A few thoughts from Ferguson

Since my blog tag line claims to intersect with community and culture, I feel compelled to touch on one of the events that has been foremost in our awareness as a culture and has brought our nation together in the opportunity and desire to share our uninformed and angry opinions with one another; The events in Ferguson.

Here are my thoughts:

I  am very tired of  people who have never been involved in a violent encounter commenting on how one should behave in and react to such an encounter.

I  am very tired of people who have no idea about common investigation best practices and procedures commenting on the investigation of the shooting.

I  am very tired of  people who have no understanding of or experience with the prosecutorial process commenting on the "unfairness" of this one.

And, I suppose those who have had first hand experience with discrimination based on race, or some other physically or cultural trait, are tired of those who have not experienced this commenting on racial or cultural relations.

Ashley Brings the 411

Back in the glory days, we used to get together fairly regularly at Jason and Nichole's house for "Game Night". We would play the latest games, eat the worst tastiest food, argue over rules, sing songs and generally have a good time.

Now, when we are hanging out with friends, we whip out the smart phone whenever we need the answers to any obscure pop culture trivia from the 80's, the third line of our favorite song from when we were nine, or what music videos looked like 'back then'. But, This was back in the day before our cell phones could pull up IMDB or youtube in just a couple of seconds.

And we were stuck.

Just what was the lyrics to the opening song on "Family Ties"?

I'm not sure why anyone cared, but we had to know. Finally, I did the only sensible thing. I called 411 for information.

Ashley, the male, took our call. He knew the lyrics, and happily provided them to us. He wouldn't sing it, but we were able to get that going ourselves.

The next time we had a similar question, I called again. I also found out that they don't like you to call and ask for specific operators when you call for information.


Here's the theme song of Family Ties for you, in case you were wondering:

I just keep reading things

Here are a few I have read recently. Maybe some of them will interest you. Take a look:

Not getting along

I recently heard that 90% of our problems and inability to succeed in the workplace come from not getting along with others. With that in mind, let me know how far you think this guy will get:

I was recently visiting and office downtown and, as I was waiting, a few of the ladies brought a birthday cake over to another young lady in a cubicle and sang her Happy Birthday.It seemed like a nice gesture for someone that was working on their birthday.

A few minutes later, another worker came to the area where I was waiting and starting complaining to the cube dwellers in that area.

"How can anyone get any work done with all that singing going on? I come here to work, not to eat birthday cake and celebrate birthdays!"

I asked him if someone had their birthday forgotten this year. Instead of leading him to brokenheartedly confess that he really just wanted to know he was special too, he instead said that he never told anyone about HIS birthday and he sure didn't want to spend valuable work time singing about it.

Yes, I am sure he is a dedicated employee and looking out for the institutions best interest, but I am concerned about his ability to get ahead.

A Hallowed Halloween Tradition

"I dont think I should be compelled to spend a small fortune on candy for children I don't even know when I don't even give my own children candy...Do I!"

The preceding is a direct quote from my wife, Diane, when I told her I was going to post about our Halloween tradition.

We have, for years, had traditions revolving around our family celebrations of Christmas, Thanksgiving...all the big ones, really. It has only been in the past few years that we have begun to develop a solid Halloween tradition.

It all started with the feeling that Diane expressed in the above quote. So, we started turning out the lights and hiding from the few children that braved our cul-de-sac. Apparently the lights out on the porch code means that kids can expect nothing from the grumpy people in this house. And, the tradition has evolved into what we have done the past few years.

This year, Diane's parents, Shevannah and Ivan and Rebekah came over, and we also had all the kids except Emily. They all clandestinely slipped into the backyard with us just before dark and we doused the lights to show those hoodlums that we would not be participating in their pagan rituals and processed sugar fests.

Diane made up some delicious Chili and puts together some spiced apple cider for us to sip while we watch a movie. She started off the evening by letting us know that she was the Halloween Grinch and, again, she doesn't want to give out candy and compromise the immune systems of complete strangers, then we dove in to our evening,

This time, we took in an old family favorite, Arsenic and Old Lace. The best part of that is, it all happens on Halloween.

After the show, we lit up a fire and everyone hung out and chatted for a good bit, because its not as much fun if you don't get to talk about what's what.

As it turns out, I was the only one in costume, but we still enjoyed. Maybe you can come join us sometime as we boycott a holiday and make a fun tradition.

The Giver

Got to hang out with the kids tonight at the cheap theater, where we caught a showing of The Giver.

Here's some impressions:

I enjoyed Rooster Cogburn in the main role. Mainly cause I kept thinking of Rooster Cogburn, and Tron and Tucker and The Dude.

It seemed to have elements that reminded me greatly of  Equilibrium , Logan's Run and Divergent.

I do enjoy those sort of movies, but I wonder if I would have been just as entertained if I watched them again. By the way, if you haven't seen those, maybe they should be your choice.

That being said, The Giver was suspenseful, thought provoking and entertaining, so I didn't have a bad experience at all. Plus, my kids are fun!