C.C. Chapman's Blog, page 10

December: The Long And Short Month

December is my most reflective month. The end of the year. Another trip around the sun for me. The first flakes of snow and bitter cold in the lungs.

Life quiets down and speeds up at the same time. The mayhem of the holidays mixed with cuddling in front of a fire with those you love.

You want to look to the future. To plan for the next year. Determine your three words, say all the things you are going to do, promise to make the next twelve months better than the last.

The only thing I know...

As The Next Phase Of The World Unravels, I’m Ready To Write

The dominoes are starting to fall and while I’m glad the truth will finally begin to be known, I’m also angry that this is happening in America. That we’ve become so “my side is right and your side is wrong” that we’ve lost sight of the bigger picture that we are one country and if another country messes with us, we should all be pissed.

We woke without power this morning. Thankfully we were prepared and it is back on now.

Of course, it made me realize a few things we should have done but did...

Why I Write? I Have No Choice.

For the past year, I’ve asked numerous people the simple question of “Why do you write?” on the Why I Write Podcast.

The answers usually start with a giggle at the enormity of the question, but the answers all have a similar vibe to them. All around some version of having to do it because the urge/voices/need is there.

This certainly fits for me as well. I have to write. It isn’t a choice.

The voices in my head scream when I haven’t created in a while.

For me, there is a variety of writing I...

Journaling The Rambles Of My Mind

This space has always been treated as an online journal first and any other word you might choose to call it second.

I collect my thoughts and process the ones that I want to share with the world. The ones not for your eyes go down on paper in some sort of semi=regular schedule that is far from daily.

Last night as I walked the dark streets of Boston I reflected on friendship and how it works.

We use to call, write and touch base with those we cared about.

Today a thumbs up, like or retweet...

Don’t Trust Others To Care About Your Career

Dylan started college earlier this month.

On the cross-country road trip, many stories were shared and advice given.

He has a few years before he has to worry about it, but I reminded him that the only person he can fully trust to care about his career is himself.

Recently, I was reminded of this fact and by now it is something I should know since more than once I’ve put my faith in others and then had it thrown away.

What it boils down to is that you need to be sure you are looking out for...

My Beliefs

My beliefs are simple and set in stone. They’ve evolved over time as life experiences shape them like river rocks.

I don’t judge people based on the color of their skin, who they choose to worship or who they love.

I judge everyone based on their words and actions.

Your word is your bond.

Putting in the time, effort and work is the only way to get what you want.

Break my trust once and you’ll never earn it back fully.

I forgive as much as possible, but I never forget.

Protecting those I love...

Being a Duck Ain’t Easy, But It Keeps Me Sane

In Amazing Things Will Happen, I talked about the idea of being a duck.

The concept is simple enough.

Ducks don’t care about the rain. They keep swimming around, doing duck things. They let the rain wash off of them because they realize there is nothing they can do about it directly so they focus on what they can do.

Today’s world is full of moments where I need to stop and remind myself to be a duck.

If you could hear the voices in my head you’d hear “Quack! Quack!” as they remind me of my...

Boston GORUCK Constellation

My iPhone vibrates and I quickly pull it out to see what the latest from Command is.

As the designated Comms for the team, it is my job to stay on top of what other teams are doing and orders from on high.

“Blue teams, you have two minutes until hunting of red teams begins.”

I share the news with the team and we quickly scurry to our predetermined hiding spot.

We were assigned call sign Delta. Some of us know each other. Others are strangers. But, for the night we are together and everything...

Weeks Are Rarely Simple

The heat of summer has rolled in. My least favorite time of year and one that I don’t mind rolling past as quickly as possible.

Last week was one full of emotional swings.

It started on Sunday with Dylan graduating from high school. It wasn’t as emotional as I was expecting it to be. We are so proud of him and what comes next in his life.

It’ll hurt to see him go, but knowing that he is starting the next phase of his life excites me. Plus, that next phase starts with a cross-country road tri...

Our Family Depends on Verizon Fios

I’ve worked remotely for more years than I’ve commuted to an office.

If my Internet connection is slow or unstable, I can’t get the work done that I need to.

The moment Verizon Fios came into my neighborhood I immediately signed up. I had done some marketing work for them early on and knew how good they were. I raved about it to my neighbors and soon everyone was signing up.

Check to see if Fios is available in your neighborhood.

Today, the internet is more important than cable or telephone....