Chad Writes Stuff

So yesterday was the first day to be back on the road in a while. I mean in a real while, where I actually boarded a plane and traveled somewhere. I had great boarding position on Southwest. I got a great seat second row with luggage storage above my row (miracle). It is my belief that if you are boarding on southwest and get section c and you are above 15, you are not getting your luggage on the plane. I sat down and began my usual dosing off routine before take off. Something about the hum of the engines or the air conditioning puts me to sleep. After sitting for about a minute, the flight attendant came on giving her usual routine about wearing the seatbelt low and tight across your hip, or exit rows, etc, however, her presentation was different and you could tell she truly loved her job. Her name was Candy, Candy Jones and she seemed to have some of that Texas swagger that you are probably all aware of. She was a fiesty little red head with a deadly smile and a wonderful laugh. She...

So today I learned how to ride a skateboard (not well, but its a start). A very good friend convinced me to skate down to the beach and play smashball. I decided, what the hell, you only live once. I was super rocky at first, but then got the hang of it after a while. I think persistence is key. Just keep getting on the board after falling over or off the nose from poor balance. I know some of you are saying, "Really, you live in california and you can't ride a skateboard?". The answer is up til yesterday, no. I am 39 years old and there are things I haven't done. Skydiving, surfing well, ridden a unicycle, and many others. I decided to write about it because the truth is you are only too set in your ways in your mind. If you think you can do something, then you can do it. Don't let age be a deciding factor for you, just get out there and try it. You might like it. I am happy to say that I have no bruises, cuts scrapes or unnecessary visits to the hospital. Thanks...

So I thought I had put this out there, but apparently it never got sent. I am going to put out the challenge out there. In a time when customer service is at an all time low, morale is lower because of job security and people in general are disillusioned by the airlines (many industries in general, but my call is to the airline industry). I am offering to run any airline as a stand in COO for 1 year for a salary of $100,000 per year and will forgo any bonus that would normally be due the said position. Any bonus will be put back into the company or go to all employees as a year end bonus. I also guarantee to boost morale and improve financial standing in the process. If your up for the challenge, then so am I. I anxiously await your call.

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 8oz. To 20oz. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.' 'If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.' 'In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.' He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.' 'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. ' 'So, before ...

So today I decided to go to Kim Barrett's memorial service. I didn't know Kim, but met her through association of friends on Facebook. The first thing that I have to say is that I have only been to one funeral in my life, my fathers, some 10 years ago. I was a little upset with the manner in which he was Eulogized, for I had wished that it would have been more about the celebration of his life. Kim's memorial service was just that, A celebration of her life and remembrance of her, in all her wonder and awe. Kim is the second person that passed this year and so it hit close to home since it affected many of my "cycling" friends. The one thing that was apparent throughout the service was the love of her friends. After the service was over, there was a gathering on the property at the Mission San Luis Rey ( http://www.sanluisrey.org/ ), where people shared stories of Kim and of her love and compassion and what an amazing person she was. In hearing all the stories, it...

Just want to say all the things I am grateful for. My friends, without them I would have given up a long time ago. My family, for always believing in me and never giving up and my attitude, for without it, it would be a dark dark place and for the very recent acquaintances I have made in my life. Some through tragedy that I know will bring this community, this town and eventually lots of people together. I would also like to thank Facebook, for its amazing power to reach the masses. People have come out of the woodwork to share with me, stories of hope, triumph, tragedy and caring. Yes social media is fun, but lets not forget the power that it can harness if you use it for good. Yesterday was an amazing day and even though i am financially undesirable or considered a "liability" in societies eyes, I still try to make the best of it. I have never been in this place and just trying to admire it all. My battles with money and having stable income has been a challenge to say the ...