What It's About

Welcome to my blog! I ruminate on random thoughts rattling around in my brain. Subjects range from reality TV to current events and everything in between. Whether you agree with me or not, I welcome your comments. God gave you the ability to think for yourself, and this country was founded based on the right to have your own opinion. Who am I to question that? Hope you enjoy! And, if you like to shop on the internet, or have always wanted to try, please feel free to click on one of the banners on the left. Do admit I get a small commission for anything you buy through the links. Appreciate it if you do decide to buy something!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Childhood Memories

Axl Rose has a song about childhood memories and have had a few of those today. Went to help clean out my parents' house this morning. No, nothing happened to them. They have decided to move out after almost 30 years so my father won't have to navigate the stairs anymore.

Went out on the back deck and a flood of memories came to me while I was looking at the woods and the creek. Have talked before about how great memories can be and how one person's memories can trigger yours. Thought I would share a few I had today. More for the cathartic effect if nothing else. Anyway, here we go:
  • My sister and I wearing roller skates the first time we went there. Was a little difficult going up and down the steps but we made it somehow without breaking our necks;
  • Trying to restore the tree house with my friend Roger. We were going to use it as the proverbial club house. Ended up using the storage space/cellar under the house instead;
  • The various business ventures he and I came up with. Never made the first dime off any of them. But, wasn't surprised when I found out he has his own business now;
  • Many days playing football, basketball, and riding bikes with my various friends;
  • Many long conversations with good friends;
  • Listening to Pink Floyd alone in the dark;
  • Playing Atari at my friend Michael's house;
  • His sister taking us to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time. Can still remember seeing women in bustiers for the first time;
  • Watching M*A*S*H on my little black and white TV after the late news;
  • Being grateful Michael had a VCR to tape the final episode. We had a Jr. Achievement meeting that night and couldn't watch it as it aired;
  • Having Christmas at home a couple of days before Christmas every year cuz we spent Christmas Day at my grandparents;
  • Hearing the PA from the 13-14 little league field during baseball season. That old man had a true cigarette and whiskey voice. Not even sure he took the cigarette out of his mouth while he was announcing;
  • Mr. Mayhall, the band director, speaking Swahili to us (at least his version of it) when we wouldn't listen to what he was trying to tell us;
  • My father asking if we were going to have twins when we told my parents Stacey was pregnant. We had no way of knowing at the time that we were. Still haven't figured out what made him ask that.

There are more I could list but am getting tired of typing and you are probably getting bored, too. They actually move next week so will probably have more when I go over to help with that. May not share those, though. Anyway, as my dad put it today, at least we're not having to do this cuz someone died.

Later.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

You Might Be Getting Old If...

Have had time to do some thinking cuz it's just too dang cold to go outside this weekend in the Deep South. Normally cold weather doesn't affect me, but just not ready for it right now. Anyway, sometimes when you think, you think deep thoughts and you feel like you resolve some issues. Other times, not so much. Well, this has been a not-so-much weekend.

One topic which has been in me gray matter is some things which MIGHT indicate your getting a little long in the tooth. Decided to share my thoughts with you. So, here we go, some signs you MIGHT be getting old:
  • Realizing the coaches you see on TV are the same guys you used to watch play the game
  • The players you watch now are the children of the players you used to watch several years ago
  • The floor is not making the creaks and pops heard while you walk
  • Wondering how the person who cuts your hair snuck in those silver highlights you see in the mirror
  • Hearing songs you've always liked on Muzak
  • Actually liking the Muzak version a little better than the original
  • Hearing new songs on the radio and wonder, "What the &$*# is that?"
  • Never hearing of today's pop stars until they make headlines for all the wrong reasons
  • Predicting the weather by which body part aches
  • Pondering longer on how your body may react rather than how it tastes when choosing food and drink
  • Starting sentences with the phrase "Well, when I was your age..."
  • Instead of going out on the town at 11 pm, you hope you can stay awake 'til then
  • Seeing sunrises cuz you're just getting up rather than just getting in
  • The anti-establishment behavior you used to think was cool now annoys you
  • You're not crazy about your kids watching Looney Tunes because now you understand the humor
  • Not making fun of the Lifealert and Little Rascal commercials anymore
  • Having to ask your kids how to work the latest techno-gadgets

These are just a few I've thought of. Please feel free to submit a few of your own.

Stay golden.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

More Gapses in the Synapses

Before I get started, want to point out the music which is playing. This song is the Apocalyptica song I've talked about several times on here. It's their version of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters using nothing but cellos. Hope you like it. If you don't, you can always turn your volume down. Thanks to my wife for showing me how to get it loaded on here.

A few random thoughts:
  • Really enjoyed running in the Susan G Komen, a great and wonderful cause, Race for the Cure 5K this weekend. Hope you can tell that from my previous post, but thought I would say it again. It is an awesome cause. The only drawback is there are a lot of walkers who start in front of people who want to run. Think I covered an extra half mile weaving in between all of them. One or two people walking together is not a big deal. But, when there are 6 people walking side-by-side, that is a little much when you choose to start in front of runners. Not trying to discourage people from participating any way they can. Just think you should be a little more cognizant of your surroundings if you are going to do that;
  • My kids are out on fall break for the next two days. Fall break?! We never had that when we were in school. Why, we had to walk to school in 6 feet...wait, never mind about that. Anyway, it seems like they take a lot more breaks nowadays than when we went to school. More power to 'em, I reckon;
  • Anybody play Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook? Can't decide if I like this new version or not. You score a lot more points, but it seems a little less challenging. Does anybody else think of Bill Murray in Caddyshack when the voice says, "Excellent"? Kind of sounds like Montgomery Burns on The Simpsons, too;
  • So, the Nobel committee awarded President Obama their peace prize. It's their award. Reckon they can do what they want with it. Couldn't believe it when I first heard it. Made a little more sense when I read they sometimes do that to encourage people to continue their course. Hope no one is mad at the president for it. He didn't vote on it and probably would tell you he doesn't deserve it at this point, either. Personally am in the school of thought that thinks this may make things even tougher on him. We shall see;
  • Looks like there will be some form of health care reform before too long. All for that, just hope they hold the course with no public option. There's no way the country will be able to afford it, and there's only so long we can keep spending money we don't have. We may all be millionaires in the future but a loaf of bread will cost $5,000 because the dollar won't be worth the paper it's printed on. That's what happens when governments keep printing money with nothing behind it. It leads to inflation, which is a deeper discussion than I want to get in to right now. Just to give you an idea of what can happen: after World War I, Germany kept printing money so its people would have money. They eventually printed so much of it that it was worthless and people were using their paper money as wallpaper. Let's hope that doesn't happen here;
  • Saw where someone is auctioning off some of Michael Jackson's hair which was burnt back in 1984. First, wonder who would want to buy it (although I'm sure someone will)? Second, why would someone keep something like that all this time? What is this world coming to?
  • This is a good time of year for TV. Survivor, Biggest Loser, and Amazing Race are all on the airwaves. If they could have Deadliest Catch on, too, it would be perfect. Of all of them, I would want to be on Survivor the most followed by Amazing Race. I'm overweight, but nowhere near enough to be considered for the Biggest Loser. Was disappointed Coach Mo was sent home from BL last night, but when I saw him wearing that boot, figured that was foreshadowing he was not much longer for the show. Am soooo ready for the lawyer to be out of AR. He just grates on my nerves because he always talks about how smart he is but he can't find his way out of a paper bag then blames it all on his soon-to-be wife. Oy;
  • Was sad to see Captain Lou Albano died yesterday. You may know him from the Cyndi Lauper videos. Or, you may actually know him from WWE wrestling but just don't want to admit it. He was a great villain and knew how to keep the crowd involved. Not many around today like him. RIP, Captain Lou;
  • In case you're curious, my cholesterol came back at 173. At least it's below the 200 threshold, but still have to watch it. Encourage you to have yours tested, too. If you have health insurance, check to see if you have preventive medicine coverage cuz this would fall under it and there's usually no deductible for that particular coverage. Have to go back Monday to get my blood pressure retested to see if I will need to start medication for that. Not holding out much hope on that.

In the words of the great Mick Foley, "Have a nice day!"

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Susan G Komen, A Great and Wonderful Cause, 5K


Had the opportunity to run in the Susan G Komen, a great and wonderful cause, Race for the Cure 5K over the weekend. It was an awesome experience to see that many people come together for one cause. According to what I've heard, there were about 14,000 people who ran in either the 5K or the one mile fun run in Birmingham alone. A great turnout, especially for a cool and rainy Saturday morning in the middle of college football season.

The picture above is our crew of folks that ran. We belong to the same church and most of us are in the same Sunday school class. One other husband also participated, but he had stepped away for a moment when the picture was taken. Several things stand out to me when I look at this picture:

  1. Sure have some skinny legs compared to the rest of my body. (Lost 25 lbs in the last couple of months so the rest of my body is catching up);

  2. The 7 year old was the fastest of the bunch;

  3. More importantly, statistically speaking, at least one of the women will be struck by breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Think about that for a second. Pretty startling.

While I was running in the race, my mind wandered to many subjects. The one that kept coming up was how breast cancer has affected my family. My grandmother and mother both are survivors. My aunt was not so lucky although she put up a good fight. That's three women in two generations of the same family who have been affected. Chances are good that other women on this side of the family will also have to battle the disease before it's all said and done.

Thought about my aunt Tricia when I saw folks running in memory of someone else. She was a great woman who taught first grade. She loved kids but oddly enough never had any biological children of her own. Can still see the tears streaming down the preacher's face while he was giving her eulogy. Still think about her often and wonder why God chose to bring her back home. Maybe He liked her singing and was ready for her to join his choir. Don't know. Do know her battle has inspired a lot of people, and that probably had something to do with it, too. Funny how He works that way. Anyway...

Breast cancer research is one of those things I always give to whenever I can. Do it in honor of my mother and grandmother and in memory of my aunt. I'm sure there's someone in your life who has been touched by this disease and would encourage you to do what you can, too. Even if you don't contribute to finding a cure for this disease, giving to research on another disease could lead to the cure for that one and a whole bunch of others. Already planning to run again next year.

If you are a woman, be sure to check yourself early and often for lumps and make sure you get your mammograms when you are supposed to. Right now, early detection is the best and most effective way to defeat this disease. Someday these won't be necessary, but, for now, they are. And, men, just for the record, we get breast cancer, too, although it's a much smaller percentage. So, it won't hurt to check yourself, either.

Until next time...

Monday, October 5, 2009

Shallow Thoughts

Do any of you remember the old Saturday Night Live vignettes Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey? Well, these are some of my shallow thoughts, but thought I would pay homage to him, anyway. Loved those things. Anyway...

  • Tried to watch Monday Night Football tonight, but all the Brett Favre worship is making me sick. Yes, he is one of the all-time greats of the game. But, every time he completes a pass you would think it was the greatest pass ever thrown and no one else in the NFL could have done it. Just reminds me why I hardly ever watch ESPN anymore. Too much hype and not enough substance. Oh brother;
  • Can't really figure out why some media folks are making such a big deal about David Letterman and his office romances. Doubt he's much of a role model to kids, especially since most of them are in bed when his show comes on. He's never really been one to take the moral high-ground, either. At least he didn't when I used to watch his show. He's an entertainer. He's not a journalist or anything else where he has to establish credibility. He makes his living telling jokes. Now, don't get me wrong, not saying what he's done is acceptable to me. But, he's human, which means he's a sinner just like the rest of us;
  • Went to the doctor today and had high blood pressure. Bet my bloodwork will show I have high cholesterol, too. Thought my recent diet and exercise would help all that. Guess I'm getting old. Probably can't expect to erase years of not paying attention to my health in just a few months, either;
  • Did you watch Amazing Race Sunday night? Loved Phil's line to the attorney, "Looks like the gazelles and zebras are outrunning the lion right now." That dude's been bragging about how he's the lion and the rest of the contestants are his prey and also talking about how smart he is. He gets lost just about every time he gets out of the cab or off the plane. Reminds me of the old joke where the "smartest man in the world" grabs the backpack instead of the parachute;
  • Today my daughter told me I had a great job. When I asked why she thought that, she said because the people I work with really like her. The things a child thinks. Wouldn't it be nice if adults would think that way sometimes?

Only five more days until the Susan G Komen, a great and wonderful cause, 5K. If you are a woman, or just love one, please make sure you check (or remind them to check) for lumps on a regular basis. You can never be too cautious about something like that.

Peace out.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Quick Hits

OK. So I said I'm gonna start posting more often and haven't, yet. Apologize for that. The hotel I've been in had lousy internet reception so wasn't able to write like I wanted to. Hopefully will be able to write more now that I've made it back home.

Anyway, have some quick thoughts would like to share. Hope you will indulge me.
  • This is my favorite time of year. Leaves are changing color with a bit of chill in the air. College football kicking off. (Roll Tide, by the way!) It's a great time to be alive. Not that there are many bad ones, mind you;
  • Forrest Gump is on TV right now. Love that movie. Tom Hanks is vastly underrated as an actor. Know that doesn't sound right when he won consecutive Oscars, but don't think he gets the credit he deserves, which is probably a real testimony to his acting abilities. You don't even notice them;
  • Still on track to finish the Susan G Komen, a great and wonderful cause, 5K in Birmingham. Won't make my 30 minute goal, but it's more about the cause than the time for me. Did I mention it's a great and wonderful cause?
  • Heard people giving President Obama grief about going to meet with the Olympic committee. My knee-jerk reaction was against it. But, the more I thought about it, it made sense. It would have been great for the country if they would have come here. Will give him the benefit of the doubt he would have done it for another city, too. Too bad we didn't get it. Oh well, both the Mayan and Chinese calendars say the world is going to end in December 2012, anyway. Might not matter in the long run;
  • Speaking of the world coming to an end, watch those shows on the History Channel all the time. Interesting to see people's rationale for these things. We've heard these things before. (Remember how everything was going to go haywire on Jan 1, 2000?) Not sure if there are more bad things happening in the world or we just hear about them more thanks to our 24 hour news channels. They got to fill the airs with something. Sure you've heard the old saying, "If it bleeds, it leads." Anyway, the Bible says only God knows when the world will end, and He ain't tellin'. Think I'll go with that;
  • Does anyone else see the irony in Michael Moore making a movie about how bad capitalism is? Wonder if any of his movies would have been made much less released if he lived in Russia or China and made those kinds of movies about them? Just saying. Think that's what infuriates people about liberals. Won't say all of them, but many are more "do as I say not as I do" than the other way around. (Want another example? Think about the Clintons campaigning on being anti-Reaganomics when they made a bunch of money doing the same thing, and that's only one of many examples) Anyway, think they have a legitimate desire to help people, but it seems like they think they are smarter than the people they are trying to help and those folks are incapable of doing it themselves. Well, if you keep giving a man a fish, he's going to keep expecting you to provide them rather trying to catch them on his own;
  • Heard where the inspiration for "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" died this week. Think her name was Lucy Vodden. Lots of folks think that song is really about LSD. Does have some unique imagery in it. But, sometimes a song is just a song. If you have kids, take a look at their artwork. Their view of the world is usually a little diferent from adults. There's no vast conspiracy in the world where everything really means something else. At least, that's what my music tells me;
  • Survivor has been pretty good so far. Evil Russell is keeping things interesting. At least he's honest to the cameras about what he's doing. A lot of times people take the attitude what they do is honest and it's just playing the game. Then, when someone else is doing it, all of the sudden it ain't fair. He knows what he's doing is wrong and doesn't pretend to think anything else;
  • Speaking of Survivor, was glad to see Ben get voted out last night. What kind of person thinks calling a black woman "ghetto trash" has no racist overtones? As the wise and great Bugs Bunny used to say, "What a maroon!" It bothers me they referred to him being Southern. The boy's from Missouri, which ain't a part of the South on my map (and, yes, I know what side of the war they fought on);
  • Amazing Race is looking pretty good, too. Understand the logic of not letting people know you are a millionaire poker player, but come up with something better than you work with homeless kids. You have to know somewhere somebody's going to recognize you and blow your cover, especially when one of you was all over ESPN last year. Telling that lie will just make people not want to help you even more. Will say they have been pretty spot-on when they've shared their observations about the other racers. Have a hard time believing any jury would be sympathetic to that lawyer;
  • Saw where Jon Gosselin now thinks it's not good for his kids to be on a reality show. Hmm, wonder if that anything to do with the fact he's been canned from the show? Just sayin'...

Thanks for indulging me. Actually had a pretty good time on my trip. Got to see a few old friends haven't seen in a while. That's always nice.

If you have time, check out some of the blogs I follow. Their links are on the left. I don't get paid anything if you do, but, I like them so you might, too.

Have a great weekend!