A Walk Around My Brain

It's been a while since my last post.  I've thought about writing a few times, but just didn't have the verve, or whatever.  The world has been spared some senseless musings for a while.  Anyway, I just have a bunch of junk in my head that is spilling out...

I read an article about how 1800 WEALTHY Americans have revoked their citizenship to avoid taxes and specifically since the Obama Administration (many are big donors to the Democratic Party, by the way).  It made me giggle, because if the "1%" leave the country, the top earners in the 99% will then be the 1% and they will be hated.  Hopefully they are able to escape the tent cities before they are stoned ( yeah, there's an easy joke there) or pillaged I suppose.



Apparently this spot is "occupied.



Lots of election year garbage.  It is horrible how the country is divided Conservatives vs Liberals.  You used to be able to argue politics in any barbershop, bar or coffee counter (even at work) without starting a hate-filled shouting match.   We as AMERICANS have to decide to work together and not leave our future in the hands of career politicians.  I always suggest to vote for the richest guy, because he has a higher sell-out price than someone who needs the job.

Entitlements.  This is where we're killing ourselves.  Here in Detroit there was an angry protest about the bus service in the city.  It is pretty lousy compared with other metropolitan areas, and funding is an issue.  The protesters declared "we have a RIGHT to good bus service".  Well, no, you don't.  You don't have a RIGHT to cable TV, cell phone service, wealth, a single-family home, etc.  We have skewed what rights are and for some reason are dependent upon the government to provide us our "rights".

I hate abortion.  It's not about a woman's right to choose for many of us; it is senseless murder.  I will protect a woman's desire to NOT have sexual relations that might end up in pregnancy but once you've made the  CHOICE to engage in intercourse I do not believe you should be able to kill a child in the name of birth control.  While women's groups cry out against China's parents killing girl children, at least half of all the 4000 plus abortions in the US daily are female children, who apparently get NO CHOICE.

War is fatiguing for most of us and decimating to so many families who lose husbands, children,  loved ones.  I grew up during the Viet Nam Conflict.  Every day I heard the number of Viet Cong killed and the number of Americans killed.  Every day from the time I was about 6 years old and have memories until I was in high school I heard the numbers like sports scores.  Just prior to the abolishment of the draft my birthday number pretty much guaranteed I would have been in the service.  Now it has been Iraq and Afghanistan.  So many people have been killed, it's hard to justify after a while.  Our freedoms, our way of life is worth fighting (dying) for but some battles can be fought with money, justice and good works.  Sometimes, armed conflicts are going to occur.  The choice is whether to go in hard and try to win typically killing thousands and thousands of innocents, or to wear the other side out.  I choose peace but sometimes you do have to fight.



Here's to all those forgotten soldiers in Viet Nam.



I was watching "Sleepless in Seattle" the other day while enjoying that weekend extra cup of Joe.  I guess it was made in the 1980's (the movie, not my coffee).  Since I've seen the movie before, I was just sort of paying attention to everything else but the movie.  I saw typewriters, Rolodexs', "princess" desk phones, VCRs and more, including those moussed-up hair dos, shoulder pads etc .  EVERYBODY was trying to be the 1% and it wasn't a sin.  Weird how things change so quickly.

I also was watching an interview with Angelina Jolie and noticed as she is aging she looks more and more like her dad Jon Voigt.  Look out, Brad....She still is lovely, though.  Maybe it's the stress of all those kids getting to her.  And I actually did like the "Salt" movie.  Kinda cheap knock off of the Bourne series, but an entertaining watch on network TV.

This is supposed to be "sexy lip-biting Angelina"  Kinda looks like a lot of women in college bars around 2:00 AM

Replacement Refs are getting more attention than Brett Favre ever did.  Hockey players are on strike or locked out or something.  I'm a big fan but really don't care anymore.  I'll watch the games if they're on, and if they're not, I'll probably be better off.  And that includes all professional sports.  Although if the Lingerie League goes on strike it would be horrible.  Where do they televise that anyway?  Truthfully, you watch enough TV you'll see enough of Victoria's Secrets and Soma to last a lingerie lifetime.

I'm off for now.  If you're in the US, please stop arguing politics.  Two great statements from two Presidents (one from each side).  "Don't ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and   "No more free lunches".  You could look 'em up.



If you don't like Uncle Sam, you just don't like America.



Tatt mania

Just as the number of cooking shows has turned millions of Ramen Noodle eaters into home gourmets (and tremendous food bores many times), the number of Tattoo shows has sent countless millions to shops ranging from Thailand grungy to Park Avenue glitz.  Rather than buying Emril's latest cookware or Mario's latest Italian cuisine adventure, these people just can't wait to get tattoo'd.  Hey!  When will we have "Paulie's Home Tattoo Kit"?  Imagine the fun of self-torture with dozens of inked needles.  (No erasers, by the way).

When I was a kid, the only people with tatts were sideshow freaks and WWII veterans.  My step-dad, a post WWII German occupation troop ended up with tattoos.  I think he liked German beer...a lot...  By the time I met him, he had grown from a wispy 140 pound army teen to a 180 pound man with Popeye forearms, and the tattoos were no longer distinguishable.

I was in Florida at Clearwater Beach and there is no where else like a beach other than a nudie bar or MTV Spring Break show, I suppose, to view so many tattoos.  From the ridiculous to the sublime, it was like a catalog shoot for a tattoo company.  Memorial Day Weekend at a nearby Michigan State Park was like a family tattoo reunion.

Now, it's okay to get tattoos, I'm not trying to be a cranky-pants. But I have never seen an aging person whose tattoos looked good.  On top of that, it's beyond just "Mother" tattoo'd on a soldier's arm, it's entire portaits, relief maps, guilded body designs, and more. 

I look at Kat Von D on her TV show and look at an average looking woman with all kinds of stuff all over her.  I wonder what she lacked in her life to mark up her body so much. Was she looking for attention or looking to cover up and hide?  When I've watched her show  see she seems very insecure, even with all her seeming success.  I feel bad for her, hopefully the money and fame are worth it.

I think there are a lot of people in the world who feel an emptiness, an unworthiness, a lack of connection.  So many turn to gangs, maybe drugs, alcohol, tattoos,etc. to try to find a connection, a circle of people who understand them or like them.  And I feel bad for them.

Everyone I know has felt alone, outcast, maybe even unloved at some time in their life.  A few have committed suicide, some have entered into truly destructive lifestyles.  Most have come out of it okay, as they had a "home base" to touch and connect.  For many of those it was faith in God.  You know, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and everything seen and unseen.

I have found in my life that people who seem to have a hole in their heart will try to fill it with something, anything.  And I think that hole is that they're missing a relationship with the One who has known them from the beginning, the One who has numbered even the hairs on their head.  See, you can have a very empty heart if you don't know your father. 

On an earthly level many children of divorce or abandonment struggle in life because they had no father to look up to, no father to be the moral head of the family, no father to be strong in the face of fear, of loneliness, of the unknown.  On a more eternal level, God the Father desires the best for you, an abundant life (which means good stuff and not so good, a full life's experiences) and He desires you come to him crying out "daddy!"  He desires to see you succeed, not fail.  But the effort is still up to you.

Now, I've seen preachers and pastors with tattoos.  Never seen tattoo'd Nun. I've seen teachers, laborers and executives with tattoos.  Really, it is a choice, as is all of life. And as always, the Father allows you freedom of choice. For each choice you make you will affect the path of your life and the ease or difficulty of walking that path.  You were made in God's own image.  Near as I can tell, he doesn't have tatoos.  He did not want you to be in this life to be miserable, or to lead a lifestyle that will make life difficult, perhaps even shorter than it otherwise would have been.  He created you perfect in His eyes. Understand the He looks at you just the way He wanted you to be, know you are important to Him whether you believe or not.  He believes in you.  God Bless.

American Picker Philosophy

For a while now, I've been in a bit of a funk.  While I enjoy going to movies, concerts, my kid's homes, etc., it's been a bit weird, like I have a "take it or leave it" attitude.  I find myself chained to a chair or sofa in my living room after work, then on the weekends, etc.  I'm not a shut-in, and my wife and I have gone and done some fun things, but I've become kind of a couch-potato over the last year and a half.  Define couch potato, you say?

I took a promotion at work about then.  It has been more stressful and less rewarding than the previous job, and it seems like sometimes it doesn't matter what I plan or try to do to make things better, we just stay the same, and the same isn't working particularly well.  Maybe that's why.

I went on prescribed anti-anxiety medication for a time in late 2010 and early 2011.  The first script made me high, which some people might enjoy, but for me it was like hovering above myself and watching what was going on.  Great at a frat party perhaps, but not so much for me.

The second script kept me at a level status, I didn't get too happy or angry, I didin't lose myself in hysterical laughter nor try to punch through any walls.  It seemed, however, like I was a spectator to the world, like I really wasn't involved.  It was that time I started coming home from work and just kind of "vegging out".  I think I got stuck in that veg mode somehow.  Hard to get out.  I quit the pills, didn't want to lose myself in a chemical fog.  Seemed like so much fun in Reefer Madness.

Now, I'm a Christian, I trust in the Lord, I look for His healing, help, support, but I'm human, and sometimes I don't listen.  It seems sometimes like some of the joy was taken out of my life and I'm not sure how to get it back. Don't let Christian folk get in your head with "you just don't have enough faith, pray your way out of it", etc.  It's just not that simple sometimes.

My father's side of the family has dealt with clinical depression.  Many of the relatives have struggled.  I call it the Fox Crazies, I've tried to warn my nephew and my kids.  I think sometimes, though, we try to blame conditions, illnesses and symptoms for our shortcomings or problems, when maybe it's just us trying to duck out of reality.

I can be a reality ducker sometimes, all without the use of drugs or alcohol. I do tend to use food as a crutch, though, and apparently TV.  But I do know that drugs to "level you out" leave out some of the great spark, creativity and drive that can be a blessing and a curse.  I can get soooo happy and I can get sooo down.

Being an adult and realizing these things, I don't even consider "ending it all" or anything way overboard.  I do, however, struggle sometimes.  I have the love of a wonderful wife, two great kids, my in-laws are great, we're all working...you really have to look at the blessings you have, I know I have to remind myself to look. 

There is never any time that everything sucks, at least for me, and I'm sure for others that struggle with their own funks.  I think of my kids, my wife, the fact that we have jobs, educations, live in decent areas and the fact we have so much to be thankful for (for which to be thankful I suppose for you English majors: oh, yes, I have dangled a participle in my time).  And, yeah, I could'a been someone, I could'a been a contender; thanks, Marlon, but other than not having my name in lights, things are okay.  Sometimes its so easy to look back and be disappointed about time I've wasted and things I should have done, I forget to look at what I have done...

So do I have great wisdom to share?  I think I do.  I was watching American Pickers while recovering from some minor knee surgery.  I saw many, many people who had collected so much stuff over time.  They had property with multiple buildings on them full of stuff, some well-organized, some not so much.  All of the folks seemed happy.  All had followed a path they enjoyed for many years and allowed them to retire to a quiet life of collecting (hoarding) and just getting along. Be a picker

Here it is: No matter what your age, do something you WANT to do for a vocation make it your avocation.  You might have to do it in conjunction with your current job, but start it.  Do you want to paint, write, make music, dance, be a politician or preacher?  Take one small step every day in that direction, don't miss a day, and work toward that goal.   I believe it is an old Chinese proverb "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Great advice.  I would also suggest checking in with the Lord for direction and guidance.   See, I believe you can pray your way out of it and God does give us enough faith to start with.  God, however, will need YOU (ME) to actually DO something in conjunction with Him answering our prayers.  We can't sit on the couch waiting for a call. 

So, here's to taking a step today, even right now after you read this.  Here's to growing in faith, or finding it in the first place.  Here's to less drugs and more effort.  And may God Bless us, everyone.

I am Judas

Being Palm Sunday, pretty much every Christian church Gospel readings and sermons will be about Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  He was going to celebrate the Passover, knowing all the time he was heading for crucifiction, death, and more....but that's next week.

I started thinking about Judas.  This was the disciple who ended up "selling out" Jesus to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver (that's where the term "blood money" comes  from by the way).  Judas would leave the Passover meal early to find the religious elite and take them to where Jesus went after dinner, the garden of Gethsemane.

Judas told those who would arrest Jesus, "the man I kiss on the cheek is Jesus".  Well, the rest of this story is for Easter weekend.  We'll focus on Judas now.

Judas had some issues from the beginning.  He was the one who held the disciple's money bag, for offerings they received to help the poor.  Only sometimes Judas would help himself to some cash.  I guess he figured he "deserved" a little bit.  Sometimes I feel I "deserve" an early departure from work, or a longer lunch, I work hard....

Judas really got cheesed when a woman of low status (we might say not only had she been around the block a few times but that the street might have been named after her) took some very expensive perfume, probably her only possession of worth, and poured it on Jesus' hair.  Judas thought it was a waste, "that perfume was worth a year's salary, it could have been sold and used for the poor".  Judas probably was thinking how much he would have made on the deal.  I get jealous sometimes when I think someone got a better deal than me, even when I think I "deserved" more.

See, Judas followed Jesus because he heard Jesus was "King of the Jews".  He thought Jesus came as a warrior king, to kick the Romans out of Israel and become the reigning monarch of the nation.  Judas did not so much have a taste for war but for the spoils of war.  He thought of living in palaces with the new king, sharing riches of the kingdom, being a "big shot".  When Jesus came as a humble servant, preaching peace, speaking about being a humble servant, and turning the other cheek when someone insults you, Judas became disillusioned.  He figured he could make some money selling out this Jesus.  I've taken jobs for the promises of extra money, status, etc. even when the job I had treated me well and paid me fairly; and I certainly remember that when you just "go for the money" you end up working with people who don't necessarily care for you, but ONLY what you produce.  And it's an empty feeling.

Judas never really believed that Jesus was who He said He is, "I and the Father are One".  Judas was looking for fame and fortune, the spoils of war, riches of a king, status of the "upper crust".  It was only after betraying Jesus did Judas go back to the religious leaders, throwing their money back at them.  With the money, a field was purchased to bury poor people, since those pious religious people couldn't hold on to this blood money.  Judas, who would hang himself in guilt, would end up in that field.  Sometimes I wish I could take back things I've said or done that have negatively affected others.  But what is done is done.

I look at myself, a proclaimed Christian.  I think of how I dreamed of winning the most recent $640 million jackpot to live in a bigger better home with a bigger better car and not have to work anymore.  I remember the times I have done EXACTLY the opposite of what Jesus would do, either because I didn't want to miss out on some fun, or miss out on an event, or miss out on making fun or sport of someone.  I think of the times when I want so much to live in a "mansion" or in some tropical paradise, or be some famous writer or speaker or something.  Then I think of how little that matters. 

The real payoff is after this life is over.  Eternity is a long time.  This life is fairly short.  If I can only take hold of that hope of eternity in a place where there is no sorrow, no pain, no disappointment.  A place where there is no racisim, no sexisim, no pressure to keep up with the Jones' and no dog-eat-dog mentality.  Just peace, joy, love in the presence of the Lord whose only desire is that you trust in Him and trust Him at his Word.

Judas never got it, until it was probably too late for him.  I sometimes am Judas, when I put my selfish desires above those of the Father, and above those around me who deserve something better than a selfish father, friend, co-worker or boss. 

When life seems like it's tough to take, maybe it's because I'm trying to go my own way, instead of the way of the Father.  And I know His way is great; I know when I do follow His ways my life is much more complete and peaceful; even when trouble or sorrow or pain come my way, He makes it easier, because He is always with me.  My journey from here on out?  To follow Christ even to the cross, because eternity with Him trumps anything this world has to offer.

Okay, Where's the Separation?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The message above is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.   This is where people of no faith go to when they scream "separation of church and state"!  You'll note there is no such language.  The part of religion mentioned here just means the government can't tell you how, what or where to worship.

This amendment clearly allows free expression of religion, meaning if a judge wants to put a sculpture of the 10 commandments in his courtroom, he can.  If there is another judge who wants to do one for the Quran, that's okay, too.  If a student wants to begin with a prayer at a sporting event, prom or graduation, so be it.  See, we have the judicial arm of our governing system basically ruling against our own constitution when they don't allow the "free excercise thereof" in respect to religion.   The judicial arm isn't supposed to have a say in this, Congress is, and they're not allowed to install a government-backed religion or outlaw a particular religion.

Now we have the Health and Human Services directive that even religious employers must offer employees paid contraceptive medications, devices, etc. as part of their health care.  This is TYPICALLY backed by the Obama administration and members of the President's party.  Why aren't those same people who would threaten to arrest a Texas teen if said teen opened graduation ceremonies with a prayer standing up and shouting "Separation of Church and State!"?

I guess nowadays, you can only use the "separation" words (that do not exist in the Constitution by the way), if it benefits non-religious interests.  If that same phrase BENEFITS a particular religion, apparently it doesn't count or doesn't exist.

I will never understand why it is so important to allow people to end pregnancies or prevent them. I do believe the smaller the population, the easier it is to control.  I believe if you pander to enough special interests, you can "buy" their votes in elections.  I believe when you make the value of a life simply a word like "choice" you reduce value of human life in general, making it very easy to defend, oh let's say a health care program that will refuse care to a very ill older person, because their life is worth less than a similarly ill younger person. 

You might say "separation of church and state is in the constitution".  I say find it and show it to me.  Then look up some Thomas Jefferson letters and see if you find it there and check the context.  Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindi, and other religions are constitutionally guaranteed the right to freely express their religions.  In my opinion, if religious employers demand that those taking a paycheck from them live under a specific set of rules knowing at time of hire they are going to be under the guidelines of that religion's order, there should be no governmental pressure to change the religion to match the employees beliefs.

You might despise organized religion.  You might be one whose faith is first in their life.  Either way, you both have freedoms to lose if the HHS decree is allowed.  When the government starts getting into YOUR business, you'll be looking for help, and all the ones who would help will be outlawed, or gone.  The government should fear the people.  We have the power to vote the buggers out, and replace them with real hard-working Americans who will look at the constitution not as an ancient document flawed by the lack of sophisticated technology, but as the real beliefs of a people looking to create a nation that serves it's populace, and not the opposite.

Just a Wandering Mind

I am always amazed at the press a dead entertainer gets these days.  It was big news when Marilyn Monroe died, but not the hub-bub of Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston.  It's not clear to me why their funerals were telecast, why so many people had to comment on so many issues.

These are people for whom life held no meaning, apparently.  It seems they misused their gifts at the end, using drugs and/or alcohol to mask an emptiness that no top-ten hit, countless buckets of money nor fan adoration could fill.

I think back of my mother deceased some 3 plus years now.  How she bravely faced cancer and a terminal diagnosis, and passed away sweetly (though loudly snoring) after 84 years.  This is a woman who only found true love at age 50, had a couple failed marriages, lived in a poor miner's home as a child and in a lower-middle class lifestyle as an adult.  She managed to live past age 48 or 50.

I think of my friend Doug, killed in a rock-climbing accident when only 24 years old.  He grabbed life for all it is worth and would've lived a thousand life times over compared to mine if he only could have even doubled his years.

I think of so many of the disabled people for whom my company provides products and how they manage through neuro-muscular diseases, amputations, closed-head injuries and the like to get through each day, most with as sincere a smile you will ever see, and many with real tears.  I see them grabbing for life  rather than woe-is-me drama, they provide support for others in similar situations, speak to youth groups and school-aged children, write, paint and just get along.

If I could advise some of these "stars" I'd tell them to take off their make-up, their fancy wardrobe, lose their entourage and go out regularly volunteering in their communities.  Spend some time in adult foster homes, playing games or taking walks with the residents; maybe buy them some dinner, or cable or whatever.

I would encourage these lonely celebrity souls to come with me to church, pack bags at a food bank to be delivered by others, visit nursing homes and senior homes and simply read, or sing or hang out and speak to the residents.  I would encourage them to visit sick children in hospitals and write letters to the troops overseas, all without the presence of photographers, publicists, stylists, wardrobe assistant or make-up person.

When someone values, really values the lives of others, then they can find value in their own lives.  When I think of Houston, Jackson, Joplin, Belushi, Monroe, Hendrix, and so many others who have taken their own lives with weapons, booze or drugs I see so many empty lives.  What a shame to have so much and have nothing.

If you have an emptiness in you and you've tried filling it with lousy relationships, chemicals, food, a reckless lifestyle or whatever your coping mechanism is, I have a thought for you.  Get on your knees right now and talk to God.  Ask Jesus Christ to make Himself known to you.  Pray for forgiveness, ask Him for His love; tell Him you are looking for Him, your Father, to fill that empty spot inside you.  See, so many times that empty hole is where we have taken God out.  Ask Him to fill you with His love, ask Him to be real to you. 

Your life might not be peaches and cream right away.  But as you draw near the Lord and He draws near to you, you will know there is a place of perfect peace in the Lord.  Fill up your emptiness with the One who offers truth, peace and love.  Oh yeah, and he'll never leave you or forsake you.   If you're not sure how, drop me a line or comment.  I'm here to give you a hand.  Maybe there is a person in your life who needs you to reach out.  Whitney could've use a hand, Michael and the rest.  Let all of us secure in the love of God reach out to those who are in obvious need.  God Bless.

Stings a bit....

So I'm listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio the other day.  I can't remember exactly what he was talking about but he said, "you hear it and it stings, because it's true and it's uncomfortable".  How many times have you heard "the truth hurts"?  Sometimes it does.

Then I started to think about a little different angle.  Many years ago, boxer Cassius Clay decided to be a follower of Islam and took the Muslim name Muhammed Ali.  Fine, fine, it's really fine.  Your choice, man.  Bless you for having the courage of your convictions.  Shortly after his commitment of faith, he would begin each interview after a (successful) fight with "First of all I'd like to give praise to Allah".

Nary an interviewer ever mentioned, complained, editorialized or pontificated about this.  And it wasn't just once and, remember, Ali was about the biggest name in sport for a time and truly a citizen of the world.  Not a peep out of mainstream "journalism". 

There was an NBA basketball player, might have been Mahmood Abdul Raouf or someone like that, who would not stand for the US National anthem before games (or anytime I suppose).  He claimed it was due to his religion (Islam).  There was a bit of a clamor, but it died down, and this guy was no Kobe Bryant, anyway.

Many boxers in the 70's and 80's when the networks televised a lot of middleweight, welterweight and other boxing matches would give praise to Allah, after a win.  I guess nobody interviews the loser much anyway.

So then we've had Kurt Warner, for one, and Tim Tebow for another give glory to Jesus.  Warner took some much publicized flak about it.  Tebow has been villianized, vilified and pulverized for his open declaration of faith.

Why not so much as a whimper when someone in a prominent position praises Allah and why so much disdain, really, when someone praises Jesus, or simply praises God?  Well, maybe it's as Cowherd said, "it stings a bit, because it's true and it's uncomfortable". 

I believe even aetheists know there is something to this Jesus guy.  It's written in the Bible "even the demons know his name...and shudder".  And when He (Jesus) gets good press, it stings a bit, because the truth hurts.  So sometimes we try to bury a stinging truth by ridicule, maybe by ostracizing someone, maybe by trying to "find the bad" in someone who trys to "act so good".  You know, Tim Tebow, Kurt Warner, and others still give the glory and praise to God even when they lose a game, or have bad day at work, or school, or at home because Jesus said "I AM the way and the truth and the life."  If you try to ignore it, it stings a bit, because you know it's true and it's uncomfortable.

I'll sign off, still giving the glory and honor and praise to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Amen.