Independence Birthday

Every year the 4th of July is a busy time around here. Of course as one will find in the history book(s) the Colonies in what later is labeled the U.S.A had something to say and declared as much on July 4th 1776. This is 241 years ago, it is amazing to me how much can happen in 241 years. In the big scheme of things this really isn't that much time yet we are so far from where we started. (or as The Doctor might explain: "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly... timey-wimey... stuff.") Yet in what amounts to a blink of an eye in space and time, our daughter Jacqueline was born 20 years ago. In a quick side note, Jacq has always been able to enjoy something closer to a european music festival vs. a birthday celebration as it tends to stretch out over several days. (on the side of the side note, Soft Cell's Tainted Love is now playing on the radio there are numerous connections to what I was just saying as well as the memories it produces). In part this is due to the fact that she was born in Furth, Germany and while it was 6:33 in morning on the 5th it was still the 4th of July here in the States when I called to notify all of the parental units. And so from the beginning she had two birthdays, not unlike the fact that our friends to the north celebrate Thanksgiving in October yet we all know it is intended to be in November. Or Boxing Day for example, well this doesn't prove my point at all but is in fact a holiday that has nothing to do with Boxing. Oh yes now back to celebrating Jacq's birthday, Happy Birthday Jacqueline! So our Independence Day celebration has always included rounds of Happy Birthday, gift giving and celebrating both the National and Personal holiday. And so since her day of birth in Germany she has gone on to travel to Mexico, the Philippines and most recently the exotic lands of Colorado (let's be honest it is foreign land these days). So our little girl has traveled the globe over the years and I find myself extremely proud of this fact. Especially if we overlay this fact with the celebration of Independence Day, do you realize how very little Americans know about the modern world? Do you realize how very little Americans know about America? Man on the street interviews are all the rage these days and with good reason they are entertaining. Yet they are an indication of how we are drifting as a society, only a small percentage of Americans could pass the citizenship test today. Beyond the history and book knowledge there is just the experience of other cultures and some exposure to where others are coming from in their thoughts and feelings. Living abroad had an indelible impact on me and it just makes sense to me that one born on or about Independence day would go on to have a great compassion for the the people of the world and a heart so full of love and joy. One who longs to bring joy to everyone to include the least fortunate (by world standards not our american version). So here's to you kid, I and so many are big fans! Happy Birthday!

Forehead Sprawl

So the other day I'm playing golf, well what I mean by this is I was on a golf course with clubs and all the required equipment and various accouterments. Oh and I do know how to keep score but I digress. In fact I should back up, before heading out onto the Links (note the golfer slang there) I was offered sunscreen by my caring and skin care conscious friend. Ah yes, good idea I certainly need to care for my porcelain skin and so I apply liberally on my legs. Now this is an interesting choice what about arms, face, neck...oh I don't know just about every where else. Fair question but all I can tell you is my redneck-esque decision making is not a new phenomenon. Nevertheless at the end of the round, in addition to being well hydrated I've also been kissed by the sun. As you might guess it was more than a simple kiss this was more of something that requires a marriage license. It isn't long before I see it, I'm standing before a mirror and there it is... My forehead is a shade of red that should be reserved for a well prepared filet mignon. Yes, what I need is additional assistance in directing even more attention to myself. But this, this is something else all together. My rather large forehead is now highlighted like a traffic cone or beacon in the darkness. It in fact is my very own lighthouse warning passers by to stay clear. But none of this is the point really, the point is what is going on with my forehead? It clearly is much too large and from my own recollection it is now growing. In giving this some thought...it is obvious that my forehead is on the move like urban sprawl. Not unlike tectonic shifts that brought people to north america those same folks could find themselves wandering aimlessly across my noggin. This shift seems to be moving at an ever increasing if not exponential rate. As in all fairy tells there is a happy ending here, all that redneckness comes in handy since by the next day i'm back down several shades of red and rocking the farmer tan like a hoss... and they lived happily ever after he and his elephantine forehead. The End.