What are we doing?

Dumb to write this in a blog, pointing to another blog...but it was said here better than I could:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/07/nsfw-after-fort-hood-another-example-of-how-citizen-journalists-cant-handle-the-truth/

Technology makes things easier for us, and instead of enjoying it and being good to ourselves...we find ways to become busier and more self-centered.

In my world I am suddenly finding myself working toward a new start, but a lot of work before then. Maybe some more news on that in another few months...as that is about the rate of postings here.

Big news

So this month I crossed a couple big newsworthy life events.

First of all, I have moved another decade forward in oldness. Things that still seem fresh in my mind really happened a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far from here.

Second of all, it is good that good things are still happening as I move forward. This weekend, after cooking up a lobster tail dinner, I managed to overcome a great deal of nervousness and ask Alison to marry me.

She accepted, as the photo indicates. No immediate specifics have been decided yet - one thing at a time :)

Bump.

Yeah, just checking in to see if anyone has defaced the page. Other than me. Looks like no.

Happy 2009. And shout-out to the new Prez - what up! Lookin' good. Now do some good.

A new dawn of American leadership

For those of you that haven't already seen it, take the time to watch president elect Barack Obama's speech from last night. If you can't watch it, read it. Even if (perhaps especially if) you didn't vote for him. You won't find a single word in eight years of the Bush Whitehouse that carries as much compassion and hope as this speech did.

"While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand."

And also, how about this:

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there."

Obama chooses the right words to both acknowledge the singular importance of himself and his campaign and without egotism recognize the countless shoulders upon which he stands; the greatness he is now in company with.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said,
"I may not get there with you.
But I want you to know tonight,
that we, as a people will get to the promised land."

It's hard for a politician to pull those words, tweak them enough to make a point, and look into the crowd and have them come from their own heart, but Obama did it and I'm convinced he means it and will try to live by reaching out instead of striking out, both domestically and around the world.

It's a change our country needs now as much as it needed it in 1968. Dr. King didn't get here with us, and we are certainly not in any kind of promised land today. But I believe he would see the election of Obama as progress up that mountain...a country lurching again back in the right direction.

"To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope."

Being compassionate is not a weakenss, and it never has been. Obama addresses these words toward our own country as well as the rest of the world. You don't need religion to see the wisdom and respect of "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you".

I am afraid our nation is nearly as divided and intolerant as it was in the 1860's. But Obama says it's time to summon the unyielding hope of Lincoln, King, Kennedy, and - to do our part to push back against hatred together. He asks, can you give the uneducated redneck doofus down the street a lesson in civility without being an elitist jackass yourself? It isn't easy, but it is once again time to try.

"I will listen to you, especially when we disagree."

Let it be.

Cave exploration and Shatley Springs

So guess I will combine a couple things - went out to the son of a friend of mine's property this Saturday, and explored a small but well decorated cave there. Took a few pictures.

The trip was a lot of fun, and the cave long enough to survey sometime in the future if it has not already been done...need to check the records. Also possibly made some connections to adjacent landowners that may have some caves.

Then Sunday Alison and I went on an all-day excursion the check out the fall colors and visit a "home style" restaurant down in North Carolina at a place called the Shatley Springs Inn. Weather was fantastic.

We probably should have gotten reservation as the wait at the inn was over 2 hours, but we killed time by hiking around some and also traveling to a nearby park and getting some good photos of the surrounding area. In any event it was a relaxing day. I may not need to eat again for a while either.