Live Your Best Life-And I am not Oprah!

I am going to put a fun spin on this although I am sad.

Are any of you aware of the "The Last Lecture". It was made by a professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. the Professor that made this speech is Randy Pausch. The speech was a Life's Little Instruction Book for his kids. However, the message of the speech is remarkable and rings true for all that want to live out your childhood dreams. He suffered for quite a time with Pancreatic Cancer. He lost his battle with cancer today-he leaves behind a wife and three young children and a legacy of innovation in the computer science world. But I will remember him for his book and his unending drive to live a good life and set a good example.

And I did not even meet him. And isn't it funny that I remember most of the points of his lecture and most of the points in his book and my dad had preached all of these point during his tenure at the University of Please Just Let Me Raise These Kids. You know: U of PJLMRTK- some of us are tenured advisers at this University presently.

During Dad's tenure he taught us to set our sights on a goal, be positive, be nice, be honest, follow your Childhood dreams among many many more. And during my father's many lectures at this university-I listened well honestly-just a little. However some of the points I did learn and followed some of his instructions:

Goals: I am not a Goal (ish) kind of person. I just go with the flow. So I failed that class OOPS
Be Positive: I am positive that when a lecture was being given, I was not really listening.
Be Nice: Really nice? Really nice? I am 32 and that is still not a trait that I really have down. I try-just people do not see the niceness oozing from me. I cannot help that they cannot see that I am nice. That is their problem not mine!
Be honest: I am honest-sometimes too honest. But really if people would just do what I say, then I would honestly be the happiest person around.
and then finally:
Follow your childhood dreams: Ok this is where I am lost, my childhood dream was to be named Teresa and be a Waitress. And while I somewhat like the name Teresa, I am sure that my parents named me Shannon for a reason. And I was a waitress for a while in High School and I pretty sure that I did not like it and was not good at it.

Part of my dad's job with GSK was to go to military bases and give speeches about how to serve, do the best job that you can, inspire others and spread a positive attitude be a leader and well all that good stuff. Lots of people came to hear him speak, most had really good reviews of what he had to say-and all those times I heard "did you hear me?" And I would say "yes!" with the eye rolling and whatever attitude.

The point is dad, if you read my blog from up there, you should find Randy, I listened to him-I think that you all have alot in common. And I learned what you had to tell me all those years because I read Randy's book and watched his speech.

One dream that has come true is Jason and Sarah wanting to own some land. They recently bought 20+ acres. They are planning on building a home and the nice auctioneer threw in a Fainting Goat to boot. If you have not ever heard of a Fainting Goat they actually faint when they get excited or nervous. Carson and the goat will get along famously. Man! What a deal!

Speaking of Carson-we will again celebrate his birthday at Patterson Park. Uncle Nate is looking forward to his two hours of reverting to acting like a 5 year old.

And another word about Nate: The CEO of the company closed the office today. It has been one year since they bought the other company. This was Mr. Smith's way of thanking all of his employees for their hard work and dedication. And while personally I am convinced that with Nathan being in finance, he and his crew worked the most OVERTIME and I know that Nathan's dedication to his company is second to none. As made apparent by the weeks of 100+ hours at the grindstone per week. But where is Nate, I am sure that I am home alone, well he part of the PS on the memo that it is close of the quarter and Nathan and four others MUST be at work for the day. Oh well.