« October 2008 | Main | December 2008 »
November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 39
There just isn’t enough space in the world to hold the list of all that I am thankful for.
It’s built up over the years, and is bigger than even I ever imagined it would be.
Of course you’ve got a place on that list! You’ve inspired me to keep sharing.
So thank you, for all you’ve ever done for me, or for anyone else.
Have you heard about Kindness Tokens? These metal tokens each contain a unique serial number and a history. Here’s how it works. You thank someone who has done you a kindness by giving them an imprinted coin and a business card that explains the project. You can then go on line and follow it’s trail – hopefully as it makes its way around the world!
I currently have a stash of 25 coins in my possession. If you would like a coin sent to you so that you can participate in the project, please email me your street or PO Box address, and I’ll send it on its way to you.
Thanks – and I mean that!
jak
Posted by jaselin at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2008
Thankful 2008
Posted by jaselin at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2008
Flocking Reflux
The term "flocking" is the result of a friend of mine's penchant for letting her birdie finger fly freely and frequently. In an effort to control this negative habit, she developed an alternative method of handily expressing her frustrations.
Instead of sending an obvious birdie, she now sends a whole flock of flighty fingers. To the expectant brain and the well trained eye, it sort of looks like a sarcastic wave. To the untrained, it means next to nothing.
This morning, after an annoying and offensive performance by a surly coworker, I unfortunately discovered a new disease to which I am apparently ridiculously predisposed.
Flocking Reflux.
It just comes up without warning.
jak. (in honor of ljb.)
Posted by jaselin at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
I already know
I already know
that you’ll be disappointed
and I don’t know
how to shield you from that.
Putting you off
isn’t the answer
I need to get
what I need from this.
I already know
I won’t be able to
do it without the tears,
without the heartache.
I already know
how it’s going to go
so I might as well
get it over with now.
Posted by jaselin at 08:07 AM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2008
Snow, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 38
Snow. Well, I guess it’s gonna be a long winter if I don’t give up complaining about the stuff. But, buck-up and bear with me one more time, please. (Ooo! 2 winter nuisance animals in one sentence.)
It was beautiful coming down on Sunday morning; a bit like driving around inside a snow globe. It was even more beautiful when it stopped snowing, and the white stuff melted. The sun came out, and it was all gone by noon. That’s my kinda snow. Alas, residue!
This morning’s commute took two icy, unsalted, road hours. We went 30 miles an hour for 36 miles, not including long periods of stopping to accommodate tow trucks or Michiganders unfamiliar with the term “zipper merge.‿ Apologies if I’ve gone here before. I’m thinking I may have, but it’s really such a simple concept that it’s worth repeating.
All merge situations should be handled like a zipper. Go ahead, check out your zipper in action. I’ll wait.
See, it was worth it wasn’t it? If everyone alternates, there’s no confusion about who should go next, and things run more smoothly. Educate your family, friends, coworkers, club members, everyone. Save yourself some frustration, and maybe a life or two.
I only say these thing because I love you, and believe you have the power to change the world.
Blessings, jak
Posted by jaselin at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2008
Deer, Dear
I am the driver for MichiVan Adrian 2 Van Pool and we recently needed to established a way to make sure we are communicating during deer season, and all emergencies. Here is our story:
Well, it happened again this morning: the first commuter deer-siting incident of the season. Last year we established a protocol due to a silly conversation. This is how it went:
Co-pilot: “Um, dear?" Pilot: “Yes?"
Co-pilot: “Dear?!" Pilot: “Hon?!"
Co-pilot: “DEAR!!!" Pilot: “SWEETIE!!!"
Co-pilot: “BAMBI." Pilot: word association: Bambi is a deer so….applied brakes.
“Bambi‿ became our signal that deer are off to the side of the road. Keep in mind that this morning was the first deer-site of this season, so we all were a bit rusty on protocol.
Co-pilot: “Whoa." Pilot: silently wondering did she slosh coffee on herself?
Co-pilot: ‘Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Pilot: silently thinking that coffee must have been very hot.
Co-pilot: “BABIES!"
Pilot: silently thinking Babies? That sounds a little like Bambi! Looked over at co-pilot, out passenger window, and then applied brakes. Young deer were way off the road, but moving towards it.
We’ve now reworked our protocol to an easier word to remember: Stop.
This word can be used by any van pool member at any time to indicate anything that causes them concern or that may affect the van pool and its passengers. Situations like way off the road deer moving toward it, a bicyclist coming up from behind who is not following road rules, a dog that might run into traffic, “I think I’m going to be sick and would like out," are some examples. I check the rear view mirror before applying the brakes to be sure that avoiding the problem in front of us won’t cause a bigger problem behind us.
It is always the driver’s sole responsibility to be aware and continually “sweep" the road and roadsides with their eyes as they are driving. Most of the time, my 6 passengers are asleep in the mornings. I take that as a compliment. If any passengers happen to be awake on the commute, they are welcome to participate and be another pair of cautious eyes.
Just a note from experience though: protocol and key words don’t end up being much help when a buck jumps out from behind a tree, off of an embankment, and lands squarely on your hood. There’s just no way to prepare for that.
Be safe and cautious this fall. We want to keep waving to you when we see you on the road.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 07:54 AM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2008
phase
It’s become so real
I know what it will
feel like
because I felt it once
inappropriately
in a strange place
at a strange time
during a strange phase
that I haven’t quite
escaped
because I don’t quite
want to,
yet.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 08:33 AM | Comments (0)
talk myself
I talk myself out of it
but not as much as
I talk myself into it
I weigh the irrational
against
the facts in real time
I dream of a future
I doubt
could ever exist
but it helps me get through
that one moment
every day
when I can’t see
any reason
to believe.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2008
Don't Veer, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 37
Well, friends, here we are two weeks from Thanksgiving, and one week past national and local elections.
Gas prices have dropped from $4.98 a gallon a few weeks ago to just $1.91 a gallon at Murphy Gas in Adrian tonight.
Food prices are taking a little longer to drop back down to what I consider reasonable. Being able to eat a healthy diet should not be a luxury in America.
It’s been my month for wildlife. Not only did a butt-shot raccoon chose my front yard to try lay himself to rest, but my neighborhood’s been skunked almost every night, sometimes twice a night. My van pool encountered our first unfortunate deer accident early Monday morning. Someone else took the hit, but we still had to maneuver around him as he flew toward us. Because you know me, and hopefully love me, you will understand this: As the van pool driver, I was watching him fly toward me in slow motion, legs kicking in mid-air, his buck-eyes eyes wide open. The deer actually “flew‿ about 150 feet . All I could think as he air- paddled toward me was, “Rudolph!‿ He landed pretty hard, took a few tumbles, and then got up and left the scene. The driver of the car was ok; windshield was totaled, though.
Be alert, and remember Michigan’s other state motto: “Don’t veer for deer.‿
Posted by jaselin at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2008
Why gum is good for your career
I've experimented.
It is in fact a bit more difficult to grumble aloud while chewing gum.
Especially, if you'd rather it didn't drop out of your mouth onto your paperwork.
Posted by jaselin at 11:42 AM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2008
Election, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 36
Evenin’. Hope everyone made it to the polls today. I’m about to tune in and see where we’re at as far as our new leadership. What a history making election year. So many issues, and so many opinions. I heard a radio announcer say the other day that we’re officially in a “recession.‿ I wonder what makes it official? The percentage of folks without jobs, the number of home foreclosures, the price of gas dropping over $2.00 per gallon in less than a month?
Jeff just wouldn’t get too excited about politics. He was, however, a careful voter, doing his best to be informed about each national, state, and local candidate. Even so, I learned very early in our dating how he felt about the whole thing. “You know,‿ he said to me once. “It doesn’t really matter too much who wins the election tonight. The cows still gotta be milked in the morning.‿ You can pretty much apply that philosophy to anything: a football game, a dip in the stock market, or an argument. No matter what, for most of us, our day-to-day responsibilities will remain the same Wednesday morning. Still, it’s a remarkable privilege to be able to vote, and influence the state of our nation.
May our leadership be blessed with wisdom and true care for the people of this nation and the world, and may God bless us all.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
too much caffiene
November 5, 2008
didja ever notice that the miniature tootsie pops are exactly the right size if you want to teach your rabbit how to play the bass drum in a rabbit marching band?
yeah, i admit it... had a little too much caffeine today.
Posted by jaselin at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)