Bird on a Wire

Like a bird on a wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free. Like a fish on a hook Like a knight from an old fashioned book I have saved all my ribbons with thee. And if I have been unkind, I hope that you will just let it go by. And if I have been untrue I hope you know it was never to you. Like a baby stillborn. Like a beast with his horn, I have torn everyone who reached out for me. But I swear by this song By all I have done wrong I'll make it all up to you. I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch He called out to me " Don't ask for so much " And a young man leaning on his darkened door He cried out to me " Hey, why not ask for more "Like a bird on a wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free.

Auld Lang Syne

Dream as you have never have dreamt before. Love as you have never loved before. Give to others, yourself, and to those lost. Search, question, and seek new things, and along the way you shall find yourself. Receive graciously, and return in kindness. Respect yourself, and others will follow. Smile when you are mad, laugh when you are sad. Ring in 2009, and you should not forget the old acquaintance, for they may become the new friend that brings change to your mind.

Rail Etiquette, "The Only Way to Ride"

I am one who commutes to work via Metropolitan Rail. It amazes me that those to whom I commute with have not grasped the etiquette of rail commuting. There are some simple rules to follow; however, they never seem to be followed. So, I am going to play “Emily Post” and share with you the proper commuter train behavior.

· When getting on the train que up and wait your turn, we all will get on the train. I know we all have our favorite seats, but let us be civil about it. Allow women on first or those who need assistance. Once on the train, if you sit on the upper deck, sit every other seat. If the train is filling up, then fill all seats. Do not place your bags on the seats; they have baggage racks for those items.
· If you are traveling with children, please have your child or those in your care sit quietly. This should be always followed.
· When exiting the train, exit orderly; allow others in front t of you to exit first. If you are on the lower portion of the train, and you reach the stair case to the upper deck, allow those passengers off, it should be every other person.
· Please, no feet on the seats, if you drink and eat, take your garbage with you. This also applies to your newspapers.
· Please have your tickets and passes ready, especially on the upper deck. It is very disturbing to have someone on their cell phone or iPod and the Conductor is tapping his hole puncher on the base of the deck to get your attention.
· On the morning commute, from the earliest train until about 10am, do not talk loudly, or use the cell phone. This is time to gear up for the day and focus on work, or to get that extra well needed rest.
· Cell phones should be limited to quick conversations. We truly do not want to hear about Aunt Ida’s gallbladder surgery. Nor do we want to hear about your business dealings, save that for the office.
This is just the basics of commuter rail etiquette. If you follow these simple civilized rules your commute and those who travel with you will have a less stressful ride.

The path to the new/true me.

Map Toward Ourselves

Where have we lost ourselves? Where are we going? Where is that destination that we seek? Is it what we wear, is it what we drive, is it where we live, or is it who we are? We are defined by the labels that are given us, and labelled ourselves of what we want to be. Those tag that we are given drives us to that destination in which we look for ourselves; that long road of finding that inner being that is truly uniquely us. When we are lost, most of us stop and ask for directions. In life, when we are lost, we to need to stop and ask for directions. We need to find the answer within ourselves. Deep down we know that the direction we are in is the wrong one. Labels or not, we must stop and read the map of who we are, and put ourselves on a path toward that label that is only defined for that person, who is essentially ourself.

Who?

I wonder at times how other view us. I know that we portray ourselves as what we like people to see us as, but do they see us as that portrayal? Why are we afraid to be ourselves? I understand that past events shape us and how we react to the situations. But why do we allow that self awaking monment to shape us into the portait of what we want to be, and just be.

Where not to Shop?

I am writing this to share how I feel regarding Macy’s and Marshall Field’s. There are special places and people who come into our lives. These special places and people will always have memories and stories. Marshall Field’s was this great place; much like our grandparents we cherish them. However, like a loved ones they often go. We hold those memoires in our hearts and share them with our friends and loved ones. Marshall Field’s is gone, it will not return, as much as I would love it to come back. Like that grandparent, it shall live in our hearts. We need to focus our energy on telling Macy’s what kind of products and events we want. In a world that is uncertain, we need to support all businesses that are American. So many businesses are going under, and so many are out of work. Do we really want to do this to our neighbors? Lets make the best of this. Life moves forward and our memories will live forever. Lets change Macy’s here in Chicago to something that other Macy’s stores do not have, the heart and soul of Chicago.