Dangers Of Extremism

 I prefer to stay away from posting a great deal of political posts because I firmly believe that EVERYONE has a right to their own opinion. I also believe in the right to freely express that opinion. Unfortunately, too many have taken on an us vs them mentality away from political rallies and voting booths. People are basing friendships, business decisions, and family relations on whether someone shares their personal opinion. As soon as they do that, the opinion is no longer personal.

That being said, I cannot remain silent about what I have seen recently. I have seen influential Americans vocally supporting the terrorist organization of Hamas and their recent attack on Israel. It makes me shiver because it was only 22 years ago that WE were the victims of similar terrorist attacks. Would these people have supported those as well?? This is the danger we face when we allow extremists to become influential by electing them OR supporting them through financial donations or flashing their names.

I will not call out sides here because extremists are extremists. I don't care what side of the fence they're supporting politically. They are all dangerous to the United States as a whole because they are fueling the “us versus them” mentality. In closing, fight terrorism whomever they are attacking. Enjoy professional football with some Bud Light and Chik-Fil-A. Tell the terrorists and extremists that we're done letting them have a voice and controlling our lives.

National Football League - Week Two

 Every year, I like to predict the outcomes of the games and see how I do at it.  It's a fun exercise in mathematical analysis as well as staying current on injuries that could have an alternate impact.  Last week, I could only go off of pre-season stats and got 11 out of 16 correct.  I use a tabbed spreadsheet for the whole season.  Here is the link to that sheet.  Just click on Week Two to see who I'm taking for this week which starts tonight.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AxeMY7GC9z__mqoHB-NTWEPlG3TSqgq3WB68qN4BCz4/edit?usp=sharing

I Always Wake Up Before A Dream Gets Interesting

 This morning, my alarm clock chose to wake me up at the right time for its setting.  It was the completely wrong time for the dream I was having.  Here's the part of the dream that I was asleep during.  For some reason, my parents had decided to invite someone over for dinner.  This particular gentleman was a noted astrologer.  So, I ducked into my bedroom to change back into some regular clothes because my normal house clothes didn't seem quite appropriate with company for dinner.

Here's where things started to get interesting.  While changing, I decided I was going to have some fun with this guy.  I completely started to morph my personality into the most anti-Aries individual possible.  I actually really am an Aries.  I started to contort my voice into a cross between Frank Gorshin's Riddler with a little bit of Jack Nicholson's raspiness.  In short, I was going to be a raving lunatic.  I was walking out to the dining room when my dang alarm interrupted my dream.  I doubt I'll ever know just how that dinner went. 

The NFL Returns Tonight

 Tonight's Hall Of Fame Game in Canton, OH will start the 2023 NFL Pre-season.  This year, it's the New York Jets up against the Cleveland Browns which essentially makes it a home game for the Browns.  Whether the Dawg Pound will make the trip to Fawcett Stadium remains to be seen.  The telecast will be on NBC at 8PM EDT.

In some areas, kids are also going back to school.  Do you have students in your home who are also football and/or sports fans?  Use their interest to help facilitate their education whether you home-school or send them to school.  Simple things such as having them show you on a map or globe where the game is being played are neat ideas for younger kids.  High school kids could be asked to look up any major news stories specific to the area where the game is being played or to talk about how math and physics play a part in what is going to happen on the field.  Just be sure to do this before game time.  Then, sit back with them and enjoy the action.

What Will It Be Like?

I've realized that the next seven to seventeen years are going to bring some huge changes to my lifestyle. Since the years seem to be going by quicker these days, that's not that far away. At any point during that time frame, I could retire. The later I wait will obviously mean an increase in benefits. However, here's where the quandary hits. Will the life/work balance be worth waiting? Will waiting make a crucial difference like allowing me to travel more? Or, will it just mean I have a little more money to have some extra entertainment at home? I'd also point out that I don't plan on completely retiring. As long as I'm healthy, I plan to continue working as a tax professional because I really enjoy that job and my clients. It's also a good way to keep my brain active because I'm constantly learning something new due to the complexities and constant changes of our tax code. These last few years of working all year long for the majority of every week are certainly going to be interesting.

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Not My Typical Stroll

I had a fairly normal day at work. I heard some sirens, but, that's not unusual with my office being on one of the main paths to the local hospital. I thought they had just gone by on their way to someplace else. That someplace else happened to be the opposite end of my tiny strip mall. I walked out of work to head for the bus stop and encountered an active crime scene. It turns out that I was only four stores away from a shooting and never heard the gun shot. Thankfully, the suspect is in custody and I don't have to be back in the office until Monday morning. This is Saturday evening as I write this. This is the closest I have been to anything like this that will be in my memory. When I was really young, a neighbor of ours accidentally discharged his weapon because he was showing his kids how to clean a gun. The only issue was the guy had a live round in the chamber. Five minutes earlier and that bullet would have gone right between my Mom's eyes. Just hearing that story when I was old enough to remember her description of everything is enough to send chills down my spine. It's no wonder that I have never had an interest in even touching a firearm.

Hello Again

Wow!! I didn't realize it had been so long since my last visit. Hopefully, I find more time to keep this up after the pandemic is over. Thankfully, I was never impacted other than being furloughed from work. In addition to rediscovering old internet haunts, I've been playing my guitar and taking tax classes online. There's not much else to do while staying at home except for watching TV which I try to limit.

Reflections

For the past 5 years, March has become a month of reflection for me. This Sunday marks the 5th anniversary of my Mom’s passing. Tonight, I got off work at 9:05 and headed for my car. I started my car, turned on my front and rear defrosters, and called Dot at her office. With a 13 hour time difference, she was a little over two hours into her work day. As we were talking about different projects we’re working on, my windows cleared off and I started to drive towards the IU campus.

The campus has always been a comfort to me because it is a huge spiritual connection with my Mom due to the number of years she spent there as a child growing up as well as my years on the campus as a student. I took a roundabout way to campus choosing to drop in from the north down Fee Lane from the 46 bypass going past the athletic complexes and down to 10th Street at the School of Business.

At that point, my reflections turned from the melancholy thoughts of Mom’s passing to much happier and exciting memories. Suddenly, Dot was the first person on my mind and my memories were of driving over from Terre Haute four years ago on several trips to see her. By this time four years ago, we already knew that I would be moving over here come mid-April. I made the left turn off of Fee Lane towards the main library and remembered how I would drive over after work in perfect timing to pick Dot up from her job at the Commons Café for the short trip home to Tulip Tree or head for a late dinner before returning home.

Naturally, I still miss my Mom and wish she were here to share moments such as my marriage, karaoke nights, job news, etc. However, I have Dot now to share those moments with me and I couldn’t be happier about that.

I have always called Dot, Angel since the day I met her. Tonight, that title couldn’t have been more accurate since that change in my mood was nothing short of a touch of Heaven. This wonderful lady is the light of my life and I am so fortunate to have her as a part of it forever.

I Absolutely Love And Adore My Wife

On June 6, Dot made me the happiest man in the world. We solemnized our marriage in a small, intimate ceremony with family and close friends. There will be another ceremony here in the states at a future time.

Since our wedding day, Dot and I have continued to learn more and more about each other. I didn't really think that there was anything else to learn, but, we have found even more things in common than we originally realized. This woman is so amazing and so fantastic. I know for a fact that my decision to marry her was totally correct for me. I cannot see myself being happy with anyone else on a 24/7 basis. Dot completes me. We can tell each other anything without upsetting the other person. We don't have to hold back truths or feelings. We both know that anything that is said is out of a love for each other and respect for our marriage that knows no barriers.

I deeply look forward to the day that Dot can move here to the states and we can actually begin sharing our full lives together. Until then, we have definite plans to travel back and forth as often as vacation times will allow. We also find a way to talk at least twice a day despite a twelve hour difference between our time zones. I'm usually just getting home from work while she's starting her work day and vice versa so it is a challenge. It is one we meet head on though. It is rough. I miss not coming home to her on a daily basis. I miss getting in the car together to drive somewhere whether on business or pleasure. I miss her smile and infectuous optimism. With all this, everytime we see each other is like there's been no break. We pick up exactly where we left off. Long distance relationships and marriages can definitely work. Dot and I are proving that everyday. It does take a little more communication and faith in each other. Thankfully, those are two areas where Dot and I are very strong.

It's Finally Happening!!

Dot and I are in the process of planning our wedding!! I have been waiting patiently for three years for this moment. Now, my flight is actually booked to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to marry this wonderful lady. I will fly out on May 30 and we will be married on June 6. Today, I spent part of my day off helping with the details and editing one of our favorite pictures so that we could use it as part of the wedding. We're also getting some ideas for our American ceremony even though that's at least another year away. Dot and I both like so many different things that it was hard to pick and choose among them.

And, I'm not getting any of the traditional pre-marital jitters. Dot and I have been together for three years and spent the better part of that time living together and totally sharing our lives with each other. We've seen each other at our best and worst. I don't see any of that changing after June 6. We'll just be legally married and eligible for the benefits granted by that connection. Our love, passion, romance, etc will all still be there. A simple piece of paper isn't going to change that.

To the beautiful woman about to become my wife I can only say thank you and I love you. Thank you for having me in your life. Thank you for blessing me with your presence. Thank you for being there for me when no one else is around. Most importantly, thank you for loving me as much as I love you.

2008 A Year Of Change

Well, it's a cold, icy day here in Indiana and I have the day off of work. It feels like the perfect time to sit down and write a blog entry.

This was the year that I've been trying to postpone in my mind since late 2005. I knew that the time would come when Dot would have to go back home to Malaysia and the process of waiting for her to return to the states would start. She went home in January and came back for a very brief visit in October. Other than that, we've sustained ourselves through phone calls, text messages, IM'ing and the occassional webcam call. Words alone cannot express the love I have for this lady nor how much I miss her. The absence is only making our relationship stronger though. I know that once we're finally able to be together that it will be forever.

Another change occurred in my professional life. After gaining a full-time job in Bloomington, I decided it was time to transfer with my seasonal job as well. I'd spent five years with H and R Block in Terre Haute and knew that I wanted to continue working with them. After visiting with the district manager here in Bloomington, that became a really easy transition. I have just started my second year in my new office and I'm looking forward to continuing forward with the company.

Last year also brought many new friends into my life as I've begun to circulate with karaoke in the local area as well as picking up new friends at work. Some have become very close friends and basically family. I am grateful for all of them because I don't think I'd endure the absence of Dot without them. Naturally, this is one of the things that I love about Bloomington. Having lived here for college before, I know how great the area is for meeting and maintaining friendships. It's something unique to Bloomington. Even other college towns don't match the friendliness that's abundant here.

There are more changes to come in 2009. Many of them will be for the better. I'll tell you more about those later though. For now, I'm going to relax and hope that the weather is better tomorrow when I have to go back into work all day.

An Open Thank You Letter To Dot, My Angel

October 30, 2005 is a day that will remain very special in my heart. It's almost as special as the lady who waltzed her way into my heart that day. Three years ago today, I met Dot for the first time. My life has never been happier and I am so grateful to her for coming into my life and staying in my life. Living on opposite sides of the world is a tough situation for both of us right now, but, we talk and message each other as much as possible.

Thank you for your love, Angel. It is so special to me. I love and miss you so much.

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has arrived. This is a time when those of us who've embraced the faith take special time to be prayerful and reflective about all of the blessings we've been given. These blessings include friends, family, good health, and food.

I want to talk a little more about the blessing of good health. This weekend is an important one to many people who don't have this blessing. Please remember the patients and families who deal with muscular dystrophy. This is actually a group of 40 neuro-muscular diseases under the umbrella of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Through the fourth, you can help make a difference by shopping on their auction site. Click here to do that.

Thanks for your help and I'll talk to everyone later.

SHE'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!!

Well, the news came officially Friday night. Dot's going to be winging her way back to me during the first week of October. I'm so excited!!! It's been almost nine months since I held this wonderful lady in my arms. I've put in for my vacation and I'm going to give her 100% of myself while she's here.

In other news, I'm also getting busier at work. In this case, it's a good thing. I've applied for a promotion into the store management training program and I'm starting to be evaluated for the position. As a result, some of the business angles of running the store are being shifted to me. It doesn't mean that I have to do everything. I'm just responsible for making sure it gets done.

So, as per usual, it may be a long time between posts. But, I'll keep everyone here updated as much as possible. Talk to you all later.