My New Year's Resolution

Call it luck. Call it fate. Call it Karma. Call it God's Will. I'm not sure exactly why, but I have had a pretty good life. I have never gone hungry. I have never been seriously ill. I may never have been rich, but then I have never gone without either. I also realize not everyone has it as easy as I have.

I watch the television and see numerous times those less fortunate. Some suffer disease. Some have a disability. Some are depressed and lonely. So this year, I want to do more for those who maybe don't have it as easy as I do. I have been feeling compelled to do and give as a way to say "thanks" to whomever/whatever for the good life that I have had.

My New Year's Resolution: Do for others more this year!

Gosh, Those 37 Years Went By Fast ( ;-))

I hear it all the time: "That stinks having your birthday the day after Christmas!" But really it doesn't stink. It's actually quite nice; wake up one day, it's Christmas; wake up the next, it's my birthday! Like 2 holidays, one after the other. Sure, most of my family and friends give me 2 gifts on the same day: "Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday!" I am not complaining! My friends and family probably are: "Damn! We have to buy Karl 2 gifts!"

But then I never told anyone they had to buy me anything. I mean that! I appreciate anything anyone gets me, but I really do not need to get gifts. I have everything I need. When I'm asked, "What do you want for Christmas/your birthday?" I reply with a simple, "Whatever you want to get me!" What I really want, none of my family or friends can get me: a new car, maybe a 42 inch HDTV, maybe a Rolex. I have really come to realize it is better to give than to receive.

I had a wonderful Christmas and birthday, all within 2 days! I only hope that I have made someone else's Christmas as happy as mine.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas?

Driving in my car the other day, listening to some Christmas music and really feeling the excitement this time of the year brings, I began to think that a good part of the joy and happiness of the season is due to us being constantly told it is the time of the season to feel good. Starting in about October, television commercials, radio announcements, songs and the like bombard us with the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” attitude. That in turn creates an excitement and anticipation within our being. If that’s all it takes to make us feel so good, mind enticement, why not just do it all year round?

But if the constant reminder of the need to feel good happened everyday a couple of things would happen. Firstly, it would become old quickly. The uniqueness would become the mundane, the routine. It would lose its effect. Secondly, I don’t think we could physically keep up the pace. Some really do go all out and become exhausted by the holiday preparation.

But if one can become so happy by just telling oneself to do so, why can’t that occur everyday? Why can’t the kindness that happens at Christmas happen everyday?

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like.................

CHRISTMAST!

The home is getting there. The gifts are just about all bought and wrapped. Soon it will be Christmas Day!

Bush At It Still

Last week the International Atomic Energey Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran is not using nuclear technology for weapons, but energy purposes only, and the US confirmed this stating Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003. This conclusion will most likely shaped how the Bush Administration deals with Iran in the last year (THANK GOD) of its reign.

The next day, Bush was pounding his pulpit showing his hand on how he will deal with Iran. "Iran was dangerous. Iran is dangerous and Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," Mr. Bush said. "Iran had a hidden, covert nuclear weapons program. What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?" Mr. Bush said that as long as Iran has the "knowledge" on how to make a nuclear weapon, they are a threat to the US. Get that: THE KNOWLEDGE. Bush did not indicate they also needed the desire and tools necessary. Any high school student can go on the Internet and get THE KNOWLEDGE to build a nuclear weapon, but are they are threat to the US?

Mr. Bush somehow feels compelled to change the Middle East. He believes it is his destiny and duty to reshape the Middle East. Many are concerned about Bush's involvement in the Middle East, including me. Every American as well should be concerned. It was only a little over a month ago that Bush talked of World War III. I don't know about you, but I would like to never see a WWW III. There is enough strife in the world as it is.

Home Sweet Home..........Almost!

Settlement was Friday and the moving truck already loaded, began moving shortly thereafter. As my mortgage guy stated at closing: "It's almost anti climatic!" And indeed it was. Paper pushed in front of me from the left by the mortgage guy and papers pushed at me from the right by the title lady. Then, about 45 minutes later, the previous owner handed me the keys, and it was off I went, indebted up to my you-know-what! A home owner again! I shall truly see if as everyone has said, "It's better than giving it to the landlord!"

Things are however coming along well. The boxes are slowly getting unpacked and home sweet home is becoming just that. I must say so far the condo has been much quieter than the apartment. No kids running around so far. Only a small dog(s) or cat(s) that I heard rolling around on the floor yesterday morning, and the sounds of someone above me walking this morning. Also an occasional flush!

Time will tell!