I'm not being original...but this is.

Dogs don't know it's not Beef!

Yo, Homies!

Matt & The Market: Bloggers Unite!

Happy Friday!

Sunrise On The City

(click to enlarge)

A lovely shot of the morning sun on the Seattle skyline when sailing into the city. Just pretty...just because.

True(ly), Mad(ly), Deep(ly)

Did you think I was ever coming back, Kids? I know it was a long absence but I guess it was needed. The holidays came and went without feeling particularly holiday-ish. Quiet and contemplative into 2009. And here we are now...game on! 

Ugh! Doesn't that smack of cliche? "Game on!"? Like the New Year is something to tackle like a football player or a bridesmaid going for the bouquet. I, like most others, typically rally at the end of the holidays and fuel the fires of all that is to be in the upcoming turn of the calendar year. But, for me, not this year. My one resolution is "no resolutions". Somewhere in the dregs of this blog is my resolution list from last year which is likely to contain much of what might get added to the current list...if I were to make one. I am not. Of course, I have goals and aspirations as we head into what may well be a tumultuous year at best. The thing is, in 2009, I really need to get some serious stuff moving. But I need to be easier, gentler, clearer with myself as well. 

This is the year that your Uncle turns the big "40". I have been anxiously awaiting this for a long time as I always felt really good things about being 40. And I still do. But, admittedly, I am not quite where I imagined I would be. Frankly, I feel a million miles away from where I thought I'd be at this point. Sometimes I feel hopelessly lost and other times I feel like fighting furiously to keep steering the rudder through the perfect storm. Sometimes I throw myself a pity party and other times I am kicking my own butt. But, you know what, not anymore. If I feel like I am being guided toward anything right now it would be toward... surrender.

Oh no...not "give up" surrender but "go with the flow" surrender. I have tried to control so much and yet seem to have ultimately maintained control over very little. So maybe it's time to do the opposite? At this point, I don't see a lot of other options. And, you know what, that feels okay to me. Truly...okay. One day at a time and we'll see what comes of all of this.

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So how have all of you been doing? Any big plans for your New Year? Hope that the holidays went well for everyone. And "THANK YOU!" to all of the sweet well wishes in my absence. That picture up above ain't no lie, Kids! :) Mwah!