The Studio

In the last 6 months, I have attended memorial services for two incredible individuals who left this world much much too soon. SK and AT each made profound positive impact on everyone in their lives, but more so than that, they toiled relentlessly to improve the lives of those they didn't know. While both passed away at an incredibly young age, each had lived extremely full lives and accomplished more than many will accomplish in a life time.

While the lost of these two was felt most acutely by their family and friends, and my heart aches for those who survive them, I can't help but also feel for humanity as a whole who lost two strong advocates, defenders, and angels. When people like SK and AT leave this world, everyone loses something, regardless of whether or not we knew them. SK and AT left big shoes to fill -- I wonder how many of us it will take to contribute half as much; I wonder how many of us will even be willing to help continue what they started...

When I listened to all of the stories that others shared about SK and AT, I couldn't help but reflect upon my own life. If I were to not wake up tomorrow morning, what stories would my friends, family, and colleagues tell about me? What kind of legacy would I leave behind? Would I be proud of my accomplishments? Would I have any regrets? Would I feel like I did all that I could do?

I have a strong suspicion that I would not be happy with many of the answers to these questions. Which begs the questions -- why aren't I doing more to change that? What am I waiting for? Am I waiting to achieve career goals? Am I waiting to figure things out in my personal life? When does it end? Are these just excuses for not fully applying myself or dedicating myself to a cause?

So many questions, very few answers. Guess it's time to figure some of this stuff out.... What, my friend, is your legacy?

Fairly unlikely that there will be a 2009 recap at this point, but a couple ironic things to amuse you (depress you?)

1. I heard a radio commercial the other day for food stamps. Apparently the food stamps program has a new name now? What's wrong with this picture?
   • Are there not enough people on food stamps?
   • How many people could have been fed with the money spent on the radio commercials?
   • How much money and time was spent on coming up with a new name for the food stamps program?
2. I got a letter in the mail from the census bureau telling me that I would receive a census form in the next 10 days. I think this speaks for itself.
3. I noticed an attendant seated at the E. Meadow train crossing, presumably monitoring for suspicious activity.
   • How efficient can this be? This is one attendant, monitoring one crossing. Oh, and I think she was napping.
   • How expensive could it be to install cameras, compared to miles and miles of fences that don't actually block people out, and hiring people to sit at cross walks?