Research pays off!

During my quiet walk in the cemetery just before dusk, I discovered a friendly backward snake. He was purple, all coiled up and easy to catch. He had a lot of candy with him too. When I noticed that, I made him evolve right in front of my eyes.

The transformation just happened to complete my required 5 evolutions research. The reward for finishing this field task put Chansey into my life!

This pink Pokémon was also my lucky seven. He completed all 7 steps of my field research challenge. I was so glad I had the balls to continue!

Most people would have been intimidated to try to catch a Raikou. I accepted the challenge and selected a golden razz berry to assist with the capture. Throwing my best curve, one ultra ball did the trick!

I had stacked the Pokédex and there can’t be a more dramatic scenario. I was thrilled with my evening stroll, felt alive in the local cemetery and walked home with my buddy.

Now all I need are more friends!

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Elevator pitch

Among the Corporate hot topics of transparency and open concept design, is also my inability to keep a secret. I stepped onto the building elevator and saw a colleague from another glass floor having difficulty with her access badge. I just smiled, waited, helped and then told her it happens to all of us.

“You’re so patient and happy. Are you always like this when you go to work?”, she asked as the doors opened to my floor.

I laughed as I stepped off the elevator. I am usually one of the first to arrive, so despite not wanting anyone in my office to know, I looked back at her as the elevator started to close and yelled, “Actually, it’s my birthday today!”

Her surprised smile as the doors shut made my day. It also felt good to say out loud. I reached for my second access badge, opened the door and stepped into the work area. On this side of the tower is a bank management training program. To my chagrin, everyone was already there.

One of the young co-ed women looked at me with a clever smile and said, “Wow! It’s your birthday. Enjoy!”

This was followed by the two people in her group also chiming in to say, “Happy Birthday!”

I stopped in my tracks realizing I had unintentionally thrown my own party.

The rest of the group, about 30 in all, turned or swiveled in my direction and wished me a loud “Happy Birthday!” in unison. One guy even gave me a high five as I started to walk past the group. Others joined in as I thanked them all with an embarrassed laugh and continued to the other end of the floor.

I felt like I’d just won the biggest Corporate account or hit the winning basket for the company team. That moment was an embarrassingly fun way to jump start the day.

My own team wasn’t there yet, had no idea it was my birthday and didn’t see this happen. I signed onto my computer with a new secretly knowing grin on my face. With the open concept design, I was not only transparent, I had hit my own glass ceiling.

Team Valor #Pokemon

I am finally at a point in my life where I go to the gym every day. I don’t just show up either. I battle it out for the best result. On the days I arrive later than usual, and the gym is already full, I at least visit for a moment and share my fruit with other gym members. I am the ideal team player.

My loyalty is to my team, regardless of the benefit to me. How can I not support ‘Redbeard’? My husband has a beard and loves redheads, so it makes sense that he’s a teammate. I also had a cousin, Sonny we used to call him, that died young. This is why I consider gym mate ‘Zombie Sonny’ to be family. Then there are gym members I feel obligated to take under my wing like ‘Apathetic Bill’. He will be charged up with motivation when I finish with him.

Stop by the gym. I may be red in the face but I am there with my buddy every day. If you too are red, Team Valor, help me to show great courage in the face of danger. If you are the Rapidash of another color, maybe we can still become friends. I may just give you a gift. Every day, I am loyal to a fault.

Be Happy

Worry is a disease and it attacks the beautiful virtue of hope.

Our Father, – Matthew Kelly

Eye Candy

Even though I’m married, I have to admit he’s easy on the eyes. He has a dark complexion, is well-dressed and sweet. He comforts me. The only negative thing is that he’s wrapped too tight. Literally. You can see his nuts. That overlooked, he is full of goodness and tries hard to please. What more could a woman want? My life is better when he’s around. Al Mond is a joy.

Shutter Bug

My brother-in-law will tell you I end up in a lot of photos when we have family gatherings but it’s just coincidence that the lens is always nearby. My husband will say he has a special name for my participation during photographed events on his side of the family, endearingly I’m sure, called “the Donna show”. Both scenarios have nothing to do with the fact that I also enjoy being the product of a good photo bomb.

I recently entertained giving up the practice. I realize I have ruined some good prom photos, beautiful scenery and countless other special shots for people. I think I’m funny but that doesn’t mean others agree.

Yesterday, I walked out of a building that spills onto Boston City hall. The area is ripe for photos with a Faneuil Hall backdrop. I saw a family posing for pictures right in my path toward the train but rather than react on impulse and bomb them, I sped up my pace trying to get out of their way with a “Wait, wait, wait – let me hurry past.” My behavior didn’t seem normal. I chuckled to myself, knowing I was holding back. Then I laughed out loud when I heard, “That’s okay, we don’t mind. Join us!”

The tourist family did not have to ask me twice. I doubled-back, hugged the Mom on the end and spread my arms out wide for the photo. I am pretty sure they really snapped a picture. Hopefully, it wasn’t deleted and I end up in a family photo album on another continent.

A girl has to dream. The photo bomb bug is renewed. It only took a family gathering, a lens and a “Donna show”. I am alive and well.

My dark side

Body and Soul

Self- control is the foundation of discipline and a pre-requisite for character, integrity, happiness, love and dynamic relationships.

– Matthew Kelly

Scream of the crime

Getting up early to make our bed is a routine that I enjoy as much as the cats. I tease them with a smoothed ripple that I drift into the pillows or, like today, a disappearing hand under the afghan. The chase is on every morning as I humor them with play.

Today our black cat, Brother, was particularly determined to catch a wave or an appendage. My hands moved fast as I giggled, watching him try to catch up with my cat-like reflexes. He pawed at me to no avail. I was in charge until I felt a sharp dagger enter my body. I pulled my hand up off the comforter and stopped laughing. My lungs screamed seeing Brother hanging by a finger. Our predicament was similar to a fisherman with a fish hook in his hand but I still had the animal attached. I felt a claw behind my fingernail.

I was scared and so was Brother. A freaked out cat is not something you want dangling from your finger. The decibel of my scream increased as I put my arm on the bed. The movement seemed to untangle us and he sprinted from the room.

Now unhinged, my finger bled instantly spewing forth a red trail to the bathroom. My terror was not over as I put my hand under cold water. I watched our playtime drain away into a crimson waterfall.

My heart was losing blood and also felt horrible for scaring the shit out of our cat. I did my best to apply a bandage and remake the bed. I enjoyed our playtime but wasn’t humored by the first aid treatment.

#Writephoto

Addressed as Monsignor because of his valuable contributions and governance to the church, he sighed, closed his eyes and leaned his body and heavy heart against the knowing white brick. He hoped the darkness was finally behind him. Looking the other way had gone on long enough but he’d done what he had to do.

Today was the dawning of a new day, in Boston and around The Globe. The Spotlight truth was not one of his papers that could just be filed away. In this moment, he knew he’d continue to suffer in his own hell, all the days of his life. Penance. He was as sinful as any of them.

His governance had contributed to the horrors of thousands. Outside these walls he had no value or values. Monsignor’s knees buckled as he slid down the wall in a rage of tears. There were still years before the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. A wet face in shaking hands, his old tortured soul left him for what he had not done.

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Thursday’s photo prompt by Sue Vincent. Written hours after watching Spotlight, the 2016 academy award for Best Picture.