Honoring the Survivors - WWII Veterans Salute

  A couple of weeks ago, I had the fortunate opportunity to meet a true hero of mine... a World War II veteran (Ray Johnston of the Brian Center Nursing Care in Powder Springs, GA. this one is for you!) am a huge fan of service members and the service that they have provided. It was an honor for me to listen to the true-to-life depiction of the island hopping campaign by the United States Marines at that time. I'm sure this fellow has forgotten more memorable moments in his life than the moments that I have had, so far, but the details of his exploits in the south pacific were crystal clear.
  If you have the opportunity to meet one of the unsung heroes of the last few generations, do me a favor... just listen! They have so much to say and for theme to know that there are young whipper-snappers really listening may give them hope that what they have sacrificed wasn't in vain! But what do I know... I'm just the luckiest "Some Guy" around. (R.I.P. - Pearl Harbor Veterans)!

Experiencing the Inevitable

  So, the time has come that the give-a-piggy-back-ride dad will have to meet the realize-that-your-daughter-experiments-with-the-birds-and-bees dad... sad day, indeed. Where do you go from here? How do you start the next conversations, 'so... grew up anymore?' I mean now that the cute and fun times of child rearing are over should I look forward to 'Tales from the Crypt' like moments like I'm having right now?
  I want to just stop this thing called life for about 1 month... no job, no family and a no nonsense life. Is that too much to ask? Not making any permanent decisions, yet... just real peace. Is that feasible? What do I know, though... I'm just some guy (living the worst life ever... or it feels like it.)

  Here we go again... the one day of the year of true recognition, true acknowledgment, true and genuine Honor... Father's Day.  Father's Day is the one holiday that real gratitude is given and heart-felt feelings are received. Daughters are overjoyed and overwhelmed that their firm and strong fathers (as stoic as they may be) are about to tear up with a gratitude that can only be expressed on this day (amnesty.) Wives feel very proud that their choice for co-creator has lived up to their end of the bargain in spite of her best interest to change him.

  Teenage sons are continuing the nonchalance that is the their usual demeanor whilst being forced to show some sort of honor (real apathy there!) Mothers look at the choices their sons have made and feel so proud that these grand children have been raised with the same love and care that she doled out when she was young. And finally, Dads that are also honored look upon their 'chip-off-the-ole-block', their 'fruit-of-their-loins', their 'apple-of-the-eye' and realize that maybe... just maybe they did something right!

  I'm not knocking Mother's Day but mothers get recognition for just 'spitting' out another person (oh, a miracle... I'm sorry!) The Fathers' role is much more expansive and diverse. Do we hug the boys? what's too much coddling? how tight do we hold on to our daughters? when do I show the 'boyfriend' my gun? how do I tell the boy good job for winning the fight and I'm proud, but letting him know that he shouldn't do it again?

   If everyone could only see that no one person or group has the answer to fatherly child rearing. We are all collectively trying our best to not screw up and Father's Day gives us a chance to sit and look, dare I say examine the choices we've made!

  But, what do I know... I'm just someone's Son, someone's Brother, someone's Husband, and a Father... oh, and I'm also just Some Guy!

In Memorial of the memorial...

Land of the Free...?

     I know this is a little late but when I was a kid there was a lot of hub bub about holidays... especially those that pertained to the military like Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. There would be a PSA on the television that showed scenes of heroism and patriotism in some foreign land or scenes of men and women in uniform fighting, protecting and guarding our freedoms. Where did those commercials go? Since when have we become so squeamish about showing excellent service for our country? Where are the patriots and patriotic spirit of old?

This makes me wonder whether there is an inverse relationship between media portrayal of patriotism and duty during the times of peace vs. the feelings of apathy and discouragement shown in the media during the times of war.

We do not get the opportunity to see men and women of the branches in action when they are actually in action... we must wait until the rest of the world decide to take a break! We should not cower our spirit for no one! We should not put our stars and stripes up for sale for no one.

  We should not put the memory of soldiers on the back burner for the sake of a 'We Are the World' mood! Bring back the Memorial part of Memorial Day. Honor them properly!


- but what do I know... I'm just Some Guy!

Beauty from the Beast

Some things in life are clearly defined... nighttime is dark; Sharks eat people (general view anyway); Antarctica is cold; and love shouldn't hurt! This last one is a thought that was tested recently. As I was exiting my car I noticed a cacti plant on the side of the building. There is an odd strangeness in the cactus plant; thorny = yes; prickly = yes; not appreciated as a gift = yes; beautiful = ?! This particular plant has a gorgeous flower blossoming from it! Talk about a contradiction in nature!
The thought came upon me that many things in our life bring both beauty and pain. The flower was so spectacular in it's protective mount that I really wanted to partake it's aroma... but I dare not! I knew that I would be risking a bit of personal safety and security if I got too close. This was the most definitive case of "I would love to, but no thanks!" I've ever had! Life should be so upfront.
Some of the most beautiful women in the world should have scissors for hands to tell a man upfront that emasculation is a part of the package. Stud-like Adonis' that make the most stable minded woman swoon should come with horns placed strategically on their heads or handcuffs hanging off of their waists to show women that any interaction with this kind of person will result in 'hazardous' conditions. Since we can't see those flaws that cause the most damage to us psychologically we must take careful thought in whom we 'smell'. If you are that close you are probably expecting the pain...

-but that's just Some Guy's View

The Daydream of a Lifetime...

So, while at work I decided to do a little daydreaming. I know, I know, billions of employee time-wasting dollars are spent engaging in this futile and non-productive activity but I had to do it. Sometimes the time spent in the real world can be so consuming you think that the very act of waking up, eating, customers and sleeping is the whole of existence! But in the daydream you are King (or Queen, whatever!)
This world is unlike the one that occurs at night where your subconscious run amok! No, this one is fully controlled! I mean you really are driving that $275,000 Maserati down the western coastline of California (type, type, type... listen to your boss a little), then Varoom!
Or maybe, you like to relive the past. Yeah, what if Cindy Who and I really hooked up in the 7th grade? Where would I be? How many cars would I have (it's amazing that our past 'mulligan' always produces a more rich lifestyle?)
Well, it's back to work. I must talk to my boss about my 'TPS reports'! (Boss: We need to review... Me: varoom varoom!)

- Just Some Guy's View

New Year's Resolution -- Again?!

Every year we go through the same old, same old! 'I resolve to not [insert unrealistic goal here]' or '... to [insert even more unrealistic goal here]'! 3 hours ago I resolved to not do a New Year's day post -- alas, 12 hours in and I've already failed! My thought was how about a resolution that is totally achievable... peace on earth and good will towards all men (primarily your significant other).
On the road to happiness in a relationship there are always boundaries. The quicker you set them up, the more enjoyable the trip will be. So in starting this trek in 2011 there are things that we should never say to someone we care about. Things like, "You're not being logical!" or "You always _________" or "You never ________!" Both men and women are guilty of these statements. These phrases are designed to put the other person in a defensive state -- immediately!

Some Advice:
Think before you speak! Just because it may not bother you doesn't mean your 'other half' isn't devastated! Our goal should be to keep our significant other comfortable. Even if that means we must be a little uncomfortable for the moment! Hopefully, your significant is reading this, blog as well, and will reciprocate the sentiment! Happy New Resolutions! This is just 'Some Guy's View, though!