You May claim The Wire. That’s so cute. When people claim a show where a whole season is ignored in the calculation? Or The Sopranos? To me foundational. But as much as we love originals nobody loves the Model T or drives it today for a reason (head nod).
Breaking Bad ran the world. I caught it on opening night and all that jazz. It’s the perfect show. Game of Thrones let us a down. We know. BB never did. I mean…never.
But what I love is that I turned it on after I had agreed to date this one woman exclusively.
Her name?
@Priya
My wife. And here we are.
Same night.
But 10 years later. I’m watching where they take this story and it’s so different. The context. Art mirrors life. Life makes way for art. But 10 years later this story is alive. With all it’s own twists and turns. Just like ours, babe.
Oh eff it.
#iamgtateful and #iamthankful for the next 2 hours like whoa. With you passed out next to me in bed I’ll forge through this on my phone as far as it’ll let me. There’s poetry here.
Blow has been an understated indulgent flick for me on so many levels. But the scene after George teaches his first class and then tries to catch some zzzz’s. The conversation with Diego. The panning back and forth across the characters during the dialogue. Always stuck with me as a way to tel a story. What I missed … was the story being told. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for catching it this time tho.
One of the things organized religions do well are setting aside specific days for important and healing moments. Where rituals turn from service to some higher power to interaction courtesy and respect to the highest power IMHO, the people we live and live for.
As we sit in the heart of Yom Kippur, I’m inspired by the day. There is so much to the ritual of Yom Kippur as I understand it (an outsider) that puts me in position to do my own apology: if I’ve done anything to hurt or offend you, I apologize. If I can make it better, let me know and I assuredly will. It’s not just Yom Kippur, as Sanskrit has also taught us and as my Jain family knows too well with Paryushan and DA’s Lakshan. Which goes back to the original point of many faiths, cultures and religions getting something like this right.
FWIW, the apology is as much about the words (many say that’s the easy part but that isn’t true or more people would do it more often; and also, the hardest step is the first, shifting energy from potential to kinetic so I argue that leading with the words often enables momentum against the sincerity of the apology and ultimately, the resolution.)
Yom Kippur is the holiest day for a reason. My favorite part is when people share their apologies in the group; and what happens next sounds magical: the group leans in and shifts the context from the individual apologizing to the group absorbing ownership. From “I did this” and “I apologize” to “we did this” and “we apologize”. Sins, errors, mistakes—are communal. It’s the highest form of one of my favorite guiding principles, civic responsibility and the social contract.
I can’t think of a more beautiful moment inspired by faith, than that. Anywhere. And #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for the nudge, reminder and space.
So if you are apologizing. And I love you (so many of you I do), then as someone who loves you I say the burden is mine too. Share the weight of your known and unknown regrets; because as my Jewish friends have taught me in the past 24 hours, apologies and forgiveness love company in a way more inspiring way than misery.
What’s best about these days of forgiveness? You need not follow this faith or any faith to participate. Which is why I’m participating. You can too.
If you owe an apology. Or if you acknowledge we make mistakes that we never see; embrace the moment. We’re with you. And for those formally embracing the day, may your fast be easy.PS: As a fan of slow jammy 80s covers, I thought sharing this would be WAY better than sharing a Bieber hit:
Just spent way too much on ceiling fans for the new house. I’m totally good with it. People underestimate the impact the ceiling fan has on a room and on energy efficiency and, in general, on what it does to the air and therefore fundamental life force of a space.
Energy. White noise. Air circulation. And visual anchor.
The humble ceiling fan should be a statement and a commitment. So though our home will be modest our fans may be a bit outsized in context. I think they’ll be worth it.
“I saw you (and him) walking in the rain…” What a hook? The rain typically has negative associations which is why OJ Jones used it as a backdrop for this song about infidelity.
Also, what a hook!
Today, Anaiya made me totally rethink the rain. Usually when I wake up and it’s raining I start thinking about all the delays and distractions it will create. Not anymore. We’re lucky when it rains. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful for Anaiya’s POV. Maybe you will be too. I love you, Magic.
I spoke to soon. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful and I should keep my eye on the prize, that prize, in perpetuity. I have plenty of outlets for my gratitude; this one is a documentation of my own for those moments when the world is too busy to ride alongside me.
I’m excited for this next phase of my life and career. Gratitude will be more front and center. So it’s not a wrap. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful it’s not a wrap. There’s too much to appreciate.
One of the greatest moments in your life is finding your forever love. That can be a person. A passion. A place. So many things.
You know it when you find it.
Which is why I think one of the greatest honors in life is being invited to participate and witness someone’s wedding. That moment when they choose to celebrate and codify that love for eternity.
It’s they’re greatest moment. And now they’re asking you to join them for it.
Whoa.
Today I was lucky enough to make it to the wedding for a person I think the world of. And after meeting her now husband a few months ago, I can agree I feel the same about him.
Cici Haynes your wedding was beautiful, inviting, aware and warm (yeah, it was 90 degrees but I’m not talking about that kinda warm!) Your friends and family represented you and their love for you so well today. As an old man, out of place at arrival, I found myself welcomed and feeling at home quickly. That’s you. That’s Chris. That’s your power. That’s the byproduct of your love.
iamgrateful and #iamthankful I was invited to be a part of today. Even more so. I’ll tell you, I love you both, and I absolutely love your love.
Priya has a pretty high profile job at Prudential these days: she’s the Chief or Staff to the CFO at Prudential. As a result, she often gains access to events in ways that many otherwise wouldn’t. Last night I went along with her and she dazzled and I admired as people took note. Like when hero chef Marcus Samuelsson remembered her name (his food was great, his pants were better, and his memory and sincerity perhaps even more so.)]
For me, it was also like receiving a warm hug from a company I worked at for 5 years right out of college. I learned so much there. I had some of the best bosses I’ve ever had as a result of my time there: Mark Macaravage, Mary O’Malley, Robert Schwartz, Kristine Tanno and Jim Burke.
It was fascinating to walk around and bump into people I hadn’t seen in 20 years. The heights they’ve now achieved, and how kind they were to return hugs, handshakes and memories with us.
It was a wonderful feeling. As I Board a plane for what feels like the 10th time this month, and prepare to turn a big page tomorrow, it was a nice reminder of some things I’ve been a part of. And even s foothold for what I hope I can continue to contribute to starting tomorrow.
#iamgrateful and #iamthankful for my wife’s new job at a great company with amazing people in a culture I believe has always treated its people (past or present) well.
Dreams come true. ‘Nuff said. #iamgrateful and #iamthankful that no matter what happens and who plays, we’re guaranteed pretty much the second best Super Bowl ever. #prince #purplerainintherain
Suneet Bhatt 