On April 15th, 2010 there was an event that perhaps did not shake the world or get high amounts of publicity but it shook and changed my world forever. My Dad passed away. You see he was not an ex-President or royalty or even a celebrity but he was indeed my hero and I can safely say was many others as well.

He was a man that although at times live a hard life, lived it with integrity and faith. You always knew that the two most important sides of this man were his family and his faith. He could be tough sometimes but he was always fair and he was generous on many occasions. He could fix anything and had very keen analytical skills. He was sharp as a tack and if you ever dared to go down the path of battling wits with him you better be ready to get your butt handed to you.

We were pretty diametrically opposed on matters of politics or at least that’s what he seemed to profess but the more I would talk to him one on one the more we agreed rather than disagreed. I think many times he just enjoyed throwing out the hook and snagging me in a discussion and it was more his enjoyment in getting a rise out of me. I would define him as a Kennedy Democrat.

I have some very special memories of this man especially later in life when he actually did seek out my council after the death of his wife. I had, unfortunately, some experience losing a spouse that way and I think we had some very poignant discussions that I will never forget.

I could fill a book with memories but I prefer to keep many in my heart alone. So you see this man, while not worldly famous, will never be forgotten by me and many more. Dad, you made me who I am, yes both the good and the mischievous part, and while we never verbalized this enough I am sure you knew I loved and admired you and I really look forward to the day I see you again……

Progress? Really???

Droids and 3D HD televisions and iPads oh my! While I manage a communications division of a company and deal with technology of many varying types I am still amazed how far technology has come in such a short time. I see it every day in my world but then when I get home and actually have time to consider the advancements that have been made it really is quite mind boggling.

Do you remember when flat screen TV’s were introduced how everyone was so amazed how this would revolutionize the TV industry? Even when they were coming on the market could anyone have known the continuous evolution that would happen? Do you know that in about 3 years it will be the 20 year anniversary of when the HD format was approved by the FCC? How about this fact; over 60 years ago the first color TV standard was approved? How about recording formats? We started with betamax introduced by Sony almost 40 years ago and went then to VHS, then DVD and now Blue Ray with other technologies not far off. Companies seem to spring into existence with every new technology and if they don’t stay cutting edge they are soon replaced with new companies.

I wonder if technology is actually growing too quickly for us to really get a hold off what is happening. In other words, I wonder if we aren’t setting ourselves up for our own demise by wanting to advance so quickly that we never really understand the ramifications. I’m sure Oppenheimer was made aware with great clarity after introducing a nuclear bomb as he stated the following quote from the Bhagavad Gita: "Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

I don’t profess to know any answers about the issues I raise. I am merely an observer of some of these issues on this spinning rock but it seems the older I get, the more I reflect on what has taken place and how what we do affects what is to become. I think as a society we are so wrapped up in how to improve everything that we never really sit back and appreciate anything and that to me is the saddest thing about all of our advancements. We simply don’t appreciate what went into every step to where we are now. It is my humble opinion that the term progress is an oxymoron. In my mind, if you don’t acknowledge and consider every step you took to get where you are now and only live in the moment you are completely missing out on what your life has meant. The old saying comes to mind life is not about the outcome so much as the journey.

So consider your life. Consider where you started out and all the trials and tribulations, all the successes and some of the failures and come to appreciate what the journey has been and not just how comfortable you are now. Your life is simply not measured, nor should it be, by where you are as you sit here and read this. It should be more than that. You must consider the sum of the parts. It is my hope that you come to this realization and learn to thank your God for not what is in your bank account at this moment (although some might have a problem thanking him for that) but more so thanking your God for every breath you’ve taken and every day that has made up your life.

Remember When???

Remember When

I have been waxing nostalgic lately and thought I would assemble some remember one liners about the past so here goes.

Remember when people were just thankful to have a job?

Remember when penny candy was a penny?

Remember when there was no such thing as a microwave?

Remember when you shared a phone line with multiple neighbors?

Remember when the only car phone was on the Jetsons?

Remember when if you had one car in your family you were pretty fortunate?

Remember when you walked to school? (And safety was never questioned)

Remember when TV dinners went into the oven and were covered with tin foil?

Remember when kids were in more trouble at home when getting in trouble at school?

Remember when Ridalin didn’t exist? (and somehow kids survived)

Remember when you respected your elders?

Remember when organic food was just food?

Remember when your Dad’s video camera had a light tree that looked like something out of Yankee Stadium?

Remember when you had maybe 3 TV stations to choose from depending on how your antenna was faced?

Remember when record albums were really albums.

Remember when a hotdog was just a hotdog? (And we didn’t care)

Remember when kids played outdoors and LOVED it!

OK, that’s it for the moment…..feel free to add your own.