Friday: Marathon Miles, The Weather, and Dating Roasts!

It's Friday! T.G.I.F.! Hahahaha! Another week of your life just passed you by, and hopefully it was good and spent well. That being the case, it's another weekly review of a Rants from a Midwest Guy In The Land of Milk and Honey! 

I've been tracking the weather in the Homeland, and it's pretty cold up that way, relatively speaking. I was watching the single digit negative numbers, and I'll be the first to admit that I'll take the heavy mist and big rain drops like pictured to the left yesterday morning over scrapping off my windshield! The sky is clear now, and the sun almost too hot. There was a little bit of  weather that came by in the middle of the night yesterday that left it's trace. The picture on the left is my windshield covered with heavy mist, and drops of rain. Good thing I didn't take the time to wash my jeep. I was gonna, but I found I had to replace an idle sensor. In the process of checking the rest of them, I found I had a torn differential hose. Then the hours went by in getting the two issues resolved (more or less)! Yeah. I like to work on my jeep when it needs it. Thank God it still runs pretty well considering the number of miles it has on it. I could lease a new car or buy a used one, but why have another expense to appease the public?! I'm frugal that way just as much as I am when it comes to "dating" and "meeting" people. 

It was just the other night when I had RSVP'ed to a local 'singles' and active people meet up group that is largely composed of 20 and 30 somethings. I invited Al to join in as I added a plus one to my RSVP. It was a trivia and tacos night, and I like both. I like them better with people I know, but I'm good in either environment. Eventually Al got back to me that she was bringing a friend along for the experience. By the time the event was going to start, what was one friend became one freind, her boyfriend and another person for a total of four people! LOL. Naturally, the event was going to be watched from a distance from a table that was fun for people watching till it became a Q&A on preferences for never been married (Although I've dated a few divorced ones, no-children, and younger-than-me women!  LOL. I didn't think about it initially, but eventually I realized it was communicating to the recently divorced single ladies at the table that they were not 'valid' in my dating selection. Go figure.

 Keep in mind, I initially invited my wing-girl AL, and it was she that invited them! It's true. So apart from the conversation, I hadn't signed up to entertain a few gals that needed validating for their lives as older and being divorced, but I understand that everyone needs a hand to hold on to...it's just not likely to be mine. I date younger women for lots of reasons. I'm not saying if I run into a gal that I get along with, is still in excellent physical shape and has that kind of lifestyle, and has something interesting to say, I wouldn't consider it. But, given the options of older versus younger and some of the important factors being the same....I'm going with younger (+/- 10 years max for more serious relationships) if only for the fact that we may decide to have children ( Yes, I just said that.), and that option usually isn't operational in older-than-me women.

My natural inclination was to ask, because I was beginning to feel picked on after being drilled about why it was that I haven't gotten married or if I "really" wanted to have children or not, "Why the hell are you divorced or divorcing then?" OMG!! The less obvious facts never came out..they were unhappy, their partner was a 'looser', or they feel they are somehow entitled to more than what they have earned in their lives. Worse, their time to complete the circle of life, if they hadn't done so, has already passed. One thing I keep in mind is the plan fact of being a human--men are not concerned with a clock that is ticking. It's usually women that are. So, the "need-to-make-a-decision-to-have children is not one I'm concerned with at the ripe age of 41. Why? For the very reasons I date younger women!! I can and their clock hasn't ticked out as of yet. In the end, none of the conversation should've even applied or involved me. One of the gals was in her 50s and the other near it, and neither of them living a health-based lifestyle that would get my attention if I had met them randomly. This excludes the issues of chemistry, compatibility, and a host of other real factors that usually are applied to men when qualifying them as either a "potential" or not. When the reverse application is done, that is use the same number of things to determine if women are a 'good option,' everyone of them is offended! Rules like...having a going somewhere job...not living with your parents, or not having some personal issues that put you in your parents place in the first place. I understand personally life can happen to you, and you need to end up somewhere, but if you are not in the process of improving your 'move' forward, something may not be exactly right. In all of it, we just need a hand to hld on to...Just saying. 

Then there's Al and me, and we're essentially the same age! Both professionals with earning potential and career mobility; it's something Al forgets about or doesn't care to acknowledge. In the recesses of our outing the next day, she agreed that we can and should date younger people when it works. We're both in the positions that will ultimately allow us choices that 80% of the population will never have, and we have to be mindful of how much work went into getting those options and leave those types of conversations for other people. All of that from one invitation to a gal I would've had a great time with, but somehow everyone else showed up as a security blanket! LOL.

In the middle of all of this talk, my aunt was going Facebook ballistic and managed to find a few classics shot in one of those old-school photo booths of her, my brother, and me at the age of six or seven. I couldn't help but laugh and then fill with nostalgia realizing I still have the same haircut less the bowl. I still have the same care-free look and smile not to mention laugh. I remembered being a kid again and how good it felt to just be. I also remembered my nanny (not pictured) that was the next door neighbor's daughter and how much fun we had. LOL. 

Yesterday, I walked into the gym before I got to my work day obligations to put some miles on my shoes for the marathon with a little bit of that care-free, happy-go-lucky look on my face. I was gonna run four miles but ended up running just over five; it's a good start. The desk manager noticed, and after I ran but before I left asked me an odd question, "Have you been getting some intimacy time with someone?' I was a bit shocked at first but then laughed as the various faces came to mind from the not so distant past especially the smurf. "Not really. Why do you ask?" I said only to hear her say I had a strange look of satisfaction and care-freeness to me that day that she'd never seen. Later, I text her the picture above and mentioned she must've gotten a glimpse of my inner child! Hahahaha.  I later ended up behind the wheel of a convertible Bentley. Yup. I'm 'Getting Adjusted To The Good Life' as it is for other people! 

That's it folks. Till next time..."Be well. Do good work, and come back again." Keiller. 
#GetAdjustedToTheGoodLife #Whatismissinginthispicture #Californiadreaming

Friday: The Universe, Cars, and The Rain....Assurances From Above. Updated 1/9: 08:32 AM

It's another sunny Friday morning in the slow, beach town of Malibu, and that means it's time for another week review of Rants from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey. Yes! It's true!! The new year has begun, and life seems to be moving just a little slower for most people recovering from all of the 'holiday' cheer festivities and travel. People's kids are back in school, the new work year is in swing, and the T.V. show Dexter has been on  non-stop since my return. Acutally getting to watch any of it was not only interesting but disturbing and generally why I don't trust the police. I guess my housemate only gets to work on cars when it's not raining outside! A couple of the higher end ones are pictured below: McClaren P1 and the McClaren A1. LOL.

The rain was coming down the other day. So much so that it flooded out certain parts of the L.A. roadways on the whole but also closed a number canyon passes due to mud and rock slides. I only know this because I was driving into Malibu the other morning only to find myself with a number of other cars stuck behind a, wait for it, snow plow!! The only way to clear the roads of debris is by plowing all the 'stuff' to the side much like we do in the Homeland. It was a bit unsettling at first, but then I realized I had my sunglasses on because the road shine like gold from the sunlight! It was a beautiful, messed up drive, but I'm happy I didn't have to have my heat on to stay warm while the roads got cleared! Yes!! Hahahaha. 

After months of avoiding it last year, I finally finished reading the Brenne Brown book, Daring Greatly, this last week. Reading through it, I gained a new perspective on the origin of shame, guilt, and a host of other emotions that people experience from their childhood into their ending adult days. All of it based on the basic principle that our humanity is hard-wired to want to belong to something, be loved by someone, and be accepted for who we are (However we developed that sense) by the people we value the most at a minimum. Brown goes into detail on developing coping methods, which she calls the development of shame-resilience, with which we can resist the feeling of becoming defensive, small, and unimportant. We need to be able to wield those tools within our homes, our work places, and relationships because without them we run the risk of becoming detached, uninterested and maybe miss the opportunity to have a full experience of life and experience the gamete of emotions; this is only possible when a person exposes themselves and become vulnerable as a person to another or even themselves.

On the whole, it made me think of my life, what I thought, and how I reacted to various people and situations. Everything from my interactions with various people, their reactions, and their ways of being and the slowly emergent patterns of shame in them. It changed my perspective on a couple of very close people to me and how things happened between us. I had to apologize in a recent email to one of them in light of my new perspective, and it made me appreciate that person even more. It's not an easy thing to...that is...to be vulnerable to someone else, to take risk of being rejected, or failing, or even more optimistically, succeeding because you never know how others will receive you or your actions. But then again, if you don't do anything, you can quite possible miss everything.

On a different note, I've been living in what seems to be a surreal dream where I've been providing service in Malibu to the wealthy, famous, and unusual. The people I get to provide chiropractic care to are people that I've seen in movies, or in magazines, or own big companies. They seem as normal as everyone else. The only difference is that say all they needed to do was take a risk and believe in what what they felt or thought about themselves or what they wanted to do was all it took to make it happen. Yes. True story.

One of my recent patients, an A-list actor in a number of actions films, was sharing some small talk with me as I worked on some of his physical issues. He thought it was funny that I had a bit of Midwest accent as much as I didn't realize he was Scottish. We laughed about a few other things, but at some point he made light of the fact that I had 'arrived' and was interested in how I did it. "How did you end up on Ron's team? He's the number one guy in Malibu, and your state is far to just end up here."  As is always my response to that question, I said, "I came here for a girl and job." I wait a few seconds and follow up with, "I still have the job. Hahaha." He looked at me and laughed and got mildly more serious as he nodded in some kind of agreement that I had made the right move in showing up. What I thought he was gonna say was, "It'll be a story were few stood against many till the end," followed by, "This is Sparta!!!" But what he actually said was,"You never know what will happen till you show up." He grunted out while I worked on some of his scar-tissue. We both laughed a bit, and when it was over, I dismissed myself to attend another patient. I couldn't help but think that I must've needed to hear that again accept this time it wasn't a homeless guy saying it. I guess.

That's the end of another rant from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey. I'm starting another book this week that I picked up at the recommendation of my CPA, "Startling Late But Finishing Rich." It's on investment strategies. If it's worth it, I'll share what I find. Till next time, "Be Well. Do good work, and believe." Current Life Sound Track: ONE by U2.

It is not the critic who counts; 

not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, 

or where the the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, 

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; 

who strives valiantly; who errs, 

who comes short again and again, 

because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; 

but who does actually strive to do the deeds; 

who knows great enthusiasms, 

the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;

who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, 

and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.... 

Theodore Roosevelt

#GetAdjustedToTheGoodLife #Whatsmissinginthispicture #Californiadreaming

Friday: New Year's Day 2016. Where Do We Go From Here? Updated 1/5 11:35 AM

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It's a Friday, and I'm hoping you have the day off and are relaxing from whatever holiday celebrations you got your self into (and hopefully out of) last night!!! It's a special edition of Rants Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey. Yesss! It is special because we get to take a brief look back over what happened or didn't happen in 2015 decide if it was good, bad or other, and figure out what to look forward to this new year of 2016. The sun is out!!

Like most people in the world we want better things for our loved ones, friends, and maybe even ourselves. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was on a bridge over the Mississippi waiting for the fireworks to light up the sky only to find out after freezing my ass off while on the phone with my, then, significant other that the fireworks were on the other side of town and not on the riverfront anymore! WTH. Hahahaha. But, as I froze there a fire had started in the recesses of my being that I couldn't quite place until a few months later in essentially the same spot I'm sitting in right now as I compose this blog (Starbucks on 22nd & Hennepin); the time had come to prepare for a departure to California. The how and what factors emerged as I opened myself to it and my significant as we were attempting to work out some of our differences, the distance, and just the reality of life...all while running the longest distances (ever for her) I had run in nearly 10 years determining if I was gonna run the LA marathon.

Well, it all happened. The marathon, a lost love and family, a move to California in the process of it, and the search for a role that I presently occupy in one of the most exclusive communities in the world. I couldn't have seen it all happen or any of it if you had asked me this time last year, and what rekindled the urgency of taking action is likely the most intricate part of my being having been realized last March while sitting, again, in the same spot that I am now--family legacy. Nothing good can happen to you by just doing the same thing that is not helping you move forward, but taking a risk on yourself, and opening yourself up to new things and life at the risk of failure and ridicule may open the door for you into the unknown and the life and success you usually only read about. Your job, as well as mine, is to take a step of faith into the unknown and let go of things we think we need...that's when things can happen for you.

Sure, I feel I could've held on to what I was doing in the Homeland. I was comfortable, and growth was inevitable. I may have been able to just get by in a transitioning relationship and maybe have found one to fill that gap and stayed put lulled by the sunny skies that we covet so much in the Homeland in the Spring. Like the last week of my visit, it's usually clouded over,and when the sun comes out, it's like cotton candy at the Fair. Cloudy skies give us light but no direct sun, and where there is no sun, life cannot grow anew. Things just stay put...they get "maintained."

What did happen was some risk taking on the narrow belief there was hope for hope in a relationship that maybe could've been salvaged enough to find friendship was the better answer to the alternatives. I left my comfort zone. I left my job. I gave up my place to live and what I knew as "my social life" (not really that much of one in the grand scheme of it), and the familiar for a job that would help me make good on a promise I had made, find my way forward into what was my emergent future; I just didn't know it at the time. My personal losses were so loud that I couldn't hear the angels singing every step and move I took forward (with a bit of side stepping), and eventually more peace came to me about all of it.

What else happened?! Everything!! Everything that was supposed to happened, happened..and for reasons that only make sense to me now that I look back over the last year and then some. I've made some close friends. I have a great new job. I'm in the best physical shape of my life! I have enough...I also have a list of things I didn't do last year, and a number of things that I did worth talking about, but none of them matter compared to the most important of them--I dared greatly and let myself be vulnerable to the pursuit of a dream that I could have the life ( a normal life) I want to have win or lose.

Some of it didn't go as well as I had hoped, and I would give almost anything to bring healing between me and that person/part of my life. But, I can't do anything more about it now than grow in every way possible. I can understand more about myself and other people, and I can love them as they are while allowing for them to grow and evolve because I need the same in return. If want to grow and be better person, I have to mentally allow others to do the same, and in there somewhere we can find greater peace, more hope, and understanding. I say that acknowledging that I come from a part of the country where stoicism is valued and detachment is the vehicle we use to separate ourselves from our emotions and inner person from the world we have to navigate through.

Rather, I speak about a deeper kind of peace that we are invested in with 100% of our being because in it the ultimate expression of our person can be reached and be experienced...Dare Greatly!!! The Creator is waiting and the universe is cheering you forward! You just have to do your part and step forward and show up owning the moments we are given. The sun has not set on you forever if you can still breath, and now is a good time to take action. Thank you everyone for everything small and great. Spoken and unspoken. Happy New Year!! God bless America. #GetAdjustedToTheGoodLife #Whatsmissinginthispicture #Californiadreaming #MnMan

 


 
 
 

 

 

Friday: A Not-So-White Christmas..Updated: 12/27 @ 9:47 AM

It's CHRISTMAS DAY, and due to something just short of a miracle, I made it back to the Homeland!! It's not only one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, it's on a Friday the most anticipated day of the week. That means it's time for another week review of Rants from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey. I'm in the Homeland, aka Minneapolis, remembering the important people-family, friends, and a fish called Wanda (J/K). Perched at one of my favorite places in Uptown watching people walk by and greeting a few that I know, I'm wondering what the rest of my weekend will go. LOL

Like most of my trips to the Homeland, either returning (like when I lived there) or visiting (Cause I'm in California now), the drive to the airport's parking lot was good. What was not good was when I was ready to pull up to my favorite gate, it was blocked of with signs that read, "LOT FULL!" As you might imagine, a small shot of terror went through my being mostly because I didn't think Parking Lot C would ever fill up! Fortunately for me, I had driven down a good 45 minutes earlier anticipating lines at the TSA gate. I pulled over, and parked so I could compose myself a little and think it through. "Do I Google, call or what?!" I wasn't sure. My original plan of parking at the Flyaway Station in Van Nuys was out because it too had filled up the day before. Fortunately, I had called ahead and didn't make the long drive out for nothing. I remember a certain someone telling me she had got there last year and had to find parking somewhere else because of its early closure. Finally, I found a lot with a few spots left; it's gonna cost me 2x as much overall, but, I got there and was gonna make it to my flight on-time.

When I finally got there, there was no traffic....anywhere! There weren't even people lined up at the security check point! LOL. I guess this was a good thing because I needed less stress to start my trip out with than what had just happened and an awkward situation from earlier in the week.

It was good week on the whole. I began what will likely be my normal number of days in Malibu. I saw the wall plaque that my name will go on that will show on the front door announcing it. Although it was an Italian deal that got the ball rolling a month ago, it just got real when one of the patients informed me that she had 'heard' from the office manager I was assuming one of the other doc's time and people. As I sat in a near by courtyard (pictured above), I just sat in disbelief about how it all came about....how I needed to be there to make the first impression...how I was there in the first place because of a lost friend and family member, and how driving all over the 'Timbuk2' of LA's dissatisfaction would lead me to submit a resume one day that was magically picked out of the 30+ resumes submitted for it. All the dots lined up again in my head as they do from time to time when I sit and just listen to what the Creator is saying to me and what the Universe is or has brought to me as 'signs' or attention getting events.

It didn't come for free, and it sure wasn't a pain-free experience, but nothing good can happen to you if you don't show up. If you don't put one foot in front of the other, you can't move forward. You cannot leave where you are by standing still even if standing still is needed periodically. "How did you end up on Dr. R's team?" Asked a 20+ year old millionaire, former Olympian turn model patient. I laughed at first, but then I was just genuine with her. "A girl and a job." I said waiting a few moments for her to stop laughing, "...I still have the job." I said with a warm smile and a confident laugh. "That's classic," she said laughing a bit more but then becoming wonder filled about the story. "You have to be willing to show up and see what happens with your best foot forward. So I did." She understood and thanking me for the prep work before her adjustment. When the day was over, I rushed home to get packed and prepared for my drive to the airport after finding out the Flyaway Station place was closed.

The Sunday before, I got to do some karaoke at one of the local dive bars where, admittedly, I ran into one of the town's girls that is also a regular karaoke singer. We've had some interesting moments whenever we've managed to sing the same night and that periodically has led to a duet, one more drink, and the periodic, "Will you drive me home?' request. Yeah. It's likely not my singing that gets me a little bit of 'rock star,' but I like to think it is! LOL.

Now that I'm in the Homeland, I feel off schedule. I'm guessing it's because the sun doesn't rise till nearly an hour later than it does in Cali. Another clue into why I was, and some of my local friends are, in seasonal depression. There's no sunlight!! To make things ever 'better,' there wasn't even snow on the ground for Christmas! Ha. What there was, on the other hand, was plenty of food to go around! Yes, it was a not so white Christmas, but it was certainly 'gonna need to go to the gym tomorrow kind of day. Hahahaha.

One of my favorite aunts and uncle had kidnapped my grandmother leading to my invitation to join them. I feel it's their way of keeping me on my toes whenever it is I might be in town. It was a kind gesture that I took them up on as it was likely my only chance to see them, find my grandma, and eat a 'first' Christmas dinner before having dessert at my brother's place.

At both places, people opened gifts. It's the holiday tradition that I have
mixed feelings about because of the commercialization of religious convictions, but I admit the part where families put aside differences, travel great distances, and openly share what they have with you is warming and something I readily support. I guess that's it beyond super cars, a pool party where people informed me that I look so much different when I'm not black!! LOL.
Be well. Do good work, and remember 2016 is just around the corner. Hahahaha.

Friday: White Christmas, Moments of Joy & Thoughts For 2016 Updated: 12/19..11:59 AM

It's Friday! Friday! Friday! T.G.I.F.! Hahahaha. It's another weekly review of a rant from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey! I've been tracking the weather in the Homeland, and it's actually pretty warm, relatively speaking, for this time of the year. The five day forecast says it will be cold enough for snow to fall next week maybe giving us a 'White Christmas'. When I check the five day for Cali, it's gonna be near or below freezing the days leading up to Christmas! Yikes!! I mean, people will actually have a reason to be wearing those NorthFace coats, hats, etc. I've seen people wearing those like they're going out of style, and I'm still walking around in long-sleeve shirt and jeans! LOL. I will likely be in the Homeland (You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town.) getting what is gonna be warm weather for us, and that means people will be out doors and not hibernating in their homes or wherever it is they go to get relief from the cold, lack of sun, and seasonal depression! It might be just like Spring! 

So, the week... As is the season, I've been attempting to capture the "Best Of" photos for this last year and put them on a Holiday postcard of sorts to let people know I'm thinking of them but to also commemorate what happened,and more importantly, what I am hopeful will happen in 2016. Yes. There are 'universal' laws that say if we can think it into being, it can be, but we have to allow it to exist first in our minds. We have to change our perspectives on things, our behaviors, and other people, the way we perceive they are doing or not, so that we ultimately can free them to be human and indirectly ourselves to improve and just maybe enjoy more of the moment. 

It is true that if we want to change we have to allow the opportunity for other people to also change, and that may mean we have to allow the possibility of going back and dealing with some hurts and pains that we've learn to run away from or ignore, and in doing so we've set up, albeit largely unconsciously, self-defeating patterns in our approach to other people, our work, and our ability to dream and invite in what may very well be the life you and me want to have, live and enjoy. Most of these thoughts I've written about in some form or another, but I felt reaffirmed in my belief about the interconnectedness of all things and people and how one affects the other directly and indirectly when I attended a "Laws of Attraction" seminar. I thought it was more about being single because it was being promoted by a "Singles" Meet Up group, but there I was with a number of people clearly a decade or more older than me, which I always find disturbing that the group is for 30's and 40's but essentially retired or near retiring people are showing up. This has happened to me twice. I'm gonna have to start going to the 20's groups so I can end up with people close to my age! LOL. 

Recently, as in the last week, I've been speaking casually with a few of the people I see regularly at Starbucks. One of them eventually informed me that she read my blog story (The last part of the three part series.), and informed me that she felt it was, "..for lack of a more neutral word, creepy!" I laughed at first because I knew the reaction was because the first two stories hadn't been read or even the last one for the details that lead to a certain number of possibilities about her behavior in my absence. I politely informed her that the part of the story that is missing in the blog will be added to the actual published addition; it is the part that talks about my December 2014 visit; all the surprising ultra-private things I discovered that like Vince Van on Wedding Crashers I was delighted to find out about my girl friend like his 'Stage-Three Clinger' but ended up not knowing what to do when the discovery was not mutually appreciated. It is the key corner-stone of the story, and it is the part that brings it all together and why everything happened, in part, the way it did. The story in it's completeness is about hope, understanding our humanity, and holding on to things more important than the past. I'm eager to have it all done because it will hopefully be the end of the beginning of healing for all of us. 

In a book that I continue to laboriously work through (Started back in February) the depths of, Brenne Brown's Daring Greatly has changed my thoughts on a lot of traditional things I think about when it comes to being vulnerable. In short, she says that we can only truly experience the deep, desired feelings of existing and being in a relationship when we are vulnerable enough to being hurt. It's not the logic we grow up with, but it is because of our logic that we miss out in the very best we can be and enjoy in the people we invest our lives in. 

One of the recent topics I'm going over is the sensation of joy and where her research participants say they most readily experienced it. "People would often point out that it was the simple things in life and their relationships that gave them joy. One woman said she felt joy when she came down stair in the morning to find her husband in his same spot reading the paper while drinking a cup of coffee. Another person said he found joy when his wife would laugh at random things he wouldn't of thought of as funny."  She goes into other examples and how it, joy, can more readily be experienced. After I read this section, I was left thinking about why I smile or laugh at things from my recent relationship cause it's been on my mind more so as of late (Likely cause I'm finally reading the damn book like I was supposed to last year.). A number of things came to mind that could fit the idea of joy of things that it can be found in, and I laughed because they are the things I wrote about in my story not knowing that the reason behind them was because of the sensation they gave me time and time again-joy. I got to experience joy in the midst of all of it and even before things changed between us. Perspectives can change if we know to let them change, and when they do, so does our perspective on the people in our lives, what they do and why they do things. 

Take a moment and think about something that special one does or says that gives you that sense of being apart of..belonging. Maybe you have taken a moment to tell them about that activity or thing they say or do or maybe you haven't, but when they do acknowledge it. This could very well be the beginning of your experience of joy (one of the many I'm sure) with that person. Maybe you should share it with them...tell them, "When you do such and such a thing....When you laugh at this such and such a thing...when I see you do this such and such a thing, it makes me feel connected to you, and it gives me so much amount of joy when it happens. Try it. You never know what might happen. 2016 may be the year you grow personally, relationally, and financially, but it starts with being there in the moment and capturing it and as many as you can!  This is it. Till next week or I come across a reading epiphany, "Be well. Do good work, and be merry." 
#GetAdjustedToTheGoodLife #Whatsmissinginthispicture #Californiadreaming #MNMAN

Friday: The Holidays & Climate Change, The Struggle Within Us..Updated 12/16 10:24 AM

It's Friday! Friday! Friday! T.G.I.F.! LOL. It's another weekly review of a rant from a Midwest guy in the land of milk and honey! Yes, last weekend and the week proved to me that it is the season. Christmas trees, Christmas music, and even Christmas plays have essentially covered every store front and empty lot in the town. What's funny is that it was 87 degrees the other day and an even 43 degrees in the Homeland; it must have something to do with global warming that is apparently not really happening depending which political party you listen to on the radio as of late. The fact of the matter is that the weather is getting warmer, and I can appreciate it for what it is until we can't ignore the effects it will have on the food we grow and catastrophic events that have been killing off large populations of the world. I suppose that's a topic for another day, but it's real folks, and you need to be ready.

As it turns out, my housemate is a gunsmith and finally got me to agree to go to the shooting range with him the other day. I'm usually reluctant, as of late, to handle any weapons because I really don't care to remember what I can and can't do with them. But for reasons that I couldn't quite put my finger on, I agreed. Out of his arsenal, we brought an AR15, a Glock, and a 1911. What started out as a warm up distance of 15 feet soon grew to 40 feet and then 50. Accept in the case of the AR15 that ended up dysfunctional due to trigger issues, I managed to nail the bulls-eye 90% of the time. I attribute this to not actually using my own firearms where I might've been closer to 95%. Admittedly, I thought of the very short list I keep in my living will instructions and felt at peace with letting those debts go. "I'm gonna get you sucka!" is what I thought as I squeezed the trigger. Yep. I wasn't always a doctor, but I'm glad I became one so I could put down the 'proverbial' sword and maybe live a normal life--one that's more abundant. 

There is a struggle that goes on in all of us that has been happening since the dawn of time; it is the struggle between the better and worst parts of our humanity. Our basic person is largely uncivilized and barbaric when put to the test. All of time, we have worked on becoming more refined, learned to socialize between cultures, and develop the more socially appropriate parts of our person that often reflected in what kind of personality we have. There is no doubt that certain types of personalities have a greater propensity to be 'uncivilized' as there are others that are wired to be protectors, and some that are born to lead as well as follow. Some of us have an obligation to lead while a number of us to protect and the majority follow. I'm at times unsure where I fall in all of those categories, but it is a struggle some moments more than others given certain situations and people. Every day is different, and the more I listen to the news and the shootings that are happening all over the country and in the world makes me wonder if its time, again, to remember how to give people their options while pointing a weapon at them. Like most extreme situations, my training takes over my normal human response. I'm emotionless. I think. I react tactically, and I take action. The situation is handled, and I usually walk away smiling like I just got off the beach after a few ice teas with some chips and guacamole. It's good in extreme situations but bad in relational ones. Hahaha. :/ 

After we ran out of ammo, we left, and to my surprise a blue, Italian car with a Minnesota plate was in traffic with us on the way back. I smiled (Cause I focus on the better parts of the experience), and I actually waved because what are the chances of actually running into someone on the freeway in traffic. Very Slim. Bruce Started to play..One Step Up. "Same sad story that's a fact, one step up and two steps back. When I look at myself I don't see the man I wanted to be...somewhere along the line I stepped off track." When I look back at it all, she was a good gal doing her best to improve and just be, and I am grateful I got to share some the experience with her. And, then the piano keys began playing in my head shortly there after..Dion's It's all coming back to me now... 

On a different note, the Malibu gig is working out pretty well with what has become my early transition into it. I was going to begin providing days of service in January, but it worked out that I could do it sooner, and I love the drive, and the office. The lead doc has plenty of experience and the patients are really nice. Thus far, I've only received good praise from the patients I've put my hands on there, and this is a good thing because up until I arrived, they'd been getting adjusted by one of the best chiropractors in the region. And if they feel I'm doing as good of a job as the lead doc, that means I'm not to shabby of a chiropractor. I partly thought this might be true before because of the patients that began following me around the area when I worked for the 'corporation,' and its true, that some people just hadn't been adjusted before with good power or skill, but in the end, the numbers told a story that I had no idea was happening. Adjustment by adjustment, patients were leaving their 'established' doctor to find me and only me after the first or second visit. It's true, and I guess that means I learned a thing or two in my very short six years of practicing in comparison to the 20+ year experienced docs. LOL. That's a wrap...I might add a section towards the end of the day, but I'm waiting to see how today goes. Hahaha. #Whatsmissingingthispicture #GetAdjustedToTheGoodLife #Californiadreaming 

Friday: Christmas Lights, Memories, Malibu, Entitled Women.

Friday! Friday! T.G.I.F.  Hahahaha. It's another Friday  weekly review of Rants from a Midwest Guy In The Land of Milk And Honey and Weekend Wrap Up. Yeah, I know it's Sunday, but so many things happened last week on Thursday and Friday that I couldn't quite wrap my hands around all of it and what it meant. Today has improved after a good, hard workout, sleep last night, and a good cup of coffee. I'm feeling I have a better grip on parts of it. The week included some dating experiences, a job transition, and dealing with the darkness of the days being so short....they suck the energy right out of you.  That being said, they also bring people together to share a few moments of fire and lights.

The week got interesting when I made it out to the LA Zoo, and I was fortunate to be out with one of my newest local LA girl friends that suggested the event, got us tickets, and made the whole thing worth the while. The light shows, displays, and music totally brought me back to "Christmas" down town San Jose from graduate school days largely because of the lack of snow or cold! LOL. Listening to the music and hugging someone special made the season more personal than just a passing commercialized holiday. It was a good night, and it ended with a tasty bowl of Beef Stew PHO in Burbank.

It was just one night before that I was uncertain how the weekend would go because I had began the process of switching out of the corporate chiropractic job into a more exclusive, private practice in Malibu. When the time came to make the drive over Malibu Canyon, the Mamas and The Papas' California Dreaming started to play. The mountains, the cliffs, and the windy road that eventually opens up to the ocean were the signs that I was in the right place, and that everything that had lead to that moment in time, albeit, some tragic,. This was only confirmed by the business partner that said, "Everything happens for a reason, and somethings we just have to leave in the past so we can embrace the future, and yours looks bright." The day ended with my drive back home, which was one of my fastest drive times ever because of the distance--short. The year is changing soon, and so will the outlook for things future. It is, at times, strange to think about it all, but the band keeps playing on so we move forward.

I was out on a "meet and greet" with a gal I met on-line. After a little bit of back and forth, we mutually agreed to meet and determine if we could have a conversation, maybe be attracted to the other, etc. Most of the time, this happens instantly if you just happen to be at Starbucks and a gal walks in off of the street and asks if she can take the seat next to you! LOL. But, the on-line dating thing has that one extra element of 'surprise' that's hard to account for until you meet the other person. So there I was after some significant news was presented to me at one of the local places I usually grab a happy hour beer at because I'm cheap. The woman shows up, and determines to grab a glass of wine. As we talk, much like I would some other person I'd meet at the bar counter to make small talk, the woman goes on to tell me that she makes well over 100K per year, had just finished her second marriage, and had one of five children staying at home with her. I thought that I might've not shown up if I had know that information, but she was cute enough in her picture, but not as much in person. She went on to tell me that she was having trouble getting men to take her out on a second date or an initial one, as we were really just meeting to decide if any dating was going to happen, for reasons she was unsure of beyond her stronger personality. I laughed. We laughed, but then she finished her glass of wine, and asked me if I minded she got another. I laughed informing her she could have as many as she wanted if she was going to pay for them. She looked shocked, and informed me that it was more gentleman-like of me to offer to pay. 

At this point I asked her why she felt that way only to inform me that it was traditional. I responded that if we had agreed to go on a date, I might've picked up the check, but we were just meeting on a mutual interest to decide if there was an interest, and that I was not going to pick up her second drink just based on the principle of entitlement. "You make a 100K, and you want me to pick up your drinks?! LOL. Why?" Her response went into more detail to include that she was interesting, fun, and had worked hard to be in the position she was in allowing her to engage in the level of conversation we were having. I laughed and politely informed her that she had it wrong because clearly I was attractive to her, I was able to engage in the same level of dialog with her, and that I too had to achieve in order to be in that exact position. "I might as well pay for the chic's drinks and apps siting next me because she was fun too, a perfect strange, and actually makes less money than you and was actually interested in meeting me even after I told her I was here to meet you! LOL. Should I pay for her drinks also?! No, just like I'm not going to pay for your second. My extension of curtesy ended when you informed me about all your kids, your second divorce and the fact that you didn't bring them up because you knew most men wouldn't bother...so you really should pay for my drink and app.!" I laughed. Payed for my drink and her initial, and left but not before giving my card to the gal that was sitting next to me..no kids, never married, avid gym goer. It's a California thing that women make a bunch of money, but they still want yours too with no incentives. Please ladies at least make it interesting. Hahaha.  

Christmas is here along with all the music that was created for it. I admit that I really enjoy most of it and the expressions people make while listening to it. As most of my mornings go, I was working on this very blog piece at my local Starbucks while the music played. The years of Christmases past came to mind including last years when I was living on the South side of Minneapolis. It was cold and snow those few days of bliss, and I had a visitor from California visiting me part of it. Yes, this year will be different. It's likely gonna be 70 degrees sunny Christmas Eve and Day. I'll be in the Homeland for it just like I was last year, but at the end of the week, I'll be leaving. Although, I left at the end of the week last year as well to come to California to job/client prospect. How life changes in an instant, but the memories of it keep on going on and on. I suppose it's time to send out postcards. I usually try and keep up, but considering all the newness of things present, it may be in order. Until next week, happy holiday shopping and Christmas related stuff.