Tens of Thousands of N. Koreans Rally in Defiance of US
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What's ado with North Korea
Have you been keeping up with the news about North Korea these days? I find it very interesting.
Tens of Thousands of N. Koreans Rally in Defiance of US
Tens of Thousands of N. Koreans Rally in Defiance of US
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Our new grand child and us
Well our granddaughter is about two and a half weeks old now. This picture was taken tonight when the kids came over. My son dropped by to assist me while I worked on my brother's hot rod. I got some help from a local restoration garage putting it back together, and they did a crap job of it. Now before it is actually road worthy, I need to fix their screw ups.
Anyway, my son showed up, and when I peeked around from the garage, I saw he had his wife with him, so I knew they had also brought the baby. I called in to Sue, "Hey, they brought the baby." I was so funny. I never saw her move so fast. She dashed out the door and met them before they had hardly gotten up the driveway. Well the girls went in the house, and Aaron stayed out with me and helped me work on the car.
While we worked on the car, Aaron's wife came out, so I asked her how she was doing. She said she had lost a lot of her pregnancy weight, and she was feeling pretty much back to normal. She looks great, and happy, and hardly like she just had a baby. Of course, Aaron is all smiles. He still can't believe he's a dad, but I can tell he's a proud one.
I think Sue must have held our granddaughter most of the time she was here. I did get to hold her later on, so I made sure Aaron got our picture. So here are the proud grandparents. Can you tell?
Anyway, my son showed up, and when I peeked around from the garage, I saw he had his wife with him, so I knew they had also brought the baby. I called in to Sue, "Hey, they brought the baby." I was so funny. I never saw her move so fast. She dashed out the door and met them before they had hardly gotten up the driveway. Well the girls went in the house, and Aaron stayed out with me and helped me work on the car.
While we worked on the car, Aaron's wife came out, so I asked her how she was doing. She said she had lost a lot of her pregnancy weight, and she was feeling pretty much back to normal. She looks great, and happy, and hardly like she just had a baby. Of course, Aaron is all smiles. He still can't believe he's a dad, but I can tell he's a proud one.
I think Sue must have held our granddaughter most of the time she was here. I did get to hold her later on, so I made sure Aaron got our picture. So here are the proud grandparents. Can you tell?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How do you measure up?
Maybe I'm just getting to be a grumpy old guy, or maybe I've just lived long enough to finally observe life and come to some conclusions. I don't know which it is... maybe a little of both.
I've watched people from many walks of life, both in the USA and in different countries, so I think I have a fairly good base from which to pass on my opinion. It isn't necessarily right, but I don't think it's far from wrong.
I looked up the word - narcissism, and here's what I read.
==================
Narcissism - with an origin from about 1815 to 1825.
1. Excessive love or admiration of oneself. See Synonyms at conceit.
2. A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.
Synonyms for narcissism: self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism.
So I looked up - conceit.
Conceit - with an origin from about 1350 to 1400. Obviously, we've been aware of this for quite a while.
1. an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance, wit, etc.
Synonyms: self-esteem, vanity, egotism, complacency.
==================
I basically already knew all of this, but I've been thinking that these definitions need to have a 21st century update. You see it all the time, with the way people act. Courtesy and basic thoughtfulness seem to have become passe, and on any given day you can see a dozen examples of self-importance.
• Driving on the freeway, while talking or even texting on their phone or PDA. Isn't driving job 1, for everybody's safety?
• A meeting ends, so they come out of the meeting room and continue the meeting in the hallway, essentially blocking the path for people to get through.
• Shopping in the grocery store, and another person shopping has parked their cart dead center in the aisle.
• Someone driving down the road flips the butt of their cigarette out the window, instead of putting it in the trash.
• A group of people are walking down a pathway. They are walking abreast of each other, taking up 90% of the hallway. As you approach from the opposite direction, they act as if it's an inconvenience to step aside and let you pass.
• Working out at the gym, and someone has finished using a piece of equipment, just sits at it, keeping anyone else for using it. Or leaving a piece of equipment, without unloading the weights they put on to work out.
• Sitting a restaurant, and someone at the next table gets a call on their cell phone. They sit there and let it ring and ring before they answer it, and then once they do, they talk loud enough for everyone within four tables to hear everything they say.
• Smokers who take no effort to avoid non-smokers, while taking their cigarette break.
The list goes on and on, but I think you get the idea. All of these actions show a thorough lack of consideration for anyone else. They perpetually place their own need or importance first, and forsake anyone or anything that might interrupt their current activity, and take offense at their selfishness being brought to their attention.
Don't get me wrong, there are people that are not that way, and you can easily identify them. They act in such a way as to be in total contrast to the people above. It's so refreshing to see people act this way, that I can't help but smile when I do. Maybe I should start telling them thank you.
I've lived in Seoul, Korea for while, which has eleven million people, and in my time there, I saw few situations where the same kind of egocentric behavior was evident. They are a much more respectful people as a whole. I encountered more reverence from total strangers than from people I associate with now, let alone strangers.
I would just like people to think before they act. We all have to work together in this world, if we want to make it last. Is taking a few extra seconds to consider how you appear to other people too much to ask? Some days I think this is probably so. There would be a lot less animosity and stress if we did.
Even George Bush has taken the country's narcissism to the highest level. When discussing the problems and actions we should take to combat global warming, he said that some steps were not on the table, because they would be bad for the U.S. economy. Well I guess we had better get used to a changed world. This problem and a host of others will never be truly addressed if we continue to think like that... How do you measure up?
Rant over. :o)
I've watched people from many walks of life, both in the USA and in different countries, so I think I have a fairly good base from which to pass on my opinion. It isn't necessarily right, but I don't think it's far from wrong.
I looked up the word - narcissism, and here's what I read.
==================
Narcissism - with an origin from about 1815 to 1825.
1. Excessive love or admiration of oneself. See Synonyms at conceit.
2. A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem.
Synonyms for narcissism: self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism.
So I looked up - conceit.
Conceit - with an origin from about 1350 to 1400. Obviously, we've been aware of this for quite a while.
1. an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance, wit, etc.
Synonyms: self-esteem, vanity, egotism, complacency.
==================
I basically already knew all of this, but I've been thinking that these definitions need to have a 21st century update. You see it all the time, with the way people act. Courtesy and basic thoughtfulness seem to have become passe, and on any given day you can see a dozen examples of self-importance.
• Driving on the freeway, while talking or even texting on their phone or PDA. Isn't driving job 1, for everybody's safety?
• A meeting ends, so they come out of the meeting room and continue the meeting in the hallway, essentially blocking the path for people to get through.
• Shopping in the grocery store, and another person shopping has parked their cart dead center in the aisle.
• Someone driving down the road flips the butt of their cigarette out the window, instead of putting it in the trash.
• A group of people are walking down a pathway. They are walking abreast of each other, taking up 90% of the hallway. As you approach from the opposite direction, they act as if it's an inconvenience to step aside and let you pass.
• Working out at the gym, and someone has finished using a piece of equipment, just sits at it, keeping anyone else for using it. Or leaving a piece of equipment, without unloading the weights they put on to work out.
• Sitting a restaurant, and someone at the next table gets a call on their cell phone. They sit there and let it ring and ring before they answer it, and then once they do, they talk loud enough for everyone within four tables to hear everything they say.
• Smokers who take no effort to avoid non-smokers, while taking their cigarette break.
The list goes on and on, but I think you get the idea. All of these actions show a thorough lack of consideration for anyone else. They perpetually place their own need or importance first, and forsake anyone or anything that might interrupt their current activity, and take offense at their selfishness being brought to their attention.
Don't get me wrong, there are people that are not that way, and you can easily identify them. They act in such a way as to be in total contrast to the people above. It's so refreshing to see people act this way, that I can't help but smile when I do. Maybe I should start telling them thank you.
I've lived in Seoul, Korea for while, which has eleven million people, and in my time there, I saw few situations where the same kind of egocentric behavior was evident. They are a much more respectful people as a whole. I encountered more reverence from total strangers than from people I associate with now, let alone strangers.
I would just like people to think before they act. We all have to work together in this world, if we want to make it last. Is taking a few extra seconds to consider how you appear to other people too much to ask? Some days I think this is probably so. There would be a lot less animosity and stress if we did.
Even George Bush has taken the country's narcissism to the highest level. When discussing the problems and actions we should take to combat global warming, he said that some steps were not on the table, because they would be bad for the U.S. economy. Well I guess we had better get used to a changed world. This problem and a host of others will never be truly addressed if we continue to think like that... How do you measure up?
Rant over. :o)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Lingering emotions
I am working past the loss of my brother Tracy, but there is a lot that I will never push past, just as there is from the death of my dad, nearly 15 years ago. I mostly regret the things that they will miss seeing... their kids and grandkids growing up and their accomplishments, and the pride that they would have felt inside knowing that they were responsible for getting is all started.
I found a quote that seems to typify my feelings, and will probably use it more than once... because it fits.
"You'll get over it...' It's the clichés that cause the trouble. To lose someone you love is to alter your life forever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, and there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve over is not erased by anyone but death. This hole in my heart is in the shape of you and no one else can fit. Why would I want them to?” - Eskimo Proverb
I found a quote that seems to typify my feelings, and will probably use it more than once... because it fits.
"You'll get over it...' It's the clichés that cause the trouble. To lose someone you love is to alter your life forever. You don't get over it because 'it' is the person you loved. The pain stops, and there are new people, but the gap never closes. How could it? The particularness of someone who mattered enough to grieve over is not erased by anyone but death. This hole in my heart is in the shape of you and no one else can fit. Why would I want them to?” - Eskimo Proverb
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Farewell my friend
I have some very sad news.
My brother died today from complications of his ALS.
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, but time was too short.
I will miss him severely.
This poem is for you, Tracy.
Safe journey...
=========================
Farewell My Friend
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care...
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
for that's what I'll like when you live in the hearts
of those you love, remember then
you never die.
~ Rabindranath Tagore
My brother died today from complications of his ALS.
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, but time was too short.
I will miss him severely.
This poem is for you, Tracy.
Safe journey...
=========================
Farewell My Friend
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care...
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
for that's what I'll like when you live in the hearts
of those you love, remember then
you never die.
~ Rabindranath Tagore
Saturday, June 06, 2009
A snapshot in time
Someone made a comment that they wished I would update my blog more often. They are right, I should. I enjoy writing, and it gives me a little smile when I think I've done an OK job at my latest piece. I'm pleased to hear someone takes the time to read my ramblings. I'm sure they will out live me, and may someday offer a snapshot in time in the life of just another soul on this planet.
So much has happened, it just goes to show that I need to keep up better.
My brother, Tracy is doing about as well as someone can in his situation. My sister and her husband are taking excellent are of Tracy. Even the nurses who make scheduled stops to check in on them, have great things to say about Tanya's attention to our brother. She is very protective of him, and it shows. After some family flap, my syster and I have finally and fully completed taking over Tracy's care and management. It has allowed us to get all of the right people talking to each other and working together. He hasn't had a health incident, like pneumonia, in a month. This will help him recover from past problems and gain some strength. He seems a lot happier these days.
And now for the really big news... I am a grandpa for the first time.
Our first grand child was born yesterday, and I couldn't be more pleased. She is an amazing 5lb. 6oz. little dream come true. I never thought such a tiny thing could bring a 200lb. grumpy guy like myself to tears, just by holding her as she sleeps. Look at this child and tell me you could refuse getting her that new Ford Mustang. I have a feeling she is going to be my Achilles' Heel.
More to come, but right now, I have to go back to the hospital and hold her just a little longer today.
So much has happened, it just goes to show that I need to keep up better.
My brother, Tracy is doing about as well as someone can in his situation. My sister and her husband are taking excellent are of Tracy. Even the nurses who make scheduled stops to check in on them, have great things to say about Tanya's attention to our brother. She is very protective of him, and it shows. After some family flap, my syster and I have finally and fully completed taking over Tracy's care and management. It has allowed us to get all of the right people talking to each other and working together. He hasn't had a health incident, like pneumonia, in a month. This will help him recover from past problems and gain some strength. He seems a lot happier these days.
And now for the really big news... I am a grandpa for the first time.
Our first grand child was born yesterday, and I couldn't be more pleased. She is an amazing 5lb. 6oz. little dream come true. I never thought such a tiny thing could bring a 200lb. grumpy guy like myself to tears, just by holding her as she sleeps. Look at this child and tell me you could refuse getting her that new Ford Mustang. I have a feeling she is going to be my Achilles' Heel.
More to come, but right now, I have to go back to the hospital and hold her just a little longer today.
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