Today is another day of rememberance for me. Today would be my older sister's 73rd birthday.
Mary Jean was born two years before me. I was her "Baby Brother". She was my protector and friend for a long time. When we were young, she and I would cause a lot of trouble for our older brother (by 8 years over me). Whenever there was any "conflict" (and there was plenty of that), it was me and Mary Jean against him. We didn't always prevail, but we were always in it together.
After I joined the Navy, we didn't see much of each other except each time I would come home on leave, I made sure to visit with her. She had married and had 5 children by then.....I would visit and roughhouse with the kids. Great memories.
Mary Jean was also there for my wife when I first brought her to Syracuse to meet my family. She was helpful in getting her "Americanized" and used to our ways. She was also present when our son was born. On our son's first birthday, she hosted a Happy Birthday party that is remembered clearly.
Mary Jean died tragically in 1972 at the age of 34. I got home on emergency leave and got to see her before she passed away. She left behind a husband and 5 young children, the oldest being 12-13 years old.
Those children had a hard, hard time growing up without a Mom.
I saw those children last year when I returned to Syracuse to bury our older brother. They are mature adults now, with their own families. Mary Jean would be very proud of them. I know I am.
So, Mary Jean, on this your birthday, just know that you are remembered fondly and missed terribley. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNIE.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Blog nr. 16
This is just a quick update on my last blog about smoking:
My resolve lasted until my wife left for San Diego to visit son and family. (But I will keep on trying!!!!!)
My resolve lasted until my wife left for San Diego to visit son and family. (But I will keep on trying!!!!!)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Blog Nr. 15
When I was young and growing up, Smoking was the norm. My Dad, Mom, and older siblings smoked. All the Grammas/Grammpas and Aunts/Uncles smoked. Is it any wonder I also got hooked? It was the "cool, adult" thing to do.
It was real easy for me to get started. At the age of 12-13 I started stealing cigarettees from my family members. I had my choice: Dad smoked Camels, Mom smoked Old Golds, my older brother smoked Luckies and my older sister smoked Pall Mall. Just as good as a tobacco shop!!
I am sure I coughed my head off after the first one-----but after a while I stopped coughing and things went along well......Then I got caught! I thought my Dad or Mom would be really be upset.....instead my Dad said "If you are going to smoke, smoke in front of me..What???? Thereafter, I would smoke in front of everyone. No one discouraged or banned me from developing this habit. Even my Nana supplied me with hers (Chesterfields), as I remember. The only one who didn't smoke cigarettes was my Grampa (he smoked Prince Albert tobacco in an old pipe.)
That was the mentality of the day. As I got deeper in my teens, the guys smoked for a variety of reasons. They wanted to appear tough, they wanted to "fit in", they thought it would help attract the girls.....all kinds of excuses.(But they were VALID excuses!!!!!!!)
As I got older I ended up marrying a young girl who also smoked. She smoked during her pregnancies with our three kids. We smoked around them, never giving a thought about the harm we were potentially doing, not just to ourselves but to them. (Sorry, kids)
At the age of 37, I decided to quit. I started with "One step at a time filters", working throught their 12 week program. Did it work? ABSOLUTEY! How did it work? It worked because during that period I was still in the Navy, stationed aboard a cruiser in Long Beach, CA. My wife was in CO with the kids.
I retired from the Navy shortly after quitting and returned home. And I did not have a smoke for 7-8 years. All this time my wife continued smoking. About this time, I got started again. Why/How is unexplainable.
My son was away at the Naval Academy, our two daughters were still home. As predictable, my two daughters started smoking. I did not discourage them-----they had the poor example of two parents smoking their brains out. Ouch!!!!
My son has never smoked, my youngest daughter has stopped smoking (good for her), yet my oldest daughter continues. (I hope she stops!!)
What has smoking done for me? I have lost a good percentage of my ability to smell and taste.
Non-smoking friends have shied away from visiting because of the smell. My clothes, I am sure, smell as if they were stored in a R.J. Reynolds closet. Our house stinks, our color scheme is Nicotine brown.
I have tried to quit many times.....Zyban and Chantix worked for a week until the horrific dreams got the best of me. Patches don't do it.....Nicorette gum won't work (with dentures, chewing gum is most difficult).
My wife and I enable each other. Going without a cigarette makes us both very "touchy", if you get my drift. (And I don't mean "touchy" in the good sense!)
So, why bring this up. MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING!!!! You heard right....we are going to quit, together. She started on Chantix a few days ago and is feeling no side effects. It should work for her. I, on the other hand, am going to go "cold turkey".
Are we going to make it this time? My wife is not so sure, but I am pretty bull-headed - besides, we have two beautiful grandaughters we want to enjoy, along with OUR kids, for as long as possible. On the appointed "quit" day, all ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and anything that resembles a cigarette will be removed from our house. The house will be overwhelmed by the air fresheners I intend to purchase. This will be an all-out effort.
What will we gain by quitting? Let me list them:
Our non-smoking friends, some we haven't seen for a while, will, (I hope) come to visit without having to bring gas-masks.
Our breaths, hopefully, will not be so offensive to everyone.
Our house will, with a new paint-job, look somewhat normal.
We will save a heck of a lot of money----average a carton between us every 3 days amounts to about $5700 dollars a year!
We won't have to listen to each other gasp, choke and cough all day/night long.
So, if you smoke, and want to visit, leave them home. Smoking is not welcome here!
But the biggest gain, I think, will be if it gives me one more moment, one more year/month/day or only 30 seconds to look at my family before I make my final voyage, it will be well worth it.
Meant time, before we hit the D-Day, I will now retreat to the patio and light one up.
It was real easy for me to get started. At the age of 12-13 I started stealing cigarettees from my family members. I had my choice: Dad smoked Camels, Mom smoked Old Golds, my older brother smoked Luckies and my older sister smoked Pall Mall. Just as good as a tobacco shop!!
I am sure I coughed my head off after the first one-----but after a while I stopped coughing and things went along well......Then I got caught! I thought my Dad or Mom would be really be upset.....instead my Dad said "If you are going to smoke, smoke in front of me..What???? Thereafter, I would smoke in front of everyone. No one discouraged or banned me from developing this habit. Even my Nana supplied me with hers (Chesterfields), as I remember. The only one who didn't smoke cigarettes was my Grampa (he smoked Prince Albert tobacco in an old pipe.)
That was the mentality of the day. As I got deeper in my teens, the guys smoked for a variety of reasons. They wanted to appear tough, they wanted to "fit in", they thought it would help attract the girls.....all kinds of excuses.(But they were VALID excuses!!!!!!!)
As I got older I ended up marrying a young girl who also smoked. She smoked during her pregnancies with our three kids. We smoked around them, never giving a thought about the harm we were potentially doing, not just to ourselves but to them. (Sorry, kids)
At the age of 37, I decided to quit. I started with "One step at a time filters", working throught their 12 week program. Did it work? ABSOLUTEY! How did it work? It worked because during that period I was still in the Navy, stationed aboard a cruiser in Long Beach, CA. My wife was in CO with the kids.
I retired from the Navy shortly after quitting and returned home. And I did not have a smoke for 7-8 years. All this time my wife continued smoking. About this time, I got started again. Why/How is unexplainable.
My son was away at the Naval Academy, our two daughters were still home. As predictable, my two daughters started smoking. I did not discourage them-----they had the poor example of two parents smoking their brains out. Ouch!!!!
My son has never smoked, my youngest daughter has stopped smoking (good for her), yet my oldest daughter continues. (I hope she stops!!)
What has smoking done for me? I have lost a good percentage of my ability to smell and taste.
Non-smoking friends have shied away from visiting because of the smell. My clothes, I am sure, smell as if they were stored in a R.J. Reynolds closet. Our house stinks, our color scheme is Nicotine brown.
I have tried to quit many times.....Zyban and Chantix worked for a week until the horrific dreams got the best of me. Patches don't do it.....Nicorette gum won't work (with dentures, chewing gum is most difficult).
My wife and I enable each other. Going without a cigarette makes us both very "touchy", if you get my drift. (And I don't mean "touchy" in the good sense!)
So, why bring this up. MY WIFE AND I ARE GOING TO QUIT SMOKING!!!! You heard right....we are going to quit, together. She started on Chantix a few days ago and is feeling no side effects. It should work for her. I, on the other hand, am going to go "cold turkey".
Are we going to make it this time? My wife is not so sure, but I am pretty bull-headed - besides, we have two beautiful grandaughters we want to enjoy, along with OUR kids, for as long as possible. On the appointed "quit" day, all ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and anything that resembles a cigarette will be removed from our house. The house will be overwhelmed by the air fresheners I intend to purchase. This will be an all-out effort.
What will we gain by quitting? Let me list them:
Our non-smoking friends, some we haven't seen for a while, will, (I hope) come to visit without having to bring gas-masks.
Our breaths, hopefully, will not be so offensive to everyone.
Our house will, with a new paint-job, look somewhat normal.
We will save a heck of a lot of money----average a carton between us every 3 days amounts to about $5700 dollars a year!
We won't have to listen to each other gasp, choke and cough all day/night long.
So, if you smoke, and want to visit, leave them home. Smoking is not welcome here!
But the biggest gain, I think, will be if it gives me one more moment, one more year/month/day or only 30 seconds to look at my family before I make my final voyage, it will be well worth it.
Meant time, before we hit the D-Day, I will now retreat to the patio and light one up.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Blog nr.14
This is a few thoughts about animals and especially animal cruelty.
Animals of all kinds have been put on this earth for a variety of reasons. Some are used for food, clothing, work and many other functions.
The ones I really love are DOGS. Yes, I am a dog person. Show me a dog and I want to keep him. I cannot travel to the Humane Society and pick one over the other. If it was up to me I would bring them all home. (I have a big backyard). And I would foster attention, love and all the dog treats I could afford upon them. (And then my wife would leave me!)
Some folks are into Cats (my daughter-in-law and youngest daughter) but for me, I LIKE DOGS.
I have been blessed with a dog since I can remember (and at age 70, that's a long time). I remember each of their names and what happened to them when they left me. (Go ahead...test me...I dare you).
A dear friend of mine for all of my 70 years recently posted on f/b that he had to have his companion, Bogie (a beautiful Rottweiler), put to rest. They had too few years together, but Bogie became ill and my friend had to do his duty. He was devastated......I have known that feeling too many times myself. I truely feel his pain.
I had never met Bogie (he lived in Florida) but I have seen his picture on f/b. What a beautiful companion!!
I have a daughter that works as a Vet Tech........she loves her work. When she first started she would call me and relate sorrowful tales of the treatment that some people tendered to their animals. I too felt a sorrow like no other. She has chosen a lifes work that I could not handle...I admire her immensley for that.
I am not (now) a violent person (I used to be). But if I ever see someone abuse an animal of any kind, they will have an old, beat-up half-crippled 70 year old all over their butt!! No threat..... PROMISE.
Responsible pet ownership should be a law, with REALLY stiff penalties for anyone found abusing an animal. If you have one, GET IT SPAYED/NEUTERED. That is part of responsible ownership. Give it adequate food/water/exercise and all the love you can.
My daughter told me about the poem "Rainbow Bridge" when I had to have a dear dog put to rest. I have a copy of it....I read it when Bogie died. It does ease the pain.
To end this I will say a farewell again to REX, DUFFY, DUCHESS, SANDY, SALTY, SAM, PRINCESS, BRIDGET, FUJI, MAX, MOBLEY, GOLDIE and to others that were not my companions...wait for me. We'll cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Animals of all kinds have been put on this earth for a variety of reasons. Some are used for food, clothing, work and many other functions.
The ones I really love are DOGS. Yes, I am a dog person. Show me a dog and I want to keep him. I cannot travel to the Humane Society and pick one over the other. If it was up to me I would bring them all home. (I have a big backyard). And I would foster attention, love and all the dog treats I could afford upon them. (And then my wife would leave me!)
Some folks are into Cats (my daughter-in-law and youngest daughter) but for me, I LIKE DOGS.
I have been blessed with a dog since I can remember (and at age 70, that's a long time). I remember each of their names and what happened to them when they left me. (Go ahead...test me...I dare you).
A dear friend of mine for all of my 70 years recently posted on f/b that he had to have his companion, Bogie (a beautiful Rottweiler), put to rest. They had too few years together, but Bogie became ill and my friend had to do his duty. He was devastated......I have known that feeling too many times myself. I truely feel his pain.
I had never met Bogie (he lived in Florida) but I have seen his picture on f/b. What a beautiful companion!!
I have a daughter that works as a Vet Tech........she loves her work. When she first started she would call me and relate sorrowful tales of the treatment that some people tendered to their animals. I too felt a sorrow like no other. She has chosen a lifes work that I could not handle...I admire her immensley for that.
I am not (now) a violent person (I used to be). But if I ever see someone abuse an animal of any kind, they will have an old, beat-up half-crippled 70 year old all over their butt!! No threat..... PROMISE.
Responsible pet ownership should be a law, with REALLY stiff penalties for anyone found abusing an animal. If you have one, GET IT SPAYED/NEUTERED. That is part of responsible ownership. Give it adequate food/water/exercise and all the love you can.
My daughter told me about the poem "Rainbow Bridge" when I had to have a dear dog put to rest. I have a copy of it....I read it when Bogie died. It does ease the pain.
To end this I will say a farewell again to REX, DUFFY, DUCHESS, SANDY, SALTY, SAM, PRINCESS, BRIDGET, FUJI, MAX, MOBLEY, GOLDIE and to others that were not my companions...wait for me. We'll cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
Blog Nr. 13
We are preparing to celebrate the occassion of this great nation's birth----the 4th of July.
Too many people either don't know why we celebrate or have forgotten the true meaning of what occurred these many years ago. Or worse yet, they just don't care.
This nation was brought into existence because of many reasons. I am not enough of a scholar to understand most of the "whys" but I (as always) have my ideas.
Pre-revolution days were tough--I can't begin to know the hardships that our settlers were undergoing. Can you think of not having the Internet? TV? Air-conditioning? McDonald's?
How did they do it??? What a hard life!! (By the way, do you realize these settlers were the first "illegal immigrants----but that's another story),
One thing these settlers had that we do not have in the USA today was OPPRESSION.
The settlers were taxed beyond belief. Laws prohibited many freedoms we have today. It was a crummy way to live.
So why did a group of Patriots finally say "Enough is enough"?? Was it Divinely inspired? Was it greed? Did these Patriots think the wealth of this great country should be available only to themselves? Who Knows???? But, as always, I have an opinion.
I think these settlers just decided that they could run their own shop. The felt they did not need the strength of this oppressive nation (England) that was ruling them. It took a lot of chutzpah/courage/cajones for these settlers to take on King George and his crew. Tremendous sacrifices had to be undertaken by everyone. Not everyone wanted to undertake this effort--they liked the status quo--they felt a degree of loyalty to Old George and his crowd.Some of them were probably just too lazy to get off their duffs and put in the effort required.
Anyway, history tells us what happened. The settlers (I will now refer to them as PATRIOTS) sacrificed much but they overcame the powerful King George and his crew. The next 200+ years saw the entire world change because of these Patriots.
My family has traced our ancestors back to pre-revolution. Some of my distant relatives were Patriots. To them, I humble myself and say "Thanks".
On the 4th of July we should celebrate the efforts of these Patriots.....we are the Greatest Nation of Earth. Are we perfect??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But we ARE THE BEST!!
We celebrate by making noise, barbecuing hamburgers and wave flags. While you are doing all that I ask only one thing-----don't set off firecrackers near me..........the sounds of all the fireworks brings to me very bad feelings. And they scare the hell out of my dogs!!!!!!!!
Too many people either don't know why we celebrate or have forgotten the true meaning of what occurred these many years ago. Or worse yet, they just don't care.
This nation was brought into existence because of many reasons. I am not enough of a scholar to understand most of the "whys" but I (as always) have my ideas.
Pre-revolution days were tough--I can't begin to know the hardships that our settlers were undergoing. Can you think of not having the Internet? TV? Air-conditioning? McDonald's?
How did they do it??? What a hard life!! (By the way, do you realize these settlers were the first "illegal immigrants----but that's another story),
One thing these settlers had that we do not have in the USA today was OPPRESSION.
The settlers were taxed beyond belief. Laws prohibited many freedoms we have today. It was a crummy way to live.
So why did a group of Patriots finally say "Enough is enough"?? Was it Divinely inspired? Was it greed? Did these Patriots think the wealth of this great country should be available only to themselves? Who Knows???? But, as always, I have an opinion.
I think these settlers just decided that they could run their own shop. The felt they did not need the strength of this oppressive nation (England) that was ruling them. It took a lot of chutzpah/courage/cajones for these settlers to take on King George and his crew. Tremendous sacrifices had to be undertaken by everyone. Not everyone wanted to undertake this effort--they liked the status quo--they felt a degree of loyalty to Old George and his crowd.Some of them were probably just too lazy to get off their duffs and put in the effort required.
Anyway, history tells us what happened. The settlers (I will now refer to them as PATRIOTS) sacrificed much but they overcame the powerful King George and his crew. The next 200+ years saw the entire world change because of these Patriots.
My family has traced our ancestors back to pre-revolution. Some of my distant relatives were Patriots. To them, I humble myself and say "Thanks".
On the 4th of July we should celebrate the efforts of these Patriots.....we are the Greatest Nation of Earth. Are we perfect??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But we ARE THE BEST!!
We celebrate by making noise, barbecuing hamburgers and wave flags. While you are doing all that I ask only one thing-----don't set off firecrackers near me..........the sounds of all the fireworks brings to me very bad feelings. And they scare the hell out of my dogs!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Blog Nr. 12
It 2213 now (ooops, for civilians that is 10:13 Pm MST (for Army and Air Force that Mickey's big hand on the 13 and the little hand on the 10) and I should really be in bed. (Old people need lots of rest). Instead, I am going to blog about a subject that raises hackles in me. The subject:
domestic violence.
Violence comes in many forms: verbal, physical, physcological, sexual. Violence of these types are mostly commited by males, but some females also. Men are (in most cases) larger and stronger than women.
Is there an excuse for this domestic violence???? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!! I have heard about cases where "alcohol made me do it", "it was the drugs I was on that made me do it", "she made me angry", "the baby wouldn't stop crying" and my favorite "I have PTSD, and that made me do it."
I want to address the latter excuse: PTSD. A few years ago, I noticed a police car with it's lights flashing sitting outside my front window. When I went out to investigate, a policeman was putting yellow tape that stretched from my next door neighbors front yard down to the nearest corner about 70 yards away. The tape stretched across the road and up the other side to the corner opposite. I couldn't figure what had happened. There were 3-4 squad cars, the CSI truck and a lot of police dept personnel gathered at a house across the street from me and about 40 yards down. I live in almost a "no-crime" area: mostly elderly folks like me, with some working stiffs sprinkled in.
I went outside to find out what in the h--- was going on. A young policeman took the time to tell a few of us that were gathered there.
In the front yard , I could see two bundles with tarps covering them. It seems their was a domestic dispute with the couple that were renting that house. It seems the wife had left, taken their two small children and moved in with another man. The husband had remained in the house. That day she brought the children to see their father; small children, I think 2 and 4 years old. While the children were in the house, the husband-wife got into an argument. It became extremely violent. The wife ran out of the house and into the street. The husband caught up to her and shot and killed her. He then went up to his front porch and put the gun to his own head and committed suicide.
I had not heard a thing------I can't hear for s--- anyway. What was really disgusting was the bodies were found lying in the street and the yard by a 12-13 year old schoolboy on his walk home after classes. What a sight for anyone, much less a child, to see!!!
Local newspapers trolled the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors. They stopped at my house and started asking me questions. They asked if I had known the couple (I did not--they had moved in only a month or so earlier). She mentioned to me that one of my neighbors that she had interviewed had told him what a "great" guy this killer was, and that he was retired military and sufferred from PTSD and that was why the killer did what he did. This "clown" of a neighbor even posted a homemade sign saying how great this killer was and how the killer was going to be missed!!! Can you believe that????
PTSD is real. There are a lot of men and women (your US military) that are exposed to unspeakable horrors in this violent world. How each and every one of them cope with this problem differs from each person involved. But to have this "clown" (who is a civilian, by the way) try to excuse this killer with that excuse sickens me to no end. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE.
This killer destroyed the life of his childrens mother. The children are the ones that will hurt for their entire lives. I pray for them, and so should you.
Just a little background: I am a military man. I did my time in combat areas. So did my brother, so did my son. I am "Pro-military" all the way. I know men who have suffered this terrible horror called PTSD. It has been hard, but they have survived. They did not draw a gun and murder.
I have also commited verbal abuse, directed mostly to my wife and children. I am totally ashamed of those actions. I know I have hurt them all deeply. But I have changed my ways. How did I change? I prayed - and I begged forgiveness, both from my family and from my GOD. I feel good about myself now. I may get angry but I have learned to control that anger/frustration/impatience that made me verbally abusive.
Enough said.
domestic violence.
Violence comes in many forms: verbal, physical, physcological, sexual. Violence of these types are mostly commited by males, but some females also. Men are (in most cases) larger and stronger than women.
Is there an excuse for this domestic violence???? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!! I have heard about cases where "alcohol made me do it", "it was the drugs I was on that made me do it", "she made me angry", "the baby wouldn't stop crying" and my favorite "I have PTSD, and that made me do it."
I want to address the latter excuse: PTSD. A few years ago, I noticed a police car with it's lights flashing sitting outside my front window. When I went out to investigate, a policeman was putting yellow tape that stretched from my next door neighbors front yard down to the nearest corner about 70 yards away. The tape stretched across the road and up the other side to the corner opposite. I couldn't figure what had happened. There were 3-4 squad cars, the CSI truck and a lot of police dept personnel gathered at a house across the street from me and about 40 yards down. I live in almost a "no-crime" area: mostly elderly folks like me, with some working stiffs sprinkled in.
I went outside to find out what in the h--- was going on. A young policeman took the time to tell a few of us that were gathered there.
In the front yard , I could see two bundles with tarps covering them. It seems their was a domestic dispute with the couple that were renting that house. It seems the wife had left, taken their two small children and moved in with another man. The husband had remained in the house. That day she brought the children to see their father; small children, I think 2 and 4 years old. While the children were in the house, the husband-wife got into an argument. It became extremely violent. The wife ran out of the house and into the street. The husband caught up to her and shot and killed her. He then went up to his front porch and put the gun to his own head and committed suicide.
I had not heard a thing------I can't hear for s--- anyway. What was really disgusting was the bodies were found lying in the street and the yard by a 12-13 year old schoolboy on his walk home after classes. What a sight for anyone, much less a child, to see!!!
Local newspapers trolled the neighborhood, interviewing neighbors. They stopped at my house and started asking me questions. They asked if I had known the couple (I did not--they had moved in only a month or so earlier). She mentioned to me that one of my neighbors that she had interviewed had told him what a "great" guy this killer was, and that he was retired military and sufferred from PTSD and that was why the killer did what he did. This "clown" of a neighbor even posted a homemade sign saying how great this killer was and how the killer was going to be missed!!! Can you believe that????
PTSD is real. There are a lot of men and women (your US military) that are exposed to unspeakable horrors in this violent world. How each and every one of them cope with this problem differs from each person involved. But to have this "clown" (who is a civilian, by the way) try to excuse this killer with that excuse sickens me to no end. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE.
This killer destroyed the life of his childrens mother. The children are the ones that will hurt for their entire lives. I pray for them, and so should you.
Just a little background: I am a military man. I did my time in combat areas. So did my brother, so did my son. I am "Pro-military" all the way. I know men who have suffered this terrible horror called PTSD. It has been hard, but they have survived. They did not draw a gun and murder.
I have also commited verbal abuse, directed mostly to my wife and children. I am totally ashamed of those actions. I know I have hurt them all deeply. But I have changed my ways. How did I change? I prayed - and I begged forgiveness, both from my family and from my GOD. I feel good about myself now. I may get angry but I have learned to control that anger/frustration/impatience that made me verbally abusive.
Enough said.
Blog Nr. 11
I don't know if Anyone will care, but I have followed Japanese Sumo for a long, long time. It is an ancient form of wrestling developed in Japan. I became interested in Sumo over 50 years ago, when I did a tour of duty there.
I don't understand Japanese that well, but the objective of Sumo is to overpower your opponent and knock him on his butt.....pretty simple really.
Two large (and I mean LARGE) gentlemen face each other from a distance of about a foot and a half. On signal, they charge. Picture it: two guys, averaging 300-350 lbs each colliding. They slap each other around, grab each other however they can and try to toss each other outside the ring. (I forgot to mention, the ring is quite small). There are methods to their madness: balance, strength, quickness, guile and other tactics fascinate me What impresses me most is the sportsmanship each wrestler shows each other. No tantrums, bad-mouthing etc. are allowed in this sport. (Unlike EVERY American sport I have seen!!)
Oh, yeah, I forgot...these guys are 95% uncovered, with just a large belt and strategically placed straps covering their "boy" parts.
The reason I am talking about this is, there is presently a large scandal surrounding the sport. The Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) have been caught extorting money from some of the wrestlers who have been caught betting on other sports (baseball, soccer, etc.) Some high-ranking champions in the sport are involved. Guys who I have followed reverently over many many years. This scandal may change the face of Sumo forever. And it is a harsh reminder to me that even these large, gentlemanly champions of their sport are suseptible to doing wrong. It is indeed a sad day for Sumo.
Sumo has a governing body deciding now how to handle this shame. It is impacting me......as a subscriber to NHK, (Japanese television that my wife and I have), I would normally cheer my favorites on to victory, same as I do for the Broncos, Rockies and other athletes of whom I am fond.
The Japanese culture is very big on "shame" brought on by themselves. In the old days, someone who brought shame on themselves, their families or their countrymen would be expected to commit Seppuku (Hari-kari). Tough.
Idon't expect that to happen in these modern times, but I think the punishment for this will be severe.
In the meantime, the Sumo tournament in Nagoya, scheduled for this month, may not occurr.
That is what upsets me.........I WILL MISS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!!.
So, to those Sumo wrestlers who were involved, I say SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't understand Japanese that well, but the objective of Sumo is to overpower your opponent and knock him on his butt.....pretty simple really.
Two large (and I mean LARGE) gentlemen face each other from a distance of about a foot and a half. On signal, they charge. Picture it: two guys, averaging 300-350 lbs each colliding. They slap each other around, grab each other however they can and try to toss each other outside the ring. (I forgot to mention, the ring is quite small). There are methods to their madness: balance, strength, quickness, guile and other tactics fascinate me What impresses me most is the sportsmanship each wrestler shows each other. No tantrums, bad-mouthing etc. are allowed in this sport. (Unlike EVERY American sport I have seen!!)
Oh, yeah, I forgot...these guys are 95% uncovered, with just a large belt and strategically placed straps covering their "boy" parts.
The reason I am talking about this is, there is presently a large scandal surrounding the sport. The Yakuza (Japanese Mafia) have been caught extorting money from some of the wrestlers who have been caught betting on other sports (baseball, soccer, etc.) Some high-ranking champions in the sport are involved. Guys who I have followed reverently over many many years. This scandal may change the face of Sumo forever. And it is a harsh reminder to me that even these large, gentlemanly champions of their sport are suseptible to doing wrong. It is indeed a sad day for Sumo.
Sumo has a governing body deciding now how to handle this shame. It is impacting me......as a subscriber to NHK, (Japanese television that my wife and I have), I would normally cheer my favorites on to victory, same as I do for the Broncos, Rockies and other athletes of whom I am fond.
The Japanese culture is very big on "shame" brought on by themselves. In the old days, someone who brought shame on themselves, their families or their countrymen would be expected to commit Seppuku (Hari-kari). Tough.
Idon't expect that to happen in these modern times, but I think the punishment for this will be severe.
In the meantime, the Sumo tournament in Nagoya, scheduled for this month, may not occurr.
That is what upsets me.........I WILL MISS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!!.
So, to those Sumo wrestlers who were involved, I say SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blog Nr. 10
Yak, Yak, Yak; that's all I do. Sorry about that!!!
Her are some things that I have a great (sometimes irrational) fear of.
Snakes----show me a snake and watch the old guy faint. I don't know where this fear comes from: my older brother (by 8 years) used to have to baby-sit me and he would keep me entertained by getting me garter snakes and letting me play with them. (Thanks a lot, Joe!!)
Maybe I'll blame him!
Heights---I have had had many friends/family visit me in CO over the years. They almost all want to do the tourist thing and visit the Royal Gorge. I, being the perfect host that I am, will oblige. I will drive them to the Gorge, park the car and wait in the gift shop drinking coffee while you and my crazy wife walk or drive over that rickety wooden bridge, with a 1200+ foot drop to the river. Would I faint if I went near the bridge? Probably not....I would crap my pants, lose my stomach contents, and fall 1200+ feet to the Colorado river. (After my cardiac arrest!)
So, to Patrick, Yoichiro, and all the others that I have driven to the Gorge, go ahead and laugh!!
Sharks---Being a sailor on all the oceans of the world, I have had the opportunity to see sharks in their own world. Belive me, sharks, it's all yours!!! There is nothing more frightening to me than to be on the fantail of a Navy destroyer and see a shark following in our wake waiting for the messcooks to dump garbage! (For those that don't know what a "fantail" is, it's the rear end of a ship)
I have other fears, but they are nothing compared to the above. I have learned to overcome many fears, but these have really stayed with me. Chicken? Scaredy-cat? Frightened old man?
Call me what you want, laugh at the irrationality. But don't expect me to walk on the bridge, meet you on the faintail or visit you at the snake exhibit at the zoo!!!!!!!
Her are some things that I have a great (sometimes irrational) fear of.
Snakes----show me a snake and watch the old guy faint. I don't know where this fear comes from: my older brother (by 8 years) used to have to baby-sit me and he would keep me entertained by getting me garter snakes and letting me play with them. (Thanks a lot, Joe!!)
Maybe I'll blame him!
Heights---I have had had many friends/family visit me in CO over the years. They almost all want to do the tourist thing and visit the Royal Gorge. I, being the perfect host that I am, will oblige. I will drive them to the Gorge, park the car and wait in the gift shop drinking coffee while you and my crazy wife walk or drive over that rickety wooden bridge, with a 1200+ foot drop to the river. Would I faint if I went near the bridge? Probably not....I would crap my pants, lose my stomach contents, and fall 1200+ feet to the Colorado river. (After my cardiac arrest!)
So, to Patrick, Yoichiro, and all the others that I have driven to the Gorge, go ahead and laugh!!
Sharks---Being a sailor on all the oceans of the world, I have had the opportunity to see sharks in their own world. Belive me, sharks, it's all yours!!! There is nothing more frightening to me than to be on the fantail of a Navy destroyer and see a shark following in our wake waiting for the messcooks to dump garbage! (For those that don't know what a "fantail" is, it's the rear end of a ship)
I have other fears, but they are nothing compared to the above. I have learned to overcome many fears, but these have really stayed with me. Chicken? Scaredy-cat? Frightened old man?
Call me what you want, laugh at the irrationality. But don't expect me to walk on the bridge, meet you on the faintail or visit you at the snake exhibit at the zoo!!!!!!!
Blog Nr. 9
For every item I read in a newspaper, I find I have an opinion and/or a comment. Most of my comments are short-----usually, I just say "Crap". There was an article in the local Gazette and Denver Post (I subscribe to both) that I have to comment on.
The article talked about a 95 year old mailman who has finally retired. This guy was a forklift operator who started with the Post Office in 1973 and did not miss a shift for 37 years!!! I am impressed!! He attributes this feat to a daily diet of watermelon, alkaline water and an onion sandwich with mayo. He NEVER took a sick day. If that doesn't impress you, nothing will.
He liked his job because "one, it's a steady income and, two, they don't hassle you. But he knew when to leave, saying: "The Bible says there's a time for everything. Well, it's time to retire, and that's it."
To this "young" fellow of 95 I say "Good for you my friend. "
The article talked about a 95 year old mailman who has finally retired. This guy was a forklift operator who started with the Post Office in 1973 and did not miss a shift for 37 years!!! I am impressed!! He attributes this feat to a daily diet of watermelon, alkaline water and an onion sandwich with mayo. He NEVER took a sick day. If that doesn't impress you, nothing will.
He liked his job because "one, it's a steady income and, two, they don't hassle you. But he knew when to leave, saying: "The Bible says there's a time for everything. Well, it's time to retire, and that's it."
To this "young" fellow of 95 I say "Good for you my friend. "
Blog Nr. 8
I sincerely hope this blog does not offend anyone, but I have been pondering this for a long time. I have asked myself "Should I start something by putting my beliefs here, or should I leave things alone? Like I mentioned in my first blog, this is a place where I can document my feelings/ideas/thoughts so that my family can see what this old man was about. Here goes:
There is currently a massive debate about "Creationism Vs Evolution". Both "sides" of this debate have put out there their thoughts/beliefs about who/what we (as mankind) are, and why we are here, etc......
I have the capacity of "free will". Was this evolved into me or was it created into me?
I cannot believe that I descended from a monkey/ape/chimp, though science has proven that mankind has 96% of DNA as the chimp. This chimp does not have free will. I do.(Besides, I think I am much prettier that any chimp!!!!)
My free will was a gift for my Creator----you can have a different name for Him but I prefer to call Him GOD. I believe this world that He created was His gift to us, naming us as the predominant species above all the other animals/creatures he also put here. His only requirement for this "gift" was to follow a few rules. I think his words might have been "Here you go, mankind. Follow these simple rules and you will reside here and be happy and there will be no pain/ death/hardships. You, mankind, are also being giving a gift of "free will"....use it wisely." With this gift of "free will", mankind chose to disobey His simple rules (Thanks a lot, Adam and Eve). I think we all know what happened next.
In re-reading the above paragraph, I have over-simplified the actual events that I believe have occurred. There are Bibles, Torahs, Korans, and various other writings that detail mankinds thoughts of the actual events. With my extremely limited capacity, I like the simple explaination.
After seeing how hopeless mankind really was, incapable of following simple rules, I believe our Creator (GOD) decided to give us another chance. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way, to teach us how to live, to prepare us for Salvation; in simple words, giving us another chance to have Paradise here on Earth. Well, mankind, using his "free will" really blew it again. We murdered Jesus Christ---there are no other words to describe it. Again, I over-simplify, but you have to remember--I am a man, extremely limited in his capacity. But I have "free will" (as you can see, this is a term I use often).
People might ask why GOD hasn't destroyed us all and started over. Again, with my "free will" I believe He has a plan for us. Can anyone give detail of this plan??? Absolutely not....we were not provided with the capacity to understand this plan. Way too complex for a human mind. That is why a word like "Faith" exists. GOD, in His infinite wisdom, is the only one who has the mercy, patience, love, understanding, etc., to have put this plan together. But I have Faith in His plan...it will happen...in His time.
I have to veer off-course a bit, to define (in my mind) the word Miracle. Do they exist? Absolutely they do. Miracles are described in various writings. But I have seen miracles. I see them every day. I had the honor of witnessing the birth of my oldest grandaughter. This was not a miracle? Oh, yes it was. My son had the honor of witnessing a miracle....the birth of his first daughter. Not a miracle? Certainly it was. Miracles are proof, to me, of GOD's power and goodness. I look at my children and I see miracles. There are miracles all around us. Just open your eyes and you can see them. Look at the gifts we are given. I could go on and on but my limited capacity stops me.
I could rant and rave about this for eternity, but to sumarrize MY thoughts, I will make it simple----I Believe in GOD----if you do not, that is exercising your "free will". I will not try to convince you that you are wrong.......I am not intelligent enough to do that. But, I will say, do not blame GOD for the ills that we all suffer through. That is Mankind, doing it to ourselves.
I do want to lamely try to explain my Faith. Having been raised by an Irish-Catholic mother, I attended mass regularly. I was an alter boy (some of my former shipmates and drinking partners are saying "WHAT? NEVER!). I was told I had to pray to GOD see if I should become a priest. I did.....my Faith took me another way.(I had discovered girls!). I have talked with many many people of many many faiths: Jew, Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans, Muslims. I have heard their sentiments and beliefs. I have made my choice. And that choice is personal and between GOD and me. I thank GOD for giving me that free will to make that choice. I pray to HIM each day to help me in my personal quest and to provide help for mankind. Cause we sure need the help!!!!!!
To my many friends that are thinking "What a jerk! that McLuckie is", that is your choice made with the free will that has been given to you.
As I said at the beginning of this rant, if publishing my thoughts upsets you and you have different thoughts, I would love to hear about them. If you are a non-believer, I would like to hear your thoughts. If you are so upset that you want to scream and yell (via this medium), please do so. If you are so mad/upset that you will never respond or speak to me again, I can only say "GOOD-BY".
Tom McLuckie
There is currently a massive debate about "Creationism Vs Evolution". Both "sides" of this debate have put out there their thoughts/beliefs about who/what we (as mankind) are, and why we are here, etc......
I have the capacity of "free will". Was this evolved into me or was it created into me?
I cannot believe that I descended from a monkey/ape/chimp, though science has proven that mankind has 96% of DNA as the chimp. This chimp does not have free will. I do.(Besides, I think I am much prettier that any chimp!!!!)
My free will was a gift for my Creator----you can have a different name for Him but I prefer to call Him GOD. I believe this world that He created was His gift to us, naming us as the predominant species above all the other animals/creatures he also put here. His only requirement for this "gift" was to follow a few rules. I think his words might have been "Here you go, mankind. Follow these simple rules and you will reside here and be happy and there will be no pain/ death/hardships. You, mankind, are also being giving a gift of "free will"....use it wisely." With this gift of "free will", mankind chose to disobey His simple rules (Thanks a lot, Adam and Eve). I think we all know what happened next.
In re-reading the above paragraph, I have over-simplified the actual events that I believe have occurred. There are Bibles, Torahs, Korans, and various other writings that detail mankinds thoughts of the actual events. With my extremely limited capacity, I like the simple explaination.
After seeing how hopeless mankind really was, incapable of following simple rules, I believe our Creator (GOD) decided to give us another chance. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way, to teach us how to live, to prepare us for Salvation; in simple words, giving us another chance to have Paradise here on Earth. Well, mankind, using his "free will" really blew it again. We murdered Jesus Christ---there are no other words to describe it. Again, I over-simplify, but you have to remember--I am a man, extremely limited in his capacity. But I have "free will" (as you can see, this is a term I use often).
People might ask why GOD hasn't destroyed us all and started over. Again, with my "free will" I believe He has a plan for us. Can anyone give detail of this plan??? Absolutely not....we were not provided with the capacity to understand this plan. Way too complex for a human mind. That is why a word like "Faith" exists. GOD, in His infinite wisdom, is the only one who has the mercy, patience, love, understanding, etc., to have put this plan together. But I have Faith in His plan...it will happen...in His time.
I have to veer off-course a bit, to define (in my mind) the word Miracle. Do they exist? Absolutely they do. Miracles are described in various writings. But I have seen miracles. I see them every day. I had the honor of witnessing the birth of my oldest grandaughter. This was not a miracle? Oh, yes it was. My son had the honor of witnessing a miracle....the birth of his first daughter. Not a miracle? Certainly it was. Miracles are proof, to me, of GOD's power and goodness. I look at my children and I see miracles. There are miracles all around us. Just open your eyes and you can see them. Look at the gifts we are given. I could go on and on but my limited capacity stops me.
I could rant and rave about this for eternity, but to sumarrize MY thoughts, I will make it simple----I Believe in GOD----if you do not, that is exercising your "free will". I will not try to convince you that you are wrong.......I am not intelligent enough to do that. But, I will say, do not blame GOD for the ills that we all suffer through. That is Mankind, doing it to ourselves.
I do want to lamely try to explain my Faith. Having been raised by an Irish-Catholic mother, I attended mass regularly. I was an alter boy (some of my former shipmates and drinking partners are saying "WHAT? NEVER!). I was told I had to pray to GOD see if I should become a priest. I did.....my Faith took me another way.(I had discovered girls!). I have talked with many many people of many many faiths: Jew, Christian, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans, Muslims. I have heard their sentiments and beliefs. I have made my choice. And that choice is personal and between GOD and me. I thank GOD for giving me that free will to make that choice. I pray to HIM each day to help me in my personal quest and to provide help for mankind. Cause we sure need the help!!!!!!
To my many friends that are thinking "What a jerk! that McLuckie is", that is your choice made with the free will that has been given to you.
As I said at the beginning of this rant, if publishing my thoughts upsets you and you have different thoughts, I would love to hear about them. If you are a non-believer, I would like to hear your thoughts. If you are so upset that you want to scream and yell (via this medium), please do so. If you are so mad/upset that you will never respond or speak to me again, I can only say "GOOD-BY".
Tom McLuckie
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