RECYCLE

Here is a new way to look at trash.

Music

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Four Fans of Freedom

Just a little tribute to the C-130 Hercules and my old squadron.

Technologically Speaking

Do u blog? No, iPod. How is it that I should become the reluctant techno-junkie? Yes, I was one of the resistant few. I’m sure you know of whom I speak - the ones who insisted on waiting until after “Y2K” before purchasing their first home PC – you know…just in case. Sure, I worked with computerized equipment all day long, but that wasn’t my money at risk. So I waited until the big scare was over. Y2K passed and there were no major technological disasters. I finally joined the rest of the world and bought my own home computer. Of course I had to get Internet service, After all, why only go half way? I installed dial-up—56K of blazing speed. After a series of annoying bleeps, bloops, and blips, I was connected. Wow! I have mail! Alas, the addiction immediately seized me. I hardly left the computer for the first few days. How could I? There was so much to explore. Through the simple click of a mouse I could travel the world over, soaking up all of its culture, reading all of its literature, and listening to all of its music. Oh, and not to worry, if you need anything, via the simple click of a mouse at the world’s largest virtual shopping mall you can have anything delivered by a smiling person in a spiffy little brown uniform. Please sign here. Wow! When did Santa switch uniforms? Sure, I have to admit that the first time I encountered the “blue screen of death” that I wanted to snatch up my whole computer and toss the whole mess out into the yard and set it ablaze. Instead of conceding defeat, I did as most others. I upgraded. I added more power, more memory, more speed, and more programs. More, more, more! But alas, more was not enough. I upgraded to a new computer with vastly more memory, power, speed and a much better operating system. Then I upgraded again and again. Along with all that, I moved up to the world of cable internet. Whoa! Can you say light speed? I can’t get enough. What now? Someone thrusts an iPod in my hand and says, “You can put your entire CD collection on here, listen to the radio, record videos, play games, and so much more and it will all fit in your pocket. It keeps getting better. The world is a virtual rollercoaster and I’m in the front car, hands thrust in the air, grinning from ear to ear. Wait…someone’s calling me on my cell phone.

Fatherhood

There are many ways to describe fatherhood and it is definitely a learning experience. Although frustrating at times, it is a rewarding experience that has no comparison. Someone who has no children cannot begin to fathom what it means to witness the birth of your own child. It is truly something that cannot be described with words. Watching your child grow and develop into an independent person is so amazing.

The whole experience gives you a new perspective of life. Things that you have taken for granted over time suddenly have new meaning as your child experiences them for the first time. Seeing the amazement in your little ones’ eyes brings back memories of your own childhood. As you teach your child to appreciate some of the things you enjoy in life, they in turn, teach you to appreciate new things as well. Spongebob Squarepants takes on new meaning when you share it with your little one.

Being a father gives your life new purpose and direction. Now you are responsible for taking care of another human being and providing for them. Fatherhood gives you fresh determination to make life better for your child. In your eyes no one will ever be good enough for your child. Sharing the happy moments and wiping away the tears brought on by life’s little boo-boos are just a small part of the experience.

Hearing your child’s first words brings a flood of emotions. As they learn to speak, some of their words will bring a smile to your face. Mustache was one of those words for me. I could listen to my daughter say that word over and over. Each time I heard her say mustache I could not help but giggle. The first time my daughter said, “I love you daddy,” turned me into a puddle of mush. On the other hand, you feel very different when this precious little thing says something unexpected like, “Look, it’s just a damn box!”Suddenly, the hair on your neck stands up and you think to yourself—oops, I will have to watch my tongue from now on.

This little person holds your heart in their little hands and your life is permanently altered.

Forty-Something

Returning to school in your forties can be a huge challenge. Learning new technologies and teaching methods can be daunting tasks. Learning to think academically after being away from school for so long can be unnerving.

Going straight from high school to college is a challenge of its own. Learning what to expect and what will be expected can cause feelings of anxiety. Those stepping straight from high school into college have an early advantage. Their minds will already be accustomed to academic life. Note taking skills and homework scheduling are fresh on the brain. Also, recent high school graduates should be aware of and accustomed to using the latest technology in their coursework.

Conversely, returning to academia after a long hiatus seems to be an uphill battle. Just walking into a classroom full of classmates who are young enough to be your own children can be awkward. Having instructors who are younger is no comfort either. Note taking and test taking skills may have diminished over time, or they may feel completely foreign by this time in life.

However, the forty-something crowd may have their own advantage. Those in their forties often have a real appreciation for what the real world offers, demands, expects and what an important role education plays in the big picture. The realization of that importance generally causes most forty-somethings to be better students than their younger counterparts.

Everyday life can be a major distraction for the forty-somethings. Family life, children, financial responsibility, and work all place major demands on the time and mental resources of the forty-something but simultaneously those same things can act like a catalyst to cause the forty-something to push harder in his studies.

Socially Connected

Just about everyone has heard of Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter and recognize them to be names for social networking sites on the Internet. They are currently the largest social networking sites but there are many more. When I researched social networking sites I was amazed at the number of them. Computers may not replace the human touch, but they can help you get connected.

Social networking is not a new concept, but over the years it has changed considerably. The modern computer age and the introduction of the Internet have led to the advent of social networking sites. These sites allow users to interact almost instantly with friends, family, and coworkers over great distances. Users can create profile pages, upload photos and videos and share all that information with other users. These sites have exploded with popularity.

Some of the extremely useful features of these networking sites are the search and keyword features. Users are able to search for other members by name, schools, employers, or even common interests and hobbies. This can help some people reconnect with people that they may have lost contact with years before. Similarly, users may connect with other members with similar interests, group affiliations, professional organizations or hobbies.

Social networking sites have added more applications to their sites as popularity has grown. Some of these apps are nothing more than games to occupy users’ time, but some are worthwhile. Businesses have also taken notice of the growing popularity of these sites and began to focus more of their advertising resources toward the users of these sites.

Social networking has definitely gone through tremendous changes over time. Thanks to the Internet and social networking sites, making connections has become easier. Are you connected?

Get over it

I was listening to the radio the other day and I heard a song that caught my attention. The song was “Get Over It,” by the Eagles. It expresses the frustration many of us feel on a daily basis. The song says what many of us would like to say to those we encounter each day, whether in person, on the television, or over the internet, who find it necessary to whine about all the little things that aren’t fair in life. These whiners must think that they are the only ones who have suffered hardships and therefore should be given extra concessions in life. So I decided to search Youtube and see if I could find a video performance of the song. Score! You have to love the Internet. I watched the performance and in the introduction Don Henley says, “This is our anti-politically correct song.” I think I like the song better already.

It seems everywhere you go these days you are expected to be politically correct. Sometimes that can get a little old. Some people might find it shocking, but I think most responsible people would find it refreshingly amusing. Just listening to someone else state exactly how we often feel is somewhat liberating and for me, the lyrics in the song brought a smile to my face. This is how the lyrics begin:

I turn on the tube and what do I see?
A whole lotta people cryin’ don’t blame me
They point their crooked little fingers at everybody else
Spend all their time feelin sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma’s too thin; your daddy’s too fat
Get over it

As Don Henley says at the beginning of the video, “That’s what you get for watching daytime television,” referring to all the daytime talk shows with people crying about their problems. Some of these shows really stretch the definition of “talk television.” Is it helpful? Is it entertainment? Whatever you call it, it really chafes my nether region.

After watching a few hours of daytime television, many of us would find ourselves feeling what the lyrics say, “I’d like to find your inner child and kick its little [can], Get over it!”

American Dream

The American dream is an intangible subject. It is often referred to in the media but rarely given definition. That dream can have very different meaning to different people.

Most people feel that the American dream is achieving financial success. That success may be the ownership of a little house with a white picket fence, a nice car, and two and a half children plus a dog and a cat. Perhaps that is just what Hollywood portrays it to be. Each person has different aspirations in life and some of those aspirations may be similar, but all will have some small differences. While one person may desire that small cottage with a picket fence, another will want a nice New York City apartment overlooking Central Park. Maybe it is a large mansion in a gated community, a chauffeur, and a membership at the country club. In reality the American dream could most probably be most accurately described as a belief rather than a dream; the belief that in America through hard work and determination anyone can achieve their goals.

Often we hear how America is referred to as the “land of opportunity,” and that has proven true for some people. On the other hand some people have sought after that opportunity and wished for their American dream only to find that it was indeed only a dream; something intangible and not easily achieved. For those people, America could be referred to as the “land of broken dreams.”

Magic Beans

Coffee, Café, Java, Mud, Go Juice or whatever you call it, coffee is a drink with almost magical properties. The caffeine energizes us and the smell is intoxicating. The aroma of fresh ground coffee sends the senses into overdrive, tickling the olfactory nerves and causing the mouth to water with anticipation.

No matter what you call it or how you serve it, coffee is a drink for all seasons. It has been a popular drink for many years and recently it seems to have become more popular than ever. Huge chain restaurants have seemingly sprouted on every corner to offer more varieties than ever. Starbucks, Dunkin Doughnuts, and McDonalds are just a few of those to seize on the gourmet coffee market. No longer is there just one lowly flavor to choose from. As coffee’s popularity has soared, so has the average price for a cup. Serving sizes have grown as well.

What coffee lover can resist the tempting aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Some would say that it is a drug to be resisted, perhaps that is true. I would beg to differ; pass the cream and sugar,please. To me, coffee is a heavenly brew. Coffee makes getting up in the morning something to look forward to. When the alarm clock goes off and you wake to smell that wonderful aroma in the air the day seems better already. Ah, time for a coffee break.

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