Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Tis The Season To Be Jolly

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Monday, December 10, 2012

Tis The Season To Be Jolly

On Tuesday, I did a bit of tree trimming with a friend, and the final product, nothing short of perfection. What a team, and what a fun evening! Thank you.

On Wednesday, another "Joyful Noise" was to be heard from Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The noonday concert performers – the Atlantic Guitar Quartet (Dave De Dionisio, Kevin Shannon, Zoe Johnstone Stewart and Jonathan Zwi) were simply fabulous.

The repertoire – Stairs (David Pritchard), La Grande Terre: I – Mineral, II – Eclosion (Olivier Bensa), Summa (Arvo Part), Be Not Afeared: music from Prospero’s Island – I – And Sometimes A Thousand Twangling Instruments (Ronald Pearl) and Danza (Augustin Castilla Avil), each selection better than the last.

Shortly after, I took a drive with a friend to Annapolis to see how our state capitol does Christmas, and it was just as I remembered – elegant. The tree at the State House was beautiful. I especially liked the nutcrackers at the base.

The highlight was visiting the Old Senate Chamber, which happened by chance. We were at the right place at the right time. Lucky us! It was here where General George Washington, on December 23, 1783, came before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army (only to become the nation’s first president in 1789). This room is currently being researched and restored to its appearance during the lifetime of George Washington. (A special thank you to the architects and State House staff for sharing some of their vision. I can’t wait to see the final product!)

Thursday was a very special day. Year after year I look forward to the first Thursday of December for the Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon. It’s definitely a "Monumental Occasion". The turnout was unbelievable. (A special thank you to my friend Hannah for the happy hour before, and to another dear friend, Ron, Happy Birthday! Age is treating you well.)

Friday was my day of rest, and by Saturday I was ready to continue my holiday adventure. I spent the AM with some friends strolling through the Farmers’ Market in Waverly. What I was really looking forward to were the carolers, who were supposed to perform on Main Street, which didn’t happen. This event was well advertised, but sadly, many were let down.

The neighborhood of Waverly has many challenges and I do my best to support it, but it’s hard when they don’t follow through. I question the leadership and the outcomes. I encourage those in a position of power that speak for Waverly to step up their game. Get a Facebook and Twitter account in order to better communicate with the community as a whole. Communication is key to your success. How can I help you?

The weekend continued with more parties, happy hours, concerts, hikes, board games, and my favorite – moments of conversation, accompanied by periods of laughter. In case you haven’t heard, ‘tis the season to be jolly.

There were even a few opportunities to see in action what the season really is all about – giving. I saw a young man helping an elderly couple with their groceries, a family of three walking home from the Farmers’ Market with their Christmas tree in tow – all laughing and smiling, and a young homeless man asking for change, and a kind stranger approached him, taking him into the grocery store to purchase food. What I liked most about the latter, there were no judgments. May we all learn to judge a little less and give a lot more.

When giving this season, think about charitable giving and please support local artists. Here’s to a new week. Find your joy, friends – today, and every day. Cheers! – paerki

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki