Sunday Coffee: Time Does Fly

            It is surprisingly approaching that time of the year already. When you look back over the year and reflect on it. But I swear it snuck up on me this year. Seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2015. The year just flew by so quickly on me. But that is not to say it hasn’t been a good year. I’ve made progress on all fronts, though some later in the year than others. But I plan to continue progress into the new year and work on some new things at the same time. I’m also getting my name out there in the literary world slowly but surely. I’m closer to my family than I was last year at this time. Though issues are coming up within the family that remain to be resolved still.

            Sure I got some signed books and more collectibles this year, but the more important thing in this year that I got was more good memories. I got to talk to up and coming authors as well as learn from them. To get their input on my writing and call them my friends. And I mean true friends not that corny fake stuff you see in the business world. I got to share my life’s memories and musings with all of you, which I consider a privilege. And I appreciate you all taking the time out of your busy days to come have a cup of coffee with me and read this.

            It means a lot to me. As I was pondering what else to put into this I was also scrolling Facebook as I do normally. Usually because I am talking to someone at the same time I am writing this. And I was just reading about the old city hall subway station in New York, NY. And it made me think of all the artwork we just pave over and demolish through the years. And don’t get me wrong I know progress has to come first, but to a point. We do have to preserve some things. But maybe we have gotten so caught up in progress that we have forgotten the aesthetic part about building things. Like subways and bus stops for example. Instead we just throw up a bench with a box around it instead of making it look more pleasing to the eye. Unless someone comes along and wants to make it better looking for us.

            Why are we not doing that in the first place? Why are we just doing the bare minimum when building stuff for people to use? I would think we would want to make them step back for a second and take a look around them. Even if just in a small space. Everything is becoming so bland and uninspired in buildings as well as public transportation. We need to take a step back and say no we will not let this happen. We need to take a step back and say some things were better the old way but with a twist. Progress can be made while being aesthetically pleasing. Make some partnerships with local colleges and trade schools and get them working together on projects that benefit the public. Give them a small commission to help with schooling and fund the project and everyone wins. They get experience and a grade and some help with finances.

            I’ll get off my soap box for now and try not to get on it tomorrow, but you never know. And it is getting late. I had some sleep issues today. So as always feel free to leave questions and comments below. And if you want my posts to show up in your inbox enter your email address in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I’ve got the munchies. *Tips his hat and walks out the door heading for the kitchen. *

Saturday Thoughts: There Will Be No Star Wars Spoilers Here

            You read correctly there will be no Star Wars spoilers here. Mainly for one because I haven’t seen the film yet, and because two I don’t believe in ruining things for others. So you can relax now as you read this and not have to worry about any spoilers. And I won’t be doing as much ranting like I did yesterday. I’ll still be getting up on my soap box though be forewarned. And I have added overhauling my LinkedIn Profile as one of my to do things over the holidays. Especially after what I saw on someone else’s. Though I have to explain the issue someone has helped me with already to them since I got them all confused.

            I just don’t always explain things the best in type. I do better vocally explaining some things and with others writing is the better way for me to go. I know I’m weird but that is just part of my charm. But I am finding the Christmas Spirit invading me as we get closer to the day. And it has me wondering why we are only this generous to our fellow human beings one time of the year. Why is it that only once a year we treat all of our fellow human beings like human beings? Shouldn’t we be treating them like human beings all year round?

            And I know there are those in the margins that take advantage of kindness. But why should that make the rest of the human race suffer. Why should we hate the rest of our fellow human beings? Why is it this one time of the year that we allow there to be peace of Earth? What is so wrong with the other 364, 365 on leap year, having peace as well? Are we that ignorant? Are we that greedy? The funny thing is I find that the people with the least to give are the most generous mostly. Yet as you move up the economic and social scale it becomes more of mine, mine and give me. And less about sharing and helping others. Now this is not true of everyone. This is a broad stroke with a brush.

            But yet around Christmas time everyone becomes about giving. What I am asking for is to see more helping out around the year. More giving around the year. More mentoring around the year. It doesn’t have to be huge checks to charity just pocket change if that is all you can spare. It does add up. And there are tons of young women and men that need mentors and people to help them transition into adult hood. We all had that at one point in our lives. Shouldn’t we be willing to give back. And I know some of my readers have kids and all I am asking is to take a little extra time and set that extra good example. I had several people take time out of their busy days to mentor me.

            And I am very thankful for that. So when I can I help out as the uncle. And I enjoy my role. Whether it is providing books or reading a story. Or playing a game with them. Or whatever cool thing they need. The old saying goes it takes a village to raise a kid. Let’s start helping all the kids in the village succeed. Even if it is just to fulltime work to make a living. At least they will be thriving and doing well as well as being out of trouble. Isn’t that what we want for this next generation. And you would want someone to step up and help your kids if you weren’t here wouldn’t you.

            See I made good on my two promises in this post. One there were no Star Wars Spoilers, and two I wasn’t as harsh as yesterday. Now I will get off my soap box. And I will forewarn you that there may be more of this mushy side of me tomorrow I’m not sure yet. But for now feel free to leave your comments and questions below. And if you want my posts to come to your inbox feel free to enter your email address in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me it’s is back to researching for me. *Tips his hat and walks out the door heading for the library. *

Rambling Friday: Still In Transition

            I know I was gone yesterday but I was just too tired to write an entry. Between cleaning and counseling it wore me out. I tried taking a nap and working on it, but time got away from me badly. But today is a new day and I am feeling refreshed today. Just finished up lunch and holding off on dessert till I get this entry done. I’ve got a bit of a busy day ahead of myself. I’m a bit behind in school though technically I have till tonight to have the assignment in. And I’m going to try and jump ahead this upcoming week and have everything done for the next two weeks. Since they have extended the week with a bit of a vacation for the holidays.

            Plus, over the break for the holidays I am going to try and get my next commissioned story done so that maybe I can get two into the next anthology. Only time will tell on that one. I was also planning something for tomorrow’s post but lost the thought so trying to recover it. I hate when I lose a good thought for something. I’ll also be working on a story for a future Story Time Friday. As you can see I don’t have a lack of work to do coming up. But it’s not a bad thing I enjoy my craft as well as my schoolwork. It has me constantly thinking and exploring new ideas.

            And new ideas are usually a good thing though sometimes what seems like a new idea is really an old idea disguised as a new idea. As we are seeing in the current race for the Republican Nomination with Donald Trump. If you take most of the main ideas Trump has been preaching and go back to when Hitler was first preaching, they match up other than the fact that Hitler was campaigning against Jewish people and Trump is campaigning against Muslims. It is hard to believe the Republican Party has fallen so far that their leading candidate for the nomination is pretty much a reincarnation of Adolf Hitler. And I don’t through terms like Hitler or Nazi around lightly as you have seen in my blog. But Trump preaches pure hate. I find it hard to believe that the Republican Party is so power hungry that they would resort to officially becoming the party for Nazis and White Power.

            But if in their bloodlust for power and war it has come to this then they must be shut down for the good of not only the country but all of humanity. We cannot let another Hitler like being come to power and any party that would support it must be put to the fire. Along with anyone else who would support such outrageous and inhumane actions to happen again. There can be no excuse for this to be allowed to happen, nor can there be any crack left in that wall that would allow this to happen. This crosses the line of free speech since people are being harmed over it. And harmed brutally and even life threateningly.

            You know I was hoping today’s post was going to be a cheerful one with the holidays, but I guess next week will be my cheerful posting week. Since tomorrow looks like more ranting. I’ll try to be more positive on Sunday though. We’ll see. But for now feel free to leave your comments and questions below. And if you want my posts even after that rant to make it to your inbox enter your email address below where it says follow by email. As for me I am off to get some ice cream and cool off. *Tips his hat and walks out the door heading towards the kitchen. *