The Blog Less Traveled

There’s a little saying that most people are familiar with that goes something like this: “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” In a certain context, I can completely agree with the sentiment. Don’t get so hung up and bothered by meaningless little things that don’t really matter in the long-term scheme of things. However, I’d like to put forth the equally valid proposition that you really should sweat the small stuff. Let me give you a recent example. There were a few guys sitting at a table having a normal conversation. I noticed one of the wives came over and looked in her husband’s cup and saw that his drink was almost empty. She took it, went and got a refill and put it back on the table for him. There was no acknowledgement whatsoever for what she had done. Not a simple “thanks”, nod, wink or anything. He definitely saw her do it, yet he didn’t have the simple courtesy to say thanks. It wasn’t any big inconvenience on the wife’s part – just a simple gesture of affection/caring. This is the little stuff that you should be sweating. I don’t think there was any underlying expectation of the deed on her part. However, I can’t help but think that these little things will eventually build up and become the “big” stuff down the road.

I think we could all learn to be a little more appreciative of our friends and loved ones. I’m certainly no saint in this regard and could improve some myself. I think I’ve let some things slide over the years until they became bigger than they needed to be. I’m still a work in progress – hopefully I’ll get better. I do have a lot of things to be appreciative about. First and foremost, there’s my family. I’ve got the best wife and daughter – this year has really proven that to me. I’ve got some great friends and relatives, too. We’re all healthy and hope to stay that way. We’re all looking forward to a great 2010.

Happy New Year everyone!

A kid asks his father for help on a writing assignment. “Dad, can you tell me the difference between potential and reality?”

His father looks up thoughtfully and says, “I’ll demonstrate. Go ask your mother if she would sleep with Robert Redford for a million dollars. Then go ask your sister if she would sleep with Brad Pitt for a million dollars. Come back and tell me what you’ve learned.”

The kid is puzzled, but asks his mother. “Mom, if someone gave you a million dollars, would you sleep with Robert Redford?”

“Don’t tell your father, but, yes, I would.”

He then goes to his sister’s room. “Sis, if someone gave you a million dollars, would you sleep with Brad Pitt?”

She replies, “Omigod! Definitely!”

The kid goes back to his father. “Dad, I think I’ve figured it out. Potentially, we are sitting on $2 million bucks, but in reality, we’re living with two sluts.”

Well, Navy did it again. They beat Army today 17-3 in their annual football series. This is the third straight year they’ve kept them from scoring a touchdown. This is also the eighth straight year they’ve beaten Army. They now lead the series 54–49–7. Go Midshipmen!

Four guys spend weeks planning the perfect football outing for an away game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.

Two days before the group is to leave, Frank’s wife puts her foot down and tells him he isn’t going. Frank’s friends are very upset that he can’t go, but what can they do.

Two days later the three get to the stadium site only to find Frank sitting in his seat with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other.

“Damn man, how long you been here and how did you talk your wife into letting you go?”

“Well, I’ve been here since yesterday. Yesterday evening I was sitting in my chair and my wife came up behind me and put her hands over my eyes and said ‘guess who’?”

I pulled her hands off and she was wearing a brand new see-through nightie. She took my hand and took me to our bedroom. The room had two dozen candles and rose petals all over. On the bed she had handcuffs and ropes! She told me to tie and cuff her to the bed, and I did. And then she said “Do whatever you want.”

So here I am.