New Name, Same Format

Hello readers! I will bet you thought I had abandoned you. That could not be further from the truth. I truly do love writing and am honestly trying to keep up with it, even though it doesn't appear so.

I have changed the title of my blog and I truly hope you like it. I have been stewing over it for a while and this is what I came up with. I am not interested in the typical "All Male" blogs that you may be accustom to. The idea that men can only talk sports and sex is a fallacy. REAL MEN can talk about love, life, faith, and country. We can put our feelings out there without worry of losing our so called "man card". I would much rather be part of a group of men that can say, without hessitation, that they love their wifes, their children, their faith, and their country, than to be surrounded by a bunch of macho neanderthals who grunt, scratch, and spill food and beer all over themselves.

If you notice by the date of this post, it is election day in America. One of the most important days in the lives of democracy and people who live in a free society, yet more than half of them will not vote. There are people in oppressed countries all over the world that are giving their lives for the opportunity to have a say in the political decission of their contries and we sit at home watching television, complaining about the 10,000 political adds we have seen and heard over the past several months. I don't understand it.

Another thing that confuses me is the way some people decide who to vote for. Clint Eastwood supports this guy, Gen. Colin Powell supports that guy. Who cares who supports who? Do a little home work. Information in the 21st century is more available to more people than ever before and yet we will sit and watch the most trended "Youtube" videos all day and then listen to the opinion of someone else when it comes to making decisions that will effect not only our lives, but the lives of generations to come.

I am not telling you who to vote for and I never will. I am incouraging you to get informed. Stop thinking your voice isn't heard. If our Forefathers thought that way our country would have never even be established. I believe in America. I believe in what we stand for in the world. I also don't have my head burried in the sand. I know there are changes that need to be made both domestically and abroad, but NOTHING can change if WE THE PEOPLE don't facilitate that change.

It is up to us people. Are you tired of going with the flow? Are you tired of policies being shoved down your throat? Then get out and do something about it. Don't be just another sheep in the flock. Step out and step up. No matter what you think, we are still and always will be the GREATEST nation in the world. Do your part to help keep it that way.

Merry Christmas?

I would like to apologise to my readers for not posting for a while. School, the holidays, and life in general have occupied all of my time lately and I haven't had the time. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. While I have been SO busy; however, a few things that have been happening this Christmas season has motivated me to sign on and rant.
I am officially appalled at the so called holiday traditions of this country. Where has the true meaning of Christmas gone? Where has family, good will, and charity gone? I realize I am being one sided in this post, but quite frankly, I can because it's my blog. I am a Christian and I have no problem telling people that; therefore, I believe Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now I don't care if you believe that or not. I will not condemn you or criticize you for you belief. It is not my place to do that; however, I would respectfully ask you to do the same. I have been an American my whole life and I have learned of our history and I know we were founded on those exact principles, so needless to say I see them as our (America's) traditions. Lately; however, I see a trend that makes me sick and it causes me to say Merry Christmas?
Our traditions now are totally based on how much money we can spend on people we love and also people we don't even know. Watch some of the commercials on television right now. Best Buy has decided that consumers should now be in a contest with Santa Clause as to who can provide the best gift. Try to get away with giving a standard tip to a waiter or you hair dresser with out getting a dirty look. Oh, and you had better leave a little some thing for the postal worker. What kind of crap is this? There was a day that Santa represented the spirit of good will and giving that we should all be experiencing not only this time of year, but all year long. Not any more. Now we use Santa as a threat to our children. "You had better behave or Santa wont be leaving you any gifts on Christmas." How many of us have said this? I know I am guilty. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now Green Monday are the barometer of our countries economic stability and are all you hear about on the news starting a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and lasting well into the new year. How about some stories of people that are doing things to make this world a better place to live? That are easing the burden on those less fortunate than themselves?
How about gathering together with your family, not to exchange gifts, but to enjoy their company and catching up after a busy year? These are the traditions I use to love. I don't understand why every year Americans complain about someone else trying to stifle yet another tradition when we don't even know what those traditions are. What are we teaching our children? Are we telling them of Jesus and how he came here to save us from damnation? If you are not a Christian, are you teaching your children to love one another and understand that we all have to live on this same little planet and should strive to make it better? When did we forget what this season is suppose to mean? I find myself respecting other countries and their traditions more and more because it seems they stick to the traditions that have been passed down to them for generations. Even though I still believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world, I find myself being ashamed of it's people from time to time. Maybe we seriously have forgotten a simpler time before everything revolved around the all mighty dollar. Please do not misunderstand me. I love buying gifts for my family and friends and wish I had the money to do more of it. Giving makes me feel good. I just do not understand when and how we have drifted so far away from the TRUE meaning of this season. When you read this, please don't take it out of context. Just think about how you can help change the way we think in this country. How you can help make your part of this world a better place. How, if we all do our part, we can set a new tradition of charity and good will and just maybe we can go back to saying "Merry Christmas" without the fear of offending any body. No matter your religious affiliation, no matter what god you serve, I wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year and may God bless you and your family not just this season, each and every day.

Is This Why We Elect Senators?

I just read an article written by The Associated Press and posted on FoxSports.com that made my blood boil. The article is titled, "Senators urge MLB to Ban Tobacco" dated October 18, 2011. Apparently the People of the United States of America voted in members of the Senate so they could eliminate the use of "smokeless tobacco" products from Major League Baseball. Shockingly, millions of children are going to take up the habit by watching the World Series and it is the job of our public servants to prevent that from happening. Two separate letters were written and sent to the head of the MLB Players Union, Michael Weiner (not another Weiner) stating, "''When players use smokeless tobacco, they endanger not only their own health, but also the health of millions of children who follow their example.'' These letters were signed by Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Senate health comity chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa. This coupled with the relentless inquisitions about the use of performance enhancing drugs in Baseball should have the economic problems in this country cleaned up by the year 2215. What the heck are these people thinking? I am not sure, but I have never seen on any ballet a mandate from the people to have our elected officials clean up baseball. I'm not even sure the American people think baseball is dirty. As a matter of fact, everyone I have ever talked to about this subject agree if the players, or anyone else for that matter, want to destroy their own body that is their right to do so. I am not condoning the habit mind you. I personally think it is disgusting and could never see myself doing it. I do, however; have friends who dip and chew and I have yet to turn them in to the authorities. This nonsense that the children watching are going to pick up the habit is ludicrous. If we use the Senators logic, does that mean if children were to watch C-Span they would become lying, cheating, over paid adulterers? Maybe we should have an inquisition of the Senators and clean up Washington...oh, that's right, we do have that. It's called election day and it is things like this that drive me to encourage everyone to get out and vote these guys out of office. We need men and women in office that understand the abbreviation for United States in US and that is who they work for.
If I recall the Declaration of Independence starts out, "We the people..," not, “We the elected officials,” so let's stop being sheep herded where ever they see fit and become involved in our most sacred right as a free nation and get out and vote. All I ask is educate yourself of the issues and where each candidate stands before you vote. Let’s get the RIGHT people representing US and our interests before there is no US left.

A Dark Day for Sports

For those of you that don't know, yesterday Indy car driver Dan Wheldon was killed after sustaining insurmountable wounds from a horrific crash that included some 15 cars. If you didn't see it live or on the news, it was the worst crash at a car race I have ever seen. I understand that is not saying much coming from a guy that isn't a real staunch race fan, but I have seen a few and that was bad. At least 4 of the cars were on fire and 2 cars, including Wheldon's, were actually airborne. Following the accident, Wheldon was airlifted to a local hospital where he was met by his wife, two young children, and his brothers. Not long after arriving, Dan succumbed to his wounds. Dan was only 33 years old and was one of the premiere drivers in Indy. He was a two time champion of the Indy 500 including the victory in that race this year. As I said before, I am not a huge race fan, however; a wife and children lost their husband and father yesterday and for that my heart truly goes out to them. I know how it feels to lose your father. I miss mine every day and wish he were here to give me the guidance only a father can provide. I pray that the family rallies around those two young children and provides the support necessary until, maybe one day, another man comes into the family. Even if you are not a fan of racing, I hope you will take a moment and ask God to have a strong presence in the Wheldon families life right now. Ask that he put a hand of comfort over them as they recover from this sudden loss of their loved one and make his presence known during their sorrow. Also ask that He provide wisdom to the Indy Car Officials as they sort through this catastrophe that they may make the proper decisions for further safety measures to protect future drivers from suffering the same fate.

I Dropped the Ball!

Have you ever known something special was coming for a long time and when the time finally arrived, you realized that you failed to plan for it? Well I have and did. As many of you know, my 25th wedding anniversary is on November 22 and I have not planned any thing special for my wife. I know, I know. I SUCK, right? As if not planning anything wasn't bad enough, my wife has been basically telling me how this anniversary was going to go down for years. We were to have a vow renewal ceremony, she was going to get a HUGE wedding ring (because the one she got when we first got married was pitiful), and we were going to be surrounded by our friends and family. So how could I screw that up so terribly? I DON'T KNOW!!! I have no excuse. Sure I can say that we have been slammed this year with the new house and my new position at work, but why did I wait until this year? Sure I can say that we didn't have the money, but that wouldn't be exactly true. We have been blessed since arriving in Denver and the truth is what she wanted (other than the ring) wasn't all that expensive. I do have to rescue myself just a bit here though. I did get her a new ring last Christmas and it is a beautiful ring, however; I do know it wasn't really the ring she was looking for. I could use any of those as an excuse, but they would be just that, an excuse.
I now blog in front of God and everybody that I feel sick about this. The biggest problem is that I have felt sick about this for a long time now. You would think that would have motivated me to do something about it, but it didn't. Maybe it is true what they say about men. We are the biggest procrastinators and even physical sickness will not motivate us to do what we need to do. I have begged my wife's forgiveness for this over and over the past few months, and you know what? She tells me that she is not upset about it. YA, RIGHT! Guys, what does it mean when your wife tells you she is not upset about something you should have done? What does it mean when your wife tells you you don't have to get her something for Valentines Day, Her Birthday, Christmas, or her Anniversary? It means you are royally screwed! So readers, after it has taken me so long to finally get this blog started, it may be my last entry. I am sure some time, some where, she is going to kill me. I have take to sleeping with one eye open lately. I am sure that is why I never feel like I have gotten any sleep. Every time she rolls over or moves an arm or leg, I am wide awake wondering if it is finally judgement day. I am a wreck!
Wait a minute! I  may have just saved myself. I realize remembering the actual day is important, and I do remember it every year. But the celebration is truly a whole year thing right? Will I be vindicated if I make some sort of plan any where between November 22, 2011 and November 22, 2012?! That has got to be the answer. I am not quite sure what it will be, but it is all I have to go on. Ladies, if you are reading this blog, let me know if this will get me out of the doghouse. Even a few suggestions would be welcome. There has got to be some things I havent thought of because, as you know, I am a man and we just don't think like that.
My wife will be reading this entry so I need to say one thing directly to her. Baby, I am so sorry I dropped the ball. I hope you will forgive me. This does not mean I don't love you or I don't take our marriage seriously. I simply means I am a man. I will do better in the future to make you feel special. You are my one and only and I will love you until the end of time.

Welcome to my thoughts

Hello readers and welcome to my thoughts. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time now but never seem to find the time to get started, so today I decided was the day to start. I am a 46 year old red blooded American male who has been married to the most remarkable woman in the world for 25 wonderful years. I say that not because she is going to read this, but because I actually mean it. It boggles my mind that people find out how long I have been married and look at me like I am some kind of freak. I have been married this long because this wasn't something to try and I didn't go into it with false expectations. Until Death Do Us Part was the real deal for us and no matter what happens we will grow old together and die together. My wife is the Recreations Director for a Nursing Home in Denver and is one of the most caring and loving people I know. She sincerely cares about the quality of life the residents in her facility have and goes over and above to prove that each and every day. I am not sure I have every met a person with a bigger heart than my wife and I hope that if I ever have to be in a nursing home I have a care taker such as her. I don't think the company she works for realizes just how lucky they are to have her. I am the proud father of two strapping young men 23 & 21. They have been the light of my life. It does, however; baffle me that two people can come from the same parents, live in the same home, and become such different personalities. My oldest has recently received his Associates Degree in Fire science and is now continuing his education dreaming of on day becoming a Firefighter. My youngest is an Artist. I say that like it is just some thing but it isn't. He is an amazing artist and I know one day he will be a huge success in his chosen field. He is attending Metro State College and will soon graduate with a degree in art. I am more proud of them both than I could ever write on a piece of paper. Both of them will make wonderful husbands and fathers one day, but I am in no hurry for them to make that move. I want them both to take as long as they need to find the right person to make their life partner.
Now that all of that is over and you know me a little bit better, I am going to let you know about my goals for this blog. I did some research of blogs that are written by men and it seemed they all had some things in common that I will be avoiding in my blog. First, I don't feel that it is necessary to have pictures of scantily clad women on every page in order to keep a man's attention. I know it is hard to believe, but not all men see every woman as a sex object. Second, there will be no vulgar language in my blogs. I am finishing my education as we speak and I believe I am intelligent enough to get my point across with out the use of profanity. Third, even though I enjoy an occasional beer or two, this will not be the topic of any of my blogs. I do not feel I require alcohol to make me interesting or to find a way to deal with my issues. Again, I am sure I can find a way to solve problems and find friends without it. Fourth, I am a born again believer in Jesus Christ, however; I will not be thumping you with the bible in this blog. I will state my beliefs occasionally and I believe as a believer I should, but if I read my scripture well enough, Jesus said come to me and left it up to the FREE WILL of the person to decide. I pray for all of you and hope one day you will have a relationship with Christ, but that is your call not mine. Lastly, I at one time considered myself a Republican. That was before all of the parties decided to do what was best for them and totally forget about those of us who voted them in. I now lean on my own conservative views and vote for the person I feel is best for the job. I did not vote for President Obama but since he is the President I consider him my President. It is now up to me and people like me to make sure we have someone else in that office the next go round.
This has been a small look into who I am and over time I am sure you will get to see a little deeper inside. I will do my level best to not show my bad side (we all have a bad side) and make my entries as interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for clicking in and reading. Please check back often for new topics that I hope you will enjoy and interact with. I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you over the years.