Travel, People watching and saving humanity
Good day, I have returned from a lengthy blog absence and at times wanted to pop open the trusty laptop and type but there was usually limited time to share my unlimited thoughts. I have done some travel in the time since the last blog. I went to what is nearly the very middle of the United States, St. Louis, Missouri. I've been there many times but it's been such a long time since I was there in summer I didn't realize that the humidity is like Florida....and it was over 100 degrees every day! Yikes! I couldn't think straight enough in the heat to write a coherent piece. (Maybe I never do)
When traveling I find people watching to be particularly interesting. Airports will bring together every piece of humanity from many cultures. The human ingredients mixed in an airport also have every part of the emotional spectrum. Since I had a 90 minute delay I chose to use it as an opportunity rather than a drag. Let's start at security- the TSA is fun! A lot of unhappy looking people waiting in line and even more unhappy looking employees of TSA. The most common question/statemement "I don't understand why we have to go through all this...?" The answer-for security. Hey it's right there in the name! I even got pulled aside for an extra search. Cool, that's what happens when you're 5'5" and the guy in front of you is 6'8." Always pick on the short guy.
The zippers on the pockets of my shorts set off the meters. I get it, they didn't want me to shank somebody with a hidden metal object- so I didn't object. Those setting off for vacation or to visit a friend were mostly happy and pleasant. Those that were returning were mostly tired, and tired of everything - including each other. Remember those times? "Mom, Johnnie is touching me...he took the last cheez-it....Jennifer is breathing on me and her breath stinks!" Mom- "Just stay away from each other but not out of my sight or your father and I are going home without you!"Yeah, feel the love.
There was the unpleasant fellow selling me my salad and repeating the same sequence of questions with every order like a robot. I tried to make him laugh, even smile- no sense of humor or at least he didn't share mine. There were a mix of readers, greeters and drinkers. I've said this before, people in airports seem to feel very open to sharing details with strangers that most would keep private. My assertion is that there is no need to hold back since they're sharing it with someone who's judgement will have no affect on them afterward. Children, mostly unhappy or frightened and exercising their lung capacity and experimenting with new levels of pitch and tone while screaming "NOooooooooo! or MommYYyyyyy!" Yeah, I love airports.
I was at a convention. More people! awesome! The collection of people from all over the US, some were originally from another country. This was better than an airport. I would try to identify what state or country they were from by their accent. We all had name tags with our office locations so it was easy to get an answer except for the folks that were transplants. We worked together on projects and were purposely grouped in different activities, sometimes from all over and others from within our home state. Fast fact- there was the same amount of differences either way. Very cool.
Just yesterday, almost a week after returning I got to participate in my favorite activity with one of the most amazing families -The Gingras family. They are literally trying to save humanity. I participate and sponsor their annual tube float. The Joel A. Gingras Jr. foundation or more commonly known as the JAG fund (www.jagfund.org) was set up to fund research for brain tumors. Joel was the oldest son/brother of this fantastic family and he passed nearly 29 years ago from complications from brain tumors. One doctor, Daniel, a fellowship recipient, befriended me a couple years ago as we all floated down the Delaware river. We spoke again yesterday and he reiterated the fact that his research career would have ended were it not for the JAG fellowship. Wow!
A foundation built to save humanity. A foundation funding the great minds that are doing all that they can to make the world a better place. A foundation built from sadness that saves careers and improves lives. Yes, you can feel the love for real. The tube float started as an activity that Joel and his brothers used to do with their college friends and evolved into this great event to fund research. Many in the mix of people mostly 35-55 years old use the event to stay connected to each other which is very cool. You get a bonus "Answerman says." The Answerman says "The tube float is the most fun anyone can have doing something good for mankind."
This year harsh weather made the river too unsafe for everyone so we gathered at the home of Joel's youngest brother, Christian. Great people,, great fun and for a great cause. All these years later the siblings still get emotional talking about their brother. I understand, we all do. The group is about 100 for the float. The family also hosts a dinner party and a winter gala as fundraising events. This year the foundation should go over $2 million raised since it's 1989 creation, having awarded 28 fellowships and a research grant. Pause...think about how much that goes toward literally saving humanity.
There are many great people and nice people in this country, on this planet and right around the corner from each of us. I have long said and written here that we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone around us. I believe that any small thing that you can do to make a smile - even for the guy selling food at the airport- is your contribution to the process of improvement. The Answerman says "You don't have to give to the JAG fund to make the world a better place, but contribute to humanity's improvement and you may be surprised by how good it makes YOU feel."
Be good, be safe,
Answerman
When traveling I find people watching to be particularly interesting. Airports will bring together every piece of humanity from many cultures. The human ingredients mixed in an airport also have every part of the emotional spectrum. Since I had a 90 minute delay I chose to use it as an opportunity rather than a drag. Let's start at security- the TSA is fun! A lot of unhappy looking people waiting in line and even more unhappy looking employees of TSA. The most common question/statemement "I don't understand why we have to go through all this...?" The answer-for security. Hey it's right there in the name! I even got pulled aside for an extra search. Cool, that's what happens when you're 5'5" and the guy in front of you is 6'8." Always pick on the short guy.
The zippers on the pockets of my shorts set off the meters. I get it, they didn't want me to shank somebody with a hidden metal object- so I didn't object. Those setting off for vacation or to visit a friend were mostly happy and pleasant. Those that were returning were mostly tired, and tired of everything - including each other. Remember those times? "Mom, Johnnie is touching me...he took the last cheez-it....Jennifer is breathing on me and her breath stinks!" Mom- "Just stay away from each other but not out of my sight or your father and I are going home without you!"Yeah, feel the love.
There was the unpleasant fellow selling me my salad and repeating the same sequence of questions with every order like a robot. I tried to make him laugh, even smile- no sense of humor or at least he didn't share mine. There were a mix of readers, greeters and drinkers. I've said this before, people in airports seem to feel very open to sharing details with strangers that most would keep private. My assertion is that there is no need to hold back since they're sharing it with someone who's judgement will have no affect on them afterward. Children, mostly unhappy or frightened and exercising their lung capacity and experimenting with new levels of pitch and tone while screaming "NOooooooooo! or MommYYyyyyy!" Yeah, I love airports.
I was at a convention. More people! awesome! The collection of people from all over the US, some were originally from another country. This was better than an airport. I would try to identify what state or country they were from by their accent. We all had name tags with our office locations so it was easy to get an answer except for the folks that were transplants. We worked together on projects and were purposely grouped in different activities, sometimes from all over and others from within our home state. Fast fact- there was the same amount of differences either way. Very cool.
Just yesterday, almost a week after returning I got to participate in my favorite activity with one of the most amazing families -The Gingras family. They are literally trying to save humanity. I participate and sponsor their annual tube float. The Joel A. Gingras Jr. foundation or more commonly known as the JAG fund (www.jagfund.org) was set up to fund research for brain tumors. Joel was the oldest son/brother of this fantastic family and he passed nearly 29 years ago from complications from brain tumors. One doctor, Daniel, a fellowship recipient, befriended me a couple years ago as we all floated down the Delaware river. We spoke again yesterday and he reiterated the fact that his research career would have ended were it not for the JAG fellowship. Wow!
A foundation built to save humanity. A foundation funding the great minds that are doing all that they can to make the world a better place. A foundation built from sadness that saves careers and improves lives. Yes, you can feel the love for real. The tube float started as an activity that Joel and his brothers used to do with their college friends and evolved into this great event to fund research. Many in the mix of people mostly 35-55 years old use the event to stay connected to each other which is very cool. You get a bonus "Answerman says." The Answerman says "The tube float is the most fun anyone can have doing something good for mankind."
This year harsh weather made the river too unsafe for everyone so we gathered at the home of Joel's youngest brother, Christian. Great people,, great fun and for a great cause. All these years later the siblings still get emotional talking about their brother. I understand, we all do. The group is about 100 for the float. The family also hosts a dinner party and a winter gala as fundraising events. This year the foundation should go over $2 million raised since it's 1989 creation, having awarded 28 fellowships and a research grant. Pause...think about how much that goes toward literally saving humanity.
There are many great people and nice people in this country, on this planet and right around the corner from each of us. I have long said and written here that we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone around us. I believe that any small thing that you can do to make a smile - even for the guy selling food at the airport- is your contribution to the process of improvement. The Answerman says "You don't have to give to the JAG fund to make the world a better place, but contribute to humanity's improvement and you may be surprised by how good it makes YOU feel."
Be good, be safe,
Answerman
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