My Redress for Slacking Off

I am remiss on blogging of late. Life's been keeping me too occupied to routinely update. I received a tweet from an acquaintance across the pond that prompted me to the need for a new post. Admittedly, I've slacked because this hobby has been tabled in pursuit of those of an outdoor nature. C'mon, would you want to be sitting at a desk, when you could be outside with the sunshine on your face and the wind to your back?

So, that being said. I will prioritize a new post within the next few days. Hopefully that will keep the natives from getting too restless!

Avgeek Origins

You've not seen a tree until you've seen it's shadow from the sky. -Amelia Earhart

Ms. Earhart's simple, yet profound quote encapsulates a lifestyle that a number of us live and breath on a daily, if not hourly basis. I'm not a pilot, but a few months ago I flew a friend's high-wing beauty, a Cessna Skyhawk around the Susquehanna & Cumberland Valleys and for a few hours first-hand lived what Earhart's quote expresses. It's one thing to be passenger on a plane, it's a completely different animal to pilot one.

Since I am not a pilot, I consider my career the next best thing to indulging in my avgeek proclivities! I am convinced that working at an airport is not for the faint of heart. The sheer excitement of being in the constant presence of those big metal birds is enough to make my heart burst within the confines of its thoracic cavity. Seriously, if you think aviation is only for the birds, you're missing out!

For those not familiar with the term avgeek, in short it's someone delighted, enamored, okay, okay...let's be honest, down right obsessed with all things aviation. In other words, an aviation geek. Avgeek, get it? My initiation into the avgeek community didn't commence with my career at @HIAairport. In fact, I'm about to admittedly date myself and cop to the fact that when I was 8 in 1988, I fell in love with aviation and big metal birds when I boarded my first-ever flight, destined for Detroit. It's been nonstop avgeekiness (Disclaimer: I am quite comfortable coining new terms) ever since.

My avgeek affliction is so bad that I must hearken back to earlier Levity and Irony posted at the turn of 2010. I mentioned that I fully intended to eliminate my squirrel moments from my repertoire. I should come clean and admit that a plane flying overhead within earshot of yours truly is my last lingering, squirrel moment stronghold. So much so, that I fully believe it impossible for me to refrain!

Are you a member of the avgeek tribe? When were you indoctrinated?

Philosophy of Twitter Handles

What's in a name? Apparently quite a bit.

I informally polled tweeps following my @airport_girl Twitter account and received a plethora of answers. Firstly, I'll dissect my handle for those not formally acquainted with me. I work for an airport, and possess a profound interest, boarding on obsession; alright, I'll admit, I am a downright aviation geek. The second half of my handle, is obvious, at least I think it is, since I am of the female persuasion.

The folks responding to my polling seemed to be equally split down the middle on what is the best practice for choosing a Twitter handle (screen name). My interpretation of the split is this: if you're looking to make a name for yourself, build your personal brand, or be completely transparent; the rule of thumb recommended is that your handle ought to be your name. On the other side of the coin, is this: if you're attempting to build a name for your company or enterprise, you're not necessarily wanting people to remember your name, or in my case, you like "kitschy" handles; picking adverbs, adjectives, company/organization/enterprise names, descriptors; basically anything else that isn't your birth given nomenclature is a-okay.

I actually tweet for two Twitter accounts. I began professionally tweeting for my employer in later 2008, @HIAairport, in order to build an online voice for the company. The resultant relationships and tweeting communities I was building and discovering through the professional account led me to create my personal account. And, it is strictly that, a personal tweet feed, admittedly at times it's my stream of consciousness feed. Depends on the day and how little caffeine I've consumed!

So, what are your thoughts on the matter. What was the impetus behind the Twitter handle you've elected? Did it have a grand overarching philosophy, or did you simply just want to go where everyone knows your name?

Birth of a Resolution

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors,
and let each new year find you a better man.
-Benjamin Franklin

January rolled in 3 days ago; and with it came the gambit of New Year's resolutions elected by innumerable persons worldwide. Pick your poison...I'm sure I've missed a few types.

• Lose weight.
• Pay off debt.
• Break that bad habit.
• Work harder.
• Reduce stress.
  
• Think smarter.
• Be better.

Ever stop and wonder from where the tradition of picking a New Year's resolution originated? Four centuries ago. Babylonians observed vernal and autumnal equinoxes and resolved to pay off debts and returned borrowed goods. Next, Roman culture adopted the tradition by resolving good behavior to a god named Janus. Janus, eh? Hmm, now we can deduce where the month of January got it's name; for you see, Janus was the god of beginnings and endings. January of course, marks the fin of one year and the commencement of the next. However, I digress. Focus, Stef, focus.

Does this give you a clue as to what my resolution for 2010 may be? Try this on for size. I have resolved to become more purposeful, intentional and internally disciplined in my approach to life. I resolve to reduce among other things; my 'Squirrel!' moments, my ellipses projects, reduce the number of distractions in my world, in hope of increasing the quality of my interactions with others. These are my tactics, my strategy is quite complex and intimate, so while this may seem vague and without much scope; that fact you see, is intentionally so.

Are you resolved? What will you do to make sure you're actually improving the quality of your life in 2010, or improving the quality of the lives of those you hold dear? Is that resolution of yours strategic and life-altering; are you committed to it? Or, is it merely a vague thought that you suppose you may get to one of these next 362 days? I challenge you to not be a member of the 35% of our population that will fore go their resolution before they even implement it.

Snow Day!

My preamble...It's been two months since my last post? Ugh, the agony of defeat. I promised myself when I initiated this blog, that I'd be intentional and committed to posting content on a regular basis. While I have not much of consequence to blather on about, I do enjoy having a small niche on the Interweb to raise my flag.

Today I opine on the this confounded fluffy white crap that's smothering the formerly verdant blades of my lawn. I enjoy listening to everyone's sordid musings and revelry in the beauty of it all. That facet is not lost on yours truly. However, have snow paramours stopped to consider exactly how blustery and cold it is? Or how back-breaking repeated stooping, scooping and throwing of the powder can be? Oh my word, I am making myself sound like a grouchy old woman.

Eh, needless to say... I'll let you in on my confidences. I really do enjoy snow-bound activities...sledding, cross-country skiing, making a snowman and creating snow angels. I adore how a dry, dead wintry landscape can be pristinely transformed in a matter of hours after a fresh snowfall. I revel in pulling on as many layers as I can find to bundle in, before heading outside to shovel. Plain and simple, it's just fun.

I leave you with this image...two pups, barely tipping the scales at 12 lbs each, running headlong into a snow bank to the point of disappearing up to their tails. Now, that's Norman Rockwell charm.

An Elementary Treatise to Yours Truly...

Loosely translated, allow me to introduce myself.

My introductory post.
It will not be the consummate espousal of all my opinion on the world around me. Instead, I will use this opportunity to say 'hi'! I cannot promise you that my blog will be an enlightening, nor a post-modern experience, but I assure you that I will do my best to fashion it in a way that makes it almost enjoyable to peruse.

So, in a nutshell, bear with me as I develop this. Your feedback is certainly welcome.

Disclaimer: If I ruffle your feathers, I apologize in advance. You've been forewarned, snarkiness to ensue.