Author Archives: Wright Flyer Guy

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About Wright Flyer Guy

Darin is a single adoptive father, a teacher, playwright, and musical theatre director from Kettering, Ohio.

DailyOM: Obligations

“When we schedule too much in our lives trying to meet our obligations, we only end up draining our energy.” We all encounter obligations in life, from spending time with family and friends to being present at important functions in … Continue reading

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DailyOM: Changing The Way We Relate

“It is dishonest to enter into a relationship with the idea that you are going to change or fix them.” A relationship, in the truest sense of the word, means relating to another. Usually when we say that we relate … Continue reading

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DailyOM: Community Responsibility

NOTE: This is not my submission; it is from DailyOM. “We all live in a community, in one way or another, and we all have an opportunity to make it better in some way.” It’s easy to get caught up … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Tidal-wave of humanity

I believe all of Dayton and the surrounding area came to The Park tonight due to the impending winter storms approaching. It was maddening and I had the most incredible team who braved the never-ending lines as hot chocolate machines … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: Remembering Navi

Nine years ago, this evening, as Josh and I were unloading the van following an unseasonably warm day of sheer fun with dining, shopping, and Bill’s Donuts, Navi and Chief escaped the propped-open front door and bolted toward the high … Continue reading

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MAKE A GREAT DAY: December 20th…

The sun has been out all day and its inviting warmth is a stark contrast to the dullness of the past days. I prefer the sunshine to the clouds and steel grey sky. I will be at The Park this … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Monday, December 19th

It is 28 degrees but it is not a biting cold as we’ve had this past week. We are expected to have a gradual rise from 31 degrees to 49 degrees before the temperatures plummet to 9 degrees on Christmas … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Sunday, Sunday, Sunday…

Before settling my head into my pillow last evening, I weighed the options of sleeping all morning to catch up on rest or grabbing the 7:20 AM bus to one of my favorite eating haunts. I wake at 7 AM … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ALBUM: In Memoriam ~ Danny Jolliff

Remembering my birth father who died on this date in 1984. Danny Lee Jolliff 22 March 1942 ~ 17 December 1984

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Saturday, December 17th ~ “Wright Brothers’ Day!”

119 years ago, at 10:35 AM, two brothers, bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, lifted from the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to achieve the first manned, heavier-than-air flight. I love living in Dayton, Ohio and feeling as though I … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: A grumpy start to Friday

Grumpy. I woke up feeling grumpy and after forty minutes I am still in a very grumpy mood. Even in the last dream I recall before waking, I was grumpy in the dream. I know the grumpiness shall dwindle shortly, … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Through the years with Sam McLain

I found a gift bag on my front porch from the McClain family. Sam was in grade school, about third grade, when he began studying voice and theatre with me. There were goodies in the bag as well as this … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Tuesday is over

What a Tuesday night at The Park. Several times throughout the day, The Roundhouse Cafe schedule for workers changed. In the end it was Will, an Oakwood High School graduate and Miami University sophomore majoring in psychology, and Alex a … Continue reading

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THE FAMILY ABLUM: Being Jolly & Jolliffe

Michael Wager sent me this article inquiring if my surname, Jolliffe, was connected to the French word and spelling. Yes, my surname is “jolly.” My French heritage spelled our name Jollivau. The first French ancestor, Philippe Leigh Jollivau came to … Continue reading

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Carillon Brass

I love this quintet from The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The tubist always reminds me of Tool Time Tim Taylor’s neighbor, Wilson, until he sets down his tuba.

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Thursday

The steel grey sky finally lost its struggle to the brilliant sun that has been battling for a glimpse of the earth for nearly an hour. Seeing the blue sky is a much-welcome respite from the dullness of the previous … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Wet Wednesday

It’s wet and the more we climb through the day it will get wetter. I have a feeling we shall have no train rides at The Park this evening – but that is not official. Things can change. It’s Ohio! … Continue reading

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: “This Christmastide”

A number of years ago, my friend Jeff Carter introduced me to Donald Fraser’s “The This Christmastide” also known as “Jessye’s Carol.” The song was in my ear this morning and I thought I’d share it.

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: On to Monday, December 12th

I’ve been fairly numb since Saturday’s shift at The Park. We were slammed with long lines and such delightful, understanding, and grateful Guests in The Roundhouse Cafe. We were never without long lines from 5 PM until around 9:45 PM. … Continue reading

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MY DAY: Can we have a do-over… please? Nope. Not needed. Kicked butt!

Before leaving the house, I loved seeing bus No. 17 was actually on time for its 2:54 PM arrival at the stop across the street. And then it started. I began seeing the arrival minutes delayed: 1 min… 3 min… … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Saturday, December 10th

The unrelenting grey skies dampen the spirits of several friends and try to lessen my own, but I persevere. Serving in The Roundhouse at The Park is a great aid in combating the humorless weather. Yesterday afternoon, I stepped off … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Thursday, December 8th

While it is soon to be 50 degrees we are also expecting rain from about 1 PM until 7 PM. This will interfere with the beginning of the 6 PM train rides at The Park. I hope that is not … Continue reading

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DailyOM: Trees & People

This is from DailyOM and not my own personal submission. We can be more like trees opening our crown to the Universe and rooting down deep with our feet into mother earth. A tree that is beginning to grow sends … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: Friday, December 9th

This week flew by. The streak of great, sunny, and warm weather seems to have cursed us here in The Miami Valley with true late-autumn or winter weather – cold and gray. I really detest the gloomier days without sunlight. … Continue reading

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MAKE IT A GREAT DAY: “History That Doesn’t Suck” ~ a great podcast for history lovers

I have grown to love audiobooks and podcasts because they allow me to listen while continuing to work on other items or attending to household tasks. It’s a win-win for me! I’ve listened to over 60 biographies or other US … Continue reading

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