tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22587663171164892432024-03-13T16:32:25.411-07:00The Lynch PenDavid M. Lynch is a Euclid resident who currently is host of a show that airs at 4 p.m. Fridays on WELW-AM 1330.David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-89031864591093378262014-03-07T05:39:00.000-08:002014-03-07T09:39:31.862-08:00Don't let illness change view of your Pet<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Here's a controversial column.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I'm against <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>euthanizing the family pet because of age and ailments.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Here's the story.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">When a dog or cat becomes seriously ill, we follow the veterinarian's recommendation that we terminate the animal's life <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>as an act of mercy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">If it were our Uncle Jimmy, we would either treat him or do everything to make him comfortable.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We would do nothing to expedite Uncle Jimmy's demise. Let the Grim Reaper arrive when he is ready to make his appearance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Why do we take a different stance for Fido?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I'll tell you why.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It's because we are lazy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We don't want to put up with the aggravation of caring for a sick animal in her waning days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">So the vet gives us a handy excuse. He tells us that the only kind thing to do is to "put her down."</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Then we all become sad that "we had to do it".</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">As if you didn't have a choice.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You did have a choice.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You didn't have to automatically agree to pull the plug on fluffy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Why do we go along so easily with the Vet's</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"> </FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">"suggestion" ?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">If caring for the sick pet is too expensive or inconvenient, admit that you've put cost and time above your pet's life.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Be honest.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">If you can, consider <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>caring for that innocent soul who has loved you unconditionally <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for many years.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">How many people do know that have the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>kind pure heart of your faithful furry friend? <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Practically zero.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">A few months ago, we said goodbye forever to a petite Golden retriever named Marby. She brought a spark of joy into my life every single day of her nine-year existence.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Although she died on the operating table, my wife and I had already responded to the animal doctor's request for instructions that Marby should be put down if the operation resulted in only a grim prognosis.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Today when I think about it, I am ashamed of having made that decision.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Somehow, when our family pet becomes seriously ill, the dear affection that we have for these important members of our family degenerates into a question of keeping a table lamp or an old broken down recliner chair.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I'm not exactly sure how or why it happens. But when I go back and think about it, I see that it's just not right.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Just because our pets haven't received official recognition from society as equals to us, we easily transition from someone who really cares for the family dog to someone who's supposedly making an objective decision about an in animate object.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I don't buy that. And I can see now that I was wrong to have ever thought that way.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">So, next time think about it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You just might find immeasurable benefit for your own psyche in being patient and loving and caring for someone ignorant people often referr to as a "dumb animal".</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I love these pets.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Let's not be so quick to give Dr. Death a thumbs-up. At least think about it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-27960266428541028582014-02-20T18:40:00.000-08:002014-02-20T18:41:15.136-08:00United Nations making sense for a change<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">For years, the international community has been criticized in the United States because of the efforts of various state legislatures, including Ohio, to limit and restrict abortion activity.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The battle cry of these mostly European liberals has centered around a woman's right to determine what she does with a conglomeration of cells in her own body. They view <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>abortion as no more significant than having a wart removed.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Unfortunately for the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>pro-abortion crowd, a recent United Nations report released on Monday shows a little crack in the international armor frequently worn by those who want to end the life of the unborn.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The new report catalogs scores of human rights violations taking place in North Korea: Murder, rape, and the systematic torture of those who oppose the government. The report was commissioned by the UN and written by a former judge from Australia.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Some have glossed <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>over one of the major concerns listed in this comprehensive report. This highlighted human rights violation is the act of forced abortions. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">If abortion is merely the removal of irrelevant tissue, then why is a forced abortion considered a human rights violation?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The answer is obvious. <BR>The<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>United Nations commission recognizes that a forced abortion constitutes the violent death of a child brutally and bloodily extracted from a horrified mother.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Take that, international community. The United Nations has recognized the importance of the unborn child and the tragic consequences visited upon a mother who loses that child at the hands of the abortionist.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The report also contains a letter from the United Nations commission asking the Chinese government to help put pressure on North Korea to cease and desist in undertaking these horrible human rights atrocities.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The director of the commission felt that North Korea's superpower ally would be the country most likely to have some influence over Kim Jong-un, the egotistical North Korean leader.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Unfortunately, the commissioners have forgotten that China itself, with its one child per family policy, has been and continues to engage in the diabolical practice of forcing women onto the gurney at the point of a gun to <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>engage in their version of forced fetal executions.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Listen folks, if an organization such as the United Nations is willing to admit that abortion is a horror, then the rest of us need to rally the rest of the world to do something.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">If getting mankind to stop forced abortions in North Korea becomes the first step in stopping the unprecedented destruction of pre-born life throughout the world, and I'm all for it and am willing to support the United Nations in this effort.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">During World War II, humanitarians urged President Franklin Roosevelt to do everything in his power to put an end to the merciless destruction of the Jews at the hands of the godless and satanic Nazi regime.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The innocent unborn child faces the same death camp as did our Jewish brothers and sisters in the 1940s.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Are you still willing to be silent?</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-81875138622940451222014-02-13T18:57:00.001-08:002014-02-13T18:57:48.120-08:00Wake up Lake County and the rest of the region!<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Whatever happened to regionalism?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">If you been studying Cuyahoga County's attempts to extend the sin tax for another 20 years, you have to conclude that regionalism has lost its sex appeal.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Back in 1990 the residents of Cuyahoga County decided that every time you buy a pack of cigarettes, you should pay an additional 4.5 cents in order to support the construction of the Indians Stadium and the Cavaliers arena. In addition, extra fees were lopped onto the purchase of beer, wine, and hard liquor. By the way, the sin tax on 1 gallon of hard liquor is a whopping three dollars.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Since its passage, $350 million has been raised for those glorious sports palaces.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The new sin tax extension will generate approximately $260 million and will be applied to the Q, Progressive Field, and FirstEnergy <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Stadium, the Cleveland Browns facility being a newly added beneficiary of your smoking and drinking in Cuyahoga County.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's my problem.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The presence of the sports teams makes for better quality of life and helps us to attract business activity in the entire region of Northeast Ohio.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">There are six counties that are contiguous to Cuyahoga County: Lake, Geauga, Medina, Portage, Summit, and Lorain.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">They benefit from and use the sports facilities just as much as those <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>from Cuyahoga County do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">As a matter of fact, it's no secret that the lion's share of wealth in Northeast Ohio lies outside of Cuyahoga <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>County in the six counties I just identified where people of greater means live in luxurious housing developments far from the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>crime <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>of the central city in Cleveland.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's only fair that those that derive the greatest benefit from the sin tax should share in paying it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's another way of restating my proposition.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Poor people and others who live in lower income areas are paying a higher cost for cigarettes and alcohol than wealthy folks who are the ones most likely to enjoy the benefits of the Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Who can afford to attend these sporting events? I think you'll find that season-ticket holders and others who could buy the expensive seats, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>overpriced food, and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>high priced parking are people that drive in from outside of Cuyahoga County so they can entertain their families and their corporate customers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I am urging citizens of Cuyahoga County to turn down the sin tax until the burden is shared by the entire region.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In addition, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am telling the citizens of these six contiguous counties to step up to the plate.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Stop taking advantage of those in the lower income brackets who paid for your sports playgrounds. Go ahead and have a good time, but let's not do it completely at the expense of those who can least afford it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Something is wrong when the Kirtland millionaire at a tribe game looks with contempt at the wino who paid for the stadium.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">All I'm asking you to do is pay your fair share so that the entirety of the burden doesn't fall on Cuyahoga County residents alone.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Is that so much to ask?</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-10718450610989161472014-02-06T18:33:00.001-08:002014-02-06T18:33:57.098-08:00True love means sacrificial commitment <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The other day I heard an amazing story.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It seems that a young man and his bride were looking forward to their wedding day which was only a few months out into the future.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The handsome young man and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>beautiful young lady each had promising professional careers ahead of them. They also<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>looked forward to children.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">One night, the bride-to-be had a terrible nightmare that caused her to jump headfirst off <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the end of her bed.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">She snapped her neck and within a few days she was pronounced a permanent quadriplegic.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's where the real miracle begins.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The bride's father had a man-to-man talk with the groom, explaining that everyone would understand if he decided to back out of the wedding.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The groom's circle of friends and family also counseled him to withdraw from his nuptials. Well-meaning associates warned him of the struggles that lay ahead in tying the knot <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>with the young lady who couldn't even tie her own shoes.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">This determined groom then explained to all the definition of love. He told them that he had made a permanent commitment to the woman that he loved in a way that transcended physical limitations. There was no sacrifice he would not make for his beloved.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The wedding went forward and this dynamic couple is the very picture of marital love.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They are heroic lovers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Then there's the couple by the name of Mary Lou and Jim Beers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He suffered a stroke in 1971 and was <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>unable to move <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>his limbs during 37 of the 40 years of marriage.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Jim died just a few years ago but his wife's dedication to him and to their relationship is a touching tribute to the power of the human soul.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Valentine's Day will be with us in just a few days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Does your love come from your soul instead of your loins?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Is your love truly unconditional to the point where there is no pain or inconvenience that you wouldn't endure in order to be of loving service to that one single person to whom you've made a lifetime commitment?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In our culture of oversexed and superficial relationships, the meaning of true love is rarely put on display.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Unfortunately, this frequently means that a middle-aged man feels justified in dumping his wife for a perkier model with tight buns.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">All of us need to know this: when the clumps of dirt are thrown upon our casket and we watch from afar in bodiless spirit form, the scorecard for our eternal existence will show a massive accumulation of points for those that loved truly and dearly and sacrificially.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Those that have loved superficially, unwilling to put aside concern for themselves, will find that they are watching their own burial from an uncomfortably warm climate.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">If you want to be a true lover, sacrifice and never abandon.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">After all, it's for better or for worse, right?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-7464501039357640172014-01-30T18:00:00.001-08:002014-01-30T18:00:14.771-08:00Get in line with the rest of us and smile<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">This incident happened <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Saturday afternoon over at the Heinen's at Pine Ridge Plaza in Willoughby Hills.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The entrance to that Heinen's is like<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>every other grocery store, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>involving an automatic<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>glass door.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The door is only wide enough for one person at a time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in a bit of a hurry.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In the doorway ahead of me was an elderly woman.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">She was wearing a beautiful long fur coat, a bright red nylon scarf, and a<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>dark blue hat with some sort of black netting that came down over her eyes a little bit.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Grey hair coiffed perfectly, she was wearing makeup<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>very carefully applied, complete with<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>dark red lipstick, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>mascara, and eyebrow pencil. The scent of a delicate perfume surrounded her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In essence, I saw before me a <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>beautifully dressed grand dame, someone's grandmother who knew not to go out of the house unless she was decked out in a way that would make her family proud. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But she was moving very slowly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Father time had shortened her steps while also diminishing their pace.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I had to stand in that doorway behind her for a good 90 seconds before I could get into Heinen's wonderful food emporium.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I waited.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I felt the presence of another person and looked behind me to see a gentleman wearing jeans and an Ohio State jacket also standing patiently behind me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And a few seconds after that an additional middle-aged man joined our entranceway conga line.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">All three of us were smiling and all three of us exchanged an unspoken message.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here was that message: No matter how important our mission, it was important for us to patiently wait for that great lady to make her way into that store.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I think all three of us realized that we were witnessing not a reason to be impatient, but rather a reason to feel proud of the effort it took for this wonderful senior citizen to make her way through the snow and the cold.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Finally, in the store, I made my way to the section that featured dry roasted peanuts.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">One of the three men in line behind me came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder. He told me that the little old lady who led us into the store reminded him of something his wife<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>told him earlier that day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">His wife reminded him to respect old people because he was merely looking at his own future. The time would come when he would hope that other folks would be patient with him as he shuffled his way through life because of the physical limitations of age.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">He was right and I think that all three of us are grateful for the lesson we learned from that<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>woman.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">God bless you, madam. May I become elderly with elegance like <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>you. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And may I continue to have<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>patience<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>with those that are just a bit slower and a bit wiser than the rest of us.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-29005541662577115392014-01-23T17:14:00.001-08:002014-01-23T17:14:28.223-08:00Watch someone who loves well and learn<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Some lessons are learned from observing others.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">My mom taught all of us in our family of nine children just by letting us see the things she did.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Her life was <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>one act of compassion after another.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">We noticed and soaked it all in.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Mom practically turned our home into a boarding house because someone needed a roof over her head.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Most of the overnight visitors were pregnant girls, thrown out of their home by a family that couldn't bear the shame of a daughter who was expecting out of wedlock. That was a pretty typical reaction for families back in the 1960s.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Mom made them feel warm, welcome, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and safe.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The real miracle of the sleepover guests <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">was </SPAN>convincing my dad to go along with the idea.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Dad was set in his ways and turning our house into the Motel 6 upset his routine.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But Dad loved Mom and her desire to do good melted his heart.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">In Mom's presence you felt an aura of kindness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Gentleness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Love.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Which brings me to the story at hand.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It's been so cold lately that my memory pushed up to the surface recollections of one horribly cold night.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Dark and freezing, about 7 PM.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I was in the sixth grade.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">At the door, three kids, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>African-American, ages about ten, nine, and seven.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">They were selling magazines.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Noses running.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Shivering.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Standing in the doorway of our stately rambling house on Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Someone left them out in the winter chill for hours.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">These kids were frozen and miserable.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Mom was moved.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">She took them inside and made them hot cocoa.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">They each had 2 cups but that's understandable because mom's hot cocoa was amazing. I've never tasted anything like it since.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">After about a half hour mom was able to get some details about where they lived.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It was somewhere in a very poor neighborhood around E. 45<SUP>th</SUP> St. and Lexington.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">She packed them into her car to drive them home.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I went along for the ride.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">One of the kids talked about a brother who had been killed in an accident.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">My heart broke and I was only 11 years old.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">When we reached the destination, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mom walked them to the front door.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">She gave a wad of cash to the mother that greeted them.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It was a quiet ride home.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I was pondering.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Even at that young age, I wondered.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">What's our obligation?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">What's our role in a world filled with <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>poor and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>hungry?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Mom had it right.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Do what you can when you can.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And if need shows up on your doorstep, God is sending you a message.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Don't close the door.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Do something.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">By the way, when we got home that night I found a magazine order form. Mom ordered 15 magazines that would be delivered for the next five years.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Who knew mom liked fishing magazines.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Mom.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">She's gone now.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But the lessons live on.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I bet somebody in your life is teaching you lessons right now.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Your job?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Observe, learn, and love.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-50450077530030491462014-01-16T17:39:00.001-08:002014-01-16T17:39:08.534-08:00Houlihan the Weatherman he ain't, but that's OK<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Channel 19 Television news weatherman Jeff Tanchak is one of my favorites on the local broadcast scene here in Northeast Ohio.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">His style is extremely energetic and animated. Some people have criticized him by describing his style as sensationalistic.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">These critics indicate that <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tanchak frequently delivers his weather forecast in a fashion designed to inspire fear.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">These critics cynically claim that he <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>wants to create fear in his audience so that viewers will feel compelled to continue to watch his broadcast as a way of protecting themselves against the onslaught of some oncoming weather disaster.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">They claim that <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tanchak essentially is saying the following: You better stay tuned to my broadcast, because if you fail to do so you may get wiped out by a tornado without warning. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I disagree with these naysayers that don't like Jeff Tanchak's high-volume intense delivery.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">He is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a refreshing contrast with the velvet voiced blown dry pretty boy frequently chosen as a TV meteorologist because of a handsome face and dulcet tones.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That's why readers of this column should realize that when it comes to Jeff Tanchak, I am a fan.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Now that doesn't mean Jeff Tanchak doesn't go a little too far on occasion.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">One of those occasions occurred two weeks ago on a Tuesday night when temperatures fell well below zero and the wind chill dropped to bizarrely low levels.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It was in fact a dangerous time for seniors and small children. Schools were closed for two days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">However, in the 10 o'clock broadcast on that Tuesday evening, Jeff Tanchak went on a brief rant.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">He peered into the camera and raised his voice to a fever pitch, announcing to the audience that these super-low <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>temperatures made him very angry.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">He wasn't angry at municipal employees failing to plow the snow. He wasn't angry at education officials that might have been too slow to close our institutions of learning.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">No, believe it or not, he told the entire world that he was angry at the temperatures themselves. He was enraged that a frigid front had made its way into our land of the Western Reserve.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Now really, Jeff, are you kidding me?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You are an outstanding meteorologist and one of the very dynamic broadcasters of weather information.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But I've got to tell you, that broadcast just made you look stupid. It hurts your credibility when you act as if the weather itself has some kind of human personality at which you can direct your wrath.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The weather can't defend itself, Jeff. That's because it's not human, and is merely an expression of scientific principles that you were taught during your many years of meteorological education.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Jeff Tanchak, I'm just hoping that you experienced a brief mental lapse, as opposed to trying to increase viewership with this ridiculous approach.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You've many years of great success ahead of you.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Just do me a favor and leave mother nature alone. She isn't real and all of us just want to know what you can tell us about the weather.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">OK, I feel better now.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-38051838987740201902014-01-09T16:26:00.001-08:002014-01-09T16:26:31.420-08:00Eddie Bennet lived an honest life and you should too<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Can you accept who and what you are?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And can you let others openly accept who and what you are?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I recently read an interesting story about Eddie Bennett.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Eddie Bennett was the bat boy for the famed 1927 New York Yankees.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Considered the greatest baseball team in history, their lineup featured the famous murderer's row highlighted by Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth batting in the number three in four positions.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">These Yankees were also highly superstitious. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The players attributed much of their success to the good luck they experienced by rubbing the hunchback of Eddie Bennett every time they headed out toward home plate.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You read that right.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Eddie Bennett had experienced a terrible accident <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>as an infant in a baby carriage. It left him hunchbacked.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bronx Bombers believed rubbing Bennett's hunchback led to higher batting averages and more home runs.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Nobody <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>considered that the players might be violating rules of political correctness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Most interestingly, Eddie Bennett liked the idea of serving as a good luck charm.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Bennett was credited for the success of the Chicago White Sox and the Brooklyn Robbins who both won pennants with Bennett handing them the pine before each AB.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That's why Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert was determined to bring Bennett into the Yankee family.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Bennett's addition to the Yankees produced the greatest string of winning teams in the history of major league baseball.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It makes me wonder if all of us in our polite modern world are being just a bit dishonest. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We pretend not to notice the obvious flaws that we have to live with in <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>each other.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Maybe if we were open about each of our own physical drawbacks we could take away the power that they seem to have over us.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Wouldn't <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>it be nice if we could talk openly about each other's negative physical features.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We could get on with the business of living life without being self-conscious of our weight, or that mole on our face, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>or even that hunchback.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">When I was a kid there was a boy down the street with a <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>glandular problem that caused his body to grow <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">to an </SPAN>enormous size.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">He actually went by the nickname of "Tiny".</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">As a result, he wasn't self-conscious about his weight as it was out there for everyone to talk about instead of being the elephant in the room everyone is trying to avoid.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">There's a guy in Euclid who goes by the name of "Skinny" <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>who is anything but.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">He's not self-conscious and no one is cruel for calling him by this name. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">All <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I'm trying to say in this column is that our obvious physical frailties can and should be openly discussed and acknowledged with each other so that we can get past them.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Why carry <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>around emotional baggage created by avoiding the obvious in conversation.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It worked for Eddie Bennett.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And it can work for us.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Think about it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Next time you see me just call me Fatso.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I promise I won't get angry.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I'll appreciate the honesty.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT size=5>Ready to live life like that?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-38377570944154693972014-01-03T05:35:00.001-08:002014-01-03T05:35:51.250-08:00Cosmo cuts a cool figure in our hearts<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I love Kramer. You know who I'm talking about, Cosmo Kramer from the Seinfeld show.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">You love him too, and probably for the same reasons.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We love Kramer because he's an oddball who thinks that being the oddball is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a very cool thing to do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Kramer tells us that it's okay to have a strange personality with peculiar habits as long as we live life with zest and confidence.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">In fact, Jerry, George, and Elaine have great affection for Kramer, especially because he carries out his antics as if he lived in a state of complete normalcy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">For example, Kramer doesn't believe in shaving cream. It's his view that butter from the refrigerator softens the beard and leaves the user <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a nice clean shave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He refuses to carry a wallet because he insists that it will throw his delicate frame out of kilter. He's obviously not afraid to be his own orthopedist.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Kramer is also quite frugal. He has solved the healthcare crisis by insisting <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>people be treated by veterinarians. He reasons that the tremendous variety of species treated by animal doctors demonstrates their superior mental faculties.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And leave it to Kramer to stroll straw into the office of a major publisher and convince the publisher to buy into Kramer's brilliant idea: a coffee table book about coffee table books.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We laugh right along with the rest of the cast and the audience because it's not the antics of Kramer that make us want to be friends with him.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">It's the way that he convinces us that his crazy activities are completely natural and in sync with the core of his personality.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">For him.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We know that if we did the things that Kramer does <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>we would be embarrassed and unable to face our friends the next day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We've all experienced this kind of person.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">When we are at a <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>party, some guy is acting like a cutup and engaging in some bizarre behavior that makes us laugh.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We think that the person in question is sort of an exhibitionist and we're willing to whisper that we think he's an idiot.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But deep down we have a little bit of admiration for him.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">That's because inside each one of us, there is a Kramer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The desire to do something outlandish, which we never do because our social governor indicates that we must not violate the bounds of propriety.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But we secretly wish that we could be that kid that challenges the teacher openly in <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>class.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We don't reveal it, but we wish that we had the guts to be the guy that wears a gorilla suit to the Halloween party.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The fact is that we need the Kramers of the world to remind us that sometimes it's okay to violate protocol.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Historically, some of the great inventions and ideas have found fertile ground only in the hearts of those willing to tilt at windmills.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We need the Einstein's, the Eddison's, and the Galileo's.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And all of us need a Kramer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Giddyup!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-67169488468236426002013-12-26T17:54:00.001-08:002013-12-26T17:54:17.884-08:00New Elvis Presley song: return to seller<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">As a public service, I hereby present a handbook for the most important activity you can undertake this time of year.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Returning items to the store.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">In Australia, they have a holiday devoted to returns. They call it Boxing Day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Yes folks, I am a self-proclaimed expert.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Don't challenge me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I have successfully returned used underwear for a cash refund.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Gross, but for those who appreciate a good return, inspiring.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter One: attitude. Attitude is the key. Never appear overanxious. Clerks smell anxiety over returns like dogs smell fear.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Act nonchalant. The less important it seems to you, the more important it is to the store to please you.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Two: appearance. Dress well. If you appear to have money, you are a future customer. You'll come back to spend again if you leave happy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Three: charm. Make them like you. You are almost timid but with a big smile. Complimentary toward the friendly clerk in the beautiful store you've been shopping at for years. They'll fall over one another to help you.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Four: accept cash substitutes. Lifting greenbacks from the register is always painful. Accept store credits or gift cards. Believe me, you'll be back in that store sometime and that gift card is as good as cash.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Five: it was a gift. If asked, tell them it was a gift. No one likes to see a disappointed child who received the wrong size or the wrong color or just something that wasn't right for him. The store will wants to erase that disappointment. If you purchased the item for yourself, you're not lying: it was a gift you bought for yourself.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Six: use a bag from the store. Bring the item into the store using a bag with the store label. If you don't have one, go get one. There's something about walking into Kohl's with a Kohl's bag in hand. It lends authenticity to the whole transaction. In this same vein, return clothes neatly folded or in store hangers, if possible.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Chapter Seven: win over the manager. Most store managers are way too busy to argue with customers. They can say "no" quickly to an overbearing complainer or "yes" to a friendly, loyal customer who just can't say enough good things about this outstanding retailer. Managers have the power to take back anything so play it smart: make that manager click his heels over the chance to please you. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">So there you have it. Seven rules that will allow you to return anything <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>without a receipt. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">My track record goes back many years and is without blemish. It doesn't matter the age of the item, or the amount of use the item has received.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">As you can see it all lies in your approach to the problem. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Use positive energy <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>when you approach that formica counter and give the clerk and the store manager the opportunity to do something that they've been instructed to do through months of training: please the customer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Many happy returns of the day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-24255007459294001532013-12-19T18:38:00.001-08:002013-12-19T18:38:22.105-08:00lazy lawyers show indifference to their calling<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's a chance to see inside the private professional world of lawyers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">You see, every attorney registered in the state of Ohio is required to attend 24 hours of continuing legal education(CLE) every 24 months.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Each lawyer can pick from among hundreds of <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>classes offered by various universities, law firms, government agencies, and Bar Association's.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The courses range from topics such as DUI prosecution to federal tax matters to estate planning.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The only mandatory courses are those that deal with professionalism, ethics, and substance abuse.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">That last one, substance abuse, has become prominent as the stress of practicing law frequently drives some barristers to rely on drugs or alcohol to get themselves through the day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The required courses in professionalism and ethics help <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>remind lawyers how to behave towards their clients, the courts, and other attorneys.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I attended one of these <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>instructionals the other day and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>it was standing room only.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's my problem.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">As you sit in these classes with your fellow lawyers, you need only look around the room to observe that only about 60% of the attorneys are actually paying attention to the professor.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The other 40% are reading a newspaper or magazine or checking their email on a laptop or an iPad.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I sat next to a woman who played solitaire throughout the entire class. The topic that afternoon was the subject of professionalism and ethics for lawyers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I find it unethical and unprofessional for a lawyer to tell the Supreme Court which he has satisfied his <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>continuing legal education requirements when he was physically present for the lessons, but mentally completely absent.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">If someone decides to tune out when the priest or minister is delivering a sermon, that little disconnect is between the worshiper and his God.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">When a lawyer merely pretends to cooperate in the efforts of the Ohio Supreme Court to make sure lawyers remain competent and moral, something is wrong.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The disregard for the mandatory learning is blatant as the newspapers are rattled loudly by those catching up on the sports page.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Every lawyer in the state has seen this phenomena and it is growing at an alarming rate.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's no wonder that recent polling ranks lawyers among the least respected of all professions.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">We've done it to ourselves by making it seem that the almighty dollar reigns supreme above the concepts of <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>justice and truth.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The fact of the matter is that most lawyers are good, honorable people and most of them are sincerely attempting to participate in these required continuing legal education courses.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But those that are shirking this responsibility by merely going through the motions make me sick and I wish they would just go find another line of work.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The rest of us are trying to burnish the reputation of the legal profession and we don't need those who just don't care.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Lawyers, look up and learn. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Some of us resent your callous indifference to your responsibility. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Word is getting around.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Justice may be blind but she isn't stupid.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-58889153455702192572013-12-12T18:30:00.001-08:002013-12-12T18:30:25.941-08:00Man with the ears disses man of the year<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Time magazine's selection of Pope Francis as Person of the Year demonstrates the importance of the Catholic Church in the world today.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In fact, the standard for selection of the annual Time Magazine award is based on the publication's standard that the Person of the Year must be someone who has had the most significant impact on the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Of course, it didn't hurt that Pope Francis has demonstrated a compassion <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in keeping with the spirit of the original St. Francis.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">What's <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>obvious <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>is that the Vicar of Christ occupies a position of immeasurable significance throughout the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Whenever there is an international incident or a major catastrophe, reporters turn to the leader of the Catholic Church for words of comfort and explanation.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It was no accident that two American presidents turned to the holy Pontiff in maintaining the kind of international pressure that <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>led to the collapse of the Berlin wall.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Lest you doubt the media's perception of the Holy Father, you should be reminded of the incredible gavel to gavel or should I say bell to bell coverage of the papal conclave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Cameras perched high atop buildings throughout Rome were focused on the proceedings of papal succession. For weeks, time stood still as the world pondered who might ascend to the seat of St. Peter.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Which brings me to another goofy decision emanating from the Obama administration.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Last week, it was disclosed that the United States ambassador to the Holy See in Rome has been ordered to move from its own embassy building into the structure housing the American ambassador or to the country of Italy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The State Department claims the decision is cost-saving and will enhance security.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">There may be some truth in that.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But in this age where Catholic values and beliefs are discounted by an American government imposing mandatory health insurance guidelines that spit on the pro-life religious, this is a huge mistake.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Regardless of the stated rationale for this move, Catholics feel put upon by the Obama administration.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Just when the President is trying to convince the rest of the world that he respects the religious freedom of Catholics, he confirms the suspicions of those that criticize him by kicking the ambassador out of his freestanding digs into a side room at the Italian Embassy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The White House has been quick to point out that the ambassador to the Holy See will have a separate address, even though he's located within the Italian Embassy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">As if this somehow will make everyone feel better.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Whoever said perception is reality ought <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the President. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Catholics perceive this maneuver as an attempt to diminish the role of the Catholic Church in the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Unfortunately, the President has developed a <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>bad reputation for saying one thing and then doing another.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">"If you like your health care plan, you can keep it. Period."</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Mr. President, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Catholic views are important and the leader of the Catholic Church is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>important.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Just ask Time Magazine.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-10347228579723039232013-12-05T19:30:00.001-08:002013-12-05T19:30:31.519-08:00Breezy Birthday suit inappropriate for receiving politicians<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Another story ripped from the pages of <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>my former life in politics.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The first time I ran for Mayor, I focused my campaign <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>on the one thing I could afford to do.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Knock <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>on doors.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I met thousands of people on their doorsteps and it made a huge impact, despite the fact that I had no budget for fancy ads in newspapers(this was in 1987, before the age of the internet and dynamic websites).</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">One of the most memorable experiences involved a naked lady. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">One hot Sunday afternoon in August<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I came to<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a home where the front door was wide open so I had to knock on the screen door. The sun was low in the sky and I can remember that the doorbell was broken. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Now some of the screen doors are made out of a soft plastic and you really have to rap hard with your knuckles to make enough noise to get someone's attention inside the house. I knocked very loudly and then peered in through the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>screen. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">On the La-Z-Boy recliner right in the front living room I could make out the figure of a beautiful brunette with very long hair and porcelain skin. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">She must have wanted to cool off because she was lying down on the lounge chair with a fan blowing on her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">My banging on the door<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>so startled her that she leaned onto her side and fell right on to the floor. I guess she had been sleeping. She hit the floor with a bang and then sprang to her feet, not coming to the door, but instead darting across the room. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It was then that I noticed that this young lady was racing from her fall to another room so that she could put some clothes on. She was completely naked. I began to tip-toe down the steps of her porch to move on to the next house.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">However, before I could do so she reemerged at the door wearing a robe and assuming that I had not seen a thing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I of course acted like I hadn't observed anything and gave her my normal political pitch along with a piece of literature.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">As I went up the walkway to the next house I started thinking about the way she had been looking at me while we were speaking. I could see in her face that she was wondering if I had actually seen anything. I think I concealed my observations pretty well but I remember telling my wife when I got home that there was an important lesson to be learned.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">No matter how hot it is, close the front door before you lounge around naked in the living room.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT size=5></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT size=5>Being seen naked by a stranger is usually not a good idea.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT size=5></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT size=5>Especially when that stranger is one of the lowest forms of life.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT size=5>A politician.</FONT> </SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-49327380572047246942013-11-28T11:41:00.001-08:002013-11-28T11:41:43.502-08:00Mystery fans: Dial B for Butt Dial<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Cell phone mania hasn't slowed down one single bit since the devices with ever advancing technology came on the scene many years ago.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Cell phone calls have become so inexpensive and the many applications they contain so valuable that we've reached the point where virtually everyone keeps their cell phone with them wherever they go.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's not uncommon to see a girl wearing tight denim pants with her Verizon wireless device jammed into her rear hip pocket so tightly wedged in there that it looks like it's about buckle under the pressure.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I wonder if she can even get it out of her pocket to answer a call.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Which leads us to a phenomenon that developed just a few years ago called the butt dial.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">This was originally referred to it as a pocket dial.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">These cell phones are so touch sensitive and loaded up with instant dialing technology that sitting down or manipulating your body can cause the telephone to place an outgoing call without your knowing it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The butt dial has led to some rather interesting events over the years. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Recently a life was saved because of a butt dial in Arkansas.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Larry Barnett unknowingly pocket dialed the intended victim of his murder plot while giving instructions to a hit man.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The intended victim heard the entire conversation and went straight to the police. Investigators uncovered a plot to blow up the poor man's <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>home. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Another butt dial is going to put Jason Bohn behind bars <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for the rest of his life.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Danielle Thomas accidentally butt dialed a voice answering machine as Bohn was strangling her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The chilling recording has the poor woman begging for her life throughout a 15 minute ordeal preserved as evidence in the prosecutor's case.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Lisa Meritz of the Huffington Post recently wrote about an intimate moment that she had with her husband.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The audio of that moment was accidentally overheard by one of her husband's business clients because of her hubby's inadvertent pocket dial.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">My story is the way a butt dial inadvertently turned me into a hero. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I was talking to a very dear friend <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>about an associate who had been giving my friend a difficult time. As the conversation progressed, my friend butt dialed the very associate that was the subject of our discussion.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I was heard defending this associate ardently.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I listed several examples of the hard work and sincere effort of the gentleman who was the hot topic as I was speaking to my friend.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">My friend and the associate were able to patch things up.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In the meantime, because of my kind words overheard, I was placed in very high regard.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">My point is this.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The butt dial is here to stay. So watch what you say and where you say it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And one more thing. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Be careful how you wiggle your tush.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">You just might be dialing the White House and Michelle Obama doesn't need to hear how your hemorrhoids are doing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-50750703431421528602013-11-21T19:15:00.001-08:002013-11-21T19:15:40.324-08:00Long Island Medium causes extra large fear<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It's high time <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I got this off my chest.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">On Sunday nights, The Learning Channel broadcasts a television program called the "Long Island Medium". My wife loves this show.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It features a middle-aged woman by the name of Theresa Caputo who is able to understand communications from the dead, which she then is able to pass on to the loved ones surviving the tragic loss.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I have to tell you that the program is pretty uplifting because Caputo is able to convey very important messages to those that are left behind.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The father who lost a son is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>teary-eyed when Caputo explains to him that the son wants the father to know that the son's death was no fault of the father.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">In other instances, a relative from the beyond, through the <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Long Island medium</B>, explains why the survivor should not feel guilty for his absence at the very moment of death.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Also common from those that <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>cast in their chips is a directive to live one's life without fear and without guilt. The dearly departed is happy and she wants her family and her widowed husband to be happy also.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">These readings in almost every instance are therapeutic for the living human who is the subject of these readings.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">You can see the sense of relief and joy experienced by those who have been harboring the idea that they did something wrong or insensitive at the time a relative's death.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">A great burden is lifted. The Long Island Medium preaches the gospel of forgiveness and compassion on behalf of those living beyond the grave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">In some ways, these messages really do make great sense because after all, who is more likely to be issuing forth with biblical advice than those that are <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>playing pinochle with Jesus.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Despite all of the positive feeling emanating from the compassionate work of the Long Island medium, I am troubled by a few aspects of this program.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And, by the way, it's not that I'm skeptical of her unique powers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I believe that we all have a soul that lives on for eternity, so it doesn't seem <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>so far-fetched <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to think that someone here on earth can hear messages conveyed to us by those we loved so much.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Think of it this way: we just don't have the equipment to receive the messages being transmitted.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But Theresa Caputo has a highly sophisticated radar dish so that she can hear things the rest of us are not equipped to receive.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I think her abilities are likely genuine.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">What I'm troubled by is the source of her powers. I hope that her gifts come from God.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Problem is that it may be just as likely that her fantastic abilities come from a darker source.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Satanic rituals and other things occult frequently involve <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>receiving communications from spirits that once occupied bodies.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The Long Island Medium seems to be sincere in her desire to do good with the unique capabilities <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>apparently thrust upon her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The problem that I have is that we just don't know who gave her these fantastic skills.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">If it <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>comes from the good Lord, no one can criticize.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But maybe, just maybe, it all comes from the very dark nether world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">To me, there's no way to know for sure, and I'd rather just not take the chance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">So, Miss Caputo, you go ahead and read people so that you can hear the latest chatter from the other side.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Just in case source of your power is malevolent, I choose to stay clear of you and your abilities.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Make others happy, Long Island Medium.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But beware of the sinister that you may be unknowingly introducing or even unleashing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Bottom line is that I am frightened by this TV show and what it might be embracing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Caputo<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I like but she<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>may be the dupe of the devil.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">So let's <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>stear clear of this entertaining reader of souls. </FONT><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And focus on our real problems in the real world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">We can get help from<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a spiritual source if we want to.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It's called God.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt" size=3>Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-52661994530403165442013-11-14T18:07:00.001-08:002013-11-14T18:07:27.232-08:00Surprise the world with a spark of hope<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Here's a story of human compassion that will warm your heart.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>As an attorney, I have to occasionally visit a client in a correctional facility.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>This past Saturday, I went to a State penitentiary.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>It's dirty and old. Just what you'd expect. The furniture for visitors is molded plastic circa 1974.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Anyway, in the outer lobby of the building, there <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>sits a machine that accepts cash.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>It's for the commissary account for the inmates.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>You put cash into the machine and that cash goes into the commissary account for use by the prisoners.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>This way, the jailbird can purchase extra food, snacks, socks, toiletries, or whatever the prison is willing to sell <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>them to make life on the inside a little more bearable.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Unfortunately, this machine requires a special identification card containing prisoner and visitor information. The device requires certain data to be entered before money is uploaded to the prisoners' accounts.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>That's where the story begins.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>As I waited in the lobby area, I noticed an elderly black man.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>He was there to see his son.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>But he wanted to put money on his son's commissary account and was having trouble navigating the device.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>I was unfamiliar with this contraption and was unable to lend assistance.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>That's when it happened.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>A young girl, about 25, caucasian, wearing a navy wool coat, blue jeans, and a colorful knit beret, stepped forward.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She was quite beautiful in a haunting sort of way.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She was in the building to see her boyfriend who was doing time for drugs.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She had every reason to keep to herself, waiting <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for the chance to see her beloved.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She had every reason to wallow in the cynicism <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>that was stifling in that room.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Instead, she went up to the old man to help.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She very kindly and gently assisted the senior citizen in dealing with the commissary vending machine.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>He was confused but she was <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>patient and kind in her demeanor.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She helped him lovingly.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Everyone who observed the scene was uplifted.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>There, in this dungeon where joy was never found, this young girl made us all smile with a sense of hope.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>We've all heard that that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>She lit a candle.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>An old black man approaching senility confronts the sadness of his son's imprisonment, only to be embraced by an impromptu act of compassion.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>I'll never forget it.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>I was changed.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Yes, it's a crummy world we live in.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Filled with hate, war, poverty, and racism.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>But within each of us there lurks the opportunity to reflect the image and likeness of God, in which, after all, we were all created.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Help the lonely, the frightened, and the confused when you encounter them.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Be a light in the darkness that surrounds you.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5>Peace.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><FONT size=5></FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-17479672706039737942013-11-07T19:03:00.001-08:002013-11-07T19:03:14.347-08:00Stubble stumbles in an effort to look cool<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">What's with the stubble?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">It popped up several years ago, during the heyday of a show called Miami Vice.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Hunk actor Don Johnson portrayed a modern cool police detective in south Florida and he was never clean-shaven.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He went with the stubble look.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The trend continued to grow.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Brad Pitt strolled the red carpet at the Academy Awards with a whisker growth that looked like he'd just rolled out of bed after sleeping for three days.</FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Look at a fashion magazine.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Male models are never clean-shaven.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Stubble means sexy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Even those with gray hair have joined this new grungy style.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Remember Jason Giambi in his geriatric pinch hitting role for the Indians this last season?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I haven't seen so much salt and pepper on one man's face since Lucy threw the spice rack at Desi Arnez.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And how about Wolf Blitzer of CNN?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He's <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the Senior News Correspondent who works hard to achieve that white whisker appearance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">What a change from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Back then you had the choice between clean-shaven or a full beard.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Going in between, that is, the stubble look, was considered shabby.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Remember the old hobo played by Red Skelton?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He wore raggedy clothes, uncombed hair, and he needed a shave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Stubbly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But today the stubble has come into full bloom.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">No wonder Gillette has increased the cost of razor blades.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We don't use them as often as we used to.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Here's something amazing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Norelco now sells an electric razor designed not to give you a close shave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">It has a stubble setting that allows the user to regulate the stubble length.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">You have the choice of three different settings:</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">One. I forgot to shave this morning. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Two. A wife-beater shirt would go nicely with this look.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Three.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I really don't give a crap what I look like but don't I appear a little dangerous.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Let me ask you ladies.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Is this scruffy, I haven't had a shave in 2 to 3 days look really such a turn-on?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Why did you change?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I remember when commercials used to feature a beautiful blonde stroking the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>smooth cheek of a freshly shaved athlete as if to say that a close shave was the quickest route to landing a hot chick.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">There's something about an Aqua Velva man!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">For me, I like that feeling of a close shave.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I admit that it's a pain in the keister to shave every morning.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But it makes me feel clean and refreshed, ready to attack the day.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Stubble?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">To me it means tired and unwashed.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">So go ahead, stubble away.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I'm going clean-cut and freshly scraped of facial follicles.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Aqua Velva is in my bathroom cabinet.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Call me old-fashioned.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But I'm not rough hewn.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Not a bad boy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">A nice shave: soft as a baby's bottom.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Easy girls. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I'm taken.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-78678026813078110222013-10-31T17:13:00.001-07:002013-10-31T17:13:16.677-07:00Alas alack: Bigger is Better<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Is bigger better?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It is in our neighborhood.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">You see, a few days ago, and for the last 20 years, we have handed out full size candy bars on Halloween.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Children come from all over.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It's a known fact in <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the local world of trick-or-treat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And it seems that word has spread.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">That family off Lloyd Road gives out full size.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Snickers so big they seem to hold court in the bottom of your pillow case. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Lording it over those itsy-bitsy excuses for candy bars that the whole world has gravitated to.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Those tiny bars are called "fun size" or "snack size".</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Me?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I just call it cheap.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The dollar doesn't stretch like it used to.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">That goes for everyone these days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">That's why Hershey's and Mars and Nestlé invented midget confections sold with 48 <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in a plastic bag. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Walmart, Target, and Marc's ring up millions of dollars in sales with these plastic bags filled with scaled-down versions of the real McCoy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But I remember the old days when a box of milk duds was so big you could cause bruising if you threw it at someone (based on real life experience).</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Devouring a full-size Nestlé's crunch bar!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Reese's Peter Buttercup, with two cups!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">A Baby Ruth designed to fill you up!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">No, we are not made out of money.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But trick-or-treating has changed so much these days, what with the danger of weirdos putting strange things in apples and other reasons for kids to be wary.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And my own kids are all grown up, pursuing dietary habits that don't include heavy doses of milk chocolate, layered with creamy nougat and roasted peanuts.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">That means Nancy and I have this unique annual opportunity to relive our own childhood through the eyes of those ringing our doorbell in hopes of the Holy Grail.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Full size candy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">So, for one night, <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>as a way to reward those youngsters still willing to brave the cold and the rain that usually accompanies old hallows eve, we have continued to do something special.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">For one night, ours is the hero house.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Everyone wants to visit.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Just a few nights ago, Dracula, Superman, and a fairy princess looked at me with big eyes filled with joy at the size of a big candy bar dropped into their bag of loot.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Superheroes and Frankenstein monsters, you and your associates are all welcome.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And that goes for you too, Skeletor.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The Lynch family continues to go big.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Live large.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Oh, and one more thing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Do as I did lo these many Halloweens ago.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Remove a few bars and hide a secret stash of your own for a later time.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Big brothers and sisters are known to pilfer when those with super powers are sleeping.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I should know.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">With seven older siblings, I was easy picking as I snored away in a sugar induced stupor.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Hide the jewels, Superman.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">The Lynch family has them to give out.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">See you next year.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-47220305790958144612013-10-24T18:35:00.001-07:002013-10-24T18:35:36.020-07:00Dogs have Souls<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">My dog Marby died this past Tuesday.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I loved her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Today I know for sure that animals have souls.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Because her absence has created a hole in my heart only possible because a warm loving soul has made an unexpected exit from my life.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She was a golden retriever a little on the small side.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She was the runt of the litter, born with a heart murmur that made her unmarketable for the dog breeder.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We rescued her from the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>euthanasia needle because she seemed to tell us she belonged in our family.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She was right.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">For nine years, she defined gentleness and unconditional love.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Her favorite game consisted of waiting for you to leave the room.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Then she would grab anything of yours and take it to wherever you went. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Glasses.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Pens.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Cell phones.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">When you went to grab it out of her mouth, she pulled away at the last second.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Funny thing.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She never scratched or damaged any object she ran away with in her mouth.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She knew these were delicate items, so she treated them delicately.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Well, maybe a little drool, but that's harmless.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Most importantly, she wanted to be where I was.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Many late nights, I'd be toiling away at the computer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">In my Dave-cave in the basement.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Marby would always <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>camp out right next to my desk.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Being with me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I've <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>heard it said that if you want to show someone that you love them, spend time with them.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Marby did that in spades.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She couldn't form words.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But she could be with me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Sometimes listening to my troubles.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Looking right at me with those soulful brown eyes and amazingly expressive eyebrows.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And at times of struggle, she seemed to sense it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Her expression told me that she would gladly substitute herself for me and absorb my pain if she could.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But for the moment, she would do all that she could.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She would be with me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">In the Old Testament Book of Ruth, a young woman tells her widowed mother-in-law not to be sad or lonely.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">"Where you go, I will follow."</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That's a moving tale about unparalleled love and loyalty.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That's what Marby gave us.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I'm having a hard time now, watching TV.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I look to the spot where Marby pressed against my stocking feet and I <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>miss her terribly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She's there.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But when I reach down to scratch her on her favorite spot, my hand finds air.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Dogs have souls.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I know because I ache <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>for one who left her furry body just a few days ago.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Admit it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">They aren't just pets.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">They are very dear family members.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I cried when we got to spend a few minutes clutching her lifeless body at the pet hospital.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">She looked peaceful and content.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That's how she made me feel.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Even in times of distress.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Love you, Marbs.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Someday we'll walk together again.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">I miss my best friend.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-72555427774582206552013-10-17T18:57:00.001-07:002013-10-17T18:57:21.753-07:00Rebel who is telling us about a cause<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Is fat funny?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I don't think so.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Recently I watched a sitcom starring an actress by the name of Rebel Wilson.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">This young lady is a terrific comedic actress 27 years old and she is on top of the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">ABC is promoting the television program "Super Fun Night" starring Wilson in <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>one hilarious moment after another.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's the problem.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Half of the jokes revolve around Miss Wilson's rather gigantic waist, chunky legs, and conglomeration of chins, all of which are testament to her extreme obesity.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">All of us know that the fat comic has been a staple of humorous entertainment for very long time.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Oliver Hardy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Fatty Arbuckle.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Jackie Gleason.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">John Candy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">These folks are legends of comedy and were willing to let their <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>rotund figures serve as important aids in their slapstick <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>escapades.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But what does that say about us?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">We know the dangers inherent in carrying around extra pounds on our frames.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Despite this, we continue to reward film and television producers who parade one jiggly fatty after another before us in search of ratings and box office bonanzas.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">There is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>something wrong about that.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But there is something even worse.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I'm troubled that we are willing to let these larded court jesters make fun of themselves to earn the dollars the networks and film studios are willing to throw at them.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">We've turned these giant sized gluttons into <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>pathetic victims in a tragic comedy.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And that's not just because so many of these media clowns have come to a bad end in the county morgue wearing a tag marked drug and alcohol victim.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">There's <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>something about living a life that's larger-than-life in a body overtaxing the cardio-pulmonary <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>system that seems sadly typical for these giant comedy giants.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Belushi and Farley's horrible demise at the hands of booze and cocaine. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Unfortunately not uncommon.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I have a theory.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's wrong for us to encourage these entertainers to eat themselves into ZIP Code size trousers as a way of promoting their art.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And their careers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But I also think that deep down inside these objects of their many fans love are killing themselves with <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>loneliness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Loneliness and sadness that is a function of the realization that they are desired, not because of who they are, but because of the laughter created by their overweight appearance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The fat guy is always the life of the party, right?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">You laugh at their antics?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I hope not.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But the fact is that we have been laughing at their shenanigans for very long time.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Rebel Wilson is a clever and talented actress and I have only best wishes for her.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But for the rest of us, I wish us to look into our hearts and stop laughing at those whose hearts are enlarged by years of obesity.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And to stop laughing at those whose hearts are breaking. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I began this column by asking if fat was funny.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's the answer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's not.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-42370143882423178222013-10-10T17:50:00.001-07:002013-10-10T17:50:39.747-07:00Save your judgement for cooking contests<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">I have a friend who's beating himself up.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And I'm writing this column to bring a small degree of relief so that he can realize he's only human.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Here's the story. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">This middle-aged fellow had experienced a fruitful and fulfilling marriage with a beautiful lady.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He was living that commitment and he felt that in his heart.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Like many marriages, there were some ups and downs and of course the inevitable staleness that occasionally presents itself when you been living with the same person for very long time.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">True love overcomes all that, right?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Well, that is generally true. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He just happened to run into an old flame.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">This was a girl that he had fallen in love with many years ago as a youth.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He had formed an idealized picture of this gal from many years ago. </FONT><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And this picture <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>stuck in the back of his mind and perhaps even in some corner of his heart for very long time. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">In any case, this long-lost love from long ago somehow crossed paths with <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>my friend.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And in some unexplainable moment of weakness, that part of his inner psyche that gives us permission to do the unthinkable got the better of him.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">He began an affair with a girl he had never quite forgotten, and foolishly sacrificed his happy marriage. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">You can probably guess where the rest of this story is going.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">With the divorce over, he <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>shifted his new relationship into first gear to finally fulfill all the dreams that he had been harboring since junior high school.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Only it turns out that Miss Wonderful, viewed up close and personal from a vantage point that he had never had before, turned out to be not so wonderful.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">A few weeks ago, my dear friend woke up in a cold sweat, only to realize that he had tossed aside a really good thing for an <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>idealized vision that could never be a reality.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The old flame turned out to be an old hag in terms of her true personality.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">This fellow is not the first to abandon a good woman in pursuit of something more exciting.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">It's easy for all of us to judge him.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">But the fact is that making <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>mistakes like this is part of the human condition.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">It's just that in some instances the fall from grace seems more spectacular because it's all out there for everyone to see.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">My friend made a mistake.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">All I'm trying to get at is that there are times when we have to figure out a way to forgive ourselves and move on. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">And then the rest of us have to learn how to extend kind understanding and compassion for those <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>feeling wounded because of their own screw ups.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Welcome to the human race, kiddo.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">We still love you and you can still count on your friends to be there for you.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Every person who is perfect and always has been perfect is invited to offer criticism of this column.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The rest of you?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">The rest of you should consider this column <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>your annual certification for membership in the human race.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 28pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-23379565712120423732013-10-04T05:36:00.001-07:002013-10-04T05:36:20.243-07:00Laugh all you want but this really got to me<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Some of you are going to find this column ridiculous.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Some of you are going to judge me wimpy and without manly fortitude.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I was driving down the street yesterday, about two blocks from my house.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">A squirrel <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>darted across my path just ahead of me.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">For an instant, I thought he made it.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But then I heard this kind of thump that told me that Rocky had an encounter with my tires.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I looked in my rearview mirror to see what carnage I had caused.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">This little creature was spinning in a circle, pivoting around a single point where his limb had been flattened to the ground.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I drove even more slowly, keeping my eyes on the rearview mirror.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Eventually, the spinning stopped and this little rodent somehow was able to get the smashed portion of his body unstuck from the pavement. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Then he clumsily dragged himself to the other side of the street.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I was overcome with a sense of guilt.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">This animal obviously was experiencing excruciating pain.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I began to fantasize about this innocent creature returning to his nest.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Family members would react in horror, observing the mangled and bloody body of their <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>loved one.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Imagine the suffering you experience at the dentist's office or in the emergency room when some minor procedure is undertaken.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">At least you have the chance to receive an anesthetic or maybe a shot of Novocain.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I briefly said a prayer to the patron saint of animals, St. Francis, and asked him to intercede on behalf of this furry animal and to ask God to grant me a little forgiveness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Some of you are laughing right now, thinking about my overreaction to events affecting only a dumb animal.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Maybe you've got a 10 point buck mounted on the wall of your rumpus room and discussions regarding animal suffering are regarded by you as silly.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I just know how I felt at the moment.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Yes, I know that it was an accident.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But that didn't and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>still doesn't make me feel any better.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">What do we really know about the suffering of animals?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Are <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>their nerve endings <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>so different from our own that they can't really experience the kind of pain that we do?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I don't believe that.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Animal pain is just as painful as human pain.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Some animals form such deep relationships with one another that they go into deep mourning when one of them is lost or destroyed.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Studies of elephant herds describe the deep depression experienced when the mother loses a child to the attack of a lion or the shotgun blast of a poacher.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Look, I'm not a member of PETA or a radical who will throw a cup of blood on the starlet wearing a fur coat to a Broadway opening.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I just know what I felt.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I felt somehow connected to the agony and the sadness and the tragedy of running over a squirrel.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And it made me think.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I drive more slowly and more carefully in the neighborhoods these days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">And I'm still thinking.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Are you?</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-724330855128207512013-09-26T19:40:00.001-07:002013-09-26T19:40:23.667-07:00Wide open spaces in the ice box become rare<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I love my mother-in-law.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">But after all, she is my mother in law.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In any case, she moved into our household a few years ago and it's been a good thing for all of us in our family.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">However, she has made her presence known here in our spacious home.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">This is especially true when perusing our refrigerator.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">See, my mother-in-law, a widow, has a very active social life as she makes the rounds going out for lunch and the occasional dinner with her friends.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Many of them are widows also and it seems that the most popular social activity for these ladies is grabbing a bite to eat at the many hundreds of restaurants throughout Northeast Ohio.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">In any case, she and her friends rarely finish the enormous portions that seem typical for eating establishments here in the USA these days.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Here's the point. Despite her very healthy appetite, my mother-in-law just can't finish these wonderful meals served up to her and her grandma friends, eating their way across the landscape as their way of keeping in touch with one another.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">That means she is constantly bringing home leftovers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Italian, Chinese, Outback, Mama Roberto's, Chipotle, Petie's Restaurant, American diner style, etc.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And the containers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I never realized how many varieties of styrofoam and plastic containers existed in the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">So throughout my refrigerator, space is at a premium.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"> </FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Because my wife's mother can't finish a restaurant meal and her calendar keeps filling up with new dates with new opportunities to bring home a doggie bag, the contents of which she doesn't have time or opportunity to consume.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Let's be blunt about this.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">We really don't have a refrigerator at our home.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">It's more like a Smithsonian Institute Museum display, making record of the eating habits of the modern American socially mobile grandmother.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">And now I can't find anything.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">My favorite soda pop is sandwiched somewhere between Tuesday's leftover spaghetti and Wednesday's leftover burrito.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">I'm trying to find the cottage cheese.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Unfortunately, it's hidden behind a stack of containers.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Three containers holding Friday's leftover fish, some type of lemon cheesecake, and the remains of a chicken salad that originally resembled Mount Vesuvius in size and shape.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">If she is <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>ever accused of murder, the police could easily re-create her whereabouts by stacking up all the containers and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>tracing them back to the restaurant of origin and the corresponding gray hair gatherings that became the excuse for another meal served away from home.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">God bless her and all her pals reminiscing about the good old days and exchanging stories about their grandchildren.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">The thing is though, I'd like to get my Frigidaire back.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">With all the kids out of the house, I long for wide-open spaces where bottles of water can be chilled and maybe even some bubbly can sit there waiting for some magic moment where it can be <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>accessory to a celebration.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">So eat on m' lady and enjoy this great life that you have so richly earned.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Just stop bringing home so much dad-blasted food with your name written on the container with a sharpie.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">My pride and my dignity cry out for a little space at 36 degrees Fahrenheit. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 22pt">Is that too much to ask?</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-74380754425709623232013-09-19T19:23:00.001-07:002013-09-19T19:23:38.281-07:00There's a ballgame that everyone wants to win<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I am a huge sports fan.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But today, in this column, I'm about to tell all my fellow sports fans to go to hell.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Literally, you are going to hell.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">This is what I mean.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Sports fans carry that name because they are fanatic when it comes to their favorite teams.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">We attach real significance to events that in fact have no value whatsoever.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Let's look at the scene early Sunday morning at the municipal lot adjacent to Browns Stadium.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Tailgaters who've made their plans weeks in advance, grilling the most delectable cuisine.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Beverages, mostly the beer variety, are carefully chilled so guests can have their fill of their favorite Pilsner.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">As the morning progresses, so does the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>inebriation, and by gametime the grill chef is usually three sheets to the wind. He staggers into the stadium, enduring the second half of the ballgame in a state of stupor.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">He staggers home and falls asleep on <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the couch. His children contemplate this disgusting routine capped off by a fit of vomit followed by more sleep and ultimately a hangover the next morning.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">This exercise in futility makes me wonder about how we invest the <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>precious little time God has given us.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">I love the Browns and I love the Indians, but <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>why am I willing to let hundreds of hours of my life slip away watching exploits of overpaid juiced-up crybabies who don't give a rat's patooti about what happens to me or my family.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Lots of guys and gals can't quite make their way to church during the weekend because of the elevated importance <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>assigned to <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>tailgating <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and the football game.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">If church is not <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>your gig, maybe you could volunteer.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">There are plenty of <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>nursing homes where your smiling face and caring disposition could make the difference in the life of a senior citizen otherwise imprisoned in a nursing home where family members are too busy to visit this geriatric warehouse.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Meals on Wheels could use some help on Sunday mornings as well. There are shut-ins who wouldn't mind it if you sacrificed your Budweiser induced coma in favor of your effort to alleviate a little loneliness.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">You see what I'm driving at.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">It's a great time of the year as the baseball season culminates in the final drive to the playoffs and pigskin exploits capture our imagination at the high school, college, and professional levels.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But the fact is that none of that has any real value in the eternal scheme of the universe.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">St. Peter's clipboard has a checkoff list which is devoid of points assigned for leisure time watching and drinking, watching and drinking, watching and drinking.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Look, enjoy it because it's fun,</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">But keep it in the background of your life so that you can really spend your time doing something important for somebody else or for God.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">When you die, you will come across a really important scoreboard.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Your own personal scoreboard.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">That's the game you really want to win.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 21pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Peace.</FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2258766317116489243.post-87381490837762586072013-09-12T19:28:00.001-07:002013-09-12T19:28:51.246-07:00Little things change everything: It's within your power<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">1947.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And a gesture changed the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">A gesture that was merely a human reaction.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Here are some details.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The place was Fenway Park. It was a day game.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It happened in the middle of the infield.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Between innings, the shortstop walked over to the second baseman and put his hand on his shoulder. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The two men talked about <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the way they should position the infield as they faced the fierce lineup of the hometown <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Red Sox that afternoon.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The famously cruel Boston crowd took notice and went quiet. </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The Bostonians seemed especially angry that day, but the simple act of a hand on a shoulder changed everything.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Time stood still.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">A hand on a shoulder.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That act of friendship.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Fraternity.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Acceptance.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">In case you were wondering what the big deal was, let me fill in a few more facts.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The shortstop was Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a star born and bred in the deep woods of the south.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">A hero from <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the heart of Dixie.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And who was the second baseman he treated as a brother that day?</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Jackie Robinson.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Beantown was not a friendly environ for the first black man to break the color barrier in major league baseball.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And much more so than today with the NFL and NBA grabbing some spotlight, baseball truly was America's game back then.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">In fact, baseball was America.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But when the bleacher bums of Boston saw the All-star shortstop casually demonstrate his solidarity with this brave pioneer, they knew they had to surrender.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">They had to wave the white flag, so to speak.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">That gesture changed America and the world.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Soon, "separate but equal" <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>would also fall.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">"Whites only" signs would <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>begin to disappear and Martin Luther King's capturing of the national spotlight in the fight against racism was just around the corner.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And America would walk fitfully toward fulfillment of its destiny as a land of racial justice.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">We still haven't eliminated racial strife in our great land.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But we have made progress, no doubt.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">And that remarkable act that played out between Reese and Robinson before a sold out crowd silenced not only those that were present.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It began to <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>silence voices of bigotry that had <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>long been making too much noise in our Christian nation.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Look folks, you probably can't change history the way Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson did that day in Boston.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But you can make a caring gesture now and then.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Slip a few bucks to a homeless man.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Tell a Marine that you appreciate his service.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Put your <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>hand on the shoulder of a handicapped child.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">It's just a gesture.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">But maybe there are angels out there in the bleachers, watching.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Maybe your gesture helps another to summon courage.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">In our modern world where we protect our personal space, it's okay to touch people and to convey your moral support.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">The impact can be meaningful.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Just ask Pee Wee Reese.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">You're the shortstop.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">Find the second baseman.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt" align=justify><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 23pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt"></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></DIV>David Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16930324512803045032noreply@blogger.com0