I was watching Craiggers the other night, and he said that he doesn’t make Resolutions…he prefers…vodka promises. One of these was, of course, to drink more vodka. And I have to say that I admire the ability he has to set attainable goals.
Speaking-of-which, (Travis should appreciate that…) I hope that those of you tuning in will appreciate that things do change around here, and usually for the better. Maybe not as fast as lightning, (and certainly NOTlike lightning…with smaller lightnings moving alongside of it….going much faster….) but improvements, like….<drumroll>…the backBlog!!! You know, where after each post I make you can add snide little comments about how I blog like a girl…or something…(flaming was never one of my strong suits…)
OK, so maybe you aren’t as excited about it as I per se, HOWEVER…it will be cool…all the kids are doing it these days….
OK, well, don’t I just suck. I mean, it’s been over a month now….and even though the elections sorta kicked me in the groin I don’t think that really excuses the lack of content here. I was at a party at my parents house and ran into Travis. We of course spoke of our lives & the corresponding web pages that attempt to document them. So, mainly in fear that he would post a link to me and my last update would be over a month old……
There is actually a whole boat-load of stuff going on today. First of all, this is 3 years to the day that I bought Dante. Dante is my 1999 Toyota RAV4 named after an infamous Clerk. Amanda & I are going to make the trek up to Duluth today, so as to make with the skiing at Spirit Mountain.
Speaking of trekking, (the sad thing is I really do these things unintentionally…) Today is also the opening day for Star Trek: Nemesis. Which, in addition to being an even numbered film, also appears to rock if the articles I read in TV Guide (which had in my opinion multiple spoilers…) are to be believed.
Well, I hope you have all excercised your rights as citizens of the United States of America and gone to your local polling place and cast your ballot for the representatives who will guide this country into the next few years of its existence. Phew! Wasn’t that an unneccesarily longwinded sentence……
So, I am going to make a concerted effort not to get as “deep” as I’ve been over the last couple of weeks. It’s kinda been a tough time. Now, I just have to sit back and try not to stress out worrying about the damn election. There has been talk of making Election Day a national holiday…which I guess I support…except what I really need to be a holiday is the day AFTER the elections to be a holiday so I can recoup from staying up all night watching returns….
BTW, I don’t think I’ve mentioned that my assignment at ADC is coming to an end. This is not a bad thing per se, however, it does throw a dash of uncertainty into the mix of my life that I don’t think I need at this point. Regardless, I’m sure it will be for the best in the long run. It does mean I may get to work someplace new and shiny…(or maybe old and shiny….or maybe new and dull…ick)
Ahh, the good old days. No, I’m not referring to SNLs of years past, I’m referring to that bygone era that I refer to as: The Video Game years. But seriously folks, wouldn’t it be nice? Summer Vacations….walking around the neighborhood getting candy….staying up late doing nothing but eating said candy and playing Quake ’til the sun comes up? …Wait…. I think that last one was from more recent years….(like THIS year….)
Still, the point is easy to make(or miss): Life is short. My friend Travis touched on this in his journal recently, and if I may steal a line from Strictly Ballroom, “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” I might even say 3/8 lived.
Seriously folks, get out there. Let this be your rallying cry. Change your world. I don’t know about you, but I think there’s plenty to be changed about my world, and change begins and ends with each of us. Paul Wellstone was someone who created change in our government but more importantly changed people. I feel like a better person for having known him, and having had him as an example & role model. His life was all about achieving what he set out to do, and I hope that someday I can look back at my own life and think the same thing about me.
It seems to me as we are growing up we are always told to follow our dreams, wish on a star, believe in ourselves….but as the years go by, not only do we not hear these things, but I think directly or indirectly we hear the opposite. Grow up, settle down, put away childish things. And as someone who has never believed in growing up, etcetera, I always thought it was silly when those words of encouragement were repeated to me. I mean, it’s obvious right?
Well, I don’t give a damn. It’s good to hear those words. So listen up!
Follow Your Dreams
Live Your Life to the Fullest
Love Recklessly
Never Grow Up
Never Give Up
Never Settle
Never Surrender
Be the Change You Seek
There are very few people who read this blog at present. This simply has to do with the fact that I have trouble making my family read the damn thing. My point is this: if you read this post, you have made a difference in my life, and I am a better person for having known you.
I’m not quite sure how to process this. Senator Wellstone is someone who I only met in person once, but I have always known that he was in the Senate for me. His agenda was never swayed by public opinion polls, lobbyists, or even members of his own political party. Paul Wellstone dedicated the last 12 years of his life to fighting for everything this country should stand for: Freedom, Equality, and Justice for all. The real meaning of those words, concepts, and ideas, were never far from his mind.
I grieve today, because this was a man who not only had the knowledge, skill, dedication, and heart to do what was best for him, Minnesota, and indeed, every single man, woman, and child in this country, but he was actually in a position where he could effect change. He had found his calling and was doing his best to make this country the truly great place it has the potential to be.
Senator Paul Wellstone had my voice in Washington. In my mind, heart, and soul, Paul Wellstone has my respect, my admiration, and my vote.
