The Art of Randsomness and Olive Diving

Olive diving. 

One of my favorite pastimes. 

Jacques Cousteau would be proud. 

For some reason, this week, I felt the insatiable urge to put on my scuba gear and dive into the depths of a martini glass. 

Mission accomplished. 

As I was snorkeling around last night, a couple came in, sat next to me, and ordered a Gin Martini and a Sauvignon Blanc.  

We started a random conversation about the differences between Pinot Grigio and Sauv Blanc and the differences between Gin and Vodka martinis. 

Delightful, brief conversation. 

The couple reminded me of my wife and me.  A couple that found each other later in life, sips from the cup that life offers every day and savors every moment. 

Plans have been made for an olive diving/grape-tasting expedition in the future. 

Randomness. 

Cousteau said it best, "from birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free."

Dive in. 

Goldilocks, Will You Marry Me?

 

Sorry in advance for a small dose of cynicism. 

Remember Goldilocks and the three bears? 

One porridge was too hot. 

One porridge was too cold. 

One porridge was just right. 

I poke your memory of this because, in my humble opinion, there are three types of marriages that exist in our world. 

One where you are together living in fiction (too hot).

One where you are together living alone. (too cold). 

And, one that's just right (for you). 

Here's the thing though...

Some like it hot. 

Some like it cold. 

Nothing wrong with that. 

I will take mine "just right," please. 

The End 

The Forever Now

Have to admit...not a big pop culture fan.

Don't have a go-to TV show I must see. 

On one of my last trips to Iceland, I watched "This Is Us" on the plane ride. 

I was hooked. 

In one of the last episodes, Mandy Moore sang a song entitled "The Forever Now." 

"Cause I get this moment with you forever now."

I've lost a lot of people in this world. Some by death...others by life.  

I think about those 'forever now" moments with them. 

It usually brings smiles and tears, but the smiles win out.

I will always lean on the moments that produce the smiles. 

It's easier on the eyes.  

"Maybe all that we have is a forever now." 

Monday Morning Quarterback

 

Most have heard of the term, "Monday Morning Quarterback." 

In football, it's all about second-guessing what happened during the games over the weekend.  Guys (most who never played or coached the game) pull up their favorite barstool and paint their diatribe picture of what should've happened on the field.  

In life, "Monday morning quarterbacking" happens all the time. 

Everyone has an opinion on how you are living your life and the decisions you make. 

As Bob Marley once said, "before you point your fingers at me, you should be sure your own hands are clean." 

The only person who can play Monday morning quarterback in your life is yourself.  You are the QB, the coach, the team, the fans, the beer-tenders, etc.  Don't fall into the trap though of second-guessing and living in the past but learn from the past and revise your own playbook for the future. 

And remember, never be afraid to call an audible. 

On two! On two! 

Ready...set...

Time Machines and Regrets

I just finished "Better Call Saul" (no spoilers, I promise). 

In the series finale, Saul asked two characters if they had a time machine and could go back in time (or forward), where would they go. 

In reality, he was asking if they had any regrets in life where they could get a do-over. 

Saul's answers were material in nature whereas his counterparts answered with deep thought and introspection. 

I've thought about this a lot since I watched it and to quote the Chairman of the Board, "regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention." 

I won't go into my personal time machine, but I do think it's OK to ponder about these time machine moments, but don't dwell on them. Learn from them. Grow from them. Change from them. But, don't let them define you. 

What about you?  Whether it be Doc Brown or Doctor Who facilitating, where would you go? 

Just remember though...

Saul gone, but not forgotten. 

I Hate this Phone Plan

I've taken "that call" several times in my life. 

The ring is ominous. It's different than others. 

You can feel it. You know it. Your brain, your heart, your soul. You know. 

That phone call with the news. 

The end. They are gone. 

Searching for the words. Finding the pain.  Direction-less. Have to plan, but frozen.  A moment in time. The forever now. Memories. The "new" normal. 

All three different, but similar. 

I've had others but these three are the ones. 

I hate that call. 

Next time, I am telling them...

Wrong number. 

Seal the Edge

Sealing the edge is a critical element for any successful football team.  It opens up the field and allows you to run the outside alley. 

It's another football lesson that translates really well into life. 

What's the thing in your life that you must seal?  Your health?  Your family?  Your fortune? Whatever it is, you must fight for it at all costs. 

The game of football rides parallel to the tracks of life. 

It takes a team to be successful. You can't do your life alone. 

It takes hard work. Life isn't hard but it does take hard work to get the most out of it.  

It's a game of inches.  Think back on your life and think about the gravity of one seemingly small (at the time) decision or move and the effect it might've had on the rest of your life. 

Practice makes perfect. Life is about learning from the past (not living in it) and growing. 

Sometimes the ball takes a funny bounce.   Always.  

Vince Lombardi once said, "the greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."  This is the quintessence of life. 

Huddle up. 

Live your life. Set...Go.