Once again we as a nation are dealing with a senseless tragedy with some wacko taking the lives of multiple individuals for some twisted reason only they know. What makes this one so heinous is that it is a crime against children. I know that millions of people feel the same way about this awful event and I just wanted to join in the chorus echoing what we all feel.
The worst thing a parent can go through is the loss of a child. We as parents are not supposed to out live our children and when we lose a child it colors our very being for the rest of our lives. No one who has not gone through such a tragedy can ever understand that sense of loss and heartache. No words can console, no agency, organization can ever erase the pain a parent can experience in the course of this loss. About the only thing those of us who have been lucky enough to never go through it can do is offer a shoulder, an empathy, a set of arms to support them, hold them, be there for them to vent throughout the grieving.
Politicians will debate the merits and demerits of gun control, mental health care and the access to schools from the outside world. But, in my opinion, even though all those subjects need attention, you will never be able to stop a crazy person from getting into a place and wreaking havoc. Nor do we want to turn our schools into armed camps as some cities have already done. We can discuss this tragedy over and over again and nothing we do will bring those children back. What we can do is reflect how lucky we are that we have our children, grandchildren and those that are our future that live around us and thank who and whatever we believe in that it never happens to us.
Like President Obama, my heart is broken and like those parents and the rest of the nation I will never be the same. In my own small way I will carry the images of this tragedy in my heart forever. How can you not.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
What I've Been Thinking
I know, I know, it's not Sunday, but I felt I needed to pontificate a bit at this moment. The election is over and all the turkeys are back at work or have been already eaten. But like in 2008, the crazies are still at it. Who you may ask? The secessionists. We had a civil war about much of their views and I guess my Dad was right. I should have saved my Confederate money as the South will rise again. Curiously, most of the states petitioning to leave the United States of America get more federal money than the pay for in taxes. Here is my take and it may be extreme; I think Obama should allow their petition to be accepted. Then, begin to pull all federal funding sent to those states. All FEMA offices should be closed, US post offices removed, any federal government offices in fact need to shut down and all the accouterments and equipment shipped to the real US of A. Lastly, having done that on a reasonable schedule similar to the removal of troops from the mid-east. All Federal Army, Navy, Marines, Air force and Coast Guard members along with the equipment they use sent to the country that funds them. Then, a fence needs to be built so those in those states do not corrupt the rest of us that have reasonable minds and become a distraction in our daily lives. We don't want them taking jobs that we Americans now do. Oh, and another thing we need to do is disallow any of the Constitutional rights as well as any addition to our Bill of Rights that Americans now enjoy and treat this new group as we do any potential belligerent country that may want to invade our borders. I, like a number of political commentators, think we can find ways to trade with the remaining states by building good relations with Canada and Mexico for travel and economic purposes.
Give the people in the leaving states what they want; to have nothing to do with the rest of us. They don't get federal water and their farmers are now on their own. The goods the errant states produce are now subject to tariffs just like Japan and England. Any food produced by the rest of us they need to buy as China would and they need to negotiate passage through our country with visas and proper papers.
I know I'm ranting. But, I can't for the life of me see how any intelligent, thinking, grade school educated individual would think that secession is a good idea. But, if they think it should happen, then go for it and when thy find out what it really means they need to apply for statehood all over again and be treated like Puerto Rico and spend decades to see if they can be good citizens.
Give the people in the leaving states what they want; to have nothing to do with the rest of us. They don't get federal water and their farmers are now on their own. The goods the errant states produce are now subject to tariffs just like Japan and England. Any food produced by the rest of us they need to buy as China would and they need to negotiate passage through our country with visas and proper papers.
I know I'm ranting. But, I can't for the life of me see how any intelligent, thinking, grade school educated individual would think that secession is a good idea. But, if they think it should happen, then go for it and when thy find out what it really means they need to apply for statehood all over again and be treated like Puerto Rico and spend decades to see if they can be good citizens.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
It's Football Season!
That's right sports fans! It's football season. That's the activity that surrounds the show that is being done on the field by a Marching Band and Auxiliary. Witness the grunting, the groaning and the sweaty furrowed brows...and that's just the Flag team. Hear the crashing, the wheezing, the narrowly escaping collisions from the drumline. Watch as golden brass excite the crowd to a frenzy and end the performance with an orgasmic high note echoing throughout the land. Observe as women and girls swoon over the assignations of the Drum Major dressed in his finest plumage and watch the director of it all deftly conduct the intricate coordinating of all the elements. No finer agreement can be had as lines and swirls and images emerge form no where to dazzle and amaze the crowd. Then when all is over, back to football to bring the crowd back to the reality of the mundane of defending territory and attacking territory the disputes over a pig and who did what to whom. Time to go get a hot dog at the concession stand!
This week one of my grandsons turned one. The whole family got together to celebrate and it was glorious. Seeing friends and family together sharing stories, having fun, eating cake as well as watching the rest of the children play, having the party extend into the night. Then sharing the pictures on facebook. I can't think of anything better to do with a Saturday than that.
Until next time.
This week one of my grandsons turned one. The whole family got together to celebrate and it was glorious. Seeing friends and family together sharing stories, having fun, eating cake as well as watching the rest of the children play, having the party extend into the night. Then sharing the pictures on facebook. I can't think of anything better to do with a Saturday than that.
Until next time.
Monday, September 3, 2012
To Those Who Came Before Me
I know , I know, it's not Sunday. Today is Labor Day! The day to end the summer, the day before many schools start and the day to honor the American worker. I want to participate in that tribute. If it wasn't for the American worker, which I still am one, this country would not be where it is. I am a union guy. I know that if it weren't for the American workers of this country I would not have the benefits that I have. So numerous to mention I am just going to focus on my chosen profession to illustrate. This is my 41st year at a single job and let me describe for you how it was before one of my unions helped to better my work environment, health care.
When I started I made $520.00 a month. Granted gas was 22 cents a gallon and our apartment was $135 a month. But the salary was not the issue here. Everyone in my profession was making about the same. We did not have health care, no dental, no well maternity, no optical only catastrophic health care. For those who don't know what that is, it means that if you get hit by a truck and live, you and your employers insurance will take care of some of the hospital bills. Since that time my union( of which I was a member of several, some at the same time) through negations with my employer and my union I have dental care, I get sick and through the contributions that I make, my employer makes and my colleagues make with their dues I get assistance in paying my medical bills. I can get glasses every few years and get help with an old man continuing to see and I make a working wage that helps support my family. I'm not rich, in fact, I was at one time slightly below the national poverty level. That, after a High School Diploma and two years of Community College and four years of a State Collage degree and post graduate work. The training enabled me to work with the nations children and mold the minds of the future in more ways than just a specific subject matter. In my opinion the most important job we have as a nation, educating our children. I get no Christmas bonus, I get no commission, so that no matter how hard I work I don't make more money, no stock options, no paid vacations ( we call Summer "Forced Unemployment" in our house), not only do I have to take my work home with me I have to come up with $200.00 or more a month to support my work with students. This is not just me but the national average of what teachers do to teach our nations children. And so that you don't get the wrong impression, I do it willingly and honorably. But, to the point of this missive, my union helps ease the burden on me and my family and for that I thank them, my colleagues.
Unions have gotten a bad rap these days. Everyone forgets that they were started by the industrial workers to better their working conditions. At the time those same workers were considered socialists, communists, the liberal left, as they didn't want to go back to the past but move to improve the future of their lives. Now those same "blue collar" workers are considered to the right of the political spectrum, right along with the business owners and operators that want more from their workers for less. I listen to those workers and how they rail against the ideas that got them the safety of their work place, health care, retirement, and many other benefits. How they condemn those who suggest that they could do better and improve their lives through collective bargaining with their employers to build respect and a decent living.
With all my experience and education I guess the one thing that seems to elude me is why so many of us will vote against our own interests, removing the hard fought improvements to our lives, removing the right of the American worker to make a better life for themselves and champion those who would remove those rights.
I want to thank all those before me who fought so hard so that I could have the "American Dream".
When I started I made $520.00 a month. Granted gas was 22 cents a gallon and our apartment was $135 a month. But the salary was not the issue here. Everyone in my profession was making about the same. We did not have health care, no dental, no well maternity, no optical only catastrophic health care. For those who don't know what that is, it means that if you get hit by a truck and live, you and your employers insurance will take care of some of the hospital bills. Since that time my union( of which I was a member of several, some at the same time) through negations with my employer and my union I have dental care, I get sick and through the contributions that I make, my employer makes and my colleagues make with their dues I get assistance in paying my medical bills. I can get glasses every few years and get help with an old man continuing to see and I make a working wage that helps support my family. I'm not rich, in fact, I was at one time slightly below the national poverty level. That, after a High School Diploma and two years of Community College and four years of a State Collage degree and post graduate work. The training enabled me to work with the nations children and mold the minds of the future in more ways than just a specific subject matter. In my opinion the most important job we have as a nation, educating our children. I get no Christmas bonus, I get no commission, so that no matter how hard I work I don't make more money, no stock options, no paid vacations ( we call Summer "Forced Unemployment" in our house), not only do I have to take my work home with me I have to come up with $200.00 or more a month to support my work with students. This is not just me but the national average of what teachers do to teach our nations children. And so that you don't get the wrong impression, I do it willingly and honorably. But, to the point of this missive, my union helps ease the burden on me and my family and for that I thank them, my colleagues.
Unions have gotten a bad rap these days. Everyone forgets that they were started by the industrial workers to better their working conditions. At the time those same workers were considered socialists, communists, the liberal left, as they didn't want to go back to the past but move to improve the future of their lives. Now those same "blue collar" workers are considered to the right of the political spectrum, right along with the business owners and operators that want more from their workers for less. I listen to those workers and how they rail against the ideas that got them the safety of their work place, health care, retirement, and many other benefits. How they condemn those who suggest that they could do better and improve their lives through collective bargaining with their employers to build respect and a decent living.
With all my experience and education I guess the one thing that seems to elude me is why so many of us will vote against our own interests, removing the hard fought improvements to our lives, removing the right of the American worker to make a better life for themselves and champion those who would remove those rights.
I want to thank all those before me who fought so hard so that I could have the "American Dream".
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Just Vote!
Miss me last Sunday? I tried! It was beautiful. It was one of my best rants. I was ranting about the right to vote and the new voter suppression laws some states are passing. You know how it is with rants. I was logical, eloquent and absolutely right! I went on for close to 300 words and when I was spent the computer decided to glitch out. Oh no! I did the right thing I pressed "save" throughout my rant and went back to my blog with confidence. But as fate would have it, it was still gone. After yelling at my Charrier Rosie (good thing she doesn't speak English) in copious amounts of profanity about the virtues of using a computer, I calmed down and walked away from it all. I just reached back into the ancient philosophies of Asia, Native American mysticism and primitivisim and meditated my over active adrenaline back into it's Confucius state of mind. So.....To summarize(which of course doesn't do it justice) I want to leave you with two points about participating in our style of democracy: If you don't vote I believe you have no right to complain and remember when you do vote, we get what we deserve. I wish I could take credit for those thoughts but in the name of the new buzz word "transparency" my college freshman speech class instructor was the first time I heard those thoughts. Obviously she had a profound influence on those early years. For that I want to thank her.
I am going to watch the Republican National Convention this week as it is the greatest resource for late night comedians. I on the other hand will have to go to my nearest Target store and buy a lot amount of Nerf toys to through at my expensive Japanese made flat screen tv. It will be somewhat to watching a NASCAR race for the crashes. Listening to the speeches that no one listens to while delegates party on the floor, watching idea log pundits pontificate their partisan views about one person, policy or political outcome and have it interspersed with commercials for Viagra and feminine hygiene products. It should be great fun as I do my bit to participate in this process buy abusing inanimate objects in my house. Good thing there is a gap until the Democratic Convention so I can build up my strength to do it all over again!
One last thing. Rest in piece Neil Armstrong. It is a shame most people do not appreciate how much the space program has contributed to our daily lives and that he was our "Christopher Columbus" and we seem to have forgotten that we need to continue to explore the Universe as a necessity to our survival economically, scientifically and culturally. Going backwards to the 50's and beyond is not an option.
Until next time, have a good week. Remember, school has started, so, slow down and watch out for the little ones.
I am going to watch the Republican National Convention this week as it is the greatest resource for late night comedians. I on the other hand will have to go to my nearest Target store and buy a lot amount of Nerf toys to through at my expensive Japanese made flat screen tv. It will be somewhat to watching a NASCAR race for the crashes. Listening to the speeches that no one listens to while delegates party on the floor, watching idea log pundits pontificate their partisan views about one person, policy or political outcome and have it interspersed with commercials for Viagra and feminine hygiene products. It should be great fun as I do my bit to participate in this process buy abusing inanimate objects in my house. Good thing there is a gap until the Democratic Convention so I can build up my strength to do it all over again!
One last thing. Rest in piece Neil Armstrong. It is a shame most people do not appreciate how much the space program has contributed to our daily lives and that he was our "Christopher Columbus" and we seem to have forgotten that we need to continue to explore the Universe as a necessity to our survival economically, scientifically and culturally. Going backwards to the 50's and beyond is not an option.
Until next time, have a good week. Remember, school has started, so, slow down and watch out for the little ones.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
I'm angry and disappointed in my fellow Americans. Oh sure, there are those who I would normally be upset with. Those that carry signs "Get the Government out of my Medicare" or "God hates this or that" or the group of people who piclet funerals of fallen soldiers or victims of foul play that costs people their lives. No, I'm angry with a lot of other people h should know better. Let me start with what happened a few days ago.
I was browsing the internet via my facebook account and came upon a site that proposed to wish happy birthday to our President of the United States. Somthing simple, "Happy Birthday Mr. President" like Marilyn Monroe did to JFK. as I was going through the well wishers or what I thought would BE the well wishers I found the most vitrolic diatribes railing against Barak Obama as a person and certainly as th duely elected head of our nation.. And, I thought, how horrible for a man wh has a family with young children, a wife thea he is not afraid to smooch at a sports event or sing to in public, a human being with feelings, hopes and dreams, fears and trepidations, compassion and fearlessness, all those qualities that make us human. I thought, on the one day of the year that we all celebrate our birth, even those that don't like us at work sign that card that our colleagues who do put on the counter. They all wish us a good day, at least for that day anyway. But, no, not for some. Too many people took that opportunity to demonize the man, charge him with heinous crimes against society, question his patriotism and birth and faith. In the name of free speech I can see where there might be a place for that, but, not on his birthday card. Howwould they like it if on their birthday card people told them how terrible a person they were? Doesn't the right wing quote passages from the Judeao/Christian Bible that "Do unto others as you would have done unto you"? Would the like some of what they said on our President's Birthday card said about them?
Unfortunately made a comment sayinguch the same thing to the list of contributers. I also added tha even if you dissagreed with Obama and his policies he deserves ONE day that is free of critisism. One day out of the year that he can enjoy the messages of good will and celebrate his existance on this planet.
It is just to bad that so many of us fail in our ability to follow the teachings of those we profess to love and cherish; treating others like we would like to be treated, If you don't have anything nice to say about someone don't say it, loving thy neighbor, all those goals that everyone seems to say they want but fall far from getting.
So let me be one of the seemingly few that on the celebration of the day he entered this world, Happy Birthday Mr. President. I hope you have a great day because you deserve it.
I also want to congratulate all the athelets that are repesenting our nation during the Olympics in London on doing a terrific job. Whether you win gold or not I still think we are proud of all of you!
I was browsing the internet via my facebook account and came upon a site that proposed to wish happy birthday to our President of the United States. Somthing simple, "Happy Birthday Mr. President" like Marilyn Monroe did to JFK. as I was going through the well wishers or what I thought would BE the well wishers I found the most vitrolic diatribes railing against Barak Obama as a person and certainly as th duely elected head of our nation.. And, I thought, how horrible for a man wh has a family with young children, a wife thea he is not afraid to smooch at a sports event or sing to in public, a human being with feelings, hopes and dreams, fears and trepidations, compassion and fearlessness, all those qualities that make us human. I thought, on the one day of the year that we all celebrate our birth, even those that don't like us at work sign that card that our colleagues who do put on the counter. They all wish us a good day, at least for that day anyway. But, no, not for some. Too many people took that opportunity to demonize the man, charge him with heinous crimes against society, question his patriotism and birth and faith. In the name of free speech I can see where there might be a place for that, but, not on his birthday card. Howwould they like it if on their birthday card people told them how terrible a person they were? Doesn't the right wing quote passages from the Judeao/Christian Bible that "Do unto others as you would have done unto you"? Would the like some of what they said on our President's Birthday card said about them?
Unfortunately made a comment sayinguch the same thing to the list of contributers. I also added tha even if you dissagreed with Obama and his policies he deserves ONE day that is free of critisism. One day out of the year that he can enjoy the messages of good will and celebrate his existance on this planet.
It is just to bad that so many of us fail in our ability to follow the teachings of those we profess to love and cherish; treating others like we would like to be treated, If you don't have anything nice to say about someone don't say it, loving thy neighbor, all those goals that everyone seems to say they want but fall far from getting.
So let me be one of the seemingly few that on the celebration of the day he entered this world, Happy Birthday Mr. President. I hope you have a great day because you deserve it.
I also want to congratulate all the athelets that are repesenting our nation during the Olympics in London on doing a terrific job. Whether you win gold or not I still think we are proud of all of you!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
What Will I Do Now?
Sorry Blog Fans. got busy this morning and only got to this this evening. I am watching the closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics and at this point enjoying the review of the highlights prior to seeing the replay of the closing. It all went too fast for me. I watched on my TV, Phone, my sons ipad and my wife's Nook. Listened on the radio and got continuous alerts as events finished and heats were completed. I heard interviews and special interest stories on the Today Show in the morning and suffered through spoiler alerts on the evening news. But, with all that I am sorry it's over. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the events unfold. Even Trampoline, Ribbon Gymnastics and Open Water Swimming had its exciting moments for me. The Olympics forced me to put "Call Me Maybe" on my ipod. Don't fret I will uncheck it after a few days, but, let it bring back those fun times watching Beach Volleyball and 100 meter fly and Dressage during these past 16 days for awhile.
Now, after the "games" are over what do I do? My hometown baseball team is fighting its' way to the cellar, reruns of Survivor Java doesn't interest me, CSI marathons have been so frequent that I have the dialog memorized for the last umpteen seasons as I watch the actors age from hairstyle to hairstyle, thin to heavy to thin again. Because I have polished my car so much the paint is rubbing off and even my cats and dog are tired of having me around. Target and Starbucks" entire staff greet me by my first name due to the frequency of my patronage. I've got 3 books started all at the same time, which is very confusing by the way, and the phrase "What are we going to have for dinner?" has been a phrase that neither my wife nor I want to explore even though it takes about a half hour to decide. McDonalds or jack in the Box, Rubios or Pick Up Stix, Corner Backery or Red Robin? All good places to eat, but even cooking at home, chicken or fish, turkey or, or, or. Chick-fil-la is a definite no and Ruth Chris as well.
With 8 days left of my vacation and work starting on August 20th I think I know what I will fill my time with. Anxiety, fret, planning, teaching, exhilaration, the madness of pushing teenagers to live up to their potential. To extolling the virtues of participating in the Arts and specifically Music on how it makes us human, increases our intelligence and keeps us engaged in our culture, the cultures of others and the history of the past while experimenting in the future. I will be filling my time thinking of ways to get teenagers to be creative, think outside "the Box" and be responsible citizens of our society. I will impress upon children to think of others and be compassionate hard working individuals and believe in themselves and their peers. I think that's some of what I will be doing and I think my wife will be glad just to get me out of the house.
And I was worried.
Now, after the "games" are over what do I do? My hometown baseball team is fighting its' way to the cellar, reruns of Survivor Java doesn't interest me, CSI marathons have been so frequent that I have the dialog memorized for the last umpteen seasons as I watch the actors age from hairstyle to hairstyle, thin to heavy to thin again. Because I have polished my car so much the paint is rubbing off and even my cats and dog are tired of having me around. Target and Starbucks" entire staff greet me by my first name due to the frequency of my patronage. I've got 3 books started all at the same time, which is very confusing by the way, and the phrase "What are we going to have for dinner?" has been a phrase that neither my wife nor I want to explore even though it takes about a half hour to decide. McDonalds or jack in the Box, Rubios or Pick Up Stix, Corner Backery or Red Robin? All good places to eat, but even cooking at home, chicken or fish, turkey or, or, or. Chick-fil-la is a definite no and Ruth Chris as well.
With 8 days left of my vacation and work starting on August 20th I think I know what I will fill my time with. Anxiety, fret, planning, teaching, exhilaration, the madness of pushing teenagers to live up to their potential. To extolling the virtues of participating in the Arts and specifically Music on how it makes us human, increases our intelligence and keeps us engaged in our culture, the cultures of others and the history of the past while experimenting in the future. I will be filling my time thinking of ways to get teenagers to be creative, think outside "the Box" and be responsible citizens of our society. I will impress upon children to think of others and be compassionate hard working individuals and believe in themselves and their peers. I think that's some of what I will be doing and I think my wife will be glad just to get me out of the house.
And I was worried.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
On The Lighter Side
This morning I thought about all the serious subjects I could write about. All those things I see on TV that could make me angry, the stuff on Facebook that seems petty and stupid. So, I started writing and as luck would have it my computer glitched out and I lost it all. I don't want to blame the programers who run this blog for problems, so I will take the heat myself for not pressing "save" throughout my thoughts.
Rather than re-write what I was saying that was earth shattering of course, I decided to broach another subject; my dog. Yes, Blog fans, this one is about my dog, Rosita. For those of you that do not have pets, you don't know what you are missing. Those early morning walks in freezing temperatures cheering on you dog to do its business so you can go back to bed or off to work on time. Those rainy days that your dog refuses to go out in and the hot concrete in the Summer that can burn the its pads so you must carry her/him to that special place only they know is perfect for that dribble of urine to leave or you know what else. I am lucky, our house has 3 cats and a chihuahua rat terrier mixe. I call her chirerrier. Her days are filled with 3 things, eat, sleep and harassing the cats. She rules our house with an iron fist, barking out orders(couldn't help the pun) like a drill Sargent with a southern accent. Leaving us with hours of confusion as to what she is trying to say; "feed me", "I want to play", "I need to go out", and "where are yo going?". I have to say after destroying our carpet(many of you know how hard it is to train a chihuahua), having to spend more money on doctor bills than I would on myself(she's allergic to everything), I wouldn't have it any other way.
What I get out of this is unconditional love, I get to have something so dependant on me that it enhances my sense of responsibility, I get to come home to someone so happy to see me that they are beside themselves and I get a protector who will alert me every time someone walks by my home, especially when I'm taking a nap as us old people tend to do. What I also get is a good listener when times are tough, an agreement on how to solve the problems of the world and someone who comforts me when I am sick. In fact she does all the things to both my wife and I. Neither of us can understand how some people could mistreat a creature like this. Research shows that those with pets are happier, live longer and are healthier. I guess I am going to live a long life. Rosita and her gang of cats are certainly making us happy. That's all I have to say.
Rather than re-write what I was saying that was earth shattering of course, I decided to broach another subject; my dog. Yes, Blog fans, this one is about my dog, Rosita. For those of you that do not have pets, you don't know what you are missing. Those early morning walks in freezing temperatures cheering on you dog to do its business so you can go back to bed or off to work on time. Those rainy days that your dog refuses to go out in and the hot concrete in the Summer that can burn the its pads so you must carry her/him to that special place only they know is perfect for that dribble of urine to leave or you know what else. I am lucky, our house has 3 cats and a chihuahua rat terrier mixe. I call her chirerrier. Her days are filled with 3 things, eat, sleep and harassing the cats. She rules our house with an iron fist, barking out orders(couldn't help the pun) like a drill Sargent with a southern accent. Leaving us with hours of confusion as to what she is trying to say; "feed me", "I want to play", "I need to go out", and "where are yo going?". I have to say after destroying our carpet(many of you know how hard it is to train a chihuahua), having to spend more money on doctor bills than I would on myself(she's allergic to everything), I wouldn't have it any other way.
What I get out of this is unconditional love, I get to have something so dependant on me that it enhances my sense of responsibility, I get to come home to someone so happy to see me that they are beside themselves and I get a protector who will alert me every time someone walks by my home, especially when I'm taking a nap as us old people tend to do. What I also get is a good listener when times are tough, an agreement on how to solve the problems of the world and someone who comforts me when I am sick. In fact she does all the things to both my wife and I. Neither of us can understand how some people could mistreat a creature like this. Research shows that those with pets are happier, live longer and are healthier. I guess I am going to live a long life. Rosita and her gang of cats are certainly making us happy. That's all I have to say.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Olympic Fever!
Yes, I admit it. I have Olympic Fever. Even though I describe myself as the ultimate inept athlete I really enjoy both the Summer and the Winter Olympics. The number one reason is it plays to my jingoistic tendencies that my country is competing against the rest of the world and the pride that instills. It even doesn't matter whether we win or not, even though it is sweeter when we do, it is that we are participating in an event that puts so many countries and cultures together in an non-violent way where we all are in an adversarial position that isn't life threatening. In fact I will even cheer for countries not my own, like Russia when Sharapova plays or Murray in doubles tennis. But, when the U.S. is in the game I am all in for us!
Too bad we can't be like some primitive African tribes that settle their disputes by yelling insults and the one who comes up with the best one wins. Can you imagine if Iran would participate in a 4000 kilometer bike race to determine if they continue with their nuclear arms program and abides by the results. So many things could be resolved in using sports to resolve disputes. I wish John Lennon got his wish in his song "Imagine" Wait, I have an idea!! Mitt Romney and Barack Obama could play a one on one game of basketball to see who gets to be president. Yea, but that would take me out of the loop and at least now I can pretend that big money isn't a factor and my vote really counts. At least now I can express my opinion by voting, even if no one wants to listen. So I guess sports can't solve everything. At least the Olympics kicked off most of the negativity of the campaign of the front page and the air waves for a short time.
Sorry, I have to take one more parting shot. When you lie for a living you should know when to do it properly. Mitt Romney went to England to watch his horse perform. In an interview he belittles the English for not being prepared enough to run the Olympics and a few other barbs. Does he have "Mad Cow" disease? Certainly "Hoof -in -mouth" disease! It was like when your wife comes out of the dressing room with a new dress (you guessed it) and says "Does this dress make me look fat?" Your answer is.......wait for it...."Why no dear, I think look lovely." If you want to keep peace in the house!
Too bad we can't be like some primitive African tribes that settle their disputes by yelling insults and the one who comes up with the best one wins. Can you imagine if Iran would participate in a 4000 kilometer bike race to determine if they continue with their nuclear arms program and abides by the results. So many things could be resolved in using sports to resolve disputes. I wish John Lennon got his wish in his song "Imagine" Wait, I have an idea!! Mitt Romney and Barack Obama could play a one on one game of basketball to see who gets to be president. Yea, but that would take me out of the loop and at least now I can pretend that big money isn't a factor and my vote really counts. At least now I can express my opinion by voting, even if no one wants to listen. So I guess sports can't solve everything. At least the Olympics kicked off most of the negativity of the campaign of the front page and the air waves for a short time.
Sorry, I have to take one more parting shot. When you lie for a living you should know when to do it properly. Mitt Romney went to England to watch his horse perform. In an interview he belittles the English for not being prepared enough to run the Olympics and a few other barbs. Does he have "Mad Cow" disease? Certainly "Hoof -in -mouth" disease! It was like when your wife comes out of the dressing room with a new dress (you guessed it) and says "Does this dress make me look fat?" Your answer is.......wait for it...."Why no dear, I think look lovely." If you want to keep peace in the house!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sadness, reflection and infamy
I had thought I was going to write about a number of political issues but now they seem better suited to the back burner after the tragedy in Aurora, Colo. My heart goes out to the people and families affected by the actions of a deranged, sick human being that seems, at first lance, to have no political agenda, no beef with the theater and no real connection to the film. It has been reported that he had dyed his hair and claimed to be "The Joker". An individual that seemed to confuse reality with entertainment. Almost points out what I wrote about last week.
We, those of us in the Arts and us older folk have fathered a generation that accepts what they see on the big screen, small screen and the laptop as fact. Assuming that if it is on the Internet it is true. I heard a statement in a popular TV show that "If it is on the Internet it must be true. They wouldn't allow it on there if it wasn't." Seems laughable but too many of our children and grand children actually believe that. Don't feel too bad about that. Not too long ago there was the phrase that if it was written in "The Times(New York) it must be true. I am old enough to remember that. Go back even further and the radio show "War of the Worlds" narrated by Orsen Wells had the impact that people jumped off buildings rather than be captured by the invading aliens from Mars. Only because they didn't hear the disclaimer at the beginning of the show.
The actions of this mentally ill individual that hurt and killed so many, that changed the lives of millions of people, that saddened a nation, that made us all feel less safe is more than unfortunate and makes me ill every time I think about it. My heart says no punishment is too extreme, but my head says we must consider him ill and not not motivated by greed or revenge or any of the accepted reasons for heinous actions. And, the film, just like "War of the Worlds" will be for ever remembered as "the movie where that guy killed all those people." is the legacy of this work of art. My heart goes out to all those that were in the theater that night, my thoughts are with their families that will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives. My hope is that with time, they and us will not forget, but that with time the pain will ease and we all can move on and the film will get the accolades it deserves as a work of fiction.
We, those of us in the Arts and us older folk have fathered a generation that accepts what they see on the big screen, small screen and the laptop as fact. Assuming that if it is on the Internet it is true. I heard a statement in a popular TV show that "If it is on the Internet it must be true. They wouldn't allow it on there if it wasn't." Seems laughable but too many of our children and grand children actually believe that. Don't feel too bad about that. Not too long ago there was the phrase that if it was written in "The Times(New York) it must be true. I am old enough to remember that. Go back even further and the radio show "War of the Worlds" narrated by Orsen Wells had the impact that people jumped off buildings rather than be captured by the invading aliens from Mars. Only because they didn't hear the disclaimer at the beginning of the show.
The actions of this mentally ill individual that hurt and killed so many, that changed the lives of millions of people, that saddened a nation, that made us all feel less safe is more than unfortunate and makes me ill every time I think about it. My heart says no punishment is too extreme, but my head says we must consider him ill and not not motivated by greed or revenge or any of the accepted reasons for heinous actions. And, the film, just like "War of the Worlds" will be for ever remembered as "the movie where that guy killed all those people." is the legacy of this work of art. My heart goes out to all those that were in the theater that night, my thoughts are with their families that will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives. My hope is that with time, they and us will not forget, but that with time the pain will ease and we all can move on and the film will get the accolades it deserves as a work of fiction.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
I'm Back!
After months of neglect I'm back writing random observations of the things around me. What I keep seeing as I now relax form a very busy Spring is a preponderance of TV ads that are more than the usual buy this toilet paper because it is softer, or this cat food because it tastes better(how would you know?). Even the ads for other TV shows have become, what I consider increasingly obnoxious, more and more toward our dark side than not. Then, once we get into the political ads all hell breaks loose.
Most of you who follow my ramblings know that I am what used to be called a "Bleeding Heart Liberal". In fact, I plan to frequent the OC Fair this month and get a license plate holder that says just that to display on my American made Ford Mustang. At the same time I am also a deep believer in this country and am more optimistic than pessimistic, actually a jingoist as many of my friends would put it. Which brings me to the ads for the election for President of the United States by both parties.
So many people on both sides complain that running negative ads is bad, yet when the campaign committees run focus groups on the effectiveness of the ad they almost always get feedback that the ads work. If they didn't work then they wouldn't invest millions of dollars on producing and running them. Complain all you want people, but you like them. The name calling, half truths, misrepresentations, sound bites and innuendo are great stuff. We eat it up and use it to further our arguments with neighbors and friends. We use it as facts we can recite to bolster our positions and we get lathered up when a new one hits the screen. It doesn't matter what the ads say we will believe the ads that run the most often and shout out the loudest.
What do advertising people believe? "If you say something often enough and loud enough, people will perceived it as truth". The present generations will believe as truth anything from the Internet. Oliver Stone has made good living off of revisionist history in film drama. Not documentaries but fiction loosely based on facts.
So, my message here is two fold; Don't believe everything you hear or see and look at actions and decide where you stand on the actions of our politicians, the effectiveness of our toilet paper and until you have actually tasted that cat food, let your cat decide.
Most of you who follow my ramblings know that I am what used to be called a "Bleeding Heart Liberal". In fact, I plan to frequent the OC Fair this month and get a license plate holder that says just that to display on my American made Ford Mustang. At the same time I am also a deep believer in this country and am more optimistic than pessimistic, actually a jingoist as many of my friends would put it. Which brings me to the ads for the election for President of the United States by both parties.
So many people on both sides complain that running negative ads is bad, yet when the campaign committees run focus groups on the effectiveness of the ad they almost always get feedback that the ads work. If they didn't work then they wouldn't invest millions of dollars on producing and running them. Complain all you want people, but you like them. The name calling, half truths, misrepresentations, sound bites and innuendo are great stuff. We eat it up and use it to further our arguments with neighbors and friends. We use it as facts we can recite to bolster our positions and we get lathered up when a new one hits the screen. It doesn't matter what the ads say we will believe the ads that run the most often and shout out the loudest.
What do advertising people believe? "If you say something often enough and loud enough, people will perceived it as truth". The present generations will believe as truth anything from the Internet. Oliver Stone has made good living off of revisionist history in film drama. Not documentaries but fiction loosely based on facts.
So, my message here is two fold; Don't believe everything you hear or see and look at actions and decide where you stand on the actions of our politicians, the effectiveness of our toilet paper and until you have actually tasted that cat food, let your cat decide.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A talent wasted!
As an artist, musician and teacher of the Arts I am in the same position as many in mourning the passing of Whitney Houston. As a teacher of children at their most vulnerable, where a single phrase can affect them for a lifetime, I see her death and those artists of the past who suffered the same fate, see this as a teachable, albeit tragic moment.
Drugs and alcohol are the cancer which affects not only the creative process of artists but the lives of millions of Americans. No matter which political party has been in power, all parties have tried and failed to change America's appetite for mind affecting drugs, for either escape from the present or for the mistaken notion that the drugs will enhance the creative process. From the "Dare" programs to the "Just Say No" campaigns we as a people have failed in our attempt to impress on a large number of our young people the dangers in the use of mind altering drugs.
We are fighting a losing battle. It is no wonder. We glorify the entertainment icons for the frequency in which they inhabit rehab facilities. We name such facilities after a former First Lady even. We allow accomplished athletes myriad "second chances" when alcohol and other drugs are found to affect their performance. The phrase "Better living through chemistry" has taken on new meaning when on television our young people are bombarded with ways to improve their lives from body odor to enhanced sexual prowess to being a better person to quiting other forms of addiction. Take this pill and you will quit smoking, take this pill and you will be ready for love, take this pill and you will be a happy person again. It is no wonder that we are losing this battle.
We haven't built in the proper attitude to the use of the science of enhancing our lives, making our lives more endurable, more comfortable, better in some way or overcome some personal malady. I'm not sure we can. How can you tell a teenager not to drink alcohol when as adults we come home from work and relax with that martini, glass of wine or beer. Is it enough to ban all alcohol from the home or scream "Do as I say, not as I do."? Is it better to teach the appropriate use of alcohol by providing the proper example or forbid it altogether? I wish I knew the answer. What I do know, what I do believe, is that great artist from Gene Krupa, Jimmy Hendriks, Janis Joplin, others and most recently Whitney Houston ravaged their bodies with drugs and alcohol, wasted their talents and died too soon. The list is long and tragic and it didn't need to be this way.
Drugs and alcohol are the cancer which affects not only the creative process of artists but the lives of millions of Americans. No matter which political party has been in power, all parties have tried and failed to change America's appetite for mind affecting drugs, for either escape from the present or for the mistaken notion that the drugs will enhance the creative process. From the "Dare" programs to the "Just Say No" campaigns we as a people have failed in our attempt to impress on a large number of our young people the dangers in the use of mind altering drugs.
We are fighting a losing battle. It is no wonder. We glorify the entertainment icons for the frequency in which they inhabit rehab facilities. We name such facilities after a former First Lady even. We allow accomplished athletes myriad "second chances" when alcohol and other drugs are found to affect their performance. The phrase "Better living through chemistry" has taken on new meaning when on television our young people are bombarded with ways to improve their lives from body odor to enhanced sexual prowess to being a better person to quiting other forms of addiction. Take this pill and you will quit smoking, take this pill and you will be ready for love, take this pill and you will be a happy person again. It is no wonder that we are losing this battle.
We haven't built in the proper attitude to the use of the science of enhancing our lives, making our lives more endurable, more comfortable, better in some way or overcome some personal malady. I'm not sure we can. How can you tell a teenager not to drink alcohol when as adults we come home from work and relax with that martini, glass of wine or beer. Is it enough to ban all alcohol from the home or scream "Do as I say, not as I do."? Is it better to teach the appropriate use of alcohol by providing the proper example or forbid it altogether? I wish I knew the answer. What I do know, what I do believe, is that great artist from Gene Krupa, Jimmy Hendriks, Janis Joplin, others and most recently Whitney Houston ravaged their bodies with drugs and alcohol, wasted their talents and died too soon. The list is long and tragic and it didn't need to be this way.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The super bowl and other thoughts
Yes, I am going to watch the super bowl even though it is an east coast contest. Why? Because there is nothing else on T.V. due to football being a national religion, it is another reason to party and it signifies the end of the football season and indicates that shortly Baseball Season is about to begin!
I am a Baseball fan. In fact like the movie "Bull Durham" I believe in the religion of Baseball and salivate at the mention of pitchers and catchers report day. I shiver at the thought that when I retire I will be able to attend Spring Training, I quake at the thought of getting to sit in my cathedral on Opening Day, I swoon at hearing the names of team members called out during pregame and I become orgasmic at the first pitch.
Ok, maybe I don't get that excited about baseball, but I will tell you that during Baseball Season aside from the rest of our busy lives we add that as one of our consuming activities. We attempt to make as many High School games and professional games as possible. We go to the the high school games to support our local team and go to the Angel games as that is our local professional team that we have been following since 1961. As a family, we are obsessed with baseball. In fact my son is a walking encyclopedia of baseball. Many have tried to trip him up in the trivia of the sport and failed. So, Baseball Season is upon us and and maybe it will kick the election campaign stuff off the news, if ever so briefly.
A few thoughts about the campaign. It seems we are using the tact that if you say it often enough and loud enough it must be true. I wish both parties would quit bickering and get some work done. I was a staunch supporter of the "Occupy" movement but radicals and thugs within their ranks have weakened their position and those people seem to think that copying the protests in the Arab nations will provide the desired result. They should look to Tom Hayden. He was a radical protester but soon discovered that change could only come by working inside the system not bucking up against it. And it worked. He did more to change the way we do things by being on the inside than he did by marching in San Francisco.
And lastly today, just to let you know customer service is still alive and well. I recently had some medical problems explored(My Dad used to be fond of saying"Getting old ain't for sissies."). I had to get some specialized food and went to my local Trader Joe's to find the food for my diet. Not knowing where some of this new food was in the store and wondering around aimlessly 2 employees offered to help and did a great job enthusiastically assisting my wife and I with smiles and the kind of attitude that they truly were interested in helping us. Kudos to Trader Joe's!
Until next time--Go (the underdog) Giants!!
I am a Baseball fan. In fact like the movie "Bull Durham" I believe in the religion of Baseball and salivate at the mention of pitchers and catchers report day. I shiver at the thought that when I retire I will be able to attend Spring Training, I quake at the thought of getting to sit in my cathedral on Opening Day, I swoon at hearing the names of team members called out during pregame and I become orgasmic at the first pitch.
Ok, maybe I don't get that excited about baseball, but I will tell you that during Baseball Season aside from the rest of our busy lives we add that as one of our consuming activities. We attempt to make as many High School games and professional games as possible. We go to the the high school games to support our local team and go to the Angel games as that is our local professional team that we have been following since 1961. As a family, we are obsessed with baseball. In fact my son is a walking encyclopedia of baseball. Many have tried to trip him up in the trivia of the sport and failed. So, Baseball Season is upon us and and maybe it will kick the election campaign stuff off the news, if ever so briefly.
A few thoughts about the campaign. It seems we are using the tact that if you say it often enough and loud enough it must be true. I wish both parties would quit bickering and get some work done. I was a staunch supporter of the "Occupy" movement but radicals and thugs within their ranks have weakened their position and those people seem to think that copying the protests in the Arab nations will provide the desired result. They should look to Tom Hayden. He was a radical protester but soon discovered that change could only come by working inside the system not bucking up against it. And it worked. He did more to change the way we do things by being on the inside than he did by marching in San Francisco.
And lastly today, just to let you know customer service is still alive and well. I recently had some medical problems explored(My Dad used to be fond of saying"Getting old ain't for sissies."). I had to get some specialized food and went to my local Trader Joe's to find the food for my diet. Not knowing where some of this new food was in the store and wondering around aimlessly 2 employees offered to help and did a great job enthusiastically assisting my wife and I with smiles and the kind of attitude that they truly were interested in helping us. Kudos to Trader Joe's!
Until next time--Go (the underdog) Giants!!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Kids Grow Up Too Fast!
Being a High School teacher for the past 40 years, I have had thousands of students and observed them in a myriad of ways. From working and at play, from focused and all over the map, from their hopes and dreams and their disappointments, from happy to sad and I thought I would make a few comments today.
This past January 6th one of my former students, friend and motorcycle riding buddy passed away. Saturday the 14th a number of his friends held a memorial gathering to remember him. My wife and I attended and talked with those former students we hadn't seen in 15 to 20 years, while some we see regularly. The evening was spent not only remembering the departed but catching up on what a number have been doing over the past years. I can tell you that walking in to that event was like stepping into the past and all of us behaved like we had just gotten back from 3rd period. It was like we had seen each other all the time. Like the years made no difference. They were wiped away instantly after the initial hug. I can't tell how that felt! Most there graduated high school 25 years ago and it was if they never left but had very successful lives with children and jobs. A lot of our time was spent sharing pictures of their children and us showing them our children and grand-children. Sounds boring, but for us very exciting. Elaine and I expected we would stay only an hour or so and ended up staying three hours. There were chairs everywhere yet nobody sat down. We kept moving from one small group to another all night. It was very emotional on so many levels.
My present students attended the high schools Winter Formal with all that encompasses, pictures, corsages, limos and beautiful young people in beautiful gowns and tuxedos and suits. They looked terrific and I could not help remembering those same pictures of the 25 year graduates covering the yearbooks of that time. All so many great memories. As I gazed on those pictures of today's kids and look at those graduates I can't help thinking that no matter what we think of today's teenagers, they will grow continuing to be caring, responsible loving adults in the future and swelling us with pride with every passing year.
This past January 6th one of my former students, friend and motorcycle riding buddy passed away. Saturday the 14th a number of his friends held a memorial gathering to remember him. My wife and I attended and talked with those former students we hadn't seen in 15 to 20 years, while some we see regularly. The evening was spent not only remembering the departed but catching up on what a number have been doing over the past years. I can tell you that walking in to that event was like stepping into the past and all of us behaved like we had just gotten back from 3rd period. It was like we had seen each other all the time. Like the years made no difference. They were wiped away instantly after the initial hug. I can't tell how that felt! Most there graduated high school 25 years ago and it was if they never left but had very successful lives with children and jobs. A lot of our time was spent sharing pictures of their children and us showing them our children and grand-children. Sounds boring, but for us very exciting. Elaine and I expected we would stay only an hour or so and ended up staying three hours. There were chairs everywhere yet nobody sat down. We kept moving from one small group to another all night. It was very emotional on so many levels.
My present students attended the high schools Winter Formal with all that encompasses, pictures, corsages, limos and beautiful young people in beautiful gowns and tuxedos and suits. They looked terrific and I could not help remembering those same pictures of the 25 year graduates covering the yearbooks of that time. All so many great memories. As I gazed on those pictures of today's kids and look at those graduates I can't help thinking that no matter what we think of today's teenagers, they will grow continuing to be caring, responsible loving adults in the future and swelling us with pride with every passing year.
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