Monday, May 31, 2004
MEMORIAL DAY
Summer is upon us. Backyard barbecues. Sitting on the deck, enjoying the breeze and marveling at the warmth of the sun hitting our winter weary bodies. The smell of freshly cut grass as your neighbor mows his lawn. The sounds of kids riding their bikes, excitement in their voices because they know that summer vacation is right around the corner.
The endless possibilities that summer brings to life again in the part of our souls where optimism reigns king.
We must remember the reasons for having a Memorial Day. A person is becoming part of the reason everyday, not only in Iraq, but in the military installations around the country. Today, a raw recruit was woken up for his first day in boot camp, with the drill instructor yelling in the dark pre-dawn, and that person is wondering "What did I get myself into?"
For that young person, I hope what they got themselves into is a rewarding experience that brings them pride, honor, and a sense of accomplishment. I hope that you will have the opportunity to remember the pride and honor that you felt wearing your uniform. And also remember those who don't have that same ability.
While part of this day's purpose is solemn and sad, the other part of it is for us to enjoy the day to it's fullest. This is the thing that people also must bear in mind. If we don't make it a day to have fun and laugh and play, then what those men and women died for is lost.
They gave so we could have.
Don't refuse their gift.
"Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting."
-- Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco
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Summer is upon us. Backyard barbecues. Sitting on the deck, enjoying the breeze and marveling at the warmth of the sun hitting our winter weary bodies. The smell of freshly cut grass as your neighbor mows his lawn. The sounds of kids riding their bikes, excitement in their voices because they know that summer vacation is right around the corner.
The endless possibilities that summer brings to life again in the part of our souls where optimism reigns king.
We must remember the reasons for having a Memorial Day. A person is becoming part of the reason everyday, not only in Iraq, but in the military installations around the country. Today, a raw recruit was woken up for his first day in boot camp, with the drill instructor yelling in the dark pre-dawn, and that person is wondering "What did I get myself into?"
For that young person, I hope what they got themselves into is a rewarding experience that brings them pride, honor, and a sense of accomplishment. I hope that you will have the opportunity to remember the pride and honor that you felt wearing your uniform. And also remember those who don't have that same ability.
While part of this day's purpose is solemn and sad, the other part of it is for us to enjoy the day to it's fullest. This is the thing that people also must bear in mind. If we don't make it a day to have fun and laugh and play, then what those men and women died for is lost.
They gave so we could have.
Don't refuse their gift.
"Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting."
-- Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco
Sunday, May 23, 2004
A MAY WEDDING
I attended a wedding reception today. I went because I made the promise that I would. I only knew about three or four people there, because it was work related, which is the only reason I was invited.
Things did not bode well when I arrived at the VFW hall where the reception was to be held. The power was off. The only bright spot was that the bar was serving ice water, orange juice, and beer. Three guesses as to which beverage I chose. And the first two don't count.
I mingled, a lot of "Hi, I'm Rick. I work at the same place as Tom and Jean (the parents of the bride). I sure hope that the lights come on soon."
Well, the lights did come on about 2 hours later, and the party started. Somewhat.
There were no "single" woman there. Which was fine. Surprising, but fine, none the less. I tried to talk to some of the gentlemen there, but all I got was monosyllabic answers from most of them. So, I made the rounds and left at the earliest possible moment.
Weddings do make me ponder a couple of things though. First is how much the couple is in love at that very moment.
Then, I can't help but wonder, "Do they know what they're doing?".
Because that person who seems so perfect right then, may be the 3am snore next to you in bed a few months down the road.
Was this person worth the effort you put into doing that chicken dance?
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I attended a wedding reception today. I went because I made the promise that I would. I only knew about three or four people there, because it was work related, which is the only reason I was invited.
Things did not bode well when I arrived at the VFW hall where the reception was to be held. The power was off. The only bright spot was that the bar was serving ice water, orange juice, and beer. Three guesses as to which beverage I chose. And the first two don't count.
I mingled, a lot of "Hi, I'm Rick. I work at the same place as Tom and Jean (the parents of the bride). I sure hope that the lights come on soon."
Well, the lights did come on about 2 hours later, and the party started. Somewhat.
There were no "single" woman there. Which was fine. Surprising, but fine, none the less. I tried to talk to some of the gentlemen there, but all I got was monosyllabic answers from most of them. So, I made the rounds and left at the earliest possible moment.
Weddings do make me ponder a couple of things though. First is how much the couple is in love at that very moment.
Then, I can't help but wonder, "Do they know what they're doing?".
Because that person who seems so perfect right then, may be the 3am snore next to you in bed a few months down the road.
Was this person worth the effort you put into doing that chicken dance?
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Reunions
Hi,
You are invited to the Firelands High School Class of 1983 Reunion!
Want to join us for Memorial Weekend get together?
Just show up May 29th, 2004 at Church Street Bar and Grill.
Decisions, decisions.
I got this e-mail recently. At first, I thought, heck yeah, sounds like a good time. Now I am having doubts.
It's not that I don't want to see the people with whom I graduated. Nor is it that I don't want them to see me.
I'm just worried that they will be old.
I haven't attended any of the reunions so far. Not the 5 year, 10 year, 15 year, or the 20 year. The closest that I came was the 10 year pre-reunion at this same club as listed above. (It's owned by a guy in my graduating class.) But, family committments precluded me from attending the actual reunion. And the other reunions, work or the fact that I lived very far away kept me from attending them.
So, except for the occasional chance meeting, I haven't seen most of those people since graduation day. So, I don't know what to expect.
My other quandry is should I try to get a date for this thing, or go stag.
Yeah, that's what I need. A first date while I'm nervous about seeing people that I haven't seen in 21 years.
Should be good for a laugh. Or a complete melt-down.
Maybe I should just go stag.
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Hi,
You are invited to the Firelands High School Class of 1983 Reunion!
Want to join us for Memorial Weekend get together?
Just show up May 29th, 2004 at Church Street Bar and Grill.
Decisions, decisions.
I got this e-mail recently. At first, I thought, heck yeah, sounds like a good time. Now I am having doubts.
It's not that I don't want to see the people with whom I graduated. Nor is it that I don't want them to see me.
I'm just worried that they will be old.
I haven't attended any of the reunions so far. Not the 5 year, 10 year, 15 year, or the 20 year. The closest that I came was the 10 year pre-reunion at this same club as listed above. (It's owned by a guy in my graduating class.) But, family committments precluded me from attending the actual reunion. And the other reunions, work or the fact that I lived very far away kept me from attending them.
So, except for the occasional chance meeting, I haven't seen most of those people since graduation day. So, I don't know what to expect.
My other quandry is should I try to get a date for this thing, or go stag.
Yeah, that's what I need. A first date while I'm nervous about seeing people that I haven't seen in 21 years.
Should be good for a laugh. Or a complete melt-down.
Maybe I should just go stag.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Pedius-Oraliuos
Well, it's that time of my normal cycle again. I'm developing Pedius-Oraliuos again. In laymens terms, that's foot-in-mouth disease. I get it at random intervals.
Sometimes, I will be talking to someone and I say exactly what is on my mind. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I say things that I don't want to let out, or in a way that I didn't want to say it. This is bad, because when there is a female of the women variety that I am interested in, I either come off as pushy, or as an jerk, or both. Plus, I then practice the fine art of kicking myself in the posterior repeatedly until I feel I have been sufficiently punished for saying something really dumb.
There is a certain truth to telling someone that you're interested in them romantically right out and as soon as you have figured it out. But, if you jump the gun, or say it in the wrong way, it will not work out the way that you hope it will. There is something to be said for keeping a bit of mystery about things.
But, no. Not me in my foot-in-mouth times. I just have to get weird and say things with out thinking it through. Stupid thing is, I haven't really even met the person that I am interested in now. Not in the traditional sense anyway. Cryptic, I know. But I am not tasting my tootsies right at this moment.
I wonder if I should start chewing Dr. Scholls now.
New, out of the package, of course.
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Well, it's that time of my normal cycle again. I'm developing Pedius-Oraliuos again. In laymens terms, that's foot-in-mouth disease. I get it at random intervals.
Sometimes, I will be talking to someone and I say exactly what is on my mind. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I say things that I don't want to let out, or in a way that I didn't want to say it. This is bad, because when there is a female of the women variety that I am interested in, I either come off as pushy, or as an jerk, or both. Plus, I then practice the fine art of kicking myself in the posterior repeatedly until I feel I have been sufficiently punished for saying something really dumb.
There is a certain truth to telling someone that you're interested in them romantically right out and as soon as you have figured it out. But, if you jump the gun, or say it in the wrong way, it will not work out the way that you hope it will. There is something to be said for keeping a bit of mystery about things.
But, no. Not me in my foot-in-mouth times. I just have to get weird and say things with out thinking it through. Stupid thing is, I haven't really even met the person that I am interested in now. Not in the traditional sense anyway. Cryptic, I know. But I am not tasting my tootsies right at this moment.
I wonder if I should start chewing Dr. Scholls now.
New, out of the package, of course.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH
Sorry. Tension breaker. Had to be done.
You can take your hands down from over your ears now. Wait, what am I saying. I can take my hands down from over my ears now. I'm done screaming.
I am so frustrated right now. Met a seemingly nice young lady yesterday. Talked to her for a few minutes, we seemed to click a bit, and I asked her to have a drink with me. Seemed like a good plan at the time. Little did I know.
Okay, picture this. Nice little Irish pub. Table off to the side a bit. Not quite dark, but the lighting is soft. Some music, not loud, but not too low. My first thought was,"Good, she showed up". That's always a question, ya know. I walk up to her, and say "Quick, drink your drink, and let's get out of here before the guy you're with gets back". ( I know that's lame, but I was nervous, so give me a break.) That got a snicker, so I thought that the date was starting off well. I ordered a drink, an Irish car bomb, which is a Guinness with a shot of Baileys dropped in it, ala a Boilermaker. I think that there is something else in there also, but I'm getting off the story.
So, the conversation starts. We made small talk until the waitress brought my drink. And, then, WHAM. She tells me that she had been at this place with her ex-fiance. "Really" I asked jokingly, "Is he here now?" She says "No, but he brought me here after he bought me an antique sideboard at the shop a couple of blocks over." This was an indicator of things to come.
The next 35 minutes she went on and on about all the things that he had bought for her. Ad nauseum.
Next thing I knew, I had a pressing engagement to attend to. Not sure what it was yet, but I'll think of something. But, on the bright side, I met a living, breathing definition of "vapid".
At this point, I'd become a monk if the pay wasn't so low.
Wait. Monk?
Monk=no possibility of lovin'.
Forget I said that.
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Sorry. Tension breaker. Had to be done.
You can take your hands down from over your ears now. Wait, what am I saying. I can take my hands down from over my ears now. I'm done screaming.
I am so frustrated right now. Met a seemingly nice young lady yesterday. Talked to her for a few minutes, we seemed to click a bit, and I asked her to have a drink with me. Seemed like a good plan at the time. Little did I know.
Okay, picture this. Nice little Irish pub. Table off to the side a bit. Not quite dark, but the lighting is soft. Some music, not loud, but not too low. My first thought was,"Good, she showed up". That's always a question, ya know. I walk up to her, and say "Quick, drink your drink, and let's get out of here before the guy you're with gets back". ( I know that's lame, but I was nervous, so give me a break.) That got a snicker, so I thought that the date was starting off well. I ordered a drink, an Irish car bomb, which is a Guinness with a shot of Baileys dropped in it, ala a Boilermaker. I think that there is something else in there also, but I'm getting off the story.
So, the conversation starts. We made small talk until the waitress brought my drink. And, then, WHAM. She tells me that she had been at this place with her ex-fiance. "Really" I asked jokingly, "Is he here now?" She says "No, but he brought me here after he bought me an antique sideboard at the shop a couple of blocks over." This was an indicator of things to come.
The next 35 minutes she went on and on about all the things that he had bought for her. Ad nauseum.
Next thing I knew, I had a pressing engagement to attend to. Not sure what it was yet, but I'll think of something. But, on the bright side, I met a living, breathing definition of "vapid".
At this point, I'd become a monk if the pay wasn't so low.
Wait. Monk?
Monk=no possibility of lovin'.
Forget I said that.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
FRIENDS
Ok, another serious post. I'll try not to make a habit of this.
What am I saying? This is mine, I can do what I want.
NEENER, NEENER
Anyhoo,
I was talking to a really great person last night, and she got me on the subject of my friends. I have to say, I have some really outstanding friends. Some that have stood by me when I have been very down and out. Some of them have been my friends for many years. Some have only been my friends for a few years. But they have all been there for me when I needed it. And I hope that I have been there for them. Lord knows that I have tried.
But, they say you can tell a lot about someone by the friends that they keep. I hope that people see the friends that I have and judge me by them. I can't say enough about them.
But, alas, I must try to say enough about them in a hundred words or less. Not a lot of space here.
I have some good friends. There are also some folks I have met on the net that may become good friends. Time will tell.
It is a rich man that can say he has true friends.
"One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible."
-- Henry Brooks Adams
But, it is possible, Hank.
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Ok, another serious post. I'll try not to make a habit of this.
What am I saying? This is mine, I can do what I want.
NEENER, NEENER
Anyhoo,
I was talking to a really great person last night, and she got me on the subject of my friends. I have to say, I have some really outstanding friends. Some that have stood by me when I have been very down and out. Some of them have been my friends for many years. Some have only been my friends for a few years. But they have all been there for me when I needed it. And I hope that I have been there for them. Lord knows that I have tried.
But, they say you can tell a lot about someone by the friends that they keep. I hope that people see the friends that I have and judge me by them. I can't say enough about them.
But, alas, I must try to say enough about them in a hundred words or less. Not a lot of space here.
I have some good friends. There are also some folks I have met on the net that may become good friends. Time will tell.
It is a rich man that can say he has true friends.
"One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible."
-- Henry Brooks Adams
But, it is possible, Hank.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
NICE GUYS
Well, where I was going on my last post is where I am going to attempt to go on this one. Wish me luck.
You see it all the time. Nice girl with an asshole of a guy. He treats her really badly. Sometimes I just want to pull the girl aside and tell her, "He's not gonna get any better, so cut your loses, and find a decent guy".
But I know that it wouldn't change anything. So, what's the use?
I know this though. When I'm in a relationship, I try to treat the object of my affection with respect. Golden Rule. (And that's not do unto others before they do unto you, Wisenheimers.) Flowers. Nice deeds for no reason. Surprising them in your birthday suit. Singing to them in public. Ok, some women don't like those last two. But some do.
So to all those ladies who are wondering where the nice guys are, I have one with me all the time.
I'll introduce you to him if you ask me nicely.
"Doubt of the reality of love ends by making us doubt everything."
-- Henri-Frédéric Amiel
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Well, where I was going on my last post is where I am going to attempt to go on this one. Wish me luck.
You see it all the time. Nice girl with an asshole of a guy. He treats her really badly. Sometimes I just want to pull the girl aside and tell her, "He's not gonna get any better, so cut your loses, and find a decent guy".
But I know that it wouldn't change anything. So, what's the use?
I know this though. When I'm in a relationship, I try to treat the object of my affection with respect. Golden Rule. (And that's not do unto others before they do unto you, Wisenheimers.) Flowers. Nice deeds for no reason. Surprising them in your birthday suit. Singing to them in public. Ok, some women don't like those last two. But some do.
So to all those ladies who are wondering where the nice guys are, I have one with me all the time.
I'll introduce you to him if you ask me nicely.
"Doubt of the reality of love ends by making us doubt everything."
-- Henri-Frédéric Amiel
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
I was around a couple today that is one of those pairs where one of the people is very much in charge, and the other just goes along with everything to make the "boss" happy. I think most folks know the type I'm talking about.
I think some parts of these kinds of relationships have to do with the human psyche. The desire to have something that we can't truly possess. For most people, you telling them they can't have something makes them want it even more.
You know the deal. Person "one" puppy dogs person "second". "Second" is just nonchalant about the whole thing.
Sometimes the "second" is really a control freak, and realizes that they can control "one". So they control everything. I don't know.
I have been in situations like this on both sides of the teeter tooter. I have been the puppy dog, and the nonchalant person. When I was the nonchalant person, as soon as I figured out that the match was not what I wanted, I was honest with the girl, and ended it so that maybe she could find a guy that would be really interested in her. It's the honorable thing to do. After all, I want to be able to look at my reflection in my lime jello. You know, the jello with the grapes that aren't normal grapes?
What are those things anyhow?
Ach, whatever. I just want a lady that will be my partner. Partners trade off taking the lead. Not being the boss. Just leading when the other partner is a little unsure. And always doing what's best for the other. Even if it's inconvenient.
Or makes your arm go to sleep.
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I think some parts of these kinds of relationships have to do with the human psyche. The desire to have something that we can't truly possess. For most people, you telling them they can't have something makes them want it even more.
You know the deal. Person "one" puppy dogs person "second". "Second" is just nonchalant about the whole thing.
Sometimes the "second" is really a control freak, and realizes that they can control "one". So they control everything. I don't know.
I have been in situations like this on both sides of the teeter tooter. I have been the puppy dog, and the nonchalant person. When I was the nonchalant person, as soon as I figured out that the match was not what I wanted, I was honest with the girl, and ended it so that maybe she could find a guy that would be really interested in her. It's the honorable thing to do. After all, I want to be able to look at my reflection in my lime jello. You know, the jello with the grapes that aren't normal grapes?
What are those things anyhow?
Ach, whatever. I just want a lady that will be my partner. Partners trade off taking the lead. Not being the boss. Just leading when the other partner is a little unsure. And always doing what's best for the other. Even if it's inconvenient.
Or makes your arm go to sleep.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Well, did something today that I haven't done in a long time.
Worked on a hotrod truck.
(Cue the Tim Allen style grunting. Cause I can't figure out how to spell it, or I would)
Man, the smell of the gas, the load roar of the engine. That used to be all that I wanted to do in life. Besides being a rock star. And a racecar driver. A famous actor. A brilliant doctor....wait....where was I?
Oh, yeah...working on the truck. I rebuilt the carb on it and was really happy that I remembered how. The thing fired right up when we put it on. So, chalk one up for me.
Now, if I could figure out how to keep a relationship running well, ya know, fixing things when I over rev it, my life would be so much easier.
Do they have an AAA for this kind of thing?
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Worked on a hotrod truck.
(Cue the Tim Allen style grunting. Cause I can't figure out how to spell it, or I would)
Man, the smell of the gas, the load roar of the engine. That used to be all that I wanted to do in life. Besides being a rock star. And a racecar driver. A famous actor. A brilliant doctor....wait....where was I?
Oh, yeah...working on the truck. I rebuilt the carb on it and was really happy that I remembered how. The thing fired right up when we put it on. So, chalk one up for me.
Now, if I could figure out how to keep a relationship running well, ya know, fixing things when I over rev it, my life would be so much easier.
Do they have an AAA for this kind of thing?
Well, it is late on Mama's Day. I hope everyone at least called their Mom. Also, if you know a mom or a wife of a servicemen, do something nice for them. This is a day that is even harder on them than normal, which I know is very hard to begin with. So, if you can, try to make that persons day a bit brighter.
"You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by."
-- Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937), British writer
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"You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by."
-- Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937), British writer
Friday, May 07, 2004
Ok, serious for a minute. Short minute.
I read something tonight that has contributed to my disillusionment in the basic premise that people treat others with respect. I won't mention here where I read it because I feel that, in a way, it would be an invasion of privacy.
It is becoming more and more apparent that treating others as a feeling being is no longer the norm, but the exception. Guys lying to women for no other reason than to build up their seemingly damaged ego. Not to mention their damaged brain. WTF dude?
I have been treated badly at times by women in my life. One of them nearly destroyed me, and who I am as a person, because I began to wonder if there was something wrong with me, and if there was, I could see no point in continuing. When you deliberately mis-lead someone in matters of the heart, you are committing one of the cruelest injuries to them that can be imagined. What you are doing is attacking their soul. The essence of that person. And then, when they do meet someone that is sincere, and honorable, they might pass that person by because they are afraid to get hurt again. Thus, you are hurting more than just one person by being a creep.
I was fortunate to have people that helped me when I was hurt like this, but it still makes me livid when I see others treated in this fashion.
I wish I could say something to these folks to help, but I'm afraid it would open wounds that are just beginning to close. But, for them, I wish peace.
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
-Helen Keller
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I read something tonight that has contributed to my disillusionment in the basic premise that people treat others with respect. I won't mention here where I read it because I feel that, in a way, it would be an invasion of privacy.
It is becoming more and more apparent that treating others as a feeling being is no longer the norm, but the exception. Guys lying to women for no other reason than to build up their seemingly damaged ego. Not to mention their damaged brain. WTF dude?
I have been treated badly at times by women in my life. One of them nearly destroyed me, and who I am as a person, because I began to wonder if there was something wrong with me, and if there was, I could see no point in continuing. When you deliberately mis-lead someone in matters of the heart, you are committing one of the cruelest injuries to them that can be imagined. What you are doing is attacking their soul. The essence of that person. And then, when they do meet someone that is sincere, and honorable, they might pass that person by because they are afraid to get hurt again. Thus, you are hurting more than just one person by being a creep.
I was fortunate to have people that helped me when I was hurt like this, but it still makes me livid when I see others treated in this fashion.
I wish I could say something to these folks to help, but I'm afraid it would open wounds that are just beginning to close. But, for them, I wish peace.
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
-Helen Keller
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
May is Fungal Infection Awareness Month.
All I can say is, it's about time someone realized this is a big problem.
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All I can say is, it's about time someone realized this is a big problem.
Some people really love their pets.
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Now this city council is thinking.
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Another horrid nail gun accident. Will they never learn?
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I hope everybody is as excited as I am about the upcoming International Tuba Day. It's on May 7th for those who forget such important dates.
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Guys, if you are going to get into a fight with your lady, be careful of what you mount on you walls.
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Monday, May 03, 2004
OK.....whether you were interested or not...this is me.
LINK
Little less hair now, add a Fu Manchu.....but it's me.
This was about 5 years ago, so give me a break.
I'll put a more recent one on here when I either find one, or have another taken.
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LINK
Little less hair now, add a Fu Manchu.....but it's me.
This was about 5 years ago, so give me a break.
I'll put a more recent one on here when I either find one, or have another taken.
Sunday, May 02, 2004
I got this link from Dave's blog, and I made this same comment there. So, sue me, I liked it.
But, really, if it had been me making it, I would have had to make it a bobblehand doll.
He is der Gropenfuehrer.
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But, really, if it had been me making it, I would have had to make it a bobblehand doll.
He is der Gropenfuehrer.
