Ugly Babies

“That’s the point. Every kind of animal thinks its own kind of animal is wonderful. So people getting married think they’re wonderful, and that they’re going to have a baby-- that’s wonderful, when actually they’re as ugly as rhinoceroses. Just because we think we’re so wonderful doesn’t mean we really are. We could be really terrible animals and just never admit it because it would hurt so much.” — Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Hocus Pocus)

Well, I woke to a camel licking my face. Happy midweek, we reached the summit, time for basecamp, and then the start of our descent down our weekly mountain trek. How was your climb up, rocky, slick, agreeable, pleasant? I think two people can climb the same mountain, the same path, and two different experiences. It’s the way they enjoy the journey is that truly matters.

I got some coffee in the mail yesterday, a four-pack of some new coffee. I know not who sent it, thank you universe; we love coffee!  I made some this morning. I’m now setting up my coffee maker the night before to align myself with the pup’s habits. I’m not training her; she is teaching us. Here is how the day will roll, and I must tell you, she’s on to something. She awakes with boundless energy; you better come downstairs, ready to play.

I let her out, make the coffee, get my water, my rice bag, my nicotine gum, and then sit down to make soup. She runs around playing with her toys, and then about 30 minutes later will go up and wake up our Queen. The Queen is up; the pup is eating; welcome to our new life.

I have been thinking about ugly babies. This thought is in alignment with my thoughts on our dog. We got this dog, we believe it’s the cutest dog, the smartest dog, but I’m sure some folks look at the dog and think, what the hell is that? I see my granddaughter like the most =-beautiful grandbaby ever made; I don’t believe this is up for discussion.

But there are ugly babies. Our children are beautiful, and their mates are attractive, but that does not mean they will all have pretty babies. How does one deal with the birth of an ugly baby? 

Is it left unsaid? Is it the elephant in the room, you see the baby, and you want to vomit a little in your mouth? How about those ghouls that make pretty babies. Some ugly people in this world make great looking babies. I’m kidding a little; beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what is beauty to one might be ugly to another. What is unattractive to one might be beautiful to the masses. A thought to ponder as we gear up to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, I’m sure there were a few that said, “that baby in the manger, U G L Y!.”

I met a new friend yesterday; his name is Eric; he and his second wife have started a ministry called Round 2. It’s for people that have been married, the marriage failed, and they help support those in need going through a divorce and seeking peace through toxicity. Fun fact, we discovered his college roommate is one of my best friends, small world Brett Canady.

I’m going to have lunch with him and some other friends today; 2020 has been the year to talk to enlightened strangers. I left our Indy office, headed up to Roots Bugar bar, saw a couple of old friends, then had lunch with Bill and Carla reviewing some year-end numbers. I left there, ran a call with a non-profit leader in Colorado. Robert runs a firm that helps people with domestic violence. We will be having a concert for him this year, increasing awareness and giving them a check after our two-hour event. Our concert series will be an essential fundraising tool for our agency. It’s a win, win, win. The artist wins, the non-profit wins, and we get to show the virtue and values of TTG.

I headed back to Indy, stopping at exit 210 to run a call with my kid. We received a referral from a happy client in CO for some professional liability for a property manager, one of our favorite classes. We met with Justin, reviewed it, and will finalize it once we get some changes to his limit and deductible.

I hit the road again and took the pup for a quick walk. Then I scooped up my kid and Queen to meet Greg and Rob, two of our new friends. I met Greg in Indy, they both have a love for CO, they will both stay at our home in 2021, we all appreciate inappropriate humor, I can’t share the jokes, know your audience.

We got home and relaxed, sat and dined on some Hot Box Pizza. My mom called and asked, “are you off your diet?” No mother, but when you get home at 7:00, you don’t want to cook; Hot Box Pizza sponsors this soup for all your “don’t want to cook” evenings. HotBox Pizza, check it out! If your mouth needs food rocks, GET HOTBOX!

We were in bed by 9:00, per our usual arrangement; we both slept great and now are positioned for another glorious day.  I’ve got breakfast with a new friend and stranger I’ve never met. Eugene and I met last week; he thought I would connect with his friend; they were having breakfast today; I was invited; I’m going to go up and learn about their who, not their what. 

I’ve got lunch with Eric and his crew at the Skyline club, then we are having a conversation with a long time friend about her insurance needs. We are finishing strong; we will see if our friend is a fit for our firm and vice versa; we never know until we have our first conversation. Selectivity, when bringing on new clients, is key to a successful business. We are not for everyone, and if you are honest, neither are you.

Well, pup talk, ugly babies, a daily recap, and a nice spliff from my sponsor. Thank you to the fine folks at HotBox Pizza; if your stomach is feeling frisky, get a HotBox! I think I’ll leave this one here, not a lot of meat, more brothy today, I’ll take it, not every day can be a chunky chili; some soups are just to help cleanse my 14-year-old humor based easy bake oven of a mind.

“That’s the point. Every kind of animal thinks its own kind of animal is wonderful. So people getting married think they’re wonderful, and that they’re going to have a baby-- that’s wonderful, when actually they’re as ugly as rhinoceroses. Just because we think we’re so wonderful doesn’t mean we really are. We could be really terrible animals and just never admit it because it would hurt so much.” — Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Hocus Pocus)