Looking ahead…

Saturday afternoon and I’m enjoying a steady cool breeze at Cheryl’s place in Brisbane.  It’s close to the Brisbane River so it’s almost like the sea breezes that I’ve come to expect on Bribie Island.  The little deck out the back is perfect for relaxing on a hot summer’s day like today.  Cheryl is involved in some overdue task and I’m helping out wherever possible — at the same time surfing the web and posting here.

It’s a lovely feeling to once again know that I am loved, and also being able to love someone else — it’s been some time since I had that feeling — and I certainly don’t take what I have with Cheryl for granted.  We are heading off to the USA (Seattle) in about 6 weeks time, another adventure for us as a couple.  I get to meet my future brother-in-law/sister-in-law, an event which I am really looking forward to.  Those of you who know me well will be aware that my own connections to my biological family are not so strong, and so I am so thankful that Cheryl’s family have opened their hearts and minds and allowed me into theirs.

In time I will move here and live with Cheryl.  It’s a great part of Brisbane — close to some fab eating places, a cinema, 2 bookstores and plenty of green-space. It’s a short walk to the ferry and city-cat services, and a quick drive out to the motorways that connect us to the north and south coasts of Queensland.  I spend most weekends here now and look forward to the weekly drive up after work.

Max and Molly looking cute...

In addition to Cheryl waiting for me, two of the most loveable dogs on this earth, Max and Molly, are always so enthusiastic when I walk in.  They both came from different settings, Max from the pound and Molly from a family unable to take care of her.  The both lucked out when they found Cheryl and her sister.  These two rule the house, despite us thinking we do.  And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

So there’s a small glimpse into life now and what lies ahead.  It’s exciting to say the least! 

The power of positive thought…

One thing I’ve come to experience since meeting Cheryl is the power of positive thoughts.

From the outset I’ll be  honest and say that I’ve never really put much thought into what I say in relation to my own self, much of it often times said in jest — however that is not reflected in what I say to and about others.  I’m very aware and sensitive to others’ feelings and that is reflected in my everyday communication.  That’s something I do pride myself on.  Occasionally I have been known to have sad feelings about situations in which I find myself, and sometimes it’s felt like there was no way forward.  I’m sure there would be examples of those times in postings on my blog — it did after all begin its life when I was living in the USA, so there’s quite a timeline involved there.

Cheryl on the other hand is full of positive thoughts and lives her life with those thoughts in mind.  Through the time we have been developing our relationship, I’ve seen first-hand how this has affected outcomes for her.  I think she would agree that I am learning to think better things about myself (right, darling?), and look toward a future of positivity within our relationship.  At times, stuff that I might hear at work, or on a bus, or some other place where others are expressing themselves, brings me down a little — I’m constantly amazed and saddened at the levels that people will go to to bring others down.

I experienced some of that this week and on Friday night watched a video on youtube which I have saved in my “Inspirational” folder.  I’m linking to it here, as I want to share what the presenter, Neil Pasricha, has to say about the power of positive thoughts — his blog 1000 Awesome Things savors life’s simple pleasures, from free refills to clean sheets. In this heartfelt talk from TEDxToronto, he reveals the 3 secrets (all starting with A) to leading a life that’s truly awesome (it’s 18 minutes in length).

There are so many wonderful blogs and websites out there that I read and reflect on. I’ll write some more about them in coming posts.  For now I’ll end off as it is close to midnight and this body needs some rest.  I’m positive about that. 

Time marches on…

Back in July I wrote about my relationship with Cheryl. One that took a little while to get going (I’ll admit, I was slow to pick up on her interest) but which is now well and truly “going”. To the point where in 2012 we are getting married. Despite a desire to keep the finer details a secret, word got around (probably more my fault, because I’m an excitable bloke and love to tell others good news) and pretty much most of my friends know it all.

Marriage is not something I take lightly. I’ve done it before so have put a lot of thought into going there again – but this time around it is much different. Maybe it’s because I’m older, maybe I’m wiser, and maybe I know exactly what I need to be happy. Whatever it is, I’m a very very happy man, and it will be an honour to marry Cheryl next year, and share the rest of my life with her.

Before that occurs, we’ve got a trip to Seattle (USA) to get underway. The departure date is steadily approaching and I think most of the organizing for that has occurred. I’m really in need of a holiday – in the 5 years back in Australia (after the USA) I think I’ve had at most 1 week off at a time for holidays. So come December 19 we’ll head out of Sydney bound for Seattle, with a short stopover in Hawaii.

More later….

Vale Steve Jobs

It was a shock to read of Steve Jobs’ passing this morning…my iPhone4 seemed to come alive as the emails from the various news sites I am subscribed to started filtering through.  I guess those of us who have kept an eye on the evolution of Apple weren’t surprised that he retired, but certainly we were that he passed away so soon.  It’s hard to imagine that his genius, his enthusiasm for life and every other thing that he stood for and believed in, won’t be with us any longer.  His visions will though I believe.

I started using Apple products when, as an IT consultant at West Virginia University, I was given an Apple Mac and told to support those Faculty who had jumped the PC bandwagon and had started using these “things”.  That would have been in about 1998, and I had never used one.  I remember my colleagues laughing when they realised that I had no idea where the power on/off button was (it was the Apple key).  But I loved what you could achieve with the Mac, and so began my love affair with the hardware.  Jump forward to now and I am using an iMac, and beside me is my iPhone4.  My MacBook is sitting on the table as well.  I’ve also had an iBook which I loved and a couple of iPods, and maybe sometime in the future, an iPad (or whatever is on offer at the time) will be here with me.

Some people I know go on about the cost of Apple gear, how it is so much more than a Windows machine.  I use the Apple brand because for me it does what I want, when I want.  It just works.  No patches to do, no weekly uploads from Microsoft and co and it just works.  Integration at its best.

But back to Steve Jobs.  It’s been amazing to see the reaction from across the globe, including his fierce competitors at Microsoft and Google.  Bill Gates said it all with:

“The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.”

Happiness is…..togetherness

This is one of the first photos that Cheryl and I took together — using our iPhones.  That number has expanded significantly as we have recorded the developing relationship.  Every photo taken will be a reminder in the years to come of the time taken to get to know one another and further on as we cement our relationship through marriage [more to come on that at a later point in time].  Watch this space. 

Banksia Beach

Life takes unexpected turns

The past month has been probably the most stressful ever in my 54 years. In some ways it’s been a “useful” dose of people watching – seeing what people will do to protect themselves, no matter the cost to others.

At the same time, the Universe has steered into my life perhaps the most amazing person I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet and spend time with. She’s a treasure – quirky, fun, loving, supportive and so much much more.

[Mind you, the Universe steered Cheryl my way some months ago, but it obviously wasn't the right time (or perhaps, like a true male, I was oblivious?]

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t be happier right now in this regard. I look forward to many more fun times ahead with you Cheryl, wherever the Universe decides to send us.

Review: The Beauty of Different

The Beauty of Different by Karen Walrond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great book for re-affirming what is important in life.

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Review: Coal Country: Rising Up Against Mountaintop Removal Mining

Coal Country: Rising Up Against Mountaintop Removal Mining by Shirley Stewart Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not surprised at the quality of this work. The author (a personal friend) lives and breathes Appalachia. She was born in WV and continues to be a sought after speaker. I truly recommend this to anyone seeking up to date information regarding the MTR struggles of Appalachia.

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The Story of Beautiful Girl…brilliant!

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t normally read fiction — however because I have read the author’s other offerings, and because of the rave reviews the book had been receiving, I decided to get Amazon to send it over the seas and had a read. One word — BRILLIANT!!

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Do things get better with time I wonder….

Different track tonight.  Kind of disheartened with my station in life right now.

I put on a brave front out in the world, all the while struggling with my inability to drag myself up out of the bog that seems to have a hold of me. Financial woes — I know I’m not the only one struggling with this, but tonight it is just about me.  The lack of suitable funds can result in many things.  I’ve learned to live on next to nothing, which hasn’t actually been that difficult because as a kid my parents did the same, so I was familiar with going without.  My Dad was a blue collar worker, and held down a couple of other jobs at the same time, to make ends meet.  He was the best — held it together in times of adversity (that I won’t go into here). But I wonder what he thought of his lot in life?  He seemed happy enough, content in his spare time (which wasn’t often) having a smoke and a beer; and being silent.  Dad was the silent type, something I am not.  I’m extremely outgoing.  In all other ways, I am a clone of my Dad, and that’s a great thing.

But…back to this bog, fog or whatever you want to call it. It just seems to have attached itself to me, and no matter what I try, it has an impact….on relationships, on friendships, on many facets of my life….and on the ability to do things.

People told me that “it” would get better with time.  I wanted to believe them, but as job application after  job application was ignored, and the finances dwindled, I began to wonder if they really knew what they were talking about. I still wonder to this very day.

I had a wonderful opportunity slip through my fingers tonight…and without airing it here, am somewhat dismayed about that loss.