Back to Reality

Ahh, Saturday morning. Coffee, my iPad, easy chair. Rude awakening, I've got a boat load of work to do. That's all for now, I'll be revealing why I haven't posted since January in the next couple of weeks. Later.

Commitment

Last week as I was struggling to come up with a topic for my post, I thought of the people that have the same dilemma, columnists, clergy, etc. How do you generate creativity on demand? Some days it flows, some days it doesn't. This week I had the same issue, what can I write about? As I was driving to pick up my Saturday lunch from Subway it struck me, commitment. Whether its the Sunday sermon, your weekly column or getting up and running 26 miles, these are commitments.

I can't think of a greater commitment right now than Bruce Johnson's run across the United States to raise money and awareness for the Community Crisis Center of Elgin. Last week's post, Community Spirit, touched on this and I'll go into more detail today.

Bruce gets up every morning and runs 26 plus miles to achieve his goal of running across America. Think about it. Every day, seven days a week for almost four months running in the rain, cold, heat whatever the conditions. Sharing the road with vehicles or not sharing. The hills and long straight endless stretches. The dogs and deer and buzzards oh my. He already did this once in 2005 so he doesn't have anything to prove. He is doing this because he made a commitment to a cause he strongly believes in. 

He isn't alone in his journey. He has his faith, his support driver Dave, 1320+ fans on Facebook and the people he meets along the way. We can all help the cause by donating and keeping in touch with him through Facebook, Twitter, UnitedStatesRun.com and Cinchcast. Please reach out to any connections you might have along the route and see if they can run with Bruce for a stretch or raise awareness in their communities.

Community Spirit

Community spirit is alive and well in Elgin, Illinois. The volunteer ethic is a fabric that weaves through this city and drives people to care and to take action. The last three days are an example.

Thursday, a benefit for Haiti at Elgin Public House. Over 80 people attended a benefit for the Red Cross relief efforts and to learn about the culture of Haiti through art, music and stories provided by Elginites with Haitian backgrounds.

Video from event:

Pictures from event:

Friday, the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin annual dinner. An inspiring speech from the Youth of the Year and a challenge from board member Tim Williams to support the club so that youth in our community don't become one of the statistics. A new twist this year was texting in your donation and then displaying it on the big screen.

Saturday, the PADS of Elgin annual dinner with a Dancing with the Stars theme. Local people strutting their stuff on the dance floor to raise money for our homeless shelter. PADS provides more than just shelter, they use case management to change lives.

During the next three months, local resident Bruce Johnson is running across the United States to raise money for the Community Crisis Center of Elgin a domestic violence shelter. Now this is a commitment. Getting up each and every day and running 20 plus miles, think about it. You can follow his journey or donate to the cause.

Are you feeling the spirit? Want to get involved? You can start with one of the organizations above or access more information on volunteering and supporting local efforts at the United Way of Elgin.

When Good Technology Goes Bad

Ever have one of those weeks when technology turns on you? I did.
Sunday, it was my notebook.
Monday, it was a computer in the office, the router at a client and a server at another client. All before 10am.
The rest of the week was spent repairing, replacing and reinstalling.

These are some tips to ease your pain when this happens to you and it will.
1) Make regular backups
2) Have documentation for your passwords, router settings and support contacts
3) Keep all your CD's, activation codes, downloaded software, etc. in one place
4) Alternative methods to access email (mobile device, webmail)

I joked, after performing one task this week, that it took three computers and an iPhone to get it done and a co-worker said like four weddings and a funeral. Yeah, kind-a-like that.

Olfactory Delights

It's been six months since my last post in this every Saturday blog. Well I lasted until July in 2009, let's see if I can make it through the whole year in 2010.

This morning I was treated to coffee in bed which triggered this post. Normally, I grab my coffee, start downing it and turn on the computer. Barely time to smell the coffee. On this day, I had the opportunity to really enjoy the aroma of the coffee as I slowly awakened. It was if I could almost taste it. That started me thinking about some of the smells that can recall vivid memories from the depths of our minds and as a result, this post.

I have heard that of all the senses, the sense of smell is best at starting the chain reaction in our brains that pulls in memories. My personal experience can attest to that theory. For example:

The smell of the first day of spring. Not the official day. No, I mean the day when you open the door and are greeted by that combination of warmth, flowers and whatever else tells you spring is in the air.

The scent of Sparta, Wisconsin. Whatttt? (Imagine Craig Ferguson saying what) I was riding the Sparta/Elroy Trail when the smell brought me back to the time I spent with my dad in the summer of 1966 at Camp McCoy (Fort McCoy now). That will be another story.

A combination of cigar smoke and the mist from a hand sprinkler brings me back to the days when I sat on the front porch with Uncle Ed as he watered the grass.

The aroma of sweet barbecue sauce simmering on a grill brings me back to Maui, where someone was always cooking something delicious on the grill several floors below.

What olfactory delights do you have buried in the depths of your mind? Take a break from your hectic world and spend a little time enjoying your senses.

Enjoy Life

Sometimes you just have to sit back and smell the coffee. That's what I did today. Relaxing in the gazebo on a beautiful Sunday morning. Realizing that there is an active wildlife community right in my backyard. The Morning Doves are especially animated and noisy. They must know I'm writing about them since they just landed on the roof.

Watching the robins, squirrels and rabbits. Yes those rabbits. I'm beginning to identify with Elmer Fudd every time I find another chewed up flower. Time to try adding Cayenne pepper to the beds. I'm fine with them eating anything they want in the lawn, just stay away from the flowers. If you see me in a funny hat carrying a shotgun, you'll know the pepper didn't work.

Check Your Golf Bag

I came home from church today to find the items in the picture above. My son proclaimed, "Dad, I  found this stuff while cleaning out your golf bag."
1) Can of Old Style. My first thought was, I hope it's empty. Yes it was. Even had the removable pop top. I don't litter.
2) Pack of Kools, empty. Remember I don't litter. I didn't smoke but my brother did and smoked Kools. Must have been from the last time I golfed with him at Salt Creek. As I recall there were power lines running through or next to the course.
3) Receipts from Edgebrook Golf Course from 8/15/1975. It was 1975 and a Cook County Forest Preserve but it was only $2 for a round of golf. It's $25 now. I shot my best round there in the pouring rain. I felt like the priest in Caddy Shack, minus the lightning.

I guess he figured the clubs were fair game because they've never been out of the basement since he was born and he needs to take up golf being a business major.

So an important Public Service Announcement to all you moms and dads out there. Check your golf bag and anything else you haven't used in decades before your kids do!

P.S. If anyone would like a vintage beer can or pack of smokes let me know.