A new leaf!

Well, I'm officially turning a new leaf. After about a year of not going, I went back to the gym for the first time yesterday. Good workout, muscles feeling a bit tight, and my lunch was a salad and ice water. I've done this act a lot over the past year; start eating better, work out a little, and then nothing. But this time is different. I'm going to a gym with a friend to inspire me. To push me. To force me to not be a lazy you know what. This is the time when it's easy. It's summer, and I'm only working one job, so I actually have the time to choose when I can go. But I know when the end of August creeps its head out to show the fall season on the horizon, I will be strapped for time. This post is short and sweet. If you see me, or talk to me, encourage me to continue to be strong. I used to be a college athlete, and now I hurt after a game of softball. This can't be. I won't let it be!

NOT ME!

Let me tell you about a little story that happened to me. My joint on my big left toe hurt so bad that I couldn't walk without feeling a sharp pain. So I went to see my doctor, as this wasn't the first time the pain had occured. My doctor informed me that I have a condition called Gout (if you don't know what gout is, look it up on wikipedia). The interesting part of the story isn't that I was diagnosed with Gout, but that my doctor looked at me and said, "I've never seen this condition in someone so young in reasonably good shape." As a former college athlete, I wasn't in good shape for my standards, and I knew my diet was not exactly balanced. However, I was shocked to hear these words from my doctor. I asked her how I got the condition of Gout. She asked me if my diet is high in red meat, seafood, and beer. I responded, "Well, yeah, those are three of my personal four food groups." I chuckled for a second, and my doctor gave me a sarcastic grin. She then informed me that these items are very high in purines, which is the cause of my excruciating pain (there is a process for the pain, but if you want to know it, once again, look it up).

I knew that I ate too much red meat, probably could've drank a few less beers. However, my youthful ignorance told me that I could do it. I still had a fairly high metabolism rate. I could do it. Reality check. Gout sucks. Gout is the most painful experience of my life. I actually bought myself a cane to walk with. Why did I buy a cane? Because the slightest pressure of the joint that was attacked with Gout felt like someone taking a a chissel, and hammering it into my joint with each passing step. I hate Gout. The worst pain ever! I suppose that it is actually a good thing for me; as I now watch my diet and balance what I eat. But Gout still sucks! Since that latest attack that led me to the hospital, I have kept my gout under control, and have not suffered any attacks since then. Bottom line: DON'T GET GOUT!

Back to basics

This is a subject that has become so cliqued in our society, and so underappreciated; it is better to give than receive. In this country, that phrase is a big load of crap. I would use a more offensive or vulgar word to prove my point, but I think you get the idea. America is the greatest country in the world, but we don't always act like it. I was born on the 4th of July, and I consider myself as strong of a patriot as any. However, look at our country: big corporations take, take, take; sometimes illegally. Banks promise homes, only to raise rates and force foreclosures. There are so many more examples, but we are a greedy country. The greed here is quickly ruining the greatest country in the world.

Recently, my great-grandmother passed away, and it was her time. After all, she was 93, had lived a full life, and her mental faculties were diminished to a point where the good Lord above decided that her time here was lived enough. She left this world a wealthy woman. Her inheritance was left to her three daughters, one of whom is my dear grandmother. She didn't have to do this, especially being a widowed woman living on a very fixed income, but she generously decided to take a chunk of the money left to her and willingly give a piece to each child and grandchild. Now, understand that the first thought that passed through my mind was, "Wow, this is a nice chunk of change for me." However, the instant that thought passed through my mind, I was almost instantly overcome with emotion. Someone I love decided to give. Not because she had to. Not because anyone asked. Not even because anyone needed the help. She gave just because she wanted to give.

A simple act that is so lacking in our society. How many time have you been driving and seen a car on the side of the road with emergency flashers on? How many times have you stopped to help? I did. Once. Once out of about 50 times that I've seen cars that needed help. When I got to the car, the lady was pregnant, unable to push her car, and I offered to help. She declined, as she informed me that a sherriff was on his way to assist. But as I said good luck and turned to walk away, she stopped to tell me that I was the only person to offer help after being stopped for over a half hour. How many people saw her and thought, "sucks to be you" or "glad that's not me" as they drove right by? We are selfish, and we take so much, and rarley give. Agree or disagree, don't tell me that the majority of our society is a giving society.

I guess I am so grateful to have members of my family that truly care about others and give, without the hope of reciprication. We could all learn something from a widowed grandmother who just wants to see those that she loves be happy. Give something soon, no matter how small or effortless it may seem. Give because you have been given something, and someone else deserves to be given something too. The next time you decide not to give, think what you would be if those who have given so much hadn't given all they did to you. Give something.

What a concept

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a retirement party last night. Since my services aren't needed as a teacher, because our children are in the hands of many capable teachers with thirty years of experience, I mean who really needs a young, fresh mind with new ideas and capabilities of connecting to today's child? I digress, and back to the point at hand, this party was for one of my co-workers from my job with the local parks and recreation district. She had worked for the district for 35 years. We had a lovely time, especially since the appetizers were paid for, and the beer was at happy hour price. However, my interest was not just in the food and beverages (shocking, I know). No, I was thinking about the overwhelming look of contentment on the face of my friend and now retired co-worker. She had done her job, and she is still able to do her job, but she knew it was her time to step aside. She has grandchildren to enjoy, her health to take care of, and so much more. This is the natural progression of work. Do your job, then move on.

For some reason that I cannot fathom, this isn't happening everywhere. Whether it is due to our booming economy, uncertainty of the future, or a fear of retirement, I see too many examples of those in my profession that seem to "hang on" for way too long. As a teacher, when you hang on too long, you are really defeating the whole purpose of being a teacher. No one decides to be a teacher because of the great money, because there isn't any. No one decides to go into teaching for fame, as the newspapers and television broadcasts don't show the wonderful people that shape the future of our nation. Teachers choose the profession because they want to make a difference in young people's lives. So I have to ask; how can you make a difference if you are merely "hanging on?" You can't. Now people have to suffer. The children suffer because they aren't being challenged and shaped to their highest potential. The young teachers that have that ability suffer because they are left out looking for other work while the teachers of the 1970's are hanging on. The budget suffers, as these teachers make over twice as much in salary as the young teachers, and that takes away from the programs and resources that the children so desperately need. The teachers themselves suffer, as they agonize through another long school year trying not to lose their mind as they collect their paycheck and health benefits.

Last night I came to a conclusion that the way things are supposed to be aren't working out that way. Working for a number of years and then stepping aside isn't happening. I have ideas of who to blame, but what's the point. Pointing a finger isn't going to change anything. I guess I just needed a venue to rant and rave about my disappoinment for the most important job in our society that is truly suffering. I guess there's nothing to do but rant and rave. If you have any good suggestions, my ears are open.

Whoa, my first blog!

I have to confess, I would not have started this blog without the inspiration from my dear friend, Matthew Anderson. I'm not gonna lie to you, because lying via a blog would be rediculous, I always thought blogs were a waste of time. However, after reading Matthew's and responding to his, I found a great deal of interest and somewhat satisfaction to use my brain for thought rather than just wondering what I was going to make for dinner tonight (oh, I still ponder the food, but now there's more than JUST that).

Well, let me begin blogging about something that I care deeply about, and have already mentioned once; food. Eating is by far my favorite hobby, as it has become what I do best. Over the past few years, I have taken my love for food into the production stage, as I am the chef of the house, due to the fact that it is a fire hazard for my wife to enter the kitchen. Ask her yourself, she'll tell you. I once asked her to cook frozen corn by heating it in a pan. the kernels of corn that are yellow when frozen, and are supposed to stay yellow as they cook, became black when I returned from my barbeque station. Anyway, I'm getting off track. Back to my love for food. Food uses every single sense that you have as a human, and that is what makes it so wonderful. For me, there is nothing like the sound of a sizzle that comes from a scorching barbeque with your favorite meat on the grill. I think I'll grill me up some burgers tonight.