Hi Gang,
This morning, like several mornings lately, I quickly read what you all posted last night after I went to bed, and it struck a chord with some of what I have been thinking. By the way I look more forward to that in the morning than many other things I now read posts before I read the news.
I am going to do my best to put this into words, so, I hope you dont mind if I spend a few moments on my soapbox.
Like many of you, my family (other than Amy) and associates have no idea I lead this kind of double life here. Not that I am ashamed of it far from it. (Of course, Amys mother was horrified when she learned that people from the internet were coming to spend time with us on vacation at the beach a few years ago.) As if the internet is some kind of foreign country.
I just dont go out of my way to let them in on the fun that I am having with like-minded people, where we can all let our hair down if even for just a little while. I told Amy just last night (although I know it is not possible) wouldnt it be great to have all these people over to our house for a cookout, and spend a day just having a great time?
I can just imagine the employees at the company I work at seeing their head Human Resource executive making all these banana references and talking to himself . . . or for that matter the residents of the community where I am School Board President!
Which gets me to my point. We are living in an age of fear, apprehension, intolerance, and seriousness. I dont want to turn this conversation to politics, because I know that can polarize and destroy friendships in todays times.
However, today in America, our leaders and our media have cultivated this environment of fear. People who are afraid are easier to control, and they watch more news and buy more newspapers. So the media and our leadership feed off each other, and we all are afraid of our own shadows. Im quite tired of that. Caution and prudence are one thing fear is quite another. Im reading (actually listening to) a book that has really crystallized those thoughts for me too.
Thats also why this environment is important to me. For me too, it is one place where I can forget about the tensions of the day (which have been much greater than usual at the office lately with no letup in sight), and have some fun with people of a like interest. I have met some truly amazing, intelligent, generous, and wonderful people through this medium. I have yet to meet any axe murderers. Ill take that chance as I fathom the chance is slim, and the benefit far outweighs the perceived risk.
With that Ill get off my soapbox, but just wanted to tell all of you that I enjoy your company, your camaraderie, and your willingness to share some friendship and laughter just because we all happen to be taking the same vacation several months from now. Its getting rarer to be able to do that with people you may barely know. This vacation means a lot to both Amy and I, as it is one of the few times every year we get to escape all those unpleasant realities, and really enjoy time as a family.
Almost time to leave the office and pick up Sophia at grandmas. If we had to pay what some of you said you were paying for childcare, our cruising would be in a rowboat on Lake Erie! Amy has training four nights this week, and we are on our own for dinner. Unfortunately, Sophias idea of haute cuisine is CiCis pizza, which I can only take once a week!
Ill check in later tonight.
Thanks again.
John
The whole family comes home for a milestone like this one. Anyone know if Lisa is in the house?>
