Introducing?

Here I am writing my first blog and have no idea what I want to write about. How much do I want to reveal about what's going on in my muddled brain? Is my mind really muddled? No. not really, at least not for most things. I've come to a point in my life where I know pretty much what I can accomplish and what will always remain a fantasy. The goals that I have yet to attain are well within the realm of possibility. Those goals are pretty much the same as what most people want. Continuing to be able to provide shelter, food and clothing for my family is probably first. Paying off my mortgage and putting away enough money to have a comfortable retirement. Ensuring that my son Robby is as able as possible to live his life as comfortably after my wife Janice and I die as he does now. Those that know me know why this is important. Not that most all parents, (yes Virginia {and no I’m not talking to my sister here, but the Virginia that wanted to know if there was a Santa Claus yes-virginia} there are asshole parents) don’t want to provide for their children. But most children will be able to provide for themselves. Robby is autistic and may not be able to provide for himself. Being able to leave as much as I can behind for my son’s welfare is a huge priority for me.

What else do I want to reveal about myself? I am the sixth of seven children and the fourth of five boys born in the mid-fifties. I guess that would mean that I am a child of the 1960’s and 70’s. My mother was a full-time homemaker and up until my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor when I was 17, I can’t remember a time when my Dad didn’t have at least two jobs.

I am a United States Marine, having served from 1974 to 1978.

Next month Janice and I will be celebrating our 30^th anniversary.

I am in my 15^th year with my current employer. Prior to this job I spent 11 years with Eastman Kodak/Sterling Drug. The reason for the slash between Kodak and Sterling is because while working for Sterling, Kodak acquired them. We lived in Greece NY, a suburb of Rochester, for four years.

I was raised in the Methodist tradition and still attend a Methodist church. Well, attend is probably not a strong enough word. I am a member, but more than that too. I am currently the chair of the church council and prior to that I was a member of the Staff Parish Relations Committee. SPRC is the committee that is responsible for the hiring and firing of the church’s staff. I am a liturgist and also a member of the church’s chancel choir and Men’s Ensemble. With all of that on my “religious resume” you might think I’m some type of Holy Roller. Well nothing could be further from the truth. I can party with most anybody and cuss you out like a drill instructor. Does this make me a hypocrite? In the eyes of some I would imagine yes. But, I’m reminded of one of my pastors who greeted the congregation with “Good morning saints.” which followed immediately by “Good morning sinners.”  In both instances he was greeting everyone, including and especially me, as we all fall short in the eyes of God. I am not hesitant to talk about my faith,but as Paul taught us, we all have differnt gifts and mine is not being an evangelist.

Politically I am conservative, but being the father of an autistic child I am fully aware of the dire need for social programs. My problem with the social services now provided by all levels of government is the terrible job they all do. The number one problem I have with them is the recipients that shouldn’t be receiving benefits. I’m talking about those that are able mind and body to work but that play the system and the encouragement they receive to do just that. It’s mind boggling the amount of money that is wasted because of this. I am a believer in teaching people to fish instead of giving fish to them. Obviously, or maybe not so obviously, I don’t believe that those that are truly unable to fish, whether for physical or mental reasons or both, should be required to learn how to fish.

Sports-wise I love the four major sports popular in the United States; football, baseball, basketball and hockey. On the professional level I root for the NY Giants and Jets with the Giants being number one of the two football teams, the NY Mets in baseball, the NJ Devils in hockey (with my nephew Jeff we have a partial season ticket plan) and the NY Knicks and NJ Nets in that order for basketball. On the college level I root for the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University, and having two nephews and a brother-in-law that are alums of the University of Tennessee, the Volunteers of that school.

Well I’ve rambled on enough, or maybe more than enough, for one blog entry so I’ll end here. Feel free to leave a comment, or don’t. If you do, I’ll read it. If you don’t then I won’t know what you think, but that’s OK too, since this blog is about my thoughts. ;-)