Building Positivity
I hope you are found well and surrounded by love this Christmas morning.
This video comes from the Muppet Christmas Carol and I simply adore it. I hope you do, too.
A gentle aside: Michael Caine deserves an Oscar simply for maintaining a straight face opposite the Muppet crew.
I just stumbled upon this one, which ties with one I posted a few days ago:
I cut my finger chopping cheese, but I think that I may have grater problems.
So, with that, I hope you’re having a lovely run-up to Christmas. I won’t remind you have many (few) shopping days there are left. If you aren’t done yet, I wish you the best of luck.
Some random stats as I think about the apex of our night-life for my community just north of Seattle. Your mileage may vary.
Fortunately, slowly, slowly, the days will start lengthening. And another year begins.
A person running a grater in the kitchen should be called a gratist. And the best one should be the greatest gratist.
In my efforts to keep moving forward in my career, I’m currently working on the Google Project Management Professional certificate. Today, I obtained a new certification as part of that: Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project. I guess we could call this a sub-certificate. I guess…
Anyway, project management has always been a key part of who I am. And I see that it will be a key part of my future. From my time in the Navy to the present day, a lot of what I do is keep projects moving. Whether its typing minutes or notes, updating tracking documents (Project or Asana), or following up with stakeholders, projects have been a key part of my career to date. And I’ve been told, multiple times over the years, that this is something people value about me. In the end, I love completing things. I love getting projects across the proverbial finish-line. And I love helping people be successful.
So, I seek to keep moving forward. Everyday presents opportunities for forward motion, and I intend to take advantage of them.
Ok, I have to be honest, I’ve never heard of aerogel until today. YouTube, in all its glory, recommended this video to me. And, well, I’m enthralled.
I’m sure YouTube offered me this since I’m a fan of both Neil deGrasse Tyson and Adam Savage. I feel gratitude for this video, so offer thanks to the great algorithm!
Anyway, aerogel is simply beautiful it’s appearance, and amazing in it’s properties. I really want to explore this further…in my spare time…*ahem*
Anyway, are you familiar with aerogel? With any applications?
One of my favorite online comics, Lunarbaboon, featured this dad joke today:
In the comments, Derek S. left this gem of a dad joke:
I went to see my new doctor today, and I have to admit, I was a little shocked. He was from Madrid, and he had sleeve tattoos and tattoos on both hands. My surprise must have been obvious because he said “it’s okay, you’re not the first. No one expects the Spanish inked physician.”
It hints at this classic Monty Python sketch, which I’ve added below for the edification of those unfamiliar with Monty Python.
I read this haiku over on Charlotte Digregorio’s blog.
out of the blue
the window washer
brightens my day
by Tom Painting (USA)
Modern Haiku, Vol. 37.2, Summer 2006
This reminded me of an experience I had back in the 90s. I worked on various projects at a variety of firms. In one of them, I was at a law firm in the Columbia Center, a 73 story building in downtown Seattle. We were located on the 60th some odd floor, and one of my colleagues was startled by the window washer appearing outside her window. The ensuing shriek garnered all of our attention, and amusement…including that of the washer.
sixtieth floor
an amused window washer
my startled colleague
Fandango posted his response to Bushboy’s blogging prompt “Last on the Card“. The basics of the prompt: post the last photo on your phone or camera’s SD card that was shot in November.
I opted to hop on my phone and see what’s there. So, I was at an event last night, a Book/Movie Discussion for Killers of the Flower Moon. We had a table there with a few resources to learn more about the Native American experience, both in the US as well as local tribes. I took a photo of two books I did not have.
These are books I hope to attain. The one on the right was written by a local author, Jay Bowen, who was at the event. I spent quite some time talking with him last night, so I have a valued connection.
walking through the cold
feeling the grace of the night
soon the rains return
It was a good night for a walk. Brisk air was mitigated by my jacket. My main challenge: being near invisible to the passing cars. But most of my walk was far off the main roads. Thus, my key sensation was tranquility.