Half Century…Really?

I know, many of you will look at the photos at the top of the blog and say, “There is no way Mike is turning 50 tomorrow.” and then there are a few of you, (I’m talking to you Matt) who will say, “Oh dear god, he’s not looking too good.”

Either way, being a half century has been a hell of a ride, so far.  I count my blessings every day for what I have.  A beautiful wife who puts up with my ever changing “get rich” plans.  Three gorgeous daughters who light up my life every day, even those days where I am pulling out what’s left of my hair.

Yeah, I’ve had my share of ups and downs.  A divorce, losing my dad way too soon, unemployment, a house with a couple of cats.  Nothing that most of you haven’t had to deal with in your own lives.

I’ve had a great time writing this blog.  It has given me an outlet to express my joy, pain, frustration, elation and my creativity.  I have made some great friends  that I hope to see in person some day.

So, as you enjoy this Memorial Day holiday, first please remember the reason why we celebrate it, those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.  And second, raise a beer to the guy you’ve shared stories with for the last couple of years and know that he is at that half century mark.

….and still counting. 

Why Facebook is Ruining High School Reunions…

My 30^th high school reunion was a couple of years ago and my wife’s reunion is happening this summer.  Normally a reunion is a great time for everyone to catch up with what has happened to our old friends.  Who made it, who didn’t, who has grand kids, and who is still single.  It’s a time to compare and take stock of where we were and where are now.

Before Facebook, many of us would meet and every 10 years and be surprised (or not) by what had happened in our old friend’s lives.  How many of us were both excited and dreading the anticipation of our high school reunions?  The shock of how we have changed the addition of weight, the loss of hair, the extra lifelines (wrinkles) and the overall emotion of reconnecting were usually great.

However, all that has changed completely in the digital age.  Facebook has tainted how we approach our “every decade” meetings now.  It is no longer a surprise how anyone looks as you can just check their profile picture (unless it’s doppelganger week).  Every child, grandchild’s accomplishments have been described in detail on that person’s daily status updates. 

Don’t get me wrong about Facebook and its original intention of connecting long lost classmates.  I think it’s great to be able to be in contact with friends that have drifted away.  I’m glad to know that my old high school friend Tom in Missouri is now looking for a Black Cow to complete his virtual farm.  I’m also happy that Jim in Georgia is still sarcastic as he was in high school. 

Nevertheless, there is something to be said for seeing the faces of old friends who have disappeared only to reappear into your life every ten years.  To look at wonder on how they survived to adulthood or to comment about the trophy wife they married.  Those days are forever gone, and I for one am a bit sad about that.   

An Unhappy Anniversary

I remember the day very well. It was a Friday and the sun was shining. I made my way to the office and grabbed a cup of coffee as I usually did. Started small talk with my work colleagues but there was a bit of melancholy in everyone’s voice. We all knew that for many of us, this was our last day at work. We all spent the day exchanging information, promising to stay in touch and wish each other good luck in our future job search. We signed our exit papers in Human Resources, collected our last check, and grabbed our boxes of personal belongs to head to our cars.

This anniversary is different from others. I have worked in and out of the high tech industry for years. My resume has had me in many different jobs for the last twenty years however; I’ve spent the last seven with my last employer.

We all knew the economy was tough and that it might take a little while to find the next job. Nevertheless, as the days continued, the jobs didn’t appear. How many resumes do you need to send out before your frustration begins to take its toll?

Today’s news that the jobless unemployment claims have risen again is not encouraging. It was hardly unexpected but still depressing. I don’t know the fix for this current situation we are experiencing. I don’t know if there is a fix at all. But, being the optimist I like to think I am, I believe that everything is cyclical and that we just need to wait for the upswing in the cycle.

Unlike many anniversaries, this one will be celebrated quietly. I will try to look at what I have and hope for better times ahead.

Mother’s Day, Again…?

Actually, this post has been long overlooked by me.  I was doing a quick search for Mothers on my site and did not find a post concerning the day we all need to be celebrating.  As a father who blogs, (not nearly enough!) I have a great appreciation for the other sex and their contributions to raising our children.

I’ve had the opportunity to have several mother’s in my life.  Obviously my own mother, who raised a couple of sons without much training considering she was an only child.  I maybe biased, but she did a pretty good job of getting my brother and I into adulthood. 

I have also married a couple of women (not at the same time, that’d be wrong…) who have been great mothers.  My first wife, with whom I had the great pleasure of raising two beautiful daughters.  And my current wife who with her own daughter has made for an interesting “female heavy” household.   

So, let me join the chorus that all men need to be shouting.  Thank you ladies for being the mother’s that many of us dad’s would be lost without.

Happy Mother’s Day….

Why We Blog, Revisited…

Almost a year ago, I wrote a post titled “Why Do We Blog?” and got some great responses.  I wrote the post at a time when my life was much different than it is now.  A year ago, though I was fast approaching unemployment, my optimism was high.  Who would have thought that a college educated professional would have a hard time getting employed again.  But, here I sit still waiting for something. 

So why do we blog?  Or better yet, in my case, why do I write?  I think I continue to do it as I did when I first started a blog a couple of years ago.  You write because you want to have a voice.  Your own voice and not someone else’s.  Not your wife, or husband, your boss or your kids voice, but your own. 

I think WeaselMommasaid it best in the comments of that post; “I do it because as a full time Mom, I have nothing that is my own. My time, my things and even my clothing wind up being shared or borrowed without permission by my family.  My blog gives me something that is mine alone. They can read it or be a part of it, but it is mine.”

I need writing, whether it is this blog (which I am woefully behind in updating) or those articles that I write for web content (thank you to those who click open them) to keep my sanity.  Though I love the contact I have with other writers, its the pure joy of having my words, my thoughts, and my ideas written out. 

So for those who are still out there ( I can hear you breathing), why do you continue to blog?  What has changed for you since you started blogging?  Have you looked at your writing differently or how you approach blogging in general?