top ten

WOW

2012-02-11T13:45:00.009-05:00

Today Kris earned the rank of Red/Black belt. She began this journey in March of 2009. Now almost three years later, her goal of black belt is in sight. The testing ceremony today was merely a display of all the hard work, through all the weeknight classes, over the past several months. Somewhere in the midst of being a full time Mom, making her own laundry soap, baking her own bread, caring for our two boys, being a wife and friend to me, running half marathons, and so many other things I can't even remember to describe, she managed to commit to memory a full three years worth of form and curriculum. She put it all together today, perfectly.
If you need inspiration, if you want strength in your life, get closer to Kris. You will not be disappointed.

As Kris studies up before hand.....

............her final opponent today waits across the room

Reflection

Accomplishment

Reward

De Ja Vu

2012-02-05T23:01:00.004-05:00

Yes, the Giants won the Super Bowl again tonight.

Yes, they beat the same team they did in 2008, to do so.
Yes, this also takes place in the same year we added an addition to our family, as was the case the last time around for the Giants.
I was privileged to witness all this in the company of good people. Truth be told, without them to share it with, it's just a football game.
If you were here with me tonight in person or in spirit, please leave a comment and mention something of your experience.
Thanks.

1/27/2012

2012-01-28T08:13:00.001-05:00

Guest Post

2012-01-14T11:00:00.001-05:00

Top Ten Ways I Find Being a Mom is Just Like Being a Cop....

10. You can't reason with a child or a drunk. Yet,that glazed over expression still surprises you every time you try.

9. You will inevitably be covered in pee, poop and/or vomit more than you'd like.

8. "If you tell me the truth, things will go easier for you:"

7. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, it's up to you".

6. "Watch your head when you get in the car"

5. Trying to cuff a perp and diaper a baby are more similar than you'd think.

4. "Do you really think they are going to take your word over mine?"

3. "Put the knife down now!"

2. You're constantly doing "finger sweeps" inside mouths. Sometimes it's for bags of heroin, other times it's for the choking hazards that your 4 year old left on the floor for his 8 month old brother to find.

1. "You have the right to remain silent, I am begging you to use it".

The ABC's Of Me

2012-01-07T16:58:00.006-05:00

A is for Apple
I dislike Apple products. It's not that I think they are poor quality products. I simply resent the notion that they are far superior to all other such items.

B is for bathrobe
I prefer to use the bathrobe as a towel substitute.

C is for Cookie
The only real cookies are chocolate chip and Oreos. Chocolate chip for homemade, Oreo for store-bought.

D is for documentaries.
I watch at least one a week.

E is for eating.
I effort to eat whole foods as often as possible.

F is for fishing, Facebook, and friends
I enjoy fishing and the connection to creation it provides.
Facebook and Friends are not one and the same. One of them sucks, the other does not.

G is for Giants. New York Giants

H is for homeschooling.
We are going to give it a shot.

I is for Imus.
No single person in popular culture has influenced me more.

J is for Jersey and Juice.
Jersey blows. Not cool enough to be NYC, not country enough to be PA.
Juice is very cool.

K is for Kris.

L is for Letterman and Lawyer.
Letterman is better than Leno. Duh.
If I had the patience for the classroom, I would have been a lawyer.

M is for movies and music
Most movies bore me these days. I think there is a shortage of creative talent in that business
I prefer music that is driven by piano, over guitar.

N is for NYC, the greatest city in the world.

O is for Orthopedics, the only important area of medicine.

P is for photos
I enjoy taking photographs. I wish I understood more about the art.

Q is for Quote
My favorite quote: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends"

R is for Ron Paul.
Everyone else is full of Sh*t

S is for shower.
I take at least two showers per day. Sometimes three.

T is for "That's what she said" and television.
Funniest shows ever: M*A*S*H* and Seinfeld.

U is for utensils.
I prefer a small fork, no matter the fare.
Soup spoons are lame.

V is for volleyball
I did just fine in my day.

W is for the W hotel, and good times had there.

X is for Xiphiod process.
I have one, do you?(no Google searches!)

Y is for Young'uns
We gotz two

Z is for Zero
I have Zero tolerance for lateness

What are some of your ABC's?

Sunrise, Lancaster PA

2012-01-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

Additional landscape photos here.

Coming Or Going?

2012-01-02T19:01:00.000-05:00

I fought off writing this for the better part of a week or so. I thought posting some sort of lame holiday experience thing would be a bit cliche. However, after a few quiet moments of thought, as things are about to get back to what passes for normal, I felt compelled to document a few random thoughts.
A few keywords that will forever remind me of the final days of this year:
Spinach dip
Groundage
Pickle

It is clearer to me now more than ever, that any person you call friend who does not consistently sharpen and challenge you, is not your friend. In fact, if they are not doing so, if they are not speaking truth into your life, they are harming you. Put some distance between yourself and such people and see if you (and possibly them) are not better for it.

It saddens me a bit to hear people speak of their plans for the new year. Often, I hear things like:
"This will be my year"
"The new year will be better for me"
"This year I will improve myself"
I am all for improving one's self, for learning and growing and maturing. I also believe that if we focused a bit more on the betterment of others as opposed to ourselves, our streets would be safer, our bodies would be healthier and our souls would find peace.

For all the working, the rushing around, the money and stress that we allow into the holidays, I found the most peace in simple conversation. I felt rested in the company of friends in my home. I was proud to have my parents and Carl under one roof. I felt connected with a friend who was not here, as I knew her to be likewise in good company elsewhere.

I laughed with Kris when guests left. We shared our observations and thoughts with one another.

I wonder what happened to that broken person I met in the hospital.
Will he reach out?
Has he forgotten all about me?
I hope he knows a few people cared enough to seek him out. I hope he comes to learn there are a great many such people where they came from.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Somethin' !

2011-12-03T23:14:00.000-05:00

Introducing a lesser known member of Santa's support team.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T21:50:00.000-05:00

Children Learn What You Don't Teach Them

2011-11-20T14:56:00.000-05:00

I don't much buy into the term "problem child". Most often I feel the term "problem parent" would be more accurate. Just because you are an adult, just because you own a home, just because you are married...none of these things qualify a person to be a parent.
It seems to me that children are farmed out for much of what is taught to them. For academics, they go to school. For faith, they visit church or Sunday school. For athletics, any number of coaches or teams. Grandparents and babysitters fill in lots of blanks as well. All in all, parenting seems like a part time gig. Everyone does a little of the work for you, right?
While that may be the case practically speaking, you as the parent are ultimately responsible for what type of adult your child becomes. The years you have to influence that end product are precious few. Once a child reaches the ages of 17, 18, 19 years old, your chances of genuinely influencing his/her independent decision making is exponentially less. Meanwhile it is during those early years that we see them farmed out to the most amount of people.

Does your child know the joy of giving outlasts the pleasure of receiving?
Does your child know decisions made in seconds can yield results that last a lifetime?
Does your child know that genuine evil exists in this world?
Have your told them any of these things? Do you live out these things for them to see?

Making A (several) List.........

2011-11-14T21:07:00.001-05:00

Perfect People Need Not Apply

2011-10-29T20:31:00.002-04:00

The following was written on 10/24/2011
I am a firm believer that everything and everyone can be improved. Every business can do better. You can be a better friend, a better husband, a better wife. A better mom or dad. Better employee or employer. We can all do better. The minute you cease to work on a given area of your life, is when you are actually at your worst in that area.
In trying to hold true to this way of thinking, Kris and I want to make strides in how we feed ourselves and our family. We both make it to the gym a few times a week. We both enjoy a wide variety of foods. We both like pizza and a bacon cheeseburger as much as the next guy. With children in our lives now, we feel it is incumbent on us to teach them about making good choices when it comes to nutrition. Do I want my kids to be vegetarians, consuming only grains and berries all their lives?......NO. I do want them to know there is another way to feed themselves, besides what the world around them is likely to teach most often. The world around them will offer obesity and diabetes at staggering rates. The world around them offers food allergies never before seen on this planet. I simply want to make sure they are equipped to make choices on their own, when the time arrives.
For the next 14 days(at least) Kris and I will consume nothing other than fresh fruit and vegetable juice, made in our home. This is not meant to be the end-all. I don't think any person can or should make a lifestyle of this. For us, this will provide a pivot point for changing the way our family views food.
Kris and I have decided to keep track of some of this. We'll both be writing a bit as we go.
For Shamus' next entry, click here.
For Kris' entries, click here.

Fill In The Blank

2011-10-29T10:47:00.001-04:00

The following paragraph comes from something I read recently:

"Imagine yourself standing in the presence of your Creator, looking down from heaven on the earthly life you are about to be born into. Your Creator says to you "I’m going to send you into the world for about 80 years. It will be hard. In fact, it will be more painful, confusing and distressing then you can now imagine. You will have a thorn in your flesh, a _________________ that is the result of your entering a world that sin and death has broken. You may wrestle with it all your life. But I will be with you. I will be watching every step, guiding you. Supplying you with grace sufficient for each day. At the end of your journey, you will see my face again. The joy we will share will be born out of the agonies you faithfully endured by the power I gave you. No one will take that joy……which, if you were to experience it now, would simply crush you under its very weight.”
***************************
What do you struggle with? What are you conflicted about? When nobody else is around, when no eyes or ears are on you, what desires fill your mind?
Whatever your answer is, does it control you or shape who you are?
Something(s) exists in every one of us that we know just isn't right. If you think this is not the case for you, then perhaps your ________ is a struggle with honesty. Maybe what you are struggling with the most is difficult for you to define. After all, not all of us fight with something that can be so visually obvious as drug addiction or stealing. In fact, your ________ could bring you happiness from time to time. It might even make you happy all the time....does it?

Big Fish

2011-10-23T18:22:00.003-04:00

It is my concerted opinion, you cannot understand the breath of creation until you stand in close proximity to a creature like this. Suddenly you become aware there is a great deal more to this world, other than the likes of you.

Caption, Please

2011-10-22T13:26:00.000-04:00

Way To Be, Babe

2011-10-16T13:15:00.001-04:00

Six months ago Evan came into our lives and changed our family forever, for the better.
Minutes after he arrived via c-section, him mom was telling the doctors to get the paperwork in order because she was leaving the hospital the next morning. The next morning rolled around, and there was Kris in her hospital room, packing her bags and opening the laptop to register for her spot in this half marathon. It would be her third such experience. The only people confused by all this were the doctors and hospital staff.
Now, six months later, Kris saw her goal through. This person, my friend, my wife, is forever an inspiration to me and to our family.

I've Had All I Can Stand, I Can't Stands It No More!

2011-10-14T13:09:00.009-04:00

This Occupy Wall Street nonsense may look sexy on the news and provide tons of great raw footage for YouTube videos, but that's about all it's good for. I make an effort to keep my current events posts to a minimum but I've held out long enough on this one. Here are a few of my thoughts, separated into broad categories.

1. It ain't charity work...STUPID!
Businesses are supposed to earn money and turn profits, PERIOD.
Unless your organization is a 501(c) and therefore operating as a charity or non-profit, the sole purpose of your business is to make money. Any employee, business owner, American or protester who thinks otherwise, is a moron. No government or other organizing body, should be able to tell a business what to do with monies earned in the course of conducting private business. If you think a business has too much money or is not being socially responsible, then put down the five dollar coffee-frappa-latte-chino-blast, stop with the iphones, the google searches. Stop shopping at amazon.com and eBay and don't buy another gallon of gasoline for your SUV.

2. Check your map (or the GPS on your iPhone 4s)
There are just as many criminals wearing suits in Washington D.C. as there are on Wall Street.
There already exists a regularly scheduled protest to oust the suits in Washington...it's called an election. If you have a beef with a certain law or policy that allows a business to function in a way you don't care for, then vote in-or-out a person who shares your views and will act accordingly. If elections prove to not serve the purpose of the American public year after year, than I suggest an armed uprising- a Revolution if you will- is in order, as outlined in the founding documents of our country. Either way, this bullshit on Wall Street will not have an ideal outcome for anyone.

3. WARNING: Egregious stereotypes ahead..
Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Wall Street protester/college student, how are you paying the 60K a year tuition at NYU or Columbia, or Cooper Union or Pratt, or St. John's? Are you in from Connecticut or just down from the Upper East Side? On a trust fund or daddy's dime? Do you live in a loft apartment in SOHO @ 2,500 a month? No, you are on a scholarship? Cool. Who do you suppose provides that grant money or scholarship fund?
Idiot.

I believe it's a matter of time before the scene in downtown Manhattan looks much like those we have seen lately in other parts of the world. Riots, fires, looting and death. Maybe even a military tank or two. Wait, scratch that, the NYPD has tanks of their own. At some point, the owners of the park (it is private property) where this gathering has centered will ask you to leave. When that time comes and the police act on the owner's request, I hope you leave quietly. If you choose to get in a cop's face or do not comply with the lawful request of an officer, I hope you are dealt with accordingly.

I understand the spirit and frustration of this movement.
I believe their methodology is seriously flawed.

Your Birthday Is Oct 19th, Right???

2011-10-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

For being all that I am not

For Succeeding where I fail

For Being quiet when I am loud

For being selfless

For giving when I take

For loving this family with all you have

For loving me when I fail

For believing when I give up

For all the years, football games, and Yankee playoff games

For all the late night conversations

For so many things there are no words to describe

For so many stories I could never tell

I love you, Kris.

Happy Birthday.

Date Night

2011-09-28T19:55:00.000-04:00

The waiter asked me if I wanted my milk cold. I greatly appreciated his question, and his attention to detail.

*************

Kris: Can I lick the salt off for you?

Shamus: Please do.

For The Record

2011-09-19T22:25:00.002-04:00

Have you ever felt like you have something more to offer? Perhaps while realizing this, you also become aware that few are the people, or circumstances, that have anything of value to offer you. Its an unsettling realization.
Granted, I'm just sitting here watching the Giants defense out score the Giants offense, but I'm used to that.
No, there is another reason I'm uncomfortable right now. Its a scary thing to put yourself out there, even if only in writing. Its even more frightening to consider being called on what you say.

I have a skill set. I can be of service in rendering care to people in need of surgery.
Should I have the opportunity to work for an organization or physician, who could house and feed my family, I would be content to go anywhere and work for food and board. All I ask is that my family be cared for. I want nothing more than that. Set up the O.R. in a cave or jungle, I don't care. Let my boys know a life built in service of others. Let them see real suffering, and real love being poured out to help.
My wife is a tough guy, she can hack it. My boys will figure out what it's all about in short order.

There, I feel better. AND...the Giants managed an offensive touchdown!

Read Between The Lines

2011-09-09T20:00:00.002-04:00

Truthfully, I get annoyed more than anything else when this time of year rolls around. I get annoyed at the memorials, I get annoyed at the T.V. specials. The whole scene just puts me off. Don't ask me to explain why that is to you. At least not in a blog post. No matter how Kris and I try to shelter ourselves from the endless stream of new documentaries each year, no matter how selectively we read our normal website haunts, hoping to avoid the mental landmines, there really is no way around it. My reason for finding this outlet each year to visit the thoughts I otherwise try to stave off, is to ensure my boys will someday have a way to make it a bit more personal. Hopefully, in doing so, some sense can be made of the mess for them.

**********************

The wisest people I know are those who possess the ability to change. Change, to function in the midst of dynamic surroundings. Change to better themselves. Change for the betterment of others. True change requires an adjusted way of thinking. Merely adapting new behaviors or habits is not always an indication that real change or progress is being made. Perhaps the ideal form of change is when a person makes necessary adjustments, while not forgetting where they come from. In so doing, the benefit of life experience and wisdom is brought to bear in new circumstances. It is this sort of ability that Kris has. Its really no surprise that Kris was met with success as a police officer. It also has been no surprise that she has risen to the challenges of being a "stay at home" mom.

I'd like my boys to know that their mother made poignant choices, and followed through with changes to make our present day life a reality. I'd also like them to know she brings with her all the wisdom, from what seems like a different life, into her decisions at home everyday.

Evan, on any given Saturday morning, your mom may place you across her chest in a sling as we wander through the market. A few years ago it was a bullet resistant vest across her chest. Take this to mean she understands where danger waits, and she can protect you. Aiden, when your mother provides you with advice, please understand she has given guidance to others during the darkest hours in their lives. She has wisdom to impart to you. Boys, understand that when your mom runs in the park with you, she has also run into pure danger to save lives. You cannot outrun her obsession to care for you.
Read between the lines, boys.

In our attic is a box with among other things, Kris' memo books. These are a legal record of her time in service as a police officer. Every observation, every assignment and post, every arrest she effected is documented.

Click image to enlarge

The images below are pages from September 11th, 2001. Unless you have experience in the military, police, or other first responder capacity, these pages don't reveal anything remarkable.

However, if you read between the lines, you will see an officer desperate and determined to reach a smoldering pile of rubble that was to burn for weeks. You will see an endless amount of effort to ensure friends and strangers alike were provided the dignity of a decent funeral. If you read between the lines you see keen powers of observation, strength and determination. They reveal everything you might not guess about Kris. Perhaps, that was why she was so sucessfull in her roles as a cop..... bad guys never saw her coming.

(Click to enlarge)

Similar posts on this subject can be found here.

Fishing Is A Team Sport

2011-09-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

For the record, I do not regard fishing as a sport. Furthermore, neither is golf or bowling.
At best, these are all "activities", in my opinion. That being said, the title "Fishing Is A Team Activity" is slightly less eye catching.

This weekend it took a team effort to make the yearly fishing trip for me and my dad to happen.
Lance put in a world class effort getting us on the fish, despite dealing with difficult post-hurricane conditions.
Kris, my mom, and Gramps all pulled extra duty watching the boys. Kris and my mom also had dinner ready to go when we got home.

Date Night

2011-08-26T20:59:00.001-04:00

We only kept our scores so low, to maintain our amateur status for the Olympics.

".........."

2011-08-25T21:27:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU!!!!!!!, Jon Stewart

2011-08-16T15:13:00.005-04:00

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Don't Waste Your Time At Church

2011-08-14T21:15:00.002-04:00

If you went to the gym for an hour once a week, and ate junk food all week long, would you see a net gain in the improvement of your health? If you studied a foreign language about three times a year, how long would it take you to become fluent? How 'bout music? If you sat down at the piano during a few random holidays, how long would it take you to learn the instrument?
I'm sure everybody goes to church for different reasons, at different times in their life. If we wanted to find a common theme of any sort, in when people go to church, a list might look something like this:
Holidays
Funerals
Weddings
Births (baptism, christening, etc.)
Social services(counseling, charity, etc.)

From my quick list, it seems we all head to church for two basic reasons. To celebrate something, or to have a need met. Maybe death finds us seeking peace. Maybe your family is in town during December and you want a place to recognize the holiday together. To be sure, all good reasons.

Going to church doesn't make you a better person, nor are you assured of any enlightenment, of any kind, regardless of how often you make an appearance. Why do we seek out a house of worship at what proves to be critical times in our lives, while ignoring that same peace and comfort the rest of the year.
Wouldn't it be nice to feel the way you do during a Christmas Eve service, all year long?
The words of wisdom, and promise of a fruitful life together that make us cry during weddings, seldom are lived out in the years that follow the ceremony.
I hear people say they attend church for the benefit of their children. Some say they want their kids to "be exposed to it" or "I want my children to have the option". These same people will often stop going to church once their kids are old enough to express disinterest, or become so over scheduled that church attendance is no longer a priority. The lesson taught to our kids seems clear to me....... you should go to church as long as you can fit it in and as for me (your parent), I don't have a vested interest in going for my own benefit.

Routine of any kind, no matter how well intentioned, seldom yields any real benefit into our lives. In fact, I think more often then not it tends to shift our focus away from what really matters. We then tend to get caught up in the routine of what we are doing, rather than why we started doing it to begin with.
Is there peace to be had in church? Yes, sure. Why is that? Is it just the songs, the smiles and cook-outs?

Please, don't run out and join a church now. Don't start giving away a bunch of money.
You would be better served living out the values espoused during that once a week visit, the other six days a week.
Why is church is only good for funerals, weddings and holidays?
Or are you convinced you are too good for church the rest of the time?

Going Numb Is Dumb

2011-08-02T12:56:00.002-04:00

I suppose I am the average guy. My daily life consists of a few routines, much like I'm sure yours does.
Why is that? Probably because our lives are so often learned behavior. We see our friends live a certain way, we watched our parents do things this way, or our co-workers function in like fashion so we follow suit.
I believe all this routine is quite dangerous. Take a second, look up and pause. What do you see in the world around you? You see poverty at disgusting levels. I'm not talking about distant lands seen on TV during 30 second commercials with some lame celebrity host. I'm speaking about what goes on a few miles from your home. Mass murder is on the rise. I'm not talking about a third world country caught up in civil war. I'm talking about what happens in your city each week. Moral depravity is rampant. I'm not talking about crimes or heinous acts against the faceless innocent. I'm talking about the most basic sense of right vs wrong that is largely absent from every decision we make.
How did we all get here? Routine.
We keep doing the same thing, keep chasing the same goals, paying the same fines. And why..because that is what everybody else is doing.

This past weekend, lifelong friends from back home were in town to spend some time with us. In typical fashion, one night we ended up way past our bedtimes catching up and sharing our lives with one another.
A truly holy experience and sacred honor.
One thing became clear to all of us, nobody is immune to the dangers that come with falling into routines.
Life, marriage, raising children, all must be sheltered from the pitfalls of routine.
Routine will bring us just that...more routine, more of the same. More greed, more divorce and heartbreak, more misguided goals.
I've said many times before, decide what you want... success or greatness. I challenge you to determine which is the more admirable quality. How would you rather have your children described...as successful or great? Will you play in the games of this world, will you encourage your children to participate in the same games?
I submit to you that the greatest leaders, poets, soldiers, doctors, artists, in the history of the world are those who refused to live life according to the rules, and be governed by the wisdom of this world.

Think about it...you surely know someone who is quite successful by most standards. By default, would you trust that same person with your life, or with the life of someone you love? My friends, success does not equal greatness. They are NOT one in the same.
I heard it put this way once, and although this example never sits well with some people, it makes a clear point.....
On September 11th, the great people ran into the buildings, while the successful people ran out.

Do not go numb with routine. Do not go numb with success. Such behavior only leads to death. Death of the worst kind, wherein you are still upright and wandering around completely aware that you are not fully alive.

The Past Few Days

2011-07-31T17:56:00.000-04:00

Kris and A.J. in birthday prep mode

Oreos!!

Date Night

Aiden takes in the scene at Bass Pro Shop

Aiden's first fishing rod

It was Grandpa's idea to take the stairs

Calm Before Storms

2011-07-23T16:28:00.000-04:00

My Plan is to reference this video a few years from now. Perhaps one Saturday afternoon when Aiden is holding his brother's head under the toilet water.

Lessons From Stone

2011-07-16T20:04:00.047-04:00

The fam took a quick road trip today. The Civil War Museum is a short drive from our home.
When purchasing the tickets, the gentleman took a moment to ask me, " How did you hear of us?"
At first, I was confused. I thought for a moment he was implying there are people out there(Americans) who don't know about the war. Then it struck me. He thought I was a tourist.
As quick as I could, I replied..."I live here."

We were treated to an exhibition of Civil War music, a live fire reenactment, and a Q&A session on battlefield surgery.
If you were too quick when entering the building, or leaving, you might miss the monument below.

So often, I wonder what it is I want my boys to be. I want them to be like this. Men of action. Men of mercy.

(Click for larger view)

ConGAYtulations

2011-06-25T14:18:00.020-04:00

Yesterday, New York passed laws that will recognize same-sex marriages.
For all the reading I have done on this topic, for all the conversations I've had with various people, and for all the rhetoric that so often attaches itself to people of faith like me,
I just don't care.
In fact, what annoys me more than anything else, is that government employees (at your expense) spent time and resources debating this matter to begin with. That, is another post entirely. Some people believe that laws like this are good. Some believe laws like this are bad.
Allow me to address both groups.

To the people who favor same sex marriages:
Marriage is a failure in this country. Any Google search you care to do on the subject of marriage in America will prove that. Marriages fail at an alarming and ever increasing rate across every statistical spectrum. So, why the fight to gain legal standing into such a failed institution? Is it because these "rights" you seek will afford you some measure of financial benefit? Some kind of tax filing kudos? Are you in search of a better deal from your health insurance provider? If any of those are the case then let's call this what it really is.....a debate over money, not marriage.

To the people opposed to same sex marriages:
It's the heterosexual people who have screwed up "marriage" to begin with in this country. The statistics show that most people don't really care about marriage or family from the get go.
Perhaps if the divorce rate did not routinely hover around 40 percent, you might have a leg to stand on. You're not even doing it correctly yourself!

For myself, I'd be content to abolish all marriage licenses. Get rid of any and all tax implications that benefit married people. If health insurance providers want to screw you, believe me, they don't need to hang their hat on whether you are legally married or not. They are among the biggest crooks in the world. They will get your money either way.

Besides, who says marriage is a "right"? People often say healthcare is a "right". To that end we have allowed the government a great deal of say-so in the healthcare business. And look at the bang up job they have done there! In my not so humble opinion, marriage is more than anything else, a spiritual commitment. No silly law(s) either in favor of, or in opposition to what God intended marriage to be can change a thing. People all over this planet are married in jungles. People since the dawn of time have gotten married without getting a license from the state of NY.

Is this what we really want? Gay or straight, do we wish to be defined by what some government says we are? Do you want some person, whom you have never met, signing and passing around paperwork that says who you are, what you stand for, what you give your money to, and what you believe in?

I am not defined by the wisdom of this world.
Neither is my family or my relationship with my partner....er, um...wife.

All The Father's Day Cards Sucked

2011-06-19T08:39:00.006-04:00

Over the years, I've had many occasions where someone has introduced themselves to me by saying..."Hi, I'm so and so, you must be John Smith's kid"....or..."You're Smitty's son, right?"

That's O.K. by me.

Dad, trying to carve out a section of the world for my family, like you have for yours, is quite daunting. If I ever manage to do it, it will only be because I had a great example to follow along the way.

2011-06-11T18:12:00.003-04:00

(More Pics Hare)

Evidence

2011-06-09T20:30:00.003-04:00

If the word ended tomorrow, and all that was left behind of my family was this video, you would know all there is to know about us. I took this video having no intention of using it. However, upon viewing it, it's too perfect to ignore. What do you see? (or hear)

Sanctuary

2011-06-01T21:35:00.014-04:00

The landscape of what daily life looks like for our family is changing. Some adjustments, we will be happy about. Others, we will resist. One change specifically, I'm quite excited for.

Beginning in July, Kris and I will have a date night on the last Friday of every month.

This will provide for us a bit of sanctuary. A reserved portion of time that the two of us can point to on the calender every few weeks, and look forward to.

All to often life gets out of control. Work is busy, and perhaps with good reason. Family and friends make demands of our time, as well they should. Our children will always need our attention, and we are happy to give it.

Mark my words... none of these things, either on their own, or in combinations, are more important then the bond I share with Kris.

Walk This Way

2011-05-21T21:44:00.012-04:00

Two days back home found us and our companions doing a good bit of walking.

So much so, I couldn't fit the entire mapped out trip into one screen capture.

Here's a small sample of our travels.

Truth Or Consequences

2011-05-15T09:42:00.008-04:00

The past two weeks have found me mostly at home. I have had some time off from work, welcoming Evan into our family. My time here has revealed many truths to me. Without the daily obligations to an employer or an otherwise strict schedule set by external pressures, I have been able to see life in its most ideal setting(s).

I believe we were built to live in service to one another, and to our families. Somewhere in the past (historians on the subject speculate the Industrial Revolution), our society and our families got sidetracked. Nowadays, we spend 8-10 hours a day away from our homes earning money in an attempt to create a better life for the people we love.

I don't understand it. How can we possibly hope to do right by our children, while we walk away from them for the better part of the day, everyday?

Survey after survey on this topic, across people of all earning categories, reveals the same thing.

Time away from the workplace, time to be at home with family, vacation time, is more important to people than what the paycheck looks like every week. This is often compounded by the fact that 1/3 of your earnings never make it to you or your family to begin with. That adds up to almost two days out of every five that you work....you receive little to no compensation for.

Meanwhile, your child is being raised or educated by a stranger. Meanwhile, your friend needs your help. Meanwhile, your spouse is required to make difficult decisions without you to lean on.

Our priorities as parents, as members of a family, need to shift if we are to raise up a great family. We need to decide where our time is best spent and where we are being rewarded the most for our efforts. Decide what your child, your family needs most. Is it more money? Is it the things that money can provide?

I believe that our children need a father and a mother more than anything else. I do not believe that this concept ends once your kid turns a magic age, 18 or 21. You will always be someone's son or daughter. The past two weeks have taught me that as well. I'm 35 years old, I have two children and I have been married for almost 13 years.

I need my parents now more than ever.

Real community can only be achieved when families remain intact. Real community can only be fostered when marriages and home life are valued above all else. We need to set aside all other pursuits, sound as they may seem, and adjust the pecking order of our lives. If striving for anything, money, affection, influence, is getting in the way of your life at home, it will ultimately produce a negative result. For all things in life there is a cause and effect. You cannot rob from Peter to pay Paul forever. Sooner or later Paul gets pissed and has an affair. Paul starts to drink. Paul takes on a second job to pay for the alimony and the step-kids in his new marriage, as well as the kids he only sees once a month now.

I'm just sayin'..... How do you perfect any behavior? You keep working on it over and over.

If you want to be a professional athlete, you practice constantly. If you want to be a better carpenter, you hone your craft in the shop on a daily basis. Well, if you want to be a better parent, son, daughter, husband, shouldn't you work on that constantly? Shouldn't a significant portion of your energy be placed into learning all you can about the people you reside with?

What would benefit the world more...a society filled with great mothers, aunts and uncles? Or a society of the best computer programmers, lawyers and secretaries known to man?

The Calm Before The Born (Pics to be updated)

2011-04-29T19:18:00.006-04:00

The waiting in one room for almost 20hrs almost dulls me to the changes that will occur once I leave this room.

You would think this amount of time, in one room, would be spent in great preparation of something. Not the Case.

I'm sure I could spend 200hrs in this same room and still emerge not fully prepared for what life will hand me next.

Yesterday, I spent the day being busy about the house. I took care of a few small improvement projects that I had been putting off. I was getting ready all day. At least then I was moving around, room to room. I had tools and supplies. I made a trip to the hardware store. That all seemed to matter to me. It all seemed very significant. Yet here I sit, doing almost nothing.

I can't prepare anymore. I'm either ready for this or I am not.

So here I wait, doing nothing. Getting ready...sorta.

Too Many Lenses

2011-04-23T07:18:00.008-04:00

One lens for close ups.

One for wide angle.

Another for black and white.

Maybe one for fancy colors.

One lens does high speed, another for slow motion.

This approach works great for creating art and photographs, but it sucks for doing life.

I'm of the opinion that all too often, we approach life with way too many lenses at the ready.

We read through the newspaper learning about crimes, unrest, and illness. With each page we turn, we attach a new lens, a different filter, to view each story.

Gas prices

Obesity

Homeless families

Aids

Addiction

Sexual deviance

War

Education

I believe all of these issues should be viewed through one lens, with one set of values, recognizing a singular set of absolutes as the solution for all the evil that exists around us.

Can anyone suggest one single set of values that could possibly correct all the horrors that inhibit life on a daily basis?

For you, maybe things aren't as complex as AIDS or cancer. Maybe you are not homeless. Perhaps your solution is a bit more home-grown. Are your finances in the toilet? Is there a friend or family member you can't seem to walk in stride with? Are you and your son not on the same page about life? Has your child just told you he/she is gay and you aren't quite sure how to react?

You've only got one shot at capturing a true picture of life, real life. Has changing lenses been working for you? Or have you missed large moments of life as you focus in your next lens?

Choose one lens.

Shamus Says This Is Funny.....Because It's True

2011-04-20T15:39:00.002-04:00

Class Dismissed and The Grass Is Always Greener

2011-04-10T16:12:00.015-04:00

Over the past week, I had been struggling with what I wanted to say here next. Then, after this morning, I couldn't choose between two thoughts. So, lucky you, I'm posting them both.

The Grass is Always Greener.

The photo above is the result of three separate pictures and some cheesy photo editing on my part.

What you see there is the front "lawn" of my house. I've never been one to obsess over lawn care or spend hours toiling in the summer heat striving for a carpet-like appearance from the grass.

However, even I must admit that the grass is in terrible shape this year. Far below even my meager standards. On several occasions over the past few days, I have been quite close to calling up a landscaper and handing over my credit card so my lawn could be made presentable for the summer months. I had to force myself to decide if that was a wise way to spend money.

The answer: NO

It became clear to me that I was concerned with what others, people I know, may think of my family when driving by our house and seeing the grass in such a poor condition. Meanwhile, truths about my family can only be found on the other side of that grass, inside our home. Inside we are getting ready for the arrival of Evan. Inside, we have completed a small home renovation project. Inside, we laugh most of the day. Inside, Kris bakes constantly and makes delicious meals for us and our friends on a regular basis. It seems as though the lawn will have to wait. The arrival of my next son, and our two day vacation to NYC will occupy any extra money we have for the next few months......and I'm okay with that.

Class dismissed.

A few times a month, I am blessed to mix audio at LCBC. I can be found at LCBC most other weekends, whether I am mixing or not. However, I worship when I create sound. I worship when I mix. Most often, I go unnoticed behind the console, as it should be. I was taught years ago that you are mixing your best sound when nobody knows you are in the room. You see, the idea is to create an energy, a sound that so perfectly communicates the emotions of what is being said, that people get completely lost in thought or song. Today, some of that sacred worship may have been seen by a few people. It was a little unsettling for me. As the last song, complete with layered vocals, heavy guitars and a driving keyboard came to an end, the lead singer dismissed the audience. The plan was to complete the balance of the music as the audience exited the room.

What I hadn't counted on was 1,000 people walking towards me, facing me as I finished up the last portion of this song (at 100dB). All of a sudden, I found myself wondering what to do. I was in a complete groove, feeling this perfect music, lost in the message that it was conveying. After all, nobody ever sees me mix (worship). To most, I was in touch with rhythms that couldn't be heard, feeling things nobody else was aware of. Do I come to a stop, compose myself, and let the last few measures ring out without me? I took a deep breath, grabbed the emotions and held on. It was a great feeling.

Not only was I able to complete my sacred act, I was treated to a sea of faces and smiles. Others around me were clearly leaving the room just a few inches off the carpet themselves. More than a few stayed until the room was empty. They too, had decided to hold on.

This video, from a cell phone camera was running to catch the scene. I don't expect it to be able to express the emotions, but take a look.

Choice Of Words

2011-03-12T18:08:00.038-05:00

Lately, in the course of conversation, or even when I happen to overhear a passerby use a particular phrase, it makes me cringe. Its simple enough, and I'm sure people are just saying this with the most benign intentions, but it's driving me nuts! The simple phrase that plagues me these days:
"I can't."
I've come to believe we as humans possess remarkable, almost magical abilities.
In fact, I'm inclined to think the only ability we as humans have in varying amounts is.....decision making ability.
I've seen the inside of enough people to know that all people were issued nearly identical equipment. What overwhelmingly makes most people different from each other is what they have chosen to do with that equipment.

I can't stop smoking
I can't stop spending
I can't stop with the porn

Sorry people, I ain't buyin' it. The more logical and likely explanation as to why you cannot accomplish any given goal in front of you is, you don't want to. Either that, or you have become content (for better or worse) in your current situation. Either way, "I can't" doesn't fit the bill.

I can't stop eating
I can't go to the gym
I can't get out of bed on time

These (among many others) are not impossible tasks. Yet everyday we all say "I can't" when talking about our efforts, or lack thereof, concerning such matters.

I can't change my job
I can't live without facebook
I can't stop with the drugs

Meanwhile, a double amputee is climbing to the top of the planet.

Meanwhile, a thirteen year old child scales Mount Everest.

Meanwhile, Salvatore Giunta has a story worth learning about.

To be sure, citing feats of athletic achievement makes for an easy target. Nevertheless, these are just humans who made a decision. From there, they took the necessary steps to see their goal accomplished. Simply stated, they "wanted to." Such people are no different from you. They simply made a decision. Are they super humans? Do they possess talents you do not, or muscles you'll never feel? No. To suggest otherwise would to be to consider their Creator somehow valued them above you.

So if you come across me and say something like "I could never do that" Don't be surprised if I mention the story of a man who walked between the towers of The World Trade Center EIGHT times on a wire 3/4 of an inch in diameter (no safety net or rigging of any kind).

This is what this human did. What was it you can't do?

I'm not trying to convince anyone to run to the nearest mountian and start climbing. Rather, let's start much smaller. Let's just stop saying "I can't" when the truth really is "I don't wan't to". I think life around us would look a lot different if we were all forced to deal with the shame of saying...."I don't want to".

I'm Into Opting Out

2011-02-21T14:30:00.003-05:00

Remember That Year We Almost Died?

2011-02-20T14:44:00.007-05:00

Q.What costs $13.00, puts you 300 feet in the air, and can convince you death is imminent?

A. being stuck behind an accident on the upper level of the Verrazano Bridge amidst 50mph winds.

That's how we spent about an hour of our weekend. At one point, I just came to be at peace with it.
I had just partaken of a meal beyond description, I was among friends, and the situation was beyond my mortal ability to control or alter.
We had a great weekend catching up with the scene back home, as we spent some time revisiting a yearly tradition with Tommy and Jeannine.
As a bonus this year, we were able to sit with Carl and Andrea for a short while as well.
In thinking about the weekends many, many great moments, one thing is quite clear to me:
Whether you are the parent of one child or two, boys or girls, if they are 3 years old, 10 years old or 21 and above, they are always your kids. And no matter where your office is, no matter how you earn your living and pay your bills, the one job you will never be dismissed from is that of being a parent.

Pet Peeve

2011-02-17T20:35:00.015-05:00

It always gets under my skin when people, namely Christians, tout whatever book they may be reading. I see these people as living and learning life through such reading(s), rather then going out and living life in real time, with real people.

Maybe I'm moving past this pet peeve of mine, maybe not.

A friend of mine recently borrowed my kindle, and in going through the contents, had some less then flattering remarks about my reading choices. For no good reason, I've decided to post them here.

A Thomas Jefferson Education

The Writings Of Abraham Lincoln

God Is Not One

How And When To Be Your Own Doctor

God And Sex, What The Bible Really Says

Dark Dreams: Sexual violence, Homicide and The Criminal Mind

Sex At Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins Of Modern Sexuality

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Hooking Up

The Porning of America: The Rise of Porn Culture

House To House

End The Fed

The Revolution: A Manifesto

Never Surrender: A soldiers Journey To The Crossroads Of Faith And Freedom

Rescue Warriors

Perfect Victim

Escape in Iraq: The Thomas Hamill Story

Detective

Religion Gone Bad

Blackwater: The Rise Of The Worlds Most Powerful Mercenary Army

I'm Fine With God, Its Christians I can't Stand

Saber's Edge: A Combat Medic In Ramadi, Iraq

Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness.

2011-02-04T14:08:00.018-05:00

Quick, without clicking anywhere, where was that well known set of words made renowned?

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Simple, isn't it? While it does speak to emotions and thoughts that we all feel are fundamental to our lives, I think there may be some problems with our pursuit.
What is it that you give up, walk over, or otherwise are willing to concede in your...."Pursuit of happiness"? Have you cast friends aside, have you cut legal corners to pursue happiness? Have you sold your soul from time to time, or adjusted your moral compass a bit, in your pursuit of happiness?
Happiness is a fickle thing. How can we, as a society, all live out our sovereign right to pursue happiness, when for sure we are all made happy by different things? Sooner or later, won't you end up crossing someone the wrong way as you both butt heads during your respective pursuit of happiness? And what of the collective good of your neighborhood, or community at large? What should be the priority there? Surely your pursuit of happiness will not always jive with what others around you deem to be important. Also, consider this.....what makes you happy right now, will likely not make you happy in six months from now (is that not the definition of fickle?). A new car you buy will lose its shine. A new job you have will annoy you. A new boyfriend or girlfriend will lose favor as time passes. Then what? Were you happy six months earlier, or are you happy now? How many friendships, marriages or other relationships are brought to a screeching halt because "he/she doesn't make me happy anymore." or "I just want to be happy, don't I have a right to happiness?". In the name of happiness, many people have become horribly damaged. In the search for happiness, many children are caught in a terrible crossfire of confusing emotions. Emotions that most adults are not equipped to handle, *much less the fragile mind of a child or teenager. No doubt the people who toppled such giants as Enron, bringing financial ruin to thousands, only wanted happiness for themselves.
I see a world that does indeed want happiness. I question where it is we are searching for it. As long as people continue to seek out something as fleeting as happiness from things of this world, things made and destroyed at the hands of their fellow humans, I believe the search is in vain.
*Link seen above.

More Snow = More Better

2011-01-27T14:58:00.011-05:00

Additional landscape photos here.

I'll Trade You Music For Photos

2011-01-26T14:59:00.012-05:00

With a fresh coat of snow on the ground, I took the chance to get a few photos.

I like the birds in this one

Kris gets credit for the one below

Next two, taken from inside the tree shown above.

After leaving the park, we made a few stops before returning home. Now, almost two hours later, I realized my Zune(it's like and ipod, only better) wasn't in my pocket anymore.
So..........

I retraced my steps........

Other landscape photos can be seen here.

Questions Of Slavery And Worship

2011-01-07T12:29:00.006-05:00

We each go through the day devoting some portion of our time and attention to different things. It may be your occupation or your family. It could be church or a hobby. No matter what you give yourself to, take a moment to consider what you are getting in return.
Are we in control of our activities and emotional investments, or have such things taken control of us?
Have we, in fact, become slaves?
I believe we each engage in worshipful behavior with each passing day. We dedicate our lives, in increasingly greater amounts, to things that are ever fleeting. To people who are either unfit or unable to pay any dividend into our lives. In many cases, behaviors, interests or possessions, that were once of sound virtue, have become perverted into time consuming monsters.
Maybe we are worshiping the wrong things, or the wrong people.
Any amount of research into the origins of the word "worship" will show you that it was originally intended to be reserved for reverence or homage given to a deity or sacred person.
Using that as a guide, decide what is sacred in your life. What do you pay homage to every day?
If we were true to the original meaning, we would only worship God, and I believe He takes cares of those who worship Him and follow His lead.
For all the religious talk out there, a relationship with God is really that easy. It's a friendship. Simple.
You talk to your friend, you do things for your friend, you learn from your friend.
Look around at all the possessions you have. All the things you serve and worship and work for every day. How many of them take care of you, like a good friend should?
When you worship your item or person of choice, are you satisfied? Do you feel at peace, having had your needs met? Is your thirst quenched?

Are you worshiping, or are you a slave?

Friendships
Sporting events
Money
Physical appearance
Church
Status
Facebook
Drugs
Music
Material possessions
Faith
Family
Cars
Sex
Food

Christmas Without Presents

2010-12-24T18:24:00.007-05:00

Sounds bleak, right?

This year, there will be no exchange of presents in the Smith home. However, make no mistake about it, there are gifts everywhere.

1. Luci is home for a few days. We've spent time pouring through photo albums. Right now, we are all watching White Christmas.
2. Last night found Dez joining us at LCBC, then we all went back to our place for chinese food. We closed out the night over a few empty glasses and many laughs.
3. Tomorrow morning Kris will make a breakfast feast for us.
4. Christmas dinner will take place at my parents' house. I'll get to enjoy the sounds of Aiden running at full speed from one room to the next. Much like I did in Cap and Gramps' house for years on end. Having Gramps, Mom and Dad live nearby has really added an element of magic to Christmas for me.
5. On Sunday, Luci, Lori and I will close out the weekend at Mc Cleary's. A meal shared between the three of us has become something I look forward to with much anticipation.
6. Looking ahead to next weekend, Kris and I will host what we hope will become a new tradition for our family: Movie night. Our families will gather at our place for dinner and a movie, complete with an ice cream intermission.

So you see, Christmas this year is proving to be one we will long remember.
No presents, but plenty of gifts.

Advice for a three year old.(updated)

2010-12-17T19:46:00.005-05:00

There isn't much advice you can give a three year old. Most of the instruction I find myself offering Aiden on a regular basis consists of simple "Yes you can" or "No, stop doing that".
Sure, he often grasps the consequences of behaving in a given manner, and it's easy enough to have a conversation with him. What he can't yet understand are the themes of life that are ever present around him. Evil, good, danger, love, friendship, respect. These are things he will have to learn as time progresses. When I provide him with instruction, or answer a question for him, he sees largely an arbitrary decision. He doesn't know my words to him are spoken out of life experiences, both good and bad.
I struggle on a daily basis to be able to provide my son with the life that my parents created for me. On many different fronts, I fear I will fall short of ever attaining such a great feat.
What I would like to do is encourage Aiden to live a life far from ordinary.
I want him to fight when others would run. I want him to listen when others might talk.
I want him to love, long after others have given up. I want him to seek friendships of the highest caliber. Learn from good people, and possess an ability to discern good people from fools.
Aiden, question the wisdom of this world. Choose your friends wisely, then love them without fail.

Playing Hookie

2010-12-10T22:48:00.003-05:00

The following post was written by my sister in law Elisabeth, who accompanied us on our NYC trip this past Thursday

*****

Instead of school, this Thursday brought me to New York City with some of the most New York people I know. I was privileged enough to experience, first hand, Aiden’s first trip to the Big Apple. Although the idea of the actual city life doesn’t draw as much attention from him, all he could talk about on the car ride was seeing the “subway train” and getting himself his ticket.
Our first stop in the city was, of course, the subway. After some quick photos, we hopped on the train to Rockefeller Center. Aiden wasn’t the only one seeing the city icon for the first time. I was amazed myself. Who would have thought such an enormous tree would be brought into the busiest, most populated city in the nation time and time again. After some photos by the tree and its surroundings, we got back on the subway for a trip to Grand Central Station. Of course this was the highlight of the trip for Aiden. We visited the model train set in the station where Aiden could have stood for hours watching all the trains go by. I learned a lot about trains from the little guy that day.
Our final stop brought us to a quaint little Italian restaurant downtown. If you haven’t experienced eating in the city with Kris and Sha, you will quickly find out that you DO NOT eat at chain restaurants. You also NEVER eat in Midtown. Instead, you find the small, family owned businesses that will always taste better than McDonalds or TGIFs. In that same small restaurant, Sha had asked Kris to be his girlfriend (even if Kris was more concerned about her food than the memory) 15 years ago! After enjoying way too much delicious food, we stopped at Rocco’s and Magnolia’s for some more food and headed out of the city. I must say, I was almost as sad as Aiden to say goodbye.
Thanks Kris, Sha, and Aiden for letting me be a part of this memory. I had a lot of fun, as always!

Great Parenting Moments

2010-12-04T19:06:00.005-05:00

Today found our family out and about quite a bit. Aiden tolerates the general public for a few hours at a time as well as can be expected. At times, he does better than his mother or I do. At one point today, we landed at home for a few hours in the afternoon. The morning had been productive and we managed to have a few laughs together as a family. Desiree even tagged along for a while. After off loading our groceries at home, I decided to be adventurous and head out to the gym. Kris, feeling a bit spent after the morning, decided she wanted to stay at home and catch up on a few items around the house. I, being the post-modern, accommodating and understanding father and husband, declare that I will take Aiden with me to the gym and run two final errands. Off we go.

Two dudes getting ready to pump some iron together. Once at the gym, I check him in at the Kid's Club. We draw lots of smiles and kind words from the pretty girls on the way in. Exercises complete, we bundle up, collect more smiles from the pretty girls and head out to the car. Having just walked up two flights of stairs, out to the parking lot, and strapping Aiden into his seat, he informs me that he has to use the bathroom. No problem. I can handle this! This is my son and I will tend to his every need. Back across the parking lot, into the gym, past the same pretty girls who are of course pleased we have come back again, downstairs and into the bathroom we go.

Given the mechanical abilities of a two year old, in the confines of a public bathroom, it rests mainly on me, the father, to see that this transaction goes off well. I'll spare you the details. Needless to say, I am up to the task. I see my son through various stages of undress, see to it that he washes everything he needs to, and once again, we parade proudly to the car. Father and son. This time we even cross paths with a few fellow New Yorkers who make themselves known with the customary "howudoin'" and acknowledge the Yankees cap my boy is proudly wearing. It's a good moment for a dad. By this point, I am really feeling steeped in fatherhood. My wife is home resting up a bit. The boy and I have been productive.

As we take the last few steps into the car, just as I'm about to once again, lift Aiden up and secure him safely into his government mandated car seat, I notice he is having a difficult time walking. Upon closer inspection.......
it seems, that I, this perfect example of fatherhood in all my glory, failed to button or zipper my son's pants after he used the bathroom. The poor kid walked up two flights of stairs, past the pretty girls, and out into the parking lot with his pants around his ankles.
I quickly made the necessary adjustments and kept moving. After all, our next stop was the liquor store and I didn't want him to be embarrassed in there.

We're all doomed

2010-12-02T16:15:00.002-05:00

What's next?

2010-11-23T16:37:00.010-05:00

A few quick thoughts....

1. In my opinion there will be another airplane(s) hijacking in this country. It's only a matter of time. What's next?

2. If it is decided that full body scanners and pat-downs need to be put in place at all public bus stops or train stations, will that be acceptable to you? Can't just as much damage or death be inflicted by blowing up a bus in the middle of town? Or how about blowing up the number 1/9 train in Manhattan as it pulls into the Penn Square station? What's next?

3. Why is it the responsibility of any government to keep me safe on an airplane? If there were only three airlines in our country, and one of them had a pristine security record, and the other two had problem after problem, which would you patronize? The airline is a business like any other. The public can/should hold them accountable for providing their services in a safe manner. Otherwise, they will go out of business. What's next?

4. Over the past few years, I have repeatedly taken grief in many social circles for not taking my shoes off at airports. The shoes, were never the issue. At issue for me was....what's next?

5. Nobody NEEDS to be on planes this much anyway. Businesses can streamline, especially in the interest of protecting their employee's safety. Conferencing via the internet is far less expensive than plane tickets. Maybe we all need to slow down, take different jobs that don't require air travel, earn less. What's next?

6. The Smith family decided some time ago that we would no longer travel by plane. For me personally, I have said I would travel by plane if my employer required it of me, and was paying for the trip. Now, I will take steps to drive to all business functions on the road.

7. My safety, and that of my family is my responsibility. Who is responsible for the safety of your family?

8. Some people are fine with the latest security measures at airports. So be it. I'm just wondering; if you are OK with the current procedures, at what point (if any) will you consider things to be either unnecessary, too invasive, or possibly criminal? What's next?

Maybe the current pat-downs and body scans are really ok. Maybe they don't violate anyone's rights or personal space. I just wonder.......What's next?

Campaign For Liberty On YouTube.
Campaign For Liberty homepage.

This Is Great!

2010-11-18T14:02:00.005-05:00

Even If you could care less about politics, spend 5 minutes watching the video below. Regardless of the subject matter, you have got to appreciate the spirit in which Ron(we're on a first name basis) speaks.
Our family, for a number of years now, has adopted a policy of not flying anymore for vacations. Besides, there are pleanty of great places to see in our own country.
The last minute or so of this video speaks volumes about who we all are, and what we are becoming.

Control, Control, You Must Learn Control!

2010-11-11T21:39:00.008-05:00

(I know at least one person who will know what movie I have stolen the title of this post from)

We all move through life on earth with seemingly different objectives. Everyone has different goals and timetables. Everyone is also equipped with a different set of abilities and/or gifts.
So it would appear that we are all.....different.
Upon close examination, I am realizing that we are all using largely the same device(s) to get us to our varied destinations.

Control.

Everybody wants it. Everybody is in search of it.
We want control over our future. We want control over our appearance. We seek control over our health. We want to control what others think about us. We want to control how much money we have. We desire control over where we live. We want to control our children. We would like to control our enemies or those we dislike.
If you took a look at those few examples as they pertain to your daily life, how much energy to you exert each day in a desperate reach for control? In the end, how successful are your efforts? Meanwhile, how many virtuous tasks go ignored while we claw away at control?

I don't think control is largely attainable as it exists between any two people. Sure, you may be able to wield sufficient leverage in any given situation to effect a change in someones behavior. Is that control? Have you effected any real or lasting change in that person's life, or in their mind? Or, have you merely adjusted the way they act, while you see them in front of you?

Perhaps the greater peace can be had in the surrender of this fruitless pursuit. Give up the desire to influence all the factors that you have become convinced impact your life on a regular basis. There are certain laws that govern the world we all live in. Fight all you want, earn all the money you can, rise to the top of the pile, win the rat race.....these laws will remain unchanged.
Billionaires are a dime a dozen nowadays, and they come and go. Even in recent American history, people have limitless riches on Monday, only to be unemployed by Wednesday. Such people could not maintain control.
Nations that were far richer then the U.S. have failed a dozen times over. Control slipped away from them as well.
A short while ago, when I wrote an earlier post, I was searching for control. The peace I finally found, came in letting go. My faith in things that I could not see, or cash in on, was rewarded in short order. Call it fate, karma, luck or providence. Your choice of words doesn't matter.
I believe that I was was dealt with favorably because I made a decision to lose control, to give it up. I believe doing so often puts us in good standing with the unchangeable laws that govern the world we live in.

Caption Needed

2010-11-02T18:09:00.002-04:00

Please leave a comment with your suggestion. The winner gets......nothing

Everything You'll Ever Need To Know, You Can Learn From Seinfeld

2010-10-31T15:08:00.010-04:00

Lately, we have been encoureged to think in terms of "what if"
What if the wisdom of this world is worthless and wrong? What if everything we are encouraged to live in pursuit of, will only bring us sadness? What if we pass the incorrect ideals along to our children and the next generation?
I believe we live in a culture that breeds selfishness.
Everyone wants to know.....
How do I earn more?
What am I entitled to?
What are my rights?
How can I advance my agenda?
Well, what if we all did the opposite? What if we acted with the interests of others in mind. What if instead of hoarding our money, we gave more of it away? What if we spoke to that person nobody else cares for? What if we only spoke the truth? What if you pushed through life's challenges rather then cower and retreat. What if you lived with less, so your neighbor could live with more?
Once you start to consider all the what if's out there, the possibilities are endless.
Maybe we take a lesson George, do the opposite, and ask, what if.

Kris Kracks Me Up

2010-10-17T21:02:00.006-04:00

Anyone who has ever taken a trip with Kris has seen an itinerary. Anyone who has taken care of our cats for a few days had gotten a detailed list of instructions. And if you are charged with the care of Aiden for more then a few hours, in like fashion, you are given quite a written set of instructions.

Well, now that Kris spends her entire day parenting Aiden, she holds herself to the same standards.

(Click photo for larger view)

How Beautiful Is This Girl?!

2010-10-13T16:44:00.004-04:00

Father Vs. Husband

2010-10-12T20:26:00.019-04:00

Can a man be a better father than he is a husband? This is a question I have talked about with a few people lately. You probably already answered it for yourself in as much time as it took you to read this far. What if, for the sake of debate, you had to choose one. Where would you land?
*Some have said to me "He cheats on his wife regularly, but I know he loves his kids and he would do anything for his children."
*Others have said "Men usually enter parenthood in an effort to create in their offspring, an extension of themselves, in some part because men are inherently self centered."
*One person told me "He has many habits that make him a difficult person to deal with, I wish I could change that. Being a dad will effect the necessary changes in his way of life."

My opinion is, no, I don't believe a man can be a better father than a husband.
I would question what type of love is taught, via example, to a child when he/she watches dad leave mom for a relationship elsewhere. This strikes me as disposable or convenient love.
Is love then, the same word that dad should turn around and use to describe to his children how he feels about them? I believe that all the character traits a parent "should" want to teach his kids can be demonstrated in how that child sees his parents interact with each other.
If men are in fact having children for selfish motives, to realize an extension of their own existence, would that not doom fathers to end up teaching selfish ways right from minute one? A man should hope to see in his child, an extension of love. A furtherance of all that he has come to adore in his wife.
A read through the label, Matters Of Family, will assure you I have no desire to condemn people who have been divorced or otherwise live life in a non traditional family setting. However, a nationwide divorce rate that flirts with 60 percent on a regular basis can't be right, can it?
Something must be wrong. What are we doing wrong?

*The thoughts from these conversations, noted above, have been paraphrased here. Due only to my lack of ability to recall them verbatim.

Keep It Simple

2010-10-10T18:18:00.004-04:00

I started and stopped this post a dozen times. I wanted to say something profound. I wanted to relay the life lessons learned over the past few days. In the end, I thought a picture would be a better way to go.

Well, a picture and two words...................

MEAT BREAD!

Talk Is Not Cheap

2010-10-03T10:58:00.008-04:00

The other night, Kris and I stayed up way past our normal bedtime. We decided to watch all the bonus material that was included with the most recent version of Robin Hood, newly released on DVD. Once we had gotten through all of it, we found ourselves lost in conversation for a good amount of time. We spoke about how movies had educated us in the past. We shared our likes and dislikes of various films. We laughed, we recalled old stories and learned a little more about one another. Conversation has played a part throughout the history of Kris and I. I would bet almost anything that if you spoke to Kris on this subject, she would be quick to recall a phone conversation between her and I that lasted several hours, long before we ever started dating.

There is no substitute for conversation. I send as many text messages as the next guy, I communicate through email and this blog quite often. None of that can compare to looking into someone's eyes or hearing the passion and inflection in their voice as they tell you how they feel.
Whether you are seeking to develop a friendship, grow your marriage or improve a business relationship, sharing thoughts in conversation will yield unlimited results.
It's more difficult to speak face to face. It takes more effort, it demands that you be more revealing and make yourself more vulnerable. As with many things, working through what may appear to be difficulty up front, will pay out rewards in the long term.
So often, people who have been in relationships for years, easily forget the simple things that brought them together in the first place. The tenent of conversation in social relationships is worth remembering.

Size Matters

2010-09-26T11:16:00.014-04:00

I'm not one for over indulging in politics. I do have a few places I turn to for a moderate dose of current events and commentary. A mainstay over the years has been Meet The Press.

After viewing this morning's show, I decided to sit here and think about a few things. To my amusement, I found that Dez had beaten me to it. I will try to keep the plagiarism to a minimum.

What happens when growth is uncontrolled? It doesn't matter what area of life you are speaking about, most people would unilaterally agree bigger is not always better. Churches (for a variety of reasons) collapse or suffer when they become too large. Societies and governments throughout history have time and time again succumb to vast growth and expansion. Even the human body cannot thrive when growth is allowed to proceed unchecked. To narrow the field a bit, I'd like to talk about education.

I suppose the concept should be fairly simple. You send your child to school. A teacher teaches a class. Your child returns home after a few hours. However, the education system our government has put into place is miles away from anything so plain. Complex testing systems and scores that most teachers can't agree on, decide the fate of students on a daily basis. Union labor officials wield millions of dollars and political clout over who teaches our children. Tax dollars determine if a student will have a football team to play on. And many, if not all, of these decisions are made hundreds of miles away from the place you and your child call home.

How does any of THAT add up to a sound education for your son or daughter? Just for fun, add into the mix the increasing mix of violence in schools, and an ever increasing amount of accusations of sexual misconduct among educators. Clearly, there are many quality teachers working within this system. Many good people who genuinely care for the students they are charged with teaching. However, simple math will tell you, as you bring more and more people into this massive system of education, you will inherently net just as many bad employees as good. If you just managed to break even, is that fair to the children? Would you like to say..."Hey Joey, work hard in class every day, pass every test we give you. There is a 50/50 chance your teacher cares about you and your future."

I see our present way of teaching kids to be too big, too cookie cutter, too industrial.

I don't believe that any given choice of a curriculum, by a school system, can be the ideal method of learning for EVERY child in the classroom. Every person learns differently. Some are very tactile, some are more verbal. Others learn at a rapid pace, some are more leisurely. How can one teacher, dealing with 30 students, using one method or curriculum, hope to reach all the students effectively every time? It can't be done. And don't forget....keep the taxpayers who pay for all of this happy, make sure the union officials are satisfied with the contracts. And keep the salaries for all the teachers, coaches and lunchroom workers as high as possible. Wow, that's a lot to keep straight. Hurry up! We must keep pace with other countries! We can't allow the children in China to be smarter then the children in Pennsylvania! We have to keep pace with other "developed" countries! I would prefer my child be measured and evaluated my me, his dad, and not taught so he can simply keep pace with a kid halfway around the world he will never meet.

My friends, size matters. It allows for increased accountability. Both on the part of the student and the educator. Smaller allows for unlimited personal attention. Smaller allows for a customized approach to learning. If all of this leads to smaller paychecks for our kids in the future, so be it. If it leads to smaller cars, fine. If it leads to smaller houses with smaller mortgage payments, fine.

It has been said, there is a vast difference between success and greatness. Which word would you rather be used to describe your child?

New Camera+New Software=New Videos

2010-09-19T06:56:00.006-04:00

3rd and 20th

2010-09-05T18:29:00.050-04:00

Last year, when I wrote about this subject, Kris left two comments that stayed with me all year. You can view them at last year's post, here. A portion of my memories from 2001 are directly associated with Kris, and how that day affected her and made her feel. At her request, (from the comments noted above) I'm going to tell this story.

Stories like these must be told. They must be told so others, so my son, can find inspiration in the actions of great people. People who accomplish amazing things in the face of the impossible.

***********************

As New York City intersections go, this one is quite ordinary. It boasts a mix of small neighborhood shops, and also bears the imprint of million dollar businesses. Like every other set of corners in the city, it is never vacant or quiet. The weather was pristine. Bright sunshine, a perfect breeze and blue skies provided the backdrop for this fairytale city scene. My vantage point was parked, facing north on Third Ave. A favorite pastime of mine, I was sitting in the car, windows down, soaking in the cityscape while listening to Imus.

Just out of view of this photo, more off to the right, (east) the largest police department in the country hides its training facility. On this day, I was waiting for Kris to exit that building, round the corner, and walk back to me with good news. She was not yet a police officer. Today she was taking the physical agility test that would grant her access to the police academy. She was essentially taking a test that would allow her the privilege of having the life beaten out of her for 8 months. If she passed this test, and survived the academy, she would earn the title "New York's Finest."

The exams today would include a "trigger pull test." This consists of firing 30 rounds, 15 from each hand, without allowing the gun to move inside a 6 inch circular ring. The weapons that are issued to police in NYC are modified from the manufacturer. In most cases, these guns require about 3lbs of pressure to pull the trigger and fire a round. In rare cases, they are modified and require 8lbs of pressure. In the N.Y.P.D., the weapon is taken a step further and requires an unheard of 12.5 lbs of pressure to fire a shot. Kris had attempted this testing before. The small size of her hands was not a good match for this test and the uniquely modified pistol. She was unable to make a passing grade. Not easily scared away, Kris worked out her forearm muscles and did lots of wrists curls. She even spent time practicing with an old-school heavy revolver. She had every intention of being ready for this next round of entrance tests.

I had moved from the driver's seat to the passenger's seat in the front of my car. This would put me closer to the sidewalk, and give me a better vantage point once she turned the corner. Being parked at least half a block away, put me in a difficult spot. Plus, Kris isn't the tallest person you'll ever meet. It would take steady concentration and timing to see between the thick crowds and catch her eye before she caught mine. I wasn't sure how I should handle the moment we found each other. Do I wait in the car until she notices me? Maybe I get out and walk in her direction. I could also get out of the car and wait there for her to come to me.

In an instant, hours of contemplation went by the wayside. Through a typical NYC crowd, I saw something unmistakable. Kris had taken the corner at the quick step. She moved so briskly, the one side of her body seemed to lift off the ground as she made the last move of the corner pivot. I got out, closed the door and stood still. Almost asking with my eyes, "YES?!" She picked up my stare. Stopping dead in her tracks, her head nodded in agreement and smiled HUGE.

From there it was a mutual sprint through waves of people. The look of complete joy on her face seemed to part the Red Sea between us. We celebrated in the middle of hundreds of people.

Less then four months after finishing the academy (in the top five percent of her class) on a September day with equally perfect weather and blue skies, we held each other again. And again, Kris sprinted. This time, into the fray.

(The corner @ 3rd and 20th)

2010-09-03

2010-09-03T23:10:00.012-04:00

I don't remember when Luci first told me of her intention to join the Coast Guard.

I do remember that the instant she told me, I pictured this day in my mind. All at once, it just made sense to me. Yes, Luci should do this. Yes, Luci belongs there(here). Yes, Luci has what it takes. It shouldn't take you more then one conversation with Luci to realize there is a very unique, very polished human standing in front of you. A person capable of many great things.

Her stage today was a large Gymnasium. Plainly decorated, this room did not call for the frills or treatments of an ordinary celebration. Greatness was to be displayed here today. Besides, how do you decorate to pay tribute to mental fortitude? How can party favors hope to convey courage? In perfect cadence, and with the look of a guardian, Luci moved in perfect sync to this grand celebration.

At times, realizing all this means Luci will be leaving us, I felt sad and jealous.

Then, quickly, I remembered the peace I found months earlier, when I knew my friend had found her calling. There is peace in knowing that she has found her way in life. There is happiness in knowing her contentment. There is pride for me in knowing she is needed here.

Today I saw my friend take her place among the tested guardians of my country. From minute one, I knew she would succeed. Today, I was privileged to witness many great men and women, such as my wife, publicly affirm what I knew in my heart months ago.

Kris was asked to present Luci with her graduation certificate. She is seen in the photos below honorably representing the N.Y.P.D.

Big Bands, Class A Uniforms, Fantasy Football,

2010-08-29T14:49:00.009-04:00

1. Yesterday, under false pretenses,Gramps was lured out of his favorite chair and away from his favorite TV shows. To help celebrate his 83rd birthday, we spent a few hours soaking in some live music. The Glenn Miller Orchestra was in town and Gramps loved every minute of it.(Despite what the picture below may lead you to believe.)

During intermission, Gramps told me how years ago he had seen this show and others like it at the Strand and Capitol theaters in NYC. He recalled paying about 80 cents for his seat. After checking out the history of these theatres, I learned that one of my favorite movies, Captain Blood, had premiered there as well.

(Above, the Strand Theater, NYC. Below, Capitol Theater, NYC)

2. Rita strong-armed me into taking a team in my Dad's fantasy football league this year. The draft is tonight. I am woefully unprepared. I'm in for a long year of trash talk and sordid text messages.

3. Next weekend, we'll be driving to Cape May NJ to see our friend, Luci, graduate from Coast Guard basic training. Over the past few weeks we've had somewhat limited communication with her. During one very rushed conversation about two weeks ago, she asked Kris to dust off the NYPD Class A uniform, shine up the shoes and present her with the graduation certificate during the ceremony. What a humbling request.

(Kris at her own graduation, Madison Square Garden, NYC)

Redux: To Build Or Not To Build

2010-08-18T20:23:00.005-04:00

As this topic has garnered some additional headlines lately, I decided to re-post this from May of 2010. I've deleted the video that was on the original post because it serves no useful purpose.
There were also quite a few comments left by readers. You can view them at the original post, here.

**********************************************************************************
As a general rule, I try to stay away from offering commentary on mainstream, current events topics. However, a person for whom I have immense respect wanted to discuss this particular matter with me today and therefore I am thinking it through, in part, here.

It seems as though a Muslim group plans on building a community center, including a Mosque, about two blocks away from the World Trade Center site in NYC. Earlier today, my friend simply asked me how I feel about that. My answer..... I'm OK with it.
Many in society (entitled to their opinions) place the blame for the 9/11 attacks at the foot of the Muslim/Islamic religion. Those who think along these lines also seem to feel that based on the nationality of the parties responsible for the attacks, and perhaps their "religious" beliefs as well, they should find another place for this building.
My opinion is that in any walk of life, any occupation, any religion, there are selfish people who choose to go to vast extremes to make a point or leverage a threat. I believe that God, my God anyway, is a wonderfully simple being. I believe He welcomes all, no questions asked, especially the freaks among us! I don't believe he cares where these people put their building.
I'm somewhat hesitant to make this next statement, but here goes anyway.
Police Officers, Firefighters and E.M.S. personnel, at least all the ones I know, would rush just as quickly into a Mosque as they would any other building if it meant saving lives. I think we should be careful when invoking the names or the memory of any such fallen hero when speaking out against a project like this one.
For a few other thoughts on related subject matters, click here or here.

Let's Get Naked!

2010-08-13T08:22:00.007-04:00

Who do you get naked with? Some people like getting naked. Others do not. Some get naked every day. Others go for years at a time without doing so. Why is it that some people are so dreadfully afraid of getting naked, while others seem to absolutely thrive when there is nothing to hide behind?

People get naked on television. People get naked in the movies. People get naked on the internet. People get naked at the beach. Or do they? Do people get naked at any of these places? Or do people reserve getting naked for when nobody else is around?

Everywhere we look nowadays our society seems to be such that people are are constantly putting themselves out there for all to see.

I'm having a hard time finding any consistency in the how's and why's of people getting naked. Where is all this presumed "nudity" getting us? Are we showing the world around us too much? I don't think this is necessarily the case. Rather, I think we are not getting naked enough. Or more specifically, we are not putting the real person on display at all.

We post only the choice photos of us. We select our social networks and the friends that reside within them with great care. We carefully craft our lives into minute by minute updates for a select few to see. We buy houses we can't afford, we take and keep jobs we don't enjoy. We teach and learn about 1 another via messages that r so scripted they have 2b spelled in a specific way so they can b typed in2 a phn keyboard.

We view websites in private that we are ashamed of in public.

Is this how we should be getting naked? I don't know about you, but I like to have fun when I get naked. All of the above sounds like way too much work for me.

What is it that you hold in reserve? Is it your money? Maybe you are scared to death to get financially naked. Is it your religion? Perhaps the thought of getting naked with your faith is far more terrifying then the prospect of taking your clothes off a few times a week in front of a webcam or with your sexual partner of choice. We've all heard the adage in any given setting......." I don't want to talk religion or politics". Well, substitute any two topics you want in there, and that's how we avoid getting naked. By sectioning off areas of our mind, sections that really tell the story of who we are, we put yet another layer of protective clothing between us and whomever might want to see the real, naked, you.

Getting naked alone is only so much fun. Sure, you may get something accomplished.

When you venture into the doctor's office for a checkup, only one of you gets naked. Therefore all the information goes one way. Not much is shared, and only one person really learns any details at all.

I don't think the rules that loosely govern how and when we get physically naked differ much from when we choose to get mentally or emotionally naked. Clearly it is often easier for us to take our clothing off then it is for us to bare our souls.

I wonder if this is good or bad? Or should there be any difference between the two?

Who are you getting naked with?

Let's Go To The Movies.....Sorta

2010-08-04T16:01:00.006-04:00

I have been on a steady dose of documentaries lately. I'm placing the trailers here in hopes that something will peek your interest and you might check them out in full. They are all readily available from Netflix.

Something I found interesting when looking at these films a group....

The only film that depicts someone engaged in any sort of illegal activity is "Man On Wire"

Huh.

* A disclaimer.... I am not a democrat or republican. I think there is no difference between the two.

(You may not consider this one family friendly)

Lessons From The Forest House

2010-07-25T13:14:00.017-04:00

The original Smith family to move from NYC to Willow Street, ventured even further into the wilderness this weekend. Kris, Aiden and myself spent a few days here. I hope you will click on the link and look around a bit. It's really a remarkable place. I'm not foolish enough to think that the past few days for us constitute "roughing it". It was for us, however, as close to the camping scene as Kris will ever go for. Nevertheless, the surroundings did bring with it much space to think, lots of wildlife and a great deal of perspective. Time to get on the edge of your seats....

1.People used to live their lives in a place like this. We did it for a few days with the aid of a GPS and a car. We brought our (organic) food with us. In the past, homeowners here would have gone out into the forest to get theirs.

2. The walls of a log cabin are hopelessly porous. The concept of personal space and privacy must have been very different to the occupants of these homes. Few people, if any "went" anywhere on a daily basis. Nobody "went" to school. Nobody "left" to go to work. The nearest store for us this weekend was 15 miles away via car on paved roads. For settlers of this area to venture out to a nearby town or to a general store would have been an all day or two affair. I'm sure such trips were often treacherous and taken only when necessary.

3. These homes were not built for luxury. They were meant to sustain and protect the family. No settler ever built a four thousand square foot home with a finished basement. To do so would have been an exhaustive waste of energy and a poor use of the forest's resources.

4. The land and the home were everything to people who lived in the forest homes of years ago. As such, the family spent every waking moment caring for the land, seeing to the needs of the home. Nowadays, I'm of the opinion we use the land around us to satisfy our wants of excess rather than our needs.

5. Many, many activities that are innocent and seemingly harmless serve to keep families apart all around us. Things like football or softball practice or games three times a week. Or how about soccer games or band practice. Church is another common culprit, pulling the family in many different directions based upon how old each family member may be. Life in the forest homes of the 1700's 0r 1800's had no such distractions. Back then, you better learn to love your family and work HARD alongside them. You would likely be spending 12-18 hours of every 24 with them nearby. I wonder if that was such a bad thing. I wonder how many valuable life lessons were learned from a parent or older brother. Those same lessons are now farmed out to a coach, teacher, or other complete stranger to teach our family.

So as I sit here in my home theater watching "Baby Mama" on my 50 inch television typing on a laptop with no wires attached, I'm aware that I enjoy many of the conveniences that are readily available in modern times. I'm not arguing that many great things have come along with the progress that mankind has made. I am suggesting that we should take care not to forget the driving principals that got us where we are. We should not discard these principals in lieu of the bounty they provide.

Side note:

As we drove around our 15 miles of country roads to the general store, Kris made the remark that this area seems like a place where people kidnap children and off them. Yeah, I know... what a dark thing to say. As we drove back to the cabin we saw the sign pictured at the bottom of this page, maybe a mile from where we were staying. Kris can spot a shady person or a shady area of town from miles away.

A funny thing happened on the way to church…

2010-07-18T19:47:00.003-04:00

Posted by Kris

So, we’re on our way to the 4:30pm gathering at LCBC yesterday and something unusual happens. That is to say, it is unusual for us to see in our Lancaster neighborhood. We’re driving on a fairly busy road and on the opposite side of the street, we see a young male in his late teens or early twenties walking briskly along the shoulder. He is carrying a bag containing one or two rather large bottles of liquor. Close behind is a uniformed police officer, flat top haircut, average height but in good shape keeping pace. Behind this officer is an older gentleman much taller than the other two who is struggling to keep up. There is a look on his face though, that leads me to believe I am about to see justice in action. Sha turns to me and says, “Whaddya think?” I replied that I thought it might be a good idea for us to hang out a bit- you know, in case the guy out in front decided to run. No sooner had we pulled over than our liquor toting punk bursts out into a sprint, tossing his loot to lighten his load.

Now, let’s pause for just a moment, shall we? Here is the thought that immediately ran through my head, “Dammit, I’m wearing flip flops.” (one of which wasn’t even on ‘cause I had my foot on the dashboard). I had just opened my car door, when I see Shamus darting through two lanes of traffic and now running parallel to the perp and the officer. I have seen Shamus run that fast only once in my life and it involved a buffet line. I have also been on the receiving end of a Shamus tackle during a friendly game of “touch” football and I know the hurt this guy is in for, especially if Shamus hits him at that speed. Momentarily thrilled at the adrenaline rush, I jumped into the driver’s seat, with the intention to cut the perp off forcing him to run into my car. I’ve seen this work hundreds of times in movies and perhaps 6 or 7 times in real life. Only, as I turned the car in their direction- this is what I see. Perp laying face down on the concrete, arms outstretched. Attached to him are the probes that have been fired from the officer’s taser. Shamus is standing not 15 feet from the perp with his gun pointed at his head. I can literally feel my jaw drop. What is he doing??? When I notice the cop seems unfazed by Sha’s loaded weapon pointed at this individual, I ease up. Clearly I missed something here. Not to mention, the action! It seems as though Shamus beat me to an arrest. Huh, thats a little irritating- but it also made me very proud. Nice work babe! In case you're wondering if this made us late for church, fear not. For as long as I have known Shamus, he arrives everywhere at least one hour prior to the stated starting time. Now I know why.

Luci

2010-07-05T14:34:00.034-04:00

To be sure, it's an odd thing to have someone live in your home. You must coordinate bathroom times, laundry times, and cook extra food at meal times. Perhaps what is even more odd is when you come to forget that your guest hasn't been with you since the beginning. You simply forget they are a guest to begin with. They become family. At your table for Thanksgiving, around the tree on Christmas morning. As much as such occasions are fun, these are not the moments when a family is born. A family takes shape around the dinner table on a Tuesday night after a hard day at work. A family takes shape as they do the grocery shopping for the week to come. The family is forged when the phone brings bad news at 2am. Family answers that call. They drop whatever they are doing and run in your direction. Such has been our time living with Luci.

Here are a few other indications that Luci is family:

1. M*A*S*H

Luci has taken quite a liking to this show, clearly favoring it over the reality TV shows that poison our daily culture. Growing up, my mom always called M*A*S*H "The idiot show", as my dad and I would spend hours laughing at episodes we had seen hundreds of times already. Luci, welcome aboard. You are in good company.

2. The Marx Brothers

Finding someone under the age of 35 who can quote these movies line for line is quite a rarity. Luci can hold her own. I have received many a text message that said " Do you rumba? Well pick a rumba between 1 and 10."

Now she stands ready to change scenery. She has much to offer those she will serve with. She has much to offer anyone who has the courage and the fortitude to keep up with her.

My photo album is full of memories made with Luci. I know we have many more to make in the years ahead.

Party Your Life Away

2010-06-27T03:07:00.011-04:00

Today, a group of people spent a few hours at our house. They gathered to honor a change in the life of a friend we all share. Somewhere under all the beer and booze, somewhere behind the pink jeep was a deeper meaning in today's events.
The need to connect and share love exists in us all. It is unavoidable. It is truly the one thing that all people have in common. Some people will go to great lengths to express their feelings. Others will go to equally great measures to hide their need and desires to grow rewarding relationships.

Finding people with whom you can share a deep connection is a rare and treasured event. The rewards and dividends that are paid out in the fruit of a true friendship far surpass anything printed on your weekly paychecks or quarterly earnings statement.

Everyone who came here today wanted something. Yes, they all wanted to spend some time with Luci before she changes the scenery of her life. Yes, everyone came here to get a few good laughs in and eat and drink their fill. However, more then anything else, they all came wanting to be loved. They wanted to feel safe in the company of people they call friends. They wanted to be accepted as they are and give themselves as a love offering for Luci, for a few brief hours.
We should strive to live life this way all year long. To live life like it was on long summer party. Love freely on those we care about every day as if they were about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. All too often we fail to truly realize the potential that exists when we give generously of ourselves to those around us.

(175 Photos)

Fathers Day 2010

2010-06-20T20:21:00.002-04:00

Not shown in the pictures below is the tale of a Man of the cloth. This pastor was charged with the care of the students at his church. One fine summer day he abandoned his young flock in search of some comfort........southern comfort.

This weekend we were all taught in simple, real terms, that for better or worse, life is all about relationships.

We were also taught that if you go to church, you may get 100.00 worth of movie tickets.

Don't I Know You from Somewhere?

2010-06-17T21:11:00.007-04:00

Hello there old friend. It took me a moment, but I remember you now. You've changed a bit, but it's all coming back to me. Do you remember me? In what seems like another lifetime we were very good friends. I hope to spend the next few months getting reacquainted. I'll need some time to figure out where you have put everything. Nothing seems to be where I left it when we parted ways.

Dear Kris,

2010-06-10T09:57:00.011-04:00

Thanks for being my companion for life.
I find extreme pleasure in doing life with you nearby every day.
Please allow me to continue to serve your every need for all of my life.
I am ever proud to call you my wife and blessed in calling you friend.
Sha

(I couldn't decide which picture to use)

New Belts And New Beds

2010-06-05T00:07:00.016-04:00

Tonight saw Kris being awarded with her brown belt. She continues to march closer to black belt. Aiden also moved up......from his crib of two years to a full size bed.

New Stories

2010-06-02T21:53:00.003-04:00

I spent some time today adding to the photos that are displayed throughout our home.

Each one of these has a great story to tell.

Who Says Oil And Water Don't Mix?

2010-05-26T17:18:00.004-04:00

Untold millions of gallons of oil have been spewing into the Gulf Of Mexico for quite some time now. For certain, this is wreaking havoc like we have never known on plants, fish, and the eco-system as a whole throughout that region.

What surprises me most about this mess, is that it comes as such a surprise to most people.

I'm not really following this story too closely. It has however, become difficult to avoid all word of it. Simply put, I'm not looking to cite facts in my writings here, just to state my opinion.

It seems that there is a growing movement of people who want the government to take over the clean up operations and such.

Yeah great idea. After all, this same government does such a great job with our health care system. They also have a stellar record with the economy and the banking industry. Let's not forget all the wonderful things they do for public education.

In my opinion, this was either an honest accident by a private business or it was the result of negligence or mal-practice by the same business. I'm sure that an exhaustive and EXPENSIVE investigation by the government(that I will help pay for) will get to the bottom of things in short order.

Private business got into this mess, they should get themselves out. As for the imposing of fines or penalties.....how about Americans take measures to never purchase gasoline at a BP gas station ever again? In such a manner, the marketplace would take care of it's own trash.

As for the surprise element in all of this..... Americans continue to refuse to vote out those in congress and the senate who are forever in bed with big business and the powerful lobbyist firms they bring to bear. We as a society continue to demand and make use of the product these companies put out. We require it from them at an ever increasing rate. Why should it surprise us if any company decides to cut corners in a effort to meet the demand of their customers and to drive profits higher and higher. I don't believe we have anyone here to blame except ourselves.

We ask a company to dive five thousand feet under the water, in freezing, pitch black conditions and dig a hole that is miles deeper still. Then we pitch a fit when something goes wrong?

Greed ,more than anything else created this cluster _ u _ _!

Brooklyn Half Marathon

2010-05-22T19:37:00.012-04:00

This weekend we spent some time in NYC with Kris, Luci, Elizabeth, Liz and Nicole, running the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Everyone finished with great times. Kris trimmed just over two minutes off of her previous time from the half in Philly.

Just to clear up some confusion, I did not run. I do however maintain that you would not want me chasing you.

We made it into the city for a great meal, spent some time at the Staten Island Zoo and got in two ferry rides in the middle of it all. It was an inspiring weekend among wonderful people, in the greatest city in the world.

Not shown in the photos are:

1.In Luci's words....."the best Chinese food I've ever had"

2.Chocolate cheesecake from the bakery that was "across the street, but down the block."

3. The crisp evening air of New York Harbor with a precious view.

4. An unexpected fireworks show over the water.

Tuna Sandwiches And Gunplay

2010-05-16T23:00:00.004-04:00

This weekend came to an end in fitting fashion, at the fireside. Tonight, we had a few guest contributors stop by. Mom and Dad wandered in to keep us entertained.
We were treated to two stories, one from each of them. From the east side, the United Nations, Mom recalled a school trip from years ago.
Sitting down and opening the lunch Cap had packed for her, my Mom realized that a tuna fish sandwich was on the menu. Barely taking one bite, she found the sandwich to be way too soggy for her taste. Deciding to eat only the snacks that were also packed for her, my mom wrapped up the sandwich and threw it into the nearest trash can.
Before she could retake her seat, a homeless man was quick to inspect what had been discarded. My mom recalled vividly how carefully he unwrapped it and with delight, ate the entire thing. It wasn't too soggy for him, he didn’t mind the half bite that may have been already taken from it. This tuna sandwich was now deemed absolutely perfect. Years later my Mother recalls this as a valuable life lesson that she will never forget. Thanks to the fireside, neither will I.
Across town, from the west side, my Dad's story goes like this......
My Dad and his partner find themselves with a work assignment in Harlem. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 123 street and Lenox ave. My Dad's partner is the first to take the turn down an alleyway and be greeted by a man pointing a gun at him. As soon as my dad rounded the same corner he was greeted in like fashion by a second armed man. The demands from these two men were quite clear. "We want your wallets, your paychecks, and your jeans." Yes, my dad and his partner were about to get caught with their pants down. The assailants requests were honored in short order. Perhaps the more interesting aspect of this story is that my Father and his friend now proceeded to walk back to the company truck, several blocks away, wearing nothing but long johns and their tool belts. Nary a soul gave them a second look. Two white guys, dressed in matching underwear, wandering the streets of Harlem. Na, nothing odd about that!

To Build Or Not To Build

2010-05-12T16:53:00.013-04:00

As a general rule, I try to stay away from offering commentary on mainstream, current events topics. However, a person for whom I have immense respect wanted to discuss this particular matter with me today and therefore I am thinking it through, in part, here.

It seems as though a Muslim group plans on building a community center, including a Mosque, about two blocks away from the World Trade Center site in NYC. Earlier today, my friend simply asked me how I feel about that. My answer..... I'm OK with it.

Many in society (entitled to their opinions) place the blame for the 9/11 attacks at the foot of the Muslim/Islamic religion. Those who think along these lines also seem to feel that based on the nationality of the parties responsible for the attacks, and perhaps their "religious" beliefs as well, they should find another place for this building.

My opinion is that in any walk of life, any occupation, any religion, there are selfish people who choose to go to vast extremes to make a point or leverage a threat. I believe that God, my God anyway, is a wonderfully simple being. I believe He welcomes all, no questions asked, especially the freaks among us! I don't believe he cares where these people put their building.

I'm somewhat hesitant to make this next statement, but here goes anyway.

Police Officers, Firefighters and E.M.S. personnel, at least all the ones I know, would rush just as quickly into a Mosque as they would any other building if it meant saving lives. I think we should be careful when invoking the names or the memory of any such fallen hero when speaking out against a project like this one.

For a few other thoughts on related subject matters, click here or here.

This Story Has No Names Or Places

2010-05-06T20:26:00.006-04:00

An odd sound of some sort, followed by an "O shit!"...shortly followed up with "Call security." Peeking around the corner I realize everyone is staring in the same direction. My curiosity heightened now, I direct my eyes as all the others are doing, maybe ten people in all. An adult male is face down on the floor, legs shaking. I'm guessing he is having a seizure, and now lay unconscious, or semi conscious.
My next thought is repulsive.

I'm on company time. If I get involved, and this goes badly for him, I could be in hot water with my employer for "putting my hands" on a "patient"

Damn, no time to be second guessing here. I have the ability to help this person. Do I have permission? I can feel the muscles in my legs twitching, urging me to stand up and get moving. It's my brain that is hesitating. My legs win out.

Getting in front of this man, his breathing is somewhat labored, and he is bleeding from his head.
Asking for gloves from those around me, I am met with blank stares. That always amazes me when in a building of any sort that serves the public. I didn't just ask you for a freakin kidney.....I want a pair of gloves! Whatever.

Taking a closer look, this gentleman has a stoma, and his breathing device(s) have become dislodged, accounting for his labored respirations. Easy fix. The blood from his head is of no immediate concern. Security(Security?) arrives, he is placed in a wheelchair and away he goes.

How many things are wrong in this story?

Let The Gardening Begin

2010-05-02T19:48:00.007-04:00

Kris, along with the help of a friend, started building Kris' organic garden today.

Any suggestions on how Kris might decorate these boxes? Leave a comment with your ideas.

If Kris selects your idea, you will win..........absolutely nothing.

This Story Is Wrecking Me

2010-04-29T09:10:00.010-04:00

(This is a follow-up post)
None of what I write here is going to change anything. The history of this man's life and humanity has already been written for all of us to browse through, every time we pick up a newspaper or walk down a city street.
Kris, myself, and a few others had similar, instant reactions to this sad set of events as soon as this story found us. Here are a few of them.

What seasoned New Yorker(I hate to single out people from NYC, however, it is the only group of people I feel qualified to stereotype.) thought that this guy was just some homeless shmuck sleeping one off?! Anyone with an ounce of street smarts knows that people without homes don't sleep on the sidewalk in any manner resembling the way this human is doing on the video. HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID, THEY DO NOT WISH TO BE STEPPED ON. You tell me who the morons are in this video. Perhaps the 25 assholes who stopped and could not recognize a man in a puddle of blood fighting to breathe. Or maybe the true fools are those who took pictures. Study the pictures you took, you degenerates. What were you going to do with that picture anyway?!?!
I sat down here with so much to say. However I can can't maintain enough control over my hands to keep them from shaking uncontrollably over the keyboard right now.

I will do everything possible in the coming years to be sure that my son has enough common freakin sense to tell the difference between a dying hero and a common drunk.

"__________" (This Is Me Being Speechless)

2010-04-25T11:06:00.001-04:00

Me, Myself, And I......And Who Else?

2010-04-24T19:09:00.003-04:00

Somewhere around 6 or 7am you are just about ready to leave the relative sanctuary of your home and head out into the world. I'm willing to bet that part of your routine before you set out involves at least one final look into the mirror. Who is it that you see in there?
What are some of the puzzle pieces that combine in forming the opinion that you have of yourself?
Your income
Your physical appearance
Your education
Your politics
Your faith in the creed of your choosing
Your sexual orientation or preferences
Your take on these items, along with others, make up that person staring back at you in the morning mirror.....right?
What about those people who do life with you? The people you see every day have quite the view of the person you are, don't they? If these people started telling you how it was they viewed you, and it was somewhat different from how you thought you were perceived, how would that change the way you feel? Would it be cause for you to adjust the way you carry yourself? By no means am I suggesting that you (we) should live life by the leave of any group of people. Simply consider what makes you the real you. What you feel you are, or what others perceive you as.

Day Trip

2010-04-20T17:36:00.009-04:00

We hit the road today to spend some time at the Baltimore zoo and Inner Harbor. We walked throughout the grounds of the zoo surrounded by many a wondrous creature. Aiden marveled at all the colors and sounds that are the animal kingdom. One species above all others stood out as his favorite. In one perfect moment I captured Aiden in complete awe of this wonderful sight.

(Scroll down a bit)

I guess he is a city boy at heart.

Question

2010-04-17T20:19:00.005-04:00

In your opinion, are people inherently good or evil?
Is it more natural for people to do what is right, or what is wrong?

Please leave your responses and/or thoughts via a comment.

I Don't Know Much

2010-04-11T00:08:00.003-04:00

What I do know is this......people are searching. People are hurting and searching for answers.
I'm not talking about abject degenerate people who are trying to solve the woes in their life by jamming needles full of drugs into their arms. I'm not speaking of lazy people who drink the hours away in front of the television before crawling out into the daylight to cash the welfare check.(not fer nothin'...but these types of people are searching too, I'm just trying to make this easy on you)
I'm talking about the people you see every day. About the people I see every day.
Honest, brilliant and beautiful people who have a very real need.
Look, I'm no genius. I don't have the solutions to any person's problems. I will tell you this, the common theme that continues hit me every day is love. There seems to be a lack of love.
How it this possible?! How is it that love has passed so many people by?
And before you freakin' christians get all loud, allow me to let you in on something.
You, yes you, you bible screaming freaks.... how dare you!!
Let's meet people where they are. No questions asked.

Powerful

2010-04-05T19:25:00.000-04:00

A few of us went to spend a moment at the cemetery where we buried Cap.
I asked Gramps "Do you like coming here?"
His reply: "Yeah, that's my wife."

Fireside Chats

2010-04-03T13:26:00.006-04:00

Quick, without the aid of google, can anyone under the age of 30 tell me the historical significance of the term "Fireside chat"?

As a general rule, I prefer winter to summer. Having said that, I enjoy summer evenings for one specific purpose. On any night, weather permitting, you can probably find me sitting in the yard beside a glowing fire with a double shot of Bailey's in my hand. I enjoy the peace of the moonlight. I also enjoy the sound of cars passing by on the other side of my privacy fence. Above all else, I welcome the opportunity for revealing conversation with whomever may be sitting beside me. Be forewarned, if you choose to sit out there with me, be prepared to share a bit of your soul.

I want relationships that challenge me. The friends I keep closest are not afraid to ask probing questions. In turn, I have found these same people are not likely to hold back when I ask one of them. These are the people who ask for favors. These are the people who do favors for me. In any relationship, be it friend, family or co-worker I believe in taking the connection to it's maximum potential. Clearly some people will end up being complete soul mates while others exist in your life only to say hello and goodbye to every day.

On a chilly spring night a few weeks back I was seated along side a person who has become a great friend. A person I admire quite a bit. Admist the Bailey's, the laughs and the layers of sweatshirts to keep us warm, I was hit with the following question:

"What are you passionate about?"

I sat there stunned. I instantly felt like what a largemouth bass looks like, when he finally comes to rest on the floor of your boat after an exhaustive fight.

I had no answer for my friend. Not that I would, but this was not the place for bullshit.

At 1am in front of the fire, there is no room for falsehoods, half truths or holding back.

A Little Bit Of Everything

2010-03-27T13:55:00.015-04:00

A highlight reel of recent and current events around here goes as follows.....

1. New wheels.

Our ford explorer is no longer with us. A few days ago it became clear that the transmission on our ford needed to be replaced. Kris, keeping diligent track of our finances, readily showed that it was not in our best interest to repair this vehicle. Enter our new car. After a reasonable amount of conversation, we negotiated our way to a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. It was difficult to walk away from the s.u.v. lifestyle. The dollars, cents, and a 10 year warranty could not be ignored. Luci, I was sooooo close to a Jeep! My sincere thanks to my parents for their help and advice on this purchase.

2. There goes the NeighborhoodConstruction has begun on my parents new home. The NYC branch office of Willow Street, PA continues to expand. In the months ahead, I hope to collect some thoughts from my Mom, Dad and Gramps, on the topic of their recent relocation and get them posted here in some manner. I imagine there are some great stories to tell between the three of them. Rumor has it there is a big party planned at the new compound for sometime this summer. I'm going to go out on a limb and declare that all are invited.
3. Coming and going

Last week saw me out of town on business. This weekend has Kris on holiday back home for a few days with her sisters. This means I get to play solo parent for a few days.

4. Rite of passageI thought with Kris out of town this weekend, Aiden and I should not only spend time together, but we should do something that reeks of Father/Son. I decided on getting him his first real baseball, glove and bat. He hasn't put them down yet.

5. Random picture from breakfast

I Can't Come Up With A Title For This

2010-03-23T15:58:00.003-04:00

I remember my first few weeks in this strange new world, about four years ago.
In some ways, I saw hints of my past life. In other ways, this was all completely foreign to me.
It was kind of like rearranging the furniture in your bedroom after many years of the same view from the foot of the bed. Familiar, but different.
Also like you, I brought with me a particular set of skills. Instinctively, I set out to put them to use. I just assumed that was what I was supposed to do. To date, I have not been able to see this through. I have not been able to make use of the skills I brought with me from the "old country".
I have also come to realize that this doesn't make my abilities any less real, or any less valuable. It simply means that this may not be the right time to make use of them. After all, it's my (and your) surroundings that have changed. Not me and you.

I also believe that there are a great many opportunities here, and a great many that have yet to reveal themselves to you. As for the concerns you express…..
There is a story about a carpenter. This dude effectively changed the course of all life on earth with the help of a few friends. His posse was comprised of people who fished for a living, made tents or collected taxes. None of them made a daily impact on those around them using the skills and trade they were taught and well versed in. Instead, in simply doing what they were told, when they were told, their full potential was realized.

Common Freakin' Sense

2010-03-22T15:44:00.009-04:00

Imagine that!

The Knee Bone Is Connected To The.......

2010-03-15T20:32:00.005-04:00

I'm taking some training courses with Zimmer. I've been told that some of information that will come my way this week may be a bit elementary, or at best, a review for me , given my work history over the past few years . Some of that seems to be holding true. However, there are daily tests. I am not a very good test taker at all. No matter how advanced an item, or instrument may be, once it is put in my hands , chances are I can figure it out in a reasonable amount of time. Ask me to take a written test on the same item and I'll likely fail with flying colors. To help me take the edge off that a bit, I'm typing out tomorrow's test material here. I won't be divulging any proprietary information.
Everything I write here is readily available in either a text book or trade publication of some kind.
What follows below may be a bit abstract. My only reasons for posting this is to pass the time while creating a study aid for myself. The first test is 730 a.m.
Feel free to stop reading now.
No wise ass comments from Luke, please (or Phil for that matter)
From the category of basics, or review.......
*Plasty= Repair
*Ortho=Correct
*Varus=Tibial/femoral alignment angle exceeds 180 degrees(bow legged)
*Valgus=Tibial/femoral alignment angle less than 160 degrees(knock knee)
*Medial parapatellar arthrotomy...involves incision of vastus medialis muscle.
*Tendons connect muscle to bone
*Ligaments connect bone to bone
*Specific to knee joint function, the MCL is more critical to balance correctly than the LCL. This is because of the supporting structures that surround the LCL, that are absent on the medial side.
*Screw home mechanism is the 20 degree external rotation of the femur that allows the joint to unlock and flex.
*Knee kinematics include rotating, rolling. sliding.(or gliding)

As for some new material:
*The poly must withstand forces 3-7 times of a person's body weight with every step taken.
Approximately 1 million cycles every year.
*Use of "Net shape molding"
*Free Radical=An atom or group of atoms having one unpaired electron.
*Common poly wear in knees= delamination, pitting, fracture
*Sub-surface fatigue
*Highly crosslinked poly uses planned "Chain scission" to create free radicals.
*Heat joins free radicals.

Metals
*Coeff of friction
*Trabecular Metal.....
* Chemical vapor deposition
*80 percent porous
*Backside poly wear, monoblock
*Ductivity, bend before break
*Stress shielding, wolfs law, use it or lose it.

Dollars And Sense

2010-03-09T18:16:00.002-05:00

For years now, I have held the opinion that our family spends way too much money on groceries and food each month. Time and time again we have tried different approaches to saving money in this area, and to lowering our family living expenses in general. Most often, to no avail. Now that the overwhelming majority of the food in our home is organic, our grocery bills are higher than ever. Moreover, being newly educated on the way food in our country is manufactured, we are no longer willing to purchase food solely based on price. This has caused us to look elsewhere in our spending to seek out where savings may be had and where money may be spent more wisely. This past week, something I had been missing all along became very clear to me. Over a twelve month average, I pay about ninety five dollars a month to watch television.
That's almost twelve hundred dollars every year! If someone handed me twelve hundred dollars to do with as I please, the last thing I would do with it is watch TV!
In the next month, Kris and I will adjust a number things and cut spending drastically vis a vis, our television. Essentially we will no longer pay for TV service. Not to a satellite company, not to a cable company. Don't fret, we are not going completely off the grid...not yet anyway.
The really big news in all this is what we have chosen as a cost cutting measure in these initial efforts.
I'm quite excited about this purchase. I'm relieved at the prospect of not paying one hundred dollars each month for what mostly amounts to mediocre entertainment at best.
Yes, I will be purchasing an Apple product. And yes, I realize that Hell just got a little colder.