Rick's Random Reflections, Rants and Rumblings

Walmart Messes With My Mind

2009-12-04T23:20:00.003-05:00

One simple retail-related word can send a chill up the spine of many Americans...Walmart! I know from talking to a good many folks that shopping at Walmart ranks at the very bottom of their list of things they enjoy doing. Well, perhaps it ranks right above passing a kidney stone, but I haven't seen the 2009 end-of-year rankings yet.

Personally, I don't mind Walmart. I live in a small town now, so if there's shopping to be done, we frequently head to Wally World. When we travel, Walmart can be a great place to pull into for a restroom stop. Ever notice that other retail stores have their restrooms in the back or in some obscure location. When I stop for a bathroom break, I don't want to spend valuable moments tracking down the facilities. At Wal-mart, you can always locate the restrooms at the front of the store.

But this is where Walmart messes with my mind. I appreciate being able to consistently locate Walmart restrooms. However, why can't they be consistent with everything else? The biggest problem occurs as you enter the store. Which door is the entrance? Common sense tells you to go the right. Instinct leads you to go to the right. Yet, if you follow common sense or instinct, you're likely staring at the exit and the traffic flow of people coming right at you.

If you've navigated this obstacle successfully, congratulations. Many fail and never make it to this point. It doesn't necessarily become easier, my dear blog readers. Once you get to the point of entering the store, you have to figure out where everything is. Now, wouldn't Walmart benefit from being consistent in the layouts of individual stores? One would think. However, at Walmart, food could be at your right or at your left. Electronics at the back of the store or in the middle. Books near the greeting cards or at the front of the store.

I'm dizzy just thinking about this madness! For this reason, I need to end this post and lay down for a while...

Severe Bee Allergy

2009-05-25T16:01:00.003-04:00

It's Memorial Day which means you're doing things today that you don't do on a typical Monday. That's true for me as I turned the television on, put the channel to ESPN and kicked back on the loveseat for some afternoon sports. I know what you're thinking--that could be a normal Monday! The difference this time was instead of catching a baseball game, I became glued to the National Spelling Bee competition.

Guess there are a few reasons I found myself hooked to the Bee this year. First, the remote control was just out of reach. Just kidding. I actually was interested in watching because I was a former spelling bee participant. I didn't quite make the national event. I fell a bit shy of the state competition as well. But at one time I was a finalist in elementary school. I still recall with bitterness standing before a large crowd of folks and demonstrating an inability to spell the word "plussing" correctly. I can state with confidence that I have yet to use that word in an actual conversation of any sort, other than to flashback to the day when I bowed out of my elementary school event as the 4th place finisher.

My post today is a plea to the organizers of the National Spelling Bee event. Can we just go ahead and give these kids all of the information they need in order to spell the word correctly? Don't make them beg for a definition. Then ask for a language of origin. Then we have a request for an alternate pronunciation. Now we get to the point where they'd like the word used in a sentence. Some will now ask for a part of speech. Then the repeat requests. Why do we put these kids through this?

I've long been against this kind of treatment. In fact, I now confess I spelled "plussing" wrong on purpose. I didn't want to go through this myself.

What's My Line?

2009-03-15T23:12:00.002-04:00

Many weeks ago, I was doing some thumb exercises with my remote control when I came across an awards show on TV. I want to say it was the Golden Globes but I'm not for sure. I'm confident you've seen shows like this. A number of awards are presented one at a time, with several nominations mentioned prior to each one.

As I watched, I noticed something that left me bewildered. For each award, two actors would come to the podium and engage in some brief small talk. This would usually include a corny joke of some kind. It's obvious that this dialogue is scripted. In fact, it looks like these folks are reading their lines off a cue card or a teleprompter or something.

So I'm left to ponder the following question. If these folks are actors, people whose job requires them to memorize lines, why can't they actually memorize lines or at least act like they have?

Dirty Diapers

2009-01-05T16:01:00.002-05:00

Twice in the last week, I've entered a public restroom and noticed a Diaper Dispensing Device (I shall refer to it as the DDD) near the diaper changing table. You can purchase a diaper for a buck, though the DDD indicates it only takes quarters.

My thought: If I take my child to the restroom for a diaper change, yet am so disorganized that I don't bring a clean diaper with me, why does the store think I'll have a roll of quarters in my pocket?

Bed Jumping Monkeys...Unacceptable!

2008-09-14T00:50:00.002-04:00

I love to do bedtime stories. In the past, I've read stories. When I'm in a creative mood, I'll make up stories. The whole bedtime story routine, however, has changed in my home. My 6 year old is starting to read. As a result, she reads the stories to me. I listen to her read a book, and I spend time thinking about the information being absorbed by my daughter.

Tonight's tale was a familiar one, Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!. Before we even owned this book, I was familiar with how this goes. Perhaps you could chant along with me...

Ten little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Nine little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off...

Wait a second! The doctor has given specific instructions. This wise professional has figured out a simple way to keep further head injuries from taking place. And yet his instructions are ignored. I suppose that's be to expected. We can assume these are young monkeys, and you know what they say...monkeys will be monkeys. But then my attention turns to the mother - where is she?!?!

My daughter is sleeping and I'm wondering if I should let this piece of literature remain in our home. Maybe I could point out the parental neglect. Or I could simply brush this off as another example of an overworked, single-parent home with the youngsters running amuck. I'll need to take some time and sort this out...

Sit Down, Batman!

2008-07-31T13:32:00.002-04:00

I went to see "The Dark Knight" over the weekend. I rarely will pay big bucks to see any movie, but the reviews had been so solid so I thought why not? Plus, I went during the day to save two dollars which satisified my cheapskate tendencies.

The movie was really good, but that's not why I'm posting today. I felt the need to share something that amused me. Here's the wording on the back of the ticket stub:

The Management reserves the right to refuse admission, by refunding purchase price, and to determine when and where its holder may sit.

I'm not sure why this struck me as so funny. I guess I just imagined going into a theater and standing there waiting for someone in management to come in and let you know it was ok to sit down.

Roller Coaster Rides

2008-07-08T16:38:00.002-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I do love roller coasters. Granted, my father tried to scar me for life by forcing my brother and I to ride "The Beast" at King's Island when we were barely tall enough to legally ride. As I got older though, I enjoyed riding roller coasters. In fact, "The Beast" is my all-time favorite ride.

Then there's this roller coaster ride called Life. Not as much fun at times. The ups, downs, twists and turns. Sometimes you don't see them coming.

When I last left you, the family was rejoicing at our newly-repaired van. The morning after that post, we loaded up to begin the return journey home. Ten minutes later we were on the side of I-440 westbound, our van deciding it didn't want to go home yet. The events over the next 24 hours consisted of many phone calls, a tow to a local Pepboys where I now know several guys on a 1st name basis (here's a shout out for Dave & Tim!) and my wallet feeling much, much lighter.

Yet again, I praise God for taking care of us. Christian friends/family saw that our immediate needs were met. We spent time with lots of folks we don't get to see often. And our family now has a few extra memories which we'll reflect on for years to come.

Brake Pads and Clams

2008-07-04T14:46:00.002-04:00

The family and I have been on the road for the past week, which is a risk-taking adventure considering the state of our vehicles. We pulled into Nashville a couple of days ago to the disturbing sound of something going on....we diagnosed that it might be brake-related, not that I know much about automotive repairs, but the rumbling we heard took place when I hit the brakes (I'm a proud graduate of the School of Logic!).

Well, I should have addressed this problem yesterday. Which means if you're following along, that I didn't. Today, we go out to get something to drink and pass by a service station that is open--large advertisements stating their expertise in brake repairs. My conscience, who I sometimes refer to as my wife, thought this would be a good opportunity to have our van looked at by a mechanic. We pull in and discover that there is a mechanic on duty who wasn't scheduled to come in, but had chosen to spend his holiday at the shop. We get immediate attention to our problem--another worker there said it had been "dead," unlike any other day.

The mechanic was able to determine we had a few immediate needs, including front brakes. From talking to him, we discovered his wife had the same exact make/model of van. To make the long story short, 356 clams later (and yes, we do pay for our car repairs using actual clams), we're good to go.

What did I take from this experience -- just another reminder that the Lord is good!

Give Me Liberty or Give Me...A Tax Refund!

2008-02-20T14:19:00.003-05:00

This is not a paid advertisement. However, I'd like to recommend folks check out Liberty Tax Service. I can't say I've ever used them, but if I were in the market for someone to do my taxes, I'd look into Liberty.

You may be asking, why such enthusiasm for a place you've never used yourself? Well, I'm impressed with Liberty. You see, for the last several weeks, I've driven down the main stretch of road here in town and next to the road, outside of their business, I've been entertained daily by someone dressed up as The Statue of Liberty! And not just entertained because they look funny, The Statue typically is involved in some kind of dance routine which always puts a smile on my face. If you're really lucky, you might spot 'Uncle Sam' on the other side of the road trying to direct vehicles to stop in to have their taxes done. Despite the cool winter weather, these Liberty employees have brightened my day on many occasions.

As my thanks to them, I decided to give them a plug. And if you don't need to have your taxes done, but could use some extra money, I'd suggest you send an audition tape to Liberty right away.

I Feel A Draft!

2008-02-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

I'm typing this from my local Panera Bread. The office internet connection was acting up yesterday so I stopped in here this morning to send a few quick e-mails (and enjoy a tasty bagel or two!) before heading in.

At Panera Bread--at least at this location--there are multiple access points to the restaurant. There are the main entrance doors located at the corner of the building. There is another door that leads right into the main dining area...which is right where I'm currently stationed. This door actually serves as the entrance/exit to the outside patio area. It should be pointed out that it is currently 37 degrees and no one is using the outside patio area.

That, however, hasn't stopped multiple people from using that door. And each time someone comes in or goes out, those seated inside are subjected to a blast of February 8th air! I truly admire the thoughtfulness of these Panera patrons and thought I'd bring about some joy to myself by typing about them as they pass by...

Here goes another one. Excuse me while I shudder with discomfort.

Escalator Etiquette

2008-02-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, escalators bring back fond childhood memories. What kid doesn't like escalators? Ok, sure, when you first encounter an escalator there are a few fears to overcome. After all, there's the leap of faith as you step from the solid footing of the first floor department store to a set of moving stairs. It's a little unnatural at first. And you have to be alert at the end of your ride. Otherwise you may find yourself facedown on the ground, which would be a bit embarrassing -- who wants to have folks ask, "Hey, what happened to your nose?" when the honest response is "Well, I was on an escalator..." Once you master the art of boarding/deboarding, the escalator becomes a thrilling ride.

Once you're an adult, the escalator ride is still special, because you reflect back to those experiences as a youth. But now, you see an escalator for what it is, a time-saving transportation device. And....if you actually walk up a set of moving escalator steps, you are now able to travel at a super rate of speed, far surpassing what you could normally do on foot. But that leads me to my beef. Recently I was in a store with a single set of escalator steps. I boarded, but my progress was impeded by someone in front of me. And they were just standing there! And I thought to myself--this would be acceptable if this were a child. But in this case, I was behind an adult! I wanted to scream, "Grow up, buddy!" I did bite my tongue, however. Instead, I'm calling this person out in my blog. So now, Mr. Clogging-Up-The-Escalator, maybe you'll come across this and think next time....and show some maturity for crying out loud.

Note to Whirlpool

2008-01-25T09:38:00.000-05:00

For those of you who have kept up with things around our home, you realize we currently have the anti-Midas touch. Basically everything we touch...falls apart! Let's see, since November we've had the following breakdowns: Our fridge, clothes dryer, Laura's cell phone and our van. Not to mention the vehicle I'm driving is not exactly running at peak efficiency. Needless to say, we've incurred several expenses in recent months.

We've been pleased with our new Estate (made by Whirlpool) refrigerator - and on a side note, why isn't that word spelled with a 'd'? Fridge has the d...refrigerator does not, strange don't you think? I do have one qualm with our kitchen cooling unit, however. We now are able to get ice from the front of the fridge! Yes, that's right! For some of you, that's no big deal, but you must understand I've opened up my freezer door all my life to get a few cubes and now it's available right there at the front of the fridge...amazing! Cool (what a horrible pun)! I don't like it!

I should like it, but here's my problem. There are 2 choices -- cubes and a 'shaved/crushed' ice selection. I like cubes, my spouse likes her ice crushed. When I approach the machine and try to obtain a few cubes, there are always small pieces of ice still left in the dispenser from the last time my lovely bride got ice. Hence, I end up with a mixture of cubes/ice shavings. This disturbs me greatly.

So, here's my solution offered to Whirlpool so they can solve similar dilemmas popping up in kitchens across America. Get rid of the crushed ice option! Normally, I like to compromise but I'm standing up for the safety of this nation's youth! Who wants their young people drinking from glasses that contain sharp, jagged, pointy objects? Cubes are much safer - I'm calling them the family-friendly option. I shall enjoy my lukewarm beverage in protest to this injustice!

Pearl of Wisdom

2008-01-09T14:23:00.000-05:00

First, allow me to apologize. I've become one of those people. You know the kind. Folks who maintain a website, in this case a blog, and fail to update it in a timely manner. I deserve to be drawn and quartered, given lashes with a wet noodle and taken behind the woodshed for a good, sound beating. Or perhaps the kind admonishment from a loyal reader in Lafayette was enough. Let me assure you, I have many things to blog about. Hopefully in 2008, I'll do a better job putting the fingers to the keyboard. I know many of you are itching to know what's on my mind!

For now, I'll leave you with the following tidbit from someone who shall remain anonymous. It's an actual quote from someone dear to me: "People remember you when you go to their funerals."

Drink Your Ovaltine!

2007-11-22T14:25:00.000-05:00

Before I begin, let me wish each of my loyal readers a happy Thanksgiving!

The holidays are upon us. That excites me for several reasons. One of which is an anticipation that I'll be watching the classic film 'A Christmas Story.' If you haven't seen it, you really should check it out (and on a side note--do you live under a rock?).

The central character anxiously awaits the day when he'll receive his secret decoder ring by mail. With glee, he opens the mailbox one day to find his package has arrived. The secret message is given over the radio later, and he sits down to decipher the code. His joy is quickly squashed when he realizes the message received was nothing more than an admonition to drink his Ovaltine!

Oh, how I can relate. I sat down with a half dozen Dr. Pepper caps a couple of days ago. After 15 'bad caps' in a row...3 of the 6 I entered were winners! Guess what I won? A ringtone and 2 codes for Dr. Pepper wallpaper. So much for great prizes.

At this point, I just hope I get my Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.

The Perils of Parking

2007-11-14T12:13:00.000-05:00

My good friend Scott replied to the post titled 'Rules of the Sidewalk.' He brought up the subject of people using handicap parking spaces. Now I'm not going to touch on that specifically, but it did remind me of a trend that I find disturbing.

A local mall that I've visited has put in parking places for expectant moms. Now this seems like a good idea, but the question that must be asked---how is this going to be enforced?! Many times I might think a lady is expecting, but I'm sure not going to bring this up to her unless I know with absolute certainty that she's with child. And now, women everywhere (at least ones within driving distance of this mall) have got great parking spaces lined up for them. Do you think I'm going to be brave enough to challenge any of them..."Ma'am, I don't really think you're expecting..."

It does make me chuckle to think of the mall security guys approaching a lady getting out of her car. Instead of 'license and registration, please' it'll be 'license and ultrasound pictures, please.' And of course, there's no more sobriety tests, instead a pregnancy test could be administered. I'll bet you'd eventually find someone who's stuffed a pillow under the shirt...especially with the holiday coming up. Those parking spots are valuable!

And if it seems like I'm bitter about it, I probably am...

Oh, and by the way....a few more Dr. Pepper caps collected....still no prize.

I Think I've Been Had!

2007-11-06T22:39:00.000-05:00

Some of you know that I have collected close to a kazillion Coke caps over the last 2 years, redeeming them for lots of fabulous prizes in the mycokerewards promotion. Well, over the last 2 months I've also kept my eye open for Dr. Pepper caps. They have some kind of promotion that involves entering codes in online...their caps and bottles proudly display in big lettes '1 in 6 WINS'

Well, I just want my loyal readers and the higher-ups at Dr. Pepper to know that I've entered at least 12 of those codes and I haven't won once! That's right--a big, fat goose-egg. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

I want to complain. I want to protest. I should boycott the product....but there's this part of me that tells me I'm due. I might go on a little winning streak soon. I might see 3 or 4 winners in a row. So I continue to consume. I want to be a winner! I long for the moment when I enter my code and hum the tune to that great Queen anthem..."We are the champions, my friend..."

Honey Wheat Bread

2007-10-23T00:31:00.000-04:00

I'm enjoying a sandwich the other day (it was delicious should you care to know) and I'm staring at my Kroger-brand loaf of honey wheat bread. I'm not sure what possessed me--but I wondered how many slices were in a typical loaf. So I counted--I know you're on the edge of your seat... My count revealed 21 slices.

21! 21! Let that number sink in. It's an odd number for crying out loud. Now I know there's some toast eaters out there, but the most frequent users of bread have got to be those who enjoy a good sandwich. You know where I'm going, don't you? 2 slices for every sandwich....so why, for the love of turkey and cheese, do they give us an odd number of slices in each loaf?

How can we solve the big problems in this world when we can't take care of these simple matters...

Better The Second Time Around

2007-10-15T03:09:00.001-04:00

Most folks who know me are aware that I love a number of 'old-school' sitcoms. I loved them growing up and I love them now. But I've discovered that I love these classics in a whole new way.

You see, when I was a kid I watched a show that involved a family and I viewed it from a kid's perspective. I put myself in the shoes of the child, more specifically I guess I identified with any older brother character. I saw myself as Willis Jackson, Wally Cleaver, Alex Keaton, Mike Seaver, etc.

Now I sit down and watch these shows with my kids (I've got my daughter hooked on some classic tv sitcoms...I'm proud to say she can sing the lyrics to The Facts of Life--can you believe they don't teach this stuff in kindergarten?), but from a whole new perspective. I've got my eye on the parents. Especially the dads.

So to the television fathers of yesteryear---Mr. Drummond, Ward Cleaver, Steven Keaton, Jason Seaver, Howard Cunningham, I tip my cap to you! You're the reason I love sitcoms now. Your words of wisdom, your response to the mischief and trouble stirred up by your television children, your wit and occasional corny sense of humor... Simply put, you're my sitcom heroes.

The Rules of the Sidewalk

2007-10-03T13:46:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been walking and seen someone coming towards you? You move a bit to the right to go pass them, only to discover they've moved a bit to their left and you're still on a course to collide! Instinctively, you move a bit the other way...only to find they've followed those same instincts and moved as well. Well, I must say....let's end this madness!

I propose that when walking, pedestrians should follow the same rules as drivers do. In the example above, you stay to your right just as you drive on the right side of the road. Of course, this leaves open the possibility you'll still have problems in other countries where they drive on the wrong side of the road, but at least in America if we all move to the right, we avoid these awkward moments and near collisions!

While we're on the subject, let me point out how most folks fail to check their 'blind spot,' while on foot. Numerous times I've been in a store about to pass someone from behind, only to discover they're coming over into my lane!

And don't even get me started about the lack of turn signals...

People are Funny

2007-09-28T10:06:00.000-04:00

So much humor in life. Take for instance the following letter written in to our local paper. A gentlemen indicated he had went to the local license branch and was upset at the clerk for putting his last name on the handicap placard he was requesting. He gives the following reasoning:

"I find her action in this totally unnecessary and in fact could jeopardize the safety of anyone with their last name on the placard. My concern in this action is that anyone could see the name look for an address with that last name nearest to that supermarket where the vehicle is parked and either go while the person is shopping and rob them or confront the person knowing that a handicap person lives at this address. In today's world of privacy this practice is jeopardizing anyone who requests a handicap placard in the state of Indiana. I will not be using this placard for safety reasons."

Ok, perhaps there's some good points made. The kicker is how the letter ends---with the writer's full name and city! So in essence the letter says "I refuse to reveal my name and the fact that I am handicapped to prevent criminals from coming to my residence...sincerely, Phinneas J. Whoopee, Smalltown USA"

My mind considers the following verse from the Bible: "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent..." Proverbs 17:28

The Joy of Scrabble

2007-09-25T11:35:00.000-04:00

My wife and I like to play Scrabble. I enjoy many games, but Scrabble is her favorite and we find ourselves playing every once in a while. Last night was one such occasion. It wasn't til much later in the evening after our game was completed (To satisfy your curiousity--yes, I won but my point is not to gloat), that I thought more about Scrabble.

The game of Scrabble bears similarities to the game of Poker. Ok, I'm sure the Scrabble purists who might across that statement are gasping for air. Here's my point -- 'Bluffing' can be a huge part of a Scrabble game. Think about it. You can put any word you want to on the board and if you can convince the other player(s) that you know what you're talking about, you win. You force them to call your bluff, just like at a card table.

Not that I have EVER used that strategy, I'm just sayin'....

Candy Corn

2007-09-13T12:35:00.000-04:00

I'm reading a bedtime story to my daughter last night -- frequently, she'll choose a Winnie the Pooh book. This night was no different. At the end of the story, the Hundred-Acre Wood gang are all enjoying honey at a picnic. We shared the following dialogue:

"Everyone likes honey, right Daddy?"
"Pretty much since it's sweet, that's why everyone likes chocolate and candy."
"I like candy, except for those little things that are orange, yellow and white..."
"Candy corn?"
"Yeah..."

She follows the last response by making that face....you know the one you make when you taste something awful and you wrinkle your face to the point where people know to get out of the way because things are going to come flying out of your mouth in the near future.

After she's settled in, I head to the kitchen. A short time later my wife returns from her trip to the store. She's excited to share with me what she picked up for my daughter's school snack.... You know where this is going, right? Yep, you guessed it....she had brought home candy corn!

You should realize that in over 12 years of marriage, I don't recall my wife EVER buying candy corn. And the one time she does is within an hour of my daughter sharing her disdain for it. Real-life comedy....gotta love it.

Of course, once my daughter got up for school this morning I made sure I was in the room when my wife showed her the new snack. It was enjoyable to see that face again. This tale does have a happy ending....my daughter brought goldfish crackers for her snack.

Great Ideas that Aren't All That Great

2007-09-11T10:19:00.000-04:00

The local McDonald's rebuilt several years ago after a fire. While doing so they advertised something new that would be a part of their new restaurant. Southern Indiana residents were introduced to the double-drive thru!

Guess what McDonald's? It stinks. For those who haven't seen how it operates, let me explain it. There are 2 drive thru entrances....2 ordering kiosks....then, you merge into 1 lane to pay for & pick up your food. Does this save any time? No. What's the purpose? I'm really not sure, unless they just want to annoy folks.

Ever went to the grocery store and lamented the fact that you always pick the wrong lane? Well that's me at McDonald's. I pull in and pick the right hand drive-thru. Someone comes behind me and goes left and in a few short minutes, I'm behind them! It's truly maddening!

Thanks for listening. If a higher-up from McD's happens across this blog, please note the general uselessness of your double-drive-thru. Perhaps you should call the folks at Rally's who know how to operate one (2 separate pick-up windows). All that being said, I'm not angry enough to avoid McDonald's. My addiction to McChicken sandwiches and apples pies will keep me in their annoying little drive-thru line for years to come....and I won't be happy about it.

Admitting Error

2007-09-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Well, I did something the other day for the first time. Brace yourself, it's confession time! I was reading an article online by an Associated Press sports columnist. In it, he made a statement that I felt was inaccurate. It just didn't add up. It bothered me. I couldn't sleep at night. Nah, it wasn't that bad. But I did decide I couldn't let it go unaddressed - so I fired off an e-mail to him and let him know my thoughts.

My approach was to make sure this writer knew that I appreciated his work. In fact, I told him his article was excellent. However, I did point out the statement in question and explained that I felt it was way off base. I used facts to illustrate my point.

Later that day, I got a response. I must admit to being a little nervous upon opening the e-mail. This was a fellow who writes professionally. It would have been easy for him to say something along the lines of "I'm entitled to my opinion" or "Who do you think you are to criticize me?" Honestly, I wasn't sure if if I'd receive a response at all. His e-mail reply said he was thankful for my note and agreed with me that the statement I questioned was careless.

You know....my respect for this guy went way up. In the world we live in, few people admit error. Folks are quick to point a finger of blame in any direction. It's refreshing to know that there are people who will put pride aside and say "I messed up." We fail to realize the respect we can gain from others by doing so.

A Blank Canvas

2007-09-05T10:50:00.000-04:00

I'm not an artist in a traditional sense. I've always admired those with artistic skills...the ability to draw or paint, taking a blank canvas and creating something with great visual appeal. Until the artist applies the utensil to his working space, the surface remains plain. But...oh, what potential.

Have you ever had a day in which you had nothing planned? You woke up that morning with nothing on your schedule, your time void of other commitments, a to-do list that could wait to be addressed and hours ahead of you. A certain, anxious excitement would be present within you as you considered the possibilities for the unclaimed time.

So it is with this blog. Much like a blank canvas or an unplanned stretch of time, it sits before me. Ideas abound on how to fill the space. What is my goal? Am I using it for my own enjoyment, as a mental release of sorts being able to put into writing thoughts bouncing around my head? Or do I intend to entertain those who might read this blog?

Ah, this is getting too deep. Probably why I'm not an artist...