Happy New Year: Goodbye 2013, and looking forward to 2014.

2013 is ready to close. It’s been an interesting year in many ways, but as I look back on the previous year, I find that I am grateful for much that has transpired because I am a much better person now than I was at this time a year ago.

I went back and reviewed my posting from last year, and I was struck at how I wasn’t really enthusiastic as to what 2013 could bring. At that time, I really wasn’t looking forward to the year, but in retrospect, I find that I’m much more confident and grateful for what has happened to make me the person that I am in today.

One of the things I did over the course of the last year was kept a weekly journal. I made efforts to compose an entry at least once a week (usually on Sundays) to keep up to date with things that were happening in my life and some of the things I was dealing with. Here in the last week I took some time to review the journal over the past year and I was struck by a number of things.

To begin with, I can see my development as a person and my growth, emotionally or otherwise, through my entries in the journal and it’s great to see how much has happened over the course of one year. But taken as a whole, I found it to be really repetitive. I found I would stress over the same things again and again and the only way I would deal with them was to let them pass through the course of time. Upon reading this though, I realized something.

I have found that too often, we stress WAY too much. I’ve noticed this among my friends, family and myself time and time again. We worry about things or rather how we’re going to get things done to the point that we can’t live in the moment and enjoy something. We’re too busy worrying about what comes next that we can’t appreciate where we are.

Some of this is justified. If you’re going to graduate or are worried about your job, health care, or whatever is a driving force in your life, it’s going to cause you some stress. Tragic things that happen will stress a person (such as death, or sickness) and it’s easy to get worked up.

We all need to learn how to live for the moment. Look, life is much too short, and if we spend it worrying so much about what comes next, we can’t appreciate what we have right in front of us. If you have a life with friends, enjoy them and their company while you can. If you have major projects and are juggling multiple ones, prioritize, categorize, and while you’re working on them, seek out something about the work that satisfies you. Perhaps it’s just the people you work with, or the work itself is enlightening. Whatever works, try to live for the moment.

Over the course of this last year, I have achieved a college degree. That is (understandably) satisfying, but at the same time, I miss working and seeing many of the people who I met while there every day. With them, and in working side by side with them, I found that I really enjoyed their company, but only realize it now. I didn’t appreciate it then (perhaps I couldn’t) but in any case I do miss that. It happens to all of us. We’re so caught up on our own things that we can’t see what is happening before our eyes and it’s time to change that.

As we move forward into a new year, we need to look back and reflect, but also live for the moment. The time we have NOW is so important, and special that we need to appreciate it while we still can. Stress over the future can take over a person if they let it, so don’t let it.

I know it’s easier said than done, but try. I’m going to make more efforts to live in the moment in the next year, and I encourage all of you to do the same.

Happy New Year, wherever you happen to be. I hope it’s filled with success and happiness, and let it begin today.

Finish the season on a high note. That's all that really matters.

Oh my word. I don’t think I’ve seen a more exciting Michigan game is quite some time, nor as an exciting day of college football. Sure Ohio State should have easily dispatched the Wolverines but in true rivalry fashion did not, and the result was an exciting afternoon. However, while much of the talk this week will surely focus on why or why not Ohio State deserves to be ranked #2 in the nation, it seems to me it would be better to focus on just winning.

So far today, I’ve read a couple of reports that Auburn, after their impressive and incredible win over Alabama should be allowed to jump Ohio State in the rankings because of the strength of their schedule. Theory being, in spite of the fact that Auburn has lost this year, and Ohio State is undefeated, Auburn played tougher teams, and therefore is the superior team. So should be ranked higher.

Undoubtedly, this will be considered by the so-called geniuses who run the computer rankings and the voters but really, who cares? Seems to me that finishing an impressive winning streak, the season undefeated, and a Big Ten Championship would mean much more to the folks in this state. After all, if the BCS wants to have a national championship between a team that is undefeated and a team that has lost this season while they have a contender in 3^rd place which is also undefeated, be it on their own head. It would serve nothing other than to illustrate the ineptitude of that system. (All the more reason to bring on the playoff)

And you can bet that the other schools will look for any, ANY excuse to keep Ohio State out of contention, so screw em’. Nothing that team does will change that so why worry about it? Focus on ending the season on a high note. Given the game yesterday, that’s going to be a major challenge in itself. Ohio State’s defense needs to actually show up. Michigan State, while having a limited offense has a solid, strong defense, and to think this will be a walk in the park is just plain stupid.

At the end of the day haters are going to hate. There’s neither rhyme nor reason to it. So why worry about it and get worked up over it? Focus on what’s right in front of you and worry about the future when you’re done with today.

GO BUCKS!

Thanksgiving? What's that?

Each year I’m more and more amazed at how early Christmas is getting to be. Obviously the holiday itself isn’t moving earlier in the year, but people begin to get ready for Christmas much earlier each and every year. I’m not certain if it’s the need to get things done and the thought that there just isn’t enough time, or just to be first, but in that, I think we are losing something.

I’m certainly not the only one who has this view, and I suppose there is a sect out there who believes that those of us who do are simply insufferable at this time of the year, but seriously, ask yourself why should the season begin so early, and why is it that we’ve allowed ourselves to be sucked into the myth that this is a good thing?

Normally I don’t care, but more and more, and this year especially, I see us moving toward not even acknowledging Thanksgiving, moving straight on into Christmas after Halloween, and becoming so fatigued with it before it happens we lose sight of the things that matter. This year, many of the stores are no longer holding Black Friday sales (even though they’ll still call them that) and are instead opting for early starts to sales on Thanksgiving night. Stores as early as 5pm, and I would imagine others not even bothering to close on Thanksgiving in order to be the first.

I could say that the stores shouldn’t do that. To hold such ludacris sales early requires employees to man the stores on Thanksgiving. Times when many would rather be with their families, but as such action becomes commonplace, that notion becomes ever quainter. But I can’t say as I blame the stores as such. They’re simply providing a demand, and that’s the problem.

The problem lies within all of us. Stores wouldn’t be inclined to skip Thanksgiving altogether if not for the public, in droves demanding such things. Sure, some of us do no partake, and never will, but sadly too many of us are at these establishments (days in advance in some cases) in order to be the first one to get the best deal. The stores, like a drug dealer, are only providing us with what we want.

And many times, the guys on the front lines have little say in the matter. If the Wal-Mart Corporation decides to begins their black Friday sales at 3pm on Thanksgiving Day, all the stores are forced to comply. No one can opt out. It’s all a numbers game to these corporate stooges and that’s all it ever will be. (Ironic considering you know those same morons will be at home with their families on Thanksgiving)

I suppose it would be futile to ask people to not feed the beast, but it needs to be said, and it needs to happen. Ask yourself, is it really worth your time to camp out in front of Sears for two days in order to get 70% off a new coffee maker or washer? And if so, what does that say about you and your values in life?

It’s not the stores themselves, but rather all of us that need to take a stand and say ENOUGH! Thanksgiving is important, because it’s a day we can get together and give thanks for everything that we have in life, where we are in our lives and hope, or pray for success and prosperity in the coming year. Contrary to popular belief, that’s the only thing that really matters in life.

No one ever shows their friends pictures of their washing machine and brags about getting it at half price on Black Friday, but they do remember the afternoon backyard football games with the cousins, the turkey, and catching up with the relatives. It may not be fond memories in all cases but memories nevertheless. These are the things that are important in life, and it’s time we all realized that.

2013 Hardin County Fair: A recap.

As I write this, I am sitting up at the station after a long week at the fair. There’s a stack of production waiting to be mixed, several news stories to write, and pictures to post. But I find myself with no desire to do any of it. I suppose it’s because at this moment, I’m a bit reflective over the past week at the fair, and some things are going through my mind.

As many of you know, I am an observer of human nature. Watching people is a past time of mine, and through that, from time to time I’ll make random observations on the absurdity of life, or just life in general. And this week at the fair, I’ve made quite a few.

Good weather for an outdoor festival is a rarity and should be acknowledged.

Anytime you cram that many people into a small area, there is no effective way to handle traffic.

The fair is a collaborative effort, of many people of all ages coming together for one week out of the year to celebrate themselves. This will never change no matter how hard someone tries to make it all about them.

It’s one thing to be mad, but to keep it up for an entire week, and try to take it out on people who volunteer their time makes you nothing more than a complete, entitled douche.

When has calling out of town media to cover local stories ever made a situation better? Ask yourself, would they also come to cover something like a business opening, or park improvement? If not, why would you think they’ve got your best interests in mind?

The red shirts are awesome. There’s no bones about it.

When at a fair, time has a way of shifting. If you say you’re going to run out for ribbon fries and come right back in five minutes, you really mean about twenty minutes, because you’ll need to stop and talk with fifty people you haven’t seen yet between the grandstand and the arena.

While things are never as they used to be, it’s kind of nice to reminisce once in a while.

While it’s always better to have someone to walk around with and share the experience, it’s certainly not necessary.

Babies riding in John Deere wagons are always cute.

It’s amazing how many white benches there are all around, but never when you really want one.

The best place to see people is the picnic tables right outside the Pork Producers Barn. You can literally watch the whole fair walk by.

People who donate fair earnings to non-profits should be commended.

True good sportsmanship is rarely recognized, but that’s as it should be.

Fairground cell service SUCKS!

Organized chaos and sometimes not so organized chaos is a staple at a fair, and yet it wouldn’t happen any other way.

There are some others of course but that’s about it. Several random observations.

Everyone should have something in their life that they have a passion for. For some it’s their work, and others, their hobbies, but for me it is, and will always be the Hardin County Fair. I’m biased of course, having grown up with the fair over the years, but the people of this county, I don’t believe, have a real appreciation for what we have here. It isn’t perfect, and will never be. There are things that happen, and when they do, you learn from them and move on. But, having been to a number of different fairs myself; we really have a fair to be proud of.

I reflected on this, this morning. During the hour of inspiration I happened to gaze out over the track and to the fields behind the grounds. There was something, almost poetic about that moment. The singing of the songs, the cool breeze, the overcast day, the track and activity going on throughout the grounds, while the cornfields continued to shift in the breeze. I’ll never forget that moment, because it truly made my week. It helped me to really appreciate what can be found in the here and now, and to appreciate what we have.

What we have is a great fair, a showcase of talent, ability, and friendship that by and large seems to be lacking in the world today. We don’t truly appreciate what we have until we no longer have them so we need to live in the moment.

When taking it all into consideration, it’s been a great week, and a great fair.

See you next year!

Coming Soon: A New Look For WKTN.

You know that feeling you get when you finally complete a major project? One of elation, satisfaction or just plain relief. Most of us have had this experience when working on projects that take several weeks or even months to complete. I however and proud to say that I am close to completing a project that has been five plus years in the making.

I am proud to say that soon (very soon) there will be some changes to Kenton Today.com, the website that is connected to WKTN Radio. And I hope that many of the changes will be well received by the people who happen to use the site.

I can’t say when the genesis of this project began, but I know that it’s been over five years in the making. On the surface that wouldn’t seem much, but when you’re hoping to put out a product that is intended to meet the needs of the majority of those who happen to use the site, you want to make sure that it’s done right. 

Looking back, it amazes me what all has happened in the last five years since I began working on this upgrade. For one, many of the people I know and consider to be good friends I didn’t even know existed then, and in that time I went to college and completed by undergraduate degree. All while in the process of working on this one project. You could say, save for some other major projects, it’s been my life for the past few years. And now, it’s complete.

When I began this project, I had no idea how much I didn’t know about content management, analytics, web design and formatting, as well as designing an appropriate site that can be easily managed. Consulting with industry insiders, but also with many of the people I’ve met through the University of Findlay, I was able to hone, trim, and otherwise tailor our ideas to better suit the needs of our audience. Without their contribution, this project couldn’t be where it is today.

Last year, the station did some research into our audience, and we found (no surprise) that local was the main focus. People who go to our site want local. Local news, obits, sports, weather, community events, and so on. So to that end, we’ve tailored it to fit that audience, and hopefully they will respond.

So what does it look like? Well, below is the current site.

And here is what it will look like once it is launched.

This is only a picture of course. There are some minor things to deal with between now and the launch, and until we correct them, we can’t say for certain when we’ll switch. But rest assured, change is coming, and hopefully it will be for the better.

To say that I’m elated that we’re finally at this point would be an understatement. It has been a labor of love, hate, and frustration, and it will continue to be as we work through it. But I couldn’t be more pleased with the final result. We have a site that I think the whole community can be proud of and utilize. 

I couldn’t ask for more than that.

Fair Tour 2013: One for the books!

Having time off is necessary from time to time if one is to keep their sanity. Some people find some exotic locale and decompress, while others spend their time in other pursuits. The idea of course is to spend your days doing something that you want to do, rather than something that you have to do. What determines this can depend on any number of factors (time, money, resources,) but hopefully it’s all in good fun and worthwhile. Over the last week, I spent some time doing just that.

Given my current financial situation, I decided to spend vacation doing something I’ve wanted to do for a while, which is to go on a fair and festival tour. Many people don’t really understand this, and I suppose I can see their point, but for me there’s something intangible to be found in how a community chooses to gather together and celebrate itself. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always been drawn to fairs and festivals. Perhaps it’s where the soul of a community truly lies.

At any rate, given the time of the vacation, this tour took me to the Auglaize County Fair, Greene County Fair, Preble County Fair, Ohio State Fair, Wood County Fair, the Dublin Irish Festival, and the Indiana State Fair. To say that my feet were killing me at the end would be an understatement, but I can say that I had more fun on this vacation than I believe I’ve had in some time.

When you’re at these places, you get a feel for the community. It’s values, goals, and ideals, and in addition to that, you can see what the community puts up as an example of what it can do. Additionally, many of us here in Hardin County get a somewhat jaded view of this sort of thing because we have a couple of really good fairs and festivals, namely the Hardin County Fair, which is awesome, but it helps to see what happens elsewhere. Perhaps it might even inspire an idea to try in your local community.

But the biggest thing I’ve enjoyed is watching the people. I find human nature and interaction interesting and watching how people interact with one another in a large festival is amusing, interesting and gratifying. Whether it be young girls trying to act older than they are, older people still going, or young guys with no clue as to what lies in store for them walking around with an inflated sense of confidence.

Some examples: sometime watch how people walk on pathways. You’ll notice that people tend to walk as they drive, which means that in this country you walk on the left side of the path at all times. While in Dublin, there was a line down the middle of the roadway which was being used as a pathway, and it was amusing to see the vast amount of people walking on their designated side as if they were driving on the road.

Children are especially amusing. When we were walking into the Indiana State Fair, I noticed a father and his young daughter walking out to their car. They were holding hands but the girl (who was four or five) kept staring wide eyed at the inflatable dolphin that the father had won for her at a carnival game. The look on her face, which was one of wide eyed amazement and anticipation of getting a new toy, was really great.

When we’re out and about, sometimes we miss those moments, ones that we remember, or that hit us at just the right moments. And sometimes we’re so caught up in our own agendas that we miss all that is going on around us. It helps from time to time to be reminded of that, and to take the time to get out in the world and explore if for no other reason, than our own sanity. This was a gratifying vacation, and I hope to continue it sometime in the future.

Personal Bucket List: Take a trip to Texas

I know its been awhile and I haven't written in some time, but I want to finish my series of postings started earlier this year on my personal bucket list. I've got two to go.

I really don’t know when it happened. It could have been when I was a young kid and watched old westerns with my Grandpa but as far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to travel to, and throughout the State of Texas. I was a fan of Davy Crockett stories as a kid, and was fascinated with his life and how it ended at the Alamo, but also over the years I’ve found much of my interests can be tied into what can be found in that one state.

Texas is unique. Founded as an independent nation prior to becoming a state, it is the largest state in the US, save for Alaska. Ohio could fit into Texas several times over, so it would take some time to really explore all that the state has to offer.

Being a history researcher, much of what I’d like to see pertains to that. I want to travel to most of the major cities. Dallas, to see Dealey Plaza where President Kennedy was assassinated, as well as the home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. I’ve also discovered that Dallas has one of the prettiest skylines found in the United States.

I'd go to Houston, to see the Johnson Space Center and tour the Mission Control Buildings. It was here, back in the 1960’s where man was first able to see one of our own set foot on the moon. The men who worked at Mission Control, worked at the space center, and I’ve always wanted to see it.

San Antonio, where the aforementioned Alamo is located and I can walk across the grounds and see where men such as Crockett, Bowie, and Travis had their final stands. To tour the battlefields in Harris County where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. It was here where General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was soundly defeated by the Texians and Texas became an independent nation.

I want to visit the grave of Sam Houston. Houston is the central figure in the founding of Texas. Was the commander at the Battle of Jacinto and went on to serve as President of the Republic of Texas prior to its becoming a state. Later he served as its Governor several times. I’ve admired Houston for many years, and I’d like to visit his final resting place in Huntsville.

But Texas is so much more than history. From what I’ve read, and in speaking with many who have been, it would be worth a trip. To see the beaches at Galveston, or drive through Texarkana. To visit Waco, and Fort Worth, or to simply take a drive over the vast landscape that exists throughout the state. It’s a world onto itself. A mash of different cultures, creeds, and views, as well as great people.

A trip to Texas would be costly, at least how I would travel, so that’s been a hindrance till now, but one day, perhaps next year, I’ll make the trip. I’ve wanted to for a long time, and it’s time to make it happen.

Personal Bucket List: Visit All US Presidential Libraries.

I’ve made some progress on this one, but naturally, I’d like to make more. I am a student of history, if that wasn’t painfully obvious before, and ever since I was very young I’ve had an interest in Presidential history. I don’t really know why, except that, as the leader of a country the cultural landscape, vision, scope, and identity of that country can be wrapped up in the embodiment of one individual. That is why Presidential terms are given titles such as “Age of Lincoln” or “The Kennedy Years” “Reagonomics” and “Obamacare”. 

Really any of these terms apply for more than the actions of one individual, but still much of what we consider to be culturally relevant can be found in the person who is the President of the United States.

In the last several years, I have visited the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids (his library is located at his alma mater, that place in Ann Arbor) and The Abraham Lincoln Library in Illinois. It’s kind of pathetic, but I’ve never been to the Harding Museum, even though it’s the closest in Marion, nor have I been to any in the state of Ohio (Hays, McKinley). That’s an issue to be sure.

Having said that, there are only a handful of Presidential Libraries which are considered significant enough to be national landmarks. A listing of these can be found here. At any rate, I would like to see what can be found at each of these locations. To tour the museums, see the exhibits, and study the archives would allow me to have a greater understanding of what made these men tick, and why they did what they did. I don’t know if I’ll ever use that knowledge, but for me, it will be a satisfying journey.

Thoughts on Father's Day

So it’s Father’s Day. In our home it wasn’t always a big thing as Dad was never really into celebrating for the sake of doing it. However, I know he still enjoys it.

Gary Flinn has always been a bit of an inspiration to me, though there are times when I think we are not exactly on the same page. He and my brother Will are more alike and as a result tend to be closer. But Dad has been a constant guiding force in my life. He taught me several things in life, primarily to have faith in others, to be honest, willing to do what it takes, and to always offer a helping hand or a kind word if it was needed.

His mechanical abilities didn’t get passed to me as they did to my brother, but what I did “inherit” I suppose is a willingness to get involved, mix it up a bit, and try to make things better, in spite of overwhelming odds. 

I’ll never forget when Dad used to MC the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Banquets. He would go out of his way to find humor, tell jokes and be a constant entertaining force that would make the banquets so much more memorable. Admittedly, there are days that I miss that.

When we talk, I try to keep Dad updated on what’s going on out in the county and world, but I always find that to be somewhat futile. In his job, he travels around the county on a daily basis and frankly, whatever is happening, he’ll know before I do. When you walk around the fair with Dad he’ll have to stop and talk with everyone, or everyone will stop him and say “Hey Gary! What’s happening with you?” This will then turn into a ten or fifteen minute conversation. We give him grief for that, but the truth is that it makes me proud to have a father who is respected enough in the community for this to happen.

So while we don’t always have the closest or best relationship in the world, the truth is that I am proud of my Dad and all that he’s been able to do in his life. He and my mother have been married for over thirty years, and have successfully raised three children. None of us are perfect, but I’d like to think that I’d look back on my own experiences thirty or forty years from now and consider myself to be as fortunate as he is.

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad, Gary Flinn, and to all the fathers out there! This one’s for you.

In reporting breaking news, sometimes it's darned if you do...

Sometimes seeing how people respond to news is just as interesting as the news itself (and yes, I’m using the word “interesting” in the context I usually do)

In my job, from time to time I have to cover a tragic news event. I’ve discussed this before, and it’s not something I like to do, but in the world of journalism there are times when it is necessary to report on events which are not happy or cheerful things. When people are seriously hurt, killed or a crime has occurred it is necessary for the media to report what happened, and that isn’t always an easy thing to do. Having said that, I am amazed at times what kind of a reaction a news story can provoke.

Compared to others, our community is rather small so perhaps I’m closer to this than some other places but every time there is an accident, fatal or otherwise, I go to the scene and get pictures. Sometimes I post them from the scene to let people know what happened and other times I wait till I get back to the station. The overall goal is to get the word out quickly, but also to let people know what’s happening. I mean, let’s say the crash happened on a busy street intersection or on a major road. If traffic is backed up, people will want to know why and plan to drive accordingly.

But every time this happens, we catch flak from people who think that we’re being insensitive, as we should wait till all family members are notified before we publish a picture.

First off, we have no way of knowing this, and waiting till law enforcement puts out a release can take a couple of days at times which means the news is old and people have moved on. News doesn't wait for anyone, but beyond that consider this. If you were listening to the initial report and wondered if you had a loved one involved, saw the picture and realized that they didn’t drive the car, wouldn’t you feel better about it?

And even if I did learn of a tragic event this way, I would be more concerned for the person involved. I could care less how I learned about it.

I mean, imagine if this man couldn't have reported on the Kennedy Assassination till all family members were contacted?

I mean, imagine if the media couldn’t report 9/11, or the Sandy Hook shooting till ALL family members were notified. It just doesn’t happen (One commenter today noted that she had 36 cousins that she would want to be notified before the media reported it. Imagine that.)

So what do you think? I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, but I am curious as to how everyone feels about this sort of thing.

Personal Bucket List: A Trip to the UK/Europe

This is one which may require an assortment of trips to truly get the feel, and experience right. Ever since I was young, I have wanted to take a trip to the UK, and parts of Europe. To see the sights, and to experience the different cultures. I have a friend who has spent the better part of the last month there and I’ve been following her postings with both eagerness and a small, tiny hint of jealously.

My dad is a huge fan of PBS. When we were growing up, one of the shows that he watched all the time (and still does) is All Creatures Great & Small. I wrote about the show last Christmas. The show takes place in northern England in Yorkshire, and ever since I first saw it, I wanted to travel there and see the sights that I grew up watching. But beyond that, there is so much more to see. To visit Thirsk or Shrewsberry, or I could travel to London, and see ALL the historic sights, from the Tower of London, to the London Bridge, Baker St. and all the Sherlock Holmes sights (always a fan of course), as well as the royal palace and the O2, and of course, take a ride on the London Eye, as well as many other things that I can’t even think of.

I’d travel to Stonehenge and Highclere Castle (Which, in addition to housing the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in England is also the home to the popular show Downton Abby). I’d also want to see KnebworthHouse and Mentmore Towers.

In addition, I’d like to visit Ireland. Stop in a pub in Dublin and have a pint. Travel to the town of Avoca in County Wicklow, and hoist a few at Fitzgeralds. There are also a number of castles in Ireland. Last year, my cousin Matt and his wife traveled there and told me about a few they saw, and I’d like to see Slane Castle in Slane County. Many great concerts, from The Rolling Stones, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen, David Bowie, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, R.E.M., Foo Fighters, Celtic Woman and Oasis have held large outdoor concerts at Slane.

I’d travel to France, to see the fields of Normandy and Bastogne. To travel among the WWII cemeteries and pay respects. To Paris and see the Eiffel Tower, the great Arch, the Louvre and all its sights. The famous Palais Garnier as well as the palaces and gardens throughout the city. From there, I’d travel to Germany and see the sights in Berlin, (The remains of the wall, WWII landmarks etc.) Munich and all kinds of sights (My mother traveled there in HS, and as such I’ve heard some of her stories.)

I’d visit Poland, in order to see Krakow, and Auschwitz as well as the factories once owned by Oskar Schindler and the surrounding camps. I’d also travel a bit in Italy, not only to see Rome but also the Vatican and all that is there.

And this is just a fraction of what I'd have in mind. As you can imagine, this is a trip that would take a LARGE amount of time and money, and perhaps one day I’ll have both, but more likely I’ll find a way to split it up into smaller trips and enjoy it all the more. 

Personal Bucket List: Return to Gettysburg

Like many junior high students in this country, when I was in 8^th grade my class took a trip to Washington DC, and while en-route, we stopped at and toured Gettysburg. At the time, I knew very little about the battle and the significance it had on American life as we know it today, but in the years since, I have had time to study, research, and review the town, battle, and its impact extensively.

July 1^st-3^rd 1863 was a pivotal three days for this country. Given what happened prior to, and following that event, our landscape was fundamentally changed. If the history of the United States were divided into two sections, the breaking point would be those three days, because whatever came before, and whatever followed would be significantly changed over the course of those 72 hours.

I’ve written about the battle before, and my love for the film which attempts to tell the story. But there is so much more to see, and if one approaches a trip there with that knowledge, the experience can be all the more significant. At the time, I didn’t know, nor did I have an appreciation for what that place can be, and why it’s important to see it, walk the grounds, and take in the sights. Everyone owes it to themselves to do as such if an opportunity presents itself. I would like to return as I know that my experience can be all the more enhanced, given what I’ve learned in the years since.

Personal Bucket List: Write a book or novel

As I’ve said before, I like to write. I have no illusions to being a great writer, and in fact, I would consider my writing, and writing ability to be sub-par, at best. Still, I find a certain degree of satisfaction in writing. It enables me to express my thoughts (rants) in a better way than through spoken word.

Given this, it’s only natural that I would want to someday pen a book of some kind. I don’t know if it would be a non-fiction work, or a novel but I would like to make the attempt at any rate. Even if you’re writing for yourself, there’s a need to have your work viewed by others. If for no other reason than to validate your own opinions or beliefs. Call it human ego, but it exists.

Many narcissistic writers have illusions to penning the “Great American Novel” which is futile at best. For one thing, nothing in this world is ever really considered great in its own time. Leaders of the past who today are revered for their greatness were not considered as such when they were alive. Plus, who cares? I like to write whatever happens to be on my mind, and if what is on my mind happens to be an interesting story, I’d like to share it with others.

Every so often I get a germ of an idea. Sometimes I would be walking down the street and I see something, such as a squirrel carrying an acorn, or some guy trying to chat up a girl and from that my mind creates a basic (and boy, do I mean basic) outline of a story. I get the basic nuance of the plot, boiled down to three or four simple sentences and sometimes I’ve gone as far as to pen a paragraph, but that’s where it usually ends.

It’s just something I’ll need to work on. Like I said, I know my writing is not the best, but I’d like to attempt to pen a book of some sort one day.

Personal Bucket List: Attend an Olympics (Summer or Winter)

Several years ago, I was hoping that Chicago would be chosen to host an Olympic games. The benefit of such an event being held so close to home would afford me the opportunity to attend the games with relative ease, as opposed to venues in other countries. Sadly that was not the case.

I’ve always enjoyed the Olympic Games. Every couple of years, the world comes together in the spirit of friendly competition in one location, and for a couple of weeks, competes on the world’s greatest stage. The games have produced some of the most iconic moments in all of sports history. Tales of heartache and terror, the dream of competition and overcoming the odds, it’s hard not to get caught up in the story. Plus, where else in the world can a person find such a diverse group of incredibly talented individuals all in one location?

One of the issues with watching the Olympics on television is that you only see certain events. Sure, if you had a cable package or search online you can find film on anything, but it’s not quite the same as watching it in primetime. The networks only want to show the events which get the most traction. This makes sense. I mean, why would you waste money to showcase games that the majority of people don’t want to see?

But if I were to go, I would make an effort to see certain events, such as the Opening or Closing Ceremonies, some of the speed skating, or track events, volleyball, and of course, my favorite events, the shooting sports. When the games were in London, I was able to follow the US Olympic Shooting team much closer than before, and as a result, I was able to become immersed into the world and culture of the shooting sports. Whether it was Archery, Trap Shooting, Pistols, or Target Shooting, I found all events to be fascinating. And, being a shooter myself, it naturally interested me.

The 2012 USA Shooting Team in London

Some prefer one over the other. That is, they prefer Summer over Winter, or vice versa. I really don’t have a preference. Each carries its particular merits, hero’s, stories, and history, and both have a unique place in sports lore. If given the chance, I would attend an Olympic Games in a heartbeat.