Level Orange

This goes out to my wife Carol. Today is her birthday, and although I won’t disclose how many years it’s been (apparently the ladies don’t like when you do that), I have to express my love and dedication to her. And what better way to do that than for the whole world to see?

The love that I have in my heart for this woman is so intense that I wouldn’t dare risk it for anything, nor would I allow it to fade or wither.

I used to mention her on this site from time to time. Then I got too busy to write about much of anything, and finally one day she asked me why I don’t write about her anymore. I guess the truth was that I didn’t have anything to say that I couldn’t simply say to her directly. I mean, if I wanted to tell her I loved her, I could just go over and give her a hug and tell her so. And of course, there’s that saying about how married folks just don’t retain that magic, that sparkle. In a way, that might be true, but I think the most accurate way to describe it is that the magic simply becomes commonplace. You get used to it. So much so that you can take it for granted. You begin to lose that appreciation for it.

Until one day something happens that puts it into perspective, sort of a massive reset switch. I think the birth of our son Robbie had a similar effect on us, essentially forcing us to focus on each other and how far we’ve made it together. Like the old saying, nothing’s worth having if you can’t share it with someone.

We’ve been married for over four years (oh, how I never imagined I’d be able to say that) and one thing that I know for sure is that it hasn’t always been easy. For the first year or so, we hit some bumps in the road and a major snag that–were it not for our love and dedication to each other–would have surely broken us apart. The truth is that we’re so vastly different, in personalities, in tastes, in ideologies, that it’s a wonder we even hit it off. While I tend to be more impulsive and erratic and even dismissive, she proudly lives by her sense of discipline and morals, sometimes bordering on self-righteousness. It would seem like the most unlikely fit, but somehow it all works out. Somehow, we came together in this great big world and found out that we were meant for each other. If there’s one thing I do believe in, that’s it.

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It’s been ten years since I graduated from high school and while I received my invitation for our ten year reunion a long time ago, I just wasn’t able to make it due to circumstances. My big fear is that I missed out on seeing all those kids that I shared such good times with. Sometimes I look back fondly on those days, wondering what ever happened to the camaraderie that we all had. Thinking back on the music, the fashion and the attitudes of those days brings back so many wonderful memories. I think I feel a tear welling up…NOT!

I mean, either my showing up is going to make someone feel really good about themselves, or make someone feel really shitty about themselves.

Over the years, I’ve made it no secret that I absolutely dreaded my high school experience. Sure I did have some good times, but they were usually few and far between. Mostly it was about the bullshit popularity games and trying to find a place in between all the cliques. But I found ways to bounce from one group to the other and nobody seemed to mind.

I always thought that was my greatest gift–to adapt to any given group and blend in. Sometimes, I’d have to grin and bear it, because let’s face it, nobody wants enemies in high school. My ultimate test of how I managed it: I never once got into a fight, scuffle or argument with anyone. I did my best to be a friend to all, but not everyone had the same approach.

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I can remember seeing the Superman movies in theaters so many years ago. For an entire generation, Christopher Reeve embodied Superman in all his glory. Even when Superman III and IV were released and failed miserably, Reeve’s portrayal and following came away unscathed. Why? I think because there was truth in him. Truth in character, truth in spirit.

Wouldn’t it have been a monumental shame if Reeve had not previously been an actor—a superstar no less—and we would have never seen his struggle?

After years of physical therapy and what must have been an epic mental and spiritual struggle, Reeve began working his way back into the spotlight. Not one to give in to his condition, he directed, he acted and received honors and tributes the world over. His determination to overcome and his inspiration were like none the world had ever seen before. He spoke out and appealed to the government to continue research, in the hopes that one day a way to repair his body would be found. Unfortunately, he would never walk again, but his pure, sound strength of will was amazing.

In his recent appearances on Smallville, it looked like Reeve might have found a new home to continue his craft—and in such close proximity to that which made him a star. It was obvious that he’d never be able to play Superman again, but to see a sort of “passing of the torch” to a new hero for a new generation was so genuinely touching.

For him as an actor, I’m sure it was frustrating that he wasn’t able to shake the character of Superman, but part of me thinks he came to embrace it after his accident. Fortunately, this also gave him the perfect venue to educate the public and reach out to those suffering from handicap. Wouldn’t it have been a monumental shame if Reeve had not previously been an actor—a superstar no less—and we would have never seen his struggle? It happens everyday, maybe to someone you know, but now the world has had a chance to see it up close and now it’s up to us to take action.

It is said that it’s best to remember those who have passed not by how they were last witnessed, but how they were at their greatest height of glory. I believe Christopher Reeve was and will always be Superman and a super man.

There were several instances during the second presidential debate that I burst out in laughter and gazed at the television in astonishment. Not only did the president break the rules of the format by interrupting and running over the moderator, but you could even say he broke the rules of making sense.

“Rumors on the Internets”

As a part of his response to a question about a possible draft, the president may have inadvertently started rumors that there is more than one Internet. Or maybe he’s referring to the Internet2 project? Yeah, that’s it…right?

“Battling green eye shades”

Apparently this is a term that refers to accountants (or more accurately, the glasses they’ve been known to wear). But I suspect that unless you regularly associate with accountants–which I’m sure most people don’t–this just comes from out of nowhere.

“A hydrogen automobile–hydrogen-generated automobile”

While I get that the president was referring to a hydrogen-powered automobile, it just furthers the notion that he has trouble being coherent when under pressure. Or it could be that he let the cat out of the bag that the government has found a way to construct a vehicle–with solid, moving parts–entirely from a gas. Like riding on a puff of wind!

“A catastrophic plan”

Okay, this is an odd one. The president used the correct term in talking about health care policies, but the funny thing is that it just sounds wrong. And to those who don’t have health insurance (which could be a whole lot of folks) this sounds like yet another mental slip-up.

“The Dred Scott case”

Is this the best our president could do to illustrate his knowledge of our judges and judicial system? It’s clearly a desperate attempt to pander to the St. Louis audience. That and the idea that slavery might somehow still be a relevant issue. Simple evasion maneuver.

CPD – 2004 Debate Transcript

Understanding Catastrophic Health Insurance

Dred Scott | Washington University in St. Louis

If you haven’t already, now is the time to get involved in the democratic process, maybe more than any other instance in the last couple of decades. Many will say that it’s one of our hard-won freedoms and an honorable privilege. And that’s absolutely true, but it’s more than that–it’s your duty.

Voting is a civic duty that none of us are required to participate in, and unfortunately, it can have detrimental effects on our society when we don’t.

You know, there are certain civic duties that we all have to succumb to at one point or another. Some are constant, like taxes, and others are rare, like jury duty. Voting is a civic duty that none of us are required to participate in, and unfortunately, it can have detrimental effects on our society when we don’t. I can understand why voting isn’t mandatory, because an election where the voters are pressured to choose–when perhaps there is no candidate to their liking–is not a fair election. On the flipside, an election that is decided largely because of voter apathy can hardly be fair either.

I have my opinions, you have yours. Maybe we agree, maybe we don’t. One of the greatest things about this nation is that we have the right to do so, but with that right comes a huge responsibility. The responsibility to make sure you’re being represented, being heard and taking a stand for what you believe in. You have to do your part. In fact, you should feel compelled to do your part, as I am right now. I’ve only been able to vote twice since I turned eighteen and I went to the polls and made myself heard. While it was utterly discouraging to see what happened in the 2000 election, I still plan to get out there and vote this November.

But I’m not going to vote because it’s tradition, or routine, and certainly not because it’s the new hip thing and all the other kids are doing it. I’m going to vote because I have a vested interest in what becomes of this election. Not only for myself, but for my family, especially my children. I have to take into account what kind of world I’m going to leave to them. Any parent would, or at least should. As many have already said, this is going to be one of the most important elections of our lifetime. There is so much at stake, so much riding on who ends up in the White House next January that I don’t see how anyone couldn’t take it seriously.

The fact that probably half of the eligible population of this nation chooses not to voice it’s opinion is disheartening. Much of that comes from those who’ve just turned of age, those who’ve failed to register, and those who don’t see it as making a difference. I should know, I’m having a hard time understanding why my wife is considering not voting. But you know, even if you don’t have kids or other family to consider, do it for yourself. Our government is just that–ours. It doesn’t just belong to me, or my neighbor, but to all of us, including you, including the candidates themselves. Take ownership.

IDEA – USA Voter Turnout from 1945 to Date

So I’m driving home yesterday–a daily commute of at least forty minutes or so–and as I’m making a left turn at an intersection, the driver in front of me sees it fit to go as slowly as possible. Fearing the possibility of being caught in the middle of the intersection under a red light, and given that there are TWO turning lanes, I jam on the accelerator to get around this particular slow poke. No problem, done it a million times, right?

Apparently, this one-millionth-and-one time was the last straw for my car because, even though I didn’t immediately notice it, my accelerator (or gas pedal) had become detached from the floor beneath it. It wasn’t until after driving a few more miles that I realized that the top of my right foot was touching the back of the brake pedal. And that’s just not supposed to happen. So I took my foot off of the gas pedal, and that’s when I felt it move side to side, and definitely not in a safe way. I managed to make it home, taking it slow and trying not to shift gears too forcefully.

This morning I took a look at it and I tried to figure out what I could do to fix it. Here’s essentially what I saw:

Normal

From what I could tell, this is how the pedal would be attached in its normal state. While it would appear that the plate is bolted with two bolts, it is in fact GLUED down.

Loose

This is how it looked when I was driving home yesterday. The only reason the entire pedal assembly didn’t come loose was because it got caught by the edge of the carpet.

Dangerously Broken

This is how it ended up when I moved it around to see what had broken. The whole assembly was hanging by the accelerator cable (which is attached to the metal bar on top), which goes to the engine.

There was no way I was going to attempt to drive my car like this. My only option (other than breaking out the super glue) was to take it in and let the professionals handle it. Unfortunately, that leaves me without a ride, back at home and without much to do. AND a big dent in my confidence in Chrysler. I’ve had enough problems with this car and now this…but that’s not all. The A/C is going out and the power steering is making some strange sounds. I just finished paying for this car this month, and what perfect timing for everything to start falling apart. Yeah.