New Years Eve is finally upon us, and we officially have less that 24 hours before the new year and decade are here to stay. The 2000's (or naughty aughties if you're keeping up w/ my blog) have been a period of great personal development for myself and my loved ones, and the decade won't soon be forgotten. I've grown tremendously, and recently have found myself reflecting on my personal growth throughout the years. Its been a long and arduous journey through the past 10 years: A journey that has taken me through life like a serpentine mountain road, winding here, dodging over a pass there, but always keeping me on the right road. I'm not saying that there hasn't been a few detours and pit stops along the way, but for the most part the past decade has played a significant role in forming who I am today.
The first part of this decade was a time when I began to piece together the puzzle that is Alex. I started high school in 1999/2000, and began sampling life like a plate of hors devours. I quickly found that although I was talented in many areas of my life, only a select few actually made me happy and helped me develop personally. I was good at football, but got hurt every other week. I enjoyed literature and writing, but found myself pursuing math and science instead for reasons that I still don't completely understand. It wasn't until my junior year that I truly found my niche, or at least what I thought to be my niche. I headed a championship winning Science Bowl team, captained my Cross Country Team to the state invitational, and went to the Junior Olympics in two different sports, all while taking classes that would prove to be more difficult than 80% of my college curriculum. Reflecting upon that time, I now realize that although I'm still interested in science, math, and running, it was the role in these activities that I truly savored. I may not have recognized it then, but I am a natural leader. I led my teammates and classmates in my daily life, and cherished the opportunity to be a role model.
It took less than a month in college to realize that my true passions did not lie in derivations or melting points, rather it was leadership and knowledge that truly inspired me. Although I was finding inspiration in new arenas, my passion for leading by example did not wane. I helped found an organization based around the concept of alternative learning and mastery in off-the-wall topics such as tribal drumming and underwater basket weaving(just kidding on that one!). I began to develop organizations by writing business plans and discussing key issues with community members. It was in these pursuits that I recognized the power of collaboration. Previous to my college tenure, I thought that the old adage "If you want something done right, You must do it yourself!" was a motto to live by. Once I recognized that there were plenty of individuals that were just as, if not more talented than myself, I knew that partnerships and teamwork were significantly more effective then trying to manage an entire group or project by myself. "Successful Collaboration and Teamwork Reward Tenacity and Persistence", is a much more appropriate and truthful motto.
All in all, the past decade has had a huge impact on who I am as a person today. I know now that leadership does not necessarily mean that I must lead my peers alone, rather that by collaboration and persistence, great results can be seen. I know that the activities that I enjoyed in the past decade will likely be positive outlets for the rest of my life. Most importantly, however, I learned who I am as person, and the subsequent impact on my life. I envision that the next decade will only improve my sense of self as I venture into the great beyond that is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My life experiences are priceless, and as I cross over into a new era, I can only hope that ultimately my struggle and subsequent understanding of who I am will continue.
Happy New Year!
A.S. Bloom
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Decade Remembered
With new years nearly upon us, we are rapidly closing out one of the most influential decades in recent history. The past 10 years have given us some of the happiest and saddest moments that we may see in our entire lives, as well as some of the most influential. First and foremost, we survived the Y2K bug! There were no epic failures of computers, missiles launching, or people living out the entirety of their lifetimes in bomb shelters. However, 2001 brought us one of the greatest tragedies that we may ever experience on home soil. The 9/11 terrorists attacks struck fear into the hearts of millions, coercing us to believe that we should live in fear and anxiety of future attacks. Just as we began to let the attack subside from our minds, mother nature took its turn at terrorism.
Hurricane Katrina may be remembered as one of the most destructive and unnerving natural disasters to ever occur in the U.S. Not only did the storm destroy thousands of homes, lives, and businesses, but the way that President Bush handled the situation will always live in infamy. His actions following the disaster, combined with his mess in the Middle East quickly led to one the lowest presidential approval ratings in history. The greater part of this decade was lived out under one the most unpopular presidents in history, a president who was forced to use dishonest tactics to win and still almost lost. This wouldn't be the first time in political history that such a bureaucratic shit show would occur, but it was the first time that the national media grabbed ahold with its unrelenting incisors, brought the missteps into the public lime light, and never let go. Following on the heels of presidential disaster, enter President Barack Obama -- We'll have to reserve judgement on him for next time.
For sports fans (especially those on the East Coast) , the past decade has brought some of the most incredible times in modern history. The Boston Red Sox, after agonizing for nearly 100 years under the curse of the bambino, finally won the World Series (twice nonetheless!), while the Yankees suffered uncharacteristically until 2009 when they clinched their first title in the their new, revamped launching pad. The Chicago Cubs of course still remain the joke of American Sports having not clinched a title in more than a century, while sporting a 1/2 century long absence from even competing for one. Professional Basketball has seen far less variation in champions with the L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs combining to win 7 of the 10 championships in the past decade. All I know, is that it has officially been too long since Denver celebrated a sporting championship.
The past decade has also been one of great personal development for myself, and the people that surround me. However, as time and attention span dictates, the task of recounting myself and loved ones is best left for tomorrow. One question that I would like to briefly explore today revolves around what to call the past decade. All of the greatest modern time periods have been given a catchy nickname to go along with their decade numeration(Ie. 'The Swingin' Sixties"). Not only does this decade not have a way of defining it numerically, but a descriptor seems to be even more of an afterthought. There have been so many important, transformative moments throughout the past ten years that maybe its best that we left the previous decade without descriptive nomenclature. Maybe its one of those situations where we have to be 10 years down the line, sipping scotch by the fireside, before we can conjure an adequate nickname for the decade past. Given the amount of scandal and deception, I'm thinking the naughty aughties... What do you all think?
A.S. Bloom
Hurricane Katrina may be remembered as one of the most destructive and unnerving natural disasters to ever occur in the U.S. Not only did the storm destroy thousands of homes, lives, and businesses, but the way that President Bush handled the situation will always live in infamy. His actions following the disaster, combined with his mess in the Middle East quickly led to one the lowest presidential approval ratings in history. The greater part of this decade was lived out under one the most unpopular presidents in history, a president who was forced to use dishonest tactics to win and still almost lost. This wouldn't be the first time in political history that such a bureaucratic shit show would occur, but it was the first time that the national media grabbed ahold with its unrelenting incisors, brought the missteps into the public lime light, and never let go. Following on the heels of presidential disaster, enter President Barack Obama -- We'll have to reserve judgement on him for next time.
For sports fans (especially those on the East Coast) , the past decade has brought some of the most incredible times in modern history. The Boston Red Sox, after agonizing for nearly 100 years under the curse of the bambino, finally won the World Series (twice nonetheless!), while the Yankees suffered uncharacteristically until 2009 when they clinched their first title in the their new, revamped launching pad. The Chicago Cubs of course still remain the joke of American Sports having not clinched a title in more than a century, while sporting a 1/2 century long absence from even competing for one. Professional Basketball has seen far less variation in champions with the L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs combining to win 7 of the 10 championships in the past decade. All I know, is that it has officially been too long since Denver celebrated a sporting championship.
The past decade has also been one of great personal development for myself, and the people that surround me. However, as time and attention span dictates, the task of recounting myself and loved ones is best left for tomorrow. One question that I would like to briefly explore today revolves around what to call the past decade. All of the greatest modern time periods have been given a catchy nickname to go along with their decade numeration(Ie. 'The Swingin' Sixties"). Not only does this decade not have a way of defining it numerically, but a descriptor seems to be even more of an afterthought. There have been so many important, transformative moments throughout the past ten years that maybe its best that we left the previous decade without descriptive nomenclature. Maybe its one of those situations where we have to be 10 years down the line, sipping scotch by the fireside, before we can conjure an adequate nickname for the decade past. Given the amount of scandal and deception, I'm thinking the naughty aughties... What do you all think?
A.S. Bloom
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Musically Speaking...
As long as I can remember, music has been a huge part of my life. Although my tastes in music have changed over time, I still find myself listening to quite a breadth of musical styles. My first memories of music hearken back to my early childhood in Omaha: I clearly remember dancing around the living room to Bobby Mcferrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" on the stereo at our new house. I couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old, but that track was a musical revelation. I probably listened to that tune hundreds of times throughout my early childhood, and found it to be a stress reliever, before I even knew what stress really was. Bad day at School? Mom telling you to do too many chores? All I had to do was pop in the tape, crank it up, and let the music sweep my worries off to a far away place.
Music is a universal language that transcends cultural, physical, and emotional boundaries. Although we don't all listen to the same music, the elements that comprise the music we listen to are often the same. I have never come across an individual that didn't like at least one type of music. Although some may pigeonhole themselves into a certain genre that they enjoy, what they may not realize is that in essence, music serves the same purpose for all of us. Music makes us run the gamut of emotions: Some makes us happy, some makes us sad, but one thing is for sure, as humans, we love music. It helps us to relive memories, relieve stress, and establish our identities as individuals with particular tastes. I would challenge anyone to deny that the music that they listen to does not contribute, at least a little, to who they are as a person.
If you take nothing else away from today's blog, please take this bit of advice: Don't just hear your music, listen to it. I feel one of the main reasons that we relate to music so deeply is that we find much of ourselves in the lyrics, rhythms, and harmonies. We discover ourselves connecting with common situations portrayed through lyrics, or finding commonalities between the rhythm of a jazz riff and the pace of our lives. Music defines us as individuals and as groups, and much information can often be garnered about a person or clique by simply asking what kind of music they enjoy.
This cold wintry season, make sure to remember the power of music. Know that no matter where you are, in personal life or geographic location, that music will follow. Music will always be there to cheer you up, make you sad, and define who and where you are in life. Dig up some of the tunes you haven't listened to in ages, and remember fondly the first time you listened to them. Take that feeling and hold on to it, because musically speaking, more times than not, it will hit the right note.
A.S. Bloom
Music is a universal language that transcends cultural, physical, and emotional boundaries. Although we don't all listen to the same music, the elements that comprise the music we listen to are often the same. I have never come across an individual that didn't like at least one type of music. Although some may pigeonhole themselves into a certain genre that they enjoy, what they may not realize is that in essence, music serves the same purpose for all of us. Music makes us run the gamut of emotions: Some makes us happy, some makes us sad, but one thing is for sure, as humans, we love music. It helps us to relive memories, relieve stress, and establish our identities as individuals with particular tastes. I would challenge anyone to deny that the music that they listen to does not contribute, at least a little, to who they are as a person.
If you take nothing else away from today's blog, please take this bit of advice: Don't just hear your music, listen to it. I feel one of the main reasons that we relate to music so deeply is that we find much of ourselves in the lyrics, rhythms, and harmonies. We discover ourselves connecting with common situations portrayed through lyrics, or finding commonalities between the rhythm of a jazz riff and the pace of our lives. Music defines us as individuals and as groups, and much information can often be garnered about a person or clique by simply asking what kind of music they enjoy.
This cold wintry season, make sure to remember the power of music. Know that no matter where you are, in personal life or geographic location, that music will follow. Music will always be there to cheer you up, make you sad, and define who and where you are in life. Dig up some of the tunes you haven't listened to in ages, and remember fondly the first time you listened to them. Take that feeling and hold on to it, because musically speaking, more times than not, it will hit the right note.
A.S. Bloom
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Winter is here... Officially ....
Throughout my life, Winter has been by far the most subjective season. While living in Nebraska growing up, it often felt as if winter started in October when the bone-chilling winds blew down from the Rocky Mountains and froze everything in their path. Any plant matter left outside was sure to be resigned to a Siberian death, from which there is no resuscitation. Sometimes the arctic chill would last well into late February and early March, unrelenting with its frigid fists. Other times the winter would subside early in February, and the bitter cold and snow would transform into a blissful rainy spring.
Here in Denver, things tend to be significantly stranger. One can expect a considerable snowfall early in October some years, and others, well, not so much. A couple years back we had a streak of 70 degree days around my birthday, which was rather odd, but greatly appreciated! Winter is much more of a fickle beast here, often flip-flopping between sunny & gorgeous and cold & miserable. The weather in Colorado resists prediction by feeble meteorologists, often changing significantly in an hour period, almost as if to spite the weather men and women for trying to direct its capricious nature. As the old Denver adage goes, " If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!"
One thing that I know for sure though, is that Christmas always seems to signal the 'official' start of winter. Christmas decorations and carols evoke a feeling in us all that force us into the harsh realization that winter has arrived. Although they probably won't be having a white Xmas in Dallas anytime soon, the spirit of the holidays conjures up feelings of winter time and cold weather that even the most devout Texan can't deny. Although the residents of Maui may never experience snowfall, they still know that familiar feeling that comes with singing "Let it Snow" or "Frosty the Snowman." The irony of it all never ceases to amaze.
In sum, Winter is here,whether I like it or not. After three consecutive days of significant snowfall accumulation and sub-freezing temperatures, there is no debate that Winter has laid its glacial claim to my fair town. There will be many days of long underwear,snow shoveling, and hot chocolate to come as we cross over into a new decade. All is not lost, however, as I optimistically envision walking around in my shorts sometime in the near future. I just need to wait a few minutes: It is Denver after all!
A.S. Bloom
Here in Denver, things tend to be significantly stranger. One can expect a considerable snowfall early in October some years, and others, well, not so much. A couple years back we had a streak of 70 degree days around my birthday, which was rather odd, but greatly appreciated! Winter is much more of a fickle beast here, often flip-flopping between sunny & gorgeous and cold & miserable. The weather in Colorado resists prediction by feeble meteorologists, often changing significantly in an hour period, almost as if to spite the weather men and women for trying to direct its capricious nature. As the old Denver adage goes, " If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!"
One thing that I know for sure though, is that Christmas always seems to signal the 'official' start of winter. Christmas decorations and carols evoke a feeling in us all that force us into the harsh realization that winter has arrived. Although they probably won't be having a white Xmas in Dallas anytime soon, the spirit of the holidays conjures up feelings of winter time and cold weather that even the most devout Texan can't deny. Although the residents of Maui may never experience snowfall, they still know that familiar feeling that comes with singing "Let it Snow" or "Frosty the Snowman." The irony of it all never ceases to amaze.
In sum, Winter is here,whether I like it or not. After three consecutive days of significant snowfall accumulation and sub-freezing temperatures, there is no debate that Winter has laid its glacial claim to my fair town. There will be many days of long underwear,snow shoveling, and hot chocolate to come as we cross over into a new decade. All is not lost, however, as I optimistically envision walking around in my shorts sometime in the near future. I just need to wait a few minutes: It is Denver after all!
A.S. Bloom
Friday, December 25, 2009
Recession Santa?
This morning on my drive into work, I tuned into NPR as I usually do for a quick jolt of morning news and sentiment. No news was to be found, however, and in its stead public radio was running a Christmas special. At first, I quickly changed the channel, hoping to find a station that was not blasting Xmas tunes or romanticizing the story of JC. My efforts were for naught, and after a brief search through my presets, I came to the realization that public radio might well be my best option for audio entertainment. Lucky for me, the story that was playing when I tuned back in was not only amusing, but laugh out loud funny.
The account was narrated by an unfamiliar raspy voice (I know most of the hosts by instant diction recognition!) that intrigued me, and was initially what sucked me in to the narrative. Ill briefly rehash the story for you... The main character is an 'elf' in one of those deranged Santa scenes that can be found throughout America at your local Shopping Mall, Kmart, or wherever frenzied mothers and maniacal children are found. The narrator begins to describe her experiences at work, but it was one scene that truly made the whole narrative.
On this particular occasion, the elf(narrator) was working the cash register on a decidedly busy afternoon. After taking her pictures with Santa, a young girl is bawling while her mother is trying to pay for lap services rendered. The mother leans down to the young girl and says, "If you don't stop crying, Santa won't bring you any toys, and instead he will bring you a lump of coal!" The girl protests that Santa has already told her that she was going to get everything that she wanted.
At this point the mother leans over to the elf at the register, and insists that she explain the way Christmas 'works' to her daughter. Seizing the opportunity to brighten her day, Ms. Elf looks down at the ankle biter and says, "Santa has a new policy this year: If you are naughty, instead of leaving you coal, which is a precious resource, Santa will steal from you. Hes going to steal all your toys, and sell them on Ebay." The mother, with a horrified look on her face, promptly pays and leaves while explaining to her daughter that what the elf had said was not true.
This got me thinking: What if Santa really did adjust his tactics to the economic climate? Would this 'recession Santa' actually come to your house, do his 'ho ho ho' song and dance, and then rob you blind? Just by imagining the scene that would ensue, I can't help but chuckle to myself.
Santa: Alright Blitzen and Comet, go grab all the expensive electronics you can find. Make sure you grab that new plasma TV, it will look great in my den!
Reindeer: But Santa, we don't have any thumbs, how are we supposed to carry all this stuff?
..........................Recession Santa would quickly find out that reindeer, while excellent at guiding his sleigh, are poor henchmen at best........................
Be safe and happy this holiday, and remember to count your blessings. Remember that we are blessed to be with loved ones and family around the holidays, and that we should savor these moments as if they may never happen again. Know that even if you can't be with the ones you hold dear this Holiday season, that they are thinking about you, and care for you deeply. Moreover, remember that we are truly lucky that Santa is a jolly fellow, and that his reindeer don't have opposable appendages.
A.S. Bloom
The account was narrated by an unfamiliar raspy voice (I know most of the hosts by instant diction recognition!) that intrigued me, and was initially what sucked me in to the narrative. Ill briefly rehash the story for you... The main character is an 'elf' in one of those deranged Santa scenes that can be found throughout America at your local Shopping Mall, Kmart, or wherever frenzied mothers and maniacal children are found. The narrator begins to describe her experiences at work, but it was one scene that truly made the whole narrative.
On this particular occasion, the elf(narrator) was working the cash register on a decidedly busy afternoon. After taking her pictures with Santa, a young girl is bawling while her mother is trying to pay for lap services rendered. The mother leans down to the young girl and says, "If you don't stop crying, Santa won't bring you any toys, and instead he will bring you a lump of coal!" The girl protests that Santa has already told her that she was going to get everything that she wanted.
At this point the mother leans over to the elf at the register, and insists that she explain the way Christmas 'works' to her daughter. Seizing the opportunity to brighten her day, Ms. Elf looks down at the ankle biter and says, "Santa has a new policy this year: If you are naughty, instead of leaving you coal, which is a precious resource, Santa will steal from you. Hes going to steal all your toys, and sell them on Ebay." The mother, with a horrified look on her face, promptly pays and leaves while explaining to her daughter that what the elf had said was not true.
This got me thinking: What if Santa really did adjust his tactics to the economic climate? Would this 'recession Santa' actually come to your house, do his 'ho ho ho' song and dance, and then rob you blind? Just by imagining the scene that would ensue, I can't help but chuckle to myself.
Santa: Alright Blitzen and Comet, go grab all the expensive electronics you can find. Make sure you grab that new plasma TV, it will look great in my den!
Reindeer: But Santa, we don't have any thumbs, how are we supposed to carry all this stuff?
..........................Recession Santa would quickly find out that reindeer, while excellent at guiding his sleigh, are poor henchmen at best........................
Be safe and happy this holiday, and remember to count your blessings. Remember that we are blessed to be with loved ones and family around the holidays, and that we should savor these moments as if they may never happen again. Know that even if you can't be with the ones you hold dear this Holiday season, that they are thinking about you, and care for you deeply. Moreover, remember that we are truly lucky that Santa is a jolly fellow, and that his reindeer don't have opposable appendages.
A.S. Bloom
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Let it Snow!
I awoke this morning to find about 4 more inches of snow on the ground, bringing our grand total for this storm to about 6. Although I sometimes get tired of scraping windshields and shoveling walks, I know that I am blessed to live in a place that can convey the natural beauty of a fresh snowfall. Tree branches sag and droop like packs slung over a horses back, as bits of their twigs remain uncovered to remind us of the beauty that lies underneath. I think that living in the mountains sometimes can wear away at the novelty of a big snow, but having blustery cold weather definitely makes you really appreciate those 70 degree days in January (Yes, we do have those here!). For now, Ill just enjoy the splendor of the wintry world around me, while looking forward to warmer days.
As you may remember from my previous blog, I am currently in the midst of reading a great American classic "Travels with Charley." Although this is my 4th or 5th time through, I still enjoy it as if it were my first time flipping the pages. Over the years I have made funny little notes, comments, and symbols in the margins of the pages, which now remind me of years gone by. I feel like Sherlock Holmes trying to decipher what I meant by a cryptic note made 5 years ago, or why I felt like highlighting an entire page (Doesn't this inevitably reduce the efficacy of highlighting?). What I do know for sure is that this book has followed me for most of my adult life, and has unquestionably had an effect on the way I think about culture and its effect on who we are as Americans. Steinbeck truly wants the reader to reflect on the way we go about our lives, and the subsequent effect on the people around us.
On a divergent, but not so separate note, something very interesting has happened to me since I began reading this book at work: I often find myself talking the book up to guests and employees, which inevitably spurs conversation over literary interests. The more and more I talk to people about literature, the more I realize that these days people are more or less bandwagon bookworms. Of the people I have spoken to on this subject, most reflect on their current favorite authors as people like Dan Brown, John Grisham, and J.K. Rowling.
Although I respect these individuals as authors, they are simply nowhere near the same plane as some of our great American novelists. Hemmingway, Steinbeck, and Twain wrote material that transcends generations and cultures, and is used in schools for our literary upbringing. I surely can't picture "The Davinci Code" becoming part of America's high school curriculum any time soon. People seem to regard our classic American authors as part of history, something to reflect upon and admire, and when the time comes, read the Cliff Notes so that they can pass the exam. Thus I encourage you to go to your local library or bookstore and walk directly past the new releases and NY Times bestsellers. Walk to the corner in the back, where books garner more dust than interest, and pick up a copy of Huck Finn, The Sun Also Rises, or East of Eden. Read, and repeat for best results.
A.S. Bloom
As you may remember from my previous blog, I am currently in the midst of reading a great American classic "Travels with Charley." Although this is my 4th or 5th time through, I still enjoy it as if it were my first time flipping the pages. Over the years I have made funny little notes, comments, and symbols in the margins of the pages, which now remind me of years gone by. I feel like Sherlock Holmes trying to decipher what I meant by a cryptic note made 5 years ago, or why I felt like highlighting an entire page (Doesn't this inevitably reduce the efficacy of highlighting?). What I do know for sure is that this book has followed me for most of my adult life, and has unquestionably had an effect on the way I think about culture and its effect on who we are as Americans. Steinbeck truly wants the reader to reflect on the way we go about our lives, and the subsequent effect on the people around us.
On a divergent, but not so separate note, something very interesting has happened to me since I began reading this book at work: I often find myself talking the book up to guests and employees, which inevitably spurs conversation over literary interests. The more and more I talk to people about literature, the more I realize that these days people are more or less bandwagon bookworms. Of the people I have spoken to on this subject, most reflect on their current favorite authors as people like Dan Brown, John Grisham, and J.K. Rowling.
Although I respect these individuals as authors, they are simply nowhere near the same plane as some of our great American novelists. Hemmingway, Steinbeck, and Twain wrote material that transcends generations and cultures, and is used in schools for our literary upbringing. I surely can't picture "The Davinci Code" becoming part of America's high school curriculum any time soon. People seem to regard our classic American authors as part of history, something to reflect upon and admire, and when the time comes, read the Cliff Notes so that they can pass the exam. Thus I encourage you to go to your local library or bookstore and walk directly past the new releases and NY Times bestsellers. Walk to the corner in the back, where books garner more dust than interest, and pick up a copy of Huck Finn, The Sun Also Rises, or East of Eden. Read, and repeat for best results.
A.S. Bloom
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A White Christmas?
Although Christmas music has been playing everywhere I go for at least a month now, the holiday itself is finally rapidly approaching. I doubt that I am the only one who is annoyed by the seasonal overabundance of tacky Christmas songs, yet I still find myself humming along while shopping for stocking stuffers at Walgreens. It drives me absolutely crazy that Christmas music must be played for a month to get people into the 'spirit' of one day. All is not lost, however, because soon enough the 25th will come and go. The cheezy music will cease, and we all can finally go back to listening to the best of Bon Jovi and Jon Mayer at our favorite retailers.
On a much less ranty note, it is a another beautiful day here in Denver! Snow accumulation of about 2 inches overnight left everything in sight bathed in a beautiful white glow this morning. Even though I was running a couple minutes late to work, I took a moment to enjoy my snowy surroundings, and toss a feebly packed snowball at my crazy neighbors car down the street. I connected with my target, feeling a slight sense of devilish satisfaction, all the while knowing that she would probably never notice. 10 Points nonetheless :)
Christmas time for most people provides a well needed break from work, and an excellent time to be with loved ones and share gifts. Unfortunately for me, it provides an opportunity to spend countless mind numbing hours at work. I manage a hotel, and im sure we will be one of very few businesses to be open on Christmas day(And I'll be here all day!). Holiday travel is down significantly from years past, leaving me with plenty of time to blog and catch up on my reading! Travels with Charley, a Steinbeck classic, will keep me entertained for the 4th or 5th time. If you haven't read it already, I highly suggest it.
Have a safe and happy holiday, and enjoy the moments of happiness and togetherness that the holidays help us accomplish.
A.S. Bloom
On a much less ranty note, it is a another beautiful day here in Denver! Snow accumulation of about 2 inches overnight left everything in sight bathed in a beautiful white glow this morning. Even though I was running a couple minutes late to work, I took a moment to enjoy my snowy surroundings, and toss a feebly packed snowball at my crazy neighbors car down the street. I connected with my target, feeling a slight sense of devilish satisfaction, all the while knowing that she would probably never notice. 10 Points nonetheless :)
Christmas time for most people provides a well needed break from work, and an excellent time to be with loved ones and share gifts. Unfortunately for me, it provides an opportunity to spend countless mind numbing hours at work. I manage a hotel, and im sure we will be one of very few businesses to be open on Christmas day(And I'll be here all day!). Holiday travel is down significantly from years past, leaving me with plenty of time to blog and catch up on my reading! Travels with Charley, a Steinbeck classic, will keep me entertained for the 4th or 5th time. If you haven't read it already, I highly suggest it.
Have a safe and happy holiday, and enjoy the moments of happiness and togetherness that the holidays help us accomplish.
A.S. Bloom
Sunday, December 20, 2009
My First Post
Good Morning Blogging World!
Its a beautiful day here in the Mountains with plenty of sunshine warming the earth from a cold night last night. As I look out over the Rockies I can't help but smile, as these are the days I feel truly blessed to live in such a magnificent area. I sometimes grow tired of the cold nights and erratic weather here, but when the sun bathes everything in its resplendent light it truly reminds me why I moved here more than 5 years ago.
Let me start by saying that I haven't written anything of substantive value in over a year. Please bear this in mind, as you may have to excuse my first few blogs due to the dustiness of my figurative pen and pad. I have always loved the written word: Writing has always been an excellent outlet for me, and it feels great to nurture that part of my soul once again. Even as I write this somewhat abstract first post, I feel my mood lighten and become bright like the sun outside.
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
The purpose behind my blog, 'Pausing the World One Moment at a Time', is to hearken back to a simpler time where the pace of life was slower, and our society revolved more around community and less around individualism. A time when people still took time to acknowledge life and one's surroundings. A time when we still took a moment to appreciate life's simpler pleasures: The crunching of fresh snow under a worn tennis shoe, or the way a lilac tree smells on a warm spring day. These are the moments that can truly provide us happiness and a sense of connectedness in our lives, yet so often they go unnoticed and under appreciated. This is the essence of pausing the world.
That's it for now -- I hope that I've whet your curiosity.... Much more to come....
A.S. Bloom
Its a beautiful day here in the Mountains with plenty of sunshine warming the earth from a cold night last night. As I look out over the Rockies I can't help but smile, as these are the days I feel truly blessed to live in such a magnificent area. I sometimes grow tired of the cold nights and erratic weather here, but when the sun bathes everything in its resplendent light it truly reminds me why I moved here more than 5 years ago.
Let me start by saying that I haven't written anything of substantive value in over a year. Please bear this in mind, as you may have to excuse my first few blogs due to the dustiness of my figurative pen and pad. I have always loved the written word: Writing has always been an excellent outlet for me, and it feels great to nurture that part of my soul once again. Even as I write this somewhat abstract first post, I feel my mood lighten and become bright like the sun outside.
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The purpose behind my blog, 'Pausing the World One Moment at a Time', is to hearken back to a simpler time where the pace of life was slower, and our society revolved more around community and less around individualism. A time when people still took time to acknowledge life and one's surroundings. A time when we still took a moment to appreciate life's simpler pleasures: The crunching of fresh snow under a worn tennis shoe, or the way a lilac tree smells on a warm spring day. These are the moments that can truly provide us happiness and a sense of connectedness in our lives, yet so often they go unnoticed and under appreciated. This is the essence of pausing the world.
That's it for now -- I hope that I've whet your curiosity.... Much more to come....
A.S. Bloom
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