• The LORAX was really good! Great plot, good message, etc. One question, tho: Where'd O'Hare get HIS air?. HA! Take THAT, hippies! #
• What! This is *so* a word! #WWF #BeQuiet! http://t.co/XakQw65Z #
• Driving, Austin to Dallas w/ Steely Dan blaring in brand new Dodge Charger. Wishing @martymankins could join me on a road trip #
• THE BIG APPLE ANNOUNCEMENT EVERYONE'S WAITING FOR: Wayne says Apple ain't that big of a deal http://t.co/XmnszBmZ #
• Me too! RT @Critia Someone please explain Radiohead to me. #
• It's Jaden's 10th birthday! (@ Grandview Hills Elementary w/ 2 others) http://t.co/lj02XCCf #
• THIS JUST IN: Independent sources confirm that whall's shirt statistically likely better than yours http://t.co/maq5u011 #
• Hey! This location is now closed!! What's the deal!?!?? (@ Red Robin Gourmet Burgers) http://t.co/jPpHwCWd #
• I cannot believe @avitable was able to guess my last drawing. Kudos, sir. Is there a way to share drawings or look back? #drawsomething #
• No, YOUR upset stomach is from YOU consuming 3 Red Bulls, 2 Diet Cokes, 5 Hour Energy shot, 2 NoDoze and a cake donut #
• I am giving @ellemmes the absolute WORST pictures in #drawsomething #
• George Lucas should embrace affirmative action & cast a Native American as lead role in Star Wars. Can't wait to see A New Hopi #
• Some of Sedona http://t.co/FanZfsY0 #

Today is Jaden’s 10th birthday.  That’s right, no more single digits for this boy.  He’s moving into those years of character development, self-expression and peer pressure.  I’d say he’s doing a pretty good job so far, and I’m excited to see what he becomes.

This morning on the way to school we sang the following song from one our favorite bands, Trout Fishing in America.

Sing along with us, won’t you?

• MT @poppycede Wow. Not even to the Oscars show yet & I cannot process the hate vs. love of the looks tweeted here. // it's what we've become #
• Prolly shoulda not forgotten my coat this trip http://t.co/rVozG7Zg #
• Yay! I'm in DC! Boo! My bag is stuck in Chicago. Yay! They'll deliver it to my hotel when it gets in! Boo! Have no idea when that will be! #
• It's times like these where I wish my baggage had a foursquare account do I could get the points of being in Chicago while I'm in DC #
• I will drown my baggage-less sorrows in a nice plate of EGGS PLAKA!!! (@ Amphora's Diner Deluxe) http://t.co/H1pPoxoz #
• I GOT MY LUGGAGE BACK!!!! #
• Overheard in DC:
  WAYNE GOT HIS DEODORANT BACK! #
• Aww that's so sweet of you to s… WAIT A SEC WHEN DID IT
  BECOME TUESDAY!?!! (cc: @missbritt @secretninjamom @burghbaby) #
• Asked for a creme brûlée for desert. They brought me a chocolate creme brûlée. NOT the same thing. My fault for not asking to see menu #
• Dear legal friends; I was recently denied something for being "Too Hall". Do I have a case? I was born this way! http://t.co/jyF5USVP #
• For @Blogography RT @TheOnion [video] Heartbroken Santorum Condemns Gay Marriage For Two-Timing Jerks Like Nick http://t.co/5U1lX9Fq #
• SHHHHHH! 4SQ better keep its mouth shut. @queenofpink might see me and @hellohahanarf might get jealous http://t.co/UH2H66et #
• RT @martymankins Still amazed that my Sprint bill has gone up almost $30 // cell phone coverage should be mandatory for all Americans!!! #

• We can walk our road together, if our goals are all the same. #Rush (@ Hemispheres) http://t.co/7Xf4YTuy #
• Bought a bookcase. Glad I didn't paper shelf. (@ Hobby Lobby) http://t.co/2Eu1zZy7 #
• There's extra-ordinaire and then there's this. http://t.co/zbNE6OiC #
• Why can't I reserve whall.omg domain? Does someone already have it? #
• I had to catch today's http://t.co/3AGZeBFX shirt. "Lookin' for love in Alderaan places" #
• Whenever someone uses "and probably reads Ayn Rand" as an insult, I chuckle to myself. Because its totally not pronounced "Ayn" #
• Making copies… (@ FedEx Office Print & Ship Center) http://t.co/1YIy2LFu #
• I think I'm gonna see SWEp4-3D tonight. FYI. #
• It's more than just a guilty pleasure when I watch an awesome movie in a completely empty theater [pic]: http://t.co/1z7HTMpm #
• I don't think Foursquare knows what "closing in" on someone really means. (cc: @kapgar) http://t.co/S7gcfEkh #
• I never. NEVER. Get tired of @brentspiner telling me to keep Real 3D Green by recycling my 3D glasses. #fascinating #
• Another atta-boy for Hampton keeping me happy one night at a time (@ Hampton Inn) http://t.co/MD6fqRDJ #
• Long awaited lunch w/@renagerie and fiends. Wait. Friends, not fiends. I think. (@ Brooklyn Pie Co w/ @renagerie) http://t.co/wpL4xTUm #
• Another pine car derby weigh in. 4.9 ounces! (@ FedEx store) [pic]: http://t.co/xLKBDGF9 #
• Hypothetically, if I tweet about switching from AT&T to Verizon from my AT&T phone, do I risk retaliation from AT&T? #holdme #
• So those of you with ipad2 — any must-have accessories? #
• The old switcheroo (@ Verizon Wireless) http://t.co/7fn9UpiB #
• Bad: airline oversold flight: got bumped & will land 6hrs later. Good: airline called me, rebooked & saved me grief @ airport #
• So um, had to switch gates. My prior checkin @ gate 22 seems like a big fat lie. Has NOTHING to do w/points. Mostly. http://t.co/6p6oqoDY #
• Pshaw who cares about First Class upgrades anymore — I got upgraded to 3D! #wherearemyglasses http://t.co/AP005jM8 #
• You point elitists won't believe me but flight changed AGAIN. I'm back to lovely Gate 22. I always liked you best. http://t.co/EygHJZtx #
• LOVE IT when the gate attendant gently reminds people who try to sneak into an earlier boarding group. #busted #

• Charger with USB FTW (@ National Car Rental) http://t.co/QLGrdsSU #
• I saw where someone said their wireless router supported "duel radios" and I thought: THEM'S FIGHTIN WORDS! #
• Sometimes I think politicians invented Twitter so common folk could experience the joy of having everything said be public record #
• Trato de no dejar que un error acento mí, pero si no puedo entender, no debe trabajar el drive-thru #
• Come on, @redbull – you haven't had any product here in 3 weeks! (@ CVS Pharmacy) http://t.co/mDsNuCPh #
• The pain of 5am wakeup call to catch early flight is totally made up for by the free first class upgrade waiting for me #woot #
• Not envying @martymankins and his double-digit-hour exchange repair tasks. Been there, done that, edbutilIthrowup #
• Owning Chronicles does not a true Rush fan make #andthegeekshallinherittheearth #
• Always willing to take the awesome travel voucher deals for volunteering to fly later… unless I have some Jaden time scheduled #
• This? Is my Facts Of Life boarding pass. #takethegood http://t.co/N1GUFWj0 #
• Wow just checked out the lyric scroller option of Shazam – very very cool. http://t.co/n2rKAnzk #

• Don't you even START with me RT @queenofpink Wait, people still drink Pepsi? #
• Can't watch Super bowl for 2 hrs. Tried leaving Austin early enough but running behind. Wait isn't "running behind" one of the positions? #
• I'm a foursquare mayor of more places out-of-state than in-state. #
• Chuckle: RT @TheOnion Man With Paper Bag On Head Leading @MittRomney In Polls By 20 Points http://t.co/IceHGMGW #
• I've got the moves like jäger, I've got the move like jäger. I don't need to try to outdrink you, look into my eyes and you'll pay th'bill #
• Well at least it's a hybrid http://t.co/NU0rndpG #obama #funny #
• Someone tell Michael J. Fox! RT @TheOnion Typo In Proposition 8 Defines Marriage As Between 'One Man And One Wolfman' http://t.co/ncICoBvc #
• If you like me at all, or actually any person anywhere, send positive vibes so I can win Grand Prize: Free Whataburger For a Year #
• THIS Whataburger. (@ Whataburger) http://t.co/mceKAxuR #
• About as much as Manism RT @AnissaMayhew Feminism NOT Someone’s Thing? Seriously? http://t.co/NgeD15UR #
• We put the "whall" in "Whataburger" #flex http://t.co/wdMDcoZT #
• So I know a bunch of my twitter pals like BTTF. There's a free game app today http://t.co/eEKxKAxO #
• How could you be so stupid to think I would ever call you stupid? #

• Who needs a stairway to heaven when you have two different stairways to Wayne? http://t.co/a6l6mY2e #
• Smartphones: for when you still want to be wrong about the forecast, but you want to be wrong *faster*. #
• Anybody want Greek food? I'm buying*

  * some restrictions apply. Offer not valid outside 5mile radius of current location. Cannot be combin #

• Darn. Nobody took me up on my offer for free food. Sometimes I just don't understand people! (@ Athens Grill) http://t.co/DvKflHE7 #
• Ok I have the next killer podcast. @blogography and I watch news together and comment live. Either can pause. Alternate Fox/msnbc/CNN #
• I suspect Julian Assange is Bill Maher's illegitimate child. Don't you see it? #
• This is who I'm spending the evening with tonight. http://t.co/egjQNbyS #
• I need a service that can sync all my sync services. #
• Sometimes the right headphones make all the difference. http://t.co/nQs75VgN #saynotoearbuds #
• I look forward to the day when Foursquare can tell me I'm using the same bathroom stall as some celebrity I follow once did. #
• Entire hotel power just went out. Just as I arrived to my room, like seconds out of the elevator. Now to dream funky. #
• And I'm reminded of the many benefits to my iP4: my alarm will work, a flashlight, and I can tweet my woes to everyone. #
• Me too! MT @renagerie saddens me that I haven't met @sybillaw. The fact that she's my blog's most reliable commenter highlights failing. #
• I feel like @poppycedes and @nycwd should be here with me (@ Dunkin' Donuts) [pic]: http://t.co/bpS3nPA2 #
• Friend bought the Asus Transformer Prime netbook:tablet combo. Pretty sweet I must say. #
• In case you were wondering exactly how big these beats were, they are of the leprechaun-stepping genre. #
• Yes it's finally open (@ Whataburger) http://t.co/C0ASxWzr #
• I'm thinking about live tweeting the game. I won't be watching it, just live tweeting it. Think I could get a sponsor? #
• So this app almost seems worth $1.99 — 200 super bowl ads. http://t.co/DY6UKJNg 2006-now #
• Folks, smoking kills. Here's proof
  http://t.co/v9sYGbAz #

With the (not-so) new job, I travel a lot more. As with any change life throws at you, the choice is completely yours as to how you respond and react. You can either resist or rejoice. You can either relapse or rebound. You can either rejuvenate or reverse.

There are two contradictory phrases I adhere to.

1. You make your own destiny
2. You can’t control what happens to you

Maxim #1 embodies my zealous pursuit of excellence. If I want something to happen, I need to go *make* it happen. I shouldn’t expect a job; I need to earn one. If I want a better job, I don’t wait around for a promotion or some lucky break, it’s up to me to work harder. I don’t need to find a better partner in life, I need to *be* a better partner in life.

Maxim #2 sounds like it conflicts with the first one, but in reality it completes it. The “destiny you make” takes into account the things that “happen to you.” It is the choice of how you react that puts the control squarely in your hands.  The phrase “mind like water” seems appropriate to mention here.

I could complain about the travel… I could be all “woe is me, look at me, I have to stay up late to catch this flight” or focus on all the many seemingly bad things that can happen. I still do it sometimes, of course, but if I catch myself I try to stop. I don’t like it when people continually focus on the negatives, because eventually, it’s that negativity that defines them. I don’t want to descend into someone who’s always seeing the negative of any given situation.  Because you don’t just see the negative – you be the negative.

So what are some good things about the travel?  The frequent flyer miles are awesome.  It helps fund a quality family vacation.  I get to meet fantastic people and see neat places.  I broaden my horizons with new experiences, weird foods, different cultures and did I mention the food?  My family misses me, and I them, but that makes our reunion that much better.  I find myself more available to do things on “me time” like see a movie by myself.

But what I’ve found is the more I concentrate on the positives that are all around me… my life is just plain better. The same circumstances have happened, but in one situation, I’m down, gloomy and upset, but in the other I’m happy, upbeat and ready for more opportunities.

The other revelation is that as I’m sitting there noticing the positive things, not only am I happier, but it seems more positive things happen. It’s almost like the Universe is watching when it sends things people’s way.

Example: Let’s say I’m sitting at a blackjack table. I’m having fun, maybe losing, maybe winning. Someone comes up and watches a little bit and comments “I never do well at these table games – the odds are all wrong.” He sits down next to me anyway. We chat it up, he starts to play and soon we’re talking about work, a local show, having some fun with the dealer.

As we play, I get a blackjack. Huge win! The guy next to me sees it and says “See what I mean? I never get those.” We continue playing and I get a few others in the course of about 45 minutes. In fact, I had an extremely good run of the cards in that amount of time.

The guy gets ready to cash in and is still negative about the experience. He saw me take $100 and it turned into about $350 in that hour. He comments about that, too, and says he’s never that lucky. “These table games are a total ripoff, you know?  I can’t believe I wasted my time.  But look at you, seems that’s always the way with me – the guy next to me gets all the luck.”

I ask him how he did as he’s cashing out. He had turned $100 into $200 in that same time frame. I said “you did great! You doubled your money!” His response is a pointed finger at my winnings and said “yeah, but look at you. These table games suck. I never win at them.”

Here’s what I think about that situation. I envision the Universe sitting around having a drink with the Sun, the Earth and the Moon, just shooting the breeze. The Universe says “watch this – see that guy down there? I’m going to send some good vibes his way, double his money, and see how he reacts.” So the Universe sends some good luck to the guy and he sees the reaction from the man, and wonders why he even bothered in the first place.

But the Universe sees MY reaction and says “now, there’s a grateful guy. I think I’ll send some more good stuff his way – he’s at least thankful, even when what I send isn’t that great.  He’s a member of my Frequent Smiler program and gets Elite status.”

Universe — thank you. I’m always looking for the things you send my way, no matter how small. I think it’s my job to find them.

The better I get at that job, the happier my life becomes.

Now that today’s life lesson is out of the way, I should do what every good blogger does – add pictures to your blog posts. So here are some pictures from my airport wifi experiences.

and

Ha!  There’s positive things even in the very air that surrounds you!

• Hotels: no "13th floor," but they still have a room #404 When will they get upgrade to today's superstitions? http://t.co/uMEkkRJV #
• Fork in the road ahead. One way leads to work. Another; a movie. A 3rd points to #swtor Which path is your destiny? Hint: Peace is a lie #
• Chiiiiiiiinese music always… sets. me. free. Angular banjos… sound good… to me! #aja #steelydan #
• I wish I knew someone who was a wizard at project management and MS Project so I could get them drunk and scrape their brain. #
• RT @sizzlesays If you were going to "channel" someone's style, who would it be? // Jon Anderson of Yes fame #
• Guess what I'm doing for the first time in about a year? DON'T LOOK THAT WOULD BE CHEATING YOU BIG CHEATER http://t.co/g5unCdIf #
• Look I'm a fan of people trying to get their money's worth. But someone is playing ELP's Karn Evil 9 on the jukebox and I'm waiting!!! #
• Woke up in a daze. Misread USA Today headline of "Scientists Engineer Bioterror Fears" as "810 Ferret Tears". Boy am I relieved to be wrong #
• Know what makes me think of glorious Norse afterlife accommodations? Anything that makes me yell out loud. Why? cuz @whall holla! #
• Whew! Thanx RT @Faiqa Happy Birthday @avitable <— this means I don't have to call you… because I *just talked to you. #
• I gotta admit I'm excited: just got an *omelette sandwich* from Subway. To be safe tho, I also got Cheetos and sugar cookie. #
• Best of luck to my talented daughter and amazing mom who start out on their flights and visits to colleges for auditions today #
• Turns out the difference between Fairfax Drive in Arlington, VA and Fairfax Drive in Alexandria, VA isn't as subtle as I thought #GPS #typo #
• Me and some of @Bellaventa @boobtubious @BlondeBlogger @mr_shiny @CissaFireheart #1 http://t.co/qQ0xeYb4 #
• Me and some of @Bellaventa @boobtubious @BlondeBlogger @mr_shiny @CissaFireheart #2 http://t.co/bjxy5189 #
• Me and some of @Bellaventa @boobtubious @BlondeBlogger @mr_shiny @CissaFireheart #3 http://t.co/vDSD9lgj #
• Me and some of @Bellaventa @boobtubious @BlondeBlogger @mr_shiny @CissaFireheart (without me) #4 http://t.co/EjOeuCCV #
• Me and some of @Bellaventa @boobtubious @BlondeBlogger @mr_shiny @CissaFireheart #5 http://t.co/RuBdu98c (google+ video hangouts rock!) #
• Gotta say, Google+ Video group Hangouts really are cool w/@boobtubious @cissafireheart @BlondeBlogger http://t.co/aBcYsXqm #
• RT @hellohahanarf Playing with fire again. // I was playing with @cissafireheart earlier. Close enough? #
• Saw this on Facebook. For some reason first person I thought of was @queenofpink http://t.co/fr8JhYJE #
• Taking suggestions for what to do today in DC. A movie and #swtor already on the list. Don't mind driving a bit, either. #
• Heh main whall, more like (@ Union Staion, Main Hall) http://t.co/kp0Wtjmp #
• Aww this place is awesome. Can't wait to show my 9yr old Jaden (@ International Spy Museum w/ 4 others) http://t.co/0d2YdDd5 #
• I picked 3 RT @AppAdvice iOS Apps Gone Free: Meme Generator Pro, Babylonian Twins HD, That Word, And More http://t.co/TniC2Qp1 #
• I really like that first line… Why'd they have to keep writing? http://t.co/9KT7aqzN "Congress shall make no law…" #
• Tried to get in but my knife was too long will try again next time. Without the knife http://t.co/04c7uM05 #
• Interesting sunlight reflections on the side of the Holocaust Museum http://t.co/rh2z8c3j I'm thinking DNA strands. What do you see? #
• Maybe if I study here hard enough, *I* can be President too! (@ Occidental Grill and Seafood) http://t.co/npjODI2B #
• Awesome. The theater I picked at random is right next to Wayne Ave. http://t.co/lPqPcivM #
• I claim this garage in the name of whall (@ Wayne Avenue Garage) http://t.co/t2Mn4aPq #

• Seriously. Was *anyone* a fan of Dr. Pulaski? #sttng #
• I can't believe the rental I got stuck with http://t.co/5Ob6tVlg #
• I wonder how many people signed petitions today against SOPA without reading it. #
• Ouch. This traffic in #belton is brutal driving back to Austin from Dallas. #
• I'm warning you: if the fake hair on my head is pelted with tiny frozen balls of ice, there'll be hail toupee. #
• Very pleased to be blessed by @missbritt and her family http://t.co/dnG3LRsA (with @renagerie) http://t.co/tEfceO2b #
• The brainwashed do not know they are brainwashed.

  But I do. #

• What the #WWF Kootche isn't a word? What else do you say to babies? http://t.co/F9sP8Pfn #
• What exactly is a "throng"? MT @cnnbrk Throngs of Penn State students gather at Joe Paterno statue to pay tribute. http://t.co/BRKhvZrl #
• Status. It's the difference between getting a Dodge Avenger and getting a Dodge Charger. Charger always wins. #
• The Eggs Plaka is to die for! Amphora's Diner Deluxe (1151 Elden St, Herndon Parkway, Herndon) on foursquare: http://t.co/XLZJ6eE9 #
• Eggs Plaka is amazing. Eggs Benedict w/ Gyro meat! Amphora's Diner Deluxe (1151 Elden St, Herndon, VA): http://t.co/XLZJ6eE9 #