CONFUSED ...

Are we what we do (for work)?  Or what we "just" do on a daily basis (how we treat others, what we prize, etc.)?  Or something else?  I have not been really confused about retirement until the last few weeks...  I WAS for so long, what I did ... a high school principal.  I'm not that any longer and haven't been for some time... Do/Did I need that to define "who I am?"  I'd like to think not ... All of us have egos, but  (again) I'd like to think that I have been able to keep mine in check, "using" just enough of it to be able to function in my job.... But is that really the case??    My life is completely turned around right now.  I  have gone from "ultra" planned to "no plan"  ...  from planned and scheduled to the max to "what day is it, again?"  I need to get "my ship" back on some course....

Yesterday I heard a "tale of woe" about a couple my age who because of the economy were going to have to sell one of their three "homes."  It's really hard for me to have any sympathy for them.  I don't see what they have really done to deserve such a life of luxury when others are worried about maintaining one home and having the ability to pay for necessities that "couple A" would never consider more than the lowest level of basics ... or less than that ....

It may be selective memory, but I don't remember our country ever having so many people that are ABSOLUTELY sure they are "right" about so many issues...  There is no real unity, only mis-trust and a real focus on "me" and "mine" ....

Even though it has been 15 years (DAD) and 23 years (MOM) since my parents died, I still miss them and am so thankful for all they did for me during their lifetimes... I wish I had done more to demonstrate my thankfulness to them while they were alive....

I worry about my daughters and son-in-law ... this economy stinks and I'm not sure when or how it will ever turn around and they will have a real chance to be both productive and successful people....  I am also so proud of my wife ... what an amazing lady!  She can do so many things... hopefully our lives won't end up like my parents (Mom dying first), because J is so much better equiped to live w/o me than vice versa....  I also am concerned about my relationship w/ my "family" on side of our extended side ... I have such limited contact w/ them...  It's easy to blame them, but it takes two to make any real problem and I am having trouble correcting the situation... I thought I was supposed to be a problem solver!?!

Well, answers are not likely to come soon or easily ....   At least the weather is not HOT and HUMID....  

Sad Day / Coincidences?

This week I found a James Taylor recording of "Auld Lang Syne" that reached out and grabbed my attention. I also made phone contact w/ an old high school friend, Larry Miller. Both of these events started an avalanche of memories in my mind. And then... the BOMB exploded. "Walter Cronkite has died." I'm not sure anyone under the age of 55 can really appreciate the significance that this man had on America (United States).... When I compare Mr. Cronkite w/ the current group of "reporters" that fill our airwaves, I shutter at how far our standards have fallen. We've gone from a gentleman that earned the title of "the most trusted man in the United States" to people who only lie when their lips are moving.... SPIN - in Cronkite's time that was a term that referred to a short, carefree ride in your car - not the "story" that would be attached to every piece of even slightly negative news.... I sincerely hope that my children have the opportunity to experience a "newsman" (or woman) who demonstrates the same high standards of integrity and honesty during their lifetime. Lord knows, we could surely use someone truly like that now....

On a much less serious, even humorous vein I learned how far how our economy has fallen (or how badly Jamie Pollard mis-judged the ability / willingness of ISU fans to support his vision of ISU Athletics w/ their dollars).   In the fall of 2007,  to attend the Ia @ ISU FB game you had to purchase a season ticket w/ an individual game price of $90 for the IA/ISU game. In the fall of 2009 you can purchase a ticket to the Ia @ ISU FB game as part of a "package" of three games... a "preseason game vs. N Dakota (or ND ST), a Big 12 game vs. Colorado, and the Ia @ ISU game for (DRUM ROLL, please) .... $99! So if the the Ia game is still worth $90, and you assume Big 12 games are worth more than "preseason" games... the Colorado ticket is worth about $6 and the other game about $3! Or you can "slice and dice" this in another manner.... I am anxious and curious to see if local sports talk radio (this news was released on a Friday afternoon) will follow up on this "story" on Monday. I'm not sure how they maintain any semblance of credibility, if they don't address this topic....

2009 the year w/o summer .... Sorry, Doug.... but, I'm enjoying it! Until next time.... Q