MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR 2012

     
                           I got kind of an early start I guess . Today I started to play around with some of the features on laptop and printer , This is what I came up with . I used some photos I made in the past year of Charlotte N.C. .While do so I enjoyed my self and learned a lot about my equipment . Which is a good thing . So it is my hope that every one has a safe and enjoyable holiday season . Lets make it a point to be around for the coming year .I thank all whom have read my meanderings for the past year . I would like to say it helped me learn a lot about my self , I hope that my blogs will get better and more meaningful in the year to come.

A THOUGHT FROM THE JOHN

                         Today I am going back to a couple of the original intents of my doing this blog . This mourning I got up to a disturbing post on my Face book page which I had not sent . It turned out to a virus that had been going around . One thing that was troublesome about it was that it was accusing my friends of posting an image of me that's not in positive a light . Besmirching  my reputation is not good at all . The curiosity of most people will cause most to open the link that contained the virus . Whats got me is that people will think that much of you to see what kind of dirt they can get on you .
                      This just gets my goat in an uproar .  Seeing that I believe the Internet is a good thing . I see it as a way of leaving something of who you are for future generations . Its a way of leaving behind more than birth certificates , census reports and other documents . Its a way of leaving your thoughts and more about whom you are for them to find . How often do we look at old family photos and wonder what they were thinking .  I know I have .
                        In my starting of this hobby that was and still my intent . This my thoughts from the head . That's where this invasion belongs flushed right down the head .
                       What I do not understand is what do people hope they can gain from sending these kind of post around the Internet . It can cause damage to long time friendships and costly damage to our equipment . The equipment can be repaired easily enough  , but the damage to relationships are harder to repair even if no one was at fault but the hacker .
                     Yes I  do know there are people in this world whom have ill intent in this world . All you have to do is turn on the news and you see it every where . Its just the world we live in , but you would think with all the century's of man kinds existence we would of some how found a way to live together . It seems that all every one wants to to is step on the next guy just because they can .
                   We got the mess in the middle east ; the mess with my own government in the U.S. , the world wide economic crisis among other things .Its a wonder that we some how keep on trucking . How do we manage to go on with our lives with the minefield ahead of us  I know we must keep on with our lives , but down the road we must put a stop to it all .
                  Well I think its time for me to get of the john and get on with life .

NO ANSWERS

             Today I may be at a loss . I just do not know what say about our world today . Why can't I see it : or has our world gotten so complicated that there are no easy answers for anything . We today face such an uncertain future ; the economy is moving so slow if at all . Then there is all the unrest in the world ; our nation is so tied up in it to .People are still trying to put their lives back together after the super storm Sandy  .
             Is this just a prelude to the end of the Aztec calender . Some people say that the world is supposed to come to an end . I purpose that it represents a new beginning ; maybe a new understanding . We can never see our world the same as we had in the past . In today's day and age we are so connected to each other . We must realize what is affecting some one across the globe will in some way will affect us here ." For every action there is an equal or greater reaction ."
              Some how we all must find a way to make this work for the future . What ever we do today will forever affect what we can do in the future . We must be careful in how we proceed from here . I do not have any answers for anything that our government has before them , but I know this what ever they come up with there will be some cost to all of us in some way .

A THOUGHT FOR THE COMING MONTH

                 Here are st the start of the week , many are looking forward to later on this week . Most of us will be sitting down to a big table full of the normal thanksgiving feast with family and friends . Yes there will be parades , football games and lots of conversation .
                 Please keep in mind those that can not participate . Be that they are in the military , police . work at a health care facility or other reasons that are to varied to list . The world does not stop or take a holiday because we do . We must always remember that the worlds always turns on its axis .
             I just wanted to mention this , we do at times forgot that the world never sleeps . When wake up there will be some thing new in the news ;be it good or bad . Yes ; we must keep our life moving forward and not let world events disrupt our life's  . Still we must pay attention to whats going on around us and remember that in some way it will affect us .It may not be known how yet ; but it will in the future .
            So still enjoy your family day to the fullest and when its over its back to work . Yes maybe we will have to increase or efforts to maintain a healthy life .That may mean a extra mile in our daily walk ; while keeping in mind that the holiday season is not over yet . All the holiday gatherings between now and the end of the year . We must stay safe . I would like see every one make it to next year , so we all can work together and get this country running again . We all have a lot of work ahead of us . We need get our elected officials to realize that they work for us . They need to solve our deficit problem ; improve our job market in some way ; and reassure we the people that they are there for us .
            I wish end by saying   HAPPY HOLIDAYS
           

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN ; GO WOLVERINES

                  Today's blog maybe short ; but I do have something to say none the less . It's that time of year that we have been waiting for all year . For most of us it's thanksgiving , a time to share a meal with family , and see people you may not seen in a year .
                  For those in the know though ; know what I am talking about . It's the game that I have been waiting for all year . To some of us it's the whole season . I remember as a youth , how life stood still on the day of this game . Yes ; we did pay attention to the whole season but that was just the warm up for the game . When fall came that meant FOOTBALL season ; college football . On Saturdays out came the cold cuts , breads of all kinds ,cider and Michigan Wolverines . Yes I said it ; I am a Wolverine fan . Next Saturday is thee game , the only game . We play the Buckeyes . You want to see a game Watch this game . there are not just the team on the field ; there are the fans in the stadium , the marching band ; all those at home glued to the TV and radio hanging on every play . They all are playing the game in their own way . So all in all I have only one thing to say .
                GO WOLVERINES

A ROAD

              As you can see in the picture its a nice day out even if its a little chilly . I took this on my mourning outing . A typical fall day . The kind of day you need to be out tailgating at a football game ; grill going with some brats and onions . MMMMM GOOD .  But I am back home , with the door open with the breeze blowing in ; curtains open to let the wonderful sun shine in . Got some Blue Grass playing . So relaxing .
                I have yet to turn on the TV today , don't know if I want to. Don't want some of the news to spoil such a pleasant day . A lot of the music I am listening is from the various incarnations of Jerry Garcia , He was such a talented man . I could listen to his jams all day , and maybe I might get some work done . Finnish reading that book I started .
                   I found this quote the other day that I like and goes along with what I been saying for a while .
  " Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made ."  > Dr. Wayne Dyer 
                  I totally believe this ; we are where we are at in live because of all our experiences and the paths we have chose to travel in our live's . We do not always make the right choices but hopefully we don't stray to far off our paths . If we do it's always never to late to readjust our direction in life . There is always another crossroad in life . We just have to aware enough to see it and be willing to make that first step ; have the courage to make the next one .
               Well I need to go now but I hope to see you out there on the road .

WONDERFUL

                What a wonderful fall day ; cool crisp breezes ; sun shinning and in a good mood . Got off work feel good about myself . As soon as I got home I went back out and took a walk to get something to eat ; the weather just felt so good . Yes I know it's starting get colder out , but with it the way it is it just wonderful as it is . The mile long walk just cleared my head and got me ready to take a nap before I go to work tonight . I so realize that I need to get out during the day light more often . Its just good for my soul .
              Because I sleep during the day I miss out on so much . I just have to make a concerted effort to get out and become a part of the world around me . The breeze is strong enough to get out to fly a kite ; but that is something you would do during the spring . I am off this weekend , I think I shall put some thing on the grill . It would be just perfect for the Michigan Wolverine game tomorrow . But I am looking forward to next weeks game that is the whole season to me . Michigan VS Ohio ; GO WOLVERINES .
                 Yes I know I am not write about anything important ; the idea right now is just write for sake of writing . It's important for me just to put some thing out there . It helps me to get better at it and to think quick and come up with some thing to say .
                The whole point is that I feel relaxed and ready for what is next . Its not often that I can enjoy my mourning as I have . So tell me how many of you out there may be waiting for next weeks game .
                  Oh; shoot is true I just heard on the news that the people who made a staple for school lunches as kids is going out business . Say it not so ! That means no Twinkies , Snowballs ,Cupcake or even wonder bread . School lunches will never be the same . Grandparents will not be able to share a moment with the grand kid's .by sharing a Twinkies with the on a Saturday afternoon while watching cartoons . There goes an excuse to be a kid again . Bummer.
                Well ; it time I leave and tomorrow I will have some thing to blog about . I promise .

JUST NEED TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST

                             As I sit here this mourning , listening to the news I begin to wonder is there anything positive happening in the world . The recent controversy in the past week , the senate investigation , the recent unemployment numbers , the trouble's going on through out the mid east , and the on going recession in Europe . With all this going on I begin to wonder how we are going to get to the other side and when it will happen .
                            But then I remember all the trials and tribulation's that we as a human race have gone through history . We always some how make a way . It may take awhile but it will happen . We are resilient and adapt to our surroundings . We all just have to some how come together ; but that's the bite . We all have different ideas on what should be ,and how things need to occur . \
                         So how do we make that first step , first it must occur where we do have control over in our own little universe . By making that first step in our needs . We must find a way to take care of our family's . Increasingly are finding that we can not rely on our governments for the answers . So must on our own do what is necessary . We must work hard at the jobs we do have and some how make the ends meet . Maybe in so doing ; not giving up we may on our own turn the economy around . It's up to us to find a way while our officials argue among them selves and in public view on TV .
                          I don't have have the answers on how this can be done ; but by our perseverance we may accomplish this . What I am saying is I am sick and tired of being sick and tired . I know there is a better life out there for me . We just work day in and day out ,wondering how long our jobs will last .
                         I not sitting here complaining , I enjoy working hard and having something to to do each day . Its the stress of what our governments are putting in our way of success . Well I think I said enough ; I will keep on keeping on and I am sure every one out there will do the same .

A POSITIVE THOUGHT TODAY

                     On this chilly mourning here in Charlotte NC ; it's 37 degrees and raining . I made made my self the Best breakfast for a cold mourning , Cream of Wheat . I remember living at home as a youth during those cold Michigan winters my Mom would send us of to school with a breakfast such as this . It was much desired and welcomed .
                 We would head out the door bundled up , with the two or three foot deep snow and at times deeper . We lived out in the country so you know when the wind blew there was not much to slow it down . I remember those days fondly .
                  The days we would spend at home the weather did not slow us down . We still went doors to play and work . We would come in after hours outside doing our thing . Ma would have tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches waiting on us . A welcome meal after being out in the cold .                I remember as a Boy Scout we would go out on our winter camping trips . There would be plenty of snow on the ground , we always kept a large pot of soup and hot chocolate on the fire . Our best and most memorable camping trip were those that we had bad weather on ; be it rain storms or snowy weather . Just the idea of making through them was the adventure .
               Today I just wanted to write about some thing positive this mourning . There is so much negativity in the news and that surrounds us in our daily lives . Turn on the television to the news channels or just step out of the house and it will not take long to run to so people doing nothing but complaining .
                  There is some thing positive  a bowl of hot soup or hot chocolate it just warms the soul and brings a smile to your face . Nothing gives the same feeling of love that Mom use to give you when she meets you at the door with a cup of hot soup .
                 Well there is my positive thought of the day . So go ahead have that hot cereal or hot chocolate and feel the love .

DECISIONS ; DECISIONS ; WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO

                   As I am sitting here listening to good music after having eaten a good breakfast ; I am wondering what to do with the rest of the day . The news is just the same rehashed over and over , only from different angles . I just somehow believe all that has come out in the past few months is some how tied together . They do not throw one of their under a bus for no reason .
                  Back to today ; I just see no need of just wasting the day off for no reason . I took yesterday for nothing but rest ; which I really needed . the past couple of weeks have been busy both at work and home . I could just get on the bus and head uptown and see where it leads me . Maybe get on the light rail just for fun . I always did like trains . One of my favorite trips was when I took a ride on Amtrak from San Francisco to Chicago . It was a interesting couple of days . Meet all kinds of people , some on their way to gamble others just trying to get home . The observation car was really cool to ride in . Seen the prairie and some buffalo from there . There was backgammon and cards in the lounge car along with snacks . Meals in the dinning car and naps back in my seat . I would do it again when the opportunity arises .
                 But right now the radio station I am listening to is really jamming right now . I may just sit here and read this book I got from the used book store and let the music play . Decisions, Decisions ; they are hard to make . There so many things I could be doing and some I should be doing and others I just plain want to do .  I guess that's why we given brains , we as humans have our own independent minds .  We just have to get it in our whole being to do what is needed in our life's . That is is what makes some more successful than others ; and some whom don't require much out of life . The rest of us fall some where in between . It's all a matter of where we expect to see ourselves tomorrow . As Shakespeare wrote "TO BE OR NOT TO BE , THAT IS THE QUESTION " . Well it all boils down to that what do I want to be tomorrow .Well time will tell ; I won't be able to answer that till tomorrow .
                The path is not set in concrete right now ; I still have time to make something of the day . I just have take the first step .

DEAR MOM

                               Well; Mom it's that time I write you  new blog again .  The election is over and it did not take that long for some controversy to hit the air waves . There is enough to make a soap opera about . Involving top officials in our intelligence and military community . It only took a couple of days . They some how on the news trying to tie this to the deaths of our diplomats in the uprising or attacks in Benghazi . The whole story has not come out on that yet either . It's changing hour by hour .
                              What has me wondering is the timing of all this around the election . I really can't give much of an opinion on this because I hear bits and pieces . But one thing though is something don't smell right about all this . Do we have another Watergate situation brewing here .
                             There is so much going on in the world its hard to keep up with it all . What makes it worse is you do not know which news service to believe . They all have their own agenda .
                            The thing is I people I wanted to be in the white house . I still think Herman Cain would have been the man for the job .  I liked all he had to say . The fact remains is that Obama is still president ; we will have to live with it and deal with it ; but that will not stop me from speaking up .
                         Mom; all is well otherwise . I am enjoying writing this blog that I have and learning much about myself . I may start on another project I just have to make the first step . I know the first step is the hardest . My problem is deciding what is the first step . Been doing a lot of reading like you say I should .
                      Well Mom I just wanted to get this out . I right now really do believe that the afterlife can somehow see everything we put out there on the internet .
                                                        Thanks Mom for listening
                                                                           YOUR SON

THE RIDE

                   This mourning's bus ride was just like any other ; but for it being a cloudy day .There were traces of the rain that fell some time in the early mourning hours ; on the parking lot as I walk towards the stop where I will catch the bus . When I got on my first bus it was pretty much empty .
                   As we rode towards uptown you could hear the required landmark announcements as we passed the key points on the route .Traffic was kind of light for it being veterans day today .
                 The uptown skyline you see was highlighted by the blue-grey cloud cover as we rode towards them .Further proof that it being a holiday could be seen as we passed the government buildings . All you saw was a few pedestrians and some sheriffs walking through the campus area .
                  When we got to the transit building it was not a usual work day traffic . As I walked through the pigeons that are always there . They were going through their usual routine undisturbed by the people or the bus's passing through .
                  The little store did not have a crowd in it ,like there would be on a regular work day . I was in and out quickly  as I made my purchase of lottery tickets for the week . Shoot you can't win it unless your in it . Besides that I only buy one per drawing .
                  As I walked up to the bay where I would catch my next bus ; as luck would have it it pulled up .This bus is the airport bus and again there were not many riders .One rider of note though , you could tell he was in town for the Panthers vs Bronco's game . Which we lost , damn . He was wearing a Broncos jersey proudly , I can't really blame him . Had we won he would definitely getting a ribbing on his ride to the airport . He was also carrying some shoulder pads with the Broncos style horse's mounted on them . The name on the back was The Bronconater . There were also a few other passengers on their Way to the airport along with the daily bunch that rides in the mourning .
                     Looking out the window you could tell the banks were closed because there was not the hustle and bustle you would normally find . I really did not see anything of note on that ride to my final stop for the mourning .
                   It was a pleasant walk to my way to my room . The air felt cool and comfy . That was my my trip home this mourning . I do often look around and Hundreds of people off and about their own routines . Each having their own story that differs from my own . The world is a wonder all you have to do is look around you and you my see something you may have missed .Take the time you may be even surprised at what may find .

JUST SITTING HERE

            Yes ; I am just sitting here at my Laptop , actually with nothing to say . The door is open to let fresh air in , window open to let the sun shine in . The television is on a news channel ; maybe it will give some inspiration .
          I am told to become a better writer I should write everyday even when I don't have anything to say . So right now I am just rambling on .
         From where I sit I can see the blue sky with some puffy white clouds , with some vapor streams form the planes that have flown over head . The parking lot outside is a buzz with activity .
        Most of the trees are starting to loose their leaves . Those that are still hanging on have yellow ,red and orange tints to the with a sprinkling of light green . I can hear the cars and trucks traveling down the highway near by . When first moved here there used to be some woods there but that's all gone now . When they were here on a Sunday mourning I would open the door early with a cup of coffee . I would listen to the hundreds of birds just flying to and from trees . The chirping that they would make would make for a pleasant sit outside .
                   Now all I hear is the occasional plane coming in its approach for the air field . But I must say it still makes for a good mourning for I to like to hear those planes coming in.
                  If i step out and walk to the end of the walkway I can see the tops of the high rises uptown .Which makes for a wonderful view also . If I would take a walk out side just in a few hundred yards I will see some woods and some flowering trees , In places the kudzu try to take over the trees and electric poles . If your lucky you may see some rabbits hopping  about . A couple of years ago there was a pair of coyote's that you could see running around late at night . I have not seen them for a while . All in all it is a rather pleasant are to live in ,but depends on your tastes . To me it has the feel of the country but the benefits of the city. which is quite nice . Well I guess I will go now , I think I met my obligation to myself . May tomorrow I will have something to say ..

JUST SOME SILLY RAMBLINGS

                            While at work this mourning I mention to somebody that I was exhausted ,and that thought I need a Hover Round . Just for fun I went into what it should look like . Imagine if you will . A gloss Black Hover Round with ape hanger handle bars , A Harley Davidson decal and lots of chrome . A CD player mounted on it ,with a CD of a running engine of a Harley playing . There would a horn of a Harley mounted so I warn people of my coming .
                           Now this picture would not be complete with out a proper helmet . A Skull Cap with a single Chrome Spike on it and a Leather Jacket .
                           Just imagine A little old man running around town on this thing . With a grin from ear to ear on his face . You the kind ; the that lets you know that he is up to something .
                       Don't it sound like fun to run around in something like that . Well I think it would be , I would do it just to say I did it . Among other things that I might do just for fun and to see if I could do it . Hell we only live once why not have fun with life while we are here .

TIME TO MOVE ON

                         Finally the election season is over ; I am glad . Its time to let our people in Washington to do what we are paying them for But that does not mean we the citizens can't speak up when the need arises .
                        We must see to it that our government do what is necessary to fix our debt crisis ; and get the economy going . So that the jobs so badly needed to get this country back on track .
                      I must admit I did not support Obama ,but none the less he is still the President , I find I must stand behind him regardless . I may not agree with him at times , and I have the right to speak up if the case so warrants it . I feel its my right ,for I earned it because I took the time to vote .
                      So time to see what elected officials going to to do . We must let all those in Washington what will and will not stand for . Its time that they get it together and pass a budget which we have not had in some time . Stop wasting my money , I hate it when it happens in my home .
                    Lets stop with all the second guessing that we are going to hear on the news for the next few days . All of is not going to change a thing . Lets just get on fixing whats broken , and leave a country worth having for future generations .

OUR QUEST

                 Yes ; we all have a quest in life , yet we all think that is individual to our selves . we don't realize that all our quests are interconnected in some way . We all live in the same timeline and the same world . We all seek some kind of validation in who we are and what we do . It comes from many different sources from family ; our jobs ; our peers and yes even from people we do not even know .
                   As we travel  in our lives our goals change be cause we are always ever changing . Our experiences ,what we see ;what we feel and what we learn everyday changes us . Who are today may not be who are tomorrow . What think and believe changes all the time . This is the the learning process of our lives . Even our faith changes every day it may get stronger or there will be times that we may question it .
               This kind of growth is inevitable . This is also true for us as a people . Through the century's our civilizations have all changed through time because we as people have changed . We are always seeking out a better life for us and our family's , which in turn changes every thing around us .
                We all have goals and a starting point that are individual to us , but it it is all the same for every one ;which is a better life . We can only get out of it what we put in to it . If we put little or no effort , we get exactly that . If we sit around to wait for it to be given to us ; we are taking what some one else worked for . For this reason it will not be valued and we would never be satisfied with that is given . We as as a people must work for what we have ,it is in our nature . If we are not satisfied we must make the changes necessary for this to happen . When do have what we want and need we must hard to maintain and keep it .
             My goals have changed many times in life . Some I have followed through and others never got of the ground . When we look at our changes in life there is one thing we must look at and remember . The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence . When look at that new goal we must ask our selves will we really be happy when see that goal comes through and is it worth going through what we have to get there . Will we have a empty feeling when we get there or will we feel fulfilled ..
            I currently find myself with these cautions about what I in mind to do . Is worth the time time that has to be invested . Is to late in my life to change the direction of focus . How much will it interfere with my life as it is now . Will I be capable of maintaining my life as it is while I pursue this . Is the best coarse of action taking baby steps . I do not want to move so slow that I lose the gumption to work on it , which has happen so many times . That it's never taken serious by those around me or they do not believe me .
           This is the learning process I am going through now . It is mine to work through . This probably similar to what many people go through . I believe that all it will take is one break through to start to see some results .
                So in ending I will see you on the other side of the fence . I will tell then if it was worth it .When you see me will will be able to tell if I am happy with the results . I will see you some where along this quest for every ones paths do eventually cross . So on to the journey .

SOUNDTRACK

               Got home home from work this mourning ; the first thing I put on some music to jam to . Man ; it just feels good to the soul to just sit here and jam . Nothing rejuvenates my soul than some good old fashion Rock and roll to jam to . It some how brings me back in my mind to the days of my youth , where if there was going to be a band there I was all for it . I am talking about the days I spent in West Germany at the time .
                 I have got to admit there were a whole lot bands making the club circuit then . Many of them were darn good .Even the groups that sang in mostly German . Lets just say I was in hog heaven . Shoot ; even the Polka Bands in the beer tents got me going . There were nights I would go to the V.F.W. and sit and listen to cry in beer country music .
               There were a few discos that I would also frequent while there . Those European discos had a style all their own ; techno ,punk and so forth . I even hit the heavy metal festivals . Yes I did get into that head banging music . There was a few nights I would go and listen to so orchestras , and listen to the likes of Mozart , Beethoven ,and Wagner . So my musical tastes are wide and varied .
               I sit at home on a Sunday and listen to the likes of Benny Goodman , Frank Sinatra , Dean Martin . Oh god don't leave out the king Elvis Presley .
               I guess what I am getting to is there is something for Every mood ; only if you have an open mind and just give it a chance to grow on you . It just mellows you out ,or gets you really moving . It can help you study ,get house work done , or just go to sleep on the couch . Whats more it can make that special evening with your other half that much better , just add dinner and candles . Don't forget to dim the lights , and chill the the wine . Yes ,music is the soundtrack of our lives .

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON IN HISTORY; WHO WOULD IT BE ?

                       Well it hard to narrow that done to just one person .There are so many intriguing people whom lived in the past and present that make it really hard question to answer .So I will mention a few the I may like to meet .
                       King Ludwig II  of Bavaria ; There is so mystery surrounding his life . He was considered the mad king . He was a patron composer Richard Wagner , and the architecture he was responsible for  . My favorite castle is the Schloss Neuschanstein , which also was to model for Disney's castle in their parks . If i could meet him I would want a personal tour of that castle . I have been there on a few  occasions while I was in Germany so many years ago .It would be interesting to hear about his castle  and his life from his perspective .
                     Another person would be Humphry Bogart if only to able to sit in on the filming of Casablanca      . Yes he is one of my favorite actors ; a lot of my most favorite movies are his . Such as Key Largo , African Queen , and The Maltese Falcon . So many more to many to mention . When I was younger when I was first introduced to his movies ; he seemed to be a bigger than life to me . In his movies he was such a cool , calm and collected individual in every situation in his movies . Just to watch him work would be enough for me .
                     One last person would be John Wayne . He made so many good movies and played such straight forward people and from films of interviews with him he seemed the same of the films . With him what you see is what you get .
                   Okay that was not the last person in history I would like to meet , Maybe it would cool to meet a average citizen of ancient Rome just to her his take on our civilization today and how it compares to his day in his opinion . Do we have the same worries over politics ,society , and life .
                 There you have it ; a short list right off the top of my head . I am sure there are many others I would like to meet . This is actually something that we do give so little thought too . It would be interesting to meet and talk to from our past . So Whom would you like to meet from history . Would it be a member of your family , some one important or just your average individual . What would you talk about .