Update

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 Once upon a time , someone asked me if I would be happy working a job that was not at the university. Since my position at the university closed in 2020, I found myself doing exactly that— working in jobs not at the university. It has been a very difficult transition.  Recently, things shifted quickly and in unexpected ways. The short version is that I am leaving the hotel which I am currently working, having taken a position at another.  The longer version of the story is that I stopped by to see my good friend and former GM at his new hotel. While I was visiting with him, one of the owners came out and introduced himself and we got to talking. After a few minutes, he said he wanted me to meet his brother. Our conversation turned into a job interview and 48 hours later I accepted a new position as front desk, manager and assistant operations manager. After some negotiating, we reached an agreement and I start my new position on April 9. It’s a much nicer hotel and these...

"The Garden" by Rush

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Recently while standing at a graveside, this song came to mind and I can't help but share it here.


"Long ago I read a story from another timeline about a character named Candide [written in 1759]. He also survived a harrowing series of misadventures and tragedies, then settled on a farm near Constantinople. Listening to a philosophical rant, Candide replied, 'That is all very well, but now we must tend our garden.' I have now arrived at that point in my own story. There is a metaphorical garden in the acts and attitudes of a person's life, and the treasures of that garden are love and respect. I have come to realize that the gathering of love and respect - from others and for myself - has been the real quest of my life. 'Now we must tend our garden.'" 

Neil Peart, from the album "Clockwork Angels" (2012).

Note: the lines in the song "the arrow flies" speaks of death's arrow that comes to every person. But just as the old saying goes, "just because death smiles on every man does not mean that a man cannot smile back." 

Make the most of the time you have because life is only a moment. 

"The future disappears into memory
With only a moment between
Forever dwells in that moment
Hope is what remains to be seen"

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