Thoughts

I don't know about where you live, but there is some serious stuff going down in my old hometown.

I grew up in a small community in southwest Washington state. That little sleepy community is now a hotbed of tension and turmoil regarding some labor disputes.

EGT, a Canada-based company built some grain terminals at the docks where I grew up, and has now staffed them with employees from a Tacoma-based union. The local union here ILWU, is protesting this by blocking trains, barricading and blocking access to the site, and basically throwing a world-class tempertantrum.

This last Monday, the president of the San Franciso-based union turned himself in, but only after trying to get the local police chief and county sherrif removed from office. His reasoning? That these men were applying "undue" force in trying to dissolve this strike. They were arresting men at their homes, and "harrassing" others under suspicion of causing mischief.

I don't know about you, but from what I know of police work, they tend not to arrest folks until they have the evidence they need to bring you in. Thus, they would arrest people once they had probable cause to get them. Sorry if that inconveniences you, but if you do the crime, don't expect some kind of medspa treatment. If you are planning on doing something stupid, don't you think the folks who are tasked with keeping the peace would be watching to make sure you don't cross a line, or maybe do something that could make things worse?

By this rationale, I could go rob a bank, and then when they close in on me I could turn myself in if only the people who are trying to arrest me are fired. Why? Because they caused me undue stress for breaking the law, and should be punished for it.

What kind of crap is this?

In my outspoken opinion, these labor guys need to grow up. They need to figure out that when you break laws, you pay for it. When you decide to buck the system, things tend to break loose, and folks pay a price.

Grow up, grow a pair, and move on.

Thank you!

More thoughts...

I have decided to become a more active parent.

Since my divorce, the kids have been living with their mom. I have been quite busy with my classes and work, and somewhat neglecting my time to spend with my children.

As of now, I resolve to change that.

To be an effective parent, you need to spend face-time with your kids, and show them that you not only provide for them, but that you want to take an active and vital role with them as well.

I am going to be there for my kids. I am going to provide for my kids. I am going to show to them that regardless of my situation or problems, they are going to take precedence in my life, and that because of them they are helping me to change my life.

My kids are my life. They are my muse. They are my reason.

How about yours?

Trying this writing thing again..

Well, I've decided that I need to practice my writing more.

Don't ask. I'm just ready to write.

I have so many things that I want to rant and rave about, I don't know where to start...

First off, I have problems with my lack of motivation to find yet another job.

Second, I have issues with my seeming lack of motivation to keep working hard at my classes for schooling.

Then there's the issue I have with myself and how I seem to be short-changing my kids.

I have a problem with the lack of follow-through in paying back my parents and best friend roommate.

I've got problems in learning to open up and trust others again.

I just don't know where to start..

I guess the place to start is with me.

Wouldn't you agree?

Rememberance

I recall that I got up late that morning.

I recall that my kids weren't wanting to get dressed, and that my wife wasn't wanting to travel.

I remember listening to the radio on the way to my parent's house, and hearing how something had happened in New York, that details were sketchy, but everything seemed to be under control.

I recall getting there to see my mom and dad glued to the television watching as the first tower burned, and watched firemen running into the building to try to get folks out.

I recall watching in disbelief as the second plane plunged into the second tower, and the feelings of shock and horror that someone could do this to innocent men, women and children.

I recall watching folks jump to their deaths from the buildings instead of stay inside those buildings to burn to death or be crushed under the tons of rubble.

I remember how angry I was upon learning who had claimed responsibility for the attacks, and the immensity of the operation.

I recall wondering just how many more attacks were going to happen, and how long it would take to get all the potential security leaks out of the airlines.

I recall the mass terror that gripped this nation and the racial angst that got even worse once these attacks happened.

Now? I see a nation that was seriously divided that has come together more, and has been more focused than it had ever been before.

I see a nation who refused to lay down and give up.

I see.... HOPE.

What do you remember about that day?

Revelations

I almost met God today.

I'm not joking.

I have been taking classes since December of last year to flush out my degree in computer science. This week is finals week for the quarter, and I was in my car heading to class to take a final on some classes I'd taken for Windows Server 2008.

While driving, I was quizzing myself over things I'd read, and was keeping an eye out for traffic since Friday traffic is usually ugly and tough to deal with.

While stopped at a stoplight, I changed the radio station, checked my mirrors, and then waited.

The light turned green, I waited for some cross-traffic to clear, and headed into the intersection to get past them and merge onto the freeway for some fun stop-and-go bumper-to-bumper traffice all the way to the school.

As I got into the intersection, I noted a flash of blue out of the corner of my left eye. That was all the warning I got.

Screaming tires, honking horns, and severely cramped muscles are all that I remember afterwards.

I didn't get hit. The fellow in the lane to the left of me got that pleasure. However, I did end up being able to see all of the detail in up-close Hi-Def color and action right outside my open driver side window.

That close call made me forget about my petty worries and doubts. It put anything out of my mind except to note that I have been taking many things for granted.

As of now, I stop worrying about the things that aren't in my control. I deal with what I can, and make due with those things that I can't influence.

I resolve to enjoy the little things, cherish the great milestones, and make the most out of what I've been given.

To do any less is criminal, to my way of thinking.

Hope you think about this as well!

Ciao!

State of the Union Address:

My fellow bloggers, there stands a serious injustice on the face of the planet.

Casey Anthony has been found innocent of the death of her child.

Wait, wait.. Not death. Murder. She isn't guilty of murdering her child.

Now, in my opinion as a parent, she's as good as a murderer, since she knew something was wrong, and yet did NOTHING to prevent it.

So now? We have a self-absorbed person free to go about her business (once her prison sentance for her "petty" crimes are done) and do the same thing again..

Where exactly is the justice?

Granted, the jury might not have some of the information we were spoon-fed by the media. We might have been told quite a few extra stories by the reporters just to make a great story and gain more media coverage. I don't know. What I do know is this...

Karma is a bitch, and Casey Anthony will find that out sooner or later....

Thoughts on Easter

I was raised in a Southern Baptist household. I have studied many forms of Christianity, plus various other religions. I consider myself fairly well schooled when it comes to the many different forms of religion, and their beliefs and teachings.

However, I tend to forget something that to this day nearly brings me to my knees in awe and wonder.

This evening, as I was finishing my homework for classes, I had been browsing the TV, and had it set on a channel that I usually enjoy watching for th different movies it shows. I paid little real attention to the movies, as I was completely focused on my work. However, something in the tone of the movie playing made me turn my head.

The Passion of the Christ was showing, and they had gotten to the point where Jesus was being flogged for the satisfaction of the Hebrew High priests.

The total and complete savagery and brutality of his flogging is something I don't think I'll ever be able to get out of my mind. From the first time I saw this movie, I still tend to downplay just how much of a beating this man took. He was beaten within an inch of his life, but spared only to hang in the worst possible way that someone could be executed in those days.

It is times like these when I am glad for my faith, and for the love I have for my creator. If not for his sacrifice and blood and love, I would be nothing but a lump of human clay destined for death.

As it is, I am an angelic being destined for life everlasting once this mortal husk is gone.

Have a great Easter, and God Bless!