Yes, I want the upgrade!

Monday, February 10.  Hi everyone!  After a pretty normal morning of one golf lesson, a workout, and a very average lunch, I got on a plane to Florida.  I got one of those $8 tickets on Spirit Airlines so I thought, what the heck.  So I'll be here in Fort Myers Beach until Thursday morning.  

The flight went smoothly and I did some reading and some relaxing.  Sat in first class too.  On these cheap flights when you check in, they'll ask if you want to go to first class for $50.  Well since I only paid $8 for the flight, it was a pretty easy answer!  Yes!  Arriving at Fort Myers was when the idea for today's new thing came to me.  

As I went to the Budget Rental Car counter to get my already reserved, Priceline special rate mid-sized boring car, the same thing that always enters my head entered my head.  "I won't let them screw me with all the extras...insurance, pre-paying for gas, etc"  But this time the question from the sales person was "Would you like to upgrade to a convertible for $15 extra dollars a day?"

My usual answer for these types of questions are, as I pointed out earlier, "NO!!!!!"  After all, I will not let them screw me over.  But this time, I thought for a second and said, "Sure!"  It felt good to say what the hell.  It's only two days.  I don't want to be silly extravagant with living, but once in a while, why not.  I felt good about it and went outside to pick up my Mitsubishi Spyder.  I popped the top, and drove off into the warm Florida night with a big smile on my face.

Until tomorrow friends!  Have fun, enjoy each moment 'cause it'll pass if you don't!

Doing one thing at a time

Sunday, March 9.  Hey all.  I had a normal Sunday for me today.  Taught from 10am to 2pm (my 9am cancelled).  Came home and relaxed for a bit.  I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, so I needed to do some things and get some things in order before I leave.  This is when my idea for the new thing for the day hit me.

Whenever I feel like I have a lot of things to do, a big list, I tend to get a little crazed and try to do more than one thing at once.  So I do two things and think about the next three things on the list.  So today I decided that I would do one thing at a time, and focus only on that one thing for one full hour. 

In that hour, I cut my hair, did a load of laundry, collected the garbage, watered the plants, changed into workout clothes, put on my Crest Whitestrips, made my bed (woke up late today!), read aloud my life goals, ate an apple, and did some preliminary packing for my trip.  For the most part, I was able to stay focused.  It was pretty easy to do one thing at a time, but more challenging to stay focused on that one thing.  

Just like this blog is a pretty good way to live life, doing and focusing one one thing at a time is a pretty good way to spend each minute and hour of each day.  It seems strange now that I've done it to be doing something but thinking about the next thing to do.  I don't really ever experience what I'm doing.  So it's like I'm not really living at all, just thinking my way into the future, even if it's just a few minutes forward.

Staying present, friends.  A lifelong challenge.  But pretty worthwhile I think.  The apple sure tasted better when all I did or thought about was eating it!

I will speak to you again from sunny and hopefully warm Florida.  Enjoy and later!

A power drink at the club

Saturday, March 8.  Hey again, I'm almost caught up.  As I write, it's actually Sunday, but again I've been busy which is a good thing.  I taught in the morning into the early afternoon today.  Very cold.  Snowing and wind blowing.  For all of you who know cold climates, wind chill is a very real thing.  But I had fun teaching and then went home and fell asleep for an hour and a half watching golf on tv.  I find that the weather channel and the golf channel are excellent for mellowing you out.

After my power nap, I thought it would be a good idea to run, so I went to the club.  Did a 4 mile run in 45 minutes.  My endurance is building and I feel great about it.  Afterwards I did my usual stretching and crunch routine, went into the tanning booth, then did my new thing for the day.

I went to the front counter and ordered myself a power smoothie.  Passion fruit and mango flavored with some milk and ice and other stuff that's supposed to give me energy or make me bigger or whatever.  It was tasty.  And given that at that point in my day I had eaten two hard boiled eggs and 10 walnuts, it was good to get something in my stomach.  Maybe I'll make a semi-habit of it, as there are other drinks that sound really good.

Hope you all are doing well, thanks for reading.  Have a good day or night and we'll talk soon!

Nothing

Friday, March 7.  Hi everyone!  Doing great, just been busy so I have to catch up on a few days.  Hope you all are doing well and feeling good!  For Friday, I have to admit that I did nothing that I'd never done before.  I tried, but couldn't come up with anything that was new.  Part of it was that I was busy and doing things.  So if I can't do something new because I was engaged in living life, I guess that is a good thing!  So I guess the thing I haven't done before, at least for the time of the blog, is NOT do anything new!

The unfortunate thing is that now I can't use that one anymore and have to actually come up with new things!  Haha.

We will talk soon, cheers to all.

Being friendly for no reason

Thursday, March 6.  I had 6 lessons scheduled today!  That's a lot for how cold and snowy it is.  It was fun though, and I gave good ones.  I dropped off some dry cleaning and also had a session with Judy in which she was very happy with my progress in all areas of my life.  The next goal is to keep the presence in more challenging moments.  And I will.  I also had to look around for some new tires for my car.  They are balder than my head!

That search lead me to today's new thing.  I decided to engage people at the different places I went, the dry cleaner and two tire stores, in conversation.  I just decided to be nice and talkative.  So I talked to Adam at the dry cleaner about the weather and Michigan....and is there any more that needs to be said about the weather?  Haha.  At Belle tire, I talked to Sean and joked around a little with him and talked tires (I pretended a little because I don't know anything about tires of course).  At Discount Tires, I connected with Dave, who I found out was a really nice guy and had nice manners, and did a nice job of explaining what they did and what charges were for what services.

All in all though, I feel like I made enough of a connection with each of those guys, and in the event I go back, I'll be able to engage more.  And that is nice.  Not to mention it may pay off in that they do me a favor some time!  It's pretty amazing what happens if you're just approachable and friendly.  People reach out and try to help and want to be your friend.  

I guess this is a simple and obvious lesson for most of you, but, like with many things, it's taken me 37 years to figure out!  Better late than never though.

And btw, I am liking "Melonhead, Inc." or "Melonhead Hats and Accessories" or "Gabaan Headwear" or "Gabaan Headwear and Accessories" or "Gabaan, Inc." so far for company names.  Feel free to post your thoughts.

Gonna go run now, see ya!  Like the new fedoras?

Being a little silly, a little stupid

Wednesday, March 5.  Hey everyone!  Hope all is well.  Another good day, it's getting boring!  Just kidding.  Today I got some good work and thinking done with the fedora stuff.  I've got to get some sketches, design lines, a company name, and a logo before I go to Thailand.  Bit by bit it's coming together.  Having fun with it.  Lots of excitement.  

I also went to the University to get a couple of official transcripts for my MBA applications that I'm completing.  I will be applying to U of Michigan, Eastern Michigan U, and Walsh College.  I've already finished the one for Walsh and am about halfway through the other two.  In April I'll take the GMAT again and then I'll be good to go.  I hope that I get into UM but I'll take whatever I get.  It should be something that helps in some way with the businesses that I'll be running!

The new thing for the day today happened at the mall.  I actually went shopping with Paula today (no jeers, no comments, no worries, ok everyone?), and decided to ask the sales girl if it would be ok if I could smoke in the GAP.  It was actually kind of funny because I tried to be serious as long as I could and she, being a young girl, didn't quite know what to say.  After I told her I was just kidding, she loosened up and said that she wished she could have one too!

Anyway, big or small, I'm beginning to feel differently in trying to do all the things I'm doing.  I'm much more confident and much less scared and embarrassed.  I think that as time goes on, I'll do bolder things from this base of confidence and not caring that I'm building up right now.  I will keep it up!  It's been a month and a half now, so 18 more weeks of new things.  I'll have to get more and more creative, but I'll get it done!

Good day, good night all.  Til we talk tomorrow!

And keep sending ideas for things to do and for names of my fedora company!  I welcome them all and will actually do stuff if you suggest something reasonable for me to do!  Later.

Being my own man

Tuesday, March 4.  Today was fun.  I will keep it short and not get too personal and not bore you with details.  But today, with peace and stillness in my heart, I made a decision to make bold decisions, move forward with my dreams and desires, have personal responsibility for them, and go forward with no fear.

This applies to my personal, professional, and life dreams and goals.  I feel good and strong.  I feel like I could do anything right now!  And I promise I'm not on drugs!  Haha.  It's all coming from deep inside of me and it true and real.  I'm gonna do some great things and I know I have all of your support behind me, and it's gonna happen for me brothers and sisters!  It took me 37 years of being a boy to see what it means to be a man.

Have a great night or day, smile and enjoy, and take advantage of all the opportunities that are in front of us every minute of every day!  Until tomorrow my friends.

Asking for a discount like dad

Monday, March 3.  Hey all!  Another great day.  I decided that I would go shopping today, one to look for a new suit (who couldn't use a new suit, especially if you teach golf, right?), and two to take a look at what's out there as far as fedoras.  So off I went to Twelve Oaks Mall, specifically Nordstrom's because it's the best department store for sure.

Found some nice fabric to make suits but so expensive!  $1400 and up!  I better go to Thailand to cut one.  Cheaper and better fitting!  By the way, I think I'm going to make a trip to Thailand so that I can get more hands on with the hat business.  I gotta get it going.  I'll keep you posted as to when I might go.  It'll be soon because I want to go before golf gets too busy.

Bought two COOL fedoras though, and they'll be arriving by mail on Wednesday hopefully.  They are exactly what I'm looking for as far as shape and design.  I'll post pictures when I get them.  I'm getting super amped about it!

Lastly, for the new thing today, I thought I'd ask for a discount at a store I have no business asking for one, Banana Republic.  I found a nice sport coat on sale.  After trying it on and asking two sales people if it fit right, I just outright asked for more money off on it.  I tried to negotiate and say the right things.  A little more diplomatically than my dad would be.  Alas they said no, but I did get them to think about it!  Maybe my next task will be to actually get a discount on something for no reason, or to get them to throw some free stuff with it.  Anyway, it was fun trying and I got a nice sport coat anyway!

Peace to all of you.  Have a good night or day wherever you are, I'm going bowling!  See ya!

The guitar and frustration

Sunday, March 2.  Today was an interesting day.  Had lessons in the morning and afternoon.  Great students again, and good energy from me again.  Those are good things.  I am fortunate to have the job I have.  There are surely worse things I could be doing!  Later on I went running and was able to run 3 and a half miles in 40 minutes, well on my way to 5 miles in 45 minutes, which is my goal for the race at the end of the month.  Chilled out later on my own, had dinner and some tv time.

Today was also interesting because I had the first relapse of sorts into some negative thoughts and emotions.  But unlike in the recent past, I was able to handle the frustration and emotions, which were quite strong, all on my own and get to a good place.  Attachment and resistance are persistent things.  They are what they are though, and I'll let them be when they come.

My new thing for the day was to bring out the guitar.  Seven or eight years ago I taught myself to play "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton without any lessons or previous guitar experience.  Couldn't even read music.  Then I stopped.  Today I actually brought out the book and learned three chords, A, D and E.  Strummed them each a few times then stopped because it rips the crap out of your fingertips if you don't play often.  The goal is to learn some more chords, learn to read music, then play songs that I like.  That's all.  I'm excited about it.

Lastly for all my readers, I need a name for my hat/fedora/apparel company.  I am taking suggestions.  I got one yesterday from an anonymous reader....Coop.  Yes, that is the nickname I was given yesterday.  Not bad.  It is definitely on the list.  So please send all ideas for cool names and post them.  The more the better.  I've been thinking about it constantly too and we'll have a name soon.

Thanks all.  Peace, enjoy life, smile and laugh and love those you love!

A nickname and new experiences

Saturday, March 1.  Hello everyone.  I hope you are all doing well and happy today!  I have had another good day.  I taught a lot today, and had lots of positive energy all day.  I also started the golf flexibility exercise program in earnest.  Not difficult, but good and took a lot longer than I thought.  I'm going to commit to trying to do it 3 times a week in addition to my running.  That way in 3 weeks or so I'll get a new set of exercises to do.  I'm really going to see if I can get my numbers to be better and if that improves my golf.

I've been asking all around me for quite a while for a cool nickname.  No one could ever come up with one (that wasn't stupid), but today Jeff at work called me "Coop" because of my fedora.  I kinda liked it, so I proceeded to tell everyone at work that I would no longer answer to "Tom" and needed to be called "Coop."  We'll see how long that lasts.  So that's my new thing for the day.  Getting a nickname.  Not the most exciting thing, but new nonetheless.

Otherwise I'm doing all right.  Still writing quite a bit, drawing some (or at least getting some good ideas for drawings), and just sitting quietly with myself.  Kelly did come over to watch a movie with me tonight, which was nice.  Rosemary's Baby.  Weird.  Never saw it before, which I guess is another first!

It is a strange, magical thing to be able to sit and watch all of the thoughts and emotions that arise from them from a distance outside of my head.  I'm getting more skilled at it, and more skilled at facing those thoughts and emotions like a parent watching over a child.  The thoughts and emotions, like the child, don't know any better sometimes, and just go a little nutty.  Being able to watch them, and even smile at them, creates peace and stillness in me.  That is the magic.  I'm acknowledging my spirit, and letting the noise be the noise.

Smiles to all and a nice night or day to you!  I'm excited tomorrow and all the good things that will happen for me, and for you all.  Peace til then.