Striving for Imprefection

Exxon today released their profit figures for 4th quarter, 2005. Suffice it to say, it's a heck of a lot more than I make.

I have my opinions about who's getting rich, who's getting short-changed (notice the euphemism for what I'm really thinking), and what can be done about our addiction to oil.

But, trying to be the positive sort that I am, there's a good side to high gas prices.

Instead of paying $3 a gallon for gasoline, I find myself getting out and taking a walk more often now. I've always hopped on my bicycle for the small errands and short commutes around town.

But, now these walks and bike rides not only save me money but help me get healthier, feel better about my contribution to the environment, give to the rebel in me by "sticking it to the man", let me get to know my neighbors, and even improve my marriage.

My wife and take regular walks (OK, semi-regular if the truth be known). It's a nice time to hold hands, connect, talk about architecture of the area, and get to be together without a ringing phone or kids.

High gas prices are not going away. Whether right or wrong, consider it an opportunity to enhance the relationships you have with friends and family.

Posted by Scott “Q” Marcus at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Persuing dreams can be tricky. Walking the line between what's practical and what's profitable is sometimes confusing. When in doubt, I find it helpful to see others I respect. One of my favorites is at the SF Chronicle, Jon Carroll. Today's column was a delight. Worth your time.

Please pass it on. Give me others. Makes the day go by so much easier.

Posted by Scott “Q” Marcus at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was somewhat embarrassing to the entire group.
As soon as the plane touched down in Dallas, over the sound of seatbelt buckles clicking, one could hear the strange electronic melodies of cell phones ringing and dialing.

I was at the back of a very full 737, about four rows from the rear. It was taking quite some time to empty the passengers on to the jet way so we were all standing, necks bent to avoid hitting the luggage racks, holding our suitcases, waiting.
In the last row, a rather shameless man was having an animated, very loud, extremely itimate conversation with "Baby." He made no attempt to lower his voice; it was almost as if he did not realize 100 other souls were sharing his space.
"Hey baby, I'm in Dallas. I can't wait to see you. No, don't be that way Baby. You know I love you. Come on Baby, daddy loves you. I know. I know. But I promise, as soon as I get the divorce. No really. I want to be with you. It's just, you know, I've got to finish what I started. Come on Baby. Please understand. Of course I do. Really I will…"
I glanced at the man next to me; he looked at me. We both pretended we couldn't hear Baby and Daddy in their disagreement, but a slight shake of my head and a quick smirk from him said otherwise.
I live on a cell phone (quietly); I don't have a problem with them. So, what's the deal? Why do some people think they can have the most intimate, personal conversations in crowds and no one will notice? Is it they want us to know? Do they not care?
I just don't get it.

Posted by Scott “Q” Marcus at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

My neighbor and I finally got around to throwing away what used to be the large bush that sat on our property line for several years. Alas, it was one more victim of the storm that battered Humboldt County at the end of last year.

On the day of the storm, my family and I piled into the car in search of something to eat. As we drove around town, we noticed the incredibly long line of cars (unlike anything since the seventies) waiting at gas stations. We observed the remants of broken fences, downed signs, and ruined landscapes.

Unable to find a suitable restaurant, we stopped at a grocery store, only to be greeted by long lines of people buying ice, batteries (if you could find them), wood, and bread. My first reaction (always trusting others before I trust myself) was, "What do they know that I don't?" Panic started to well up and could feel the fear start to grow.

"Why us?" I wondered. It's not fair to have to spend New Years in long gas lines and grocery store lines.

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, it occured to me that what we went through wasn't 1/10,000 as bad as what they're going through in Louisiana and Mississippi, after the Hurricaines. Fear changed to embarrassment. Embarrassment morphed to gratitude.

Put it in pespective; more times than not, we're doing OK. Pass it on.

Posted by Scott “Q” Marcus at 03:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am an imprefect being.

In the (at first begrudging) acceptance of that truth rests enormous power
for change.

For years, I remained mired in stagnation, waiting to "do it perfectly"
before moving forward. If I couldn't lose the 70 pounds I carried around,
why lose one? If I couldn't run a marathon, why exercise at all? If I
couldn't have the perfect relationship, why get involved?

Somewhere, it dawned on me that my drive to be perfect was merely one more
excuse saving me from doing what I needed to do to be "better."
Reality was I didn't need to lose 70 pounds; I needed to lose one pound, and
repeat the process as often as necessary — or until I chose not to do it
anymore.

I needed to focus on small, boring, minute, accomplishments, not obstacles
yet reached. Do something. Do it now. Focus on the present. Simply put,
small steps done regularly generate more results than big steps
intermittently.

Isn't that Life? It's not about a perfect marriage; it's about doing those
things that make it a good marriage more often. It's not about that
marathon; it's about walking one more block than you previously have. It's
not about fixing the planet; it's about helping the person in front of you.

Again, it's not about being perfect, it's about being better.

I call it "striving for imprefection."

Welcome to my world. I look forward to sharing with you.

Posted by Blog Admin at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)