Story of my life

Let your day be full of dreams.  They may seem silly, but it's the reason for living!

A Change is Gonna Come

Hello my friends,

  I guess we all struggle with something, and I try to remember that as I go through my own rough patches.  Sometimes our own struggles seem to be all we can see, though.  And, so as I was sitting here, trying to figure out just what I could and couldn't do, I heard this song come on.

    This song has a tendency to force me to realize that my own problems are small in comparison with some others in this world.  But, It gives me great hope as well.   When this song was written and performed, hope was there for change but it was by no means a given for so many people.  As I look at things now, despite continuing struggles, great strides have come for black people in this country -- and I would argue for white people, too, because living a life of subjugation is no fun by far, but it is also very damaging to be subjugating others.  As a country, we have grown, and continue to do so.
  So, with that same hope, I look at those things that hammer at my mind and soul.  If I can only hang on, continue to be as smart as I can be, as level-headed as I can be, in time a change will come.

A question of interest

Hello All;

  Recently, my parents came up from Florida on their way to their home in northern Michigan, stopping at my home for a visit.  I mentioned that in a prior post.  What I didn't mention is the change in television programming in the Randy household.
  To be honest, if it weren't for their occasional visits, I'd likely drop the television portion of my way overpriced cable/internet package.  I so very rarely have the tv on, it's more typically a surprise to see what is on tv now.  And, what I found when their interests were allowed access to the remote control was a lot of shows about gun violence in one form or another.  I thought that very interesting.
  Now, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the occasional shoot-'em-up action show.  But, I was really surprised by the number of times a character matter-of-factly pulled out a weapon and pulled the trigger.
  There was a research project done in the '70's showing kids violent programs on television and then observing their play afterward.  I won't bother with a link, it's famous enough for a simple google search.  The point found was that violence observed in the children's entertainment very likely to find violence observed following in their play.  Of course, there is a huge difference between kids and adults.  Adults are bigger and have access to more weapons....
  So, in truth, the question that comes to my mind is this:  are the shows so prevelent on tv right now that incorporate violence as a simple matter plot and normalcy influencing the rise in violence in our culture?  Or, is the rise in violence in our culture mirrored by the things we find interesting and entertaining and therefor financially lucrative to television programmers?

  I can't help but to remember my favorite shows in the '80's growing up.  Family Ties with Alex P. Keaton (Michael Fox).  Cheers with Sam Malone - who now portrays a CSI person who investigates horrific murders.  Cosby show.... which had absolutely nothing to do with guns.   Now, were there shows that did?  sure.   Blossom.  Give Me a Break, with Nell Carter. Even Hill Street Blues didn't show the guns all that often!

  So, here is my second question:  If the things we saw as interesting, entertaining and exciting were shows about life, love, hope, happiness, mystery, etc., would our society be different or would we be so drawn to the shows that were about violence and guns that the networks would go broke?
 

Needs to be seen

I find this uncomfortable

Why is it that these two look so similar to me?

Welcome to 2015

Ok, I know, odd way to start a post in early May.  It's not like it's a New Year's post.  But, sort of a welcome to the present day, for me at least.

As you may or may not have noticed, depending on if you were here before, I've not posted in a few days.  My parents came up from Florida on their way to the great white north, completing their annual migratory travels of fleeing winter and then fleeing the melt down that comes with Florida in the summer.  So, they stopped here for a few days, which brings about a few activities.  Those being:  Clean the house before they get here; and, put my life back together when they leave.  While they are here, my sleeping and eating and every other imaginable routine I have is tossed out the window.
 But, it's always worth it, if for no other reason than to get some of Momma's cooking!

  Also, while they were here, they surprised me with a trip to the local Verizon store and bought me a new phone.  For some reason, the flip phone I've been using for many years is not sufficient anymore.
 I don't know why?  I can usually still hear the people who call me.  Usually.  And, that whole texting new-age mumbo-jumbo?  Bah!  Ok, it was bad.  The younger people at work laugh at me.  Even the old people laugh at me..... starting to see a pattern there.
  So, I now have an i6.
 Have no idea how to use it.  I hear they are great.  I figure I should have it down just about the time the kids are laughing at me again for carrying around that old i6 phone instead of the i88, or whatever
is happening by then.  But, my thoughts are:  If it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough.... no wait, different one....  hugs