Goodbye 2011

Every year I find myself checking the long list of notable people who have died during the year.  It’s a little bit morbid but it does remind you how precious life is.  Not everyone makes it to New Years Day.  I know the lists of deaths is long but here is my own list of people that I will remember beyond 2011.

Osama Bin Laden – by far this should be the biggest news of the year.

Kim Jong Il – I don’t think anyone will miss him but its big news.

Steve Jobs – I just finished his biography.  He was a major a-hole but certainly changed the world.

Joe Frazier

Nick Ashford – This one brought back memories.  My mother took me to an Ashford and Simpson concert when I was young.

Clarence Clemons

Andy Rooney – he announced his retirement and the next month, he was dead.

Amy Winehouse – Not a surprise but certainly a loss

Gil Scott Heron – The revolution will not be televised!

Phoebe Snow – Remember the Poetry Man?  I didn’t hear any news of her death until I saw her name on the year end list.  RIP Phoebe.

Geraldine Ferraro – The first woman on a major party presidential ticket!  She died at 75.

Elizabeth Taylor

My Busy Life

Let me first start off by saying that I absolutely hate it when people say they are “too busy.”  The statement often comes a singleton with one job and maybe one pet.  Upon hearing the statement I just nod and say “I know what you mean.”  Honestly I don’t.  When I was younger I remember feeling busy and inundated but these days I just can’t remember what could have been so important that it took up all of my time.  Those were the days when I had time for PC gaming, music (listening and playing), reading for pleasure (not just technical books) and cooking (not because I needed to but because it was fun). These days I try to keep up with my hobbies, gaming went out the window (although we have five xboxes in our home) and cooking is purely a necessity.  I honestly can say that with or without a career, my time would be completely consumed.  Somehow I’m crazy enough to have a husband, three young children, hobbies and a fulltime career.  What the heck is wrong with me?

So from time to time I’m going to explain what’s going on.  I know there are many women that are in the same boat.  The funny thing is that as much as we complain, none of us would change one thing.  We’re trying to have it all…and why not?