Saturday Thoughts: Just Another Batch Of Random Thoughts

            I know I’ve been silent the past couple of days. That is mostly because I’ve been sleeping late and had school work to do that I got behind on, but I am back on track now. This class has proved to be a bit challenging for me. Been reading a ton the past couple of days and not just in my text book either. I’ve also had to go looking in back issues of National Geographic Magazine for information as well. But it has been a good week.

            It looks like I will get through all three of my magazines this month which pleases me greatly. I’m also making good progress in my books as well. I’ll be up late tonight reading, mostly from my text book. But that will help me sleep better since it relaxes me and it will help me retain the knowledge better. Next week will be even busier so bear with me next week if there are some missing entries.

            Also next week I am going back into my exercise routine as June starts. I’m going to give it my best shot. And since I should have everything straightened out food wise I am also going to try and eat three meals a day. I’ve been doing pretty well at not eating dinner late with a few exceptions. And when I can keep breakfast stuff in the house I manage to eat breakfast good for the most part. Still working on lunch, but it is getting there. I am trying to get my diet to a healthy place where I eat more vegetables than anything. And I wouldn’t mind being able to add some fresh seafood in there at times as well, more than what I do already. But it is a work in progress.

            I also see that Bernie Sanders is attracting followers not just from the left but also from the right. I think it is just because he is preaching common sense to the American People and they are listening. I have said it before here and I will said it again I think he has a good chance of winning in 2016. He talks about the issues the people are concerned about without making up phantoms to scare people. He talks in a no nonsense and yet common sense way. He is aggressive yet compassionate. This is the man to lead our country.

            I’ll get off my soap box for one week though. Though it will heat up as far as politically in this column when the race truly gets started. But it will be civil, barring stupidity setting me off. On a side note I was made to feel old the other day as I learned that Bob Schiefer of CBS News was retiring. Seems like all the newsmen I remember watching as a kid are retiring in these past few years. As well as the late night hosts. It does make you feel old after a while. Not so much with regular shows coming and going since that happens all the time now. Though with some of those really long running ones that come around every now and then it happens.

            I know I don’t catch everything in a news week, but if there is something you think would set me to typing or you think I should see leave it in the comments section or tag me in it when you share it or even email it to me. Trust me if it sets me to typing you will see it in the Saturday columns. And leave me your comments on what has made you feel old in the past and what you are doing to keep healthy this summer. For now I better hit the books if I want any sleep. *Tips his hat and walks out the door headed for the study.*

Wednesday In The Library: Lightspeed Magazine

            Good morning, I’m actually up early. Mainly because a friend is dropping by early this morning. So as you can imagine I’m hitting the coffee hard. That and I took a nap so now it is night time. It’s been a long day but I am still trucking along. I’ve been researching a good portion of the day since I am behind on today’s topic in the library.

            Today we are looking at Lightspeed Magazine edited by John Joseph Adams. It is a Science Fiction and Fantasy literature magazine. Inside you fill find it filled with tons of short stories and novel excerpts as well as novelettes from the genres. Plus they look at all sorts of tropes and authors in the genres. You can easily get lost in the magazine for hours at a time just reading and reading. They cover every aspect of the genres you can imagine. Though they tend to lean more towards the Science Fiction aspect from what I have read over the past few months.

            And as I have covered here in the library before they do a special issue every year towards a minority group with stretch goals for Fantasy and Horror. Which they routinely hit. These issues are the only ones to appear outside of eBook format as well. And they are definitely worth the investment to get them into your library. I’ll be picking up this year’s three when they hit the stands for sure.

            I first got into the magazine through the special issues and subscribed shortly afterwards. The price is really affordable for anyone on a budget and packs a lot of content as well. I can’t see anyone being disappointed in this magazine for the price you pay for it. Look to see the special issues coming up in my book reviews in the future at some point.

            I hate to cut it short but it is getting close to my med time. As always I hope you will check out Lightspeed Magazine and give it a shot. I’m sure you will enjoy it. I look forward to your comments below. For now I am off to take meds oh joy, *Tips his hat and walks out the door headed for the medicine cabinet.*

Tuesday Insights: The Influence Of Five

            Good evening, I slept late again really have to break myself of that habit. But feeling good, especially since getting my first cup of coffee into me a bit. Even if for some reason I first thought it was Thursday when I woke up, weird.  Or wishful thinking. Since then I would have a better idea of what my grade is in the class I’m taking. I’ll admit I got a little behind cause of my illness earlier in the month, but I got caught up quickly. Now just waiting on grades from that and last week. But enough of my ramblings today we are back to essays. And we have an interesting one for this week. It focuses on the influence of the five people you hang out with most on you.  So without further ado on with the show.

Prompt:

The Influence Of Five

            I’ll start off with disagreeing with Jim Rohn’s statement that I am the average of the five people I spend the most time with. I agree that they influence me, but I am not the average of them. I am my own person, although I am influenced by many things throughout life. For each person this can be both good and bad depending on the people you choose to associate with. So it is important to choose wisely. You can be propelled up to the highest highs or dragged down to the lowest places you never could have dreamed of before. But before I can turn the mirror on the rest of the world I have to turn it on myself and look at who influences me.

            First there is Tim who is around me almost all the time and does a lot for me. He is constantly encouraging me to do better and try harder. Always encouraging me to get out and get fresh air. As well as to exercise. Always showing me new music and new movies as well to help diverse my tastes in culture. He makes sure I don’t fall through the cracks and stay stable. He has been an anchor in my life as my street brother for 15 years now. And I try to make sure he knows I appreciate everything he does for me.

            Then there is Jeni who brings out the passion for learning in me. And helps me not be too hard on myself. She also brings out the nerd in me. She reinforces me being me with positive reinforcement. Along with telling it to me like it is. She gets on my case when it needs getting on. She is there for me to talk to when I am down as often as she can be. Even when I am at my lowest she can get me to laugh. Especially when she is drinking Diet Coke.

            Complimenting her is Sylvia who always gives me an honest answer to everything. She is there every day to talk to. Always asking how I’m doing and giving me advice when I need it. Even when she is having a busy day. Always willing to lend a hand if I get in trouble. She makes sure I have everything I need every month along with Jeni. Both of them would help if need be so I try to make sure I keep everything in order as best as I can so they don’t need to.

            Which leads to my mom who is always there when I need a ride someplace. Or need to get out of the city for a while. Or need just about anything. I turn to her foremost when things go wrong. She usually has good advice for me to follow. Granted we clash at times but a good healthy argument is good for both of our mental stimulation and helps us feel better afterwards. But those are few and far between. For the most part we stay calm and cool when dealing with each other.

            I also have my future step mother Pam to talk to and help me out with things around the house. She is pretty good at finding things I need that my mother can’t find. She also is street wise and knows what to look out for. She is another one who tells it like it is without sugar coating it as well. She has been a big help in getting me and my dad back to working on our relationship as well. And she is good at acting as a go between when me and my father can’t connect since he works so much.

            And I know the prompt says 5 but I cannot leave out the light of my life Cassy. She encourages me every day.  Since she has walked into my life I have constantly wanted to work hard to impress her. As well as win her over. She makes me melt. She calms me when I am angry as a bear and comforts me when I am down in the dumps. Her hugs light up my whole world. Just talking to her everyday makes my whole day better. I swear I get all smiles when she calls in a way that you can hear in my voice.

            But still breaking the rules there is one above them all that drives and influences my actions and that is my son, Aedan. I may not have custody of him or get to see him. But I think about him every day. With every action I take I wonder will this make him proud of his old man. It weighs heavily on my conscience. I want him to be proud of me when he finally gets to see me after all these years. Be proud to call me his dad.

            So there you see all the people that influence me and some of them will probably be surprised. But they have a great impact on my life and there are more to list if I had wanted to keep going but this is going long already. To those I missed I thank you for what you do for me and I am sorry you were not included here. And to conclude I say no one is the average of who they hang out with most they are what they put into themselves.

            I hope you enjoyed looking at my inner circle today, at least some of them. For now I need more coffee. So have a great Tuesday. *Tips his hat and walks out the door headed for the coffee brewer.*