Happy New Year! I have been reminded that I have not posted in sometime… okay months… What could have happened in that period of time nothing and everything. Add some happiness, loss and sadness. Snow, holidays and weight gain that would cover it.
I really dislike this time of the year. The snow is dirty. Cast off Christmas trees are on the curb. The realization of the New Year hits home. Yikes, I could talk about what is coming at us with the vengeance of a Sherman Tank or I can reflect. Reflection wins!
Looking back at 2008 the first and most important thing is the election of the new president. I know for many, many Americans they are not happy with President-Elect Obama but do not forget that for the first time in American history a black man of humble background was elected.
This in a country were in the past the president-elect would not be a whole person but 3/5 of a person. The three-fifths compromise is found in Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution.
This in a country that had an entire economy based on slave labor for over 300 years only to be ended in 1865 (13th Amendment).
This in a country were women could not vote until 1920 (19th Amendment).
This in a country were only white, male, property owners could vote. Jews, Catholics and Atheists were not allowed to vote in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont no matter their color or wealth.
I love my country and I admire the founding fathers. For all their shortcomings and lack of inclusion they knew that changes would need to be made and created a living document. Remember the Constitution? Yes, there are many short falls and so much debate but it is a hell of a system! All this from a group of men who knew not if they would be hung as traitors of praised as freedom seeking revolutionaries.
The curse of Bobby Lane… The above was so serious I thought I would add something that would bring tears to any football fan’s eyes. For those of you who do not know the Detroit Lions went 0-16. Yes, not one win. Nadda. Nothing! This is the worst record in the history of the NFL.
Now you may ask who is Bobby Lane and why is he cursed. No Bobby cursed the Lions.
In the 1957 season, Bobby Lane led the Lions to their 3rd NFL Championship. After several years of stellar playing the Lions traded Lane. Why? Bobby was injured during their LAST championship season. The Lions being clueless traded Lane while he was still worth something even if injured. Legend states that as Bobby was leaving for Pittsburgh he spat the curse "The Lions would not win for 50 years".
This is the 50th year of the curse. If true Bobby Lane had a mean mojo and next year will be better. Than again how could it be worse? Only one way to go and that is up!
How do the Detroit Lions count to 10?
0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 0-7, 0-8, 0-9, 0-10
Hahahahahahahaha!
Personally in 2008 I was baptized. I find that was the most amazing experience of my adult life. God, friends and peace of mind... This was an event that was all about what I wanted and what I wanted to be. Now before you picture a choir singing standard hymns and a cake and punch reception THAT AIN’T IT!
This took place on a Friday night. The music was what I liked. Kirk Franklin and Take 6. I quoted my favorites and even used the word “pisses off” from the pulpit. I served food and mixed mojitos at the gathering afterward in my home. I was true to me, my faith and I feel God was pleased.
The Color Purple
“I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it.” Why this quote? It is simple really God gives us miracles and beauty everyday but we walk past them looking for the parting of the Red Sea. Waking up in the morning with the wind carrying the scent of fresh lilacs and the sound of a morning doves cooing. Beauty? Miracles? What do you think?
Maybe as you look back at 2008 you will find the beauty and miracles? When working our way through the daily grind of 2009 we will recognize beauty and miracles? Maybe we will see that our government while maddening is an amazing instrument. Maybe in 2009 we will call those who we care for and remind them that they are our personal phenomenon that makes us smile when we would rather cry.
I really dislike this time of the year. The snow is dirty. Cast off Christmas trees are on the curb. The realization of the New Year hits home. Yikes, I could talk about what is coming at us with the vengeance of a Sherman Tank or I can reflect. Reflection wins!
Looking back at 2008 the first and most important thing is the election of the new president. I know for many, many Americans they are not happy with President-Elect Obama but do not forget that for the first time in American history a black man of humble background was elected.
This in a country were in the past the president-elect would not be a whole person but 3/5 of a person. The three-fifths compromise is found in Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution.
This in a country that had an entire economy based on slave labor for over 300 years only to be ended in 1865 (13th Amendment).
This in a country were women could not vote until 1920 (19th Amendment).
This in a country were only white, male, property owners could vote. Jews, Catholics and Atheists were not allowed to vote in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont no matter their color or wealth.
I love my country and I admire the founding fathers. For all their shortcomings and lack of inclusion they knew that changes would need to be made and created a living document. Remember the Constitution? Yes, there are many short falls and so much debate but it is a hell of a system! All this from a group of men who knew not if they would be hung as traitors of praised as freedom seeking revolutionaries.
The curse of Bobby Lane… The above was so serious I thought I would add something that would bring tears to any football fan’s eyes. For those of you who do not know the Detroit Lions went 0-16. Yes, not one win. Nadda. Nothing! This is the worst record in the history of the NFL.
Now you may ask who is Bobby Lane and why is he cursed. No Bobby cursed the Lions.
In the 1957 season, Bobby Lane led the Lions to their 3rd NFL Championship. After several years of stellar playing the Lions traded Lane. Why? Bobby was injured during their LAST championship season. The Lions being clueless traded Lane while he was still worth something even if injured. Legend states that as Bobby was leaving for Pittsburgh he spat the curse "The Lions would not win for 50 years".
This is the 50th year of the curse. If true Bobby Lane had a mean mojo and next year will be better. Than again how could it be worse? Only one way to go and that is up!
How do the Detroit Lions count to 10?
0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 0-7, 0-8, 0-9, 0-10
Hahahahahahahaha!
Personally in 2008 I was baptized. I find that was the most amazing experience of my adult life. God, friends and peace of mind... This was an event that was all about what I wanted and what I wanted to be. Now before you picture a choir singing standard hymns and a cake and punch reception THAT AIN’T IT!
This took place on a Friday night. The music was what I liked. Kirk Franklin and Take 6. I quoted my favorites and even used the word “pisses off” from the pulpit. I served food and mixed mojitos at the gathering afterward in my home. I was true to me, my faith and I feel God was pleased.
The Color Purple
“I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it.” Why this quote? It is simple really God gives us miracles and beauty everyday but we walk past them looking for the parting of the Red Sea. Waking up in the morning with the wind carrying the scent of fresh lilacs and the sound of a morning doves cooing. Beauty? Miracles? What do you think?
Maybe as you look back at 2008 you will find the beauty and miracles? When working our way through the daily grind of 2009 we will recognize beauty and miracles? Maybe we will see that our government while maddening is an amazing instrument. Maybe in 2009 we will call those who we care for and remind them that they are our personal phenomenon that makes us smile when we would rather cry.
2009 what will I do with it? Not a clue but I am going to hold my faith in all and see what shakes out. Here’s to 2009, cheers, to a new job good friends, and even medicinal vodka based beverages!
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