South Of Someplace: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Do Nothing Congress

Congress is spending a lot of time lately debating what the President should and shouldn't be allowed to do. The Republicans are even suing the President for delaying a program, a program that they apparently despise and have vowed to repeal.

Maybe Congress should invest some time into figuring out what THEY should be doing. I'm pretty sure that they weren't elected to DO NOTHING. Yet that's what they do. Nothing. Or stall when someone with a sense of responsibility actually tries to do SOMETHING for the country.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Blissfully Busy

Luckily, I don't have enough time to worry about how busy I've become.

The Best Time To Go For A Run

Run in snow or wind
In rain or shine
Whether dark or bright
The miles don't mind

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Favorite Internet Trolls

Favorite Internet Trolls

The Professional Critic

Criticizes anything, everything, and every one, regardless of whether they have demonstrated any aptitude of their own.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize.
Super power - Knows everything.

Bottom line - A frustrated loser.

The Referee

A stickler for rules, this troll is quick to point out when you've violated some element of decorum in your interactions with others. Sometimes they'll cite a general guideline (avoid ad hominem attacks), but more often their complaint is rooted in the vaguely defined customs of a particular interest group or Internet community).

Super power - Memorized the unwritten rule book in its entirety. Pounces promptly on every violation.

Bottom line - Even this person's friends don't enjoy spending time with him.

The Misquoter

Not the most logical debater. Question the efficacy of some law, and the troll accuses you of being anti-police (or a coddler of criminals). Question a government policy, and you hate your country. Point out that Jesus wasn't really all that interested in obeying the law, and you're accused of being anti-Christian.

Super power - Thinks of very creative things for you not to have said.

Bottom line - Even Jesus didn't like to be misquoted.

The Glass Homeowner

This troll loves to hurl insults but cries foul when others retaliate in kind. Dishes it out but can't take it.

Super power - Sensitive, but in a grindingly annoying way.

Bottom line - Personality issues.

The Sore Leaver

That's it! They've HAD it! They are NOT going to put up with this discussion any longer. They're LEAVING!

Just one problem - the troll doesn't actually leave. They hang around so they can threaten to leave over and over again.

Super power - Predictability.

Bottom line - Full of crap.

Captain Irrational

Tense. Irritable. Ideological. Inflexible.

This troll sees the world as they want to see it. Facts and logic aren't going to change their mind. Ever. Trying to reason with them is a complete waste of time.

Super power - Consistency. Impervious to the effects of empirical observation.

Bottom line - Perpetually tiresome.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Honoring the Victims of Senseless Tragedy

July 17th, 2014

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile.

Deepest condolences to the families of the 298 souls on board.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Modern Diplomacy

President Obama apologized for being unable to attend the World Cup Finals match in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.

Fortunately, the President was able to follow the play by play action by hacking a video feed through German Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone.

(P.S. to the NSA - that was a joke)

Now That's A Vacation!

I chatted with a young child the other day, a pre-school student. I asked him whether he had gone to school that day.

He said no, he was on vacation. So I asked him if he would be on vacation all summer.

His reply: "No, for ten years."

:-)

Slam!

The shriek of sliding tires lasted longer than usual - three to four full seconds - but the inevitable crunch of metal hitting metal could not be avoided. Slam! You never get used to hearing that sound, the decisive instant when luck runs out and all hope of a miraculous outcome fades from possibility. Hearing an accident is disturbing; hearing it happen just outside of your window is particularly unnerving.

This was not the first crash that I've heard while sitting quietly at my desk; the intersection is a magnet for collisions. The last time, a taxi cab was involved. This time, a city bus struck a car as the auto ran through a red light. There were no serious injuries, thank goodness, but somebody's evening was ruined.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Enforcement of Immigration Laws

If I were a member of the U.S. Border Patrol, I would be furious with people who suggest that the government is failing to enforce immigration laws.

Border Patrol agents do a dangerous and thankless job day and night in the roughest imaginable conditions. They apprehend illegal immigrants, transport them to detention centers, process them, take them to a hearing, and if the border crossers don't have a legitimate reason to be here, they are deported. How can that be interpreted as "not enforcing the law?"

We ARE enforcing the law. BECAUSE we enforce the law, we need to EXPAND and modernize our border detention facilities. The current facilities can't handle the load, and they aren't designed to house families and children, who unfortunately have been coming across in greater numbers lately.

The right's assertion that the President "chooses not to enforce immigration laws" is politically motivated nonsense - absolute, utter nonsense! It's an inaccurate, dishonest attempt to sway voters who are unwilling to take the time to understand a complex problem. Or who look for any excuse to take pot shots at the President.

But what bothers me most is how grossly disrespectful these lies are to those brave and tireless agents who keep our borders safe day in and day out. They deserve our appreciation, not condemnation in the course of political expediency.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Armchair Quarterbacks

Armchair quarterbacks always throw perfect touchdown passes.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

World Cup Wonder - Germany Versus Brazil

Surviving Your Darkest Hour

It was a rough day for the hometown World Cup fans. Germany could do nothing but score. Brazil could do nothing to stop them.

The game was lost well before halftime. The Brazilian players had to put on a strong face and play out the rest of a hopeless match in front of millions of fans world wide and their own shocked and sobbing countrymen.

Bad Things Happen

No matter how prepared we are, no matter how skilled or experienced we are, it's still possible to have a bad day. A disastrous day. A calamitous day. A performance that will haunt us for years.

No one is immune to bad fortune. Anyone can have a meltdown when a perfect storm of negative events rains down with unexpected fury. The storm will come for each of us sooner or later. The breakdown will happen. It's not a question of whether, but when.

When the worst happens, it will hurt. We'll feel anguish. Humiliation. Agitation. Despair. Physical and emotional discomfort.

We'll experience profound self-doubt and disillusionment in that bitter moment, a moment that we shall be destined to play over and over in our minds for months and years to come.

Replay

But, guess what! You'll get over it. If you live through the experience, you can pick yourself up and start again from where you left off.

You'll play another match. You'll dance to another song. You'll compete in another contest. You'll deliver another set of results. In the aftermath of unimaginable humiliation, you'll get up, get yourself together and do what you love to do. And you'll do it again and again and again.

To live a life where you do what you love to do. Would that be worth a few bad experiences along the way? A few really bad, publicly humiliating experiences, versus a lifetime of happiness? That's an easy decision to make.

Failure feels horrible, but it doesn't kill you. It doesn't render you weak or unable to compete. It doesn't stop you from taking reasonable chances.

But the fear of failure can immobilize you and kill your dreams.

Dancing Beyond Fear

Never let the fear of failure or humiliation hold you back. Refuse to let fear prevent you from taking the chances that you need to take in order to reach your goals and enjoy the life that you want to live.

Imagine the worst possible scenario of embarrassment, humiliation, and loss of stature. Now imagine something ten times worse. You could survive that. You really could. It won't be pleasant, but you would make it. You would emerge bruised but better for it.

The Fulfilled Life

Now imagine years and years on end of living your dreams, adventure after pleasurable adventure, in a life that fulfills you completely. Would you trade all of that just to avoid a few occasional moments of powerful humiliation?

Take a chance. Take lots of chances. Live your life. When life pushes back in an unpleasant way, roll with the punches, grieve for what you've lost, put yourself back together, and get back to doing what you really, really love to do.

There's more life to live. There are more dreams to follow, more objectives to accomplish, and more people with whom you can share your highs and lows.

International News

In international news today, Germany has overtaken Brazil, and a mob of men was seen slashing through Julio Cesar.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

July

You know it's July when it's in the 80's at 11 pm and there's a thunderstorm at midnight.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Generation Gap

These kids today with their rock 'n' roll and their swing dancing!

What's next? Beach parties? Bikinis and surfboards? Cruising around after curfew in souped-up hotrods?

Has the world gone mad? :-)

Negativity

Negativity is an expression of fear. Fear is inflamed by a lack of understanding. Where we can encourage understanding, we can diminish fear and negativity.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Inspiring Training Partners

I enjoyed an amazing run this weekend in a quiet, rustic setting with just enough altitude to be challenging.

At first, my body felt sluggish. I found a pace where I could relax, and by the second mile I was feeling more loose and energetic.

I ran for a while. I wanted to put in a good distance. The weather was warm and sunny, so I ran in the shade as much as I could.

Eventually, my training partners, Mr. Bell and Mr. Penn, joined in and offered much-needed encouragement.

Mr. Penn ran beside me on the next to the last lap. He's a tall, leggy fellow with a long stride. I pushed past my fatigue and tried to match Mr. Penn's strides for the entire lap.

Mr. Bell joined me on the final lap. Mr. Bell is one of the fastest marathon runners in the world, and he has the cleanest, smoothest form of any runner that I've ever seen.

I don't like to disappoint Mr. Bell, so once again, I pushed past my fatigue and tried to emulate his matchless technique.

As I reached he finish, Mr. Bell and Mr. Penn ran off to do their own workouts. They never say much, but they always push me to put in a solid workout. I appreciate them the most when I'm feeling tired and I want to give up. The inspiration that they can provide is priceless.

It was a great day, a fun run, and a really good workout thanks to Mr. Penn and Mr. Bell. I can't wait to get out and run again!

For Bobby

I learned this week of the passing of a childhood friend, a bright and gentle boy whom I'd known in elementary school.

Bobby used to come over to the house when we were eight or nine years of age. I'd been to his place once or twice, too; he had some interesting games.

We would play and draw and chat about things like race cars and space ships. I remember us exploring gadgets on my father's workbench one time. Bobby was always positive and good natured, not rough and pushy and argumentative like some of the boys in the neighborhood.

One summer (I think it was after the third grade) Bobby moved to another school system. No one was really certain where he went, and I never saw him again.

Over the years, on occasion, I would remember Bobby. Where did he live? What sort of career did he have? There aren't that many truly good friends in life. It's natural to wonder about them when they've moved on.

My mom asked me if I remembered him. I said, "Yes, we were friends before he moved away. He used to come over to the house." She handed me the obituary page.

Bobby wore glasses. He left behind a family, and they don't live far from where we grew up. He and I attended the same college, but perhaps in different years because he spent time at community college initially. It wasn't as though he had been living on the other side of the world. He was right there all along.

The cause of death wasn't mentioned - it's unfashionable to do so, these days - but it doesn't matter. He's gone. It's too late.

Despite all of the opportunities for connectivity that we have at our disposal these days, I never once thought to reach out to him. It just never occurred to me.

Now, of course, I'd love to. I'd love to say, "Hey, I'm not sure if you remember me, but we used to play together when we were kids, and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed our time together."

Maybe he wouldn't remember. Maybe he would think that it was bizarre hearing from some random person after so many decades. What does it matter? A connection is a connection, and it never hurts to tell someone that you appreciated what they did for you.

The message remains unsent, the words unheard by the one person for whom receiving them would have meant something. The finality of death is stunning and non-negotiable.

Thank you for being my friend, Bobby. I wish that I had had the presence of mind to say this when it could have reached you.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Sleep and Exercise

Exercise initiates the body's healing process. Sleep provides the ideal environment for efficient healing and repair.

If you're not exercising regularly and sleeping well, your body and mind are slipping into disrepair.

Set sleep and exercise as your highest priorities. Work and entertainment and socializing are no longer your first priority, because you can't do any of them well when you lack energy and focus and your health fails.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Hometown Photos

I wish that I had taken photos of my hometown when I was young. It's changed so much over time.

When you're young, you don't have a frame of reference for time. You assume that things have always been as they are at the moment and that they'll always stay that way.

Reality is far different. The world is dynamic and fragile and malleable. Times change, and all that is familiar changes with them. The future will surprise us, even if we believe that we are ready to accept it.

Another Summer vs. Winter Post

Summer weather lasts for about two-and-a-half months in my area. Winter weather lasts twice that long.

I call that double trouble.

South Of Someplace