Congratulations, Ms. 5000!

Michelle from Crow's Feet just happened to be the ONE. Fortunately for me, she has an interesting blog for me to promote for the occasion.

Crow's Feet is particularly fascinating, because Michelle has a way of writing about spiritual, even occultic things. Yet, she is open-minded and finds herself compatible with most people's beliefs. I am learning a lot from her.

Michelle also has an interesting background. She describes herself, "Born in Africa of 'mongrel' (varied immigrant) ancestry, now living in another beautiful part of this world called Scotland."

She also has an enlightened and hopeful take on writing. As she puts it, "Everyone writes for their own reasons. To share, to dare, to enlighten or just be noticed, but ultimately writing is about connecting. Because the more we connect to others - the more we learn about ourselves. Writing is a journey, an adventure started with a single step. I'm taking this journey with crow's feet, in more ways than one."

Being my 5000th visitor or not, I endorse the reading of Crow's Feet. Go check it out.

NEWS FLASH #5

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life:


News (or current events)
Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.)
Work (thoughts on the job or employer)
Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural)
Family (or friends)
Love
Anxiety (a rant or a trouble)
Sports (also considered should be contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and
Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.

___________________________________________________________________

NEWS - Scooter Libby gets his sentence commuted by President Bush. I have been critical of Bush in the past and a lot of folks are coming out bashing him for this. I don't see it that way. I think Libby was the fall guy. He shouldn't have to suffer for just being part of the team that outed the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Might as well help a brother out.

ENTERTAINMENT - A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how CBS's "Big Brother" was nowhere to be found in news, promotion or anything current on the Internet. I was concerned that this summer vice of mine had fallen by the wayside since it was suppose to start this week. Well, out of nowhere, promotion began and it is set to air this Thursday. Check it out if you can find the time. After all, I may be referring to it from time to time. You want to be "in the know" don't you?

WORK - As mentioned in my last email, my work computer crashed last week. It was very tragic since it contained all the files and information I need to do my job. Blah blah blah about backing things up. It didn't happen for various reasons that I need not get into at this point. There was a storm. The power went off and came back on. Despite having a power strip/surge protector, the C-drive disappeared and lost format. The tech guys checked it out and told me it was a lost cause. I had been looking to get a new computer for work anyway, but not time was of the essence. Technology. . . (keep reading).

SPIRIT - God is good and He has been busy with me. Life at home is not too good right now. I feel overwhelmed by it most of my conscious hours. Then, my work computer blew up and that was it for me. After exhausting every possible way of recovering my hard drive and even having the tech guys here write the death certificate, I in total exasperation, prayed like a child would, "God, things are getting too much for me. Just please fix my computer." The next day when I turned it on (as habit), it fired right up like nothing ever happened to it. I am using it as I type right this very minute. I explained it to the tech guys, and they said it was impossible, except one who reminded me how great God is.

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26)

You want to know what God did for an encore? He fixed my car. No lie.

FAMILY - My sister is hosting a Fourth of July cookout tomorrow. She is one the most awesome and dear people I have ever met. She is the perfect hostess, too. It will be a good respite for me. I wonder if my wife will be willing to go.

LOVE - Things are tough around the house. My wife and I are not understanding each other. She gave up a good, solid job because she doesn't like who she works next to (among other things but that is the main thing). I simply can't understand that. One can't give another such power over one's life that they put one's family in financial distress. She can't understand why I am concerned. Then, in the same moment, asks me how we are going to pay the mortgage this week?

ANXIETY - We simply do not have enough income now, to cover our bills. When my father got ill and died when I was a kid, we struggled financially. I hated worrying about having electricity and eating beans and rice all the time. As a result, I worked hard, received two degrees and landed a fine job. I married a woman with a decent job and we had an acceptable financial status. Now, a monkey wrench is thrown in the works and I am stressed out all over again. It is hard for me to take. God, please fix my finances. I NEED TO SELL THAT HOUSE!

SPORTS - Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, will soon have the most prestigious record in sports - the coveted Major League Baseball all time home run record, currently held by Hank Aaron. Bonds is not a nice guy and most everyone believes that steroids is the main reason he will get the record. I once witnessed Bonds disappoint a 7-year-old kid that wanted an autograph at a hotel after a night game. Not very many people around (I just happened to be staying in the hotel with the Giants that night). Bonds turned the boy down and told him he only signs before the games - to look for him the next day. I decided to turn up the next day and look for the Bonds and that boy. The boy was there, but guess who didn't show? Other Giants signed for the fans, but not our golden boy. When Aaron's record falls, baseball will lose some luster.

HOME - I need to pay two mortgages and sell a house. Help a brother out?

I'm Interupting this Blog for an Important Message

My main computer blew up in an afternoon storm. I don't think it is repairable. Therefore, I am not sure when I will be able to blog, answer feedback or email. I do know I will have a new computer some time next week, but until then, I don't know. I will try to do what I can, but I am not optimistic.

Stay tuned.

NEWS FLASH #4

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life:


News (or current events)
Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.)
Work (thoughts on the job or employer)
Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural)
Family (or friends)
Love
Anxiety (a rant or a trouble)
Sports (also considered should be contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and
Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.

___________________________________________________________________



NEWS - There is someone new every week it seems in the race for the White House. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is setting himself up for an independent candidacy. He used to be a Democrat. Then, when it looked like it would be easier to win the mayor's office as a Republican, he shifted. Since both parties have a huge field of candidates, he could be the only REAL contender that is nonpartisan. I can get over the flip-flop part. I just don't know what he stands for yet, other than he does know how to make a buck. He is an innovator - might be just what the country needs. Without a party, though, he will be a longshot to win - if he decides to give it a go.



ENTERTAINMENT - I really want the movie "Evan Almighty" to be good. I haven't seen it yet. There is mixed reviews so far. I think Steve Carell is brilliant in "The Office". I really enjoy his work. It is also getting touted in some family/Christian oriented organizations which I hope means that Hollywood doesn't have to be dirty or tacky to make a buck. I get tired of sifting through filth to get to the quality storylines and acting when enjoying a movie.



WORK - Work is work. I am fortunate that it is kind of a down time there, because if I was very busy, I would be struggling. I always have my personal problems in the summer. Hate it.



SPIRIT - God is really filling a void. Not only does He coordinate traffic lights, but He always manages to provide needs for me when I am incapable of providing them myself. A friend of mine just gave me his jeep ("pay me on it whenever, or don't at all - I don't care"). This was kind of out of the blue although my friend and I are both close to God in the same way. One of our cars is totaled from a wreck. We literally have to duct tape it before we take it any distance. I never mentioned to my buddy that I was even thinking about another car. He said that God put it on his heart so he got himself a new Jeep and didn't care about getting anything out of his old one (which is still a pretty nice vehicle). God is good; accept no substitutes.

FAMILY - My wife is back home. There are issues that we have to work on still. She is concerned about her brother who just joined the National Guard. I don't blame her.

LOVE - Still don't have a girlfriend (just kidding). The Mrs. has been doing little things that show love. I struggle with her motives, though. She is doing things that she can't do if she was at work all day. Hmm . . .

ANXIETY - The number one thing is what I just alluded to. I don't want to worry about finances. I wouldn't have to if my wife returns to her job. Stay tuned.

SPORTS - My Cincinnati Reds have the worst record in the National League. Baseball season lasts for six months. It is a grueling six months when your team sucks.

HOME - Before my little marriage meltdown, we were looking for a house to raise a family in. Now, with the way things are, we surely can't have kids and can't afford a new home. However, I still have my health.

"THE PRESENT TRUTH" HAS BEEN UPDATED

Some of you have been checking my other blog so I thought I would let anyone with half an interst know.

Playing Tag

I have been tagged by Loz from "Midlife, A Journey" with a meme called "Into the Spotlight". The meme originated with Christy at "Christy’s Coffee Break" and the rules for the meme can be found here. There is a series of questions. You may choose to answer any or all. This is the tag I was looking for in a previous post. Thanks Loz, for thinking of me. Hopefully, you will get a chuckle out of it.

When did you start blogging?

When I was about 12 years old, I found a paperback book that evidently belonged to my 19-year-old brother. This book described in detail a lonely woman’s life and what she did to ease her lonliness. It made Jeff, the adolescent, feel . . . well . . . a little funny - and he experienced emotions and drives he never felt before. Well, one thing led to another and . . .
Funny thing is that I never heard it referred to as “blogging” before. Oh well, this wacky 21st Century with new names for this and that. What are you gonna do?

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?

I hope to have kids some day.

What are your feelings on the "blog popularity" issue?

I don’t know. I am not really an orgy guy. As Seinfeld said, I don’t want wear the robes and get into all the oils and stuff.

What's your favorite childhood memory?

See first question.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?

1. I would want to have a bottle opener. I have to be able read my mail, you know.

2. I would say a boat, but I probably would get pretty sick of the whole water recreation life being on an island and all, that I would get bored with it pretty quickly. So, with that in mind, maybe a pinball machine (solar powered – I’m not stupid).

3. I kind of would like to have a potted plant. No wait, there will probably be all kinds of plants there, so . . . WAIT! There wouldn’t be any pots. So yeah, a pot to put one of the plants in.

That’s it. I don’t want much, really

What is the weirdest thing that ever happened to you?

One time I was running late for an appointment. I thought that unless I make all the traffic lights “green”, I would be late. As it turned out, I made all the lights “green” (except for one), and I made the appointment on time. Can you believe it?

What is your best quality?

I can juggle. I learned how from this buddy in college who wanted me to start out juggling scarves. I didn’t like that so I just worked on juggling balls (they look like hacky sacks). I got to be pretty good at it, but never tried chainsaws.

What is your worst quality?

I tend to brag too much about being able to juggle. I go on and on about it. You guys are probably just sick of it by now.
____________________________________________________________________


The rules of this meme stated I could answer these questions anyway I wanted to. I chose quirky humor. I hope you “get it”. As far as tagging, nah. All of you are optionally tagged.

Maybe It Is Time

From time to time, most bloggers toy around with the idea of quitting. Life gets too hard, time problems, and internet stalking gives us pause about whether all this is worth it. I am no different. I am in the cross hairs of a gun that has the potential to shut this thing down - at least for a while.

As any of you who have read my blog in the last couple of months or so will attest, life hasn't been very kind to me lately. I climb each hill one by one and somehow keep on trucking with this little blog. I think it has been helpful to me and even some of you commented on how you get something out of it every once in while. That's great and it makes it a worthwhile endeavor.

Recently, I have noticed that I have gotten a little too fixated on the taxing things that are going on in my life. This effects me in a lot of ways. My blog can be interpreted as an invitation to a pity party. I truly don't want that. It can be just downright tiresome for people to read. I don't want that. However, more importantly, this whole exercise may have tainted my ability to perceive my own insensitivity. This, I can't tolerate.

I am a pretty sensitive guy. I have always found myself pretty much attuned to others' plights and have sincerely always wanted to be encouraging. On the inside, I think this who I am. On the outside, sometimes I am unable to discern what I am saying concerning how it may have an impact on other people.

I met with a friend at lunch today. I asked him for an opinion on how I should address an issue I have with someone in my life. I told him what I was thinking and he said, "I understand what you are saying and the logic behind it, but I don't think it is going to be received well. It surely will not have the desired effect that you are looking for." I was dumbfounded. My logic was flawless. Yet, that didnt' matter and finally the light bulb went off and I determined at that point that the recent stress in my life has had an adverse effect on my sensibilities.

It opened up my mind to a feedback exchange I had recently with another blogger. It wasn't testy, but I could tell that I wrote in the same such manner. At the time, I couldn't see what I was saying could be construed in any way other than what I meant. Now, I realize that I can't trust myself to know that. I may have hurt someone that I have truly come to care about. For that I am sorry. I tried to "fix" it and explain my intentions, but I guess it didn't take. What is worse is that I don't have the wisdom now to see whether or not I could have made things worse.

I have written all that to write this: It may not be in anyone's best interest for me to continue to blog and feedback until I get in a better place internally. I don't want to overreact, it is just something that I need to consider. The last thing I want to do is offend someone. It might be something as simple a concept as someone wanting to avoid getting pregnant. The only way to avoid it is to abstain. I will be mulling this over.

In the meantime, if I have been insensitive to anyone out there, I assure you it wasn't my intention. I am not making excuses, though. Words are too powerful to play with when impaired.

My first idea was to label this entry, "Thursday Thirteen - thirteen reasons I am giving up blogging." However, that would be a little insensitive. See what I mean?

Just So You Know

Some things are on my mind today. Sometimes I would give my left arm to not have anything on my mind. The mind is a terrible thing to face.

My wife was originally supposed to be back last week. However, a few cross words and some conflict concerning our philosophies of life later, and PRESTO!; she put it off another week. The week is up tomorrow and if I am not in court, I will be at the airport waiting to pick her up.

* * * *

Speaking of court, I find out in an hour if I have jury duty. I guess there is never a good time for jury duty, but tomorrow surely isn't it if there ever is. I have never been on jury duty and I just don't feel like trying something new.

* * * *

My wife thinks it is a good idea if she quits her job and sells on Ebay full-time. I, on the other hand, do not share that view. Money is somewhat tight and I just can't see her giving up her good, full-time, M-F 8:00-5:00 job that others in her situation would kill for, in order to TRY to make a full-time go of Ebay. Her job is just too stressful to keep and still work on the marriage. Too bad most marriages break up because of finances. She hasn't factored that into her little scheme. You know why? She doesn't want to.

* * * *

I HAVE GOT TO SELL THAT HOUSE!

* * * *

Someone came into my office today. He was pitiful, really. I knew right away that I couldn't help him, but I gave him my ear. He is four-time felon, not quite right in the head, and I couldn't really understand every word he said. He had that "meth-enunciation" thing going for him. He also had a bump on the top of his head that almost needed medical attention. Maybe he did get some earlier; the bleeding finally stopped. . He kept complaining that everyone gave him a hard time like he was less than human. He said that his friends were only his friends when he had a few dollars in his pocket.

We both agreed that his friends are probably not real friends. I dont' know if he was messed up today or if he had been messed up so many times that all was that was left of him was symptoms. I do know that he kept saying he wanted to get his life together. I pray that he can. We left it at us both agreeing that his doctor may give him some good perspective on things when he sees him tomorrow.

* * * *

Someone tagged me recently and I left feedback that I would get to it shortly. Only now I can't seem to find who tagged me and what the meme actually was. A little assistance, please.

* * * *

I want to thank Michelle from "Crow's Feet" for being my 5000th page load customer. To honor her, I will give her a whole post advertisement for her blog, unless she asks me not to. She isn't getting money, though, unless she can talk my wife into not quitting her job.

* * * *

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. Don't be strangers.

NEWS FLASH #3

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life:


News (or current events)
Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.)
Work (thoughts on the job or employer)
Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural)
Family (or friends)
Love
Anxiety (a rant or a trouble)
Sports (also considered should be contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and
Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.
___________________________________________________________

NEWS: We finally had a little rainfall here. Not much, but every little bit helps, I guess. We are in a long drought here and plants and lawns are dying. Even though it rained, there is no mud. The ground had way too much to absorb before mud can form and the rain is over.

ENTERTAINMENT: I can't seem to find any "official" information on "Big Brother 8," which is supposed to debut the first week of July. When one checks the CBS website, there is nothing there that I can find. I don't watch much TV anymore, but BB was one that I allowed as a guilty pleasure each summer.

WORK: Still behind at work. Still hard to concentrate. Each passing day puts more pressure on me to get caught up. That's okay, though, because that pressure will help me get caught up. I am the only one that does what I do at work, so I will be the one that catches up.

SPIRIT: The character Job has been in my mind a lot. Job went through a lot more than I will ever go through. What did he get out of it? He received a nice endgame in his life plus he has a blogger named Jeff looking to him as example lo these many years later. He is one of history's best teachers.

FAMILY: My wife is still gone. She was going to come back last week, but thought better of it. It looks like this will be the week. Come Thursday, she should be here.

LOVE: Tricky question. Real tricky. I can't believe I set myself up for this part of the meme. Love conquers all so maybe I will just leave it at that.

ANXIETY: See "F" and "L" above. Plus, I am being called for jury duty again Thursday (I guess it will be a busy day). My wife also wants to quit her job and work from home and I think it is a deal beater. We can't afford it. Anxiety . . . sheesh!

SPORTS: Indiana University (my alma mater) lost its football coach to cancer. He never really got a chance to settle into his coaching position. He has gone through a lot of treatment, but was always determined to come back to work - till this morning. He was such an inspiriration to his players. I guess cancer is an equal opportunity curser.

HOME: Because of the drought, I hadn't had to cut grass in a couple of weeks. I had a couple of people interested in buying that house, but it all fell through. Back to the drawing board.
______________________________________________________________

That is the news in this blogger's life this week. Maybe next week will be better!

Are You a Friend?

Friendship has been a common theme around my blog circle these days. I have already discussed the topic in general in my post, “For Sale: Friend, Low Mileage, $4000 OBO”. Lately, I have been considering the whole Internet friendship thing – particularly in the blogosphere. That’s YOU guys.

What is the status of our friendship?
Many of us are guarded. I have written cryptically in some posts, vague in others. A lot of you do not even have an email address available for people to write you. I am not much better; I set up a gmail account just for my blog life (psycho.wit@gmail.com).

I ask again; what is the status of our friendship? There have been Internet pals over the years that I have gotten chummy with. We have written emails, talked on the phone, and even met. I married one of them – although that isn’t what I set out to do.

Today, it is different. Everyone is guarded – including me. Things are less real. It is as if this is some online video game where we think, “I wonder if Jane is going to respond to my post.” Or, “I hope that Joe wasn’t offended with my feedback.” Shoot, some of us are so stat-crazy that we are fixated on the number of hits that we received on our last entry. I, myself, marveled at my “recent visitor map” page right before I started on this post.

What is the status of our friendship?

Recently, I have been going through some severe challenges in my life. Some of the more thoughtful of you have figured out what it is about to a certain degree. Is it because you care or is it that you love a challenge? Sometimes I get caught up thinking of some of you as more than an organization of letters on my screen and had flashes of “I ought to ask ‘Mary’ what she thinks of this mess.” Or, “John went through this sort of thing, I’ll ask him for his perspective.” Then I think, “What is wrong with you, Jeff? These people are video game characters. Step into the real world.”

What is the status of our friendship?

I guess we aren’t really friends, are we? We are part of an online community. It is kind of like a neighborhood. I am friendly with all my neighbors (that are interested in my friendliness, anyway). Yet, I don’t go to dinner with any of them. None of them know of my troubles, but many are polite enough to comment on today’s events or willing to wish me well when I am sick or perceived troubled, I guess.

Many in the blogosphere are loners. I have read some of your blogs in which you admit this. I, myself, am not a TRUE loner, but I have my loner moments. I do have a number of friends. People call and check on me. I met a friend for lunch even today – a REAL friend who I talked uncryptically about what is going on. However, there are others out there who feel TRULY alone. The blog community is all they have. Is it enough?

I don’t really have any answers. I do know that people need people. You can stay “safe” and still be there for your fellow human being. Reach out to someone today (if you are at all inclined to do so) or let him or her reach out to you. You might even get something out of it yourself.