Random Thoughts

Class reunion for the class of '96 from Cassopolis High School(Ross Beaty High School) was this weekend.  Kristi and Amy organized it.  Was small, but that's Ok.  I'll be uploading pictures when I get home and have a decent internet connection.  Lots of people are married and have a kid or kids.  Some people have changed, others haven't changed at all.  Pretty standard.  A group of us who didn't have to run home to take care of kids and wanted to keep hanging out headed over to Hacienda had some drinks, then went out to the Brosman's for a bonfire till 2 in the morning.  All in all a good trip so far.  All next week I'm at my sisters house in Vandalia working on the house.

I'll post more about the class reunion when I post the pictures.

I love you all, but I wish you'd all grow up. None of this feuding is getting anything accomplished other then making those of us who put a lot of effort into trying to do something positive not want to do that anymore... at all.

----

I had hoped that KP would eventually grow out of all the middle school name calling, rumors, and crud associated with being young, discovering yourselves, trying to form friendships let alone romantic relationships, but I just don't see it as happening. The same situation repeats itself over and over again with every generation.

Most people in KP are all young adults, but I realize, for some, your emotional and mental development has been stunted by being in the closet during key points of development, or even from being unsure of your identities. I also understand that this period of your lives(College) is a messy time to play catch-up but I also know that at this point in your lives you should have the ability to think rationally about the consequences of your actions(Verbal/Physical/Emotional/etc).

So please try to find some balance between your own mental and emotional development and helping the communities you have to live in develop and maintain. Make peace with the other people who are trying to do the same. For those you can't find your way to get along with find a way to either ignore them and focus on the bigger picture. Find balance between focusing on yourself, and the rest of the world.

At this point it isn't going to take much to turn myself and people like me from a supporter and advocate into another apathetic member of the community or at worst an open and verbal critic of what I thought we were all working for.

Thanks to Psi peeps for coming over and helping to clear the roof.  Lots of hard work and I'm very appreciative.  The roof should be good for the rest of the winter(knock on wood).  Rosie and I have a bit more to do around the edges and some piles to move but hopefully that is all.

Other then that, not a lot going on but I do have one question for my queer and ally friends....

Is it LGBT, GLBT, or BGLT?!?  Those all being acronyms for; Bisexual Gay Lesbian Transgender.  I wish people would just pick one and stick with it.  Seems to be a fight between Gay men and Lesbians over GLBT and LGBT at the moment...  BGLT is the alphabetical version, but the bisexual's don't seem to have the energy to, quoting George Carlin, pick a hole(KIDDING!) let alone have an agenda for having the B first.

So in the comments state your opinion, with your support, regardless of your own sexual orientation.

Time to do a brain dump before the new year.  I took the week before Christmas off and went downstate.  Everybody down state is doing as well as to be expected.  A few observations:  Indiana ‘feels’ very conservative.  Faux(fox) news seems to have a greater effect on them.  My Indiana relatives where all falling for the ‘war on Christmas’ nonsense…  I say were because I took some time and help them do a bit of crtical thinking about the issue and they realized that this particular war was as made up as the reasons we were talked into going into Iraq for.

Spent the first few days in Hammond helping one Grandmother finish shopping and get her house all Christmasified.  Spent the next few days at my sisters house that’s being remodeled.  I’ll post pictures of the renovation in the Picture Gallery eventually.  Then back down to Hammond/Crown Point for the family Christmas.

Got to see my best friend from High School(Josh), along with another good friend(Kristi) from High School while I was home.  We went out to one of Josh and my favorite restaurants, Hacienda and sat and bullshited till 11 then we went over to Kristi’s house.  She’s really doing well, she’s married(to Ben) and on her second child.  Both boys are very cute, Christian and Jabu(I’m not spelling/remembering it right), and they have a spitfire for a mother so they should be characters.  Josh was good we talked about everything in under the sun and caught up on about a year of stuff.  It’s not to hard to catch up when it’s your best friend, they pretty much know you and what happens in your life, and can pretty accurately infer your reactions and the outcomes of things.

Went to midnight mass at Grandma Hopp’s church.  It’s a Lutheran church, and I remember it being a kinder, gentler, and happier place when I was young.  I actually got disturbed enough I had to grab the offering envelope pencil and start writing down some of the crazy.  I counted and he said “War” 14 times, he said Peace 11 times.  Here are some choice quotes:

“Mankind wants to and is working towards dethroning God”
“sin and rebellion must be punished in all of mankind”
“love; with skin on it”
“God cares enough to send his very best”
“There is no negotiation in the word of God”

He made mention that we should be unquestioningly supportive of the ‘War on Terrorism’ and the ‘War in Iraq’.  He didn’t talk at length about the service men and women who were unable to be with their families for Christmas.  He just seemed to have a very skewed interpretation of what Christmas is all about.  Regardless of who started the Holiday we now celebrate on December 25th, and what form it was in I’m pretty sure it was a celebration of war, blind allegiance, judgment, or mandated obedience.  I guess to make up for people who think that way I will continue to embrace the traditions and things my family associate with this December Holiday.  Family, Friends, Food, Peace, Love and remembrance.

More later when I have time.   It’s getting late and my favorite Christmas present/purchase(queen size heated mattress pad with a pre-heat function) is warming my bed and it sounds soooooooo nice and comfy.

So sometimes it's what you know, some times it's who you know, and sometimes it's when you knew "it".

Sometimes you find out something about someone and it makes you appreciate them more. However sometimes the opposite is true. People have so many unique and interesting things that they could be or not be. Some things are more important for people you consider to be friends, good friends, girlfriend/boyfriend's, partners, or lovers.

If a friend smokes it doesn't really matter too much and doesn't cause a lot of problems in the friendship. You want the friend to stop smoking because you don't want them to die, but you realize there is only so much you can do. The effect of smoking on the friendship is minimal compared to, lets say, if the person was a serial relationship abuser, jumping from relationship to relationship with people (potentially friends) that causes more stress on your friendship and may be the final peg that moves a friendship to an acquaintance instead.

I keep learning things about people that either enhance or degrade my relationships with them. Lately I’ve felt myself drifting from some and towards others but not connected enough for casual conversations with people I consider friends.

Oh well.. too few days left for shopping this holiday season…. Gift certificates for all.


Please do me a favor and answer these questions in the comments section, don't cheat and read others:

What city/place did I grow up and live in till 7th grade?

What type of cars do I like? What was my first car?

What are my favorite foods?

What comedians do I like?

What are my views on dating?

What are my favorite colors?

How old am i?

Do you know my middle name? What is it?

What month am I born in?

How many siblings do I have? Where do he/she/they live?

What are my views on controversial issues? Gun control, abortion, civil rights?

How religious am I?

What kind of foods don’t I like?

What are my fears?

What are some of my faults?

What don’t I like?

What do I like that isn’t already listed?