Work and Identity

It's never good when your wife tells you from across the table, "So now you know how I have felt for the past several months.".........

Sense moving to San Francisco my life has been different, in more ways than just 60 degree weather in February and a lot more mexican food. After working 13 years at a salary position where I worked a consistent 40 hours a week with a steady paycheck, I am now working contract. Which among other things means that my hours can vary wildly and my income can too. My wife, who works as a flight attendant has to commute back to Boston for work, so she has been forced reduced her work hours as well.  

This has caused me to question my identity a bit. If I'm not working 40 hours a week, maximizing my income potential, what am I doing with my life?  I have always said that my work didn't define me, but when faced with not working I find this space that want's to be filled. A part of me that needs to be defined. 

I really shouldn't be surprised by what I am feeling. American's are known for working to hard and taking little time off as compared to our European counterparts. The only people in America that aren't working full time are kids, the elderly, the disabled and the uber rich. I don't fit into any of those categories so it's no wonder that I feel out of place when I'm sitting at a table sipping a cocktail with my wife on a weekday afternoon instead of working at my desk.

Eds story

My intention in blogging for Lent was not to do it every day, but I saw this video this morning and I couldn't resist.

This is a beautiful story that speaks to so many things. What is our purpose on the earth, What is the role of the church, how do we treat the elderly and those with disabilities in our society, and how do we follow Jesus.

Enjoy.

Lent 2012

Growing up I didn't know what Lent was. It wasn't until I moved to Boston, a heavily catholic city, that I first encountered it. One seemingly random day a guy from the accounting department walked by my desk with a black smug on his forehead. In my concerned for him let him know that he might want to take care of that. Then he explained to me what Ash Wednesday was.

Sense then I have always been intrigued with Lent. I actually look forward to it each year. It gives me the chance to be disciplined and actually do something. To practice dependence on God in little ways in hopes that it will permeate the bigger things in my live.  This year I am doing three things for Lent; fasting from TV, eating better, and of course blogging.

Even before Lent started I was facing temptation. When I told my wife I was giving up TV she said that would cause a problem. Who would she have to watch The Bachelor with on Monday nights? Yes, I hate to admit it in a public forum, but we do watch The Bachelor. Mostly to comment on how silly the girls act. It's the little things that can make a marriage solid. I thought about using the get behind me Satan bit, but I know that wouldn't go over well. So I guess I will have to watch the final three episodes with her, but after that no tv!

Don Miller's new book!

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.

Get it at powells and amazon

Tour De Farms

This past weekend I took part in the Tour De Farms bike ride put on by Urban Adventours. It was a wonderful 35 mile bike ride through greater boston visiting community gardens and farms along the way.

There is a lot of talk about certified organic. We were informed at one of the farms that they were "uncertified organic", meaning that they follow all the rules of organic farming, but have decided not to pay the $15,000 fee that would label them as certified.

The most surprising fact that I learned was that a 1.5 acre farm cansupply vegetables for approximately 120-150 families. 1.5 acers is about the area a typical grocery store would take. It brings into perspective how we could get our food.

In honor of Fathers day on Sunday

My dad, taught me how to hunt and fish
My dad, has hiked all the mountains around our home.
My dad, knows all the back roads to everywhere.
My dad, installed a new heating system in our house.
My dad, worked in a sandwich shop when he was a kid.
My dad, can grill better than your dad.
My dad, is a champion marksman. Don't mess with him.
My dad, rocks the guitar, the bass, the piano and the drums. He's a one man band.
My dad, came to my wrestling matches, track and cross country meets even though it was obvious he didn't understand the sport.
My dad, survived cancer twice.

Thanks dad,

I love you

My Side of the Story......

So I had a plan to ask my girlfriend to marry me. A nice dinner at a French restaurant. A romantic stroll though the city. Then I ask her to marry be somewhere in the Boston Common.


Towards the end of the main course, my girlfriend casually says, "So I'm not trying to pressure you or anything, but when do you think, we might think, about getting married?" To which I reply, "You know I think we should figure that out soon." My hope was that it would pass and that I could still keep my master plan in tact. But she continued.

"Well do you want a long engagement or a short one?"

"I would like a relatively short one, I mean I don't want to wait another year to get married.

"I mean  I know we have talked about it before......"

At this point I have realized that I should just give up and wing it. So I slowly reach into my coat pocket.

"but do you think, we should think, about getting married?"

I responded; "How about now!"  To which she replied, "Are you serious?  Are you serious?"

Sometimes, the best laid plans never work out.