What's Wrong with You?

 I have some observations about relationships and a question to ask.

On my walk this morning, on a beautiful sunny Fall day, and I smiled at oncoming walkers and said good morning. The majority of them did not acknowledge my hello. Some were alone, some with a partner, and some with a dog. What's Wrong with You?

On my walk I cross over a roundabout crosswalk. Most people stop, some roll right through, and some speed up so they don't need to stop. What does 3 seconds add to your drive? What's Wrong with You?

On my walk I pass my son's school and in the primary school yard their is a young couple with school age children letting their dogs run unleased. Every entrance to the school property is signed no dogs allowed. What are they teaching their children? What's Wrong with You?

The above got me thinking. Throughout my life I believe I was basically a rule follower. I am not talking legal rules, but perhaps societal norms. I have usually tried to do what best for those I come in contact with. I have coached for 40 years, worked in a supervisory capacity for 30 years and hired, and mentored many employees. I have even been accused of hiring my friends.

Coaching has always been something I enjoyed. My goal was to make players better and over 30 of those players have gone on to play at university. I just received two happy birthdays on my Facebook. Thank you and for the remaining hundreds of players ... What's Wrong with You?

In my career I mentored quite a few people who went on to very successful careers. I just received an eMail from one of them saying happy birthday and let's get together for a chat. The others (you know who you are) are probably patting themselves on the back and thinking how smart I was to have such a great career. Perhaps it is time for some self reflection and a birthday wish. What's Wrong with You?

I only taught for about 10 years but in those 10 years I think I may have made a difference in young lives. My goal was usually to make students smile and succeed in my course. Every now again one reaches out to me to say thanks. If sometime, you think back and realize 'That was the best of times ...' you should reach out, not necessarily to me but to some teacher or coach that made a difference. What's Wrong with You?

Since retiring, I have reached out to colleague and students when there was a need and tried to make a difference in their lives. You also know who you are. One particular student does not even reply to me if I ask how she is doing. What's Wrong with You?

What I take away from all of the above is that people move on and when they do they leave behind what was. Interesting enough, that is the theme of a book I taught to my grade 8s for 3 years.

That was Then, This is Now

Novel by S. E. Hinton

Perhaps I am just becoming maudlin in my old age ... or in search of truth like Don Quixote in 'Tilting at Windmills'

TTYL

Fall is Here

 Canada is getting ready for winter as Fall arrived on September the 21st. Our pet squirrels (we have three, a brown, a grey, and a black) have started to horde and stash the nuts we give them each morning. They are pretty tame and eat out of Jaidan's hand. As the weather is turning cooler they are asking for more because they have to stash enough nuts to get through the winter. They eat well as we feed them cashews and almonds.

Jaidan is back and school and he still likes that I walk to school with him and walk back with him after school. I don't mind as it helps me to get my 10,000 steps in.

The basketball team I coach, which is U19 boys has been selected and our first practice is September 30th and I am looking forward to it. Most of the boys are new to the team and seem pretty keen on being a part of it. It should be a good year.

I had my preoperative briefing at the hospital yesterday and it went well. My hernia operation is next Thursday, the 3rd of October and seems pretty routine as my hernia is fairly small. The operation last about an hour with a recovery of 2-3 hours and then I get to go home.  Apparently and can get back to my routines the next day.

Thavorn is still enjoying not working. She is not bored as long as she gets to go shopping once a week. Shopping is fun with her as she is easy to shop for being XS/Small and looks good in most everything much like Aly. I am assuming Aly has managed to stay slim and in good shape.

I still amuse myself by programming microcontrollers and building RC cars. I would rather be bar hopping in Bangkok or Pattaya but that is not an option at this moment although Thavorn said I could visit Thailand by myself for a couple of weeks if I get really bored. That makes it much more cost effective as it is only one ticket and I can fly through the states.

My friend John is back in Thailand full time now and is enjoying it. Much more to do and much less expensive than Canada for eating/drinking out. The night life in Canada really sucks for older folks who want to have fun.

Both of my sisters are waiting on operations as well and have wait time longer than a year. Canada has let way too many students/immigrants/refugees in during the past 5 years and it has overloaded our health care system. You have to wonder why politicians can look farther than their nose and do simple math. Of course as boomers age they need more health care as well.

I miss being in Malaysia where I could simply pay for whatever health care I needed and it was timely and way less expensive. Thailand is similar but harder to figure out.

Thavorn turned 38 on the 24th of September and of course, I gained (lost) another year.

TTYL