It's been a blur around the Toledo area as of late. Last week (after my last post), the community was rocked to its core by the murder of an undercover cop. He was 35 years old and the kid that shot him down was 15 freakin' years old. He got wacked at about 4 in the morning. What in the world is a 15 year-old doing hangning out in the middle of the night? A truly senseless loss of life. They buried him today and they had to move it to a larger church because the one he belonged to was too small. The cop was a Toledo cop but lived a couple of miles over the border of Ohio and Michigan. That's how I am. I live a few miles over the Michigan - Ohio border, but still call Toledo home. But police from 35 states and Canada were represented. It was really sad. He leaves behind a wife and two kids aged six and four. The whole thing was televised on all the local TV stations... very sad.
In other news, I'm feeling a lot better. My voice is almost back to normal. My anti-biotics are finally working. I missed a couple of days of work including Wednesday. That day was Haley's final chemo treatment. When she came to see me and the co-workers, there was a surprise pizza party (with cake and ice cream) and she was totally floored. I was so bummed that I missed it. She was asking for me the whole time. I was not going to give her any germs with her immune system as compromised as it is... But she's supposed to come back for some more blood work to check her numbers so I will get to see her a couple of more times. I guess it tells you how important and precious life really is... When in doubt, love.
Heard from the nephew. He's going through sheer hell training to be a marine. He's 19, scared, and alone. But he's growing up and hopefully it will help him mature. I miss him right now though. It's really a dull world without him around here. But I'll see him in April when he graduates boot camp. Life... some survive it. Some throw it away, some appreciate it. Some are grateful for the opportunity... NEVER take it for granted...
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Headlines...
Okay, I'm making it official... I'm officially filing papers to declare... that I'M the father of Anna Nicole's baby... And I shaved Brittney's head too... While I'm at it, about the JFK thing (I was a xygote... but a powerful one!) There, I feel better now... ugh!
I'm getting sick of what passes for 'news' these days. Okay, granted... most of it is political so that is enough of a reason to be turned off by all of it. The main networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN) and the print media, who do nothing but tear down this country and blame everyone on the right. The alternative media (Fox, Newsmax, Drudge, Talk Radio) who do nothing but rip the left and it's all negative to the point where I almost want to tune out what's happening. But c'mon people, there is some crap out there that makes the above comments I opened with, seem almost believable... especially the JFK assassination bit (hint: I wasn't born yet)... Examples? Here are some TRUE headlines...
"Stop Global Warming by Banning Beef Not Cars" Christian Science Monitor
"A Film Star in Kampala, Conjuring Amin's Ghost." (positive qualities of a brutal dictator?) NY Times
"Redefining Black" LA Times... Obama isn't "black enough" to get the support of the standing Black American leadership because of his White/Hawaiian/African (meaning NOT African American, but real African) heritage.
"Woman Allegedly Tries To Get Painkillers Under Her Dog's Name" AP
and my personal favorite:
"Canadian Man Suing Makers of 'America's Funniest Home Videos'" (apparently he mistook the title to mean 'north american') But can you imagine if it was to include 'north america' and we got videos from south of the border? It would be something like "Okay, here are some bloopers of some botched attempts to try and illegally cross the border. Call the kids in and let's have a laugh..."
And I'm not even going to mention about the Mexican illegals who are here, testifying against our border patrol who had the audacity to ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOB. And are now being prosecuted for it. I'm a proud American (of mexican descent) conservative, but even I think that the government has really dropped the ball on this one. Geez, we're giving the illegal meatheads immunity and are paying for them to be here, including free food and phone cards(???) But we can't give our troops a lousy phone card to call home with??? Now that really hacks me off big time. Why don't we give those illegal testifiers a Taco Bell gift card and a trip back across... Not a social security card, free hotel room for someone who smuggled illegal aliens and drugs TWICE across our border. Even they have the good sense to know that Taco Bell isn't real mexican food! I still eat Taco Hell though. It's just good fast food. I know, I know, I got sidetracked, but I'm trying to stay in a good mood...
I'm getting sick of what passes for 'news' these days. Okay, granted... most of it is political so that is enough of a reason to be turned off by all of it. The main networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN) and the print media, who do nothing but tear down this country and blame everyone on the right. The alternative media (Fox, Newsmax, Drudge, Talk Radio) who do nothing but rip the left and it's all negative to the point where I almost want to tune out what's happening. But c'mon people, there is some crap out there that makes the above comments I opened with, seem almost believable... especially the JFK assassination bit (hint: I wasn't born yet)... Examples? Here are some TRUE headlines...
"Stop Global Warming by Banning Beef Not Cars" Christian Science Monitor
"A Film Star in Kampala, Conjuring Amin's Ghost." (positive qualities of a brutal dictator?) NY Times
"Redefining Black" LA Times... Obama isn't "black enough" to get the support of the standing Black American leadership because of his White/Hawaiian/African (meaning NOT African American, but real African) heritage.
"Woman Allegedly Tries To Get Painkillers Under Her Dog's Name" AP
and my personal favorite:
"Canadian Man Suing Makers of 'America's Funniest Home Videos'" (apparently he mistook the title to mean 'north american') But can you imagine if it was to include 'north america' and we got videos from south of the border? It would be something like "Okay, here are some bloopers of some botched attempts to try and illegally cross the border. Call the kids in and let's have a laugh..."
And I'm not even going to mention about the Mexican illegals who are here, testifying against our border patrol who had the audacity to ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOB. And are now being prosecuted for it. I'm a proud American (of mexican descent) conservative, but even I think that the government has really dropped the ball on this one. Geez, we're giving the illegal meatheads immunity and are paying for them to be here, including free food and phone cards(???) But we can't give our troops a lousy phone card to call home with??? Now that really hacks me off big time. Why don't we give those illegal testifiers a Taco Bell gift card and a trip back across... Not a social security card, free hotel room for someone who smuggled illegal aliens and drugs TWICE across our border. Even they have the good sense to know that Taco Bell isn't real mexican food! I still eat Taco Hell though. It's just good fast food. I know, I know, I got sidetracked, but I'm trying to stay in a good mood...
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...
Digging out from a mess...
Ahhhh winter is BACK! Don't know about where you're at but here on the Ohio-Michigan border, we got tatooed pretty good. When I walked out to my car in the wee hours of yesterday morning, the snow drifts were over the hood of the front and back end and I could not see the wheels of said auto. Yip, yip, yippeeee. I finally got to work (via security dept.) about 2 hours later. With what should've only been a 20 minute ride, I got to work and sat down as we got slammed but good. Lots of people needing help with various issues that come along with a level 3 snow emergency. What that means is that non-emergency personnel were banned from driving on the streets within the county (including all cities and towns within that county). In the outlying areas, outside of Toledo, a number of roads were not passable. Accidents everywhere. Throughout the day, the roads were cleared pretty well, but ice became an equally primary concern and added to the fun and circus like atmosphere... I made it home late last night after a cozy 15 hour day to see the snow drifts (hey, it got all the way up to a warm and balmy 14 degrees) still entact and the added dimension of the snow plower having added more snow to surround my car. Oh joy, I am beyond tickled... ahhh sighhh... The easy thing would be to get hacked off, but to honest, I don't have the energy and it just isn't worth it. I walked to the pizza place next door and the carryout down the street and it was 'pizza and beer' night in chateaux Mik... One cheese pizza and one beer later, I was falling asleep in front of my computer so I turned in early. Today (a day off from work), I get to spend it digging my car out. Or as I like to refer to it as... 'my annual cardio stress test'... should be interesting
Ahhhh winter is BACK! Don't know about where you're at but here on the Ohio-Michigan border, we got tatooed pretty good. When I walked out to my car in the wee hours of yesterday morning, the snow drifts were over the hood of the front and back end and I could not see the wheels of said auto. Yip, yip, yippeeee. I finally got to work (via security dept.) about 2 hours later. With what should've only been a 20 minute ride, I got to work and sat down as we got slammed but good. Lots of people needing help with various issues that come along with a level 3 snow emergency. What that means is that non-emergency personnel were banned from driving on the streets within the county (including all cities and towns within that county). In the outlying areas, outside of Toledo, a number of roads were not passable. Accidents everywhere. Throughout the day, the roads were cleared pretty well, but ice became an equally primary concern and added to the fun and circus like atmosphere... I made it home late last night after a cozy 15 hour day to see the snow drifts (hey, it got all the way up to a warm and balmy 14 degrees) still entact and the added dimension of the snow plower having added more snow to surround my car. Oh joy, I am beyond tickled... ahhh sighhh... The easy thing would be to get hacked off, but to honest, I don't have the energy and it just isn't worth it. I walked to the pizza place next door and the carryout down the street and it was 'pizza and beer' night in chateaux Mik... One cheese pizza and one beer later, I was falling asleep in front of my computer so I turned in early. Today (a day off from work), I get to spend it digging my car out. Or as I like to refer to it as... 'my annual cardio stress test'... should be interesting
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Getting (Flint) Stoned on My Mom's Birthday
Feeling a little surley tonight. The Cherokee took it on the chin this weekend as we were dealt two huge losses by Flint. A 7-3 blowout on Saturday night and a 3-2 heartbreaker on Sunday. I got home on Sunday night feeling more relieved than anything. The players couldn't shower after the game on saturday night at the rink because the pipes had frozen and there was no hot water. So they hopped on the bus and we all headed back to the motel to let them get showered and go get something to eat. Well, some of the rooms at the motel didn't have warm water either. I think only twice when I flushed my toilet, did the water actually go down. And it had nothing to do with the mexican food I ate for supper... I'm such a dork!
Anyway, today would've been my mom's birthday. So I say happy birthday mom. I don't write nearly as much about her as I have my father. But I think it's because she passed when I was a freshman in high school and that was many years ago. But that doesn't take away from the fact that she did have a lasting impact on my life. At first, in a very negative way. My mom had emotional issues. After she passed, I had a very negative view of her. She had a temper the likes I've never seen and a mouth to match. She could make a sailor blush. I think I picked that aspect of her behavior up early in my life. For the longest time, I used to blame her for a lot of the failure I had early in my life. It was a convenient escape. But I chose to feel that way. I learned that behavior and thrived in it. It wasn't until I found out about her childhood that I realized how childish and stupid I really was. Her childhood made mine look like an episode of the Brady Bunch. It was horrible. Very horrible. I know that my childhood was pretty nasty, but compared to hers... no comparison. The fact that she survived and was able to love and find something resembling a life, is nothing short of miraculous. I am always reminded of my favorite mom memory. She had just been down at the neighbors in the middle of a heated arguement. She comes back home, just a little ticked off to say the least. The neighbor later that afternoon, has a nervous breakdown and ends up being transported to the hospital. My mom goes over to the neighbor's house and starts making tortillas and other food for the eight kidsthat our neighbor had. They asked her 'why' since they argued earlier in the day. My mom didn't even blink an eye and explained how insignificant that disagreement was and how important family is at times like this. When my mom passed, that family was right there grieving with us... My mom touched a lot of people even though she had a rough life. When I feel challenged by the crap that goes on in my life these days, I think of others and draw inspiration from them to keep a good attitude. Today, I'm thinking of my mom and I know that she did the best she could under very trying circumstances. But it's okay. Mom, you did good... you did real good. I'm proud to say you were my mom... and thanks for teaching me about what's good in the world and to look for the good in people. Happy Birthday... love you lots...
Anyway, today would've been my mom's birthday. So I say happy birthday mom. I don't write nearly as much about her as I have my father. But I think it's because she passed when I was a freshman in high school and that was many years ago. But that doesn't take away from the fact that she did have a lasting impact on my life. At first, in a very negative way. My mom had emotional issues. After she passed, I had a very negative view of her. She had a temper the likes I've never seen and a mouth to match. She could make a sailor blush. I think I picked that aspect of her behavior up early in my life. For the longest time, I used to blame her for a lot of the failure I had early in my life. It was a convenient escape. But I chose to feel that way. I learned that behavior and thrived in it. It wasn't until I found out about her childhood that I realized how childish and stupid I really was. Her childhood made mine look like an episode of the Brady Bunch. It was horrible. Very horrible. I know that my childhood was pretty nasty, but compared to hers... no comparison. The fact that she survived and was able to love and find something resembling a life, is nothing short of miraculous. I am always reminded of my favorite mom memory. She had just been down at the neighbors in the middle of a heated arguement. She comes back home, just a little ticked off to say the least. The neighbor later that afternoon, has a nervous breakdown and ends up being transported to the hospital. My mom goes over to the neighbor's house and starts making tortillas and other food for the eight kidsthat our neighbor had. They asked her 'why' since they argued earlier in the day. My mom didn't even blink an eye and explained how insignificant that disagreement was and how important family is at times like this. When my mom passed, that family was right there grieving with us... My mom touched a lot of people even though she had a rough life. When I feel challenged by the crap that goes on in my life these days, I think of others and draw inspiration from them to keep a good attitude. Today, I'm thinking of my mom and I know that she did the best she could under very trying circumstances. But it's okay. Mom, you did good... you did real good. I'm proud to say you were my mom... and thanks for teaching me about what's good in the world and to look for the good in people. Happy Birthday... love you lots...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Hitting the cultural rocks... Flint stones...
Just staring at a blank screen in the hope that words will somehow magically appear with some clever, witty, and totally absorbing entry. Okay, back to reality... yawn!
My throat is killing me which is like a death knell for a guy who uses his voice for a living. I have done hockey and basketball all week plus working the day job. My voice is shot. I've got to get it together cause this weekend, the hockey team heads up to Flint for the showdown for first place. Two huge games, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. I am really psyched up for that. It's going to be huge and I know a LOT of people will be listening online so I hope to be ready. Fans of Cherokee hockey know that Flint will be the focal point in the CSHL this weekend. Flint as in Flint, Michigan. I'm underwelmed when it comes to thinking about the idea of having to spend a weekend in Flint, Michigan. Flint is a microcosm of Detroit, only more depressing. Flint is devoid of any real culture... unless you consider breaking into a hotel room to catch your boyfriend 'in the act' a real cultural experience. That actually happened last time we were up in Flint. Some local woman tried climbing into some person's (hint: it wasn't her boyfriend's) room... I also am not a fan of Flint because even such a simple activity like shopping is so depressing. I go to a mall and look at the people and they look so defeated. Like they look forward to the relief that death will bring... Yeah, that depressing. It's like Neil Young could write his next album here... yeah, THAT depressing... I think this time around I'm going to spend my downtime up there in my room with plenty of movies (upbeat stuff) and serve my penance until I get home Sunday night... yep, THAT depressing...
My throat is killing me which is like a death knell for a guy who uses his voice for a living. I have done hockey and basketball all week plus working the day job. My voice is shot. I've got to get it together cause this weekend, the hockey team heads up to Flint for the showdown for first place. Two huge games, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. I am really psyched up for that. It's going to be huge and I know a LOT of people will be listening online so I hope to be ready. Fans of Cherokee hockey know that Flint will be the focal point in the CSHL this weekend. Flint as in Flint, Michigan. I'm underwelmed when it comes to thinking about the idea of having to spend a weekend in Flint, Michigan. Flint is a microcosm of Detroit, only more depressing. Flint is devoid of any real culture... unless you consider breaking into a hotel room to catch your boyfriend 'in the act' a real cultural experience. That actually happened last time we were up in Flint. Some local woman tried climbing into some person's (hint: it wasn't her boyfriend's) room... I also am not a fan of Flint because even such a simple activity like shopping is so depressing. I go to a mall and look at the people and they look so defeated. Like they look forward to the relief that death will bring... Yeah, that depressing. It's like Neil Young could write his next album here... yeah, THAT depressing... I think this time around I'm going to spend my downtime up there in my room with plenty of movies (upbeat stuff) and serve my penance until I get home Sunday night... yep, THAT depressing...
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Taking Stock Of What Matters...
As we head into the weekend, I'm just in a mood of gratitude... I'm dealing with a severe sore throat, a slight temp, a bit of nausea... hey, maybe I'm pregnant! Heard about my little buddy Haley's scan yesterday. They found another spot near her pancreas. They are not sure if it's more CA or if it's scar tissue. She refused to take the contrast so the docs could tell. But next time she goes in, they're going to sedate her so that they can administer the contrast and find out what she's dealing with... Yeah, I'm nervous. And I'm not even a blood relative. I can't stand that this is happening to a three year old girl. But y'know what? If she and her mom and dad aren't going to say 'why Haley?' then why should I? I flat out love that little kid. She is such a bundle of joy whenever I see her. She never complains, and is always looking forward to seeing people... including me. She and her folks stopped by the office the other day and I wasn't in... she kept looking around and finally asked "mommy, where's the boy?" When they told me what she said, I wanted to laugh, but I kinda wanted to cry too. It's times like this where my faith in God can come under a challenge. I mean, some people might want to say: "why did God let something like this happen to such a sweet adorable child?" It would be easy for a person to question why God would allow bad things to happen to good people... If I tried to write about my friend Candi, I'd be here writing for days, trying to describe how amazing that woman is and why she not only has my deepest respect, but why she has become a hero I look up to... But that's where my faith in Him has to decisive and firm. First, believing in God does not mean peace FROM difficulties, but peace DURING difficulties. God is not a little old man who acts like a warlock and can cast spells to get at bad people on an as needed basis. God has given ALL of us a very tremendous gift... the gift of FREE WILL. He doesn't force us to believe in Him. We can completely walk away from Him if we so choose. Those of us who choose to believe, must understand that it is HE whom we honor. He whom we give ourselves to. And how is the best way to display how we should honor Him? Easy. By how we treat others. I don't need to be some holier than thou holy roller. I need to serve others and treat them with compassion, respect, dignity, and love. He says: "when you do unto the least of these, you dounto Me." So I CHOOSE to feel gratitude in times of worry and pray and stand on my faith that God's will (not mine) be done. As screwed up an individual as I am, I believe that while I have a list a mile long of wants, needs, and desires, at the end of the day, I prefer to believe that there is a loving God who knows what's best for me and can save me from myself. Faith by it's very definition is choosing to belive even though I don't have all of the answers. And I have to be okay with that. Otherwise, why have faith. If I had the all of the answers to every question, heartbreak, and disappointment, why would I need God? Fact is, I DO need him and I hope to be a better Christian. Not a religious person, but a Christian. There IS a difference. I want to be more helpful to my fellow man. It's people like Haley and Candi that have been such an inspiration to me when my faith has been tested and at it's weakest. And friends like Mike, Riccie, Dan, and Tina have been good friends to me here and have been there when I've needed them. So yeah, I feel more like expressing gratitude instead of worry and doubt. I am BLESSED... Yep!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
It's Thursday... Oh Yippee... zzzz...
In the proverbial words of Fat Albert: Hey, Hey, Hey!
It's another day of bitter cold here on the lake but I guess it had to get winter-like sooner or later. My little buddy Haley stopped at work to see us yesterday. I couldn't even hide my smile and giddiness. She really is a blessing to all of us. Her and I were playing 'hide and seek' and I think she even got me to do a silly dance. She wouldn't do a ballet dance move (she takes intro to ballet) and I'm like this overgrown ape just trying to do the move and she is laughing hysterically at me. Of course, everyone in the office is completely enamoured of her. So she walks out of there with tons of candy and doll stickers, etc... She had to undergo another chemo treatment today. That is pretty rough on her. But I think it is worse on everyone else because to watch a three year old girl go through this and see her with a weak smile and lose some of her hair, it is very sobering. But she still is able to have the strength to keep going. Her mom told me that she saw the lady that was going to administer the chemo and Haley ran up to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss... Like I said before, I'm just a silly fool for whining about what minor troubles or problems that I have. What I have pales in comparison to watching others. And the greatest thing is that I notice how there is no complaints, whining or any 'why me?' type attitudes. I get humbled every time I see such courage. It's more courage than I could ever hope for...
It's another day of bitter cold here on the lake but I guess it had to get winter-like sooner or later. My little buddy Haley stopped at work to see us yesterday. I couldn't even hide my smile and giddiness. She really is a blessing to all of us. Her and I were playing 'hide and seek' and I think she even got me to do a silly dance. She wouldn't do a ballet dance move (she takes intro to ballet) and I'm like this overgrown ape just trying to do the move and she is laughing hysterically at me. Of course, everyone in the office is completely enamoured of her. So she walks out of there with tons of candy and doll stickers, etc... She had to undergo another chemo treatment today. That is pretty rough on her. But I think it is worse on everyone else because to watch a three year old girl go through this and see her with a weak smile and lose some of her hair, it is very sobering. But she still is able to have the strength to keep going. Her mom told me that she saw the lady that was going to administer the chemo and Haley ran up to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss... Like I said before, I'm just a silly fool for whining about what minor troubles or problems that I have. What I have pales in comparison to watching others. And the greatest thing is that I notice how there is no complaints, whining or any 'why me?' type attitudes. I get humbled every time I see such courage. It's more courage than I could ever hope for...
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