A Touch of Empowerment

 I relaxed at a Caribou Coffee, a new store, In Vienna Va. on A rainy Gray Early Fall Friday. The store was quiet.

 A crew of very young people operated that store that day. Quiet, sharp, in- tune and professional. Before I left, I complemented them both for the great coffee and their demeanor. They'd put out some board games to make the store even more comfortable and homey.

 Great Crew, Young people who will make a difference for MANY years to come. It was a joy to cheer them on and encourage them to carry on and continue to be confident. Those young people WILL make great executives and CEO's one day!

My Thursday Morning Shock .

  Greater Washington DC- A place like Greater NYC and Greater Los Angeles where contacts and position matter. I was the Fourth of Fours Speakers addressing a morning assembly at Annandale HS.

The program that we brought was one on motivating students to become involved in Public Speaking and Debate. The First Speaker was a Non Com Marine Officer- a combat veteran who is now a recruiter. He told the students about how is training made him an effective field leader and strategist. Then, A man who has served his natiuon well as a Foriegn Service Officer in the State Department. He told them of the importance of choosing the right words . He is also a Magician. Very powerful. The next speker had Directed IRS operations in Thje State Of Vermont. she spoke of how Franklin Roosevelt used his voice and manner to get THE US through the worst of The Depression.


Then, My turn. The person on Disability. The man who suffered a Nervous Break Down 9 years ago. I talked to them about Debating. I asked them questions. I go t them buzzing. I was also told I made the connection with the students. I told them that their opinions mattered. That their logical poised well- supported arguments would be hard to deny and ignore. They will have their first class session on Wednesday and I'm goiung to be part of the launch. This feels sooooooo sweet!

WOW !

This looks like this is going to be a lot

more of a complex , random and make many adjustments and adaptation Thursday Evening than the one I honestly expected to have.

 A bit nerve wracking and not at all settling, but it is either that or cancel a crucial meeting that will benefit me, so into uncertainty I will venture, unless things change in about 50 minutes.

Adjustments on the Fly,

 I don't like hearing about them. I really don't like AT ALL adjusting to them. I'd rather have a well-organized to the advantage of ALL who are involved in it plan or scheme  that is in action and purring along according to plan !


Yet, Nature seems to laugh at the perspective on my part. So, I do need to greatly improve at being more flexible and better able to adjust with a positive attitude.

It is just not me, however, but it will need to become so.

Never let a bump in the road ...

 become you prime reason for disliking the ride.

220- A powerful Electric Line ...

 I feel growing power and confidence as I continue to post on This Blog as frequently as I am now posting.

I know nothing changes instantly

Horrible cannot magically be transformed into amazing on command . Yet, It does take a small spark to begin a roaring fire!

Exciting The Future ...

 When you can get a young person to take an action now that you KNOW will positively impact their future, You have a reason to become pleased and in love with life!

A Re -Charge Thursday !

 I , as a part of a Toastmaster Team, spoke to an assembly of student at Annandale HS earlier today. I spoke to these students about Public Speaking as and Debate as a self- empowerment adventure, an academic asset and as a competitive adventure.

 I go them roused, motivated and intersacting. I felt like I was clicking and creating an involved moment with a hundred teens, faculty and administrators.

I've felt very pessimistic , of late ,about my present and even more about my future. As I type this at 11:18 AM on This Thursday, September 27TH, 2012 sitting at My Computer in Alexandria, Va, I'm , at this moment, feeling freed of that imprisonment!

- Johnny -

A Perspective on Respect ...

 A few days after The US Embassy in Tehran  was seized by 'students" in November of 1979, Another group of students occupied the Russian Embassy attempting to create a second hostage situation.

 The General Secretary of the THEN USSR ( Russia) called the Prime Minister of Iran. Very shortly after THAT call, Iranian soldiers were sent to The Russian embassy. They quickly and relatively easily took on  and defeated the invaders of the embassy.

 These " students" were taken into captivity and abject apologies were offered to The General Secretary.

I understand that The Then US President, Jimmy Carter, also contacted The leaders of Iran after the US embassy was seized.

I further wonder- What did Mister Carter say to The Leaders of Iran? What did Mister Brezhnev say to The Leaders of Iran ?

- Johnny -

A Stern and Confident President....

might have sai a few weeks ago ...  - " An attack on a  US Embassy and The Murder of a US Ambassador is an Act Of  War. As President, I am now announcing that The US will seal Libya off from the rest of the world until these infamous actors who perpetrated this attack are captured and turned over to us. A no- fly zone will be established immediately over this nation and we will also immediately initiate a Naval Blockade of Libya.

 Let me leave no dubt in any ones mind, You may not attack the US without paying the most severe price.  We will increase the guards around our embassies, we will isuue shoot to kill orders to our embassies guards upon any  attack or invasion of our embassy property. You may also expect devastating Air Strikes.

 The US is a great friend and benefactor to those who wish to live in peace and prosper their people, We are a fearsome foe to those who wise to engage us in battle."


Our  Current President is  -----  AN INCOMPETENT PARVENU AND IS THOROUGHLY UNWORTHY TO HOLD THE OFFICE THAT HE NOW HOLDS!


- Johnny -

Convenient or Absurdity ?

 I was at a strip mall and I was in need of some stamps. I did not want to go to the Post Office but that was not really convenient for me to get to.

I knew that The Shoppers' Food Warehouse and the 7-11 In the strip mall that I was in stated they sold stamps. Shoppers would only sell a book. The 7-11 which is usually out of stamps did not have any.

So, I trudged to the Post Office to buy 5 stamps. NOT! AT! ALL! CONVENIENT!

When you hide and cover up,

 You should never be shocked that people, then, do not really know you, connect with you and get you.

212 Degress- The Boiling Point

 This is my 212 TH posting of September 2012 . I guess  it means that while my life seems struggling and harsh now, At some level, Things are still flowing and moving in a positive and noteworthy manner.

Healing a Hurting Monday ...

 I was in pain and discomfort around 1 PM today!

Then, I learned that a very close friend was in an accident and escaped it unharmed. I then started to work again on a gratitude list.

i went out at 5 PM to go shopping, Smiled and joked with people. I told a clerk at a gas station w3here I bought a small cup of coffee.  " You need to get through Monday to get back to Friday." That caused him to grin.

I was tiring of being on a long line at a Shoppers. I saw a young woman wearing a Cowboy Shirt. I remarked to her that " We pulled out one yesterday"- Yes, I am a ' Boys Fan. she grinned. Them, I jibed at The Redskins- " It's better to barely win than barely lose." and " The Redskins ran an offense YESTERDAY that no NFL team wants to run."

 That did lift my spirits. At THIS moment, My life now seems far too limited and constrained. It is simply not wonderful. However, It is vital to say afloat and my efforts to be positive and fun made that easier to attain and sustain on this Monday evening!

- Johnny -

The Subtlties of PROGRESS ....

 Progress is a noun. It is a rthing. It is what we wish to strive for, It is looking to move forward, to gain, to build, It definitely means attaining more. PROGress is a positive, something we yearn for.


PROgress is a verb- it very much a present, today, at this VERY moment word! It is a status word. A description of an update, where we are NOW!!!!We PROgress through our tasks, through a day. We PROgress from 9 AM on Monday to 5 PM on Friday!

To make PROGgress ,  It is most certain that we MUST PROgress.

- Johnny -

A Change in Fortune from Denny McLain to ....

Gio Gonzalez!  Denny McLain lost 22 Games once upon a time for The Washington Senators. Gio Gonzalez is NOW a 20 Game winner for The Washington Nationals !

The Cynical, The Positive and The Abundant....

 Livers!

The cynical tells you that life is hard, that very little is possible for most of us and that we need to accept that fact and grimly abide by that

The Positive will say that everything can be viewed as good and that positive thinking will allow us to do the best as we live.

The Abundant Livers know that they must be strong when times are tough and must know that grace is always there. They celebrate gace and opportunities that provide themselves, They search for them and get the ery most they can out of them.

I'm still in a process of making great changes in my life. I will learn how to get how to live as an Abundant Liver.

This is my desire and my vow!


- Johnny -

Life- Fantasy establishes the construct of .....

"  Happily ever after". Yet, The life best lived allows for happiness, peace, joy, rest and fulfillment no matter what!

This Monday has been a dynamic

day- Yet , as it progresses, It is turning from a dangerous, bucking stallion to a horse that I am more easily able to ride.

205 Posts for September 2012.

 The new monthly record. This will grow larger before the end of the month.

A Greater Insight

 When you are struggling and then learn that someone you know has survived a great disaster unharmed, You gain both perspective and a much stronger sense of gratitude.


- Johnny -

25 Miles -

Edwin Starr's song - reminds me of walking the tough miles!!, 25 miles is never an easy journey on foot. As someone who once walked over 23 miles on a severely blistered foot, I know this to be true.

My tension has eased a bit ....

 I have been very nurturing to myself over the last 2 hours. That has made a noticeable difference.

If you want to define who you are...

 Learn to ask the tough and uncompromising questions- Who am I really? What matters to me ? Why is it important to me ? Who influences me? Why do I heed them? Is life about just survivng this moment no matter how you accomplish this?

 I don't know all of the questions to ask, That I plainly admit. However, I know that these are critical questions to ask.

- Johnny -

200 Posts!!! For The Third Time in 23 months ...

 I've posted 200 posts in a single month.

Fighting when it hurts . . .

is not easy. Yet, Just saying it hurts changes nothing, The act of fighting, however, just might.

This is not....

a great day but I can get through it. Things are better than they were at the end of last week

Victory!

Progress! I did FINALLY win a game- in overtime on  Madden 13. I play it on a X Box 360. The Bengals defeated the Redskins 21-14 in OT.

I feel really out of sync and rythym now...

 Nothing is catching or flowing as it should.

I need a new plan...

It does seem to me that being accepting and, believing that all is as it should be is crippling me right now!

I feel trapped today...

that my dreads and fears and wanting to to avoid being hurt mocked and humiliated have created a very secure prison for me on this late September Friday night.

 So Ends My Summer of 2012

When you show a child kindness and decency...

today,  You will help to develop an adult who will have impressive coping skills years from now.

It is foolish to think that deciding to live...

better to do will bring about immediate and impressive changes.  Problems take time to develop and solutions take time to bring about notable and noticeable changes.

Transcultural Quandries ....

 What is the best way to cope with transacting with individuals who barely understand English and really do not understand our society and our chosen ways of operating and functioning.


 What is the best way to deal with these impasses? Is enforcing the immigration laws one way to help resolve this or is that just being superficial.?

Tomorrow...

 I need to remember to simply do well what I've excelled in many times over the last 21 and a HALF years.

I've now exceeded last year's total output of Blog...

entries, That does feel good. A claim of victory that I need today!

A deep breath and a switch in activities ...

such as focusing on my blog has relieved some tension on a not wonderful Friday morning.

Post Season Baseball in Washington . . .

is now secured. The Nats did it!

I love my books and they are a treasure....

however today they are the reason I'm going to endure a Friday morning that I want nothing, at all, to do with.

Acceptance sometimes means saying , " I don't

like where I am now, I don't like the circumstances" but for this moment I can't do better and this is just the way it is!

Being petulant for too long a period...

 serves no one well. There are times when you realize that my protests really do not matter and you other need to co-operate and walk away and do with out.

There are times where it is simply ....

 good to show up, be friendly, be co-operative and just help with the work that needs to be done!

Tonight was such a night.

Are College and University Educations in . . .

the process of being downgraded and devalued in 2012?  In the mid 20TH Century ,The mantra that young people were often bombarded with was  "To get a good job, get a good education!

The Colleges and Universit6y were seen as places for people to blossom, where people were taught to think critically and thoroughly. Where you get to think of the bigger picture and building for the future rather than just making it through right now. You were also pushed to believe that broadening yourself, gain a a good deal of insight in various areas of academic endeavor is a treasure of great price- highly beneficial to pursue.

In 2012, Education is seen as a hobby unless you can profitably apply it once you graduate. Do not pursue it unless you can without going into debt.. Young people are now more likely to be urged to delay education and then attend community colleges and in state Public institutions rather than prized public and private institutions.

 Students may also be advised to take courses that will " pay off" rather than to pursue a broadening education. One of the sad truths of life is an education occurred may well become an education that never occurs!

 We cannot afford to have education seen as a frill or a luxury. The Future of America will be most grim if that becomes a standard way of thinking!

 This IS MY 1,000 TH!!!! Blog entry of 2012 !   There are still MANY postings to be created before this year finally is over!

- Johnny -

The problem with being overly sensitive and

outspoken.

 You are likely to be thought of as " crying wolf" after a while and not be taken seriously when you find yourself in a period of severe turmoil and/ or crisis!

This is not the Wednesday that I thought I'd...

have as recently as 3 or 4 days ago.

 Yet, This day is unfolding as it is. Am I mature enough to adapt so that I will get the most of this Wednesday, September 19Th as it ACTUALLY is! ?

Being Stagnant

is seldom a long term and deliberately made choice. It tends to arrive when you decide that being comfortable and pain-free  matters more than anything else does in your life!

My life has been far too stagnant at far too many junctures of my life.

What is something that I so want...

 but I am often unwilling to see others gain? GRACE.

 I want acceptance, acclaim, favor to be easily understood and readily forgiven. Yet, If I dislike, am terribly annoyed by or simply intensely dislike an individual- The very LAST THING I want them to be accorded is- GRACE! I want them judged, quickly found guilty and  judged- let them deal with the wrath of the consequences connected to their actions.

 Grace allows me to be more settled, confident, cooperative. It lets me know that I plainly do not always want what I deserve what my words, thinking, attitudes and actions- truly and clearly merit.

 Living gracefully is living wholly and knowing that there is so much more than just me that decides what does and does NOT happen through out each second of my life!

If I will be gracious to others, I am more and more likely to see the power of GRACE flow though each and every nook and cranny of MY life!

- Johnny -

Is it better to wait knowing that you have something

 ... to look forward to or wait because u have nothing else to do ?

Being paid for physical labor -

 Will this be an absolute concept by the end of the 21ST Century ?

Patience, Johnny.

 I eat myself alive when I battle against living patiently.

The journey is....

 rough in the early going often- but it still must be undertaken if you are to reach your goal/ destination.

If the saying , " You play like you practice".

Is true, Wouldn't we live better if we chose to practice better principles and then live that out?

I know that I can get beyond the ugly times...

 When I look over of my life, This has been true again and again and again!

I am excited...

 I'm sulking much less and reboubding much quicker and choosing to engage positively!

I have often failed to bloom where I am...

planted, due to wanting to be anywhere but where I am and desiring to do ANYTHING but what I'm doing."

 I.m learning that I only lose when I live this way!

- Johnny -

Isn't the best cure for envy to decide that from now on ...

 " I'm going to do the very best that I can do and work as hard as I can to be as excellent as I am capable of being."

When the light comes on in a child's eyes ...

 Then, You have accomplishe4d a good deed that makes the Angel's sing and celebrate!

Heading for 21 years of sobriety...

 I can't say the last 21 years of my life have ALWAYS been easy and always delightful. I do very much owe the program for the even far worse hell I'd likely endured had I not had AA in my life.

The Lord ...

is good and that goodness is the only viable standard we have for knowing goodness!

The Truth ...

 We all know it , unless we are severely insane!

The Lessons of The School Boy Sports Fields . . .

 Holding your temper and staying self disciplined is a lesson that young athletes are schooled in over and over again.

The Washington Redskins Wide  Receiver Josh Morgan was tackled just short of a first down marker near the end of the team's game against The Rams last Sunday.

Morgan had been given grief by the player who tackled him all game long! Morgan threw the football at said defender. Morgan was assessed an Unsportsman like conduct penalty.

 This penalty changed the Redskins ' strategy the went for the Field Goal and missed and lost the game.

Hod your temper- stay self-disciplined- perpetually good advice.

Derek Jeter- Continued

He now has more career hits than Willie Mays!

Gratitude is healing...

 The more gratitude I express, the less onerous any given day becomes.

I'm learning that a leader works well as the ..

chief of the team. "My way or the Highway" can lead to you navigating that highway by yourself!

The exercises we engage in are not always mere..

stepping stones to something greater, They can be very valuable in and of themselves.

 Maintaining and expanding upon this blog is very rewarding and satisfying.

When your sports team ...

 has 27 Championships , They practice high standards of sustainable excellence!

We all need somebody to....

lean on, I have a lot more good people to rely upon in late 2012, Some have come from pursuing goals and desiring progress.

Asking and asking and asking....

again is very wearying but it can be very rewarding when you finally get a "YES".

90 Wins , Next stop ...

 The Washington Nationals- One of The Best joys of living in The DC area in 2012.

Spending not every penny that you ....

have and especially not every penny that you earn means that you respect the value of money and the effort that you made to earn it.

Lost

 When you know you are going the wrong way and it seems like every action is getting you further lost there is nothing wrong with stopping, re-assessing  and deciding to take advice.

Some of that advice may well include abandoning where you are and what you are doing and taking a far different course.

" How dare you do this to our Children?"

 This is the comment one ChicagoParent adddressed to Chicago's Striking Teacher.

 The teachers are striking over being measured over testing scores as the measure of deciding the fate of their continuing employment .

 The teachers say that they cannot be help accountable for how the conditions imposed upon their students by poverty limits their ability to function well in the classroom ?

 The argument thus seems- We can't overcome the limitations that life has imposed upon our students versus What can you do to lead your students to success in spite of their current way of living?

 It seems to me that you strive to do all you can do to improve today while asking for more resources to improve  your ability to more easily overcome difficult conditions.

NFL Referees

 If you want the quality of the game to be high and to keep your players safe, A Pro League will have the best quality officials.

The current imppass when The Leagues Game Officials is leading to injuries and games being played out of control, this is not good or prudent.

Is the money the league is refusing to pony up worth the risk to the health of the players aqnd the integrity of the game.

Double Injury

 Moping over a past hurt and letting it stop you from doing better today is acting to re- injure yourself.

 How much sense does that make?

Some people bring nothing but

joy, hope and possibilities to what ever they are involved in. RIP, NANCY MALTHOUSE!

Now reaching 2100

 I once thought I'd reach the 200 Blog posts by the end of the Year, It is clear that I am going far beyond that.

Shaking it off .....

 There are times- for lack of a better way to express it - when we are discontented, out of sorts and just displeased. These are the moods where we are overly sensitive, annoyed and ready to battle  for any and every reason.

 It is good , I find, to admit it accept it - honor that it is no one else's problem but mine- and GET OVER it. Rouse your self, shake it off, adjust your mood and thinking and simply move on to having a better day.

 As a free  individual you can choose to stay ready to declare war on the Universe. Yes accept that you have made the choice and any consequences that result from doing this is, are  solely , YOURS , ALL YOURS!

Guarantees ?

 Financially, socially and in many ways, We love guarantees, we love risk being eliminated to ZERO or next to nothing.

We desire to try without regrets, to make sure that our efforts are nearly pain - fee. We want to make sure that we get a return that benefits us just about automatically.

 However, People usually charge a lot or ask a great deal from us. Therefore their guarantee promise or certainty cost them so little that they can well afford to " generously provide it," We gain little if anything from our guarantee.

A savings bank account is guaranteed up to 250, 000 Dollars, the rate of return connected to it is extremely minute. Other investments can not grow at all, fail or provide great gain. We know that there is risk but we accept the risk because we want the chance for great gain.

 Competition is never guaranteed, Creative endeavors or not guaranteed. A good education does not guarantee a great income or satisfaction with your life. The wise know this. Those who do not know this and go into it believing that it MUST  work well for them may soon grow become a member of growing ranks of the highly  angry and begrudging.


 Many in our society want a risk- free and a safe society,. A society that guarantees to every American- no matter what - you will be kept from harm, provided for kept secure and generally whole. This can only happen if we pay a lot and are willing to settle, as a nation for relatively little.

 In my opinion, This is a Faustian Bargain at best. It mean s that initiative, inventiveness, desire and vision have to strained completely out of any thought of what it means to be an American.


- Johnny -

Getting someone to achive and to win...

 can be such a thrill and a powerful anecdote foe being stuck.

God. Thank you for being so wise...

and blessing me with Your eternal wisdom.

War .... It is not good but

if we will not fight unless things are dire, Will our enemies push against us until we are in dire circumstances ?

I need to make less noise when I talk

and be more concerned about making MORE sense.

When power systems fail ....

in storms and don't come back quickly, People can become very angry and discontented. The question then is - Is it the lack of effectiveness of the power companies that needs to be dealt with? Or,Is it our own patience and lack of adaptability?

Dictators fail ...

when people stand up and offer an alternative and rally people to that better way!

When people tell you, " I know that you can..."

 You can blossom by nodding your head and getting into action.

I know I write well and I am a provnly

effective speaker and mentor, Now I need to take time to realize what the future is of this.

Celebrations release frozren spirits . . .

and empower the heart and the soul.

I got people daning at a party today!

 I dios this. Amazing and befuddling. However, This is now a fact of history. I am still startled by this.

A Thousand Blog entries for 2012 . . .

in 9 months, while still maintaining quality. I believe I shall accomplish ths!

If our doubts are so powerful ,

 How much more powerful does our resolve to get beyond them need to be?

Let's get fired up....

 Not just a sports cheer.

If you care about

people and want them to succed and convince them that they can,  then,Amazing things can come to pass!

A caring person

can readily pull you out of a funk or at least can get you going in that direction.

I do need to

shake off nes that I don't like. Tonight , It really caused me to fall into a funk.

I prricked a thumb for the thired time since late

August !. I must avoid broken light bulbs and sharp can lids.

When the sane ...

refuse to recognize what is insane and call it just what it is, Have they not, indeed, prractically abandoned any sense of valuing sanity ?

Does America want to be liked so much . . .

 that is willing to be a meek Great Dane  and cower before all of those who ardently wish our nation and ALL of our citizens ruin ?

Sam Bradford VERSUS Washington Again . . .

this Sunday in Saint Louis.


A True Native American versus THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS .

When you create a society that is too...

compassionate and understanding for reason to still matter, When you create a society where people must be supported and celebrated no matter what they believe, think, say and do and When you create a society where " NO" and  " I  CAN'T SUPPORT YOU" are considered to be vulgar and throughly heinous words,


 You, then. create a society WITHOUT laws, standards, intelligence and any desire to REALISTICALLY  survive!

- Johnny -

Play off Baseball in Washington DC !!!! ???

 Anyone  ELSE hear Whitney and Mariah singing, " There CAN be MIRACLES, If you believe."

Davy Johnson IS The Magic Man!

A Really Good Friday

 I have things going on in my life now that I could not imagine being in place just 6 months ago. I can inagine things, clearly, being much better than they currently are-  but today is, absolutely, A GOOD FRIDAY!

The desire to be" STREET " . . .

 WANTING to be as ABSOLUTELY repulsive, offensive, dangerous, uncivilized, vulgar and unsettling as you can possibly be, Why would any sane human being seek to attain this status?  Why would any one applaud and celebrate any individual who thinks this way ?

I absolutely do NOT get this at all, in any way!

When you read a book written by the daughter of ...

Sammy  " the Bull"  Gravano and are struck again and again as to how much she reminds you of your sister, Then, You know, indeed,  that you were raised by and among bizarros .

Freedom

 No matter what still true of The US!

Freeing yourself to be more relaxed as...

you write does allow for a great deal of candor.

In Foreign affairs this week,

 These are the days to try the USA's soul.

Letting yourself be

free to care makes life a lot more desirable.

Thinking before you hit the ...

" Send button" can make for better relationships.

Is it an ego trip to want to be clearly ....

understood the first time whenever you are writing or speaking. I find that this keeps things movibg and allows conversation to stay lively, current and interesting!

My creativity, I believe,

has been mightily renewed as of late!

This has been a productive week...

MUCH better than I expected it to be!

Another exercise in patience

mastering a high quality sports video game.

Writing briefly can show that you are being

precise rather than all over the map.

I'm a life long insomniac...

Sleep is a VERY interesting adventure for me each night.

I'm learning to write more briefly and concisely ...

 That is a very recent development.

Breaking Stereotypes

 I play video games and read comic books not typical for 57 year olds. I have been a member of Toastmasters for over two decades- the typical person who joins Toastmasters usually leaves in less than 2 years. This is also stereotype breaking!

I am not hopeless...

Only I can declare myself so and make that a realized reality!

I need to remember since He is perfect ...

 I can totally rely upon Him in ALL matters!

Life does not need to be perfect . . .

for me to live well and enjoy living all day today.

Striving sanely...

is a cure for stagnation and lethargy!

Let yourself be free...

Remind yourself of what you can jettison- that which is not necessary at all to deal with and be, in any way, tied to !

I am seeing more and more

That waiting until all conditions are perfect and every situation and circumstance is to your advantage means that you will find yourself doing little but waiting all of your life!

Being creative and keeping promises

is me at my best.

The Nationals' Brain Trust told their fans....

 " Be patient, let us build this team right- We will deliver a team you can take deep pride in!". It looks like the Lerners have made good on this pledge to the fans of this team.

My 100th Blog for September

 The changes I made to help me to refocus and write more reliably in  July are still paying dividends at present.

Thank you, God

 You open my eyes and let me know that I am not as poor, put upon and as bereft as I usually see myself as being!

Wednesday

 A day when I will improve my living situation and tutor.

Shifting sequence can help....

 to relieve stress and give you a chance to refocus. A slavish holding to a schedule can create unneeded stress and grief.

I hate rmoving books from my collection....

Yet, I know there is value in living a less cluttered life!

I wish I knew more about how to effortlessly ....

operate my computer. It would have made this Wednesday AM less annoying.

UBI Soft Versus America's History Teachers

UBI Soft produces a dynamic and exciting game- Assassins' Creed. The newest version of this game features the usual hooded Assassins taking part during the American Revolution.

The game is promoted as " The History of the Revelation that your teachers NEVER covered." History teachers, per se, are usually very sensitive to myth, fables and unjustified additions being grafted on to Historical Events. I'm certain that promotions that speak of missing history, uncovered History or History that was NEVER taught thoroughly will rankle History Teachers

Years ago, Math teachers were angered by a Barbie Doll that declared " I hate Math." This "claim" of hidden history by an Electronic Game seems a set up to antagonize History teachers!


- Johnny -

9/ 11 on my mind.

  I've worked hard and stretched and dared my creativity today to insure that I have 911 postings for Calendar year 2012 on This Tuesday, September 11TH , 2012.

Freedom

has a cost. (/ 11 is a day that makes that abundantly clear to each of us!

The people who decry the achievers the loudest

are usually among the do nothings and risk nothings!

Let's make sure we can all get by and be . . .

right now! This is an attitude that cheats the future.

What I have is very good....

Yes, It definitely can still be improved upon but that is simply taking very good and making it EVEN better!

I hate bullies!

 This is a creed for me. One that Captain America and I share!

Losing is an outcome ....

 Loser is a label that we make the poor choice, sometimes, of assigning to ourselves.

The Johnnyverse

A strange piece of verbiage, I'm certain to most! However, This is my life, my friends, my past, present and future, what is to come, my past people I've known , know now and those who I've yet to encounter but who are destined to, at some level, make a difference in my life.

 The opinions people have of me and the influences I've had on people, whethere grand or minute, whether positive or negative and whether I am at all aware of them or not.

These and factors and elements totally beyond my ken that SOMEHOW are part of my lifelong life equation- All of this equals THE JOHNNYVERSE!


- Johnny -

Worshipping always helps me to grasp and to . . ;

practice the reality that life is NOT The Johnny Show and that my life is not merely about me and what I wish to do!

God,

Please bless, safeguard and preserve The United States of America .

Should 9/11 be a National Holiday ?

 I think Dr. King's Birthday and 9/11 should be honored as National Days of Remembrance and Service. A different type of a Day off- Not just Another day off work or School - but rather two days EVERY YEAR to serve and honor and invest in one another!

- Johnny -

My 900TH Blog Posting of 2012 !

 One of My Goals for Posting this year was to strive to post at least 100 Blogs per month.  By picking up the pace over the last few months, I've gotten back to or am slightly ahead of this pace at present !!!

 I'm also regaining my daring and verve. Some of my postings are pedestrian observations that will only connect to me and to those who know me well.

 However, I'm seeing a steady return to cogent observations that will appeal to and provoke the thinkers who wind up accessing this blog of mine!

Success and Improvement feel very good today!

- Johnny -

A Startling and Jarring Sight

 As I was running errands today, I saw a young woman wearing  a traditional Islamic head covering, However, She was also wearing a very tight pair of sweat pants with the word " LOVE" emblazoned across her derriere.

 This would seem to run counter to wearing an Islamic headdress/ head covering. The Head Covering would seem to indicate that one is a devout and strict adherent of  The Faith of Islam. Yet, The pants would seem to indicate an intention or blatant desire to mock traditional and conservative Islam.

 A Christian who engaged in similar behavior would be scorned as being either a mocker of the faith , a cynic or a blatant hypocrite!

Is this best viewed or considered as a mockery, a mixed message or just perhaps youthful confusion and a failure to properly sort matters out.?

- Johnny -

I am loved

 It is too evident now for me to even TRY to insist that it is not true!

The Front Office and Sports .

 Do we appreciate the value of the actions of The Front Office people when we consider how well or poorly our favorite teams perform on the field or court or rink?

Caring ....

 You live well when you desire to care about others and then practice that desire.

Derek Jeter....

loves the Yankee legacy, taps into it to inspire his teammates and adds to it every game that he plays in.

9/11

 Having been raised in NYC and living in Greater DC and having worked on a military base for a few months, 9/11 touches me most profoundly.

21 !!! years as a Toastmaster ....

 I've gained a lot and influenced people. It has not ALWAYS been a fun and delightful experience but it has so VERY MUCH been worthwhile.

When you keep pressing forward...

knowing that being where you are for too long will equal stagnation, You do advance and gain, whether it is obvious to you, at any one moment, that you are gaining or not.

Singing outloud when I worship . . .

as I go out for the day each day. It helps to remind me that honoring God publicly delights Him thoroughly.

Trust and obey...

 My life works better when I decide to HONOR that commitment.

Gratitude

 Listing 5 things today  that I'm grateful for helps me to be more gloom free!

I am A Sports Fan

but days such as 9/11 tell us that there are days when diversions must be set aside so that critical matters can gain the attention that they must be accorded!

- Johnny -

A Genuine Smile on A Child

truly is more impressive than the glow of a large diamond to a GENUINELY discerning individual.

This is a great nation....

The heritage we gain by our birth matters far less than what our family heritage becomes over the course of our lives.

Mentoring is . . .

a practical way to achieve immortality. When you mentor, You truly pay it forward, You take what others invested in you add what you've accomplished and learned due to it and then pour ALL of that into another individual.

Envy

allows you to feel that others success somehow does harm to you. What logic would ever  allow a person to believe that this is, in fact, true?

People who don't value life enough...

are likely to believe it is good for people to prevent other potential individuals from EVER being born.

Mickey Mantle

 If he had been healthy and trained well and with discipline during his career, 800 plus homeruns would likely be The Major League Career Home Run Record.

Trust....

 Thinking that only You and God are the only ones that are prudent to trust is the choice of a fool.

Another Madden 13 Update

 I'm starting to score more easily. That first victory is still elusive, DRAT!

Counting too heavily the time that one...

spends in waiting. I waited 14 years for a great change in my life, One that I now revel in. If I think why did I need to wait so long or shouldn't I have EVEN gained/ been provided even better than I now have, I'm being a dense dunce about reality!

RG III

 I'm not a Redskin fan. However only a pure hater  could dismiss that he started his NFL Career impressively this past Sunday in the Big Esay!

I don't like the President

nor to I intend to vote for him.  Yet, The fact that he is Our President shows that America is evolving for the better. To have a black man as our President is a sign that Dr. King did dream the POSSIBLE Dream.

Hero- Seeking

is not a bad thing. Sometime people become nobler when they realize that others see them as heroes and are inspired to follow the example that they are observing.

I'm learning to . . .

strive to win. That is a lot different than simply gaining an easy victory!

Dealing with EVIL DOERS - Absolutely

 President George W. Bush is held in low regard. His use of the phrase " Evil  Doers" to describe Al- Queda and the other terrorist organizations allied to them  was considered " cartoonish and childish" by some in the Media.

 The President reminded us concerning 9-11 on NUMEROUS occasions that - " 3,000 people died on 9 -11" because that is what Al-Queda has the ability and opportunity to kill that day. If it had been possible and they had the opportunity to kill 3 million people that day, They would have done so.

 The Twin Towers stood longer than Usama Bin Laden believed they would  stand. If they had fallen immediately or much sooner, it is possible that 15 to 20, 000 people could have died in New York City that morning.

 If the passengers had not battled the hijackers to the death on the plane that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania , The terrorist were planning to crash that plane into either the White House or The Capitol Building.

 Has ghastly as 9/ 11 was, We could have had 20, 000 dead and a National Monument a flaming ruin in our Nation's Capital.

The brave men and women who battled those highjackers are patriots and national martys of the highest order.

PS - A few days after 9/11, Bin Laden, on film, mocked and laughed at the hijackers who died on 9/11. He laughed both at them and the people they killed!

An Evil Doer- Yes, I think so!

- Johnny -

September 10th, 2001

 I attended a Toastmaster meeting at the National Press Club that night.  Like all of us, I had no idea that tomorrow would be anything interesting as a day.

Competition becomes a bad idea

when winning is the only acceptable outcome. Unless competition is about improving and stretching then it can become nothing but a mere exercise of childishness and greed.

Slowing down

does help me to be less asnxious and demanding!

There are times where acceptance means....

taking a deep breath and trying later.

It is good tp persevere.

It is better to seek to problem solve rather than throw temper tantrums

Building what will last

is a sign that you get that forming quality is a rewarding process!

Playing Games with the Public- My 2000TH Blog Posting!

 " We need more money to operate. We are  in a repair and upgrade mode. We are not able to avoid delays and significant disruptions. You must accept that. We will try to give you the best service we can under trying circumstances."


This is what  the Washington Metropolitanb Area Transportation  told The DC Bus and Train Riders when they raised the FARES again 2 months ago,

This past Thursday The 1 A bus I boarded was 20 minutes late. I learned from the driver that she had assigned a bus that did not have dependable wipers on a very rainy day

The driver was delayed by the wipers and a supervisor who fought her when she tried to get a more reliable bus. She described him as offering excuses rather than doing anything to problem solve

 This is not public service- not service that I should pay MORE for in my opinion.

- Johnny -

God in a Box

If you believe in Him, You can't limit Him. You must accept God as He is and for all He is.

If you do NOT believe in Him or think He is fictional, Then what you think of Him really does not matter.

Watched a Great Old Film....

Advice and Consent. A  film of how Good Men can go too fer when they become shortsighted- deciding that what they want in life must become a way of life, how we are governed in this case.

Throw a bullying, monomaniacal and meglomonical manipulator and tragedy can also become an element with in the drama.

Sports and Music Mystery

How did Gary Glitter's Rock and Roll- Part 2 become a Sports tied in song .

I do need to let go of

issues when I'm not getting my way.

Will America be seen as a Nation of haters...

if  Our  President is not re-elected?

I need to ask myself more " What am I able...

and willing to DO in order to improve my life ?"

Since God is love and perfect love casts out....

fear, I am most blessed to have God present CONTINUALLY in my life.

Finding The Great Love of Your Life in 2012,

  The one that you will LIKELY fall in love with,  connect heart and souls with and romantically bond with. How likely do you believe that this person NOW resides very close to you, perhaps even within your neighborhood or zip code?

If you really want to prove to children how...

valuable studying, learning and education are both in the absolute as well as to YOU individually , Ask them what they are learning and really listen to what they have to say as they analyze and comment upon what they are being taught in the classroom!

Along with this, Let them see you taking learning as a positive and empowering experience as they see you happily and enthusiastically acting to improve yourself by reading, learning, studying and being gladly curious about the wonders of being alive!


- Johnny -

Andrew Luck may be The New Peyton....

 Will not be good enough to make The Colts are formidable team, however, any time in the near future?

Friday is a good day

but not truly better than the other six. I'm learning that contentment can be built more powerfully and effectively when you PRACTICE thinking this way.

If Superman, The Orphan from Krypton....

actually existed, Would people refuse his help because they questioned his immigration status?

Will you miss Hockey if there is 2012-2013 . . .

Season never happens?

If we are honest, Do we have Jack Nicholson...

Politics in The US, Are we governed as we are governed because we "CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" ?

Will Robert Griffin The III ...

wow the Redskins fans on Sunday or Will they be saying " Whoa, We gave up HOW much to get him?"

A slight bit of Madden 13 Progress

 I FINALLY scored a Touchdown- on a run. Small and Slight but definite progress.

This is a long Thursday night.

 I must remember that this is just this moment. It will pass, it will not last.

One moment of feeling trapped and confined ...

 and far too limited and helpless may not mean any more than that is what you are simply feeling at this moment. What you are feeling may not necessarily be true.

Summer 2012

 A time of change- a time of rethinking and transformation for me it was! I am sorry it is fading away!

Mandy

 A beautiful name--- I know an exquisite woman with that name

My Madden 13 Progress

Still - rather nil.

Will there be a Hockey season this year?

 This will be, if it happens, the second time in a decade that the NHL has gone without a season! Lock outs- Yuck!

We all need to trust

Distrust allows all of us to be alienated from each other.

Tomorrow will be a Best Friend

Time with myself.

 Time to spend a relaxing day doing things I simply enjoy. I need to allow myself more non- tension days of that variety!

The Yankees lost tonight !

Darn! I must remember that sports do not = life!

The Problem with oversensitivity

 You set yourself up for failure. People avoid you because you are prickly and too easily offended. You never let them connect themselves to you because you serve as a barrier to allowing that to transpire.

Please Yankees ....

Let's hold on.

Resourceful

 The ability to see how to do more and more with what is available.

Asking for help and graciously ....

accepting it is a sign of wisdom , strength, courage and perspective.

Living for the Weekend ?????

 Means that you consider 5/7ths of your life seems obnoxious and rather odious and an obstacle to your joy and happiness.

This also means that 5/ 7ths of the week is a time that you may often rate as rather nasty and brutish.

As 9/11 approaches again,

Are we now safe enough ? If not, What can we do, without violating our Constitution, to make ourselves safer?

Do we think acccording to Soundbites ...

when it comes to this election or are we capable of sound analysis and independent thought?

RG III

 The new Superstar that will revive the Redskins and lead them back to glory. Or, Merely another misdirection play that gains no forward progress.

Dallas Wins

 This does give me a reason to smile today!

Learning

Another way to say that I am alive and will never want less than to grow and thrive.

The Disconnection Process

 You can find a way to link up with others. Activities and getting involved in causes can help. However, Unless you make personal coonections- those relationships are simply, by and large welded to THAT activity or project.


 I find that I struggle to have a sense of community. I spend far too much time alone. Too many long hours not talking with or menaningfully interacting with anyone. It's either work, honor a commitment on nothing.

 I know my being in Mental Health recovery affects some of that. I'd like to go out to eat more, to be invited to do things or know that I'm likely to get a " yes" when I ask others to join me. that happens so seldom that it is a cause for celebration aqnd notice when it does.


It makes for a barely there, empty and endurable way of life!

Openness and Vulnerability . . .

are ways to be truly connected to others. This way of living helps to heal and cleanse the mind and the spirit.

Planting seeds...

A seed does not grow instantly. It does require time and patience. Yet, We know that we enjoy the results of planting seeds!

Desiring to serve others and purposing to

 honor them by your service seems to be a way to increase your wealth and to honor people by giving themselves something of value - something that the person being served recognizes as being of value!

Seeing service as a noble strategy for winning and prospering takes coldness and callousness out of living.

These thoughts have been inspired by Rabbi Daniel Lapham.

- Johnny -

Making the most....

seems to be a formula for getting the most out of life!

If a child comes home not liking THIS School Day....

 They need to be constantly reminded that what they are gaining is worth the true price that they had to pay today to gain it.

Not a Hump day ....

 Wednesday is a valuable place to be in and of itself- not just 0ne of 5 stops to a valuable destination.

School Days - Investment Days!

 We do need to ask teachers to be, as best they can, creative leaders, motivators, empowers and teachers of how to dream generously. Imbuing today's children with those qualities will enrich and enoble all of us!

The Peace of Mind...

 that I seek today must come from believing in the One who I know created me and holds all things together by His very presence.

When you are a fan, A team can kill you !

While I hope The Yankees can pull out of their dive, Only God knows how this season will end!

By This weekend, The Hard Race to November...

will be clearly underway and obvious to all. This is anm election to determine our futures! Two possibilities are diverging in a yellow road, We must take the one less traveled the one based on dedications, prudence and the actual creation of a future that we can revel in years from now.

That proper choice will make the beneficial difference!

For The First Time since 1948 ...

an NFL season will start on a Wednesday!

The Problem of Perpetual Holiday Seeking. Mindsett

 There are people who want every day to be A Saturday or A Sunday, A Vacation Day, A Birthday or A Christmas.


  There is value in the not wonderful, hard, struggling and toilsome days. Working hard and providing for yourself  is good. Working to be able to brighten the lives of others is noble Learning to bond with others in a joint positive venture is character building. Holidays are vain and useless unless we are celebrating something worthy of honoring. What we do in long weeks creates what is worthy of  treasuring and recognizing.

Community is built on blood, sweat and tears in order to better the worlds we interact with. Labor Day is a great weekend because it decorates what we've done to create the lives we live. If you wish away today to get to any certain tomorrow, You are lessening and decrying that value of your life and the idea of being alive!

Living for 2/7ths of every week is vain, silly and foolish.  Wanting today to vanish so you can do something amazing in 3 months  does not let you do what you can do now and each day to be able to honor the day properly when it arrives. Each day is where we should fully live.

I do NOT need to live in yesterday or tomorrow, I will live my life well if I truly plunge in and  get the most out of each day fully that day and then do the same for each and every day in order as that day arrives!

- Johnny -