You can drink the water, but don't you eat the ice...

It's been a little while since last I was here. For a change, its not from sheer laziness. I will take a break from the usual writing and write about why I have not been here. I will allow a slight glimpse into my personal side. I was actually out of town. Well, that's an understatement. How about out of the country! I went on vacation over the weekend, going on a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Well, technically we stayed in a fantastic house that was between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The house was 5 bedrooms, 6 baths with a pool and hot tub and located right on the beach. With beautiful views of the Sea of Cortez and the sound of the surf to rock you to sleep at night it was paradise.

Ok, not completely, right next to the house was a big open lot that all the surfers would park in during the day as they hit the waves. And at night, it turned into some sort of burnout hangout where locals would hang out, play music really loud, do laps in the lot and drink and smoke until all hours of the night. Luckily, I sleep the sleep of the dead, so once I dozed off, nothing. But other than the oddities of the local nightlife, the trip was fantastic, odd, fun and just a great time.

We left on Thursday, and the excitement was palpable at the airport. The weirdness, however, started right at the beginning of the trip. The computers for the airline were down, and they were taking all the reservations by hand. It was odd and a bit worrisome since we were there for almost two hours before we managed to speak with anyone regarding our boarding passes. After we cleared ticketing, we all relaxed, had a few drinks, and hopped on a plane. The plane ride was somewhat uneventful, except for the fact that it was hard to fathom that we were actually on the plane and headed for a tropical vacation. But it did still manage to add to the surreal ness of the situation. The crew was friendly and fun, and was very free with the drinks and a friendly word. The strangest part of the flight was when we touched down; we hit the tarmac hard enough that the door to the cockpit flew open. Maybe I am mistaken, but I do not think that is supposed to happen.

We landed in San Jose del Cabo and exited the plane, into the open sky and marched down stairs onto the tarmac. Odd sensations since most places have the jet ways now. The warm breeze pushed us as we walked to the airport to go through customs and baggage. It was exciting to use my passport for the very first time. I was really in another country, which was first for me! Now, here was a second bit of weirdness. As we retrieved our bags, they x-rayed them again, which seemed strange to me. Then, when you retrieved them, you had to show your documentation and press a button on what looked like a traffic light. If the light went green, you were good. If it went red, it squealed and you had to submit to a baggage check. Now, I understand the random bag check, but using a stoplight to determine it?!? So odd. Of course, when I pressed it, it went red. Everyone else looked and laughed, and commemorated the event with photos of the airport personnel going through my luggage. Good times!

After that fun, which was mercifully short, we obtained rental cars, which was far more of a hassle than it should have been. It seems as though almost everyone there has a side business. As we tried to get the cars, the people behind the counter tried to sell us time share condos as well. And this wasn't an isolated incident, it also happened at the grocery store and in shops in Cabo. It must be a lucrative business or an excellent pyramid scheme because it seemed as though every other person was involved in the condo business. But once we waded through the nonsense, we were on our way. We zoomed down the main highway toward our destination. We passed it, unknowingly to most of us, and continued on to turn around and stop on top of a bluff that overlooked the sea. An unbelievable view. We stopped to look out upon where we would be spending the next few days. It was beautiful. Everything was so bright and clear. We drank fresh coconut milk straight from the coconut from a vendor on the bluff. It was delicious and tasted like vacation. Once we had drunk down our drinks, we loaded up and finished the final leg of our journey to the house.

It was more than any of us expected. We ran around checking out everything like kids in a candy store. The built in bar was exquisite. It was rounded with a recessed middle, so the bartender was always eye level with the seated patrons. The kitchen was so large you could prepare any meal right there no matter how large. The bedrooms were awesome, with large bathrooms in each! Two of the bedrooms exited onto the patio and pool area, and we got one of them. It was great! After a quick doling of sleeping arrangements and a celebratory shot, it was pool time, where I would spend parts of every day we were there, very happily. Plus, waiting for us was a fridge full of Pacifico beer and on the counter overflowing plates of fresh salsa and guacamole. By saying they hit the spot would not do them justice. The salsa and guacamole were, by far, the best I have ever had. I can still taste them both and wish I had more.

That night, after some drinks and hot tub time, we wandered up the beach for our first meal there at a small restaurant called Zippers. There was nothing spectacular, except for the fact that it was on the beach and so close to our house. Everyone was in great spirits as we soaked in that we were actually there. It was one of the most fantastic feelings ever.

The next day was filled with more pool; more hot tub more food and a few other fun experiences. My lady, a friend and I wandered out to stock up on food for everyone. What an experience. We went to a market called Mega, which was a lot like a Wal-Mart Super center or a Target Great land, with products and food mixed together. It was fun to navigate through the aisles and find products I've never seen before, and also try new things. We decided to make fajitas for dinner, and got some great beef and all the fixings right there. I also bought some tequila to take home. It came in a little wooden box with doors! How fantastic is that! Also, I found out my Spanish was ok, but not quite good enough. I got some lunchmeat for sandwiches, but ordered 1 kilo, about 2.2 pounds, instead of a half, since I couldn't remember how to say half! Luckily, most everyone we encountered must have dealings with other tourists that mangle the language since all were very patient and helpful as we tried to communicate together and usually found a way. But it was a great experience. I did end up going there again the next day, which was also fun. Never thought I'd find the supermarket so entertaining.

After the shopping, my lady and I took a stroll on the beach, soaking in everything. The beach and ocean were so beautiful and serene. You could not help but relax there. After we returned, a few of us played some touch football on the beach. Of course, my team won with me doing my best Roethlisberger impression, and no I don't mean crashing! Then more pool, which lead to the only other bad part of the weekend. I managed to clog one of my ears, and no matter what I did or what I used, I could not get rid of the clog. It was so distracting and annoying. I could not hear anything, and I started to get into a funk. Its funny, if it had happened here, I would not have been nearly as worked up about it. But because I was on vacation and wanted everything to be perfect, the ear situation was all I could focus on and distracted me from enjoying my time. After an hour or more of trying, I gave up and decided to turn into that wave. That evening, we made the fajitas, and had lots of drinks. And I mean lots! The leader of our band decided to give everyone a tequila lesson, and went into depth about all the differences in types of tequila and how they are made. Now, no lesson is complete without a sampling, so after describing each kind, we also did shots. My lady is not a very heavy drinker, but the boss was not about to let her off easy. So instead of shots, he would give her teaspoons of tequila. One of the funniest things I've ever seen. I am so glad someone got some pictures of that to commemorate the moment! That pretty much wrapped up the night for some, but other crazies decided to continue the night in Cabo San Lucas. From all reports, it was fun and nutty.

Saturday came and the ear was still bad. This placed a pall over my whole morning. Lucky for me, one of our group said he would get these about once a summer as a kid, from way too much swimming, and figured it was just lodged wax. Using a solution of very hot water, a little salt and dish soap, he kept applying it to my ear, and then squirting it out again. After about 8 attempts, with a little coming out each time, a gigantic chunk came out and I could hear again! I definitely still owe him for that, since he saved my vacation without a doubt. But I'll always remember that trick. After a quick change, and grabbing some ear plugs, hey at least I learn, pool time was back on!

That evening, we cooked some Sierra mackerel that some had caught on a fishing expedition that morning. I am not a huge fish fan, but it was delicious. We made some great fish tacos that really hit the spot. With some nice after dinner drinks, a bunch of us decided to play a little poker. 50 peso buy in, winner take all. There were about 9 of us who played. I didn't do too great, about the 5th one out. But my lady went all the way to the end, finally succumbing to one other player. I was impressed, she has not played too much, and it wasn't too long ago that I taught her Texas Hold 'Em. She has really taken to the game. Not to worry, though. She'll have an opportunity to get her money back in the near future. And with the way she plays, I wouldn't be surprised if she does.

Now, Sunday has arrived, and another day waking without an alarm clock, phone and internet has really sent me into a relaxation spiral. I feel so much more refreshed and buoyant throughout the day when I can wake up when my body is ready, not when I am required to start the day. Without the phone, I was free of the electronic lease I have constantly on me. And without the internet, I was free from the distraction that it is from life. I felt free. I enjoyed the natural wonder that is the earth. I ate great food and tried new things. I read and expanded my mind. I enjoyed the company of others and conversed of a great many things. And most important, I unwound from the nonsense that we build up as important, which in the grand scheme of things, really means very little. I did the things there that meant a lot to me. These things were enjoying life, enjoying great food, the beauty of nature and the camaraderie of friends and loved ones, the most important thing of all.

So Sunday was another fun day. Two of our group went for a morning scuba dive, and some of us decided to meet them afterwards for lunch in Cabo San Lucas followed by a little shopping. We drove down to meet them, seeing some of the country side and the town itself. We got a bit lost, and ended up driving through the town. It's odd to think that the town, not even 25 years ago, was little more than a fishing village. It's far from that now. Plus, it was a good detour, since I saw one of the places I wanted to go. The famed Cabo Wabo! We never did get a chance to go, but I was happy to see it at least. It looked cool. I didn't get to bring back any of the famed tequila, but luckily there are places around us that sell it. We did finally meet our friends and had a great lunch on the beach, looking out at the bay and the boats and everyone having fun. We did go for some shopping, which was not as fun as it seemed. The downtown area was hot and muggy, and if you take away the Spanish language signs, a lot like downtown Hollywood with the tourist traps. I did manage to pick up some items for my family, two shot glasses for my bar and a second bottle of tequila, this one also one you can only get in Mexico. The bottle is shaped like a man with a mustache wearing a sombrero. My lady picked it out. I can't wait to try it! After that, some of the group went snorkeling, and the rest of us wandered back to the house for some much needed pool time.

That evening, as a group we went out for our last dinner together. We went to San Jose del Cabo to a restaurant called Tequila. The ambiance was great, the food even better, and the company the best. We all ate well, I even tried octopus, and had delicious drinks. Yes, I stuck with the drink of the weekend, and had margaritas again. I may be getting addicted to them! After we were all satiated, we wandered out into the town, and walked through a town square. There, in a lighted gazebo, we took a great group picture to commemorate the trip. After that, we went back to the house, some of us crashing and some staying up chatting, trying to put off the inevitable which was the last day, Monday.

But it came, and no one was ready for it. After waking earlier than any other day, to squeeze the last few moments out, we all kind of just hung out. We ate a bit and socialized. Some of us were on an earlier flight, and had to leave the house by 11:30. As the time drew near, we prepped while everyone else relaxed and planned out their extra few hours. We said our goodbyes and took one last group photo in front of the house for posterity. Then, we were off to the airport. The four of us that left early began the exodus to the real world. The car was returned, we went through the airport check in, and then waited. I did buy one other bottle of alcohol. This is called Damiana, which when mixed with a few other items, makes a great margarita without using the mix. Plus, you can't get it in the States, but I have some now! Plus I did pick up one other kind of tequila when we returned that I tried there. It seems as though I've become a bit of a connoisseur of tequila.

After all was said and done, it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I had a great time, the location was wonderful, the people were some of the best I have ever been around, and the experience is something I will never forget. I wish that I could have expressed how I felt and what I experienced far more eloquently than I have here, but all of it is so fresh, I had to get it out quickly. Perhaps after I have mulled it over more, and really soaked everything in, I can describe it in a more proper way that the entire trip deserves. As for now, I hope you enjoy the quick version. You know, sometimes I feel truly lucky and blessed that my life has led me so far to experiences like this. I only wish it was longer and I was still there to experience even more. There was so much more I would have liked to have seen and done. Perhaps, someday soon....

Falling from great heights

What a lump in your throat, sick to your stomach day. As if you could not tell from the links on my blog, I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. I have been since I was very little and would watch games with my dad, too young to understand or comprehend the glory of the 70's Super Steelers. As I got older, and Pittsburgh started going through the lean years (for us in Steelers Nation, lean years are years without a Super Bowl victory), my dad would regale me with tales of Franco, Terry, Mean Joe and the Steel Curtain. He has been a fan for a very long time. He can remember true lean times, before there was ever hope of a Super Bowl berth, let alone a victory.

Football has always been very important to me and my dad. Its not that we are crazed sports fans (although maybe just a touch when it comes to the Steelers) and do not understand that it’s only a game. For us, as I am sure like many fathers and sons, it has always been something we have had in common. As I grew up and began to discover who I am, something that I am still working on, and the things I liked and tried to figure out what kind of life I wanted, I began to realize my father and I were very different people. We have plenty in common, I am my father's son for sure, but we have very different interests and outlooks on life. Something I am sure is very natural with people who grow up in different times and under different circumstances. A perfect example, as a child, my father went to a one room schoolhouse. This concept to me is almost unfathomable. My only concept of a one room schoolhouse is from history books and Little House on the Prairie. Yet my father went to one for many years. As a child, he also lived in a house that had no indoor plumbing. He is not 100 years old, this was in the 1950s. These are hard images to resolve, especially in our society nowadays with all of the advances we have made. Even as I write this on a laptop connected to the internet on a wireless connection, it stands out as almost unbelievable. A one room schoolhouse? Outhouses? How is that possible? But I digress.

So as I began to understand that my father and I were different people with different interests, I also realized we did not always have things in common to talk with each other about. Of course there were the standard father and son things, how each was doing, him always offering sage advice to me as I began to navigate through life and me looking to him for wisdom and guidance that only a father can give. But beyond that, we did not always have common ground. Football always provided that. My father has always been a fan, and played the game when he went to high school. I myself played as well, for the same high school my father did. He would come to every game. After work during the season, he would always come straight from work to practice to watch my brother and I. When we would get home, he would let us know how we did and how we could improve. Bar none, outside of the college and pro ranks, I have never met someone with the knowledge of all aspects of the game as my father. His knowledge and insight into the game are unrivaled, and almost always dead on.

After college and moving and starting my life, I would continue to talk to my dad. Each week without fail I call my parents to let them know about what is happening with my life and to find out about theirs. Family is very important to me and always will be. Sometimes my dad and I will only speak for a few minutes before I talk with my mom, and sometimes, it will be longer. But come football season, I know I always have that common ground with my father. When those times come, we are no longer father and son, two people separated by age, interests or generations, but two friends who share a common passion. It gives us a way to connect and bond, a way for us to be closer. This way to connect is always good for people and especially men, who cannot always express their feelings as they would like. My father is definitely an old school type of guy who can't always express his feelings as he would like. This is one of the beauties of sports that those who are not fans do not understand. It can help create and strengthen a bond, give people common ground and form lasting relationships.

This year was the ultimate year for us. Pittsburgh fulfilled years of dashed hopes and dreams and ran the table, winning the Super Bowl on the shoulders of a young quarterback and an aging running back on his last grasp at the golden ring. For the first time, my father and I could celebrate a championship of our favorite team together. The last time they won, I was too young to realize the magnitude of the event. This time, we could celebrate it together. We talked often leading up to the game, on strategy and odds. We talked about individual matchups, strengths and weaknesses. The day of the game, we spoke much before the game, both of us geared up and raring to go. We spoke several times during the game, as fortunes swung both in favor of Pittsburgh and away from them. And the moment came, the game slowly ticked to conclusion, the confetti rained down upon the field, the towels swung in the air and Pittsburgh was the new world champions of the NFL. And we had our congratulatory call to each other, relishing in the moment and enjoying something together for the first time. The only thing that would have made it sweeter would have been if we could have watched it together, both of us cursing and questioning every bad play and decision and cheering lustily on every great play. Ok, first, I know there were not many great plays. From all accounts, and from an objective standpoint, it was a stinker of a game. The three they played to get there were much better and more exciting, although the Indianapolis game was a little TOO exciting. But, there were three great plays in the game, and that was enough for me. And second, my dad is not the kind of guy to cheer lustily, but if you knew him, it would be a funny image to see him leaping from his chair and yelling in joy.

So for this entire off-season, we have watched every bit of news from Pittsburgh with new eyes. Who has left for new horizons, who joined the team, how they did in the draft, how off-season conditioning was going. We discussed Hines Ward's trip to South Korea to discover his roots and help make a difference in the lives of other children of mixed heritage. We touched on Ben Roethlisberger's trip to Switzerland to discover his roots. When we saw the release of the schedule for the upcoming season, we went over it talking about the games and the chances of the team in each game. Every move and action we would chat about, contemplating the next season, football always being the common ground for us.

But then today, as of course I am sure you have heard since it has been all over the news, Roethlisberger had a horrible accident on his motorcycle. He ran into a car, flipped over the handle bars, and struck his head on the windshield and then the pavement. A tragic accident made more frightening by the fact that he was not wearing a helmet. That gigantic sucking sound you may have heard today was the gasp from the collective Steeler Nation, wondering what the future may hold for both their young hero as well as their team. Mercifully at this moment, the news seems to be positive. He has undergone surgery to repair fractures on his face and head, including a broken jaw and nose, and the lacerations that came from the accident as well. The positive news from the surgeons who performed the operation was that his brain, spine, chest and abdomen all appeared to be fine and uninjured. That is most important of all. Head injuries can be devastating, as anyone who has gone through one or had a loved one suffer one can attest to without question. So if it appears that his brain is fine, that is a wonderful thing. As all of Steeler Nation, NFL fans, casual fans, friends, family and those closest to Ben are hoping tonight, I myself am hoping and praying for a speedy recovery with no injuries or damage that may stick with him throughout his life.

Of course, after something devastating like this, 9 million talking heads have come out of the woodwork trying to get face time for their opinions on everything from motorcycle safety and future Steeler game plans to recovery time for serious injuries and helmet laws of Pennsylvania. In case you have not heard by now, helmets are optional in Pennsylvania. I have already heard way too many people losing their mind about this, going crazy about Ben's irresponsibility for not having a helmet, for letting down so many people and the effects this will have on many. To these maniacs, I say, shut up. Just shut up.

Look, the first and foremost thing that should be on everyone's mind is the long term welfare of Ben. That's it. I know as an organization, the Steelers will at some point have to address the situation from a standpoint of the wellbeing of the team, depending upon his condition and his future, and that is understandable. They will look into those things when the time is appropriate. As of right now, they seem to be leading the way down a path that everyone else should follow by showing only concern for the health of their young quarterback and friend. Everyone else who is going nuts should follow suit. I am one of the biggest fans of the team you will find, and my first concern is for his health. Not his health for the upcoming season, but his health for the future. That is more important than anything else.

Second, what is all this crap about irresponsibility? Of course it is irresponsible. He was riding without a helmet. Common sense should tell you that you should protect your most valuable asset. And while it is his choice, and I am sure he is a very experienced and safe rider, accidents happen as today will show. You cannot predict them; you can only try to keep yourself safe from the possibility of them. That is why they are called accidents; they are unplanned, unexpected and typically unwanted.

Now, Ben is 24 years old, a millionaire, a first round draft pick, and a 2 year pro who has broken the mold of what a young quarterback can do and a Super Bowl champion. One who has brought one of the most loyal, vocal and widespread fan bases in all of professional sports the championship they have craved for so long. You combine these elements together, you are going to have someone who has an air of invincibility, an air that most sports stars have. They believe they can do anything and succeed. It is this air that allows many of them to perform feats that many of us in a rational state of mind would find crazy. If you doubt this, try to imagine yourself doing the luge, or worse, the skeleton. An air of invincibility which is only intensified by winning a championship. Of course he does not think that anything bad will happen. He is on top of the world. He is not thinking of responsibility, he is thinking of enjoying life and winning football games. Something many of us can only try to imagine, and love to live vicariously through the pros that do.

I understand the points that people are making, that he has a responsibility to his teammates, his team, his sponsors, his family and his fans to keep himself safe and on the field. That by choosing to ride without a helmet he has let them down and shown his irresponsibility. And they have a point. He is a corporation and a product both wrapped up in one. He needs to be aware that as a corporation, and in putting out a product, all of the above parties are stockholders in that corporation and need to have assurances that they will get a return upon their investment. The team needs to know the money they pay will be returned in performance on the field. His teammates need to know that the effort they put out on the field will be returned with the same effort from him. His sponsors need to know that by him endorsing their product, they will get the exposure they want by him playing. His family needs to know that the time and love they have given him and continue to give him will be returned with him staying safe and healthy. And his fans need to know that the support they give him by buying his products, jerseys, items he endorses and rooting for him will be returned by him giving them what they want as much as he does, which is success.

These are very big concepts, ones that I myself have just begun to understand for my own life. And I am far from a millionaire with lots to lose. I am 32 and have just started to realize the importance of these concepts, how they apply to life in general and how to think of myself as more than just one person, but as something more to many other people for a variety of reasons. I am a fairly intelligent person, and if I am just now beginning to understand the breadth and depth of these concepts, should one expect a 24 year old to automatically know these things as well? No, of course no one should expect that. Ben is an intelligent guy who has a good family behind him and good people around him that have helped him become, by all accounts, a great young man. You cannot ask for much more than that in a person. But to expect him to understand these concepts at such a young age is foolish and moronic. Learning these things come with time, and while I understand the world of professional sports is much different than the real world, it still takes time to learn things in life, no matter who you are or what the lessons are. You make mistakes, you learn, you move on to your next adventure. That is the core of living right there. He made a mistake, a very painful one at that. But get off him for being irresponsible. Hopefully, he will fully recover and learn from this. And if your biggest concern at this moment is about the irresponsibility of a professional athlete, then you either live the perfect life or need to take a serious look at your own priorities and life, because I can assure you there is something major missing there. At the very least, you are missing common compassion and perspective of what is truly important. Chew on that for a bit before the next time you open your cakehole on TV.

Of course, my dad called me today and we talked about what had happened. He did not call right away, which surprised me. He told me later he did not want to bother me at work with the news. I told him he can call me anytime he likes so not to worry about that. How considerate is that, though. He called later, though, to give me the rundown of the press conference that was to happen, in case I did not get it where I live. Isn't he the best? And we were both in agreement, xan unfortunate accident compounded by a stupid move in not wearing a helmet. But we both hope that he will fully recover and still be able to have a successful career. And if not, hopefully he will be able to recover and have a successful life. We will both be watching to see what happens, hoping for the best for Ben, as well as the team. Regardless of what may happen with Ben's career, my dad and I will still have our Steelers, and with it, our bond and common ground. And for this I will always be grateful.

Wow

Boy, can I ever ramble on without making a point or coming to a conclusion. Hmmm, it would seem as though I am afflicted with the dreaded tangentitis! Maybe there is something I could work on, focusing on the point of the article and driving toward a logical conclusion. Perhaps I think? Well, that, and finding a subject worth pontificating upon and writing about it in an interesting way.

Hairline fractures

I know I had teased yesterday about a thought that would be good to chew on. Something meaty that was good for contemplation. But once again real life has intruded and left me with but a scant amount of time to write. So I shall hold of on that particular subject for now. In the meantime....

Since I was young, my parents have instilled in me a very strong work ethic. When I start something, always see it through to the end. To give my all in effort and skill each day at whatever I do. To try my best on everything I do and to strive to become better with each task I attempt. They taught me that working hard will not only reap rewards, but is a reward in itself. That the feeling of accomplishment you receive from a job well done is a great reward in itself. You feel pride in yourself, in your accomplishments, as you gain more confidence and skill with each success. They taught me that whatever I do, even if it is something I may not enjoy, to throw 100% of my energy into it. Be a hard worker and make myself indispensable. I have taken these things to heart, and no matter what I do, I try my hardest. Sometimes, it is harder than others. Anyone who has had a job they hate, and I believe this is everyone, knows exactly what I mean. And even though I have yet to find what I want to be, that one thing where I can make a living and not feel like I am punching a clock, that one magical thing, I have still been able to be fairly successful with each endeavor that I have attempted. As I say to myself often, imagine what I could do if I was fully committed to something!

Lately, I have found myself cracking. Increasingly, I am finding the pressure of work and to do my best getting the better of me. Becoming short and not dealing with stress well. I believe perhaps this work ethic may work against me. Because I want to do the best I can, I put my all into whatever I try. When I do this, I invariably begin to take things personally. If I do something well, I feel very good, like I have made a difference for my employer. If I make a mistake or do something wrong, it is more than I just feel badly. I feel like I failed, that I should have known better than to make that particular error. That I should have been smart enough to know better, even if it is something I have tried for the first time. I feel as though I have let down my employer and myself. Typically, after this, I will spin out for a short time, usually all in my own mind as I put my body on auto pilot and push through until I can get on solid footing again. Then I will find my next task and throw myself into that with a semi-vengeance, determined to not only do better and succeed, but to make up for the previous mistake and erase any doubts I perceive or imagine my employer may have about me.

I am aware of the absurdity of this line of thinking. Another wonder of the human mind is we can recognize something that is bad for us from a rational, objective standpoint, yet find ourselves doing it in a practical, subjective environment. I have thought about it a bit, as to why I take these successes and failures, that in six months will mean very little, so personally. I am unsure if it is from the work ethic I have been instilled with or a deep set pathos. Perhaps it may be I have trouble separating myself with what I do. As if each task or accomplishment is a personal reflection of me. It may be a failing of my own, that I have linked success with intelligence. If I believe myself to be intelligent, then I certainly cannot fail. If I fail, then I must not be as smart as I think I am. These all create a paralysis of analysis and a fear of failure that can lead to the most dangerous of all maladies. It is malady that has struck both potential leaders and untapped geniuses down before ever having a chance to bloom. A lack of trying. And that is the exact opposite of any work ethic I have ever been taught.

Nothing of consequence

It is funny how the mind works. I have found myself jotting down more and more ideas since I started to write on a regular basis. Yeah, I know, 3-4 consecutive posts does not make one prolific or a regular writer, but a start is still positive, and I'll take it. While before, I kept putting it off because I couldn't think of anything to say. Now it seems as though I do not have enough time to write it all down. It’s amazing to me that once you start doing something, you unlock all these treasures in your own mind. A rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say. Why just today while driving, I thought of at least 10 more examples I could have added to my jag on advertising. I started listing them in order in my mind as well; thinking I would come back and either expand the article, or write a supplemental for it. Ultimately, the necessities of real life have intruded upon my time to the point where I did not get to it. Plus, well, truthfully, I think I could write several addendums to that article and still not cover them all. Also, I don't think I really had a point with the piece. It was nothing more than a jag on annoying commercials. Regardless, I did have fun writing them out.

More importantly, I wanted to take a break, maybe for a few days, on jags and things of their nature. I like the idea of writing each day, and perhaps exploring some ideas I have had banging around in my head for some time. But the last few seem to have had a negative bent. I don't want to create a habit of complaining every other blog. While it is fun, and quite cathartic, how interesting is it really for someone who may stumble upon these ramblings? I know if I found them, I'd be like, man, how much bitching can you do! So tomorrow I have a great idea, one of contemplation that I am not sure if I have all my thoughts collected on just yet, but I would like to start writing and see what comes out. It might even be coherent! We shall see!

Target Demographic

I thought I would continue with the idea of clearing the baffles and jot down a few thoughts that have been tripping through my mind lately. Specifically I would like to discuss some thoughts on the subject of advertising. As we all know, advertising is everywhere. It pervades our society, our airwaves and our landscape. It is the way numerous companies and industries make their bread and butter. Without it, wouldn't television pretty much collapse upon itself? But the intensity of the beast is immense. There is no way to escape it. It is labeled on our phones, contained within the programs we watch, on the clothing we wear, on the buses we ride and laced throughout almost every page of internet we read. It is on this page too. It almost seems that nothing can be done anymore without some sort of product tie-in or co-branding. And while it would seem I am leading toward a point saying we should fight the beast, I actually am not.

Like I said earlier, it does make many industries go around. It can bring knowledge of services and products we never knew existed and some that could change the course of our lives, even if in just a small way. For the small business entrepreneurs, it is vital to their survival, helping carve that tiny toehold they have in their market into a firm foothold. And in some of the best examples, ads can be funnier, more creative and entertaining than the programs they support. How many people watch the Super Bowl just for the ads? I know quite a few people myself. So what has brought me here today? The stupidity of advertising, and the point the companies making these ads seem to be missing. The point of advertising, as I have come to understand, is to get your name out to consumers, show them why they should use your product, and convince them you are the best and that the best option for their needs is what you can offer them. It seems simple enough. Then why are the following missing the target?

First off, let me start with a few radio ads I have heard lately. One was a commercial for depression, a serious affliction that severe enough, can lead to physical problems, mental breakdowns and even suicide. There is nothing humorous about it, especially since most of us have found ourselves in depressions of various depths in our lives. The commercial started in a hypothetical, speaking to the audience describing a day that may sound familiar to them. One line of dialogue that stuck with me, and I paraphrase, was you wake to the same day, everyday. I found the description quite startling. I began to think perhaps it may be a public service announcement, urging people with feelings of despair and hopelessness to seek therapy, to help them through their dark times. And then the other shoe fell, and a "doctor" came on and began to give his pitch for some depression drug. That is where I went crazy. This is such a terrible message being sent. Are you depressed? Well, take some drugs then! I know that there are many forms of depression, and some of them are chemically based and can be treated with medication. But to give the message that popping pills will make you feel better is not what should be put out there. I find it highly irresponsible. Just giving people drugs for depression is only treating the symptoms, not the cause. And that they never even once mentioned the idea of coupling the drugs with therapy just makes it so much worse. It just seems as though they only are interested in selling a product, not helping cure a debilitating condition.

I have the same issue with the ad campaign for drug and alcohol addiction featuring Chris Farley. These addictions are also nothing to make fun of and are very serious issues. And his death, like others with the same demons that he had, is very tragic. But once again, they are just pushing another drug, and this time to drug addicts! And while I will concede that addiction is a very physical thing, which I know from my own struggles to kick cigarettes, a larger part of it is psychological. And much like the depression ad, they completely ignore this vital part of addiction. I do not want to trivialize these addictions and afflictions, they are serious and anyone with them should seek help, but I find the idea of addressing only half of the issue in order to push a product not only irresponsible and tasteless, but dangerous and reckless.

One other radio ad that bugs me is for Lennox Financial. One of the many ads I hear from time to time for home refinancing and mortgage services. The president of the company personally does the ads, speaking to the audience and pointing out what he can do for them and their home financial needs. This is nothing new; many companies will have their leaders personally promote their services and products. However, in the ads he makes the claim that using his company's services is "The biggest no brainer in the history of mankind." Now, many companies make outrageous claims, and most just roll by ignored. But this? Come on; am I really to believe that getting some sort of loan from this joker is the biggest no brainer in the history of mankind? Bigger than the no brainer that we must strive for world peace? Bigger than the no brainer that the Earth revolves around the sun? Bigger than the no brainer which is that taunting a bear can get you killed? Please. To add to this, his pronunciation is horrid. He has what sounds like a slight New York accent, which makes it sound as though I am looking to get a loan from some street hustler. Not a stereotype, just the impression the ad gives, so stay with me. On top of that, some words he over pronunciates and others he mangles, with mankind coming out like mankin and being coming out sounding like bein. These may seem like trivial items, but if you are not smart enough to recognize that you do not have proper diction and forgo hiring a trained actor or actress to star in your ads, then you are not smart enough to handle my money.

As for television, I have two that really get my goat. The first one is for Earthlink. The basis of the commercial is to show a cross section of employees of Earthlink, who speak of how great the company is, everything they can do for you and how much they enjoy working for this company. It seems innocuous enough, except for one line. Near the end of the commercial, one employee says, "And if you call Earthlink customer support, I promise to treat your problems as if they are my problems." I'd like to know who approved this, because the point they seem to be missing is, if I am a customer, and I call customer support, my problems ARE your problems! That is why I am paying you, to provide service and correct issues if the service is down!

But the ultimate is the current ad campaign by Cingular. You know them; half of the commercial is in silence, partially to show the annoyance of having your call dropped. They all feature a person talking to the camera about some pseudo-important thing they were trying to communicate to another party, when suddenly their connection drops. And they have had it with unreliable service, so they switch to Cingular, taking the advice of the leading independent research company who proved that Cingular has the fewest dropped calls. First, who is this leading independent research organization? What exactly do they research? How do we know this company knows anything about telecommunications? What are their credentials as a research firm? And exactly who hired them? Most likely Cingular, so automatically the results should be suspect. And on top of that, why are they never named? Any company, especially those at the top of their field, loves good publicity. Why would they turn down an opportunity as golden as to be featured in a national ad campaign being touted for the work they did? It smells slightly funny to me. Second, if you ask me, it seems as though all the "people" in the commercial have emotional stability issues. As they discuss their issues with dropped calls and miscommunication, they become irrationally angry. In one ad, the person featured is a chef whose issue was he lost connection while trying to order pork. As he tells his story, spiking in anger throughout, he is shown holding a kitchen knife, adding to the ad an air of danger. As though he could snap at any moment and go on a rampage. If they can get that angry about dropping a call, what are they like at home? How do they treat people in interpersonal relationships? They all seem way too quick to anger and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, all due to losing a call or two. The ads all come across as if to say, Hi, we are Cingular, the network for emotionally unstable, angry and potentially homicidal people! I hope I am not the only one who sees the absurdity in these ads.

A small addition

After writing last evening, I felt very good about it. I felt as though I had accomplished something. Perhaps there is more to my theory of a cleansing than I previously realized. Afterwards, I thought of many more items that I would like to write about. I spent a fair amount of time jotting down various thoughts and ideas. Things kept springing to mind. For the first time in a long time, I felt very creative and inspired. Now, if only I could focus these thoughts and use them for good.

Before I start to write further about these other ideas, I would like to briefly expand on a mini jag I went on yesterday. Specifically, I would like to expand the jag on the culture of celebrity obsession. I do understand, quite well actually, that this is far from a new phenomenon. This obsession has been around since men began to rise in station above others. Interest in those who would achieve power and fortune has always been there. Troll through the tomes of history and we can see evidence of this. And from the moment a person was featured in movie reels, and the idea of a celebrity was born, so was an obsession about who they were, what they liked and how they lived their lives. Peruse any old Hollywood history book and learn about Fatty Arbuckle, and how this star's fall from grace was front page news many moons ago. Or perhaps you are familiar with the drinking and womanizing habits of Errol Flynn. I believe they have become common knowledge. I could go on and on, but my point is that being fascinated with celebrities and their lives is nothing new.

The difference now is the sheer number of outlets available to find out information. There are at least a half a dozen shows on the air now that are specifically geared toward giving you the scoop on the rich and famous. And these are just on normal networks. E! Entertainment is an entire channel based upon this obsession. Radio shows almost always have a Hollywood beat or corner, in which they regularly discuss the goings on of the glitzy set. Walk through the checkout of any supermarket and you will find dozens of magazines geared toward those who want to know more about their favorite stars. From trashy tabloids to glossy photo magazines to advertisement laden style magazine books, all of them strive against each other to grab your celebrity interested dollar. But these are merely the conventional means of information. After these comes the world wide web, the ever-expanding monolith of information that has become an almost indispensable tool for those who want to find out the dirt. Hundreds, if not thousands, of websites are dedicated to the goal of bringing you up to the second information that you need to know! All of them spewing rumors and half-truths that even if they never happened sound plausible enough. "Well, it seems absurd, but you know those crazy Hollywood folks!" Add on top of all this digital technology that continues to evolve in quality, size and become more and more affordable, well, it will not be long before we will be shooting movies with audio on our phones of some celebrity tying their shoelaces on a street corner and everyone who sees it MUST have the brand of laces they use!

With all these outlets coming at us from every direction, it is no surprise that our interest in celebrity culture has raised to the level of obsession. It is ever present, no matter where we go or what we do. Programming geniuses will say, oh, it’s what people want, it’s what they watch. Well, sure, if you give someone a choice between a small turd and a large turd, they will always take the small one. But give someone a choice between a sunny day and a small turd, magic will happen. And perhaps they are right; we do eat this nonsense right up. We will tune in to the TV shows, and grab the magazines, and search the internet, all in an attempt to live life vicariously through emotionally immature people.

But I must admit I am a sucker for it too. I myself have been seduced by the vicarious thrill of it. I constantly find myself interested in things pertaining to the cult of celebrity. I enjoy learning about how certain movies came to fruition, or where they were shot. Its fun to go to a place and think, wow, something that had a huge impact upon popular culture happened right here. It is as much a part of Americana as roadside alligator ranches or gigantic rubber band balls. It is this nonsensical part of our culture that I love. Why would such a thing be important or interesting? Who knows! But it’s what makes us great. Something so trivial can be so much fun. And I find myself drawn in as well about the seedy side of tinsletown. The back room deals that made some stars and others has beens, the murders and mysteries of those so desperate for fame and fortune they would do anything to achieve it. They are fascinating histories of our culture and how it has evolved through the years. However, I find a distinct difference between closed door power struggles of a fledgling industry or odd pop culture locations and a daily report on who is making the scene in what current trendy club and what they had to eat the next morning. It is with the latter where my own issues lie.

But does it always have to be this way? I know it always has, but must it continue? Is there hope for a day when if we must put people on pedestals and laud accomplishments, it is for someone and something more substantial than winning yet another self congratulatory award that means nothing? I believe so. I think like most things, we can change as a culture and as a society. But the change must come from within each one of us. It is not like changing your mind on clothing or dinner, it is a philosophical shift in thought. We must change the way we think. We must say, following the childish antics of these idiots is pointless, adds no value to my life or my world, wastes my precious time and takes energy away from me making my life better! It must be a change to come from within. It is something we each must decide for ourselves. So I say, no more! No more nonsense. I do not care that Angelina and Brad had their baby! I do not care that Ben Affleck is a Red Sox fan. I do not care that Paris Hilton broke up with the Greek shipping heir. I DO NOT CARE! It bothers me enough that I know these things without even trying to find out this information. So enough is enough. I am boycotting all of the nonsense and ignoring it when it is shoved down my throat. I have better things to do, like living my own life and living vicariously through myself. Better things like expanding my mind and bettering myself and hopefully adding something of value to our culture and society. I want to know about people who make the world a better place, not a dumber one. Come on, who's with me?????

Well.....

So it seems as though I have started rather slowly. I had hoped to begin by writing each day. My idea initially was to write a little bit each day, consisting mainly of thoughts and general what not. As they say and I have mentioned previously, practice makes perfect. But as with most things, real life will interrupt even the best laid plans. However, it is not how many times you fall down; it is how many times you get back up. So, I am getting back up.

I am not sure exactly what I want to do with this forum. I like the idea of using this for articles or perhaps general thoughts on things, almost a stream of consciousness type of expression. Just sitting down and seeing what comes out. Or perhaps as many do, use this forum as a sort of journal. Like most people, I do take a certain amount of pleasure of speaking of myself and accomplishments I have made or ideas I have or plans I would like to see come to fruition. But there is part of me that also recognizes that most people do not care. Its not that they are cold or cruel, it’s just why bother hearing of the minutiae of another person's life. Little things that may seem important to me or may have an impact in my life may seem like trivial nonsense to most other people.

Of course, I may be far off with that assumption with the way our culture has evolved to follow each and every minor detail of almost every celebrity in existence, and how they are willing to make sure these details are published and reported while at the same time screaming for privacy and a normal life. It is certainly not every one of them, but it does seem that many do feel the need to stay in the limelight even if it means showing every flaw and wart of their lives to the masses. And how much better than these celebrities are the masses who eat these stories up with a passion? It is as addictive as crack. But at the cost of your brain cells and common sense, it is certainly not cheaper than crack. Plus, I must ask while I continue on this tangent, why do we care? Why do we care who is sleeping with whom and who is pregnant and who is in rehab and who is feuding with whom? Why is this important? I know there is a certain level of schenfraude that is a part of this culture. It does make one who puts in a difficult day striving to keep a miserable job they desperately need while dealing with people that treat them terribly and pay them even worse feel a bit of satisfaction to see those with money and fame fail at the task of living life. But why invest your own precious energy in this pursuit? It is ultimately empty. At the end of the day, you still must prepare yourself for another day of soul sucking toil and they will still be rich and buying their way out of the troubles they have created, happy in the knowledge that your dollars will still find their way into their bank account. That brief moment of joy will be just that, brief. If we would ignore these idiots and put that time and energy into bettering ourselves, we would all better our lives, and ultimately the world at large. Shouldn't that be the goal of everyone? Shouldn't we all be striving to make the world a better place instead of focusing on the trivial and meaningless? But I digress....

My thought was that who cares about the life of one average person? If I were to use this slate to write of daily happenings, would it be compelling enough for anyone to give a hoot? Perhaps not, but there is something cathartic about releasing the perceived slights and insults we each build up during the day in a journal. Almost like wiping the slate clean for the next day, the next interactions, and the next adventure. So perhaps I will mix it up. Some days it may be an article, some days it may be random thoughts and observations, some days it may be things that strike close to home and some days it may be nothing more than a series of daily ramblings meant only to clear the mind and cleanse the soul. Here's hoping with enough practice I can at least make those nonsensical ramblings interesting and entertaining.