Connecting with Old Connections

It's not something I'm in the habit of doing, keeping consistent contact with people who have moved on, away from me. But, it is refreshing to hear from a good friend. That's what happened to me today, an hour-long phone call from a friend I haven't seen in years. I am grateful I could connect with an old friend, an old connection, today.

Brazilian Grills

I very much enjoyed lunch at a Brazilian grill restaurant today. I appreciate the unique dining experience in such places. The diners are given unique control over when and what type of foods (mostly meats) they will have while they are there, while also favoring a diversity of flavors. I am grateful for Brazilian grills.

Engagements

Summer is beginning to end, and that means I've survived yet another torrent of engagement and wedding pictures/posts on social media. I am at that age where many of my friends are deciding that marriage is a great idea and sharing that with the internet.

But, I am grateful for engagements. The couple is happy, all their friends get to send their congratulations and best wishes, and I just generally see a lot of good that comes from them. I'll admit that these past few years I've felt frustrated at times to see so many people hop on the engagement and marriage train. But, I'd like to get there too someday, so someday I will be one of those people. Life goes on, and we continue to celebrate and congratulate on these happy occasions.

Michael Phelps

His collection of Olympic medals is incredibly impressive, but what impresses me the most is his story as I've heard it. Shortly after the 2012 Summer Olympics, Phelps got into trouble and found himself in some tough situations. The media reported how far he had fallen. Tonight, I watched him compete in his swimming events, a reformed man. He is, once again, the champion people knew from 2012.

This is just a high-profile example of how people can change for the better, how people can become their very best and recover from great setbacks. I am grateful for such human examples.

Who's On First?

This is, by far, my favorite comedy sketch of all time. I really enjoy other comedians: Bryan Regan, Studio C, and others, but this Abbott & Costello classic just gets me every time. I am grateful for "Who's On First?"

Headache and Tired Eyes

I had a lot of that today, especially at work. It was hard to focus and it felt like a very unproductive day. I decided I would try to rest my eyes on the bus ride after work. I wondered if these symptoms were the result of turning my eyes from one screen to another throughout the day yesterday. I felt better after I had some dinner and some shut-eye to rest and rejuvenate myself for the rest of the day. Strangely enough, I am grateful for the headache and tired eyes I had today, because such pain makes me aware of ways I can change my life for the better.

Collaborative Editing

Normally, we spend most of the work day in our individual cubicles. Silence is punctuated only by the sound of punched computer keys. This morning, however, for various reasons we spent a few hours working in pairs. During those hours. we were much more chatty and it was more enjoyable to work with someone else. We were all getting used to a new system and we were helping each other. I am grateful for collaborative editing. It was fun while it lasted. :)