Memories

Two of the most favorite women in my life have recently expressed concern over my ability to recall past events or to properly interpret current ones.  Specifically, they think that I may be "losing it", mentally speaking that is.  Maybe I should reconsider who my favorite people are - (ha)!

 Both incidents in question can be easily explained by me for clarification but it quickly becomes a situation whereby the further I try to defend myself more credence is added to the initial accusations.  At this point, silence is golden!  However, my pride and ego tell me that I should protect my mental manhood for fear that my silence may be perceived as a guilty plea if left uncontested.  A dilemma for sure.  However, further thought exposes some very positive possibilities for me if I were to simply acquiesce and concede that I am suspect to touches of senility, backsliding, decrepitude, degeneracy, falling off, feeblement, mental lapse, skidding, waning, weakening or whatever term satisfies the situation.  This can be a lot of fun after all and may even save me from individuals that want to control some of my life. 

Follow me on this if you can!  Let's say my #1 favorite person makes plans for me that conflicts with my immediate priorities, like watching the pool water turn green; or if favorite person #2 asks me for some of my time that seriously imposes upon my meditation hour, aka, napping.  Well, now I have a perfect alibi for accomplishing neither request - I FORGOT!  Just think, I can now offer my newly acquired shortcoming to virtually get out of doing anything that I do not want to do and at the same time receive compassionate sympathy for my misgivings!  Wow, what a scam!  Why, I can't think of all the things that I can forget to remember - the list is eternal in its possibilities.  Forgetting can be a beautiful thing!  But, you may ask, what about doing those things that I want to do?  If I conveniently cannot remember those things that I do not want to do, how can I justify remembering to do those things that I want to do.  Have I not then doomed myself from doing what I want to do if I say that I did not remember for the others?  Oh, contraire mon frere!  Here is the beauty of my plan - I simply forgot to forget, hence, I remembered!  A perfect defense for any situation; it simply does not get any better than this! 

Now, going forward, my life will be a sequence of selected seductions scheduled to satisfy only my selfish salacious solicitudes, all thanks to the two most favorite women in my life.  Of course, my one challenge now is that I must not forget to remember that I forgot else remember unless I want to forget that I forgot. 

Got it? 

Polygamy

My wife and I went to the park just to enjoy the day and while we were there we met a pastor from my church.  When I went to introduce my wife to him, he asked: "

Is this your lovely wife?" 

"Yes," I replied;

"I left the ugly one at home!"



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SHEEBA XIBABA

In Memory...

September 22, 1993 - August 14, 2010

Naked Ladies

BEVY OF BLOSSOMING BEAUTIES

Retro Rants

Bobby Dylan standing in a remote corner with his askew hair aflame but shadowed by a brighter flame that warms;

The South says nothing yet speaks loudly rising only to let the smoke pass under;

Four feet of fur with eyes aglow see black and white brings in the breeze while walking through the grass;

Why did she move, it was a wasted movement;

Time is nothing, it's always after five;

Two people or three; one fooled the other that made four;

A multicolored fish lives off a string hung there by the head while a dozen eyes of the mind see nothing but look everywhere;

Out in space lies a coffee cup with saucer and spoon; out of place but better off than before even with the force trying to bring it down to reality;

Men have tried, so has Red; Red has crashed, men are high;

Groove on the sounds that escape from the disk and fill your lungs with the cloud of love.

Two hours and “WOW”, where will I be in four?
 
We are here yet you are not and I am gone!
 
The ocean roars across the Sahara like the notes that vibrate with one thought in mind – to turn you on while turning you off.
 

I hear you but I am not listening.

 
Open your eyes and you will see a lot, yet close your eyes while it’s hot and you’ll see more which you thought not was there before.

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Catastrophy

Have you ever noticed how some seem to think that they were created by God to be one of the Chosen Few?  You know who I am talking about!  I'm sure that you had the honor to be in their presence.  They are the ones that when they enter a room they expect to be noticed, given individual attention, pampered, and permitted to disrupt whatever was in progress and perch themselves wherever they want even if it means forcing others to move to another spot.  Their personalities run the entire gamut of emotions and attitudes and regardless of their current disposition others are expected to accommodate their desires while excusing them for their actions without question.  They are the gods that walk amongst us!  These special ones demand to be loved and adored at request and if ignored you should expect to be physically encountered or at least stared-down until acquiesced or until they decide to move onto other conquests. 

There are, however, some redeeming values to these anointed ones.  If you have adopted the Christian model to live your life, that is, if you try to serve others, to love others as you love yourself, to accept without prejudice, to feed the hungry and shelter the needy - if you live by these attributes then these privileged ones will be quick to take advantage of your graces, without any guilt or moral recourse, to give you a sense of worth!

Therefore, taking into consideration of all disclosed above, if one can be reincarnated after death then I truly wish to come back as one of these Chosen Few so I can enjoy the same immense privileges my wife bestows upon her cat!  Imagine, nine lives worth of unabashed preferential treatment - WOW!  I mean...MEEEEEOOOOOW!



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Father's Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b1iwLIMmRQ

Give thanks to our Supreme Father, God Almighty, for He will not fail nor forsake us

because

Our God is an AWESOME God!

A Defining Moment

What defines you?  That is, how do you perceive yourself to be or how you desire others to perceive you to be?  What is it that ultimately defines you as a person?  How do you complete the sentence..." I am ______!"  Are you defined by your gender; your marital status; your age?  How about your college degree or perhaps your career or job title?  Could it be your wealth or lack thereof?  Your health; your possessions?  What about the car you drive or maybe it's your accumulation of adult toys?  Let's not forget your house - you know, The American Dream!  Maybe you identify via your sexual preference, that certainly is quite popular these days!  Do you relate to your status as a parent or through your kids, grand kids or your great-grand kids.  Forget successes, maybe you define yourself through your failures or your self-imposed tribulations!


Let's rephrase the question or approach it from a different perspective.  What would it finally take to make you truly happy; to make you feel that once you obtain or achieve this "thing" that your life will be fulfilled?  Is it a promotion at work; reaching retirement; a college degree; a wedding band on your finger; children to carry-on your family name; winning the lottery or competing on American Idol or Dancing with the Stars?  How about a title before your name or some initials after it?  Perhaps a political position, a prestigious appointment or achieving celebrity status.  What is your top priority in life?  Where are you going and where do you want to end up?  What are you looking for?  How do you want your obituary to read?


So, what is it that truly defines you?  What is it that is keeping you from attaining the ultimate confirmation that "you have arrived?"  What would it take for you to be fully satisfied with what you have as God has provided for you?


Gal 2:20 I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


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BOSS vs. LEADER

It has been said by many that there are only two types of people - leaders and followers.  I'm not sure if that was intended to be a definitive statement because based upon my observations these roles intermingle and we move freely between them as situations demand.  However, in our "professional roles" we usually find ourselves in semi-permanent positions where we work for someone and maybe have others working under our tutelage.  In other words, we all have superiors, peers, and maybe subordinates.  This relationship also exists outside the workplace and applies to most of our personal and family relationships.  This hierarchy helps define our pecking-order to maximize cultural cohesion and to minimize potential chaos.

Two terms are commonly used to describe those appointed, or maybe self-appointed, to be our guardians: Boss and Leader.  In my opinion the term "boss" has negative implications while "leader" exhibits positive vibes.  Perhaps it's because we don't always, if ever, pick our bosses but we can consciously and deliberately pick our leaders.

Boss can be defined as one who gives orders; a superior; one over others;

Leader can be defined as one who guides; a principal; one in front of others.

To reiterate, these characteristics apply to bosses, parents, friends, associates, and all other interpersonal relationships!

BOSS  vs. LEADER

Let's review some defining characteristics that clearly separate these two ideologies.  This is not a scientific study nor is it endorsed by any professional entity - it's just the opinion of one!

 Bosses                                        Leaders

Do As I Say                              Lead By Example  

    Gives Orders                            Seeks Advice / Input 

Closed Door Policy                    Open Door Policy   
Speaks                                     Listens                 

     Focuses on Faults                     Builds Upon Strengths  

Impediment                              Helper                  

Frowns                                    Smiles / Laughs     

Exclusive                                  Inclusive               

 Abuses "The System"                 Uses "The System"  

  Points the Finger                       Takes Responsibility 

Plays Favorites                          Promotes Equality  

      Egotistic                                    Gives Credit to Others 

Which ones describe you?

What are you doing about it?


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HEROES

In March 2010, my childhood hero, Davy Crockett, died.  OK, in reality it was Fess Parker, the actor that portrayed Davy Crockett back in the 1950's who actually passed, but for me it was the true life character, Davy Crockett, that held my childhood imagination.  The first episode of the Davy Crockett trilogy, “Davy Crockett: Indian Fighter,”  was aired in December, 1954. The last episode, “Davy Crockett at the Alamo,” was broadcast in February, 1955.  By then, as I approached my 7th Birthday, I was absolutely enamored with Davy Crockett.  As a bit of trivia, and as a treat for those that recall the televised Davy Crockett era, I present to you the “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” just click here:
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Davy_Crockett.html  

Without a psychoanalysis of why I adopted the character Davy Crockett as my hero, I can surmise that it had a lot to do with the adventures of surviving in the wilderness; facing dire consequences in each episode; actualizing the survival of the fittest; confronting and commingling with Indian tribes; utilizing while protecting what nature provided for food and shelter; representing the lowly citizen to Congress; or perhaps it was Davy's final heroic act of defending to his death the sovereign territory of Texas at the "Battle of the Alamo."  Any or all of those may have had impact on me but deep inside I'm sure it was the coonskin hat that had much to do with my devoted attention and patronage.  As this picture on the right proves, back then I truly was a big fan of Davy Crockett.

When I sadly announced to others that my childhood hero had died, I expected some remorse or perhaps just a bit of sympathy, especially from my siblings who shared those memorable moments with me watching Davy Crockett on TV.  But no, no pity on me; instead the only response I received from anyone was basically to "get over it"  One even had the audacity to suggest that I "find a new hero"!  Very comforting words - NOT - but perhaps words of wisdom anyway.

Could it be that another Davy Crockett personified lives today?  Let's face it, Davy's shoes (moccasins to be precise) would be hard to fill in today's "civilized" world.  Be that as it may, there comes to mind one who truly emulates Davy Crockett's spirit, character, and life-long accomplishments (maybe passing on the opportunity to become a national martyr)!  I'm convinced that there are many special individuals that are revered by others to be modern day heroes but following in the shadow of Davy Crockett's character and lifestyle in some manner or accomplishment poses special attributes.  How many modern day people do you think truly could emulate the conditions and challenges bestowed upon Davy Crockett after surviving in the wilderness; facing dire consequences in each episode of one's life; actualizing the survival of the fittest; confronting native tribes; depending upon and preserving what nature provides for food and shelter; and representing the lowly citizen to various representations of government? Could it be that a Davy Crockett clone actually lives today amid advanced societies and computerized technologies?  Stay tuned - don't touch that dial.

A new episode of Davy Crockett captures an individual who, at a relatively young age, left the security and confinements of home for the"Wild West."  Searching for himself and for his true purpose in life traveled him far and wide only to realize that his calling was yet further away.  Finally, he finds himself at a far, far away, remote and barren piece of land at the end of the earth confronted with the most extreme weather conditions and the bleakest of living conditions and accommodations.  This was to be his home and for some weird twist of fate, he felt at home here too.  Over the next four decades and still counting, this man saved a tribe's Chief and his family from slowly perishing on a fruitless slab of land; relocated the tribe with its six remaining members; built them a "city on a hill" complete with fresh water, electricity, plumbing, homes and buildings, a school, paved roads, and protection from the harshest of environments. This village grew in population to its current population of approximately 250 in a self-sustained community.  Yes, as with Davy Crockett, there were bears to kill, fish and wild life to catch, storms to survive, births and deaths to contend with, and representation to the various government entities to pursue.  Throughout this period this one person has held virtually every civil service and government position at the village level, and continuing today he is the villages only resource for medical and fire & rescue needs. Oh yes, he married the Chief's daughter, bore three kids and has enough grand children to start his own tribe.

Now, some of you reading this by now know who this modern day Davy Crockett is, or at least you think that you know.  Just hold your thoughts for a moment because there is one more critical observation to be expressed.  History will eventually acknowledge the contributions that this one man has made upon a family, a tribe, a village, and perhaps an entire region of our great country.  But why I consider him a hero, over and above his lifelong accomplishments, is that he accomplished what the did from the position of that of a servant.  He came to serve as scripture calls us all here "...not to be served but to serve others...." (Mark 10:45). 

A humble person who lives and loves to help others is the reason why my new hero is my brother Bill. 

God bless you, Billy! 

Point Lay, Alaska, is home for Billy and his family.  To appreciate the remoteness of Pt. Lay and some of the unique challenges life presents there, click on the following links:

http://www.north-slope.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colaptes/sets/72157623309940180

 

http://www.icealaska.com/

 

http://www.themilepost.com/