So. Did everyone vote?
Yeah. I'm terrible.
I already make the excuse too often... ...what can I say? I write nearly all day, everyday...sometimes the old blog suffers from months of neglect. Not the longest I've gone, but certainly a qualifier for neglect.
On Saturday, 01/17/09 I'll be heading out to finish Wid Winner and the Slipstream. It has been an epic journey of self awareness, growth, reassurance that I'm interested in quality over quantity and two road trips across the country to capture a magic that can't be "make-believed" in any studio setting......
I'm in the midst of much introspection and prayer for many things - A project that I'm trying to get off the ground; a potential little league team that I'd be coaching; a new job that I'd love to perform that doesn't involve sitting at a computer all day; a motorcycle to sell; debt to work out of - ultimately surrendering completely to God's will and just enjoying the wild ride.
We went to Missouri for Christmas, and regardless of the work that I had to take with me, the trip was worthwhile. New Year's Eve with my family and the LSU Tigers was my idea of a perfect evening...Praying for a few more moments like that in the near and distant future as well.
I'm excited for 2009. Very excited.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The State of Thunder
So. It's almost time to vote...and it's not a big secret as to who I'll be casting my ballot for in the 2008 Presidential Election. I could campaign, but really...I mean...REALLY...who is undecided at this point? Post election, check back so that I might sound off appropriately, but in the meantime, there's universality to consider - and I'll make it as brief as possible.
Am I surprised at the state of the United States? Economical woes, ailing markets, uncertainty and dropping gas prices with the OPEC desire to cut production just in time for the holiday season? Nope. Honestly, is anyone surprised? Even when in need, greed reigns supreme. You think it's all the good eatin' that has made us a nation of gluttons? "Oh, but James, it's not everyone." No. You're right. Only 66%. The vast majority. 2/3 of the U.S. population. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Allow me to share.
As Americans, we're seemingly obsessed with an American Dream that is just that: A dream. Our desire to have everything bigger and better, while enjoying it faster...and faster, has made us a nation dominated by inconsiderate, selfish, how-can-I-make-the-most-money-for-doing-the-least- amount-of-work, where's-the-next-party, individuals. Our unwillingness to change during a time of crisis is no longer embarrassing, it's completely frustrating.
Don't mistake me for being unpatriotic. I do believe in the potential of the land, and the hope that this nation provides. However, the fine line between "right" and "privilege" seems to be fading rapidly, and for every inch offered, multiple miles are taken.
Our Jobs - A Privilege Confused to be Right.
The ability to make money is seen as a right, and thus abused due to a growing apathy amongst the employed. In recent times, have you walked into a restaurant, a retail establishment or any business offering customer service and been really impressed with the overall operation? Or, among the few outstanding employees, do you find yourself consistently dealing with people who don't even want to be in your presence? Good service is no longer expected, and it is definitely no longer demanded by employers. Perhaps the apathy has fallen from the top down, or perhaps it has grown from the bottom up...we can probably agree that it's a little bit of both -that's generally the way things work.
Everyday activities such as going to the gym are a constant reminder of how inconsiderate and lazy our society has become. Equipment is abused, disregarded...people will load weight plates on a bar, grease up the bench or equipment chair with their sweat and when they're done, they'll just leave it for the next person to deal with. Sorry to say it, and I do mean that I am sorry to say it: This lack of care, this inconsideration, is a large part of what is wrong with the United States of America. The mess at the gym is the same mess we're leaving for our children and grandchildren... ...environmentally, financially, socially...spiritually.
When I hear Depression Era citizens talk about the past as "a better time," I can't empathize... and I certainly can't disagree. What happened to doing a job to the best of our ability, regardless of our walk in life? As much as I love technology, it seems to have left an emptiness in so many who are now devoid of authentic social interaction. (And seriously, don't get me started on identity theft. Even the criminals from those "better times" had more personality, and were willing to work harder to achieve a goal.) If you scratch the social surface to get down to the soul of the matter, the spiritual neglect of our age is incredibly frightening - it is what I believe to be the root of America's problem...its illness.
My hope for America is simple: Quality over quantity. Let's take the time to do things right, and in everything we do, let's do it to the best of our ability. Let's redefine the line between appropriate and inappropriate social and professional behavior, and begin to once again expect more from ourselves, and the best of ourselves.
Am I surprised at the state of the United States? Economical woes, ailing markets, uncertainty and dropping gas prices with the OPEC desire to cut production just in time for the holiday season? Nope. Honestly, is anyone surprised? Even when in need, greed reigns supreme. You think it's all the good eatin' that has made us a nation of gluttons? "Oh, but James, it's not everyone." No. You're right. Only 66%. The vast majority. 2/3 of the U.S. population. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Allow me to share.
As Americans, we're seemingly obsessed with an American Dream that is just that: A dream. Our desire to have everything bigger and better, while enjoying it faster...and faster, has made us a nation dominated by inconsiderate, selfish, how-can-I-make-the-most-money-for-doing-the-least- amount-of-work, where's-the-next-party, individuals. Our unwillingness to change during a time of crisis is no longer embarrassing, it's completely frustrating.
Don't mistake me for being unpatriotic. I do believe in the potential of the land, and the hope that this nation provides. However, the fine line between "right" and "privilege" seems to be fading rapidly, and for every inch offered, multiple miles are taken.
Our Jobs - A Privilege Confused to be Right.
The ability to make money is seen as a right, and thus abused due to a growing apathy amongst the employed. In recent times, have you walked into a restaurant, a retail establishment or any business offering customer service and been really impressed with the overall operation? Or, among the few outstanding employees, do you find yourself consistently dealing with people who don't even want to be in your presence? Good service is no longer expected, and it is definitely no longer demanded by employers. Perhaps the apathy has fallen from the top down, or perhaps it has grown from the bottom up...we can probably agree that it's a little bit of both -that's generally the way things work.
Everyday activities such as going to the gym are a constant reminder of how inconsiderate and lazy our society has become. Equipment is abused, disregarded...people will load weight plates on a bar, grease up the bench or equipment chair with their sweat and when they're done, they'll just leave it for the next person to deal with. Sorry to say it, and I do mean that I am sorry to say it: This lack of care, this inconsideration, is a large part of what is wrong with the United States of America. The mess at the gym is the same mess we're leaving for our children and grandchildren... ...environmentally, financially, socially...spiritually.
When I hear Depression Era citizens talk about the past as "a better time," I can't empathize... and I certainly can't disagree. What happened to doing a job to the best of our ability, regardless of our walk in life? As much as I love technology, it seems to have left an emptiness in so many who are now devoid of authentic social interaction. (And seriously, don't get me started on identity theft. Even the criminals from those "better times" had more personality, and were willing to work harder to achieve a goal.) If you scratch the social surface to get down to the soul of the matter, the spiritual neglect of our age is incredibly frightening - it is what I believe to be the root of America's problem...its illness.
My hope for America is simple: Quality over quantity. Let's take the time to do things right, and in everything we do, let's do it to the best of our ability. Let's redefine the line between appropriate and inappropriate social and professional behavior, and begin to once again expect more from ourselves, and the best of ourselves.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I Got Nothin...
Really, I just felt like writing. After my last post about the political incorrectness in my birthtown that made me laugh so hard, I thought it better to offer no viral effect for this post. If you noticed the comments from that post...random people searching for Obama and finding me...educating me on why West Plains, Missouri, is named what it is. Honestly, I never knew.
I have no idea what I hope to write about this evening, and the only jokes I have swimming in my head are inappropriate. Semi-blue stand-up material that will never be used. Or politically charged finger pointing. Just not in the mood for either.
So. I thought I'd post a song I wrote a few months ago...I've got music, but I haven't married the two yet. It doesn't have a title.
I've got dreams bigger than the whole of me,
From leather gloves to movie screens
The card that moves me shows a decade times three
Yet that ain't me...it just ain't me.
I'm still stuck somewhere closer to 23...
You know, when I felt like I was 18,
When my dreams were bigger than the whole of me.
Sometimes I imagine that I can't see,
And it might be a better me, honestly
No colors to bleed, or lies to lead
Away from the dreams that are bigger than the whole of me.
Come on, let's sing for the boy who can't see
How to wake from the dreams that are bigger than he
So quiet, please be, to understand completely
You must surrender to a perfect someone...someone else's timing.
I have no idea what I hope to write about this evening, and the only jokes I have swimming in my head are inappropriate. Semi-blue stand-up material that will never be used. Or politically charged finger pointing. Just not in the mood for either.
So. I thought I'd post a song I wrote a few months ago...I've got music, but I haven't married the two yet. It doesn't have a title.
I've got dreams bigger than the whole of me,
From leather gloves to movie screens
The card that moves me shows a decade times three
Yet that ain't me...it just ain't me.
I'm still stuck somewhere closer to 23...
You know, when I felt like I was 18,
When my dreams were bigger than the whole of me.
Sometimes I imagine that I can't see,
And it might be a better me, honestly
No colors to bleed, or lies to lead
Away from the dreams that are bigger than the whole of me.
Come on, let's sing for the boy who can't see
How to wake from the dreams that are bigger than he
So quiet, please be, to understand completely
You must surrender to a perfect someone...someone else's timing.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The WP - It's in Missouri, Yo.
All Muslims on the run,
You know I've got a gun,
The Zizzers are #1!
West Plains, here I come,
Right back where I started from.
We'll stop Obama cold,
We'll vote for someone Old,
Rollin' down Preacher Roe! (blvd.)
West Plains, here I come,
Right back where I started from.
Oh West Plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnssssssssssssss.
Here I COOOOMME!
Could I be ANY prouder to be from this small American town?
You know I've got a gun,
The Zizzers are #1!
West Plains, here I come,
Right back where I started from.
We'll stop Obama cold,
We'll vote for someone Old,
Rollin' down Preacher Roe! (blvd.)
West Plains, here I come,
Right back where I started from.
Oh West Plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnssssssssssssss.
Here I COOOOMME!
Could I be ANY prouder to be from this small American town?
It's always nice to know that you can go home to experience world-class bigotry.
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