The Rake Magazine

Author: Melinda Jacobs

  • Dancing and Double Axels Downtown

    I promised this story about my years as a figure skater awhile back, but I wasn’t ready to fall on my ass -again- until I knew in my heart it was time. I could write a book on my years of experiences as a figure skater but from the looks of things as they stand now…I will blog instead.

    Last night my daughter, her friend and I went into Downtown Mpls for our ballet class at Zenon Dance School. Bear with me because the juices are flowing here…

    Downtown Mpls has always given me so much energy that this former figure skater was in no need of caffeine or any other beverage to give me liquid courage.

    I fly when I am on energy (naturally) which is why I was leaping down Nicollet Mall past (our lovable Jason DeRusha’s TV station) WCCO. Yes, there were looks of disgust from the yuppies that were having happy hour while enjoying the beautiful patios that grace the mall, but I didn’t care. I was on my way to dance class.

    When I arrived at Zenon, which is located in the Hennepin Center for the Arts Building, I was feeling that same feeling I used to when I would warm- up before a competition: Excited, sick to my stomach and happy all at the same time.

    Last night was not a competition of any kind, but it was nerve racking to me because I was about to dance not only in front of my daughter and her friend, but also in a group with total strangers that were of all age groups.

    You can think what you want, but wearing tights and moving your body into awkward positions in front of complete strangers is still really awkward for me.

    Why? Well first of all, I am a "lefty" which means that since I was a little girl my coaches informed me that my body moves naturally in the opposite way of pretty much everyone else, including my skating peers.

    For those skating enthusiasts, that means when you see everyone warming up at skating events –skating one direction, jumping one direction, and spinning one direction– you would fine me skating, spinning, and jumping in the opposite direction. Being a "lefty" was hard for this reason…I had to fight my way for 15 years, trying to use the portion of the ice rink that I needed to skate– at the same time everyone else was lining up for their turn to practice double axels.

    Yes sir indeed, that last jump I was able to land (cleanly and consistently) was a Double Axel.

    I was able to land a few Triple Toe Loop jumps but I would be stretching the truth if I said that I had perfected a jump that at the time seemed like a big deal but is now— done a lot in skating competitions.

     

    So tonight, as I stretch in my office and get ready to go back to class and attempt to share the floor with the other dancers, I am going to try to let go of the years of repression that have been holding me back from the one thing I fell head over heels, mind over body, music over talking– in love with.

    Skating.

     

  • Bruno Making His Rounds

    Okay, so the above pic is not Bruno, but is the same (Morkie) breed. Could be a cousin. Or future ladyfriend?

    Yes it’s true: I am obsessed with Bruno the new family dog but not
    for the reasons you may think…At first the house seemed calm and picture-like.

    Well that was last week. Now….not so much. Our new, little under-2 lb. Morkie is driving me crazy…After realizing that I have a job that requires me to be at an office and not playing at home–there was no choice today. Bruno was coming to work with me, his Grandma.

    Don’t get me wrong: After we dropped off his Mom at her work
    the car ride was fine. That is until his Mom got out of the car and it was just the two of us…

    This dog has not made a peep since we got him. He has used his potty
    pads and has slept through the night really well. So what the hell happened?

    Yip! Yip! Yip! at the top of his little lungs for the entire 30 minutes in
    the car while I was trying to keep my composure. When my kids used to "Yip" the pacifier worked wonders, but there is no pacifier for puppies!

    I turned the music to a station I figured he may like (WLTE) and kept my voice calm. But I soon got to the office and was greeted at the door by one of my office mates with a, "He is so cute! Can I hold him?"

    "Yeah you can hold him as long as you want. Are you busy for the next 3 hours?"

    In and out all day long, Bruno has been greeted by everyone here at
    Jacobs Trading with love and kindness—the only person who is about to lose it is ME!

    How on earth did I agree to this deal of my daughter having a new puppy? One she promised she would take care of all day? And here I am trying to catch up on e-mails and phone calls in between him finding pieces of styrofoam that I didn’t know existed, finding spots that have hidden wires and, worse, using his puppy pad from a distance and spraying my new rug.

    OY–Warning to all parents and grandparents–when the child you love
    begs and pleads for That Puppy…be very careful before you grant her wish or you could end up like me.

    Ahh, he is finally sleeping…Back to work! 🙂

     

  • Having "It," but not necessarily talking about "It"

    Note to "media types:" Your power by using sexual innuedno to get the "prized audience" isn’t working so well…anymore!

    I have been spending a lot of time lately doing research on what people read and why. There are a few important areas that seem to bug the future of this country and the ones who will ultimately be the ones to make or break the disastrous state of our economy.

    First of all, kids, for the most part, are honest about everything. They are informed, sometimes too much, and can smell a phony from miles away.

    I asked my "research group" to help me understand what drives them to the sources they use for information, besides what they learn in school. The conclusion of my study was not surprising to me personally, but may be to some of you "media types…"

    Let me begin with this: The people I have been doing research with are teenagers from ALL walks of life and from different socio-economic backgrounds.

    Without giving away too much of the valuable information that I have accumulated over the last several months, I will share with you this, a portion of what I heard: "Don’t think we can’t figure out when someone has to use SEX in a headline to get our attention. If the writer has real experience and wants our attention, then it will happen naturally because we are inundated with images of SEX all day long and are numb to it. Thanks to the Internet, cable TV, bad radio shows…etc…We don’t think that SEX is any big deal."

    This, to me, a 40-year-old woman who is not embarrassed to say that I still feel shy about sex, is sad and disturbing.The allure of those great things in life we call "Chemistry" and "Love" seems to have hit the skids. And the adults who are using the innocence of young people to take away one of the pleasures we look forward to in life are responsible. This admittedly including myself at times.

    Sex may sell to some, but after a lot of conversations with the young ones, the excitement of the unknown, the mystery of what makes you fall in love and experience sex are still right where they should be: in their hearts. They still want it to be experienced the old-fashioned way: through unconditional love, honesty, kindness, respect, compassion, and friendship. Not from a "media type" who clearly would not have to talk about something sacred if they were getting that something sacred at home.

    As I was told by my parents and try to convey to my own teenagers: If you have "it," enjoy "it," and appreciate "it." The ones who don’t have "it" are easy to spot; just go on your gut and your morals and you will know.

  • Highlights from Aspen

    Instead of giving you the day-by day-reports of Melly
    in Aspen, here are a few of the highlights.

    Swiller decided that we all should get a little high from
    mother earth, and we did — a super cold, wet, and intense high, care of Blazing Adventures.

    After the 45-minute bus ride, in which we made friends with the
    other adventure seekers, we were dropped off next to a port-a-potty on the side
    of the road next to the Roaring Fork river.

    Brad K — our life line guy if anyone falls
    overboard, and a cutie pie in an adventuresome kind of way — was very specific about the instructions: "Pee now if you have to because it’s two hours in the
    raft, and I don’t want anyone taking a leak in my wetsuits or on my rafts!"

    You really get to know people when you are all taking off your
    clothes, putting on stinky wetsuits (which the Blazing Adventure crew told us were washed the night before, yet still smelled like sour feet), and
    lining up to use the port-a-potty that had one roll of toilet paper for all 30
    of us.

    Being the outdoorsy gal that I am… "Screw the
    instructions; I need some bathroom privacy and a moment to question whether or not I should be
    participating in a whitewater raft when the river is at the highest it’s been in 20 years."

    Well, I sat my crack next to the crack part on the raft (Brad’s
    advice and words, not mine) and took my spot right behind Aimée Sedley (Cleveland Mike’s
    wife) with Bobby Swiller at the helm and Missy and my husband on the right. Brad, the sassy adventure guide, was in charge of steering.

    Every five seconds it was Swiller telling us to row (even though
    Brad said not to) with Aimée snapping at Swiller because she actually knew what she was
    doing and Missy smiling politely while Cleveland Mike was getting soaked and my husband was
    off on Planet Howard.

    After making our way through Barking Dog —
    almost getting decapitated, thanks to the high waves and large tree in the middle of the river — through
    Toothache rapid (the name given by all of the people that have lost half their teeth,
    and I am sure a few Veeners since they’re Aspen people after all), and finally ending up at our destination, all I
    could think of was getting me off the raft. I had three bottles of water that were about to
    explode out of my wet suit if I didn’t get to a bathroom quick.

    As I was squeezing myself to hold it, however, Swiller
    thought it would be funny to have Melly help get the raft and equipment up the hill and over to the
    bus.

    Yes, I made it; and could be wrong about this, but there
    were a lot of people jumping in the river right after we were done… I’m just
    sayin’, I think I know where the bad smell of the wetsuits comes from.

    Taking off the Sleestacks-looking garb in the hot sun felt
    so good that I didn’t even care that my 40-year-old butt was hanging out of my swimsuit
    for all my new adventure friends to see. I did, however, feel bad about the two huge bins full of snacks —particularly the granola bars — being passed over by those who caught a glimpse of my mushy backside.

    "Well, at least I won’t be seeing any
    of these other people again,"     I thought to myself.

    Yeah, well, on the bus ride back I learned that one of my new
    adventure friends used to live in Minneapolis and was responsible for negotiating one of the
    biggest business deals my father has had in his career. Terrific. It was time for Melly to
    cover up quickly and try to act and look halfway respectable.

    To check out what happened to the group that went out after
    us go to "Fast water leads to river rescue," Aspen Daily News, Saturday, June
    21, 2008.

  • Day 1 Begins

    After getting settled into the "Swilly Suite" and meeting up with the girls, we all decided that we should check out and meet the other guests at the Hyatt.

    A few lobster rolls, sparkling water—and, yes, white wine—later, it was
    clear that Aspen was not just going to be any old vacation; it was a place in which I felt (for the first time in a long time) completely comfortable — no BS, just a place where I could wear the PJ’s from the outlet (in public), have good food and drinks with people who were (like me) not trying to impress anyone, and most important, learn to "vacation" and trust good friends again.

    The first night was nothing short of amazing: great food, a lot of (inside) Jewish jokes
    on the left bed, and sleep on the right bed.

    Day 1 begins.

  • "Melly" does Colorado 🙂 JAP Style

    When my husband and I were asked to go on vacation to Colorado as a guest of our good friends the Swillers, how could we say no?

    Last week was filled with good memories and a lot of REALITY. After landing in Denver with the guys, we still had a three hour drive

    to Aspen ahead of us. Swiller was the designated driver

    of the upgraded rental car, an Escalade. I guess Swilly figured that,

    since I (the JAPrincess of the bunch) was on board, it would be important to have

    a vehicle that gave me and the guys some room.

    We all were getting along great until Cleveland Mike said, "Hey, there’s an outlet store

    over there."

    Big mistake, Mike, to tell the one chick on board that there was a shopping mall calling

    her name — especially when the clothes she was wearing were binding and uncomfortable. "I promise you guys that I only need five minutes at the Polo Outlet Store."

    Forty-two minutes later I was running around some random downtown area in Colorado

    looking for the Escalade with my JAPrinces.

    When I finally found them, I got "the look" of complete disgust.

    "What the hell happened to the five minutes? And your cell phone keeps

    ringing!"

    "Sorry, guys, but the customer service (men and woman) were a little bit

    confused by my presence and rotating wardrobe."

    Back in the car, I in my newly purchased Car Clothes, we resumed our journey to Aspen, Colorado.

    Bobby Swiller, who I have known since I was a very little Melly, was the perfect

    driver and information guy.

    Everything I needed to know about Colorado, from the minute we landed in Denver until the time we pulled up to Aspen, Bobby knew.

    It was the perfect long drive, except for the two-and-a-half mile Eisenhower tunnel, where

    I tried to hold my breath and make wishes without passing out. FYI: two of the three wishes

    came through on my trip. The family is happy and healthy. (Yea, yea… don’t share your

    wishes. But at this point, too late.)

    We arrived at our home away from home, the Grand Hyatt in downtown Aspen (guests of Bobby and Missy Swiller). The accommodations were perfect. Howard and I had our

    own room with two queen sized beds (you do the math on that deal) and a bathroom with

    products by Portico Spa. The first thing I did was jump into a bath filled with Eucalyptus

    essential oils and drown out the smell of Cleveland Mike, Swilly Willy, and Howie Hankie.

    I felt like such a guy that it felt good to see the girls after my bath.

    We were all together with our significant others and on our way to a fun-filled five days

    of Aspen, Colorado.

    Part two comes tomorrow.

    —Melly

  • Is It Counterfeit or Real?

    This painting — a wedding present from my parents — was done by an artist who met me and Howard only two times at my parent’s home. I would love to give the artist credit, but after he painted several originals for my family… well… Lets just say that he’s not the most honest business man.

    How do I tell at this point in my life if someone or something is real or not? How do I distinguish what is Counterfeit?

    I use the only tool I have that doesn’t cost $$$$$$ — my instincts.

    On so many occasions I should have put my foot down, like I did for this photo yesterday.

    But I caved to my vulnerable side, wanting everyone that I love and care about to have the same advantages I have.

    My heart has been in the right place since I was but a little Melly — except when I’ve placed it in the hands of Counterfeit people, who are nothing short of hurtful and dangerous.

    It is perhaps a characteristic of humanity to feel sad when someone we see is hurting, and to feel frustrated when we don’t get our way; but the worst part of being human is the jealousy we feel when someone has something that we don’t have.

    I have been there myself at times, I suppose; but in truth, I don’t have green blood running through my veins. I have red blood that bleeds through my skin when it’s cut.

    Yesterday was one of those days that I wish I could bottle and sell. First, I shared a delicious lunch at Red Stag in Northeast Minneapolis, with people that I like, admire, and respect. (Sharing a nice meal with people with whom you can be yourself is one of life’s greatest pleasures!)

    After lunch, I caught up on the phone with some good friends who I know have my back.

    And then I went shoe shopping with my son and daughter, giving them the freedom to buy shoes that THEY feel comfortable in — at the Foursome in Wayzata. They were, unfortunately, unsuccessful; but I got some great deals on Uggs, Cole Haan’s, Merrell’s, and shoes that make you feel like you’re floating on air—AQUATALIAS.

    Finally, after a great lunch, great conversation with authentic people, and great shoe shopping with my children (resulting in shoes I can actually walk in), my daughter and I picked up a special treat from Byerly’s, so that when my husband and son got home late last night, we all had a chocolate pie party.

    Late last night and into the early morning hours it was hard for me to let go of a most comforting and comfortable day. This was one of the most relaxed and content days I have had since I was that little Melly wanting to give the people I love and care about the advantages that I had. You can’t counterfeit that!

    I went to sleep in one of my husband’s cotton T-Shirts, still wearing Jewelry (well worth the investment), and slept blissfully for four straight hours — making it really difficult to wake up this morning and start a new and realistic day.

    A tip for those of you who think that knock offs are just as good as the real deal: When I was a kid, I was told that if you don’t have the money to pay for something in cash, it’s best you don’t purchase it at all. The same lesson goes for life. If you are Not the real deal and you try to wrap yourself in a Tiffany Box (with nothing inside), you too will be exposed.

  • POWER: Yes, there is a PRICE YOU PAY

    I used to think that having POWER meant a better night’s rest and less worrying. I was again Wrong.

    In MY life I get to see a lot of things that most people don’t get to see. And there are times when I am so grateful for that window of lights, cameras, action — and other times when I am just at a loss for words.

    Yesterday, I wanted my daughter to see something to which I have been privy much of my life — a dignitary parade of sorts — and get her perspective. Oh, I got it all right, but not what a Mom wants to hear from her teenage child who, like her mom, has seen too much — The Truth.

    As we sat outside, watching town cars round the bend, my daughter fell silent, stunned by the production, by the number of people it takes to transport one dignitary to a private event, and by the way any resident’s needs or comfort falls to the wayside in these circumstances. What happens to a man when he no longer has his caravan? And what of the seemingly wasted man hours? — so many people just standing around.

    I spent many years chasing stories in the same way that everybody else in the media does — trying to make sure I was asking the questions that the viewers wanted answers to. Now that line between asking the wrong and right questions — and taking a story too far — have become even more blurred. This is my life. And I have people to protect, just like the dozens of agents standing around.

    I am a human being, right? And I eat, work, and use the restroom like everyone else, right? So what is the difference between me and, say, the Secret Service, the State Trooper, and the cop who makes a living protecting what the public should know and not know?

    What makes me different from these people is that They, as PUBLIC SERVANTS, pay a hell of a price for their Jobs. Imagine waking up in the morning, saying goodbye to a family that you love and protect, leaving your home, and saying hello to people you are PAID to protect — only, instead of a hug or kiss you get complaint after complaint after complaint.

    Yesterday, the story wasn’t inside, with the dignitaries (where the cameras would be, if only "they" knew), it was just outside, where I was
    standing. It was in the herds of people Paid to Protect.

    As Melinda Jacobs from "Action News" discovered, these people are nothing short of Heroes. Despite having to spend their day in idleness, they were wonderful and kind ALL day, hour after hour. (Only one Female State Trooper gave me "the look" on property that is rightfully mine.) And I could do nothing but be nice back.

    "We finally got some nice weather today."
    "I am going to get some coffee. Would you like some?"
    "Are you hot? Because I would be happy to run and get you some water."

    That is all that I could do with MY Power, but with Their Power they looked me in the eye with a nice smile and gave me that extra feeling of security that comes from being in the hands of people we as taxpayers are LUCKY as HELL to employ. This truly makes me glad that the harder I work, and the more money I make, the more money goes to a workforce of people that Deserve to wear their badges proudly, turn on their sirens, go through stop signs (because they Have to), and put on a uniform that carries the power of life or death.

    If only more of my tax dollars went to the workforce that serves and protects, and less to the ones that abuse freedom… Oh, I would sleep so much better.

    To the Republican Party: I have evidence that I will protect in a safe place.
    To the Democratic Party: I have evidence that I will protect in a safe place.
    To the Independent Party: I have evidence that I will protect in a safe place.
    To those who are undecided: While you fight it out I will be at Dairy Queen having a turtle sundae.

    COPS ARE MY ROCK STARS!

  • HOLY STACKS! Your Favorite TV STAR Sits Here

    After having a fun conversation with Jason DeRusha about what people’s desks say about them, he was kind enough to get approval for me to come down to WCCO and take some candid snapshots of the areas that our favorite TV STARS call home when the lights, cameras, and action go out.


    Frank Vascellero

    I first ran into Frank Vascellero, who as always was his funny outgoing self. When I asked Frank if I could shoot a picture of his desk, he didn’t even give it a second thought.

    Here he is with a hammer that I am assuming he has just in case anyone steps over the line with his lovely wife Amelia — mother of those gorgeous kids, and his Co-Anchor at ‘CCO — who happens to sit right across from him.

    Did I mention that Frank has a background in Finance, which explains why his personal opinions on the economy and the future of Media are actually backed up by facts. Well, I mentioned it now. 🙂

    How do these two do it? Working side by side at work and at home, raising a family. They clearly do it well, and with a sense of humor.


    Amelia Santaniello

    As I was snapping my photos, Amelia walked in, right pass Frank’s desk with a mere "Hey, Frank," and straight into the girl talk. Even without makeup, she looked like a million bucks and smelled delicious(a scent she smelled on a girlfriend and liked so much she starting wearing it — a fragrance by Philosophy).

    When I asked Ms. Amelia if I could take a picture of her desk, again there was no hesitation: "Sure, go for it." No pomp and circumstance; just a hearty and confident "no problem."

    I knew I liked this woman from the day I met her many years ago, when she was doing a story about Sesame Street Live and grabbed my son for a sound bite. He was all of five at the time, and even though the sound bite never made the news, Amelia made a lasting, good impression on me. She is confident and comfortable in her own skin, which says a lot in a business where your audience tends to forget that you put in LONG ours, give up your PRIVACY, and god forbid your Hair Do isn’t to their liking.In other words, she has my greatest respect and admiration for more reasons than I am willing to share.

    Jeanette Trumpeter

    Next was Jeanette Trumpeter, who I ambushed without notice. She, too, was surprisingly fine with me taking a picture of her Space without notice. Jeanette wanted to put on a little makeup, but the truth is she is also naturally very beautiful and doesn’t need a stich of makeup.

    I like the fact that Jeanette had this Barbie Action News book that belts out clichés from the business, such as "Breaking News" and "Action." She was very witty and down to earth despite the guy at the window, on Nicollet, trying to peak through the windows to get a close view of his favorite TV Stars.


    Jason DeRusha

    Next came our lovable Jason, who I know has worked his little butt off to make a name for himself and has earned "The Good Question" segment the old fashion way: He worked hard for it! As you can see from Jason’s photos and his description below, he has a quirky sense of humor and likes things organized and clean. 🙂

    My desk is fairlyblank right now, because I’m waiting for our creative servicesdepartment to design some elements for it for our "Good Question"feature. I shoot a lot of things for my stories at my desk, and Iwanted it to look cool. Instead, there’s a 10-year-old picture of mywife and I from our wedding day which desperately needs dusting. There’s a dirty oversized soup spoon from the Lotus Restaurant nearLoring Park (I didn’t steal it, I swear).

    Thereare a couple awards on my desk: in this picture I’m holding my employeeof the month award from October of 2004 (that’s the last time I didanything productive at WCCO). There’s also a national award for somevolunteer work I did with the Family, Career and Community Leaders ofAmerica (FCCLA). It’s a high school leadership group. And there’s amirror. Because when you have the impressive head of hair I’msporting, you need to make sure every strand is in its place. And by"every strand," I mean, the ten strands.

    —Jason DeRusha

    Don Shelby

    Last came the desk of a guy that I go way back with, from years ago when my father and he used to partner in the Don Shelby Fishing Tournament.

    Don’s desk was stacked with piles of papers, a few bottles of aspirin, and I could not make out anything else because there was so much "stuff." Don is still one of the best Anchors in the business for two reasons: First, he is constantly on his game and is willing to take chances by offering his opinion in a news segment — a huge no-no in journalism. And he has his ear pierced, a fact made even sexier by the story behind it. Of course, that’s HIS story to tell, not mine.

    I called a couple of other peeps in the business to give you an idea of how their desksreflect their personalities.


    Robyne Robinson

    Robyne Robinson, of FOX 9 — who created The Buzz, which in itself was way ahead of the game — sent me this picture along the email below, describing a typical day at her desk.

    Mel: A cluttered desk the sign of a cluttered mind? Whomever came up with that OBVIOUSLY was NOT a multi-tasker!

    This is a typical day at FOX 9… a little gossip TV with Deborah Norville… reading scripts and surrounded by pics of my nephews, my new cousin and my guy…

    And what about those fierce shades? Killer… news is always in fashion…

    But I must admit: I do sneak in a little ROX jewelry time. Lots of good stuff happening there.

    We’ll talk soon!

    Ciao, Chica —

    R.

    I called Eric Perkins (known as Elvis by his buddies), too. And though he was more than willing to send me pictures and quotes, my deadline and his work hours just weren’t in sync. I will follow up with Mr. Perk-at-Play in the future, and you can count on me giving him Sh%#! about his dance moves.

    There are so many people that I wish I could highlight, but with limited time — and being way overdue on my blog — this will have to be it for now.

     

    I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. While I was putting together this blog someone in the office had a Birthday, so the header shot is me in My Space, enjoying one of my favorite things about working in my office: Birthday Cake. It seems it always someone’s birthday around here, which means there is always birthday cake in the company kitchen. (I was told this cake came from Cub Foods, and it was DEVINE.)

     

  • The Greatest Gift: The Unknown

    It should come as no surprise at this point, to regular readers of my blog, that I am not shy about sharing with you what makes me… ME.

    This morning I saw a DVD that I had been waiting for, sitting on my counter in the kitchen — images from my family’s Zip Lining experience in Mexico four months ago.

    What got to me were these two photos:

    These pictures were taken 350 feet up in the air, with nothing more than our trust in the guides that supplied us with the equipment and our belief that we could enjoy the beauty of what was beneath — Rocks, Trees, Rain, Bugs, and god forbid… the unknown — all at just $35 per person. 🙂

    Is it not the greatest gift to watch the people you brought into the world through love, make choices that you wished you had had the guts to make, but never did?

    In My case… well… it took me until now (at 40 years old). But in my kids case… well… you can see from the pics that they don’t have the legs of a 40-year-old. 🙂

    There is only one area in which I still have to work really hard on at this point with my kids—who understand that everything their Mom and Dad do is simply a byproduct of Dad doing what he has to do and Mom doing what she has to do. We are who we are.

    But it’s hard to explain to them how a 40-year-old woman who has experienced so much can topple under the weight at times — how my brain goes into overdrive to the point where eating, sleeping, and functioning do not come to me in the same way they do to most. This is a difficult thing to explain to my two most important reasons for living, to my two most important and loving gifts — my son and my daughter — to whom I am so lucky to be Mom.

    Last night on 60 Minutes I watched a report that kept me up most of the night.

     

    The report was about a sacred area, foreign to most of us in America. A part of the world where nature is untouched by all things we think we can’t live without. A place where the sounds of the rain hitting the leaves cannot be duplicated with musical instruments, where a never-before-seen male bird turns from a little shy guy into fricken BATMAN to woo a female bird — and to top off the whole incredible experience the male bird gives the female bird 20 minutes on a small dark branch in the middle of nowhere after spending 23 hours building a stack of branches and laying out a variety of colorful rocks just to get her attention. And if he’s lucky…

    It was too much for my brain to handle — and also too much for me to try to explain to my son and daughter that no matter what happens in life and how many chances we make, we should always look forward to the unknown. The one thing about nature that will never change is that it will always be the one place that we all, as humans, can’t control but can admire.


    To the Men and Woman that will not understand this short story:     I have no comment.
    To the Men and Woman that do get this short story: it’s about time!
    To my Son: If you have to wear a colorful coat and dance for the girl of your dreams, it’s worth it.
    To my Daughter: If you have to wear a colorful coat and dance for the man of your dreams, it’s worth it.