What a football weekend!

Wow, where to start? I'll start and finish close to home.
UT beat OU. Huh? How did that happen? Those mighty Sooners, who've had Mack Browns' number all these years, were beaten by the Longhorns 45-35! WooHoo! Then, OKie State upsets #3 Mizzou, 28-23. I didn't see the game, but hooray OK State! (I always root for the underdog when the "big dog" isn't my team!) If that wasn't enough, The Florida Gators didn't just upset #4 LSU, they beat the HELL out of them 51-21.

Ok...so much for college football. On to the real games...

Those poor Houston Texan fans finally got a little candy. The previously winless Texans beat those hated Miami Dolphins, who had just just beaten the Patriots and the Chargers in consecutive games. Is that an upset? Maybe. Depends on who you think is the second worst team in the AFC...(the Raiders are obviously the worst because Al Davis is still in charge).

In what may be the biggest stunner this week, the undeniably worst team in the NFC, the St Louis Rams beat the team the national media had been hyping as "the great one's".

Now, to end (with a great measure of angst)...the Cowboys were beaten by the Cards. Talk about Deja Vu!!! Seems like old times. I remember those days, when the Cards were still in St Louis...and they would beat an obviously better Cowboy team at least once a year. This is a little harder to take, though.

It was fitting that this was a crazy game. That's how I remember those games of yore. But back them, at least we 'Boys fans knew we had the best coach in the league. We knew Landry, and then later the ass that is Jimmy Johnson, would not let them get away with what has happened here.

I have to say this...Wade Phillips is a good man. He's a good guy. But it's obvious...he's not a coach that will win a Superbowl. It sad to say, when these guys make millions of dollars to play a game, that they are no more than boys mentally...that in the NFL...good guys don't win. Wade was great for the Cowboys last year, after the beatdown of Bill Parcells. But it's obvious these guys need someone who is willing to kick them in the ass....That one of the worst exhibitions by a Cowboys offensive line since those dark days of the '80. Not to mention the special teams play...Steve Hoffman, where are you? Wake up Jerry...see reality.

Wow!

I just finished watching the Presidential Debate and I have a few thoughts I have to share. First of all, I want to say that no matter who wins I hope that "party politics" don't interfere in the way it has the last 8yrs. For the first time in my lifetime...at least for the first time since I became aware of "politics", I think we as Americans have to choose between two very fine candidates. They are both good men. As long as whichever candidate wins holds to what he said tonight, and doesn't betray the trust we gave our last 3 Presidents... (Bush Sr, Clinton, and Bush Jr all lied to us)...I really think we are in good hands. But that is the major caveat...which one is more willing to succumb to party politics?

Who won? As a lifelong "republican", I have to say that I came away feeling Mr Obama won this debate. I don't agree with all he said, nor do I agree with some of his ideas on how to fix the mess the last three presidents have gotten our country into. Yet I was surprised at how much I did agree with what he said, as opposed to Mr McCain.

Now... it's obvious that Barrack Obama is a great speaker. I have to say that he's one of the best I've heard. And that says a lot, considering who I think of as the best users of the English language...Alfred Tennyson, Neil Peart, and Theodore Roosevelt. I have a great respect for John McCain. I don't agree with him 100%, but I feel he would be a fine leader of our country, a man who could lead us out of the mess Bill Clinton and both Bush's have gotten us into. Make no mistake...they are all to blame. For different reasons, in different areas...but one was just as bad as the other. The only reason Clinton won't go down as being a terrible President is the economical upswing during his years as President, which was mostly due to factors he had nothing to do with. Remember, it was Al Gore who invented the internet...right? (aside...a reason is never because...just had to throw that in..)

After tonight's debate, my opinion about Barrack Obama has been changed, somewhat. He's a good man. I do think, as long as he could do like TR did, and defy those who run the political party he's subscribed to, when needed, and be willing to do what's best for America...he could become one of the greatest Presidents we've had.

My biggest feeling, though, after watching this debate, is this....for the first time in years I feel that instead of having to choose the "lesser of two evils", we have to choose between two truly good candidates. As I said, who's more willing to succumb to "party politics"?

Conform or be cast out... just randomness from a random mind!

I have to start this entry with the great words of Mr NP...

Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone


(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight
Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights...


(Subdivisions)
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
(Subdivisions)
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth

How well said, Neil! As I sit here tonight, contemplating both my past and my future, this song seems so fitting. Those who grew up in my generation understand. Whether or not you like Rush, you know that these words describe what we all lived. Our kids don't know, and I can only think that in some ways that's a good thing. But in more ways it's not so good.

Our kids have grown up in a time where communication is so easy. They've always had the internet, email, and cell phones. First it was Xanga, then Myspace and now Facebook. Now they have PS2, or Nintendo Wii, or X-box, or whatever the video system of the day is. They have no idea what "pong" was...or Atari. Anybody remember Galaga, or Missile Command? LMAO!!

Our kids have so much more at their command than we did, yet they've also missed on so much of the things we enjoyed as kids. It's sad for me to say, but I'm not even sure if my daughter, who is now 21 yrs old, ever played a game of kickball. Or "hide and seek". I know there were some things she did...the games of "four square", the times of digging in the sand at the neighbors house...but she never had the chance to camp out in the back yard every night during the summer, and ride her bike around the subdivision at 2 or 3 in the morning because the parents were asleep, and it was safe back then, like I did. She never had the opportunity to discover the world around her like I did, without there being an adult present.

I grew up in the last of the best time to be a kid in America. Yes there was peer pressure. Yes, you had to conform or be cast out. But we were so free back then, so much more than our kids. Back then, even the outcast...the one who wouldn't conform, had a chance. I know, I was one of those. Yet I have such great memories of my youth...the games of kickball or hide and seek we had on our street. And later, the baseball and basketball games in Jr high and high school. I had the fortune that my daughter was a very good tennis player...she played tennis from 7th grade until 10th grade. She only stopped playing competetivly because in 10th grade she left public school, and went to Ft Worth Academy of Fine Arts. They had no sports. But by that time, along with being one of the best singers FWAFA, and the Singing Girls of Texas has ever had, she could still school any boy her age, as well her dad, on the tennis court. And dear old dad was a pretty good tennis player!

Like it's stated in the title...just random thoughts from a random mind! I just wish the next generation could have the best of the previous two...I want my grandkids to have the safety, security, and sense of community I grew up with as well as the technology their parents have enjoyed. I want them to be able to communicate with any friend anytime, but also to know how to get along with the kids next door...or down the street...and build the great memories that I have.

Heroes or Role models?

If you really want to get an idea of what a "hero" and a "role model" is, and why a role model is so superior... This man, a self proclaimed sports nerd, does this trip through his church every year. He does this to help bring some semblance of happiness, if only for one week a year, to a group of children who have lived through such terrible pain.

To those kids, I'm sure he's a hero. But to the rest of us...he's a role model. I dare anyone to read this blog and not feel proud that there are people like him...to not get that feeling of both sadness for those kids, and hope for the future of mankind knowing that there are still those who are willing to sacrifice themselves, even in the smallest way, for those who need.

Bob Sturm, and those like him, are both heroes and great role models!
"The most endangered species
the Honest Man
will still survive annihilation
forming a world
state of integrity
sensitive, open and strong"

3 months

How is it possible? It's been 3 months. How can that be... 3 months since my Princess Emma Faye Griffith was born. It just seems like weeks ago that I was waiting for the call...boy or girl? I'll never forget that phone call from Briana...it's a girl! Yet, it doesn't seem that long ago when her mother told me she was on the way. How can 21 yrs seem so short? And the day we found out she was a "she"! How could I be so lucky? I love my new grandsons, Ethan and Jaiden with all my heart. They are my little buddies, and I'm so lucky to have them in my life. But, while they are, in my mind little princes...beautiful little boys...Emma is my princess. Because of my raising...mother was the one who raised me, and the fact that I had two big sisters, who everyone loved....of course I love the fact that my one and only was a girl...and that her first was a girl. But, I guess, that's the way it should have been. That's why the Stevie Wonder song is so fitting for me... it describes so perfectly how I felt that night my baby was born, and how I felt the first time I held that little Princess Emma. 3 months ago.

I can hardly wait for the first day that I get to take the boys fishing. I know that's a "dad" thing, and I know Jeff will do fine...but I was taught by the best, and I can't wait to teach them what my dad taught me. And the day they are old enough for me to start showing them how to throw a baseball...the right way. Another "dad" thing...but I know a little something about it myself. When to throw the two seam fastball, the four seam fastball, or the curve. Or, of course...how to throw a screwball...the best "out" pitch ever! Or how to hit any of them! Or better yet...how to play the field. Oh gosh...how great that will be!

But more than that...I look forward to the day that I can teach them how to take care of their little sister...how beautiful and precious girls are.

Has it already been 3 months? How can that be? Soon she will be crawling...then walking...then talking. That's when I'll be in real trouble! Oh what a great day it will be when she can finally call me Bud! G-Paw Bud! I remember telling Briana, when she was 7 yrs old, to stop growing up. Now, I'm looking forward to the day that I can tell that to my little Princess! I know, like her mom, she won't...but it's such a great thing to look forward to!!!!

My Princess

Thanks to Briana, for reminding me of my reason for being. I just had to post this....for my Princess Emma Faye Griffith.
(I made a couple of changes of my own, to fit)
Thanks also to little Stevie Wonder...one of the greatest songwriters ever!!!

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she lovely
Life and love are the same
Complete is Emma
The meaning of her name
Briana, it could have not been done
Without you who conceived the one
That's so very lovely made from love

The last dance

For the first time in my life, I'm actually proud of myself. I did something tonight that I truly feel was something special. In the grand scheme of things it will probably mean nothing to anyone but me. But it did mean so much to me. My neice Kasi was married today. At the reception, I didn't know until late, that it's traditional to pay for a dance with the bride and/ or groom. I was told I had to dance with her. Anyone who knows me knows I don't dance. But I had no choice...I had to. So, I decided that I would be the last dance.

I used to play with that baby when she was a baby. I will never forget when she was just months old, how much fun I had playing with her. My own baby was on the way at the time, and later on they were great friends for a time. I love my other neices and my nephew, but Kasi was always special to me because of that time we had when she was a baby. I cried at the wedding. I tried so hard not to, but I couldn't help it. I cried when Kasi and her new husband, Hank, had their first dance. I had to go outside because I didn't want everyone else to see me that way.

But, I digress. When I was told, much to my chagrin, that I had no choice...that I was required to dance with the bride, I decided immediately that I would have the last dance. I let at least ten, if not fifteen, people cut in front of me....just to make sure that I had that last dance. I was so afraid that when my turn finally came, I would screw it up. But I didn't. It was so sweet. Our dance only lasted about 20 or 30 seconds, but it was great. And I did get the last dance. I could only hope it meant as much to her as it did to me. I'm sure it didn't, but I am proud of myself for it anyway! It was one of those moments in life that I will never forget.