election day

Election Day. Let's start with a basic principle; both candidates love America. Can we all agree? If you can't, then I think you need to check reality. They have to love America. They deal with so much crap, and they work very hard, and they could make a lot more money elsewhere. I give them that; at the very least. So, wherein lies the conflict? It is in what America means. Reps and Dems have different ideas of what America is and should be. And so we disagree, argue, and in general, conflict. And today it all comes to a head. We lay down our cards and seal our fate. Will it be doomsday or jubilee? I disagree with those who say that the outcome will affect every aspect of our daily lives. And I cannot side with those who say that they are completely unaffected. This I do know; I have influence on those in my family, among my friends, at my church, at work, in my community, as well as on my multitude of followers on twitter. And maybe, no matter who the victor is or isn't tonight, I will resolve to work daily to make the kind of America I believe in among those in my universe. A wise man once said, "Lift where you stand". If America is to rise, each of us must lift.

we like

   It's interesting that the movie "the social network" is called "'the' social network", because facebook is "the" social network. There's really only one. All others have been abandoned; only parasitic quasi-networks, a la pinterest or instagram, can gain a foothold and hang around for a while (parasitic is an accurate term not be taken as a slight to either). When the movie was released the membership stat pasted on the screen at the end of the film said, "...facebook has 500 million users worldwide.", that number has risen to over 845 million. Facebook is ubiquitous. And it came from nothing, from some guy's head and now that "guy" is worth billions in real money. So what's the next facebook? Facebook isn't going to die or be replaced, but its story will be duplicated. We like ubiquity. We discover, try, use, love and ubiquitize things. A short list: cell phones, washing machines, email, toenail clippers, automobiles. So who holds the key to ubiquity? Will it be a thing you touch and hold and use with your hands? Or a "thing" that you see through screens and exists over waves and bits? Who's got the plan or the big idea and what parts of our lives will it revolutionize? I don't know, but it will be here when now is then. 

sweet relief

    While doing the dishes and trying not to stress about a 5K dollar deal falling through, I asked myself, what is the point of being stressed? Is stress helping this situation? When I thought about it, the answer was no. Then I thought, if I really believe that God is going to bless me, then why would I stress about life? The Lord loves me and he wants what is best for me, so why worry? I just need to do my best and get better everyday. And even if I don’t, I know that I can; that tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to make a good decision in place of a bad one. So why stress? It does no good; it accomplishes nothing. So eliminate it. Take a deep breath and ask yourself, what can I do? Then do something, or don’t. Either way there are consequences and outcomes, some under your control and some not. But if you add in stress what do you get? NOTHING! Well that’s not true, you get stress and stress is worthless. DON’T STRESS! That sentence was a little stressful, here’s another shot at it. Don’t stress. Ahh…sweet relief. 

mighty blog

The once mighty blog, with literally scores of readers, is back. The truth is, I never really thought that my posts would turn out to be so literary. But if you go back and read my very first post, which was created on a whim one lonely Friday evening, you will find a glowing example of foreshadowing. That first post dealt with real property, which is now the foundation of my career. In a comment left on that post a dear childhood friend even suggested I look into becoming a real estate professional. Booyah! You just got foreshadowed! See what I mean? I wonder what other literary elements can be found hidden amongst the seemingly unplanned words of my several posts. Now here is where you the reader can get involved! When you read these posts think back on English lit from high school and try to identify the literary elements employed. The feeling you get will be like floating or dunking a basketball. Psst...that was a simile, okay no more gimmes! Read, partake, and educate, my friends. Also, if you have never travelled south across the border to the Sea of Cortez, please do. You will not be disappointed. Get the tacos al pastor. 

danger us

Danger. I'm trying to understand my own fears, and I wonder if they come from danger. If I think about the activities I participate in with the highest levels of danger, driving my car comes to mind, the occasional mountain bike ride I take through Fantasy Island, and maybe throwing my body around at our weekly pickup football game. These are possibly the most dangerous practices I have, but they don't really cause me any fear. Rather, they don't cause me any of the mind-crippling fear that inhibits action. I'll tell you what does cause me fear, a new job. I fear big time whether I'll like it, whether it will make me happy. But where's the "danger"? They probably don't haze new employees by stabbing them with shivs on days one, two, and three. Most likely they won't cook me up and eat me for poor job performance. And presumably they don't have the corporate policy of "jumping me out" gang style if I decide to quit. Maybe it's mental harm I'm looking to avoid. But a long time ago Sister Gilliland taught me that I'm the one in charge of the way I feel. Perhaps I need to employ these two sayings. 1. "Grin and bear it" and 2. "Fake it 'til you make it".  

ghoul spoof

Playing dress up isn't just for girls. Although it's been a historically female practice, there is one day a year when all participate on a grand scale; and that day is Halloween. Moreover, it's not really "one day". Halloween falls on a Monday this year so most of the festivities I've been told about are actually taking place on the weekend nights leading up to the day of spookiness. Therefore, there are a few days a year when costumes are kosher. Many good things come from Halloween: oodles of sugary delicious candy (that was my absolute favorite part as a kid, candy was as good as gold), those clever and ridiculous costumes that always entertain, and probably the most important thing, Tracy Jordan's hit Halloween themed Bar Mitzvah classic "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah". I say enjoy the holiday! Rack your brain and come up with the best costume you can muster! Whether you go minimalist or all out, you're certain to draw some praise. Here's to the spoofing of ghouls, goons, and celebrities alike! To scrumptious delights consumed in dim light! Here's to us, and everyone, interested in some late October Halloween fun!

pinning hopes

I never feel more helpless than when I watch the UofA Wildcats play. Be it football or basketball, I watch with anticipation, hope, and love. Sadly, that trio of fluffy feelings is often met by the harsh and heavy hand of reality, in the form of a loss. What happens next is, I become incensed. Pseudo expletives fly! My shrill voice pierces the air! Anger! Malice! Hate! Disdain! All because one team, out of hundreds, fails to win one game, out of dozens. These sporting events have a powerful effect on my emotions. I heard once that you shouldn't pin your hopes on outcomes you have no control over. In regards to sports fandom, I see it more as a double edged sword. If I want to experience the ecstatic elation of a big win, then it's only right that I make myself susceptible to the tormented sorrow of a disappointing loss. Perhaps I should take the lofty expectations I have for my beloved sports teams and turn them inward. If I expect excellence from them, then I can't expect any less from myself. Too often I settle for mediocrity. If I focus on attaining personal successes, their attainment will certainly outweigh any outside disappointments. Living a life of excellence, that's a good goal.