What to say?

A friend of mine recently emailed me inquiring about my next post. I was somewhat honored (translation=surprised) that he regularly checks my blog for new additions. I know he often doesn't agree with my point of view (99% of the time), but his readership is a nice thing to have. The problem is, what do I do when I can't think of anything to say? Life's been pretty hectic lately so I could always blame the lapse of blogging on lack of time, but how can I say I couldn't find 30 minutes to type something? I always have things to say, but after filtering them through my "blog worthy" processes sometimes I'm at a loss. There is always a lot going on in the world. My world is busy also, but not much different than most others and yet how can I not find something to articulate to the world? It all comes down to feeling. Sometimes I just don't feel like putting anything down into print. Sometimes I don't feel like I have anything worthy to say. Sometimes I can't choose between several items so I write nothing at all. Where's Barry Manilow when you need a song sung... feeelings..ohhhhh feelings. Anyway, readership is a valuable commodity so I'll do my best to find a new topic worthy of blogging soon. In the meantime, here's an appetizer to munch on and Thanks for reading.

Hey

When did the word "Hey" replace the word "Hi"? I've been doing it for years. Has the greeting been upgraded or downgraded? When you see someone, is the use of the word "Hey" meant as a more familiar style of greeting or a "passing through the moment and have to say something" type of statement? When was the last time you actually said "Hi"? Is it a lazy way to greet someone or is it the way to show the person you are greeting that they are in your familiar circle and as such formalities are not necessary?

Perhaps it's both? Either way, what the hey?

Purity of Heart

As I sit in my car awaiting time to go into my kids school for their Christmas parties, I watched the kids playing in the playground. At one point my eye caught a little boy crying. I don't know why he was crying, but he sat apart from the group except for 2 other boys. The thing that was unusual was that the 2 other boys were standing there. They didn't cause the distress from what I saw, but the amazing thing was they stayed with the crying boy. At this age they didn't know what to say or do but they provided this boy with comfort by being there. They cared. While all the other kids were spending their precious playground time running and jumping, these 2 boys were showing support for their friend in need. Eventually the teacher came over and cared for the boy by telling him something to sooth his sorrow and they all went back to the table with all the other teachers. So I ask you, is compassion inherent or taught? I don't know, but I do know those 2 boys acted better than many grown ups I've seen.

Half way gone or halfway there?

I'm 41. According to statistics I'm halfway through my lifetime. Last night as I lay in bed I starting thinking about my first half of life, pre-family, and thinking of all the things I did throughout the years. I've had my share of good times and bad. The things that seem to stay fresh in my mind are the lessons I've learned and the times when I felt I was living to the fullest. A canoe trip down Rifle River with several of my friends, driving through Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky with a friend after high school, taking a trip to the west coast and visiting wine country and meeting up with school mates in California. These are some of my most vivid memories of my earlier life. I remember going to obscure places and late night Taco Bell drive through runs. Working at a 2nd run theater and having Thursday after hours pizza and beer while we preview the new movies. Barbecuing out behind a friends house with a bon-fire. These are a few of the things I remember well. I've had a lot of good times. Some bad times. Luckily for me the former vastly outnumbers the latter in my recollections.
Now I think of all the years I hopefully have ahead of me and with the lessons I've learned I endeavor to make them more memorable than my previous ones. One thing is for sure, with my kids and wife, I have plenty of help to make that happen.

I voted. Did you?

There's something about standing in line to vote that gives you a different feeling than when you stand in line anywhere else. The patriotism seems to pervade you and you become more connected with people around you. The thought that came to my mind was of other nations and those that do not have the freedom to choose their government officials. Of course there may be times when a country is fortunate enough to have an unelected leader who may actually have the best interest of the people at heart but it's rare. Having the choice to vote for the person you want to represent you is the one time when you have the power over government, however fleeting that time is. Our choices may be limited and they may not be the best we can do, but they are choices. That's something billions of other people do not have. While standing in line there was an elderly gentleman who had just finished voting walking out. He was arguing with someone about a subject that I didn't get the details of, however I was able to determine he was admonishing someone regarding something they did with regard to his voting. He told them they were not to interfere and they needed to respect the polling place and voting rules. He was doing this in a stern but calm manner. I was impressed. Here in our country we the people take the right to vote without pressure seriously and are prepared to challenge anyone who would try to violate those rights. In other countries you could be jailed or killed for standing up for your rights.
For all the imperfections our government and elected representatives have, we still have the power to boot them out of office if we so choose. Sometimes I wonder if that crosses their mind when they make back room deals or have lapses in judgments? Either way, it's up to us to decide whom we deem worthy of being elected, and that's a responsibility we should all take seriously.

Tyrannosaurus Debt

One thing I was able to pass along to my kids from my childhood was the ol' Schoolhouse Rock videos that used to play every Saturday morning in between cartoons. I didn't realize it then but those little 2 minute education videos were to last in my memory well past the time I watched cartoons. I bought the video series for my kids when they were still too young to appreciate them (I of course had to watch them a few extra times to make sure they were still relevant..ahem) but now that they are 3 and 5 years old they are loving the songs and lessons. One of the songs that I didn't remember was called "Tyrannosaurus Debt". Apparently the national debt was pretty large back then also and caused a concern for the country. I wonder how the debt ratio compares now vs then if you adjust it to inflation. Has it become worse? Better? The same? I don't know but I do know that the national debt of 8.5 Trillion dollars is beyond belief. How is that our government can spend that much more than it takes in and still operate? As a percentage of the national budget it may be less imposing but can you imagine what the possibilities would be if we didn't have that debt hanging over our heads? The interest alone is over 200 Billion dollars per year. Can you imagine that it would cost each person in the US $650 dollars to pay the interest alone? What if we eliminated the debt? That would save us $28000 per person a year. What kind of society would we live in when each and every person made at least $28000 per year? Each year our elected representatives talk about reducing the "deficit". That's not the debt, it's only the amount that gets added to the debt. So how do we force our leaders to become fiscally responsible? I don't have any answers but at least now I know more about the problem. The possibilities once we become debt free are endless, but the road getting there is going to be long and extremely difficult with the current tax and spend mentality in D.C.

Giving in

Anyone who has little kids knows that bed times are synonymous with bedtime stories, getting ready for bed and good night kisses. But there's more. Last minute bathroom needs, thirst quenching and other various creative stall tactics are also a part of the parent-kid bedtime dance. I'm scared, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I need to prepare a thesis on the time space continuum are all common stall techniques passed down heretically through the ages. My son is no exception. On top of this he has allergies that make it more difficult to fall asleep some nights. Last night was one such night. After about an hour of his sniffling, asking for water and being unable to fall asleep he came into my room. I was already in bed awaiting the end of a TV show I was watching when he slowly came in looking at me with those pleading eyes. I knew that he was having a hard time falling asleep due to his allergies so I asked if he wanted to climb up into Mommy and Daddies bed. His face lit up instantly. He climbed up into the middle of the bed and covered up. I told him it was time to go to sleep and turned off the TV. As I reached for the light switch he put his hand on my arm, looked me straight in the eye and said those words that made giving in worth it. "You're the best Daddy ever. Thanks for letting me sleep here tonight".
He's 5 and yet he understands being grateful! I got a 2 fold gift in those sentences. First, the love of my 5 year old son, and second knowing that he understands what it means to appreciate things. We must be doing something right. My pride in my son was overflowing that night and we soon both drifted off to sleep with smiles on our faces.