The Shooting

Most of you know I have been out of town for the past couple weeks for work. Dallas is as non-interesting as you can get. Chains everywhere; a half finished rail system, which I understand has been in process for over a decade, everything's fried and people still chain-smoke here. Really? The only thing the city seemed to have going for it is the Dallas Cowboys and their new billion dollar stadium.
On a fantastic, sweet opportunity, I actually got to experience the love for the stadium when someone gave my roommate and I free tickets to the All Star game. Sweet.
Back to the story:
The hotel my company puts us up at was average. Nothing great about it. Nothing bad, just nothing great. Fast forward to night 2.
I am awakened to a loud noise. As I lay in my bed and try to process what the noise was, the hall door (on our floor) opens and a man starts banging on doors screaming, "help me". Turns out he had been shot on the 6th floor and found his way to the 4th floor to seek safety.
Security wanders up and leads him downstairs where the paramedics and police were waiting. Now, my roommate and I are wide awake wondering, "what the hell just happened".
Welcome to Dallas.
After a couple days of digging for info, we found out that it was a domestic incident. Wife sneaks to hotel to bang some guy. Husband hunts them down and shoots said guy. Chaos and confusion result at 5:40a for the guests of hotel.
So, I drafted a letter for the participants of above incident.

Dear Dallas Wife,
Your husband is looking for you... with a gun.
Sincerely,
SLSmart
P.S. Next time you decide to cheat, perhaps you shouldn't choose a hotel that has the 10 Commandments (in stone) posted at the front door - yes, they were talking to YOU!

Afterthought for the husband:
Next time you suspect your wife of cheating perhaps the words of Eamon would be a better choice for resolution, so as to avoid jail time and just bad karma in general.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I96Vh5NuoJg

helping haiti

About a week ago a friend threw out the idea of putting on a benefit for the Haiti people following the earthquake. In my mind, I thought, a cute little event downtown, with a few snacks, a couple glass of wine and a few friends touched by a horrible event. What this turned into was a successful benefit to fund a local charity (Project CURE) who is one of the larget suppliers of medical supplies and aid for devastated countries. Hundreds of people turned out. Dozens of local companies donated gifts, money and time for this great cause. Local artists and musicians showed up in force to give their talents. And a handful of Denver people that care made something really big happen. This is the voice of care.



Special Thanks to Maha and Hans who put this all together ~
Pho 95, Yvonne Chang & Jared Rankin, Pablo's coffee, and Barefoot Wine for providing food and drink. TOSA for the wonderful space. Yelp for their support.
Duo, Root Down, Le Central and Jonesy's for committing to a helping haiti night where a percentage of their proceeds will benefit this event and Project CURE.
Artists, Musicians, Poets and Photographers, Ronnie Ruiz (http://www.ronnieruizblog.com/), Robin Munroe, Ferreira Brothers, Panama Soweto, DJ AshishB, Time who donated their time and talents for the constant stimulating entertainment.
Author Caryn West, and her husband Blake, "The Human Rights of Children". http://www.thetroublewiththealphabet.com/
Our powerful and informed speakers, Dr. Jackson (the Founder of Project CURE), Lutheran Family Services, Dr. Benz (US Geological Survey)
Local business owners and photographers who donated gifts for the raffle, Suzy Swet/Heavenly Dog, Andee Hoos/MOP Factory, Free Soul Yoga, The Denver Nuggets, Jay Burleson, Pablo's
All the volunteers who helped make this possible, Grey, Mike, Jay, Saunders, Maddi, Katie, Gaurav, Adam, Simone, Ian and of course, those I have unintentionally left out.
And for everyone who showed up - Thank you for caring! Thank you for sharing love.

http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_14232900

Relationship Collateral

In changing jobs and moving, I have realized that there is always something that has to be given up to bring on the new and the good.

My new house is spacious and so much more comfortable. Yet, I miss my old neighborhood - the convenience of my workout regimen. Don't get me wrong, I love downtown but I love Wash Park the same. One brilliant exchange for another.

Today the same concept occurred to me regarding any relationship - you have to give up something to get something preferred in that moment.

Relationship Collateral

I quickly remembered a relationship which ended badly...and when I say badly, I mean, I went to this boyfriend's house only to be blocked at the door by a housemate who would not let me in because there was another woman in the house...mind you a house partially furnished by me. Bad.
I left that day happy that I knew the truth - confused because I had done nothing wrong, feeling used because my favorite lighting fixture was still hanging above a bed I bought, and stewing because there is no fury as a woman scorned. I will leave this particular piece of history which quickly followed this day, and the actions that followed, with the knowledge that I am now a better person, I leave people dirty doing's to their own personal karma, and yet I regret nothing about my retribution excepting the fact that I wish I could actually witnessed the look on this boyfriends face when he found out how I paid his infidelity back.
Today I experience a different relationship collateral - the concept of separating personal items, paying off debts incurred as a team, monetary (inclusive of but not limited to financial) debt. These things which are indicators of a more mature relationship.
But, nothing ever really changes.
Collateral damage is damage that is unintended or incidental to the intended outcome. At least one source claims that the term "collateral damage" originated as a euphemism during the Vietnam War and can refer to friendly fire, or the killing of non-combatants and the destruction of their property. (Wikipedia)
Funny how terms like this encompass an entire society and become a catch phrase based on behaviors which have become accepted on a day to day basis. In government terms, collateral damage is a part of war...in the terrorizing and killing of enemy countries, sometimes a few innocents must die, or their homes must burn down. A small sacrifice for the bigger picture.
In relationships, infidelity and lying to protect ones self in the light of maintaining a "relationship" is par for the course (no Tiger Woods pun intended). Sometimes sacrifice must be made to ensure one's personal gratification ...outside of commitments made.

In any case, collateral damage, whether a gifted lamp, or a broken soul, or a dead civilian is an indicator of how we fail each other and then desensitize ourselves to the actual value of each individuals gift to the world whether it be in purchase, life, or soul.

My morning commute

Every day as I am driving my kids to school I try to take the time to think about my day, make lists, organize myself. During these times I have a very short time to prioritize because simultaneously I am noticing the world around me. I take in the people walking the streets of Denver. I watch the small children walk and bike to school. I look at all the homes for sale in the neighborhood and the snow still left on the ground.
This morning as I cruised over 23rd Avenue behind St. Josephs hospital and the Not-So-Safeway on Park Ave, I noticed a man on his porch. This man was simply standing on his porch with his hood pulled up watching the traffic pass by and the sun come over the buildings to our south. I thought, people in my neighborhood are just like me; chilling - checking out their neighbors, starting their sunshiny day.
Then I noticed in his right hand was a 24 ounce can of Schlitz, and in his left hand a cigarette.
Not so much like I kick off my morning, but "Good morning Denver".

Notes of Gratitude

As I prepare for my day trip to Phoenix I am beaming with anticipation and excitement. The process with the airline I am joining has been an extensive three month process.

I have been thinking about how long and difficult this past year has been - little to no work, a tumultuous economy and social environment - the core things that keep people on edge. I have finally lived long enough to one day discuss the recession of 2009.
Throughout this time, I have reminded myself of how blessed I am and relied on those strengths along with the knowledge of a better time to come, to get through the difficult times. That and my Nana's voice, "hang in there", "things will not always be this hard", "you are strong", "beauty comes from within" and "there is enough love for everyone". Just seeing her face and hearing her voice soothed me every day I could no longer stand up on my own.
These words and my friend Margeau's reminders of gratitude which nudged me every day to stay strong. Thank you my friend.
These blessings inspired me to write myself a Note of Gratitude.
I am grateful for healthy children.
I am grateful for the insight to know everything is temporary; the good, the bad, the evil, and the bounty. The only thing guaranteed is death. This hard time had to come to an end, and I stuck it out. What did I conquer? Nothing. But my mind is free and I have not brought myself down with despair.
I am grateful for presenting to my kids everyday that life is what you make it, so make it the best life ever.
I am grateful I did not waver in spirit in front of them.
I am grateful for my new job. I am grateful for a genuine opportunity. I am grateful for the knowledge that tomorrow this job may not be everything I thought, but I am still blessed to work.
I am grateful for my friends around me who kept me lifted - whether they know it or not. I am grateful for the spirit of God in my life, even when I didn't know it.
I am grateful for the sun, even when hiding behind a cloud on the coldest dreariest day ever - I know you are there and you warm me.
I am grateful I bring a smile to someones face everyday. And if it was YOU today - I am grateful for you in my life because of this.
I am grateful for everyday that led up to this day and for everyday I get to experience after today.
I am grateful my body has not failed me.
I am grateful I was able to write when I could not speak.
and sometimes I am just grateful for Edie ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEhpnV8mCGE&NR=1

Airline Humor

This letter from an upset airline passenger, which I copied and kept as a reminder of one of the reasons I loved my job as a flight attendant so much, is still funny - 5 years later. I have scanned and posted the original document (following my text) so you can see this was a real letter, with drawings and diagrams from a real customer on an actual flight.

If you notice the date and the time stamp on the first document - this is part of the humor (unfortunately): the customer wrote this on Dec 21, 2004 (obviously traveling for the holidays), yet this was not stamped into customer care until Apr 13, 2005...4 months later.

Flight #888 SAN/IAH

"Dear Continental Airlines,

I am disgusted as I write this note to you about the miserable experience I am having sitting in seat 29E on one of your aircrafts. As you may know, this seat is situated directly across from the lavatory, so close that I can reach out my left arm and touch the door. All my senses are being tortured simultaneously. Its difficult to say what the worst part about sitting in 29E really is? Is it the stentch of the sanitation fluid that is blown all over my body every 60 seconds when the door opens? Is it the whoosh of the constant flushing? or is it the passengers asses that seem to fit into my personal space like a pornographic jig-saw puzzel. I constructed a stink-shield by shoving one end of a blanket into the overhead compartment - while effective in blocking at least some of the smell, and offering a small bit of privacy, the ass-on-my-body factor has increased, as without my evil glare, passengers feel free to lean up against what they think is some kind of blanketed wall. The next ass that touches my shoulder will be the last! I am picturing a board room full of executives giving props to the young promising engineer that figured out how to squeeze an additional row of seats onto this plane by putting them next to the lav.

I would like to flush his head into the toilet that I am close enough to touch and taste from my seat.

Putting a seat here was a very bad idea. I just heard a man groan in there! This sucks!

[depiction of man's butt in my face]

Worse yet, is I've paid over $400.00 for the [indecipherable word] of sitting in this seat! Does your company give refunds? I'd like to go back to where I came from and start over. Seat 29E could only be worse if it was located inside the bathroom. I wonder if my clothing will retain the sanitizing odor...what about my hair! I feel like I'm bathing in a toilet bowl of blue liquid, and there is no man in a little boat to save me. I am filled with a deep hatred for your plane designer and a general dis-ease that may last for hours.

We are finally descending, and soon I will be able to tear down the stink-shield, but the scars will remain.

I suggest that you initiate immediate removal of this seat from all of your crafts. Just remove it, and leave the smouldering brown hole empty, a good place for sturdy/ non-absorbing luggage maybe, but not human cargo."

blog disclaimer: I never worked for Continental. I do not have any connection to this airline, nor do I have anything against this airline.

Teens and the probability of a heart attack

The morning drive to school.

Early morning.

Lights on.

Me and the Girl.

My teenage girl.

Madelene is trying out for the high school soccer team. She has played most of her life, so this is no surprise. We talked about the physical examination which is required, and in the discussion about health - family health history came up.

I told Maddi how heart disease and cancer runs in our family. I told her of my fear of having a heart attack and she seemed surprised (due to my tender age of 41). But, realistically speaking, my natural grandfather's, my uncle's and my cousin either died in their 40's of a heart attack, or had some heart issue by the time they were 40 years old. This is not uncommon in my family. Maddi reminded me that these were the men in the family, so probability remains low that I will die of a heart attack. Maybe, but statistics show more women dying of heart disease - and heart issues going unnoticed and untreated because of these same theories.

I told her I didn't think I would die anytime soon, but I might have a little attack, quickly followed by a come to Jesus - which sparked an entire new conversation on what a, "come to Jesus" was. I laughed so hard. Then I got serious again - I have had a lot of these moments lately. I don't know if it is the new year, or my position in life, or pre-menopause - I can't tell you what is causing these feelings for life to rise up lately. But they are overwhelming and necessary. I looked at her with all the love in my heart and told her - I was not planning on dying, but if I did, I wanted her to know how she has changed my life. That she is special and beautiful and smart and the whole world will laugh around her because of the joy she brings to a room. I told her I am lucky to be her mom and if I never got the opportunity to tell her how special she was again (I could get hit by a car today), I wanted her to know for the rest of her life, she changed my life.

She told me to pick her up at 4:30.

I love teenagers.