Bill's Blog (Web Log)
Should I Apply For New Job?
Submitted by Bill on Tue, 07/08/2003 - 10:13pmI am struggling with this one. I really do want to live in Alaska to try it out. I figure that I should work the lower 48 until my debts are payed first, butt.... I have found a potential job and have until midnight on Wednesday to make up my mind. Any comments would be appreciated. The job positing is here
PERSPECTIVE
Submitted by Bill on Mon, 07/07/2003 - 6:22pmJulie sent me an email and it went something like this:
A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous - - yes.
The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - - your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions - - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."
"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - - the small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. Play another 18. There will always be time for me to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal."
"Take care of the golf balls first - - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers!!
I Have Arrived in Alaska
Submitted by Bill on Mon, 06/30/2003 - 2:23am
4:35 AM 6/29/2003: Just got off the plane in Anchorage. Julie was wating and it was so nice to see her. I am glad that our friendship is still as strong as ever. We seem to really connect in a certain way and it is really fun being around someone who "gets" you. The flight here was grewsome. Two movies and two meals on one flight. I dont think I ever sat that long before. I dozed off a couple of times but I would wake up to see if I could see the mountains yet. As we approached Anchorage I couldnt resest and I whipped out my camera for a few shots. Absolutely awesome. I think I will consider living here.
Alaska Here I Come
Submitted by Bill on Fri, 06/27/2003 - 8:40am
Saturday June 28th, 2003: I did absolutly nothing yestaerday, now I must cram geeting ready into this morning. Wouldnt you know it the best sunrise this summer is out my window this morning. i would love to go down to the beach to take some pictures. This morning I must do laundry, take Marcy to Snow Flake Kennel, pack, and get my ass to the airport. So I bid you all a farewell untill I get to a internet terminal somewhere between here and there.
Friday June 27th, 2003: I have the day off so I have been laying around chillin. It is about time to get up and get the show on the road. Tomorrow is the big day and the trip begins. I plan to keep this story active or maybe even use the forum like pablo did. I may just do the later.
Thursday 26 June 2003: Well here it is two days to go before I take off. Julie called today and I think we are all set. I have a feeling this will be great. We plan to take a charter to an old mine and visit Valdez. I have taken tomorrow off so that I can pack and get ready. Tonight I plan to just relax.
Tomorrow morning I plan to attack the road with a very aggressive bike ride. Ok, I just watched cycling on OLN and I am really itching to ride.
Sunday 22 June 2003 : I just got off the line with my friend julie. We ordered my tickets today. I leave in two weeks. I am very excited and will keep this story active as I prepair and experience my first ever REAL vacation.
Who Hit Me???
Submitted by Bill on Fri, 06/27/2003 - 4:01am
Mom writes:[blockquote]Got up this fine Thurs. and did my daily chores and was sitting and had just decided to get dressed when it felt like someone slugged me in the right eye. So I went to the bathroom didn't notice anything so got dressed. While combing my hair I noticed my right eye looked bloodshot until I looked closer and noticed it just looked bloody. so went in showed dad and we rushed to the eye doctors. After 2 hours I found out what happen was a blood vessel had broke in my eye. It looked worst than it felt and no damage was done to the transplant and after a while it would go away. But it would look worst before it got better and some disconfort also. Well I always do have the strangest things happening to me all the time!!! So chalk up another one for me.!![/blockquote]
When Life isnt as Important as Getting There
Submitted by Bill on Thu, 06/26/2003 - 9:10pmMay 27, 2003 Dave Zabriskie of the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team