22 October 2011

Three little words...I forgive you


He stood there quiet, silently
Not knowing what to say
Although for many, many months
He’d dreamt of this very day.
A million thoughts ran through his head
But none would dare be spoken
Words all failed, no tongue release
More than “thanks,” a mere token
He’d been forgiven more, by far
Than aught he held begrudged
Yet to forgive so suddenly
He could not yet be budged
His mind did wander all afternoon
The dusty halls of the past
Sometimes wistful, often painful
Scars that yet did last.
He knew that he could only keep
Himself captive, bound in chains
Forgiveness looses not the sinner
But the self-righteous saint who remains
The vile cup of bitterness
Drunk to its very dregs
Will destroy only the bibber
Who, for pity, secretly begs
He hides behind his boastful strength
Not betraying what’s inside
Holding back the release of guilt
Like holding back the tide
Freedom comes not from keeping
Wounds open, without care
But from saying that he will not keep
These hurts held close, not bare
“I’m sorry,” two hard words to say
So hard to another give
But harder still, a bitter pill
To say that “I forgive.”



16 October 2011

Dan Wheldon (1978– 2011)

I'm not a real big Indy car fan, I haven't kept up with the sport since the days of Danny Sullivan and Arie Luyendyk. But the tragedy today has really got me down. Maybe it's the two young sons Dan Wheldon left behind, just 2 1/2yrs and 7 months. Or maybe the fact that Wheldon was universally liked and respected among the drivers, always smiling, always joking. Just 33 years old, winner of this year's Indy 500 but without a ride much of the season, he had just this morning signed a contract to replace Danica Patrick next season, and today was supposed to be a big opportunity for Wheldon and a lucky fan to split $5mil if he could win. Instead, the day saw one of the worst crashes in open wheel racing I can recall, and now two little kids will grow up without their Dad.

So many of the drivers said the track was too fast, the cars were too even, the racing too tight. In NASCAR, you can rub fenders, tap bumpers. But in an Indy car, that nudge launches the cars like an airplane. Into the catch fence. And in an instant a likeable, friendly, talented young man is taken away from his friends, his team, and his family.

While looking for the pic, I found this article, written just two short years ago. To all the drivers we love to watch; hug your family tonight.

Godspeed, Dan Wheldon (22 June 1978 – 16 October 2011).

10 October 2011

Prejudice

It’s been a painful road to where I am today. But it’s time I admit it. To myself, if to no one else, because most people that know me already learned this about me years ago. But there’s one thing right about what all those “hope & change” people (is this really what y’all had in mind?!?) borrowed from Ghandi: “You must be the change you hope to see.”

So today, in front of God and all my friends…

I admit it…

I’m prejudiced.

That’s right, I willfully and joyfully, with a great determination, actively discriminate.

I’m a Stupidist. I’m prejudiced against stupid people.

Most can’t help it, but I don’t care.

I don’t want them working on my truck. I don’t want them fixin my food. I don’t want them handling my money at the bank, sewing my clothes, or running my apartment complex. I don’t want them paving my roads, writing my newspapers or posting on my news sites.

I wish they’d all go back where they came from… but they’re not smart enough to find it.

And I don’t want them running my government. At any level.

But really, aren’t we ALL a little stupidist? Deep down inside, don’t we think they DESERVE whatever they get? We ALL discriminate against stupid people (except the ones that are too stupid to).

We just have different ideas about what stupid is.

You don’t listen to FoxNews. I don’t listen to MSNBC.

You think Glenn Beck is a moron. I think Bill Maher is a moron.

I don’t listen to either one of them. I’ll decide for myself who is stupid and who isn’t, thank you very much.

“Hi, my name is Steve, and I’m a Stupidist.”

“AND I’M PROUD OF IT!!!!”