Gratitude on Walking in Sober Boots

Gratitude - 26 Mar 2021

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:43:33 -0400

I passed my final certification test for work yesterday. I am grateful to have that off my plate. Tests make me extremely nervous.
I spent time connecting with coworkers to discuss a weekly article related to the balancing act of work. It is really cool to connect with people out of my own org and hear diverse perspectives.
I’ve been dealing with trigger finger in my left hand for a month. I’m not averse to doctors but sometimes life gets “lifey” and it’s hard to prioritize the time to get to the doctor. Well, Wednesday I could barely close my hand and I had to do it. A few days on a steroid and it’s feeling much better. Follow up appointment next week.

Blue Skies, the Universe Calling, & a Quiet Friday

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:01:59 -0500

This morning on my run, I noticed just how blue the sky was as I made my way through the wind and the cold. It was stunningly blue. Something about the angle of the sun made it that way. Of course, the sky isn’t really blue, it appears that way because of the reflection of light off the ocean against the black void of space — it all has to do with light and how our optic nerve and brain interpret it. It was a good reminder of the miracles of the mundane, those little things that we take for granted; that life is beautiful and we are incredibly lucky to have this earth to call our home.

A Passing Grade, Warm Toes, & Letting Go

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:09:49 -0500

I passed the certification exam that I had to take today! I have two more to go in the next month or so. I’m grateful to have two down and two to go.

I got out for a bike ride today in my new gear and I was toasty warm even as it was 34F with 15 mph winds. Money well spent. I was very grateful to have warm ties after an hour ride!

Recognition, Validation, & New Cycling Kit

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:58:48 -0500

Last week I was invited to attend a Certified Ethical Hacking class that is being offered to some of the systems engineers here at my company. I am excited for this opportunity to build my skills and my resume. It is nice to be recognized and rewarded for my abilities by my leadership.

A Clean Biopsy, Nachos & a FaceTime Call

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:09:20 -0500

I got a call from my doctor today and the biopsy of my mole was clean, keeping the streak of clean biopsies alive. I’ve lost count but it’s well over thirty.

I made nachos for dinner this evening, which were a hit with my son. He asked to go to one of our favorite restaurants for nachos over the weekend but I told him we couldn’t due to the pandemic. It was wonderful to be able to make him smile tonight.

Super Glue, Surgeon’s Hands, & and Four Instead of Eight

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 20:39:13 -0500

I am grateful for super glue which I used to seal a painful crack in a callous on my index finger.

I am grateful for skilled surgeons hands and hopeful that the biopsy of my mole comes back clean as they have in the past.

Day-Dates, Reclamation, & Courage and Strength

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 09:25:51 -0500

On Saturday, my wife and I took a drive over to Easton, MD and had lunch at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Scossa. We ate lunch outside, despite it being 48 degrees. Admittedly, it is a bit odd to eat lunch outside in January wearing our winter coats, but it’s as close as we are coming to normal right now.

Organic Informal Conversion

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 22:19:33 -0500

One of the things that has been missing from my sales calls since we transitioned to 100% zoom has been the friendly conversation that normally happens before or after the meeting. Generally in face to face appointments there is time for informal conversation where we catch up with the customer about their lives outside work. This just doesn’t happen organically in video conferencing most of the time. But some times, out of the blue, it does. Today at the end of a demo, we ended up talking for ten to fifteen minutes with one of my customers about how we are all weathering the Pandemic. It was nice. Normal even. And I’m grateful for that in this time when so much is not normal.

Birdsong, Vitamin D, Engaging Work

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 13:54:24 -0500

I am not laboring under the delusion that it’s spring — because it’s only January — but I have noticed that there are a few birds that have been chirping on my walks and runs.

After a week of fairly cold days (though still no snow which bums me out), it’s crystal clear and 50° today. I’m catching a few minutes in the sun, getting some vitamin D, between calls with a cup of coffee.

Strength, Speed, Frost, & Hot Coffee

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 19:03:02 -0500

I went for a run today and came very close to a personal record for 5K/3.1m, but I stopped at 3.01 miles rather than finishing the last 9/10 of a mile. I concentrated in my training and ran negative splits for each mile finishing at 30.34 which is just a bit slower than my all time PR for a 5K. It was still relatively quiet and there was a heavy frost on the ground. The morning sunlight reflecting off the frost was beautiful.

It’s Hard Not To Doomscroll

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 11:58:01 -0500

It’s been difficult to keep up the gratitude posts over the last week. My heart is heavy and my monkey mind is in full gear. What happened on Jan 06, 2021 in Washington, DC is not supposed to happen in the United States. The President of the United States is not supposed to incite an angry mob to storm the Capitol building seeking to murder the Vice President and members of Congress while also over turning an election that has been certified by every state, the Presidents Lackey Lap Dog of an Attorney General who quit in an effort to save his own ass shortly before Christmas, and the US Supreme Court which has been filled with three justices by the President who lost the election. There are no doubts that the election was legitimate except in the minds of people who have lost their ability to reason.

A Bike Ride, Sunshine, & Enough

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:35:17 -0500

I got out for a 20 mile bike ride today. It was 32° and windy but sunny. I passed a church group handing out food to a long line of people. I’m grateful that I have enough and can support charities. I am grateful for the sunshine since it’s been overcast recently. And I’m grateful for a bike ride to clear the head and stop doom scrolling for a bit.

A Quiet Friday, A Suspended Twitter Account, & A Calling, Perhaps

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 19:15:21 -0500

It’s been a difficult week. I am grateful for a quiet Friday evening, at least as quiet as it can be with a 13 year old boy listening to Dr. Dre and playing video games.

After years of seemly giving him a pass, Twitter finally suspended the president’s account, permanently. I am grateful that his platform for hatred, misinformation, and lies has been diminished.

A Donut, Fatherhood, Democracy Intact

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 19:35:49 -0500

I am grateful for the donut that I had after I failed a certification exam today. Yes, it did make me feel better.

I am grateful that I was at home and able to pick my son up after he fell in a giant mud puddle at recess. He got a shower and clean clothes and went back to school.

My Recovery, My Foundation

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 09:00:13 -0500

I missed my gratitude post yesterday. In the wake of the events in DC yesterday I am grateful for my recovery. My sobriety is the foundation upon which the rest of my life is built.

Some Good News, Back to School, & Space Heaters

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:00:00 -0500

Today, I spoke with a customer who is at an account that I no longer manage. It was great to speak with him especially when he told me that he is now a grandfather. I was so grateful to hear some good news today.

Old Friends, Linguini, & Muddy Boots

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 20:41:50 -0500

I got a chance to talk with one of my oldest friends today and it was wonderful to hear her voice. I’m grateful for our friendship.

I made linguini and sausage for dinner. I’m grateful that my son was excited for dinner rather than complaining that I’d made something he didn’t like tonight.

Reminders, A Pair of Old Characters, & Retained Heat

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 18:54:44 -0500

I watched a few short films by a group called Teton Gravity Research. Several of them were adventure films about snowboarding. I’m not a good snowboarder, but I do love to ski. These films reminded me that there will be good times again even if the pandemic looms large right now.

New Gear, A Packed Trail, & Pizza

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 18:35:04 -0500

A new cycling jacket that I ordered showed up today and I got to test it out on a ride this afternoon. I’m always grateful for a bike ride because they make me feel free. There is something very mediative about turning the pedals over and over.

The Kindness, Support, & Love of Strangers

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 19:41:31 -0500

It was a hard day for me. The weight of the pandemic and the dysfunction of the holidays not being very holiday like hit me hard today. But when I shared my pain with my Twitter crew, things felt better. I am so grateful for the support I get from people around the world on that service. I know that some people find Twitter to be a cesspool, and if I look in the wrong corners I see it as well, but the group that I interact with in a daily basis is so life affirming and supportive.

New Years, Streaming Concerts, & Snuggles

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 13:30:21 -0500

It’s been a hard year. I’m under no delusions that 2021 will be magically different starting tomorrow but I am grateful that 2020 is coming to an end.

Tonight will be a quiet night. I’m going to catch a live stream concert by Jason Isbell on fans.live at 9 Eastern. I’m grateful for fast internet and streaming technology bringing entertainment to my living room during the pandemic.

Adaptability, Cream of Wheat, & Prince

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:05:03 -0500

I ran nearly six miles today in an hour and nine minutes and almost all in heart rate zone 2 (which for me is between 134 and 150 beats per minute). I set the second fastest time ever on one of my segments which is astonishing because my heart rate was relatively low and I wasn’t pushing myself. I was thinking of when I started running a few years ago and how tough it was to run for just 90 seconds. I’m grateful for the body’s adaptability and my improved cardiovascular health.

Sunshine, Perspective, & Lasagna

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:38:46 -0500

We had a bright and sunny day here in Maryland. I’m grateful for the sunshine.

I wrote a blogpost about all the good things that happened in 2020. I’m grateful for perspective — the ability to see the good things in the middle of the chaos.

Adirondack Chairs, A Reminder, & Smiles

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 14:25:30 -0500

It’s pretty warm today and I’m grateful to be able to sit outside in my Adirondack chair with a cup of coffee as the sun warms my face.

I spoke with my therapist about my struggles over the past few weeks this morning and I’m grateful for her reminder to be easy with myself.

My Boy’s Birthday, Shake Shack, & Zoom

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 18:12:52 -0500

Today is my son’s birthday. There are times when he drives me right up the wall but he’s also a really awesome boy. I’m grateful to be his father.

We went to Shake Shack for his birthday lunch, just the two of us. I’m grateful for a little time alone with him.

Sleep, Reading, & Coffee

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 10:40:25 -0500

I went to bed early last night and woke up late this morning.

I enjoyed reading an article about form and fascia in Runners World last night.

My wife made coffee this morning. It’s a rare treat for me to have someone else make the coffee.

Health, A Run to Clear the Head, & Grilling Below Freezing

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 18:58:48 -0500

Today was the strangest Christmas ever but I’m grateful that all of us in the family are healthy in the midst of this pandemic.

I’m grateful for the 4 mile run that I took this afternoon. My headspace was bordering on severely depressed and some time outside made a huge difference.

Family, A Gaming Build, & Last Minute Stocking Stuffers

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 20:45:41 -0500

We went to drop off gifts at the family’s today and got to see my mom, my uncle, and my brother and his wife and kids. It was short, and was out in the wind. But I’m grateful for the time together.

Rest & Easy Dinners

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 21:47:03 -0500

With the holidays upon us I have a few days off. I’m grateful for a little downtime.

I took a nap after my last meeting of the day and it was refreshing. I am grateful for that nap.

Flexibility, Running, & the Sun

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 13:51:24 -0500

I’m grateful for the flexibility and the mobility that my job affords me which means I don’t have to stress about how to manage my son’s time off school over the holidays.

I plan to go for a run this afternoon and I’m grateful for the ability to run. Running helps me calm my monkey mind.