Spring Has Sprung

Obviously, I've not kept up on my blog. Chances are, I'm the only one who's paying any attention anyway, so no big deal.

I'm on vacation, though as busy or busier than my non-vacation time. Time doesn't only fly when you're having fun, but also when you're trying to do all the things you've been wanting to do but sidetracked (as usual) by other things, important and trivial.

Important has been time with my family. My wife has been good about the time I've spent working, and trying her best to keep me on track to accomplish some things while I have time. My daughter has tried her best to teach me that everything is a new chance to play, a lesson she's easily mastered in her 13 months and one that I'm trying to re-learn. War coverage and concerns have also occupied much of my time.

Trivial has been sleeping in when I can. The news has also had it's element of the trivial as over and over again the same images are used as the backdrop for the same coverage. Oh, and before I forget - it's not Mr. Bush... it's PRESIDENT Bush!

What are the odds that I'll finish my lesson plan drafts, seeding the lawn in the back, rebuilding my websites, and cleaning the office? Zero if I don't get to it!

Go Coalition!

Freedom is not Free

"God Bless America"

Today, the world fights for peace. Not like the subversive jerk I saw in the grocery store a couple of nights ago with his peace symbol button and hand scrawled sign pinned to his jacket. Not like the conglomerate yellow bellied reds who march on our cities, willing to break laws to oppose those who fight for the very freedom they're so willing to taint.

I'm all for checks and balances, speaking your mind, even questioning authority to some degree. But, I doubt that's even what the peace-nicks are about, really.

I support US troops for many reasons, chiefly that they support us. They know there are those who choose to ignore their sacrifice, actual and potential. They know what's being said by some, done by some, believed by some. Yet, these brave troops continue to support us. They fight in light of those who would cut their legs out from under them with banners, chants, songs, and marches.

There is right and there is wrong. There is good and there is evil. There is peace and there is not. My frustration is when people blindly confuse these things and try to blindly lead others to adopt their blind thinking. The problem is that they, and those they lead, both fall into the same pit. When they find themselves down there... they'll look up and cry out. The soldier they figuratively spat upon will still come, extend a hand, and pull them out. Perhaps then, they'll be thankful - but I'm not holding my breath.

My daughter will have a safer world in which to live, not because of those who say we should let the inspections work (first, that's not their job, secondly, how could they) but because of those who fight the good fight, risking their lives for hers.

"God Bless America"

Sigh

Ummm... nevermind... my bad... he he ho ho... sigh

I think I'll take a break.

Whims of Technology

"A trout in the pot is better than a salmon in the sea." Irish Proverb

Okay, now that you can see my blog, you can see that I'm still having a difficult time getting it to look the way I want it to. Look, I'm not an idiot, I fair reasonably well in the land of technology, yet it is what it is - technology - and thereby subject to the whims of itself. Sometimes it works, sometimes you're left to wish it would.

For the meanwhile, I'll lay off my friends at Blogger and go on my merry way, until I get frustrated at.... wait, I think I may have neglected to... hmmmmm...

No Noise to be Heard

"If you lie down with dogs you 'll rise with fleas." Irish Proverb

Seems as though my blog doesn't really exist. It exists, but can't been published. So if a blog is cut down on the web, but no one is there to see it, does it make any noise?

I hear that Blogger is a good service... I read that Blogger is a good service... which reminds me, 'good' and 'service' are relatively subjective terms aren't they?

First Post

"A good beginning is half the work." Irish Proverb
"Every dog is brave on his own doorstep." Irish Proverb


It's only fitting that I begin this blog with two Irish Proverbs as today celebrates St. Patrick's Day. I know many could care less, and that it's not really even a bona fide holiday or celebration in Ireland, but I enjoy it. If nothing else, it's an excuse to look like I've put some planning into my wardrobe. I like that I feel a connection to my heritage.

As for this blog, I have no idea what will come of it. Novelty? Diversion? Time suck? I have no plan or purpose. I stayed up late last night watching TechTV and heard, again, about blogging. Seems easy enough. Seems geeky enough. Might as well try it. I highly doubt that I'll 'over do it' so don't look for twice a day postings - or anything close.

I chose existimationis (ex-is-ti-mat-i-o-nis) partly because it sounded cool. It's latin meaning is what I'd hope for this blog (as if I were hoping for anything): [the opinion that a man (specifically: me) has , judgement; the opinion that others have of a man (specifically: me)], esp. morally, [reputation, good name, honor, character] (specifically: of me).

Like most people, I have opinions. Also like most people, I'm not really known for standing bravely by them and shouting my opinions from the roof-tops. I probably fear reprisal or discomfort in being wrong, but its probably because I'm far too used to sitting on the fence and not committing. I'm finding that comfortable feeling no longer acceptable, viable, or responsible. There's value in it for sure, in that I can see both sides of an issue - but with that, comes a lack of zealousness or passion.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

If you're reading this and still choose to read on, it'll become no secret that I'm a recovering perfectionist (my wife says, "recovering?") who too frequently falls of the wagon. I'm a one time semi-liberal turned compasionate-conservative who asserts his political party as 'Independent'. I'm a renaissance man without enough time. I've owned a guitar for a couple of years now but haven't learned how to play it. I'm a born and bread Mac man who spends most of his time on a PC. I'm a 'Controller'/'Lion' and 'Supporter'/'Golden Retriever', but I have strong 'Analyzer'/'Beaver' tendencies.

God, my wife, my daughter, my family, my friends, and my work are all important to me.

I'm a creative. I'm a teacher. I'm a Christian.

But don't discount what I have to say just because of that.