Some days I wonder...

We just got a summary, from the city's insurance consultants,concerning the major points of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, which will follow the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The summary that outlined all of the "free stuff" that the big bad insurance companies are now required to give us, was accompanied by a statement. "The City is still evaluating how this will impact our plan and we will be incorporating these provisions...". We know how it will impact the plan. It will drive costs through the roof, just as it was designed to do. This bill is designed to bring the european model of socialized medicine to the U. S. Prices will soar which will allow the gov't to come in and save the day with single payer just like they admitted that they wanted to do from the start. I use to think that the destruction of the greatest healthcare system in the world was the worst that this administration could do. Then I realized that in the process they could also destroy the economy. That was my worst fear. It is no longer my worst fear. Now I fear that they have divided and irreparibly damaged the nation. A large portion of society thinks this "change" is good, they trust those in power. A large portion believe we are on the road to societal and economic ruin. Islamic Jihadists are no longer worried about destroying the "great satan". We are doing it to our selves. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, or how you feel about the issues, there is a widening abyss between the factions and unrest is in the air. This always makes things difficult in my profession. We just learned of a radical, right-wing, extremists group called the "Hutaree" who planned to kill law enforcement officers and then bomb the law enforcement funeral in order to exact as many casualties as possible. They saw law enforcement as the face of an oppressive government. This is an extreme example but the examples are everywhere. I guess what I am saying, and this is my tip( although it is usually more of a story, but not today), understand what is going on around you. It's not time to go to the bunker or get all depressed, but it is time to take care of your people. Realize that the times we are living in may worry and concern normal people, but the world is full of abnormal people. Have a plan, have a go bag if you need to get out of town fast. Go to any preparedness website and learn about this (www.ready.gov is as good as any).
I'm Beef and these are my unusually foreboding tips.
P.S. Mom don't worry about me, I'm fine. :)

Process over Product

I recently read a golf book that stressed the importance of focusing on the process and not the outcome. Golf is so mental and so difficult that even the greatest golfers in the world don’t make every shot the way they intend. The author stressed looking at the process as the success that we need to feel confident about our abilities. Now, I try to focus on the process. I look at the lie of the ball, lay of the land, game management, wind and distance. I determine what type of shot I want to play and with what club. I visualize the shot,, tracing the path of the ball in red in my mind. I then try to make a smooth, pretty swing. If I do all of those things correctly, I’m happy with my shot. Where the ball goes is not important. This makes my game enjoyable and usually successful. Remember golf is life.
This epiphany caused me to start thinking when I heard a political pundit use the phrase, “the end justifies the means”. The reality is that the means is the most important thing. After all, weren’t we always taught, “it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game”. Now don’t get me wrong, winning is important. If it doesn’t matter who wins, don’t keep score. Losing should hurt. But where is the joy in winning if you don’t follow the rules or play with honor. There is no greatness in that.
I once shocked my lovely wife by saying there are worse things than dying. As Christians we know that death, while it is painful for those we leave behind, is not something to fear. Living without honor is tragic. Being alive but not living is tragic.
Everyday we have to get up and look at the shot before us. Take everything into account and swing with gusto. Then lay your head on your pillow at night with no fear and no regrets.
I'm Beef and these are my tips.

Choices

To be sleepless because of the pain, or because of the pain killer…what an easy choice. However, I’m sleepless none the less.

We got a chance to catch up with old friends on two occasions this weekend. I made a decision early in the week to stop feeling guilty about my neglected relationships and start doing something about it. It really wasn’t that hard. I said, “why don’t ya’ll come over?” on one occasion and just dropped by someone’s house on another. These are things I grew up watching my parents do as a way of life. I, however, had chosen to just come home and “vegge” out in front of the TV every night and not reach out. This resulted in guilt and lost contact. These are people that I have always considered very close friends but had not visited with in a long, long time. Why do that? I suddenly realize that putting together a cognizant thought is so much more difficult after having chosen painkiller over pain. In a way my choice to visit this weekend was choosing pain over painkiller. Not that it was painful to visit but it had become an escape to watch tv and go through the motions. It required no effort at all. It asked nothing of me, no thought or decision or revelation of my feelings. It was plugging into the matrix and being numb. I didn’t really even realize that I had done it until now. When we told our son that we were having people over Friday night he acted like we had chosen the red pill. He said he was so glad that we were doing this and how good it would be for us, as if we had become hermits or something. I didn’t realize it at the time but I guess I was acting like one. At least I still felt guilty about ignoring my friendships. So now I resolve to living more and vegging less. I have resolved before and found my resolve to be lacking. Usually every January it is an obvious attempt but other times also. I find myself trying to fix shortcomings, being temporarily successful, and then failing. There are times when it seems so much easier not to try so that I won’t feel guilty for failing. I am sure others feel that way but surely they don’t fail as much as I do. None the less, it was nice to catch up and visit. Once again I’m feeling a little foggy so I will try to go back to sleep…or vegge in front of the TV. I am Beef…and these, I guess, are my tips.

Tired of the Cold

I don't recall ever being so ready for a new season. As a youngster every season held it's own excitement and wonder. During the fall there was always football practice and school. The winter held holidays and the frequent, weather related, no school. Spring was anticipation of school being out and nice weather. Summer...well...summer was freedom. Later as a parent I experienced all of these feelings vicariously through our children. With the exception of the snow day...not so much here in Texas. It was all fun and something was always going on. Now that we have an empty nest, most of my recreation revolves around golf. I rarely let the weather stop me from getting in two or three rounds a week but sometimes it's just a beating. When it's cold and wet and windy and every well hit shot deposits that little speck of mud into your face...sometimes...it's just not fun. Also, when the conditions are their worst, I'm usually playing alone, because really..who else would be playing golf in that kind of weather? I have had enough unplayable days this winter to re-grip three sets of irons and replace the spikes in 2 pairs of golf shoes. I can't tell you how many times I've cleaned clubs and re-organized the golf bag. So this year I am very ready for spring. Playing in short sleeves, hitting drives that chase down the fairway instead of plugging, playing in foursomes, it all sounds so far away when it is February 4th. I know that I have fewer winters in front of me than behind. I know that everyday is a gift to be cherished. So I will enjoy these days in front of the fireplace and be thankful for the occasional sunny day. I know that spring is coming and this year I get to meet my new grand-daughter. I have to keep my game in shape because I know that in a few short years, she will be out driving me. Now...it's bedtime. I will dream of bright green fairways and brilliant white golf balls engulfed in the laughter and giggles of a little girl named Laila and the emotions will warm my cold bones. I'm Beef and these are my tips.

I'm Still Here

I try to keep my Facebook status current. I try to support my friends by posting comments to their status. However, I have neglected my blogging responsibilities. I am on target to become a grandfather in May. I have wanted that for a while but the feeling of saying it out loud makes me feel old. I have always said that a parents main responsibility in life is to raise future fathers and mothers. Even though Clay is not there yet, I sense that I am coming to the end of my main mission in life. There is a sense of freedom, nostalgia, remorse and pride. I feel pride that our children are awesome believers, friends, citizens, and future parents. Nostalgia fills my head as I recall all the little steps along the path. Each memory is special. As the Aborigines people say, "when this life is through, all you leave is your story". I love telling my story so far because it is filled with those little moments as a parent and husband. I feel a touch of remorse when I think of the things that I would have done different, if I had known then, what I know now. Is that wrong? I don't know. I love my children just the way they are. If I had handled somethings differently to teach more self-discipline, would they be less compassionate? If they were more analytical in their life skills, would they be less creative? Okay...so never mind about the remorse. They are too special to take a chance on changing anything. But I do feel freedom coming. Freedom to play with babies and give them back. Freedom to get'em all jacked up on mountain dew and cotton candy and send'em home. Freedom that their development into future parents is not my responsibility. But, it is gonna be so much fun to watch.
So...I'm still here. The best is yet to come. All the players are uniquely qualified to fill their roles. My role...play with the grand kids. I can do that!

This and That

“As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there’s a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become victims of the darkness.” Justice William O. Douglas
I posted this as my status on Facebook because I feel that we are in the twilight. While it is twilight, if you are aware, you can make plans for the darkness. You can buy lanterns and stack firewood and position supplies. If you languish about and take no action, you suddenly realize, "I can't see", panic sets in as you grope around trying to find light or sustanance. In this panic you may latch onto anything, not caring what freedoms you may give up, or moral compromises make. Make plans for the darkness! It is coming and the prepared will carry through to the other side with no regrets or remorse.
One of my Facebook friends responded by asking, "Is the oppression here, or is it coming?" This was my response.
"It's a matter of degrees...were they dropped into our time, our founding fathers would say the oppression is here. I fear that our grandchildren will say this was a time of great liberty."
We all hear people talking about the "Good Ole Days". There were good things about the past but our lives are so much easier than they were in the past. I fear that the "easy" has spawned the cultural and moral decay that we observe today. I long for Mayberry, sure it was a ficticious town in a made up show but there was a remarkable resembalance to the life I led growing up in Kentucky. Setting on the porch at Granny and Papaw's felt like Mayberry. Going to the feedstore with my Dad felt like Mayberry. Every now and then I get a whiff of it. You have to go far away and sit really still and listen really well to everything...but you can still get a subtle taste and know that it can still be found.
My wish for you, my family and friends, is that you prepare so that you can avoid oppression. Listen so you can hear the beautiful sounds of children laughing. Raise your nose and breath in the smell of freedom and liberty and lives well lived which provide our heritage. Look around and see all of the little things. This will get you through the darkness and into the light.
Once again, I'm Beef, and these are my tips!

My First Coaching Injury

I coach offensive line for the Dallas Defenders. The Defenders are in the National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL). I coach because I am old and don't bend without breaking. I do still move well enough to demonstrate a move occasionally. I also, move well enough to be a space filler. It's a lot like the seat fillers that they use at the academy awards and such. You don't really do anything but you make everything look better. That was suppose to be the case at practice yesterday. Our left tackle, Patrick, had to leave about 30 minutes before practice was over. We were working team defense so I stepped in to be a space filler. D-Line was working on pass rushing so they were doing twists and loops and various other D-line stuff. I was being a typical left tackle and trying to ride the end outside the passing pocket. He was being easy on me, since I was just a space filler, but he was firing out and working up the field so that others could work on their assignments. On a particular play at 1645 hours, near the end of practice, our quarterback called a pass play that Central Texas likes to run. He announced that the snap count would be on two. On the offensive line we like it when we mix up the snap count. It accentuates our advantage over the defense. Everything is easier when you hit the person across from you before they hit you. Consequently, since o-line is always asking for the snap count to be different, it is very bad if we jump and cause a penalty. So it was on this particular play. I was not going to jump. I was going to practice what I preach, over and over and over. I was going to be disciplined and sit perfectly still in my two point stance. I heard the line calls as we approached the ball. Everything was pretty standard. I heard the quarterback going through his cadence then, "hut". I expected the defensive end to jump. It was the first time since I had been in that we changed up the cadence. So when he lurched forward, I remained perfectly still. What I didn't know, and didn't plan for was that the center would mistakenly snap the ball on one. This happens occasionally in football. It usually doesn't result in a great play for the offense because everyone on offense is caught off guard. It does not result in a penalty because the ball is snapped before anyone moves. Normally, as it did on this day, the offensive lineman get hit, realize what happened and recover to salvage the play. The problem comes when one of the offensive lineman is merely a space filler. When you look at football helmets it is easy to see the different face masks for different positions. Backs and kickers have much smaller face masks than lineman for obvious reasons. When looking at all the styles of face masks there is never one called space filler. This is because the space filler just wears Oakley's and a Titleist cap. These accoutrement's of space filling do very little to protect the space filler from the fully clad 6'6", 280 lb, defensive end. It is for this reason that yesterday at 1646 hours the space I was filling was horizontal and very close to the plane of the earth. I did manage to keep the blood off of my embroidered coaching jacket, another tool of the space filler. I applied direct pressure to the space over my left eye for the next 14 minutes until practice was over. My space filling of the left tackle position was over, but I certainly wasn't going to leave practice early for something like this. What kind of Coach would I be? After practice, while being barraged with queries about my condition, I calmly walked to the car and headed for the ER. I did have some interesting moments while maintaining pressure with one hand, holding the phone with the other, and driving with my knee. But hey, all space fillers can do that. At the ER I got my 6 stitches and hurried out before being exposed to any real illnesses. This morning, I realized that in addition to the cut over my left eye, I also have an abrasion on my left cheek and a swollen upper lip. I have secured my "space filler" Purple Heart and, after all, Chicks dig scars!

Beef / JG