I was born on October 12, 1971, at 2:56 in the morning, at St. Rose DeLima Hospital, in Henderson, Nevada. I am the youngest of five children with eight years between me and the nearest sibling. Not only the baby but the baby by a number of years...Ugh!(More on that later!) I grew up in East Las Vegas, Nevada, now given the more ascetically pleasing name of Whitney. I lived at 5022 Hayward Avenue for the better part of of my formative years, until the age of 23. I'm getting ahead of myself though. While I do have a Father, I don't have any memories of him and, to me anyways, he has been little more than a sperm donor. My earliest memory is of riding up and down the hallway on the first bike I ever got for Christmas. I also have fond memories of my sister Debra flying me like an airplane on top of her feet. My earliest memories are of my brothers being in the Military. I was proud of that fact, but I would compare my earliest memories of them feeling more like uncles than brothers, more due to distance and infrequency of contact more than anything else. I was always jazzed when either one came home. My core childhood family, at home, was my Mother and two sisters, Debra and Lynda. Both chased me around everywhere they went and helped me out with scouting and the like. My brothers John and Clint helped me with various projects involving Scouting as well. They were both an important part of my life.
I remember being babysat by Billy Worth's Mom and playing "Wonder Woman" with the little blonde haired girl that lived in the same Cul-de-Sac. I was always ending up in the bind of the Lasso of Truth. (Thus began my life long love of surfer girl blondes.) I also remember the super cool miniature Western Main Street the Sanders had built to the side of their house. I have fond memories of the Burnes family and their son Brett. He was a wonderful childhood friend. Peter Burnes Confirmed and Baptized me a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He also turned me on to "the Beach Boys" and "the Mamas and the Papas". I never can hear "Monday, Monday" or "Sloop John B" without thinking of him. For some reason, Shakey's Pizza always reminds me of my early childhood, that and a big locomotive train in a park.
My childhood's not over yet as there is more to come...
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Here are a few of my favorite things...Planes, Trains and Automobiles
One of my favorite things are trains. I can't think of viewing anything more powerful than watching a train, full steam, make its way down the tracks. There is definitely a model railroad in my future. Those Lego trains looks pretty cool. (How am I not an employee of Toys R' Us? Some men have there golf clubs or speedboats but me you can find in the toy section...that's a story for a different day though...) I enjoy hearing the train whistle in the morning hours. Trains make me think of rustic and rural America. They represent a slice of Americana. I'm not just speaking of the trains of course, but also of train yards, depots and the etched in time brick buildings, loading docks, grain silos and the like that speak of a bygone era.
In each instance, whether it be trains, plans, or automobiles, I can't helped but recognize a reoccurring theme of appreciating the past and seeing its memories, designs, architecture and engineering shape the present and future.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
2008 Personal Year In Review
As promised:
Dear Family and Friends,
Because you didn't demand here it is: Steve Seelig's 2008 year in review. (What an introduction if I do say so myself.) 2008 was a good year and somewhat eventful for yours truly. To elaborate on said comment the following will include favorite and key highlights from the year of 2008. Have the Kleenex handy and be prepared for some gut splitting belly laughs. Scout's honor that I will do my best to be concise, to the point, with only the occasional rambling thought. Now that we're ready, sit back and here we go.
The year began with a healthy amount of snow and arctic temperatures. After constructing an igloo and training snow dogs, Spring sprang and none to early. A little known fact is that Spring is God's favorite season as he is an avid baseball fan. (I often picture him wearing a baseball cap.) Why else is Spring weather as Goldilocks would say, "Just right!"? Spring brought with it my graduation from the University of Arizona with a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Science. I actually only spent one week in Tucson the entire time I attended Arizona. Color me hi-tech as I came to embrace the wonder that is virtual education.
With graduation came the obligatory search for a professional position which is still ongoing. Be it noted that it often takes a librarian up to two years until the individual's first professional placement with the average search being a year. A struggling economy doesn't help much either but, as a silver lining, does increase library usage and college enrollment both of which bode well for me. I have a Director at Western New Mexico University that is quite interested in me is battling, as we speak (or more correctly as I type and you read) with the red tape involved in being able to offer me a position tailor made for my talents and abilities, and that meets my compensation and benefits requirements and expectations. That won't come to fruition until at least March. While I remain hopeful, as a pragmatic individuals I am actively pursing alternative positions that meet my personal criteria. I would prefer to remain in the Mountain West and am open to returning to old haunts such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles. My target areas are: South Eastern Idaho, Northern Utah, Southern Utah, and Denver/ Northern Colorado. I make it matter of prayer and contemplation and as such will go wherever I feel inspired to go regardless of whether or not it fits within the parameters I have set. The position at WNMU has been in the works since September and as such I have learned that the wheels of academia move slowly. In the meantime, I am working with a gentleman with Parkinson's Disease by the name of Ed Bear as a care provider to him. I have been working with Ed since July. I must say that it is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Over the last six months I have learned a great deal about service and compassion. I will remember this experience and have it influence me long after I move on for the position.
On another note, for the first time in nearly thirteen years I visited Las Vegas/Henderson. I departed the Vegas Valley March 18,1996 with tears in my eyes not to return until October 22, 2008. At the time, it was hard to leave Las Vegas. Having grown up there, I was leaving behind a warehouse full of memories, and friends who were dear to me. Whether it was memories, both good ones, of people I had burned, disappointments I had, mistakes I had made, or my own tendency towards self deprecation and my ambivalence to my own self worth manifesting itself in melo-dramatic moments and bouts of immaturity, it was hard to look back for a number of years. I eventually found myself cutting myself off to a place and people who mean the world to me. I have come to discover that was both a selfish and hurtful choice on my part and one for which I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies.
It was a hard place to leave and I did not take my return lightly. Vegas still holds fond memories and is populated by many individuals that I still hold near and dear to my heart. The return brought with it bygone thoughts of cherished experiences and relationships. I found myself reflecting on the fact that it had been far too long since I had visited those times, both good and band, and that it felt good to return. Reconnecting with a part of myself made me feel complete. We are so much shaped by those who influence our lives by their actions and examples, who stand beside us in struggle and in triumph, and with whom we share the gravity of the world and its whimsy. The epiphany of the experience was the humbling insight that showered upon me that we do not stand alone is the world and are needed as much as we need. The savior stands besides each us and his atonements strengthens and empowers us to do things that we of ourselves could not do, this have always known but at time I forget that the light of the Savior's love is felt greatest and touches our very souls like a white hot flame when we are reaching out to one another, lifting one another, and letting others know we care about them in a very personal and individual way that the worth of each soul is great in the eyes of God. It was with this epiphany that a long scarred part of me began to heal.
On a lighter note, Las Vegas/Henderson have grown TOO BIG for my tastes. That being said, the core of what made it such a great place to grow up in is still there. Regardless, I've grown fond of a simpler, more rural lifestyle and and environment. Nothing better than driving down a farm road and watching the mountains go on forever. It is a place that I can grow a garden. But, I must admit, there are times when the desert calls. To conclude my thought on the trip, it felt good to reconnect with many individuals that have helped to shape me as a person. I have been blessed seven fold to be surround by, become friends and peers with, and be influenced by some of the most wonderful, intelligent, engaged, charismatic, compassionate, inspired, down to earth, fun, playful, spur of the moment, improvisational, down and dirty, cowboy up, beautiful, flirty, sassy, crazy, thoughtful, centered, knowledgeable people of character and integrity this world has to offer. (I wanted to see how many adjectives I could come up with.) My final words on the topic: I hope and plan to make it a regular trip in the future.
With that I will bid all of you adieu, as to not take up any more of your time than is necessary. One of my favorite things to do, as my friend Wendell Snow would call it, is to “break bread” with those who inspire me and which I admire and respect. It is an opportunity to be mentored, inspired,share in good company and take part good conversation whether it be serious, insightful, meaningful, whimsical, or of the everyday, ordinary “how are you? Variety.” I am all about good conversation; delight in it, even crave it if I stretch this statement to hyperbolic levels. I hope I have the opportunity to “break bread” with many of you this coming year. I love each of you and wish all of you the very best in your lives.
Sincerely,
Steve Seelig
Dear Family and Friends,
Because you didn't demand here it is: Steve Seelig's 2008 year in review. (What an introduction if I do say so myself.) 2008 was a good year and somewhat eventful for yours truly. To elaborate on said comment the following will include favorite and key highlights from the year of 2008. Have the Kleenex handy and be prepared for some gut splitting belly laughs. Scout's honor that I will do my best to be concise, to the point, with only the occasional rambling thought. Now that we're ready, sit back and here we go.
The year began with a healthy amount of snow and arctic temperatures. After constructing an igloo and training snow dogs, Spring sprang and none to early. A little known fact is that Spring is God's favorite season as he is an avid baseball fan. (I often picture him wearing a baseball cap.) Why else is Spring weather as Goldilocks would say, "Just right!"? Spring brought with it my graduation from the University of Arizona with a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Science. I actually only spent one week in Tucson the entire time I attended Arizona. Color me hi-tech as I came to embrace the wonder that is virtual education.
With graduation came the obligatory search for a professional position which is still ongoing. Be it noted that it often takes a librarian up to two years until the individual's first professional placement with the average search being a year. A struggling economy doesn't help much either but, as a silver lining, does increase library usage and college enrollment both of which bode well for me. I have a Director at Western New Mexico University that is quite interested in me is battling, as we speak (or more correctly as I type and you read) with the red tape involved in being able to offer me a position tailor made for my talents and abilities, and that meets my compensation and benefits requirements and expectations. That won't come to fruition until at least March. While I remain hopeful, as a pragmatic individuals I am actively pursing alternative positions that meet my personal criteria. I would prefer to remain in the Mountain West and am open to returning to old haunts such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles. My target areas are: South Eastern Idaho, Northern Utah, Southern Utah, and Denver/ Northern Colorado. I make it matter of prayer and contemplation and as such will go wherever I feel inspired to go regardless of whether or not it fits within the parameters I have set. The position at WNMU has been in the works since September and as such I have learned that the wheels of academia move slowly. In the meantime, I am working with a gentleman with Parkinson's Disease by the name of Ed Bear as a care provider to him. I have been working with Ed since July. I must say that it is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Over the last six months I have learned a great deal about service and compassion. I will remember this experience and have it influence me long after I move on for the position.
On another note, for the first time in nearly thirteen years I visited Las Vegas/Henderson. I departed the Vegas Valley March 18,1996 with tears in my eyes not to return until October 22, 2008. At the time, it was hard to leave Las Vegas. Having grown up there, I was leaving behind a warehouse full of memories, and friends who were dear to me. Whether it was memories, both good ones, of people I had burned, disappointments I had, mistakes I had made, or my own tendency towards self deprecation and my ambivalence to my own self worth manifesting itself in melo-dramatic moments and bouts of immaturity, it was hard to look back for a number of years. I eventually found myself cutting myself off to a place and people who mean the world to me. I have come to discover that was both a selfish and hurtful choice on my part and one for which I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies.
It was a hard place to leave and I did not take my return lightly. Vegas still holds fond memories and is populated by many individuals that I still hold near and dear to my heart. The return brought with it bygone thoughts of cherished experiences and relationships. I found myself reflecting on the fact that it had been far too long since I had visited those times, both good and band, and that it felt good to return. Reconnecting with a part of myself made me feel complete. We are so much shaped by those who influence our lives by their actions and examples, who stand beside us in struggle and in triumph, and with whom we share the gravity of the world and its whimsy. The epiphany of the experience was the humbling insight that showered upon me that we do not stand alone is the world and are needed as much as we need. The savior stands besides each us and his atonements strengthens and empowers us to do things that we of ourselves could not do, this have always known but at time I forget that the light of the Savior's love is felt greatest and touches our very souls like a white hot flame when we are reaching out to one another, lifting one another, and letting others know we care about them in a very personal and individual way that the worth of each soul is great in the eyes of God. It was with this epiphany that a long scarred part of me began to heal.
On a lighter note, Las Vegas/Henderson have grown TOO BIG for my tastes. That being said, the core of what made it such a great place to grow up in is still there. Regardless, I've grown fond of a simpler, more rural lifestyle and and environment. Nothing better than driving down a farm road and watching the mountains go on forever. It is a place that I can grow a garden. But, I must admit, there are times when the desert calls. To conclude my thought on the trip, it felt good to reconnect with many individuals that have helped to shape me as a person. I have been blessed seven fold to be surround by, become friends and peers with, and be influenced by some of the most wonderful, intelligent, engaged, charismatic, compassionate, inspired, down to earth, fun, playful, spur of the moment, improvisational, down and dirty, cowboy up, beautiful, flirty, sassy, crazy, thoughtful, centered, knowledgeable people of character and integrity this world has to offer. (I wanted to see how many adjectives I could come up with.) My final words on the topic: I hope and plan to make it a regular trip in the future.
With that I will bid all of you adieu, as to not take up any more of your time than is necessary. One of my favorite things to do, as my friend Wendell Snow would call it, is to “break bread” with those who inspire me and which I admire and respect. It is an opportunity to be mentored, inspired,share in good company and take part good conversation whether it be serious, insightful, meaningful, whimsical, or of the everyday, ordinary “how are you? Variety.” I am all about good conversation; delight in it, even crave it if I stretch this statement to hyperbolic levels. I hope I have the opportunity to “break bread” with many of you this coming year. I love each of you and wish all of you the very best in your lives.
Sincerely,
Steve Seelig
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Crawling
I work with a gentleman with Parkinsons named Ed. The experience has been very rewarding and strengthened my testimony in countless ways. Often, when Ed freezes up, he will drop to his hands and knees and crawl to his given destination. I have great admoration for this act because, to me, it represent's not only Ed's humility but also his determination. In it I find a allegory for enduring well. Often in life we are crippled up by acts of our own making or by the adversities the world brings; that is just a part of life. It is what we do when we are in that state that matters. Sometimes all we can manage is a crawl but it is the crawl that will make a world of difference. We must meet our adversities with a fighting spirit as it is the struggle that we put forth to not allow something to overtake us or defeat us that will make us stronger, bless or own lives and serve as a foundation of applied faith to strengthen not only ourselves but all the lives we touch. Witnesses and examples of the validity and reality of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Savior's atonement are all around us if we but look and listen for them.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Once a writer, always a writer
For much of my life I have viewed myself as a writer. A lazy one, at times, but a writer none the less. As a youth, my teachers often spoke highly of my writing ability. In high school I became quite the student journalist and even wrote a bit in that vein in college. History is considered a writing degree as well; I know I did enough of it as an undergrad. I have even fancied myself as a poet at times. I have kept a journal, off and on since my mission and have become more consistent in recent years. It is something I enjoy a great deal, no matter what type of writing I am doing. There is such a pleasure that can be found in discovering words, manipulating them and making them sing or create a vivid and engaging image or situation upon there contact and interaction with a reader's mind.
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