Questions without answers...

I know I'm not alone, but sometimes I ask myself questions that have no answers. Questions that don't need to be asked. That aren't healthy to ask. That don't need answers, because whatever the answer isn't going to change the situation. I need to stop asking those questions. I need to stop wondering. It doesn't do me any good - it doesn't lead me to a healthy place. It doesn't help.

For example - asking why you get invited to some events and not others. Why friends sometimes invite you and sometimes don't. What if I had never moved here, or worked there? Why some people make more money. Why do some friends only tell you things that they want you to hear? How come with some friends it's always on their terms? What you have to do to get ahead. Where life will take you next. Who does this person think they are? Why is this happening. Just a random selection of questions that fit the bill. They all have answers. Do you need to know them? Will the answers make the situation any different? Will the answers make you feel better? Probably not. So why ask them in the first place? They just lead you down a path of never-ending questions that have no solid answers...so why ask them in the first place.

As Annie aptly points out, perhaps it's because "somethings are better left unsaid but they still turn me inside out..."

Wonder

There are a ton of things that make me pause with wonder. More lately than before it seems, and I'm not sure why. I wonder why if more people are traveling by air, the flights are not as frequent and they cost more. I wonder what gave the planners of Central Park the forethought to know that a giant park in the middles of New York City would provide city dwellers with a sense of purpose and community for so long. I wonder what it would be like to be rich. I wonder what it would be like to live in London. I wonder if I can ever get past my emotional eating habits. I wonder if I'll ever have a flat stomach and muscles. I wonder if I'm on the right path.

I wonder why some people are friends for a lifetime and others only for shorter bursts. I wonder why, regardless of length those friends make a meaningful impact on your life. I wonder why it is that some friends can be closer than family.

I wonder why music and art can make such a lasting impression on the human spirit but sometimes a person cannot. I wonder why we are drawn to different types of music and art and why others are not appealing in the slightest. I wonder why we like some foods and not others. I wonder why our tastes change over time.

Lately, I find myself wondering about excuses. Why do we make them? Why do we need them? Why do we bother? I know that I have made excuses in the past. We all have. I also know there are things in my life that I have done, both good and bad, that I would like to remember or forget and that regardless, I can still play over and over in my head. I am trying not to make excuses for myself anymore. I am responsible for all of my actions. Not my past. Not the voices in my head (call them personalities, spirits, the devil, evil, good - call them whatever you like). Not my friends, for no matter how close a friend or how powerful an influence they have on my life, I made the decisions I made - not them. I am responsible for the actions and decisions I have made in my life and if I want to move past them, I need to not wonder what excuses I can use - but I need to acknowledge and accept them and move on. I don't wonder about that, not anymore.

WDCT - Episode 1

Where does Chistery Travel? I was in London for work recently and picked this stuffed Chistery doll up at Wicked London. I had intentions on giving it to my youngest nephew, Miles.

the view from the Virgin Atlantic Club House in Heathrow

In fact, I was pretty intent on him getting it. I stowed it in my carry on when I checked my bags on the flight home. Then, I was sitting sipping tea in the Virgin ClubHouse and a thought passed through my brain.

you can't go to the Club House and not sit in one of the iconic bubble chairs

I couldn't stop it - Chistery came out of the carry on and I started snapping pictures. I thought it would be really cool if I started taking Chistery with me on my travels and snapping pictures along the way. A bit like a Flat Stanley - only something my nephews could enjoy following along with.

the Upper Class seats are so comfortable

I don't think they really understand what it is what Uncle Greg does. I know they don't really understand what Wicked or Billy Elliot is - or have even heard the music. I do know they know about Flying Monkeys - the Chistery character in Wicked.

you can't sit in Upper Class and not have a drink at the bar...

Since Uncle Greg works on Wicked all over the place, and they don't have stuffed Billy Elliot dolls, I thought this was the next best solution. So...without further ado, I give you the first of Chistery's adventures on the road. He thoroughly enjoyed his Upper Class journey from Heathrow to JFK - and there are many more adventures to come.

after all that...it's bed time for Chistery

Special thanks and shout outs to Danny and Louisa in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic Flight VS9 from LHR to JFK who helped get all the pictures in flight. This is for my nephews, whom I love dearly - I hope they enjoy Chistery's adventures and all the photos along the way. Miles - you might get Chistery, eventually. Miles, Logan and Connor - Uncle Greg loves you.