Today marks a significant turning point in U.S. history. Years of scars begin to heal today as we look forward through the fog left by our past. Looking back, I hope we remember how grand this event was in our maturity as people, citizens, and a Nation.

As I sit here, I am caught thinking how I have never been so intent on following the leadership of our Nation. This campaign, I have found myself deeply rooted in emotion and pride. I know I cannot speak for every citizen, but I believe today is a major milestone in our rich history to which I am very proud to have been a part in deciding. Our 44th President has taken his oath of office. I am moved and hold tight to my beliefs that there is monumental change in our future. At times, life has been bleak and disappointing. Tomorrow there will not be immediate change. There will be no miracles overnight. Change will come in small incremental steps over the rest of our lives. But today marks the first step on a long journey of freedom where I feel extremely confident in the ability and desire of our Nation’s leadership to carry us honestly to a new day. Today is the day I will be able to look back and know, confidently, that I made one the best decisions in my capacity to help create a life and rebuild a country so that my two sons can discover, chase, and live out their dreams. I am grateful for this day of hope. All I have ever wanted as a parent was to know I was doing everything I could to create a better life for my family. To take them a step farther, to nurture them more, to give them the tools they need to believe. I feel like those who share these beliefs with me are now standing together in unison and thanking the Heavens for the privilege of Freedom. Hope itself is a miracle.

I have never been much of a fan of politics. I despise ‘The Man.’ Yet, with the need for hope, the need for something to grasp on to, I feel that I, as well as others, believe in the new direction and journey we are about to set forth on. Conservative or liberal, whether you believe in a Holy Spirit or magic crystals, whether you are confident in the future or are afraid of clowns, whether your play the slots or bet on the ponies, today is a day that no American can deny being epic in the fabric of our history. Collectively, we have grown and tomorrow will be a better day. Our Nation was founded on the anti-establishment beliefs that no one could control us, no one could tell us what to believe, we are all free to pursue our dreams no matter how childish, we are independent and we are strong, we are United, and we don’t want to drink your shitty tea. Today, we reunite with our youth as a nation and step back in to the treacherous path of prosperity and re-energize the imagination of millions. This fact has not fallen short on Son #1 either. He continually reminds us how the 44th President is ‘his guy.’ Today, he is telling everyone who our new President is. I am very proud of him. He is quite excited and even asked my wife why we did not go to the National Mall to participate in the Inauguration. In hind sight, I wish we could have been there.

Fortunately and unfortunately, he and Son #2 will never know a world of segregation and bigotry. It will only exist in history books. The new world will be his to sculpt his dreams and exercise his freedom, regardless of background, language, skin, hair color, or music preference. An unalienable right just as was decreed by our forefathers. The dreams of the Lincoln Memorial have reached the walls of the White House.

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So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)." – Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

Until this, I had yet to find the appropriate moment and subject to grace this blog with an entry in this New Year. Since my last posting here, we have been adjusting to the reduction of holidays and increase in mouths in our house. While natural in its occurrence, having an infant in the house is challenging and tiresome, even if it is your second child.

Son #2 does not like to sleep. When it is time to crash out for the evening, he likes to do what I so endearingly call, ‘riding the donkey.’ This terminology was coined on an international trip to the tropical isle of Jamaica. Briefly, a cohort and I came up with this phrase in one of our deeply insightful conversations stimulated by about a case of indigenously crafted rum. At some point in the evening, you hit the proverbial wall. It is then and only then, that you dig deep and find that one ounce of resiliency to power through the urge to take a dirt nap. Back to reality. Son #2 has the innate ability to summon his inner demon, saddle up and 'ride that donkey' with the greatest of commitment. So much so that it unties every thread of patience of your parental existence. Eventually, after hours of calming, coaxing, and pacifying, Son #2 gives in. But then, he is back up to eat again in a few hours. The sleep habits of Son #2 add to the challenge of being alive.


Now that the holidays are over, I have had the pleasurable experience of returning to my place of work. It comes at the opportune time when there is a need for a new balance to occur. With that, comes the concern for Son #1. He has had my uninterrupted attention for the past few weeks. Well, at least he has had my attention when I was not totally hypnotized by the phenomenon that is Lego Star Wars. Going back to work, left him alone to fend off his mother. More importantly, would my wife have the energy to handle both Son #1 and #2 on their worst of days? So far, so good. Every day is a work in progress yet Son #1 seems to be adjusting well to being the older brother and the man of the house while I am out. Still, Son #1 presents a volatile volcano of passion and spite. You have to be ready.


I welcomed the employment routine back in to my daily life cycle. Going into work has its feeling of contribution to the economy. Maybe I am making the world better. The work week was marked with returning to the intellectual speed of thought required to be productive in the workplace. This is challenging after spending the past two weeks with Lego Star Wars, playing as Obi-Won and trying to rid the universe of Clones. As the week progressed, I eased my way back in to professional responsibility. By Friday, I was ready for the weekend as most people are. But as life generally goes, I was thrown a curve. It was official. A company wide message was received outlining the head count reductions coming in Q1 and Q2. It was described that natural attrition and retirement would not reach overhead cost controls alone. This means layoffs. The number, location, and date of the reductions were loosely outlined. While nothing is certain, I must be realistic and believe that my position may be a victim of this reduction. Strangely, I am calm and poised with the message. Especially given the seriousness of the effect this could have on my family. Two sons, a wife, and pets. Not to mention the numerous bills and financial obligations. There is a magnitude to this news, yet I have found myself not overly emotionally about it. I am worried and concerned. However, I have found some sort of peace in chaos through the years of my life.

It is in the terror of change and disruption, I find clarity and direction. I have never found it easy to make life changing decisions when the seas of life are calm. It is in the stormiest of squalls I find that I have the uncanny ability to craft my best decisions and execute my greatest performance goals. The news of potential job loss still comes as a surprise and raises alarm. The timing of this with the economic climate could cause serious changes in lifestyle and stress levels of our household. Today was marked with considering my options, reconnecting with network associates, and playing Lego Star Wars. My employment has never defined me. Yet I am strangely ambitious and find major satisfaction in the intellectual challenges of a profession. It is that which has made me pursue advanced degrees, intriguing employment positions, and intellectual challenges. Ultimately, professional challenges offer an element of uncontrollable chaos in life. The news of change never comes at a convenient time but always comes at the universally appropriate time. The company message on Friday was a re-education that my employment is not the definition of my life. But my employment creates the experiences in my life where I can understand more about my character and what matters most to me. Son #1, Son #2, my wife, my dog, and the cat sometimes. I can’t lose my job; I want to spend obscene amounts of money on bike parts, A/V equipment, and a new car.