it just seems fitting title as i sit here in the airport waiting to fly back east. to start the next chapter on my life, to close a very long and recent chapter of my life. it is harder than i thought it would be to leave. i have felt moisture build up in the corner of my eyes several times today. i am glad for that. it means that the last 10+ years have been about something, been for something, been special. to often, we gloss over the people we meet, the friends we make, the adventures we make, the successes we have, the failures that help to redefine and ultimately improve us. ( i am sure there is an english teacher, completely appalled by the lack of proper grammar and spelling).
well, sometimes this is how i communicate. i put a rant together and let the words flow.
i was truly blessed, honored, and most of all humbled by the sheer number of people that came to my farewell party. it is more important to be defined by the people you know and the quality of those relationships. i always tended to focus on the quality but was completely amazed by the quantity. you all make me a better person for knowing you. i was truly the lucky one to know so many of you. i could sit and say that i wish we had done more, but that takes away from the power of each of the interactions that i had with you. yes, more would have been nice but i say make the most out of every single interaction/ relationship you have. tell them how special they are, how important they, or just how much you enjoy them buying your drinks. :)
looking back on my start here in portland, i see that i am a better man. i have learned humility. i have loved. i have been broken-hearted. i have been fired. i have hit rock bottom. but, i grew from all of the that with the help of old friends, newer friends, and myself. but, the friends clearly were the most important.
why am i leaving? well, to put it simply, i need a fresh start. i need to not look over "my shoulder" but rather keeping looking forward for the next growth opportunity. looking back will only make me dwell for something or someone who is past. i will move forward. just as much about moving forward, is the fact that i will be closer to my family. my grandmother passing was an important learning event and hammered home the importance of my family. but, unfortunately i will miss my portland family. ;)
so, this is all wonderful, you say. so, i will just ask that you make sure to find the time to see the friends you care about. don't think that you can see them "next time". if it matters, make the effort.
talk care of yourselves, my friends.
-TF
Monday, April 4, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Humility
wow. i was completely amazed at the how different people can be perceived with just the slight addition of humility.
for me, i am comparing charlie sheen and terry pegula.
mr. pegula is the new owner of the buffalo sabres and business owner. also, let me take a moment to express my gratitude to him for buying and keeping the sabres in buffalo. and, he has clearly stated his goal of winning the cup. awesome!!!
charlie is an actor who has his share of personal issues in the media.
so, back to humility. charlie's shows was cancelled for remainder of the year due to his rants about pretty much everything. now, as a fan of a good rant, i also know that sometimes the stuff is said for effect. but, i definitely got the sense that chucky was serious. maybe, that happens when you deal with some very painful stuff...either you open up or you build up more walls. i hope that chuck can really find it to heal. the rant, in my opinion was definitely not from a funny place and really turned me off to his situation and i applaud the fallout he should take. no humility was present, and thus i see in chucky in a non-positive light.
however, mr. pergula had a sincere letter to fans at the website for the sabres. it was geninue and oozed humility. i immediately felt a connection, and that is wonderful thing. sometimes, it is hard to connect with people from such different economic situations but humility goes along way in building that connection. i can relate and i wish nothing but the best for terry and his family.
just seemed like a great example of what humility can do to improve how the world see you.
so, i need to continue to try and convey humility in my own life. people do want to relate to each other.
-just a thought
for me, i am comparing charlie sheen and terry pegula.
mr. pegula is the new owner of the buffalo sabres and business owner. also, let me take a moment to express my gratitude to him for buying and keeping the sabres in buffalo. and, he has clearly stated his goal of winning the cup. awesome!!!
charlie is an actor who has his share of personal issues in the media.
so, back to humility. charlie's shows was cancelled for remainder of the year due to his rants about pretty much everything. now, as a fan of a good rant, i also know that sometimes the stuff is said for effect. but, i definitely got the sense that chucky was serious. maybe, that happens when you deal with some very painful stuff...either you open up or you build up more walls. i hope that chuck can really find it to heal. the rant, in my opinion was definitely not from a funny place and really turned me off to his situation and i applaud the fallout he should take. no humility was present, and thus i see in chucky in a non-positive light.
however, mr. pergula had a sincere letter to fans at the website for the sabres. it was geninue and oozed humility. i immediately felt a connection, and that is wonderful thing. sometimes, it is hard to connect with people from such different economic situations but humility goes along way in building that connection. i can relate and i wish nothing but the best for terry and his family.
just seemed like a great example of what humility can do to improve how the world see you.
so, i need to continue to try and convey humility in my own life. people do want to relate to each other.
-just a thought
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Coffee Houses ?
i am still sorta confused by this institutions. they are like early morning bars, but without the booze. or, maybe a library with absolutely no volume control. maybe, it is the fact that i really don't like coffee or tea.....well, i like tea but i guess i don't understand paying like $8 for one. is that on the high, maybe $6.50. but, to each their own.
i never went to one until i had to start networking and doing all that job-search stuff. i mean, really why go to a coffee house if you are NOT going to drink coffee. sorta, the same as going to a bar but not to have an adult beverage.
where was i going? i guess sometimes you just have to try something new, or revisit something to see the joy of it. really, the coffee house is just another venue where folks can meet and talk with with old and new friends. and, isn't that what it is really about? making those connections with folks that make our life and hopefully theirs better.
so, i guess i am going to keep re-evaluating situations and looking for those opportunities to make positive impacts. side note, gave a speech today in toastmasters about the "twitter revolution". however, i spoke about it as a name for the 2011 egyptian revolution and i am happy to say that i gave folks some new information. i was very happy about that.
find something, learn something, and then pass it along.
just a thought.
i never went to one until i had to start networking and doing all that job-search stuff. i mean, really why go to a coffee house if you are NOT going to drink coffee. sorta, the same as going to a bar but not to have an adult beverage.
where was i going? i guess sometimes you just have to try something new, or revisit something to see the joy of it. really, the coffee house is just another venue where folks can meet and talk with with old and new friends. and, isn't that what it is really about? making those connections with folks that make our life and hopefully theirs better.
so, i guess i am going to keep re-evaluating situations and looking for those opportunities to make positive impacts. side note, gave a speech today in toastmasters about the "twitter revolution". however, i spoke about it as a name for the 2011 egyptian revolution and i am happy to say that i gave folks some new information. i was very happy about that.
find something, learn something, and then pass it along.
just a thought.
Monday, February 21, 2011
President's Day
i remember when we used to say Washington's and Lincoln's Day. can you imagine trying to be compared to those icons of the POTUS fraternity? first, you have the FATHER and then you have the SAVIOR of the country. that got me thinking of what a tough job POTUS must be, and what a hugely scrutinized position. no matter what you do, you can be assured that at least 1 in 2 people are gonna be pissed. also, funny how this role, which is the extension of the executive branch, has actually becoming the more powerful of the 3 branches. while, they are all supposed to be equal, the Founding Fathers had really wanted the legislative branch to be the more powerful of the three, still putting the people in charge.
anyways, i got side-tracked. the idea that came to me was how we tend to "hate the man", rather than his plan or politics. to often, it seems like we forget the sacrifice these men have made. i mean, it isn't like they aren't set for life after but i do believe they make sacrifices of their privacy and more importantly their family. and, i know that everyone of them was doing what they thought best for the country. so, i say "hate the politics but NOT the man". i think this is wonderful idea to keep in mind when dealing with anyone. i know i struggle with this. it is harder to hate the politics, plan, situation, anything but the man. why? i think because it is quicker, we don't have to take the time to learn anything. it is the easy way.
so, for me, i will try to not pass judgement on the man OR at least give some pause before i do. i guess, i would want the same if i was in their shoes.
just a thought.
anyways, i got side-tracked. the idea that came to me was how we tend to "hate the man", rather than his plan or politics. to often, it seems like we forget the sacrifice these men have made. i mean, it isn't like they aren't set for life after but i do believe they make sacrifices of their privacy and more importantly their family. and, i know that everyone of them was doing what they thought best for the country. so, i say "hate the politics but NOT the man". i think this is wonderful idea to keep in mind when dealing with anyone. i know i struggle with this. it is harder to hate the politics, plan, situation, anything but the man. why? i think because it is quicker, we don't have to take the time to learn anything. it is the easy way.
so, for me, i will try to not pass judgement on the man OR at least give some pause before i do. i guess, i would want the same if i was in their shoes.
just a thought.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sun ALWAYS makes it better!
Sunny days during winter, even without snow are awesome. The warmth of the sun and the promise of what spring will bring.
The best part of our own 'winter' is the bring our 'spring'.
The sun and just reminded me, spring will be great BUT I have stuff to finish this winter. :)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Just Try It
usually, i want to try and write this sooner in the day. oh well, at least i am getting it done.
so, i am trying to change how i am starting my days. i decided to add a calendar item for everyday.
it lists a few things for me to do; read a passage from a book on meditation, write a brief blog/ comment, and perform some basic yoga/stretches. the idea was to have this ritual incorporated into my day, EVERY DAY. there is a statement, "if you want new results, then change your system". well, that is what i am trying to do. it has worked in the past, and sometimes you just have to remind yourself of what you can do.
one thing i have noticed is it seems like we are becoming a society where everything is one-way. my way or the highway. it seems like we want to take images, videos, content from the net but make no real commitment to give something back. again, this is just my opinion and i hope that i will be shown that is not the case. but, maybe we can all stop for a second and think of how we can give something back to anyone. it could be just really listening to a person.
just a thought.
so, i am trying to change how i am starting my days. i decided to add a calendar item for everyday.
it lists a few things for me to do; read a passage from a book on meditation, write a brief blog/ comment, and perform some basic yoga/stretches. the idea was to have this ritual incorporated into my day, EVERY DAY. there is a statement, "if you want new results, then change your system". well, that is what i am trying to do. it has worked in the past, and sometimes you just have to remind yourself of what you can do.
one thing i have noticed is it seems like we are becoming a society where everything is one-way. my way or the highway. it seems like we want to take images, videos, content from the net but make no real commitment to give something back. again, this is just my opinion and i hope that i will be shown that is not the case. but, maybe we can all stop for a second and think of how we can give something back to anyone. it could be just really listening to a person.
just a thought.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Twitter Revolution
i guess this is just the most recent think on my mind this morning. very likely, because i was researching a speech and choose this event. oops. maybe, i should back up just a second. i am referring to Egyptian Revolution that just happened. i heard this phrase on a news program while an activist was interviewed on skype or something.
anyways, it was pretty amazing to go back and read about this history in action. but, again it shows just the power and reach of the social networking phenomena. sometimes, i think i get depressed when i just see vapid, banal, and otherwise useless tweets, blogs, or facebook updates. it goes to show the power of any tool when used to truly impact people's lives in a positive manner.
so, with all of that said, i am going to try to keep my online presence in a positive manner or at least in a way that makes people think.
ok, just wanted to get a thought out.
whatever, it is worth.
-thomas
anyways, it was pretty amazing to go back and read about this history in action. but, again it shows just the power and reach of the social networking phenomena. sometimes, i think i get depressed when i just see vapid, banal, and otherwise useless tweets, blogs, or facebook updates. it goes to show the power of any tool when used to truly impact people's lives in a positive manner.
so, with all of that said, i am going to try to keep my online presence in a positive manner or at least in a way that makes people think.
ok, just wanted to get a thought out.
whatever, it is worth.
-thomas
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
"NoTitle"
i thought i had something important to put to "paper". maybe, this is just another venue to allow me to vent, purge that extra energy that i seem to have lately. while the energy is wonderful, i just can't seem to exercise it in a useful manner. that would include running, yoga, studying for my pmp, developing speeches for toastmasters, volunteering.... i think we can get the idea.
however, i think that it is important that i try to re-establish some routines in my life. maybe, a quick blurp about a thought or a dream or whatever, maybe help. if you don't like the results, then you got to change the process/system. somebody alot smarter than me said, "Every system delivers the exact results it was designed for." so, you want new results, than change the system.
also, i need to get used to writing again. i want to try to capture as much as i can via blogs/ pictures/ etc over the next few months. it is an opportunity to allow myself to open to others, and let them share in my travels. or, worse case, they can get an idea of where i am AND that i am not in "to much" trouble.
ok. so, this felt good. i think i amm on to something.
just one thing to think about. should there be more filtering in the use of computers in libraries? (note: i write this from a library pc)
i am not talking about content, what you look up on the internet rather, what you are using the computers for. most folks are productive but i can't help to notice these guys playing "video games" on systems.
just seems to me another example of able-bodied folks enjoying the benefits of a free and productive society. again, this is a small sample but i can't shake the feeling of how prevelant this "could" be.
just an observation. i try to stay impartial, and if this prompts me to be more proactive then all the better.
thx-thomas
however, i think that it is important that i try to re-establish some routines in my life. maybe, a quick blurp about a thought or a dream or whatever, maybe help. if you don't like the results, then you got to change the process/system. somebody alot smarter than me said, "Every system delivers the exact results it was designed for." so, you want new results, than change the system.
also, i need to get used to writing again. i want to try to capture as much as i can via blogs/ pictures/ etc over the next few months. it is an opportunity to allow myself to open to others, and let them share in my travels. or, worse case, they can get an idea of where i am AND that i am not in "to much" trouble.
ok. so, this felt good. i think i amm on to something.
just one thing to think about. should there be more filtering in the use of computers in libraries? (note: i write this from a library pc)
i am not talking about content, what you look up on the internet rather, what you are using the computers for. most folks are productive but i can't help to notice these guys playing "video games" on systems.
just seems to me another example of able-bodied folks enjoying the benefits of a free and productive society. again, this is a small sample but i can't shake the feeling of how prevelant this "could" be.
just an observation. i try to stay impartial, and if this prompts me to be more proactive then all the better.
thx-thomas
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thank You, Pam Grier!
I don't normally sing the praises of the books I read to other folks. Usually, I will read a book, enjoy it, but I don't sing praises of the book. I do list the books I will read on LinkedIn, but usually my comments are kept to myself. I mean who really needs to hear what I think, right. (anyone, see the irony in that last sentence?)
But, I have to admit that I was really moved by Ms Grier's book, FOXY My Life in Three Acts. Now, I think everyone know Pam Grier or one of her characters; Foxy Brown, Coffy, or Jackie Brown. I am never been a person to take a whole lot of satisifaction in reading or following another person's life. Don't we all have our own life to live and experience. However, I have always loved history because I love to learn how people have overcome obstacles in their lives, regardless of who or what put those obstacles there. And, I have always felt that Pam Grier was a hotty. Her characters always had this mix of sex appeal, power, and smarts. These are the same qualities that I have always looked for in women that I want to have in my life. So, it would seem only fitting that I would pick up her book...at the library. :)
WOW!. This book really reasonated with me, it was such an honest and straight-forward delivery of her life story. It talked about obstables she overcame or is still working to overcome; how she has fallen in love, had the relationship die, and still continues to find love; beating cancer; her trimuphs and her regrets.
I think the part that really connected with me was when she talked on using yoga to help her quite her mind and get in touch with her body. To be honest, I think I used those same words to describe why I started my practice of yoga.
Upon finishing reading this book, I really thought about sending fan mail to her. I have never done that, I don't ask for autographs or clammer to see them. ( Yes, even Van Halen) But, I did look for a way to express my gratitude to her, the best I could find was a twitter and facebook account. Well, we are in a new time of media-connectivity. Who knows yet, what I will do. But, I feel this is a good start, and maybe somebody will read this and find her book.
It seems like there was so much more in my head when I finished reading the book. Guess, you really do have to put it to paper as soon as it pops in. Pick it up, give it a read. Make your own informed opinion, I know that would be something Ms. Grier would do. She struck me as a very open-minded person who tried to connect to people on a real level. And, that is something that I need to keep working on. Because it ain't about the quanity, it is the quality.
Again, thank you Pam Grier.
-later
But, I have to admit that I was really moved by Ms Grier's book, FOXY My Life in Three Acts. Now, I think everyone know Pam Grier or one of her characters; Foxy Brown, Coffy, or Jackie Brown. I am never been a person to take a whole lot of satisifaction in reading or following another person's life. Don't we all have our own life to live and experience. However, I have always loved history because I love to learn how people have overcome obstacles in their lives, regardless of who or what put those obstacles there. And, I have always felt that Pam Grier was a hotty. Her characters always had this mix of sex appeal, power, and smarts. These are the same qualities that I have always looked for in women that I want to have in my life. So, it would seem only fitting that I would pick up her book...at the library. :)
WOW!. This book really reasonated with me, it was such an honest and straight-forward delivery of her life story. It talked about obstables she overcame or is still working to overcome; how she has fallen in love, had the relationship die, and still continues to find love; beating cancer; her trimuphs and her regrets.
I think the part that really connected with me was when she talked on using yoga to help her quite her mind and get in touch with her body. To be honest, I think I used those same words to describe why I started my practice of yoga.
Upon finishing reading this book, I really thought about sending fan mail to her. I have never done that, I don't ask for autographs or clammer to see them. ( Yes, even Van Halen) But, I did look for a way to express my gratitude to her, the best I could find was a twitter and facebook account. Well, we are in a new time of media-connectivity. Who knows yet, what I will do. But, I feel this is a good start, and maybe somebody will read this and find her book.
It seems like there was so much more in my head when I finished reading the book. Guess, you really do have to put it to paper as soon as it pops in. Pick it up, give it a read. Make your own informed opinion, I know that would be something Ms. Grier would do. She struck me as a very open-minded person who tried to connect to people on a real level. And, that is something that I need to keep working on. Because it ain't about the quanity, it is the quality.
Again, thank you Pam Grier.
-later
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