UFO Sighting Spooks Colorado Town

Integrity, Honor, Commitment

I don't think people have much integrity these days...mostly, I suppose, with the younger generation; but really in general. There are a lot of things that go into having integrity: commitment, morals, truthfulness, honor, reliability.

I had an argument with my daughter this morning. She texted me to to say that she could not eat dinner with us for her grandfather's birthday tonight, even though she had told me twice (as late as yesterday) that she would be there. She said she had a date with her boyfriend and that she was also on a diet and couldn't eat at that particular steakhouse due to her diet. In my opinion, she was making excuses so she could spend more time with her boyfriend. She said she would "stop by" for a few minutes to say hi. She thought I was making a big deal out of nothing. I told her that commitment WAS a big deal and that she had to learn that when you commit to something, you follow through. She could always eat a salad if it was only because of her diet; I knew better, because I know my daughter.

This is just one example in a long line of examples of people who have made commitments to me and others I know, only to back out at the last minute.

It has only been in the past couple of years that I felt I was ready to start seriously considering dating again. After my most recent relationship dissolved, it was hard for me to get back up in the saddle and trust again. Not only that, my kids were now grown and son was off to college. It was time to start thinking about my own future. In the last year alone, I have personally experienced women who have backed out of dates (casual get-togethers as well as formal) the day of or day before we were to get together. This has happened about 5 times in the past year alone! (It happened twice this week by the same woman friend when we were supposed to go to a movie together.) When my daughter backed out on her commitment today, it just got me to wondering where integrity and commitment had gone. I want to teach my daughter to NOT be one of those people who think it's okay to back out on commitments. Ironically, she was backing out IN ORDER to spend time with a boy; but in my mind, that's even worse. Family should ALWAYS come before boyfriends or girlfriends, especially at her age and level of commitment to a relationship. It's hard to teach a girl at her age to put family before boys, however.

People look at my past record with women (16 years divorced and not yet married) and think it's due to my inability to make a commitment. On the contrary, it's because I have NOT felt the same level of commitment in the women I have dated! I can't tell you how tired I get of people making jokes about my inability to make a commitment, when I know that's never been the issue. In fact, in all my years of dating women going back to high school, I don't believe I have EVER had an extra-curricular relationship when I was involved in a serious relationship with a woman. Now...I have dated more than one woman at a time on occasion; but that is normally when I am still in the dating process and not serious with any particular one. In fact, before my last 3 years relationship I was dating two women fairly regularly. When it became obvious that I was ready to make a commitment to one over the other, I called the other to let her know. You know...she was very kind and appreciated that I called to tell her and was honest with her rather than just stop calling, as so many others do today. I also told both of them that I was seeing the other while I was dating them both. I wanted them to know where I was in terms of commitment.

I get asked to give of my time to projects, committees, events, etc all the time. Each time I am asked, I give serious consideration as to how much time I have to give and what level of commitment is being asked of me. I never agree to anything that I don't feel I can give 100% to. I want others to never doubt my level of commitment. Integrity, commitment and honor are a lost art...an art I hope my children will learn and appreciate.

Political Ramblings

I haven't written much lately. I guess life sometimes gets so busy you forget to stop and think.

One thing has been bothering me a lot. I haven't talked much about politics here lately. But there is so much going on in this world that has me upset, it's never too far from my mind. Specifically, I am becoming very disturbed by Republicans (especially the far right) for things that are happening since Obama took office.

If you've been on another planet or locked inside a closet for a couple of months, there was an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that continues to spew thousands and thousands of gallons into the ocean every day. Now...most democrats have been against drilling in the ocean forever. Last year, the ban was lifted by President Obama and drilling has started back up on in some areas off the U.S. coast. In the meantime, Sarah Palin and other Republicans have been shouting "Drill Baby, Drill!" in an effort to allow for more drilling in the ocean and around the U.S. Most Democrats have continued to believe that we should spend more money and energy looking at alternative clean fuels. Then came the disaster in the Gulf. Now Obama is being blamed for the disaster by Republicans who for years have been fighting to start the drilling while Obama and other Democrats have resisted. How dare they! Much of the finger pointing is not necessarily coming from Republican leaders, but from the Republican citizens of the U.S. The other day, I even had a trucker tell me that it's all liberal media hype and that there is no more oil in the Gulf now then there ever was...that there is always that much oil washing up on shore in the Gulf and that the Democrats and the liberal media are using it as a way of stopping the drilling. (Which, by the way, Obama did immediately after the disaster, and which the oil companies are fighting.)

When Obama took office, he was challenged to overcome eight years of disastrous economic and foreign policy by the previous administration. Even with that tremendous challenge, he pledged to try to reach out to the other side of the aisle in an effort to change the politics of the past. He was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize specifically for what he HOPED to achieve to bring America and the world together! Unlike what the Republicans would have you believe, President Obama's entire career has been spent trying to compromise and reach out to others in order to reach common goals. His record speaks for itself. He's not a left-wing president. In fact, he's much more centrist than many of our great Democratic presidents of the past, including FDR and JFK. But, in an effort to damage Obama's credibility and record, the Republicans have adopted a strategy of ZERO COMPROMISE; which is to say that they refuse to vote with the Democrats on anything the Obama Administration tries to pass through Congress, even if what they are doing may very well be in the best interest of the American people. Any Republican congressman who votes with the Democrats is ostracized and jeopardizes his political future. The Republicans in Congress will stop at nothing to gain back a majority in Congress and get another Republican president in office, even if it means going back to the failed policies of the past eight years that brought our country to the brink of disaster, both economically and though the wars being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Republicans talk about changing politics in Washington, but they continue to show us by their actions what is so terribly wrong with politics in Washington! Can you say "Hypocrites"?

Letter to our President

The following is a letter from a Procter and Gamble executive to President Obama, followed by a letter from me to him. His name is Lou Pritchett.

Subject: A LETTER FROM A PROCTER AND GAMBLE EXECUTIVE TO THE PRESIDENT

Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America 's true living legends- an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher and one of the world's highest rated speakers. Successful corporate executives everywhere recognize him as the foremost leader in change management.. Lou changed the way America does business by creating an audacious concept that came to be known as "partnering." Pritchett rose from soap salesman to Vice-President, Sales and Customer Development for Procter and Gamble and over the course of 36 years, made corporate history.

AN OPEN LETTER TO
PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.


You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail..

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America '
crowd and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaugh's, Hannitys, O'Reillys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

Response by Alex Lankhorst

AN OPEN LETTER TO LOU PRITCHETT

Dear Lou Pritchett,

You're an idiot.

Is it mandatory for a person to have corporate management experience in order to know how to run a country? If our country was run by corporate CEO's, who would bail us out when the country fails?

Do you have to know how to kill in war to understand that peace is always the best option?

Does the American public have to know more about you than that you were born an American without a silver spoon in your mouth; and worked and studied hard on your own (without help from your parent's friends and associates) to dig yourself out of poverty in order to give yourself every advantage you could possibly have in order to be successful?

Do you understand that intelligent people can actually EARN an Ivy League education by getting good grades and earning scholarships, and not by having a rich Ivy League alumni give you a recommendation in order to gain your admission?

Do you understand that President Obama spent ALL THE YEARS of his formative youth in American high schools and colleges and because he actually LIVED in another country besides America, he has actually experienced other cultures besides American culture which gives him a better GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE than someone who has never lived outside of the U.S.? And because he was born in America and lived most of his life in America, he is as much an American as you are? And he DOES NOT make others feel less an American than he is, just because that person may not have a white-European background?

Do you understand that because others oppose what you believe in does not make them anti-American or a terrorist or someone that hates America? It just means that they have a difference in opinion from you and different ideals than you. It also doesn't mean that they want America to fail. It means that have a different opinion in how to make America successful.

Do you understand that because we are now a global society, that we might actually LEARN SOMETHING from other countries in this world...including European countries? That what works there might actually work here too? Some conservatives seem to think that because democracy works here that it must work in all other countries. So, with that in mind, why shouldn't using what works for other countries actually work here?

Do you understand that the health care system in America is actually flawed? Does it not make sense then to actually want to change it in order to make it better for all Americans, not just the rich Americans who can afford good health care? If the American public continues to want to improve the health care system in America, and it comes up every few years, don't you think that there might actually be something to it? That maybe, just maybe, the American public understands that it needs to be fixed?

Do you understand that we are stewards of the one earth God has given us? Do you understand that in order to be good stewards of this earth that it is our responsibility to look for any possible ways to lessen our dependency on things like oil and coal that harm the environment. Wind mills and other renewable energy sources are the only way to be good energy stewards of our planet.

Do you understand that "the goose that lay the golden egg" has been taking advantage of the middle and lower classes since the beginning of time? Do you understand that these elite have been feeding of the middle and lower classes, when it's the middle and lower classes that keep the goose laying his golden eggs? These working class Americans are who drive the American economy. Taxing the rich (who can afford it) more than the middle and lower classes (who can't and who actually drive the economy) actually makes sense. (To everyone but the rich.)

Do you see that it's not just the democrats or President Obama in particular that are unwilling to listen to opposing points of view? When 100% of all Republicans vote against a health care bill, that should tell you who is NOT listening to opposing points of view. Both parties can be blamed for not being open-minded. President Obama has shown himself to be the most open-minded, bi-partisan President to come along in decades by actually holding formal meetings with the Republicans to listen to them and hear their concerns. Name one Republican president in the last 30 years who has done that.

Do you not actually listen to the news media? Between Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and new Fox News commentator, Sarah Palin, where is the liberal media you keep talking about? Because the REAL news channels actually report the real news, and it happens to NOT be a biased conservative point of view, does that actually mean it's a liberal media that's being easy on Obama?

Are you seriously talking about Obama "demonizing" the news media? Seriously? This is coming from someone whose party actually has posters made of Obama with devil horns and a Hitler mustache trying to portray our President as an evil person? This from a party who tried unsuccessfully to align Obama with Muslim terrorists and say that he wasn't even a U.S. citizen, even though any intelligent person would know that NO candidate could pass the scrutiny of our government in determining who may be eligible to even run for President of the United States.

Finally, you can't seriously talk about Obama "controlling" over "governing". This is an ideological difference between Republicans and Democrats. You see it as "controlling" whereas Democrats understand that some government intervention is necessary in providing for it's citizens.

Mr. Pritchett, your "open letter" to our President is nothing more than Republican scare tactics and propaganda. You believe that most Americans are ignorant and unable to see through your half-truths and outright lies. You simply have a difference in opinion on how our country needs to be governed. That's okay. As an American citizen you have the right to have your own opinion. However, that does not, I believe, give you the right to smear our President and say things about him that are outright lies. It does not give you the right to be Un-American.

Special Friendships

"I am Wind in His Hair. Dances with Wolves, do you not see that I will always be your friend?"

I just watched the movie Dances with Wolves. I have seen the movie countless times and the last scene always brings tears to my eyes. Witnessing the friendship between two men is such a special thing to see.

.. ..

They say….

.. ..

“A man who has many friends is the wealthiest man in the world.” I have never been wealthy in monetary terms, but in my lifetime I have accumulated many good friends, and that has made me wealthy. Many are friends I don’t see or talk to daily, weekly or even monthly. When I do see them, it's as if time has stood still. I know that they will always be here for me should I ever need them; and they know the same thing of me. They are people who I laugh with, cry with; share my most intimate experiences with. They know me and what makes me tick. They know my failings as a man as well as those things that make me a special man, and they don’t judge me for those things that make me less than perfect.

.. ..

Although many of my good friends are men, I have also been blessed with many female friends whom I care for like family and would do anything for. But there is something special about the bond between two men. Men are supposed to have tough exteriors and not show emotion like women do. I think that’s why when two men care for each other so deeply as friends, and are able to show that emotion towards each other, it makes it all the more special.

.. ..

My friends mean everything to me. I am the person I am largely due to their friendship. I want to thank each of them for their friendship and even though we may not have spoken for a while, I want them to know how important their friendship is to me.

Dating at Forty

Dating at Forty

Current mood: hopeful
Category: Romance and Relationships

Dating at forty-something is so hard for me. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it just feels so awkward; nothing like twenty- or thirty-something. Meeting new people. Awkward conversation. Asking her out. Where do you take her? How do you read her? What is she looking for in a man? Is she someone you could like enough to keep dating? The first kiss. That's one of the hardest things for me. Do you kiss on the first date? If you don't, what will they think? If you do, what will they think? Tongue....no tongue? When (or if) sex should come into the picture. Do they want the same things I want? On and on and on....

You see, forty-somethings are more experienced at life than a twenty-something and usually more independent and know what they want out of life. But you never quite know what stage the other is in and what kind of experiences he or she has had and how that affects the way he or she thinks about dating or the opposite sex in general. Those things above were pretty simple at 25 or even 35. Most of that stuff you didn't really think too much about. You just did it if it felt right. You pretty much just took things as they come. At forty-something, time becomes more of a factor. How much time do I put into a relationship before I can tell if it's going to go anywhere? You want to be fair to yourself and to the person you're dating to give it a fair chance at success. However, my last serious girlfriend went about 2 years longer than it should have. That time could've been spent dating other women. Who knows? Maybe I would've met someone else in that time and been married by now!

I guess with me, it's about not being single anymore. I've been single for the much better part of 16 years. With the exception of the three year relationship and a few relationships that lasted a few months each, I've been single. But for most of that time, I didn't really think too much about being single because I was raising my kids and they were my focus. I didn't feel any pressure to meet anyone for the most part. I knew I'd be okay as long as I had them and could spend time with them. Now that they are grown (for the most part) I'm alone and find that I am more ready than ever to meet someone that I might eventually want to spend the rest of my life with. Part of it could be attributed to loneliness; part of it is simply the need for closeness. All I know is it's time....I think.

I've actually had the opportunity to date a little lately. It's been fun meeting new people and getting reacquainted with people I've known, but not dated before. I'm trying to be open-minded about everything and just take things as they come without thinking too much. I think that's been a problem for me in past relationships....I think too much and it makes it difficult for me to enjoy dating or the relationship. Perhaps this blog entry IS me thinking too much! All I know is I hope I don't continue to blow things by thinking too much or being stupid or whatever. At my age, it's hard to know how many more chances I might have to get it right!

What is a father?

What makes a father? At church today, the childrens sermon was about fathers; and the lady giving the sermon asked the children what their fathers do with them. She mentioned things like providing for them, playing ball with them . One kid mentioned going on rattlesnake hunts with them (which got a good laugh!). It got me to thinking about what a father really is. It struck me that the things mentioned weren't very nurturing types of things. Being a father to me has meant so many things; much more than providing for and playing ball with them. But I guess the modern day father really must be much, much more than that!



First of all, let me make this one point very clear. Providing sperm for a child does not make you a father. Putting your work before your family does not necessarily make you a father (or at least a good father). Putting things like golf ahead of your family does not make you a good father either. This is something that too many men don't understand until their kids are off to college and they realize that they really don't know them that well. When I went through my divorce, I promised myself I would never be just a "weekend dad". Being a good father has always been the most important thing in the entire world to me. It meant more to me than my job. It even meant more to me than playing golf, meeting women or getting re-married. That wasn't even close! I have not always been a good father, but I was always present in the lives of my children, and they always knew that I would drop anything to be with them if they needed me. But I have made bad decisions in parenting as all parents have. At times when I was lonely and decided it would be okay to introduce a woman into the lives of my kids (and therefore put my own happiness above theirs) it was (at times) a bad decision. But, my children never doubted that they were the most important thing in my life.



I've dated a few women in 15 years, and one disturbing thing came up far too often. (Read my blog about rescuers.) Many of the men these women dated (or were married to) are men you might call "sperm donors". Far too often, it seemed that the "fathers" of the children of the women I dated never saw their children or only saw them occasionally. In fact, if I had to venture a guess, I'd say that nearly 80% of these men saw their kids less than once or twice a month! Most of them saw their kids much less than that if at all! No wonder these women have a hard time trusting men! Another point I want to make clear is that you can not make a man a good father. They either get it or they don't. Look at a good father and oftentimes you see his own father (and sometimes his mother). But more often than not, being a father is a choice. It's a choice you make when you first hold your newborn baby in the hospital. It's a choice you make the first time you wake up at 3 a.m. to a crying baby and get up to give him or her a bottle and rock them gently back to sleep. It's a choice you make when a friend asks you to go out for a beer and you're supposed to take your daughter to her first dance recital. Being a father is all of these choices and many, many more!


Now, my son is off to college and my daughter is close behind; and I often look at them and question whether or not I was a good dad or whether or not I spent enough time with them. I think it's easy to doubt yourself. But I think I did do one thing right. I made a commitment not to be a "weekend dad" and I stuck to it. My kids know how much I love them (I tell them every single day I see them or each day I talk to them). But whenever I start to doubt myself, I simply think of my two kids and what good young adults they've become, and I realize that I must have done something right. I couldn't have asked for two better kids. I'm so lucky to be their father.

Rescuers

Rescuers. It makes us feel better to be with others we feel need our help. It makes us feel better about ourselves. At times, we may succeed in our rescue attempts, even if in small ways. But for the most part, we fail. For these people don't realize they need rescuing; and even if they do, they may not want it. They are used to who they've become and it's always easier to stay with what feels comfortable than to grow and change. What happens when one rescuer meets another rescuer. What happens then? Can they save one another?

A Son's Graduation

Well...last weekend was high school graduation weekend for Salina high schools. That meant that my son, Jordan, would finally achieve his goal of graduating from high school and heading for college.





I'm so proud of my son! Not only did he graduate, but he was at or near the top 10% of his graduating class! He's not always the best at doing homework and studying, but when he has a project to do, he puts a lot of time and energy into making it perfect! Now, he'll be putting that time and energy into studying Architectural Engineering at K-State.


But as for last weekend...what a thrill! It was so emotional for me watching my son walk into the arena with his cap and gown. I really thought I would lose it. A father goes through so many emotions watching his son graduate and become a man. Pride is probably the most dominant emotion. But there's also the emotion of thinking back to when your son was a little boy and you were teaching him to ride a bike, catch a baseball or shoot a basket. I did those things with Jordan, but some of my favorite moments involved the theater. Jordan's first experience with the theater came back in 1996 when he and I were in the musical Oliver together. He was the youngest orphan in the cast at age 5. We also were in The Music Man together twice--once with me as the lead and the second time with him as the lead! He and I were theater buddies. Although I never pushed him into doing theater or music, he very quickly found his love for the same things I haved loved most of my life. Only he's so much better than I ever was! That's what makes me so proud! He's exceeded all my expectations in those areas, but mostly in being the best son a man could ever hope for!


Good luck Jordan! I love you and can't wait to see all the great things you'll accomplish in your life!

45 going on 40

Tomorrow's my birthday. I don't really care much for birthdays anymore. It'll be 45 years for me, and my mind still thinks I'm 35. (I was gonna say 25, but then I just erased all the awesome years I've had with my kids!) Time sure is funny, isn't it? I still remember laying in bed one night when I was 14 and thinking about going to high school next year. I was so nervous about going to school with all the big kids my sister Carola's age! I just remember thinking how four years of high school seemed like an eternity at that time! It's also funny how your perspective on time changes as you grow older!

The last few years haven't been very good for me unfortunately. I think in my mind the thought of growing old and my kids leaving home started creeping into my subconsious. It may have even contributed to many of the arguments my former girlfriend and I had over that time (not "may have"..."did") which eventually led to our separation. I was unhappy; unhappy thinking about growing older and unhappy thinking about losing my kids who have been my life the past 18 years. I finally realized this year that I was dealing with a major mid-life crisis. I had always heard about it, but just thought it was men in their 40s who bought Corvettes and had affairs. I guess that's just how some men deal with it.

Recently, however, I've started coming to grips with where I am in my life. Although it still saddens me terribly to think of my little kids moving away from dad soon, I've realized that the old expression that "you're only as old as you feel" is really true. I decided that if I was going to feel better about where I was in life, it was up to me, and me alone. I lost weight and started working out consistently. I'm trying to start a band again, which I've always wanted to do. I'm dating a real nice girl who I think really likes me regardless of my age and I really like her too (even though she's still just a kid at 33!) Now, I feel so much better, I look better, and realize that it's true...you ARE only as old as you feel. Forty-five's not so bad! I feel better than I did 5 years ago anyway, and that's a good start! Hello 45....look out 50!

My daughter, Shelbi, turns 16 on Monday. That's right, "Sweet 16 and never..." oh well, I guess she's at least sweet 16, even if I know for a fact she HAS been kissed! Shelbi is my youngest. Jordan is now 18 and leaving home soon for the Little Apple in Manhattan to go to K-State. Shelbi is not far behind. When I think of these things happening I sometimes feel a rush of emotion build up that I can't help. My two wonderful little kids have grown up right before my eyes and there's nothing I can do to stop it! But if I could, would I? There's a question for you! Sometimes I long so much to see my little 8 year-old Shelbi again. That little girl with the glint in her eye everytime she looks at her dad. Oh how I loved that look in her eye! Now, she's got a boyfriend that gives her that glint and she rarely has time to spend with good 'ol dad anymore. Jordan is so busy with his senior year in school that dad isn't much more than the housekeeper that washes his clothes and sometimes feeds him when he has time to stop and eat. But if I could turn back the hands of time, would I? I so enjoy watching my kids turn into adults! I'm always amazed at what wonderful young adults they've become! I guess it just seems to all have flown by so fast that I realize how much of their youth I missed and wish I could have some of it back.

Random Things About Me

The following are Random Things About Me that I posted on MySpace and Facebook. I thought I'd share it here too.

1. My friends and family are the most important thing in the world to me. Once you are in my inner circle of friends, you are my family and will always be.
2. I love my kids so much it hurts. They continue to do things every single day that make me proud to be their dad.
3. My son turns 18 in a little more than a week. Watching him grow up has been like watching myself grow up all over again only much, much better. He's so much smarter than I ever was!
4. My daughter is the prettiest girl I know and is much smarter than she thinks she is or maybe wants to be. She has a heart of gold!
5. I've never been one to hang out in cliques. I have just a few close friends, but I have no doubt that they are all friends for life.
6. My personal philosophy is "Work to live and not the other way around." I work hard when I work but I always take time for my family.
7. Although I love working as an insurance agent, I never in a million years thought that's what I would be doing at this age.
8. My brother is my best friend, but sometimes he drives me absolutely nuts!
9. My mom is the most generous, loving, dependable person I know. Period.
10. I have always dreamed of singing with an orchestra. If I ever have a terminal illness and am granted one final wish, that's what I want to do.
11. I'm really very introverted, but try to make people believe that I'm not.
12. My brother is doing with his life what I've always wanted to do. I'm not envious, but proud. He's really good!
13. By the way...after 26 years, I am finally starting my own band! Yeah!
14. I have been fortunate enough to have been in love four times in my life (once married). Unfortunately, non of them stuck. Hopefully the next will be my last!
15. I can't seem to make up my mind which school I love the most...KU or K-State. I let my brother think it's KU so he can have fun making fun of me when I go to K-State games.
16. I got my teaching license from K-State but don't teach anymore. Did I mention I used to teach computer and business classes at South High School?
17. I'm pretty liberal in my political beliefs. If you get me started on politics it's hard to get me to shut up.
18. I'm trying real hard to remember that just because others have differing views it doesn't mean that they're wrong...just that they differ from me.
19. I hate being single, but I know there is someone out there just waiting for me. I just don't get out enough to find her.
20. I have been very blessed in this life! Sometimes I forget how blessed I am.
21. I love everything about the theater, but don't think I'm a very good actor. I get typecast as a leading actor in musicals because I can sing, but have always wanted to do more plays so I could become a better actor. I also want to direct someday.
22. I love dogs. My dog Maggie Mae has been with me for 14 years...throughout many trying times in my life. She always loves me unconditionally regardless of my moods or if I fed her 2 hours late. She's always there for me when others may not have been.
23. I want to learn how to swing dance and ballroom dance.
24. I often allow people to walk all over me in order to keep the peace and not argue. I hate arguing!
25. I have two blogs that I write in on a regular basis. www.myspace.com/alexlankhorst and http://alexlankhorst.blogspot.com.

More on Obama...

I got to thinking about my previous blog I wrote today (read below) and realized that, although I feel all those things I said, it was pretty much the same feelings I'm sure many of you feel at this time. I guess I feel like I should be a little more candid about my real, individual feelings about the new administration.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a democrat and that I disliked the Bush Administration fiercly. But this isn't just about my dislike for what George W. and his administration was. Eight years ago when Bush took office, I was very disappointed as many fellow democrats were. I felt (as did Gore) robbed by the election. I felt like the American people were robbed. Then after we invaded Iraq and were lied to by the Bush administration for why we went into Iraq, I felt betrayed. Then after Bush was elected for a second term I felt like the American people were just plain stupid for giving this man a second chance! I felt like Bush used fear tactics to win the election over Kerry and falsely accused a true war hero of being less than what he was. For the next four years I felt like we, the American people, got what we deserved for electing this administration for a second term. I was jaded. I was not only disappointed in the American people, I was disappointed in our government. I believe many Americans felt let down by our government as evidenced by the fact that a good majority of incumbents lost their jobs. I never thought I'd feel so negatively about the country I love so much and the leaders of this country.

Watching the inauguration today, I must admit I got a little teary-eyed. After eight years of feeling betrayed and let down by our government and the American people, I feel hope. I feel optimistic about what we as Americans can accomplish. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading Republican Senator, said it best when he mentioned (I'm not quoting here) that maybe, just maybe, it will now become popular for politicians in Washington to work together to make things happen in Washington. President Obama in such a short time has already shown his ability to reach out to the members of the Republican party. He has shown his willingness to work together with them for a common purpose. And (by estimates) well over 2 million people showed up in Washington to celebrate this new hope we have in America. I believe that Graham and other politicians in Washington will have to take notice. They can't help but see that the American people want our leaders in Washington to solve our problems together and not work to discredit the other side of the aisle. Maybe, just maybe, the American people will reward them for doing their job rather than for the old politics of fear, hate, and negativity towards the other party.

Today, more so than at any other time in my life, I felt proud to be an American and hopeful that our government will begin to work FOR the American people and not for their own political interests. I felt like we really have a chance to be an example to the world of what you can do as a country if you all come together for the common good. That's something those terrorists who hope to bring us down will never be able to defeat. If we all, as a country, come together we can be an example to even those terrorists that wish us harm, that good conquers evil every time.

I'm PROUD to be an American!

I've been thinking a lot about our new president and the new era we are entering as a country. I don't know about you, but I am so proud to be an American today. Not that I haven't been proud to be an American before, but I'm so proud of what we have done by not only electing our first black president, but by choosing a candidate for president that represents hope for our future. He's not only our 44th president, he's a symbol of how far we as a country have come in terms of civil rights and tolerance and equality. Yes, we still have a ways to go for sure. But to many of my generation and the generation before me, it would have seemed impossible that we would have lived to see a black man or woman be sworn in as President of the United States in our lifetime. I can only imagine the hope that brings to so many children of not only black ancestry, but children of all minorities, that anything is possible. Children whose own parents may have discouraged them from dreaming big are now saying with complete confidence to their children that "you can be anything you want to be!" I believe the events of this day give us as a country more credibility around the world to people and countries who may have judged us as a people unjustly. They may not have given us the credit we deserve for being people of compassion and fairness; of tolerance and righteousness. I believe President Obama exudes and represents these qualities. By electing this man by such a clear margin, we have told the world that this is the type of country we are and want to be. We are that country. I'm proud to be a citizen of that type of country. I'm proud to be an American.

Allen Fieldhouse

James Naismith, Phog Allen, Wilt Chamberlain, Bud Stallworth, Jo Jo White, Roy Williams...the list goes on and on like a Who's Who of college basketball. University of Kansas basketball. No program in the world has a richer tradition. For me, it all started back around 1974 when I went to Allen Fieldhouse (the legendary home of KU basketball since March 1, 1955) with my dad to watch my first college basketball game. It was against Notre Dame and Coach Digger Phelps, which at the time was a national powerhouse basketball program. Rick Suttle, Danny Knight, Tom Kivisto, Donnie Von Moore, Norm Cook...names I will always remember from that team. I actually played high school basketball with Danny Knight's younger brothers, Kelly and James, who both played Division I basketball...Kelly with KU from 1979-1983. We went to another game a couple of years later to see KU beat Colorado. On that team was one of my favorites, Roger Morningstar. Roger Morningstar's son, Brady, is now a starter for KU.

At last, some 30 years later I walked into the hallowed halls of Allen Fieldhouse. I gotta tell ya...I got chills. I've always been a huge fan of KU and rarely miss a game on TV; but I've just never been back to a game there mostly due to the high price and availability of tickets. This year I decided that it had been long enough. Jackson State is no Notre Dame or even Colorado, but it was still a fun game to watch and mostly just great being in that field house and listening to the "Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk" echo throughout the arena when the game's outcome had all but been decided. Just absorbing the atmosphere was worth the $55 ticket price. We literally sat IN the rafters as I bumped my head into one on several occasions as I was getting up to use the restroom or take a picture. But the seats were still at mid-court and had an awesome view of everything!

I only hope it won't be another 30 years before I return again.

President Obama!

I am so happy for America!!! Last night was a historic night whether you are Republican or Democrat. Electing Barack Obama as our first black president gives me hope that maybe...finally Americans are looking past a persons skin color and voting for him because of the person and what he hopes to accomplish for this country. It gives me hope that we are finally getting to the point where the younger generation is no longer looking at color as a way of judging who a person is inside. Children don't see color as an indication of a person's worth until an adult tells them that there's a difference. Hopefully this will lead to our next woman president or our first Hispanic president or (dare I say it!)....GAY president!

Twisting the Truth: Obama's Tax Plan

With election day drawing nearer (thank God!), there is just so much misinformation out there and headline breaking news that I'm not sure where to start. I guess I'll start with taxes, since it's such a hot button with Republicans.

A Republican friend of a friend on Facebook was arguing with my friend over Obama's tax plan. She stated what McCain and the other Republicans have been saying for a year. They are purposely twisting what Obama has said to make it seem like we are all being fooled and lied to by Obama. Just ask Joe the Plumber...McCain used him as an example to skew the truth and downright lie about Obama's plans to tax him.

What they (Republicans) are saying about Obama's tax plan is this: Everyone, businesses included, that make over $250K per year will be taxed more heavily than those making less than $250K. Their argument is that a good percentage of small business makes over $250K per year, which is true. However, when asked point blank on Larry King Live a while back, and also clarified during the debates and on http://www.barackobama.com/, Obama made it clear that he only plans on taxing the PERSONAL INCOME of individuals and families that make over $250K per year. In other words, a business can make over $250K per year and be taxed the same as other small businesses. However, if the owner or CEO or anyone else working for that small business takes home a PERSONAL income of over $250K per year, he or she will be taxed higher.

Now...I would bet that over 80% of Americans make less than $250K per year. Obama's plan is that no one making under $250K per year in PERSONAL INCOME will pay ANY federal income tax! The richest of the rich have been getting off easy under Republican rule due to Republican's belief in trickle down economics, which has been proven not to work. Can anyone who listens to the news and knows what has been happening with Enron, Lehman Bros, AIG, Fannie Mae, etc., etc., etc., say with a straight face that they believe that CEOs and other executives at large wealthy corporations will be thinking about their employees first if they have a banner year probably due to not paying any taxes? Not a chance! They are going to give themselves a huge bonus including free trips, homes, cash, cars, executive vacations at 5 star resorts (known as business trips by AIG execs), etc., etc., etc. Obama believes that the middle class (those with a personal income of less than $250K) deserve a break for a change! I think he's right!

Baby Christian

Well...we just got back from a long weekend with baby Christian, my sister Christel and her family in St. Paul, Minnesota. Let me just say that Christian is the most beautiful baby I've seen since Shelbi was born! (See pictures) He's only two months old, so he is just starting to recognize people other than his parents and doesn't do much but sleep and poop, but he is starting to develop his own personality already. And he just LOVES his Uncle Alex! Just when I thought I would never want more kids of my own, holding Christian and seeing him respond to me (oh so slightly) makes me wish for another little one around! Hopefully, the feeling will go away when I don't see him for a while! LOL Having a girlfriend first could be an important step, however!

Let's see...other than spending time with Christian and the rest of the family, we went to the Mall of America for an afternoon. I bought a new pair of jeans that were size 34 waist! My size a month ago was 38! I also bought a large shirt which is a size smaller than before! So, that pretty much made my day and gave me even more incentive to continue watching my diet and exercising every day. We also went scootering around town with Christel's scooter and Paul cooked us an awesome meal of roasted pork one evening. They bought a new home when Christel was pregnant, and it is really beautiful in a nice neighborhood in South Saint Paul.

That's about it! Enjoy the pics!

Jealousy

What is it about jealousy that makes us so crazy? Why are so many people jealous and what makes us feel that way? I know jealousy is not considered one of the "Seven Deadly Sins" in the bible, but maybe it should be. It can be such a destructive thing.

I am not normally a jealous person, or at least I try not to let it show. I have tried to not let it destroy my relationships like it does so many people. Jealousy leads to possessiveness which can destroy relationships. I just hate it when the person you care for uses jealousy as a weapon to either hurt you or find out how much you care for them. I experienced some jealousy tonight and I just hated it! But I think the person that made me jealous did so on purpose, and that I dislike even more. Do people do that because of their own insecurities? I'm quite sure that you become jealous because you have insecurities either about yourself or about your relationship with that person or both. In my case, it has more to do with my insecurities with the relationship because I know the relationship is still very fragile. But I've decided not to let it bother me...or at least to not let that person know that it bothers me. Because (believe me) I am bothered by it! I had such a hard time getting what was said out of my mind that I started calling people to see if they could get me out of the house and take my mind off of it. But, alas, none was available. I did, at least, speak to a friend for awhile and that helped. But I've decided to try my best to not let it get to me. I was planning on texting or emailing that person who made me jealous to let them know how I felt, but I decided to not give them the satisfaction of knowing. But, sooner or later, if this topic continues to come up when we talk I'll have no choice but to let them know that I think it's innappropriate.

Jo Jo

We lost our dog Jo Jo today. He had been very sick lately and had spent the past few days at the veterinary hospital. It became evident that he was only getting worse and so my mother and father made the decision to put him to sleep. I know how hard of a decision that was for both of them as I know they loved him very much. We all did. He was as much my dog as he was theirs. Twelve years ago, Jo Jo came walking up to me in my front yard without a collar, without a home. We had recently lost our last dog, Nina, (whom I also found as a stray), and Mom wasn't ready for another dog. But Jo Jo melted her heart immediately and he's been part of our family ever since; as much a part as any one of us. It still hasn't sunk in. I have yet to shed a tear. I think I'm in a state of shock and denial, really. I'm sure when I come over on Sunday for lunch and he's not there to great me at the door or by running to my car to say Hi, it'll become real to me. We love you Jo Jo and will miss you so much!

The following was a tribute to Jo Jo written by my father.

He was with us for fourteen years. They were

wonderful years and wonderful memories of walks

in the neighborhood, frolicking on a Florida

beach, or just sitting near us as he looked at

the world outside our glass front door. He was a

wonderful and close companion who gave us

unconditional love and trust, even during the

difficult last few days of his life. With deep

sadness we had to let him go. As difficult as

it was for us make the decision, it was not fair

to him to let him suffer any longer.

His name was JoJo. We will miss him terribly, for

he was more than a pet--he was our beloved friend.