My Little World

So it’s Saturday morning and I have work to do. Those two terms just don’t seem well suited together so I may have to remove one and we all know we can’t control the day of the week.

I look around my heavily cluttered office and have so many things I could write about. On the wall I have an almost complete Jim Beam train that my Dad gave to me some time ago complete with the shelf he built with it. One of the cars still is untapped and being as I have no affinity for Jim Beam it may stay that way. It is obviously aged longer than Jim Beam is typically aged so I’m not certain what that means to the contents.

I have picture frames sprayed across the room with Dad, sons, daughters, wife, sister, grandchildren, a painting of Lyon Mountain, an obscure painting of a lighthouse scene, a golf course, and a beautiful scene from a place called Lake Junaluska in North Carolina. Seems like an interesting, if not always connected, plethora of topics.

I have a phone, an adding machine to count my millions and a tissue box when the realization I don’t have millions or even a calculable fraction of millions. I have an indiscernible group of books, CDs, movies of different formats, manuals, bibles, software. (You name it…it’s probably here although I might not know it) I have one of those weird gifts….a ceramic piggy bank with the words “Green Fees” on the side. It is most definitely empty which is yet another commentary on my golfing future. I have two printers…that’s right two. (To be fair one is a scanner/fax machine as well so I had a reason for printer two)

Let’s see what else I have…..a number of flashlights…some functional…some not so much. I have so many pens and pencils that I do believe I am very close to qualifying for the hoarder classification. My bet is 50% of these pens are dried up. I have a USB turntable for converting my albums into CDs. That project seems to have stalled out for some reason. BY the way, albums to you newborns are circular vinyl disks similar to a CD but oh maybe 3 times larger with grooves that contain music and other various audio compulsions of the good old days. There is still a rich sound that comes from vinyl that CDs will never capture.

I have a real antique in this office of mine….a phone book. To you newborns that was a rather cumbersome manual that served well as a doorstop, kindling and at one time was used to actually look up someone’s phone number. I hear now that they recycle whatever they get and make shingles from them.

I have a shredder. This was a device that really came into prevalence during the Nixon administration when covering one’s tracks became important….should have shredded those tapes as well.

Last on my list I will discuss is an exercise bike. It is very useful in hanging clothes on and leaning stuff against it that I have no real place for. It is a little difficult to dust so I avoid that task. I could go on with this inventory but since you are all asleep by this time it would only be for my entertainment. As a famous blogger once said….”Have a fine day”

Do You Hold The Answers?

So the question is still on the table. I realize that many have made up their minds one way or another but you really need to look at the facts that have been gathered before you can reach a conclusion and as I see it the conclusion is we don’t have enough facts. Our meager existence is really the major problem at determining the answer to this question. We can do all the surmising and theories but we don’t have enough long term evidence to answer the question. Long term is the operative phrase. I’m here to tell you that Bird Berdan (if he were still doing the weather for Channel 5) in upstate NY can not tell you unequivocally that this exists. All of the weathermen and women in the world can give you theories and many already have but they are just theories. All of Hollywood’s smartest celebrities (is that an oxymoron?) have also weighed in on this issue. All of CNN and MSNBC and FOX news have also distributed their theories on this issue. Let’s not forget the activist singers that are so well versed in this issue as well.

The question you may ask, if you’re still reading, is this; Does global warming exist? The really curious thing about this is that scientists on a global spectrum differ about it. Some say we are actually experiencing global cooling while some say we are doomed to the ozone dissolving up and our existence as humans will be snuffed out. Now ask a scientist and you will get completely different opinions. How can that be? Is our data not the same across the board? Perhaps it’s because the data is such an infinitesimal example of our Earth’s existence that we have no real way of knowing about the heating and cooling cycles of the ball we live on.

I will tell you that from my experience on this subject that the green referendum and movement that is surfacing seems to me to be more about making a profit on people’s fears than on actually doing something for our , what some people think, fragile environment. I’m sorry but CFL’s are a waste of money and technology. What will we do with the massive amounts of mercury that will be building from these bulbs going into our landfills? Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on Earth to humans and yet this goes totally unchecked. I am looking forward to initiating the first class action lawsuit when this reality comes to fruition and mark my words, if the ozone doesn’t disappear and we don’t fry up like apple fritters this will happen.

You may have figured out what side of the fence I’m on with this issue. You would know because I am really not lobbying for the green movement. The other opinion I hold is that we are so insignificant to our Earth that it makes no real difference if we use corn to power our cars or hydrocarbons; what will be will be. The other thing that helps me with my feelings about this issue is I know in my heart I am only a temporary resident of this ball we live on. I know there are bigger and better things awaiting me and they don’t include forks made from potatoes.

Now I am not advocating that we are irresponsible tenants of this planet. What I am saying is we can be responsible about keeping things as clean as possible and not leaving behind a worse planet than we were handed and we can do it without all the hype and fear mongering that this green movement spews forth. We simply need to temper these initiatives with common sense and forward thinking and be aware that many of these green products will indeed hold unintended consequences if they are not fully researched before they are mandated upon us all!

2011.....Here goes

So here we are; made it to a new year. 2010 was certainly full of drama and surprises as well as some mourning in my case. Let’s look a few of the events in 2010 that were to many significant.

With me, personally, I had a major upheaval in my life losing my Dad. This will be the first complete year that he is not with me at least in a physical sense. I won’t say the holidays were smooth sailing. Although I had many moments of joy, laughter and thanksgiving I also had to deal with some raw emotions of loss. I know my future must be dominated with thanks for all I have been blessed with and that will be one of my goals.

This year saw my daughter have a career bump in the road. While it was somewhat challenging, she emerged from it by not only turning things around but by gaining a new appreciation for what is important and she is now in a really good place. Personally and I could not be more proud of her.

My beautiful lady, Linda, has passed the three year milestone of being cancer-free and we are all so blessed for that. My life is truly complete with that lady next to me and my prayer is God continues to bless us both with good health.

My Priest celebrated his 25th year of ordination and I was blessed to not only be his Senior Warden for the event but I was also privileged to be a part of his flock for a majority of those years. He truly is a man of and about God and has made a distinct and permanent impact on my life as well as many others.

I have had the good grace to re-connect with many family and friends alike through Facebook. The internet, with all its warts and problems, has made the world a smaller and more connected place.

The political face of our country is changing to the joy of many (myself included) and to the chagrin of some. Only time will tell if it’s only a cosmetic change or an actual change for the betterment of most. The cynics think it won’t change. The optimists such as me think it will improve. We’ll see I suppose.

So here we go…....2011 whether we are ready or not is here. It will now be our task to either try to change what we can, keep steady what is good and as the saying goes have the wisdom to know the difference. I seem to be more constantly reminded that getting old is not for wimps. I pray that whatever this year holds for all of us, we overcome the challenges and receive immense joy from the victories!

Still fighting the loss.....

I’ve not had a Christmas quite like this one. I always seem to feel the spiritual aspects of Christmas but lately seem so overwhelmed by missing my Dad that I can’t seem to filter it out. I do, in fact, feel guilty for that. I know I shouldn’t because it is human nature to have the feelings I have; but I do. I know in my heart what this season represents. I know what is important to remember about this Advent period.

This is the day my Dad really relished. For years he would have a Christmas party that everyone looked forward to. As much as he tended to not be a person who wore his emotions on his sleeve he really loved Christmas. I think he loved it most because he was a man that really enjoyed studying other people’s reactions to just about everything. He was a true professional reaction fisherman. There was many a time I could see him throw out the hook to get someone to bite and invariably someone would swallow the hook. (Usually my brother Larry) It was a beautiful thing to watch. God I miss that. I may have gotten that quality from him as I often find myself doing the same thing.

Christmas should be a time of joy and hope and yet I can’t seem to shake the pain of his loss. I know…I know…I hear you all…this is natural…give it time….I do understand that but understanding and being able to do it are completely different.

I do know that Christ’s love will overcome my feelings of pain. I know my precious memories will ultimately win the day. I just need to get past this and I will. I pray for all of you that you also can get past any losses you may have experienced so that instead you are overcome with gratitude for what you have. Please pray for me as well.

My Christmas Wish

So Christmas is just around the corner and I thought I would write just a little to project a few thoughts and emotions.

The first thing that is ever most in my thoughts is my first Christmas without my Dad. Even though we were many miles apart for the last few Christmases we were never far apart emotionally. Now I find myself even more connected emotionally and that can be both good and challenging. I will just need to focus on the positive and not the loss but that’s sometimes easier said than done.

I am beginning to learn the real secret of surviving the holidays and it is, for me at least, to ignore the commercial side. I used to find myself getting annoyed at all the commercial aspects of this time of year but the last couple I find myself focusing primarily on what I feel is important. Those things would be my God, my family and my friends. Gifts, cards and things, while nice, are fleeting. God, family and friends are not. I am blessed to have a terrific family not the least of which is my loving wife. I am the man I am because of her. She puts up with all my church endeavors as well as my many quirks. I have a wonderful daughter, 2 special sons and a great step-son as well as an extended family to be proud of. So I don’t care if Wal-Mart is open until the end of time selling everything under the sun. It will have absolutely no impact on what I have and what is important.

I find myself these days when I am near a Mall (I know not a smart place to be) getting less annoyed at the frenzied, panicking, rude shoppers and actually looking at them as a source of comedic relief. While the crowds sometimes make me look for the nearest exit it is more the physical loss of oxygen than any other reason.

So lighten up everyone. I know, I say that but it won’t change anyone who doesn’t have the will to change. My one wish for everyone is that this season makes you refocus on the important things. Enjoy the season for what it’s worth but don’t place too much stock on the “things” associated with it….they will be gone long before the people that get them. Merry Christmas all…and a blessed 2011!

What's Wrong With People?

This is almost a regular diatribe for me but I feel the need to regurgitate on this subject. I have simply one question to ask and one question only; What in the world is wrong with people?

OK, perhaps I should explain. I drive my share of miles but it never ceases to amaze me how much everyone is in a hurry these days. It is especially evident when you approach most any city. People drive with no regard to anyone else on the road. It’s all about me these days.

I got on the road, for instance, this morning heading for church. I do near the speed limit most times. Its Sunday morning….should be a somewhat calm and peaceful day. Should be is the operative phrase. People fly by me sometimes from both sides as if I am crawling and this does not favor any real demographic. It runs the gamut from tricked out little rice rockets to minivans filled with kids. What is wrong with people? When did everyone’s own agendas outweigh public regard or safety? What does it say about parents that drive that way with vans full of young crumb crunchers? Oh and this would be the same group of people suing a manufacturer for sticky accelerator pedals. If you weren’t doing 95 miles per hour in the first place you might have been able to stop!

I’m sorry but someone needs to explain to me how everyone has just gone crazy on the roads. I would also venture a guess that at least 50% of whoever dares read this is also guilty of the same thing. I truly need it explained to me. I know that most every community’s budget deficits could be resolved if police would just start camping out on the roads I drive on. There simply is no justification for the maniacal behaviors exhibited on our roads these days.

When did traffic laws become suggestions? That little stick on the left side of your steering wheels has some great little mass notification features. I invite everyone to explore it. As an aside, I guess police cars don’t get those little sticks. Perhaps budget cuts did away with that option on their cruisers. One little thing about those sticks….using them is not permission to cut me off.

So there it is. I try to handle my road rage in this way; Venting to my loyal reader(s). I invite you all to slow down just a bit, perhaps enjoy some of your favorite music and keep everyone’s insurance rates down just a bit more. Happy trails……

Flying...still an enigma

So I recently flew to Dallas for a couple days of a hugely rewarding and highly informative security conference. Flying is such a conglomeration of human fascinations to me these days. I thought I would share some of the things I find fascinating about flying.

We have all heard the instructions as we are about to take off, from the flight attendant or have we? Most people are busy trying to get that last urgent phone call or text in before they inadvertently bring the plane down. Some people already have the headphones on…the ones that eliminate extraneous sound….wouldn’t want to know about that oxygen mask. The other thing I find curious about the instructions is how they instruct you in fastening your seatbelt. So they are instructing me on how to use the seatbelt AFTER they have made sure everyone had their seatbelt fastened. Am I the only one who finds this curious? One more thing that comes to mind….how many crash scenes have you every seen pictures of with half of the passengers clinging to their seat cushions….because as everyone knows you may use your seat cushions as a flotation device. Let me change the question….Have you seen ONE passenger ever clinging to said flotation device?

Once they get us in the air and everyone is educated about the emergency exits they must orderly use in case of a crash, how to use the oxygen masks (cups really) how to detach and use the seat cushions in case of a water landing (hideous crash) and how damaging the smoke detectors in restrooms is a felony or something of that nature they then serve the alcohol. Sounds like a recipe for success don’t you think? By the way, are there smoke detectors anywhere but just the bathrooms? I sure hope so because by the time the smoke was to permeate the bathrooms I should think we would all be clinging to our seat cushions.

Now we’ve been up for a couple hours of indiscriminate jostling and babies crying and Ipods screeching and little Indian guys eating their very pungent four course meals right next to me not to mention several alcohol induced outbursts and it’s time to drop to a controlled landing on something other than water or pastures. It’s time to put everything away…put your seat back trays locked away….put your seatbacks in their upright position; that’s another detail that bugs me…why can’t I land in a relaxed position? Is their some grand reason we all must be sitting up? Anyway, as we touch down, usually a filling loosening thud, you can almost feel the tension rise as people prepare to figure out a way to body surf over the other passengers right off the plane. Alcohol also lends itself well to planning that project.

Then to complete the leisurely process of flying there is that mad dash to get your luggage, followed by about an hour wait for the luggage to start crawling up the conveyor belt. Then there are only about 200 black bags and God help you if you didn’t do the ribbon thing cause it could take another hour of searching bags for yours. One note, everyone is doing the ribbon thing now so you better have a unique ribbon! Then there’s the leisurely stroll through about a 4 mile terminal until you get to an immense parking deck in which your car is usually at the furthest point from the entrance. I think John Madden is absolutely right about taking a bus everywhere he goes (ok it is a private bus) as flying has become such a sea of human suffering that you either need to laugh about it or cry. As for me, I will try to continue to laugh until I can afford my own private bus.