In August and September, work sent me one of their headquarters officers in Belgium for training on the product we support as part of an effort to foster more collaboration between the Support teams in Europe and the US. I was there for two weeks, with a "gap weekend" in Paris visiting a dear friend … Continue reading (Personal) What I Brought Back From Europe
Category: mental-health
(Personal) Crescent Shadows
Yesterday a rare event grabbed everyone's attention -- a total solar eclipse. While these happen roughly every 18 months or so, they tend to happen in unpopulated areas or on the open sea. What made the 2017 eclipse so special is the fact that the totality line cut a swath across the United States from … Continue reading (Personal) Crescent Shadows
(Personal) Spit and Vinegar into Clear Water
I think most Buddhists, if we're really honest with ourselves deep down, flirt with the daydream of what we'd look like enlightened. I know personally I would love to resemble Budai, the eternally-laughing bodhisattva known for his jovial attitude, wisdom, contentment, and the fact that you can rub his belly for good luck. In my … Continue reading (Personal) Spit and Vinegar into Clear Water
I’m…37? Yeah, 37.
Yesterday I celebrated my 37th birthday by watching Kubo and the Two Strings, playing two rounds of mini-golf, and having a dinner out with a few friends. It was tremendously fun, and I really appreciate folks coming out to help me ring in another personal new year. I have amazing friends, and to say that … Continue reading I’m…37? Yeah, 37.
(Personal) Ashes In The Mouth
We all know how difficult family can be. Our siblings know all of the buttons that will drive us insane, no matter how carefully we try to cover them up. There's something about a comment from our mom and dad -- even though they might swear it's innocuous -- that feels like a judgement passed … Continue reading (Personal) Ashes In The Mouth
(Personal) Mission Statement
This is an amazing world, inhabited by amazing people. We don't have to go very far to see an animal or plant that does something incredible, if we stop to think about it. All around us, there are countless people each with their own rich inner worlds and intense, beautiful, heartbreaking stories. I think the … Continue reading (Personal) Mission Statement
(Personal) The Best Thing About Tragedy
Pixar's Inside Out is an amazing film, and I'll get into exactly what I think about it later. But for now I want to talk about one perfect moment of many in the movie because I keep thinking about it recently. If you haven't seen the movie, don't worry -- I won't spoil too much … Continue reading (Personal) The Best Thing About Tragedy
(Personal) Eulogy For My Sister
When I was younger, I used to make plans with my sister to run away from home all the time. We always thought that the way our mother treated us was grossly unfair, and after a particularly hard day we would pack up a few days' worth of clothes, make a couple of sandwiches, and … Continue reading (Personal) Eulogy For My Sister
Zen & The Art of Getting Shit Done
It's been a hard couple of months for me, mostly because of a few unexpected emergencies. I got into an accident at the end of February that totaled my car, and it took about a month for my insurance company to make that decision and offer me a write-off settlement. I had spent a … Continue reading Zen & The Art of Getting Shit Done
(Fandom) 2 Words
Comedians who use shocking or transgressive humor are often no strangers to controversy and criticism. Even the best of them sometimes tip over into the gratuitous, but most don't stay there very long. The transgressive nature of stand-up comedy is used by these artists as a tool, a scapel that scrapes away the flab … Continue reading (Fandom) 2 Words
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 