Several months ago I made a few posts with a series of fun yet thought-provoking questions that I’d stumbled across online. My job is one of the most low-key (i.e. boring) situations one could ever hope to be paid for, and since I am not permitted to surf The Net or use my smartphone while I’m on the clock (and of course I would NEVER break the rules) I must find other ways to amuse myself. I’m all about introspection and find these types of exercises to be cathartic, stimulating, & a charming diversion, so when I saw a couple of other questionnaires I decided to condense them a bit and accept the challenge. I eliminated a few dozen questions that I found rather lame & uninspiring, and I’ve done my best to exclude replication from the previous posts, although I apologize in advance because I am sure I fell short in that regard. If you are really bored or have some sort of odd desire to get to know Yours Truly a little better then you’re in the right place.
If you could learn only one magic spell, but it could only do something mundane and boring, what would the spell do?? 
Well first of all one would need to specifically know what is considered “mundane & boring”. Assuming those parameters are up to each individual, I would love to be able to disapparate, like they do in Harry Potter. No more driving for this guy…just POOF and I’m wherever I need or want to be.
What would be the scariest sound to hear after waking up suddenly in the middle of the night??
Any kind of wild animal sounds emanating from inside my abode.
What high level job do you think you could lie your way into with no experience and no one would notice?? 
Judging by what I see in the media these days…journalist. Atleast I know I can write proficiently.
Who or what is your nemesis??
Winter!!
What would be the consequences of a scientific discovery that extended the life span of humans to 500 years?? 
Wow…that’s an interesting thought. I suppose there’d be myriad issues. Overcrowding. Food & water shortage. Lack of jobs for all those people living so much longer. Economic issues due to people utilizing “entitlements” much longer. It’d be like when a website suddenly becomes popular and gets so much traffic that it crashes the server.
What’s the worst and best thing about being male??
The best thing is that we don’t have to deal with female issues like pregnancy & menstruation. The worst thing is that we have to deal with women lol.
What childish thing do you still enjoy?? 
I believe that retaining some sense of an inner child can be healthy. I still love Christmas & Santa Claus. I’ve been a pro wrestling fan for nearly 40 years, and I am aware that some might consider that childish (I disagree).
What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of?? 
I could probably name dozens of movies like that. The Godfather. The Meg Ryan rom-com three pack…When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, & You’ve Got Mail. Forrest Gump. A bunch of Christmas movies. Grumpy/Grumpier Old Men. Field of Dreams.
If you designed and built a tree house, what would it look like and what would be in it?? 
It’d be a mix of simplicity & comfort. I’d have a bookshelf because I think a treehouse would be an awesome place to read. I suppose I’d want some form of electricity or a generator hookup because I’d need a small refrigerator for snacks & drinks, light so that I could hang out reading on warm summer nights, and access to music. Two things that I’d deny myself are TV & internet access. A guy has to rough it a bit sometimes, right?? Some sort of cot or small bed would be nice because just like the reading thing I think a treehouse would be a cool place to take a nap.
What movie do you wish life was more like??
The Hobbit. Not the dangerous part when Bilbo and the rest go on their quest, but before that…life in The Shire. Hobbits eat six meals/day, have a life expectancy of 100+ years, and enjoy socializing, smoking “pipe-weed”, & chilling out. I could handle that.
What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?? 
I love trivia. I am a fountain of useless knowledge. Not sure what would be considered “most interesting”.
Which celebrity would make the worst leader of a country??
Oprah
What were you really into when you were younger but now think is silly?? 
Most things that kids are into are silly…that’s the charm of childhood. I’d be somewhat concerned if I still had the same interests now as I did three or four decades ago.
What is the most useless thing you know how to do??
If you name a movie I can…if I am even vaguely familiar with it…usually tell you what year it was released. I usually nail it, and at worst I’ll be one year off.
How many phones have you broken or lost??
Surprisingly none.
Which historical figure wasn’t as amazing as most people think they were??
I suspect most of them. We love to create myths and manufacture heroes, which certainly has its place in society. But every human being puts their pants on one leg at a time just like you & me. No one is infallible. That doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve kudos for their achievements and significant impact on society, but only that we should be cautious about idol worship.
You are in charge of making insects a popular food item. You have 1 billion US dollars to achieve your goal. How do you do it?? 
Marketing is an amazing thing. Especially with a billion dollar bankroll I don’t believe it’d be that difficult to promote insects as desirable nourishment. Do a little R&D in regard to flavoring, advertise it in such a way that it seems to be the hip thing that everybody is eating, and partner with eateries & retail outlets to make the product readily available…BOOM…you’ve got a winner.
What’s something you were really stressed about, but it turned out to be no big deal??
Almost everything that causes us advanced stress is no big deal, and if it is a big deal we have to deal with the situation anyway, right??
What are you tired of hearing about?? 
I’m tired of celebrities & athletes pontificating about sociopolitical issues, especially since most are completely ignorant of facts and out of touch with how the average person lives. Just entertain us…that’s what we pay you so much money to do.
What three events made the biggest impact on who you are today??
June 9, 1995. That’s the day I left the town in which I attended college and returned to my small hometown. It was a huge mistake…one that I’ve regretted nearly every day since.
June 20, 1996. I was in a car accident. I went off the road, over an embankment, & hit a tree. I wasn’t intoxicated. It was a beautiful day. It was about 4pm in the 
afternoon on a road I’d driven countess times. I may have been going a bit too fast, but nothing crazy. I just lost control of my car. I smacked my head on my windshield and bruised my midsection on the steering wheel, but otherwise my physical injuries weren’t too awful. However, my psychological issues…I suppose it’s probably PTSD…grew out of control, to the point that I developed a crippling driving phobia. I am okay within my small comfort zone, which is probably an area of about 15-20 square miles…but I do not drive outside of that zone, which has had a destructive effect on my life for over two decades.
February 23, 2000. The day my mother died. Nothing has been the same since that day.
What would you NOT do for 5 million dollars?? 
I draw the line at any kind of violent crime. Beyond that I am open to a discussion. I still may not do it, but I’d atleast want to ponder the possibilities.
What is society doing now that in 20 years will be laughed at and ridiculed??
The question assumes progress, as if the future will bring enlightenment & growth. However, from what I’ve seen our society is morally regressive, so I am left to assume that two decades from now what will be ridiculed & belittled will be faith, ethics, & basic standards of decency that we have always taken for granted. Actually, people scoff at those things now, but I don’t see it getting any better. Other than all of that, one would expect technology & communication to evolve, meaning that, just as we can reflect on and chuckle at items that we utilized decades ago and thought were cutting edge at the time, in two decades we will probably look back some of the ways we do things & equipment we use now and think of them as primitive.
What’s the most effective way for a government to control its populace?? 
Economics & education. We see it now, and have for decades. The Welfare State ostensibly began with the best of intentions, but it has created a level of dependence in which people willingly give up control of virtually their entire lives to the government. Education in America is far behind several other nations. Essentially we are taught just enough to be able to run the machines & apparati that make things go on a daily basis, but we lack true understanding of the bigger issues, and that allows for even more control.
If you had to choose one cause to dedicate your life to, what would that cause be??
I’m not really into causes. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about certain things, but being a passionate crusader just isn’t my thing.
If you died today, what would your greatest achievement be?? 
I don’t feel like I’ve actually achieved much of anything. I hope some folks would have a few nice things to say about me, and I’d like to think I’ve been a decent person who has made a positive impression, but sadly I would not consider my life…impactful.
Who are some people you only met once but they left a big impression on you??
I can’t think of anyone who I met only once that left much of an imprint, but there are several folks who may have only been in my orbit for a very short period of time…a few months, a year or two…decades ago that I still fondly recall…teachers, co-workers, classmates. There are people that I attended college with that were only in my daily life for a few years and I haven’t actually spent much time with in over two decades that I still consider dear friends.
What do you think is the most common complaint people in your country have??
We Americans like to complain about everything…sports, politics, weather, our job, traffic, entertainment, rich people, food, racism, sexism, homophobia, crime, etc. I have no idea what the most common complaint is, but it’s probably something totally goofy that isn’t a real problem at all, or if it is actually an issue it’s something we’ve been whining about for decades and there’s not a whole lot that can be done that hasn’t already been tried.
What stories from your life will you tell your children about (assuming you have children)??
If God ever blesses me with children the stories that I’d want to share with them would be about family and the good things I recall about growing up in my small town. The few crazy tales I might have about my misspent youth probably aren’t ones I’d want to share with my kids.
If you could become the number one expert in one niche field, what would it be?? 
Is blogging considered a niche field?? If so I’d love to become an expert and be able to bestow wisdom to the masses about becoming a well-paid blogger and making a great living doing something you love right from the comfort of home.
What was the worst purchase you’ve ever made??
About 20 years ago I signed up thru Easton Press to receive a set of leatherbound books…one at a time that were atleast $50 a pop. I don’t necessarily regret the purchase and I still own most of the books, but at the time I was unemployed and really couldn’t afford them. It was financially irresponsible and I should’ve been smarter.
What did you think was silly until you tried it?? 
Who is your favorite author??
I have a few. Twain. Bradbury. Conan Doyle. Dickens. Tolkien. Steinbeck.
When you are day dreaming, what do you dream about?? 
I probably should keep that to myself lol.
What do you believe even though you know it’s probably wrong??
If I believe something or believe in something in my heart & mind it must be right. Others may disagree and that’s okay, but why would I contradict myself?? That’d be asinine.
What signs make you think someone will go on to be successful??
First of all, one must define success. What that looks like may be vastly different to various people. However, I assume the question is looking thru the prism of an 
accepted traditional view of success…great job, financial security, nice house, fancy car, etc. So what are early indicators that someone is destined for that description of success?? I’m not sure. I’ve known people who were great students, had a solid work ethic, & and seemed to have a good head on their shoulders but were never able to translate all of that into any sort of professional achievement. Conversely, I’ve seen folks who barely made it thru school & weren’t particularly motivated find something they love to do and/or are especially talented at and parlay it into a good income with all the associated stuff. “Success” seems to be a surreptitious recipe involving focus, attitude, motivation, common sense, opportunity, networking, fortitude, & timing.
What was the weirdest habit you had as a child??
I slept with a teddy bear until I was…well, probably a little too old to be sleeping with a teddy bear. I guess that’s kind of weird.
What is the most irritating food?
Crab legs. Too much effort to justify the output.
How does your definition of a “real man” differ from the mainstream stereotype of a “real man”??
I think the world defines a man as being a tough, rugged, macho guy who drinks beer, likes to “throw down”, enjoys working on cars & going hunting, & doesn’t talk much or express any kind of emotion. To a certain extent I don’t disagree with some of that and take issue with the growing penchant for trying to feminize men, turning them into overly sensitive metrosexuals. However, I don’t feel like a man needs to be particularly outdoorsy or have any kind of affinity for hunting, fishing, beer, cars, or tobacco products. A real man can be intelligent & enjoy the finer things in life. A real man is responsible, trustworthy, honorable, polite, reliable, & takes proper care of his family.
If time wasn’t an issue and you had forever to master a skill, what skill would you master??
Cooking. I think it’d be fun (and beneficial) to be a skilled culinary craftsman.
What was the biggest mistake in history??
Oh wow. I’m not sure that can be narrowed down to just one thing, and though I enjoy history I am far from an expert. But off the top of my head I think we can point to things like slavery, fascism, communism, & socialism as failures of society.
If you wanted to give a tourist the local flavor of where you live, what would you have them do??
I’d take them to a WVU Mountaineers football game, have them attend the Italian Heritage Festival on Labor Day Weekend, eat some pepperoni rolls, catch a Davisson Brothers concert, & go to church with me on Sunday.
Who or what do you always have time for??
My dog Rocco and my family.
What are two things you’ll never spend money on??
Since I’m a guy I could take the easy way out and mention things like makeup, frilly underwear, or high heel shoes…but I won’t let myself off that easy. The first thing that comes to mind is a mega expensive vehicle. Dependable transportation is important, but I’m not trying to impress anybody. I don’t travel all that much, and the fact that I use a wheelchair means that any car or truck I own is going to get scuffed up quite a bit anyway, so I don’t see myself ever spending six figures on a BMW, Lexus, or any kind of fancy sports car. I also don’t see myself spending money to buy a house. Houses are for married couples & families. It is unlikely that I will ever get married or have children, so I don’t think buying a house is necessary even if I had the money.
What do you need to rant about or get off your chest??
I try to avoid ranting. That’s why I have a blog lol.
What’s the best bad decision you’ve made??
When I was a freshman in college I joined a fraternity. In retrospect it may have been a wiser decision to focus more on academics and forego the frivolity. Perhaps if I’d buckled down and concentrated on school I’d have been better prepared for “the real world” and found a career that would have provided professional fulfillment & financial security. But I’ll be darned if those four…okay, four & a half…years weren’t the best time of my life that supplied lifelong memories & cherished friendships. I’m not sure I’d change anything.
What can a movie do to make you get up and walk out??
I can’t recall ever leaving a theater before the film was over, and I’ve seen some bad movies. These days there is enough information available to make an informed decision before ever buying a ticket, so it’s unlikely that a movie could be so surprisingly unentertaining or offensive that I’d leave early. I might not have a high opinion of the film, but I’ll probably stay for the whole mess.
What are you so incredibly terrible at, that you’ve given up ever doing it again??
When I was a kid my grandmother tried to teach me how to crochet, and when I was in college a friend tried to teach me how to play guitar. I don’t think that I was terrible as much as the fact that I didn’t have the patience or inclination to really put any effort into either endeavor.
What was your favorite cartoon when you were growing up??
Scooby-Doo
What are some things people have selflessly done to make your life better??
I am sure there have been multiple people who have done isolated selfless acts of kindness for me, but the prize has to go to my parents, who constantly put their interests aside & sacrificed their needs to take care of me & my sister. I’m sure that’s not uncommon amongst parents…or atleast I’d hope that it’s not uncommon.
What do you own that a lot of people comment on??
An old friend once opined that I “live in a library”. In my modest one bedroom apartment I have about eight bookshelves. Visitors to my abode are rare, but my books usually get noticed by anyone who stops by.
What’s your perfect burger??
I prefer to keep it rather uncomplicated. Nothing fancy for me. Plain bun, thick & juicy burger, ketchup, mustard, mayo, sautéed onions, & melted American cheese. I’m not really a tomato fan, and though I like bacon I can take it or leave it as a burger topping.
Which fictional villain is your favorite??
There are just so many to choose from!! JR Ewing from the TV show Dallas. The Joker & The Riddler from the Batman comics, shows, & movies. Henry F. Potter from It’s A Wonderful Life. Darth Vader from Star Wars. Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis Professor James Moriarty. Professor Snape from Harry Potter. Michael Myers from Halloween. Star Trek II’s Khan. Hans Gruber in the original Die Hard. Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
You’re given $300,000 to make one room in your house or apartment ridiculously amazing, what room do you pick and what upgrades do you make??
I live on the fifth floor of a ten story apartment building. There are about a dozen apartments on each floor. With $300k I would just take over one whole floor for myself, making all of those apartments into one unit. I would have a huge living room with a 50 inch TV, a nice library, a huge kitchen with all the bells & whistles and every gadget one could imagine, a big ol’ porch/veranda, a bathroom four times as big as what I have now, & atleast three bedrooms.
What are some boring games or sports and how can they be livened up??
When I think of boring sports my mind immediately goes to soccer. They say it is the most popular sport in the world, but I just don’t get it. Off the top of my head the 
first thing I would change is the size if the field. A soccer field can be 100–130 yards long & 50–100 yards wide. I would suggest a standard field size of 100 yards long & 50 yards wide. I would reduce the number of players on each team from 11 to 7. Let’s also reduce the length of each game from 45 minutes per half to 30 minutes, divided further into four quarters. As opposed to current rules my revised soccer format would have the clock stopping each time a ball goes out of bounds. We’d also get rid of the yellow card & red card stuff and just call fouls/penalties, with each player allowed three penalties before being disqualified from the game. When a player is eliminated no substitution would occur, effectively giving the opposing team a “power play” for the remainder of the game. New overtime rules would eliminate “extra time” and skip right to a 3 on 3 sudden death. “Stoppage time” needs to be eliminated altogether. And finally…as silly as it may seem…let’s talk about team names. The United States’ pro soccer league has teams like FC Dallas, Minnesota United FC, & Sporting Kansas City, while the English Premier League has Arsenal & West Ham United. No…just no. A sports team needs a nickname, with a mascot. Lions…Tigers…Bears…oh my!!
What do you like to do that is traditionally considered feminine??
Shopping
What’s the weirdest thing you used to eat as a child??
I wish my mother was still with us because I’m sure she’d remember such things much better than I do, but off the top of my head I do recall eating mayonnaise sandwiches. No meat. No cheese. Just Miracle Whip slathered on a piece of bread. I suppose that’s kind of weird.
What small stuff do you always sweat??
Every single day of my working life…in every job that I have had…I have feared getting fired. I know I am a good employee. I show up on time, do what needs to be done, treat colleagues & everyone else with respect, and put in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay…but the paranoia about being fired does not ever go away.
If you could add 4 hours to your day, what would you spend that 4 hours doing??
Sadly, nothing exciting. I’d probably just read or watch TV more…possibly get some extra sleep.
What state / city would you like to move to??
Part of me will always believe that I should have moved somewhere right out of college or soon thereafter. I am intrigued by the idea of moving to Pittsburgh, PA because it is only two hours from my hometown so I’d still be relatively close to family, plus I’m a huge Steelers/Pirates/Penguins fan so the thought of going to those games on a regular basis is intriguing. However, if I were to move the smart thing would be to go south…the Carolinas or Florida. Living near the beach might be fun. Anywhere warm where I don’t have to be concerned with ice & snow all that much during the winter, and someplace where there is culture & plenty of entertainment options. Having said all of that, the reality is that, at this point in my life, if I’ve not relocated by now it is very unlikely that I ever will.
What are some websites you used to use all the time but have stopped using??
Well, everybody stopped using MySpace when Facebook came along lol. Aside from that,
Who would be the worst celebrity to have dinner with??
Unlike many people I am really not into the whole celebrity idol worship thing. I respect their talent and appreciate their movies, songs, TV shows, etc., but the older I get the weirder Hollywood becomes, so it’d be easier to come up with a small list of stars that I would be interested in having dinner with. I have zero interest in any contact with the majority of them.
Assuming that any people or animals made it out safely already, what one thing would you most want to save if your house caught fire??
My books…as many as possible.
Where have you traveled??
Unfortunately I haven’t traveled much at all. I live in West Virginia. I’ve been to Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Charlotte NC, and a few places in Ohio & Kentucky. That’s it. I’ve never been on a plane, ship, or train. At this point in my life there are only a few places that I’d really love to visit…Vegas, the beach, New York City. If I’d suddenly come into some serious cash I wouldn’t mind taking a cruise or visiting Europe (specifically Italy & England).
What obscure website do you absolutely love??
Online Onslaught & 411mania, which are for pro wrestling fans. And of course The Manofesto.
What random acts of extreme kindness would you like to see??
Well, if anyone wants to give me a big ol’ wad of money so that I can travel a bit more that’d be really kind.
When was the last time you remember someone doing or saying something so stupid that you were sure it was a joke??
Just turn on CNN or MSNBC lol…you’ll find comical stupidity on a daily basis.
If you could go back in time and inspire someone to make a present-day invention, what invention in what time period would advance humanity the most??
Here’s a radical thought. What if The Internet would have been around in the early 1900’s?? Would enhanced communication have prevented two World Wars?? It’s an interesting idea to ponder.
What’s your favorite board or card game?? How about your least favorite??
I love both board games & card games. My grandmother taught me how to play rummy when I was a kid, and it’s pretty fun. I like poker & blackjack. I love Scrabble & Trivial Pursuit.
What was the worst thing you ever tasted??
Escargot
If you were a ghost, how would you haunt??
I’d like to think I’d be a friendly ghost, so I would “haunt” in such a way that the person (most likely a friend or loved one) would know I was there but would understand that I mean no harm.
What’s one small thing you could do each day that would greatly improve your life??
Eat healthier
What would be the last movie you’d like to see before you die??
There are a lot of movies that I love, so it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. I suppose I’d have to choose one of my favorite Christmas films.
What two things are you most passionate about??
Aside from my family, in general I’d have to say movies & sports.
What must be seen or experienced in person to really appreciate it??
I would really like to visit The Grand Canyon. That seems like something that needs to be seen in person.
What common ingredient or spice do you despise??
Anything spicy. My body just can’t handle spicy.
What celebrities are most likely to be jerks??
I’m guessing most of them.
How well can you explain how a car works??
I am NOT a car guy. Not at all.
What’s the first thing that you think when see a homeless person??
Obviously I feel a certain level of empathy, and I can’t help but be curious as to what choices & calamities led them down this path.
What’s the most ridiculous tattoo you’ve ever seen??
I believe that any kind of tattoo is ridiculous.
If you were an actor, what kind of roles do you think you would be good at??
I would be the supportive & funny best friend. I believe that’d be right in my wheelhouse.
What’s currently legal but won’t be in ten or twenty years??
Cigarette smoking
What would you like to be the best in the world at doing??
Writing
What was fun to do once, but you’ll never do it again??
I smoked marijuana a few times in college and in my 20’s, but two decades later I doubt if I ever partake again.
If you could pick up any one instrument and instantly be a virtuoso at it, what instrument would you choose??
Guitar or piano
Would you volunteer to go colonize another planet if it meant you would never return to earth??
My gut instinct is no…but I’d be open-minded enough to hear my options.
What would be the worst store to have a $1000 gift card for??
For me personally it would either be a smoking/tobacco shop or any kind of women’s clothing store. I don’t smoke and I don’t have a wife/girlfriend or daughter, so the gift card would be a complete waste.
What’s something you’re surprised no one has figured out how to do yet??
Flying cars!! Back to the Future II promised us flying cars by 2015.
What’s your creative outlet??
Writing
Who’s famous for their talent, but really shouldn’t be??
Almost anyone on “reality TV”.
If you could add one rule that everyone must follow when they use the internet, what would your rule be??
I would impose a fifteen minute waiting period before posting emotional responses on social media.
What have you really wanted to do for a long time but haven’t done yet??
I have wanted to travel to Las Vegas for atleast a decade or longer, but I hesitate to go alone and can’t get anyone else to go with me.
What activity or hobby is so filled with hateful people that it puts you off trying it??
I suppose we could categorize any kind of social activism as a hobby, but it’s just not my thing. People who are caught up in causes like animal rights, environmentalism, or any other kind of sociopolitical protests strike me as a bit full of themselves and the kind of individuals who take everything way too seriously.
What’s the best part of your day??
Anytime I get to hang out & snuggle with my dog Rocco is just awesome. He’s so laid back & easy to take care of. He enjoys be held and talked to, and I can do that.
What language do you like the sound of even though you don’t know how to speak it??
Italian. I did take a couple of years of Italian in high school and recall a few words & phrases, but definitely wouldn’t say that I know how to speak the language.
What’s your favorite movie from each genre??
It depends on how you categorize movie genres. I spent a few years writing about my 100 Favorite Movies. Check out the complete list.
What news headline would you most like to see??
“West Virginia Man Wins Billion Dollar Lottery”. That man would be me…obviously.
If you could run away from it all and start fresh somewhere new, would you??
Speaking of immense wealth…
I have this fantasy of coming into a ton of money and then faking my own death. I would essentially go off the grid and hole up in a secluded mansion in a tropical locale. But then I’d travel incognito whenever I felt the urge to do so. So basically I’m not as much interested in starting anew as much as I am having the freedom & means to completely disengage.
If you were given $10,000 to throw an amazing party, gathering, or event, what would that look like??
It would either be a New Year’s Eve bash or a Super Bowl party. I’m not really into loud music or dancing or acting like a crazy teenager, so it would probably be a relaxed yet classy affair with plenty of great food, a low key band, & maybe a few theme related activities.
When was the last time you felt completely out of the loop??
I feel out of the loop a lot. It’s been a lifelong running theme. I used to be bothered by it, but the older I get the less I care. Being out of the loop means less responsibility for me, and that’s perfectly fine.
What’s something you boycott but don’t make a big deal of boycotting??
I am not generally a boycott kind of person, but in the past year I have stopped watching late night television for various reasons. I used to love late night TV, but with Carson, Leno, Letterman, Snyder, & Ferguson all gone it’s just not the same anymore. I can’t stand Colbert or Kimmel. Conan, Meyers, & Corden are irrelevant. I used to like Fallon but not anymore. It’s not necessarily a boycott as much as a conscious decision that those shows are no longer worthy of my time & attention.
Okay, that’s it…for now. There is another round of questions that I’ll post whenever I get around to answering them. Until then…God bless & thanks for stopping by.
Cambridge University. Hawking was considered one of the most intelligent people in the world, but famously suffered from Lou Gehrig’s Disease (aka ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) from the age of 21. At the time he was given two years to live, but defied the odds by sticking around until he was 76 years old.
forever.”, which seems like a rather respectful tribute in my humble opinion. However, The Thought Police reigned down swift & harsh judgment upon Gal Gadot. She was accused of being an “ableist”, which is apparently someone who discriminates against those of us with disabilities. People implored that we “don’t describe Stephen Hawking as having overcome his disability” and opined that we shouldn’t “talk about Stephen Hawking’s disability like it was a tragedy because it wasn’t…disabilities are not tragedies.” Some pointed out that Hawking’s illness “didn’t stop him from changing the world”, which is a fair point. It was also stated that “people with disabilities don’t wish for death to be free of their challenges…we wish to be valued for what we can do, not pitied for we can’t”, which is true. Another keyboard warrior said that “disablement is not shameful, bigotry is”, while someone else added that “the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 70-80% and the idea that disabilities are scary things to be freed from is a big reason why.” Someone whimsically opined that “with a mind like his he had no physical constraints…he took trips through space, time, & dimensions that we could not even imagine”, which must mean that I can cancel my plans to someday vacation in Hawaii because since I’ve already dreamed about it in my mind that’s just as good as actually being there.
ounce of common sense ought to be able to strike the right balance. Stephen Hawking did overcome his disability and changed the world, accomplishments for which he should be celebrated. Using his God given talents he was able to make contributions that are valued…something that not everyone can say about their life, whether they are disabled or not. I am quite sure that folks felt a sense of pity toward him, but many more had enormous respect for his intellect, skill, & scientific influence. Yet, despite all of that, the fact is that he did have physical constraints. Anyone who disputes that is being obstinate & irrational. What I always say about myself is that my disability does not define me but it is an undeniable part of me. Gal Gadot simply acknowledged the facts of Stephen Hawking’s life, but at the same time she also recognized his “brilliance & wisdom”. I’m not sure how anyone could take issue with that.
somewhat befuddled by post-strike reactions from a number of parents. Some actually asked…after their children had missed nine days of school already…if the youngsters were still going to be given a spring break. Others were irate that the school calendar will now extend into the second week of June because they’ve already booked a beach vacation. A few have stated an intention to pull their children out of school because the strike wasn’t their fault and they shouldn’t have to pay for it. Seriously?? A few years ago an acquaintance who happened to be a teacher from another state but had recently moved to West Virginia expressed her astonishment at the complete lack of appreciation or concern with education by the citizens here, and she was spot on in her assessment. It isn’t surprising that The Mountain State ranks almost dead last in nearly every positive economic, educational, health, & general lifestyle category while hovering near the top of many undesirable rankings. Ignorance and an aptitude for self-destruction are as much a part of our civic DNA as pepperoni rolls, coal mining, & Country Roads.
I have on occasion half-jokingly stated a desire to fake my own death and go off the grid…just me, Rocco, great books, & Internet access. Of course I would never actually do such a thing, mostly out of love & respect for my family, but also because I lack the means & knowledge to pull it off. However, I am increasingly enamored with the idea of disengaging as much as possible from society. I have become so disappointed with people who I care about proving just how little they think of me. How is it alright to not call someone for an entire year and then begin taking passive-aggressive, sanctimonious pot shots at them on social media?? Why is it acceptable to use someone when you’re at a low point in life and need a shoulder to cry on or an ego boost, but when your issues diminish and everything is hunky dory you just toss that person aside like garbage?? I don’t have any answers, but the questions and the situations that cause one to ponder them are soul-crushing. I’m not innocent. I am quite sure that I have carelessly instigated sorrow to others, but that just reinforces my desire to extricate myself from The Matrix. I don’t want to hurt anyone, and I’m damn sure tired of people frivolously disregarding me.
wearing ribbons indicates you mean business)?? Obviously everyone agrees that mass shootings and violence of any kind is not good, but I’ve just never understood protests & boycotts. I’m sure one could find some that have been effective, but my perception is that such examples are rare. And I am especially troubled by protests against Constitutional rights for which our forefathers fought a Revolution. I believe we’ve made an error indulging these children, and I don’t think that misstep is a recent development. American society has been mollycoddling youngsters for atleast a couple of decades instead of giving them the skills & knowledge necessary to successfully navigate life, and now we’re seeing the fruits of that misguided strategery, including…ironically…the violence that they are protesting against.
It is with heavy heart we announce that this weekend’s performances of Barnum are cancelled. We are so thankful for the support we have received from our community, and nothing can take away all that we have learned and experienced while preparing for this show. It was beautiful, and if you can take a moment to do so, please see it in your heart.
channel surfing one day I happened to catch her warm tribute to Rev. Billy Graham, who had just passed away. What she shared about her relationship with Jesus Christ was one of the best testimonies I’ve ever heard, and it truly touched my heart. But then…a day or two later…I was again channel surfing, and decided to check out her show, which is the fourth hour of NBC’s Today and was being co-hosted by President Bush’s daughter Jenna Bush Hager. And what was the first thing the two ladies did?? They imbibed a big ol’ cocktail (quite strong according to them)…at 10 o’clock in the morning. Now far be it for me to cast the first stone, because I’m sure there are enough people that’d line up to enumerate my many flaws, but it struck me just how easily we can harm our Christian witness. Here is a woman that just a day or two before had made a powerful statement about loving Jesus, and now she was getting liquored up on national television. It is a learning opportunity, and a reminder that what we say & do represents us, our families, and our Lord & Savior, so we need to be mindful about representing those entities well.
shooting in Parkland, FL. When such a tragedy occurs reactions of all varieties are plentiful, although it generally boils down to gun control advocates versus defenders of The Second Amendment. However, no matter which side of that debate a response may be on, the fact is that they are oftentimes emotional & extreme, which is understandable to a degree. The aftermath of any kind of mass shooting inevitably raises the question “Why??”, with answers leading to discussions about gun control, mental health, & the decay of morality in society. What tends to get lost in the midst of arguments about the larger issues are the specifics of the particular incident itself, and in this case that would be a huge mistake, because this time the question of “Why??” seems to have some very clear answers. It is obvious that protections & preventative measures on multiple levels failed miserably and cost 17 people their lives. I have a tremendous amount of respect for law enforcement and feel like they’ve gotten an undeserved bad rap the last several years, but in this situation to say 
that both the FBI & local police “dropped the ball” would be a glib understatement. And as usual the media can be counted on to stir the pot. I understand that it’s a story they have to cover, but I have an issue with using teenagers to advance a political agenda. I’m trying hard not to blame the kids, although it seems like some of them have been pretty quick to get in front of as many television cameras as possible, which doesn’t strike me as a normal reaction. I am by no means a firearms expert, but I know enough to recognize the half-truths & lies of omission that the press uses to spin a story, and I’m knowledgeable enough to realize that too many people reporting on this & similar heartbreaking events are either quite ignorant about guns or blatantly lie to highlight their biased viewpoint.
There’s a rather cynical maxim that states something to the effect that most people don’t care about your problems and some are glad that you have them. While I can’t relate to the idea of being happy about other peoples’ difficulties I completely appreciate the first half of the statement. On one hand I’d like to think that anyone I know would feel comfortable asking for assistance or advice about a legit issue, but on the other hand the older I get the less patience I have with those for whom complaining is a daily sport. Life is one continuous drama for such individuals, and while I am sympathetic to a point one has to draw the line somewhere. We all have bad days, but some folks need to reexamine their life and make more of an effort not to be such a Debbie Downer to those in their orbit.
victim and/or the writer. She says that he performed oral sex on her and she reciprocated, “but not for long…it was really quick”. She says that he kept asking her where she wanted him to…well, you know (I’m trying to keep this as family friendly as possible)…and she “found the question tough to answer because she says she didn’t want to at all”. And you know what?? Long story short…they didn’t have sex. He eventually got the message and even called the woman an Uber. Look, I’m not going to full on defend Aziz Ansari. He sounds like a 19 year old frat boy, but is in fact a 30-something man with a relatively successful career. Surely he should aim higher in his…recreational activities. That being said, he isn’t a mind reader. I don’t want to hear this “non-verbal cues” crap, especially when the woman actually gave him a Lewinsky. Back in the 80’s First Lady Nancy Reagan promoted “Just Say No” as an anti-drug program, but it works just as well when it comes to sex. What the alleged victim describes sounds like hundreds of drunken hook-ups that happen every weekend across the globe, and when she finally made it clear that she didn’t want to take things any further (it’s amazing how much easier it became to communicate when her mouth wasn’t full) he backed off. She apparently told him “you guys are all the same”, which would seem to indicate that this wasn’t her first rodeo. One article I read sums up the situation perfectly: “Assault is not a feeling. Discomfort is a feeling. Embarrassment, hurt, and anger are all feelings…but assault has to have an objective definition because of the legal and social ramifications that come with it. When we act as though disrespect, harassment, assault, and rape are all different words for the same thing, the conversation starts to lose its legitimacy.” Men can be horny creeps…no one is denying that. But when we start to lump in every circumstance where a guy was being a jackass & a woman did things but felt bad about them afterward together with actual rape & assault then we’ve crossed over to the wrong side of a slippery slope.
and that’s okay. However, as a general rule I believe in doing what needs to be done, doing it right the first time, & doing whatever it is to the best of your ability. There are those that talk a good game, that like to boast about how hard they work & how much they do for others, but the proof is in the pudding and the truth is that some of those people seem to talk a whole lot more than they work.
time to watch their favorite shows and make copious use of their DVRs when they can’t be home. Nons are totally oblivious about big events like season finales and naively call friends or visit neighbors just when that person’s show is on and a huge reveal is about to occur or a long simmering mystery is on the verge of being solved. TVPs engage in social media discussions about their favorite shows and know a slightly disturbing amount of trivia about actors, characters, & storylines. Nons don’t understand how TVPs can get so caught up in such frivolous entertainment that does nothing to help them improve their station in life, while TVPs are shocked to find out that Nons don’t even own a television and have never heard of many of the most popular sitcoms, police procedurals, or trashy soap operas. I don’t believe that either are bad people, and think that balance is important. Television is a perfectly valid source of entertainment, but look at it like an investment portfolio where putting all of your eggs into one basket is rarely a good idea. Develop varied interests. Pursue other hobbies. Read books. Listen to music. Go outside occasionally. If you’re a Non don’t be too judgmental of TVPs, and think about dropping a few bucks on a nice television. The world can be a pretty tough place sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with a little escapism. Laugh. Get caught up in a fictional story to the point that it stirs your emotions. Stimulate your imagination. It’s okay to loosen up & have some fun.
Don’t you just hate when real life interferes with your faux awards show?? To refresh your memory please go back and check out 
ready with some lame jokes and ample complaints about the cold weather.
To present our next award please welcome a former Sammys host and the straw that stirs the drink on the long running syndicated game show Family Feud…Steve Harvey!! And the nominees are:
unforgettable. None are deserving of an award. We won’t be watching any of them on a lazy, rainy weekend two decades from now. Hollywood needs to stop being social justice warriors and put their deviant & divisive agendas aside. When a person pays their hard earned money for a ticket and sits down in a darkened theater with their popcorn, candy, & vat of soda they don’t give a damn about inclusiveness, tolerance, awareness, diversity, carbon footprints, empowerment, gender fluidity, safe spaces, or white privilege. Everyone may not agree on what makes a film great, but the desire for a quality, fun, outstanding moviegoing experience is universal amongst all sexes, races, political party lines, economic & educational levels, religious affiliations, & ethnicities. There are talented people out there on The Left Coast…brilliant actors, gifted writers, creative directors. We’ve all witnessed them produce splendid & treasured classics that we watch year after year, decade after decade, thru multiple generations. 2017 wasn’t a good year for them or us.
To present our penultimate award we are pleased to welcome to the stage an actor best remembered for his role as Chachi Arcola in the fabled 70’s & 80’s sitcom Happy Days as well as a 2008 reality show that lasted an epic eight episodes. Please give a delightful round of applause to Scott Baio!! And the nominees are:
many people that they simply cannot be overlooked. It is important to remember that just because the news cycle moves on to other stories and these disasters are no longer in the headlines that doesn’t mean that it’s over. Entire lives are destroyed…houses gone, businesses lost, & memories washed away forever. It takes many folks months or even years to get back to any semblance of normalcy. So keep the citizen of Houston, Puerto Rico, Cuba, et al in your prayers, and if you have a few charitable dollars burning a hole in your pocket I’m pretty sure there are still entities taking donations.
To present our final award please welcome the First Daughter of the United States and a lively & bellicose former White House press secretary. Give a 
cordial yet pensive welcome to Ivanka Trump and Sean Spicer!! This is a special first time ever award and there is only one nominee & recipient.
him as a serious candidate at the time. Then he went out and won the Republican nomination. Suddenly things got real very quickly, but even then the prevailing assumption was that he could not defeat Hillary Clinton in the election…until he did. Then finally he was inaugurated & took office in January 2017, and as the kids used to say, it was on like Donkey Kong. Even the inauguration was controversial, with various singers refusing to perform and disputes over the size of the crowd, as if that’s what matters to anyone with a brain. Right after the inauguration there was a Women’s March in DC where actress Ashley Judd and several others put their mental & emotional problems front & center for the world to see. There’s been an ongoing investigation trying to link Trump to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, with no legitimate results…just the continued inane ramblings of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and others of her ilk. Then of course there was President Trump’s attempt at a “travel ban”, something that has been done before by other Presidents but was clumsily executed by his administration and predictably mocked by the media. I stopped paying attention but I’m pretty sure repeated attempts to put the ban in place have failed. Trump is criticized for almost everything he does, and his social media presence doesn’t help. A President being able to bypass the press and take his message directly to the people on a daily basis is fairly new for everybody, and the fact that he has no filter (and apparently no one in the White House to gently steer him away from trouble) has been entertaining, though not always in a good way. I’ve also never seen so much turnover in an administration in its first year. I’m sure it’s not unprecedented for a person to accept a job at the White House or in the cabinet and then resign within a few months, but it happened A LOT in 2017. At any rate, whether you love him or hate him it is indisputable that Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States, dominated the news cycle in 2017, and for that he has earned our first ever award for Person of the Year.
Welcome back to the 2017 Sammy Awards. If you missed 
be right here waiting patiently for your return, and then we will continue taking a fun look back at the previous year.
old man who still thinks an app is something one eats before the main meal. He’s a legendary comedian and star of films like The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, & City Slickers, as well as the nine time host of The Academy Awards and a former host of The Sammys. The man is a national treasure, and we are happy to welcome back Billy Crystal!! And the nominees are:
not sure that Word Cookies improves vocabulary since most of the words you find are rather short & very basic, but I’m on board with the spelling & concentration benefits. It’d be unfair to call it mindless fun. However, it doesn’t feel like there’s unnecessary effort involved…I actually find playing it very soothing. Word Cookies is exactly the sort of time waster that’s not a complete waste of time that all phone apps should aspire to be.
Before we continue with the awards we have time for another exciting musical interlude. We are turnt to welcome to the stage a five time Grammy winner who has raised the roof during two Super Bowl halftime shows. Get up on your feet and show some love for Bruno Mars!!
two brand new comedy specials on Netflix, which we are contractually obligated to mention as recompense for his appearance on this show. Please give a warm welcome to the allegedly funny Dave Chappelle!! And the nominees are:
Lord split you.
To present our next award it is our pleasure to introduce two of our favorite performers. She is the star of films like Mean Girls, Wedding Crashers, & The Family Stone, 
while he is an SNL alum who has hosted talk shows, been in a few movies, and has had a long & successful career as a stand-up comedian. Please welcome Rachel McAdams & Dennis Miller!! And the nominees are:
Our next award is a very special honor for a long time presence on our show. To make the presentation please welcome comedian & master impressionist Frank Caliendo!!
Perhaps the truth is a concoction of those and other reasons. Greeny & Golic publicly put to rest any rumors of a rift between the two of them, and unless they are gifted actors on par with Al Pacino & Tom Hanks I have no reason to doubt that claim. I think they were more upset about how the situation was handled, which isn’t surprising given how poorly ESPN has dealt with various other matters recently. At any rate, Mike & Mike was nominated for six Sammys over the years, winning four straight at one point. I believe I once called it “comfort food television”, because watching two guys discuss sports (with a healthy dose of pop culture & general merriment on occasion) for four hours was a fantastic way to begin the morning. Golic is now doing essentially the same show with Trey Wingo, while Greeny will be getting a TV only program called Get Up beginning in April with co-hosts Michelle Beadle & Jalen Rose. I like Golic & Wingo just fine, though it is…thus far…a tepid reproduction of Mike & Mike, while I’m not at all excited about Get Up since neither Beadle nor Rose frost my cupcake. It’s all about chemistry, and Mike & Mike was lightning in a bottle. Greeny & Golic complemented one another spectacularly. There were times when the first thing I did when I woke up or returned home from my midnight shift was turn on Mike & Mike to get their take on the latest sports news. Since it ended a couple of months ago my television now usually stays off until much later in the morning. Kudos to all involved for creating great memories and producing something entertaining & informative enough to spend time on at 6am. Mike & Mike is greatly missed, and I feel like ESPN made a huge mistake.
After some humorous opening remarks from our host this year’s show begins with a musical performance. Because we’re not worried about being hip, cool, lit, or woke it is a huge honor to welcome to the stage…singing a medley of some of his biggest hits…rock music icon Billy Joel!!
though most understood that it probably wasn’t going to be that competitive. And then lo & behold it went ten rounds. Whether you believe that McGregor is really skilled enough to have legitimately kept up with Mayweather for that long or if you take the cynical view that Mayweather made a conscious business decision to allow the fight to last as long as it did doesn’t really matter. The fact is that everyone involved laughed all the way to the bank, and most fans probably don’t regret the time or money they spent. Everybody wins.
To present a very special award please welcome an Emmy nominated & Golden Globe winning comedian & actor, the star of television hits Home Improvement and Last Man Standing as well as films like Toy Story, Galaxy Quest, & The Santa Clause…Tim Allen!!
Moon, flirtatious producer Roz Doyle, bombastic sports radio host Bulldog, oddball co-workers Gil & Noel, and a host of others…came into our living rooms. Frasier Crane had already been with us for a decade, originally appearing on Cheers. Though Frasier was technically a spinoff of Cheers the two shows are very different, albeit similarly well written & both very funny. It may seem blasphemous to some, but I must admit to loving Frasier even more than Cheers. Whereas Cheers took place in a bar, Frasier was about a family, and specifically about an educated, cultured man dealing with all manner of frustrating madness surrounding him. I always felt very connected to Frasier, so it has been a delight this past year to be able to watch a plethora of reruns, usually very late at night, on Hallmark. And they don’t just air one or two episodes. There is…I believe…a three hour block almost every night. I’m not always up that late (or early, depending on one’s perspective), but when I am awake and in a channel surfing mood it is always a pleasure to run across one of my favorite sitcoms of all time. The show has aged remarkably well, and I appreciate the skillfully scripted dialogue & talented cast even more now than I did two decades ago. I’ve reached a point in my life where I don’t feel compelled to check out every new TV show that pops up. Most of them don’t seem like my cup o’ tea anyway. Fortunately I am alive in an era when it is fairly easy to go back and enjoy programs of yesteryear that I know I enjoy. Kudos to Hallmark for introducing a whole new generation to the exquisite charm of Frasier, and a tip of the cap to all involved for creating a show that has stood the test of time.
starred in films like Be Cool, Get Smart, Baywatch, & numerous entries in the Fast & Furious franchise. Do you smell what he’s cookin’?? FINALLY…Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come to The Sammy Awards!! And the nominees are:
ESPN is bleeding money and a contributing factor to declining attendance & TV ratings. The fact is that Colin Kaepernick is a marginally talented quarterback who is no longer worth the baggage that accompanies him…baggage that he created. The fact is that, while there are bad cops out there because there is incompetence in any & all professions, the vast majority of police officers do a fantastic job and should be praised for the dangerous work they do protecting all of us. The fact is that, while there are people that are erroneously & tragically killed by police officers, the odds are that anyone…black, white, Hispanic, Oriental, Middle Eastern, & any other hue one can think of…anyone who finds themselves in the presence of a police officer with a weapon has most likely put themselves in that situation. That’s not to say that those people deserve to be 
murdered…not at all. But you’ll never drown if you don’t go in the water and you won’t get burnt of you steer clear of fire. So if you’re living life right, obeying the law, & not causing a ruckus there is very little chance that you’ll be shot by a cop. There are 32 NFL teams. With 53 Players on each roster that’s nearly 1700 players. Of those, nearly 900 are convicted felons, which is over half the league. So while I admire their skill & athleticism and enjoy watching them play, forgive me if I have very little regard for their opinions on more serious matters.
I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship lately. My father has always taught me that if a person is fortunate enough to have one true friend in their life they are blessed. I’ve agreed with him in a courteous son sort of way, yet as a child of the 80’s who watched too many sitcoms and a person with a neurotic desire for everyone to like me I always aimed higher. But as I’ve segued into middle age it has become clear that Dad always has been, as usual, right on the money. The truth is that most people are merely cordial acquaintances, work colleagues, fellow church parishioners, or pleasant neighbors. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things…they all serve a lovely purpose. The vast majority drift in & out of our lives as the wind blows. Even some who we might have considered friends fade away into the ether. Life takes folks in different directions…physically, emotionally, intellectually, ethically, spiritually. The ties that once bound us together sometimes break…or perhaps gently dissolve…and eventually we come to the realization that we’ve changed, they’ve changed, and there’s not much common ground anymore. My need for everyone to like me has diminished, tempered by a general apathy toward scurrying after people, jumping thru pointless hoops, or compromising my principles to satisfy others. I am who I am…blemishes included. The same can be said for most everyone else. If two people can look past such deficiencies and still maintain a bond that’s awesome, but the reality is that such relationships are rare.
Have you heard about this “church” in Ames, IA?? The 
Christianity”, a direct contradiction of multiple scriptures that teach that there is only one true God, Jesus Christ is who He says he is and doesn’t change with the times (Hebrews 13:8), loving God means that we keep His commandments (1 John 5:3), and that Christians are to be peculiar & different from the sinful world. God hasn’t changed. Heck, not even Satan has changed. It is humanity that has changed. At any rate, kudos to Ms. Johnston for never backing down and putting herself in the line of fire to stand up for God & His Word. I’m not much of an activist myself…it’s just not in my nature. However, I applaud those with the fortitude to jump into the fray.
I am beginning to wrap my head around the reality that part of my purpose in life is to build people up in small ways, to be there for them at low moments. I’m not a rah rah motivational cheerleader kind of guy, but sometimes folks just need a sympathetic ear, nice compliment, keen insight, or moment of levity, and I excel at those things. The seedy underbelly of this…skill…is that in good times…when everything is going alright in their lives…people don’t need me and I am easily tossed aside, like the junk mail that the postman stuffs into your box every day. It is certainly an unpleasant pill to swallow, but what choice do I have??
*I’m not going to defend former President George HW Bush, but to compare a senile 90 year old man in a wheelchair playing grabass with the legit harassment that others have inflicted is asinine and reeks of desperation. It’s a false equivalency.
*There are a few issues with nearly 60 year old Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey “coming out”. First, I thought sexual preference was biological and not a choice?? Atleast that’s what promoters of the agenda have always proclaimed. So we are supposed to believe that Spacey has always known “his truth”, but chose to hide it, even in a modern society that not only accepts but celebrates such lifestyles?? This isn’t Rock Hudson in the 1950’s. Strange things are afoot at the Circle K. Either Spacey is ashamed of who he is and has no gay pride, or all of this is a convenient cover for his unearthed pedophilia. Both possibilities are disrespectful to many groups of people.
like a total assclown with the hostess, becoming all touchy feely with her and generally being the worst drunken frat boy stereotype one could imagine. But the most interesting part of the video to me is when Affleck very plainly pokes fun at handicapped people, specifically those with cerebral palsy. Wasn’t making fun of handicapped people a horrible atrocity less than a year ago?? Again though, apparently if a person leans to the correct side of the political spectrum anything they say or do is completely acceptable. Funny how that works.
Greetings citizens. Welcome to the conclusion of this little Pinterest inspired trilogy. It has crossed my mind that no one other than myself is likely to be interested in my answers to these questions, but by the time that thought occurred to me I was in too deep to back out, so I figured I may as well see it through. Plus, as previously mentioned, this exercise has been quite therapeutic & entertaining for me, as much as those two things can intersect. I probably could say that for most everything available here at The Manofesto. For me there is a gratifying serenity in the writing process that I cannot find in any other activity. So to those who have read anything here over the past several years, and to anyone who comes here regularly for whatever reason, a robust “thank you” from the bottom of my heart, because I know my taste in subject matter can be rather eclectic. If you haven’t read the first two parts of this project you can do so 
life & who I am, but that doesn’t mean I am unwilling to grow & evolve. I have tried to become more aware of how I present myself to others and how I may be perceived, and that has challenged me to change because it occurred to me that perhaps I am not always as nice & friendly as I think I am. That’s not necessarily a bad thing in some situations because oftentimes people will take advantage of kindness. There are times when one must stand up for what’s right & important. However, I want to be more…tranquil. I would love to be the type of calm, peaceful, gentle presence that examples Christ and attracts people like a magnet because they need that kind of serenity & wisdom in their life. I don’t want to argue & debate others about worldly concerns. I don’t want anyone to run in the other direction because of my insensitivity. I need to be known by the right fruits…the fruits of the spirit.
has increased that tendency. So there isn’t any worry or concern or physical issue that keeps me up at night. It’s more of a lifestyle trend that I’ve been able to sustain for several years.
developed my core socio-political principles and they happened to conflict with the beliefs of my parents & community. On a more personal level recognition of certain things has been more of a slow progression. I feel like I let the best years of my life slip by while others were out doing & achieving. One day it’s ‘Oh I’m in no hurry. I’ve got time.”, and the next it’s “Holy cow…I’m running out of time.” For example, I always thought those that got married in their early to mid 20’s were too young. Obviously there is plenty of evidence to back up that perception…divorce, despair, misery. However, I know plenty of couples who are still together, and they’ve watched their children grow up, graduate high school & college, and get married. Many people my age are grandparents. So now many of those that I thought got married too young have full-fledged families, terrific memories, & happy lives. Meanwhile I am 45 years old and alone.
run out, but there is no expiration date on perception, and I prefer to keep my good name & reputation intact. At this point you are probably more curious than ever about what awful thing I may have done. I assure you I’ve not done anything THAT bad. I haven’t killed, kidnapped, raped, or robbed anyone. My parents raised me better than that.
lie”, like making an excuse for why I did or didn’t do something or saying that I did or didn’t do something when the opposite is true. And yes, I am aware that in the eyes of God a lie is a lie and that one should always be completely honest. It is not my goal to represent myself as flawless or innocent because I am far from it. But that is an issue to be hashed out between me and the Good Lord above. Meanwhile, all I can say is that, as a rule, I try to be an honest person.
Professionally & personally I believe that my life could have been so much better somewhere else. I’ve always justified the fear that caused me to stay by saying that “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”, but I don’t really believe that. I don’t know for sure that my life would have been fantastic if I would have moved to Pittsburgh or Florida or Texas or The Carolinas…but I should have taken the chance. Unfortunately I’ll never know what might have been because I never had the courage to take that step, and I regret that every day of my life.
many other folks. Family. Faith. The simple pleasures of the daily grind. I think sometimes we get too caught up in visions of grandeur. We want to make a big splash in the world, receiving accolades and the admiration of the masses in the process. In reality though most people just get out of bed every day, go to work, provide as best they can for their family, maybe try to have a little fun every once in awhile, and occasionally try to make a contribution to society. And really, what’s wrong with that?? Life isn’t a movie or TV show. There is no dramatic music in the background as we face the ups & downs of our lives. Most of us are just doing the best we can and try to be a positive presence to others. Shouldn’t that be enough??
what they don’t know. However, there is a baseline level of decency, common sense, knowledge, & behavior that I’ve come to expect from most people, and I have little patience for willful ignorance, lack of modesty, arrogance, dishonesty, & hypocrisy. I’m not sure what people look down on me for. I’m sure health conscious folks are appalled by my weight, the wealthy might ridicule my lack of resources, highly educated people might belittle my relatively insignificant bachelor’s degree, and I know for sure there are leftists out there that are disgusted by my conservative beliefs. So be it. Some people will like you, some will dislike you. Sometimes there may be a legitimate reason for a person’s disdain…but not always. Either way, be who you are. If there is something you can do to improve and be a better person then do it…but do it for you. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. If more people like you because of the change that’s just an added benefit.
when anyone is angry with me. In my younger days especially I would go out of my way to prevent conflict and repair any damage that may have occurred in a relationship. However, as I have gotten older I have come to understand that not everyone is going to like me for various reasons, and I’ve grown weary of falling on the sword if I know I’ve done nothing wrong. So, while I don’t make it a habit of burning bridges, neither will I go out of my way to cross them. My phone takes incoming calls just as easily as making outgoing calls.
disability, unsure of how some may perceive me and not wanting to be a burden in any situation. And I have the same self-loathing in regard to my physical appearance that many others share. However, no matter what sort of doubts or anxieties one may have I find it best to minimize such thoughts as much as possible and not let them become overwhelming. In the classic baseball film Bull Durham one of the characters opines that “the world is made for people who aren’t cursed with self-awareness”, which reminds me of the old saying “ignorance is bliss”. The happiest people I’ve ever known weren’t insecure, oftentimes because they didn’t know any better. It is only when we get caught up in trying to impress others or caring too much about what people think of us that we begin to doubt ourselves and worry that we can’t measure up.
year of college that would prepare me for the road ahead. That alone would undo most of the negative aspects of my adult life as I perceive them. I suppose it might also create a whole new set of problems, but nothing is perfect.
The Manofesto 