Independence Day

        Happy Independence Day, everybody! This is one of my favorite holidays and as usual I spent it with my family cooking and watching the kids play. We also got to enjoy the company of new friends this year which was really nice. That's one of the things about holidays I enjoy the most, enjoying the company of friends and family. I am strongly patriotic, not in the blindly adoring way that some are, but in the gut-wrenchingly painful way. I had 2 brothers who served in the Persian Gulf under President G.H. Bush, and I myself served under President Clinton, but my appreciation of this country was developed before that time. As a student of history I was always aware of our countries origin and it is a truly unique heritage that had its roots planted deeply in the minds of people like Martin Luther. However. the alignment of all the factors and circumstance that ultimately led to our founding was not solely in the hands of men, but in the will of our creator himself. The same God that parted light from darkness and later the Red Sea, had a plan for this continent. To think that the same God who established the Isrealites as a chosen people would someday create a haven for those who wanted to serve him fully is very humbling.

        I know that I don't have to trace our heritage here, but know that I am keenly aware of the factors that eventually led to our establishment and I am truly thankful and awed. This place we are blessed to call home is a gift of infinite value. I am also aware that we are squandering it. It is that thought that brings the feeling of disdain I feel on Holidays like this one. I believe that their commercial value has surpassed their patriotic value.

        I say all of this to prepare you for what follows. I was doing some last minute shopping today and after finishing the rounds at my local grocery store I approached the counter with my things. I could see the cashier was haggard and as a way of letting him know he was not alone I said, "I can't wait until this day is over.", to which he smiled and agreed. An older man behind me said your generation is ungrateful and that we should be ashamed. His comment stung for several reasons and I was quiet for a moment while I pondered them. The first was that I kind of agreed, the second was that I couldn't disagree more (think about that for a while). I turned back to him and said, "Sir? No disrespect intended, but what has occupied your mind today more...your country...or your grill?" He didn't have a response, but our eyes met on the contents of his basket...charcoal, lighter fluid and hamburger buns.

        I will close by saying most of the time I am ungrateful and for that I am ashamed, but not today. Today I am thankful beyond words.

Round 2

        I have lost all faith in movie reviews. I don't have a theater degree nor have I been to broadway, so I have never learned to dig really deeply into the process of fine film making, but can't a movie be just good to watch. I read terrible reviews of the new Batman movie and they took some of the wind from my sails about going to see it. I caught it this afternoon and I was wondering what movie the critics had seen. I won't break it down for you here, but I'll just say that I won't waste anymore time reading the opinions of film school drop-outs.

        On a lighter note, I have a confession to make. I have been online for a long time as far as "online" is concerned and in all this time I have never shopped on ebay until 2 nights ago. I was probably one of the last hold outs, but I gave in and ... I liked it. I was looking for this certain coffee pot and could find it nowhere, on a whim I did an ebay search and found not one but six of them. One was really pristine and exactly what I was looking for, but I lost track of the time and I was outbid on it. I felt like someone had kicked me in the gut, I felt so cheated. Long story short, that auction process could be very addictive (Not to imply that I liked getting kicked in the gut).

        My wife experienced ebay for the first time that same night and I found out later that she was shopping for bedding. From the way she was explaining this to me I undestood her to say that she was betting. I start explaining to her that ebay is an auction and you aren't betting on it but bidding and you actually have to pay for it. She gives me this "what planet are you from?" look and I start replaying the conversation back in my head where I quickly realize my error... My wife is brillant and I had forgotten that. Oops. Sorry for that babe.

        Morning comes early when you have 3 small children, so I will end this for the night, but be sure to remember the lessons of the day: Movie critics suck, I have an addictive personality, and my wife is beautiful and brillant. Not bad for 14 hours of consciousness, huh?

Beginnings

        Before you say anything, I know this title is a little boring (and very likely mispelled), but this is my first post and I thought I would keep it simple and elegant. I must also begin with a warning that this web log has know purpose or intent as of yet other than the completely selfish desire to share my own meandering experiences. That said, I have many and varied interest so in our time together you will be exposed to the many facets of my personality and quite possibly the depths of my derangement. Whatever happens, may mankind be bettered and God served.