Relax, nobody gets out of here alive

People never cease to shock and amaze me, and all too often not in a good way.

There are just way too many people who take life way too seriously. As Costaki Economopoulis says, "C'mon, it's jokes". I simply can't conceive how people can function without a sense of humor, especially in the modern world. While there is a place for being serious, there is never a time when a sense of humor does not help.

When a tragedy strikes, you can always tell that the healing has begun because the jokes start. When people say you can't joke about something - then that is exactly what needs to be joked about. Reader's Digest has always claimed that Laughter is the Best Medicne and I truly believe it.

Political correctness is part of this problem. You end up with some uptight upper class snobs who decide that someone else might be offended by something, so you can't say that any more. If you say something it might offend someone. Guess what folks - nowhere in the constitution does it EVER say that you have a right not to be offended. But you have people trying to ban books, music, tv shows and movies because they are offended by them, or even worse, because they feel someone else might be offended by them. To them I say - so what!!!

If you don't like it - turn the channel. Don't buy it. Support the things you like, but don't tell me I can't listen to it, read it or watch it because you don't like it.

So lighten up and grow a sense of humor. You not only will live longer, but you will enjoy it a lot more as well.

Proud 'fer ya

I don't talk about family much in my blog, mainly because I know that several of them read it and I'm not sure about writing things on more 'sensitive' family issues and people.

Usually, but not always.

I dob't consider myself southern, nor a redneck. My dad's famuily is from Missour, and that is just about the dfefinition of mid-west. They do come from down in the very southern part (the boot heel as it is called). My dad has his PhD in Government and history, and my mom has a Masters (I think in education). I grew up the son of two teachers in Colorado - so I'm not southern at all - i consider myself western, even if I have lived in Ohio for the past 20+ years.

However, once in a while, the redneck comes through, usually with a wink and a nod. Thus it was that I grew up hearing again and again how my relatives would say they were proud "fer ya" instead of "of you".

This afternoon I am down in Cincinnatti watching my boys marching band perform. (If you wanted to read something that gets straight to the poiint, then boy are you in the wrong place!). Erik is a senior, and he has 5 features in the show, including solos ro open and close the first number, a brass choir, a brass quartet (with his younger brother - the band director likes to call it "The Carter Brother's
Gospel Quartet"), and a trio to close the show.

Well the band has finally made MSBA finals (the first time since 2003) tonight. This is a pretty big deal for them. And as a father, I really want to say that I'm extremely proud 'fer my boys and the band.

I'm not sure if I ever say it enough, but I am very proud 'fer my boys, and I love them very much.
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