Memories.

Lately I have been taken on a journey through history. I have been acquainted with photos from the past about my family, specifically, my Dad. Through the wonder and beauty of Facebook, I have had the opportunity for my family members to post pictures from their upbringing that includes many photos of my dad when he was my age and younger, much younger.

Now, I have seen some pics previous to this immersion of photos, but I never really noticed how much I look like my father. When my dad was alive, I didn't really see how the two of us looked alike. I didn't. Even today, when I see him at the time he was alive and the years leading up to it, I didn't see how I resembled him at all.

However, looking back, I can see it. I can see my dad, and I can see how I looked just like him when he was a teenager.

My father has been dead almost 20 years. He past away Aug 19th, 1992. It took me a long long time to move on from his passing and smile when thinking about him. Near the end of his life, he and I did not have the best relationship and I was very angry at him. When I learned of his illness, I was forced to put aside my anger towards him and focus on spending as much time with him as possible. I have a lot of memories of my father, some good, some not so good.

I loved my father, and I know he loved me, but at the same time I felt that I was never good enough for him. That nothing I did was ever good enough for him. Bare in mind this is what I felt then, not now. He was a tough man, stubborn, and set in his ways. He was quick tempered, but never mean. I was just your typical teenager that didn't like to be told what he could or couldn't do by a man that wasn't always around.

I was 16 years old when he died, and I feel like I missed out on so many great things and opportunities finishing high school and college and entering adulthood. I miss my dad even to this day, but I don't resent him, nor do I feel anger towards him anymore. I am in a better place, and accept him for who he was and know that despite his faults, he was a good man who loved me and appreciated me.

My memories of my father extend beyond the last three months of his life where the sickness ate at his memories and body. I remember the man that taught me to shave, drive, gave me my first beer, and thensome. He was a good man, and I am thankful for the memories that I have of him.

Family, keep the pics of him coming. I want to get to know him all over again.

Until next time
P

Moments

This is my favorite time of the year. The time between Halloween and the New Year. There so many great moments to take in, you appreciate the fact that it covers a few months. I love the weather, the smell of the air, the fact that I can wear the leather jacket, the decorations both inside the house and out, and it's basketball season.

The season has officially begun and now we get to play games, practice everyday, and really grow as a team and individuals. This is the time of the year where you need to cherish the moments that are presented to you. Celebrate the times you have with friends and family. Celebrate the moments in your life.

Gosh that was horrible. I just read that and I see the sentimental nonsense that just came out of my mouth. Am I really just one big cliche after another? Well even if I am, it still doesn't change the sentiment.

I am all about the moments in my life. All about remembering things and experiences. I remember the good and the bad, but I remember the moments, because without those, what's the point? If life is all about work and bills and pain, why do we get up each day and go through it all over again? You what insane is? Doing the same thing over and over again knowing that the result will not be good but you do it anyway.

Take time to remember a moment, celebrate that moment, look for ways to make it last.

Who remembers the movie, Dead Poets Society? Robin Williams plays Charles Keating, a teacher of English in an all-boys school during the 1950s. The school prides itself on preparing the men to become successful lawyers, doctors, etc. Keating wants them to appreciate life. There's a scene early on where he is talking about why they study poetry and why it is important. He tells the boys that medicine, law, engineering, or basically jobs, are important and necessary to sustain life, but that beauty, poetry, romance, love, these are things that we live for. We live for the moments. We work to create opportunities to live the moments. To have time for the moments. But if you work all the times and never look for the moment, what are you doing this for?

I think we could all do with the advice of Mr. Keating.... live for the moment. Enjoy life. Seize the day, as he told his students... Carpe Diem.

Make your lives extraordinary! Gosh I love that.

Until next time
P

Official

There aren't a lot of things or places that irritate me, but when I get there, you know you did something to get me there. In our household, we are officially boycotting Home Depot.

It started a week ago when Karen made a phone call inquiring about the cost and size of blinds. A simple call that should have taken 5 minutes tops. 30 minutes later, we still didn't have the answer we were looking for, and the quote that kept coming her way was, "just a second, let me transfer you." NOBODY KNEW A GOSH DARN THING!

We finally got the answers we were looking for and could finally get on with our day.

Yesterday.

Karen goes in to Home Depot to acquire the items we wanted. She arrives, goes to the station and is told that the person who works there and she needs to talk to won't be getting there for another five minutes. No big deal, right? 30 minutes later, the person is still NOT there. Finally, after 45 minutes they show up for work, tell Karen she cannot get the blinds she wants when she knows that she can. The guy then reluctantly does what she asks even though he knows she's right.

Then, she goes to the front to cashier, where she is met with a helpful worker who wants to assist getting things to the scanner. She is appreciative, but tells him that the beam is supporting the blinds and to be careful, the man then recklessly grabs and moves the beam which leads to him dropping the beam, and breaking the clips that the blinds attach to.

He then BLAMES Karen for it saying it was her fault. WHAT?! How in the world is this her fault? She then asks to see a manager. A man comes up to her claiming to be a manager, and turns out he is NOT. The two get into an argument and Karen is called a liar, a problem, and other things. Then the REAL manager comes and takes over the issue. Karen then explains everything and is greeted with apology after apology. Behind the manager is a sign that reads, "We go bananas for customer service."

Are you kidding me? You call this Customer Service? This was appalling and disgusting and is we are making it official and boycotting Home Depot. These people suck! I am extremely disappointed in them and the way they treated us. Who knows how many others this has happened to.

Do not go there, do not give them your money. Not until they mean what they say and customer service is a priority to them. This is horrible, and made my wife angry, sad, and brought her to tears.

How dare you? How dare you act out the way you did. I'm done with you, and so is my household.

Until next time
P

Say what you mean

I have noticed a lot lately, whether it is in the movies, on TV, in real life, or in those horrendous campaign ads, that people never really say what they mean. It's almost like they are hiding their intentions or hiding what they truly feel. Why is it so hard to just say what you mean?

Tell me if this sounds familiar to you...

A guy. Likes a girl. Wants to be with this girl. Girl has no idea guy likes him. Guy refuses to tell girl how he feels. Girl dates a loser because guy won't just be honest and say what he feels.

I think that is the basis for almost every single teen drama of the 80s, 90s, and current, or any other romantic comedy. The formula needs to change. It's sending the wrong message to the men and women out there that telling someone how you feel should be like this long drawn out process.

I say, if you feel it, and the opportunity is there, say it. Do it. Stop being afraid to be real, to be honest, and if it happens, be happy. This is your chance to be happy, take it.

This is my challenge to you out there. Take a risk and today, well extend it to Friday, say what you mean, this week. Don't hide it, say it. Be honest. Don't be mean or cruel, but be honest. Say what's on your heart. If you're in love with a man or woman, say it. Let them know. Again, don't ruin an already existing relationship that is happy, but, if you have the opportunity, take it, seize it, live it.

Don't let your life be like a movie, where you're waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and hoping for some hollywood happy ending, just do it. Make your own ending. Live the life you always dreamed of now, there's no reason to wait.

Until next time
P