The two little boys had their annual physicals at the pediatrician's office yesterday. Since we travel more than an hour to get there, and because we don't go to the city very often, we made a day of it.
We took a packet boat ride on the canal, ate lunch at The Coal Tower and enjoyed artisan gelato...two flavors to a bowl and oodles of samples. It was a delicious day!
I interviewed this morning at a county agency funded by state dollars. The agency provides leadership...that means direction, oversight, and relationship building. High level stuff.
I'd consider the interview an epic failure.
I had a really hard time relating to the Executive Director. Her questions were very specific, so I focused too much on hands-on "stuff."
I asked the "do you promote abortion?" question to which she replied that the agency networks with providers who perform legal medical procedures.
I've spent so many years being told that I'm over qualified that I didn't promote myself nearly enough. I failed to ask about the salary and benefits.
She did keep me for a good hour. Time to write the thank you note.
Today the Tibetan monks who were visiting our campus swept up the sand painting they had created.
There was a beautiful ceremony prior to the destruction if the mandala. I recorded the singing on video so that I might revisit the moment later.
Why do we try so hard to capture these moments on video and film?
There's no question... I couldn't capture it all...the faces staring down from office windows around the forum, the little girl covering her ears, the way the voices fill the space...
I've been thinking a lot about the intrusion of cameras this week, as I've observed the crowds snapping photos all around the monks. The college even arranged for a web cam and a video feed...virtually every grain of sand was filmed as it fell.
Can I be fully present while I fumble to focus my camera? Are photos a form of materialism? Has the practice of taking pictures improved our lives or impoverished our relationships and memories?
BTW, the monks had cameras too...they employed folks around them to take pictures.
We've had our Great Pyranees pup for more than a month now. Indeed, he has a long way to go with regards to training, and he smells like the barn, but I think its safe to say, "he's a keeper."
I love to watch him play, from the time we walk each morning until he goes back to guard the sheep at night. He runs from tulip to dandelion, sniffing and pawing, and he's distracted by every bird call.
He thinks that a plastic bag is a great treasure, pulling it to a remote location in case the old dog should think to steal it away.
That would never happen...the old dog is so over plastic bags and toys.
"Achilles" is mischievous. He has a devilish look when he looks up onto the counter at people food or latches onto the tail of poor old "Clifford" who then swings him around a few times.
Oh to play like a puppy.
