Day 817: Lacking Focus

I hate to tell you… but I am totally burnt!  I am completely spent.  I’m working something like 60 to 70 hours a week over here.  I don’t think that’s healthy.  And I’m only two months in… two more to go before my first R&R.  Erg!


But, beyond work… I’m a to-do list-a-holic.  When I come home, I’m not simply kicking back in my smoking jacket watching movies… well… yes, I’m watching movies… but I’m a bit more obsessive compulsive than most of you may realize.  I have a hard time cutting myself a break… and I certainly have a hard time relaxing.  There is always something to do.


I’m cooking all of my own meals.  I’m starting to study Dutch in preparation of Paramaribo.  I’m also studying for a couple computer certifications I want to get.  I’m writing a book… organizing my iTunes library… writing the blog… designing a website… the list goes on and on… not that any of these things are necessary… but I just have a hard time sitting still… so I might as well use this time on my own productively and better myself… Serena doesn’t get a break, why should I?


But, I have been so unfocused and frazzled lately.  I haven’t even had time to finish this month’s family video!


I’ll get there though… I’ll push through.


Don’t worry about me… just be willing to put up with a little more randomness while I regroup a little longer.


By God!  I will finish ‘The Chair’!

Day 816: To Twitter or Not To Twitter

Twitter?  Well… all the kids are going it… so why not?  I’m so long winded all the time it’ll be interesting to see what I can do with only 140 characters.


My first post:


‘Hmmm… the Chilean miner rescue drinking game isn’t nearly as fun as I thought it was going to be.’


Check it out @schutzhappens


What the heck does that even mean?

Day 815: Dear Santa

Okay, I have to take a moment and brag on my son Grayson.  He’s just such an incredible kid and I am terrible proud of him.  He wrote his first ever letter to Santa!

Translation:

"Dear Santa, I would like a Light Saber, and Star Wars Spaceship, and a trampoline."

Dude!  My kid wants the Millennium Falcon!

Day 814: Yes

I received this the other day as a response to my call for followers.  It totally made my day.

Day 813: Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day

‘Celebrate October 11th with Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day! While some may think you are just totally crazy, your Teddy Bear will likely thank you for it. October 11th has been set aside for the world to show appreciation for their Teddy Bears. Coworkers can meet your bear and introduce you to theirs.’


Travesty!  Not only did I forget to pack my teddy bear… BUT, ‘Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day’ fell on ‘Columbus Day’ this year!  Oh, the humanity!  A lost Spaniard takes precedence over my sweet adorable Honey Jo Bear???  I called him Jo for short.


Jo was awesome… I took him everywhere… he even went to Hawaii with me!  He was cuddly AND a snappy dresser.

I’m sure Jo would be very proud if he could see the man I’ve become.  But… well… I have a confession.  I didn’t forget to pack Jo… we would have totally rocked Pakistan together… and Lord knows I could use a hug.  No, I lost Jo a long time ago.  I think I left him at a sleep over and never got him back… I can’t remember.  I think this is why ‘Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day’ makes me so sad.  I shared so much of my life with Jo… and now?  Well, he’s just a distant memory.


My parents gave him to me for Christmas when I was very young… and for many years we were inseparable… and then, ‘poof, like Keyser Soze, he was gone.”  I wonder if he’ll ever find his way home… maybe this Christmas will be the year we’ll be reunited… I think I saw him on eBay (hint, hint!)


Anyway, Teddy Bears are very special.  I gave Grayson a new Teddy Bear on his first day in Washington, DC after we joined the Foreign Service… I figured he could use a travel buddy.  Grayson named him Jo-Jo and they are inseparable… just like I was with Jo… and that’s awesome.

Day 812: Pet Peeve Week

Okay… so it’s pet peeve week and need to have a little chat with all the guys out there.  Now, I’m pretty sure at some point in your life a woman has approached this subject with you… your mother, wife, girlfriend… who ever… but frankly, I don’t think you were paying attention… so it’s time for a peer to peer, man to man intervention.


If you have a problem aiming.  You have two options:


1.  Lift the seat.
2. Take a little toilet paper and clean up after yourself when you finish.


These are your only two option from here on out.  Because when I have a case of the Pakistan’s, it’s not my job.


Thank you,


Goodnight.

Day 811: What is Your Favorite Part of SchutzHappen?

Those of you who actually read SchutzHappens on the site itself, rather than utilizing RSS feeds, have probably noticed the poll I added to the right hand side of the screen last week.


After rambling a for the last two years I am genuinely interested in knowing what you all like about SchutzHappens.  So, I am posing a very simple question:


What is your favorite part of SchutzHappens?


•Hearing about Traveling and Life in the Foreign Service
•Stories about Family and Fatherhood
•JP’s Obsession with Movies and Television
•Observation of Strange Holidays
•Epically Long Stories that Never Get to the Point
•Wacky Websites and Videos
•The Sheer Randomness of it All!


So please, give me some feedback… check as many boxes as you like.  The poll will stay open until the end of the years (closing on my Birthday).  


Tell me what you think!