random observation

I'm sitting here, starting on my 3rd cup of coffee and noticing that Isaac has probably only had 1 cup...maybe 2. But he tends to not finish his drink...sometimes because the temperature cools or because the bottom of the cup doesn't taste as well...or something like that.

I don't sip my coffee. I don't guzzle, but I drink every bit. The taste is growing on me and I'm starting to enjoy it more and more, but the primary reason I like coffee is the energy I feel after finishing the beverage. I mean, who knew caffeine had this AMAZING affect on me! I've been wasting my time drinking soda....too much time. I can't speak for Isaac, but I believe he enjoys the taste most and the lingering routine of the start of the day.

Our different approaches to coffee is similar to other things we do. He likes camping and long (Looooong) hikes for the sake of the experience and just being out in nature. I "like" ("like" may not be completely accurate) hiking and camping because of the challenge it presents....for the same reason I love marathons: to accomplish something difficult and prove to myself that I can fight my lazy tendencies.

In general, I look to the final product or end as I am doing things....Isaac seems to enjoy the process and is less concerned with the outcome. To be fair, he does care about the end, but I think his perspective allows him to be more flexible and open to a different ending....and enjoy the journey along the way.

All this to say, I think I need to start sipping my coffee.

assumptions

This morning, I went to Panera's rival, Atlanta Bread Company. I was hoping the coffee would be better...it is, I suppose, but lukewarm.

On another note, I've been learning that when I pull my computer out, people assume I'm fluent in computer-speak. This happened to me teaching, except all I had to do to impress other colleagues was do "fancy" things with Microsoft Word or find cool websites.

I just met this retired man who started up a conversation with me by saying, "So tell me what your computer can do." Then proceeded to ask me what he needs for his laptop to be wireless, yet for his desktop to be connected as well. This conversation went on longer than expected. I, of course, knew nothing, but he still seemed to think I might be of some help before heading next door to.....BEST BUY.

He was pretty chatty, telling me about his work with government and nuclear waste storage facilities....then proceeded with a few choice racist remarks about his trip to the Middle East.

After learning I had a friend who lived in that region of the world (Don't worry, I was very vague, my friend!), he asked me, "What are those people thinking?! I just can't imagine what goes through their heads to do the things they do....blah, blah..." LoLo, I wish you were here, but I think you would have been proud of me. Pretty much all I said was that both sides don't understand each other and have completely different methods of thinking. He paused, then said, "So who are you voting for?" I don't know, I say. "My wife is voting for that damned Hilary Clinton." Nice.

Sidenote: the guy, I thought, was on his way out...but I just looked to the other end of the restaruant, and he's looking over the shoulder of some guy with an Apple laptop. The poor guy even has his headphones on....clear message: LEAVE ME ALONE PLEASE...but Mr. Retirement has just sat down. =) But I just heard, "wireless router".....hey, I said that too!

On another sidenote, do I even notice the assumptions I make of others? Even the ones closest to me? I think I'm too focused on fixing the wrong assumptions others have of me to even notice my own erroneous thinking.

It's turning out to be a routine

I should be out running right now, but instead I'm at Panera: the newspaper, coffee, and free WiFi, . The coffee's not that good....warm, not hot and always out of the blend I like. But it's better than running in this humidity. At least that's my excuse.

I have never felt more like Isaac.

The scoop

Here's a rundown on our trip so far:
Hannah surrounded by Dora, watching Dora...


Downtown Augusta...home of James Brown:
(He was a little man!)


Visiting the gypsy community:
Bambi was very anxious and paranoid, so I had to be sneaky in taking pics. But this whole area had enormous homes with trailers behind them. Legend (or truth...depending on who's talking) has it that they won't move in their large homes for a year or so...so that the evil spirits will leave. Many of these "mansions" had their windows completely covered.
As you can tell, I'm a bit of a sceptic about all this, so I know I'm going to get reprimanded by my dear sister....so I may have to revise my comments. =)



Our lovely host and hostess.
I love you guys and am so glad we were able to come!


H at the Greenjackets game...a minor league for the Giants.


Fun in the sun at Hilton Head



Back in Augusta walking the path on the canal:

That's called the ocean

Well, we're in the midst of our vacation.....we drove to Georgia, are staying with my sister and her husband, and now Isaac is in Florida for his class while we are relaxing at Hilton Head.

Here are a few pics of Hannah's first time on the beach...I'll keep posting more.

conference week

He's gone...but I still made our morning coffee. It's just not the same without him.