Why write about myself? This is an easy one. I write about what I do, how, when where and why because I know me better than most people. If I knew as much about you I would write that too, but you might not like what I would write and then you might get mad at me. If you did, it would not be the first time this has happened and I like being liked more than disliked. On a more positive note, I like what I do most of the time, and it's fun to relive and relate it in writing. What the heck, we only live twice: Once when we're born and once when we're about to die which, for me in combat, seemed fairly often.
  ¶ 11:49 AM 1 comments

  Ain't Life Great! Happy Friday! So much for the formalities. In my life every day is like a book, movie or both. No two days are alike, and no day is ever boring.

Well ... Other than having a major cold, things are pretty good today. More money in the bank than usual which always helps my mood and attitude. Took many photos yesterday in Ybor City and met a good friend for coffee at Ybor's best coffeehouse. As I was leaving late in the day I saw another friend who bought me a beer. He watched one of my DVD shows on my laptop computer and persuaded me to take a few more photos as the sun was going down. He is majoring in Electronic Media, and had some good recommendations.

As I was driving down to Ybor yesterday I stopped to help a friend get better reception on the XM satellite radio I gave him. I have another one, and will get an even better one soon. Who needs three of them? I like satellite radio because I'm a news addict and always want to know what's happening around the world instantly - not that I can do anything about it. I know something important is always waiting to happen, and I want to know it when it does.

Next stop was at a business owned by a man who just ran for political office and lost. His business sells a great product which can be very useful in political work and marketing. He told me about his plans to establish a PAC, and told me the name of it. The last word of his PAC name was "redevelopment" and I suggested he use "progress", instead. He liked that idea and so I probably helped name a new PAC . If so, it's one of many times I have named and or influenced things that folks will never know I did. I like helping folks out when they're doing meaningful things that enhance our lives.

This morning, other than my darn cold, I am relaxed and looking forward to doing some new projects like making more DVD's with photography, music and narration. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction to make things that are tangible. If, and when, I sell them, it's even better.

Also, this morning I watched some of a TV show on the Parthenon and some of one on Michaelangelo. Amazing what can be learned from good shows.

Went to a very well known fast food place and had egg, biscuit, hash browns and coffee. First thing I noticed was signs on registers saying which ones were open. What a customer friendly and very easy thing to do. I watched a visiting senior management team of the multi-store chain observing the store's operations. After I ate I went over to one of the men who has a 50's style, crew cut, and told him I liked the signs. We talked about that some and operations in general then we disagreed on minmum wage hikes.

This chain pays a little over minimum wage, and will do so after the new Florda law mandating $6.15 an hour goes into effect. He told me they had tried paying a dollar more in three different areas with no noticeable improvements in employee performance. I told him that didn't prove anything to me. I told him I was willing to pay more for good food and service. Also told him that some employees are totally dependent on what tney make in the so-called fast food industry. Then we talked a little about the national economy contrasting "borrow and spend conservatives", with tax and spend liberals. Finally, we talked briefly about the Iraq war, and his cell phone rang again.

Came back to office to blog.  ¶ 10:58 AM 0 comments

  Fragile Freedoms What we're living through now is a clear example of the fragility of our democratic republic and personal freedoms. We are witnessing a large number of our citizens being willing and even eager to voluntarily give up long established and historical beliefs, practices and concepts of freedom for a vague, unattainable concept called "security". In short, we're in a critically important time which may change forever, and in very significant ways, how we will be allowed to live our lives. Problem is that far too many folks don't know this or care and many who are aware feel weak, isolated and afraid.
  ¶ 1:23 PM 0 comments

  Sunday Musings So, I went to Methodist Sunday School yesterday to mix and mingle with some religious folks some of whom are friends, and others I do not know well. This class is fairly open to discussions that sometimes get heated and direct, but generally, except for one man, not overtly hostile. During the time for "concerns?", I usually express my concerns for innocent victims in Iraq, Sudan, North Korea and other foreign places while others express concerns for their sick pets, their sick family members and friends and their misbehaving children. I tell them that my concerns are not limited to local needs and problems, that someone, somewhere needs to care about other people in other places.

Sometimes from here I go a Unitarian Church which is more informal, eclectic and interesting to me than listening to someone preach a sermon. There's too much rigidity and control in traditional churches for me. Yesterday, however, I went to a community art show instead, to meet with a newspaper reporter who was there to take photos and write a story. Her digital camera did not work so I took some photos for her, and just emailed them for this week's paper. Last year, a couple of artists tried to infringe on my 1st Amendment Rights by telling me I could not take photos of their exhibits. The annual arts and crafts show is held on public property in a public park, and I was taking photos to try to get one that would win placement on the front page of our small community's directory.

The art show officials showed no interest at all in my rights. I spent some time and effort later calling various 1st Amendment information organizations, only to finally be referred back to my own home city and a well known 1st Amendment Rights attorney. I paid him to research the rights of, and prohibitions on, photographers. Essentially, his legal opinion was that I was well within my rights to take the photos I wished. I have continued to study this issue as it's becoming a more common area of contention with all the digital cameras in use everywhere. I predict that a case involving privacy, of which I am a strong advocate, and photography will eventually go to the Supreme Court someday, and it may even be mine.

In the afternoon I went to Barnes and Noble where I found a book on the legal rights of photographers. Perused many more books on many subjects, and then went to my daughter's home for a great dinner. While waiting for dinner I watched a TV show on the destruction of rain forests and, as usual, was depressed and angry about humans' shortsighted greed which will eventually cause us all great environmental misery. Watching gigantic, ancient trees being cut down was disturbing even though I was watching it in HDTV, which is breath taking.  ¶ 2:44 PM 0 comments

  Hopes, dreams and many promises.
Good Luck To All.  ¶ 10:59 AM 0 comments

  Democrats, Republicans and Religionists We are getting close to having a theocratic government here imposing its values and morals on all of this country while professing individualism and freedom. It's not just Democrats and Republicans. Now it's fundamentalist/evangelicals as almost a political party too, and that should worry everyone because they don't agree on what time it is, and fight among themselves for power and followers as they gain strength and influence all in the name of their brand and version of God. This is what we see in the Middle East between Sunnis, Shites, secularists (a few) and others. It doesn't take long to dismantle the underpinnings of a country, and to have hatred and mistrust in the guise of religion cause conflict. Look at nearly every mainstream denomination, already weakened by loss of revenue, members and attendance and fussing, feuding and dividing over various "cultural" i.e. moral and values questions and conflicts. Everybody KNOWS they are right because it's all about THEIR religion.  ¶ 8:00 AM 3 comments

  Communicate - Educate - Innovate - Motivate These are the keys to the survival of our species and way of life:

1. Communicate: Better and more directly with all citizens of all ages.

2. Educate: Education, especially liberal, has always been feared by those in power. Teach folks about national and international history and current events. Teach our political system which used to include "checks and balances". Teach the arts and art appreciation. Teach geography and social studies.Teach English. Teach communication skills.

3. Innovate: Use the internet better including live and recorded video, audio and online internet meetings in lieu of driving all over the place at $3 a gallon (?), time and energy. Also use DVD's.

4. Motivate: Use all the above to motivate folks to make better, more enlightened and progressive decisions. This will be reflected in whom and what issues people will vote for.  ¶ 6:16 PM 1 comments