Getting Dressed

You know those children's books
the ones that stick in your head your entire life
the ones that always get you no matter how many times you read it
I have many, silly as they are, they give meaning
meaning and order and continuity to our lives
as God would intend for our creativity to do
opening our hearts and minds to the wonder of this broken world
sometimes its the joy that shows what beauty broken is.

I get dressed in simple fashion, the same way as every human does
one piece at a time despite the importance of the clothes or occasion
and yet the special times I hear and see
the philharmonic, getting dressed in all black
with one man reading in the tub with the cat watching by
as my collar wraps around my neck
connecting me to people far and wide doing
the simple things that draw together
all in black for the great occasion
the shirt is straightened with a smile
the music floats and rises

On Equipment

On Equipment

I've learned a lot of things from my parents
Some of them intentionally
Some by years of imitation

My father taught me
by intention or imitation who knows
that no matter what you can accomplish

your goals through your heart
the equipment doesn't matter
adaptability and ingenuity will get you far

right of course, he is my father after all
yet the equipment does matter
he gave me a brain and a heart


I was out for a bike ride today, missing the racing bike that I used for my triathlon.
So naturally, I wrote a poem. 

2015 Challenge Goals

As many of you know, last year I gave myself two challenges to complete. I happened to accomplished them both in the first six months. I loved every moment of completing my last year's challenge goals (well, almost. There were some bad training days...).

So, this year instead of two goals, I chose three goals!

The challenge has been set and accepted. The bar is set.
I must try to run a marathon, go skydiving, and get a poem published.

I have done a half marathon before, so I know a little bit about what it means to train for such an event. I have no idea what it takes to go skydiving, however there will shortly be a new indoor skydiving facility only a couple of miles from my apartment. I almost have no idea what it takes to get a poem published, but I guess that starts with dusting off some of mine and cleaning them up.

Part of what these kinds of challenges allows me to do is learn about new things. Such as the poem publishing industry. I know its huge. I thought a lot about challenging myself to build a 3D printer kit, but I lack the funds to buy the kit in the first place, so that will have to wait until another year.