Monday, July 23, 2007

Day 95


Cigarettes.

I have a friend who smokes.
Only one.

Seems bizarre but just the one.

I have been putting the pressure on him to quit.
Cut back.
Please, give it up.

Then at lunch today, an interesting argument was made to leave him be.
In November last year there was a bill on the local ballot (Issue 18) that would allow public funding to the arts from an increased sales tax...on cigarettes.
The cigarettes he now purchases go towards the budgets of not-for-profit theatres in Cuyahoga County. Theatre I work at and support. Theatres that I run. Including, Mercury Summer Stock.

I may feel guilty for a little. But just a little when I say:
"Go ahead. Smoke. As much as you want!"

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Day 94


Fifty Five.

Today my father turned the ripe 'ol age of 55.
Does he look it?

Haven't a clue.
What does 55 look like?

Not old.
Not entirely young.

Still fun?
Still learning?
Still ready for new things?


Why not!

Day 93


Anniversaries.

Six months today.
Officially in remission.

Feels like years.

How important are anniversaries nowadays?
Who remembers them?
What ones do your celebrate?

Doesn't it feel as if you can't go ten hours without either seeing on television, hearing on the radio, or discussing with a friend, an anniversary of some sort.
"One-year anniversary sale"
"Two years since the divorce went through"
"Nine years since we rescued Fluffy"

Not to say that these aren't important to the individual celebrating them.
But enough already.
I wouldn't have even known it was my six month anniversary of remission if my Dr. hadn't told me at my appointment the other day.

The more anniversaries we have, the less special an beautiful, ordinary day might seem.

So celebrate each day as if it were an anniversary.
In a way it is.
Each day is one day longer you have been on the earth.
Celebrate the DAY and leave the anniversary for the really monumental stuff.

Example: My Birthday. November 2nd. Presents optional!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Day 92


Volunteers.

When I used to hear the saying "One Rotten Apple can ruin the whole barrel" I would dismiss it as utter nonsense.
If you are a seemingly well-balanced individual, you should be able to separate the negative individual and focus on the positive influences in the situation.
You would think.

But its not always the case and that saying may hold more truth than I once previously believed.
And if that rotten egg, so to speak, haappens to rub up against another who in turn...
you get the picture.

Tonight I witnessed this phenomenon first-hand.
And its quite terrifying.
And very little one can do from the outside.

And makes you very sad for the first individual who arrived with the poison in their veins.
Very sad indeed.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Day 91


The Pirate Queen.

When you live with the people you work, sometimes the tensions on the job make their way into the home.
What do you do to separate the two?

Ignore the problem and talk about the weather?
Bring the issue up at home in hopes that the situation won't seem as overpwering outside of the job?

Or, give it time off and yourself a rest from the stress...at least for the night?

Whatever you choose, remember you aren't alone.
An answer, a solution, and a new outlook are sometimes just a good night's sleep away.