Healthcare

Many people object to Obamacare in the latest quest to address the health insurance problem. The mandatory sign up is opposed by many, and my libertarian hackles got raised when I heard about it. But then I realized as a conservative one of my beliefs are personal responsibility. When you fail to get health insurance even if you can afford it and

Milestones

Milestones, the bench markers of our lives. As I get older, I realize the dreams and ambitions of my life rather silly and unrealistic. Grad and law schools I looked at and forgot how choosy they are, the dropout rate, and how expensive they can be. Being a senator and executive, I realize now, were never in the cards for me. But that was what I thought I could become and that what drove me through college.

Being in the rat race, an expensive home, the hour commute along a choked highway, and huge bills from keeping up with the Jones's all exert a price I was never willing to pay, and frankly have no sorrows about it anymore. Stress and debt are the results of so called "success."I live in a double wide trailer and commute less than a mile to work, and keep my bills in check. I live in a community where friends and relatives are nearby, low cost of living, access to bike trails and woods, and small towns with a growing arts community, and the feeling of bliss and satisfaction couldn't be greater.

Friends

I seen a Facebook page where a person had over 2,000 "friends" listed. In viral world, the term friend can be relative. In the cold universe of cyberspace and anonymity, people are looking for meaningful relationships, but perhaps don't know how to make them. The isolation of the internet perhaps creates a further desire of true community.

Friendships need cultivating like living things. It's hard and time consuming, but real relationships demand it. I just looked at my list of Facebook friends, and were friended when I briefly met years ago, and haven't been in contact since then.

As I get older, I treasure the older friendships I developed over the years, and regret how I took them for granted, and let the bonds slip away as time passed. Don't let your real friends become relegated to the cyberworld. Maybe it's time to pick up the phone and say hi.

Baseball: an Appreciation

Baseball: what a season. The Houston Astros, one of the last among the last teams of "Lovable Losers," won the World Series. I have been privileged to see the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and now Astros, finally win the trophy. Baseball: what other sport compares to it: the Fall Classic, best of seven wins, the bottom of the ninth of game seven. Will the starter be relieved, can the American League pitcher hit the ball, and no designated hitter in the National League town.

Now the Series is over, and an unofficial beginning of winter is here. What else can be said of baseball? The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn, and the poem by A. Bartlet Giamatti of baseball breaking one's heart: how can anyone else do a better job describing baseball? The season ends as the winter chill of November's eve arrives, and reminding everyone of the months to come without the playing of ball. We have our memories, baseball cards, caps, and other memorabilia to sustain us until the warmth of spring comes with the aroma of hotdogs and peanuts, dawning the arrival of a new season when the umpire steps out to implore the players to "Play ball!"

The Me in Social Media

Social media revolves around ego, as well as the digital world in general. Facebook is about our accomplishments, likes, friends, and then ability to post whatever strikes our fancy: old flames, feuds, beefs, or whatever gripes we have. Seldom is it being thankful for something.

Every act of kindness, bravery, chivalry, and good behavior is recorded for the world to see, rather than handling matters quietly. Humility and seems to be a premium these days. The same for what were once intimate and private moments in reunions and engagements. Today when we see any trouble brew, all too often are instinct is to grab our cellphones and record instead of helping.

Andy Warhol famously exclaimed we will all get 15 minutes of fame. Little did I know how prescient he would be decades before social media. Then, it seemed he was making an Orwellian comment on technology. George Will lamented that the good thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice, and the bad thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice. Today, all someone needs is a camera, Twitter feed, or another social media account, and they become their own content publisher, free to comment and post on anything they want with very little accountability, other than blasted in a Twitter war. To turn back would require checking our egos to do so, and I'm afraid we're not ready to that, if ever.

The Joy Stealers

One day when driving, a car coming up behind me passed me after tailgating me awhile. It angered me for some reason, until I thought about it more. Why was I really mad? Was it pride in being passed for not traveling fast enough (what red blooded male wants to be passed when he thinks he's the fastest driver around?)

After stewing about it awhile, I thought about it more and realized  that what I should really be mad about is how I reacted, and letting it get to me. we come across issues like this throughout life; we get mad at things we shouldn't really get angry about, and it becomes a joy stealer, and ultimately affects our witness. Now I try to shake my head at them and laugh it off, and then pray for them (sometimes, unfortunately, but I'm working on it!).

The Cross

Walking along the Allegheny River, I stopped by my favorite spot. Dwelling on personal issues, I contemplated on what to do. As the river slowly flowed by around the eddy, I glanced up at the azure sky. Parallel to the land was a streak of a jet. Vertical to me was another streak of jet wash, with both forming a cross. I guess when you are looking or answers, you interpret things in any attempt for help or validation. Whatever was behind it, Providence or chance, I chose it to be a sign everything was going to be right in the end. Sometimes a cross is permanent and made of wood, sometime it can be a momentary and fleeting that disappears with no trace, like from the jets.



But it 's a symbol of something bigger and infinitely more lasting. The seasons can be like years of your life, and each season holding a special place in your memory. Life is akin to the seasons.

Some say it's akin to a parlor trick; that you are looking for a sign and anything will suffice to satisfy my search. Perhaps it's true. Despite all that, I choose faith.