The Bonfire

We all gathered together after a swim in the icy river for a charity on New Year's Day. I was alone among the others, crowded together in friendship and camaraderie in their own little groups. It had become a New Year's tradition for me. Visit the bakery for some coffee, then to the river bank as people prepared to jump in the frozen river for a good cause, some in outlandish costumes to really get into the spirit of things, from the Blue's Brothers to a bee costume. After the event, it was to a local pub and diner, and enjoyed some more coffee and free sandwiches, and with a cigar out on the porch with nearby speakers blaring out some good rock tunes. Here I would make new friends, join conversations, and renew acquaintences from the year before. Finally, the night was capped at a nightclub owned by a friend named Buster, and enjoyed a celebratory Pilsner beer. The final one I attended was in 2020, just before the Pandemic. Little did we all know that this celebration and others like it were to be put on indefinite hold. For some reason, I felt a sense of foreboding. As usual, I stood back and enjoyed seeing the people having fun and socializing around the bonfire, huddling close one another as a shelter against the cold air and river water, and taking it all in. Slowly, each of the circles of friends left for the bar until there was a small remanant of us around the bonfire, and it cracked as the embers blew in the wind until it was just small flame slowly dying. Then I was there alone, and pondering what the new year would bring, hope or despair. I then slowly walked up the hill alone and hoping to rejoin the others in the merriment of the day, and regardless of what the future would hold, I would embrace the happiness and friendship around me for that day.  

To My Readers

Hi, everyone. Thanks for all the great feedback I've been getting. It's really encouraging, and love to read your input. If you want a response back, please give some contact info, such as an email address, so I may personally respond. Some of you have been kind enough to message me, but cannot respond back without the contact info.

Also, If anyone has any ideas as far as merchandise, please let me know. I am thinking about Nightwatch tees and other gear. Thanks again.

Until then, see you on the Nightwatch!


Will

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.