Category Archives: General Growlings

General Growlings

In Which Social Engineering Reminds Me of “Saw”

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Do you know what’s fun? Bragging about your pets; remembering movies when you were younger; talking about your first few jobs when you were a kid; discussing your favorite book; reminiscing about your time in college; etc. Aren’t these all great things and fun to do? I agree with you – they really are. And isn’t it fun to reply to memes like the following when we seen them? They give us a chance to talk about things we like and about our interests. Here is a great example:

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General Growlings

In Which the Future is Not Written

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It’s never too late to be what you might have been.

George Eliot

 

This has to be my favorite quote. It speaks to me, and I hope speaks to your life as well.

A couple of years ago, I decided to make a career change. Life being what it is, the change didn’t work out. While I enjoy teaching, I realized I don’t like teaching kids. And so, I opted to return to my previous career, albeit with a a different company. After a journey through the pandemic, I am one of the lucky few who managed to improve my lot – not only have I received the vaccine, I find myself in on the precipice of a more secure financial future. But the fact is, I never really worried about  the future. You see, once upon a time I lost my father and so I know what real pain and fear look like.

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General Growlings

In Which The Local Newspaper is Indispensable

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Once upon a time in small town America,  little Jimmy would throw the paper from his bicycle from a satchel hanging on his handlebars. From there, the newspaper would be fetched by Fido and brought to the breakfast table where it would be read over a cup of coffee. Articles are mainly written about local events – the types of events that rural America would completely miss out on otherwise.

In today’s fast food society, no one has time for this quaint aspect of Americana. “Mom and pop” newspapers  have had to change with the times. They have to eschew this cost inefficient delivery method for off the rack and mailing papers to their subscribers instead. 

Running a newspaper, especially for a small community, may not sound rewarding. The hours are horrible – I know a man who runs a newspaper, and works 70 hours a week on average, and it’s not unheard of him to work 90 hours per week. He is always going to local sporting events, covering police calls, and visiting local fairs. Despite all of this, he loves what he does. He loves seeing the community grow, especially the local children as they grow to adulthood and join the community as productive citizens. The work truly is rewarding.

I believe that our local newspapers should be supported, so that they can thrive. They have their hands on the pulses of our communities, and they serve a vital function in our culture. What about you?

 

General Growlings

In Which October Reigns

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I am an unabashed, unapologetic fan of the Atlanta Braves. For the second year in a row, we won the National East Division, and I hope to see something like this from 1992 again:

And of course this from 1995:

One thought that I have always found interesting is that fans consider themselves as part of the team, and you can tell by the way I said “we won” earlier in this post. We are part of the team, in our hearts. I never disparage someone for loving sportsball or which team they support (though I do like to joke my favorite football team is whoever is playing the Dallas Cowboys this week).

Whoever you root for, may you and your team win so that you can experience that great emotion – unless it comes at the cost of another Atlanta Braves championship!

General Growlings

In Which Women Rule the World

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Every year, I look forward to attending a bout or two of the Dallas Derby Devils roller derby league. This year, for the first time, I have purchased a season ticket. Tonight was the first bout night of the season, and I can tell you already that the season ticket was the right decision!

First, I want to thank all of the women who make Dallas Derby Devils what it is. You all are amazing skaters and gifted athletes – I wish I had just a smidgen of your skill!

Second, I want to take a moment to call out the captains and co-captains of each team. I know one of you, and I know she is a shining example of each of you; your teams love you all and your leadership of your teams is second to none!

Third (I better be careful, I’ll have to take my shoes off if I start counting too high and no one wants that…), I like to always say a few words about the skaters who drew my attention most.

  • To Prideful Phoenix of the High Sea Hotties: when you hit the opposing jammers, they realize they aren’t in Kansas anymore! My lord, remind me never to get on your bad side!
  • To Red White and Broozen of the High Sea Hotties: you have have to be the hardest hitting jammer out there! The defense’s wall looks like paper when you hit it!
  • To Bourbon Barbie of the Death Row Rumblers: every year you rock, and damn you’re fast in the open! Every time you break out of the pack it’s fun to watch you fly!
  • To Kay Carnage of the Death Row Rumblers: you are a dancer in skates that no one can compare to! The spins! The ability to find a hole in the defense! Wow!
  • To Jaims Maims of the Slaughterers: Great defense! You were a brick wall on wheels tonight! Great job rotating to the right spot each time the jammer tried to get through!
  • To Baby Hurl of the Slaughterers: Such focus and determination! Love how you give it your all on every play, every jam!

And I can’t forget those on my team!

  • To MsMURDR of the Wrecking Crew: magnificent combination of speed, power, and awareness! You were always in the right place at the right time, on offense or defense!
  • To Anita Riot of the Wrecking Crew: your “shake and bake” is simply breathtaking! You dance around the defense and leave them asking how they can ever hope to stop you!

I look forward to watching you all throughout the summer!

General Growlings

In Which You Just Wanted a Coke

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The conversation is really interesting, or would be if you cared. She had a blind date last night; he brought his pet ferret named Steve. Steve, you learn, is missing his back paw – fishing accident, or so the story goes. The poor ferret now has difficulty reaching up in his cage to push the button to release the treat. She fell in love with Steve last night, she says.

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General Growlings

In Which Cats are Evil

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I don’t like cats; never have. They are mean, vicious even. They lack an intelligence that dogs have. Chances are, those reading this will either agree with me or shout at the heavens how wrong I am. We all live on a continuum (more on that in another post). But, and let me be frank here (not not Frank, just frank), if you disagree with me on this subject, well, you’re wrong.

Now that I have your undying admiration (or outright hostility), let me explain to you why.

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General Growlings

In Which Winning Takes a Toll

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When you are 16 you learn to drive.

At 18, you get to vote.

Getting drunk is a milestone at age 21.

Many people get there first job somewhere in there as well.

Then a lot of people go to graduate college (or not).

They may get married.

Children are a common next goal.

Buying a car and a house are major milestones.

Eventually retirement comes about.

What did you accomplish in that time? What toll did “winning” at life take from you? So many people are unhappy and they don’t know why. The things we all achieve, house, kids, career, aren’t they designed to make you happy? When, then, are so many people unhappy? 

To me, the answer is that they “won”, and the price they paid was their happiness.

To you, dear reader, I quietly beseech you remember what makes you truly happy – it is often the little things. Write a poem. Take a picture. Paint a landscape. Read a boo, or maybe write one. Make snow angels and build snowmen. Fall down (jump into) a pile of leaves. Hug a dog. Learn to ski. You don’t need to do anything big – just do something that you enjoy. Take back what “winning” has stolen from you.

Find your happiness and share it with others. What makes you happy?