Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
California Cape Cod and back again
In a bit of double irony, a Californian license plate that professes love for Cape Cod on the wall of a Cape Cod restaurant while California Dreaming played in the background.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Toebzilla's first Cape Cod Adventure
Allie and I went to Cape Cod this past Sunday, and we brought along Toebzilla. We ended up a Nauset Light Beach, which is dog friendly. It's been a long time since Toebzilla has been to any beach, so the adventure was like new to him.
After settling near the water, I walked with him to the edge of the surf. A little nervous, he moved towards the small waves as though he intended to take on the entire Atlantic Ocean himself. He watched a tiny wave or two before he figured out the timing. When the next tiny wave rolled up, he pounced on it and attempted to nip at it. Instead, he got a mouth full of salty water and splashed up to his knees. At that moment, he decided he had enough of the Ocean, and preferred sunbathing on the beach towel instead.
After settling near the water, I walked with him to the edge of the surf. A little nervous, he moved towards the small waves as though he intended to take on the entire Atlantic Ocean himself. He watched a tiny wave or two before he figured out the timing. When the next tiny wave rolled up, he pounced on it and attempted to nip at it. Instead, he got a mouth full of salty water and splashed up to his knees. At that moment, he decided he had enough of the Ocean, and preferred sunbathing on the beach towel instead.
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
It's taken forty years to realize just how deeply people feel criticism
It's taken forty years to realize just how deeply people feel criticism. A disagreement with one fine point can be taken as disregard for the person themself. On the flip side, it seems people that are very quick to dismiss the opinions and thoughts of others, then express frustration when they think those people are equally dismissive. To me, that is a vicious cycle. Lesson learned for me? "The only winning move is not to [critique]" in social settings, unless there is a very good cause.
I missed the boat so long because I've been in a state of mind of consistently wanting to be critiqued to improve myself, at least in my own eyes. I accept some statements, and dismiss others, and then move on. In this, I do not believe that I've often dismissed any persons outright. I value the person who critiques me because I seek constant feedback (whether I accept the feedback or not). But in this drive, I've very likely offended a great many people who are not like minded in this regard. Criticism of comments or challenging of opinions is not taken well by many people, regardless to how fine the point.
Ironically, this posting is a critique, but not directed any particular person. It is an expression of my own opinion about my own feelings and thoughts. In case someone comes across this message and thinks it's about them, it's not. It is about me. It is a lament that comes from the culmination of a great many experiences.
I missed the boat so long because I've been in a state of mind of consistently wanting to be critiqued to improve myself, at least in my own eyes. I accept some statements, and dismiss others, and then move on. In this, I do not believe that I've often dismissed any persons outright. I value the person who critiques me because I seek constant feedback (whether I accept the feedback or not). But in this drive, I've very likely offended a great many people who are not like minded in this regard. Criticism of comments or challenging of opinions is not taken well by many people, regardless to how fine the point.
Ironically, this posting is a critique, but not directed any particular person. It is an expression of my own opinion about my own feelings and thoughts. In case someone comes across this message and thinks it's about them, it's not. It is about me. It is a lament that comes from the culmination of a great many experiences.
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