During the last week of the year I have gotten in the habit of looking back on the past year and doing some self evaluation. Looking back at the year and reviewing what happened and what situations could I have handled better. And in doing this I hope to be able to grow as a person.
When I have had moments of doing this the last couple of days a phrase has continually come to my mind.
I don't know when I first heard the phrase "Youth is wasted on the young" and I can't remember who I first heard say it. But I remember thinking it was "ha ha" funny. Now I think of it as "things that make you say aha" funny. To me that phrase is one of the truest things I have ever heard.
I have heard people talk about their past and :"the road not taken"; and they always seem to think that if they had done things differently their life would have been better. As for me, I don't know if that is true.
There are lot of things that I would have done differently if I knew then what I know now. I know that if I had continued to use my leg braces after my mid 20's I would be better off physically now. That is the one major mistake that I wish I could fix.
I tried going to higher education schools three different times after high school. The first to times I didn't take it serious enough. The last time I did pretty well but I had a lot of other stuff going on.
Yes, in some ways I definitely would be better off with the education. But I might have missed some life lessons that helped make me a better person.
And there is a woman who I knew in Tampa who I was real infatuated with that actually asked me to be her boyfriend. I have absolutely zero idea why I said no. I wanted to say yes so badly and I know that my life would be a lot different if I said yes.
But I believe I am right where I should be. And I try to remember that nothing is really good or bad. I say that because I learned more about life and more about me through going through the bad stuff which actually makes it good stuff.
I guess the best thing to do is not waste the gift of getting older.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
A bit of my thinking about the media
A couple of things about the media are on my mind today. I am not sure they should be in the same posting; because I prefer writing with a specific focus, but I am going with what I feel compelled to write.
Before I get into the subjects at hand; I feel a little (for lack of a better word) disclaimer is needed.
I believe that a media safe from censorship is necessary in a free democratic country. I believe that an open responsible media can help right wrongs and expose problems.
However, there are times when I don't think the media is being responsible and every now and then the media can be a bit inhumane.
One of those times occurred last night. The local news station I watch comes from Orlando, which is about an hour south of where I live. Unfortunately, an 11 year old girl was killed walking against the light on a busy street. Actually, as of 11 last night all that was reported was that one woman was killed and one critically injured. The reporting was good until the end. At the end they showed video of a woman running down the street obviously crying and distraught. You could tell that the cameraman was running with the woman and you could hear the reporter asking the woman questions. So I think it's a fair assumption that the reporter was running with the woman as well.
I did not catch who the woman is but I figure she was either a relative of one of the victims, the driver who struck the woman or an eyewitness to the tragedy. No matter which one she was; was that really the right moment to be running with her and asking questions? I don't think so.
I understand the need to gather information and tell what is going on. But with police on the scene and knowing that the victims names will eventually be released is it really necessary to basically harass someone who is emotionally distressed? I think the better, more responsible thing would have been to get the basic details from the police and get follow up details later.
The second media related topic is a story we are all too familiar with, Tiger Woods. On a couple of ESPN shows they did reviews of the years biggest stories. It is not shocking that he was one of the biggest stories. What I do think is wrong is that there are still people who think he should come out with the details about Thanksgiving 2009.
I have thought from the first time that I heard of this situation that the only people Tiger owed an explanation and apology to was his family. I understand his image being tarnished and losing sponsorships. There are consequences for bad behavior. But he really did not hurt anyone but his family and the women he had affairs with.
I really don't see the point to knowing the lurid details. But I guess that's part of the gossipy TMZ mentality that is way too pervasive in our society. Unfortunately we have to deal with bad things along with the good stuff sometimes.
And it is what it is.
Before I get into the subjects at hand; I feel a little (for lack of a better word) disclaimer is needed.
I believe that a media safe from censorship is necessary in a free democratic country. I believe that an open responsible media can help right wrongs and expose problems.
However, there are times when I don't think the media is being responsible and every now and then the media can be a bit inhumane.
One of those times occurred last night. The local news station I watch comes from Orlando, which is about an hour south of where I live. Unfortunately, an 11 year old girl was killed walking against the light on a busy street. Actually, as of 11 last night all that was reported was that one woman was killed and one critically injured. The reporting was good until the end. At the end they showed video of a woman running down the street obviously crying and distraught. You could tell that the cameraman was running with the woman and you could hear the reporter asking the woman questions. So I think it's a fair assumption that the reporter was running with the woman as well.
I did not catch who the woman is but I figure she was either a relative of one of the victims, the driver who struck the woman or an eyewitness to the tragedy. No matter which one she was; was that really the right moment to be running with her and asking questions? I don't think so.
I understand the need to gather information and tell what is going on. But with police on the scene and knowing that the victims names will eventually be released is it really necessary to basically harass someone who is emotionally distressed? I think the better, more responsible thing would have been to get the basic details from the police and get follow up details later.
The second media related topic is a story we are all too familiar with, Tiger Woods. On a couple of ESPN shows they did reviews of the years biggest stories. It is not shocking that he was one of the biggest stories. What I do think is wrong is that there are still people who think he should come out with the details about Thanksgiving 2009.
I have thought from the first time that I heard of this situation that the only people Tiger owed an explanation and apology to was his family. I understand his image being tarnished and losing sponsorships. There are consequences for bad behavior. But he really did not hurt anyone but his family and the women he had affairs with.
I really don't see the point to knowing the lurid details. But I guess that's part of the gossipy TMZ mentality that is way too pervasive in our society. Unfortunately we have to deal with bad things along with the good stuff sometimes.
And it is what it is.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A little bit about me and why do I want to blog
Most of my adult adult life I have lived alone. And 90 whatever percent of the time that is the way I like it. But I guess there is a part of me that is tired of talking to myself. The older I get the more I find I have actual views on what is going on in the world. And for some reason that I don't completely understand I feel compelled to share my views.
I am not naive enough to think that everyone will like and/or agree with my views; but that is a good thing and that is part of why I want to blog. It is my hope that when I write something someone disagrees they will, in an adult manner, reply back and a valuable discussion can occur. Hopefully, through that discussion, some personal growth can occur for me and whoever joins in the conversation
What will I be writing about? Mainly whatever comes to my mind on a given day. And if I have a problem with something that is happening I.will write about that. I am already planning on wtiting about one of, if not my biggest problems, the media. Actually I will probably blog about the media a lot.
Now, about my point of view. I would like to think I am open minded, but truthfully, I am not sure how open minded I am. That, I believe will be part of my self discovery through blogging. I lean towards the conservative point of view politically. Although, I believe Democrats are better for the country in social issues but Republicans,generally speaking, are better for everything else. More on that on another day.
Hopefully, what I just wrote is a good starting point for what's to come.
That's all for now. Good evening/night
I am not naive enough to think that everyone will like and/or agree with my views; but that is a good thing and that is part of why I want to blog. It is my hope that when I write something someone disagrees they will, in an adult manner, reply back and a valuable discussion can occur. Hopefully, through that discussion, some personal growth can occur for me and whoever joins in the conversation
What will I be writing about? Mainly whatever comes to my mind on a given day. And if I have a problem with something that is happening I.will write about that. I am already planning on wtiting about one of, if not my biggest problems, the media. Actually I will probably blog about the media a lot.
Now, about my point of view. I would like to think I am open minded, but truthfully, I am not sure how open minded I am. That, I believe will be part of my self discovery through blogging. I lean towards the conservative point of view politically. Although, I believe Democrats are better for the country in social issues but Republicans,generally speaking, are better for everything else. More on that on another day.
Hopefully, what I just wrote is a good starting point for what's to come.
That's all for now. Good evening/night
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What happened to civility?
When there are no games on TV I like to flip through the channels.
During the past couple of weeks I have seen things that disturb and bother me. I feel the need to get things off my chest so here I go.
Why do people seem to have a need to call people names when they disagree with them? Specifically why is it being done on cable TV?
Keith Olbermann has a segment on his show where he specifically looks for the worst person in America. IMO if you are actively looking for the worst person; you just might qualify for that title. I know it doesn't sound as catchy but why not just have a segment on who you disagree with most and discuss why? Name calling is just childish.
But the segment that angered me most is when he called Bristol Palin TWPIA. I am not a Palin fan and to disagree with what they do is fine. But to call a young woman who is raising a mentally disabled child the worst person in America is below the belt and despicable. And Mr O owes Bristol an apology.
As a physically disabled man it almost felt like he was bad mouthing my mother.
The second incident also involves the Palins.
Two weekends ago I watched Joy Behar interview Florence Brady (oops Henderson ;) ). They started talking about Bristol and Sara and from out of the blue Joy called Sarah evil for shooting a deer on her TV show. I can understand why people don't like hunting; I get that. But evil, that's going too far. When I think of evil I think of Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Hitler,Stalin and people like that. I highly doubt that Sarah Palin and most hunters qualify as evil. I believe Ms Behar owes the Palin's an apology.
And in the spirit of political balance: Glenn Beck everyone you disagree with is not in a conspiracy. And Mr Soros is probably not an evil genius plotting to take over the country. Please Mr Beck come back to reality and join us on planet Earth you'll be safe here.
End of rant. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night/morning.
During the past couple of weeks I have seen things that disturb and bother me. I feel the need to get things off my chest so here I go.
Why do people seem to have a need to call people names when they disagree with them? Specifically why is it being done on cable TV?
Keith Olbermann has a segment on his show where he specifically looks for the worst person in America. IMO if you are actively looking for the worst person; you just might qualify for that title. I know it doesn't sound as catchy but why not just have a segment on who you disagree with most and discuss why? Name calling is just childish.
But the segment that angered me most is when he called Bristol Palin TWPIA. I am not a Palin fan and to disagree with what they do is fine. But to call a young woman who is raising a mentally disabled child the worst person in America is below the belt and despicable. And Mr O owes Bristol an apology.
As a physically disabled man it almost felt like he was bad mouthing my mother.
The second incident also involves the Palins.
Two weekends ago I watched Joy Behar interview Florence Brady (oops Henderson ;) ). They started talking about Bristol and Sara and from out of the blue Joy called Sarah evil for shooting a deer on her TV show. I can understand why people don't like hunting; I get that. But evil, that's going too far. When I think of evil I think of Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Hitler,Stalin and people like that. I highly doubt that Sarah Palin and most hunters qualify as evil. I believe Ms Behar owes the Palin's an apology.
And in the spirit of political balance: Glenn Beck everyone you disagree with is not in a conspiracy. And Mr Soros is probably not an evil genius plotting to take over the country. Please Mr Beck come back to reality and join us on planet Earth you'll be safe here.
End of rant. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night/morning.
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