Oprah, it's my airplane!

Worse than the fact that our President boogied to Denmark to bring gymnastics to Chicago while Iran is building nukes faster than Dunkin Donuts can brew the coffee, while my neighbors are in harms way in Afghanistan, while Americans are losing jobs faster than anticipated, and while decisions about our health care are being made in Washington, is what I heard Oprah say on TV yesterday. She commented on the fall out that has overcome the President for this trip to Denmark and said something to the effect of, "come on people, " don't you know that he can do anything on Air Force One; he can do anything on "his plane!" Now, she was trying to convey that business doesn't stop for the President of the United States while he is on a flight, so in effect, going to Denmark was just like being in the office on Pennsylvania Avenue. I buy that. After all, don't the rest of us work on planes, trains, busses, cars & the like. We are all 24/7 on cell phones & blackberries.

However, two things struck me. First, how does Oprah know what goes on, on Air force One? Did the Obama's give her a lift to Denmark for that infamous IOC pitch? If she wants to got to Denmark & pitch the Olympics for Chicago, all the power to her. But not on my dime. Not with my gas. Take your own plane, Oprah.

Second, her comment that emphasized "his plane" is what really hit below the belt. That's my plane Oprah. My hard earned money is what paid for that plane and the fuel to fire it up. It's not "his" plane. It's my plane and he is supposed to be working for me. Please remember that.

"Be Aggressive!"

This is where I went wrong in life. I wasn't aggressive enough. "Be aggressive" is what I heard on the sidelines today being shouted from the coach of the opposing team at my daughter's soccer game. He's the dad of one the girl's on the team - who we know and appears 'successful.' Maybe if I were more aggressive in life, I'd be more successful. Does aggression lead to success? While I want to be successful, do I have to be aggressive to get there? Neither me nor my husband are the aggressive type- nor are we satisfied with the 'success' in our lives, so maybe there is truth to correlating aggression with success. If men are more aggressive, and typically more successful, then yes, it must be true.

This soccer season has been harder for the kids- more practice time, more laps around the field, less down time. Therefore, they are not eager to sign up for spring soccer. They want a rest. Last week, I was ready to cave in. Today, not so fast. Now that I am seeing the relationship between being aggressive on the field and success, I want them to get dragged to that soccer field and play for success. It's great coaching - not for the soccer part, but for the rest of their life part.

3AM

Life is hard at 3AM. Every thing done wrong is illuminated when you awaken at 3 AM. For whatever reason, you can't sleep, can't rest, and can't come to terms with whatever is weighing heavily on your mind. For better or for worse, this is the way it is. Perhaps it's wiser to look at the 'better' part. It's a glimmer, but I think I'll choose that to ride on that tiny ray of hope.

At least if I made the mistake, I don't want my children to do the same. Maybe 3 AM is our minds way of coming to terms and figuring things out. Tossing & turning in the middle of the night is usually not good for any of us, yet it is the time that we seem to figure out which path to take next. So, let the journey begin.....