Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?” That’s the opening line of Alan Jackson’s 2001 hit song commemorating the country’s reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11 that year.
Everyone has memories of that day. I wrote an article for my 2001 yearbook (a collection of pictures and articles recalling the events of my life during that year) called “Terrorism Tuesday” that tells my story from that day.
Every year on the anniversary date since then the United States has paid tribute to everyone who lost their lives in the 3 attacks that day. The repercussions of the events of that historic day are still being felt through the US military’s continued presence in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. My son has served in Iraq and my 2nd cousin is currently serving in Afghanistan.
The thing I want to acknowledge is the unique emotional condition of the country in the aftermath of 9/11/01. The best way I can do that is by posting here the lyrics to Alan Jackson’s song. It captures the country’s feelings at the time perfectly.
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
out in the yard with your wife and children or working on some stage in LA?
Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor?
Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
and pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue?
The heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer?
And look at yourself and what really matters?
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages?
Speak with some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching and turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?
Thank God you had somebody to love.
I'm just a singer of simple songs.
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God.
And I remember this from when I was young faith hope and love are some good things he gave us.
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Friday, September 11, 2009
Shift Change
I've been back to work at ShopNBC since August 17. Things have really changed for me since returning. First thing that changed was that the day I got back I had to move to a different cubical because the computer at my at my desk didn't work. That initially upset me. As it turned out I got to sit at the desk next to the person I consider my best friend on 2nd shift.
The next thing that changed was my "down time" responsibilities. That means the job I was assigned to do after 8PM when customer service department closes and only order capture calls come in. When the phones are quite everyone has other administrative jobs to do. Since back in March mine had been to answer online emails sent to us through the company website.
Without going into details let me just say that I really really disliked answering emails. I prayed for quite a while that I could get out of doing it somehow. About a week after I returned to work my supervisor called me to her desk and told me that I was being taken off of answering emails. She gave me a reason I still don't quite understand but it doesn't matter. I now have a different "down time" job and I like it a whole lot more.
However both of those changes pale in comparison to the change that's going to happen starting the week of September 21st. I am moving from 2nd shift to 1st shift. It will be a big change for me. I haven't had to get up in the morning and go to work since the first week of April 2008. It will take some getting used to. I've become quite a "night owl" after working 2nd shift for nearly 9 months.
My hours will be 7:45 AM until 4PM. I will still have to work the weekends, which means I won't be able to go to church on Sunday mornings very often, except on my days off. This will really change my plans to become involved in children's church as a ventriloquist. But it won't eliminate them. I will also be able to do something with the Wednesday night Awana program on a regular basis.
Also my wife and I will be able to spend more time together and go to bed at the same time. We'll be able to go to a movie when we want to even if it's after work. I don't have to go into details but our lives will be a bit more in "sync" then they are now.
Next week is the last week of working 2nd shift. I will miss the co-workers I have come to know and entertain over the last few months. I know for a fact that working 1st shift in the call center is a lot different. I will have a different group of supervisors and co-workers to get to know. It's busier than 2nd shift as well in regard to answering phone calls. There will be almost no "down time" but I'm sure the change will be worth it. This switch will be a positive change. It's what I wanted all along.
The immediate result of this change is that I will be able to spend a bit more time with my family from Pennsylvania when they arrive here in town later this month. That's a benefit.
I've been praying that God would give me the opportunity to get back on the same page with my wife and the rest of the world as far as scheduling is concerned. Now He has answered that prayer. So another big change in my life is about to happen. Now all I have to do is turn it to a positive and productive one that will help grow into being the Christian God wants me to be.
The next thing that changed was my "down time" responsibilities. That means the job I was assigned to do after 8PM when customer service department closes and only order capture calls come in. When the phones are quite everyone has other administrative jobs to do. Since back in March mine had been to answer online emails sent to us through the company website.
Without going into details let me just say that I really really disliked answering emails. I prayed for quite a while that I could get out of doing it somehow. About a week after I returned to work my supervisor called me to her desk and told me that I was being taken off of answering emails. She gave me a reason I still don't quite understand but it doesn't matter. I now have a different "down time" job and I like it a whole lot more.
However both of those changes pale in comparison to the change that's going to happen starting the week of September 21st. I am moving from 2nd shift to 1st shift. It will be a big change for me. I haven't had to get up in the morning and go to work since the first week of April 2008. It will take some getting used to. I've become quite a "night owl" after working 2nd shift for nearly 9 months.
My hours will be 7:45 AM until 4PM. I will still have to work the weekends, which means I won't be able to go to church on Sunday mornings very often, except on my days off. This will really change my plans to become involved in children's church as a ventriloquist. But it won't eliminate them. I will also be able to do something with the Wednesday night Awana program on a regular basis.
Also my wife and I will be able to spend more time together and go to bed at the same time. We'll be able to go to a movie when we want to even if it's after work. I don't have to go into details but our lives will be a bit more in "sync" then they are now.
Next week is the last week of working 2nd shift. I will miss the co-workers I have come to know and entertain over the last few months. I know for a fact that working 1st shift in the call center is a lot different. I will have a different group of supervisors and co-workers to get to know. It's busier than 2nd shift as well in regard to answering phone calls. There will be almost no "down time" but I'm sure the change will be worth it. This switch will be a positive change. It's what I wanted all along.
The immediate result of this change is that I will be able to spend a bit more time with my family from Pennsylvania when they arrive here in town later this month. That's a benefit.
I've been praying that God would give me the opportunity to get back on the same page with my wife and the rest of the world as far as scheduling is concerned. Now He has answered that prayer. So another big change in my life is about to happen. Now all I have to do is turn it to a positive and productive one that will help grow into being the Christian God wants me to be.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Letter Of Apology
Okay I’ve mentioned it in my last two posts so now it’s time to let you all in on something I did on my birthday and I’m glad I did it.
I sent a letter of apology to my cousin/ life long friend. We had what I’ll call “a disagreement” a little over a year ago. We hadn’t communicated since then with the exception of once.
Over the last year I have learned a lot about reconciliation in relationships. Mostly from what learned from the life of Jesus and the books I’ve read books about the gospel, the 12 apostles, and the parable of the Prodigal Son.
The main thing I learned is that to reconcile with someone, in the relationship someone has to make a gesture of “good will” toward the other. Inherit in this vital step is a vulnerability. There’s always a risk of rejection. But the one making the step views being separated from the other person worse than the risk of that rejection.
Now let me step back a bit and tell you that despite a very strong desire to patch things up with my cousin for almost 9 months my personal pride was not willing to allow me to approach him from a vulnerable position. I couldn’t admit my responsibility for the rift between us.
Over the course of about 3 months God dealt with my heart and pointed out to me that my love for my cousin and the desire to be his friends again would require an admission of responsibility for causing problem.
I began to read our email correspondence again. Since he lives in Pennsylvania and I live in Kentucky that’s how we played out and escalated our disagreement. I began to see how I was at fault. How cruel and judgemental my words were. I realized I deserved what I got out of the situation. I wasn't much of a friend at all. God gave me a humble heart toward my cousin. I was so wrong in what I did that I needed to come back to him in a very repenting way.
About the beginning of July I started writing telling him I’d seen the truth in his point of view, that I was wrong in my behavior, I needed to ask him to forgive me because I wanted to reconcile our friendship. After much personal debate about if and when to send the letter I decided that my birthday would be the perfect day. So yesterday I sent it fully prepared for either a positive or a negative response.
I am happy to say that I received a positive response. He also asked me to forgive him for his stubbornness. Then he told me something that made me smile. He told me that the entire time we were not in contact with each other he continued to read my blog. He has read every post. That shows that even though our friendship may have been disrupted on the surface it continued in both our hearts and minds. While he was reading my blog I was constantly seeing, hearing, or thinking of things that reminded me of him and wishing things were different.
I am so glad that my stubborn actions didn’t end one of the strongest friendships of my life. My cousin told me that I should “stop beating myself up” in regard to lamenting the degree to which harmful my actions toward him were. But I don’t consider it being hard on myself. It’s more an attitude of gratefulness that in spite of my selfish behavior our friendship has survived. I did everything to destroy it but yet it survived.
So now I am reconciled with my cousin and life long friend. We are going to have to work on catching up about what has happened over the last year; at least I will. Once that’s done we can look to the future and enjoying celebrating our 50th year of life together.
First thing's first I'm going to send him a Facebook friend invitation. That should get things going.
I sent a letter of apology to my cousin/ life long friend. We had what I’ll call “a disagreement” a little over a year ago. We hadn’t communicated since then with the exception of once.
Over the last year I have learned a lot about reconciliation in relationships. Mostly from what learned from the life of Jesus and the books I’ve read books about the gospel, the 12 apostles, and the parable of the Prodigal Son.
The main thing I learned is that to reconcile with someone, in the relationship someone has to make a gesture of “good will” toward the other. Inherit in this vital step is a vulnerability. There’s always a risk of rejection. But the one making the step views being separated from the other person worse than the risk of that rejection.
Now let me step back a bit and tell you that despite a very strong desire to patch things up with my cousin for almost 9 months my personal pride was not willing to allow me to approach him from a vulnerable position. I couldn’t admit my responsibility for the rift between us.
Over the course of about 3 months God dealt with my heart and pointed out to me that my love for my cousin and the desire to be his friends again would require an admission of responsibility for causing problem.
I began to read our email correspondence again. Since he lives in Pennsylvania and I live in Kentucky that’s how we played out and escalated our disagreement. I began to see how I was at fault. How cruel and judgemental my words were. I realized I deserved what I got out of the situation. I wasn't much of a friend at all. God gave me a humble heart toward my cousin. I was so wrong in what I did that I needed to come back to him in a very repenting way.
About the beginning of July I started writing telling him I’d seen the truth in his point of view, that I was wrong in my behavior, I needed to ask him to forgive me because I wanted to reconcile our friendship. After much personal debate about if and when to send the letter I decided that my birthday would be the perfect day. So yesterday I sent it fully prepared for either a positive or a negative response.
I am happy to say that I received a positive response. He also asked me to forgive him for his stubbornness. Then he told me something that made me smile. He told me that the entire time we were not in contact with each other he continued to read my blog. He has read every post. That shows that even though our friendship may have been disrupted on the surface it continued in both our hearts and minds. While he was reading my blog I was constantly seeing, hearing, or thinking of things that reminded me of him and wishing things were different.
I am so glad that my stubborn actions didn’t end one of the strongest friendships of my life. My cousin told me that I should “stop beating myself up” in regard to lamenting the degree to which harmful my actions toward him were. But I don’t consider it being hard on myself. It’s more an attitude of gratefulness that in spite of my selfish behavior our friendship has survived. I did everything to destroy it but yet it survived.
So now I am reconciled with my cousin and life long friend. We are going to have to work on catching up about what has happened over the last year; at least I will. Once that’s done we can look to the future and enjoying celebrating our 50th year of life together.
First thing's first I'm going to send him a Facebook friend invitation. That should get things going.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
An "Ordinary" Birthday
There was really nothing out of the ordinary about my birthday today except for two things. One of them really had nothing to do with me at all. Today's date was unique 09/09/09. It was a "once in a century" occurrence and the world took notice.
I heard on the news that a higher than normal amount of couples "tied the knot" in order to have a special wedding day. My guess woud be that it wasn't so much so it would be special but that it would be easier for the husband to remember the anniversary.
The other thing that happened today warrants it's own blog post. I'll write about it tomorrow. Do I have you curious? Well here's a hint. I wrote about it as part of my last post. It involves a family member. Enough said. More tomorrow.
As a rule I usually try and do something special on my birthday but today I really didn't make any plans. I just got up about 7:30 and took my dog, Dory, to the vet to have her teeth cleaned.
I called my friend, Brent, and reached him while he was in the middle of a do-it-yourself car repair. As it turns out he had the same problem with both of his cars at the same time. I since I really didn't have any plans for the day I offered my assistance. I gave him a ride to the auto parts store and took him to pick up his 2nd car in the parking lot where his wife works.
It was great to spend time with him and his 4 children. All 4 of the kids, led by his oldest daughter, wished me "Happy Birthday" in unison from the back seat of my Vue. It was one of the best birthday tributes I got all day. Things didn't work out as smoothly as they could have for Brent with his car problems but I was glad I could help him when he needed it.
I got lots of "birthday wishes" from all my family and friends on my Facebook page. My sister-in-law came over for a visit and gave me a very cool gift. I got birthday calls from both my sisters as well.
I spent the rest of the day at home. I was tired and didn't feel too well. My "system" was a little grumpy today. I took a nap and finished my list of my favorite 25 episodes of the TV show M*A*S*H. That's material for a future post as well. I also practiced for my "Street Party For Jesus" performance on Saturday.
I went to the vet about 3PM and picked up a very groggy Dory. She still hadn't come completely out of the anesthetic. She laid around the rest of the day; only coming to "life" long enough to eat the food I had put down for the cat.
At my suggestion Paula brought home KFC grilled chicken. It was the first time I'd had it and it was pretty good. I couldn't help but take a nibble of the biscuit that came with it. Only took a small bite but it was good.
The evening of my "ordinary birthday" was completed by sitting and watching the Yankees play a game against the Tamp Bay Rays. Although they had no idea they did it they really made my night. First of all Derek Jeter, the Yankees shortstop, tied Yankee individual all time hits record held for 70 years by Lou Gehrig. Also in the bottom of the 8th Jorge Posada hit a pinch hit 3 run home run to give the Yankees a 4-2 come from behind victory.
So as I sit here at my computer on the last few minutes of my 49th birthday I am inclined to wrap this post up by telling you that as birthdays go this is not one I will remember for any particular reason (the subject of tomorrow's post excepted). But I will say that as I look back on my 49th year it was quite a memorable one for me. I won't go into details of everything that happened to me but if you're wondering what I'm referring to review my posts from September 08 until today.
While today may only be a marking of the time passing in my life I can say for sure that on this birthday I Love God much more than I did a year ago. I'm in much greater awe of His power, His Majesty, and His Love. I am have a better understanding and a "heart sense" of what the sacrifice, ministry, grace and gospel of Jesus Christ means in my life, to the church, and to the lost sinful world.
I look forward to God working His will even more in my life as I march toward that earthly milestone of 50 years of age. My prayer to My Lord is that I be a obedient and active participant in His work.
I heard on the news that a higher than normal amount of couples "tied the knot" in order to have a special wedding day. My guess woud be that it wasn't so much so it would be special but that it would be easier for the husband to remember the anniversary.
The other thing that happened today warrants it's own blog post. I'll write about it tomorrow. Do I have you curious? Well here's a hint. I wrote about it as part of my last post. It involves a family member. Enough said. More tomorrow.
As a rule I usually try and do something special on my birthday but today I really didn't make any plans. I just got up about 7:30 and took my dog, Dory, to the vet to have her teeth cleaned.
I called my friend, Brent, and reached him while he was in the middle of a do-it-yourself car repair. As it turns out he had the same problem with both of his cars at the same time. I since I really didn't have any plans for the day I offered my assistance. I gave him a ride to the auto parts store and took him to pick up his 2nd car in the parking lot where his wife works.
It was great to spend time with him and his 4 children. All 4 of the kids, led by his oldest daughter, wished me "Happy Birthday" in unison from the back seat of my Vue. It was one of the best birthday tributes I got all day. Things didn't work out as smoothly as they could have for Brent with his car problems but I was glad I could help him when he needed it.
I got lots of "birthday wishes" from all my family and friends on my Facebook page. My sister-in-law came over for a visit and gave me a very cool gift. I got birthday calls from both my sisters as well.
I spent the rest of the day at home. I was tired and didn't feel too well. My "system" was a little grumpy today. I took a nap and finished my list of my favorite 25 episodes of the TV show M*A*S*H. That's material for a future post as well. I also practiced for my "Street Party For Jesus" performance on Saturday.
I went to the vet about 3PM and picked up a very groggy Dory. She still hadn't come completely out of the anesthetic. She laid around the rest of the day; only coming to "life" long enough to eat the food I had put down for the cat.
At my suggestion Paula brought home KFC grilled chicken. It was the first time I'd had it and it was pretty good. I couldn't help but take a nibble of the biscuit that came with it. Only took a small bite but it was good.
The evening of my "ordinary birthday" was completed by sitting and watching the Yankees play a game against the Tamp Bay Rays. Although they had no idea they did it they really made my night. First of all Derek Jeter, the Yankees shortstop, tied Yankee individual all time hits record held for 70 years by Lou Gehrig. Also in the bottom of the 8th Jorge Posada hit a pinch hit 3 run home run to give the Yankees a 4-2 come from behind victory.
So as I sit here at my computer on the last few minutes of my 49th birthday I am inclined to wrap this post up by telling you that as birthdays go this is not one I will remember for any particular reason (the subject of tomorrow's post excepted). But I will say that as I look back on my 49th year it was quite a memorable one for me. I won't go into details of everything that happened to me but if you're wondering what I'm referring to review my posts from September 08 until today.
While today may only be a marking of the time passing in my life I can say for sure that on this birthday I Love God much more than I did a year ago. I'm in much greater awe of His power, His Majesty, and His Love. I am have a better understanding and a "heart sense" of what the sacrifice, ministry, grace and gospel of Jesus Christ means in my life, to the church, and to the lost sinful world.
I look forward to God working His will even more in my life as I march toward that earthly milestone of 50 years of age. My prayer to My Lord is that I be a obedient and active participant in His work.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Writer's Block Alternative
It’s been a couple of days since I’ve posted and the only reason is that I’m suffering from a temporary writer’s block. I can’t seem to come up with anything that would be of particular interest to my readers. So here’s a post of random items to keep you up to date with what’s happening in my life.
Overall things are going well and God continues to be faithful on a daily basis. I have reached the 65 pounds lost mark as I complete my 2nd month since surgery. I walk my dogs every day and go to the gym to swim at least 2, if not 3, times a week. I continue to fit into clothes I have stored in the back of my closet and find myself able to do things that I couldn’t before surgery.
I’m very excited about having the opportunity to perform again this year at the “Street Party for Jesus” festival this coming Saturday. I’m going to be doing a 20 minute ventriloquist performance that includes singing 2 songs. I’ll have more about that after I perform.
My 49th birthday is coming up on Wednesday to help myself “celebrate” and I’m going to be doing something that I’ve felt I should do for several months now. It’s a gesture toward a member of my family and will leave me very vulnerable and open to being hurt, emotionally. I can’t tell you what it is until after I do it. But I’ll be sure and let you know what happens.
Anyone who knows me knows I love to make up parody songs. That means I like to make up other words to familiar songs. I’ve been doing it for years. Earlier this year I made up a couple of songs about my job based on the songs used on the popular “Free Credit Report.com” commercials. My most recent parody is one written to the tune of the Beatles song, Yesterday. It’s about my recent weight loss surgery and the lifestyle I had to adapt afterwards.
I entitled the song “Roux-en-y” (pronounced "roo in why") which is a specific term for the kind of surgery I had. If you sing it to yourself you'll see it fits. I’m really proud of the song and it conveys the way I feel about having surgery in a rather clever way. Perhaps one of these days I’ll get to record it and put it on YouTube but I don’t know when that will be.
I have been back to work since the middle of August and am really enjoying my job since I’ve been back. The two main reasons for this are because of changes I've made at home. I have been getting up earlier than I used to and getting some things accomplished before I go to work and I’ve been going to bed earlier at night.
I have a list of “things to do” for each day and try my best to them it done before I have to leave for work. Striving to get them done gives me a sense of accomplishment outside of work. I don’t feel like all I do is get up and go to work. I get things that are important to me completed. This has made a big difference in my life.
The last thing I want to mention is that I’ve been really feeling the call to start working in Children’s ministry again. But this time I want to do it exclusively as a ventriloquist or puppeteer. I want to start by getting involved once again with the Children’s Church and Awana ministries at my church but only by performing as a “vent” to as a supplemental teacher, not the main teacher. This will help me get the involvement I need once again as well as leave me available to go out and do some ministry with other churches as well.
In my heart I had stepped away from God’s calling of ministering as a ventriloquist a while ago but now I am compelled to return to it. Right now it’s just an intention but I’m going to have to speak with my pastor about it to get it started. As with a lot of the things I’ve written about in this post; I’ll let you know what happens.
Overall things are going well and God continues to be faithful on a daily basis. I have reached the 65 pounds lost mark as I complete my 2nd month since surgery. I walk my dogs every day and go to the gym to swim at least 2, if not 3, times a week. I continue to fit into clothes I have stored in the back of my closet and find myself able to do things that I couldn’t before surgery.
I’m very excited about having the opportunity to perform again this year at the “Street Party for Jesus” festival this coming Saturday. I’m going to be doing a 20 minute ventriloquist performance that includes singing 2 songs. I’ll have more about that after I perform.
My 49th birthday is coming up on Wednesday to help myself “celebrate” and I’m going to be doing something that I’ve felt I should do for several months now. It’s a gesture toward a member of my family and will leave me very vulnerable and open to being hurt, emotionally. I can’t tell you what it is until after I do it. But I’ll be sure and let you know what happens.
Anyone who knows me knows I love to make up parody songs. That means I like to make up other words to familiar songs. I’ve been doing it for years. Earlier this year I made up a couple of songs about my job based on the songs used on the popular “Free Credit Report.com” commercials. My most recent parody is one written to the tune of the Beatles song, Yesterday. It’s about my recent weight loss surgery and the lifestyle I had to adapt afterwards.
I entitled the song “Roux-en-y” (pronounced "roo in why") which is a specific term for the kind of surgery I had. If you sing it to yourself you'll see it fits. I’m really proud of the song and it conveys the way I feel about having surgery in a rather clever way. Perhaps one of these days I’ll get to record it and put it on YouTube but I don’t know when that will be.
I have been back to work since the middle of August and am really enjoying my job since I’ve been back. The two main reasons for this are because of changes I've made at home. I have been getting up earlier than I used to and getting some things accomplished before I go to work and I’ve been going to bed earlier at night.
I have a list of “things to do” for each day and try my best to them it done before I have to leave for work. Striving to get them done gives me a sense of accomplishment outside of work. I don’t feel like all I do is get up and go to work. I get things that are important to me completed. This has made a big difference in my life.
The last thing I want to mention is that I’ve been really feeling the call to start working in Children’s ministry again. But this time I want to do it exclusively as a ventriloquist or puppeteer. I want to start by getting involved once again with the Children’s Church and Awana ministries at my church but only by performing as a “vent” to as a supplemental teacher, not the main teacher. This will help me get the involvement I need once again as well as leave me available to go out and do some ministry with other churches as well.
In my heart I had stepped away from God’s calling of ministering as a ventriloquist a while ago but now I am compelled to return to it. Right now it’s just an intention but I’m going to have to speak with my pastor about it to get it started. As with a lot of the things I’ve written about in this post; I’ll let you know what happens.
That's all for now. As I look back at this post it seems as though having writer's block really isn't a problem. Either that or this post has helped me work through it. Thanks for reading.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Roller Coasters, Here I Come...Next Summer
With the first week of September comes the Labor Day holiday. Traditionally it marks the "unofficial" end of the summer season. The beach resorts on the sea shore close for the season and so do the nation's amusement parks. This means that another season has passed where I've been unable to partake of the fun a day riding roller coasters and other thrill rides because of my size.
Like many Americans I have enjoyed amusement parks since I was a kid. During my teenage years a day at our local park, Dorney Park, was, what we called, our annual family vacation. I really looked forward to that day the entire summer. I have so many memories of those times together with my family.
But I haven't been able to experience a day at an amusement park without stress for quite a while. The worry of whether I would fit in the ride seats or the safety belts, bars,or harnesses will close around me limited the degree to which I could relax and have fun. There's nothing more embarrassing than having to get out of a roller coaster car and walk past the other waiting already loaded passengers toward the exit; simply because you're too big for the ride. It was an ultimate embarrassment that even brought me to tears, once.
My 2004 trip to Walt Disney World was the exception to this. But only because I did extensive research and found some resources that helped prepare me. They gave information to larger Americans about the "do's and don't's" when it came to deciding which Disney World rides were "big guy" friendly and which were not. Also the Disney company is also very responsive to the needs of it's biggest fans and tries to accommodate as much as any park I've ever been to.
Now back to the reason I'm writing all of this. My enjoyment of amusement parks has been quelled for a good 10 years or more. But this is the last year for that. Based on my successful weight loss so far I'm projecting that by next June or July I will be able to go and enjoy riding the rides once again. So look out roller coasters. Here I come.
Next summer I want to make triumphant returns to Kentucky Kingdom, Kings Island in Ohio, and Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. I would also like to go to Beech Bend, a local park here in town, Cedar Point near Cleavland, Holiday World in Indiana, and Hershey Park, in Chocolate Town USA, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Of course the ultimate joy would be a return trip to Orlando for my 2nd trip to Disney World or a first time trip to Disneyland in California. But those won't happen for a while.
Just the thought of the morale victory I will be achieving when I sit down and buckle up to ride the "Son of The Beast" or any other roller coaster or ride I may choose. It may seem like a silly thing to be shooting for but it's a very important goal for me. I am determined to achieve it.
So during the summer of 2010 if you're wondering where you can find me perhaps you'd better get on Googel Earth and zoom in on any of the parks I've mentioned. You just might see me "catching some air time" on the hill of a gigantic roller coaster. Even though I may not know you're looking in you will be sure to recognize me I'll be the one smiling.
Like many Americans I have enjoyed amusement parks since I was a kid. During my teenage years a day at our local park, Dorney Park, was, what we called, our annual family vacation. I really looked forward to that day the entire summer. I have so many memories of those times together with my family.
But I haven't been able to experience a day at an amusement park without stress for quite a while. The worry of whether I would fit in the ride seats or the safety belts, bars,or harnesses will close around me limited the degree to which I could relax and have fun. There's nothing more embarrassing than having to get out of a roller coaster car and walk past the other waiting already loaded passengers toward the exit; simply because you're too big for the ride. It was an ultimate embarrassment that even brought me to tears, once.
My 2004 trip to Walt Disney World was the exception to this. But only because I did extensive research and found some resources that helped prepare me. They gave information to larger Americans about the "do's and don't's" when it came to deciding which Disney World rides were "big guy" friendly and which were not. Also the Disney company is also very responsive to the needs of it's biggest fans and tries to accommodate as much as any park I've ever been to.
Now back to the reason I'm writing all of this. My enjoyment of amusement parks has been quelled for a good 10 years or more. But this is the last year for that. Based on my successful weight loss so far I'm projecting that by next June or July I will be able to go and enjoy riding the rides once again. So look out roller coasters. Here I come.
Next summer I want to make triumphant returns to Kentucky Kingdom, Kings Island in Ohio, and Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. I would also like to go to Beech Bend, a local park here in town, Cedar Point near Cleavland, Holiday World in Indiana, and Hershey Park, in Chocolate Town USA, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Of course the ultimate joy would be a return trip to Orlando for my 2nd trip to Disney World or a first time trip to Disneyland in California. But those won't happen for a while.
Just the thought of the morale victory I will be achieving when I sit down and buckle up to ride the "Son of The Beast" or any other roller coaster or ride I may choose. It may seem like a silly thing to be shooting for but it's a very important goal for me. I am determined to achieve it.
So during the summer of 2010 if you're wondering where you can find me perhaps you'd better get on Googel Earth and zoom in on any of the parks I've mentioned. You just might see me "catching some air time" on the hill of a gigantic roller coaster. Even though I may not know you're looking in you will be sure to recognize me I'll be the one smiling.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Welcome To Music 21st Century Style, Ron
I guess I can officially be called "old" because of what I'm about to admit. I've been resisting the advancement of technology when it comes to music. Recorded music has been in the "digital stage" for several years now. The Ipod or generic MP3 player is a common source of personal musical entertainment and internet downloads are a common source of purchasing music.
As someone who grew up collecting vinyl records, cassette tapes and CDs I have found it very difficult to put confidence in any from of a music collection where I can't hold the music in my hand. It just doesn't give me a sense of ownership of the music. I'm the same way with books. I have to have a copy of a book in my hand to feel like I've really added it to my collection.
To me having an MP3 player with over 700 albums stored on it is not the same as having 700 CDs slipped into plastic sleeves of a storage case and kept on a shelf. To store and copy music in a totally electronic format as computers files has such an inherent vulnerability to it. One virus on the hard drive of the computer where your collection is stored or one accidental drop of or spill on an MP3 player and the whole collection is gone.
With records, tapes and CDs losing a recording usually only happened on an individual album basis. If you scratched a record or CD, or a cassette tape was "eaten" by your player you only lost a song or just one album at the most. The feeling of insecurity inherent with digital music is something I just couldn't deal with. This has kept me from jumping into this new era of entertainment for a long time.
But alas technology and culture has quickly by passed those who feel the way I do about physically possessing the music we listen to. I've finally decided to raise the white flag. Today I made the jump into the world of modern music technology.
I downloaded some music from CD to my computer to my phone's MP3 player. I will start listening to that music over the stereo system in my Vue through use of a low frequency transmitter. I will listen to the MP3 player while I'm exercising or taking my dogs for a walk. The great thing about doing this is that I can also download some sermons that are available online from some of my favorite preachers such as John MacArthur, Alister Begg, David Jeremiah and John Piper.
Eventually I will rip all the music from my collection of over 700 CDs, as well as my Rewind shows, which I have on CD, to my computer as my initial digital music collection. I will then copy them onto my phone/MP3 player. I will make up play lists and enjoy my music the way most people do in the 21st century. I guess it's about time I got up to speed. I'm sure I'll enjoy the flexibility and the convenience of it all...eventually. Please welcome me to this new world of music with open arms. I'm probably going to need some help getting used to it.
As someone who grew up collecting vinyl records, cassette tapes and CDs I have found it very difficult to put confidence in any from of a music collection where I can't hold the music in my hand. It just doesn't give me a sense of ownership of the music. I'm the same way with books. I have to have a copy of a book in my hand to feel like I've really added it to my collection.
To me having an MP3 player with over 700 albums stored on it is not the same as having 700 CDs slipped into plastic sleeves of a storage case and kept on a shelf. To store and copy music in a totally electronic format as computers files has such an inherent vulnerability to it. One virus on the hard drive of the computer where your collection is stored or one accidental drop of or spill on an MP3 player and the whole collection is gone.
With records, tapes and CDs losing a recording usually only happened on an individual album basis. If you scratched a record or CD, or a cassette tape was "eaten" by your player you only lost a song or just one album at the most. The feeling of insecurity inherent with digital music is something I just couldn't deal with. This has kept me from jumping into this new era of entertainment for a long time.
But alas technology and culture has quickly by passed those who feel the way I do about physically possessing the music we listen to. I've finally decided to raise the white flag. Today I made the jump into the world of modern music technology.
I downloaded some music from CD to my computer to my phone's MP3 player. I will start listening to that music over the stereo system in my Vue through use of a low frequency transmitter. I will listen to the MP3 player while I'm exercising or taking my dogs for a walk. The great thing about doing this is that I can also download some sermons that are available online from some of my favorite preachers such as John MacArthur, Alister Begg, David Jeremiah and John Piper.
Eventually I will rip all the music from my collection of over 700 CDs, as well as my Rewind shows, which I have on CD, to my computer as my initial digital music collection. I will then copy them onto my phone/MP3 player. I will make up play lists and enjoy my music the way most people do in the 21st century. I guess it's about time I got up to speed. I'm sure I'll enjoy the flexibility and the convenience of it all...eventually. Please welcome me to this new world of music with open arms. I'm probably going to need some help getting used to it.
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