THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: friends


by Leave a comment

Pause

Another old work friend reached out and told me about the passing of another coworker I was close with. He was one of the “Lifers” at the job. I had the pleasure of working closely with him for about 7 years but shared almost 20 years in the same area.

In many ways he was the most important mentor I ever experienced in my career. The man was talented far beyond what little credit was given to him. He was extremely knowledgeable and would prepare with precision.

He kept to himself pretty much, but we seemed to click, and he took me under his wing. We would take breaks together, sometimes meet for breakfast before a long day at a remote data center where we knew lunch would be unlikely.

Even though he worked there for decades he was the consummate behind the scenes professional. A very important one. One of those that keeps a daily paper a daily paper or the website up and running 24/7 without fanfare.

Actually, we shared a lot of laughs and saw a lot of the same irony about the workplace. We also had each others backs which wasn’t all to common.

May you rest in peace John. And thank you for making our time together fun and rewarding.

May the breeze be at your back. Photo by Mike Hartley

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • It’s a few weeks early to declare victory but I may have made it through another grass cutting season.
  • I saw one of those old timer quotes that said, “I’m so old, my high school had a smoking area.” Well, I’m so old that we smoked in the school bathrooms till they came up with the idea of smoking areas.
  • Watching my better half sleep makes me smile.
  • A ton of accomplishments so far and the day is only halfway through.


by Leave a comment

Hoof it

Hoofing it, an old term I used to use when I walked to work some days in my youth. It was fairly common growing up. It just meant to walk someplace. I think that is why most of us were so thin. We walked and ran a lot. And when we were on wheels it was a bicycle.

Well it’s a Monday morning and I’ll be hoofing it again today with lots of walking. Some with my granddaughter, some photographing, and some on the treadmill.

Might as well get moving early. Photo by Mike Hartley

Soon I’ll have to help get breakfast going and then some drawing with my granddaughter. I’ve got an easel set up and I’m going to go over the different types of papers to draw on and the different materials used. And then we will make a few drawings together.

I love helping her explore the arts. I’ve got a camera battery charging for her to take my old digital out and take a few photos and I’ll make prints for her.

I’ve been reading a few things that are making me reevaluate how I’m spending my time. And sometimes making some hard decisions, because it involves people. But I’ve made some things a priority in my life now and I want to complete them.

I’m trying to reduce some things that are time drains. I’ve been steadily dropping my screen time on my smartphone. I don’t want my face in that thing. I’ve got to reduce the time I spend reading on it more though. It would be nice to get that time down to 15-30 minutes a day with just phone, messages, a weather check or two and maybe 2-3 news articles. Not that I’m dropping my news intake, its just easier to read on the computer or listening to something while also working.

But back to people. Another blog by Sadie reminded me of the effort I make to keep in touch with friends that isn’t reciprocated. Maybe they just don’t have time or just don’t care to keep in touch. Either way I’ll be dialing back this year the time I spend keeping in touch with everyone. Like I said I got a new set of priorities.

Not that I’ll completely lose touch bit it probably won’t be as frequent as in the past.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • I was trying to appreciate the sunrise, but the clouds over the Atlantic ocean weren’t cooperating this morning.
  • People know right from wrong. It’s ignoring the wrong and doing it anyway that makes it really bad. For those people I have no sympathy.
  • I was renamed the Cover Monster by my granddaughter as I used this big quilt to chase and cover her occasionally.
  • Age just keeps bringing on new pain experiences. It’s getting pretty good at perfecting it’s craft.


by 1 Comment

Comfort

What quality do you value the most in a friend? – The daily writing prompt asks.

Comfort is my answer. If you’re uncomfortable around friends, having a good time and being relaxed is impossible. If friends are comfortable with you they will share and you will listen. Often they will be looking for honest answers, non-judgmental thoughts, or maybe some encouragement.

If you are comfortable you are open friends will open up to you and you can be supportive or you can open up to them for support. This establishes trust and respect which are bases of the foundation of friendships. Remember trust and respect are earned with honesty.

With comfort comes laughter and at times when needed empathy.

A man and his best friend. Photo by Mike Hartley

Other replies to this question can be found here: https://wordpress.com/tag/dailyprompt-1954


by Leave a comment

Rejuvenated

I spent Friday and Saturday with my two best friends—just us at my friend’s home on Kent Island. Lifelong friends of 4 and 5 decades. I can’t tell you how much we all appreciate that time and fun together. We sat on his front porch and watched the sunset over the bay directly over the Annapolis area from our angle on Friday evening. I’m not sure which I like more.

Any day on the water is a good day. Photo by Mike Hartley

We hit the Owl Bar and then Fishermans Inn at Kent Narrows for a great meal and drinks before the sunset. Lots of boats out this weekend and if you had one and weren’t out on the water shame on you.

I think the sun is thinking about going bowling. Photo by Mike Hartley

We shot some hoops, walked the beach, laughed at old stories and recent screwups, and shared thoughts about retirement and travel. Only one of us has a parent left alive, we discussed them as we always have through life. Of course the updates on our own children and their children now.

We hung a few Craftsman tool cabinets in his garage, fixed a breakfast fit for kings, and enjoyed some beverages throughout the day. It was a little rough on Saturday morning for Kayaking but we will get to that sometime in the future.

I was going to put it politely and say it was a very good time, but it was a F’ing great time. We rarely get to spend time together like that. All our schedules are packed. And while we get together every week for a few minutes usually it’s always wrapped around work and family obligations or our own chores.

So here is to keeping that great feeling rolling throughout the week. And as we all get closer to retirement spending days like that might get a lot more common.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • A cool brisk morning in the middle of summer is a nice change of pace.
  • I’ve got a ton of work to fit into the next 24 hours.
  • Felt good to get a chance to do a little shooting this weekend.
  • I love when mother deer stomp the ground when they are protecting their young.
  • There is nothing better finishing off a weekend than a few hours with my children and getting a hug when they leave. It’s kind of like a coat of armor against the trials of the upcoming week for me.