2018 was incoherent in so many ways. Looking back, it feels alternately perplexing, entertaining, enervating, and amusing--just plain overdone. In short, the world coughed up many turds in 2018, yet it still smelled pretty good in springtime.
My daily interactions with people were
generally friendly and without rancor. The good ship Rising Family™ kept
chugging along fueled by smiles and sarcasm. The gap was miles wide between what I observed and read about in the news versus what I
experienced in real life. That makes me…a lucky man.
Some images follow, in chronological order,
more or less, together with an explanation or a thought.
A graying dog learned a new trick. In January,
my coworkers counseled me that it was absolutely necessary to my life to create
a bitmoji. Here it is.
Work is usually busy in January. One bonus is
that I got to drive Nissan’s new electric vehicle, the LEAF, through the Red
Rocks west of Las Vegas. Amazing scenery from the seat of a terrific car.
Grampa’s first visit. Golf, Grand Ole Opry, hockey
on TV, visiting a Civil War battlefield, and hanging out with the grandkids.
The inevitable family sketch at Chuck E. Cheese.
Warmer weather in May warranted a wall ascent. Both
Lady E. and M. aren’t afraid of heights. This is Marina at a outdoor fun zone on the hills of Outlook Mountain near Chattanooga.
Back to Hiroshima in June for the family to
recharge their Japanese speaking skills. Always a nice opportunity to visit
Miyajima island.
Dad’s 70th b-day party. It’s the only time I’ve
been taller than the Twin Towers, Steve-O and Dad!
This is a photo of a real ice cream eating
contest at the Tennessee State Fair in September. The fair felt like a ride back in time,
featuring amusement park rides, animals, and southern food galore. The ice
cream contest reminded me of the Stephen King story, “The Revenge of Lard-ass
Hogan” in his novella, The Body. Curious? Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK0JaEde4VI
More end-of-summer fun at The Kentucky Kingdom
park. Marina and I went up and down the 130-foot Fearfall. She came off it
laughing and adrenalized.
The classic Disney photo. Orlando's blue skies in mid-October.
We went to Memphis to see the city. I thought
it was important we visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel,
where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. Our travels are about
discovery, not always about frivolity. Sometimes the Rising Daughters need to experience
some of the horrible aspects of the world to appreciate their good fortune.
And here’s a shot of the full Christmas crew.
‘Twas a merry day.
