My son Tyler is one amazing kid. He doesn't even know it. But he is. He is 14 and he has many "issues," but the kid is one amazing kid.
Thursday was Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. Its a day to give thanks for all of the things we have in life. And, sadly, its one of the few days that people stop and give thanks. I like it.
For us, it was a day we got to spend with Tyler. We haven't spent Thanksgiving with Tyler in 3 years. So it was a special day. Tyler came and was such a good kid on Thursday.
And you know what? I wasn't happy with Thanksgiving. I had a million reasons to complain. I didn't like this or that or the other thing. And I was wrong. Dang it, its hard to admit when I am wrong, but it happens quite a bit!
You see, Tyler reminded me, when I thought about it, that Thanksgiving isn't about the food or the company or anything else. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being with family. It doesn't matter what was wrong with Thursday. What matters is what was right with Thursday.
The turkey wasn't perfect? Who cares? Shopping isn't the point. Getting up early (or going to bed late) isnt the point. The point is that I get to hang out with my son, go for a walk with him and generally be a goof ball. The rest of it: not important at all.
So thanks Tyler, for reminding me about Thanksgiving. You always teach me something new!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
What do I stand for?
So maybe it was too much weird music in the car. Maybe it was work today. Maybe it has just been a crappy few days. Either way, between fun and Katy Perry, it had me thinking. (Don't judge my music. Its better than 40 cent or Jay Q or NandN.) Anyway, I was thinking, what do I stand for?
Okay, for those of you who don't get it. The lyrics to Some Nights by fun include "What do I stand for? Most nights, I don't know anymore." The lyrics to Roar by Katy Perry include "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything." Hence, the theme, if you are not up on your current music.
I thought and I thought. What do I stand for?
My family. Sometimes they bug me. Sometimes they annoy me. Sometimes they drive me crazy. But I always love them. My mom used to tell me that she always loved me, but she didn't always like me. I get it now. I always love my family, even if they drive me crazy sometimes. (I also get why I drove my mom to drink, or at least why she said it. She is looking down at me from heaven and laughing at me now. "You fool. You should have more liquor around!")
Beyond that, I wonder. I know when I introduce myself to people, it goes something like this. I am a husband. I am a father. (Hence, I know I stand for family.) I am a friend. I am a soccer player. I am a guy who tries to do the right thing. Somewhere after 8 or 9 things, I may mention I am an attorney. I don't know what that says about me, but I am sure it says something.
So, what do I stand for? Hmmmm.............Here are 10 things I stand for.
1. I believe in truth, justice and the American Way. I just don't believe we get it. Look, I don't know what justice is always, but sometimes I know it and I don't see it. Sometimes it just isn't there. Maybe I am naive. But I think we should always aim for justice.
2. I will only fight if you hurt my wife, hurt my kids, or if its necessary to protect myself. I will not start a fight. I will not fight you because you question my manhood. My manhood has nothing to do with my ability to kick your ass. My ability to throw a punch hasn't been questioned since 1986. I am not going to do it simply to show you I can do it.
3. A real man will step up and do what is right for his family, even if it is not best for him. I fully believe a man will do something to protect his wife and kids, regardless of the personal consequences. Trust me on this.
4. The punishment should fit the crime, but it usually doesnt. I see it all the time. Two people who do the same thing get two different outcomes. I don't like it, but it is the way things work.
5. Those people in power will do what is best for them to keep their power, even if it means that they have to bend or break the rules. Look, if you enforce the rules, you have the ability to bend and/or break the rules with no consequence. So you do it. Its wrong, but it doesn't matter if you never get called on it.
6. People can be really good, but a lot of people are too self absorbed to do good. I think when we come together as a community, as a country, as a world, we can accomplish a lot of good. But see 5. People in power don't always want to do what is good or right, but rather what keeps their power. If people would spend 5 minutes every day doing something nice for someone else just because, the world would be a better place.
7. My heroes will always be my heroes. Yep, my dad will always be the ideal that I will try to live up to. I will fail, miserably. But I will try. Muhammad Ali, Bear Bryant, Werner Roth, Pele, these men can do no wrong in my eyes. Sure, they may do wrong, but they will always be my heroes. Little boys (and girls) need heroes.
8. I will always protect my daughter more than my sons. Yep, its sexist. Yep, its wrong. Yep, its me. She knows, now at the delicate age of 4, that I will always catch her - even metaphorically. My boys will fall more. I don't know why, but this is my way.
9. I believe everyone gets a chance. Everyone gets a 2nd chance. Some people deserve a third chance. Maybe I am dumb for believing that the best in people will shine through, but I do. I think if we give them a chance, a real chance, they will surprise you.
10. I will always try. I don't care if its work or play or what. I will not quit. Its not who I am. I could spar for 19 rounds. I have played soccer sick. I have played hurt. I have worked when I was sick or sad. I will always do it. And I will not give up.
So there it is. 10 things I stand for. I hold these things to be true................
Okay, for those of you who don't get it. The lyrics to Some Nights by fun include "What do I stand for? Most nights, I don't know anymore." The lyrics to Roar by Katy Perry include "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything." Hence, the theme, if you are not up on your current music.
I thought and I thought. What do I stand for?
My family. Sometimes they bug me. Sometimes they annoy me. Sometimes they drive me crazy. But I always love them. My mom used to tell me that she always loved me, but she didn't always like me. I get it now. I always love my family, even if they drive me crazy sometimes. (I also get why I drove my mom to drink, or at least why she said it. She is looking down at me from heaven and laughing at me now. "You fool. You should have more liquor around!")
Beyond that, I wonder. I know when I introduce myself to people, it goes something like this. I am a husband. I am a father. (Hence, I know I stand for family.) I am a friend. I am a soccer player. I am a guy who tries to do the right thing. Somewhere after 8 or 9 things, I may mention I am an attorney. I don't know what that says about me, but I am sure it says something.
So, what do I stand for? Hmmmm.............Here are 10 things I stand for.
1. I believe in truth, justice and the American Way. I just don't believe we get it. Look, I don't know what justice is always, but sometimes I know it and I don't see it. Sometimes it just isn't there. Maybe I am naive. But I think we should always aim for justice.
2. I will only fight if you hurt my wife, hurt my kids, or if its necessary to protect myself. I will not start a fight. I will not fight you because you question my manhood. My manhood has nothing to do with my ability to kick your ass. My ability to throw a punch hasn't been questioned since 1986. I am not going to do it simply to show you I can do it.
3. A real man will step up and do what is right for his family, even if it is not best for him. I fully believe a man will do something to protect his wife and kids, regardless of the personal consequences. Trust me on this.
4. The punishment should fit the crime, but it usually doesnt. I see it all the time. Two people who do the same thing get two different outcomes. I don't like it, but it is the way things work.
5. Those people in power will do what is best for them to keep their power, even if it means that they have to bend or break the rules. Look, if you enforce the rules, you have the ability to bend and/or break the rules with no consequence. So you do it. Its wrong, but it doesn't matter if you never get called on it.
6. People can be really good, but a lot of people are too self absorbed to do good. I think when we come together as a community, as a country, as a world, we can accomplish a lot of good. But see 5. People in power don't always want to do what is good or right, but rather what keeps their power. If people would spend 5 minutes every day doing something nice for someone else just because, the world would be a better place.
7. My heroes will always be my heroes. Yep, my dad will always be the ideal that I will try to live up to. I will fail, miserably. But I will try. Muhammad Ali, Bear Bryant, Werner Roth, Pele, these men can do no wrong in my eyes. Sure, they may do wrong, but they will always be my heroes. Little boys (and girls) need heroes.
8. I will always protect my daughter more than my sons. Yep, its sexist. Yep, its wrong. Yep, its me. She knows, now at the delicate age of 4, that I will always catch her - even metaphorically. My boys will fall more. I don't know why, but this is my way.
9. I believe everyone gets a chance. Everyone gets a 2nd chance. Some people deserve a third chance. Maybe I am dumb for believing that the best in people will shine through, but I do. I think if we give them a chance, a real chance, they will surprise you.
10. I will always try. I don't care if its work or play or what. I will not quit. Its not who I am. I could spar for 19 rounds. I have played soccer sick. I have played hurt. I have worked when I was sick or sad. I will always do it. And I will not give up.
So there it is. 10 things I stand for. I hold these things to be true................
Monday, November 4, 2013
Morons, I say, morons
I love Elk Grove. Its a great place to raise a family. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. We have the best schools around. Period. We have a great parks and rec district. We have two swimming centers, parks galore, a father daughter dance that rocks. We come together as a community regularly. We help each other. We look out for each other.
That being said, we are run by morons. Morons, I say, morons. How do I know this? Read this from two years ago: http://randomrants08.blogspot.com/2011/12/mls-in-elk-grove-i-think-not.html or this from last year: http://randomrants08.blogspot.com/2012/06/elk-grove-city-council.html Okay, if that doesn't convince you of this, then let me explain a few more things.
Do you know who is getting the next MLS team? Not Elk Grove. Why not? Because Elk Grove doesn't freaking listen. Not just to me, but to MLS. Orlando is getting the next MLS team. Why? Because Orlando deserves it. How do I know? Because Orlando has supported minor league soccer for years. Orlando has shown it is a great soccer city. So, MLS is going to reward Orlando. The moral of the story: if you want to play with the big boys, follow the fucking rules, you morons.
But, wait, there's more. From the Sacramento Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/06/5625720/elk-groves-proposed-water-park.html Okay, fine, you don't want to read that. They want to build a $45 million water park and start it with $14 million in public funds. From the story: "It's time for Elk Grove to be on the map and be a destination for tourism," Mayor Gary Davis said.
Wait, a second. Stop the presses. Elk Grove needs to be on the map? Seriously? I checked. Elk Grove is on the map: http://mapq.st/18UxhxG Really, it is. It is on the map. I know because I read it on the internet so it must be true.
Oh wait. He didn't mean literally. Sorry, its hard to tell with these politicians. How do you know when a politician is lying? His mouth is moving!
So he wants us to be on THE MAP, as in, a place that people know and want to come to. Who the hell wants this beside him? Oh, I forgot, he has vision, I don't. Yes, I have been told that. I don't have vision. Of course, my eye doctor, the best in Sacramento, would disagree with that. They checked. I see just fine - with my glasses on.
You see, Elk Grove is not a destination. Never has been. Never will be. It doesn't need to be. Its not why we moved here. People moved here because they like it as it is, a small town where you can still go to the grocery store and see friends. A place where everybody knows your name. You walk in and feel like Norm.
The only people who want something different are the fucking politicians. Why? Because they are politicians. They make sure their kids have jobs. They make sure they have money to run for another office. They make sure they have a legacy. That isn't what people want. People want what we have. A nice, quiet town that needs a few more white collar jobs where people can still know their neighbors.
So lets stop with this keep up with Orlando or Anaheim or whatever idiotic city Gary Davis thinks we should be so Gary Davis can think he is cool. Lets go back to being Elk Grove, a place where people move because we are friendly. Take your aquatic center and shove it up your fake MLS stadium and stick them both in your mall - that still isn't finished. Great job of getting nothing built, city council, because you don't know what real people want!
That being said, we are run by morons. Morons, I say, morons. How do I know this? Read this from two years ago: http://randomrants08.blogspot.com/2011/12/mls-in-elk-grove-i-think-not.html or this from last year: http://randomrants08.blogspot.com/2012/06/elk-grove-city-council.html Okay, if that doesn't convince you of this, then let me explain a few more things.
Do you know who is getting the next MLS team? Not Elk Grove. Why not? Because Elk Grove doesn't freaking listen. Not just to me, but to MLS. Orlando is getting the next MLS team. Why? Because Orlando deserves it. How do I know? Because Orlando has supported minor league soccer for years. Orlando has shown it is a great soccer city. So, MLS is going to reward Orlando. The moral of the story: if you want to play with the big boys, follow the fucking rules, you morons.
But, wait, there's more. From the Sacramento Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/06/5625720/elk-groves-proposed-water-park.html Okay, fine, you don't want to read that. They want to build a $45 million water park and start it with $14 million in public funds. From the story: "It's time for Elk Grove to be on the map and be a destination for tourism," Mayor Gary Davis said.
Wait, a second. Stop the presses. Elk Grove needs to be on the map? Seriously? I checked. Elk Grove is on the map: http://mapq.st/18UxhxG Really, it is. It is on the map. I know because I read it on the internet so it must be true.
Oh wait. He didn't mean literally. Sorry, its hard to tell with these politicians. How do you know when a politician is lying? His mouth is moving!
So he wants us to be on THE MAP, as in, a place that people know and want to come to. Who the hell wants this beside him? Oh, I forgot, he has vision, I don't. Yes, I have been told that. I don't have vision. Of course, my eye doctor, the best in Sacramento, would disagree with that. They checked. I see just fine - with my glasses on.
You see, Elk Grove is not a destination. Never has been. Never will be. It doesn't need to be. Its not why we moved here. People moved here because they like it as it is, a small town where you can still go to the grocery store and see friends. A place where everybody knows your name. You walk in and feel like Norm.
The only people who want something different are the fucking politicians. Why? Because they are politicians. They make sure their kids have jobs. They make sure they have money to run for another office. They make sure they have a legacy. That isn't what people want. People want what we have. A nice, quiet town that needs a few more white collar jobs where people can still know their neighbors.
So lets stop with this keep up with Orlando or Anaheim or whatever idiotic city Gary Davis thinks we should be so Gary Davis can think he is cool. Lets go back to being Elk Grove, a place where people move because we are friendly. Take your aquatic center and shove it up your fake MLS stadium and stick them both in your mall - that still isn't finished. Great job of getting nothing built, city council, because you don't know what real people want!
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