A lesson

I have been thinking, a great deal about what is important in life. I travel life’s rough roads, some are dark and some are long. At times I often find I have to be strong, or my journey often finds the wrong road. No matter how rough and rocky the road. I was thinking today about how difficult for some people to take ownership in life. Many people walk through life by observing others and commenting on what could have been done better. They make what they feel are astute observations and judgements, but they never initiate change. I see some people every day who have a sour expression on their face no matter the situation. I want to tell these people that they have the OPTION to CHOOSE to live with a different attitude. I have been taught that “it’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it.” I sometimes struggle with this in my personal relationship because sometimes it’s hard to change my attitude. There are many days when I get it right, and many more that I get it wrong. Anyone that has read my previous blog can testify to that! But, i’ve learned from my mistakes. I believe in this journey of life that we all will encounter many “angels”. People who come into our life either for a brief time or for a longer stay to make a difference, to teach us a lesson, to love us and show us that life is not meant to be walked alone, those I hold dearest to my heart are my most precious gifts from God.

I wise friend once said to me, “Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others, It is because we are different that each of us is special." At this time I do not set goals by what other people deem important. Only I know what is best for me. I am am not afraid to encounter risks because after all isn't that what makes life interesting. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave. Do not shut out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly. In addition, I do want to quicken my pace in life but I do not want to run through life so fast that I forget not only where I have been, but also where I am going. After all Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way...

My weekend

So...I was able to finish up and leave work on time for once on Friday in time to meet up with the old bank crew, and head down to the Grey Goose for Friday happyhour. Wow. Things were moving fast! Out of 10 pitchers, begun at five o’clock, there were only 2 still on, so my buddy Nick had to order three more – his treat with three orders of wings ...and all within five minutes of my arrival, it was sort of a belated birthday treat. About two weeks ago was my birthday. So my ex-coworkers, went out after work. The person I really wanted to meet up with was kathy .

We went to Brew Works, where I got an Ed Bear Stout (nice, drinkable, burnt grain bitter) and Cathy got a glass of wine. I finally got the Seed Flatbread, and it was as good as everyone's said, which I can't believe I'm saying. Get one. I had it with a glass of Schlenkerla Helles, (I might of spelled that wrong) and it was the first time I had real german beer and you know what? It was perfect.After we were done, we walked down to the old haunt, The Ugly Dog saloon for a beer, kind of for old time's sake -- we spent a...different kind of evening there and even through it was not my real birthday it was still great. The prices were okay, the selection was okay -- just okay -- and while some of the people in the restaurant were very nice, there were some annoyingly impatient regulars who just didn't want anyone to get between them and their Friday night routine because they had to have it right now! I was also kind of jarred by the big "Buy Local" sign and all the non local products produce. Nice idea overall, but I'll pass.Saturday, I went home and hit the Giant Eagle Farmer's Market, looking for an idea for a snacktime/dinner. I wound up with some great double-smoked bacon and hydroponic tomatoes and made BLTs (which rocked) on Le Bus bread.

Sunday? I woke up feeling crappy, didn't sing, and spent the afternoon cleaning the house and playing with the neighbor’s cat. Had some more Nugget Nectar with dinner -- "beefy soba noodles," which looked like something a Klingon would eat, but tasted pretty good -- and then read some until I passed out.

It could happen?

I am going to play Nostradamus here, the chance of another revolution has never been more real then now. I have done a great deal of reading both in terms of history but also other bloggers and I feel that the 2nd American Revolution will not be about the preservation of East Coast liberalism, as some self-serving right wing extreme scholars would have it. (Namely Glenn Beck) America was never less racist and homophobic than in the years immediately preceding the Clinton era. The debate, again, as it does now revolves around institutions. Should changing mores be enshrined in legislation and case law? Should the national ethos itself be rewritten? Should the very definition and quiddity of being an American (white, male, straight) be revisited? There is alot of Neo-Marxist bloggers (chroniclers to most) that attribute the case for the need of an Second American Revolution to the growing disparities of wealth between the haves and the haves not. Presidents Bush and Cheney surely reversed L.B. Johnson's Great Society. They and their party loyalists have erased or in the process of erasing the numerous entitlements and aid programs that many of the economically disenfranchised came to depend upon and to regard as a birth right and as a cornerstone of the social contract. Turning the clock back on affirmative action and food stamps, for instance, indeed provoked widespread anger. But such outbursts can hardly be construed to have been the precursors of the gigantic flame that could come about and consume the USA in the not too distant future.

Finally, the 2nd American revolution will not be about free trade (beneficial to the service and manufacturing based economies of some states) versus protectionism (helpful to the agricultural belts and bowls of the hinterland and to the recovering Gulf Coast). America's economy was far too dependent on the outside world to reverse course. Its national debt was being financed by Asians, its products were being sold all over, its commodities and foods were coming from Africa and Latin America. The USA was in hock to a globalized and merciless economy. Protectionism was campaign posturing - not a cogent and coherent trade policy. So, the real roots and causes of the Second American revolution?

None of the above in isolation - and all of the above in confluence. For decades, the citizenry's trust in a packed and rigged Supreme Court declined. Politicians (Democrats and Republicans) came to be regarded as a detached and heartless plutocracy. Americans feel orphaned, cheated, and robbed. The national consensus - the implicit agreement that together is better than alone - has thus evaporated. The outcome will be shots and explosions that will rock the United States (and the world in tow).

A circle has closed..wonder what's next?

I have been thinking about this next post since almost 2 months ago, when on the 18th of December I changed jobs..."A circle has closed.."

In July I received early in the morning a message from one of my close friends saying that I was accepted for a position with ... It was an impossible dream, since I was a young I had tried to get in with this company but never had. They had some high requirements (I still believe that the 3 persons I've talked with since those bygone days at FedEx helped me a lot in gaining the motivation to go after this job.. thank you Goose, Slink, Cobra... and the others I don't remember now).

The first thing that came into my mind was am i getting in over my head... and then realized that I can afford driving to town! At times I still miss certain close friends from Halsey Ave, Tracy, Bill, and Charity. I relaized it was the sense of being accepted that I did not want to lose and that was what I held to for so long. So long now that when I look back I am embarrarred. That is another story for different time. From July 2008 to December 2008 It was incredible for me, since this new job was happening in the same time with exciting and at times frustrating presidential election. To cut the long story short, my organizing department experience was shorter than expected due to a situation in which I decided to get involved in (the story is really long and not worth being written here, maybe I'll tell it over a beer). Even if I cried 2 days afterwards, I learned some really important lessons that are still helping me in guiding my life and found a new mentor... the person that was going to be next to me in some key moments in the next 10 months.

As I look back on the last three years of my life, I had the time of my life...and understood what is really important for me. I had the chance to work for the company I tried so long to join and at one time i gave up on but now I am working for an international company, one that I find interesting to say the least. I guess what I am rambling on here is at a time when I needed to be helped by close friends... I was disappointment but I survived and prospered, I made some great new friends and the road of life I now find myself on is promising to give me a international experience I dreamed of since I finished high school.

Travel for a Great Cause - Friends of Orphans: Nicaragua

Often people take trips to see new worlds, seek adventure, search for relief from stress, or just to get away. To do this, they often visit countries that are poor, devasted, or suffering. Yet where they "vacation", they avoid that situation either on purpose or most likely without any knowledge at all that those situations even exist.Well to remedy that, I the travel beggar, will do my best to promote travels that provide an alternative adventure - the chance to do something good adventure. Now these "adventures", while supporting a good cause, often don't lack fun, new experiences, or times to relax.

For my first vacation in over two years I plan my first "Travel for a Great Cause", I was strongly recommended to look into the Friends of the Orphans: Nicaragua trip. They are embarking to Nicaragua: April 18 - 23, 2009. It should be interesting because Nicaragua is an exciting place with interesting politics, friendly & outgoing people, and an interesting terrain with mountains, volcanoes, Lake Nicaragua & open fields I can not go.

My trip in April will include:
• Tour Casa Asis on the shore of Lake Nicaragua & Casa Santiago on Ometepe Island.
• See the property on the mainland where construction has begun on the new permanent home.
• Spend time with the children & meet NPH staff & volunteers.
• Sightsee & shop in Rivas, one of the most popular beach towns of Nicaragua.
• Relax & enjoy the accommodations at a lovely hotel.

Going for the six pack

Yep, they did it! Got one for the six pack, not sure if I like that term but who cares now for the hometown team pulled out another win!!! It was indeed a fantastic game, to bad i missed the excitement on East Carson street this time around but then again there is always next year.

Today is the day!

Today is the day. Two teams meet on one field ... the biggest game on the biggest stage. Our coverage of today's Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa starts with a the leaders of those teams.
Any football fan knows quarterbacks often dwarf a game. In fact, QBs have been MVP of the Super Bowl 22 times -- more than any other position. Today's Super Bowl has two of the game's giants at the position in Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner. One of them will become the 10th quarterback to win two Super Bowls.