The Ice Bucket Challenge

I've seen a bunch of people take this challenge, but at the same time, I've seen a bunch of people trying to douse the whole thing with a cold wet blanket, saying 'just shut up and donate money' or 'look at all the water being wasted'.  That shit kinda pisses me off.  If everybody would 'just shut up and donate money', do you know what we get?  We get last year's results, whch frankly suck when compared to this year's.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and why it works - I've seen several posts where people are wondering how a bunch of people pouring buckets of ice water over their heads can possibly help cure ALS. I'm here to help.

The actual act of pouring a bucket of ice water over your head does absolutely nothing. However, when you take that act, record it and put it on social media in a challenge to your friends, family and whatnot, it becomes a powerful tool. If you challenge others to do the same and/or donate money to ALS, it engages your social circle, putting something in their head that wouldn't normally be there. They in turn could ignore it, in which case, no harm done. They could, however, pour a bucket of ice water over their head and/or donate to ALS. If they pour a bucket of ice water over their head and post it to social media, the social circles expand and more people at least THINK about donating to a worthy cause. Some of those people, who wouldn't otherwise, actually do. Enough people do that it's spiking donations for ALS.

The numbers bear it out. Last year during this same period, the ALS Association's donations during the period of this Ice Bucket Challenge amounted to approximately 1.5 million dollars. Over the same period this year, over ten times that amount has been donated and it's climbing. So, people pouring ice water over their heads IS making a huge undeniable difference, whether they personally give money to the ALS Association, or manage to cajole others to do it. The water being 'wasted' is just a drop in the bucket.  People, who are posting video of themselves pouring buckets of ice water over their heads and not donating anything, are being criticized by judgemental assholes for getting to feel good about helping without actually donating to money the cause.  So what?!?  First of all, you're assuming they didn't donate money.  You don't know, nor is it any of your business, if they did or how much.  Good stuff is coming out of it.  If it's working, don't knock it.

Penn State - haters gonna hate

Watching the news tonight, I listened to some woman comment about removing the Joe Paterno statue at Penn State, and she said, "They're letting the haters make all the decisions."

Let me help with that. I spent some of my youth (about 10 years) in Pennsylvania, but I never grew to love or hate Penn State. I really just never cared much either way. I admired what Joe Paterno stood for, or what I thought he stood for, but that's about it. I don't hate Penn State. Nor do I have a love that blinds reason. I DO hate child abuse. I hate an attitude that knew it was happening and kept silent about it for fear it may stain a school's reputation. I hate that this was allowed to continue, day after day, year after year in silence, by a man who prided himself on football player graduation rates and contributions to a school. I don't hate the school. I don't hate the man. I hate what he did. I hate that he ruined his reputation, because America needs heroes, and he could have been one. He's not. It wasn't one decision. He made that same decision every damn day, and allowed it to continue every damn day. I hate that. If that makes me a hater, then OK. The haters NEED to be making the decisions.

the need to know...or not

There's a lot of stuff out there in the information age that's considered too much.  The only thing is, most of the time I hear "TMI", it's relegated to personal issues or things that conjure up mental pictures I could really do without.  While I agree with most of those, there are some things outside that realm that really fit the category.

One example of things I could really live without knowing is the number of days Kim Kardashian was in a state she referred to as marriage.  Actually, anything involving the name Kardashian fits the bill.

On a more important topic though, is anything involving how we thwart a terrorist.  Why does the news media insist on telling us how we managed to stop some terror threat?  Why can't we just let the world know we stopped it, and leave it at that?  I take for example, the recent successful thwarting of some new and improved underwear bomb in Yemen, that targeted a flight bound for the United States.

The news media is quick to tell us that somehow the CIA infiltrated a terrorist cell involved in the plot and we knew all about it before the attempt started.  Why do we need to know that?  Couldn't they just leave the details out?  Couldn't we leave the assholes guessing what they did wrong?  Now they know.  Now some poor guy got exposed as an informant.  Now he has to disappear.  Now they know the technology still has a chance if everyone keeps their mouth shut.  Wouldn't it be better if they were guessing about how detectable the bomb was?  Wouldn't it be better if they then wasted time/money trying to find a different way to get the bomb past security, not knowing that the current way probably works just fine?  I'd be just as happy just knowing the whole thing was stopped, without any idea how.

What a Croc

There are some very polarizing topics out there.  Some I get.  I understand abortion is a polarizing issue.  I believe we're killing kids, and no matter how many 'yeah, but's you put on that, it's still murder and it's wrong.  Other people see it completely different and we're not changing each other's minds.

Some I don't get.  The first is the popular sports topic of the 2011 NFL season, Timmy Tebow.  It seems everyone either loves or hates, or hates and actively mocks the guy.  I'm fairly apathetic.  I like him.  I think he's a good guy and a great role model for kids.  He's got a great competitive attitude and is a pretty humble man.  He's certainly no diva, which we see way too much of in professional sports.  As an NFL quarterback, I don't think he's all that good, but sure, he could get better.  I suppose he could be very good.  I was relieved when the Jaguars didn't take him in the draft, despite a ton of pressure from the local fan base, because he's a local kid.  I think there are better quarterbacks out there to be had.  Gator fans are STILL upset that we didn't draft him, and would love to see the Jaguars trade whatever it takes to get him here.  Then there's the haters.  A lot of that comes from his very open Christianity.  It's very genuine (as opposed to an act), but a lot of people are put off by it.  Others think he got handed a starting job he didn't deserve because of hype, but once he had the job, his team started winning - granted, with a bit of luck, but it happened.  I don't get either extreme.

The next I don't get is crocs.  They are those plastic shoes with the holes in them.  I own a pair.  They don't get seen a lot, because I don't wear them often.  About the only time I do is when I'm home and barefoot, and I need to go outside for a minute, like to walk the dog.  Instead of getting some shoes and socks, I'll slip those things on, walk the dog  and take 'em off.  I don't think they're all that comfortable, like some proponents say.  They're convenient, like flip flops but with less flipping and flopping and slapping and all that mess.  I don't wear them out in public, like to a store, restaurant, or church, but I see them there, and just sorta shrug.  Not for me, but, OK..  On the other hand, I can't see the side that says, they're never OK, andd how can people think they are?  What surprises me is that I hear that a lot, and in a very passionate way.  Who really cares?

don't ask, don't tell

Yes, it's baaaaack.

I've put this out there before and I'll do it again.

As a retired member of the U.S. Navy, I have NO problem dumping the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. I see amazing cost savings and the elimination of several logistical hurdles on our ships if we can dump this nonsense.

First, you just have to accept the premise, if it's OK for me to sleep and shower with openly gay guys on a ship that doesn't see land for weeks at a time, it should be just as OK for me to sleep and shower with openly straight women. I mean, why not? I can believe that not all openly gay guys want to jump my bones. Likewise, I can accept that not all openly straight women want that privilege as well. If you argue that straight men are pigs and won't be able to resist a huge shower room full of women, I have to ask...are gay people somehow immune to the same kinds of urges? Do they possess some magical power that stops them from doing something stupid that straight people lost along the way? Tell me yes and I'm raising the bullshit flag. Tell me no, and I have to assume all our young men and women sans uniform are in complete control of their sexuality and it will have no bearing on their ability to coexist and fight a war, or make it through 3 weeks in the middle of the Indian Ocean between ports fighting boredom.

That being the case, there should now be no reason for separate quarters, or bathrooms/showers. All the reasons to build gender specific facilities are gone now. We can take that logistical headache and make it a piece of the past. We should be able to populate all our ships with people, generally in their 20's, men and women, openly gay and straight, nakedly coexisting, and it shouldn't cause any sexual issues whatsoever. The effect on their ability to fight a war and be singularly focused on that objective, for their own good and the welfare of everyone else on that ship, should be unaffected. To suggest otherwise would make me some right wing fanatical homophobe. I mean, that's what we're saying, isn't it?

doin' the stanky leg

The youngster and I had our reality checked Saturday.

We helped with a party for underprivileged kids. We've done this sort of thing before, but it's always been in a fairly sterile environment, where the kids come to us in a nice place...like a suburban park. This was in their world, and it was a wake up call.

We drove to a part of J'ville where I don't think I'd be alive (or at least have the same possessions I started with) for more than an hour if it was after dark. I saw stuff...and I knew it existed. It's just diferent when it's in your face. We got there around 9:30 in the morning and started setting things up for games. Guys are walking around and...I know the look where your big ol' shorts are on your hips and your boxers are showing, but this was a completely different level. The shorts were down around the thighs, like well below the butt...to the point where the bottoms of the shorts are at shoe top level. They have to use one hand to hold them up when they walk, so they always have just one hand free. I was carrying this little girl around...maybe four years old, tops. No idea where mom or dad was. If that was my child, I'd be knowing who the stranger was that's carrying my child off to the playground. I asked one little girl who looked about three where her dad was. "I don't have a dad." What about mom? "My mom's gone." I asked who brought her. She was being taken care of by her older brother (looked about ten) for the last few days. Well before noon, this woman walked by. She looked to be in her 20's, and she was noticably high as a kite.

Part of the deal was lunch, which was brought in. We unloaded drinks into big coolers...and as soon as they went in the coolers, people were carting them off...to their homes. By the time the hot dogs and burgers were ready, the drinks were gone. We brought all the kids up front around the food when we got ready to serve it, but as soon as the food was in reaching distance, the older kids and grown ups were reaching over the little ones and took it all...in armloads. It disappeared and the little kids were just staring at empty hot dog buns.

There was a DJ...playing rap. I didn't understand most of the lyrics. The youngster told me it was mostly harmless stuff that you can hear on Disney radio. They did a few dances, like the cha cha slide, and then started doing one (among many) that I didn't get, but the youngster could at least make out the lyrics..."do the stanky leg, and the booty do". The stanky leg...oooookay. I'm not judging or saying anything's better or worse than anything else. It's just not what I'm used to. It was bizarre, to me, but no more so than seeing Dolly Parton do Stairway to Heaven. (That lipstick reminds me of the Joker in The Dark Knight.)

Beyond all that though, the kids..I'd say mostly between the ages of three and ten, had a great day. It was fun, and just talking with them and playing with them...getting them to smile for a while, was rewarding. Just pay them a little attention and they light up. The thing is, you realize you leave...and it's just one day. Those kids need so much more...need to see so much more to realize there's a big world out there they can be a part of, and they can. This day was part of a bigger program, involving mentoring and tutoring, and helping them see how they can improve their lives, and I hope it helps. I know it's better than not trying. They need to see what's out there to reach for, besides the tops of their shorts.

Memorial Day

Every year I say this in some way. Every year I mean it.

I have a list...a list of men I served with, who died in the service of this country. I'm not being sexist. I served with women too, but to my knowledge, none of them have passed away, either while performing some duty for the country or not (although one of the women went on to pilot the space shuttle).

I take this weekend to remember them, and the sacrifice they made to keep this country what it is. Too many treat it like a three day weekend for the beach or barbecue and nothing else, and take for granted their ability to do these things. They are ignorant to the sacrifices made on their behalf.

Those men, and many men and women like them, are the cost of freedom. Their families are still paying it, and it isn't cheap.

I'm indebted to all of them, and so is every American citizen.

sure Barak, let's re-evaluate that gay military policy thing

I love how people who have never been in the military are the ones who can't figure out what difference it makes, and take it upon themselves to decide how people in the military should live. They, of course, think "don't ask, don't tell" is silly, and can't see why, other than prejudice, an openly gay person shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military.

Here, let me make it clearer for you. Women serve on ships now, but they have their own separate quarters and showers. Why? Why can't we just put everybody, regardless of sex or sexual preference, in the same showers? Why can't they all sleep together? What's the difference between that having openly gay and straight men in the same showers?

If it was just a matter of working together and doing a job, I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. It's when you introduce the idea that you sleep, and shower, and live together that people like me get uncomfortable.

Now, before you start calling me a bigot, a homophobe and a hater and whatever else, consider that a ship is essentially a prison. It has no bars, people are there by choice and get paid for what they do, butt on the flip side, there are no visiting hours and definitely no conjugal visits. Entertainment consists of what you can watch on TV (movies and on ship programming) and working out in the ship version of the exercise yard. People are isolated for weeks at a time and with no way to get anywhere off that rock...errr...ship. Unless the idea of drowning appeals to you, you're essentially in confinement (and the wife can't understand why, to this day, the whole concept of going on a cruise does not say vacation to me...go figure). Noting the similarity? Consider what happens in prision when someone drops the soap (and don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about). Then, tell me I shouldn't be concerned about that, but when you do, please also tell me why....OK, besides because I retired from the Navy and never have to ride a ship again.

sour grapes

As many in my vast reading audience know, I ride a bike...a lot. I also enjoy golf, although I'm a better bicyclist than golfer, mostly because any 5 year old can ride a bike where people spend lifetimes unsuccessfully mastering golf. I lean more toward the 5 year old.

I also subscribe to a bicycling magazine. One reason I subscribe to the magazine is that last year I picked up their annual buyers guide issue, and was impressed with the wealth of information. I was so impressed I thought they deserved eleven dollars of my hard earned cash to get their magazine in the mail every month for the next year.

In that issue, there was a contest. It was a caption contest, and I know I won't do an adequate job of describing the picture, but it was a photo of a guy going off a very high cliff or platform into a body of water. I can't remember if it was a lake or a pool. I seem to remember an audience in the background. He and his bike were becoming separated in mid air. It was basically an "Oh shit!" moment, as man and bike plummeted toward the water below. I entered said contest, not really expecting to win. I don't remember exactly what I wrote, but the premise was that the guy was oblivious to the danger he faced. In fact, few people get or enjoy my humor, so, like I said, I didn't expect to win. I just couldn't resist trying, because if it involves winning free shit, I just have to try.

It's now a year later, and in this year's buyers guide, they showed a picture of the guy who won, the bike he won, and the winning caption. Here's where I have an issue. The winning caption was.....

Still, it beats golf.

Excuse me? I thought I'd get slammed to the mat by something clever and witty. I don't mind that I lost, but I lost to...."Still, it beats golf"??????

You must be shitting me!

First, it ain't that funny. Second, what does that say about sports envy, first of the guy who wrote it, and then of the magazine that called it a winner? Third, and maybe this is just a personal pet peeve, I have an issue with anybody or anything that has to bad mouth someone or something else for the expressed purpose of looking better by comparison. Bicycling doesn't beat golf. Golf doesn't beat bicycling. They're apples and oranges. Now, golf has a bigger following than bicycling. On any given weekend, there are a bazillion more people plunking down somewhere between $30 and $500 to play a round of golf than there are cruising bike lanes. You'll find far more people in this country glued to television sets during a golf major (or even this week, during The Players) than have watched the Tour de France..ever, even if you accumulated all of them throughout the years. I would wager that in any given year, more people in this country watched the PGA Tour golf tournament in Milwaukee than watched the Tour de France, or any other bike race. That's not a criticism of either Tour or the city of Milwaukee. It's just the way it is. So what? It doesn't mean you need to take a swipe at golf, for God's sake. It's more popular than bicycling, but they are different animals entirely. It doesn't mean you have to hate golf if you're a bicyclist.

I don't particularly like NASCAR, but I love the fact that a lot of people enjoy it. Those people are buying tickets to races, spending their weekends in places like Daytona and Talladega. They're not crowding my bike lane, or making it impossible for me to get a tee time. If everybody liked what I like, I'd never get to play golf or ride my bike, because the crowds would be unbearable. As it is, it's not easy finding a nice morning tee time in J'ville on a Saturday. You need to do a fair amount of planning ahead. Still, when you get out there early on a Saturday when the sun's coming up on the first tee, reflecting a little off the dew on the grass, and you duck hook that first drive into the trees and get that lucky bounce that somehow sends the ball back into the fairway, there's nothing like it. I love bicycling, and I really love it when I do it with friends, and my son. That doesn't mean I want the whole world out there bicycling, and it certainly doesn't mean I have any disdain for people who don't share my interests. Thank God I can still hop on my bike on a Saturday morning and just go, and not worry about a competition for space in the bike lane.

I put this together with what I observe on weekends when I ride, when bicyclists are quick to yell at cars when the drivers get what they perceive as a bit close (and I'll be the first to admit, that's a bit scary, but they guy behind the wheel never hears a word you scream), or slide through a stop sign, while cyclists ignore the same sign...but that's somehow OK...and I have to ask myself...are hard core bicyclists basically an angry bunch with an inferiority complex? You don't see quilters taking pot shots at golf, do you? Can't we all just get along (to quote Rodney King) and just enjoy what we do for fun? I mean, that's why we do shit like this, isn't it? We're having fun, aren't we?

Can we be happy about the fact that we're all different, and enjoy different things, and not be jealous about the fact that more people like doing something that we don't?

Thank you for plodding through my rant. I'll get off the soapbox now.

the new regime

It's kinda scary, actually. I listened to some of Obama's speech at the swearing in. I couldn't catch it all - I mean, I am at work and all that. The scary thing is, he's sounding a lot like me. There's a personal responsibility theme running through everything that, to my ears, sounds amazingly Republican. Maybe I'm just not hearing it right. I'm not sure. I, by no means, am suggesting that he's stealing ideas from the Lumberyard (although it wouldn't surprise me to find he's an avid reader who comes here to stimulate his own thought process), but it does make his theme far more inclusive when I find myself nodding in agreement.

What I'm hearing is, we can't be expecting other people to do things for us. The government isn't going to bail you out of squat. It's incumbent on all of us to step up to the plate and do our part to get us out of the mess we're in. That's a far cry from what I'm used to hearing which goes more like, "You are incapable of doing everything life throws at you on your own. You need the government to help you get through life (or said another way, "It takes a village"). From what I see, his is pretty much the same message we had from the last administration. It just comes in a prettier wrapper. It's not coming in the smug tone that Dubya oozed that made you want to smack him. It comes in more of a rallying cry that makes you want to be part of it. Maybe that, in itself, really is part of the answer.

I really do hope so.

Happy Marty's Birthday

On this iteration of Martin Luther King’s birthday, I actually find myself filled with hope. I do hope that we’re finally becoming a country, if not a world, where the content of your character matters and the color of your skin does not. Some would say the events coming in the next day or so confirm that. I disagree, but I do hope to be proven wrong.

I don’t think the changing of the guard proves that skin color doesn’t matter. I do think it proves that anyone can do anything if they work hard enough at it and the right circumstances unfold. That doesn’t mean all of us get what we want with enough hard work. It means you can get yourself in a place where you do everything you can and, if opportunity and work collide, you win. If they don’t, you don’t. The only worse thing than doing all the work and not seeing your dream come to life is seeing the opportunity come, and being in no position to take advantage of it. Now, don’t ask me how I got off on this tangent, because it wasn’t where I planned to be.

I hope people see, in Obama’s election, that you can grow up to be anything in this country, and skin color doesn’t have to stop you. I hope that excuse goes away. I hope Obama’s able to do many of the things he wants to do. I hope the end result looks a lot like the vision. I don’t expect that will happen. I’m ready for history to repeat itself and don’t expect all that much from the coming, or any, administration. Again, I honestly hope to be proven wrong.

fans from other teams and a question for Miss Manners

I'm usually pretty tolerant of fans of other teams coming to Jacksonville to cheer their team on at a Jaguars game dressed in their team gear. Especially this year, where it's pretty much the equivalent of a bye week. I mean, I'm sure they sold the package deal in Minnesota...fly to J'ville, few days on the beach, play some golf, go watch the Jags lay down for the Vikings, have a celebratory beer, and fly home....all for $1999. Traditional Viking helmet at no extra charge.

That being said, some people are just freakin' rude. Our seats are a few rows up on the second level, on the aisle and right by the platform where you come up the steps, turn and start going up rows, A, B, C, etc. If someone stands on that platform, they block the view of several people and calls of "DOWN IN FRONT!" ensue, especially if it's during play.

So, last Thursday, we had two obnoxious Colts fans, hanging on the platform, having a conversation. They aren't even watching the game, mind you. They're talking and could easily have moved to the concourse where the concession stands are, and they don't block the view of people trying to watch the game. The guy spray painted blue horseshoes into his buzz cut hair and the girl had on the obligatory Peyton Manning jersey. People were semi-polite at first, waving to get their attention. They waved back. One guy said, "No, we're not saying 'hi'. you're blocking the view." Again they waived. The "DOWN IN FRONT" calls began, and were ignored. Someone got up and told them to move and have their conversation elsewhere or they'd call security. Again, nothing.

So at this point, my question is, was it rude of me to yell "HEY! Your fat ass makes a better door than a wide screen!"? (Yeah, I'm all kinds of brave when I'm surrounded by an angry mob sharing my sentiments.)

I only ask because the girl sure seemed offended. They did move though.

against the odds, we're getting there

It is feeling more like Christmas. I'm not quite there, but I'm getting closer to seeing through the 7 levels of the candy cane forest, past the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, all the way to the star in the east.

Got the shopping stuff done, or as done as it's getting. Still haven't really decorated much, and won't, but I'm OK with that...because when it all comes down to the reason we celebrate this day, it's not the lights, or the presents, or the carols, or, for God's sake, snow (which I doubt they had that day in the manger). All that stuff makes it brighter and cheerier, but in the end...it's the birthday that matters.

By that I don't mean that it shouldn't be bright and cheery, or that it won't. It's getting there. It's getting there because I'm being taken back to Linus, and what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown...

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:8-14

When it comes right down to it, I'm all about the concept of peace on earth and good will toward men...and women.

terrorists don't subscribe to a flag

I've been watching the events unfold after the terror attacks in Mumbai, India and am a bit confused about the anger at the country of Pakistan.

Terrorists don't think of themselves as Pakistani, or Indian, or American. They think of themselves as warriors for a cause...true believers. The Pakistani government didn't engineer the attack and, except for an inability to stop it, can't be considered responsible. The same could be said of the Indian government. People are burning Pakistani flags in protests, but the act has no relevance. The people behind these attacks don't give a damn about flags.

The people behind these attacks have some warped sense of religion that makes it imperative that they kill for God. That sentence in itself, and the truth of it, should be all anyone needs to realize these people don't hold to any traditional logic or value system. They have warped a religion that preaches peace and tolerance into a mandate from God that they kill people whose belief system doesn't mirror their own. That's the philosophy that should be the focus of anger and reprisal. It doesn't have anything to do with flags.

the art of not blogging

When I started this place, I had a reason. I had several things I wanted to get off my chest and this was a venue for all that.

Now I've done that, and somewhere in my head I got this idea that I have to come here every day and write something, as if I have something interesting enough to go on about every day.

I have now come to the realization that:
a) I don't
2) I don't have to come here every day and make something up
III) I'll still use this place as it was originally intended, but I won't try to do something every day just for the sake of doing it
d) I get more hits for the girlie pics on the right than I do what I actually say, so that pretty much frames my place in cyberspace, but that's OK. That's why they're there.

It might even make the place more interesting to read on the days when I actually do have something worth saying.

Now, having said that...the Burger King steakburger has to be one of the grossest things I've ever put in my mouth, and that's saying something. As fast food places go, Burger King is usually my favorite. The burgers just taste better to me. The double whopper, no cheese is my junk food staple, if I allow myself to eat that crap.

So, when I saw the poster that said steakburger, with two of my favorite toppings, swiss cheese and mushrooms, I thought a switch may be in order. I was so wrong. I don't know where they get the square steak, but I'm having trouble believing that's actually beef steak in that bun. If you've been tempted as I was...spare yourself and pass. That thing melts in your mouth, for all the wrong reasons.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know things are pretty tight, not only in this country but all over the world. People are having a tough time getting by, and they're fearful about the future.

In the midst of all that, please look around you, and see the many things we all have to be thankful for in the faces we hold dear.

See ya in December.

Happy Veteran's Day

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

- Theodore Roosevelt


Yeah, I'm tooting my own horn, too...so be it.

I just want to say thank you, to all the people who do or have put on a uniform and served this country. Not everyone agrees on where and how our military forces get used, but in whatever capacity, these people lay down their lives so the rest of us can live our lives safe and free. I don't have the words to say how grateful I am, for all of you, and the sacrifices you've made for all of us. All I can say is....

Thank You.

...and hope that you know how much I mean it.

get out there and vote

From someone who's far more a fan of the process than the outcome, please, if you haven't already, stop reading this, get off your butt and go vote.

Be a part of the decision of who runs this country. Even if, like me, you feel like you're doing it on principle, because you don't think your candidate will win, go be part of the process. I don't like being part of the minority, but I recognize it, and know it's part of what makes this place I live what it is, and I love and respect that. I'd much rather lose an election than lose what this country stands for. The upside for me, whether he wins or loses, Obama's face won't be in mine near as much as it has been for the last month.

So whether you agree or disagree with me, please go make your voice heard.

I'm John of the Lumberyard, and I improved this message. It'll probably be the last message I improve for about 4 years.

doing business with friends

I rank this right up there with loaning money to friends. It's one of those things that can take a decent friendship and just flush it down a toilet. The absolute best thing that can happen when you do business with friends, is your friend will do a fantastic job and charge you an agreed upon price and you're still friends. Just like loaning a friend money, the absolute best thing that can happen is they pay you back...promptly. Alternative endings are countless, and they almost always end with disaster.

I bring this up because we have a friend in the neighborhood who's great with plants and gardening. She knows a lot and her front yard is always picture perfect. We, in the lumberyard, are none of that. I keep the grass cut and bushes trimmed, but that's about it. I have no desire to be a gardener. If I'm not getting nasty letters from the homeowners association, all's right in the Lumberyard world, but I'll never see a "yard of the month" kind of award. The wife would like a picture perfect front yard, but she's not great with plants, and she knows that's not my thing.

Our friend decided to start her own business...doing landscaping. The wife thought it'd be a great idea to turn her loose on our yard...get it going and impart some gardening knowledge, so maybe the wife, too, could maintain a decent flower bed. She called. They talked. The wife told me about how much she thought this would all cost and I was OK with that. The work started.

The woman did a fantastic job. We'd come home from work and see the progress each day, and it just got better and better. The flower bed in front of our house looks like the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. I was sitting there thinking...all this for that much money? Such a deal! I was amazed.

Then the bill came. It was NOT what the wife expected, or such a deal. When you itemized it all out, it was fair. I mean, the woman did put in a lot of time and material, and I couldn't say she didn't earn what she charged. What it wasn't though, was what we expected, or budgeted. When the friend and the wife talked, they came to a price understanding, or so the wife thought. The bill more than doubled that. If we would have known this was the price, we might have scaled back the effort some...or just declined altogether. The wife was floored, and didn't want to tell me how much the bill was, at first. She knew though...I would find out. All our finances are shared and out in the open. She apologized to me and said next time she'll get a firmer estimate if she gets more done. It's not like we won't survive, but we really weren't prepared for that kind of bill.

The thing is, though, now this elephant has entered the room where that friendship is concerned. The wife feels a little taken advantage of, but she doesn't want to (and won't) say anything because she doesn't want to ruin a friendship. Still, it's stuck in her mind, and therefore it affects the friendship whether she wants it to or not. If we never would have "hired" her, this issue would never exist.

Things can just get a little strange when you start mixing friends and money.

I guess when things get real, it cuts both ways

For me, the thing last night was exciting. Getting the jerseys and seeing people from last year, like I said yesterday, makes it all very real. I can't wait for next Saturday. I wish it was tomorrow. For the record, I like last year's jersey better than this year's, but this year's is cool. I'm sure there will be pictures afterwards so you can form your own opinion. That may be a psychological thing...just being partial to the stuff from my first year doing the MS ride.

For some people though, I guess making it that real was too much. I'm talking about people who registered to ride with us (I'm sure for the first time) and last night realized...omigosh, it's a week away and I'm not ready.

They do our team check in at a local restaurant/bar. Last year I just walked in, got my shit and walked out.

This year I hung out for about an hour...had a beer and an appetizer and talked to people. I don't know if this happened last year, because, like I said, I didn't stay long, but...several people came in just to apologize and say they weren't going to make it. They couldn't raise the money, or they haven't been training, or whatever.

I guess it's not a new phenomenon. People start with the best intentions and then don't follow through. New Years resolutions are chock full of this stuff, and honestly, this ride is no small undertaking. If you don't train and get yourself ready, it could be a scary thing.

For years I said I wanted to do this ride, but I'd never do anything to make that happen. I just didn't realize people would actually register and then not go prepare for what they said they wanted to do.