How do you measure success?

I have been re-evaluating how I measure my success lately. I remember while I was in college many of the goals I had and how I measured success revolved around financial accomplishments. Over time these goals have changed to non-financial goals more around the well being of my family. Spending time recently with friends reminded me to revisit and refresh how I measure my own success. Here was my first attempts at categorizing many of the social measures that some use to measure and judge the success of others and ourselves. I think some of these are positive and some of them are negative. I obviously will be trying to do more of the positive and less of the negative. What do you think?

Negative measures of success:
1. Doing whatever it takes to be successfully financially. Working so many hours that you no longer are able to see your kids or wife for long periods of time. Or traveling so much for work that you don't get to see your family
2. The house you own. The improvements / additions you make to it and the furniture you buy for it.
3. The vacation you take.
4. The car you drive.
5. How well you provide for your kids material needs.
6. The wealthy people you know.
7. How willing you are to bend your integrity and honesty in order to get ahead in your professional career.(Pro-Enron based approach to work)
8. How much you can consume from the local, country and world community without giving back.

Positive measures of success:
1. How well you nurture your spouse's & child's emotional needs and healthy well being.
2. How well you provide for your child's education.
3. The family and friends you have and the happiness you bring them and the happiness they bring you.
4. The amount and quality of time you spend with your family and friends.
5. Your integrity and honesty is above getting ahead in your professional career. (Anti-Enron)
6. You contribute more than you take from your local, country and world community.
7. The positive impact you can have and bring to strangers.
8 Your own mental and physical health.

Visiting Friends

We went to visit friends in Vermont on Lake Champlain. I caught this picture of another group of friends enjoying a sunset. Happy Birthday Marc!

Boston You're My Town!

A couple of months ago I was travelling on business. I flew out of Boston. When I arrived at the airport to park my car I was directed away from central parking because it was full. I ended up following all these satellite parking signs until I found the alternate parking. The parking lot was quite a ways from the airport terminal. I was in such a rush that I didn't have an opportunity to check out the view. When I returned from the trip I remember having to take a bus ride from the terminal to my car that took about 20 minutes. The bus driver dropped everyone else off and then finally dropped me off. It was a cold night and the wind was whipping off the water. I noticed what a great view there was of the Boston skyline from that area. So tonight I went back to the spot with my camera and took these evening skyline shots of Boston. What do you think?

College Friends Visit and Bring Back Memories

My friend Michael visited today.

Massachusetts Hammered with Rain!

The governor just declared a state of emergency. There have been a lot of school closings announced for tomorrow. The weather map shows a rain weather pattern that has been stuck over Massachusetts for the last 5 days. Rain is expected for yet another 2 days. We have gotten over 11 inches of rain. With another 2 inches of rain still expected over the next couple of days. It was a pretty sleepless night. I had to check to make sure the pump was working correctly every hour or so. We were fortunate to have been able to buy a pump last Wednesday. Stores have run out of pumps. Many people have had their homes flooded. Hundreds have been evacuated in Peabody.

I hope all the moms out there have a dry Happy Mothers day. Happy Mothers day Mom!

Will the rain ever end!

It has been raining for 4 days now! Our basement has flooded for the second time this week. We have been pumping water out of our basement for the whole day today! I still had a chance to get out and take some photos during my daughters practice. Here is a shot I took today. Because of the rain I took this picture sitting in my car as it poured. I will have to get back up there and take another picture when the Sun is out. What do you think?

Nice weather for a canoe ride

We went on a canoe ride after a failed 3 hour attempt at moving our shed in our back yard. We used the techniques used by the Egyptians to build the pyramids. The tools we had in common were logs to roll the shed and rope to pull it. Rather than using slaves to pull the rope, we used my Honda. We tied a rope around the shed and tied the rope to the bumper of the Honda. It was a family event with kids watching from the swing set and yelling "3, 2, 1 GOOOOO!" I floored the gas pedal. Mud and dirt went flying every wear as my front wheels spun and ripped my back yard grass apart. The car got stuck. The only thing we had to show for all our effort was 2 deep tire ruts in our grass and a tilted shed that had moved about 4 feet. So instead of working in the yard a second day, my daughter and I went canoeing on the Ipswich River. The weather is warm enough to not have to wear a jacket but cool enough that mosquitoes aren't a hassle.

Audobon Wildlife Sanctuary

Went for a walk at a new place I had never been before. Once again just as the sun was setting. I came across what appeared to be an old garden at one time. The iron rails were rusted and the stone walls were starting to break apart.

Further down the trail I heard a loud slap and splash on the water. I then saw that it was a beaver when I saw the huge tree that it looked like they had just cut down. As I approached a second beaver mad a load slap and splash. Here is a shot of the tree.
There were some beautiful trails back through the woods. This trail below was really worn and had water on either side of the trail.

I came across this little turtle right in the middle of the same trail. I was amazed at how much nature I saw in one evening. You don't have to drive far to see to see beauty of nature.

North Shore Gymnastic Championship

The final meet of the season. The kids are focused on nailing their routines. Starting with the bars, score 9.15, Then to beam, score 8.85, The floor routine was next. Just as she started her routine dad shouts out "Go girl!" She does nearly a flawless routine. On to the last event, the vault. She runs full speed down the track hits the spring board and launches herself head first into the air. Flying like plane, arms spread wide. She finished the trip with a roll and a salut to the judges. Score 9.7, She placed first in vault, floor exercises and second in bars. After each event, I felt like even I could jump for joy with excitement. Here is a picture of the level 3 North Shore Gymnastic Championship overall event Gold medalist. Well deserved by one of the hardest working girls that I know!

Why has there been fewer post to the blog?

So you are probably wondering "Why haven't I been seeing as many posts on the 2nd Gens blog lately?" I have been spending more of my free time taking pictures and posting them to Flickr.com Click on link and check them out. You can also post comments on my photos at flickr too! I thought I would mention that because I know how much all of you enjoy reading my blog and posting comments! OK, so the "posting comments" part was me being sarcastic! I appreciate those of you that have commented. Thank you! For those that haven't speak up! I would really like to know if you really are reading it or if this medium for staying in touch with the family and friends isn't quite working.

But I am optimistic... I know. Maybe it's because you don't know how to comment. Yeah that's what it is. Well here are directions. See the link at the bottom of each post? The one that says "0 Comments" you can't miss it, it says it on almost all my postings ;-) Click on that. Then in the white box, type your comment. Then under Choose an identity just pick the circle that says "Anonymous". Then push the blue button that says "Login and Publish". Don't worry you don't have to login. The unique visitor log is upto 450 so I know someone is coming here.

Unfortunately another second generation Portuguese immigrant that I met named Mary on the Saloia blog isn't going to be blogging any more. Wish her the best in her new job! Check out her blog too. She has some great stories that will take you back to a time when your were growing up with Portuguese parents.

Get Ready for Summer!

Went out at sunset to the beach for a walk. I came across some sand castles that someone had left behind for the high tide to take away. I took this picture to capture the moment.