Last week i went to mass at St. Mary Mother of the Church Roman Catholic Church (or St. Mary's Church, for short). Forgive me for the elongated name, but i was just introduced to 'Pushing Daisies'.
I don't feel like flowery talk or dramatic setups tonight
Toward the end of 'the service', as per usual, the children were invited to grab children's bulletins from Mr. Fr. Priest man. I'm starting to think that they do this more for the entertainment value. Kids are so stinking cute. So as i ogled at the prancing, skipping, running and mischievously wandering children maneuvering their way to and from the sanctuary, i noticed this one little kiddo (about 7 years, 4 months, 17 hours and 42 minutes old) who was standing petrifyingly still...for like 5 seconds, which doesn't seem like a long time, but it is when there is a whirlwind carnival of activity going on around you. Stand perfectly still for five seconds, i dare you. Now do it in the middle of an intersection. okay, don't...but i imagine your senses would be a bit more heightened for the second situation.
So, naturally, all my attention is focused on this kid (probably exactly what he's afraid of)...then i notice his eyes darting back and forth. "oh no," i thought, "he doesn't know where his family is sitting." so he takes a couple of 'is-this-where-i'm-supposed-to-go' steps...peeks around for a little bit, then bolts around the pews to a woman standing in the shadows.
He found his mommy.
.
.
.
Maybe it was because i've been Catholic all my life, maybe it's because i'm a momma's boy, but i love the Blessed Virgin Mary...like, a lot. So seeing that boy run to his mother's arms affected me...like, a lot. Something mysteriously started blurring my vision (maybe it's because i'm a momma's boy). It brought to mind the times i've been lost or scared or heading in the wrong direction and noticed mom, just standing there, waiting for me to love her again.
Catholicism is so beautiful in how we honor our Holy Mother, in that she's an example of openness to God's will in our lives, in that she knows how to suffer and, if for no other reason, she is the mother of God himself.
Your momma loves you.
Peace,
Daytona
05 February 2011
18 January 2011
Thievery
In principle i disagree with stealing. In some cases it can be entertaining...
After work last night i walked up the stairs to enter my apartment and noticed that i only had one bike leaning against the railing. Normally there are two. Before the story continues i think it to be necessary to give you a back story.
I ride my bike to school. Yes, i'm that guy. But before all you greenpeacers start to pat me on the back, I don't do it to save the planet or because i love trees, sorry (i mean, i do love trees, but generally appreciate them based on their climbability rating). I bike because i live less than 2 miles from campus and am otherwise a fatty (sedentary lifestyle type) and it benefits my health. That's right, it's all about me. As Brian Regan warns, beware of the me monster. (this story ain't nothin'!)
Last, oh, September(ish?, maybe October) i was riding my bike (not my luner rover) to school, as per usual. For reasons beyond my comprehension, i drifted toward the curb, hit the curb, flipped the bike (& flipped over my bike), rolled a couple times and came to rest on the strip of grass between the road and the sidewalk. The (relatively) comfortable landing place was a nice touch, until i sat up, looked around and saw a bus (full of fellow students, no doubt) drive along the other side of the road. Physical comfort momentarily gave way to psychological embarrassment. I check myself, check my bike, and the front wheel was pretty mangled, unridable really...something like this. I'd always intended to fix the bike tire. Instead of fixing it right away i, with the help of the Mr. Drew Lege discount, purchased a new one. So for three(ish) months the other bike has been just chillin' up there, unlocked, vulnerable, neglected (unloved).
...fast forward to last night...
That bike was missing when i returned from work last night. Was i upset? yeah...a little, because my bike was gone...and that's never cool. But i have another bike and i won't need to fix the tires on this one. And...how satisfied will the thief be when they discover (and they no doubt will quickly discover) that they stole a broken bike? To me, that's funny.
So if you see anyone riding around the Lafayette area in a wobbly-wheeled red bike with duct tape handle bars, it's mine...but you can let them have it. they deserve it.
Peace,
Daytona
After work last night i walked up the stairs to enter my apartment and noticed that i only had one bike leaning against the railing. Normally there are two. Before the story continues i think it to be necessary to give you a back story.
I ride my bike to school. Yes, i'm that guy. But before all you greenpeacers start to pat me on the back, I don't do it to save the planet or because i love trees, sorry (i mean, i do love trees, but generally appreciate them based on their climbability rating). I bike because i live less than 2 miles from campus and am otherwise a fatty (sedentary lifestyle type) and it benefits my health. That's right, it's all about me. As Brian Regan warns, beware of the me monster. (this story ain't nothin'!)
Last, oh, September(ish?, maybe October) i was riding my bike (not my luner rover) to school, as per usual. For reasons beyond my comprehension, i drifted toward the curb, hit the curb, flipped the bike (& flipped over my bike), rolled a couple times and came to rest on the strip of grass between the road and the sidewalk. The (relatively) comfortable landing place was a nice touch, until i sat up, looked around and saw a bus (full of fellow students, no doubt) drive along the other side of the road. Physical comfort momentarily gave way to psychological embarrassment. I check myself, check my bike, and the front wheel was pretty mangled, unridable really...something like this. I'd always intended to fix the bike tire. Instead of fixing it right away i, with the help of the Mr. Drew Lege discount, purchased a new one. So for three(ish) months the other bike has been just chillin' up there, unlocked, vulnerable, neglected (unloved).
...fast forward to last night...
That bike was missing when i returned from work last night. Was i upset? yeah...a little, because my bike was gone...and that's never cool. But i have another bike and i won't need to fix the tires on this one. And...how satisfied will the thief be when they discover (and they no doubt will quickly discover) that they stole a broken bike? To me, that's funny.
So if you see anyone riding around the Lafayette area in a wobbly-wheeled red bike with duct tape handle bars, it's mine...but you can let them have it. they deserve it.
Peace,
Daytona
13 January 2011
expectative observation
First day of school, first day of school.
The Spring 2011 semester at UL-L began yesterday. The first day is really for introducing text books, reviewing syllabuses (or syllabi as i prefer) and feeling out (not feeling up) your professors. These events lend themselves perfectly to the keeping of a running diary...
6:44 - I wake up, turn off the alarm, shuffle out of bed, drudge myself into the kitchen and do the sleepy-kid-stank-eye-good-morning-eye-rub to welcome the florescent buzzing of the light. Surprisingly, i slept well for not typically being a morning guy.
6:48 - I pour a bowl of Froot Loo...err...Tootie Fruities...into my new froot loops bowl given to me by my grandmother. Yes. My grandmother gave me a Froot Loops bowl. Two, as a matter of fact. And yes, they ARE awesome.
7:13 - get dressed...a lot.
7:23 - unlock the bike, ride to campus being thankful for the beard and an absolutely gorgeous day. yeah it was about 25 degrees...but it's winter. it's supposed to be.
7:36 - Divine Mercy Chaplet to start the day. Say hey to Jesus, supplicate, all that good stuff.
7:51 - break the ice shelf on the bird bath. throw ice in the air, watch it shatter upon impact. ya know, really mature stuff.
7:53 - trek from wisdom to my first class in Griffin-(dor!)
8:00 - sit down in class (inadvertently in the middle of the unofficial "minority circle"), thus becoming the cream in the ho-ho (or oreo, if you prefer).
**AVERTISSEMENT** please use caution when googling images for ho-hos...
8:15 - contrary to English being in the College of Liberal Arts, i decided this will be a BS class...(get it? Liberal Arts, BA, Bachelor of Arts? eh? eh??)
8: 30 - a joyous conversation with one Kelli Landry; inspired a semester of kick-assery. also ran into the lovely Kristin R.
8:45 - notice an abnormal amount of fur on women's boots. decide i should inform the student government (Annie Connolly) about enforcing some type of anti-arctic legislation.
8:50 - find out my creative writing prof. is a dork and Arkansas fan (unrelated...or are they?)
8:57 - decide that this, too, will be a BS class. wonder what i'm doing here and why.
9:00 - receive syllabus, wonder where and when the concept of the little circles at the bottom of desks developed (why don't we have a more silent way to scoot desks?)
9:18 - quotes from Corey (writing prof.): "I'm a cocky asshole." "Not here? Oh, i had her last semester. She dropped because she was failing. I probably shouldn't tell you that but none of you know Anesha. Yeah she failed."
9:40 - Released from ENGL 223. pine for intellectual stimulation.
9:45 - Meet Kristin (Christin?, Christen?, Kristen?, Cristen?) while waiting for FREN 362 to begin. She just came back from studying abroad...and is captivating. i told her i wouldn't mind studying a broad with her, ehh ohhhh...kidding, kidding (see there's a space there between the A and B, which makes it suggestive. and that's why it's funny). nice girl, though.
10:02 - panic attack comes with the realization of course requirements
10:03 - remember to breathe
10:15 - released from class, will see May Waggoner at noon
10:25 - Walk into Wisdom, embrace Erin Garrett, meet Rebecca (Rebekah?, Rebeccah?, Ribeckuh?) who will be taking the Praxis II Saturday, and chilled out for a moment with big Garrett.
10:43 - Walk to class w/ Annie D. and Kristin R.; talked about how the sidewalk isn't wide enough and how i know them better than they do. (false, btw...or is it?)
10:54 - bathroom break (no trashcan...eh)
10:57 - arrive in an overcrowded class..realize i have the hungry.
11:04 - Alyssaand Bess arrive in class, Bess gives a jolly "hey Dayton!" i compliment her hat.
11:10 - instructor reveals that her name actually means Rainbow-Music Forest (Hung-Chu Lin)
11:20 - we actually have class
11:27 - How'd Bess turn into Cameron??? mind blowing secrecy.
11:36 - Annie C. knew it was me who left the note about boots..
12:00 - trek across campus to see Dr. Wag again. See one Derek Landry sitting there. this'll be fun.
12:08 - laugh at same jokes as two hours ago
1:20 - pick up some Zeus; eat lunch with Aaron Breaux.
2:00 - trek home for a change, go to work until 11
We'll see...
- Daytona.
The Spring 2011 semester at UL-L began yesterday. The first day is really for introducing text books, reviewing syllabuses (or syllabi as i prefer) and feeling out (not feeling up) your professors. These events lend themselves perfectly to the keeping of a running diary...
6:44 - I wake up, turn off the alarm, shuffle out of bed, drudge myself into the kitchen and do the sleepy-kid-stank-eye-good-morning-eye-rub to welcome the florescent buzzing of the light. Surprisingly, i slept well for not typically being a morning guy.
6:48 - I pour a bowl of Froot Loo...err...Tootie Fruities...into my new froot loops bowl given to me by my grandmother. Yes. My grandmother gave me a Froot Loops bowl. Two, as a matter of fact. And yes, they ARE awesome.
7:13 - get dressed...a lot.
7:23 - unlock the bike, ride to campus being thankful for the beard and an absolutely gorgeous day. yeah it was about 25 degrees...but it's winter. it's supposed to be.
7:36 - Divine Mercy Chaplet to start the day. Say hey to Jesus, supplicate, all that good stuff.
7:51 - break the ice shelf on the bird bath. throw ice in the air, watch it shatter upon impact. ya know, really mature stuff.
7:53 - trek from wisdom to my first class in Griffin-(dor!)
8:00 - sit down in class (inadvertently in the middle of the unofficial "minority circle"), thus becoming the cream in the ho-ho (or oreo, if you prefer).
**AVERTISSEMENT** please use caution when googling images for ho-hos...
8:15 - contrary to English being in the College of Liberal Arts, i decided this will be a BS class...(get it? Liberal Arts, BA, Bachelor of Arts? eh? eh??)
8: 30 - a joyous conversation with one Kelli Landry; inspired a semester of kick-assery. also ran into the lovely Kristin R.
8:45 - notice an abnormal amount of fur on women's boots. decide i should inform the student government (Annie Connolly) about enforcing some type of anti-arctic legislation.
8:50 - find out my creative writing prof. is a dork and Arkansas fan (unrelated...or are they?)
8:57 - decide that this, too, will be a BS class. wonder what i'm doing here and why.
9:00 - receive syllabus, wonder where and when the concept of the little circles at the bottom of desks developed (why don't we have a more silent way to scoot desks?)
9:18 - quotes from Corey (writing prof.): "I'm a cocky asshole." "Not here? Oh, i had her last semester. She dropped because she was failing. I probably shouldn't tell you that but none of you know Anesha. Yeah she failed."
9:40 - Released from ENGL 223. pine for intellectual stimulation.
9:45 - Meet Kristin (Christin?, Christen?, Kristen?, Cristen?) while waiting for FREN 362 to begin. She just came back from studying abroad...and is captivating. i told her i wouldn't mind studying a broad with her, ehh ohhhh...kidding, kidding (see there's a space there between the A and B, which makes it suggestive. and that's why it's funny). nice girl, though.
10:02 - panic attack comes with the realization of course requirements
10:03 - remember to breathe
10:15 - released from class, will see May Waggoner at noon
10:25 - Walk into Wisdom, embrace Erin Garrett, meet Rebecca (Rebekah?, Rebeccah?, Ribeckuh?) who will be taking the Praxis II Saturday, and chilled out for a moment with big Garrett.
10:43 - Walk to class w/ Annie D. and Kristin R.; talked about how the sidewalk isn't wide enough and how i know them better than they do. (false, btw...or is it?)
10:54 - bathroom break (no trashcan...eh)
10:57 - arrive in an overcrowded class..realize i have the hungry.
11:04 - Alyssaand Bess arrive in class, Bess gives a jolly "hey Dayton!" i compliment her hat.
11:10 - instructor reveals that her name actually means Rainbow-Music Forest (Hung-Chu Lin)
11:20 - we actually have class
11:27 - How'd Bess turn into Cameron??? mind blowing secrecy.
11:36 - Annie C. knew it was me who left the note about boots..
12:00 - trek across campus to see Dr. Wag again. See one Derek Landry sitting there. this'll be fun.
12:08 - laugh at same jokes as two hours ago
1:20 - pick up some Zeus; eat lunch with Aaron Breaux.
2:00 - trek home for a change, go to work until 11
We'll see...
- Daytona.
24 December 2010
O Holy Night!
so for many, many years the Christmas song "O(h?) Holy Night" (is the 'h' in there? i vote it to be optional) has been (and continues to be) among my favorites. I can't definitively say "the" favorite because there are just sooo many awesome ones. Ironically, they are probably missing from Fr. Sibley's huge collection of (not so) fresh and funky Christmas songs. I mean, i love you, Fr., but it's about quality, not quantity...and let's face it...it's pretty terrible.
but i digress
Anyway, why do i like, nay, love! this song? (as if i needed any justification for this piece of awesomeness) because of the line: "...'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth."
...and boom goes the dynamite.
yeah, ya know, that's, uhh, some pretty cool stuff. (feel your worth, soul, feel your worth) ...parce que, though sinners we may be, he makes us worthy to share in glory, goodness, holiness and all that jazz that leads us to that whole concept of sainthood (to which we are all called, mind you).
tonight brings the hope of salvation.
tonight bridges the gap between heaven and earth.
tonight we breathe a new breath of life.
tonight the soul feels it's worth.
so thank you, Blessed Mother, for the courage to say yes. Thank you, Saint Joseph, for your commitment.
and thank you, 8 pound, 6 ounce, newborn infant Jesus...don't even know a word yet...for allowing our weary world to rejoice.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
Daytona
but i digress
Anyway, why do i like, nay, love! this song? (as if i needed any justification for this piece of awesomeness) because of the line: "...'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth."
...and boom goes the dynamite.
yeah, ya know, that's, uhh, some pretty cool stuff. (feel your worth, soul, feel your worth) ...parce que, though sinners we may be, he makes us worthy to share in glory, goodness, holiness and all that jazz that leads us to that whole concept of sainthood (to which we are all called, mind you).
tonight brings the hope of salvation.
tonight bridges the gap between heaven and earth.
tonight we breathe a new breath of life.
tonight the soul feels it's worth.
so thank you, Blessed Mother, for the courage to say yes. Thank you, Saint Joseph, for your commitment.
and thank you, 8 pound, 6 ounce, newborn infant Jesus...don't even know a word yet...for allowing our weary world to rejoice.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
Daytona
17 December 2010
faithfulness
I visited my grandparents today in Jennings (J-TOWN!). Visiting them is becoming more and more bittersweet. Sweet because they're outstanding human beings, bitter because they keep aging.
My grandpa is still pretty sharp, but my grandmother can't remember any of us. Multiple times, she asked me "Now which one are you? You're all the same to me."
The three of us visited for an hour or so and their example continues to make a profound impact on me. We talk about family, stories, news, sports...life, really. And it's always nice to gain their perspective on things.
My grandpa likes to reflect on his kids and grandkids and how they all "got good ones" (spouses). I like to remind him that it's no accident. They learned from what they experienced growing up.
We have a family tree that's produced a lot of fruit. Poor grandma can't tell apart which apple fell from which branch, but I thought it to be appropriate that she can't tell us apart because who we are and the love we give isn't ours; it's theirs. It's what we learned from the example of our parents, from their parents. So i'm okay with her not remembering my name. There are things more important things. (but she does know that it starts with "D").
The family tree keeps branching out as long it's connected to the trunk.
As i was leaving down the hall, i thought i heard my g-pa call my name a couple times. I doubled back, peaked my head in and asked if they called my name. He said, "oh i was just reminding momma (yeah, that's what he calls his wife...awesome, right?) which one you were."
So i left, sure that my name would be forgotten by the end of the next day and sure that i would visit them by the end of the next week...
...because you stay faithful to the ones you love, it's the Landry way.
Peace,
Daytona
My grandpa is still pretty sharp, but my grandmother can't remember any of us. Multiple times, she asked me "Now which one are you? You're all the same to me."
The three of us visited for an hour or so and their example continues to make a profound impact on me. We talk about family, stories, news, sports...life, really. And it's always nice to gain their perspective on things.
My grandpa likes to reflect on his kids and grandkids and how they all "got good ones" (spouses). I like to remind him that it's no accident. They learned from what they experienced growing up.
We have a family tree that's produced a lot of fruit. Poor grandma can't tell apart which apple fell from which branch, but I thought it to be appropriate that she can't tell us apart because who we are and the love we give isn't ours; it's theirs. It's what we learned from the example of our parents, from their parents. So i'm okay with her not remembering my name. There are things more important things. (but she does know that it starts with "D").
The family tree keeps branching out as long it's connected to the trunk.
As i was leaving down the hall, i thought i heard my g-pa call my name a couple times. I doubled back, peaked my head in and asked if they called my name. He said, "oh i was just reminding momma (yeah, that's what he calls his wife...awesome, right?) which one you were."
So i left, sure that my name would be forgotten by the end of the next day and sure that i would visit them by the end of the next week...
...because you stay faithful to the ones you love, it's the Landry way.
Peace,
Daytona
20 October 2010
P.R.I.D.E.
so i went to a school board meeting tonight. Exciting start, i know. long story short, the first hour i sat and listened to everything like a good student observer...then i got bored...the last relative thing i remember is the acronym
P.R.I.D.E.: standing for Promoting Rigor and Interest through Developing Excellence.
so i decided to take that and run with it...so, here ya go:
Princess
Rabalais
Immersion (for)
Diluting
Ebonics
Princess
Rabalais
Instinctively
Demolishes
Elves
Poor
Red
Indians
Dance
Erotically
Persuasive
Romans
Infiltrate (the)
Defense (of the)
Enemy
Politically
Rabid
Independent
Demographics
Excluded
Persnickety
Rambunctious
Iguanas
Deftly
Evolve
Plump
Rabbits
Infect
Dormant
Elders
Potential
Racist
Intends (on)
Dining (with)
Ebony
Principal
Rogers
Incepts
Druggie
Elementary schools
Pirates
Rigorously
Impede
Drunken
Ecuadorians
Poisonous
Rocks
Impaled
Dayton's
Elbow
Pundits
Read
Invasive
Descriptions (of)
Eggplants
Parents
Render
Icky
Dastardly
Enfants
Pragmatic
Ramblings
Indicate
Deficiencies (in)
Experience
Parlez
Ridiculement
Ici...
Donnez
Exemples (spécifique)
Prends
Roches (qui sont)
Identifie,
Donc
Exprime!
it's good to be back
P.R.I.D.E.: standing for Promoting Rigor and Interest through Developing Excellence.
so i decided to take that and run with it...so, here ya go:
Princess
Rabalais
Immersion (for)
Diluting
Ebonics
Princess
Rabalais
Instinctively
Demolishes
Elves
Poor
Red
Indians
Dance
Erotically
Persuasive
Romans
Infiltrate (the)
Defense (of the)
Enemy
Politically
Rabid
Independent
Demographics
Excluded
Persnickety
Rambunctious
Iguanas
Deftly
Evolve
Plump
Rabbits
Infect
Dormant
Elders
Potential
Racist
Intends (on)
Dining (with)
Ebony
Principal
Rogers
Incepts
Druggie
Elementary schools
Pirates
Rigorously
Impede
Drunken
Ecuadorians
Poisonous
Rocks
Impaled
Dayton's
Elbow
Pundits
Read
Invasive
Descriptions (of)
Eggplants
Parents
Render
Icky
Dastardly
Enfants
Pragmatic
Ramblings
Indicate
Deficiencies (in)
Experience
Parlez
Ridiculement
Ici...
Donnez
Exemples (spécifique)
Prends
Roches (qui sont)
Identifie,
Donc
Exprime!
it's good to be back
12 August 2010
patriotism...it's a work in progress.
Let's just say i'm no Lee Greenwood. I've taken issue with the military life for a while now. And it wasn't until recently that i addressed these issues to myself and said "alright, Dayton...since you say you have a problem with these military folk, let's get it out. Let's get down to some understanding. After all, your grandfather and uncle are veterens."
So i did exactly that. I had a knock-down, drag-out bash fest on the military. And here are some things i came up with:
- it's outstandingly expensive to maintain
- for as much discipline people develop in training it sure seems to be poorly managed
- it desensitizes humanity
- recruiters are annoying...there's a line between not taking no for an answer and not listening.
- being in active duty and married seems really selfish. you can't be in Asia and small town U.S.A and effectively raise a family. i just don't get how you can do that to a family.
"Alright, Dayton." i said to myself, "let's understand it." So i tried to make some counter points:
- to borrow a quote from john lennon (yes, John Lennon), "it's less expensive than one human life." yeah he was talking about other things but let me have this one.
- so is the Church
- there's a certain admiration in persistance. it took Mr. Thomas Alva Edison thousands of tries before the light bulb responded positively (ha, positive electrical current).
-
I couldn't come up with one. I was stuck in my little bubble of narrowmindedness until i found a video that a friend of mine (Miss Kasey Chaumont) posted on her facebook. Now, the video isn't originally her's, so don't everyone go break down her door trying to pat her on the back...not for that at least...she says she likes to make sweetly baked delicious tokens of awesomeness...but that's TBD. I'm trying to find out first hand but i don't have a birthday coming up. I need to find some excuses to get a cake (or cupcakes! i've explicitly stated that they are an acceptable alternative).
So i'm a guy that goes on a tangent about cupcakes. You can see why i've been apprehensive about embracing military concepts. It's just how i've always seen the world. I've always thought a better alternative to bombings is air raids with cupcakes, droppin' all kinda cupcakes out of the sky on unsuspecting civilians would do much more in terms of diplomacy than blowing up stuff. People work hard on those buildings. Maybe they could use cupcake drops as a warning then the next time through pass by with bombs...i mean...if i were to get bombed later, i'd sure appreciate a cupcake now, just sayin'.
But i digress.
This video is a montage of a bunch of soldiers surprising their loved ones in an unexpected return from a "tour of duty" (still have a problem with it being termed a tour). So i started watching it and almost immediately i felt like a moron. It's like a little light bulb tapped me on the brain and said, "hey, idiot, look over here...at the screen. you were wrong." Aaaannnndd i was wrong.
These men and women are anything but selfish...some the most selfless people you and i will ever meet. Then i realized that my negativity was a twisted version of the admiration i have for these guys. These men and women aren't leaving their families; they're serving them by their commitment to keep our country free from harm (no matter how much we abuse it). It'd been a while since i'd been humbled, and it came at the right time in an appropriate manner. Inspiration is a powerful thing. It can take you from apprehension to appreciation in the matter of seconds. So i'm going to try to put this link up. I hope you can follow it one way or another.
click video link
And so Thank you, all you men and women who serve. And to the families, you are in my prayers.
Peace,
Daytona
"To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing." - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Let's just say i'm no Lee Greenwood. I've taken issue with the military life for a while now. And it wasn't until recently that i addressed these issues to myself and said "alright, Dayton...since you say you have a problem with these military folk, let's get it out. Let's get down to some understanding. After all, your grandfather and uncle are veterens."
So i did exactly that. I had a knock-down, drag-out bash fest on the military. And here are some things i came up with:
- it's outstandingly expensive to maintain
- for as much discipline people develop in training it sure seems to be poorly managed
- it desensitizes humanity
- recruiters are annoying...there's a line between not taking no for an answer and not listening.
- being in active duty and married seems really selfish. you can't be in Asia and small town U.S.A and effectively raise a family. i just don't get how you can do that to a family.
"Alright, Dayton." i said to myself, "let's understand it." So i tried to make some counter points:
- to borrow a quote from john lennon (yes, John Lennon), "it's less expensive than one human life." yeah he was talking about other things but let me have this one.
- so is the Church
- there's a certain admiration in persistance. it took Mr. Thomas Alva Edison thousands of tries before the light bulb responded positively (ha, positive electrical current).
-
I couldn't come up with one. I was stuck in my little bubble of narrowmindedness until i found a video that a friend of mine (Miss Kasey Chaumont) posted on her facebook. Now, the video isn't originally her's, so don't everyone go break down her door trying to pat her on the back...not for that at least...she says she likes to make sweetly baked delicious tokens of awesomeness...but that's TBD. I'm trying to find out first hand but i don't have a birthday coming up. I need to find some excuses to get a cake (or cupcakes! i've explicitly stated that they are an acceptable alternative).
So i'm a guy that goes on a tangent about cupcakes. You can see why i've been apprehensive about embracing military concepts. It's just how i've always seen the world. I've always thought a better alternative to bombings is air raids with cupcakes, droppin' all kinda cupcakes out of the sky on unsuspecting civilians would do much more in terms of diplomacy than blowing up stuff. People work hard on those buildings. Maybe they could use cupcake drops as a warning then the next time through pass by with bombs...i mean...if i were to get bombed later, i'd sure appreciate a cupcake now, just sayin'.
But i digress.
This video is a montage of a bunch of soldiers surprising their loved ones in an unexpected return from a "tour of duty" (still have a problem with it being termed a tour). So i started watching it and almost immediately i felt like a moron. It's like a little light bulb tapped me on the brain and said, "hey, idiot, look over here...at the screen. you were wrong." Aaaannnndd i was wrong.
These men and women are anything but selfish...some the most selfless people you and i will ever meet. Then i realized that my negativity was a twisted version of the admiration i have for these guys. These men and women aren't leaving their families; they're serving them by their commitment to keep our country free from harm (no matter how much we abuse it). It'd been a while since i'd been humbled, and it came at the right time in an appropriate manner. Inspiration is a powerful thing. It can take you from apprehension to appreciation in the matter of seconds. So i'm going to try to put this link up. I hope you can follow it one way or another.
click video link
And so Thank you, all you men and women who serve. And to the families, you are in my prayers.
Peace,
Daytona
"To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing." - Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
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