I'm a Hundred Miles Behind Myself...

I've been busy having too much fun for the last couple months. While it hasn't kept me awake into the wee hours of night and day, it has occupied my mind for some time. Click here to find out exactly what I've been doing.

I'm pretty excited. Feedback is welcome.

As If I Got a Reason to Stare...

This post is for my wonderful and courageous sister who is embarking on college courses again. We are all so proud of her. I feel obligated to share with her (and all of you) my philosophies while I was in college and how I employed those philosophies to get both my AS and BA degrees. I draw inspiration from everywhere, but for my education only one source was necessary:

Good luck sis, and viva Calvin y Hobbes.

You'd Never Dream of Breaking This Fixation...

This afternoon at work I was on my way back into the building after retrieving my ID badge from the car (I forget it daily). On my way into the elevator I noticed a lady trailing behind me. I had a feeling she too needed to ascend to a floor other than the 1st so I did what every stone cold gentleman would do, I held the elevator for her. She made her way in and smiled at me, which I assumed was her way of saying thanks.

I tend to assume a lot, and sometimes this gets me into trouble. I mention this as a side note, not as a foreshadowing of any kind. I just assumed her smile meant thanks. Maybe she was unable to vocalize her gratitude. Maybe she had a sore throat. Maybe she was too cool to talk. Maybe she was afraid to talk. Maybe she was mute! I didn't know, and frankly it didn't really matter.

I offered to select the button on the elevator to choose her desired floor for her. She said she wanted the 3rd floor "please" (which automatically ruled out her being a mute). I pushed the buttons for floors 3 and 5 (my floor) at the same time. We both sat in silence as the elevator lifted. As we approached the 3rd floor she quickly placed herself directly in front (or is it behind?) the door. She was so close to the door, that if it was closing instead of opening she might have risked getting something pinched.

"Ding!" She arrived at her floor. Before the door opened she blurted out, "You have a nice afternoon," while still facing forward at the door. I looked at her puzzled, and in an instant replayed that moment again in my head. Once I figured out the door wasn't going to reply to her, I cranked my mouth sideways like an inexperienced ventriloquist, and as she exited the elevator, in a semi-high-pitched voice I said, "Thanks! See ya on the other side!"

Before she could turn around and see my grin, the door shut.

It was the first (and likely last) time I ever voiced an elevator door. Perhaps I was foreshadowing earlier. Is Pixar hiring?