Category Archives: General Growlings

General Growlings

In Which Racism is Institutionalized

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On October 1, 2014, the Washington, D.C. police department decided that Dennis Stucky, a black man walking through a neighborhood where mostly affluent white people live, might have been involved in a burglary which by accounts appear to have not had a police response yet. The reported phone call came from an alarm that sent an automated call to police. Even worse (f that is possible), the officers involved were themselves black.

In our country, we have made amazing strides toward equality for those who have been disenfranchised by the government and by society. We are still working to better ourselves, and the most recent example are the recent court rulings regarding same sex marriage. Even so, we must be ever vigilant in order to ensure we do not take steps backwards in our pursuits of equality.

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Courtesy Global Cyber Risk, LLC’s website

Jody Westby, CEO of Global Cyber Risk, LLC, stepped forward on October 1st when she saw institutionalized racism at work in the Washington, D.C. police department, its response to a black man walking in her neighborhood.

Said Westby, “Just because he’s black, doesn’t mean he’s here to rob a house. He works for us he’s been in this neighborhood for 30 years.”

I acknowledge that the police should be allowed to ask questions about a crime that happened nearby (even though the crime occurred nearly a mile away); that said the manner of the questions and the style in which the questioning took place leave something to be desired. Westby’s housekeeper filmed the below video, in which you will notice the following:

  • The police demanded and required that Stucky get on the ground
  • The police demanded he explain where he came from and where he was going

Given that the police officers involved did not have a description of the suspect at all, the appropriate way to handle this, I think, should have been:

  • Ask him if he had a moment to speak
  • Ask him if he was aware of any suspicious activity in the neighborhood

Had they approached the situation in this way, they would have learned (without confrontation) what Westby had to explain to them: Stucky has worked in this neighborhood for 30 years, and his presence in the neighborhood was both expected and welcome by the community.

 And finally: as there was no break-in that occurred, and the alarm went off erroneously causing an automated call to be placed to the police department, an important question is raised. Why were the police stopping someone walking at a normal pace nearly a mile away from an active alarm going off instead of rushing to the scene of the “crime”?

Please be sure to watch this video, and share this message with people you know. We must work to be ever vigilant and cognizant of this type of behavior, now and always.

For more information about this event, please visit the following links:

General Growlings

In Which Learning Golf Was a Gift

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Growing up, my parents were two of the best people around. They got married when they were 15 and 17; they were 16 and 18 when my sister was born; they were 21 and 23 when I was born. They were great parents to my sister and me. They taught us right from wrong, and they helped lead us to become the people we are today. They were still married, still mushy, and still went on dates until my father passed away at the too young age of 45.

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Dad’s Army days in Germany

I remember as a child when I first began wearing glasses. I was holding my mother’s hand as I walked, and I looked down to my feet. I noticed that my feet were a lot closer to my face than normal, which caused me to think I had magically shrunk. My family members have held my hand, literally and figuratively, for as long as I can remember. 

Today is the 15th anniversary of my father’s passing. I’d like to share one of the the most important lessons my father taught me as child:

Play Golf.

My father was the most intelligent person I have known. He taught me how to play golf. This lesson has been one of the most important lessons I have ever learned. This may sound like an irrational thought, but I have fully considered this. Through golf, my father and I became friends. Spending time on the golf course allowed me to know the man I have called Dad. From golf, I learned the value of “family”.

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Dad, my sister, and me in my grandmother’s kitchen

As I remember Dad today, I remember the fun he had in life. I remember his stories, his adventures. I remember how he and Mom met. I remember the speeding tickets and the police officers asking to see what was under the hood. I remember watching the Braves with him. I remember rooting for Dale Earnheardt and Dad rooting for Jeff Gordon.

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Dad in Atlanta, with Jeff Gordon’s car

I remember Dad.

I love and miss you Dad. We think of you every day, and know you are looking at us from Heaven, encouraging us, laughing with us, and crying for us. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being Dad.

Anyone feel like playing 9 holes?

General Growlings

In Which Pageants Destroy Our Souls

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Say it proudly

“Here she comes, Miss America!”

And the great news – she got a really great scholarship from the leading scholarship provider for women in the country! How awesome is that?!

I mean, it’s fantastic that there is an organization that provides $42,000,000 in educational scholarships to women every year! As John Oliver says, “it’s unbelievable!”

I wish I were a little more like John Oliver – because it was so unbelievable that he didn’t believe a word of it, and you shouldn’t either. I didn’t know about the Miss America scholarships before I watched this video, and I cannot recommend strongly enough that you watch it too. You will laugh from the humor and the absurdity that he uncovers in this extremely insightful video. 

I have known some amazing and strong women in life. I have known some incredibly intelligent women as well.

Women are not the enemy; women are not inferior to men; women are not sex objects. In keeping with the “scary” theme of October, the mentality that women are are these things should really give you a fright. This is an entirely and completely asinine mentality.

Women are the equal of men. They deserve to be treated by society in a manner fitting to who they are. I’m not saying anything earth-shattering: we all know this to be true. The United States is can be a great place to live, but we often are blinded by this. We often think that we are perfect because our society has been successful, and that there is no way we could possibly improve. This is a frightening misconception; it’s a nightmare from which we need to awaken. The United States is not a utopia.

We won’t erase sexism overnight, just as we won’t erase racism, or religious persecution overnight. What we can do, however, is to commit to improving ourselves, and by extension we can improve our culture. This can be done. As long as you keep placing one foot in front of the other, and as long as you continue the walk down this path. We should hope (and expect) to leave our children and grandchildren a more beautiful culture. 

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your experiences, both positive and negative. Let’s talk about the issues we face, for by facing them we can overcome them.

 

 

General Growlings

In Which October Has Begun

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Today is the first day of October. I look outside this morning and see a cloudy sky. I walk outside this morning and feel cool temperatures. The leaves haven’t begun to fall yet, though I know they will.

I love this time of year.

Historically, spring as the been the season for rebirth. For me though, fall is a time when I can spread my wings and venture back outside – I can try new things, experience new adventures, and meet new people. I feel reborn every year once October arrives.

Changing gears a touch – I’d like to start this month of ghosts and goblins by sharing a picture of the dreaded Ninja Santa! After all, ninjas are so sneaky, they celebrate Christmas on Halloween!

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Who is this masked man?!

On a related note – any unique costume suggestions you might have for me this Halloween will be duly considered. I might even post a picture of the costume I wear at the end of the month for you all to go wide-eyed at… So pick well! Leave your suggestions in the comments below, or email them to me at thedingowashere@gmail.com.

I want to thank you all, those who read these “growlings”. You are part of my adventure. If there is anything you all would enjoy seeing me write about, please let me know as well. I want you all to enjoy this journal as much as I enjoy writing it. Who knows – with Halloween fast approaching we might even get a fright out of learning what I think on various subjects!

Featured image courtesy of the city of Frisco, Colorado.
General Growlings, Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day 29-Sept-2014: Late Nights

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PGWodehouse (1)“I am strongly of the opinion that, after the age of twenty-one, a man ought not to be out of bed and awake at four in the morning. The hour breeds thought. At twenty-one, life being all future, it may be examined with impunity. But, at thirty, having become an uncomfortable mixture of future and past, it is a thing to be looked at only when the sun is high and the world full of warmth and optimism.” 

― P.G. Wodehouse

General Growlings

In Which Today Is… Friday

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Ah Friday. That day when we all stand up with one voice and cry out: whew, bout time.

You will all forgive me, I hope, for posting what I am posting. This is a very singular song; it is very catchy; it is one of the worst songs I’ve ever listened to. My co-workers have begun to hate Friday because of this song. 

Enjoy.

General Growlings

In Which We All See Art – (or Someone Went to Freak Alley and Made Me Want To Go Too)

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No matter where you are, no matter what you think you will find, the truth can surprise us all. Art is everywhere, we only need to be brave enough, bold enough, and open enough to see it all around us, even in Freak Alley.

Featured Image courtesy of  Siempre Nos Quedara Potedaia.

 

General Growlings

In Which a Shadow is the Future

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IMGP0174As summer draws to a close, and autumn hides just below the horizon, I am reflective. This has been an interesting summer.

  • I’ve reconnected with a long lost friend, though she lives hours and hours away;
  • I’ve lost 12 pounds and my issues sleeping are mostly behind me as a result;
  • Riley has played, like she does;
  • I’ve taken my first real vacation in over 2 years – two weeks in Las Vegas and San Diego;
  • I’ve watched as the Braves gave up the season to the Nationals;
  • I’ve enjoyed the company of good friends;
  • I’ve re-read through my writing, and find myself wanting to write more;
  • And I’ve avoided the heat like the plague, which is a way of life in the heart of Texas.

We continue to live with the idea that the ending of the summer is the beginning of of the end, with rebirth in the spring waiting as the next great adventure. I disagree.

The summer is a time of life, that is true, but it is also a time of heat. It is a time of being a recluse, at least for me. This happens every year for me – once the heat becomes unbearable, I draw the curtains, curl up on the couch, read, and withdraw into myself. This is as true this year as any – it’s as true as the changing of the seasons as they are one and the same for me.

My Mustang is named Summer’s Shadow. She told me this name in confidence but I feel it is acceptable to share with you as well. She chose this name for herself, as a way to remind herself, and me by extension, that there is always something great to come. A shadow is not just a shadow – it can be the future. The shadow can be relief- when we can emerge from our caves after the heat has passed. The shadow can be the future – when we awaken and watch the leaves change colors.

The shadow is the future, welcoming.

General Growlings

In Which Freedom is a Right

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I’m just going to put this here. This will touch your soul. I am speechless after watching this video, truly.

For the full story, click here.

General Growlings

In Which the Devils Rule the World

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This past Saturday, I had the honor of watching the Dallas Derby Devils’ second bout of the season.

If you are not familiar with the Dallas Derby Devils (or DDD), they are an amateur league of flat track roller derby skaters – in short they are bunch of competitive and fun loving women who mix Nascar and hockey in a thoroughly enjoyable fashion!

I have been asked by a member of the High Sea Hotties named Freaky-Styley to write about the derby from a fan’s perspective. Needless to say, it would be dangerous to refuse a woman who knocks people flat for fun, so here we are. You may have noticed Freaky’s unusual name – it’s all part of the fun of the derby, as each skater chooses their own “derby name” (Cupcake Crusher politely pointed out to me that these are in fact derby names, and not stage names. Good looking out Cuppy!)

The High Sea Hotties are one of five teams. The Hotties are joined by the Death Row Rumbers, the Suicide Shifters, the Wrecking Crew, and the Slaughterers, creating a group of women to be feared as much as they are loved for what they do! I first became aware of DDD through a long time friend who had recently started to skate a few years ago, named ZoeKat Karma (also of the Hotties). I’ve come to know several of the skaters other than Kat and Cuppy, including referee DoS Attack, and skater Rhinestone Callgirl.

In my time in watching the derby, I’ve come to greatly respect these lady devils. They are brave, determined, and committed to both excellence and each other. As a fan, I can tell you that their attitudes are a huge draw, and I think we should all support people such as these!

Each time I go to the derby, I like to look for skaters that stand out, and demand our attention the entire matches. Since I am just getting back into writing (and thanks for those that are reading this, by the way), I want to give out some kudos from the first and second bouts of the season. So, here goes!

***First Bouts from April 5, 2014***

To Onrhea of the Hotties – you showed real grit and determination! You took a few hard hits, but you pushed through and made your team proud!

To Postal Penny of the Rumblers – you were grace personified tonight. It was amazing watching you “thread the needle” and dance past the blockers with such ease!

To Guillotine Grace of the Slaughterers – elegance and power.You led your team well, and proved that the Slaughters are a force to be reckoned with!

And to Anita Riot and Rhinestone Callgirl of the Crew- you were both amazing! When you were on the track, we all knew something special was about to happen, and you never let us down! It was a pure thrill to watch you both and root and cheer you both on!

Lastly, to the entire Wrecking Crew and Slaughter teams – hands down, that was the best game I’ve seen at derby since I started coming out!

***Second Bouts from April 5, 2014***

First, Punchy Brewster of the Rumblers – I can’t imagine what you and your family are going though, but please know that your fans are with you in spirit in this tough time, and you and your family are in my prayers.

To Whisky Hangover of the Rumblers – you hung tough tonight! You’ve always been one of the best skaters on the track, and tonight you proved why! Great determination, and better execution! I really enjoyed watching you and your entire team!

To Ripper of the Crew – the Wrecking Crew has a winner in you! You are tough as nails – it was a blast watching you power your way past blockers, and to watch you take down the opposing jammers!

To Planet of the Skates of the Shifters – again, you were fantastic! You are so quick off the line that the Hotties couldn’t keep up, and if they managed to get in front of you, well they were soon out of your way! Great job tonight!

To Hannah Barabaric of the Hotties – What an impressive game! It didn’t matter if you were jammer, pivot, or blocker, you gave everything you had tonight – I loved watching you chase down the opposing jammer! Great job!

To DoS Attack of Team Zebra – great officiating tonight! The best officiating is the kind that the fans don’t notice – because you are getting the calls right!

And finally to ZoeKat Karma of the Hotties – it was a lot of fun sitting next to you tonight – I’ve known you a long time, and the Hotties could not hope for a better cheerleader! (My ears are still ringing – next time I’ll sit a couple feet further away). Get better soon, and get back on that track!

***

And to keep you up to date on the results so far:

Bout 1:

Death Row Rumblers defeat the High Sea Hotties, 375-67

Wrecking Crew defeat Slaughterers, 197-195 (literally coming down to the final seconds and a review of the final jam to see who won!)

 

Bout 2:

Wrecking Crew defeat the Death Row Rumblers, 204-173

High Sea Hotties defeat Suicide Shifters, 175-110

 

10367691_10152140255633170_3964798356787997240_nIf you are in the Dallas area, I highly recommend you check out the DDD website by clicking here. You can also like them on Facebook. Tickets are available from a skater, online, or at the door.

The next set of bouts are Saturday, June 28, 2014.