This Weekend

I haven’t written about this weekend, so I thought I might take a moment to do so.  We got to visit our old stomping grounds, Joplin, MO (or J-Town), and see a place once again that became a really important part of our lives.  I think the best part about the trip, aside from seeing the people that made it so special, was the fact that we mixed in a little of the past, with a little of our present.  We ate at Turtleheads Raw Bar, which we’d only been to once before when we actually lived there, but it was really great to go to for a second time.  Although a bit on the expensive side, it has the best atmosphere and the best food…

We also went to The Thai, a really awesome… you guessed it… Thai restaurant.  And of course, no visit to Joplin would be complete without a visit to our FAVORITE sushi bar, Ichiban.  Oh my, how EXCELLENT that place is!  I mean to tell you, you will never have better sushi than Ichiban’s. 

So we saw Brad & Wendi, Jill and Mike, Mike (pictured above with me… note that I am, officially, taller than him!), Mike’s parents, and I guess that’s really it.  We didn’t even stop by the station, nor did we see Mary Ann and Pete, nor did we go to 609 like we planned.  I think it was the perfect mix of old and new.  We stayed at a nice hotel, and we visited a winery we’d never been to!  I think that I’m getting better about *not* living in the past.  I think I’m happy doing what I’m doing, and for once, I have no desire, urge, or jealousy to be doing anything differently.  I wil say, though, that I will never stop looking for new opportunities, but I think I’ve shown substantial growth lately.

I’m a 28 year old man whose always felt like a 12 year old boy.  I think finally I’m feeling like a 28 year old man.  More than that, I feel like my feelings are more mature.  Yes, I can still be one hell of a baby, and Sarah can vouch for that.  But I think with my attitude and how I think about things, I’ve got that older, wiser perspective.  Interesting how that works.  I’m not so in-the-past.  I think 11 months… 10 months… even 3 months ago… I probably would have said I felt a regret for moving to Sherman.  I was in a big market, working at a station I had always dreamed about.  I think I really could have used another two years of that big market experience.  But now, I think I am at a place where I am still continuing to grow and now I am getting more experience than just being out in the field.

Who knows… I think I’ll always have that feeling of enthusiasm when a new opportunity presents itself.  The difference is now, I’ll be able to think about that opportunity with a wiser approach.  If I just stopped acting like Hailey — gobbling down all the food at once, thinking there will never be another bowl — I might take time to enjoy the here and now… before it’s there and gone.

Surprised?

Hidy-ho, neighbors?  How have you been lately?  Me?  Glad you asked!

 Christmas Spirit

I don’t know what it is, but I am indeed in the Christmas spirit.  We got the tree up right after Thanksgiving, the house smells like cinnamon, and holiday cheer is on the radio.  We’ve actually been doing our shopping early this year.  There’s nothing worse than last-minute shopping.  We did that last year.  It wasn’t fun because we were moving at the time, and had previously decided that we wouldn’t do Christmas until after the move.  But then at the last minute, I realized that not having anything for Sarah would just be awful.  It was Christmas Eve, and it was a dark, rainy, cold night with lots of traffic on the road.  I got off work, had to run to the stores (which, of course on Christmas Eve, was just terrible).  Then we had to drive the half hour out to my mom’s house.  I don’t know… last year just seemed to be a little off, and the Christmas spirit had a little trouble finding my heart.  Thankfully, Christmas spirit found the correct address and has taken up a cozy little spot in my heart with a warm cup of wassail (with rum), has the fire place burning, and is sitting in a comfortable little recliner with its pj’s on and a blanket over its lap.  Soo nice.

 Pity Pot

I am in this Holiday mode, but for some reason today, and somewhat this week, I’ve been sitting on the pot.  I get on these kinds of modes and don’t get off that easily.  Sometimes I guess I get really hell bent on something and I can’t let it go. 

Also, I’ve had this really long discussion about presents with my wife.  A present is a funny thing.  It can mean so many things.  I think that often times, presents are thought to be this superficial thing… because of money, or what the present represents (how much money was spent).  I don’t know, I guess I look at presents in a different way.  I think of a present as this tangible expression of love.  Yes, hugs, kisses, sex… are all very different tangible expressions as well.  But I think of a present as this representation of love, too.  I don’t think the money thing matters, but just the fact that thought went into picking out the present, feeling went into it as well, and finally, a little money went into it too.  It’s like tithing at Church.  Giving that money is a representation of how much you’re sacrificing for the sake of God’s work continuing.  When I buy a present, it’s about what I’m giving up in order to make someone happy.

I guess the Christmas season just sort of brings up this topic, because I know it’s the question on everyone’s mind: what do I get, how much do I spend, what kind of present will say a certain thing?

I’m one of those types that tries for sentimental gifts, anyway.  I’m just a sap that way.

I think I’m over my pity pot sit for now.  I just have to learn and let things go, without giving up what I care deeply about.