Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Virtual Happy Hour

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)

Thursday, May 07, 2020

Virtual Happy Hour

In honor of the many pre-pandemic happy hours, I am looking forward to my first official virtual happy hour on Friday using Zoom. Spirits in moderation are sublime, bringing with them joy and celebration.

Whether it is a grand opening of a bar or restaurant, a unique drink only your favorite bartender can prepare, meeting new friends or even connecting with someone special, what better way to change up your weekly routine than with happy hour.

Happy hours help with stress reduction and if you are hanging with coworkers, they allow for bonding, improving work relationships.

What I love most about happy hour are those spontaneous conversations with people I have never met. You know, the ones to the left or right of you who are sharing their own special moments with friends but might bump into you and before you know it, a conversation is born. (I got a 10-year relationship out of one of those "bumps", but that was a life ago.)

Of course, this will not take place on Zoom, but I will enjoy reminiscing of happy hours past, talking about all those fabulous, fun times from yesteryear, while planning for new adventures once the pandemic is over. – paerki (Additional Photos: VHH: Additional Photos)

Normal

I hear people saying... "We can't go back to what was." "What will the new normal look like?" "There is no such thing as normal." I do not understand these concepts. This is fear and fact mongering.

My normal might not be your normal, but I have a normal and I am going back to my normal, without a doubt. Sure, there have been a few alterations, but I am living my normal now. So, to certain friends and Joe public, stop trying to scare the world with your new normal gibberish.

No one must live in fear. If you want to live a healthier life, learn the difference between factual statements and opinions. – 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