November 13
Just a short entry today, but a powerful message!
Next time you get angry or upset about not getting your first choice of meals in first class, or have to check your carry-on bags at the door because the overhead bins are filled to capacity, watch this video…then take a moment to remember this guy and change your attitude!
Cheers and fly safe everybody!
March 5
It’s just my luck…
Just as I get on a roll, getting back into the habit of writing and blogging on a daily basis and POW! My laptop gets smashed. I don’t think I have been without a computer for longer than a couple of days in the past 15 years and it will be very interesting how I deal with it. It’s amazing how reliant I have become on modern day technology and conveniences. The only reason I can even blog this entry is because I have an iPod Touch that has Wi-Fi access and because WordPress has an APP for blogging (thank goodness!).
Even though this may be a short and sweet entry, I did want to plug something that I purchased (which at the time I was really leaning toward declining). I am referring to the Accidental Damage Coverage I bought for my laptop when I got my new machine.
I never thought that I’d need it because really treat my computer with kid gloves…it has a felt screen protector and a gel zip cover it is kept in…most people have no idea that it’s almost 3 years old! It is one of the few things I own that (admiitedly) I treat like gold and up until now, I’m glad i have.
After I get my ‘puter back, I’ll share with you what happened to it. In the meantime, I am sincerely happy that I purchased that ADC insurance for the laptop from BestBuy…the Geek Squad now has it and I am hopeful they will be able to restore my baby to its working order…hopefully like new. And if they are unable to replace the broken parts or if the repairs cost more than replacing it, they will allow me to choose a brand new one…cool!
At this point, the best $300 I have spent on computers ever!
February 12
I’m not sure what it is, but the Olympic Games has always been an exciting television event for me.
The atmosphere, the buzz, the excitement. It’s in the air and all around the host city. In 2002, when Salt Lake City was the host city of the Winter Olympic Games, there was something magical about it all. The entire city was transformed into pretty much the absolute largest sports convention in the world, and it was happening in my backyard! For 16 days, the world comes together, despite it’s differences and gathers to compete in what is arguably the most prestigious sports award in the world.
Now the world stage is ready to light up the Vancouver skyline, and I can’t think of a more beautiful city to have host them. I had the privilege to work on the very first flight of the day from San Francisco to the Olympic Games today and you could really feel the electricity in the cabin as the passengers were set to begin the next chapter in world winter sporting competition. There were several athletes onboard who waited until the last minute to come to the Games as they finalized their last workouts, honing their laser-sharp talents for the entirety of mankind to behold.
What a feeling that must be, to be a competitor in these most competitive of venues.
There was an older couple on the flight this morning wearing their leather USA jackets. This is their 10th Winter Olympics and those jackets we adorned with pins from all the various games they had attended. There was a young Korean family traveling with us who were there to inspire their two young daughters–perhaps one day they would be on the ice, winning their OWN gold Olympic medal!
Even though I will be on the road for most of the days of the Games this year, I will be running my SlingBox into overdrive this month, trying to keep my DVR from filling up too rapidly from all the events I want to watch. I remember having to work to Tokyo during the 2002 SLC Games and being forced to watch the coverage in Japan was an interesting experience. I was amazed at what events drew the attention of the Japanese, as opposed to an American audience, and it made me realize that with all the hundreds of different events that are offered, it’s good to know that there really is something for everybody.
To to all the world’s athletes: we salute you and wish you all the best in your endeavors to conquer gold! And to the spectators, both in Vancouver and around the world: Let’s watch and play together in a spirit of harmony and good sportsmanship.
I believe it truly defines our species as worth growing together as a single world! Cheers!
March 13
I believe in forgiveness. For the most part, I have been a person who can forgive, but I will admit, that it comes with conditions. 99% of it has to do with the genuineness and authenticity of the one who is seeking it from me. Perhaps that condition alone is enough to condemn me to hell, but this is my true nature. Therefore, I believe that I can forgive pretty much anyone, so long as their heart is sincere.
What is sincerity? How do we know when someone is truly genuine and sincere? Are there people out there who know exactly how to manipulate there appearance to convince me and the masses that their penance is real?
This week, another high-profile, powerful individual, was publicly indicted for being involved in a prostitution scandal. Governor Elliott Spitzer of New York spent several days in conference with his attorneys as they tried to work out damage control that ultimately forced him to offer his resignation from office. Had he not, there would definitely have been impeachment hearings held to remove him from office.
In the midst of this media circus, I witnessed two separate, yet painful addresses that Gov. Spitzer conducted. Both times, he “apologized” for his behavior and stated that he was remorseful and that this would remain with him for the rest of his days.
I couldn’t help but notice that his wife was at his side. The pain she is suffering at the moment is, to me, unimaginable. But she is not unlike many other spouses that have had to stand aside while a powerful leader has publicly apologized for infidelity, breach of contract, destruction of trust, or a myriad of other transgressions, all of which have had severe unintended consequences when it came to the family of the transgressor.
At other, similar events, I recall the faithful spouses of people such as Senator Larry Craig, Pastor Ted Haggard, Senator Mark Foley, Reverend Jim Bakker, Governor Jim McGreevey and so on. There they stood, with their dignity shattered, but forced to put up a “strong front” in front of the entire world while their life partner airs their dirty laundry to the magnifying glass of rabid reporters, pundants and paparazzi and the spectacle of public humiliation.
My observation in each and every case concluded in a single, unified conclusion: Not ONE of these men projected any ounce of true, heartfelt and total attrition. As I watched these men justify their actions through slick speech-writing and hours of legal wrangling, the words spoken ring hollow with me. And that destitution was readily reflected in the faces of those who stood by their sides.
These latest public scandals, and their accompanying public displays of false contrition along with the media frenzy and circus atmosphere that is sure to follow reminds me of public history where the masses become rabid participants and as such, encourage the escalation of the mania. In Roman times, it was the Christians and the lions in the Colosseum; in early American history, the witch trials were the rage. Even as recently as the O.J. Simpson or Michael Jackson trial, the public’s need to feed on the chum of every horrific detail reflects how badly our society has debased itself.
As I work day to day at 35,000 feet, how often would you think I come across copies of discarded US Weekly, People, or InTouch magazine found on the plane after our passengers have left? I could fill hundreds of waste bins with these rags. Sadly, I can count on one hand how many copies of National Geographic, Scientific American or even Reader’s Digest that I have discovered left behind.
Rather than turn from the spectacle, the public rallying cry has morphed into “Love the train wreck – hate the conductor!”
I weep for society.
