Change of heart

I went to the funeral of a soldier today. No, not anybody we know. My aunt posted a message on that the funeral for a young soldier was being held in Waxahachie this afternoon, and the folks from Westboro Church were planning to demonstrate. I had heard of some instances where bikers would show up at services that the Westboro folks had targeted, and simply line up next to the protesters with engines running, drowning out the chants. I figured, the baby has a nice, deep voice, so why not ride down and see what's going on. When I got out to the bike, it was misting, but i decided to go anyway. Actually, I was kinda hoping for a run-in of sorts, and I wasn't going to miss the chance.

I rolled up on the parking lot, and I was pleased to see lots of people, and lots of bikes. This was going to be good. I parked and walked up to the building, looking for the Westboro folks. The driveway from the street to the Waxahachie Event Center was lined with people, standing in the cold and wind, holding American flags. The crowd was largely silent, and I couldn't hear or see anything that even remotely looked like a protest. As I stood watching the crowd, a lady waked up to me and said "If you want to go inside, you can sit with me." I wasn't sure what she meant at first, but I said "Sure", and turned to follow her into the service. As we walked, she explained that she had driven in from Ft Hood. Her husband was deployed in Kuwait, and all of her friends were suddenly 'busy' and could not come with her. She had spoken with her mother earlier today, and found out that here younger brother is to be deployed to Afghanistan in December. She obviously didn't want to sit thru the service alone, and I actually felt honored to sit with her. I suppose there was another purpose in store for my trip

Inside the auditorium, there were few empty seats. Lots of military, and lots of just plain 'ol folks that came out to honor the fallen soldier. It was a pretty somber atmosphere, as you might imagine, but it wasn't overpowering. A little about the soldier. 23 years old, with a young daughter. He had been active since 2008, I think, and was an exemplary soldier. One of his buddies from his unit described him as a natural leader, always concerned with the 'new guys' even though he was a newbie himself. His parents work at the local high school, and students by the dozens turned out to support the family and pay their respects to the fallen soldier.

As I sat in the service, I thought about what it takes to volunteer to serve in the armed forces. These folks don't have to join, there hasn't been a draft for a long time. There's a better that zero chance that they will be placed in harm's way at some point. They are working to protect freedoms for lots of people that they don't know and will never meet. Many of the very people that they are risking their lives to protect don't particularly like them simply because of their chosen profession. Yet, they are willing to go where nobody wants to go to do the jobs that nobody wants to do, and they do it with pride. Now I'm not saying that the armed forces don't have their share of bad apples. Pick a group, and there will be good and bad. But, all in all, these are a group of pretty special people, and they deserve our support. If you ever get the chance, tell a soldier, a sailor, or a marine "Thanks", and say it like you mean it,

I don't know if the Westboro folks ever showed, I never saw them. What I do know is that I went down for one reason, and came back with an altogether different reason for going again.

NYE 2010

Alright, boys and girls, here we are, New Year's Eve. Birthday of my eldest offspring. One of the most iconic days on the calendar. A day when the economic downturn has been temporarily suspended, especially at the nail salons and liquor stores. 2010 was supposed to be the year we make contact (Remember? sequel to '2001: A Space Odessey'? OK maybe us band geeks are the only ones). I made contact with a few things that I had just as soon rather not have made contact with...like my 50th birthday! Then again, I got to make contact with my motorcycle, so that's a good. Oh well, the big wheel just keeps on rollin', don't it?

Many of you will be out among them tonite, celebrating the impending change in the calendar with friends old and new.A few things to remember. Excessive use of alcohol may cause you to think you are speaking softer that you actually are. We aren't spring chickens any more. I killed off about as many brain cells as I dare to when I was in college, so I riding the ragged of success, as far as that goes. Don't ask any really hard questions if you want an answer right away. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll answer it, it may take me a few minutes.

Just watch yourselves out there. Next year is shaping up to be one where we'll need all the help we can get. It's gonna be a really wild ride, I can feel it. Lots of change on the horizon, new challenges and opportunities (we used to call them problems).It's a brand new year, never been used. Can't wait to get it all started. Just be careful out there tonite. Looks like it's gonna be a year when we need all the help we can get.

So here's to a great 2011, and more success than we can handle. Oh,couple things more. I have no special hangover cures, and don't call me for bail money...I'm all tapped out.

Much love...

Radio Ron is on the air...

OK, boys and girls, I've been told that one of the best exercises in keeping your mind sharp is to write. So I write.



I've decided to go back to school. Looking at an MBA program from a local school, and I hope I have enough discipline to see it thru. My company has a tuition reimbursement program, so if they'll pay for it, why not? I'll keep you posted.



I took vacation the week between Christmas and New Year's in hopes that we'd have some good riding weather like we had before Christmas. So far, no good, and I am going nuts! It was a perfect day on Sunday, but I went to Oklahoma to visit the mama, and unfortunately, you can't put a 3-year-old on the bike. Relax, I'm only kidding...maybe.



The motorcycle is a wondrous invention. So great to be out on the road, hit that throttle, lean into the wind, and it's Katie-bar-the-door! Me and the baby (I call my bike 'the baby') have come to somewhat of an agreement. She'll mind her manners and keep me from killing myself, and every once in a while, I let her stretch her legs. But not too much. The thing has way more go-fast than I'll ever need. Still, sometimes I want to try...



I'm beginning to run out of words, so I guess I'll sign off. Tune in again next week.


Love each other...

Slacker...

Wow...has it really been that long? I guess so. I've really got start writing on this thing more, else why am I taking up space? Fairly pretentious of me to think anybody wants to read what I have to say in the first place. Oh well...good for my soul anyway.

It's been a hard few weeks. Lots of stuff going on at work (as usual) and even more at home. I really don't even know how it happened, but we ended up buying 4 cars in 5 months. Crazy story...

Mid-May, I bought an old Honda Accord for Lillian, my daughter, to drive to work. Nice little beater of a car, and she liked it fine (car #1). A few weeks later, the Volvo wagon I was driving started having issues, so the wife insisted that I get more reliable transportation, so I got a little Scion (Toyota) to drive car #2). Rocking along just fine, until mid August, Lillian was in a fender-bender on her way home from class one day. She's fine, the other driver is at fault, his insurance will pick up the repair tab. Next up, the wife's diesel VW starts having issues. Into the shop it goes, and I am informed that the turbo is out (the same turbo I replaced 2 years ago for about $3500), and it will have to be replaced...again. Did I mention that the car was paid off in June? No go on the repairs and my better half decided not to throw good money after bad, so she drove home a new Jetta (car #3)

Next day, the body shop calls about Lillian's wrecked Honda. Too much money for such an old car, so it is declared a total loss. While waiting to settle with the insurance company, Lillian finds a car that she thinks she can afford, and here we go again (car #4)! Just how am I supposed to pay for all of this is still taking shape. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining, however. I settled with the insurance company on the Honda, and got the damaged car and $1700. The neighbor's son works at a body shop, and they were able to repair the Honda AND give her a new coat of paint for $1200. Middle child Chris, who just got a job, now has wheels, so everyone is good to go.

Anybody know of a large bank with little security?

It's been such a long time, I think I should be going...

I've been away for a while, but I'm better now...

No, I haven't been in rehab (you people, really!). I have just been really busy. I can't believe that this year is over half over. Mid-August, and I just got used to writing '2010' on my checks. Wait a minute, I don't write checks...well, you know what I mean. Lillian starts classes at UT-Arlington next Friday. Some of my friends that are teachers have already started back. Baseball is winding up the regular season, and football is starting to ramp up. It's still hot, but then again, this is Texas. Bummer, because I need to drop about 25lbs, so I bought a bike. It's too hot to ride before it gets dark at night, and I have to be at work too early to ride in the morning. Guess I'll have to drink lots of water and just suck it up.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'll be back here on a much more regular basis, so don't forget about me. I'll be cranking out the good stuff again pretty soon. Stop back by every once in a while...and thanks!

Love each other,

RD

Oz knows cool...

...or does he?



It wasn't too long ago when Oz thought that having a 'big ol Angela Davis fro" was the key to happiness. It wasn't too long ago that Oz thought that cuffed baggies was the ultimate in hip attire. It wasn't too long ago when Oz would not wear straight leg jeans 'cause he was sure they made his feet look big (they WERE big). It wasn't too long ago that Oz wore a vest with a jacket and tie, jeans and hiking boots. It wasn't too long ago that Oz had a Member's Only jacket and knew it was the shiznit.



Yeah, Oz knows cool...now. Cool is different than what Oz used to see. Cool is what makes you happy. Cool is what makes you be yourself. Cool is what makes you love and accept. Cool gives you the ability to really see folks for who they are, not what they look like. Cool is subject to change as one gains knowledge.



There's an old Tower of Power song that says "Hipness is what it is, and sometimes hipness is what it ain't". Cool ain't a job title. Cool ain't a bank balance. Cool ain't a skin color, a religious affiliation, or a particular preference. Cool ain't a car, a house, or a boat.



You want to be cool? Accept, love, give, enjoy, be genuine, really care, listen, talk. Smile and laugh really hard...do both often. Be a friend, help somebody, hug your kids, call your mama. Open up a little, take a closer look, be receptive, look for some positive.



Before you know it, you'll know cool, too...just like Oz. He has decreed it so.



Love each other,
RD

Wisdom? Geez, I hope not...

I had dinner with some friends last night. Actually, they were more in my sister's wheelhouse more than mine, but I remember them well, and we had lots of acquaintances in common. It was a great evening spent in the company of several very delightful people who I had not seen in a looong time. I was comfortable right away.



I watched my friends interact with each other, and it was really cool. It was a group of people that grew up in very diverse backgrounds, but somehow were able to put aside their differences and became close friends. Now, some 30 years later, thru a lot of trying and some very strange times, the friendship has not only survived, but seems to have flourished. They talked and laughed and told stories all night. I, of course, added what I could, when I could, and I think we all had a great time.


It really gives me hope.



Sometime during the evening, the concept of getting to know a person before forming a lasting opinion was brought up. Such a simple, yet often overlooked little piece of advice. I gotta tell you, there have been many people in my life that I was pretty unsure of at first glance. Fortunately for me, I was able to get past that and get to know the person behind that first impression. Some of those people are best friends now.



I'm getting older, and, hopefully a lot wiser. If I've learned anything, it's that first impressions are lasting impressions, but don't have to be the ONLY impression. Give people a chance, be honest with your feelings and genuine with your intentions, and people may just surprise you. You really can't afford to tick off anybody nowadays. You never know when you might need a ride home...



Love each other.