Note to self: Perception is EVERYTHING.
A short story. I was driving in Croatia and noticed that the roads were perfect; very non-European. Then I was told an American company had done the work. Anyway, I came to a toll booth. I was prepare to pay in Euros, dollars or Hungarian Forints. They wanted Croatian Kuna. I looked at the sign and it appeared that I needed about a suitcase full of Kuna to pay the toll. Anyway, I offered the guy 20 Euros. He took it and then waved me on.
Now, 20 Euros is a big toll; I don't care where you are. As I drove away, I began to feel that this guy had ripped me off. Not a big deal but for the rest of the week, whenever I thought of it I got pissed. I was thinking "I should have gotten a receipt." or "I'll stop on my way back and point the thief out to his supervisor."
Anyway, I eventually took the road in the other direction. This time, when it came time to pay the toll, I used a credit card and made sure I got a receipt. The toll came to 24 Euros!
So, the guy hadn't ripped me off. In fact, he had given me a break.
This small bit of knowledge changed everything. Nothing had changed anywhere except my perception. I carried this resentment for a week when actually I should have smiled every time I thought of it. So, I chose to take the low road for a week and, as a result, carried a little bit of dark matter with me through what was otherwise a perfect vacation.
I have not been home for over three weeks. I don't get home for another 7-8 days.
I saw a bear ate a guy in Montana. Will someone call Monya and ask how Tony is doing? I could email her but it might turn out awkward if Tony was the guy.
Patrick, I know you read this every now and then. Tell the gang I will be there for coffee a week from Friday.
My wife is in Vienna watching an Operetta. I was invited but took a pass. Felt like a day of shopping with the girls. Anyway, I am home alone. I know where the "meat store" is so I went there to forage for lunch. I came back with a bag of stuff. Shopping at a meat store is a lot like shopping at an auto parts store. Everything I looked at made me think, "I need some of that." Lunch ended up being some type of dried bacon-like stuff that had apparently been dipped in salt. It was great but I think my heart may have seized up for a few seconds.
Looks like immigration is the big thing now (based on what I am seeing on Europe CNN). I know that is was just pure luck that I was born in the USA. I want to take the high road and say "Amnesty". At the same time, there is a cost. I am not talking just financial. For now, I am against all immigration until my wife is allowed to come to the United States. Ask me how I feel after that happens.
California is in deep economic trouble. What do we do? We blame someone else. Bottom line is that we are not in the business of printing money. Either increase revenue or lower expenses. This is probably the one thing all economists can agree on.
I see Greece is on strike again. This country is on the brink of foreclosure and they go on strike as if that will make it better. They interviewed a woman the other day. She was 50 and retired with full benefits. Greek law says that if you are a woman and mother, you can retire at 50. She was convinced that she deserved her retirement and couldn't care less that the EU was paying for it with taxes from people that couldn't retire until they were 65.
If you are a man, and if there is a woman in your life, then you need this link: http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Premenstrual-Girlfriend
Getting late here. Time to dream.
up, up and away...
j
