better person and a truer friend yourself

Those are the definitions I'd like to see... Oh, I know - there are degrees of friends. Someone you might call friend is truly more of an acquaintance by definition (you'll have to look this one up yourself). I'm fortunate to have an ample supply of great friends - the ones who meet the definitions I've added above - and then some. My friends are all truly amazing people and I am so happy to have them in my life.

So, today - I say "thanks" to all my friends!

Postive Thoughts for a Friend

Today, I'm offering up a little positive insipiration by borrowing a few quotes from those who say it far better than I ever could (in pink, her favorite color):

"Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions.

Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that

you, too, can become great."

- Mark Twain -

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

- St. Francis of Assisi -

"A positive attitue may not solve all your problems,

but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

- Herm Albright -

Life

I spent quite a bit of time this weekend watching CNN's coverage of the uprising in Iran. It was pretty intense watching people fight to change the world they live in. One image in particular captured the death of a young girl named, Neda. It felt rather strange to be watching her as the final seconds of her life unfolded on camera. As her death scene played over and over again, CNN commentators stated the family wanted to share the images with the world to show what is happening in Iran and in tribute to her ultimate sacrifice. I cannot help but wonder, how would Neda feel about sharing her final seconds alive with millions of strangers watching? I wonder, how Neda would feel about suddenly being recognized by people all over the world? I wonder, how Neda would feel to know that her last breath seems to have ignited a unified cry for change that is being heard all over the globe? I also wonder what Neda's life story would have been, had tragedy spared her life?

As an observer, it is my hope the people of Iran, who make up the very human element of this history in the making on the streets where they live, get to realize their dreams. SOLH (peace).

Thanks, Terra!

Well, who knew there was so much to learn about blogging? I find filling the empty space with my mind's wanderings is the easy part. Making my blog a fun place to stop by - well, I'm still very much the novice.

Today, Terra helped me add some "fun" things onto my blog! Widgets... amazing little things you can add to spice up the joint. Today, I added the magic 8 ball, but its quaint spot was quickly lost to the Tarot card widget I discovered... now that's some fun.

I may be a mentor to Terra when it comes to life lessons, being 20 years her senior - But - she's certainly the teacher in this arena. Thanks, T!

Hooray for Friday!

Well it's Friday - I'm enjoying veggie pizza at my desk at the moment, enjoying the fruits of my labors earlier this week. In honor of Father's Day - and to have a little office fun to make everyone's day - I created a Know Your Co-Worker contest... I obtained baby pictures (most from obliging wives of the bankers in the office, the rest voluntarily) from everyone in the office and put up a test including 20 pics. The first prize for guessing the most entries correct - a gift card to Paradise Bakery. I've got a few boxes of candy favorites for consolation prizes to give away, too. People are having a good time and you can feel the happier mood ease into the office space - hmmm. Nice. Why can't it feel this serene all the time? (OK, silly question).


In searching for my own baby picture, I found my favorite photo of me - taken when I was 21. I remember the day this was taken - in White Plains, NY during March of my junior year of college... wow, a lifetime of experiences ago. Good times.


Well, time to tally the scores for the contest... looks like one of our computer techs (who truly seems to pay so little attention to his fellow co-workers during the workday) will win today's contest - missing only 2 out of the 20 total! Who'd have thought it?