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Contemplative thoughts that infiltrate the mind. |
| My mind is always having conversations with me. |
| Winter time has arrived, men clothed in loin cloths mobbing a solo, male figure, and throwing buckets of water at each other is a Japanese tradition. This tradition is called the Spirit Man Festival in Japan. One male figure is chosen each year to represent the tradition by stripping down naked and walking three hundred yards to a holy temple. The chosen one is paraded through the streets being poked, prodded, slapped, rubbed, and transported like a crowd surfer. The mob who get a chance to touch him are the lucky ones. Those who get the chance to touch him will be lucky for the coming year. If you don't get the chance to touch the Spirit Man you are out of luck. Better luck next time. The video shows the disappointment on the faces of those who don't get a chance to reach out and touch him. The mob gets riotous if some miss the chance to touch. Fights erupt in what is to be a spiritual experience. The chosen individual bares the brunt of this experience. Reality of being chosen sets in once they are chosen. The mental image that the chosen visualizes of past years is overwhelming. Spirit Man knows the experience is brutal, but he is guaranteed luck for the next year. Spirit Man + brutality = good luck for the following year. The chosen one endures the feeling of suffocation as the mob presses in on him trying to touch him. He is pulled in all kinds of directions. He is badly bruised, unable to hold himself up, bloodied, and incapacitated. When he reaches the temple the guardians tie themselves together so one can jump on the crowd to reach him. This is the only way to get him in to the safety of the temple. The Sprit Man endures two hours of pure turmoil to go three hundred yards. I wonder what luck comes the way of the participants? Can't he break tradition and say "let me sit in a chair like Santa Claus so they can touch me." I would definitely throw that out there if I were chosen. Just a thought. Spirit Man is an odd tradition, but it is a tradition. I'm glad it's not a tradition I have to endure. There are wonderful traditions here in the states, and I will stick to those. We have a beautiful holiday coming up called Christmas which is an amazing tradition. Enjoy the tradition and the holiday as it approaches, or whatever tradition you celebrate. |
| Just write. Write whatever comes to your mind. My mind is always composing thoughts. This blog is just a thought that was waiting to get out. I write about anything that interests me during the day. My thoughts aren't deep, psychological discussions. Your writing doesn't have to involve deep thought just interesting subject matter. There is nothing wrong with deep thought writing. Most of the time my writing doesn't take on this side although I have ventured into that side of writing. I see things everyday that catch my attention. This gives me the creative juices to write my stories. There is so much out there that sparks the writing that I do. Take a look at things around you, and you will see all sorts of interesting subjects. The world is a never ending supply of ideas. Take a notebook with you everyday to jot down interesting sights, conversations, people, places, and topics. I always have a notebook with me, and it is written in everyday. I never go one day without writing something in it. There is always something that will generate an idea or story starter. Just look and just write. |
| Composing a photographic subject takes time. I don't like pointing and shooting, There is more to the art than just pulling out a camera and snapping a photo. Photography is an art that needs to be appreciated. Savor the moment of capturing the photograph. {indentSometimes I scope out a location before photographing the subject. I want to see what the subject looks like at different times of the day. Other times I will immediately take out my camera and set up my shot. I love taking time to compose the shot. Finding the right placement for the subject to create a pleasing photograph is essential. Rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing are components that create excellent photography. These are a few elements that make a composition powerful. Finding the right composition takes time to produce the right photograph. I look through the viewfinder a few minutes to make sure the subject is right where I want it. Making sure there are no distracting elements in the viewfinder is important. I don't want any protruding elements, for example, people in the background, blurry subjects, out of place trees, and crooked elements. Take time to view your subject matter first before you take the photograph. Don't rush into taking the photo, but study the subject first. The power of studying the subject then composing the photo makes photography a wonderful art. Take the time to compose the subject, and enjoy the art of photography. |
| Put down that TV remote, and get writing right now. The beauty of putting it down doesn’t mean that you have to shut off the TV. It means there are a lot of interesting ideas that can be generated from shows, commercials, dialogue, and songs. I’m writing this while watching Chicago Fire although my focus is on this blog. Writing is my passion just as Parcheesi is to a senior citizen. I don’t know if senior citizens are passionate about Parcheesi, but I’m passionate about writing. My notebook is written in everyday. Even if I’m editing it is still writing. Editing my projects is a great achievement. My novel is one of the many writing projects I’m involved with. I’m always writing blogs, chapters to my novel, twitter announcements, idea generating samples, children’s stories, Ebooks, and poetry. My mind is constantly craving subject ideas to complement my writing goals. I believe I’m doing a good job at accomplishing these goals as samples of my work are filed away on different writing sites. I enjoy a site called Writing.com where a majority of my portfolio is viewable. Those who are passionate about writing should definitely look up this site, and mention my name when you become a member. My goal in writing is for people to enjoy my style of writing, and reach a level of success that authors strive for. I look forward to the day when my writing can be my sole source of income. When I can say I will be writing all day because of an editor’s deadline will be wonderful. May I never lose that dream. I don’t think that dream will die because my passion is so strong. My passion isn’t watching TV, but to write constantly. I love watching TV, but it doesn’t keep me from writing. I want to keep the ideas coming so that my brain doesn’t get stale. If my ideas get stale then writing has taken a back seat. I might as well become a senior citizen who enjoys Parcheesi. Writing is integral to my daily life. I definitely do other things, but writing is always on my goals list. Accomplishing the daily writing goal only gets me closer to the finished product. I will keep writing till the day I die. When I become a senior citizen playing Parcheesi hopefully there will be a writing pad close by. |
The power of light, composition, and subject matter are elements that control my photographic decisions. The elements mentioned are part of the formula that contribute to my passion for photography. I love the step by step process that leads up to the finished image. Setting up the shot is integral to creating a visual story. Photography is a wonderful way to copy the scene. Putting aside all facets of my day to venture out and capture an image is invigorating, encouraging, and inspirational. I have no problem forgoing other details of my day in order to photograph any subject that catches my attention. I’m a fine art photographer capturing compositions in landscapes. The natural layout of a landscape has a beautiful, poetic flow that comes to life in the camera. I find it interesting how poetry is similar in scope to the art of photography. The lines and angles of a scene have a musical flow similar to lines in a poem. The elements in an image complement each other just like the words in a poem. There is an amazing correlation in connecting the two art forms. The symmetry between poetry and photography creates opportunities for brainstorming. I created a poem titled, “Winters Breath” from a winter scene that I photographed. The details in the image were an invitation to share the story. We all have a story to tell, and these I find are my avenues of storytelling. The world around me is a portal to an imaginary world. I love stepping into this world that creates visual imagery. The beauty of creating an image can be interpreted by the individual. Each person that views or reads an image or poem can feel something different. I enjoy the experience that it brings to me. The photographic experience is almost spiritual. I feel at peace when I’m creating that image. I hope you find your avenue of creative expression. |
| No justice, no peace is becoming a stale mantra. The rush to yell police brutality is as normal as getting up in the morning. I can't sympathize with those who have been victims of the police. I have led a life where I've never had any run ins with police; therefore, I've never been a victim. I know there are instances where police have over reacted. I am not going to give examples of any police over reaction since most of us are familiar with past incidents. I don't believe there was any over reaction on the part of the police officer in Missouri. Unfortunately a young man is dead, but there is more to this young man than meets the eye. The officer confronted this kid, but the situation didn't end well. I do feel if this young man would have reacted differently to the officer's commands then the situation would have been different. The reports have surfaced from eyewitnesses saying that this kid assaulted the officer. This side of the story was slow to surface because cops are considered the bad guys. The stories reported are mostly negative. These officers put their lives on the line to protect society, but the job seems to be lose lose. The skin on these guys has to be thick. A lot of the events that have unfolded in Missouri have stemmed from ignorant individuals jumping to conclusions. The bad element showing up are opportunists taking advantage looking for trouble. They are looking to challenge the polce believing the hands of the police are tied. The bad element entering Missouri are subjected to whatever action the police will have to take. Police can't just sit back, and let these criminals run rampant. Law enforcement officials have to do whatever is needed to keep the peace. My dad was a cop for twenty years, and did his best to be the best officer. He had a great rapport with the neighborhood being recognized for his service many times. He never came under scrutiny or charged with police brutality. His police career was without blemish. I feel bad for officers who try to do a good job, and despise the angst against them. The officer in Missouri has lost a lot of his future. His career is over, and he won't be able to live his life as before. I find it extremely sad that this officer will have to endure an uncertain future. The disturbing fact is that your life can change within a moments notice. I don't know how these officers can perform their jobs efficiently when they are subjected to blatant ignorance. This officer wasn't ignorant of this young man's right to be who he was, but the young man was ignorant of the officer's position. The position of an officer to deal with these individuals puts them in a heightened sense already. Any situation can accelerate where the events can't be taken back. I believe this officer wishes the events could've been different. We need to say no justice, no peace when an officer gets attacked. Officers are attacked daily, yet there is no one coming to their defense. I'm tired of individuals who believe a good cop is a dead cop. These are the same people who want a cop to be there when they are having an emergency. Police are our backbone to which we should respect them for the job they do. Hearing no justice, no peace is a racially motivated taunt. The statement seems to be a constant among these community activists. Yelling this statement is ignorant when the facts of the incident aren't fully proven. Lets hear the facts first before this mantra is thrown around. Stand together as a community by waiting for the truth. |
| The President has vacated the presidency figuratively. His attitude towards current events has caused a majority of the public to disengage their favoritism for him. He seems to enjoy his vacations, and his fundraising events while the country is in turmoil. The Laissez-faire temperament that he exudes has crimped his credibility. I don't think he really wants to be President anymore. The job has overwhelmed him to the point where he has no idea how to lead efficiently. His own party seems to pull away from him when they find out that it will hurt their reelection efforts. He has pulled tricks out of his hat that have confounded many. The biggest achievement to his name which has been a disaster has been Obamacare. A lot of his closest associates have distanced themselves by not pushing the program anymore. The press has seen through his non-transparency. I have never seen the press so riled up by his arrogancy. They have finally come to the point where they are getting fed up by the administrations fumbling over answers. The responses have frustrated the press so much that the tension at the press conferences is heavier than I've seen in the past. The press have a job to do, and this President doesn't seem to take them seriously. He is very dislocated from his own rhetoric. I don't know if he believes what he is saying or if he just throws words out into the air. The rhetoric that spews from his veins has no substance. He throws around whatever charm he thinks he has, but I think the republic is tired of it. I believe he will be known as the worse President ever with charisma. There have been individuals who had voted for him, but have negative comments about him now. I saw a video interview where the Obama phone lady, also known as Michelle Dowrey has different views on the President. She was interviewed by Alex Jones, and her views aren't in favor of the President. The video link can be seen here: www.mediaite.com/obamaphone lady. Her views are not surprising. I have no sympathy for those who voted for him. There were so many who were interested in change which is fine, but when they voted for him the second time it blows my mind. He has nothing worthwhile to add to his legacy. The ideology he throws out there is going to stain whatever legacy he can hold on to. His ideology is a blight to our constitution. {indent)I wish he would vacate the presidency literally. Two more years of him occupying the White House is getting stagnant. A poll of about 56% want to see him removed from office per the Wenzel poll. He won't be impeached, but will continue in office until 2016. The photo ops that we will have to endure of him golfing, fundraising, and special events will be monotonous. I believe the country will come to their senses in 2016, and will disrupt the election. People are truly ready for change after the ignorance of this administration. The republic is going to speak, and will make some noise like we have never seen before. The next President will have to take on an eternal list of issues that I don't think will ever get fixed. I hope we don't get a President like we have now. The President needs to be evicted. Get him out of the house so he can go golfing, and take his vacations. We need someone who will be concerned about this country. His credibility is marred. He has a legacy, but one that he shouldn't be proud of. |
| I decided to go in a different direction based off of the short story photo prompt challenge. The photo prompt shows a couple in an embrace with a natural hedge behind them. I could think of a short story, but I haven't written a blog in quite a few days. The embrace in the photo reminds me of love that people use for interaction. An embrace is a wonderful bond that is universal. I'm a very affectionate individual, and love giving a hearty embrace. I don't always give embraces, but I love interacting with people. I love smiling at people, shaking hands, and giving high fives. Those gestures of affection are brief, but a hug has a lot of impact. Most people like a good hug. I don't just go up to strangers and ask for hugs. My hugs are reserved for family and friends who are familiar with my affections. I love those group hugs too. When a group gets involved then you have the opportunity of everyone jumping up and down together. Everyone bring it in. The closeness of a hug is very rewarding that a handshake doesn't have. A hug shares a warmth that breaks the hardest person. I worked at a job where the foreman wasn't a poster child for personality. His personality was very caustic. He didn't know how to smile. I would come in every day getting to know him. I was determined to find out what he was all about. He was a lonely individual because of his demeanor. I know he needed someone to reach out to. I reached out to him as much as possible. I surprised him one day by giving him one of those buddy hugs where you put your arm around someone's shoulder. He was taken back by this gesture because no one had ever done this to him. His face lit up giving him a different outlook on each day. He was a changed person. I didn't work there much more after that. I had moved on to other ventures. I'm glad that I was able to share that gesture with him. I hope he saw fit to keep it going. I hope hugs were part of his daily repertoire. I could still make a short story out of this. A hug speaks volumes for those who may be hurting or just like giving hugs. I will continue to give hugs because that is who I am. I hope you are a hugger. I hold my arms open to anyone who wants or needs a hug. Bring it in everyone. |
| The blatant ignorance of some young people is very disturbing. Seeing reports of this girl who is suing her parents for what she believes are her rights are without merit. I don't know how many on this site know what I'm talking about, but there is an eighteen year old girl who is suing her parents for college tuition, living expenses, and whatever her selfish heart wants. She moved out of the house because she didn't want to do chores, wanted to be around her boyfriend, and didn't like life in her parent's house. She is in denial concerning her parent's rebuttals. I don't know her parents, or this girl, but from what I've seen her parents seem to be reasonable. I feel for the parents since I'm a parent. I can't side with this child because she really doesn't know what is in her best interest. I will say let her go, and learn about what is ahead of her. Let her learn some hard lessons. I'm positive she will venture out, but she will be sitting at their doorstep soon after. I don't know how far this girl will get on her own, but she has lost the first round with the courts. The judge denied her request for tuition requests. I hope this girl has an uphill battle that she sees isn't even worth her effort. Hopefully she will see the error of her ways. The sad fact is the boyfriend's dad is supporting this girls lawsuit. I don't know how this guy thinks he even has the right to assist her in this manner. The parents of this girl need to turn the tables on this guy, and turn his life upside down. I would really like to see this girl take a moment to analyze the situation, and realize that her parents have her best interest at heart. I hope the court sees the rest of this case in favor of the parents. When all is said and done I hope the parents can get back to the life that they knew. I hope they will be able to disregard the accusations, and come back to the family they are. I hope this girl will take into consideration the benefits of what she has. She seems to have a lot more than some other kids out there. May she ever be grateful for what she has. Ignorance never gets anyone anywhere. Children under a parent's household don't have rights, they have privileges. Selfishness isn't one of those privileges. She needs to learn where her place is in that house. She needs to accept the situation, and stop being a brat. |
| I'm kneeling on the floor with my arms raised towards the sky wondering how I've come to this place? Where do I start concerning the regrets that I have? I would definitely take a trip back starting around my high school days. I would've loved to have had a magic potion that would've catapulted me over those years. I didn't like those years at all. I didn't do very good in school. There were subjects that I'm almost sure were created by a dark, demented creature. I blame every bad grade I got on that creature. I don't know if there really was ever a dark creature, but I need to blame something. I know my years in high school were disgraceful due to my incomprehension of anything mathematical. I wish I had applied myself more fervently. I believe that my life would've taken a more successful route than the place where I'm at now. I apply myself with more vigor since I've gotten older and more mature. I've taken my experiences that pushed me through high school to input more zeal into my daily activities. I didn't make high school a top priority on my list of things to do. My parents weren't on the same page as me. They didn't want to hear any excuses. I never missed any days except for sickness. If I wasn't sick I was going to school. I wasn't happy with them, but I got over it. I wish I had been accepted into a respectable university so that my success level wouldn't be so entry level. I messed that opportunity up long time ago. I wonder if there will be a time when I can go back to school? If that becomes a reality, my confidence level, success level, and ultimate outlook will take a giant leap. I would be able to bury my regret. Maybe that magic potion will fall in my lap. I can't go back to high school since I'm way past that age bracket. I don't want to kneel anymore due to its getting harder to get up from that position. I know that the place I'm at is a stepping stone to the next thing on my list. I will like the years that are ahead. |
| One more dies. The power of addiction is so overwhelming turning the life of an individual into a wandering soul. I have never been addicted to any alcohol, uncontrolled substances, or hard illegal drugs. I was raised under the watchful eye of a policeman father. Too many people in the neighborhood knew my dad, and became like spies. There are so many lost souls caught up in the dark side of the drug culture. I haven't seen any of Phillip Hoffman's films, but I gather he was quite successful. He had done 50 movies in 25 years which I would say made him very versatile. I wonder if the demanding life style brought him to a point in his life where he succumbed to drugs? The lives of these actors, and I'm not saying all of them, but a lot of them travel down this road. We hear of the death of an actor succumbing to this addiction constantly. Why do some get pulled into this addiction, and some don't? It is very sad when the addiction takes the life of an established individual. I believe this actor had a lot more talent ready to shine. Unfortunately, we will never know. The unfortunate element of this addiction is many will remember that Phillip was found dead with the syringe in his arm. The other sad element is that he left three little children fatherless. I would hate to be the partner or spouse that will have to explain to the children what happened to their dad. I hope that his partner will have the strength to raise these children without him. I feel for the children. The drug culture has been around far more years than I've been alive. Unfortunately, the drug culture will continue far long after I'm gone. I hope I have instilled in my children that the drug culture won't get them anywhere. I know I won't be able to follow them every minute of their day, but I hope they withstand the pressure. I hope they stay strong. Too many in our society die way too young from this addiction. These wandering souls need to find their place. They need to relieve their demons through other outlets, not through drugs. I'm glad I never got caught up in the dark side of the drug culture. I'm glad my addictions are writing and photography. I hope I pass away with my camera in my hand and writing on my mind. |
| The mirror is on the coffee table, the powder is divided into six narrow lines, and the straw sits in a users hand. The powder isn't cocaine, its Smarties candies. "What are you talking about?" you ask. I'm not making this stuff up. News reports have discovered a disturbing trend amongst middle schoolers. These young kids are jumping at the chance to simulate the experience of faux drug use. The report stated that these kids are doing this because their buddies are doing it. I'm not sure what they get out of this new trend as the report didn't go into any detail. The report stated that the issues that arise can be infections and irritations. I never thought that vintage candy would be utilized in this manner. I can't imagine anything going up my nose that shouldn't be there. There can't really be a high that would send them into utter euphoria. This has got to be rough going through the nasal passage. I imagine some have choked and gagged as the powder reaches the back of the passage when it reaches the throat. I always hated having a sore throat, and can't imagine what kind of an irritation Smarties snorting could do. I remember getting these candies at the local market down the street for ten cents a pack. I always got them in my Halloween basket with the intention of eating them. I would always throw them at my brother for the fun of it. I liked opening the wrapper letting all of them drop into my mouth all at once. This is what I remember doing with them. The intention of snorting them boggles my mind. Are these kids so blind by a friends pressure? I'm not sure if this is a stepping stone into actual substance abuse or not. They may find this trend intriguing, but I'm hoping it doesn't take them down a darker road. Are we going to have to ban candy over the counter? This trend is ridiculous. I would love to meet the kid who started this idea. I know little kids stick things up their nose because they are learning about themselves, but this isn't what we had in mind. Keep these candies off the mirror, and in the wrapper. Open the wrapper, don't snort it, just eat it. |
| "North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un is a great leader." I know I would possibly get some people's attention, but this isn't what I believe. This statement came from Dennis Rodman who has no clue what greatness is about. There are so many in history that would be worthy of that adjective. I would not place Kim in that same list. The North Korean leader is a murderer. The title of murderer fits this dictator very well. He executes people at will like its a game. He has imprisoned people, tortured people, and killed people for no viable reason at all. He has no conscience, and if he does, it is a dark one. I'm not sure why Rodman wants to be a bedfellow with this monster. Rodman has a lot of quirks, idiosyncracies, and strange behavior, but this really baffles my mind. This is the second time that I am aware of his adoration for the North Korean leader. I wonder what impressed Rodman that he sees greatness in this "little man." The mentality of some individuals doesn't make any sense. Rodman received a letter from an ex prisoner of a North Korean work camp. The prisoner said he was born in the camp, endured torture, and has physical scars as a reminder. He urged Rodman not to make the trip to show any honor to the leader. Rodman is planning on making the trip. I hope Rodman can take this prisoners thoughts into consideration. Rodman is planning on making another trip to North Korea very soon. Maybe Rodman can stay over there, and be a permanent play buddy to the leader. We don't need Rodman back here in the states. Let him live out his demented fantasies under the regime of the poster child for a demented mentality. We don't need any selfies of them either. Rodman needs to stop giving adoration to this leader. The leader has nothing to show that would make any American slobber at his feet. I honestly think Rodman needs to clear his head of all that wacky stuff he has inhaled, ingested, shot up, and snorted. I can only surmise this is the reason why Rodman believes Kim is a great man. Kim is far from being great. The day is coming when North Korea will have change. Kim will meet his fate when his time comes. History will mark him as a despot synonymous with all the other evil minds that have come and gone. He will be buried along with an infamous legacy. Greatness, not likely. |
| One hundred and twenty ravenous, hungry dogs whom haven't eaten for three days, whom have been caged were rewarded with human flesh. This is a decision North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un subjected his uncle, Jang Song Thaek to. The brutal killing of his uncle and other party officials were due to Kim Jong's belief that they were trying to subvert his authority. If his mentality is so blinded I would be quick to jump the border to a friendlier country. I would be always looking over my shoulder to make sure my number wasn't next. How do these despots get to this point that life to them is so easy to take just because they don't like the way they look? How can the general populace be subjected to such a regime? Their society has to be brainwashed to be controlled by such an individual that needs to be deposed. I wonder if the populace walks around with blinders? They must live in fear not knowing what each day is going to bring. I'm glad that I live in a country where I have a bountiful supply of freedom. I am privileged to have been born in the USA; therefore, I can't imagine the hardships that other people are subjected to. I can't even sympathize or understand what these people deal with each day. I would love to sit down with a large majority of the North Korean populace, and ask them what they think of their country. I'm not sure what answers I would get, or if silence would tell me everything. I'm positive silence would probably be the result. I would gather they would be afraid of making any comments that would be against their government. That would surely be the individuals demise. I wish these folks would have freedoms like I do. I don't know what I would do if my freedoms were restricted. I know the USA isn't perfect, but there is so much to be proud of. I'm glad my government won't feed me to the dogs because I say something about the countries leaders. I believe I have a lot of numbers left in my future, and won't have to worry when my number is up. I'm happy to say that I won't have to worry about our leaders becoming despots. I believe their will be a mutiny if that happens. The sad fact about North Korea is that their leader will continue to dispatch people. He will be judged by a higher power when his time comes. I hope he comes to a place in his life when he sees the error of his ways. I hope he would take a long look at his life, and contemplate what his legacy has become. May God have mercy on his soul. |
| Blue lights are flashing in your rear view mirror causing your heart to jump. You pull over waiting for the officer to come to your window. He or she touches the rear of the car while you roll down your window. The worst case scenario is that the one who pulled you over is not a real cop. He is an impersonator playing out his fantasy. I've never been the recipient of a situation like this. I don't know of any of my friends who have been a part of this either. I read an article today where a police impersonator pulled over a driver for reckless driving. The supposed officer stated that he was with the Department of Homeland Security, had an official looking vehicle, and had an official looking badge. The major issue was that everything was fake. His biggest problem was that his fantasy was about to take a wrong turn. I would say playing out a fantasy would be a great Halloween gig, in your dreams, and in a skit. This guy took his fantasy to a whole new arena. I guess he wanted to make it his reality. His reality turned into a night in jail with a budding rap sheet. The ironic element in his fantasy is that he pulled over an actual cop. The real officer didn't buy his disguise, or his demeanor. She arrested him on the spot. This impersonator lost his official looking jewelry, his car, his Glock 40 that he had strapped to his side, and his mentality. What a bummer to lose all of that in a matter of minutes. I have lost certain items in my life time, but not that many items in such a short amount of time. I hope this guy learned his lesson. I'm not sure what charges were placed on him. The article didn't go into any of those details, but I would say his rap sheet got filled. I would say his career choice of possibly becoming a police officer is zero. I wonder what goes through someone's mind to act out roles like this. These criminals just don't get it. My dad was a cop for twenty years in Brooklyn and Manhattan. He arrested the same people over and over even before the paperwork was complete. I guess its job security. I wish this world was a beautiful Utopia where bad elements weren't a part of the demographics. I know that won't ever be the case. Laws will always cause people to reject them, to rise against them, and to dismiss them. Too bad this impersonator couldn't respect the laws that are in place. Maybe he will keep that in mind for his future. |
| Mental health issues plague about 1 in 5 Americans which equates to about 6% of the population. This blog is not about symptoms, effects, or solutions to mental health issues. There are too many articles dedicated to these issues already. I am not an expert in this field; therefore, I will leave that to the professionals. They can do a better job at it than I can, at least I hope so. This blog is about a young, adult, fiction writer by the name of Ned Vizzini who committed suicide on Monday at the age of thirty-two leaving behind a wife and a little girl. He was on the NYTimes best seller list, had articles published, a speaker on mental health issues, and suffered with mental health issues. His family knew about his issues, and tried to help him throughout his upbringing. Unfortunately he succumbed to his issues by jumping off the roof of his parents' home in Brooklyn. His demons were too powerful. I didn't know this author, nor heard of him before this day. I know a few of my friends have been diagnosed with mental health issues. I can put the community at ease letting you know I don't have any mental health issues. Some of my friends have come to the place where they thought there was no release. Unfortunately they succumbed to their demons like Ned. Death happens around us all the time. The holidays seem to bring out the worst in people. This is not always the case, but depression does set in around the holidays. I wish that weren't the case since this holiday is supposed to be about glad tidings and good cheer. I hope this holiday brings you happy thoughts. According to the article I read about his suicide he stated that writing eased his mental health issues. Writing took him away from that evil place. He said "he wanted to be a writer because he wanted to do something that had the potential to outlast his own death." Sad to say that reality has come to fruition for him. He had a lot more potential as his resume gave credit. He had a bright future.that would have put him into the annals of well known writers. He was well on his way of reaching the status of accomplished author. I hope to reach that status, and hope that nothing in my life causes me to go down the same path as Ned. I hope we can all reach this status, and if anyone within the community is plagued by mental health issues please get help. Mental health is not a minor issue, it can become a major issue. We don't want these demons to take another life. |
| I'm extremely frustrated with the attitude, ignorance, and blatant disregard for the American people. The president doesn't seem to take a position on anything except for the health law that "had" his name on it. I say had because when all the issues arose the administration, government officials, and the media started calling it the Affordable Care Act. The health law isn't affordable at all for most Americans as many people came forward stating their disgust. We were sold a bill of goods that the only one who would've been standing in line would've been Fast Sam's Car Sales. The first time that the American people heard about this was when Nancy Pelosi said "Its a great product but I haven't read it. We can send it through, and then look at what is in it later." I wouldn't have read it either since there are 25,000 pages. The stack of pages that it amounted to stands about as tall as a 6 foot tall man. The stack of papers could be used as a diving board. A lot of the administration are a bunch of puppets. Each representative that gets in front of the camera seems to divert questions with foggy answers. They seem to think they can lead us down their path by pulling on an invisible bull's nose ring. I believe a lot of the American people have seen through the fog, and have gotten rid of the ring. There are only a few that continue to believe in this administration because they don't want to admit to their faulty ideology. I never voted for this president because he was too liberal for my belief system. I'm an Independent which means I don't stand with the Republicans or the Democrats. I stand with the representatives who have the same ideology as me. The ones who voted for this president twice should change their political affiliation so they are not known as "so you're the one who voted for him." The sad fact is that most of the ones who voted for him are ones who had never voted before. I heard a fact yesterday on a news program that 90% of the people that voted for this president had never voted before. The majority of that voting population came from the black vote. The sad fact is that they voted for him based off of his color. There was no effort on their part to consider what his ideology was about. The consequences of their actions speak loudly as to the outcome of where this country is heading. This country has been heading in the wrong direction for a while. The socialistic attitude of the "Hill" has been increasing over the years. Big government seems to want to encompass everything that is a part of our lives. They want to control our health, our money, our choices, our constitution, and what socks I put on. I'm kidding about the socks, but I may not be far off from that reality. There is a lot more that I can spout off about what I believe. I feel right now what I've stated is the genesis to many issues that are bothering me about this administration. The presidency has brought about a new found belief in my ideology granting me the right to say that they have no clue as to what they are doing. I'm not sure when they will see the blight that they have inflicted on this nation. Three more years until this tumor can be eliminated is a sad fact. I don't know what the next administration is going to bring, but I hope that we see a difference. The transparency is tinted, and needs to be peeled away. I hope that the next administration will be as transparent as a glass house. Whomever is voted in next I hope will speak more truth to the American people than what we've gotten so far. I'm tired of how the government has thrown the nation into disarray. The blight may not change. I don't think the mentality of the American people can be that blind to the cause and effect. This effect is the decision of many people who were misinformed. I hope we can look through the misinformation so that future generations don't have to deal with the darkness that has shrouded this administration. Peel away the tint so that we can believe in our country again. |
| I don't feel as though I've accomplished very much in the past year. Life has moved at such break neck speed that a lot has gotten away from me. I set goals for myself, but situations arose that impeded my efforts. I did take the initiative to get involved in NaNo for the first time. I found this opportunity to be extremely rewarding being able to further my novel. I got frustrated every time I was interrupted which seemed to be a lot of times. I have two kids whom take precedence in my daily schedule. I can't wait till they leave the house, and the empty nest syndrome takes over. I'm really kidding about that last statement. The schedule with the kids was very hectic. I don't see the next year changing very much either. I feel every year moves faster than the last. When I was growing up I don't remember the years moving by so fast. Having kids has changed that perspective. They always have something going on which keeps me on the move. I get older too which I'm not sure how I'm able to keep up with the schedule, I'm not as young as I used to be. My body doesn't move as fast. I get up from certain positions, and there are cracking noises that I've never heard before. I always have to go to that spot, and stretch in a contortionist's angle. Stretching for a few minutes gets all those tight spots popping. Maybe all the popping my body is doing will work in conjunction with my mind popping. I am eager to do things differently in the new year. I say this every year accomplishing certain things, but not everything. I am going to continue on my novel hoping to finish it. I need to finish it. Finishing it will be one of the biggest accomplishments that will boost my ambition to complete other goals. I get very complacent sometimes letting life lead the way. I need to shock the system in order to jump start the year so that complacency doesn't take over. I look forward to being more productive this year. I'm tired of letting my goals slip by only for me to say that I will do them next year. I can't keep saying this because I will say this every year. I don't want every year to have the same mantra. The same mantra gets boring and stagnant. I don't want my goals to be dumped into the stagnancy pool. My biggest goal is to get my novel accomplished. Once I do this I believe life will take a turn in the right direction. A direction that will lead me to new heights, and less frustration, maybe. I don't know if there will be less frustration, but it would be nice. I am determined to accomplish a lot this next year. I don't think life is going to slow down since this seems to be the way things are. Impediments and interruptions will get in the way, but I will take care of those. I won't have to wait until November of next year to accomplish my novel. I have continued with the novel writing process since NaNo ended. I will not let my goals be interrupted by anything that isn't important. I will keep certain goals at the top of my list in order to see them through. This is one situation that won't impede my efforts. This year is going to be the year where I can say I have accomplished much. It's going to be a good year. |
| Not being able to write sucks when life throws a lot of curve balls with scheduling changes, chores, children's events, work, and whatever else comes my way. |
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