A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Life

30 Minus 2 Days of Writing: Little things (19/28)

Life is full of curve balls. 

When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade. 

Don’t stress about life too much, you’ll never make it out alive. 

Life sucks. Then you die. 

There are hundreds — if not thousands — of sayings about life. A lot of them try to give you a good grip on what life really is about and how one should take a look at the bigger picture. If you’re a regular reader of this blog — or just have been stopping because of this challenge — you likely know my current status and how I’ve been trying to dig myself out.

I don’t want to repeat everything, so if you don’t know and are curious, see this post I wrote earlier in this challenge.

Anyway…

When you look at the bigger picture about life and how things can go up and down, you really need to focus, as well, on the little things. Because, in all reality, it’s the little things that make life truly bearable.

Life is full of little things to enjoy — such as going out for a pint of the black stuff with family or friends.

The big things — making a major purchase, going on a big vacation, other huge life events — are great. And they take part in shaping who you are. But at the same time, they are often one-time happenings (or rare if done more than once). So as nice as it is to have these situations, the reality is they are things to look forward or backward on.

It’s the little things, however, that really make life worth living.

I was truly reminded of this during a Saturday night photo outing in the Albany area.

After spending a while at the Empire State Plaza, we went to a local Dunkin’ Donuts for a quick bite. We decided to check one more place out as I had hoped it would give us a good place for some shots. The area is a waterfront park on the Hudson River. They’ve built it up nicely with some walkways, some nice views and a small building. I believe the building houses a few bathrooms and an office for summer tours.

When we pulled up, I saw a homeless person sleeping in one of the doorways. All bundled up and with a stroller of sorts, filled with some of her items. We backed away and took a different sidewalk in, so as not to disturb the person. It was, after all, about 10 p.m. or so and we didn’t want to scare her or anything like that.

It made me reflect on things. Despite having no job, no income and having to raid what I have left of a retirement account to pay bills, I reminded myself of a few things: I have a roof over my head, the ability to eat, the technology to keep looking for work and family and friends who have gone beyond what they should have to do to help me out at times.

Playing a little disc golf is another little thing in life that makes me smile.

I’ve stayed current with bills so my credit number doesn’t take a full nosedive and, for the most part, I’ve remained as positive as possible in this situation.

There are many people in this country who have it way worse than I do. In a day and age when politicians make oodles of money to make awful decisions, professional athletes make more in a year than many people will make in a lifetime, and countless amounts of money is dumped into worrying about things in other countries more than our own, I realize — for now — I’m actually OK in a way.

I remind myself of the little things, such as the following:

  • Being able to have a beer with a friend
  • Being able to brew my own beer!
  • Going out and finding a geocache
  • Going for a walk or a bike ride
  • Taking a photograph
  • Playing a round of disc golf
  • Reading a good book

These are all little things in life. Everyday occurrences that can make one smile or be happy to be alive.

And, unfortunately, some people aren’t in the situation to be able to enjoy the little things. It’s my hope, one day, when I get back on my feet that I can find a way to help people who have it worse than me. And  as much as I would love to help people in other countries, I’d really like to give back to my country because I am proud of who I am and where I’m from.

Everybody should have the ability to enjoy the little things. I realize that isn’t always going to be possible, and that’s a shame.

But it makes me reflect. And it makes me appreciate what I do have. And it makes me continue to fight to get ahead again, so one day I can hopefully give back.

Maybe then, the little things will make others happy, too.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Smiles come from little things

This is going to be a quick post today.

I know I haven’t had anything up the past few days. Struggling for the want to write lately and coming up with ideas has been tough. I’m trying to avoid talking about the job stuff as it’s depressing at times.

Today was supposed to be me doing a Foto Friday on this month’s 12 of 12 challenge, which I did for the first time in many months. Alas, I forgot my battery for my camera on the 12th and did it all via Instagram. However, it seems Instagram photos are hiding somewhere else on my phone, because I can’t seem to find them! Maybe I’ll figure it out and have it for next week.

But I digress…

I’ve come to the firm conclusion that, despite my current situation, there are many others who are way worse than I am. Still, to battle being depressed about things, I look for the simple things.

Like a meteor shower.

As I write this, the Geminid Meteor Shower 2012 is going on throughout space. It’s something else. Many times these things happen and it will be too cloudy to see things.

But, despite it being 20 degrees out, I decided to step outside and check it out. I didn’t stay out for long — maybe 10 minutes — but I was hoping to see something.

With or without a “shooting star,” it was pretty amazing out. With an incredible clear sky and the smell of smoke coming from chimneys filling the air, it was an incredible night out.

On nights like this, you can take a deep breath and really have a chance to feel the crisp air go through your lungs. It’s quite refreshing.

In the time I stood outside staring at the sky, I saw two meteors. It’s pretty cool to see them zipping across the sky. I stuck it out a bit more before the cold took over and I decided to head inside.

These are the types of little things we, as a culture and society, need to embrace more. It’s hard to think about all that’s bad in this world when you get looking at something so amazing.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Saved by a settlement

Summoned!

Ever since I was a little one, I always thought it would be cool to serve on a jury.

To be one of those people that had to listen to a trial so intently … learn the facts, get each side of the story and do my civic duty as a citizen of the United States of America. After the trial, head into the room and discuss a person’s fate, whether good or bad.

It is, after all, part of our legal system. A jury of one’s peers and all.

But, I knew at  a young age it would be hard for me to become a juror. My father was a cop and, as I grew older, I worked in the media. Those are two things that seemed to get people axed off the prospective juror setup pretty quickly.

I didn’t need to use this!

So, recently, I received a questionnaire to be a prospective juror in the ol’ system. Again, I didn’t think much of it as I’ve done this before and got wiped.

Then I received what you see at the top of the page.

Crap!

See, this is all good during normal life. You have an income. A job will normally allow you this civic responsibility. But I’m coming to the end of having unemployment insurance and my days are spent applying for whatever jobs I can find in the hopes of getting something by the time it ends. And spending eight hours or more at a courthouse would be extremely tough.

I have a lot on my mind as it is — imagine adding the responsibility of having to decide the fate of another human being?

Ugh.

Still, I came to the realization that I would have to do what I needed to do. If that meant jury duty during the day and job applications at night, so be it.

I didn’t file for a deferment because, honestly, it would have been silly. I figured let the chips fall where they may and I’ll deal with it accordingly.

Then came Monday. I had to call in to the system to see what the deal was. I waited a little bit, but when I called, I still got a busy signal twice! When I finally got through, I heard the magical phrase — I didn’t have to show up because the trial had been settled.

Score!

Look, I still — one day — want to serve on a jury. I think we, as Americans, should want to actively participate in the legal system. But I also know there are good times and bad times. This one was bad. And I’m thankful I could keep my focus in the one spot it truly needed to be on.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!