Where's the good news?

Open the newspaper or tune into the news and it seems all they have is bad news.  Every morning (so it seems) they start off the newscast with last evenings shootings. Then we have the people who were killed by drunk drivers, the gang violence, the fires and the co-sleeping deaths.  After that we head to the national news--natural diasters like earthquakes, tornadoes and wild fires.  There are wars going on.  Suicide bombers.  There are political uprisings all over the world.  People have lost jobs, and their homes.  Buinesses are going under, executives have massive golden parichutes.  Politicians are busy trying to destroy each other one minute while saying how much better than the other party they are the next.  The enviornment is shot.  People are hungry worldwide, but we don't have enough space for all the food.  Retirement is turning into a dream for many.

What I'd like to see for just one day on the news.  Nobody was murdered in the whole world today.  No shots were fired in anger.  Nobody died in a natural disaster. Nobody's house burned down.  Everyone has plenty to eat.  And the weather is beautiful, sunhine for all. 

Win the Lottery??

Well we are in the middle of Mega Millions madness.  They are predictiong that the jackpot is going to be $500,000 this Friday.  That's half a billion.  Billion with a B.  Yikes.  Somebody has actually done the math.  If you go with the lump sum, the Feds are getting $89,750,000 right off the top.  Here in Wisconsin, there is 7.5% taken off that.  You end up with $241,427,500.  Nice chunk of change.  If you go the annuity route you end up with $336, 249,992.  That's $12,932,692 per year for 26 years.  Don't know what JG Wentworth would do for you, you'd have to ask.

So what would you do, figuring you're the only winner of this jackpot?  I've thought about it.  I figure Cathie and I stop working.  Need to figure some cash to replace the earnings for another 10 years or so.  Then I figure there are some things I'd like to do and a few things I'd like to have.  Not a lot, but some things.  Pay off the house.  Make sure the kids are set up, and their kids (if they have any).  Would like to take care of some friends and family.  Can only imagine the people I haven't heard from in years who would be getting in touch.  Suppose you need to figure for inflation, and security.  I am feeling real loose with the money here, so I'll settle on $25 million to cover everything.  What are you going to do with the other $215,000,000 or so?

I'll tell you what.  I don't want it.  Think of the headaches.  Say so long to your neighbors.  Your neighborhood probably isn't safe enough for you to live in.  Wanna' go to the mall?  Good luck---maybe they can close it down for you.  Phone will be ringing off the hook.  Yeah, they can get that number too.  Out to dinner?  I don't think so.  You'd be watching behind your back all the time.  Worry about your kids now?  Remember J. Paul Getty III?  Look it up. 

If I were to win a giant lottery like this I'd be trying to get rid of most of it as fast as I can.  I imagine it is not cheap to give this kind of money away.  Lawyers, accountants.  I wouldn't just dump the money, I would want it to do good.  How?  Well, education is dear to us, so I suppose the local district would get a chunk.  I heard on the news this morning 8 of 10 school district are underfunded.  I'm sure this could help some.  Also would like to do something about the hungry kids.  Would try to figure some way where the money could do good over a long period of time, not just a one shot deal.  There a a lot of people out there with some good ideas, I'm sure that with some funding ideas could be put into action.  

I would hope that whoever wins this large stack of money does something to help others, not just drink and gamble and consume it away.  I hope.  Oh, and I'm in.

We'd better do something about this....

Recently some numbers have been tossed around in the news that have caught my attention.  I see that we are sending an additional 1.5 billion dollars to Egypt for defense.  President Obama is raising nearly 100 million dollars a month for his reelection.  I don't know how many millions the republicans and their super pacs have raised, but it is up their as well.  We spend over 960 billion dollars a year on defense.  The top 10 reciepients of US foreign aid get roughly 15 billion dollars.  The average compensation for a CEO in the S&P 500 is 12 million dollars a year.  Drew Brees feels disrespected because he will only earn 14 million under the franchaise tag.  Albert Pujols will make over $22,000 per plate apperance this season.  It goes up each succeeding season.  Simon Cowell will make 90 million.  So will Lady Gaga.  Lottery jackpots are regularly over $100 million.

Nearly 49 million Americans are hungry.  That is 1 in 6.  It's 1 in 5 for children. 4 million of the 49 million live above the poverty line.  50 million people don't have health insurance.  There are over one and a half million people in prisions in the US.  Our infrastructure is falling apart.  It will take over $2 billion to fix it.  Proposed spending cuts to education from the federal government of 20% are on the table.  College tuition at public institutions has gone up over 130% in the past 20 years.  Average income, over the past 20 years, adjusted for inflation, has gone down $400 per year.  The average college graduate has over $25,000 of debt at graduation.  More for grad school. 17 million college graduates work in jobs which require less than skill levels associated with a bachlor degree.  There are 12.8 unemployed in the US.  Who knows how many have stopped looking, or are underemployed.  The middle class is disappearing.  The share of middle income jobs in the US has declined from 52% in 1980 to 42% in 2010.  They have been replaced by low income jobs, which now make up 41% of the jobs.

I you draw your own conclusions from these numbers that are being tossed around.  Think about how you're doing.  How your kids and grand kids will do.  Here's an easy way to help out with childhood hunger-------www.childhungerendshere.com---just follow the link and if you happen to have a product they'll donate a meal.  Painless, and it'll make you feel good. 

What do you want for your children?

What do you want for your children?  I have thought about this often over the years.  When they were born all I wanted was for them to be healthy and have all their toes and fingers.  I wanted them to always feel safe, and to be well fed.  I wanted them to grow up with a childhood they would remember.  I wanted them to do well in school.  I wanted them to have friends.  I wanted them to have everything they needed  (not wanted) to be successful.  I wanted them to not worry about things.

And what is it I want for them now?  I think that parents have always wanted their children to have a better lifestyle than they did.  This is probably a worldwide trait--for the most part I think.  My biggest fear is that this isn't going to happen.  I think that the middle class is shrinking, and it's not a good world when things get worse instead of better.  So here is what I want for my kids.  Of course, I want them to graduate from college, and to find careers that they are happy with.  I want them to have more friends than they can count. I want them to always have enough, and to know what that is.  I want them to not worry so much about material things.  I want them to be able to travel.  I want them to be challenged.  I want them to be compassionate, to help others ( reminds me of an old Kennedy quote--something like "To those who much is given, much is expected".). I want them to live in a peaceful world.  I want them to find that special person, the one they can't live without--and when they do to love like crazy. I want them to know they are loved.

Old friends

Old Friends

I saw Tom yesterday, an ex-coworker and pretty much all around good guy.  He greeted me "Hello old friend".  Now I consider Tom a friend but I got to wondering if I consider him an old friend.

When I think of old friend, I think of someone I have known for a long time.  I have cintact with absolutly nobody that I went to grade school with.  We moved when I was in the seventh grade, and I never kept in touch with anyone.  My childhood best friend moved away when we were in the fourth grade.  Talked to him once when I was in college, but that's it.  I did find him on Facebook, but I have no idea what you say to someone you haven't talked to in 45 years.

I don't have any friends from high school.  I see one guy I went to high school with almost everyday, but we are not really friends.  We're friendly, but that's about it.  I have been to a reunion.  It was my ONE year high school reunion.  It was the last time I've seen some of those people.  I live within 15 miles of the high school.  I get out and about.  You'd think I'd at least run into someone....

I do have friends from college!  Met these people about 33 or 34 years ago.  Old Friends!  Dugan, Dan and Russ, Shoobie and Mose.  I spent a lot of time with these guys (along  with some others).  We shared all kinds of stuff.  Don't see them near as much as I'd like, but a little distance and families and jobs will do that.  Still have a great time when we get together.

I guess that brings me to my neighbors and friends in the Falls.  We've been out here for 18 years now, and I've acquired some pretty good friends here.  Jim and Dave, Dan and Brian, probably would all be considered old friends.There are a lot of others I'd call friends, but these guys (and their wives!) I'd call old friends. 

What I guess I'm trying to say is that an old friend is really a good friend.  Probably someone you can go to when you need something, or question something or want to share memories.  Old friends are probably the best friends--as Roger Miller said (sang)  Lord when all my days are done bless my life and grant me one Old Friend..  At least one Old Friend...

Funerals

I don't like funerals.  It doesn't have anything to do with a dead body, open casket or not.  I know that death is part of the cycle and that everyone has their time.  It's the traditional funeral I don't like.

I don't like funerals for kids or young adults.  It just tears me up when there is some accident or disaster and you see the small little coffin.  All the experiences a person will never have.  What could they accomplished in life.  All the grieving their families must be doing...

I don't like funerals for old people who die of some disease or illness.  This seems like such a sad way to end a life.  People who led long and productive lives dependent on others for even basic needs.  It really takes it's toll on their loved ones.  And ages them.  They sometimes seem to be relieved at the funeral.  I perfer to remember the good times. 

I don't like funerals for people killed by stupidity or negligence of their own or by others.   This just plain pisses me off.  Don't drink and drive.  Don't play with guns.  Don't drive around the railroad crossing gate.  Don't go where you shouldn't be in the first place. 

I don't like standing in lines at funerals.  Relatives look so uncomfortable receiving people at a funeral.  Besides the grieving they are doing, they have to figure out who all these people are.  Co-worker?  Old relative?  Somebodies new girlfriend who never even met the deceased? 

I don't particularly like eulogies at funerals--even though that's the only place for them I guess.  Every person who dies was not a saint.  He was not the best father ever.  She didn't sacrifice everything for her family.  Sometimes you listen to a eulogy and you know it's a load.  I understand it's nice to say a few good words, but sometimes you need to be a little realistic.

As for myself, well I'd like to say I'm not going, but I know better.  I don't want a funeral.  How about a party?  Get some beer, play some music, dance a little.  Remember the good times, talk about the bad if you want (what would I care?),  hug Cathie and the kids and get on with it.

As I get older I realize that there are going to be more funerals. What relatives I have are really starting to get up there, and of course it's the same with my friends parents and families.   I find myself checking the obits a little more often now, hoping I don't see anyone I know.  I usually try to send a condolence card, but I make no promise about attending the funeral.  I don't like funerals.

Fat Boys

Well a lot of us are.  Seven years ago a couple of my neighbors decided to hold a weight loss contest.  It was just the two of them, and they started on January 1st, and went to St. Patricks Day ( the one guy is 100 % Irish).  They both lost wieght, and the contest was decided by less than one pound.  In the ensuing years, they opened the contest up to any and all.  This year there were a total of 74 participants. Everyone pays 20 bucks to enter, then we have a big party on weigh in day.  Nobody gets to keep their "winnings", the money goes into the pot.  They actually end up hosting and paying for the party.

I have been in the Fat Boy 4 times.  One year I bagged it because of the broken leg, and one year because of the surgery.  Last year I did pretty good--finished fourth--don't remember how much I lost but must have been in the upper 20's.  My problem has been summer rolls around and it gets too nice to go to the gym, or I would have a softball game or a track meet to go to, whatever I just wouldn't push myself to get to the gym.  Well, this year the kids are both gone to college.  I have no more youth sports that I have to go to.  I really have no more excuses.  So I have tried to eat better (some success), and have made myself get to the Y.  I started off telling myself that as long as I was paying for it somebody had better well use it.  Now it has come to the point that I almost (almost) miss it if I don't go. 

So the results are in.  We had 74 people in the Fat Boy this year.  We probably had about 40 show up to the weigh in party, probably 20 brought their wives or girlfriends.  Looking at the stat sheet (yeah we keep stats), only 1 guy actually put on weight this year, while one guy stayed even.  Our biggest weight loser lost 54 pounds.  The top five lost 196 pounds, and the total wight loss for the group was 812 pounds.  I think that's pretty impressive.  Of course, I'd like to see everyone on a scale today after all the pizzas and fries and adult beverages consumed last night!

As for me, I finished second this year.  I was able to lose 40lbs.  I feel a whole heck of a lot better.  I  actually had lost a little more, but was unable to keep it off---tried going to the gym twice a day and just burned myself out.  Now the thing is to keep it off.  It's always been the problem.  So now I'm setting some new goals and target dates, and don't plan on going back to old eating habits.  I have found there are things I can do without, things that I really don't miss.  Hopefully when the new years rolls around I can be one of the guys who just pays his entry fee for the party and not have to worry about losing the weight.

Blog Number 3

Radical Plan for NCAA Basketball Tournament


As I was watching "The Tournament" the past couple of days, I noticed all the excitement (obviously) of the fans and players of the winning teams. Not just the lower seed upsets, but the favorites as well. This got me to thinking about the way the brackets are set up.

And I have a few questions. Why are these brackets set up by geographical regions? Last I checked, Portland is not in the south. Greensboro N.C. is not in the midwest. And Alburquerque is not in the south nor the east. Why does Kentucky always seem to play somewhere in Kentucky, and North Carolina always play somewhere in Carolina? And how come thee never seems to be a team from the west seeded high in the west?

Now I watched Selection Sunday. What took them an hour to do can be done in 5 minutes. And then they had a program to rank all the teams from 1 to 68. I understand it is TV. I understand its revenue. My plan can keep all these elements, along with taking all the pressure off the selection committee on where to place the teams in the brackets. This is so simple I'm surprised nobody has come up with it before.

You keep your conference tournaments. You keep your committee deciding who gets the at large bids. Heck, you increase the lenght of your TV show because of the suspense. The good teams should still be able to advance if they are that good---after the last couple of days they couldn't do much worse. And more of these schools would have the oppurtunity to move on to the next round. That's what we want. Learn about more of the players. More feel good stories. More chances for more students to feel like those kids from Norfolk State and Lehigh. I guarentee that people going to those schools now will never forget the feeling of this past weekend.

Here is my plan---since the regions thing make no sense at all, get rid of them. Then once you have identified your teams, into the lottery you go. Fill in the play in games first. You're Kentucky, your number 1, your little ball comes out first, you play Tuesday. You don't like it, go to the NIT. Duke plays North Carolina in the first round? Win or go home. I'm pretty sure Iona would like to beat Vermont to move to the third round--and the fans would love it. Think of all the human interest stories. Think of all the joy for winning games. Think of filling in your bracket. And the better teams will still end up playing in the end. Think it might be interesting...

Blog Number 2

I've been thinking a lot lately about mortality. My great grandfather died at the age of 37, my grandfather at the age of 40. My dad died when he was 67, a little over 12 years ago. I am 51, and have not really taken the best care of myself over the years. So if you figure 68, looks like I'm headed into the fourth quarter now. As people have said for years, so little time, and so much to do.

I have wasted so much time over the years. Poor living habits, carrying grudges, being angry. I could have used my time so much more wisely. I had opportunities to do things I never did. I was lazy--I would take the easy way. I wasted a chance at a good college education--twice. I have let friendships slip away, had people I care about leave my life, failed to say goodbye to dying loved ones...

And yet I still find myself a lucky guy. I am fortunate to have a wonderful family. Two wonderful children getting great college educations. Married to a wonderful woman who has put up with me for 26+ years and continues to do so. I have a job that I "settled" for almost 23 years ago--it was just temporary, which has enabled me to live a rather comfortable life. My kids will graduate without debt. I will have retirement!

But I have things I need to do. I'm trying to be a better person. I try not to let the things I have little or no control over not bother me. It's hard. I worry about my children and their future. I hope they are able to live comfortably, at least as comfortable as I have. But the world is changing--and I don't think always for the better. They will have many challenges I fear.

So what am I going to do? Try and take better care of myself. Try to "unclutter" my life, so others don't have to do it when I'm gone. Try and help out others where I can. Try not to waste so much time--you only get so much. Encourage my children to get involved, to get in the fire....Live your life, don't simply survive it. Love and support my wife--she has earned and deserves that. And just try and be happy because we only here for a short while....

Blog Number 1

Well I have decided to do a little blogging again. Do I expect anyone to read? No, not really. Hopefully my kids will find it one day and take a look. I'm looking for an outlet for some of the things on my mind. The world moves so fast these days, and sometimes I feel the need to chime in--and sometimes 140 characters just don't cut it. I will probably rant and rave once in awhile, try to pass on some knowledge from things I've learned, write about some of the memories, and maybe lighten the load a bit on some of this baggage I carry around. I will try not to embarrass or offend anyone, but I can't make any promises there. I don't know how often I will post, but hope to make it fairly regular--I have a lot to get down, and never know how much time I have. If anyone should stumble upon this blog I hope to make you think about things, and encourage comments and responses----except for spelling, grammar, etc. I'm too damn old to worry about grammar anymore. Well I think that's about it for an intro--hopefully I'll be able to write about the things I have on my mind in an interesting and entertaining matter and you'll be able to take something away from this blog.