Christmas Carols

I've been listening to the radio and most of the stations are playing Christmas Carols - which makes sense because Christmas is right around the corner.  In case you were wondering, this year Christmas falls on December 25th.  So in honor of the Christmas holiday I decided to listen, really listen, to the lyrics of some of these songs.  While the majority of the Carols are nice, inspirational or somewhat fun, the balance are, well, not.

For me, the Christmas music season doesn't begin until I hear an Andy Williams song such as "It's the Most Wonderful  Time of the Year".  After I hear that I've had enough, and I tune into the sports station.  Nah, not really.  But there are stations that, from Thanksgiving through Christmas day, play nothing but Christmas Carols wall-to-wall, 24/7.  And you gotta figure, with all of that time to play music, there has to be at least one or two or dozens of duds among the good music that is there just to fill some time.  Basing our calculations on 744 hours of available time, and figuring in the car sales commercials and news blips every hour, let's estimate the time allotted for music is about 29,760 minutes.  The average Christmas Carol is roughly 3 minutes long, so that means that radio stations play, on average, 9,920 Christmas Carols during the Christmas season!  Now, I don't care how much you like these songs, there has to be one or two among the almost 10,000 Carols that you may not like.  I know a few of you are saying to yourselves "only one or two?  How about 9,919 of them?", leaving room, of course, for Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful  Time of the Year".  Grinches, every one of you!!!

Here are just a few of the gems that are out there.  The old classic "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is beloved by most kids and adults alike, but have you ever really listened to the words?  "All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games."  Are ya kidding me?  What a bunch of brats!  Oh, but then, Santa asks him to guide his sleigh and immediately "then all the reindeer loved him..."  Who knew that reindeer were such a fickle, brown-nosing group of animals? (My wife just reminded me that Rudolph has a red nose...since she's not allowed to be funnier than me I will claim I thought of that myself.)  Santa should have benched the reindeer that were making fun of Rudolph for a year and see how THEY liked it!  Benched the reindeer...maybe I should start listening to more Christmas music and less sports radio, eh?

Another song that I wonder about is  "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".  Sounds innocent enough, right?  Wrong!  Listen to some of the words.  "Oh bring us some figgy pudding, oh bring us some figgy pudding, oh bring us some figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer".  Don't you love guests that demand not once but three times for you to bring them something?  Oh, but it gets better..."We won't go until we get some, we won't go until we get some,we won't go until we get some,so bring some out here".  Did you know there is a second verse to the song?  It goes "Just get out of my house now, just get out of my house now, just get out of my house now, but leave the presents here!"  Ungrateful snobs, I'll show you.  A bit rude, I grant you, but justified all the same.

Of course there are the songs that are designed to be a bit ridiculous, such as "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer".  My guess is it was one of the reindeer that Santa should have benched...but I digress.  Another classic is "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"...I won't even comment on that one.  Then there's "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".  Did you know that when that came out there was major controversy over the meaning of the song?  Oh how times have changed!

Granted, there are hundreds of Christmas carols, but most radio stations play a limited number of them, so the likelihood of hearing one of these classics is very good.  I know you may be thinking what a Scrooge I must be, pointing out flaws in Christmas music.  Not true.  I am forced to write this stuff down, otherwise I might explode, and although that may be acceptable for a Fourth of July celebration, on Christmas it just won't fly.  Kind of like the reindeer that Santa should bench.

Let me leave you with this.  My favorite Christmas special on TV is "A Charlie Brown Christmas" because it is the only one I've ever seen that gives the actual meaning of Christmas.  And in this politically correct world we live in (don't get me started about that) it is still refreshing that every year Linus quotes the Bible regarding the birth of Christ, and gives the real meaning behind Christmas.  The clip, of course, is on You Tube.  So if you find yourself up against the grinches and Scrooges of the world, or you get depressed listening to the lyrics of Christmas Carols (thanks to yours truly), remember the words of Linus van Pelt and the real meaning of Christmas.  We here at TK's Random Thoughts wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

Veterans Day

Every year on November 11th we celebrate the men and women who have selflessly served in the United States military.  Originally this was the date was called "Armistice Day" commemorating the armistice between Germany and the allied nations ending World War I.  Armistice Day was originally meant to honor those who served in that war, however the decision was made in 1954 to change to name to "Veterans Day" which was meant to honor all American veterans regardless of when or where they had served.  Each year the President issues a Proclamation which officially proclaims November 11th as Veterans Day.

In honor of Veterans Day most federal offices are closed - and as with other holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day I often wonder if the people who have that day off actually ever think of the reason for the closings.  When was the last time you thanked a veteran for their service to their country?  I hope you have, and I hope it was recently.  A story comes to mind that my son told me.  He is in the Air Force Air National Guard and talked to me about a train trip he took from CT to his base in MA a few years back.  He was dressed in his fatigues (camouflage uniform) which is the way they travel to and from their monthly drill.  As he was getting on the train a woman came up to him and said "thank you for your service to our country".  I believe he responded by saying something like "you're welcome" and I know he was a bit embarrassed by the event, but I know he will always remember it and be grateful that someone loved this country and its military enough to thank him for his service.

I have also seen times at airports where troops are returning home from overseas, and as they come into the airport from the plane sporadic applause breaks out among the people in the airport.  I love hearing about that.  If Vietnam taught us one thing it is to respect the men and women that selflessly defend and serve our country day in and day out.  Those veterans did not earn any of the ridicule they received on their return home, and I believe it is important to let them know that by giving them our thanks whenever we can.

So this Veterans Day, and any other day you think to, please thank a veteran for his or her service to our country.  All of the God given freedoms of this great land have been bought and paid for by our veterans.  The number one function of the federal government is to keep our people safe; that is accomplished by having a strong military both here and, when necessary, abroad.  When speaking of our military, an unknown author once penned "Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."  Many years ago, my wife and I were at my son's graduation from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas, and this was brought home to us in a very real way during their Oath of Enlistment.  I unfortunately do not remember the exact words, but they pledged to defend this country if need be with their lives.  That shook me to my core - of course because I was hearing my son say these words, but also because of the hundreds of other airmen that were saying the same thing...and meaning it.

How about this for an idea?  Grab a veteran (be easy though!) and buy him or her a cup of coffee.  Or,  just merely thank them for their service.  Will they be embarrassed?  Perhaps.  But, as with my son, it is something they will probably remember for the rest of their lives.  To everyone who has served, such as my father in law, and my two friends named Jim, and to those who presently serve, thank you for what you have done and what you do for our country.  We owe you more than can be repaid.  Happy Veterans Day!

Words

How in the world can anyone that hasn't spoken English since birth actually learn the language?  And before you start ranking on me, I know kids cannot speak English when they are first born, it's a figure of speech.  They do, however, speak fluent Scream.  The female of the species will continue to speak Scream throughout their lives while the male of the species will only speak Scream on unique occasions, such as when your team wins the World Series for the first time in 86 years.  I'm still a bit horse from October of 2004!

Okay, how many of you caught the word "horse" in the last sentence?  Obviously one cannot be horse, but one can be hoarse, unless you are a horse, because a horse can't be hoarse.  (Sounds like a verse from the TV show "Mr. Ed", doesn't it? If you are younger than 50 years old, just trust me, it does.)  Have you ever thought about how many words in the English language either sound exactly the same or are spelled the same with totally different meanings?  I doubt you have, so it is a good thing you tuned into this blog as I have done the thinking for you.  A scary thought, I know, but true none the less. 

Homophone.  That's the name of a word that is pronounced the same as another but has a different meaning.  I'll bet you didn't even know that those words had a name, did you?  See the things you learn here?  By the time you finish reading this blog you will have earned 12 college credits which will be transferable to any major college in the United States...if you actually read all thirty-something blogs you will have earned the equivalent of a full fledged college degree...a BS, of  course.

Back to the words.  Here's a sample paragraph that illustrates just how confusing our language can be:

I like to right.  I no some people are board with reading so ewe don't have to reed this if you don't want two - it is up to you to chews weather or knot too.  Ore, you can dew something different, like talk on you're sell phone...or knot.  Go dew what you are lead two do.  Ewe can paint the sealing, clean the seller (witch may take you a few daze), have a bowl of serial, wash you're feat, oar pick sum flours - butt not in the reign.  Whatever you choose two due, bee my guessed.

With all of the different words, spellings and meanings, I thought to myself "how can anyone learn English"?   Then I thought to myself "you gotta stop thinking, this is getting too exhausting".  To the person that only speaks English other languages are very confusing.  Take Chinese, for instance.  The word for "Chinese" in Chinese is 中国 and is pronounced something like "chun coa".  The word for "Swedish" in Swedish is 中国 and at first glance looks remarkably like the Chinese rendition of "Chinese".  Actually the "copy & paste" option on my laptop didn't work quite right...let's try that again, shall we?  The Swedish word for "Swedish" is "Svenska".  Speaking of Swedish, they have some interesting words too.  The Swedish word for "glass" is "glos" (pronounced gloss) while the Swedish word for ice cream is literally "glass".  Can you see the danger in ordering dessert there?

Even English words are often times not pronounced as they are written.  Words like "honor" should be pronounced as ha-onor.  Or how about "ballet"?  That should be pronounced ballot, however since there already was a word called ballot some genius decided to make the "et" sound like an "a".  The city of Worcester is pronounced "wooster".  The town of Occum is also pronounced "wooster"...who knew?

Most people don't know that I am multilingual, meaning I can swear in 18 different languages.  Actually that's not true...only in about 12.  Why is it that when someone meets another person who speaks a different language, the first question isn't "how do you say 'how are you' in your language" but "how do you say $#!%"?  Don't deny it, you know you've done that.  Someone once said swearing was invented as a compromise between running away and fighting.  Rather than swearing, running or fighting, I think I'll use the only other alternative to get my point across...the language Scream!  WADDYA THINK, HUH?!?

Two Walks, a Wedding and McDreamy

It's been a busy few weeks here at TK's Random Thoughts!  The weekend of September 24th was wicked busy to coin a phrase.  There were two Walks to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer, ours here in Connecticut and the other in Rhode Island.  And sandwiched in between our "fourth son" got married to his beautiful bride...it was quite the weekend.  My congratulations to Rashaun and Jen!!!  Their smiles lit up the place more than any bright lights could have.

I know, ladies, all that is well and good but what about McDreamy???  You'll have to wait for it.  (Oh the joys of being a writer and having the power to make people wait for things.)  What's that?  They can skip to the end rather than read the entire blog?  Oh pullease, no one would EVER do that to one of MY blogs!  Right???

If you have never attended a Walk/Run to Break the Silence, first of all, shame on you!  However, if you have never heard of them I will give you a pass - and tell you that next year's CT walk is scheduled for Saturday September 22nd so now you have no excuse!  The walks are to raise funds for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) whose mission is to raise awareness and promote education about ovarian cancer.  Their goal is not to raise money for research as there are other organizations that do a good job with that.  Rather, educating women and men across the country about the disease is what they do and they do it very well.  You see, since there is no definitive screening test for ovarian cancer it is very important to know the symptoms because, if caught early, the five year survival rate is over 90%.  However, if it is only diagnosed in later stages the prognosis is poor.  Of the roughly 20,000 women who are diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer about 15,000 will die.  This is why education about the disease is so vitally important.  I urge you to take a moment and go to www.ovarian.org and learn more about this.  Many of you know why my wife and I are involved with this great organization as she is an 8 year survivor of the disease, so this is personal to us.  Go look at the website RIGHT NOW!  I'll wait..........but don't forget to come back!

Glad to have you back.  Briefly back to the walks then we'll get to McDreamy.  The walks are a beautiful testimonial to the women and their families who have gone through the battle with ovarian cancer, are presently going through the battle, or who have lost their battle with the disease.  All I can tell you is to try to attend a walk near you as they are located throughout the United States, mostly in September.  The stories you will hear, the education you will receive, and the laughter and tears are all part of a wonderful day of celebration, remembrance and love that you have to experience for yourself.

OK, ladies, you have been patient.  My wife now works for the NOCC and one of her functions as the Faces of Hope Program Coordinator for newly diagnosed women is to visit hospitals and sometimes man a booth (or would that be WOman a booth?) at different locations throughout the U.S.  One such event occurred the weekend of October 8th in Maine which is known as the Dempsey Challenge.  This is an annual event in Lewiston Maine which raises money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing.  Dempsey started the center in honor of his mother who is a survivor of ovarian cancer, and their services are free of charge so events such as this are very important.  My wife and two of her colleagues attended the event for the NOCC.  And if you haven't figured it out yet (yeah, right) Patrick Dempsey plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka Dr. McDreamy, on the TV show Grey's Anatomy.  Did they get to meet him?  You tell me...

You know, now that this guy had his picture taken with Madonna, Ronni and Donna I'll bet he becomes famous...how can he miss?  Let's see, if I photoshop him out and put my picture in maybe I'll have a shot at becoming famous!  Nah, who needs it.  Besides, does McDreamy write a blog that is read in Latvia?

10 Years Later - A Tribute

I posted this last night but I wanted also to post it today, on this solemn anniversary.

There are moments that seem to make time stand still; some good and some bad.  Those of us who are of age remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on November 22, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was shot.  I was seven years old and in school when the janitor came into our classroom to tell the teacher, who began to cry silently.  We then heard the news over the PA system.  I knew at the time that this was a big event, and as time passed it became a defining moment in America.  Most of us also remember the evening of July 20, 1969 when the crew of Apollo 11 became the first humans to land on the surface of the moon.  This event made the name Neil Armstrong a household name.  It was a proud moment in our nation's history, and I remember watching this on TV in amazement.  There were, of course, many other events that helped shape the United States dating back to the birth of our nation back in 1776.  One such event occurred exactly 10 years ago today, and if you are too young to remember the assassination of JFK or even the first moon landing, the events of September 11, 2001 are probably seared into your memory.

As with any other momentous event, everyone probably remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing on that beautiful sunny morning.  I had just completed setting up an insurance program for a local logging company when I noticed that all of the other employees of the agency were standing around in shock talking to one another.  From that moment through the rest of the day the phone did not ring, except for family members checking in.  Since our agency normally received about 50 calls a day, this fact alone was a telling statement of the significance of the events of that day.

We Americans are an interesting group of people.  Thousands of people pass each other on the streets of large cities and towns without even acknowledging one another...that's just the way it is.  We do not consider that rude;  to quote a good friend of mine, "it is what it is!"  However, on that day, when the United States of America stared directly into the face of pure evil, people all across the nation got together to do whatever it was they could do.  Many lined up to give blood at local blood banks, and most donated what money they could to organizations such as the Red Cross to help in whatever efforts they could provide. Days later I remember dropping donations into a fireman's boot at the exit of a local shopping mall, which caused a back-up of traffic leaving the mall...and not one person complained; rather, each gave what they could, very patiently.

I purposely do not want to relive the specific events of that day as we remember all too well what happened in New York City, Washington DC and in Pennsylvania.  Rather, my wish, my prayer, for the country is to never forget what happened and to continue to fight the war on terrorism.  The nearly 3,000 innocent people that perished that day did not die in vain.  The thousands of soldiers that have died since that day have not died in vain.  Our way of life, the very soul of this country was shaken to the core that day.  Because of that, we cannot stand by complacent, hoping that nothing else will happen.  We must, however, continue to go about our normal business with family, friends and business partners, but we must also remain vigilant.

So on this day let us remember the scores of people who died and those who gave their lives, and continue to give their lives, in the battle over the evil in this world.  And let us also remember that on that day we as a people did not roll over and cower in fright, but rather we, beginning with the brave heroes on Flight 93, began to take up the challenge against the powers in this world that would do us harm.  Let's continue the good fight, and may God Bless the United States of America.

5 Days, 10 Hours, 41 Minutes

It's interesting that I mentioned electricity in my last blog, almost like I had a foreshadowing of what was to come.  A lady by the name of Irene stopped by for an uninvited visit and she stayed around just long enough to reek havoc on all she touched.  Ever meet a woman like that?  Many guys have had experiences with a woman that you spent too much money on, only to get raked over the coals and dumped later on.  But I'll bet that you didn't spend millions of dollars on her just to have her take all of your food, water and power.  If you did, you should stop reading this blog right now and go check yourself into a clinic somewhere because you have some major issues, my friend.

5 Days, 10 Hours and 41 Minutes.  That is how long Tropical Storm Irene stole our electricity.  And this was only a tropical storm.  I can only imagine what kind of damage this storm would have produced as a Category 1, 2 or higher hurricane.  I know that many of you have been through worse.  Here in CT we remember Irene's Aunt Gloria and her Uncle Bob stopping by back in the 1985 and 1991, also uninvited.  Just as an aside, ever wonder why a hurricane only has a first name?  You have???  Then you've got way too much time on your hands...why haven't you checked yourself into that clinic yet?

I thought I would keep a diary of the daily happenings during the storm.  I've never been one to keep a diary but I thought what the heck, it's only going to be a day or two tops.

Dear Diary - Day One: Power goes out first thing in the morning.  I turn the front light on so that if I am away from home I will be able to tell if we have power restored before I enter the house.  Fully expecting the loss of power so I'm prepared with a bathtub full of water to flush the toilet.  By the way, did you know that the best way to flush a toilet with no running water is to fill the tank with water and then flush it like you normally do?  That way there is clean water in the bowl which, in a pinch, can be used for, oh I don't know, maybe brushing your teeth.

Dear Diary - Day Two: Power still out.  Already getting sick of turning the light switches on and off thinking if I do it often enough something might happen - other than ticking me off.  Sponge bath time.  What a miserable way of getting clean.  But it beats brushing your teeth in the toilet.

Diary - Day Three: Power no where to be seen.  We have underground power lines at our house so why should we bear the brunt of downed poles and lines?  That's just not fair! For that reason alone we should have power! Give me my power back!  Having to invent ways of getting clean...cold water from the tub is not much fun.  Thought of taking a semi-shower in the toilet but couldn't fit.  Besides, who wants to take a shower where you brush your teeth?

HEY Diary! Day Four: Ornery?  WHO'S ORNEY?  No bleeping electricity.  Sick of listening to the generators in the neighborhood.  Why don't you people get a quiet generator?!?  Then I remember mine is just as loud...doesn't matter!  May as well go outside and clean up after the storm.  Of course I come in soaked from sweat from head to toe with no way of washing up.  What a horrible trick you pulled, Irene - making me clean up after you, without the means to clean myself up!  What kind of a woman are you???  My father taught me never to hit a woman, but if you were here right now...

HEY YOU MISERABLE DIARY - Day Five: Cursing Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and whoever else had ANYTHING to do with that electricity stuff.  The weather is gorgeous outside which ticks me off in two ways; first, because I'm miserable it should be bad weather so EVERYONE can be miserable!  And second, I think if it rains all I would need is some shampoo and soap - and a secluded area of my yard.  Yup, THAT desperate!

Then, some 5 days, 10 hours and 41 minutes later I come home and see the front light on.  YEEHAA!!!  We have power!!!  The first thing I do is run around the house and turn on every light and major appliance just to make up for lost time.  Then I hear the roar of a neighbor's generator which is still running.  Armed with a sawed-off shotgun I venture over to their yard and unload two rounds into that monstrous machine - I guess I still had some pent up frustration, no?

You'll be happy to know I feel much better now now that I have power, water and three square meals a day.  Not at home, mind you, but in a jail cell awaiting sentencing...Goodnight Irene!

Food

I thought of doing a blog of just one word.  Just one word written down and then published as a blog.  I don't know if it has ever been done in the history of the universe (or blogosphere as it is called).  I would love to be the first to do it but alas if it is to be it is obviously not this blog.  But it would be so much easier just to put the one word down, don't you think?  This has absolutely nothing to do with the subject I will be talking about - I just thought "what an interesting idea, no?"  No?!?  Okay, back to reality...here we go.

Food.  There it is.  The one word that I was thinking about using in my One Word Blog.  Why food?  Mainly because every person has to at least think about it every day and most people consume it every day too.  Unless, of course, you are on a hunger strike - but then, why read a blog about food if you are not going to eat it (the food, not the blog...although, this one is full of baloney so munch away my friends).

I always thought it was interesting that one of the very things that is necessary for life can also make us sick.  I suppose there are a lot of things like that though, such as electricity.  Although it isn't necessary for life, electricity has made life much easier - and it has hurt and even killed people.  What a dichotomy!  (Yup, had to look up the spelling on that word.)  For the most part food is safe, unless you happen to be one of the unlucky ones that eats something tainted with salmonella.  I used to live next door to a guy named Sal Manilla.  And he always looked rather pekid...I wonder why?  But I digress...

Even the government gets involved in food.  Did you ever see the Food Pyramid?  Supposedly the foods at the bottom of the pyramid were the best for you and food at the top not so much.  But, as with any other government project they didn't think this one through.  After all, the Food Pyramid is in the shape of a piece of pizza!

Have you ever read the ingredients on some of the so-called food items out there?  I think that if the list of ingredients in a box of any type of food is over an inch long with type so small it has to be read with an electron microscope it shouldn't be consumed.  Not only that, but the ingredients themselves can't even be pronounced.  You have to have a doctorate in Word Pronunciation to attempt it, so for crying out loud DON'T try this at home!  I, however, will do just that.  Here goes - try to guess what food item this ingredient is in: Transmultilaxidosical Extract.  Give up?  Me too, I just made it up.  But, the mere fact that you probably thought it was an actual ingredient is not a good thing.  It means that you already know there are tons of words like that in our food and we take it for granted that they are okay to consume because, well, it's food!  Let the Buyer Beware!

While writing this I tried to find a product here in the house that I could use to prove my point and I could not come up with anything outlandish. Want to know why?  Because my wife has turned our house into an Organic Wonderland and pretty much nothing here has any words like Transmultilaxidosical Extract.  I'm not complaining, mind you, but searching in the back of the food pantry for a stray Oreo is getting real old.  The closest thing we have to junk food here is sugar.  Yes, sugar.  ORGANIC sugar!  Every few months or so a Ben & Jerry's finds its way into the Organic Wonderland and it is consumed before it has time to make it to the freezer.  Poor Ben & Jerry's, it never stands a chance.

Everyone is on a diet - I think it's a law, possibly one of the Amendments to the Constitution.  Of course if you are on a diet that's exactly what you are trying to do...amend your constitution!  Dieting is not easy.  I did it once.  I did the Weight Watchers plan for about a month and lost 12 pounds.  That was 18 pounds ago.  My wife lost over 120 pounds back about 10 years ago - yes, she misplaced our German Shepherd!  No, we never had a German Shepherd.  We do have friends in Germany, does that count?  But again I digress...  She actually did lose all that weight by herself on Weight Watchers.  And I can assure you that it wasn't by eating Transmultilaxidosical Extract.

So you see my feasting friends, food is a very important thing, which is why, of course, it found its way into this blog!  After all, we here at TK's Random Thoughts only talk about the most interesting and important subjects.  Don't believe me?  Look back on blogs from the past and you will see such important discussions such as ladies purses, taxes, and of course the bathroom.  So continue to stop by and be enlightened.  Or if you eat too little food you can become lightened...I guess.  Let me leave you with this thought; some people live to eat, and others eat to live.  I eat to live - unless of course there is a burger and fries lurking around!