My way of thinking/ friendship

Is there such a thing as having TOO many friends? This is a question I have been asking myself ever since I took the plunge and put myself on facebook. My original plan was to find a few old chums (30 at most) and keep in touch the easy way. You know, without too much personal contact. Yeh. And how's that working out Austin? 312 friends and growing, that's how.


It is wonderful that I have been blessed to know so many people in my life. Those are just the friends who are on Facebook. Then there are the ones who aren't. My emails are something I both love and dread at the same time. There are days when it looks like a full time job. Trying to answer everyone individually is impossible, so I end up sending out group emails. Then I feel guilty for being so impersonal. Someone is bound to feel a bit ignored and then I find myself dealing with someone's hurt feelings. What's a guy supposed to do?


I have come up with a solution that works for me. I have categorized my friends into groups. I shuffled up the group lists and left them in that order. No one list takes precedence over another. There are 5 separate lists and each week I pick 5 names from each list. I try to pick those people I haven't contacted in awhile. The friends I talk to all the time don't count. I couldn't stop them if I tried. The 25 people from the lists get my full attention, usually at 2a.m. after Jon and the pups are sound asleep.

I love people so much. I never want to slight anyone. But reality is reality. Love is truly a commitment of epic proportion. You do the best you can and trust that everyone will understand.

To answer my own question. No you can't have too many friends. Just as you can't love too many people. You just have to organize a little.

                                           Peace and Love,

                                              Austin/Bill

                                  www.wahjr56.blogspot.com

My way of thinking/anniversaries

Jon and I celebrated our 19th anniversary yesterday. So amazing to think about all the years, all the experiences, and all the adventures we have had together. We have shared every minute of it together. Good times. Not so good times. But always facing whatever happened together. How wonderful is that? When you have the confidence that comes with that kind of support there's no limit to what you can do.

If it sounds like I am bragging about the success of our relationship, it's because I am. I think part of the reason for our success is because we were pretty mature when we met. I was 38. Jon was 36. We had both been through failed relationships in our pasts and neither one of us was going to go that route again. We became best friends first with a good knowledge of who we were and what we wanted from each other.

I look back at all that now and it makes me smile. As cautious as we thought we were, there was still a long way to go. We both knew that relationships require work but I'm not sure that we really knew how much. Love is a big part of what drives you to do the work but commitment, patience, understanding, and the willingness to compromise are also such a big part of the equation.

I think our pups help us to remember all those necessary qualities. They are loyal, patient(unless they really,really have to go), always willing to give you love and to give you that happy wag of the tail whenever they get your attention. Jon and I feel the same way right down to wagging our imaginary tails. Hey, we could have been in "Avatar".

Thanks to everyone who sent us their good wishes. Our friends mean so much to us and they keep us honest. We are the luckiest family in the world. Jon, Roxy, Charlie and especially me.

                                       Peace and Love,

                                         Austin/Bill

                              www.wahjr56.blogspot.com

Austin's Thoughts: my way of thinking

I have to share with everyone our wonderful Saturday night. Jon and I were visited by one of my former voice students and her husband. Robyn, after 20 years and some persistant searching, found me on Facebook. She and her husband, Steve made the trip from San Diego to Palm Springs. It was such a touching effort on their part. I was thrilled to think that one of my students from 20 years ago would have that kind of regard for little ol' me!


Robyn was always an amazing student. She was determined to be the very best singer that she could be. She studied with me for 3 years and, during those years, she worked harder than anyone. By your students you'll be taught. I was proud to pass my knowledge to one so dedicated. And our work together paid off in so many ways.


Robyn is now a professional singer working in San Diego. She wanted my opinion on a number of songs that she has recorded. I felt honored and humbled by that compliment. We spent the evening on Saturday talking about the songs, her career, and our years of working together. Poor Jon and Steve. They had to listen to hours of technical vocal stuff that can't have been of much interest. They handled it with love and support. They were both happy to see people that they love having such a wonderful time.

I was not generally friends with my students. I loved them but kept that student/teacher relationship strictly professional. Now I get to drop that and have a fantastic new friend. And I get the bonus of having her husband, Steve as a new friend as well. Jon also gets to share in this deal. Talk about win/win!

We are blessed to have many friends. The love that flows through our lives is the fuel that keeps us going. Everything good that happens comes from love. We never allow ourselves to forget that. Not even for a moment.

                                      Peace and Love

                                        Austin/Bill

                             www.wahjr56.blogspot.com

Austin's Thoughts: my way of thinking

I have decided to just continue my blog right where it is. I know how to work this so, even if it's not as beautiful as some other's blogs, it is still my words that matter. I hope.

For the past several weeks I have been consumed with the redecorating of our little apartment. I shopped and shopped and spent tons of cash, but with our new shutters I am finished at last. What a great feeling of accomplishment! Oh, I got frustrated sometimes but all's well that ends well. Thanks to Shakespeare for that part.

I have been so gratified by the many comments and encouragements I have received. I am back on track and looking forward to sharing my stories with all of you. There is still a lot of adventure in store.

Charlie and Roxy have many a story to tell as well so we will just move on in this format and share many happy days filled with love. After all, that's what this blog is about.

Oh yes, I have taken the word "rant" away. Now it will just be Austin's Thoughts. Thanks for hanging in there with me while I learn and grow.


                                                                  Peace and Love,

                                                              
                                                                     Austin/Bill 

                                                           www,wahjr56.blogspot.com

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 These are all moments of our life. Hope you smile....

wahjr56@gmail.com