It's been too long!!!

Well it's been one heck of a summer! Made through the second summer of my breakup. I would have to say I did ok. Myself and the kids have all our toes and fingers accounted for. I became reecainted with some old high school friends, which is pretty cool! I have gained a few close friends and some new friends. In all it was a great summer season. I have been dealing with some hardships, but the light is beginning to show at the end of the tunnel!

Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is upon us. I wonder how many people really know what this Holiday is about. I myself have never served in the military. So I write about this topic from a civilian stand point. I have wondered, what kind of a soldier would I have made. I was in a recruiter's office once, looking to go into the Army and wanted to pursue a MP service since at the time I was in college for Law Enforcement. I was discouraged (not by the recruiter) that it would be hard for me to attain that goal since I was a little too tall and overweight by about 20 pounds. Back to the topic.

Memorial Day is an interesting holiday. Most people associate it with the beginning of summer. Myself in the recent years have thought more about our men and women who have served this great nation of ours selflessly. For many of us we have family member(s) that have served. Myself, my grandfather served in World War II. I never knew he was there until many years after he passed away. When I found out he was in the Battle of the Bulge I was almost shocked. I remember him as a my soft spoken white haired and full of wisdom grandpa. I would have never placed him in Europe on a battle field. Like many of his generation their stories were never shared with family, sometimes it was never spoken that they were there.

My father served during the Cold War era, thankfully he did not have to witness battle. Although it must have been tough to serve with knowing the threat of nuclear war could break out. To me that would be an ominous feeling knowing that if you go to war you were looking at the possibility of literally changing the face of the planet and millions of peoples very existence would be instantaneously eliminated. Thankfully it never happened.

My biological father served as a Marine in Vietnam. I have not heard much about his service there. I hope to find out more. So that some of his experiences are passed down. I spoke once with him and asked him, Would you go back to see the country? He replied, "Yes, I would," and on a light note, he stated 'he missed the food there."

I also had two uncles serve one in the Marine Corp and the other in the Air Force. I have also had new and old friends serve in all the different branches of military.

To all of my family and friends that have served, I say Thank you for your service to this great country of ours. To our soldiers past and present be proud!
YOU KEPT THIS COUNTRY FREE!

Teasing?

I have been chatting with an old college friend, whom I have not seen or talked to in some 20 years. We were joking back and forth and teasing came into play. There are some many levels of teasing. There's giving the needle, which most of participate in. There's bullying, yuck! There is sexually. In all teasing is pretty fun and I will continue to do it.

Contridiction in terms?

While driving at work today I notice one of the Adopt a Highway signs. The group that is helping us keep this section of roadway clean is what caught my eye. The groups name; Atheists for Human Rights. My argument is in this country and most of the world laws and rights are a moral issue. Being that morality plays a place in our lives everyday. Now you look at our Bill of Rights. Inalienable rights endowed by our creator. This lines hints to a supreme being. It's kind of odd to me when you look at from different angles. In whatever religion or belief system there is right and wrong. No matter how we believe it is a question that can be asked and answered in several ways.

4 year olds, man they can think quick.

So tonight the kids and I were heading down to the Midway area of St. Paul for dinner. Basically University Ave where we spend alot of summer weekend evenings. Being the first real nice day we have had the kids wanted to go there. Thinking the all the cars would be out. Well I knew a couple of my friends would be down there.

Sorry for the delay. We get on the highway me the ever acceleration demon. Boy child yells, "You better not do 80 the cops will take your house!" I shout "No they won't!" Girl child responds "They can't, too heavy!" I had to laugh and reach back for the high five.

Life thoughts

Well to say nothing new is an understatement. It's funny how one can look back on time gone by and think, Wow have things changed for me. It's been about a year since I decided to break the chain from the ball. My kids have changed so much in the past year and think they are adjusting well. My turned 6 and my girl turns 4 in a month. I have reconnected with some close friends and made some new acquaintances that I hope become life long friends. I have learned to calm myself down from hating my ex to a comfortable dislike that is manageable. I jumped to into a couple minor relationships that were not for the better but weren't destructive, just not what I wanted. The thing I found funny in my recent dating trials. I guess women find me attractive. LOL It was something good to hear and a needed ego booster. If I can be considered attractive at almost 40 I'm cool with that. Life brings some interesting challenges and I love every one of them.

Oh the flashback!

What a flashback. After an unexpected free night last Friday. I decided to go out. It wasn't till late but non the less I checked out a bar I have never been to. It was Gustav's in NE Minneapolis. I was taken aback by the bar. You enter the premises and immediately go down stairs into the basement. I rounded the corner and the first thing that popped in my mind was, the movie Animal House toga party scene. It also remind me of many college parties I attended in my youth. My other favorite part I was in beer heaven. Eleven German beers on tap it took me 10 minutes to decide which one I wanted. It finally came down to the bartender making my pick. If you know me, you know I am not a picky person. My favorite thing is to tell a bartender, chef or waitress to surprise me. I'll give them an idea of what I am in the mood for, then let them have free reign. I have had some of my best restaurant meals ever by doing this, usually end up with something off menu and fantastic. It was a great night met a few new people and hopefully a couple new friends.