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!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Thursday, November 03, 2005
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!
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!
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