Bumped into an old co-worker today - someone I haven't seen in years. He was my lead when I first got hired into this job. Back then, we always talk about seeking adventures for an adrenaline rush. To find something that excites me... brings fear into me.
That was then...
Today when I bumped into him, first thing he asked was, "How are you?" Second thing he asked was, "Find anything that brings fear into you yet?"
I said, "Yeah... I'm expecting my first child in June."
With a smirk on his face he said, "That'll do it..."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
A true story...
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by thepunch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she leftthe supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.
That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children.
She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset..
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids. So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona. If you tune in on 1 February , you can watch him quarterback the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl against the Pittsburg Steelers! Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person? Some athletes are also great people. It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's MVP.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by thepunch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she leftthe supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.
That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children.
She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset..
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with. A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids. So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona. If you tune in on 1 February , you can watch him quarterback the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl against the Pittsburg Steelers! Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person? Some athletes are also great people. It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's MVP.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
The Power of Apology
I admit, after yesterday's meeting, I was bothered the entire night and into the next day. Kept on replaying the episode in my head and thinking, "Why am I so full of rage? full of anger?"
Immediately, today, I got to work and headed into my boss's office and apologized. "Hey... I apologize for losing my cool yesterday." And my boss came right back and said, "Yeah... I apologize too." The heavy yoke was immediately lifted.
It's amazing how a few simple words can bring down or build up a working relationship. Don't ever underestimate the power of an apology.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
My Secret Identity
Got into a heated exchange during a telecon and I screamed into my phone. My manager immediately hollered back. A typical day at work for me, I think -- that apparently took a lot of people off guard. Those that were physically there never saw that coming. Those who heard about the "colorful" meeting are in disbelief. People simply don't see me losing my cool to a point where I would yell.
"I just can't see that in you," said one of my co-workers.
Do I really wear a mask that well and hide my rage? hide my anger? Or has Character Transformation really molded me into a better person?
"I just can't see that in you," said one of my co-workers.
Do I really wear a mask that well and hide my rage? hide my anger? Or has Character Transformation really molded me into a better person?
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
It's not by happenstance that in my 20+ years of living here on earth... that I have never, ever missed a Midnight Mass or Christmas Eve service; except for that one year I was blowing a 103 degree fever. In fact, since Superbowl XIX when the Niners clobbered the Fins, I don't remember ever missing a Superbowl. Heh...
There are traditionals and then there are things engrained in your DNA.
Merry Christmas...and God Bless us, Everyone!
There are traditionals and then there are things engrained in your DNA.
Merry Christmas...and God Bless us, Everyone!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Santa Claus
How old were you when you last believed in Santa Claus? I vividly remember that I was one of the innocent children to be cheated out of imagination around the age of 2. But here comes along a TV show (around 4th grade) that convincingly told us Santa DOES exist. He only doesn't exist because you don't believe in him. In fact, the show portrayed Santa visiting a child who had previously believed in him...but was convinced otherwise by his evil grandmother. That night, Santa came to visit and ran into the grandmother. He opened up his list of "children that believed", but the child's name was gone! Obviously, the grandma was to blame for this.
That year... after watching that show... I faithfully believed there exists a jolly old man with a jelly belly in red and white that lived in the North Pole. And that he'll come visit me on Christmas Eve and leave a bunch of stuff in my stocking and under our artificial tree. I even made out a list of things to put into my stocking. Of the things, I included a Jingle Bear, a blue skateboard, a blue bike...
Needless to say... I never got any of those (that year).
I can almost spin this into a religious sermon... but I'll save that for next time.
That year... after watching that show... I faithfully believed there exists a jolly old man with a jelly belly in red and white that lived in the North Pole. And that he'll come visit me on Christmas Eve and leave a bunch of stuff in my stocking and under our artificial tree. I even made out a list of things to put into my stocking. Of the things, I included a Jingle Bear, a blue skateboard, a blue bike...
Needless to say... I never got any of those (that year).
I can almost spin this into a religious sermon... but I'll save that for next time.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Egg Nog Latte
Long time no update... I've stored up some posts, so I'll let loose a bit.
Been running into some problems convincing people to try Peet's Egg Nog Latte. I admit...Egg Nog isn't the best of beverages which is why people normally enjoy it with rum. Then again, O'Doul's (Non-alcoholic Beer) is also nasty without the sweetness of alcohol. I can probably argue with you that egg-nog alone can be a drink... but I'll pick my battles.
When made correctly...when mixed efficiently... when prepared accordingly... Peet's can make the most desirable drink known to mankind. I happened to be in San Diego a few weeks ago and visited the Starbucks at the airport. Their Egg Nog Latte was nothing less of piss-poor. So it's not just espresso beans and egg nog that combines into this nectar of desire. It really is about getting it at the right place at the right time.
Have you tried one today?
Been running into some problems convincing people to try Peet's Egg Nog Latte. I admit...Egg Nog isn't the best of beverages which is why people normally enjoy it with rum. Then again, O'Doul's (Non-alcoholic Beer) is also nasty without the sweetness of alcohol. I can probably argue with you that egg-nog alone can be a drink... but I'll pick my battles.
When made correctly...when mixed efficiently... when prepared accordingly... Peet's can make the most desirable drink known to mankind. I happened to be in San Diego a few weeks ago and visited the Starbucks at the airport. Their Egg Nog Latte was nothing less of piss-poor. So it's not just espresso beans and egg nog that combines into this nectar of desire. It really is about getting it at the right place at the right time.
Have you tried one today?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MILCOM:08 ASSURING MISSION SUCCESS
MILCOM - the premier international conference for military communications, attracting decision-makers from government, military, academia, and industry.
This year, MILCOM took place in San Diego. The largest concentration of Naval Officers in the world. It was my first time at MILCOM and among the hundreds of papers presented, among the thousands of people that are here networking the thing that stood out the most, was everyone's desire to serve our country and the honor we give those men and women who are in uniform.
Extremely touching that at the beginning of the first day of the event, there were the presentation of the colors (US and California flag) and we sang the national anthem. During the national anthem, the California flag is tilted so that only Old Glory stands up. At the beginning of every lunch, we said the "Pledge of Allegiance." At the beginning of every meal, a naval chaplain led in prayer.
It's this respect for your country that makes me feel proud to be an American.
This year, MILCOM took place in San Diego. The largest concentration of Naval Officers in the world. It was my first time at MILCOM and among the hundreds of papers presented, among the thousands of people that are here networking the thing that stood out the most, was everyone's desire to serve our country and the honor we give those men and women who are in uniform.
Extremely touching that at the beginning of the first day of the event, there were the presentation of the colors (US and California flag) and we sang the national anthem. During the national anthem, the California flag is tilted so that only Old Glory stands up. At the beginning of every lunch, we said the "Pledge of Allegiance." At the beginning of every meal, a naval chaplain led in prayer.
It's this respect for your country that makes me feel proud to be an American.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Eve of Election Eve
沒有Egg nog latte 的日子. 第312日. 雨
Wow... it's been over a month since I've updated. Thank you to all my fans who still visit my blog every now and then. With the emergence of more and more "Sharing" softwares and websites, it's less and less frequent people would update blogs anymore. And as our attention spans shorten ever so much more as the IT-age continues to progress, who has the time to sit through an entire blog entry anymore? Such it is...
It's now Sunday 11/2/2008. Two days before the most important election of my short visit on earth. Why do I say that?
A certain Bay Area newspaper said that "No matter who wins -- the next president could transform American politics, expert says." But that's like saying, "The sun will come up tomorrow and the weather could be hot, warm or cold." The election is not important just because America is in it's biggest economic crisis since the 1930's. It's not about the eminnent race to another Cold War with Russia and North Korea. Or the on-going disparity between the rich and the poor due to America's self-proclaimed version of capitalism. For me (and this is MY blog... so back off!!) this election is important because this marks the first time in my short voting history where I'm swinging back to the right.
One of my mentors at work, a Vietnam vet and a true patriot (just like McCain) said, "The more money you make, the more you'll become a conservative."
Another co-worker said, "My parents were conservatives, but as they're retiring, and the Democrats can offer better benefits, they're switching over."
A lot of people base their political following on ~~~money. Cut more taxes! (Money). Spend less on war (Money). Why give out welfare? (Money). National health insurance? (Give more money away). Capitalism has tranformed into greediness. What was once the cornerstone of this control has led to the demise of our nation
There are, of course, more underlying issues like morals and values. Prop 8 sticks out like a sore thumb when we try to argue either way. Eight years ago, without a doubt shadow of a doubt, I would've voted NO on Prop 8. I don't think I would've even hesitated to vote for Obama/Biden.
So what has caused me to transform from a deep dark blue blooded Democrat to become what experts call, a "Blue Pig Democrat?" (to be continued...)
Wow... it's been over a month since I've updated. Thank you to all my fans who still visit my blog every now and then. With the emergence of more and more "Sharing" softwares and websites, it's less and less frequent people would update blogs anymore. And as our attention spans shorten ever so much more as the IT-age continues to progress, who has the time to sit through an entire blog entry anymore? Such it is...
It's now Sunday 11/2/2008. Two days before the most important election of my short visit on earth. Why do I say that?
A certain Bay Area newspaper said that "No matter who wins -- the next president could transform American politics, expert says." But that's like saying, "The sun will come up tomorrow and the weather could be hot, warm or cold." The election is not important just because America is in it's biggest economic crisis since the 1930's. It's not about the eminnent race to another Cold War with Russia and North Korea. Or the on-going disparity between the rich and the poor due to America's self-proclaimed version of capitalism. For me (and this is MY blog... so back off!!) this election is important because this marks the first time in my short voting history where I'm swinging back to the right.
One of my mentors at work, a Vietnam vet and a true patriot (just like McCain) said, "The more money you make, the more you'll become a conservative."
Another co-worker said, "My parents were conservatives, but as they're retiring, and the Democrats can offer better benefits, they're switching over."
A lot of people base their political following on ~~~money. Cut more taxes! (Money). Spend less on war (Money). Why give out welfare? (Money). National health insurance? (Give more money away). Capitalism has tranformed into greediness. What was once the cornerstone of this control has led to the demise of our nation
There are, of course, more underlying issues like morals and values. Prop 8 sticks out like a sore thumb when we try to argue either way. Eight years ago, without a doubt shadow of a doubt, I would've voted NO on Prop 8. I don't think I would've even hesitated to vote for Obama/Biden.
So what has caused me to transform from a deep dark blue blooded Democrat to become what experts call, a "Blue Pig Democrat?" (to be continued...)
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