To celebrate my 41st birthday this week, I just signed up for my 6th full marathon. Between this, my half marathons and a couple of 5ks, I will have accrued 216 miles of official races since the age of 33.
Before you think that I’m being boastful, let me assure you that I am still terrible. I will always cross the finish line looking and smelling like grim death.
I may never be a good runner and that’s okay. I’m excited to teach Morgan;
It’s okay to enjoy doing something, even if you suck at it.
If you work your butt off to get good at something you enjoy and you still suck at it, that’s okay too.
Kara , I love our town halls and hope they continue. I see people , young and a little older wanting positive change from the status quo. The leaders have absolutely failed us and we need a ground swell of good conscience people to rise up and claim " We are not going to take this anymore " like the 1976 film ‘Network’. It’s time for action. Jack
I have joyful thoughts piling up in my head but haven’t gotten to the message board recently. It’s time for another of my classic joy dumps (a phrase I was immediately disgusted by but am going with).
First, some responses to the hosts regarding my last update:
Anna. I’ve unfortunately never experienced a runner’s high. I do hit a super emotional moment around mile 10 when it finally hits me that I’m doing something pretty awesome.
Cenk, my daughter is doing great, thanks for asking. We gave her real food (carrots and avocado)for the first time and she absolutely loved it. Russel the brewery crow sends his regards.
My joy this week is that I got a new tattoo. I got a piece done to commemorate getting my dream job with the intention of adding as my life grows. This is the original piece:
To celebrate my role as a husband and now father, I finally added to it. It’s super fresh and I still have another session of color to go but I’m so excited and have to share
My wife sent me this today and it gave me some joy. Just her and a group of coworkers in the Chicago Teachers’ Union standing in solidarity against Trump’s madness and looking out for the kids at their high school. There’s no telling what the orange bigot crook is going to throw at us over the coming years, but it gives me joy when I realize there are folks like this here and across the country that are willing to stand up and fight for what’s right.
Operation Joy- A Love Letter to New Orleans
I watched the Super Bowl not because of the game but because of how the extraordinary media coverage of people ,tourists, media , and locals alike came together to offer the world how unique New Orleans is. Just barely a month after a terror attack hit us, New Orleans knew that the eyes of the world were on the upcoming Super Bowl held in New Orleans. And what a show it was. The city is steeped in music : gospel, cajun, Zydeco , rap ,classical , opera { Yes, the first Opera house was in the 1700’s } , and brass bands. For over 25 years ,I was steeped in all kinds of music here as well as making a living as a musician. I’ve played concerts and recording sessions with Harry Connick, Jr. as well as Terence Blanchard ,who was featured before the game. He scores films for Spike Lee and has premiered an Opera at the Met in NYC. Lady Gaga featured gospel singers for a ballad on Bourbon Street. I used to play in a small orchestra backing the choir at Dillard University, which is a treasured All- Black University. That choir is awesome , lifting the roof off its rafters in sheer joy and exuberance. The same for the Brass bands like the Soul Rebels that I used to go to at funky bars , especially the Le Bon Temps Roule on Magazine street . Just sheer joy in a crowded bar dancing and clapping to infectious music. The sponsors did a phenomenal job showing a slice of the city and it seems that love was reciprocated . I only wish that I can overcome my disability so that I can once again see and hear live music that is here . Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Jack , former violinist , Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
I thought about you while watching the game! I propose they create a new discussion board in place of the Trump Lie-brary dedicated to you writing posts about your life, thoughts, and experiences. I hope you are doing well!
Who would belive that bringing a baby on a plane could be a joyful experience?
My wife and I embarked on a trip from NY to California to introduce Morgan to her west coast family, most importantly her great grandmother who turned 96 this week.
I was anxious about all of the complications surrounding traveling with a baby but Morgan has done great so far. She handled the plane well, she has thoroughly enjoyed her first hotel experience, she has gotten to see some amazing sights and we made time for some hijinks.
Such great pics! How amazing that she got to spend time with her great-grandmother; these are memories to be treasured. Traveling across the country at just 5-months-old (?), that’s quite impressive.
Believe it or, she’s only a little over 4 months. Yeah, she’s a big baby. She loves her great grandmother so much. We’re in the Bay Area for a few more days, maybe I’ll get some more good pictures and update my post.
I wanted to share this, just a pic from a recent gaming session with friends & family. In the past, I might’ve said that it’s this room, which we’ve dubbed the Dragon’s Den that gave me joy, with its big game table, posters, mock medieval weapons, fantasy world maps, dice, and of course board games and RPG game books galore (Yes, I’m proud to have a geek cred level on par with John Iadarola).
But really, it’s the folks like this, close friends and family that you can share these times with that make it happen, the room itself would be nothing without them. I turn 54 years old tomorrow; it’s been a long road and you never know how many of these times you’ll have left, so my advice is to soak them in when you can. And whether you’re gaming like me, dancing like Ana, or (ugh) watching football like Cenk, be sure to share those times with folks you care about.
Oh my God, I love this so much! What a great reminder to appreciate those we love and the time we have; that is music to my soul. Thank you for sharing the pic, and I hope you have a magical birthday!
Happy birthday, Doc!! I hope they pick this to read on Operation Joy. It’s always interesting to find out more about people in the TYT community and it’s such a great message to share (which I need to heed too — I’m not that far behind you in years!).
This morning, my husband had a bad fall, and we’re now waiting to find out if he’s broken his pelvis in a couple of places. It’s been a rough day, to say the least. (He is only 44.)
But in the midst of it, I was messaging with Andrea, and she said, “Too bad I don’t live near you, or I’d bring you a flask.” That made me smile—probably more than she realized—and for a moment, I felt a little lighter.
So, thank you, @drea_m_r_76 , for that moment. It meant a lot.
