Self Definition

Millions of people here in the United States will watch the Super Bowl. Those players will be forever defined as having played in the Super Bowl. Years from now, long after their playing careers, that will be their highlight. I played in the Super Bowl. The best of the best. Quite an accomplishment, one determined not only by talent, but by fate, or luck if you prefer. This is true in other sports as well, the World Series or Stanley Cup. Winning the Masters and whatever they call the Championship in basketball.
In other walks of life people may be defined by their accomplishments, either singularly or as part of a group or team. In a sense we are all part of some team or another. The support and encouragement we receive from loved ones and colleagues for example. Are they not part of the team ? The team that is you. We would not be ourselves without the influence of others. Our goals and aspirations would most certainly be different.
Trophies and accolades are satisfying in and of themselves but should they define you ? The question is what reward do you want ? Is the goal to win trophies and admiration from the masses ? The satiation of your ego ? To be competitive in the game one needs that desire and drive. It is the force that pushes us to excel. We all have it to different degrees. It also something that cannot be forced. This mysterious force exists as its' own entity in varying degrees of strength. Either you have it, or you don't.
It is a curious thing. We are taught to never be satisfied. Beginning in early childhood we are pushed to do " better. " An old adage I heard many times comes to mind, Good,Better,Best, never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is best. That was usually followed by, no matter how good you get, someone is always better. Mixed message ? You bet. When I was young we didn't receive rewards or certificates nearly as often as the children do now. They did, in my opinion, hold a little more prestige than they do in today's world. We were also taught to not brag about your accomplishments. That wasn't polite or an attractive trait to have.
Do you want to be defined by your accomplishments ? Recognition of talent is not the same thing as being defined by it. I think the real satisfaction comes from the doing of the task. To have done whatever it is and to have done it well. To know, in your own mind, that you have accomplished a task to your own satisfaction. And knowing that, you are pleased. Are we not our own harshest critic ? That is what we were being taught all those years ago. And in so doing the destination was set. The drive is up to us.

Ironic

I just saw an advertisement for a show. This show promises to be all new. It will contain the all time best, most outrageous, and funniest commercials from the Super Bowl ! Probably not the first time this has been done, but the first I remember hearing about. Now that is simple irony. I admit the commercials can be entertaining. The best ones, in my opinion, make me laugh and I don't remember what is was they were advertising. Another ironic fact. But I guess that is the genius of advertising. Entertain, inform and get you to buy !
I don't watch much television beyond the History channel or documentaries. I watch the news and a few situation comedies. The ads I seem to see the most frequently are concerned with libido, health issues, and automobiles. Few of them are funny or entertaining. Not going to make a show out of them. I do wonder why the Super Bowl commercials are far superior  ? What is it about them ? I remember really funny ones from years ago. I particularly liked the frog ones. Advertising Budweiser beer I think. Funny stuff. I do think the frogs were lip syncing though.
I wonder why it is they can't make really good commercials at any another time of the year ? Does it take these ad men a whole year to conceive a good one ? Is it worth the price ? Apparently the sponsors think so. The cost of those ads are ridiculous. It boggles the mind to think just how much money is spent for thirty seconds. I'm thinking if it were me making the decisions things would be different. I think I would advertise the fact that I didn't spend hundreds of thousands on a funny ad for the Super Bowl, but donated those funds to a worthy cause. Perhaps giving books to the schools or something. Not everyone can play in the Super Bowl but we can all be a star ! Something like that.
If I remember I will watch a show of commercials. Entertaining. Guess there will be commercials between the commercials. Wonder if they will be as entertaining ?

Quiet Contemplation

I find myself skeptical of crusaders,campaigners and activists. I question their true motivations. I have never been one much for jumping on the bandwagon. The big uprising about gun rights and illegal immigration momentarily leading the pack. The popular opinion on guns is, ban the assault weapons and large magazines. Yeah, well first of all there is no such thing as an " assault weapon " per se. It is fabricated term. Every so called assault weapon sold in the United States,legally,is a semi-automatic rifle. They will not fire any faster than any other semi-automatic weapon. And it takes a practiced person about a second to change a clip. So those proposals don't hold water with me. As far as illegal immigration goes, what part of illegal don't you understand ? Do we need changes ? Probably.
The original crusaders were paid mercenaries. Campaigners, at least a portion of them, are paid. And then you just have those that like to jump on the bandwagon. What their motivations may be is open to interpretation. They are the only ones that know. I'm sure some are genuine. Some acting out of a sense of justice. We need those that will stand and fight for what is right. It is just these hot button topics that I begin to question. Yes, we need something to spur us to action. I understand that. It is just when those acting are not fully informed and are reacting, that things can become fouled.
If and when the issue comes to a vote I will make my choice known. That is how it is supposed to work. It is my feeling that if laws were enforced,as written, we wouldn't have near the problems we do. There are far too many instances of the laws being circumvented or ignored altogether. Laws can not prevent the lawless from doing bad things. We may change the method they use to do harm, but we can not stop it from happening. It seems an awful lot of people have forgotten a basic lesson, life isn't always fair. You cannot control the actions of others.
In my experience, those that are sincere about a topic usually speak softly and intelligently. They state their opinions and offer suggestions. These are the activists that cause positive changes. Those that bluster,cajole or impose their will on others are doomed to repeat that process. A review of history will bear this out.  

Family Matters

Family relationships can be so exasperating ! Fathers to sons, mothers to daughters and siblings to siblings. Seldom do these relationships exist as in the Waltons or like the Hallmark channel. Would be that they did. It is far more complicated than that. It is just that the dynamics keep on changing. Age, financial status and physical location all playing different roles.
For those of us with brothers and sisters it starts with the feeling of being favored. There is always one that is the favorite. Everyone will deny it, but we know it to be true. Then how well you are or are not doing academically. Your choice of friends, your choice of a spouse, your job, where you live, and it just keeps going on and on. All these obstacles getting in the way. The objections or disapproval of the other family members, whether spoken or not, are always there.
Not having the experience of growing up and living with my immediate family into our , should I say, advanced years I can not speak to that beyond speculation. I never really got the chance to relate to my own father as adults. He passed too soon and I wasn't afforded that opportunity. I did not live in the same town, and in most cases, the same state as my brothers or sister. I wonder if our relationships would have been different had it been the case. Is that the secret of the Waltons ? Maybe, but on the Hallmark channel families often come together from widely different areas of the country. Of course, Mom and Dad still have the family home, with all their bedrooms and such. Money issues are seldom an issue in those situations.
Maybe it is because we never lose that competitive spirit between siblings. Always we are searching for approval. Seeking the favored status. The elders seeking to impose their dominance and the younger trying to prove they are now grown up. Whatever the case it can be difficult. And it seems to me it doesn't improve much with age. The children have to become the parents at some point. Then there is that issue, which one ? I know best and all that jazz. And all of it complicated by memories. My memory of a certain situation certainly doesn't always match my siblings ! A couple years makes a huge difference in perspective. And also in understanding. Information may be withheld from you when you are younger. Complete disclosure should be mandatory at a certain age. That alone would clear some issues up.
I'm happy with the choices I have made. Sure there are always the wishes for a do over. Everyone has those. I wonder what it would have been like to all grow to adulthood together. In the same town. To have family get togethers on holidays, or any occasion, on a moments notice. Would we have hung out with each other ? I'm not sure about that, in my experience family get togethers are usually volatile situations. 

Jammin'

There are several laws about the use of cell phones in automobiles here in Maryland. The laws change so often, I'm not even sure what they are. Apparently you can talk on the phone as long as it is hands free. But texting is not allowed, unless that is done hands free as well. I'm assuming their is technology for that. Being of a certain generation, I am behind the curve on this stuff. Now there is discussion about banning all use of cell phones in cars. And it would be a primary offense. That means you don't have to be doing anything else in violation of the law to be pulled over for that. How the Officer is supposed to determine that, is a mystery to me. I tend to sing along with the radio and how are they supposed to know ? Maybe I even like talking to myself.

All of this is well meaning. The government trying to save our lives. Sadly, it is necessary is some cases. Yes, there are those that don't have enough common sense to know better. The intent being to protect us that do from those that don't know, or care about the safety of others. These driving distractions are nothing new. I've heard it all before. Citizens band radio, radios and now the introduction of DVD players and led displays in the dashboards. That annoying Mapquest lady squawking at you. All these things are distractions. Coupled with the modern automobiles that run fast, quiet and oh so smooth. Speed limits are being raised. Doesn't surprise me one bit that there is an increase in accidents.
All this is just another example of trying to legislate common sense. You can't write laws to prevent stupid ! All this technology and we just keep getting distracted. Distracted from living. Only one way to counteract this technology, more technology. We need a device that when the cars ignition system is operating it jams all the cell phone signals ! Phones don't work inside running vehicles ! So there Detroit, how about that ? Then we can pass laws to have every vehicle in America retrofitted with this device. Create more jobs. Create a whole new industry. See it's not that hard. Problem solved.

Frozen in time

We got a layer of snow here yesterday. No more than two inches and it will soon be gone if the weather man is to be believed. The temperature has been quite cold and as a result this snow is very dry and crystalline. It crunches beneath your feet. As I walked along, on my way to the store, I was reminded of sledding as a child. One year in particular was an excellent year. The snow was dry and like ice, as it is now.
I lived on a dirt road. It was a dead end road and at the extreme end was two large hills, back to back. They provided a very fast, although very short ride. Behind my house there was a long dirt road. There were no homes on this road. This road snaked through the woods and provided access for fire trucks if needed. From the rear of my house it rose in a gentle climb for almost a mile. When the conditions were right, you could slide down that lane, slowly gaining speed until you reached the dreaded S-turn. Oh what fun we kids had with that.
I can recall sledding with my brothers and sister. We all had flexible flyers. In a long chain we would sled down that lane. Occasionally, and foolishly I might add, we would stick our feet into the front portion of the sled behind. This sometimes caused your feet to get twisted around and pinched in the steering mechanism. We were fortunate to not have gotten our feet stuck in there and broke a leg or something. Kids ! We thought we were indestructible. That one year when the conditions were perfect we reached a pretty good speed down that lane. Heading into the s-turn I made it through the first turn but went over the bank on the second. The sled overturned and I slid sideways into a tree. If it hadn't been for all the layers of clothing I had on I'm sure I would have broken some ribs ! Oh, but what fun that was. With repeated use that lane became akin to a bobsled run. How lucky we were to have our own private run.
Other years we slid down those hills at the end of the road we lived on. We slid down them on cardboard boxes, old washing machine covers ( the round ones ) and even the hood off an old Studebaker. The flexible flyers would work sometimes but the runners had a tendency to cut through the snow. As I said, these hills were steep and fast. If you made it down the big one, you were likely to go airborne when you went over the crest on the second. Those thin runners didn't respond well to that ! Once, those runners cut into the ground beneath while I was making a turn, the result was disaster. The runners on the outboard side collapsed underneath the sled and threw me into a thorn bush. Saved again by layers of thick clothing, except for my face which got a few scratches.
Sometimes the littlest things set you to remembering. It was just the sound of that snow crunching beneath my feet. Our minds and our memories work in mysterious ways. By closing my eyes I could experience that ride down the hills again. I wonder if anyone saw me standing there, eyes closed, smiling. Good Times.

Did you ride sitting up or lying down ?

Transitory

I was reminded once again of the passage of time. I heard of the passing of a friends father. I went online to read his obituary from the local paper. I learned that he was eighty. Where had that time gone ? I was remembering, and as near as I can figure it has been over forty years since I last saw him. And now I'm reading of his passing. I will forever remember him the way I last saw him, a strong and vibrant man. A big man with a booming voice who spoke with authority. A man, who was described in the local vernacular as, " the finest kind. " A patriot, veteran of the Korean war and leader of men.
His son, my friend from childhood days, I haven't seen in some years. We exchange Christmas cards. He doesn't do Facebook and so I do not interact with him that way either. But, at least for me, the bonds of friendship formed in childhood, are the strongest bonds of all. Upon hearing this sad news I immediately felt his grief and sorrow. I went to the pharmacy and purchased a sympathy card. Inside I wrote a short personal message and posted it the same day. Seems little enough to do. It is this act that reminds me of the passage of time. One of the burdens of age I suppose.
The older we get, the more we contemplate our own mortality. That is only natural. Things like this are reminders. There is little to be done except offer your words of sympathy. I offer the same words in each case, they are not really gone, as long as we remember. That is my belief and what sustains me. Our existence on this earth is transitory. The journey is not complete. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I believe we will all be together again. 

Changing weather

The temperatures have taken a dive, as they are oft to do in January. It is the main topic of conversation. I chuckle at those that feign surprise, happens every year, and look in wonder at those still wearing shorts. There are some hardy souls ! Yes the extreme cold is an annoyance just as the extreme heat is. There is little man can do to alter that. Although, if you subscribe to the global warming theory we are working on the cold.
Be that as it may, it is January in the northern section of our country and that means winter.
And with the winter comes the dreaded flu season. Hear an awful lot about that too. Everyone got there flu shot ? This is the worst flu season we have seen in a number of years. I hear people talking about how this cold will kill the flu virus. This cold should help get rid of that menace. Not being a biologist I can only assume there may be truth in that statement. Seems like extreme cold would kill a virus or at least inhibit growth. The whole problem with that theory is, wouldn't you have to be outside in that temperature for it to work ? From what I see, everyone is huddled together indoors,staying warm and sharing the virus !  I see those outside bundled up with even their mouths covered. No cold air entering there to interact with the virus.
When I got up this morning a thin layer of snow was on the ground. Beautiful in the early morning light while it is still pristine. Not much more than a dusting though. Now that will surely kill those bad germs. I'm thinking a good roll in the snow would do more to prevent colds and flu than all those shots ! Less painful and a whole lot more fun. I wonder if Eskimos get the flu ? Surely no virus could live in an Igloo. Mom always told us kids, get in here before you catch your death. We didn't know we were chasing it. Wouldn't the germs be trying to get inside as well ? Cold kills germs. Oh well that's the way it is. In the spring we can worry about allergies. Stay indoors when the weather is warm. Mother nature is a fickle woman.

Being Cordial

Meeting and dealing with the public every day can be exhausting. Some are demanding, some are rude and some are just annoying. I do enjoy meeting new people and exchanging pleasantries. A cheerful Good Morning or a casual remark of two. On other days I just don't feel like interacting with others at all. Of course, I must put on a good face, as it where. It can be exhausting. Especially with " the  talkers. " There are those that wish to talk to you and refuse to let you go. Perhaps this is there only social interaction of the day, or they just love a captive audience. Whatever the case, the talkers can be a challenge.
It is quite difficult to find something different to say. I grow tired of the Good Mornings, it's cold outside, how are you and Hello. There are times I just want to say something more profound or sincere. Maybe offer some useful advice. I feel stifled ! Often thoughts come to mind that I can't verbalize. Thoughts like, do you know you are still wearing your pajamas ? I do feel a social obligation to say something without starting a prolonged conversation. And brevity in speech is not one of my strong points. I would like to say something more than those casual remarks, but the only others I think of would leave people speechless I'm afraid. At least for a moment or two, then the interaction may become a little too up close and personal.
I have thought of quoting some famous people. For instance, when asked how are you, I could respond with, " Our life is what our thoughts make it " ( Marcus Aurelis) or when asked, how is it going I could respond with, According to God's plan. The problem there is I would quickly get a reputation as being the " weird old guy " that talks funny.
It is a challenge every day to maintain a happy medium. To not allow your own feelings to interfere with public relations. After all, I owe the customers that much. They come here carrying their own burdens in life. I owe them all a cordial greeting, not for the sake of business, but rather for the sake of courtesy.
There is a bright side to all this, at least I'm not the greeter at Wal-Mart. Now that must be really exhausting !

Age

My sister in law is celebrating a birthday today. Celebrating is not the correct term however, more like observing or commemorating. She is a bit older than I. I will not tell her age for fear of my life ! Let us just say it got me to thinking. Tomorrow is my Grandsons birthday, he'll be twelve and I'm staring at sixty in July.
I was remembering what my mom used to tell us kids. I was twenty five when you were born. That means I was twenty five times older than you. Now you are ten and I'm just 35. That means you are almost one third my age now. Stay around long enough and you will catch up. Made me think about that when I was young. And the funny thing is, she wasn't too far of the mark on that. Now we are both getting old !
I'm not sure I'm going to like being sixty. That's old enough where people think you are old, but don't treat you that way. What I mean to say is, you don't get the respect that comes with old age, just the snide remarks and comments. That is especially true at work. I realize that would also be dependent upon where you work. I work at the grocery store with mostly younger people. I'm the old guy. Except when something needs to be done that they don't want to do, then I'm the old guy that does that task. It is my lot in life at this moment. This too will pass.
Age is a funny thing. When you are young, you want to be older. Not real old, just old enough. Old enough to get into things that you really shouldn't be getting into too. Old enough to make your own choices. Strange thing is, for most of us, we are not old enough to listen. We outgrow that capacity for a period of time. Later in life, the lucky ones regain that ability. But by then, we are too old to do much more than give advice. And advice is one thing that is free and most don't want ! Another of those irony's in life.
In the last twenty years or so the general term used is, Senior. We become seniors. When do we graduate ? I'm a Junior, was born that way and will die that way thank you very much. Senior does seem to be an arbitrary age though. At some places 50 is senior. I have had a cashier apply the Senior discount without even asking me if I qualify. Just what is that all about ? Was a bit of a shock the first time that happened , now I just take it in stride. I can still stride ! The shuffle comes much later.
I have heard it said that with age comes wisdom. I'm still waiting on that. Picking up all those heavy boxes and packages at the grocery store isn't the wisest of moves. Guess I haven't learned to listen just yet. My mind says, no problem, but my body just laughs ! Sure, go right ahead you're not that old. And then there is always your choice of words or phrases. I listen, I hear what the kids say. I try to stay current. The problem is at a certain age you just can't pull it off anymore. When I say," that's how I roll," it is met with laughter. The language of the hip is indeed reserved for the young. Unless you belong to a certain ethnic group, then it doesn't seem to apply. I won't go there, however. That I leave for you to draw an inference of your own.
Well, tomorrow my Grandson will be twelve. Doesn't seem possible. Now he is one fifth my age. Twelve years ago I was 48 years his senior. He's catching up or is it that I'm slowing down ? I'm certainly in no hurry to graduate. 

Old Homes

Yesterday after writing about the drawing of my Grandmothers home I began to think about old homes. Remembering my Grandmothers place and my Great Grandfathers. I was quite familiar with both of these homes. Things were different back then though. There were rooms we just didn't go into as children. Grandma's bedroom for one. It was just a narrow little room right off the parlor. No door ,just a curtain across the opening. Oh, we peeked in there, as children will. She had a high bed nestled against the wall and a tall dresser at the end of the room. No window in there and so it was always a little dark. A bit of an intimidating room to us kids. There were three bedrooms upstairs. We seldom went up there for anything. It pretty much wasn't being used . We just never went up there as there was nothing to entertain us up there. Ten children were raised and slept in those rooms however. If the walls could talk I'm sure I would have heard many fascinating tales.
Great Grandfather had a large rambling home catty corner to my Grandmothers. Just a stone throws away was the saying. Gramp, as we called him, pretty much lived in the large old kitchen. That big old wood burning  stove was his heat. He had a bed over in one corner. I remember him telling me, it is all the room I need. We seldom explored any further into that house. The ground floor I was somewhat familiar with but the upstairs I know nothing about. I was younger and have no memory of ever going up there. Off the kitchen there was a long hallway that lead to the front parlor. My Great Grandmother passed away in that parlor after a long illness. I didn't like going in there at all. The house always seemed dark and dusty. It was a place of mystery. Funny and odd looking objects lurked in the corners. I recall jars of old buttons sitting on a shelf. Gramp did have those old View Master viewers and hundreds of reels to go in them. That was the usual thing we played with while visiting. Seemed like he always had a pot of " samp " (hominy) on the back of the stove and would offer it to you. That, and crown Pilot crackers smeared with  butter.
Grandmothers house is long gone, returned to the earth. Great Grandfathers home is still standing and the last I knew, occupied. I have several pictures of this home. One day I would like to go visit it. I wonder what it looks like now. I wonder if I would recognize any of the interior rooms.
I've always had an affinity for old homes. I just love the idea of their ages and the stories they hold. Old houses have character. Almost like a pair of shoes that are already broken in, comfortable. May not be the prettiest but definitely have charm. I especially like knowing the history of the place. That's part of the special feeling I get when in an older home.
These old homes are slowly going away. The new homes don't hold the same charm, nor are they constructed as sturdily as in years gone by. Houses too, are becoming a part of our throw away mentality. Well, I'm sure the Grandchildren of today will feel the same way as I do someday. They will reminisce about Grandmas house too. And time marches on. 

Drawing on a memory

I have a small drawing made by my Aunt Anna. My aunt left this earth on Jan 2, 2001 at the age of 82. A good long life. This Aunt was quite talented in crafts and art. She enjoyed doing both her whole life. One year, I'm not sure what year it was, she drew this little picture for use on her Christmas cards. She titled it " The Old Homestead " and it was the home she grew up in.
This home was the home of my Grandmother. My grandmother had ten children,seven girls and three boys. Each grew up in this same home. My mother is the last of those children. All the others have gone to their final reward. The old homestead has long since passed into history. It was torn down many years ago. Some vandals had set a fire in it while it sat vacant.
I too, knew this home well. Many happy memories for me resided in that home. I can picture Nana, as we called her, in her kitchen. The kitchen was by far the largest room in the house and was the center of all activity. The big old coal stove, used for cooking as well as heat, was never without a fire. So many delicious cookies and cakes came out of that oven.
As I look at this drawing I can picture it all. I have no other picture of this home. To the best of my knowledge, no others exist. Perhaps one of my numerous cousins may have a snapshot, but I have no way of knowing. And so the number of people with any memories of this home grow fewer. I record the story here and tell the grand children about it.
The central portion of the house, the kitchen, was moved to the location I knew it to be in. It's original function was as a way station on a stage line. Not a stage line like you see in those old western movies though. This was just a stop between one town and the next. Back in the day before motor vehicles were in common use, horse and buggy was the way to go. This was just a stop to get the noon meal before continuing the days journey. Now, Grandmother worked for a wealthy family. This family wanted her to be closer to their home and purchased this way station and had it placed on the property. This family held the mortgage on the property. Grandma paid the loan off over the years. Additions were made as the family grew. Through the depression years, the second world war and all that followed until the early 1970's this home stood. My mother told me stories of her own youth in this home. I have stories of my own.
Now it is the year 2013 and all that remains are memories and a drawing. My aunt could not have imagined what significance this little drawing would have. I count it among some of my most precious articles. Those items that are irreplaceable. What a wonderful thing to have.

The path leads to the kitchen door.

Man Te'o

For the past couple of days I have been hearing about this football player Man Te'o. Seems he had a make believe girlfriend, who make believed died. He now says he was duped and the victim of a cruel hoax. And we are reporting this on the national news because ? OMG. Someone was less than forthright and honest on the Internet. Gasp. He thought he had a girlfriend, a pretty one too, with a degree from Stanford, but she got leukemia after a car accident. Passed away right after his Grandmother.
Now this young man is attending Notre Dame University. I would say that is a fairly prestigious school. I would think that even though he is a football player, the academic standards for admission and continued attendance would be rather high. In other words, he's no dummy. So just how would you think you had a " relationship " with someone you have never actually met ? Surely he is not that naive. As a star football player, I'm quite certain he has garnered some attention from the opposite sex. Three months is a long time to go without even meeting this person. At the very least, ever hear of Skype ? All this notwithstanding, I must repeat the question, we are reporting this on the national news because ?
If I wanted to hear this kind of  nonsense I would listen to Jerry Springer. I fail to see where the story is in all of this. There has been no reporting of any type of criminal activity. No money collected, or fraud committed,except for the fact he was lied to. Pardon me but I think this happens every day. Take a good look at some profile pages and I think some may be misleading. If not directly misleading, misdirection by the omission of key facts. I suppose because he is a star player ( that's what the news says ) that is why the hoopla. If I were that young man I wouldn't want to talk about it ! Of course the feelings of sports stars are far more important than those of us average people. Has something to do with all that talent.
I do remember when I was young. A young lady, and she was real, once told me she liked me. Once she got my ice cream cone though, the relationship was over. I was devastated ! It wasn't reported on the news. Maybe that's why I never played football.

A walk in my shoes

Style and fashion have never been my strong suite. I seldom pay attention to what is in or out. Mostly I notice those things I think outlandish and laugh about them. For the most part, my style, has remained the same. When I was much younger I would venture into the world of fad on occasion. I wore a pair of Beetle boots for a while, although I wasn't what you would call a Beetles fan. I even had a Denim sport coat with matching bell bottom pants. Pretty trendy stuff for this old boy. Those that know me well know I did have a few articles of clothing that were kinda out there. Leather pants, silk shirt with satin lining and even a pair of red satin pants ! Bought those at a store in Riverhead ( big city for me ) at a store called Slacks by Uncle Charlie. I remember the salesman asking me if I was in a band. I said no, just buying school clothes. Mom and Dad were so much in shock they didn't say anything at all ! I just thought it was funny and really didn't care what anyone else thought.
About the time I was in high school the big athletic shoe thing started taking off. Chuck Taylors were the thing at the time. Converse then released their " All Stars " in white and man they were cool. I went with the Pro Keds though, in suede leather uppers. Gold in color. Paid almost thirty dollars for those shoes and I thought my father would have a heart attack. Thirty dollars for sneakers ? They were always sneakers to him and tennis shoes to Mom. I thought they were really something.
Later on I did buy a pair of the original earth shoes. I admit they were comfortable. The health benefits from wearing them I can not testify to. They were clunky looking things and a plain brown in color. I do not know what possessed me to make that purchase. Must have been the advertising.
In the end and all these years later I have come to realize one thing. Mom was right again. Buy comfortable shoes. I tend to wear the same pair of shoes until they are completely worn out. I do have a pair of " dress shoes " seldom worn that will go in and out of style several times during their life span. I generally wear athletic shoes  in the warm weather and work boots in the cold.
I'm not sure what made me think about those Earth shoes this morning. Must be a flashback Friday. Flashing back in my minds eye to some of the outfits I did wear over the years I can plainly see I really didn't pay any attention to style and fashion. At least I'm sure didn't have any. LOL

Just like these ! I'm hip.

Doing It

I get really annoyed with discussion, instead of doing. Sure it is a good idea to talk about what you want to do, but you do have to actually do it. Flapping your jaws and hemming and hawing for an hour or more does little for progress. Like the ad says, Just Do It !
I see this being more and more of a trend. I wonder if the participants feel like they are more intelligent for it. Do they feel somehow superior to others ? We will discuss all the possibilities and scenarios. They seem to get caught up in the minutia and lose sight of the goal. It drives me crazy. As a one time neighbor and friend once said, " understanding it ain't doing it, doing it is doing it. "
No where is this more prevalent than with our elected officials and the justice system. Discussion after discussion followed by studies,polls and fact finding missions, followed by more discussion. Good grief, common sense requires little discussion, unless of course you have none. And perhaps therein lies the problem.
 We are all human beings prone to making mistakes. We are all influenced by our peers and prejudices. Those qualities should not preclude us from making a decision however. Sometimes we will be wrong, sometimes not. It is the cost of living my friends.
I find it doubly annoying when the " boss " fails to make a decision. That is their role isn't it ? Some are unwilling to delegate that authority to another, while others continually delegate every decision. State your desire clearly, concisely and with conviction. Quit talking and start doing. Every choice should not be a debate. Uncertainty should be used as a motivator, not an impediment to progress.
Consider the millions of dollars spent on political campaigns. And what are campaigns ? Nothing more than a person talking about what they will or will not do. And how often do they actually do what they claim they will do ? Not often, because they are always too busy talking about it. And then by the time they do decide to take action, the primary goal or mission has been lost or so diluted as to be ineffective. Then we will hold discussions about that failure.
I grow weary of those that mask the fear of failure with discussion. All this talk doesn't impress me in the least. Action speaks louder than words. Now there is an axiom we can all understand.  

Money and Morality

Charity begins at home. My mother often used that axiom. Mothers are wise creatures. In their simplicity of love, and love is charity, they set the example. These thoughts came to mind as I read about the fiscal cliff, and all the other budget problems facing the nation. Just a cursory review of all the monies the United States provides to other nations is an eye opener. Factor in all the religious organizations providing relief and support to foreign countries and it is an amazing figure.
I am not proposing that we not help our fellow man when we are able. What I am proposing is a closer adherence to that old axiom. Contrary to popular belief that phrase does not come from the Bible. There are passages that can be interrupted to mean that, but it does not state that exactly. Money and Morality do not make good bedfellows. The one tends to corrupt the other. The same could be said for Diplomacy.
Even now, as the congress debates the aid package for super storm Sandy, charity for home, it contains millions in aid to others not affected by this storm. Why should that be so ? Have we become so " charitable " that we are neglecting ourselves ? It would certainly seem the burden has increased upon the average taxpayer. A large portion of those taxes going to some charity. For giving monetary funds to another, be it an individual or country is nothing more than charity.
I see so many of our elderly struggling to get by. Most have worked hard and tried their best to provide for their families. Now old age and ill health plagues them. Even their meager Social Security benefits are under attack. The government provides little help. How many need just a little help. Government doesn't provide for that however. With the Government it is all or nothing. It is far easier for those foreign to our country to get assistance, than those that are native born. A sad fact and one that can be substantiated by a review of claims being paid. There are many examples of this. Consider starting a business of your own. Review what tax breaks,assistance and funds are available to you. Then review what would be available should you be foreign born and immigrating to this country. The disparity is amazing.
I believe our elected officials have a moral obligation to their constituents. I also believe they are failing us in that regard. The focus should be " home " and governing ( not ruling ) for the best interest of all.
Charity is a wonderful thing, but Charity does begin at home !

Annoyed

I may have to move from my current home. I rent an apartment and it has been discovered to contain lead paint. The state of Maryland has enacted legislation that apartments/homes containing this lead paint can no longer be rented without renovation. In my particular case the replacement of all the windows is required. It is an older home and the windows are those wonderful double hung windows. You know the kind with the window weights. They are in good condition and freshly painted. I'm not sure how many layers of paint you would have to go through to reach the lead based paint. The cost to the landlord is significant. Also the place must be vacant while this work is being done. I have lived here for over ten years now and it feels like home. I am very happy with the location and the condition of the apartment. Just the right size for my wife and I. A warm.secure and affordable home. Now, the government feels the need to protect me ! And so, in there concern for my health they are causing my eviction. Will the government provide any assistance for security deposits and such at my new location ? No ! Of course if I came here illegally and had dependent children that would be a different scenario, now wouldn't it ? But alas, I'm just a natural born citizen and twenty year veteran retired from the Navy. I'm near 60 and only have part time employment. If I sound a bit bitter it is because I am.
I have become more and more annoyed at government. Regulations, although well intended, often cause undue burdens. This is a completely unnecessary burden upon myself and my landlord. The paint is not peeling, chipped or in any way loose. No small children live here. It is just a one bedroom apartment suitable for seniors. I fail to see what possible harm this paint could cause. As long as the " hazard " is disclosed, what's the problem. And the problem is further complicated by additional regulations concerning the removal and disposable of the paint itself. One must hire a " certified " " licensed " and " bonded " contractor to deal with this issue. Guess how much that will add to the cost of the windows ? If this same home were occupied by the owner, none of this applies. So, how dangerous a situation can it be ?
Well, there is little I can do. The government can't be stopped. And changes to the law would take years. I could advocate for these changes, but I would still have to find another place to live.
I have a wonderful landlord and he is exploring further options. I am hopeful something can be worked out. If not, I'll just have to move. 

Collecting Memories

I can't remember in what film I saw this scene, but it is stuck in my mind. An older lady, sitting at a grand piano in her living room. May have been Audrey Hepburn, but I wouldn't swear to that.. The room is quite large and rather dark. The piano is covered with old photographs, neatly arranged. I believe she is nearing the end of her life due to some tragic illness. That is all I can remember of the film and the scene. It is all the photographs that I remember so well.
As I sit here I find myself surrounded by photographs. I have photos of my ancestors and their descendants. Mostly consisting of immediate family members, I do have a few Aunts and Uncles thrown into the mix. I really enjoy their company. I enjoy them so much more than those hiding in photo albums. I know it is because of the ease of seeing them. Just look around. Still, I find them a comforting sight. I do think they add a lot to the decor and warmth of my home. The older pictures add mystery from the past, while the newer ones add life.
I do make an effort to keep my house from looking like a museum or art gallery. So many pictures can do that, but I think so far that has been avoided. I try to find suitable frames for the pictures. I like to have period frames to match the picture. I have found getting older frames is not an easy task. I suspect too many get broken and discarded. I keep my eyes open at flea markets and yard sales though. I like to have them but am unwilling to pay a inflated price for them. I am not a serious collector. A casual collector would be a better description.
I wonder if this interest in pictures, and surrounding myself with them says anything ? Am I trying to capture the past, or is it a celebration ? I'll go with celebration. I do think it is important to know your ancestors. Their lives are a part of yours, whether you realize it or not. Their actions influenced the future, the future you live in. Other pictures celebrate my life. The good times and happy moments. After all, that is what we take pictures of. I'll keep adding to my collection of memories. I don't have a grand piano to display them on. My home is not quite so large. The collection of photographs do have the same effect however. When I saw the scene in that film I wanted to just sit and talk with that lady. Someone who looked interesting. The scene is set, come on by and we'll have a chat. Did I ever tell you about my Great Grandmother ?

Gun Control ?

I have been trying to refrain from blogging about the gun control issue. The discussion has already shifted from the mentally ill to controlling the sale of guns and ammunition. I just listened to some more of the rhetoric and can no longer contain myself. I will not claim to know the answer but will offer this much.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people. The gun in and of itself is an inanimate object. Practically any object you can name can be abused and cause serious harm or death. It is all in the application.
I will say I don't really see a need for assault weapons and large capacity magazines but they are certainly no more dangerous. Does it really make a difference if I shoot thirty rounds out of a single clip or change the clip a couple times ? I just don't think so. Now, that being said here is what I feel we need to do.
The laws concerning crime and punishment are already in place. The problem lies in enforcement. The application of actual punishment, and suffering the consequences of our actions are so diluted as to be ineffective. Like raising a child, idle threats without following up gets you little respect, or fear. And it has always been my contention children, and criminals by extension, should be " just that much afraid " of the consequences. I hear the experts saying, capital punishment isn't an effective deterrent. I expect that may hold some measure of truth. I'm no criminal but even I know if I get the death sentence the chances of it actually being carried out are very slim. I can spend at least twenty years filing appeals. And of course, I just might be mentally incapable of making decisions. Phooey.
It is my contention that were it known, for a fact, that if you commit a crime using a gun you will be held fully accountable. If, in the case there is no doubt about it, beyond a shadow of a doubt you will be executed swiftly, and without appeals of any kind, that would be a game changer. There is little we can do to prevent mental illness and those that acquire guns. They will always be available legally or illegally.
Our justice system is the fairest in the world. We are given protections and safeguards unlike any others. I'm not talking about doing away with these protections. What I am talking about is making it clear to those that would do harm, that the enforcement of punishment will be swift and sure.
Yes, I know several of these shooters have killed themselves. Good ! Saved the taxpayers a bunch of money and trouble. Those that kill any person and it is a clear and direct act should meet with the same fate.
I do not personally own a firearm of any kind. One reason for that ; I don't see the need to have one. I do not hunt, prefer fishing thank you, and I'm still naive enough to believe my house will not be invaded. I would have one if I felt a need however. I have even considered buying one, just in case. But then, if I did, by the time I got it out of the gun case, removed the trigger lock and retrieved the ammunition ( stored in a different location ) it probably wouldn't do a whole lot of good.
All I'm saying here is, we need to put the fear back into the criminal. Make those that would consider these actions, think twice. No idle threats and no second chances. If you do this, this is the result ! No ifs', and or buts about it. I am convinced it would make a difference to a sane man. The insane is another issue entirely.
   

Rerunning History

My granddaughter tells me they are having a practice " lock down " at the elementary school. She says they told the children there was a threat, not to their school, but to another and are locking down the school. The Chief of Police will be there. From what I know this lock down at the school consists of locking the doors and having the children hide under their desks. For us, of a certain age, it is very reminiscent of the actions taken in event of a nuclear attack. During the late fifties and early sixties there was a widespread fear, by the government, that the Russians would send nuclear tipped missiles our way. That was the plan to respond to that threat. Hide under the desk ! There were " shelters " in various buildings located throughout town were you would go after the initial attack.
I don't doubt the necessity of this lock down practice. It is a sad thing to have to admit that our children are now in danger from internal threats. Doing something is better than doing nothing. From our constant practice of drills while I was in the service, certain actions became automatic. It also helped in removing some of the fear. I would assume that is the real intent here rather than believing a school desk is any protection.
To me, it just says a lot about the world we now live in. We haven't had to hide under our desks for over forty years, now we do again. I'm sure going forward schools will be designed with stronger security features. Perhaps incorporating safe rooms and such. Or perhaps we will see the disappearance of public education altogether. Home schooling may be the way to go.
I am hoping that this will just fade into history that way our air raid drills did. I'm hoping they will just be a distant memory the grand children can tell their children. I can see it doing no harm anyway. History really does repeat itself.

Speaking of Love

In speaking of love one encounters many descriptions,explanations,cliches and analogies. None aptly describes that emotion. That is because the emotion exists on so many different levels. And love only exists according to our own individual desires and stipulations. If those desires and stipulations are not met, then love does not exist. Should the desires or stipulations change, likewise the nature of love. Love may be transient or steadfast, but it's condition relies solely upon our interpretation. We control the emotion. Only when the emotion controls us, do we become confused. Clarity in the recognition of love is the prerequisite to happiness.
We may become confused or mislead by a sensory experience. Mistaking that experience for love. And sadly, for some, that seems to be their interpretation of the emotion. The major problem with that interpretation is that it must remain unchanged. And in remaining unchanged it becomes stagnant. Stagnancy may lead to boredom and complacency.
I believe we love those who are what we wish to be, or at the very least, what we see ourselves as. That is a lasting love. We all change over time, but our core values rarely change. And it is these core values that form the basis of love. By remaining true to our values, we remain true to ourselves, and others.
It is easy to become distracted in this life. We may become obsessed with finding happiness. Do not let the distractions of the world sway you from your self. When we stray from that center, that is where real trouble can be found. We are constantly told what we should want and what will make us happy. That is what advertising is all about. Those around us will try to influence our decisions. The reality is happiness is found only within yourself. Others may please you, but can not make you happy. They can only fulfill your expectations. And so love is the complete fulfillment of those expectations. That is the standard. The challenge lies in understanding those expectations.

Too much of a good thing

In our attempt to make life easier, we have made ourselves more dependent. Just consider what you would call the necessities and compare them to your Grandmothers needs. It becomes immediately obvious. Some comes from the addition of technology and some comes from government regulations.
Life,in general, is easier and much more comfortable than years ago, as long as you can afford it. If you can't, the government will get involved and give you aid, maybe. The old adage, God helps those who help themselves, is being legislated into obscurity. In order to do most things to earn a few dollars, you either need a permit, license or certificate of some kind. You would be required to pass some testing, carry insurance and bonding of some type. Gone are the days of making do and doing odd jobs. You can not purchase a piece of property and build yourself a home anymore. You can't even make improvements anymore without a plethora of standards to be met. Government is so busy " protecting " me they are making me homeless and dependent.
Need a license to go catch a fish for supper. Forget about hunting for some food, that is reserved for the sportsman. Was a time when that activity was for the hungry. It just strikes me funny that all these " country boys " that want to hunt are now using smart phone apps and gps technology. Aluminum, high tech deer stands and John Deere gator four wheel drives. Space age insulated clothing and laser sighted weapons. Talk to most of them boys and they will tell you that stuff is a necessity. Grandpa didn't need any of it.
I enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern day living as much as anyone else. Heating and Air conditioning, my cell phone and internet. All is very nice. I do think I wouldn't mind so very much living in a cabin in the woods somewhere. As long as I would be left alone to do my thing. Left alone, to just help myself. I'm beginning to feel government regulations,no matter how well intended, as becoming oppressive. I find myself becoming more dependent on technology and I don't like it. You can get too much of a good thing.

Direction

Shakespeare said, All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players, or something similar to that. I  believe he was correct in that. I also believe it was a lot easier when we all knew our parts. Gasp. I'm treading on thin ice here. I'm just saying I'm thinking we have all gotten a little lost here. When our " roles " are less defined or non existent it does tend to lead to chaos. Imagine a play where the players just make up their parts as they go along. Then once their character has been established, they magically change their role. Happens all the time now a days. I will leave it to you to infer what I'm talking about.
Not everyone can play the leading role. Some of us need to be supporting characters. Random characters and cameo appearances are fine, but the plot line cannot depend upon them. We need stability. It just seems like too many of the players are uncomfortable in their roles. There is a reason for that. No direction. We all need direction. There are too many players now that feel they do not need this direction and can just go it alone. That's a big mistake. I will repeat, we all need direction. Direction may come from many sources and not all of them good. Personally, I believe I know the script. The script has been around for over 1500 years. The whole story is there, one need only read it.
That's all I have to say about that. I'm not preaching and this blog is not intended for that purpose. I'm just stating my belief. We all do need direction of some sort. To go through life without any direction or belief is a foolish thing. Common sense will tell you that. 

Hello

One of the gifts my wife and I received for Christmas were parakeets. Two nice little birds, the cage and all the accessories. We allowed the Grandchildren to name them. After doing some research to find out if we had a traditional or same sex couple we determined they are a boy and a girl, I think. Turns out it is not as easy to determine as one might think. The um, telling parts, are located internally. You can tell by the color of their feet and legs and the area called the cere. Problem is you need to know the age of the birds. At any rate , the kids decided on Luke and Sunny.
Luke and Sunny seem to be happy in their new home. We have them close enough to the window that they get a good view but not a draft. Parakeets don't like drafts. We have had parakeets in the past and always enjoyed them. Each one has its own personality. Luke is quite friendly and will sit on your finger. Sunny is the opposite. I do get a chuckle when they appear to be arguing with each other. Sitting up on their perch,side by side, and just squawking away. Look like an old married couple !
Mark takes Luke out of the cage every day. He likes to hold him and watch him fly around a little. Luke will bite at your finger but I think he is just playing around. Sunny however wants nothing to do with this activity. Difficult to catch and quite vocal. We all think it best to leave her alone for now. Maybe later she will become accustomed to us. Parakeets can live quite a while.
It is getting to be quite the menagerie around here. Daisy, the Guinea Pig, is boarding with us, as Maria, the grandchildren's Mom, is not fond of rodents. I have my cat, Hobo and the birds. We got Mark an ant farm for Christmas but the ants died. We will order some more ants soon and try that again. At least that was at his house. I am enjoying the sounds of the birds in the morning. As soon as the sun comes up they will start making noise. Parakeets can be taught to speak ( mimic ) and I'll be trying to get Luke and Sunny to say, Hello. It takes a while and none I ever had could do it. There is always a first though.

Sunny on the Left, and Luke

Ease of Information

I love the ease of obtaining information on just about any subject immediately. Just type your inquiry into the Google search block and viola, there it is. The problem is that too often it is too much information to sift through. I wind up being confused, which I guess is better than being uninformed. There really are no simple answers. I wonder if maybe we all aren't getting a little lost on this information highway. I am glad that I have filters on that search as it seems almost everything I ask could be misconstrued by the computer. Certain " relationships " between inquiry and data are questionable to say the least.
It is a good thing to maintain a open mind and be open to new ideas or concepts. I do think one does have to make a choice at some point. Take a stand on the issue, as it were. Failure to do so leads to getting nothing done at all, just like Congress. Or worse still, we try to please all of the people all of the time. We all know that can not be done. Yet we still try.
I wonder if the ease of obtaining information is contributing to the present state of indecision. Too much information. When faced with a decision that just had to be made I was told, do something, right or wrong do something. It is far better to have done something and failed than to never have acted at all. There comes a time when you just have to stand up and state your intentions.
Information is a wonderful thing but not when the information inhibits growth. Some things we just have to figure out ourselves. We should establish our own standards and abide by them. Not being inflexible, but being confident in our choices. Also we need to be aware. Do not let information become a distraction. The understanding of information is the key to knowledge. Just reading and gathering information doesn't make us any smarter. 
Google search is a wonderful tool but I find it can be an obsession. I begin to rely on it a little too much. Not all answers can be found there. Then I get distracted from the original task and fail to complete it. With almost every tool the adage is, let the tool do the work. When it comes to this search tool however that adage should not apply. The tool may provide the material, but you still need to do the work. I am guilty of forgetting that on occasion. Reciting the information we obtain on the information highway is not gaining knowledge, it is merely gaining information. I've got a lot of work to do.

Saucering

I was just wondering. How many of us use a cup and saucer when drinking our coffee ? I know I don't anymore. I have sets in the cabinet but seldom use them. I may place them on the table for a special occasion but that would be about it. My Dad would pour his coffee into the saucer and blow across it to cool it and then sip from the saucer. There is an actual name for this practice, it is called " saucering. " Really, look it up. That practice began because coffee was boiled before the automatic drip pots and was just too hot . Add in the fact that coffee cups were either tin, or a pretty thin china that made them difficult to hold, and well necessity is the mother of invention.
I have noticed that when dining out, with the exception of the more high end places, coffee is served in mugs.  Saves on dish washing I suppose and fewer broken pieces. Sugar and cream is usually not on the table anymore either. The "server ", used to be waiters and waitresses, will ask. And they will arrive in little packets and tiny plastic cups. No more sugar bowls or creamers. Remember when you got a glass of water before ordering ? Brought that with the menu. That's an extra now.
The cup and saucer is nice but does have a drawback. The cups are normally rather small. They require frequent fill ups. Well, used to get them too back in the day. The servers actually paid attention to their customers. The bottomless cup was a popular incentive. Of course, tips were optional as well.
 I've gotten off the track a bit but all these things are related. I admit being served coffee with a cup and saucer feels a little special. Like a special occasion or something. Very dignified. Isn't that a silly thing. My Grandmother would have been appalled if she was served coffee in a mug. I can hear her saying, " what is this ? I'm not running a boarding house here. " Customs change and everyday life changes. What was once everyday becomes different. I remember when Pizza was an exotic food and eaten only on special occasions as a treat. If you're good all week we will get Pizza. Now that was an incentive !  

Wet Heads

The lights are not out, but they are getting a little dimmer. Did you know you can't buy 75 watt incandescent light bulbs any more ? The stores can sell their existing stock, but that's it. No more manufacturing those vile,energy consuming monsters. They have been outlawed. Next year the 60 and 45 watters meet the same fate. The government is forcing us to buy those CFL'S. You don't hear much about it though and I wonder why that is. Those florescent tube bulbs are going away as well.
I'm thinking I'll buy a few bulbs and carefully pack them away. The grandchildren may want them to give to their children for show and tell. They can speak of Thomas Edison and his wonderful invention, the electric light. I'm sure by then the kids will know all about light emitting diodes and compact florescent lamps. To see a bulb that works by heating an element will be fascinating to them. What a funny old thing.
I'm always fascinated by how the government works. We hear about all the financial problems in government, we hear about reforms, the energy crisis and dependence on foreign oil. As it turns out, sometime in the middle of the night they hit upon a solution. It's those light bulbs ! They are using too much energy. Outlaw those suckers ! Then the manufacturers can produce the alternative and we can talk about creating jobs. It's a win/win. And we will just phase them out slowly and maybe no one will notice. Our elected officials at work.
I think they missed the boat on this one however. You think light bulbs use too much energy ? What about those blow dryers the girls use ? Now there are energy users ! A good towel will do the same thing. I've seen them rated as high as 1500 watts ! That's the same as turning on 20, 75 watt bulbs at once ! OMG what a drain on the power grid. We should propose legislation on this right away. Outlaw those rascals and energy usage will drop, we will have lower utility bills, we will need less money and stabilize the whole economy. I think a wet head for an hour or so would be well worth it. Come on congress, ACT.

Really ?

Every once in a while, okay maybe a little more often than that, a news story comes on television and the response from elected officials is just ridiculous. In this particular case they were discussing the death penalty here in Maryland. Presently Maryland does have a death penalty, although it has been on hold for several years, and at least one group is filling for an appeal of this statute. This has become somewhat of an annual appeal. No matter which side of the question your sentiments lie on, a statement was made by a elected official that I found ridiculous and incredible. This man was saying maybe we could meet in the middle on this. We could abolish the death penalty, with an exception. If you were a mass murderer, kill at least four people and have the intent to kill more, then the death penalty could be invoked. Say what ? Killing just three people isn't a capital offense, but four is ? Well, your honor, my client did kill three people but had no intention of killing anymore. And he will testify to that ! He intended to wound the other thirty five.
 I can only assume the loss of one life isn't as grave (no pun intended ) as the loss of four or more. What I wonder about is how you reach such a conclusion ? I further wonder why you would even make such an asinine statement in the first place. Incredible. Well, I'll let that one pass by without any more thought. I'm positive no one would take that proposal seriously.
In other news, a six year old child has been suspended from school for pointing his finger at someone and going " bang bang. " The school administration has deemed this as a serious act and entered it as, "threatening to shoot other students", on his permanent record. I can understand talking to this child about not doing that, but suspension from school ? A statement like that on his permanent record ? Seems a little over the top to me. The parents are outraged,as they should be,but others are supporting this action. Another just incredible reaction or should I say, overreaction. I must assume the school counselors can't handle this situation. I know my Mom could have. She would have explained it to me very carefully, and followed that up with, " just wait until your father gets home ". I would have become immediately aware that that particular action was not acceptable behavior. In short, I wouldn't do that again.
You know I'm beginning to believe we are just over thinking things just a bit. It really isn't all that complicated.   

Wild Cards

The football playoffs are here. All the speculation and wagering, analysis and prognostication. There are those that are fanatics about it all. All are experts and highly opinionated. Sports stirs a passion in people like no other. I'm one of the few exceptions. I enjoy sports of all types but wouldn't say I follow any of it. Baseball is as close as I get to being a real fan of any sport. My mind just never could keep track of players names,teams and stats. That's because it never was that important to me. It's a game after all. A source of  entertainment. Not one to live vicariously through any of these so called sports heroes, winners and losers are only of passing interest.
I have paid attention somewhat over the years. I know the big rivalries and the major players. I do watch football,baseball and sometimes even car racing on television. Should I not get to see a certain game it usually would be of little consequence to me. The world series, if the Yankees are playing, is an exception. I have watched over the years as teams were added. Nothing wrong with that. What I have watched over the years is the development of this wild card system. I am just totally opposed to that whole concept. Always have been. In my simple mind, either you win or lose. Finishing third,fourth or fifth doesn't constitute winning in my book. The two teams with the best records play each other for the championship, period,end of story, it's over. The fat lady has sung her song. Wait till next year.
It is my belief this whole concept is about money. A way to continue the sale of tickets. How many more games can we squeeze in ? I'm not an expert on this whole thing and those that make that claim have tried to explain it all to me. What I hear them saying is, my team didn't finish in the top two, but we should get another chance. My response is always, why ? What is the point in playing an entire season if the games don't really count ?
To me all this is just a reflection of the direction we are going in this country. Let's not hurt anyone's feelings or chance damaging egos. There are no losers. There are wildcards. If you can't win strictly on skill, maybe luck will intervene. You get another chance. Face it people, second place means you are the best of the losers ! But it isn't about winning and losing on the playing field anymore. It is about revenue. And don't even get me started about the salaries these players make.
Wild Cards. That about sums it up.

Looking Ahead

Here it is, 2013. Now the celebrations are over and the decorations put away. The Valentines are beginning to appear. Time to move on into the year. As I looked into the bathroom mirror this morning I had one of those random thoughts. It's 2013 and I'm staring at 60. Say what ? Sixty. Yup just a bit over six months away. Sixty sounds a lot older than 59. I'm thinking I'll just claim to be 59.99 this year. I'll blame it on the Mayan calendar or something.
Six decades is a pretty big deal. I'm thinking I should do something special this year. Something to commemorate the event. I'm not calling it checking something off on my bucket list, don't have a bucket list. Sure I'll be gone one day, but right now I'm concentrating on living. I place no limitations on that. To make a list would add too much finality. Problem is I don't have any clue what it could be. Should be something significant and lasting. Should be something just for me. It is my milestone after all. What to do ?
I don't really have any ambitions that I haven't already tried. I have no desire to go skydiving or any of that type of thing. During my Navy days I traveled all over the world, now I'm glad to just be in America. No other place on earth will do, not even to visit. The best moments in life always come by surprise. You really can't plan them. One cannot fabricate happiness. I've been fortunate to have a wife that makes me happy, kids I can be proud of, and Grandchildren that love me. Guess, I really don't need much more than that. Anything more would just be greedy.
My bucket seems to be empty. That's a good thing. I don't have a lot of baggage to carry around. I can just relax and enjoy the things I do have. It would be too much pressure to try to fulfill every dream I ever had. Truth is, some dreams are nightmares ! I'm just going to try to maintain the status quo. I'm putting this whole thing off. Now, seventy, that will getting on in years won't it ? I'll worry about it when that happens.

Goodbye 2012

2012 is over. It seems to have ended and left without incident. Could be I just don't watch the television that I used to, but I did not see many of those,year in review shows. Just as well I'm thinking, I can't think of too much good news this past year. Tragic shootings, falling off of cliffs and the loss of some iconic Americans. The past year just doesn't seem to have been a very uplifting time. I'm sure it is just because of the past few months. Natural disasters and mad men.

I'm sure changes will come in the impending months. Gun control and mental health being a primary focus. The cliff has been avoided, sorta, more put off than a solution found and it will continue to be debated. I'm hoping for a turn in this country back to more fundamental and conservative attitudes. A restoration of values as it were. I'm hoping more of us go from being complainers to being doers. Action needs to be taken and the majority of us know what needs to be done. We must muster the courage to do it ! We must offer solutions not problems. A return to good old common sense. 

It is very difficult to undo changes that have been made. We will have to learn to live with these changes, I suppose. In my opinion, some have been very dangerous changes. I can only see these changes as a part of social decay. These changes trouble me. But the new year is here and with it new hope. New hope for a better America. It is up to us.