Underwater Extravaganza

So what do you get when you add an inexpensive underwater camera to a family pool party?

Not that it takes that much to have fun.

And the camera will always be good for snorkeling in Florida (in about a month!!!!!)

But at the end of the day, you get some pretty funny shots.

Like Jeremy's toes.

Ethan--or part of Ethan.

And Patrick standing around.

It is a different perspective, anyway. And fun to use.

Melting Pot vs Salad Bowl

And then it hit me.

Chris and I were having a discussion about what had changed in America since we were young. Why have we become so fractured? Why have special interests become more important than the good of the nation? Why do my rights no matter when compared with others?

It is all in the characterization of the American Experience.

When I was in school we were taught about the great Melting Pot. Where those people who left their homes and countries came and strove to become Americans. They longed to be identified as Americans and not the Irish, or the Poles, or the Germans. Our ancestors learned the language. They learned the economy. They paid their dues working menial jobs. And they taught their kids: you are an American first and Polish (or whatever) second. There was a reason we left our homes and came to the land of the Statue of Liberty. But at the end of the day, and even after a civil rights struggle that spanned centuries--we became Americans!

We memorized the Preamble to the Constitution, the opening phrases of the Declaration of Independence, and I, on two separate occasions memorized the Gettysburg Address. We stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance--every morning. And we were proud of it. We studied the United States as if there were no equal on Earth. We looked back at the Roman Empire determined not to duplicate their errors. And we celebrated our national holidays--even the minor ones that people today forget: Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Flag Day (I used to march in a parade on Flag Day in my hometown), V-E Day, and V-J Day.

And everyone celebrated these days. Was it a better time? I'm not sure. But "We the People" were "A People!"

And then came political correctness.

And the Melting Pot became a "Salad Bowl."

A Salad Bowl is where many peoples are jumbled-up, living together, but each retains their own language, traditions, and beliefs. There no longer is a shared common vision.

And so the nation of "We the People" became a nation of "We the Many Peoples." Keeping the traditions and languages of the homeland alive is not a bad thing--but maybe we have lost something that made us uniquely American! We now celebrate a lot of traditions and have a lot of special interests which seem to overshadow what President Obama echoed from President Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address:

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." - J.F. Kennedy, Jan 20, 1961

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task."
- B.H. Obama, Jan 20, 2009

And so we see the results of the Salad Bowl. We have moved from a nation of Americans to a nation of individuals living in America. There is no longer a corporate American--nor, do I believe is there "an" American Dream. There are many American dreams.

It has become a jungle where everyone from corporate America's leaders to the people living next door are looking for a government handout, or some way to get rich at someone else's expense. Why? Because we owe it to them. Or so they think. Let's all play--"Beat the System!" Only no one really wins in the end.

Revisionist history would suggest that the Melting Pot was bad. But, it won two world wars and helped develop the greatest nation for peace that the world has ever seen. A nation where we routinely sacrifice our best and brightest military personnel for ideals and for the protection of others who are less fortunate without thought of annexing territory to add to the Republic.

We are idealistic. Hence we are still in Korea, we were in Vietnam and Haiti, we took action in Nicaragua, we are Iraq and Afghanistan. And that is the result of the Melting Pot mentality we believed in.

Where will be be in 50 more years?

Monday Musings - June 8, 2009

1. The pace of life is directly proportional to the number of unaccomplished tasks which remain to be done.

2. I continue to cheer on sports teams which have trouble putting digits in the win column. Let's Go O's.

3. Frustration is a good reason to do a small project--especially if it is replacing the handle on the rear door of the truck in the heat on a Sunday.

4. Puppies can be funny. She had a target rich environment for play on Sunday afternoon, but preferred to remain in the house away from everyone.

5. Cake pops. Who knew?

6. Is it time for my Florida vacation yet?

7. You get what you pay for. My new $9 underwater camera is marginal at best. But it will be good for snorkeling.

8. I'm not sure which day of the week is harder to get out of bed. Monday or Saturday. Monday because I really don't want to go to work. Saturday because I can stay in bed--especially if Chris got up with the puppy.

9. Do you know what I look forward to on Tuesdays? Answer--going to bed when the day is over.

10. If I could do most things over again, I wouldn't.

11. Underwater camera: $9. Steaks for dinner: $60. Having everyone in the pool on a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon: Priceless.

12. Hearing Ethan say: "again!" makes me smile as I pull him backwards across the pool.

Monday Musings - 1 June 2009

1. I can't believe I blinked and missed two whole weeks of fun. Time really does fly--or is it that you don't worry so much about it when you begin to get older? It's kinda like the end of a ballgame as the clock is winding down--the more you worry about how much time is left the less you can do something about it.

2. Having two keeshonden in the house for the past week was fun. Lots of hair and fur, but fun.

3. The pool is nice when it's warm. But when the water is warmer than the air--look out when you get out!

4. We survived the second rainiest May on record for the Baltimore area. Hopefully, the sun will begin to shine and the daily temperatures will climb. But it sure is nice not to pay BGE to help keep the house cool.

5. Grass grows really, really fast in this weather.

6. Graduation season is a good reason to throw a party and get together. And many parties are even better.

7. I attended my first house concert Saturday night--I didn't even know what that was, but being that close to the performers and being able to chat with them over munchies is really fun.

8. Why does it seem that then umber of things that need to be done is so much greater than the time available to do them?

9. When you read on the side of a plant that it is 72 days for mature fruit--is that from when the flower sets or when the plant germinated?

10. I can't believe it's June already--it seems like just yesterday that the leaves were bursting out on the trees. And I even remember celebrating the first lawn mowing of the season. Now it has already become a weekly chore.

11. My favorite teams went 0-4 for the weekend. Really put a dampener on my spirits after a great week before which saw the O's sweep Toronto and the Pens sweep Carolina. Still--it is pretty good for the week with the O's going 5-2 on the home stand and the Pens in the Stanley Cup--I guess there is an upside.

Late-Springtime Colds

Ugh!

I think it is happening. I'm coming down with some crud that has been going around.

What a pain.

I had nasal drip all night and now my throat is sore. I'm stuffed up. AND I get to go to the dentist today for a crown.

Somehow I don't feel like a king!

And it's going to cost me money. And on top of it, I feel crummy. (that of course is a technical description). Thank goodness for Tylenol.

And this is graduation week for Patrick--who is completing his undergraduate life and receiving a degree in History! Following a family trend--both Jeremy and I have history degrees. And you would love the discussions we have.

Well, at least I get to leave work early to go to the dentist and I do not need a root canal because we caught the tooth problem during a routine check-up.

Tear 'em Down or Build 'em Up? Leading in a mixed up world.

What is a team leader to do?

Standing in the doorway watching the members of the team stroll in for the work day. Some with smiles on their faces and some with frowns.

Ever notice the ones whose shoulders are hunched over as if they are carrying a heavy load of burden and stress?

Wonder why the ones smiling are?

What is a leader to do? Add more stress and tear down the ones who are smiling so they can join everyone else?

Some days it seems that the "misery loves company" motto is too true.

Don't believe it. Teams need encouragement--not discouragement to be effective. Focus on the positives to remove or minimize the negatives.

Let people know what they are doing that is right and great.

Leaders need to help keep the team focused. This is a tough job. Build up--do not tear down.

People spend about one-third of their waking hours at work--so the environment we create at work is going to affect people and we need to manage it to keep it positive or at least neutral.

Productivity and creativity will increase.

Monday Musings - May 18, 2009

1. This is graduation season, and this year we are celebrating with a lot of our family as they accomplish their educational goals. And it is awesome.

2. The first pool party of the season was a success--it was a bit cool, but two intrepid swimmers made the water.

3. Who says my dog has stopped growing? She is still eating!

4. Really? You want lights around the pool house so it looks like Disney what?

5. Hostas can get really big. On Sunday, I moved two of them that looked like the "hostas that ate New York." Only, New York couldn't get that lucky.

6. Youth Sunday at our church is really a high energy, light your hair on fire experience--and I love it.

7. Watching hockey with the boys is the best! Especially when the Penguins are winning.

8. Taking care of and learning new bosses is a lot of fun--as well as it is trying!

9. Spending a dinner with old friends, over wine and good conversation, is an awesome way to spend a Saturday evening.

10. It is not good to be so "up tight" about the plans of the day that you don't enjoy the day as it unfolds. Worrying about what's not happening on time takes away the pleasure of what's happening right now and washes out any enjoyment that the day may bring.

11. The one thing I can tell you about the weather is--it is! Cope with it. It adds a randomness to our plans that keeps our lives fun.

12. Don't use an umbrella when walking in the rain. You can't enjoy the splashing of the raindrops on your face when you are hidden under an umbrella.

Frustration in the Car!

It happened so suddenly.







There I was, driving to work and listening to my I-Pod. Singing along to a tune. And then it all went silent.

My I-pod was dead. The battery depleted even though it is hooked up to the car charger.

What happened, I wondered even as I continued driving and possibly becoming a menace to traffic around me.


I checked the connections--all seemed good. But then, I noticed the little red light on the charger was not on.


Catastrophe.


Did the fuse in my car somehow blow? How could this happen. Let me check (all while driving) the other two spots where I can plug in my charger.


No joy. (oops, must avoid the truck in front of me!)


No power. I wonder. It is the truck or the charger. Hmmmm.




Sensing a dilemma, I then decide to push in the lighter (yes, my truck is so old it still has a cigarette lighter which has never, until today, been used)





The lighter heats up--meaning the problem is not the truck but the power converter for the I-pod.

Am I happy? Well, happy it's not my truck but still perplexed about the I-pod.


And now, I have to listen to the radio. Did I ever tell you how I feel about commercials?


I think I have a replacement at home so hopefully I'll have tunes for tomorrow's trek through the traffic-filled roads of Maryland.

I Am Free to Dance

I was driving to work today and listening to my I-pod and it rolled to a song that really hit me, and brought back a lot of good memories.

It was done by the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I have a bit of history with this song, because when I was serving as a worship leader at our old church, it was one of my favorite songs because of its clear, definite lyrics. it is also fun to lead and I have a hard time singing it without becoming very enthusiastic. Jon Egan wrote this song:

Through you the blind will see.

Through you the mute will sing.

Through you the dead will raise.

Through you all hearts will praise.

Through you the darkness flees.

Through you my heart screams I am free.

I am free to run (I am free to run)

I am free to dance (I am free to dance)

I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)

I am free (I am free)

This morning, it brought back a lot of emotion and reminded me of so many enjoyable worship times. But, most importantly--it really spoke to me and reminded me that through Jesus, I have been freed from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. - NET Bible

And we are truly free and we need to live as free persons and not slaves to sin and death.

I really love it when the sun is rising as I am driving to work after playing racquetball! The world looks so cool.

Monday Musings - May 11, 2009

1. Mother's Day can be a lot of fun if the weather is nice and all the kids and their families show up, and the mother is actually feeling better.

2. Traveling takes its toll on my humor and stamina. The more I travel the tired-er I get thinking about it.

3. It doesn't matter who or what is sick--cleaning up body fluids from the bathroom floor in the morning before coffee is no fun!

4. Love means taking care of your mate, even when its really inconvenient on a beautiful May day. It gives new meaning to the"for better or worse."

5. It really sucks when the dog is sick, too! She doesn't like her medicine, either.

6. Don't ignore the: "I need too out and poop" whine from the dog, even if we was just out a couple minutes ago. If you do, you'll have a mess to clean up.

7. Pike's Peak is beautiful to look at, but it is a long way from the ocean.

8. It is hard to sleep in hotel beds--they just never seem to sleep like your own.