Friendship

So in the last week or so, in conversation, the concept of "friendship" has come up. Weird, yes.

One of the conversations was that neither of us had a best friend. We have many many friends, but not that "best" friend. Neither of us were concerned about it, and knew there are people we can rely on to help us out if needed, but we don't have that confidant who we need to bounce ideas or share intimate/secret stuff with. After a short discussion we were sure we do not need that confidant.

Another conversation was around that I do not have a girlfriend, even though they thought I did. (I found this really funny, but anyway.) Once again I do not feel as if I need a girlfriend in my life right now (long list of reasons for this, which I will not go into here). After my divorce and the adjustment to being me again, I discovered I like being me. Maybe that is why I don't have a best friend, I like being me (and others can not handle that).

The last conversation revolves around my daughter, and that she does not have a best friend (currently). She has had one or two in the past, but for reasons beyond her control (moves, new school, etc...) distance has put a damper on those relationships. She has friends she hangs out through common interest and/or school, but not that confidant. Being in middle school this can be tough and she does feel she is left out of things because she does not run with any squad (I think that is what they call it now), partly because she is not a follower and does her own thing, and does not care what others think about it. Her mother and I have always instilled this in both of our children, so I guess...but there is nothing wrong in that. Maybe this also why I don't have a best friend...and I have passed this onto my children, so sorry or your welcome, not sure which is correct.

So here is to friendship, whatever that may be...

BTW, I do have many friends that have the same warped twisted sarcastic bent thought structure that I have and many that I have numerous common interests with and I am far from being lonely.

Eye Halve a Spelling Checker

<Not mine, but brilliant>

I halve a spelling checker
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marcs four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your please to no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My checker tolled me sew.

USMNT:6 Year Hiatus

The US Mens National Team (USMNT) has some time to think about why they did not qualify for the world cup, especially the controlling powers (U.S. Soccer).

Many are already pointing fingers and coming up with lame excuses of why... everything from Klinsmann to weak youth program. So here is my take on why it failed and what others are saying is dead wrong.

Lets start with the youth program...no, our youth program is not failing us on the international level. Our strong women's program is evidence of that, as they win at all levels and are dominant year in year out. We are sending some of our best to play around the world during their development years.

Klinsmann killed the team...this is the most laughable excuse out there, here is a man that has won at all levels as a player and as a coach. Probably understands the game more than anyone in this country.  Klinsmann was building toward a youth movement and was patiently developing players and pushing the older past their prime players out the door. But U.S. Soccer did not like his plan so he was ousted.

Arenas killed USMNT, he killed it the first time he was coach and left it in the hands of Bob Bradley, and he just killed it again. Arenas does not have the knowledge to win at the top level and just tries to fill seats using MLS stars. He starts first time players in their late 20s, instead of younger players with a future in front of them. Look at soccer around the world, most of the top players are on the down side of their career at 26-27 years old. The whole reason professional teams recruit and train players in their early teens is so they have them at their prime in their early 20s, it is the nature of the game.

Bradley killed USMNT, both father and son. They are both horrible and should not have been given the power that they have had. Neither of them can win at any level.

Television killed USMNT. You could not watch their games unless you had special television packages. How do you garner support for any team, in any sport, without the proper media coverage. Television drove away the fan base.

So how do we solve this (and we have 6 years to figure it out)? Follow the Klinsmann plan and invest in our youth, forget the Donovans, the Dempseys, the Bradleys. Get rid of Arenas and everyone every associated with him. Go out and find your next Pulisic, Yedlin, put your money in the U-17 and U-18 teams. Those players are the ones that will carry you into the next World Cup

Talk About No Respect

So, I am seeing the American Flag being flown at half-staff. A quick search on the interwebz says it is for the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Fest in Las Vegas. My question is why...

Was a ranking government official killed?  Were US soldiers killed in the line of duty? National holiday of remembrance?

Nope.

Our so-called president ordered it. The same fucking moron that spent the last 10+ days spreading vitriol about NFL players and their "lack" of respect for the flag, this country and veterans. Now he orders this disrespect, thinking he is uniting the country. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows this is just another ploy to stroke his ego and more pandering to his base.

I know some will say that there were veterans possible killed (and wounded) is this mass shooting, but they did not give their life in the line of duty.

So, I am offended by this lack of respect and disregard to those that have served this country.

Another Addition of Brain Smatterings

I had a conversation with a fellow blogger and she reminded me that I have not been blogging enough, so here is a conglomerate of things rattle around in my head...(I hope you are happy)

• HBM and Beard update: still have both, just trimmed everything even though I want it all longer and better. Just started to wax the 'stache again, even did a new run of homemade wax. Beard is now long enough that I really have to pay attention when eating food that requires no utensils or I am eating the beard too
• Frustrated with getting communication established with my daughter's school. I may be separated by distance, but that does not mean I am not active in her life. Do your job, because I am definitely going to try my best to make you do it.
• The country I am living in is going down fast, we have no strong leadership, and they are supported by people that are not awake enough to see what is happening. 
• Racism and bigotry is still alive, it is just now out of the closet once again. And I have friends that want to defend it via the 1st amendment. Maybe you people need to also look at the 5th and STFU, just saying...
• I bought a bicycle. This summer I have made a valiant effort of getting back into shape, round is a shape BTW, and have been good about getting out and exercising. I have tried running, but the knees are just not into it (too many years of officiating and long seasons of plate work), add in that I am over weight and old (once again too many years of plate work). So let me see if I remember how to ride a bike...what is that old colloquial?

'Nuff for now, until next time...

Looking for a Vehicle

So I am in need of a vehicle, and I have looked at several different ones that fit my needs and wants. With this in mind, it has moved me toward several, a used Mini Cooper; small, semi-efficient and sporty, a Toyota 4Runner; utilitarian and less efficient, and Mercedes wagon; I like wagons and these come in 4matic regularly.

The Mini Cooper

 Probably the most unreasonable choice on the list currently, but hey why not... I actually went and drove one to see if I could fit into one and was surprised on the amount of room on the inside. The real issue of this car is it is a BMW product and has high maintenance needs and costs. The price of used ones are all over the map and the various needs of each vehicle is also scattered. If I decide to go this way, I would like a 6-speed (the automatics are notorious junk), non-S (the supercharged ones are also notorious junk) and in the Clubman model (I said I like wagons). Preferably in a neutral color like British Racing Green, Quicksilver, or Bright Red. Almost pulled the trigger on a Spicy Orange one, just could not do the color.

The 4Runner

I have always loved these vehicles, and this probably fits my present need the most, roomy, ok gas mileage, great for all weather, and built to go for ever. Not many available but at least they are all around the same price for the same miles and features on them. The interiors tend to go on these first, so I would have to over look that...also looked at a couple Land Cruisers by Toyota (the bigger brother of the 4runner), but the gas bill would kill my monthly budget.

Mercedes Wagon

Talking to my trusted mechanic, this was his suggestion. He advised me to stay away from Audis (love), BMWs(hate), and Saabs(owned 5 but they are getting hard to find parts for and people to work on them). The 'cedes cars go for ever with a little regular maintenance and it does have a certain class and prestige to it. I almost bought one before when I went into a Volvo XC wagon, but it was all white (outside and inside) and I had kids and dogs, so no. The problem is finding one on the market, people keep this family wagon because they go forever, so why get rid of it. They also come in almost all neutral colors like black, dark blue, dark green, and silver, never seen any in crazy colors like Spicy Orange.

Well, back to hunting...

The Resiliency of Nature

The mighty oak.

Like most of northeastern CT, my yard was infested with Gypsy caterpillars (and moths). They stripped the large oak in my front yard. Many of the caterpillars got the fungus that let to some dying off, the rest of the eggs laid I took care of with the pressure washer.

During their hay day, I had to endure the frass (caterpillar shit) on my car, driveway and walkway. But that too has passed.

The oak tree looked devastated, but in just a few short weeks and a fair amount of rain, the tree is back to its mid-summer glory and fully leafed again (yeah, I get to rake leaves this fall!).

Nature is still the most powerful force know to man.