#AtoZChallenge: Q is for quality (and other #gratitudeandshit items)

stormtrooper baby ninja 2018 chillin antique store

I can eat an entire Totino’s pizza.

AtoZ2019Q Not that big a deal. But, also twice the serving size. (I even cut it only into two pieces, you know? Two-piece maximum.) When I eat half the pizza, I feel normal. Average. So then that other half looks back at me … tantalizing …

Where was I going with this?

Oh, quality. Well, I still can’t remember the exact connection I was trying to make. But it’s almost lunchtime. And I’ve fallen behind on this challenge. And I haven’t been thrilled with the writing quality. I feel like I should write more ahead of time. I feel repetitive.

But I’m grateful for the chance to do this.

And I’m grateful my favorite frozen pizza costs just $1.39 each. Honestly, those rectangular little pizzas have come to symbolize lunch with the family, almost a calling home to rest and be together. And eat more than the surgeon general recommends.

What else am I thankful for? Glad you asked.

me decorative oregano 2018 i thought it was edible target — I WAS grateful to find this on clearance. But what the hell is decorative oregano? I was going to grow this shit and put it in lasagna. #planB

1-A seat at an open window to write. I’m there right now. It’s a chilly day in Carolina. My to-do list is probably too ambitious, but right here, right now, I’m writing and watching the last episode of The Office with Hayden. All that’s missing is the pizza.

2-The Spotify account Hayden made me. She whipped it up for our trip to Florida. We played that sucker on a continual loop as I dodged trucks and frustrated speeders with responsible speeds. Everything’s made easier with a little Billy Joel and Norah Jones.

3-Friends who will take a moment. I don’t need a bestie or a 24/7 confidant. But when someone I care about takes a moment to check on me? That means everything. And it’s always so well-timed and from such a variety of friends. Thanks.

me art 2018 pretty uptown — There’s some pretty shit to see uptown if you stop and look.

4-Warm San Jose Sharks socks. Yes, I’m a Colorado Avalanche fan. But these candy-striped, teal-and-black socks are the bomb. I got some in other teams for the kids, too. We dig socks. I love when my kids wear the socks I give them!

5-The Unspam Conference. I spent two days in Greenville, S.C., with my people. Seriously, it was awesome to hang out with people I so admire in this business. We write emails. We’re nerdy like that. But we’re not alone.

6-Last dances with Camdyn. In February, we went to our last daddy/daughter dance. It was wonderful and nostalgic. On the final dance, she rested her head on my chest. I thought I’d lose it. But I didn’t. Instead, I spun her around one last time.

me burrito breakfast hungry mi casa — This bacon, cheese, egg and sour cream burrito was almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

7-The Taco Bell drive-thru. Sure, food, right? But more than that. It was a shit day that lasted into the night. I was tired and sad, sore and restless. The kid taking my order was genuinely nice. I appreciated that. It was a little thing that meant a lot.

8-Sarapes and Nike sweatpants. A dad has to chill. And be warm doing it. They say to get out of your comfort zone more, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable. It’s my wardrobe equivalent of cruise control and sometimes it’s what you need.

9-Connections. Old and new. I’ve kind of purged those that don’t bring value. I’m sure those people haven’t noticed. Those who I connect with naturally, I want closer to me. It’s a small contingent, but they’re as true to me as I can imagine.

virginia helmet belk bowl winners bank of america stadium — Check out the battle scars on this one. It got left on the stage after the Belk Bowl win against South Carolina. I wanted to steal it.

10-Well-timed gestures of compassion. They can be the friends who take a moment, or, as silly as it probably sounds to read about it, a kid named Noah in a late-night drive-thru who took a moment to be human. The last I could do is pay it forward.