It's that infamous word that rocks and destroys our culture—Divorce. The single mom with several kids trying to make a go of it; a single dad try to raise a daughter and has no clue as to how he will handle the teenage years. How did it start? Were the two people who said, "I do" one moment, entirely wrong several years later? Did the luster wear off? Did the music stop playing? Did we make a mistake and when did we notice it?
What about the children? What about them? I have my own happiness to be concerned about. He/she doesn't love me anymore. I don't love him/her. I can't stand him/her. He/she doesn't understand me. I just want to get out. What about the children? What about them? So many questions, too few answers.
They will learn to understand, or will they? They children will never understand—nor will their grandparents who saw all this unfolding but were powerless. Powerless, as in stopping an avalanche or stopping a ship about to run aground. What happened to all the happy moments of the marriage, were they swept under the rug? Who should get the award for "best actor" or "best actress"? What will the children get? Nightmares and more nightmares! They're too young to understand, they are too fragile, they will get swept under the rug as well.
K.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
“…the dead can’t answer slurs, but I’m here.” Anita Brookner 1938-, British novelist & art historian
I learned something new today about a certain ethnic slur. I thought the word I used was innocuous, but it was at it turns out, a slur of some seventy-fives years ago. Now, but almost forgotten, except by a few older woman where I work, who proceeded to scold me for my insensitivity. My familiarity with it goes back to my grandmother to used it, as I thought, to describe the "rag man" who frequented the neighborhood shouting out "rags, paper rags."
My first abrupt introduction to insensitive ethnic slurs when I overheard a white man address several black day maids at a hotel "How is it going girls?" The sharp retort came back, "We ain't girls Jack, we're ladies!" The expression "girl" and "boy" goes back to the days of slavery in the South. It was still used in the years before the Civil Rights Moment in a 1941 song written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, and played by Glenn Miller--"Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo?" The "boy" referred to the train porter.
Put the words "pardon me boy " in your search engine and you will still see today the many uses of this expression in advertising, print media etc. Purists may raise their hackles when the word "Roy" is substituted for "boy" but in today's politically correct world it saves a lot of hurt feelings.
Current fashion and political correctness may be responsible for a few other "corrections" such the infrequent use of the word "niggardly" in print and the media, and the discontinued required reading of the book Nigger of the Narcissus by Joseph Conrad.
Some people who teased me about my German heritage have called me a "Kraut" and even "Nazi", but it still hurts. To make it even worse the term nazi is entering the dictionary in such expressions as "ski nazi." But that's the subject for another blog. So until then, behave.
K.
My first abrupt introduction to insensitive ethnic slurs when I overheard a white man address several black day maids at a hotel "How is it going girls?" The sharp retort came back, "We ain't girls Jack, we're ladies!" The expression "girl" and "boy" goes back to the days of slavery in the South. It was still used in the years before the Civil Rights Moment in a 1941 song written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, and played by Glenn Miller--"Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo-Choo?" The "boy" referred to the train porter.
Put the words "pardon me boy " in your search engine and you will still see today the many uses of this expression in advertising, print media etc. Purists may raise their hackles when the word "Roy" is substituted for "boy" but in today's politically correct world it saves a lot of hurt feelings.
Current fashion and political correctness may be responsible for a few other "corrections" such the infrequent use of the word "niggardly" in print and the media, and the discontinued required reading of the book Nigger of the Narcissus by Joseph Conrad.
Some people who teased me about my German heritage have called me a "Kraut" and even "Nazi", but it still hurts. To make it even worse the term nazi is entering the dictionary in such expressions as "ski nazi." But that's the subject for another blog. So until then, behave.
K.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
"I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you." Fred Rogers
Question Number 27--Do you think Mr. Rogers really was a pervert or do you think he just really liked kids?
Obviously the author of this blog questionnaire has absolutely no knowledge of The Reverend Frederick McFeely "Fred" Rogers or they would have never included it in their survey. One item most people didn't know is that Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. Beginning in 1954 and continuing for the next eight years Mr. Rogers left his WQED TV studio during his lunch breaks to study theology at the nearby Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Some people found it difficult to believe that the gentle, soft-spoken host of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" was exactly what he seemed, but he was. There were a lot of false stories about Fred Rogers:
. He had 42 confirmed sniper kills (in Korea?).
. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam as a sniper and was credited with kills in excess of 1500 meters.
. He was the number three Marine sniper in Vietnam. One of the reasons he always wore long sleeve clothing is because his arms were covered in tattoos.
. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
After graduating from Rollins College in Florida with a degree in music in 1951, he immediately embarked on a broadcasting career—a career that continued uninterrupted for nearly 50 years, even while he studied for a Bachelor of Divinity degree, eventually becoming an ordained minister in 1962. This is far from hiding a secret past as a trained killer.
Here is an anecdote that appeared in TV Guide. "Apparently, Mr. Rogers had been driving the same car for years, an old second-hand Impala. It was stolen from its parking spot near the WQED studio. Rogers filed a police report, the story was picked up by local news outlets, and general shock swept across town. Within 48 hours, the car was back in the spot where he left it, along with a note saying, 'If we'd known it was yours, we never would have taken it!' "
Fred Rogers was a truly gentle soul who devoted his entire adult life to educating and bettering the lives of children, and this is the manner in which he should be remembered.
K.
Obviously the author of this blog questionnaire has absolutely no knowledge of The Reverend Frederick McFeely "Fred" Rogers or they would have never included it in their survey. One item most people didn't know is that Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. Beginning in 1954 and continuing for the next eight years Mr. Rogers left his WQED TV studio during his lunch breaks to study theology at the nearby Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Some people found it difficult to believe that the gentle, soft-spoken host of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" was exactly what he seemed, but he was. There were a lot of false stories about Fred Rogers:
. He had 42 confirmed sniper kills (in Korea?).
. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam as a sniper and was credited with kills in excess of 1500 meters.
. He was the number three Marine sniper in Vietnam. One of the reasons he always wore long sleeve clothing is because his arms were covered in tattoos.
. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
After graduating from Rollins College in Florida with a degree in music in 1951, he immediately embarked on a broadcasting career—a career that continued uninterrupted for nearly 50 years, even while he studied for a Bachelor of Divinity degree, eventually becoming an ordained minister in 1962. This is far from hiding a secret past as a trained killer.
Here is an anecdote that appeared in TV Guide. "Apparently, Mr. Rogers had been driving the same car for years, an old second-hand Impala. It was stolen from its parking spot near the WQED studio. Rogers filed a police report, the story was picked up by local news outlets, and general shock swept across town. Within 48 hours, the car was back in the spot where he left it, along with a note saying, 'If we'd known it was yours, we never would have taken it!' "
Fred Rogers was a truly gentle soul who devoted his entire adult life to educating and bettering the lives of children, and this is the manner in which he should be remembered.
K.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
"I shot an elephant in my pants. How he got there I’ll never know." Groucho Marx
I saw a large eighteen-inch garter snake in my son's flowerbed. It was busy trying to escape our presence as it found itself in the spotlight of our attention. He also has a resident raccoon and groundhog beside the normal birds, skunk and other animals that you might find in the city, like the squirrels and rabbits. Since we both live near a metropolitan park system, we seen deer and on a rare occasion, a fox.
None of these animals are threatening, even the snake is nonpoisonous. The cardinal rule is don't corner them or disturb their home or den. Leave them be. Other parts of Greater Cleveland also have had these same animals but their approach to deer is interesting. Trim them out, cull the herd. Kill them. Paid hunters have, at one time, stationed themselves in tree blinds with high-powered rifles waiting for them to cross their path.
"Deer hunter Miles G. Floit, 51, of Rochelle, IL shot Charles D. Pittman, 79, and his dog, Kelly, on November 22, 2006 in Mississippi Palisades State Park. Pittman was walking his dog in a part of the park that was closed to non-hunters and was not wearing any blaze-orange clothing. Floit told investigators he was shooting at a deer and hit Pittman. When Floit went to investigate, he mistook the dog for a deer getting up off the ground and shot the dog, Doran said. Both Pittman and the dog died at the scene."
With all the mishaps that can occur with a stray misaimed shot, this community is willing to take that risk. An accidental death has been boiled down to a calculable statistic; less than one tenth of one percent. While they trivialize the consequences, the outcome could remain the same—a fatality. Personally I'd rather let the deer munch on my flowers, and take pictures of their exploits, than know that a human life had been eliminated.
K.
None of these animals are threatening, even the snake is nonpoisonous. The cardinal rule is don't corner them or disturb their home or den. Leave them be. Other parts of Greater Cleveland also have had these same animals but their approach to deer is interesting. Trim them out, cull the herd. Kill them. Paid hunters have, at one time, stationed themselves in tree blinds with high-powered rifles waiting for them to cross their path.
"Deer hunter Miles G. Floit, 51, of Rochelle, IL shot Charles D. Pittman, 79, and his dog, Kelly, on November 22, 2006 in Mississippi Palisades State Park. Pittman was walking his dog in a part of the park that was closed to non-hunters and was not wearing any blaze-orange clothing. Floit told investigators he was shooting at a deer and hit Pittman. When Floit went to investigate, he mistook the dog for a deer getting up off the ground and shot the dog, Doran said. Both Pittman and the dog died at the scene."
With all the mishaps that can occur with a stray misaimed shot, this community is willing to take that risk. An accidental death has been boiled down to a calculable statistic; less than one tenth of one percent. While they trivialize the consequences, the outcome could remain the same—a fatality. Personally I'd rather let the deer munch on my flowers, and take pictures of their exploits, than know that a human life had been eliminated.
K.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
“My mother protected me from the world and my father threatened me with it.” Quentin Crisp 1908-, British author
The single mom next door with three daughters is planning on getting married on September 29th of this year. Her youngest child just turned 7 yrs. old a few days ago and already this little girl has quite a mouth; to say she is extremely expressive would be an understatement. This little girl could compete at a congressional filibuster and come away as the winner. She does have a way with words that could leave you gasping for air.
Now imagine the soon to be stepfather who has grown children of his own entering this picture and you have a man found to be at a disadvantage. He hasn’t a chance. If the mom is getting married to marshal parental forces in raising three daughters, I’m afraid she is mistaken. She should have admonished this little monster a long time ago and let her know about parental authority. To have said to others, “Oh leave her alone, she’s just a baby”, didn’t do this individual any favors. She has become domineering and a bit of a bully. One thing she does know is that mom will defend her because of her size and position among her siblings. Mom has created a potential monster and step dad is about to spend the next eleven years regretting his decision to marry into this family.
K.
Now imagine the soon to be stepfather who has grown children of his own entering this picture and you have a man found to be at a disadvantage. He hasn’t a chance. If the mom is getting married to marshal parental forces in raising three daughters, I’m afraid she is mistaken. She should have admonished this little monster a long time ago and let her know about parental authority. To have said to others, “Oh leave her alone, she’s just a baby”, didn’t do this individual any favors. She has become domineering and a bit of a bully. One thing she does know is that mom will defend her because of her size and position among her siblings. Mom has created a potential monster and step dad is about to spend the next eleven years regretting his decision to marry into this family.
K.
Friday, August 24, 2007
“Wherever an altar is found, there civilization exists.” Joseph De Maistre 1753-1821, diplomat
If you think back one just one hundred years ago, we were very much an agricultural, agrarian styled culture. People worked their farms and stayed much closer together. The extended family was an important part of a young mother's base of operations where she could turn to help should the need arise.
The second leg of our illustrated triangle was the church. Religion played an important part in moral training that told children, in no uncertain terms, what was expected of them in God's plan of life. They were told the Ten Commandments and expected to memorize them and observe them. There was no question in anyone mind where they would be spending Sunday mornings. If they weren't in church, they were on their deathbeds.
The third leg of a mother's operational triangle was her husband, who was by his own religious training, was expected to be considerate to his wife, and treat her with respect (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to do so would "hinder your prayers." Now, remember I'm speaking of one hundred years ago.
Today, we have single mothers, who seldom have time for church and don't depend upon their extended family because they live miles away. There is a deep-set belief in this country about the separation of church and state; children receive no moral training in the school or home. Children do not know how to act, and given a period of time like this for the child to mature, a mother could become fearful of her child's value judgments. The cliché "boys will be boys" is a lame excuse for the actions a lot of young teenage men.
So what can we do? We can't turn back the clock. There has been a "back to the Bible" moment that could help both mothers and children. Morality has to be an important part of today's instruction. Children should be allowed to receive, during a structured timetable, instruction in the religion of their choice as part of their school curriculum. Failure to do so will only cause the downfall of the American system as we head toward a godless society.
K.
The second leg of our illustrated triangle was the church. Religion played an important part in moral training that told children, in no uncertain terms, what was expected of them in God's plan of life. They were told the Ten Commandments and expected to memorize them and observe them. There was no question in anyone mind where they would be spending Sunday mornings. If they weren't in church, they were on their deathbeds.
The third leg of a mother's operational triangle was her husband, who was by his own religious training, was expected to be considerate to his wife, and treat her with respect (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to do so would "hinder your prayers." Now, remember I'm speaking of one hundred years ago.
Today, we have single mothers, who seldom have time for church and don't depend upon their extended family because they live miles away. There is a deep-set belief in this country about the separation of church and state; children receive no moral training in the school or home. Children do not know how to act, and given a period of time like this for the child to mature, a mother could become fearful of her child's value judgments. The cliché "boys will be boys" is a lame excuse for the actions a lot of young teenage men.
So what can we do? We can't turn back the clock. There has been a "back to the Bible" moment that could help both mothers and children. Morality has to be an important part of today's instruction. Children should be allowed to receive, during a structured timetable, instruction in the religion of their choice as part of their school curriculum. Failure to do so will only cause the downfall of the American system as we head toward a godless society.
K.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
“It is quite surprising how many children survive in spite of their mothers.” Norman Douglas
I received this in my email: "Repost this bulletin with 'How Can a Mom [Andrea Yates] Kill Her [five] Children?' It shows pictures of the children smiling in much happier times and gives part of Andrea's court testimony. "But if you feel she wasn't guilty THEN YOUR A PRETTY MESSED UP PERSON AND FOR THAT YOU NEED TO DELETE ME AS ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS." Normally I dismiss this as over reaction but I decided to investigate further. The murder of five children on June 20, 2001 is not an isolated incident.
March, 1985—Debra Gindorf fed her two small children, Christina, 2 and 3-month-old Jason lethal amounts of crushed sleeping pills, tucked them into bed, and tried to kill herself by swallowing the same medication. She awoke the next morning with the sickening realization that she was still alive and her children were dead.
Kathleen Folbigg murdered three of her children Patrick, Sarah and Laura - aged between eight and 19 months and a fourth, Caleb (just nineteen days old) over a 10 year period beginning in 1989.
Jan. 4, 1989—Sheila Epker killed her four children and fatally shot herself. 8-year-old Kacey, was drowned. Two other daughters, Shannon, 5 and Mandy, 2 1/2 and a son, 16-month-old Lance, were all shot to death.
April 9, 1998—Bethe Feltman killed her children, Benjamin, 3 and Mariah, 3 months. Benjamin was strangled and Mariah suffocated. Both children may also have had drugs in their systems.
July 17, 2002—Dee Etta Perez, 39, shot her three children, ages 4, 9 and 10, and then wounded the children's father, before killing herself.
Deanna Laney beat her two young sons, Luke, 6 and Joshua, 8 to death with stones in East Texas. A third son, 14-month-old son Aaron, who remains nearly blind and brain-injured, just "wouldn't die."
Lisa Ann Diaz drowned her two daughters– Kamryn, 3, and Briana, 5, wrapped them in blankets and laid them in a back bedroom. Ms. Diaz had 25 cuts and superficial, self-inflicted stab wounds on her neck and chest. She later said that she wanted to commit suicide to be with her daughters.
Nov. 22, 2004 Dena Schlosser fatally severed her 10-month-old daughter's arms with a kitchen knife.
December 24, 2004—A New Zealand mother killed her two children and then herself in a pre-Christmas tragedy.
May 30, 2005 –Gilberta Estrada hung herself and her four young daughters in a closet. Gilberta, 25 and three of the girls were dead; their ages were 5, 3 and 2. The youngest, 8-month-old Evelyn Frayre, was alive but in dire need of medical care.
February 28, 2007— a Brussels, Belgium mother killed her five children, then tried to commit suicide. The four girls and a boy, aged between 4 and 14, were stabbed with a knife. The woman called emergency services, and then tried to kill herself.
Aug. 14, 2007—32-year-old Nimisha Tiwari bought a can of gasoline, shut herself in her bedroom with her two young children—son, Vakadham, 4 and 18-month-old daughter, Anayaand and set a blaze that killed all three.
It is shocking to read of these deaths by the hand of the children's mothers who had held the in their arms, nursed them, bathed then and stayed up nights and cared for them when they were sick. What happened? Did the mothers say, "I quit." Insanity? Postpartum depression or just plain old fashion murder?
More than 200 women kill their children in the U.S. every year. Between three and five children are killed by their parents in the U.S. every day. A California man lit a barbecue inside his home knowing it would asphyxiate his sleeping children. Why wasn't his case saturated with media coverage in the same way? We have a cultural view of good motherhood and it acts to the detriment of women and fathers who are having substantial problems parenting, says Jill Korbin, member of the American Anthropological Association and a child abuse expert who spent a year interviewing mothers in prison for killing their children.
"We end up with a lot of dead kids in this country, yet we persist with the unrealistic view that this is rare behavior. These are not the isolated cases we would like to believe." Homicide is one of the leading causes of death of children under age four.
Parenting in the U.S. is extremely difficult, Korbin says. Prevention is the key. Prior to a homicide, lots of lay people know these men and women are having difficulty parenting. "The public has to be better educated in recognizing how to intervene and how to support child abuse prevention."
Nancy Scheper-Hughes, medical anthropologist, believes that mother love is not universal. The idealization of women as natural loving mothers is a cultural belief that gets us into trouble. "We should detach from the idea of universal motherhood as natural and see it as a social response," Scheper-Hughes says. Women in jail reported that no one believed them when they said they wanted to kill their children. "There's a collective denial even when mothers come right out and say 'I really shouldn't be trusted with my kids.' "
K.
March, 1985—Debra Gindorf fed her two small children, Christina, 2 and 3-month-old Jason lethal amounts of crushed sleeping pills, tucked them into bed, and tried to kill herself by swallowing the same medication. She awoke the next morning with the sickening realization that she was still alive and her children were dead.
Kathleen Folbigg murdered three of her children Patrick, Sarah and Laura - aged between eight and 19 months and a fourth, Caleb (just nineteen days old) over a 10 year period beginning in 1989.
Jan. 4, 1989—Sheila Epker killed her four children and fatally shot herself. 8-year-old Kacey, was drowned. Two other daughters, Shannon, 5 and Mandy, 2 1/2 and a son, 16-month-old Lance, were all shot to death.
April 9, 1998—Bethe Feltman killed her children, Benjamin, 3 and Mariah, 3 months. Benjamin was strangled and Mariah suffocated. Both children may also have had drugs in their systems.
July 17, 2002—Dee Etta Perez, 39, shot her three children, ages 4, 9 and 10, and then wounded the children's father, before killing herself.
Deanna Laney beat her two young sons, Luke, 6 and Joshua, 8 to death with stones in East Texas. A third son, 14-month-old son Aaron, who remains nearly blind and brain-injured, just "wouldn't die."
Lisa Ann Diaz drowned her two daughters– Kamryn, 3, and Briana, 5, wrapped them in blankets and laid them in a back bedroom. Ms. Diaz had 25 cuts and superficial, self-inflicted stab wounds on her neck and chest. She later said that she wanted to commit suicide to be with her daughters.
Nov. 22, 2004 Dena Schlosser fatally severed her 10-month-old daughter's arms with a kitchen knife.
December 24, 2004—A New Zealand mother killed her two children and then herself in a pre-Christmas tragedy.
May 30, 2005 –Gilberta Estrada hung herself and her four young daughters in a closet. Gilberta, 25 and three of the girls were dead; their ages were 5, 3 and 2. The youngest, 8-month-old Evelyn Frayre, was alive but in dire need of medical care.
February 28, 2007— a Brussels, Belgium mother killed her five children, then tried to commit suicide. The four girls and a boy, aged between 4 and 14, were stabbed with a knife. The woman called emergency services, and then tried to kill herself.
Aug. 14, 2007—32-year-old Nimisha Tiwari bought a can of gasoline, shut herself in her bedroom with her two young children—son, Vakadham, 4 and 18-month-old daughter, Anayaand and set a blaze that killed all three.
It is shocking to read of these deaths by the hand of the children's mothers who had held the in their arms, nursed them, bathed then and stayed up nights and cared for them when they were sick. What happened? Did the mothers say, "I quit." Insanity? Postpartum depression or just plain old fashion murder?
More than 200 women kill their children in the U.S. every year. Between three and five children are killed by their parents in the U.S. every day. A California man lit a barbecue inside his home knowing it would asphyxiate his sleeping children. Why wasn't his case saturated with media coverage in the same way? We have a cultural view of good motherhood and it acts to the detriment of women and fathers who are having substantial problems parenting, says Jill Korbin, member of the American Anthropological Association and a child abuse expert who spent a year interviewing mothers in prison for killing their children.
"We end up with a lot of dead kids in this country, yet we persist with the unrealistic view that this is rare behavior. These are not the isolated cases we would like to believe." Homicide is one of the leading causes of death of children under age four.
Parenting in the U.S. is extremely difficult, Korbin says. Prevention is the key. Prior to a homicide, lots of lay people know these men and women are having difficulty parenting. "The public has to be better educated in recognizing how to intervene and how to support child abuse prevention."
Nancy Scheper-Hughes, medical anthropologist, believes that mother love is not universal. The idealization of women as natural loving mothers is a cultural belief that gets us into trouble. "We should detach from the idea of universal motherhood as natural and see it as a social response," Scheper-Hughes says. Women in jail reported that no one believed them when they said they wanted to kill their children. "There's a collective denial even when mothers come right out and say 'I really shouldn't be trusted with my kids.' "
K.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Last curtain call, the show is over.
Well, I tried. I wrote several blogs that I thought were relevant to today’s world. But I have to face the facts. MySpace.com, Blogger.com and others like that were designed for the late teen to early thirty group. It’s wasted on everyone else. It’s great for meeting friends of your friends and their friends etc. It’s great source for photo exchange, to show pictures of the relatives, acquaintances, immediate family, vacation sites, parties and so on. Its’ a twenty-first century neighborhood bulletin board. It’s a great source to share trivial, nonsensical information.
It’s a lousy place for developing literary works or to vent your spleen, or getting others to share or critique your views. Who cares what you think, that’s your problem. Live with it; deal with it. Get a life. Where the next party? Did you see so and so? Hot huh?
I feel let down, disappointed, crushed. So if you got any questions about car problems, relationships, money or finances, ask me. Otherwise I’m dead in the water. No propulsion system.
K
It’s a lousy place for developing literary works or to vent your spleen, or getting others to share or critique your views. Who cares what you think, that’s your problem. Live with it; deal with it. Get a life. Where the next party? Did you see so and so? Hot huh?
I feel let down, disappointed, crushed. So if you got any questions about car problems, relationships, money or finances, ask me. Otherwise I’m dead in the water. No propulsion system.
K
Sunday, August 19, 2007
“…an eclectic collection of artists, writers, secretaries & aging soldiers ...."
The other day my youngest son called me eclectic. I said to myself "What the hell does that mean? Does it show? Am I that bad? Is it catching?" And then I looked it up and was pleased with the comment even if he didn't say it in a positive light. Eclectic means assorted, miscellaneous, and diverse.
"Not too bad," I thought. I've always prided myself in being able to do different things like this blog, or work on cars, do electrical wiring, build things out of wood etc. Its' very encouraging to me to work on different projects and not have to call out every tradesmen to fix some problem of mine. My only dilemma is I that tend to start things and take my time in finishing them. I would call that procrastination, which I think is one of the seven deadly sins (of omission).
Others who share this same feature were Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver and Thomas Edison. Not a bad group to fall in with—The Eclectic Gang. My only problem is that I'm not famous. Yet.
K.
"Not too bad," I thought. I've always prided myself in being able to do different things like this blog, or work on cars, do electrical wiring, build things out of wood etc. Its' very encouraging to me to work on different projects and not have to call out every tradesmen to fix some problem of mine. My only dilemma is I that tend to start things and take my time in finishing them. I would call that procrastination, which I think is one of the seven deadly sins (of omission).
Others who share this same feature were Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver and Thomas Edison. Not a bad group to fall in with—The Eclectic Gang. My only problem is that I'm not famous. Yet.
K.
Friday, August 17, 2007
"It’s not the situation. It’s your reaction to the situation." Robt. Conklin American teacher
Did you ever have one of those days where everything worked perfectly and then another where everything you did went wrong? What was the secret ingredient that made the difference? Was it you, did you have an off day? Was it the circumstances, too much was on your plate? Or was it your attitude, it was something you didn't like doing or it was forced on you?
The following was written by John C. Maxwell and originally posted on May 20 2007. ©Copyright 2001-2007 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company. I've modified it slightly but the thoughts are his.
Motivational speakers have famously touted the slogan, "attitude is everything." While there's no doubt about the power of a positive outlook, attitude alone won't take you to the top. By itself, attitude is unable to resurrect a doomed business plan or make up for a deficiency of knowledge. Attitude can't alter reality or reverse a dire financial situation.
The "attitude is everything" doctrine becomes dangerous when a person lives on hope rather than paying his or her dues for success. The mind-set, "Everything will turn out for the best," substitutes for planning and effort. Attitude has undeniable benefit, but it's not a magic ticket that compensates for failure to perform. You cannot disconnect attitude from reality and expect to be successful.
Since attitude has too often been presented as a cure-all, let's clear away unrealistic impressions of what attitude can accomplish. At the same time, we'll advocate the sensational upside of a great attitude.
What your attitude cannot do for you?
Your attitude cannot substitute for competence.
If you hire for attitude and discount ability, you are thinking that positive people would eventually find a way to get the job done—even if they didn't have the exact abilities for their role. Unfortunately, there's no substitute for talent. An attitude of confidence cannot replace competence.
Your attitude cannot substitute for experience.
Idealists have intense desire to change the world and often have a courageous attitude to match their ambition. However, without experience an idealist's wave of enthusiasm will crash on the shores of reality. Certain leadership positions—due to their scope of responsibility—demand the kind of wisdom that is earned solely through experience.
Your attitude cannot change the facts.
As John Adams said, "Facts are stubborn things." They may be painful to accept, but they cannot be ignored. Attitude alone cannot reverse financial numbers showing a company on the verge of bankruptcy. The reality for many companies involves difficult decisions like outsourcing or layoffs to cut costs.
By itself, attitude cannot stem the tide of an evolving industry. For instance, newspapers must adjust their advertising strategies to confront the fact that consumers are flocking online for news. Without a fundamental shift in their business models, traditional newspapers face extinction—regardless of the attitudes permeating their company cultures.
Your attitude cannot substitute for personal growth.
Attitude fills us with hope that we might reach our dreams. However, hope divorced from action proves false. In the words of musician, Bruce Springsteen, "A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be." Never stop dreaming, but also never cease growing if you expect your dreams to come true.
What your attitude can do for you?
Your attitude makes a difference in your approach to life.
Our performance will likely match the expectations we have of ourselves or the expectations we allow others to impose upon us. In fact, it's very difficult to behave in a way that is contrary to self-expectations.
At the professional levels, athletes are encouraged to visualize themselves having a successful performance before competing. Visualization has proved to be a productive technique for enhancing an athlete's play. Likewise, flooding your mind with thoughts of successful leadership can be pivotal in setting healthy self-expectations.
Your attitude makes a difference in your relationships with people.
Many factors come into play when working with people, but what makes or breaks interpersonal skills is a person's attitude. Here are some examples of attitude-based principals that anyone can use to become better at building relationships and working with others:
The Lens Principle: Who we are determines how we see others. Our perception of others depends more on our attitude than it does their characteristics. If we are positive, we see them as positive.
The Pain Principle: Hurting people hurt people and are easily hurt by them. Our negative experiences and emotional baggage color our perception of others' actions. Normal interactions can cause us pain even when another person did nothing to inflict pain.
The Elevator Principle: We can lift people up or take them down in our relationships. People possess a mind-set of either lifting or limiting others.
The Learning Principle: Each person we meet has the potential to teach us something. People in possession of a teachable attitude can learn from everyone they meet. On the contrary, someone who assumes others have nothing to offer will walk away from relationships empty-handed.
Your attitude makes a difference in how you face challenges.
Circumstances appear to be instrumental in the creation of great leaders and thinkers, but such is the case only when their attitudes are right. Your attitude is the paintbrush of your mind. It colors your world with brilliant optimism or a dark veneer of negativity. Consider these historical examples of leaders whose attitudes carried them beyond circumstances:
Demosthenes, called the greatest orator of ancient Greece, possessed a speech impediment. He overcame it by reciting verses with pebbles in his mouth and speaking over the roar of the waves at the seashore.
Composer Ludwig von Beethoven wrote his greatest symphonic masterpieces after he had become deaf.
John Bunyan wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" while in prison. Daniel Dafoe also wrote while in prison, producing "Robinson Crusoe."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is considered by many to be among the best American presidents. Despite his polio handicap, FDR led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.
For years I have tried to live by the following statement: I cannot always choose what happens to me, but I can always choose what happens in me. My attitude in circumstances beyond my control can be the difference maker. My attitude in the areas that I do control will be the difference maker.
Summary:
What your attitude cannot do for you?
1. Substitute for competence.
2. Substitute for experience.
3. Change the facts.
4. Substitute for personal growth.
What your attitude can do for you?
1. Make a difference in your approach to life.
2. Make a difference in your relationships with people.
3. Make a difference in how you view challenges.
K.
The following was written by John C. Maxwell and originally posted on May 20 2007. ©Copyright 2001-2007 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company. I've modified it slightly but the thoughts are his.
Motivational speakers have famously touted the slogan, "attitude is everything." While there's no doubt about the power of a positive outlook, attitude alone won't take you to the top. By itself, attitude is unable to resurrect a doomed business plan or make up for a deficiency of knowledge. Attitude can't alter reality or reverse a dire financial situation.
The "attitude is everything" doctrine becomes dangerous when a person lives on hope rather than paying his or her dues for success. The mind-set, "Everything will turn out for the best," substitutes for planning and effort. Attitude has undeniable benefit, but it's not a magic ticket that compensates for failure to perform. You cannot disconnect attitude from reality and expect to be successful.
Since attitude has too often been presented as a cure-all, let's clear away unrealistic impressions of what attitude can accomplish. At the same time, we'll advocate the sensational upside of a great attitude.
What your attitude cannot do for you?
Your attitude cannot substitute for competence.
If you hire for attitude and discount ability, you are thinking that positive people would eventually find a way to get the job done—even if they didn't have the exact abilities for their role. Unfortunately, there's no substitute for talent. An attitude of confidence cannot replace competence.
Your attitude cannot substitute for experience.
Idealists have intense desire to change the world and often have a courageous attitude to match their ambition. However, without experience an idealist's wave of enthusiasm will crash on the shores of reality. Certain leadership positions—due to their scope of responsibility—demand the kind of wisdom that is earned solely through experience.
Your attitude cannot change the facts.
As John Adams said, "Facts are stubborn things." They may be painful to accept, but they cannot be ignored. Attitude alone cannot reverse financial numbers showing a company on the verge of bankruptcy. The reality for many companies involves difficult decisions like outsourcing or layoffs to cut costs.
By itself, attitude cannot stem the tide of an evolving industry. For instance, newspapers must adjust their advertising strategies to confront the fact that consumers are flocking online for news. Without a fundamental shift in their business models, traditional newspapers face extinction—regardless of the attitudes permeating their company cultures.
Your attitude cannot substitute for personal growth.
Attitude fills us with hope that we might reach our dreams. However, hope divorced from action proves false. In the words of musician, Bruce Springsteen, "A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be." Never stop dreaming, but also never cease growing if you expect your dreams to come true.
What your attitude can do for you?
Your attitude makes a difference in your approach to life.
Our performance will likely match the expectations we have of ourselves or the expectations we allow others to impose upon us. In fact, it's very difficult to behave in a way that is contrary to self-expectations.
At the professional levels, athletes are encouraged to visualize themselves having a successful performance before competing. Visualization has proved to be a productive technique for enhancing an athlete's play. Likewise, flooding your mind with thoughts of successful leadership can be pivotal in setting healthy self-expectations.
Your attitude makes a difference in your relationships with people.
Many factors come into play when working with people, but what makes or breaks interpersonal skills is a person's attitude. Here are some examples of attitude-based principals that anyone can use to become better at building relationships and working with others:
The Lens Principle: Who we are determines how we see others. Our perception of others depends more on our attitude than it does their characteristics. If we are positive, we see them as positive.
The Pain Principle: Hurting people hurt people and are easily hurt by them. Our negative experiences and emotional baggage color our perception of others' actions. Normal interactions can cause us pain even when another person did nothing to inflict pain.
The Elevator Principle: We can lift people up or take them down in our relationships. People possess a mind-set of either lifting or limiting others.
The Learning Principle: Each person we meet has the potential to teach us something. People in possession of a teachable attitude can learn from everyone they meet. On the contrary, someone who assumes others have nothing to offer will walk away from relationships empty-handed.
Your attitude makes a difference in how you face challenges.
Circumstances appear to be instrumental in the creation of great leaders and thinkers, but such is the case only when their attitudes are right. Your attitude is the paintbrush of your mind. It colors your world with brilliant optimism or a dark veneer of negativity. Consider these historical examples of leaders whose attitudes carried them beyond circumstances:
Demosthenes, called the greatest orator of ancient Greece, possessed a speech impediment. He overcame it by reciting verses with pebbles in his mouth and speaking over the roar of the waves at the seashore.
Composer Ludwig von Beethoven wrote his greatest symphonic masterpieces after he had become deaf.
John Bunyan wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" while in prison. Daniel Dafoe also wrote while in prison, producing "Robinson Crusoe."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is considered by many to be among the best American presidents. Despite his polio handicap, FDR led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.
For years I have tried to live by the following statement: I cannot always choose what happens to me, but I can always choose what happens in me. My attitude in circumstances beyond my control can be the difference maker. My attitude in the areas that I do control will be the difference maker.
Summary:
What your attitude cannot do for you?
1. Substitute for competence.
2. Substitute for experience.
3. Change the facts.
4. Substitute for personal growth.
What your attitude can do for you?
1. Make a difference in your approach to life.
2. Make a difference in your relationships with people.
3. Make a difference in how you view challenges.
K.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
“Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved.” Victor Hugo 1802-1885, French poet, dramatist and novelist
The TV commercial jingle of several years back said ”happiness is different thing to different people, that what happiness is.” What is happiness? Happiness, according to the marketing and sales departments of the various agencies across corporate America, is to purchase their product. It is just that simple. No more no less. A radio soap opera from an era even further back was titled “The Right to Happiness.” Another soap titled “Our Gal Sunday” began on March 29, 1937 asked this question ” Can this girl from the little mining town in the West find happiness as the wife of a wealthy and titled Englishman?" It ran for twenty-two years to find the answer.
The Bible say: “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:26.
So why aren’t we happy? Is it one of those elusive things that we can never find or attain? “Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads us a wild-goose chase, and is never attained.” said Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864, American novelist and short story writer. He also said “Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
Robert Heinlein 1907-1988, American science fiction writer said: “Happiness lies in being privileged to work hard for long hours in doing whatever you think is worth doing. One man may find happiness in supporting a wife and children. Another may find it in robbing banks. Still another may labor mightily for years in pursuing pure research with no discernible result. Note the individual and subjective nature of each case. No two are alike and there is no reason to expect them to be. Each man or woman must find for himself or herself that occupation in which hard work and long hours make him or her happy. Contrariwise, if you are looking for shorter hours and longer vacations and early retirement, you are in the wrong job. Perhaps you need to take up bank robbing. Or geeking in a sideshow. Or even politics.”
K.
The Bible say: “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:26.
So why aren’t we happy? Is it one of those elusive things that we can never find or attain? “Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads us a wild-goose chase, and is never attained.” said Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864, American novelist and short story writer. He also said “Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
Robert Heinlein 1907-1988, American science fiction writer said: “Happiness lies in being privileged to work hard for long hours in doing whatever you think is worth doing. One man may find happiness in supporting a wife and children. Another may find it in robbing banks. Still another may labor mightily for years in pursuing pure research with no discernible result. Note the individual and subjective nature of each case. No two are alike and there is no reason to expect them to be. Each man or woman must find for himself or herself that occupation in which hard work and long hours make him or her happy. Contrariwise, if you are looking for shorter hours and longer vacations and early retirement, you are in the wrong job. Perhaps you need to take up bank robbing. Or geeking in a sideshow. Or even politics.”
K.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
“For the love of money is the root of all evil." 1 Timothy 6:10
It was bound to happen. Office talk centered on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and his federal indictment on dog fighting charges. In the spring of 2007, a search of property owned by Mr. Vick in Surry, Va., turned up 54 pit bulls, and a later search found graves of other dogs said to have been killed during fights by members of a group called Bad Newz Kennels. On July 18, 2007, Mr. Vick and three other men were indicted on federal felony charges. The indictment charged that Mr. Vick had sponsored illegal dog fighting, gambled on dogfights and permitted acts of cruelty against animals on his property. (Information taken from New York Times).
Some in the office where I work say Vick is not guilty and should be released considering the fact that animals are killed everyday:
1. Slaughterhouses kill thousands of animals every week including sheep, cattle and chickens.
2. Animal shelters kill off unadoptable animals or animals that have been there too long in order to make way for new stock.
3. Medical and pharmaceutical firms use animals for experiments and tests.
4. Greyhound race dogs that don't win or are older than three years are put down.
5. Society has had animal contests like this for centuries; this is nothing new.
All of the above is true; there is no doubt about that. However Mr. Vick must have been aware of the fact that he was doing something illegitimate hence the name Bad Newz Kennels. His actions did not contribute to the general food chain, aid science or medicine or humanely put sick or injured animals down.
Vick did it for the lust, the thrill and most importantly the gambling. In the state of Virginia, where Vick lives, if convicted on state cruelty laws he could be fined $2,500. Three of Vick's Kennel friends (co-defendants) have scheduled plea hearings, presumably agreeing to testify against Vick if his federal dog fighting conspiracy case goes to trial as scheduled Nov. 26. ESPN has said that Vick's five attorneys have recommended that he take a proposed plea deal if jail time is less than one year.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is awaiting results of the league's own investigation of the case before determining what action to take against Vick. Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for life for gambling or associating with gambling.
So Vick is not being prosecuted for animal cruelty but gambling; much like Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion rather than murder, illegal trade in liquor, etc. Mr. Vick, take the year, find Jesus in prison, write a book, a go on the lecture circuit, confess your sins and you might actually come out ahead. You were getting ready to retire from football anyways, right?
K.
Some in the office where I work say Vick is not guilty and should be released considering the fact that animals are killed everyday:
1. Slaughterhouses kill thousands of animals every week including sheep, cattle and chickens.
2. Animal shelters kill off unadoptable animals or animals that have been there too long in order to make way for new stock.
3. Medical and pharmaceutical firms use animals for experiments and tests.
4. Greyhound race dogs that don't win or are older than three years are put down.
5. Society has had animal contests like this for centuries; this is nothing new.
All of the above is true; there is no doubt about that. However Mr. Vick must have been aware of the fact that he was doing something illegitimate hence the name Bad Newz Kennels. His actions did not contribute to the general food chain, aid science or medicine or humanely put sick or injured animals down.
Vick did it for the lust, the thrill and most importantly the gambling. In the state of Virginia, where Vick lives, if convicted on state cruelty laws he could be fined $2,500. Three of Vick's Kennel friends (co-defendants) have scheduled plea hearings, presumably agreeing to testify against Vick if his federal dog fighting conspiracy case goes to trial as scheduled Nov. 26. ESPN has said that Vick's five attorneys have recommended that he take a proposed plea deal if jail time is less than one year.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is awaiting results of the league's own investigation of the case before determining what action to take against Vick. Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for life for gambling or associating with gambling.
So Vick is not being prosecuted for animal cruelty but gambling; much like Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion rather than murder, illegal trade in liquor, etc. Mr. Vick, take the year, find Jesus in prison, write a book, a go on the lecture circuit, confess your sins and you might actually come out ahead. You were getting ready to retire from football anyways, right?
K.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
“We all need each other.” Leo Buscaglia American author, lecturer and expert on love
We've all seen the commercial, only I don't remember the product, where someone is helping a total stranger. They give them a seat on a subway, then that person stops someone else from carelessly walking out in traffic, and then that individual picks up a toddler's dropped toy and gives it to it's mother.
Well, I actually saw that happen myself today on the way home from work. Imagine five lanes of traffic wide, two turning left, two going straight ahead and a right turning lane all waiting for the traffic light to change. It's a long light and a kid and his mom are in the car right behind mine. The kid has a baseball and is playing with it hanging out the open car window. As his luck would have it, he has tempted fate once too often, the ball falls to the payment and rolls away.
A guy in the car to the right of them jumps out, goes around the front of it, quickly looks for oncoming traffic, and picks up the ball that has rolled to the curb. . He checks for traffic once again, waves thanks to an auto that had stopped and gives the surprised kid back his ball. Not only is the kid surprised but mom has suddenly stopped her cell phone conversation and has started to pay attention to the whole scenario that has just unfolded in front of her.
The guy gets back in his vehicle and everyone's eyes return back to being riveted to the traffic signal that has held them in suspended animation. The world of the evening rush hour has retuned back to normal and everyone drives off to his or her destination.
If I hadn't seen the rush hour vignette, I would have thought like others "yah right, here's that impossible commercial again. This stuff only happens in Television." Was I wrong. Or…was that the intent of the commercial in the first place. Was the script writer saying to all of us "it doesn't have to be any other way than this. Kindness is catching; pass it on."
It does work, and I did pass it on. I came home and swept up broken glass from the street in front on a neighbor's house. I helped another neighbor look for his car keys that were thought to be lost in his lawn. I wrote this blog so that you can see that helping others not only gives them assistance but creates a good feeling in you as well. In the words of Jesus (Luke 10:37): "go, and do thou likewise."
K.
Well, I actually saw that happen myself today on the way home from work. Imagine five lanes of traffic wide, two turning left, two going straight ahead and a right turning lane all waiting for the traffic light to change. It's a long light and a kid and his mom are in the car right behind mine. The kid has a baseball and is playing with it hanging out the open car window. As his luck would have it, he has tempted fate once too often, the ball falls to the payment and rolls away.
A guy in the car to the right of them jumps out, goes around the front of it, quickly looks for oncoming traffic, and picks up the ball that has rolled to the curb. . He checks for traffic once again, waves thanks to an auto that had stopped and gives the surprised kid back his ball. Not only is the kid surprised but mom has suddenly stopped her cell phone conversation and has started to pay attention to the whole scenario that has just unfolded in front of her.
The guy gets back in his vehicle and everyone's eyes return back to being riveted to the traffic signal that has held them in suspended animation. The world of the evening rush hour has retuned back to normal and everyone drives off to his or her destination.
If I hadn't seen the rush hour vignette, I would have thought like others "yah right, here's that impossible commercial again. This stuff only happens in Television." Was I wrong. Or…was that the intent of the commercial in the first place. Was the script writer saying to all of us "it doesn't have to be any other way than this. Kindness is catching; pass it on."
It does work, and I did pass it on. I came home and swept up broken glass from the street in front on a neighbor's house. I helped another neighbor look for his car keys that were thought to be lost in his lawn. I wrote this blog so that you can see that helping others not only gives them assistance but creates a good feeling in you as well. In the words of Jesus (Luke 10:37): "go, and do thou likewise."
K.
Monday, August 13, 2007
“People can cry much easier than they can change.” James Baldwin, 1924-1987, American author
I had the opportunity, in an attempt at avoiding a freeway traffic jam, to travel down an inner city avenue. On the corner here and there one can find the icons of another era, monuments to commercial practices and history; the failed banks and saving and loans. Their names are still clearly seen chiseled in the mantels overhanging the doorways—The Washington Bank or Union Federal Savings & Loan. Names long forgotten in Cleveland history, but perhaps remembered by second generation victims of the Great Depression—the children of the original depositors, now in their eighties or nineties.
The artisans of the 1920’s built these tall, imposing sandstone and granite structures. Their high vaulted, sometime domed, ceilings add to their aurora. They were built to last for generations, and so they have, well into the twenty-first century. Even now, they clearly dominate the landscape and are easy to distinguish from their surroundings. They also represent a failed understanding of commerce and capitalism, as well as the principals of overextension of credit and prudent accounting practices.
These massive buildings became too expensive to tear down and lay waste and were used for businesses other than banking. When the national economy returned to normal they became office building, retail stores or social service agency headquarters. They are joined by other structures in the inner city, the four or five bay service station. Architects, engineered to provide a complete facility for car repairs, designed these as well. They replaced the small building or shed with an outdoor hydraulic lift. These were the last word in the automotive service world, the epitome of convenience. Now they are corner grocery stores or beauty shops.
In this mix are the churches of yesteryear; easily recognizable by their tall gothic spires and sandstone adornments. Some have been passed down from mainstream congregations to congregation, now residing with bible thumping, evangelical, revivalists. Several mainstreams have held out: namely the Lutherans, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholics have chosen to be next on the list to consider changing the nature of their edifices, through the combination congregations and some abandonment of too costly houses of worship.
The residence of that era would not recognize their world today. They would be shocked and perhaps disappointed in its evolution. The question we could rightfully ask is; “what could we expect to happen to our neighborhood in the next seventy-five years?” Would the areas of entertainment, religion, commence or government fall victim to the whim of change? Would we as Rip Van Winkel awaken to a world foreign to us? Would the things we value in this world be useless in the next? Things change and we are not always happy with the change,
K.
The artisans of the 1920’s built these tall, imposing sandstone and granite structures. Their high vaulted, sometime domed, ceilings add to their aurora. They were built to last for generations, and so they have, well into the twenty-first century. Even now, they clearly dominate the landscape and are easy to distinguish from their surroundings. They also represent a failed understanding of commerce and capitalism, as well as the principals of overextension of credit and prudent accounting practices.
These massive buildings became too expensive to tear down and lay waste and were used for businesses other than banking. When the national economy returned to normal they became office building, retail stores or social service agency headquarters. They are joined by other structures in the inner city, the four or five bay service station. Architects, engineered to provide a complete facility for car repairs, designed these as well. They replaced the small building or shed with an outdoor hydraulic lift. These were the last word in the automotive service world, the epitome of convenience. Now they are corner grocery stores or beauty shops.
In this mix are the churches of yesteryear; easily recognizable by their tall gothic spires and sandstone adornments. Some have been passed down from mainstream congregations to congregation, now residing with bible thumping, evangelical, revivalists. Several mainstreams have held out: namely the Lutherans, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Roman Catholics. The Roman Catholics have chosen to be next on the list to consider changing the nature of their edifices, through the combination congregations and some abandonment of too costly houses of worship.
The residence of that era would not recognize their world today. They would be shocked and perhaps disappointed in its evolution. The question we could rightfully ask is; “what could we expect to happen to our neighborhood in the next seventy-five years?” Would the areas of entertainment, religion, commence or government fall victim to the whim of change? Would we as Rip Van Winkel awaken to a world foreign to us? Would the things we value in this world be useless in the next? Things change and we are not always happy with the change,
K.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
“Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.” Wm. Cowper 1731-1800, British poet
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Friday, August 10, 2007
“The speed of the boss is the speed of the team.” Lee Iacocca 1924-, American Businessman, former CEO of Chrysler
It’s time for the annual performance review with your boss. Your entire career, especially the last twelve months, is being laid out in the open like a fish filet. You hope, as you bare your soul that this will be monetarily productive. You choose your words carefully, picking through them like a scholar examines a lexicon. You don’t want to omit anything nor do you want speak words that will be seized upon like a fox in a hen house. It’s like a game of chess or a poker hand but the stakes are your possible raise on the table.
You banter back in forth, in this dance of words. Your unwitting dance partner is also your superior as he (she) leads you across the dance room floor. You must not misstep, as the dance judge is also your colleague. You are lead from corner to corner of the dance floor as you cover every aspect of your job. Like a debutant at a coming out party you smile and pretend that no one notices that your slip is showing. You have very little room to wiggle as the other dancer’s embrace becomes uncomfortable.
This is your glorious time, you have prepared for the final moments and the grand finale. Have you prepared enough? You feel the moment, the movement of the tango dip where everything hangs in the balance. Will you get unceremoniously dropped to the floor like a novice at a dance studio or will you come away with the first prize trophy?
The two of you shake hands; baseball players at a game’s end. Your scorecard is handed to you. Increase or no increase, that is the question? Wait! It’s all been predetermined beforehand. You have merely gone through the motions. Everything has been neatly typed out ahead of time. There is no leeway. “The decisions of the Judges are final.” There is no timeout for a review of the play, except in your own mind. You choose to play it over and over again. You relive every moment, every sentence.
You will get your chance again next year; practice that tango dip routine religiously. Dancers must perform flawlessly.
K.
You banter back in forth, in this dance of words. Your unwitting dance partner is also your superior as he (she) leads you across the dance room floor. You must not misstep, as the dance judge is also your colleague. You are lead from corner to corner of the dance floor as you cover every aspect of your job. Like a debutant at a coming out party you smile and pretend that no one notices that your slip is showing. You have very little room to wiggle as the other dancer’s embrace becomes uncomfortable.
This is your glorious time, you have prepared for the final moments and the grand finale. Have you prepared enough? You feel the moment, the movement of the tango dip where everything hangs in the balance. Will you get unceremoniously dropped to the floor like a novice at a dance studio or will you come away with the first prize trophy?
The two of you shake hands; baseball players at a game’s end. Your scorecard is handed to you. Increase or no increase, that is the question? Wait! It’s all been predetermined beforehand. You have merely gone through the motions. Everything has been neatly typed out ahead of time. There is no leeway. “The decisions of the Judges are final.” There is no timeout for a review of the play, except in your own mind. You choose to play it over and over again. You relive every moment, every sentence.
You will get your chance again next year; practice that tango dip routine religiously. Dancers must perform flawlessly.
K.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
“Wrong place at the right time.” “It was their time to go.” “It was the will of God"
We flew from Cleveland, OH to Portland, OR via Charlotte, SC a total of 5 flights (3 there and 2 back) and thankfully we came back alive and in one piece. That's the nice part; but others have taken equally long flights with as many takeoffs and landings and didn't survive. They were hijacked, their airplane crashed, their luggage lost. Why? "Wrong place at the right time." "It was their time to go; their time was up." "It was God's will." Perhaps it is all three.
Why does a woman get breast cancer in one breast and not in the other? Why does your car get a flat on the freeway and hundreds of others passing by in that exact same spot ride on to their destination in ease? The rain falls on good and bad people with the same impunity; yet somehow your garden gets washed away. Your basement flooded. Lightening hits your house.
"Life is unpredictable." "We are at the mercy of fate." Or worse yet—"God turned his face from us; He let it happen." In a book by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981). Kushner give his reaction to personal tragedy--the death of his son Aaron, from premature aging. This provoked a crisis of faith for Rabbi Kushner.. He wrote this book for people "who have been hurt by life", to help them find a faith that can aid in getting through their troubles, rather than making things worse.
"It is tempting at one level to believe that bad things happen to people (especially other people) because God is a righteous judge who gives them what they deserve. By believing that, we keep the world orderly and understandable.".
Kushner outlines the various ways that people try to salvage their view of God and His orderly world. They explain that misfortune occurs because
Someone made a mistake, or failed in the observance of some religious duty.
God has a hidden purpose, or is making use of knowledge we don't have.
Suffering itself will turn out to be good for us.
God's purpose is in the grand design of the Universe (which is good and beautiful), not in the life of the individual.
Suffering teaches something, either to us or to those who see us suffer.
Suffering is a test.
Death leads us and our loved ones to a better place.
Kushner rejects all of these explanations. "All the responses to tragedy which we have considered have at least one thing in common. They all assume that God is the cause of our suffering, and they try to understand why God would want us to suffer. … There may be another approach. Maybe God does not cause our suffering. Maybe it happens for some reason other than the will of God."
Kushner attributes the orderliness of the universe to God, but holds that the ordering of the universe is not complete: Some things are just circumstantial, and there is no point in looking for a reason for them. Some suffering is caused by the workings of natural law. There is no moral judgment involved--natural law is blind, and God does not interfere with it. God does not intervene to save good people from earthquake or disease, and does not send these misfortunes to punish the wicked. Kushner puts great value on the orderliness of the universe's natural law, and would not want God to routinely intervene for moral reasons.
"Is there an answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people? That depends on what we mean by 'answer'. If we mean 'Is there an explanation which will make sense of it all?'… then there probably is no satisfying answer. We can offer learned explanations, but in the end, when we have covered all the squares on the game board and are feeling very proud of our cleverness, the pain and the anguish and the sense of unfairness will still be there. But the word 'answer' can also mean 'response' as well as 'explanation,' and in that sense, there may well be a satisfying answer to the tragedies in our lives. The response would be Job's response—to forgive the world for not being perfect, …to reach out to the people around us, and to go on living despite it all."
notes by Doug Muder (1997)
K
Why does a woman get breast cancer in one breast and not in the other? Why does your car get a flat on the freeway and hundreds of others passing by in that exact same spot ride on to their destination in ease? The rain falls on good and bad people with the same impunity; yet somehow your garden gets washed away. Your basement flooded. Lightening hits your house.
"Life is unpredictable." "We are at the mercy of fate." Or worse yet—"God turned his face from us; He let it happen." In a book by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981). Kushner give his reaction to personal tragedy--the death of his son Aaron, from premature aging. This provoked a crisis of faith for Rabbi Kushner.. He wrote this book for people "who have been hurt by life", to help them find a faith that can aid in getting through their troubles, rather than making things worse.
"It is tempting at one level to believe that bad things happen to people (especially other people) because God is a righteous judge who gives them what they deserve. By believing that, we keep the world orderly and understandable.".
Kushner outlines the various ways that people try to salvage their view of God and His orderly world. They explain that misfortune occurs because
Someone made a mistake, or failed in the observance of some religious duty.
God has a hidden purpose, or is making use of knowledge we don't have.
Suffering itself will turn out to be good for us.
God's purpose is in the grand design of the Universe (which is good and beautiful), not in the life of the individual.
Suffering teaches something, either to us or to those who see us suffer.
Suffering is a test.
Death leads us and our loved ones to a better place.
Kushner rejects all of these explanations. "All the responses to tragedy which we have considered have at least one thing in common. They all assume that God is the cause of our suffering, and they try to understand why God would want us to suffer. … There may be another approach. Maybe God does not cause our suffering. Maybe it happens for some reason other than the will of God."
Kushner attributes the orderliness of the universe to God, but holds that the ordering of the universe is not complete: Some things are just circumstantial, and there is no point in looking for a reason for them. Some suffering is caused by the workings of natural law. There is no moral judgment involved--natural law is blind, and God does not interfere with it. God does not intervene to save good people from earthquake or disease, and does not send these misfortunes to punish the wicked. Kushner puts great value on the orderliness of the universe's natural law, and would not want God to routinely intervene for moral reasons.
"Is there an answer to the question of why bad things happen to good people? That depends on what we mean by 'answer'. If we mean 'Is there an explanation which will make sense of it all?'… then there probably is no satisfying answer. We can offer learned explanations, but in the end, when we have covered all the squares on the game board and are feeling very proud of our cleverness, the pain and the anguish and the sense of unfairness will still be there. But the word 'answer' can also mean 'response' as well as 'explanation,' and in that sense, there may well be a satisfying answer to the tragedies in our lives. The response would be Job's response—to forgive the world for not being perfect, …to reach out to the people around us, and to go on living despite it all."
notes by Doug Muder (1997)
K
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Adversity is the first path to truth.” Lord Byron 1788-1824, British Poet
In the movie “A Few Good Men” (1992), Jack Nicholson plays Col. Nathan R. Jessep while Tom Cruise plays LTJG Daniel Kaffee. Their dialogue goes like this:
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth.
Col. Jessep: You can't handle the truth.
The real question is could we handle the truth. Are we so bound up in our private lives that the real truth would demolish or destroy us? Could we handle the truth? Could we bare up to discover the fact that our wife, husband, boy friend or girl friend had cheated on us, or just the opposite that they are madly in love with us and we can’t possibly reciprocate in kind? Could we handle the fact that our wife, daughter or granddaughter had been raped? Could we acknowledge the fact that our son or grandson had been the perpetrator in a separate rape case?
Given these extremes could we face the fact that we have cancer or some other incurable disease with only months to life; that our job performance is below par and we are about to be terminated? Could we handle the truth?
In Perry Mason days the famous line was “ Do you swear the tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God. “ I’m sure the American Civil Liberties Union and Madeline Murray O’Hara have seen to change that. Truth is one of those elusive subjects that must be described in some sort of context.
In the Bible, Pilate asks Jesus in John 18:38 “what is truth?” But he does not wait for an answer and walks away from Jesus. Knowing what we know about Pilate, could he handle the truth? Another quote from the Bible in John 8:32 “... And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Non-religious people have described truth in their own manner. Let’s look at a few. ”The truth knocks on the door and you say, ‘go away, I'm looking for the truth,’ and it goes away. Puzzling.” Robert M. Pirsig, American author
“They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth” Plato, BC 427-347, Greek philosopher. But than in another statement he says, “truth is its own reward.” Can we have both ways?
“Not every truth is the better for showing its face undisguised; and often silence is the wisest thing for a man to heed.” Pindar, Greek poet.
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Oscar Wilde, 1856-1900, British author and wit.
Perhaps we should take the position of Marcus T. Cicero c. 106-43 BC, Roman orator and politician: “We should not be so taken up in the search for truth, as to neglect the needful duties of active life; for it is only action that gives a true value and commendation to virtue.”
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled.
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth.
Col. Jessep: You can't handle the truth.
The real question is could we handle the truth. Are we so bound up in our private lives that the real truth would demolish or destroy us? Could we handle the truth? Could we bare up to discover the fact that our wife, husband, boy friend or girl friend had cheated on us, or just the opposite that they are madly in love with us and we can’t possibly reciprocate in kind? Could we handle the fact that our wife, daughter or granddaughter had been raped? Could we acknowledge the fact that our son or grandson had been the perpetrator in a separate rape case?
Given these extremes could we face the fact that we have cancer or some other incurable disease with only months to life; that our job performance is below par and we are about to be terminated? Could we handle the truth?
In Perry Mason days the famous line was “ Do you swear the tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God. “ I’m sure the American Civil Liberties Union and Madeline Murray O’Hara have seen to change that. Truth is one of those elusive subjects that must be described in some sort of context.
In the Bible, Pilate asks Jesus in John 18:38 “what is truth?” But he does not wait for an answer and walks away from Jesus. Knowing what we know about Pilate, could he handle the truth? Another quote from the Bible in John 8:32 “... And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Non-religious people have described truth in their own manner. Let’s look at a few. ”The truth knocks on the door and you say, ‘go away, I'm looking for the truth,’ and it goes away. Puzzling.” Robert M. Pirsig, American author
“They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth” Plato, BC 427-347, Greek philosopher. But than in another statement he says, “truth is its own reward.” Can we have both ways?
“Not every truth is the better for showing its face undisguised; and often silence is the wisest thing for a man to heed.” Pindar, Greek poet.
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Oscar Wilde, 1856-1900, British author and wit.
Perhaps we should take the position of Marcus T. Cicero c. 106-43 BC, Roman orator and politician: “We should not be so taken up in the search for truth, as to neglect the needful duties of active life; for it is only action that gives a true value and commendation to virtue.”
Monday, August 6, 2007
“Outside of that Mrs. Lincoln, how was my play at Ford’s Theater?”
Too often we just plain don’t listen. We hear but we don’t listen Wives call it selective hearing. We hear what we want to; and it not limited to one sex or the other. I tried to buy a used car with a credit card (at one time you could). The cost of the car was to be finance entirely by the credit card and payments were to be paid as on any card until the cost was taken care of. That was my proposal. “No problem,” said she. The saleslady goes back to her boss and comes back with a figure $300.00 over the limit of my card. “You don’t understand. “ I said, “the card should cover all the costs or we can’t do business.
She was a new salesperson, it was the end of the month, in particular it was February, and snowing, an ideal purchase time. What more could anyone want. She wanted to make good and I needed a car. I didn’t have the best credit rating, but I did have a new credit card with a zero balance. She came back with another figure. When we tossed in the sales tax, title transfer, temporary tags, prep charges, destination charges, etc. etc. it still was over my card limit. We weren’t in accord; in fact, we weren’t even speaking the same language—credit limit.
Now the closer showed up, “what’s a matter.” I explain “our” predicament. All the costs have to be at or below the card’s limit or we can’t deal. Remember, February, end of the month, snowing and he gets a commission too. “Let’s see what I can do.” We go to his office I see a flurry of activity over a calculator (I think they called them comptometers back then). There was head shaking, more activity, more calculations, more activity and then silence followed by a loud “Alright!”
Everything fell into place, the cost of the car, the state sales tax, the title transfer, the temporary tag, all preparation charges, destination charges, etc. and more importantly for the closer, a commission. The figure was mysteriously exactly at my credit limit. The new salesperson, I figure didn’t do as well, as her face fell when she saw the final figures. But a sale was credited to her, and she kept her job and went on to hopefully do better the next month.
When everyone listened, everything worked out. But the scenario would have been similar (our inability to do business) if she had been stubborn, thoughtless or uncaring. In the hypothetical conversation of our title, the play’s author cares little of the evening’s tragedy, the loss of a national hero, or of a nation about to go into months of morning; he only wants to know of the audience’s reaction to his play. Although hypothetical I’m sure we find a similar situation in our own children who insist that they have to have some object despite a mother’s inability to give it to them. It may be called the “I want it now!” syndrome.
The situation plays out equally as well with husband and wife. “I need….” “But we can’t afford….” Neither hears the other, cares about the other, or is willing to negotiate with the other. This could result in bitterness, lack of cooperation with the other party and maybe even a pending divorce. For any arrangement to work well there needs to be understanding of the other party’s want and needs, respect for each other’s position and feelings.
K
She was a new salesperson, it was the end of the month, in particular it was February, and snowing, an ideal purchase time. What more could anyone want. She wanted to make good and I needed a car. I didn’t have the best credit rating, but I did have a new credit card with a zero balance. She came back with another figure. When we tossed in the sales tax, title transfer, temporary tags, prep charges, destination charges, etc. etc. it still was over my card limit. We weren’t in accord; in fact, we weren’t even speaking the same language—credit limit.
Now the closer showed up, “what’s a matter.” I explain “our” predicament. All the costs have to be at or below the card’s limit or we can’t deal. Remember, February, end of the month, snowing and he gets a commission too. “Let’s see what I can do.” We go to his office I see a flurry of activity over a calculator (I think they called them comptometers back then). There was head shaking, more activity, more calculations, more activity and then silence followed by a loud “Alright!”
Everything fell into place, the cost of the car, the state sales tax, the title transfer, the temporary tag, all preparation charges, destination charges, etc. and more importantly for the closer, a commission. The figure was mysteriously exactly at my credit limit. The new salesperson, I figure didn’t do as well, as her face fell when she saw the final figures. But a sale was credited to her, and she kept her job and went on to hopefully do better the next month.
When everyone listened, everything worked out. But the scenario would have been similar (our inability to do business) if she had been stubborn, thoughtless or uncaring. In the hypothetical conversation of our title, the play’s author cares little of the evening’s tragedy, the loss of a national hero, or of a nation about to go into months of morning; he only wants to know of the audience’s reaction to his play. Although hypothetical I’m sure we find a similar situation in our own children who insist that they have to have some object despite a mother’s inability to give it to them. It may be called the “I want it now!” syndrome.
The situation plays out equally as well with husband and wife. “I need….” “But we can’t afford….” Neither hears the other, cares about the other, or is willing to negotiate with the other. This could result in bitterness, lack of cooperation with the other party and maybe even a pending divorce. For any arrangement to work well there needs to be understanding of the other party’s want and needs, respect for each other’s position and feelings.
K
I put my dog, Samatha, down
I put my dog down on, Wednesday, May 9, 2007. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. My wife and I cried like babies. Sam was about 13 years old. We got her in late summer of 1995 when she was about a year old. She wasn't a pound puppy, I want to make that distinction clear, she was giving up for adoption to the local Animal Protective League. Someone else had loved her first but "moved and couldn't take her along with them," was the story we were told. Her original name was Sasha but we decided, for some reason I don't remember, to call her Samantha. Later, this was shortened to just plain Sam.
Sam was the second female in a secession of dogs we owned, and the fourth beagle. We got her because our black, female, Labrador mix, Midnight, had died in January of 1995. Mark, our son, decided that it was time we get another dog and stop moping around. We had gone to the APL to "just look" and had first come home empty handed. This time he came along, found Sam in one of the cages and we came home with her. She had won his heart; when I had entered the "get together room" where dog and prospective owners get to meet, she had jumped into his arms for protection, That was it pure and simple, she wanted us; no questions asked.
She was a good dog, but oh, she had her moments; after all she was a beagle with a beagle's stubbornness. Have you ever tried walking a beagle, there's always another scent just over there? "If I tug real hard I'll make my human let me see what that smell is all about." She fit in real good with the two remaining sons at home. While both John and Paul were in the military, Mark was high school and James was in middle school. We always thought that Sam was Mark's dog, because of that earlier encounter, but she remained with us after he moved out.
Sam loved the outdoors; when it was time to let her out for the evening's last potty call she decided that she was going to spend some time out there. More than once I had to get a flashlight to chase her back inside so we could go to bed. And of course when it was time to go somewhere, like church or to a friend's house, she would show that same beagle determination. "Hey, this is my turf; I belong out here." I really couldn't trust her out of the yard; a carelessly closed and unlocked gate would spell minutes of searching for her in some irate neighbor's yard. "I'm just trying to get my dog back," I would mumble to inquisitive eyes and stares.
Several years ago, she wound up with beagle problems—back trouble. We took her to an emergency veterinarian where medication was prescribed. Her back problem never returned. However, our neighborhood vet later told us that the medication was too strong and caused her to have problems with her liver. She wound taking medication for that too. What finally caused her death was old age and kidney failure. It was almost a routine procedure when coming home to look for her misdeeds, mop them up and chastise her for her mistakes.
After her death, everything seemed to settle back into "normal." My memories of her playfulness outweight the misdeeds. Life wasn't just the same; Sam was gone.
Sam was the second female in a secession of dogs we owned, and the fourth beagle. We got her because our black, female, Labrador mix, Midnight, had died in January of 1995. Mark, our son, decided that it was time we get another dog and stop moping around. We had gone to the APL to "just look" and had first come home empty handed. This time he came along, found Sam in one of the cages and we came home with her. She had won his heart; when I had entered the "get together room" where dog and prospective owners get to meet, she had jumped into his arms for protection, That was it pure and simple, she wanted us; no questions asked.
She was a good dog, but oh, she had her moments; after all she was a beagle with a beagle's stubbornness. Have you ever tried walking a beagle, there's always another scent just over there? "If I tug real hard I'll make my human let me see what that smell is all about." She fit in real good with the two remaining sons at home. While both John and Paul were in the military, Mark was high school and James was in middle school. We always thought that Sam was Mark's dog, because of that earlier encounter, but she remained with us after he moved out.
Sam loved the outdoors; when it was time to let her out for the evening's last potty call she decided that she was going to spend some time out there. More than once I had to get a flashlight to chase her back inside so we could go to bed. And of course when it was time to go somewhere, like church or to a friend's house, she would show that same beagle determination. "Hey, this is my turf; I belong out here." I really couldn't trust her out of the yard; a carelessly closed and unlocked gate would spell minutes of searching for her in some irate neighbor's yard. "I'm just trying to get my dog back," I would mumble to inquisitive eyes and stares.
Several years ago, she wound up with beagle problems—back trouble. We took her to an emergency veterinarian where medication was prescribed. Her back problem never returned. However, our neighborhood vet later told us that the medication was too strong and caused her to have problems with her liver. She wound taking medication for that too. What finally caused her death was old age and kidney failure. It was almost a routine procedure when coming home to look for her misdeeds, mop them up and chastise her for her mistakes.
After her death, everything seemed to settle back into "normal." My memories of her playfulness outweight the misdeeds. Life wasn't just the same; Sam was gone.
Can you explain why?
When I am starting something, anything, I'm great. I start out with enthusiasm. I plan, research, ask questions, and investigate. I do everything I can for the 1st quarter. Then I taper off. I set it aside, I park it. I let it languish. It rusts, decays, even rots away. I've lost interest. I cannot help myself and I don't know why. I have a house full of partially started projects.
I say "I'm gathering new wind," " I'm getting reinforcements" or "I'll come back to it later." But I've really lost interest. I work in a mailroom where the mail must go out the day it is set out for; it is my salvation but it is forced on me. I've adjusted the machinery; tweaked it here and there; and that is the real challenge but it is something I must do. It pays the rent. Was it Attention Deficit Disorder? We didn't have a name for it when I was growing up, we called it lazy. The German today calls it "Aufmerksamkeit Defizit-Störung". Both my German grandmothers in their day would have called it "er hat nicht Sitzfleisch" the ability to sit down and remain seated. Hyperactive?
I'm good at telling other people what to do. I think we all are good at that. Maybe it is something else, maybe I am looking for that better way.
K.
I say "I'm gathering new wind," " I'm getting reinforcements" or "I'll come back to it later." But I've really lost interest. I work in a mailroom where the mail must go out the day it is set out for; it is my salvation but it is forced on me. I've adjusted the machinery; tweaked it here and there; and that is the real challenge but it is something I must do. It pays the rent. Was it Attention Deficit Disorder? We didn't have a name for it when I was growing up, we called it lazy. The German today calls it "Aufmerksamkeit Defizit-Störung". Both my German grandmothers in their day would have called it "er hat nicht Sitzfleisch" the ability to sit down and remain seated. Hyperactive?
I'm good at telling other people what to do. I think we all are good at that. Maybe it is something else, maybe I am looking for that better way.
K.
Smell the roses/coffee. Hear the thundering train.
I take my dog, Coco for two walks every day now since May when I put my other dog to sleep. We take a short walk in the morning and a much longer one in the afternoon/evening. Yesterday we walked near the railroad tracks, and could see the train coming.
I was curious as to how she would react so we walked right up to the crossing gate and waited. A railroad locomotive for shear power is awesome, brute force, we saw some five thousand horsepower go past up in the blink of an eye. Coco made little fuss and stayed right by me. Good dog. Even though the master is a little nuts, the dog stays with him.
Usually we are in a hurry and don't take the time to see things around us; to walk up to that crossing gate and check out the surrounding. Today we did. I won't have missed it for anything. Being a model railroader helps too.
K.
I was curious as to how she would react so we walked right up to the crossing gate and waited. A railroad locomotive for shear power is awesome, brute force, we saw some five thousand horsepower go past up in the blink of an eye. Coco made little fuss and stayed right by me. Good dog. Even though the master is a little nuts, the dog stays with him.
Usually we are in a hurry and don't take the time to see things around us; to walk up to that crossing gate and check out the surrounding. Today we did. I won't have missed it for anything. Being a model railroader helps too.
K.
What I said, I should not have said.
Once you've said it you can't take it back An Englishman once penned "Spoken in haste, Sir and instantly regretted." How true, how true. I accused my son of a lot of stuff today that I had no real basis to accuse him of. I just had some fuzzy suspicions. He looked at me in shock I could see it in his eyes; they are very expressive.
I can't take back the sharp, pointed, hurtful, spiteful sentences. They are indelibly recorded in his mind. In time I hope he forgets what I said in that moment of anger; hope that he will forgives me for my groundless accusations. I can say "I'm sorry," but will he ever believe me? Only time will tell.
Son, I really do love you. I don't know what made me say all those things. Just believe me.
K
I can't take back the sharp, pointed, hurtful, spiteful sentences. They are indelibly recorded in his mind. In time I hope he forgets what I said in that moment of anger; hope that he will forgives me for my groundless accusations. I can say "I'm sorry," but will he ever believe me? Only time will tell.
Son, I really do love you. I don't know what made me say all those things. Just believe me.
K
Taking responsibility for your actions?
You take an article of clothing to the dry cleaners and leave something (gum, medication etc.) in the pocket; the cleaning chemical causes the object to bleed into the clothing ruining it. Who is to blame; you or the dry cleaners?
You take your car to the garage for repairs; you pick up the car and drive it home via the freeway. Your car runs out of gas. You have passed two gas stations at the entrance ramp. Who is at fault; you or the garage mechanic?
You go to two different doctors for treatment. Both prescribe medication. Neither one knows about the other. You have a major reaction because of the medications. Who is to blame, you, either or both doctors or the respective pharmacists who filled the prescriptions?
You get a cup of coffee at the drive through and you place the styro cup between your thighs. You make a sudden stop and get splashed and burned by the hot coffee. Who is to blame, you or the drive through?
You attempt to change your ac powered radio station while in the shower. You get the shock of your life. Who is at fault? You or the radio manufacturer for not having a sticker that reads, "Do not operate radio while bathing."
Get the picture? Are we just hapless babes who are victims of unscrupulous and negligent enterprises or are we dolts who deserve what comes to us? Should we bear responsibility for our own actions? Lawyers would have us believe that we are victims of carelessness and should be recompensed for our suffering (and they, for their service will take 40%). I'm going to leave this question open, email me with your response.
K
You take your car to the garage for repairs; you pick up the car and drive it home via the freeway. Your car runs out of gas. You have passed two gas stations at the entrance ramp. Who is at fault; you or the garage mechanic?
You go to two different doctors for treatment. Both prescribe medication. Neither one knows about the other. You have a major reaction because of the medications. Who is to blame, you, either or both doctors or the respective pharmacists who filled the prescriptions?
You get a cup of coffee at the drive through and you place the styro cup between your thighs. You make a sudden stop and get splashed and burned by the hot coffee. Who is to blame, you or the drive through?
You attempt to change your ac powered radio station while in the shower. You get the shock of your life. Who is at fault? You or the radio manufacturer for not having a sticker that reads, "Do not operate radio while bathing."
Get the picture? Are we just hapless babes who are victims of unscrupulous and negligent enterprises or are we dolts who deserve what comes to us? Should we bear responsibility for our own actions? Lawyers would have us believe that we are victims of carelessness and should be recompensed for our suffering (and they, for their service will take 40%). I'm going to leave this question open, email me with your response.
K
More than Just Walking the Dog; It is a Lesson in Life
I notice when I take the dog for our evening walk that everything looks so much different. The streetlights add a whole new dimension to the scene and highlight features that had been glossed over before. When seen from a higher elevation such as a hill or observed from an aircraft returning home from a distant trip, the dark velvet carpet now has sparkling diamonds added to its texture. Some familiar landmarks are masked by the darkness. Others seem more pronounced and visible, things that were always there but were seemingly overwhelmed by the presence of other objects.
Perhaps life itself is like that. We see what we want or choose, or even more philosophical, as culture and style have dictated. Suddenly we see things or even people in a different light. There were there all that time but we had not noticed them. There were obscured, hidden or even overwhelmed by others or other objects around them.
In the movie Family Man, Jack Campbell played by Nichols Cage sees Kate Reynolds, played by Téa Leoni, in a totally differently way even though they had lived together in a "in some sort of parallel universe." Jack sees Kate in a all-together different manner and is astounded.
Kate: How can you do that?
Jack: What?
Kate: Look at me like you haven't seen me every day for the last 13 years.
Kate is flattered and pleased that her husband has suddenly become her admirer as well.
What will it take for us to see the "real" world around us; a different light, a circumstance, situation or belief? Will we appreciate that object or person even more and wonder why we had overlooked the obvious? As the radio announcer from another era used to say to his unseen audience, "tune in tomorrow for another thrilling episode."
K
Perhaps life itself is like that. We see what we want or choose, or even more philosophical, as culture and style have dictated. Suddenly we see things or even people in a different light. There were there all that time but we had not noticed them. There were obscured, hidden or even overwhelmed by others or other objects around them.
In the movie Family Man, Jack Campbell played by Nichols Cage sees Kate Reynolds, played by Téa Leoni, in a totally differently way even though they had lived together in a "in some sort of parallel universe." Jack sees Kate in a all-together different manner and is astounded.
Kate: How can you do that?
Jack: What?
Kate: Look at me like you haven't seen me every day for the last 13 years.
Kate is flattered and pleased that her husband has suddenly become her admirer as well.
What will it take for us to see the "real" world around us; a different light, a circumstance, situation or belief? Will we appreciate that object or person even more and wonder why we had overlooked the obvious? As the radio announcer from another era used to say to his unseen audience, "tune in tomorrow for another thrilling episode."
K
Fixing a car, building a relationship.
Have you watched one of those fix-it-up TV shows "This Old House," "Ask this Old House," "Flip This House" and "Curb Appeal." In the automotive arena there is "Pimp My Ride," "Overhauled" and one other that I can't remember at the moment. The premise of each of these show is to take something old and fix it up into an item of beauty and value. And of course everyone watching these shows gets smitten by the repair bug (which I'm sure the producers of these show had intended us to do in the first place).
Well I too have said "ooh and ahh" as I looked at my son's car. But that is because all my bones and joints are aching. I've started a project together with him called "Help My Son Get a Ride." We've begun with a 1991 Buick Lesabre blue bomb with two rear doors that didn't open from the inside or out, a leaking transmission line, brakes that didn't work and an A/C compressor that was so bad that it made sparks and lots of noise.
So far we gotten one rear door to open (and close) without spending a penny; we circumvented the air conditioner compressor completely by eliminating it from the serpentine power belt routing; although we had to purchase a much shorter belt to do it. We replaced both front calipers and rotors (the brake pads were provide courtesy of the previous owner). We also replaced both rear brake cylinders, replaced broken brake lines as a result of replacing those wheel cylinders, bled the brake hydraulic system and have achieved full braking power. There isn't much more we can do, is there?
Not so fast fellow blogger. We need to check the hand brake system since we accidentally disconnected it. We have to finish that last door so it opens and closes and get the radio to work (not really important but hey, we were in the mood). We need to fix a leaking tire rim and put the spare doughnut tire back in the trunk; clean and wax the car (if we have time). And last but not least get it titled, put on temporary tags, get E-checked and put on permanent plates.
Whew, did I say that a father's work is never done? Did I mention that this was the kid I chewed out? Did I mention that the two of us like working together? Did I mention that I truly love my son and I believe he reciprocates in kind? $250.00 for a 1991 blue bomb; $20.00 for calipers, $20.00 for wheel cylinders, $3.75 for brake lines, $27.95 for a serpentine belt, and $5.95 for brake fluid. Working together, having quality time to spend with each other restoring a car, priceless.
K
Well I too have said "ooh and ahh" as I looked at my son's car. But that is because all my bones and joints are aching. I've started a project together with him called "Help My Son Get a Ride." We've begun with a 1991 Buick Lesabre blue bomb with two rear doors that didn't open from the inside or out, a leaking transmission line, brakes that didn't work and an A/C compressor that was so bad that it made sparks and lots of noise.
So far we gotten one rear door to open (and close) without spending a penny; we circumvented the air conditioner compressor completely by eliminating it from the serpentine power belt routing; although we had to purchase a much shorter belt to do it. We replaced both front calipers and rotors (the brake pads were provide courtesy of the previous owner). We also replaced both rear brake cylinders, replaced broken brake lines as a result of replacing those wheel cylinders, bled the brake hydraulic system and have achieved full braking power. There isn't much more we can do, is there?
Not so fast fellow blogger. We need to check the hand brake system since we accidentally disconnected it. We have to finish that last door so it opens and closes and get the radio to work (not really important but hey, we were in the mood). We need to fix a leaking tire rim and put the spare doughnut tire back in the trunk; clean and wax the car (if we have time). And last but not least get it titled, put on temporary tags, get E-checked and put on permanent plates.
Whew, did I say that a father's work is never done? Did I mention that this was the kid I chewed out? Did I mention that the two of us like working together? Did I mention that I truly love my son and I believe he reciprocates in kind? $250.00 for a 1991 blue bomb; $20.00 for calipers, $20.00 for wheel cylinders, $3.75 for brake lines, $27.95 for a serpentine belt, and $5.95 for brake fluid. Working together, having quality time to spend with each other restoring a car, priceless.
K
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Our next-door neighbor fell in her home of over 50 years and lay there unbeknownst to friends and acquaintances alike for nearly 12 hours. A friend called her phone as she had done for most mornings and did not receive an answer; she called the neighbor's nephew. Police came and cut the door screen; the main door was not locked and let them in only to find her flat on her back on her bedroom floor. No broken bones only bruises.
Her family learned that there had been other falls, unreported to them, happening in the backyard, and in the house several times. Nothing was broken only bruises. Now there is talk of changing her life, of moving her away to Boston to live near two of the three children. She had been our neighbor for over thirty years.
When we first moved in to our house I was summoned by a frantic friend of their only daughter. The husband was not breathing. I had tried to resuscitate him when he was found not breathing on the living room couch. I pounded with all my might on his lifeless chest trying but unsuccessful in getting him to breath. We went to the wake and met more family and friends.
We had seen her children grow up, go the college (or the military) and then move away for good. We had met her grandchildren, and had seen them grow up as they came to grandma's house on their yearly visits. We had joined in the celebration of her eightieth birthday party. We were amazed as to how the family had grown.
We would exchange greetings with her as we simultaneously walked out of our front door on Sunday mornings. Each of us would go to our respective churches; both united in Christianity but separated by dogma. Each of us had some understanding of the other's belief, but never attended church together.
She was more than the friendly nod or wave of the hand across the fence. She had come to our family parties and graduations as well; had shared in the discussions of our children and perhaps knew more about our children than some our relations. We had heard of the tribulations of divorce long before our children were married; of grandchildren that traveled from mother to father and back again before our grandchildren would face the same problems. And now the discussion centers on whether to move her away, sell her house and put her in assisted living. I cannot say anything; it is not my place to say. I am just a neighbor to her and have no relationship at all. I am powerless. I don't want another neighbor.
We can write back and forth but it won't be the same. There will not be that all important spontaneity We will be the friends from her former life; the friends from hundreds of miles away rather than the family on the other side of the fence. If we indeed keep in touch we may learn of her hoped for improvement and successes. But it won't be the same. Mary Virginia (if I may call you that) we will miss you.
K
Her family learned that there had been other falls, unreported to them, happening in the backyard, and in the house several times. Nothing was broken only bruises. Now there is talk of changing her life, of moving her away to Boston to live near two of the three children. She had been our neighbor for over thirty years.
When we first moved in to our house I was summoned by a frantic friend of their only daughter. The husband was not breathing. I had tried to resuscitate him when he was found not breathing on the living room couch. I pounded with all my might on his lifeless chest trying but unsuccessful in getting him to breath. We went to the wake and met more family and friends.
We had seen her children grow up, go the college (or the military) and then move away for good. We had met her grandchildren, and had seen them grow up as they came to grandma's house on their yearly visits. We had joined in the celebration of her eightieth birthday party. We were amazed as to how the family had grown.
We would exchange greetings with her as we simultaneously walked out of our front door on Sunday mornings. Each of us would go to our respective churches; both united in Christianity but separated by dogma. Each of us had some understanding of the other's belief, but never attended church together.
She was more than the friendly nod or wave of the hand across the fence. She had come to our family parties and graduations as well; had shared in the discussions of our children and perhaps knew more about our children than some our relations. We had heard of the tribulations of divorce long before our children were married; of grandchildren that traveled from mother to father and back again before our grandchildren would face the same problems. And now the discussion centers on whether to move her away, sell her house and put her in assisted living. I cannot say anything; it is not my place to say. I am just a neighbor to her and have no relationship at all. I am powerless. I don't want another neighbor.
We can write back and forth but it won't be the same. There will not be that all important spontaneity We will be the friends from her former life; the friends from hundreds of miles away rather than the family on the other side of the fence. If we indeed keep in touch we may learn of her hoped for improvement and successes. But it won't be the same. Mary Virginia (if I may call you that) we will miss you.
K
Do you really think he noticed what I said?
This past Friday, we had our annual summer office picnic in Cleveland's Metro Parks. It was our third year in a row at this same location. The best part of an annual affair like this is the interaction and camaraderie of coworkers, and the act of getting to know your fellow workers in a totally difference setting.
There was the usual participation of company personnel in bringing food, games, entertainment and drinks. By the way, the food was outstanding and lead to much discussion about recipes and culinary techniques. Now there is nothing wrong with having drinks at a company function except for the fact that some people tend to overdue and say or do stupid things at the wrong time.
I have been to other outings by other companies where the district or regional manager kept tabs on his underlings, watching how they managed themselves in this "relaxed" atmosphere. An unsuitable or lewd response here and a questionable gesture there lead to the next day's dismissal of several of his subordinates for inappropriate behavior. An evening out with the boss had literally cost them their jobs and careers.
No matter how faithfully or diligently they had worked right up to that fateful moment, they were terminated the very next business day. The boss had matched them drink for drink but he had the upper hand—he got to sign their paychecks and he took full advantage of it.
Ways to combat this type of evaluation or "performance" technique, don't drink at company functions. You never know who is listening or watching.
K
There was the usual participation of company personnel in bringing food, games, entertainment and drinks. By the way, the food was outstanding and lead to much discussion about recipes and culinary techniques. Now there is nothing wrong with having drinks at a company function except for the fact that some people tend to overdue and say or do stupid things at the wrong time.
I have been to other outings by other companies where the district or regional manager kept tabs on his underlings, watching how they managed themselves in this "relaxed" atmosphere. An unsuitable or lewd response here and a questionable gesture there lead to the next day's dismissal of several of his subordinates for inappropriate behavior. An evening out with the boss had literally cost them their jobs and careers.
No matter how faithfully or diligently they had worked right up to that fateful moment, they were terminated the very next business day. The boss had matched them drink for drink but he had the upper hand—he got to sign their paychecks and he took full advantage of it.
Ways to combat this type of evaluation or "performance" technique, don't drink at company functions. You never know who is listening or watching.
K
God does not ask about our ability, but our availability. Unknown
This past weekend we went to the funeral of an old friend from church; Ruth was 84 year old. Her husband, Art had died two years earlier. Both were great people, people you would like to know, people you could talk to. Ruth and Art were as one would say, members of the Old Guard. Her two sons, who survive her and her husband, are now the "new" Old Guard. The sons have older children, who will one day have children of their own. Neither of the sons expected to become a member of the Guard, they were placed into that position upon the death of their parents.
Whenever you replace your boss, your supervisor, or survive your last living parent, you also assume that position. It is not given to you ceremoniously or with a lot of fanfare; it is thrust upon you with the suddenness of a summer thunderstorm and with it a downpour of emotion. You have been tossed the football and you're expected to run with it; you're expected to carry on with the burdens of that "office" as your subordinates, your family now look up to you. You have achieved that rank by shear attrition, not by vote of confidence or by admiration. It is a office you neither ran for, sought, or were nominated.
You wonder to yourself, "it wasn't that many years age when I was scrutinizing the "new" Old Guard at a funeral, retirement party, or company downsizing. "Where has the time gone?" Ben Franklin penned it so nicely under the nom de plume of Poor Richard's Almanac, "time and tide wait for no man." Very subtle, very much to the point, and very final.
What you do with that time you're in "office" will determine your legacy. Will you be a sob or a saint, an ass hole or the best person that ever lived? You have that time to fill, to lead, to guide. You have that choice to make; choose wisely. Ruth and Art were great people; I assume their sons will continue to do as well. Time will tell; but if I truly know Ruth and Art, their children will be OK.
K
Whenever you replace your boss, your supervisor, or survive your last living parent, you also assume that position. It is not given to you ceremoniously or with a lot of fanfare; it is thrust upon you with the suddenness of a summer thunderstorm and with it a downpour of emotion. You have been tossed the football and you're expected to run with it; you're expected to carry on with the burdens of that "office" as your subordinates, your family now look up to you. You have achieved that rank by shear attrition, not by vote of confidence or by admiration. It is a office you neither ran for, sought, or were nominated.
You wonder to yourself, "it wasn't that many years age when I was scrutinizing the "new" Old Guard at a funeral, retirement party, or company downsizing. "Where has the time gone?" Ben Franklin penned it so nicely under the nom de plume of Poor Richard's Almanac, "time and tide wait for no man." Very subtle, very much to the point, and very final.
What you do with that time you're in "office" will determine your legacy. Will you be a sob or a saint, an ass hole or the best person that ever lived? You have that time to fill, to lead, to guide. You have that choice to make; choose wisely. Ruth and Art were great people; I assume their sons will continue to do as well. Time will tell; but if I truly know Ruth and Art, their children will be OK.
K
"Knowledge and human power are synonymous," Francis Bacon 1561-1626
Are we really careful about our personal life? Have we exposed ourselves so freely that everybody and anybody can find out anything about us? Case in point: MySpace, YouTube, et.al. We give information freely, so freely that our best friend wouldn't know as much about us as these organization and we have been the chief contributor of that information.
Some may say this is on the fringe of paranoia, others may say we haven't gone far enough in reveling our inner self, of self expression and other Sigmund Freud buzzwords. "Be open, don't shirk away," they say. Meanwhile the cascade of information about us tends to accumulate in some far reaching databank in the vastness of this world (old or new). Would we be interested in the last website that our favorite famous person had last visited? Would we have the same admiration for them if we learned they were completely computer illiterate? The databank tattler could tell us.
There are spy wares nestled inside your computer that can tell every site you have every visited. I routinely hunt them down and destroy them. What I do is my own business and no one else's; but I may already have been too late. The information may have been already transmitted perhaps while I had written this blog.
The keepers of this demographic wisdom say this information is essential to effectively market the goods of America, to cut down on unnecessary waste and repetition. Get the right stuff to the right people at the right time (in the right quantity). "We have the information here that will tell us what you'll buy before you'll even open your wallet or purse." It is economic prognostication without a crystal ball. Scary stuff huh?
We can open this cornucopia and tell who will be the next President of the United States. Or can we? We thought we could predict that Harry Truman would lose to the Republican candidate; one Chicago newspaper even printed the headline "Dewy Wins!" Truman framed that one. He even displayed it to the very news media that had published his political obituary.
Should you be taken for granted? Strike back! Download a spy ware killer. Let them know they don't need to know, what you know when you knew it.
K
Some may say this is on the fringe of paranoia, others may say we haven't gone far enough in reveling our inner self, of self expression and other Sigmund Freud buzzwords. "Be open, don't shirk away," they say. Meanwhile the cascade of information about us tends to accumulate in some far reaching databank in the vastness of this world (old or new). Would we be interested in the last website that our favorite famous person had last visited? Would we have the same admiration for them if we learned they were completely computer illiterate? The databank tattler could tell us.
There are spy wares nestled inside your computer that can tell every site you have every visited. I routinely hunt them down and destroy them. What I do is my own business and no one else's; but I may already have been too late. The information may have been already transmitted perhaps while I had written this blog.
The keepers of this demographic wisdom say this information is essential to effectively market the goods of America, to cut down on unnecessary waste and repetition. Get the right stuff to the right people at the right time (in the right quantity). "We have the information here that will tell us what you'll buy before you'll even open your wallet or purse." It is economic prognostication without a crystal ball. Scary stuff huh?
We can open this cornucopia and tell who will be the next President of the United States. Or can we? We thought we could predict that Harry Truman would lose to the Republican candidate; one Chicago newspaper even printed the headline "Dewy Wins!" Truman framed that one. He even displayed it to the very news media that had published his political obituary.
Should you be taken for granted? Strike back! Download a spy ware killer. Let them know they don't need to know, what you know when you knew it.
K
It seems to make an auto driver mad if he misses you." Kin Hubbard
Every weekday morning and evening, on hundreds of sites across this United States the Great Rush Hour pits driver against driver. These men and women have practiced for hours on end trying to outwit and cunningly defeat their opponent to be the first to cross the finish line. This means beating the clock and getting to work on time or in the evening by getting to the daycare without paying a penalty.
Methods of driving are as varied as the numbers of drivers behind the wheel. There is the Accelerating Driver who must go ahead as fast as possible to fill a void left by another car. The A/D must fill this void at all costs or he will lose precious time and Quality Points, Totaling the Quality Points determines the winner for every round. Unfortunately ice, snow, fog and other weather conditions will rule out the unskilled and unsuspecting drivers with an accident. Accidents as the name implies are unpredictable and may cause drivers to actually lose Quality Points. Some may argue that not enough Quality Points are surrendered at an accident scene to discourage this kind of driving.
Although the A/D is serious in his endeavor and is single minded in his approach, he may be good sport to play with. The scenario must be just right; the A/D must have a guardrail, curb or some other impenetrable object on one side and a slower vehicle in front of him. You creep up adjacent to the other side to prevent him from going around the slower vehicle. You must do this cunningly so an not to arouse his suspicion and the driver of the slower vehicle need not be a party to your actions. This type of maneuvering is good for hundreds of feet of roadway and many minutes of enjoyment. The only way an A/D can spoil this fun is to slow up and drop back to go around you.
The Weaver may be a variation of the A/D as he goes from empty spot to empty spot racking up what he thinks are Quality Points. Very little headway is actually gained and a lot of gasoline is used in this process. The Weaver may be a motorcyclist incognito. The Weaver is not easy to play with. You must have seen him in your rearview mirror and anticipate a spot he wished to jump into. An accident and loss of Quality Points can result from a misstep.
The Trumpeting Driver is a third variation with considering; he is not patient with other drivers ahead of him and must use his horn whenever a traffic light changes to green. His timing and reflexes are excellent as this change can happen in nanoseconds. If you happen to be in front of him, simply jump out of your car, pop open the hood and act as if you're in distress. This must be done during daylight with adequate visibility without taking your life in your hands. A single lane road in each direction adds to the excitement. The T/D will be forced to back up; as he has pulled too close to you in the first place, to allow himself room to move around you. He will not offer you assistance. Be prepared to loose a few Quality Points as others take a dim view of this action. But it is worth it to get back at a particularly offensive T/D.
The Cute Chick Driver may be difficult to spot but is well worth the effort once found. A CCD driving a low riding car or you in a taller SUV or minivan makes good eye candy. Extra special care must be taken so that the CCD will not cause you to loose contact with the car ahead of you, causing an accident and losing precious Quality Points.
The actor, Broderick Crawford of the TV series Highway Patrol once expressed a word of caution for all this frivolity; "leave your blood at the Red Cross and not on the highway." Safe driving everyone.
Methods of driving are as varied as the numbers of drivers behind the wheel. There is the Accelerating Driver who must go ahead as fast as possible to fill a void left by another car. The A/D must fill this void at all costs or he will lose precious time and Quality Points, Totaling the Quality Points determines the winner for every round. Unfortunately ice, snow, fog and other weather conditions will rule out the unskilled and unsuspecting drivers with an accident. Accidents as the name implies are unpredictable and may cause drivers to actually lose Quality Points. Some may argue that not enough Quality Points are surrendered at an accident scene to discourage this kind of driving.
Although the A/D is serious in his endeavor and is single minded in his approach, he may be good sport to play with. The scenario must be just right; the A/D must have a guardrail, curb or some other impenetrable object on one side and a slower vehicle in front of him. You creep up adjacent to the other side to prevent him from going around the slower vehicle. You must do this cunningly so an not to arouse his suspicion and the driver of the slower vehicle need not be a party to your actions. This type of maneuvering is good for hundreds of feet of roadway and many minutes of enjoyment. The only way an A/D can spoil this fun is to slow up and drop back to go around you.
The Weaver may be a variation of the A/D as he goes from empty spot to empty spot racking up what he thinks are Quality Points. Very little headway is actually gained and a lot of gasoline is used in this process. The Weaver may be a motorcyclist incognito. The Weaver is not easy to play with. You must have seen him in your rearview mirror and anticipate a spot he wished to jump into. An accident and loss of Quality Points can result from a misstep.
The Trumpeting Driver is a third variation with considering; he is not patient with other drivers ahead of him and must use his horn whenever a traffic light changes to green. His timing and reflexes are excellent as this change can happen in nanoseconds. If you happen to be in front of him, simply jump out of your car, pop open the hood and act as if you're in distress. This must be done during daylight with adequate visibility without taking your life in your hands. A single lane road in each direction adds to the excitement. The T/D will be forced to back up; as he has pulled too close to you in the first place, to allow himself room to move around you. He will not offer you assistance. Be prepared to loose a few Quality Points as others take a dim view of this action. But it is worth it to get back at a particularly offensive T/D.
The Cute Chick Driver may be difficult to spot but is well worth the effort once found. A CCD driving a low riding car or you in a taller SUV or minivan makes good eye candy. Extra special care must be taken so that the CCD will not cause you to loose contact with the car ahead of you, causing an accident and losing precious Quality Points.
The actor, Broderick Crawford of the TV series Highway Patrol once expressed a word of caution for all this frivolity; "leave your blood at the Red Cross and not on the highway." Safe driving everyone.
Monday, August 06, 2007
1.) God has given us the most perfect body we will ever have when we are born. From that point on, we nurture, test, strengthen it, and let it mature. What and when we feed it, exercise or lack of it, abuse or mistreat it are our own decisions. We can "be what all we can be" or we could be the looser "I could have been a contender" and cry in our beer. Life has many paths and whichever ones we daily choose will determine how we have lived our life. We may try and go back to that point of choice, the "fork it the road" but it maybe extremely difficult of not impossible. So "choose wisely" the first time around.
2.) We live in a great, grand world; it is extremely vast and picturesque. The technology of today has permitted us to use these resources and to travel to all corners of this county. America the beautiful is no understatement. As a nation we should take care and be careful with our desire to tap into our reserves and exploit our natural resources. We should choose our national ambitions wisely.
3.) Grandchildren are a wonderful gift from God. As parents we find ourselves too busy to appreciate the subtle moments of wonder and grace. But as grandparents we can take the opportunity and time to see the inner workings of their minds as they develop and evolve; we can see their fears, happiness and of course their desires which can be from the very simple to bordering on the outrageous. Hopefully we won't let these moments slip by as well. As grandparents we should choose these precious moments wisely.
4.) The Washroom/Restroom/Toilet in aircraft is ridiculously small. It's claustrophobic. It needs to be this way because so much stuff is packed it including a baby changing station. It is also the last item designed for an aircraft; sort of an afterthought. There are maniacs out there that wish to join the Mile High Club. In my wildest dreams and fantasies I don't see how they could possibly do it. Part contortionist, part lust, part depravation, maybe all three. Perhaps they should choose a place for an interlude more wisely.
5.) Travel with our mates is also a wonderful time to share in the precious moments and experiences of life. I can remember a time when I was traveling for my company going from meeting to meeting, city to city without her. I even went to Disneyland without her, it wasn't the same. Even sleeping in a hotel room far away from home wasn't the same. Now we have the time to be together but the kids are grown up and out on their own. Had I chosen wisely? I needed employment, to earn money, to pay for all our bills, to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I had chosen a road that seemed wise at the moment. Only time will tell.
1.) God has given us the most perfect body we will ever have when we are born. From that point on, we nurture, test, strengthen it, and let it mature. What and when we feed it, exercise or lack of it, abuse or mistreat it are our own decisions. We can "be what all we can be" or we could be the looser "I could have been a contender" and cry in our beer. Life has many paths and whichever ones we daily choose will determine how we have lived our life. We may try and go back to that point of choice, the "fork it the road" but it maybe extremely difficult of not impossible. So "choose wisely" the first time around.
2.) We live in a great, grand world; it is extremely vast and picturesque. The technology of today has permitted us to use these resources and to travel to all corners of this county. America the beautiful is no understatement. As a nation we should take care and be careful with our desire to tap into our reserves and exploit our natural resources. We should choose our national ambitions wisely.
3.) Grandchildren are a wonderful gift from God. As parents we find ourselves too busy to appreciate the subtle moments of wonder and grace. But as grandparents we can take the opportunity and time to see the inner workings of their minds as they develop and evolve; we can see their fears, happiness and of course their desires which can be from the very simple to bordering on the outrageous. Hopefully we won't let these moments slip by as well. As grandparents we should choose these precious moments wisely.
4.) The Washroom/Restroom/Toilet in aircraft is ridiculously small. It's claustrophobic. It needs to be this way because so much stuff is packed it including a baby changing station. It is also the last item designed for an aircraft; sort of an afterthought. There are maniacs out there that wish to join the Mile High Club. In my wildest dreams and fantasies I don't see how they could possibly do it. Part contortionist, part lust, part depravation, maybe all three. Perhaps they should choose a place for an interlude more wisely.
5.) Travel with our mates is also a wonderful time to share in the precious moments and experiences of life. I can remember a time when I was traveling for my company going from meeting to meeting, city to city without her. I even went to Disneyland without her, it wasn't the same. Even sleeping in a hotel room far away from home wasn't the same. Now we have the time to be together but the kids are grown up and out on their own. Had I chosen wisely? I needed employment, to earn money, to pay for all our bills, to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I had chosen a road that seemed wise at the moment. Only time will tell.
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