With an impending winter storm staring us (throughout the Midwest) squarely in the kisser, we tend to hunker down, prepare for the onslaught, and hope the worst of the storm winds up "somewhere else"...I've always followed such sage advice, but I'm from the EAST COAST, where we tend to get some really nasty "stuff" every winter, even though we're not QUITE as hardy as the souls living in say...Wisconsin, or Minnesota, or even Northern New York.
Still, we "East-coasters" do alright when it comes to dealing with bad weather.
And with any possibility of getting "snowed-in", comes the inevitable CABIN FEVER.Can't really say I've ever suffered from that (and especially in THIS neighborhood), as I tend to be a "homebody".
Plus, I've been in the mountains during a snow storm...nothing is as serene and tranquil (as long as you have plenty of provisions).
But with some potential time on your hands, what better thing to do than pick up a good book, put on some soothing music, or contemplate one's place in the big scheme of things.
When I was a kid, I used to go play in the snow. As I got older, I still went out in the snow...to SHOVEL it.
And as I keep getting older (while I'm still shovelling), I wonder from time to time..."What the hell am I doing here...at this freaking point in time"?
In many ways, I've always felt out of step, whenever it came to WHEN I should be here. I much prefer the Middle Ages (sans the poor health conditions and the rampant diseases), or perhaps the Victorian/Industrial age Era (from which most of my Draconian "beliefs" seem to emanate from).
I also wonder WHY I am here, and that got me to thinking (once again...a dangerous thing for me).
Another reader's blog kind of flipped the switch, and that lightbulb went on over my head (and NO, it's not one of those damn toxic FLUORESCENT bulbs...it's INCANDESCENT, thank you very much).
As I answered her reply to my comment, I had to admit that I am here...NOW, as a form of COMIC RELIEF...for GOD (and others).
I was never a "class clown", but I was never at a loss to make others laugh, be it the parents, classmates, or friends. Life of the party, I've been called, but I NEVER placed a lamp shade upon MY head (and never intend to), or did anything that could come back to bite me in the butt later in life.
It was always good, clean fun...never harmful. I used to do a lot of impersonations (which explains ALL those voices in my head...LOL).
I can still do a few these days,..enough to get by with making the missus smile from time to time.
Now that's not to say I don't have a SERIOUS side...friends, I can get SO damn serious, that I can make the POPE look like one of the Marx Brothers.
Some people from my past told me I have a "Jewish sense of humor". And I wear that with a certain pride.
But with some potential time on your hands, what better thing to do than pick up a good book, put on some soothing music, or contemplate one's place in the big scheme of things.
When I was a kid, I used to go play in the snow. As I got older, I still went out in the snow...to SHOVEL it.
And as I keep getting older (while I'm still shovelling), I wonder from time to time..."What the hell am I doing here...at this freaking point in time"?
In many ways, I've always felt out of step, whenever it came to WHEN I should be here. I much prefer the Middle Ages (sans the poor health conditions and the rampant diseases), or perhaps the Victorian/Industrial age Era (from which most of my Draconian "beliefs" seem to emanate from).I also wonder WHY I am here, and that got me to thinking (once again...a dangerous thing for me).
Another reader's blog kind of flipped the switch, and that lightbulb went on over my head (and NO, it's not one of those damn toxic FLUORESCENT bulbs...it's INCANDESCENT, thank you very much).
As I answered her reply to my comment, I had to admit that I am here...NOW, as a form of COMIC RELIEF...for GOD (and others).
I was never a "class clown", but I was never at a loss to make others laugh, be it the parents, classmates, or friends. Life of the party, I've been called, but I NEVER placed a lamp shade upon MY head (and never intend to), or did anything that could come back to bite me in the butt later in life.
It was always good, clean fun...never harmful. I used to do a lot of impersonations (which explains ALL those voices in my head...LOL).
I can still do a few these days,..enough to get by with making the missus smile from time to time.
Now that's not to say I don't have a SERIOUS side...friends, I can get SO damn serious, that I can make the POPE look like one of the Marx Brothers.
Some people from my past told me I have a "Jewish sense of humor". And I wear that with a certain pride. 
I always did admire Jackie Mason & Myron Cohen. Others have said I have a "British sense of humor".
Okay, so I always liked Benny Hill, too.
Helluva combination, eh?
But if I can be serious here (Lord knows I have WAY too much to be serious about in THIS part of Fort Wayne...with THESE "locals" living around us), it's not so much being able to make others smile...or laugh that would ever make me special in any way.
I have never thought of myself in such terms...and probably never will.
It's just a part of WHO I am...and a result of the culmination of MY life's experiences, as well as the souls I have met who have had some influence on me, and I on them.
That's pretty much what EVERY one of us is all about.
Helluva combination, eh?
But if I can be serious here (Lord knows I have WAY too much to be serious about in THIS part of Fort Wayne...with THESE "locals" living around us), it's not so much being able to make others smile...or laugh that would ever make me special in any way.
I have never thought of myself in such terms...and probably never will.
It's just a part of WHO I am...and a result of the culmination of MY life's experiences, as well as the souls I have met who have had some influence on me, and I on them.
That's pretty much what EVERY one of us is all about.
Dad always made me laugh, and I am after all...my father's son.
We ALL share life's foibles...we just aren't all that aware of it most days.
Some of us take too much too seriously, while others take nothing seriously at all.
EITHER of these will get you hip-deep in all sorts of crap in life...and in a hurry.
I guess what I've managed to do, by design or most likely...by ACCIDENT, is meld the two, and find a balance between them.
Sure, there ARE things that need to be taken with a grain of salt, and could be laughed at, while other things NEED to taken very seriously. But isn't that part of our journey...to discover which is which and to learn from them?
I've always thought so, but that's just me.
Now, I said all that to say this...
One of the things you should take SERIOUSLY, is WHERE you live.
To be more precise...what "city" you find yourself inhabiting.
It SHOULD be a relatively "safe" place...conducive to raising children, nice to drive through, friendly...that kind of stuff.
Unfortunately, I do NOT live in such a place, although with either some SERIOUS city departmental intervention...OR about a box full of half-sticks of T.N.T., we could make this area such a place again.
But as decrepit as my part of Fort Wayne is, there are places in this city WORSE STILL (and many better).
Overall, this town isn't too bad, but there IS one city that tops them all, and don't say GARY, INDIANA...you'd be wrong!
Is it Newark, NJ?
(Not really)
How about Flint, MI?
(getting warmer)
Definitely Detroit, right?
(close, but NO cigar)
Let's try SAGINAW, MICHIGAN....!
(...pause for effect....)
Saginaw, you say?
That's right...when it comes to CRIME PER CAPITA (in cities with 40,000+ population) none other than THIS city tops the charts!
(who knew?)
Now, I have to say I would have NEVER guessed THIS city...not from all the cesspools I've been through JUST on the East Coast!
Gee, now I wonder WHAT (specifically) makes THIS city so damn "unique" when it comes to crime???
I think YOU have the same thoughts as I do...
Seems to follow most every time, doesn't it?
And NO, it's NOT the economy to blame.
PEOPLE are the root cause, regardless of what others might tell you.
But, we'll save the entitlement-driven aspects of our society for another time...
So, if you've got a bit of time on your hands...think about life...and what you need to take seriously in it, as well as all the things designed to garner a laugh or two along the way.
Life is WAY too short to be taken THAT seriously, but there will be times when being serious will have to become "Job-One".
We are tasked with being able to determine WHEN those times are.
We ALL share life's foibles...we just aren't all that aware of it most days.
Some of us take too much too seriously, while others take nothing seriously at all.
EITHER of these will get you hip-deep in all sorts of crap in life...and in a hurry.
I guess what I've managed to do, by design or most likely...by ACCIDENT, is meld the two, and find a balance between them.
Sure, there ARE things that need to be taken with a grain of salt, and could be laughed at, while other things NEED to taken very seriously. But isn't that part of our journey...to discover which is which and to learn from them?
I've always thought so, but that's just me.
Now, I said all that to say this...One of the things you should take SERIOUSLY, is WHERE you live.
To be more precise...what "city" you find yourself inhabiting.
It SHOULD be a relatively "safe" place...conducive to raising children, nice to drive through, friendly...that kind of stuff.
Unfortunately, I do NOT live in such a place, although with either some SERIOUS city departmental intervention...OR about a box full of half-sticks of T.N.T., we could make this area such a place again.
But as decrepit as my part of Fort Wayne is, there are places in this city WORSE STILL (and many better).
Overall, this town isn't too bad, but there IS one city that tops them all, and don't say GARY, INDIANA...you'd be wrong!
Is it Newark, NJ?
(Not really)
How about Flint, MI?
(getting warmer)
Definitely Detroit, right?
(close, but NO cigar)
Let's try SAGINAW, MICHIGAN....!(...pause for effect....)
Saginaw, you say?
That's right...when it comes to CRIME PER CAPITA (in cities with 40,000+ population) none other than THIS city tops the charts!
(who knew?)
Now, I have to say I would have NEVER guessed THIS city...not from all the cesspools I've been through JUST on the East Coast!
Gee, now I wonder WHAT (specifically) makes THIS city so damn "unique" when it comes to crime???I think YOU have the same thoughts as I do...
Seems to follow most every time, doesn't it?
And NO, it's NOT the economy to blame.
PEOPLE are the root cause, regardless of what others might tell you.
But, we'll save the entitlement-driven aspects of our society for another time...
So, if you've got a bit of time on your hands...think about life...and what you need to take seriously in it, as well as all the things designed to garner a laugh or two along the way.
Life is WAY too short to be taken THAT seriously, but there will be times when being serious will have to become "Job-One".
We are tasked with being able to determine WHEN those times are.
This is one of those times when you can't tap the SNOOZE button, or engage the CRUISE CONTROL...life doesn't sort itself out that way.
And when next you ponder WHY you're here...look about you.
You'll most likely find the answer a lot closer to home than you could have imagined.
We are all here for a reason, and the sooner we understand that, the better off everyone is.
In the meantime, keep those shovels handy and the rock salt nearby...you're probably gonna need 'em.
Drive carefully, do well today, make a difference, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
And when next you ponder WHY you're here...look about you.
You'll most likely find the answer a lot closer to home than you could have imagined.
We are all here for a reason, and the sooner we understand that, the better off everyone is.In the meantime, keep those shovels handy and the rock salt nearby...you're probably gonna need 'em.
Drive carefully, do well today, make a difference, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
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