Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Autumn Inspiration

My favorite thing about this time of year is the weather.  I am not sure why, but I love the mix  of hot and cold temps as the transition to Autumn dances around us.  I love the gloomy, rainy days and the way the way the changing leaves seem to brighten up the cloudy skies. 

As the leaves season changes, I tend to reflect on what I have accomplished and what I have not.  I feel like this year has been a fairly lazy year for me so far.  Life has moved at a slow pace and the routine days seem to blend.  As I think back, nothing seems to define "Me".  I am not complaining, sometimes we need a routine life rather than the hustle and bustle of all that sometimes consumes us. 

There are two things that I have not accomplished.  For this year I had hoped to lose thirty or forty pounds and I had hoped to start writing one of my novels.  I am only slightly overweight, but there is a high risk of Diabetes in my Family.  I would really like to stop the cycle and live the rest of my days as healthy as possible.  My goal is to get back to the weight I was when I got married almost fourteen years ago.  The problem is that I have not done anything about it.  Each week I tell myself that I will start exercising and seat better.  Each week, I push ti off to the next.  Maybe by blogging about ti, I will actually do something about it.  If I do, I will definitely keep you all up to date.




As far as my novel goes, I just need to start it.  The hardest part for me is starting the project.  Once I have the first few pages done, the words start to flow.  I just never seem to find the time to start.  I have been thinking a lot about writing lately and think that there is a way to intertwine all of the ideas I have for novels.  I also think that it is a somewhat new idea that will work very well.  I don't want to give too much away, but as I begin writing I will keep everyone in the loop.   

The rain outside is tapping on my window reminding me that I should be working on other things.  Please feel free to give me feedback on my articles.  I have also been asked about the pictures in my posts.  I have taken each picture personally with the aid of my cell phone.  Most are of places or things that caught my eye.  Sometimes they might inspire a blog.  Sometimes they might have no relation at all.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

discussions of facebook

There has been some discussion in my house lately about Facebook: the drama it causes, the old Friends found, the gossip that evolves, and insanity of stalking those you would have never reached out to in your past.

Facebook is very much like a Forrest. There are distinct paths that most people follow. These are where their true friends reside. There are many different paths for different groups. One Path might lead to Family, another School friends, another work friends, and so on... Eventually some of us travel off of the path. We start to add our Favorite actors and bands. then people that we really do not know at all, but they know some of our friends, so it seems OK. After a while the Forrest becomes overgrown with weeds and rotting overgrowth.

 Some people take a drastic approach and start a fire that destroys the Forrest, just so they can grow it again.  Others take the time to trim the weeds and clean the overgrowth. 
 Why do we put ourselves through the drama of Facebook?  Not to sound too cliche, but when I was a kid, we actually went out side to meet with friends.  We would play under the clouds.  We would gossip, we would joke, and just have fun.  Now the same happens, but in a virtual world with real people.  The jokes get meaner and nastier.  friendships are lost, and others "virtually" gained. 

Whether we like it or not, Facebook is here to stay.  It is the new playground for people of all ages.  As the old parks collect trash and debris, as the weeds grow out of control, life still goes on.  It just happens at a faster pace and with less face to face interaction. 

Can we live without Facebnook?  Of course we can....but will we?  No one asks for a website address anymore, they ask for their facebook page.  No one asks for your phone number anymore, they ask for your facebook page.  I guess my family discussions around facebook are here to stay.  My kids will have the same talks with their kids and so on and so on. It has become a way of life...



Sunday, September 11, 2011

Memories of Today's Past

Much like the clouds in the sky, the significance and sadness of this day will fade.  Like a passing storm, the damage will be repaired, the debris cleaned and the memories will fade. 

I still remember the day.  I was off of work, with hopes of sleeping in.  My youngest daughter, all but three months old, decided she was hungry.  I dragged myself out of bed hoping I wouldn't wake my wife.  I carried my daughter to the living room to feed her and catch up on the daily news.  While flipping the channels my attention was held captive by the smoke that billowed from the first tower.

As I sit there holding my daughter in my arms I could only think about the many souls inside that would never again be able to hold their children as I was.  I was about to wake my wife to alert her of the tragic news but she had woke up on her own.  She stood there in front of the T.V. watching in horror as the second plane hit the second building.

Like old trees watching over the Forrest, struck by lightening, the giants tumbled as the flames consumed their structures.  I shamefully remember thinking that the Towers were going to collapse.  Soon after they did.  My heart sank as the word of more hijacked planes were out there.  I did not worry that my house would be a target.  But there are places nearby that might be; the Hummer Plant, Notre Dame, Cook Nuclear Plant, and more.

As we sit there watching the events unfold, we decided to get out of the house and take our minds off of the events.  Both of our Daughters were too young to understand.  We decided to take them out to Chuck E Cheeses and clear our minds.

As we drove there, the streets were eerily silent.  Only the bells and buzzes of the children's game area could be heard in the restaurant.  I honestly don't remember if we were the only Family there or if there were more.  If there were others, I didn't notice them.

When we left, there seemed to be more life in the city.  Lines crowded the gas stations as people panicked for the worst.  We hurried home fearing that more had happened as we were out.  Nothing more had happened though.  We decided to stay in that night and relax as a Family.

The next morning we woke up, went to work and completed the normal routine.  Life went on for us.  I almost feel guilty typing "life went on".  Many people did not have that luxury.

I did not wake up today in mourning for those that lost.  Instead I slept in as I had hoped to on that same day ten years ago.  When I awoke, had two cups of coffee, read the paper, checked out Facebook, then played poker on Facebook.  In my own little way I was telling the Terrorists that regardless of what they do, my life has continued.

Each year that passes, the significance of this day will be less.  It will be a day we celebrate in honor of those who lost their lives.  But as we get older and those who were just born, or not born at all, get older the details will get foggy.  And the memories of the event will only be known through news-clips and photos. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

figuring out the beginning

I had really hoped to blog each day about the insignificant happenings of my everyday life.  Somehow after day one I had already lost. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about my place in this world.  What I dreamed of as a child and where I ended up.  Although I am rather happy with my life, it seems that I could be much more than I am.  I a Wife that I love more than anything in the World.  My Kids are awesome in many ways.  I have a fairly good job.  My house is not perfect, but we put our own little stamp on it.  Sure, we may not be rich with money, but are a Family. 

I have always wanted to write a novel.  Over the years I have thought of many ideas that I want to put into words.  I am having trouble picking one particular genre though.  I have been thinking lately about the ideas floating in my head, and I believe that although each story is a different genre, I can probably intermingle the characters and events.  Each story will be stand alone, however fans of the books will be able to recognize some of the characters as they read each new book.  A character that would have a minor or insignificant role in one story, might be a main character in another.  I have the ending planned out.  Now, I just need to figure out the beginning. 

I keep telling myself that on the weekends I will write.  Maybe a chapter a weekend.  But when the time comes, I either get too busy on something else, or think my way out of it.  I am hoping that this blog will bring me the inspiration I need to start the writing that I have longed to accomplish. I do not expect to gain many followers, or any at all.  But if you are out there, please let me know what you think.  Maybe as I continue the blog, I will post snippets of the works I am creating.

For now I should get back to work...

Monday, September 5, 2011

Welcome to My Blog

I really am not sure what direction this blog will take.  My guess is that it will start out with Random thoughts and observations.  Maybe it will lead to short stories.  It will possibly be an outlet to gauge the stories that are floating in my mind.  Whichever direction it takes, I hope you enjoy my thoughts, my fears, my joy, my sorrow, and the overall storm that is brewing in my mind.