Resolved for Dummies

As I paddled backwards I watched Netter working on her reel and line and realized that for the first time, in pretty much ever, I was going to have to do this myself.

Patiently, I maneuvered the canoe so it angled just so. Quietly I put down my paddle and picked up my rod. A quick side arm flick of the wrist putting my line exactly where I knew he was...

Pow, the fish grabbed my artificial worm and started to swim.

Furiously I started to reel him in, then remembered that I needed to be more patient and not let him jump, or otherwise find a way to pull away from my line... and there he was.

As I put down my fishing pole and pulled the fish from the water I could see that he wasn’t all that special. Average size, not all that big, not even as big as two I had caught the day before actually, but there was a difference.

I didn’t wait for Netter to help paddle me into position, or wait for her to say: “Good cast Honey,” to know I had gotten it right. I had put all the lessons of our 19 previous trips to Akita, everything Ranger Annette, (as we only half jokingly call her) and her Dad had taught me, grabbed opportunity by the hand and I just caught it. I mean I just did it.

You know... like the Nike commercial.

Incredible satisfaction, the only one of my fish we took a picture of the whole weekend in fact.

Today, I am focusing on that as we mark the 18th anniversary of the passing of our daughter Meghan Joy.

I’m reflecting a lot on past and current successes and wondering why sometimes it takes me so long to learn.

Just do it Jim!

In February of last year I let loose my rant of a lifetime...

Because I wasn’t getting anything done.

For the remainder of 2011 I tried to “get stuff done.”

I had my three words and I tried to stick to those, but as 2012 approached I realized that I wasn’t going to accomplish everything I had set out to in 2011, and I needed to find more time, to get stuff done.

I’ve held off talking about it here because I didn’t want to have yet another - New Year’s or Lenten resolution, reflection, good gawd you’re making me gag with all this mushy, gushy life is too short, fulfill your dreams blah, blah, blah, blah, BLAH... and so on...

But as I sit here today and think about Meghan Joy, the Foundation we have established in her memory, and the children we have helped because of her with our golf tournament and bowling outing, I can’t help but think about how important it is to actually DO things.

After I did that little time study last year I started doing things. Instead of finding systems, and books, and ways to get organized and accomplish more, and blah, blah, blah... I just started doing things.

This pile - where does it go? Move it!
That pile - what do I need to do with that? Do it!
That phone call. That letter. Make it. Send it.

Just do it.

It still becomes quite a process sometimes, and I admit that I still overthink things, and I am very guilty of finding tasks that “need to be done,” to replace tasks that “really need to be done.” (I call this cleaning the junk drawer, a theory derived from this article by one of my favorite writers.)

Still, I’ve been steadily pecking away at things, finding the most success with getting healthy - which I thought would actually be the most difficult of the 3 words I wanted to tackle. (Or maybe getting healthy is cleaning out my junk drawer.)

I've been working on it since March 12 because I was supposed to start working with a trainer that day, but hurt my knee. I had to rehab it anyway so I stuck to the diet part of the deal and started with work in the hot tub, then walking, skating, onto the elliptical, and a new obsession with biking. I just told the trainer I would probably not be back because I really enjoy the cardio work I’ve been doing, although I really do get a lot from being on his email list with the fitness information he shares. I must confess I don’t agree with all of it, but I am learning and also remembering a lot from when I worked out as a young person.  

I've done something every day since with a couple of exceptions. I took the first weekend of March Madness off to spend time with buddies doing what buddies do when they are watching basketball. Would not have been a pretty calorie count, although I did cut out the fried food, pizza, and such after day 1. I also sometimes cheat on Saturdays and depending what I'm doing that can get a little out of hand. I'm coming into this with an open mind trying to learn and make changes that will be long term. As of today I’m proud to report I’ve lost 15 pounds and I’m halfway to my goal.

In the meantime, aside from the health kick I’m just doing the work. It takes me away from the blog and some other mediums more than I’d like, but in the long haul I think it will make for more quality in all areas of my life.

I am resolved to make it so.

Push Yourself

This is the last of 3 videos I shot while were at Camp Akita earlier this month. (I promise) I have to confess that I really didn't know how, or in what context I would use this until Sunday night. Even I sometimes think I'm beating a dead horse with my wheel spinning. (How 'bout that for two cliches in one sentence?)

Looking at my schedule for this week I discovered that I have no deadlines. As we've discussed previously, I need deadlines to get work done. But, I do still have that to-do list and I don't want to just waste a whole week, (plenty of stuff due next week). So - as the popular commercial slogan goes. It's time to just do it. I need to push myself. I need to be the turtle.  This will work. Right?

Eh, if nothing else it is really pretty scenery.



If you can't see the video click here.

The truth is for the most part this has been working for me this week. Just have to keep it going. Keep on keeping on as they say...

Recharging

Beginning in May each year our family gets busier and busier up until Golf for Joy at the end of June. This year, May seems busier than ever. Fortunately we were able to take a little break and get away for a couple days to rest and recharge. I wrote last year about the peace I find at Camp Akita. I think it's very important to have a place like that, to get away and keep things in perspective.

Last summer I bought Netter a Flip Video camera, so while we were at Camp Akita this year, I thought I'd take a minute to share our trip visually.

*In the Note to self category, we might want to add a microphone to shoot video outdoors. It's a little windy. Still, I think you can hear most of the video fairly clearly. In any case:

Hello from Camp Akita.



If you can't see the video click here.

Getting to the Goat

One of the things I most enjoy is finding the ways and words to explain to folks how to find and use the (primarily) technological tools they want to use.

The process goes something like this:

- I identify the proper tool for the job.
- I learn how to use said tool with as much expertise as possible.
- I find the ways and words as mentioned above.
- I am declared sheer genius. (Just kidding)

During the past year or so I have been "learning" about Social Media and using all of the tools I could find. Along the way I've discovered I have a bit of a knack with this medium, and I had hoped I would get a chance to share that knowledge with folks who wanted to learn how to use those tools.

Thanks to my friend Cat, the opportunity came sooner rather than later and I gave my first social media presentation this past Thursday for the Greater Linden Development Corporation's business network.

I've got one word to say -

Whew!

I have loads of experience speaking in front of people, but for some reason despite several attempts to convince myself otherwise, I was a nervous wreck.

Naturally, as it turned out I had nothing to worry about and the talk went fairly smoothly.

I did learn a few things that I will apply to my next talk should I be fortunate enough to have that opportunity. (I'd really like to make this almost a full time gig. I had that much fun.)

I thought I might share what I learned in my post today.

Here we go...

1. Know the size of your audience.

Fielding questions from 8 audience member is quite a bit different than fielding questions from 80. Eight questioners are much more focused in their efforts and yes, I did feel more pressured. Though I think I was able to field all of their questions accurately.

2. Ask you audience if they can all see.

I had tested my projector and clicker to be sure that they worked with my laptop and such, but had not tested ways to make the image larger or smaller beyond focusing the projector. Eventually I was able to move the projector far enough back from the screen wall to be acceptable, but an extension cord that I didn't have would have been so helpful in this situation.

3. Ask your audience if they are currently using any of the technology you are covering.

This way you won't be caught off guard when one of them says. "If I might interject..."

4. Don't mention a topic early in your talk that you plan on talking about later. (especially when your audience is relatively small and more focused in their efforts.)

Early in my talk I referenced Twitter which I had planned on covering in more detail later. However, one audience member who had obviously heard about Twitter immediately began quizzing me about what it is and how it is used and how could he use it and any number of other very valid questions that I had hoped to cover later in my talk. Ultimately, I punted - did a quick mental rearrangement and (hopefully) answered the gentleman's questions as they were asked.

5. Have examples or screen shots of everything - don't assume even, (what you might consider) the simplest knowledge.

Trying to explain to my audience how they would add Twitter or Facebook to their website or blog I said, "It's very easy you just click a button that says, 'Add this to your website or blog,' copy the text that results, then go to your website or blog's editing space and paste that text where you need it. It's really simple and usually very intuitive."

Um, it's intuitive for you Jimmer you geek, but not everybody knows that text is html code and not everybody edits their own web space.

Oops!

Okay so lessons learned I hope I am lucky enough to give this talk or maybe another sometime soon. I want to give a shout out and thank you to my wife Netter who helped quite a bit with the design of my slide show, K & D who watched the slide show and said all the appropriate things to give me confidence, ("It's great Daddy!"), Gerald and the library's Organizational Development department who loaned me a projector and clicker and plenty of moral support, and my friend Gregor who helped me wind down and debrief after my talk, and all my friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter who helped to ease my nerves leading up to my talk.

I appreciate all of you.

If you have time, take a peek at the slide show in the post that precedes this one, and thanks a lot for reading.

Huh? What's that?

You watched the slide show already? You want to know about the goat you say?

The picture of the goat and all the pictures in the presentation are from our Vacation at Beechwood Acres last August.

The goats were penned at the front of the campground very near the camp store / check-in area. Because they weren't just puppies or kittens, (which are cute at first, but people often get bored with after awhile) folks would come to the goat pen every day to see what the goats were up to.

Campers, would gather together and chit-chat. You know, "Hi, how are you? Where are you from etc...?" Very often folks would find some common ground, some connection and get together later for dinner, or to meet at the pool, something like that. When we went two years ago we met a very nice family from Pittsburgh who we swam with at the pool for the majority of the week.

While they were looking at the goats and were so near the store campers would also very often spend some money they may not have otherwise spent.

A souvenir for K & D, extra beverages, some ice, and firewood were items included among our purchases, all because of the goats.

Bringing people together, building relationships, and ultimately benefiting business.

I guess for campgrounds my talk would be retitled "Goats for Your Business."

Akita

Working a lot this week on "where I'm going," but before I forget, I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about where I've been.

I mentioned in my Odd Day post that we were headed for Camp Akita for our annual family camping trip in the Hocking Hills.

Today, I'd like to tell you about Camp Akita and what it means to me.

1992- City boy Jimmer, and his lovely wife Netter head off to a place she describes as one of her favorite in all the land. "It's not your normal camping," she tells him. "You'll have fun. I promise."

Cautiously I had agreed to the trip, but as you can see I was not doing such a great job of putting up a good front.

"You want me to do what?!?"

Netter, on the other hand, was obviously very happy to be sharing this place with her husband.

"Come on! It's fun. I promise!"

When we arrived, I could see that Netter was right. This wasn't traditional camping at all. Our cabin slept 10, had 2 full bathrooms, and a complete kitchen.

"Okay," I thought, "I can live with this."

The first night we walked down to the lake to do some fishing.

FISHING?!? I hadn't fished since I was a little boy, I'd only been twice in my life, and frankly worms gave me the heebie jeebies.

Still, I had promised I would try everything. Patiently, Annette and her Dad began to try to teach me how to cast. It didn't go so well. I've told this story before in a post last year.

Essentially, Dad and I just needed to come to an understanding about the expectations of a first time fisherman.

Once we had gotten that out of the way, Annette informed me that we were going to take a canoe out fishing. As I said, I was in for the whole nine yards so off we went.

Wouldn't you know I caught my first fish on my fourth cast. I still point out the spot to Annette every year and talk about that fish like it was the thrill of a lifetime because, well, because it was.

I've caught a lot of fish since then, but I don't think I've ever felt so elated, so happy as I was when I caught that first one.

Every year Akita still makes me that happy.

You know that place where you can go and know you'll be happy no matter what, that place that you can find peace and feel like you're in control, or that sometimes it's maybe okay to not be in control?

You know how sometimes you don't care about a schedule, or a clock, especially a clock, and you're tired of the television, and the technology and you just want to find some peace for your mind and your body and your soul?

Go to Akita.

That's what I do.

What time is it? How 'bout breakfast time, lunch time, dinner time, to read a book, to take a nap.

To draw a picture,
Time to go fishing,








Time to go on a hike,







Time to take your dog for a walk or a swim.

Time to go for a ride in a canoe.

We have made this trip almost every year since 1992.

We go on Mother's Day weekend, and celebrate Grandpa's birthday, (and later my nephew Joe Joe's).


We play games. We watch movies with Grandma. (There is a DVD player, but no television reception.) We do jigsaw puzzles. We make fun of the snorers. (Yes, that includes me.) We laugh when Grandma goes to bed early and says we're not to have fun without her.

And we smile when we find the notebook full of stories about people who come to Akita to do the very same thing at other times of the year.

I often talk about the peace I find on the ice when I'm skating, but that's fleeting, only an hour or so long.

The peace of Akita lasts far longer than that.

It's a special place, a special time - and I'm glad that Netter made me go those many years ago.

3 Odd things for Odd Day

In the spirit of my friend Cat's 3 good things - I'm spinning Odd day into 3 odd things.

1. I have not had a cup of coffee since before noon today. If you know me, you know that is odd. Of course the last cup I had was a black eye so maybe that had something to do with it.

2. I will be unplugged for the next two days. No computer. No cell phone. Nada. Zip! Zilch! Zero. We are going on our annual family camping trip to Camp Akita in the Hocking Hills. From, well now until Sunday morning I am out. I don't remember the last time that happened. Quite honestly it may have been for this same trip last year. Yikes!

3. I will be missing the Red Wing's game tonight against the !@#$%^&*() ducks of Anaheim. During the playoffs, especially the second round - I don't miss these games - except for this trip.
Of course, my friend Jess has promised to text me a score so if I can find just one point where I can get cell phone reception, maybe I'll at least get the score by morning - maybe....

Or maybe not. Sometimes it's a good thing to take a break. It makes me appreciate the technology, and more importantly the online community - that much more.

I really do appreciate each and every one of you.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Cute only lasts so long

As Mulligan continued to grow the girls learned

that they could not carry him everywhere. This was a growing boy after all.

They still played with him though, and gave him all the attention that they possibly could.

The first test was coming.

A few weeks after Mulligan arrived we went on our annual family trip to Camp Akita. I cautioned the ladies that I was not going to be taking care of the dog. He was their responsibility. All assured me this was not a problem.

For the first day or so of the trip, there was no problem. Grandma was there to help, and the girls enjoyed walking the dog and playing with him in the fields.

On Saturday though, all the cousins arrived for the day and K & D couldn’t wait to spend all of their time catching up, playing, fishing, boating, and so on with my nieces and nephew.

As we all know – puppies can’t just be turned off at our convenience.

Netter stayed in the game though. She continued to care for the dog and made him a priority. I admired her perseverance, but I also felt badly for her. So, I tried to help out.

We walked our boy together, and took in the mystery of his youth as he enthusiastically explored the environment.

I gave the girls a pass. Annette and I did talk though about getting them back on task when we returned home. I explained again my reluctance to get close to the dog. I would help if needed I told her, but I really wanted them to “own” the dog. Annette reassured me again, telling me that she completely understood. She thanked me for helping, and also for spending some time at least getting to know Mulligan a little bit.

Upon our return home however, our, (I mean their) little boy was going to put everyone to the test.

Rock can hit a curveball I guess...

The last few nights I have been posting from the porch of our cabin. Tonight I find myself tucked safely inside. All because of "Rock." It's not a very original name for a raccoon I suppose, but it at leasts sounds a little tough which helps one understand why he is scaring the bejesus out of me.

Night one - I posted my blog, sat by the fire, spent some time on the porch and went to bed. Half way through the night Annette and I heard this terrific banging coming from the corner of the cabin. The whole cabin is all of 10x12 maybe so we thought one of the girls was up and started asking loudly - "Are you okay? Why are you up? What's wrong?" etc... Suddenly we heard a tremendous thud. I jumped up and turned on the light. Both girls were sound asleep. I ventured outside and found that our trash can had been knocked over. I cursed the many cats that roam the campground, did what all men do when they are outside at night camping and went back to bed. In the morning Annette informed me that she had seen a raccoon, but didn't want to tell me during the night so as not to alarm me. Unhuh!

Okay - NBD I thought. Surely he won't come back. Wrong!!!!!!! As I was on the porch typing last night ol' Rock decides it's time to check out the trash whether I'm there or not, sneaking up on an innocent Jimmer when he was looking the other way, um at his laptop. I stomped my foot repeatedly and he went away. (Proof that there is a God?) Of course, Netter came running out to see if everything was okay and why was I stomping and I explained that Rock was a big ol' fella that needed to be scared, and I took care of it. Sure, yeah right...

He was not - tonight he ventured onto the porch while we were all still at the campfire less than 8 feet from his entry-way. Annette scared him away initially. (I do love that woman) Alas he was only away a moment. Kailey had positioned herself so she could see the porch and darned if Rock didn't come back. Holy Cow! We all jumped up to see him and he ran away. Okay, enough is enough right? No, I spotted Rock hiding under the cabin and as soon as all the girls walked away from the fire to get ready for bed, there he was again. I watched carefully as he checked out our pool supplies, but when he got near my grilling stuff, well I banged away and he ran. A man has to protect his grilling stuff right?

Only when it comes to outdoor stuff, I'm not so much the grill master, (though I really enjoy grilling) as the... well I can kill a spider pretty good. (At home, I usually curse said spider and tell him that unless he is ready to write a check for rent he has to go.)

And I married Ranger Annette. No really, my wife is all outdoors woman. She loves it. Well, except the crunchy bugs, but as I said I can kill a bug or two and curse them out for bothering my wife.

Over the years I've learned to make a pretty good fire, traverse my way through a hike or two and even to appreciate different kind of plants. Well, she tells me what type they are and I say "Yes, Honey that's really nice," and we move on. Hey if she can listen to my sports stories the least I can do is try some outdoor stuff right?

In fact, only one time before this have I not tried to go along and just deal with it. Annette's Dad was trying to teach me how to fish, cast, reel, and on and on. I was really frustrating him, and I was getting frustrated that he was frustrated. Finally, I looked at him and said "Dad, can you hit a curveball?" He looked puzzled. I said, "no really, can you hit a curveball because I can." I wasn't trying to be disrespectful because some things are just harder for some people or come more naturally for others and I wanted him to know that there were some things I was "capable of." I honestly don't know if he even heard me and it was very early in our marriage of course, and I have since learned all the things he was trying to teach me and if I may say so, make at least an adequate fisherman.

Anyway - I know tonight Netter is being nice and not laughing at me, but this is one time I could not just deal with it stand up and face the outdoors because I'm pretty sure Rock can not only hit a curveball, but can probably knock the thing right out of the park.

Typing safely from inside - Jimmer

Vacation part deux

We've been having a great time so far at Beechwood Acres.

On the way in yesterday we stopped at a local farmer's market and ran into this fella guarding the cash box. This was just the kind of mood we needed.

Later we headed for the pool and just some downtime. Ever seen a sky this blue?

(This was taken from the middle of the pool.)

Unfortunately, further pics and such are going to have to wait until we get home as we are discovering that while it is nice to have WiFi at the campground, it's not exactly the fastest connection and doesn't tolerate uploading very well at all.

We'll try again tomorrow, but may have to wait until we get home. Sorry 'bout that.

It's 11:07 and the ladies are all asleep. I slept in until 12:30 today and I'm a bit of a night owl. And to answer, yes it was very nice to have an air conditioned cabin, warm blankets, and no other cares in the world to be able to sleep that late.

Today was filled with more swimming, a nice hike to and along the beaches of Lake Cowan, and more good times with family. Although we are finding out that the girls are tied to their technology a little more than we thought as once the swimming ended today things got a little "boring" for them. No worries though it's a good lesson to learn.

As I close the day I'm struck with this thought - there is nothing like a time for reflection, a time to take stock, and I have so many things running around in my head and ideas for when we get back it's actually kind of scary.

Time will tell as they say...

I'm on Vacation

We are on vacation this week. Nothing big, we're at a campground near Wilmington called Beechwood Acres. It's very affordable, gives us a few days away and allows us some time with the girls before they go back to school.

Oddly enough, it doesn't take us away from our technology. They just added WiFi this year so here I am on the laptop with my new favorite thing - blogging, the girls have taken every opportunity to check their text messages, and even Annette has been fielding email and phone messages from her family as they work to plan a party to celebrate her parent's 25th wedding anniversary.

Me, I'm just checking in with the world because it's so much a part of my routine each day to check "all my sites" (thank goodness for Google Reader), 3 of 4 email accounts, and updates on the Learn & Play program at CML. Whew! Hardly time to vaca hey?!
No, I purposely made myself wait until late in the day to add this post and my Google Reader has many unread items left.

We will post some pics tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of posts for the week as I have all these things I want to talk / post about now that I have a blog. Bet I'm not the first guy eh?! Good thing Netter has started a blog to keep everyone up with the practical side of our lives - check her out at practicallynetter.blogspot.com.

Now it's time to enjoy the fire and my girls.