Articles by mgedwards

Sometimes it’s better not to assume

We’re planning to sell one car before we leave.  Some family friends here wanted to buy our car, and we agreed to meet for a test drive this morning.  Our friend was sorely disappointed when they found out we were planning to sell our secondary car, not our primary car.  I assumed they knew which car I meant when I offered to sell it to them.  We plan to sell the second car that we bought after we arrived, and we’re planning to ship our primary vehicle.  They assumed we were planning to sell our primary vehicle.  I’m not sure where the miscommunication occurred.  I’m not sure whether they’re interested in buying the our second car, now that they have to deal with the letdown of not buying the car they thought they were buying in the first place.  I can’t blame them for being disappointed.  I was as surprised as they were to find out we weren’t even talking about the same car when we talked about making the sale!  It goes to show you…sometimes it’s best not to make assumptions.  The old adage is sometimes true–sometimes assume equals ASS+U+ME. 
 
Now we have just three weeks to find a buyer for our car.  We have to do something–we can’t ship a second car, and the car does not meet U.S. safety standards and can’t be shipped back to the states.  Fortunately, our friends agreed, if need be, to babysit the car for us until we find a buyer.  Or, maybe they’re have a chance of heart and buy our second car, which I had assumed they would buy in the first place.  Thank goodness we’re good friends.  At least that’s what I’m assuming!

Pondering Both Sides

Yesterday the weather changed with Mother Nature’s volatile mood.  Snow fell throughout the country for most of the day.  In a rare weather phenomenon, lightning and thunder crackled while snow fell.  The weather repeatedly grew bright and sunny, then dim and drury, then warm, cold, and frigid.  The snow at times fell soft and friendly, like a snow globe shaken, and at other times it waxed ferociously.  The weather dominated the day, leaving one ever mindful of its awesome presence. 
 
The weather reminded me of one of my favorite songs, Joni Mitchell’s "Both Sides Now."  I hadn’t heard it for years, but I recalled it again yesterday as I pondered the agitated, electrifying day.  The weather made such an impression on me that I couldn’t resist posting the song’s lyrics for you.  They really sum up the amazing sensation left behind by such a tempestuous day.  Such powerful weather patterns shake one’s very being and reminds one of life and all that it has to offer, from good to bad, happy to sad, frustrating to fulfilling. 

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i’ve looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions i recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.

Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; i’ve looked at love that way.
But now it’s just another show. you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know, don’t give yourself away.

I’ve looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions i recall.
I really don’t know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "i love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, i’ve looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say I’ve changed. 

Something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day.

I’ve looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions i recall.
I really don’t know life at all.

Blog Notes:  Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks for their spectacular, come-from-behind 21-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.  It was a game for the ages, and I’m happy the Seahawks were on the winning end of it.  Fans of "America’s Team" will have to sit and watch from the sidelines along with all those Pittsburgh Steelers fans.  There’s always next year.

Special Note to Tortmaster:  Per your request, I posted the caricature for you on the New Year’s entry.  The artist turned me into a pretty boy.  Don’t laugh too hard!  I can hear it all the way from Texas.  I agree with you on the UT-USC game.

Closer and closer to transition

We’re just 26 days away from leaving Korea.  How will we ever finish everything we must do?  Now that time is growing ever shorter, I find myself choosing between priorities.  I wish I could clone myself and assign myself to do different tasks, like writing this blog.  Alas, I cannot.  Fortunately, the most pressing logistics involved with our move have already been set in motion–our trip is booked, my follow-on assignment is set, and the biggest move preparations are already planned, including scheduling the movers and vehicle pickup.  Over the next 26 days, we need to focus on all the "little" things, like changing addresses, finishing my job evaluation, and organizing paperwork for our trip.  If you’ve ever moved, which I’m sure you have, you’ll understand all that is involved with a move.  I’ve never heard anyone who said anything favorable about moving other than that they’re glad when it’s over.
 
What is unique about this lifestyle is that moves happen every two, three, or four years.  It’s an amazing experience immersing yourself in cultures such as Korea and Paraguay.  However, moving around the world nine or ten times over a 25- to 30-year period can be a tremendous grind.  This is compounded by the fact that some transitions stretch into months, even years, when training and home leave is involved.  For example, we will be on leave for one month, and then we will be in Virginia for four months to study Spanish.  During this time, our car and most of our worldly possessions will be boxed up and shipped to Paraguay.  For three months, we will live out of suitcases in a furnished apartment in Virginia with no vehicle.  Life won’t feel "normal" again–if you can call this life "normal"–until next August, after we unpack the belongings that will be shipped from Korea in about three weeks.  I shouldn’t complain, but it is a sacrifice to live such a transitory lifestyle.  I wouldn’t trade it for a stable life in suburban America, though.  I’m right where I need to be.