Right In The Eye

Have you ever tried to watch your eyes move?

You can't, can you? The only time you can ever see your eyes in a reflection is when they are looking directly at you.

You stare into the mirror, and turn your head. It's the illusion of movement, but in reality, your eyes aren't moving, only your head surrounding them.

Throughout the ages, man has seen everyone's eyes move but his own. Until the late 1800's, no one had ever seen the movement of his own orbs within their sockets. It was then, of course, that the moving pictures were developed.

So, here's my thought... Could it be that man invented the motion picture camera - not to film the great events of history, or even to create blockbuster cinematic features, but for this one reason: to see his own eyes move.

I believe so. That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

Unbelieve-a-barf

I used to find comfort in routine. I'd often end up ordering the same thing at each restaurant to which I'd go. Pollo con Crema at Guadalajara, Carne Asada at La Costa... and at Subway, it was a 6" Turkey Breast on wheat, no cheese, toasted.

But as my blog entry entitled "Chicken Jerky" indicated last month, I've been shaking things up a bit - trying new things, pushing the envelope.

Tonight, after work, I drove through a local burger joint, a chain called Rally's Hamburgers (you might also know them as "Checkers"). I haven't eaten there much, because it's pretty greasy stuff. But for some reason that's where I ended up tonight.

I saw a sign advertising their new Unbeliev-a-burgers. They looked pretty good. And since I'm avoiding routine, I thought I'd be adventurous and try the one I wouldn't normally get: the Mushroom Swiss burger.

At first bite, I knew it was a mistake.

Oh my gosh, this thing was gross. I can't even describe it. I mean, the burgers are greasy enough - the paper wrapping them glistens with oil, soaking itself within moments. But then there were slimy sliced mushrooms marinated in some foul concoction, permeating the entire sandwich with their rank taste and smell. Oh, I did not feel good.

To give you an idea of just how repugnant it was, I just realized as I'm sitting here that the residue left behind on my hand smells like a dog peed on it. Ugh. I've gotta go wash.

Not So Super Bowl

I'm not a huge football fan by any stretch of the imagination. As a matter of fact, the idea of repeatedly sitting in front of the TV for three hours at a time seems like an utter waste of life, unless you're hanging out with friends at the same time.

Ever since high school, the concept of being a sports fan has been a mystery to me. Memorizing statistics that have no bearing on life, talking about yesterday's game that neither of you played, being madly devoted to a group of men who wear the same shirt... I just don't get it.

But as you might have heard, the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts are the two teams going to the Super Bowl this year. And here in Fort Wayne, we're about halfway between Chicago and Indianapolis. So you can imagine the buzz around here. Everybody wants to talk about their favorite team, what the season was like, and what the upcoming game holds.

All I can say is "Aaaauuuggghhh! If one more person tries to talk football with me, I'm gonna drown myself in my bathtub!"

Please talk to me about something REAL. Talk to me about LIFE. Talk to me about YOUR life, not some game that other people are playing. What do you feel? What secrets are you afraid to reveal? Who are you when you're the only one around? What are your plans, your fears, your dreams? What could happen that would make you happy? What thoughts do you have that you think no one else does? THAT'S what I want to talk about. I want to know YOUR statistics, not the average rushing yards for a team's away games in November.

If that's where you're at too, please feel free to email me.

That being said, I thought it was funny to read that the Colts' coach Tony Dungy said, "It's a shame we have to go to Miami. We should just go to Fort Wayne and play this off." If that were to happen, I bet more people would be coming to visit me here. And I might actually get a chance to talk to them when the game was over...

That's Okay

After weeks of being very sick, I'm FINALLY feeling better!

Today I've been writing a song and cleaning my apartment. Both things are demanding to be finished, but are each competing for my attention. As a result, neither is as far along as I want it to be. But that's okay, I can finish both projects another day.

As a matter of fact, I'm shooting for 2007 to be the year of saying, "That's okay." No sense wasting energy stressing about things over which I have no control. And the things I can control, I'll just turn into goals with definite parameters and time frames.

Peace and direction: sounds good to me. My 2006 definitely lacked that. But you know what? That's okay, too.

Oh, My Achin' Head

To all who have written and asked, yes, I am still quite sick.

I had to leave work this morning and go sit in the doctor's office for a couple hours. I got a second round of antibiotics, stronger ones, so hopefully this time it'll work.



It's after eleven, and I've got a pounding headache for some reason. So, I've got nothing funny to say, and I'm off to bed.

'Night.

My life, MySpace

I stayed away from MySpace as long as possible, because I heard all the parental concern stories. But it's actually a very cool way to stay in touch with friends.

And for those of you who were friends with Dakota, my MySpace page is really going to be the only place to keep up on what's happening in his life. For example, today he went to.... um, no. You're just going to have to find that out for yourself.

Oh, and if you have (or get) a MySpace page too, then please feel free to be my friend. Believe me, it was really depressing at first, when it said "Ron has 0 friends."

I'm also pretty sure the blog is going to stay where it is for the long-term. No sense breakin' what don't need fixin'.

Also, for those of you who are praying people, please continue to pray for me. I'm not delirious anymore, but I'm still sick as a dog. (But not Dakota, he's REALLY happy. A different dog. One with swollen sinuses, burning eyes, and pain in his throat. THAT kind of dog.)

Home Sweet Home

My friend Tammy lives up in Auburn, a little town about 20 minutes north of Fort Wayne. She owns a consulting business that designs and specifies construction finishes for schools and universities, so she's home a lot.

I really miss being my own boss and having that kind of flexibility. In the months before I moved from Cheyenne, running Creative Services Studio meant that I was home almost all the time, too.

And of course my Siberian Husky Dakota liked that schedule much better too. Although Dakota was lonely after losing his best friend Ginger, a beautiful Boxer, he found comfort in our frequent walks and trips to the dog park.

When planning for the move to Indiana, it was good to find an apartment that took big dogs like Dakota. Unfortunately, life hasn't been very satisfactory for him. He's home alone all day while I spend 12-14 hours at work, six days a week.

Tammy was saying the other day that her dog Bear has been lonely since his friend passed away, and mentioned that if I ever wanted to part with Dakota, she'd be happy to take him. She's got a house with a fenced yard and lives across from a park.

Well, a couple of days ago, I took the plunge. Dakota's living at his new place now, and happy as can be.



His new best friend is Bear, a golden-retriever/chow mix that he spends half the day outside with.



Of course, I'm going to miss his company and morning wake-up calls of Husky talk, but I'm so much happier knowing HE'S happier. He's quickly adjusted to his new home and family (with two teenage boys!), and has already captured everyone's hearts.

So, just a week into 2007, and changes are already coming. I can't wait to see what the coming months hold.

On The Mend

Just a quick update: I tried to go to work yesterday, but that lasted all of about 46 minutes. Another 17 hours of sleep, and I was ready to go this morning. Not even close to 100% yet, but healthy enough to work. Thanks for all the encouraging words and prayers.