Cogitations of a Middle Child

My blogging habits need reforming

2007-01-10T09:06:00.000-06:00

Yeah, so I was on the way to work this morning and I was listening to the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Of course, since the President is making his State of the Union address tonight, the war was the topic. So, Tom is lamenting on how it breaks his heart when the family members of soldiers call in and say that their soldier (family member), who may be active duty or reserve, has been to Iraq 2 or 3 times. Also, he mentions that some of them are fathers, mothers, grandparents. Age enters his plea as he mentions that some are 35, 40, 45 years old. Of course, he takes a tanget to the current situation between Congress and the President regarding the war. Well...I understand. Sure, it would bother me if my relative, whether active duty or reserve, had to repeatedly put their life on the line.

However, that's their job. That's what they signed up for. They are soldiers, in peace or at war. I'm a veteran, I know the feeling. I mean, they gladly take the paycheck in peacetime right??? And I'm sure those family members benefit in some way from that, right??? Sure be concerned about your family members, but if you can't take the stress involved with their career choice, tell them to not re-enlist when their ETS time comes around. Then give them all the support in the world once they get out because of what they have done to make your life better not only on a personal level, but as a citizen of this country. This country sucks sometimes. I was chatting with my esteemed colleague yesterday on how insurance companies have created a mass magic show filled with smoke and mirrors in this country. But those companies back members of our Congress at election time, thus creating a quid pro quo situation. Hello kickbacks.

But I digress, nevertheless. The Iraq situation is messed up, and even more confusing for those of us watching it at home because the media only shows us what they want us to see. At this point, there is no right or wrong for that situation, because no matter what is considered right or wrong, somebody suffers. Regardless, we have to support the troops that are there now. It's a must.

"I once was lost, but now I'm found..." John Newton, c. 1772

2006-11-21T14:02:00.000-06:00

I finally recovered my iPod. He was right where I left him, at church. I originally had bad thoughts about the person that may have had him. When he came up missing, I lost all faith in the intentions of others concerning him. I just knew someone would pick him up and he would never be seen again, almost like a lost pet. But, my faith in humanity is now restored.

Speaking of church, ithas to be one of the most interesting places to spend time. No matter your denomination or religion, it seems the same thing happens in everyone...a power struggle. Although not intentional, the power struggle is always present. I think some people just cannot get over themselves. I mean...it's church!!! Is it necessary to want to control everything, including how things run in your church? Or, maybe church is the only place where those that chase that power are truly heard. Maybe, in their everyday lives, no one really cares what they say or think.

But not at church, the doors are open wide! The church needs participation from its members to make it go, building fund contributions and other administrative requirements are necessary as well. So, when one person thinks they know what is best for all, that creates a contradiction. That expands and applies to more things than church. I mean, I've seen some straight up Texas Death matches at church....over money. Then, sometimes the members think the pastor is an idiot while the pastor thinks the members are idiots as well. Then in the end, the pastor gets the blame, and has to leave. Meanwhile, a new guy comes in and the same problems arise. It never fails.

At the center of all this....the person (or group) leading the power struggle. When does that party have to leave, or get evaluated? Never. It's a safe place to be because it is a passive position. That person creates the problem, determines the severity of the blame along with the consequences, then passes it on. Nevertheless, I still go because all of it is hilarious. How did I get on church?

Getting closer

2006-11-14T09:03:00.000-06:00

I was able to pull out another win in fantasy football, largely in part to Steve McNair torching the Titans. I stand at 4-5 on the season, way worse than last season. Last year, I almost made it to the division championship game....1 game away from the big game...I got ousted. This year, I'm hoping for a good matchup. I can still take it all.

I think my Ipod has been located. I have been told that it is in either the piano or organ bench at church. Life is back to normal. I'd love to call my wife and tell her, but she left her cell phone at home. I'll email her. More later, gotta figure how to get pictures on this thing...great stories to tell.

A.P.B. for a Young Black Ipod, 4.5 inches tall, 3.8 ounces

2006-11-13T18:51:00.000-06:00

That's right. He's missing. I don't know where he is. His name is MyPod. Although there are many out there that look like him, there is none like him. I mean, for God's sake, he has his own serial number. I think I lost him Saturday. The last song I listened to on him was a gospel song, so hopefully, a little divine intervention will reunite us. I last saw him right before choir rehearsal on Saturday 11/11. That's odd on another level because that was Veteran's Day. I'm a U.S. Army Veteran, how could something bad happen to me on that day? I didn't realize he was missing until Sunday night, that in itself is odd as well because he is always near. I had been having trouble with my ITunes prior to Sunday night, then I finally got the kinks worked out. After adding some cd's to ITunes that my guy gave me (Julian, DJ XTC, Boogie...the nicknames are endless)...oh and they were good ones..Jay Z, the Black Album remixed by Pete Rock (heat!!!) and Joe Carasco (some good funk and jazz) I was ready to download them to my Ipod. That's where Sunday night became wierd.

My hopes were dashed a little while ago when I called some people I went to church with and they told me that they had not seen him. Since Saturday, there has been a wedding and a church service. I was hoping that if I had left him there, someone picked him up and took him out of harm's way and placed him in the care of someone that would return him to me. I had pictures, contacts, my resume...everything on there. Not to mention 1300 songs, about 5G of music. I had not even received the full potential out of MyPod...I had about 22.5 gigs to go. Well at least I still have all that stuff in my Itunes library. Still, it sucks going to work without him.

Which brings me to another strange event, my keyboard (Roley..short for Roland XP-60) would not work at church on Saturday....maybe it was a warning for the dark event to come. It worked fine when I got it home though....odd. Well....my daughter just said the funniest thing to me and my wife. She religously watches these princess movies and I am sick of them. So I told her that we needed to go to the store to get some more movies for her to watch. You know, place some variety in her life. She said she didn't have a car, she couldn't go. She's three.

Genesis

2006-11-09T15:24:00.000-06:00

So, my job is getting outsourced to India and everyone around me is jetting for higher ground. That's fine, I'd rather sit here and write this blog on company time and wait for the right opportunity to come. Later Losers! (just jokes, I really like my co-workers) For real, it is a little disconcerting to deal with finding a new job, sell real estate, work my full time job, work on my MBA, and finally the most important, being a father and a husband. Somewhere around there, I try to find the old "U". Anyway, I have a certain co-worker who shall remain nameless that will hold me accountable if starting Donovan McNabb against the Redskins in Fantasy Football doesn't work out this Sunday. To him I say, trade him if it doesn't work out. More later, time to clock out.