off the grid

i think our society is screwed up and messing up people's lives. i KNOW this and SEE this as plainly as you do i'm sure. the incredible thing is how many of us are DUPED.

love is the shit.

if you can't find love and keep it and grow it into something bigger and better than you ever thought possible, then what the hell is life good for?

i'm NOT talking about romantic love, so single folk, keep reading.

i'm talking about the thing that makes your eyes twinkle and your heart throb at the sight of a beautiful morning or piece of art. the reason why you eat til you're full and burp cause you're grateful.

kids make you smile no matter how busy you are with the things on your to do list.

you laugh really loud and annoy most people.

that's the love i mean. and you have to know you want it and look for it until you find it. if it doesn't come right away, you keep looking and don't quit. if you find someone else who's got it, you envy them but eventually imitate them and become like them, much to your surprize and glee.

but that's just me.

This is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Yay!

I have to write about the new job. Of course, it's tough being the "Noob". I went from knowing my job and having relationships and trust and respect, to being at the bottom of the food chain all over again.

My bosses are very sweet. That's the best part. They work their tails off and demand a lot from me as their assistant. But they are extremely respectful and kind.

I feel like I've been there for months already, but it's only been one.

Everyone is type A, from the top execs to the folks in the mail room. Lunch is brought in everyday, not sammies, but sushi, dim sum and CA Pizza Kitchen.

I'm the only person in the office who leaves at five and takes a lunch hour everyday. I'll be darned if that's going to change, but I am feeling some pressure to assimiliate. Not from my bosses, mind you, I made sure they knew my schedule before I joined, and they fully support it.

Wouldn't you know it's my peers, like the woman who sits next to me and catches the calls that come in while I'm away from my desk, who is giving me grief about it? She is actually very nice and helpful, and right next door. I don't want to screw it up. But I can't budge on the whole lunch hour thing. I just can not afford to burn out again.

At first, I tried to explain that I did it for health reasons. Duh, everyone exercises for health reasons.

Then, without coming right out with the name of my illness, I explained that I had been on medication and now exercise instead. But no sympathy there, although I could sense her wanting to soften.

I feel bad that I put her out with my workouts, but I have no other choice. But I fear becoming a black sheep of sorts, you know?

I mean the word is, "as long as the boss is happy" - but I know it's in the kitchen and around the proverbial water coolers where most people get hanged in an office.

I wasn't expecting to have to answer to anyone about my hours like this. I hadn't realised that my boss' calls get routed to TWO other people before going to voicemail - which I check for him btw! I had to explain that to his wife too - why hadn't anyone before me? Dunno.

It is a very intense job, but I think in time it will not be so hard. I'm just learning a ton doing something I really haven't done before.

I make his calls, book his flights, manage his calendar - I mean, I could have him up at 5am and on calls by 7 until 4p with no break in the middle - which is often what ends up happening. Poor guy!

I also let his wife know what flights he's on and what hotel he's staying in - cause he's not able to share such information with her, I guess.

I called five different bike shops in Aspen one morning looking for the $7000 rental bike to reserve for him during the firm wide meeting there next week.

I have had a great weekend away from it all and am looking forward to a much slower week with everyone gone to the meeting and then I'm on vacation next week.

It is great coming home every night to Oakland I must say. Very grounding. Walk up to my car and see the window's been busted in but nothing's been stolen because we have nothing to steal! Who breaks into a turquoise minivan on a well-trafficked street in broad daylight? Someone in Oakland.

I have so much on my to do list, though, it's overwhelming.

So much to plan, prepare, do. Birthday party for both the 8 and 3 year olds this weekend. 8 yr old's was postponed last month due to a pogo stick injury requiring a cast on the broken elbow for four weeks. So now it's one grand backyard birthday party for two, complete with inflatable swimming pool, two cakes and a BBQ.

I hope I feel more up to it all in the morning.

Hubby still doesn't get paid regularly and works like a dog. I'm grateful for the bigger paycheck - one less thing to worry about.

Dunno what I'd do without prayer.

Wow, it's great to be back...

Dear Simpleton,

Hiya!

I dropped off the blogosphere during the whole job transition. I came up for air today and finally went back to Polliblog. THANK YOU for your comments. I have thought of you often and missed you/Blogtopia. Guess I needed the hiatus, though.

So your blog is down? That was some great stuff! I hope you had it saved somewheres.

The comment you made here about the dream you had with the fake IDs made me think of how vaporous we all are out here. Yet everything seems so solid - sorta like clouds. They can suddenly appear and block the sun and drown the earth, but then they can also just as quickly vanish into thin air.

Guess that's why it's important to be out here for the right reasons, huh? Like her. Like you.

I'm going to start blogging again - must say it's been tough getting back in the saddle, but today is definitely a start.

Hope this finds you and finds you well!

Speedy

Thank you for being a loving Father.

Thank you for making me feel special and valuable.

Thank you for all that you have given me in the way of opportunities in life.

Thank you for teaching me Honesty, Determination, Discipline and Courage, just a few of the many values and qualities you personify.

Thank you for always being there for me.

You have been one of my life's greatest blessings.

Life is like an ocean where the tides and waves are often overwhelming and seem insurmountable. Your love has been like the warm, sandy shore that always gives me a safe place to return to and find comfort and confidence.

Thanks, Dad.