A new member of the Family

Say hello and welcome to the soon to be newest member of our family! (No, not the boy holding the puppy. He is already a card carrying member of my clan) The cute little ball of fur that you see will soon be a part of our family. He is (currently) an 8 week old German Shepard pup with lots of energy and (hopefully) intelligence! He will be the first puppy we have had in our home in many, many years and I am sure that it will be a real experience for us once again!

He is a full blooded German Shepard with a good pedigree with 5 champions on his sire's (father's) side of the family tree. I do not think we will be planning on showing him, but I am thinking of putting him in the Schutzhund program. That is the "guard dog" program used by many show competitors and police units. He was given an aptitude test for his litter and he ranked #2 out of seven! He could have potential! Alot depends on time, location and cost of the program. It is a good program and really fits the intelligence and personality of Shepards really well.

We have not settled on a name yet, but right now, I am considering calling him Gunnar. A good strong two syllable name that is easy to pronounce. I had also thought of Conan, or Rommel but think Gunnar is my favorite. The other names have a lot of history and meaning to me and carry kind of a big responsibility to live up to them. We have to decide. We don't even have him yet.

I am really looking forward to bringing him home and getting to know him. I will try to update his progress as time goes on!

Later!

Looking for Racism?

An interesting thing happened to me today. I was making some small talk with a person I have known now for about 2 or 3 months. This person happens to be black. Our topic of conversation happened to be horse back riding and I let it be known that I was one of those lucky kids who grew up with horses. This person then asked where I was from and I let them know I was from a small rural/farming town, and even showed them where on a map I grew up. I also showed this person where my family was from, where my childhood church was established and a few other things that I like to talk about when talking about my childhood hometown(s).

This person then stops me and asks me, "How can you be from such a place and be so comfortable with people who are not like you? Most people from small towns in general are not accepting of others who are different from them." In a nutshell, this person was asking me, or making the statement, "Why are you not a racist like everyone else from small towns, which are primarily white in race?"

Now, this hit me in a number of different ways. First I thought, "Wow! what a racist and stereotypical thing to say when you know absolutely nothing about my town, my neighbors, and my family." The next was, that this person was amazed that someone like me would be working and attached to such a great liberal and forward thinking higher educational institution that we are both employed at. And finally it solidified in my mind that most of the educated open minded liberals are usually over educated, closed minded and mostly hypocriticals. It also convinced me that everyone is racist in some way or another, despite what they might think, say or do.

The comment, I am sure was not to insult me, but it was offensive to me both immediately and even more so after I thought about it for a while. I did not let that on, but I felt compelled to defend my hometown(s) to some extent and said, that if you came to visit, you might not ever meet a friendlier group of people. This person's response was, "I don't know how many times I have heard that..."

I left the conversation thinking and knowing that this person had made a racist comment to me, whether they knew it or not. It confirmed for me a personal belief that everyone of us, no matter who you are, have some level of racism within us. Some of us have more or less and some of us show it more or less. Everyone is a racist I think, but what matters is how we control it and deal with it. Some don't care if their racist tendencies show or not. I think most people do care and do try their hardest to hide, quell, or defeat any racism they have. Let's face it. Most people prefer their own kind just like in the animal world (and we are animals when you strip us down), but it is how we control our racism, attitudes, and emotions that separates us from the animals. And I also think that racism is fueled or quelled by some people's thin or thick skin over the matter.

I immediately forgave this person for their comment. It was not meant to insult me, simply a lapse of judgement, or an example of ignorance on what people from small towns are really like. Maybe it was too much in time in an insulated environment like a higher education institution that re-inforced this comment.

I don't think racism will ever be defeated. I think that it can only be contained and controled. There do need to be laws to prevent racism, the type of racism that truly hurts or hinders people. But racism, in many ways and levels does occur. And often it comes from those who cry about it the loudest.

No need to comment... just letting you in on my experience and my thoughts.

later!

Dancing with the Girls

Hello again!
I must write about one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. On Saturday of last week, I had a date with a really beautiful girl. This girl just happened to be my daughter and the event was her first Daddy- Daughter Dance. She had been looking forward to this for the longest time. I knew she was getting excited, because she had a new hat, new shirt and new jeans for this event and she did not wear them before the event, and for my daughter, that is a big thing. See, she loves new clothes and wants to wear them as soon as possible, but these clothes were being saved, for something big! The theme of the dance was country/western. We as a family are not much for country/western music or fashion, but we did our best at fitting the theme. With a pink and white cowboy hat, a pink blouse, boot cut jeans, and a demin jacket, my daughter was the picutre of country cute. (It is my right and priviledge to say that there was not a cuter girl at the dance)
We started out the evening by going to a local restaurant and having a nice sit down dinner. I bought for her a corsage for her jacket and it was made up of her favorite colors. Pink and purple. We had a nice dinner of Chisken Strips and sweet potoato fries and Hot Chocolate. (Hey, it was her special night!) Then we headed to the dance.
The dance was held in the basement of a local church. Not much in the way of decorations, but there was music, colored dancing lights, and snacks and that was all that was needed. After a slight bout of hesitation, my daughter and I hit the dance floor. (The chicken dance was what got her on the floor.) After that, it was no stopping allowed. We danced for two solid hours. It takes a good deal of strength and stamina to dance with someone who is two feet shorter than you, and you will find yourself holding them alot more than anything else, but it is worth it. My little girl is quite a dancer. We were actually dancing together! She was watching me and others and trying to do her best. Some of it was slow and some of it was fast, but it was good dancing. She even bragged to her mom that I was a good dancer! We had a blast and I think it really meant alot to her. All the girls present seemed to have a good time and it was during th slow dances that you coudl really see the affection that daughters have for their dads. I have nver had so many kisses in one night. And so many "I love yous!" I could never get enough of those...
For those of you who have daughters, if you have the chance, take her to a Daddy/Daughter dance. You will not regret it. And to those of you who say you can't or won't dance, suck it up and get on the dance floor. Real men dance, so be a man!! This is your little girl we are talking about. Who do you want her first dance to be with? You or some unknown boy? It better be you. I would do it again in an instant. It was just me and her, and I figure that this is the best way for her to learn how to be treated and what to expect from a date or a dance. Set the ground rules early and teach her to expect courtesy, respect, and kindness when she goes out with a boy. If you make a good model for her, then she will who knows what she will settle for.
Dance with your daughter. Dance with your wife. Just dance. Dancing is celebrating. Celebrate life and family and go dance. For those of you who think you can't dance, you are wrong. You just don't know it. You are missing out.

Later

DWMs... not to be confused with WMDs...

A few years ago I was taking a correspondence class on Western European history which used a few books that coudl be classified as "revisionist". In answering one of the questions, and to set the tone for how I would be interpreting what I was reading, I included a few paragraphs from a history book that I had read shortly before the class. The author, Samuel W. Mitcham Jr. a professor of geography at Northeast Louisiana University included in his introduction that to know history was to read biographies. I don't know if I agree with that statement, but I did find in this intro, a couple of paragraphs that I really found interesting. I used these paragraphs in the history correspondence class to help answer a question. What the question was I can't exactly remember, but I do recall that the instructor could not debate the logic of the arguement presented by Mitcham.

I have no real reason for why I am putting this in my blog other than I was looking through my personal library for something to read and came across the book and thought I would publish it in my blog. It still has as much meaning today as it did in 1997 when it was published. So here it is.... For what it's worth.

The book this comes from is "The Deset Fox in Normandy" published in 1997 by Preager Press, Connecticut.

"To understand history, one must read biography - especially the biographies of famous leaders. This goes against the current fad in many American Universities - where it is considered unfashionable or "politically incorrect" to study or write about "DWMs" (dead white males), a term usually muttered by leftist and largely socialist professors with a slight air of contempt, condescension, and perceived (and self-ordained) intellectual self-superiority. Unfortunately, these people write as they think, which is why so much garbage and so little of substance or importance is being produced by the vast majority of them. Like it or not, we owe our Western Civilization, our democratic and religious institutions, our values, and most thinkgs that make life worth living, to DWMs - not to affirmative action and other similar scams."

(Mitchell continues to explains that DWMs have also been the source of a great deal of havoc and misery. He does not deny that. But he does explain that usually with those sorts of DWM's there also comes to the forefront, the heroes of history. Which is why he was writing the book on Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.)

Anyway, I present this here for your consumption and let you decide for yourself how you feel about the study of history.

Feel free to comment. I may or may not respond.

Later!

Ride Far and Live Long and ignore the nay sayers...

I found this neat little article from an emailed message from one of the places I get stuff for my Honda VTX. (for those who need to know... VTX stands for "V" Twin EXtreme, denoting the awesome power of the engine of the VTX) Anyway, I often get people who say how dangerous motorcycles are and how likely a motorcyclist is to get hurt on the road. What most of these people don't realize is that most motorcycle accidents are caused by car drivers. This little article, tries, with tongue in cheek to give some ammo to those of us who have to kindly sit and listen while those who have rarely ever ridden a motorcycle tell us how dangerous our glorious two wheelers are.

Ride Far and Live Long (Reproduced from the Cruiser Customizing Email Newsletter Issue #068 2/1/06)

How many times has some do-gooder warned you against your motorcycle in the interest of your health? Do you politely stand there while a well-intentioned Samaritan regales you with horror stories of a relative of a friend of a friend who went down two days after he bought his bike? I used to dryly inform such self-appointed nice guys that, since most people die in their own beds, to avoid that horrible fate, it would be best to start sleeping on the floor. Now I no longer go head to head with sufferers of moto-phobia. I just tell them now that biking is conducive to a long, healthy and happy life. Here’s how this came about:

During my recent trip to India I came across a new motorcycle magazine called BIKE India which, surprisingly, boasts some really well-researched articles by some top internationally-recognized and local writers. It seems that the family of Adil Jal Darukhanawala, the Editor of BIKE India, still owns the oldest continuously-run motorcycle dealership in the world (!), which today sells Indian-built Yamahas (called TVS Yamaha) in the university town of Pune, Maharashtra State. Adil is one of the most pro-moto two-wheel visionaries you’ll ever meet. Anyway, the January ’06 issue of BIKE India carries a tightly-researched article entitled "One More Reason to Bike: It’s Good For Your Health!" This article has the hard facts on things that you and I always suspected to be true but had, until now, had no way of proving. The bit of scientific investigation came about when the good folks at Motorcycle Consumer News set out to find Britain’s oldest biker. To the delight of the MCN research team, they found that every single aging rider they talked to credited motorcycling as his or her key to longevity and health. Forging ahead, MCN enlisted the help of students of King’s College of London University Hospital to research why those older riders love motorcycling so much. Here’s what they found:

The Brain: Biking is joyous and is therefore is a natural an anti-depressant. The brain responds to the thrilling sensations of balance combined with forward motion by producing endorphins that prevent depression. Since depression leads to illness, biking is an antidote to disease through prevention of melancholia.

The Lungs: Buses, trains and especially airplanes are confining metal tubes in which passengers are forced to breathe virus-saturated second hand air making for an unsafe travel environment. Bikes on the other hand put you in the wind, a known purifier that is conducive to health by sending fresh oxygen throughout the lungs.

The Heart: The next time a self-styled saint tries to get you safely buckled into some overbuilt SUV, ask him what he thinks the effect of traffic jams and road rage have on the heart. Highway-related anxiety causes a release in hormones that actually increase blood pressure, leading to dangerous levels of stress. Gridlock causes tension, but lanesplitting brings on euphoria. Bye by cars, bye by heart disease.

Circulation: The frequent changes in bodily temperature experienced by motorcyclists stimulate blood circulation, which protects against circulatory problems such as varicose veins and hardening of the arteries. Sitting in some cushy “luxury” car all day in rush hour commute is an excellent way to shut down circulation in the extremities, a known cause of blood clots. Remember that ambulances and hearses are also highly-equipped luxury vehicles.

The Back: Yup, the leaning, turning and twisting that a biker does is downright good exercise that keeps the spine limber. Padded car seats on the other hand are terrible for the back.

Burning of Fat: The excitement of the ride, which puts the senses on high alert, actually burns calories. The more extreme the ride, the better the results will be (as long as the motorcyclist rides within his limits!) OK, some riders like me are overweight, but, hey, if it weren’t for my bike, I probably wouldn’t pass the Greyhound bus driver’s minimal fitness exam!

Leg Muscles: The study concluded that jockeying a hefty motorcycle into a narrow parking spot is the equivalent of a five minute work out on a rowing machine. Not satisfied with the results of their research, the intrepid MCN team went on to explore the mammoth British Medical Library. There they discovered a pro-moto university thesis entitled “Motorcycle and Adolescents” by French rider and now psychiatrist JP Rabeau. Regarding young riders, this is how the good doctor of the mind wrapped up his research, “Their bikes’ physical nature is often beneficial, rather than a dangerous expression of an unconscious death wishes in the Freudian sense.”

Remember all those tidbits of wisdom that your mother used to tirelessly nag you with? “Do’s” like “eat your veggies” or “take your vitamins” or “wash your hands”? Now you can confidentially add to Mom’s list when you tell your own kids, “…and DON’T FORGET TO RIDE YOUR MOTORCYCLE AT LEAST ONE HOUR DAILY! IT’S GOOD FOR YOU!”

It is still pretty much winter at the time of this riding, so riding my motorcylce can be somewhat problematic, but believe me, as soon as I can, I am going to get on the that big beauty of mine and get some exercise!

Later!

A day of geeking out.

Greetings one and all. What a good weekend it was. I don't know how many of you are gamers out there, but I got to have a great two days of gaming at the local game convention and I must say, it was worth the time. As many of you might gather from some of my previous blog postings, I am a pretty big gamer. I like gaming of all sorts, strategy board games, card games, party games, role-playing games and video games. I love them all. I have my favorites, but I will play just about anything. And this weekend I got to hang out with a bunch of fellow gamers and a had a great time. But some thought goes into attending this game convention. First off, I try not to look like your "typical" gamer that everyone thinks of. I wear decent clothing that fits and nothing that says, "Look at me! I am a gamer geek!" Everytime I go to something like this, and there is media there, they always seem to pick out the biggest example of geekdom they can find and this dude, or dudette, always solidifies the publics opinion about gamers being greasy, unwashed, girl fearing people. (and believe me, they are there, but they are the exception to the rule) So I figure, that on the off chance someone from the media tries to photograph me or interview me, I at least will make a decent presentation of myself.
Secondly, I try to get into games with people who feel like I do about games. I want people who love games, love to play them, talk about them, and everything else, but I also want people who have a life other than gaming. I was pleasantly surprised to be involved in most of the games I played with people just like that. Heck! We even went to Hooters! Gamers that are not afraid of girls! ( I did actually meet some guys that would not go to Hooters, but would not declare their reasons why. I can only guess) It was a good time. I was discussing my motorcycle, my wife and kids, my other hobbies, and even my job. It was a really good day! I have not had this much fun gaming in a while! (and I know how to have a good time gaming...)
I am planning on taking my son next year, mainly because of the fact that I don't feel uncomfortable taking him to this convention. In the past, I would have felt bad exposing him to some of the people I met, but this year opened my eyes to the fact that there are regular gamers out there that are just like you and me. I think it will be a blast to have him along. I don't know if I will go to Hooters to eat with him, but we will see what a year brings.
Oh... and I was given a link to a cool video that deals with gamers and fear of girls. Check it out.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7521044027821122670
Enjoy! And remember to game on!!!

Later!

Illinois Governor is an IDIOT!!

Tonight at Governor Rod Blagojevich's State of the State address, he will once again (with the help of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley)try to take guns out of the hand of law abiding citizens all under the pretense of trying to help keep us safe from gun crimes. His aim (and I use that word loosely) is to ban all assault style weapons, 50 caliber rifles and large capacity ammo clips for some guns. Now, according to the wording used by Gov. Idiot, I would be become an immediate felon, because I own a semi-auto gun, which is an ANTIQUE from WWII, I own a 50 caliber rifle, which just happens to be a FLINTLOCK, and have some clips that allow me to load 15 rounds at a time, which in the eyes of some idiots, is alot of bullets! And if you want to get really technical, my 12 guage shotgun is actually bigger than a 50 caliber so it could be considered illegal too! I have never done anything to break the law with my guns, nor has anyone ever been hurt or killed with my guns. The crime that is commited with assualt type guns are perpetrated by those who are not legally allowed to have guns! But instead of targeting the low lifes that get guns illegally, Gov. Idiot and Mayor Ignoramus (who the fuck cares what Chicago thinks...) have decided to make these guns illegal to everyone, regardless of their criminal tendencies.

Even if they manage to re-word the ban to make certain types of guns allowable under the law, I still don't like it. I have always wanted to own a M-16 or AK-47 type gun. I would purchase it using all the legal proceedures, and use it for recreational use only. But I would be told I could not, because some big city idiots who have probably never even seen a gun in person, thinks they know what is right for everyone.

I absolutely dislike the current governor of Illinois, and will vote for anyone else who runs against him in the upcoming election. Illinois needs a governor that is concerned about all of Illinois, not just what is felt, said or thought about, north of Interstate 80.

later.

Goodbye 2005!

Well Folks, for me 2005 is finally over and I could not be happier. 2005 was not a particularly good year, but then again it was not a particularly bad year either. It was just one that I did not like. The entire year, I felt that a Bad Thing was going to happen. Now that the year is over, I guess it never really did. However, it did seem that a number of smaller bad things did happen that maybe all totalled up might make a big Bad Thing.

I lost both of my dogs this past year. I cannot say how much it hurts to lose a pet, especially a dog, since they love so unconditionally and always forgive and forget. 2006 will see our family with a new pet, and it will be good, because our house feels empty. The passing of these guys really taught my kids alot about Life, Love and Loss. It taught me alot too.

Earlier in 2005 I left the helm of the Cub Scout and handed over the reins to others. However, due to what I think are machinations by persons who like to stroke their own egos, the pack that I worked so hard to build up is being torn apart. The personal desires of those who are in any scouting organization should first and foremost be to give the boys a quality program. However, recently, my beloved pack has been beset with power hungry people that only want to make themselves look better and have laurels heaped upon them. As one of my good friends said about being involved in the scouts, "you better leave your egos at the door, or you are in the wrong organization." Hopefully 2006 will be a better year for Pack 35.

The comfy secure feeling that I enjoyed for so many years at my job was threatened in 2005 due to red tape, bureaucracy, and ever rising costs to simply exist. I find that I will be fighting hard for the existence of my job and the serivce it provides. I do have good feelings about it, but I do not like that unsecure feeling that I get when I think of the future. I never really felt that before and I can tell you it is not something that I like very much. 2005 was filled with too much of that feeling and I would like it to disappear in 2006.

2005 was the year that I finally saw my parents as old people. For so very long, I have never been convinced that my parents were getting older. And for good reason too. My parents have always been active hard working people and they proved time and time again that they could do more than some of my friends and neighbors half their age! However, this year I noticed that they have slowed down quite a bit. They require more help. And they have started to look old to me. It saddens me to see them this way but they do keep on keeping on and they let little get in their way. I think 2006 will be no worse or no better for them, and I suppose that is a good thing. I will do everything in my power to keep them independent and happy.

And my country took a beating in 2005. If you paid any attention at all to the media outlets, then you know what I mean. From shortcomings in Iraq to disasters here at home, it seemed that the good ole USA could not catch a break. It made me quite depressed to hear all the bad things either directed at the USA or happening to the USA. Alot of what really bugged me is how people began to pile on when it came to the bad stuff. It seemed that the news organizations were getting paid by the amount of shit they could come up with on the government and country even when most of it amounted to nothing. It was like a great big food fight with everyobody slinging trash everywhere all at the same time as standing in the middle of an earthquake. I truly hope that 2006 is a quiet year for this great nation of ours.

But some good things did happen in 2005! I foudn more free time in 2005! The photography business my wife and I run did very well! I bought a great new motorcycle! I got to play a lot of cool games with my son and friends! I celebrated the 15th year of being married to my best friend. I turned 40 in 2005 and found it to be a pretty good time! Alot of good things happened. But the glitter was dimmed by the over all pall that seemed to present in 2005. It was like living in a world where it was always overcast. It got depressing after a while.

I am looking forward to 2006. It sounds like I really am living in the future when I say 2006! I hope that it is a good year and I hope that it is good for anyone who might be reading this. Happy New Year!

Later!

A peice of the Moon?!!?

Today, I read in an AP article that the star's appearing at the American Music Awards will be presented with a basket containing something like 100 free items valued at over $33,000. One of these items is an acre of land on the moon! The moon of all things! Like anyone can own the moon right now! And like anyone can live on it right now! Apparently a company called Lunar Federation is planning a private mission to the moon, allowing it to create a moon government and secure land rights. (or so it claims) And I guess that is alright, although a bit of a shaky peice of ground from which to start a new country.

Anyhow, what really burns my butt is this... why do these movie and music stars get the royal treatment for all this stuff? I mean, what do they really do in life other than act and entertain? Do they save lives? Do they fight fires? Do they really do anything that deserves them having things thrown at them everytime they show their face. (or am I just being jealous?) Most of them couldn't form a thought unless it was written in a script but yet they feel the need to tell us about their thoughts on religion, politics and world issues when we really couldn't care less. Take for example Bruce Springsteen. In the last presidental election he holds a concert to bring people out to vote for John Kerry as opposed to George W. Bush. But a lot of the people who attended couldn't care less about the Boss's presidential choice, they just wanted to hear him play music! Some even brought signs saying "Shut up and Sing!"

I just get so tired of these stars getting the preferred treatment as if they really make a difference in the world. Maybe I am just jaded toward them but the free acre of the moon just burned me up. I can't hardly even afford to buy an acre of land right here on Earth and these dipsticks are getting acres of the moon thrown at them! Give me a break!


later!

Heros

If you were to ask me who my heros were as a child and even as a young adult, I probably would have immediately rattled off names like Conan the Barbarian, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Lt. Gen Patton or Field Marshal Rommel. These men, both real and imagined, had a big impact on my younger years. These were the guys that I looked up to, modeled myself after, or were the ones that held the yardstick that I measured what a real hero was. And in many ways, I think these were pretty good heroes.

Conan was certainly the rough and tumble hero. What he couldn't figure out with brains, he did with brawn. He taught me that you do need to fight your way out of a hard spot, not to be a wimp, and more often than not, you had to brush off the softness that civilization settles on you and be the barbarian in order to survive.

Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock are two heros that have been with me since my earliest years. Together they showed me that there are always possibilities and that thinking outside of the box is often the best way to find the solution to a problem. They also showed me that getting along, respect and understanding is often the best way for people to behave with each other.

Patton and Rommel have always been personal heros of mine. Both were their own men. Both were strong men who knew exactly what needed to be done, but were often kept from doing it because of people who, while maybe having superiority over them, really didn't have a clue.

All these guys were role models for me and all had a hand in making me the person I am.

But then I grew up. I got a job. I got married. I aquirred debt. I bought a house. I had kids. I found a new hero.

I realized, about 10 or so years ago, that my dad was also my hero; I just hadn't realized it. My dad had always been there for me. He has taught me more things than any book or teacher ever could. He has shown me that responsibility takes a heroic effort to handle it. My dad never made much money in his career, never was famous, and was never somebody would call a hero in the textbook sense of the word, but he was, and is. He raised a great family, that compared to most families today, would be called perfect. In terms of my siblings, we all get along and enjoy each others company. Our childhoods were filled with fun. We didn't go without. We were not spoiled, but we did get alot of what we wanted. We don't have all the emotional problems you see in many people today. We were taught to fend for ourselves, suck it up, tough it out, and if you need help, just ask. Dad may never have said anything like this, but instead, by example showed those things. My guess is that his dad did the same for him.

My dad did all the things that a dad is supposed to do, and I think he did them very well. Even today, despite health problems, he still tries to be of use to his family. Despite the problems that age has given him, he is still sucking it up, toughing it out, and more often than he used to, asking for help.

I have heard stories from friends about their relationships with their fathers. It is my guess that these people do not look at their fathers as their heros. I thank God that I was born to my father. I thank God for my father, my hero come lately.

Now, why all this laying bare of my feelings of hero worship? Because very recently I received a gift that I always hoped for, but did not really ever expect to get, but always was working for.

My son had an assignment at school to make a poster and report about his hero. He picked me. Whether he picked me as a easy target and subject, or because he really does consider me a hero in some way, I am taking it for all it is worth. I did not show the excitement and glee it caused when he showed me the report, but it made my day. Hell, it made my year! I am still floating on a cloud.

I don't know from day to day if I am being a good role model and father, and I often think about what kind of relationship I will have with him in the future. But for right now, I am going to revel in the fact that he thinks of me as his hero. Even if it is only for a school report.


later!

New vocabulary word..

(This short post refers back to a previous post detailing crop tops and beer bellies)
I heard very recently a new word to describe those people who like to wear low riding jeans or cropped topped shirts, but have too much skin to wear them properly. Well, a new decriptive term for this phenomenon is called "Muffin Tops" which describes the looks of the skin/fat that pops out over the top of the tight low rider jeans or is exposed by the short crop top shirts. I just thought it was funny enough to put here. For what it's worth... not much.

later!

Famous and 40...

Well, here I am, on the cusp of my 40th birthday. It doesn’t feel any different. I don’t know if I was expecting it to but it feels like any other day. And maybe that is a good thing. I supposed that if I wake up tomorrow and find that my back hurts, my hair has fallen out, and I have trouble walking then all those things about 40 being over the hill and it is all a slow slide down are true. But you know what? I don’t believe them. A lot of people have said a number of different things about turning 40. Most of them are making fun of me being “old.” Well, most of those people are jealous because in all reality, even though they are maybe a bit younger than me in age, I am far younger; physically, mentally, and emotionally than they are! (No wonder my wife says she has three kids!) But I have received a number of great comments from some of my friends who have turned 40 or will shortly. One of the best is, “Turning 40 doesn’t mean you are getting older, just getting less stupid.” Another one was “40 is just a number, don’t worry about it.” And my attitude about it is that turning 40 is far better than the alternative of not being able to turn 40! Think about it.

One thing that does bother me is that I am still waiting for someone to discover me and make me famous. Recently, at my office, I aired a program about fame and those who are desperate to be famous. So many want the fame like movie stars want. Others want fame for the riches it can bring. And others want the kind of fame (and I can identify with this desire) that lets you be remembered when you are gone.

How many people really make a mark in their life and are remembered for it? If a person desires the fame of celebrity, that is great, but in reality, how many celebrity stars are really remembered after their passing? Only a few are really remembered. It is my belief that the only people who are really remembered for all time are politicians who really make a difference, like Washington, Lincoln, and Churchill as a few examples. Other people are the inventors and scientists that create or discover something that truly benefits mankind. (Galileo, Newton, Curie) Others are the explorers who go where no man has gone before so that others can follow safely. (Magellan, Columbus, Armstrong) And finally there are the artists who truly create a new standard or level for their art. (Monet, DaVinci, Beethoven, and Elvis) And then there are those remembered for their military prowess. (Alexander, Napoleon, Grant, Patton) These kinds of people are really remembered for their contributions or action on behalf of mankind.

Of course, there are those that are remembered for what they did to mankind. I think we know about them and their deeds are usually on the notorious side of fame. That is certainly not the type of fame I desire.

I would like to be remembered. I don’t think I and going to be discovering anything fantastic soon, or inventing anything extraordinary, and I am now officially too old to serve in the military. So, I guess I should just be happy with the fame I get from being a good person (which I do try to be), a good husband and dad, and from being a good friend. Why should I care if someone I don’t know, knows who I am? As long as those who do know me, think I am a decent person and good guy. Isn’t that enough?

So do I really want to be famous? In all honesty, yeah. Probably. It would be nice… I think. Especially if a bit more money is involved! But in the end, it most likely will not happen, so I think that I should just concentrate on being the same guy I have always been for the last 40 years and try to improve on what I have already accomplished. I have a great family, great home, good job, terrific friends, and I am comfortable. I think that is pretty good. If I can raise happy, healthy, outgoing, friendly, and ethical kids, then maybe they will be famous one day, and I can live vicariously through them. It is enough to hope for.

Enough for now. I am going to stop talking now and enjoy my last of the being in my 30’s!

Tomorrow is another day and I will hit my 40’s just like I did in my 30’s and 20’s. Looking to have a good time, and to keep going forward.

Later!

Movie News!

In a recent Yahoo Entertainment news, it has come to light that Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, those responsible for the fantastic movie interpretation of the "Lord of the Rings", will be producing the upcoming movie based on the kick ass video game HALO for the XBOX game console.

the link for this news is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051005/film_nm/halo_dc
and at : http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/news/48842.shtml

Putting this type of star power and talent will make this a movie that players and non-players of the game will enjoy!

Finally, Spartan 114, aka the Master Cheif, aka John 114 will get his due! (Maybe we will finally see his face...)

And for those of you who have not played this game, or at least tried it, shame on you.

And in other movie news...

Star Trek will not die! The greatest tv series ever still lives on in parody. Apparently, a Finnish amateur movie group has made a parady of Star Trek, called (very unoriginally) Star Wreck. I have not seen it, but it should not be confused with the Clay-mation version that came out a number of years ago.

You can read the story at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051005/film_nm/media_internet_starwreck_dc

So, as always! "STAR TREK LIVES!"

Later

Science and Design

Just today I read an artcile in the commentary section of the local paper, talking about the pros and cons of the evolution and intelligent design arguement. I don't know exactly on which side most you fall on the debate, but according to a recent poll, those that belive in creationism, or shall we now use the politically correct term, Intelligent Design, make up about 48% of the population. Those that believe in evolution make up about 26% of the population, and the remainder are those that feel that it must be a mix of both. What makes this really interesting, is that the number of people who feel intelligent design is the way to go, that number has not really gone up or down in percentage in the last 50 or so years, while those holding to the theory of evolution, that number has actually gone down! I don't know exactly what that means, but it does make for an interesting point. As to teaching intelligent design in the public schools, 64% of the population say that it should be, and only 26% think it should not be taught in class. Personally, I don't see why intelligent design should not be taught. Evolution is no more fact than Intelligent Design. It is afterall- the theory of evolution, not the fact of evolution.

Anyway, the real topic of this conversation is that in this commentary, the writer was giving differing veiwpoints of the discussion, both pro and con. One topic that really peaked my interest was that scientist, both pro and con on the subject cannot agree on how life began. How did lifeless molecules become living cells. Never has there been any success in the laboratory to create even the simplest of life forms. However, a Robert Hazen, believes that in about 10 to 20 years a scientist will succeed in creating life in the lab, thereby proving life can be made without divine intervention.

"Without divine intervention." Interesting statement. Okay, so let's say this happens in 10 years. Life is created in the lab. Great! Amazing! Tremendous! What does it prove? Will it prove that life can be made without the help of a divine influence? Maybe. Will it prove that man can create life? No, that has already been proven everytime a baby is born. But will it prove that man can create life from nothing? Probably. So that being said, it also proves that the nothing must be manipulated in the correct manner, with the correct ingredients, with the correct care and maintenance in order to go from nothing to something. That sounds alot like someone with some intelligence is designing the formula for life. Hmm... that sounds like intelligent design. Maybe what it will prove is simply that man can recreate what some other intelligence has already created. Would not man, seem to be, from that tiny speck of life's point of view, a Supreme Being? Man will be playing God. I do not doubt that all this experiment will prove is that it will spark a new debate, a new controversy, and a new discussion on whether or not Man is now God.

As for me, I know that men (and I mean Mankind) are animals. I just don't know if we came from animals.

Later!

Pet Peeves

I have been bothered recently by things that are pet peeves of mine. Everyone has these little absurd quirks that bug them for some reason, or at least no good reason, but when the peeve nerve is hit, it really can make you mad, frustrated, or just irritated to the point of screaming. I probably have more than my share of pet peeves, so I thought I would list a my biggest ones so that you can all know what peeves me off, in order to avoid that particular action or to just make my life more difficult.

• Following behind people in cars: It is not that I mind following people, I just hate having my driving dictated by the person in front of me.
• Weather Forecasters: How is it that they can be so wrong so much of the time, but still keep their jobs?
• People who make noises while eating: It can be the loud chomping of the food, or little noises in their throats, but if you make a noise, other than the usual chewing noise, you better leave my table! (I try to make it a habit to not actually watch people eat if I can help it, but that is often times very hard)
• The response of "I don't care.": If you respond with this statement after being asked what you want to do, or where or what you would like to eat, or anything else, then you have given up all rights to have a say in what is going to happen, be eaten, or destination traveled to. Because you "don't care."
• People who talk to much: I don't come by these people too often, usually because I try and stay away from them. Often times they are the same people who don't let you get an word in edge wise.
• People who don't plan ahead: Carry a date book around. Make plans! Be Prepared! I know what I am doing almost a year in advance! Plan for the future! Be ready to handle the unexpected. There is a limit to one's preparedness, but a little goes along way!
• The inability to say YES or NO: When I (or anyone) asks for a committment to something, either say yes or no, or at least give me a promise to get back to me with an answer... not the answer "I don't know." This peeve and the one above go almost hand in hand.
• Lazy People: People who are just too lazy to do for themselves, or help themselves, or just don't want to help others. These people really hit my Peeve Nerve.

I have a few more pet peeves, but for the most part, these are the biggies. So there you go. Now that you know them, maybe you can avoid them!

Later!

Fun Gaming news...

Here we find that some gamers never stop gaming, even in real life and we find more proof that if you have "normal" breasts (and I don't mean man-boobs) you can get what you want more easily, even in games.

Read on... (these come from the sight bbspot.com)


Wednesday, September 3 12:01 EST

Geek Overcomes Social Anxiety By Turning Life into RPG
By Ross P. Davis
Gainesville, FL - Area geek Ross Davis has learned to overcome his long-standing social anxiety by turning his life into a Role-Playing Game (RPG).
RPG systems such as D&D and GURPS have been part of the geek culture for decades, but they have traditionally served to further cement their participants into Loserdom. With the advent of computerized RPGs such as Neverwinter Nights and the Final Fantasy series, geeks have been able to further socially isolate themselves. Davis claims that his revolutionary application of RPGs can increase a geek's social skill by several levels and result in the accomplishment of new social feats.
"I've been playing RPGs for a long time," said Davis. "From Bard's Tale to Chrono Cross, I've been leveling up while everyone else is out living it up. I decided it was time to get out of my apartment and join the party... wait, hold on a sec." Davis then lapsed into silence as his full attention became focused on Lost Kingdoms II.
"Hooooo buddy - I think this bad boy is gonna cough up a Runestone!" Davis blurted out several minutes later.
After being bribed with an old P233 Gateway system, the 26-year-old Systems Programmer was convinced to leave his apartment in order to demonstrate his RPG-As-Real-Life system.
"Okay," Davis explained, "the goal here is to gain experience so you can level up - just like an RPG. For example, I haven't had a date since about the time that Skies of Arcadia: Legends came out. So my objective is to talk to girls without being paralyzed by overwhelming social anxiety."
He continued, "Every time I talk to a girl, I reward myself with some experience points. The longer the conversation, the more experience I get. Instead of playing as a character in a game, I am the character and my social life is the game. In the end, I am able to transform an unknown, frightening reality into a comfortable, exciting fantasy. Remember - reality: bad, fantasy: good."
"Right now my focus is on one of my stats that I call CER - my Chick Exposure Rate. See, as my CER increases, my probability of performing a critical hit (getting a date) dramatically increases. It's just a matter of simple statisti-" Davis then broke off, his eyes following an attractive University of Florida co-ed on rollerblades.
"Yow! Now that's a perfect level ten," Davis said appreciatively.
Davis explained that talking to the "level ten" girl was out of the question due to his lack of experience. "When you first start an RPG, you don't immediately strap on your leather armor and charge headlong at a Lich King. You've got to work your way up to it. And so it is with women."
Davis then made his way to a nearby bus stop where an aged homeless woman wearing Hefty bags on her feet was slouched against a fire hydrant.
"Now THIS is more like it!" Davis exclaimed enthusiastically.
He proceeded to have an animated discussion with the transient. After several minutes of conversation, Davis presented her with $1.58 in loose change and reported on his progress.
"I'd say I only get 5 EXP for that encounter," Davis said with some disappointment. "She was a very low-level creature. Still, every little bit contributes to that next level." He then logged the five experience points into his PDA.
Psychologist Greta Amberbock gave cautious approval when told of Davis's RPG approach to socializing. "It is often very helpful to have a reward system when dealing with social anxiety and other disorders," Amberbock said. "Of course, one must be sure that the reward itself is healthy. For a person who spends much of his time immersed in a video game world, it is perhaps not so healthy to have a video game related reward. Still, it appears that he has made progress and will continue to do so."
Added Amberbock, "At least until [Final Fantasy] Crystal Chronicles comes out."


Tuesday, August 12 12:01 AM EDT

Gamer Finds "Normal" Setting Impossible
By Brian Briggs
Akron, OH - Much like life, Rich Stiles of Ft. Wayne MI learned that "Normal" is too difficult for him on his favorite game Satana 2.
"It was so much harder that I kept dying on the 'Choose your character' screen. I'd type in my name, Rich, and my character would die. The only way I could get past that screen was to play a female character with a metal bra," explained Stiles.
As in real life, Rich learned that breasts could get you out of tough situations.
"I think the same people who designed this game also designed girls," continued Stiles. "I mean the easy ones are too easy, while the normal ones are near impossible to conquer."
Other gamers agree with Stiles. Sarah White from Columbus, Ohio said, "The Orcs go from sword fodder to Uruk-hai on steroids. I don't know how they expect anyone to finish it on that level. I mean I spent a whole 25 minutes on it then I just downloaded some cheat codes and advanced to the end game. I don't even know why they have a "difficult" setting. No one could ever play at that level."
Programmers admit that the Normal level can only be mastered if a person plays the game 24/7 until the next version comes out, or if the player has some freakish video game skills like those guys in the Dance Dance Revolution videos.

"Most people don't have that kind of time, so we don't even put in a "difficult" level, just the menu selection. If someone does choose it by accident we just go to a default blue screen," laughed head programmer of MiniSky Games Trish Erskin.
Rich's mother, Clara Stiles, agreed, "Rich really has some problems with normal."

Gaming (and movie) News!

I can't say that I have felt this excited (or level of dread )about a possible movie since The Lord of the Rings was announced but news has come down the wire about the finalization of a HALO movie based on the kick ass game from XBOX.

Find out more here.... News: Halo 3 to Release Alongside Halo Movie in 2007
http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/news/47888.shtml

Thing is, why should I get so excited about this? Well, first off, HALO kicks ass as a game. It also kicks ass as at great social tool to spend more time with friends, but also with your kids. I think that kids, boy or girl, like nothing more than to do kick their parents butt at a video game. My son, and daughter do it quite regularly when we have time to play it. Pretty much everyone has if not played the game, at least heard of it, and like The Lord of the Rings, it has a very active and rabid following of fans. If they manage to do the film correctly and spend the money needed to get the good special effects, this will be a big winner at the box office, at least when the gamers climb out of their dark holes, change their clothes, and put sun screen on their pasty skin to actually go out of the house (!) to see it. However, if the producers fail to listen to fans, or follow the story of the game, it will without a doubt, fail to make even a dent in box office sales.

I for one will geek out probably just as much as I would for any other fandom type of film.

The other problem with this movie is that it means, instead of June of 2006 as the release date for HALO 3, I will now have to wait until 2007 to play, what I hope, is the conclusion of the game. (why not release the game in 2006?) My son will be 13 when this happens and I hope that we will be able to afford the new XBOX to play it on! Ack!

Later!

What is it to be a man?

Very recently I have seen some very good and bad examples of what it is to be a man. A man at least in my humble opinion of what makes a man, a "man". And I don't mean just having testosterone and a penis, although that usually is a big help.
The two examples I recently saw were people I know, fairly well. One from an association over the last few years as a friend, a father, and fellow Scout leader. The other one is from an association over the last few years as a friend, a father, and fellow Scout Leader. Sounds like the same type of guy, right? Couldn't be further from the truth.

PERSON #1:

The first person is someone that I have known for many years now and he embodies everything that I believes makes a good man. He is a man of strong faith and conviction. He is someone that will, if possible, help his neighbors, friends, and even strangers at the drop of a hat. During a particularly difficult time for my family and I, this person was with us to support and help us on an almost constant basis, even after he had been gone from his family for a long period of time. He is very willing to give his time and money if others need it. I know him to be a person of great mirth, of which he loves to express, but also of deep emotion, which he tries to let not show through. He is a very committed, loving family man. He pretty much spoils his family. He is a firm family leader, but also a pushover when it comes to somethings involving his children. He works hard to earn a living, even if he does not like his job at times. He is also a very active member of his community. He is more than willing to sacrifice for his family, his friends, and his community. He does not think twice about taking responsibility for his actions. His actions are made so that the best possible outcome is the only result.

(I would say he is a product of his environment. I know as to what type of men he was exposed to as a child. Most of the men he knew were primarily old Germans, primarily German Lutherans to be specific, who had a very decidedly rock solid idea of what it was to be an man. My father is one, so I think I know pretty well what I am talking about.)

PERSON # 2:

Now, however, I have seen the other side of the coin. I recently had the misfortune to be involved with a person, who, I will say, was a friend of mine, and although tarnished, probably still is. For reasons of anonimoty, I will only speak in generalities, this person committed a crime where property belonging to others was taken for himself and for his benefit only. Prior to finding this out, I thought that this person was a pretty trusted, honest and honorable person. It was not the actual crime of taking property that makes this person less of a man to me, but the extent he went to, to divert attention from himself and his actions, and the lack of responsibility he would take for his actions. I supposed that it is natural to try and hid one's guilt when accused of a crime, but rather than try and prove his innocence, he told stories, claimed outrageous possibilites, but worst of all, he was willing to sacrifice his honor, his work, and finally his family in order to make himself out to be the victim.

I have had to be closely involved in the persecution of this person, and in the end, hopefully the salvation of this person and his family. In the beginning, this man was willing to point the finger of blame to his son. A son who has more honor and integrity in his little finger than this person had in his whole body. He was more willing to try and hide his guilt than come clean, to the extent that he was willing to sacrifice his job and therefore the monetary support of his family. He was even willing to try and use someone elses good name to cover his own! Throughout this entire time, he never really accepted his role in the crime, even though there was no one else involved. As restitutution, he was to accomplish a number of things to make things right. He had a perfect chance to resolve the problem and rebuild his integrity and the damage done to his family. But he did not make the effort needed to succeed at this and instead came dangerously close to losing everything. His poor wife had resigned herself to seeing the destruction of her family all due to his lack of concern for his actions and a real lack of responsibility. Again he was willing to destroy everything that should have been important to a real man. He was not willing to stand up and sacrifice for his family. There was no one left to defend and save his family.

I cannot say more about what happened other than, hopefully, with actions undertaken by myself and others(including Person #1), Person #2 will be forced to take responsibility for his actions and thereby saving saving his family. Maybe he will learn from this what it is to be more of a man. I certainly hope so. I know I have learned from his actions as to what it is to be a "man" as much as I have learned from Person #1.

Later...

Thoughts on the 40th Birthday...

Well okay. The 40th birthday of this organism called me is coming up soon. I have the party hall reserved, but no real plans have been made as of yet. I do have the music under control as I will just use my own system and set it up. No plans for food or drink have been settled as of yet. Also, I have not made a real invite list yet. I have a very good idea of who to invite but have not yet sent any out. Also, what else, besides eating, drinking, hanging out, visiting, some dancing, and general partying should I have planned? I am up for any suggestions. I suppose that at some point I will be made the butt of many a joke or comment, and that is okay, but should something special be done? I am in quandry. Any suggestions from the multitudes that read this are welcome. I would appreciate it.

Motorcycle manners...

What you see before you is my new Motorcycle, a 2003 Honda VTX 1800R. I have had it since June28th, but have not written much about it as on the day I picked it up, one of my dogs suffered either a heat stroke or a brain stroke and the worry kind of took the thrill out of the purchase. And then the 4th of July weekend comes around and that is a busy time for me, so no attempt to hit the Blog was made. And then, I head out to Boston for 10 days. And finally, when I get back, my other dog suffers a major stroke and passes away, leaving me without much concern for writing about something that I have lusted after for so long. But now things are back to normal, so to speak and I must tell you about my Bike.
A Honda VTX 1800 is the largest production V-Twin motorcyle on the streets today, bigger than anything else anyone has to offer. (soon there is to be a Kawasaki 2000) It can (and has) do 70 mph at 3rd gear with 2 more gears to go. It has trememdous power but is a dream to ride. (Although my wife's rear end my argue that point.) But I am not here to talk about the bike. You can see how beautiful she is from the photo. What I want to talk about is the etiquette or manners that bikers must have when riding on the road. Specifically, the greeting or handwave given to other bikers you meet on the road.

As long as I have ridden a motorcycle on the road, I have made a point to wave at other motorcycle riders I meet. However, in these years I have noticed something that makes me curious. Why is it that any time I pass a rider on a Harley Davidson, I rarely get a wave, or even a nod of acknowledgement? If I pass another biker, on something other than a Harley, almost 95% of the time I will get the low hand wave ( the wave of the clutch hand removed from the handle and extended out straight, parallel to the ground), or if he or she is a more friendly, the high hand wave (the wave of the clutch hand, raised up from the handle into the air). If I am riding and wearing a helmet, and the other person is wearing a helmet, and normally not on a Harley, I get a wave almost 100% of the time.

Now, if I pass a Harley rider along the road and I am wearing a helmet, even if I give him or her a wave, I get no wave back. This almost always happens. If I am not wearing a helmet, I might get a wave one out of ten times. Why is this? Maybe when I do get a wave, my guess is that they probably think I am on a Harley and then deserve the brotherly wave. (Sometimes, I get a small finger wave, which I suspect is becasue they can't really tell if I am on a Harley or not.) I know that if it is obvious that I am a "rice burner" I will not get the wave. Why? Are we not all part of the two wheeled brotherhood? We all have motorcycles for pretty much the same reason. Is it part of the Harley handbook that you be a snob and effect the airs of someone who is a bad ass? I know that most Harley riders are really good guys, so why then do they act so unfriendly on the road?

I probably will never really know. It is probably a secret. And in reality it is no big thing, but wouldn't the road be alot nicer if people waved at each other alot more? I for one will wave at every biker I meet. And now, with the VTX, it is much harder to tell from a distance, what her manufacturer is. I bet I get alot more Harley riders waving at me...

Later!