Aimless Deliberation

A few years back Jamie and I joined a bowling league with some family members (3 other couples).  from August to April, every week we met on Sundays to compete against others.  The point of us joining was to do something and have fun.  When we started, the majority of us sucked but every week, we were there... and most weeks, we had a great time.  We formed bonds and relationships that are still going strong today.   After a short while, we all began to focus on supporting each other and getting better.  Let me say that again... our focus (as a group) supporting each other and getting better.  We met at least one other time throughout the week to just hang out and bowl; we even got others to join in on the non-league bowling (now, how cool is that?).  The employees knew us and typically tried to make sure that we had what needed while we were there.  We became pretty consistent and close.  Bowling was were everyone got to be themselve...

I met my best friend 20 years ago at a grocery store.  I had no idea on that day that she would be my closest friend for life.  Funny how you don't really no what you need until it is placed in front of you.  She was a crazy grandma and I was a silly nerd (or at least that is what everyone thought).  We saw each other through some pretty interesting times...her first car and job; the ride to Memphis to get my car; her "asthma"; my experiments; my "apartment fiasco: countless birthday celebrations (all I can say is we both ENJOYED ourselves immensely); her and her basketball player; me and my long-distance-but-only-when-are -in-the-same-town beau; graduations; our first houses.  All of this to say, we grew up together.  To me, the college years are when you really start to know yourself and what you want (or at least to start focusing on those things).  She and I did that "finding out" stage together.  Now, that we are "grown-ups" and live in diff...

For those that know me, you know that I truly love travelling…ANYWHERE.   Jamie and I have travelled to some pretty awesome places; even places that others don’t see as awesome.  This year took us to another island in Hawai’i and I need to confess a few things from a mainlander’s perspective. Getting to Hawai’i can be a bear.   Think about it Hawai’i is a pretty isolated group of islands.  And oh yeah, they are islands.  If you live anywhere (except along the west coast), travelling to Hawai’i can become cumbersome. My suggestion… If you want to go to Hawai’i, just be prepared.   If you like to read, take a book (one that will keep your interest).   Music your thing, make sure you have at least 6 hours of it.   Do you color?   It may help.   Benadryl put you to sleep, have at it.   Just think through your flight(s).   While we had everything that could keep us amused in our possession, there was no denying that eight ...