The Unedited Diatribe of a Country Boy Navigating the Lights and Sin that is Las Vegas

Live Like You Were Dying

2010-04-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

It always takes a tragedy or an early end to life to start to truly appreciate the joy that comes with living. How often during these situations do we hear people say, "live every day", "don't miss a moment", "stop and smell the roses", "live life to the fullest",(?) and the list could go on and on.

However, how many of us actually heed that advice? I know in the past I rarely have. However, I've decided to start living life better and fuller. In my case, that means making some changes to my lifestyle. I've basically cut out the fast food, started working out at the gym, and more importantly-- letting those I care about, know it.

Amazingly, giving up fast food and soda was the easiest part. Since I had a six pack a day soda habit, I thought that would be difficult. Even my once (at least!)a day habit of hitting Wendy's, McDonald's, or Taco Bell wasn't that difficult to stop. I simply made up my mind and stopped them. I quickly started eating more fruits and vegetables just like they recommend. Add in some fish oil pills and vitamins and I was on my way. I then started working out (close to daily) and consider that a good habit I have developed. I have been rewarded by losing over 30 pounds since February 9, 2010 (although I will probably gain a couple of pounds while I am here at Wilcoxson's in Arkansas).

The hardest part for me is letting people know how much I care about them. As a guy, I've traditionally lived by the "don't wear your emotions on your sleeve" credo. Even with my wife and son I've often said (and probably show) that I believe showing love is by waking up every day, going to work, and paying bills. My wife knows how romantic that is! But because of recent events in our lives I've started to realize that isn't enough. Assuming that people know you love and care about them isn't enough.

Tim McGraw sings a song called Live Live You Were Dying. But, how many of us actually live by that simple philosophy? Not many of us do because we get busy with work and the daily hustle and bustle of our lives. However, just telling people you appreciate them and that they are important to you is an important first step. In the song, Tim tells us, "I was finally the husband most the time I wasn't and I became the friend a friend would like to have". I've decided that I want to be that husband, father, and friend that the people I care about deserve. Although I am not going sky diving or 2.7 seconds on a bull named FuManChu, I figure I can "love deeper, speak sweeter, and give forgiveness I've been holding back".

With that comes the easy things, like taking a much talked about trip to Zion, going to the baseball games, having backyard BBQs, taking a much needed flight to Arkansas, watch Matthew play in the park, and go on date nights with my wife. Doing these things will take sacrifices like spending less time in my Lazy-Boy, less on line poker, less time browsing the Internet, and other things. However, we all know those aren't actually sacrifices--they are just things that get in the way of our living life.

It's the difference between being alive and living.

Many people that these words reach I have known between 20 and 30 years. Some folks I've known much less. Either way, if you are reading these words, you can bet that you have made a difference in my life and I am thankful that you are here for and with me. I'm not to big of a man to say, I love you.

At least that's the love filled view as I see it.

Treffie Robert Cole: April 14, 1970 - January19, 2010

2010-01-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

What I wouldn't do to hear you say one last time in that gruff voice, "Hi Greg". It's always the little things. What I wouldn't do to have those days we rode in the car for that funeral drag on like they did when we were young. What I wouldn't do to play one more game of ping pong with you. What I wouldn't do to watch you ball fake people five inches taller then you using all three seconds before putting the ball in the hoop. The list would go on and on. I miss you. I love you.

Growing up it seems like the days drag on forever. You can spend all day playing and barely go inside to eat, let alone wonder about life. Growing up in a small town the days of summer especially seemed to last forever. Rushing outside at first light and being sure to be on your own property when the street lights came on was a way of life. It was no different for me.

I was fortunate enough to be a younger brother. That meant always having someone to follow around and never having to worry about finding someone to hang out with. I simply followed Treffie around. A typical summer day for us meant football in the vacant lot by Wilcoxson's house, baseball at Steve Baird's house in the afternoon, and basketball in our driveway during the evening. It was the best. Because he "let" (or did mom and dad insist?) me follow him around I was fortunate to play in all the games. It usually meant my friends and I getting to play last, but I didn't care. As long as we were playing some kind of sport, we were all happy.

Not surprisingly, Treffie and I became rather good at all three. No doubt it was watching him work at each is what allowed me to become good too. Good enough at least that we both became all conference basketball players. No doubt without Treffie's role modeling I would not have had the drive to be "better" than him and who knows where I would be today. For many of us, sports provided us the discipline and work ethic necessary to become productive adults.

Treffie agreed with my dad when it came time to go to college. It seemed that since I had no ability whatsoever to work with my hands I needed to have some kind of skill. Later Treffie would remind me (as he got a new boss or something else) that educated people were usually stupid. They would come in and make recommendations and directives while not knowing what really needed to be done. In his case it usually included adding and hour on to a task that he had performed masterfully in far less time.

However, in my case he was proud that I had gotten an education beyond high school. Other than Mom and Dad, I doubt anyone else was as proud when I got my master's degree. I especially wish he would have had a chance to see me walk when/if I ever finish my doctorate. I know he would have bored all his friends with that.

I'm glad that this summer my family took a six week trip and got to spend several of days with him. One of the things I will always remember is the pride and happiness he had while watching my son bowl. In fact, I rarely had another conversation with him where he didn't mention little Matthew carrying that big bowling ball and then jumping up and down. When I was with him I could see the huge smile or if we were talking on the phone I could hear it in his voice. Little did I know what a lasting memory those few days would also be on me.

After that trip, we talked on the phone once a week or two. Since he knew that I don't like to talk on the phone, we had an unwritten rule: if he left a voice mail, I called back, if not once of us would call again in the next few days. Every call I received or made to him was always started with the same gruff, "Hi, Greg".

Andrea and I had told him on that trip that we were pregnant and he was extremely excited to be an Uncle again. He was as equally devastated to find out when we got home that we lost our baby. Treffie always felt the weight of the world on his shoulders and this was no exception. I could hear the pain in his voice as we talked. For if someone Treffie loved hurt, Treffie often hurt more. That's who he was.

Treffie was a huge help and support for mom when Grandma passed away in September. Although Grandma's death was hard on her, it seemed equally as hard on him. Oh how he loved her. I know Treffie believed that grandmothers had to love their grandchildren but didn't have to like them. There was no doubt that his grandmother liked him and accepted him exactly as he was. This was a source of great pride for him and as a result he made sure he did whatever he could do to help her out.

He continued to help take care of her after she passed by being a rock for Mom. He did everything he could to help get her estate in order so that it would be easier for Mom and Dad. However, it was obvious that it was taking a toll on him mentally. Treffie had several accidents over the next month. As a result, a police officer in Warrensburg wrote a letter stating that he needed to be looked at by a doctor in order to get his license back. Treffie and the whole family agreed that this was probably a good thing and would probably save his life.

Sadly, a close family friend would pass away a few months later. Growing up her family was an extension of ours. Her brother, sister and her were like siblings to me and Treffie. We would go to their house after school so their Dad and Mom could watch us while we waited for Mom to pick us up. Christmas Eve was always spent with them and the memories were cherished. Being close to the same age as Treffie, this hit him very hard. It reminded him of his own mortality I'm sure so the fact he was going to have to complete a complete physical to drive suddenly didn't seem like such a bad idea.

As a close family friend, I decided to head back to Iowa to attend the funeral. Since Treffie couldn't drive I decided to fly in to Kansas City so that I could drive to Warrensburg to pick him up. After being "advised" by Mom to stay in Warrensburg during the blizzard, I got to spend a few days with him in his town before making the 4 hour or so trip home. Again, I had no way of knowing the importance of this trip would be. We had lots of laughs and scares as we traveled the roads and saw what seemed like a hundred vehicles in the ditch. We eventually made it and were glad to be able to attend the funeral together.

Treffie scheduled his doctor appointment and after Mom visited us in Vegas for Matthew's fourth birthday, she headed to Warrensburg to be with him. While she was there he became dehdrated and made a visit to the ER to become hydrated with some saline. She took him to his appointment and he was cleared to drive. On Tuesday, January 19, 2010, she went to his place to pick him up for his court date due to the accidents. Unfortunately, when she arrived he wasn't answering his door. She used her key and found the worst case scenario for any parent. Treffie had passed away in his bed of a heart attack.

Your friends Kip and Snappy came right away to help. Kip immediately came to Mom to make sure she wasn't alone. He called several times a day while we were cleaning your place. We went with him and his wife to eat and talked about Treffie. He then brought some athletes over to help with all your guitar stuff. Snappy didn't ask what he could to to help, he called and said he would be there the next day. Then, just like you would have, he showed up.

Mothers and Fathers are not meant to outlive there children. It's not natural. I know it sometimes happens but rarely is there a more unnatural end for life. Although we are all glad to have had the 39 years that we had with Treffie, it wasn't enough. Mom and Dad shouldn't be having to live with this at this stage of their life. Right now they should be kicked back watching us live our lives.

Treffie, I think you would have been impressed with the number of people that showed how much they cared about you during this time of our sorrow. Everyone agreed that you were loyal to a fault and would be the first person to stop doing everything to help them. That is exactly what they did. They stopped, and came to say goodbye. I'm proud that Mom and Dad decided to have your ashes buried with Grandma. You, and her, would have been pleased with that decsion.

At least that's the tear filled view as I see it.

City Manners

2009-10-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

So, I've recently become disillusioned by the fact that many people in the city don't seem to have manners. I guess it is because of our recent six week trip across the Midwest seeing family and friends. Back home in Iowa, people were friendly. They waved and always said hellow when greeting you or thanked you for stopping by their store. This is the way I feel it should be.

Unfortunately, I notice in the big city of Las Vegas (I know this is a relative term!) people don't have the same manners or general kindness that they do other places. I don't remember the last time I went through a drive thru window and had the worker actually thank me. I know, these people don't get paid much, they have problems, and they don't want to actually work there in many cases. However, I've always believed and found that the nicer I am to others the better it makes my day.

I'm not trying to start a niceness (is that a word?) revolution or anything like that, but I can't see where being a little nicer to others and showing a soft spot can hurt all that much either. As a male Cole, nobody expects that from me anyway! Heck, as a Cole male I think I'm supposed to be a little gruff and keep my emotions on the indside. At least that seems to be the case for the past several generations. I'm not saying that is a good thing or a bad thing, just the way it is.

With that being said, I still think that people in a city could feel a little better about themselves if they at least said "good morning" or "thanks!". I don't think that is asking to much after spending a few dollars at the establishment where they work. After all, if you want to keep your job it seems you may want me to come back tomorrow (the folks at JambaJuice are nice!). So, tomorrow I hope we all take the time to say "thanks" or "good morning" as we pass by another person. At least that's the cranky view as I see it.

Mystery Solved

2009-02-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

Quite a while ago I wrote about Matthew's Padres blanket leaving. It was obvious to me at the time that our friends--the Tighe's--took it with them after a short visit at our house. The timing was so perfect, that I knew there was no way that it couldn't be them.

Over Matthew's birthday, I solved the mystery. I had no way of knowing how far this conspiracy would go, but it was shocking. You see, my mother comes out every year for Matthew's birthday. It's an awesome time and we all look forward to it. Mom was even in the room when the little dude was born so there was an instant bond.

I'm not sure how the Tighe's infiltrated her loyalty, but somehow they got to her. You see, the blanket mysteriously "showed up" while she was in town in January for his birthday. No sign of the blanket for such a long time and all of a sudden, there it was. To make things even fishier, she kept insisting that I owed Tighe a public apology.

My only conclusion is that she somehow smuggled it past security at the Des Moines International Airport (Yes---it is international. That's for another blog!). Anyway, imagine my disappointment when Matthew wanted nothing to do with the blanket. I guess absence doesn't make the heart grow fonder in this situation. Or perhaps, he just knows the Padres had such a terrible year.

Regardless, I slept better knowing the blanket came home. At least that's the view from the closet where the blanket showed up.

The Excitement of the Holidays

2008-12-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

It's hard to say who is more excited about Christmas at our house. Andrea is giddy with excitement as she goes from store to store buying presents for everyone. Matthew is just excited to have the possibility of presents. He isn't even concerned with what kind of presents. If you ask him what he wants, he is probably going to tell you he wants a box. He will then correct himself and let you know he wants a green box.

I'm also excited. I can't wait to wake him up early on Christmas and tell him that Santa has been here. We will then run downstairs and fight over who opens up the presents. I can already see him at the tree. He won't have any clothes, just a droopy diaper. He won't want to change it because to man exciting things are happening.

Although Matthew doesn't know for sure what role Santa plays in all the presents, he is quick to figure it out. Every time there is food around the house he wants to put some out for Santa. Once he saw a couple of pickles on my plate and asked me if I liked them. When I told him I didn't, he quickly grabbed them off my plate and ran to the tray we have ready for Santa and put them there. He came back to me very proud and stated, "Santa likes pickles".

Then the discussion has turned to how Santa gets in the houses out here. With no fire places we have to think of everything. One of the friends told his son that Santa comes in through the vent. I like to think Santa gets in the same way that the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy do: through the use of magic.

To top the excitement off, we even had snow here in Vegas. It was a snow day and everything. Some of our friends had 8 inches of snow in their yard. That just isn't natural. Of course, they called off school the next day and the sun was shining and it was warm. It was awesome. There isn't even a plan for making the day up. It seems they don't have a plan for such a thing.

That's the snow blurred view as I see it. Happy Holidays.

Nevada Education Cuts Continue

2008-12-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, the slaughtering of education in Nevada continues. The Clark County School District Board of Directors was asked to consider proposed budget cuts by Superintendent Walt Rulffes. The proposed cuts of $120 million come after earlier cuts of $130 million across the board. The cuts are proposed for the 2009-2010 school year with the budget taking effect July 1, 2009.

The results of the lost programs and personnel will be devastating on the 5th largest school district in the United States. The cuts were called for by the nation's worst governor, Jim Gibbons. It appears that Governor Gibbons agenda has been that of George W's from the start which is to take the education system out of the local control protected by the United States Constitution. Many people believe that the goal of many is the eventual privatization of education.

It's evident that in today's tough budget climate tough decisions are necessary, but governments need to take the hands off policy that middle schools across the nation have: hand's off education. It's improbable that without further staffing and program allocation that school districts can meet the admirable goal of leaving no child left behind. If Gibbons and his cronies continue to get their way, the inner city youth of American will continue to fall behind and the haves will continue to control the have nots.

Anyway, that's the view as I see it.

The Clowns Are Back in Carson City

2008-06-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

Strike up the band, there’s a party coming to Carson City.

The state budget shortfall projected anywhere from $120 million to $330 million depending on what numbers you want to look at have caused Governor Jim Gibbons to call a special session for Nevada legislators. The timing of the session seems odd to most observers, but not to those who have looked at the Governor’s tenure with skepticism from the start.

Let’s forget that Senator Bob Coffin asked Gibbons to call a special session back in December. The Governor assured him that the state could make the necessary cuts to right the sinking financial ship without the entire legislature in session. As recently as three weeks ago, Gibbons stated that a special session would not be needed. Something smells in Northern Nevada and this time it isn’t a result of the seasonal wildfires.

Gibbons acts appalled when someone had the audacity to suggest that he called the special session as a way to change the focus of his recent text message scandal. What better way to take your scandal of sending thousands of messages to a married woman (not your own wife) out of the daily news than to get folks all fired up about budget issues. Not to mention the fact that he was accused of harassment right before the election anyway. Since then, his wife has moved out, filed for divorce, and taken up residence in the guest house at the governor’s mansion. It turns out the governor himself was just a part-time resident of the mansion anyway. Some ugly words were exchanged and then they made nice, probably until his term ends.

Meanwhile, government agencies (including school districts) are left waiting on a budget that should take effect July 1. This is the stuff that can only take place in a state like Nevada. For a while, every day another Clark County Commissioner was in the news for corruption. The state as a whole has a checkered history of mob affiliations. As everyone knows, the mayor of Las Vegas was the mouthpiece for the mob scene in Las Vegas for years. Of course that has done little to hamper the popularity of the self-identified “happiest mayor in America”.

As it stands right now, the state of Nevada could do a lot better than the current head of the state executive branch. I would like to nominate several candidates although I’m amazed that there has been a recall petition up to this point. I think the dog that was a mayor in California for 12 years should be our next governor. If you don’t want a canine mayor, maybe the Governator will come here from California, or the former governor of Minnesota, Jessie “the body” Ventura. It seems that a governor from the entertainment world would at least liven things up in our doldrums state.

Anyway, that’s the view from where I sit.

A real Down Home Mystery

2008-05-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

It’s quite a mystery around the Cole house the last couple of weeks. About a month ago I let you know that poor Lil Matthew was forced to get off the bottle forever (seemed like a good idea: even my father gave up the bottle some time ago). It was a pretty trying time for me, although he seemed to go with the flow the way little kids can do.

However, the news got worse. Some friends of ours from back home (Iowa) were out here visiting before his brother’s wedding down on the strip; they stayed with us and we spent some time out at Red Rock and just enjoying the company that only Iowa folks can share (that’s a story for another day: Hopefully we will be seeing them during the ISU – UNLV football whooping that will be taking place in August). Unfortunately, on the Thursday that they arrived the lil dude’s Padres blankie went missing.

It is quite a mystery, because I have turned the house upside down looking for it. I don’t understand how it could just disappear. I even went on Ebay looking to see if it was on the auction block. Those of you that know my wife will understand that everything is up for sale at our house. If it can be listed on-line, there is a good chance we will sell it. But in this case I wasn’t able to find it on sale their either.

The poor guy, first his bottle and now the PADRES BLANKIE. Obviously, he got over it right away and just moved on to another blankie but it is driving me crazy. I got that blanket for him during a give-away at the Padres game where a bunch of us guys from Vegas went to PETCO Park and saw the Padres whip up on someone. So there is a lot of sentimental value there regarding the blankie. My friend Mike said he would give his up so that Matthew can have a Padres blanket again, so I may need to take him up on that offer soon. I can’t have the little dude going through life without such an important part of brainwashing development. How can I possibly guarantee that he ends up a life-long Padres fan if he doesn’t see something everyday that reminds him of the Friars?

I know such brainwashing works; because I still follow the Cornhuskers to this day and growing up in Central Iowa there would be no real reason to follow them. My only guess could be that my family of Nebraska natives turned me on to them. Besides, I’ve got my work cut out for me. All of our friends out here follow the Cubs, so I definitely need an advantage. Even our triple A team, the 51’s, are part of the LA Dodgers organization so he will get exposed to the Dodgers too.

The biggest regret that I have about losing the blankie is that I didn’t search the Tighes before they left. I’m sure they couldn’t think of a better souvenir than a Padres blanket straight from the city. It would have been easy to put in their luggage and they knew I didn’t have the sophisticated security system of the airport, so they would easily be the proud new owners of a Padres blanket.

I mean, why else would you come to Vegas? Anyway, that’s how I see it.

Bye Bye Bottle

2008-04-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

A few months ago it was a sad few days at the Cole household. The one true love that our little dude had was the love of his bottle. I’m not talking a little crush here, but a true infatuation. We let him keep it longer than many people suggested simply because it was the one thing that immediately fired him up. The neighbors down the block could probably here him screaming when the clock reached 8:00 PM and we went to the cupboard and pulled out that bottle.

Matthew would quickly run all around the house to tell everyone inside that there was a bottle. It was the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I had ever saw true joy before until that bottle came out of hiding every night.

We decided that we would take it away while we were out of town. We went to San Diego for a weekend and simply told him that we didn’t have it. He accepted that right away since he doesn’t get to have it at the babysitter’s house and he seemed to know that it was just something for our house.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a huge issue when we got home. He seemed to sense that it was coming. I think I took it harder than he did. For quite a while I missed the pure joy on his face and in his eyes that accompanied that nightly ritual. He’s since replaced it with other things that make him excited and happy. He loves it when his mom comes home from tutoring and reads him a story or right before bed time I give him tickle attacks and he returns the favor. Few things get him more excited than playing hide and seek. He even gets to the point where he tells me where to hide.

But I really miss that bottle. It seems unfair to take anything from someone who gets so much joy out of something so simple….it doesn’t seem right. In a couple of more months, I’ll probably be over it but I’m not sure why we punished me by taking it from me. Everyone should have a bottle, at least that is the view as I see it.

Sesame Street Bad for Kids!

2007-12-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

In this holiday season, few things are scarier than the political correctness that seems to have taken over our every waking moment. It seems bad enough that people are not allowed to celebrate the holiday season in the fashion that they see fit, for fear that they will offend somebody passing by on the street. Christians discouraged from wishing strangers “Merry Christmas” or followers of the Jewish faith being ostracized for wishing others a “Happy Hanukah”. Where did society go wrong and why are we determined to make the world a one size fits all dreary place to live?

I’m not a very spiritual person, but I am by no means offended by others wishing revelers the holiday greeting of their choice. I’m just as likely to respond happy holidays to somebody wishing me a Merry Christmas, but not because I’m offended by the salutation they decided to bestow on me. I sincerely wish that they have a great day and holiday season, however they happen to celebrate it. For some of you, it may just be a few days off from work.

The political correctness bug really got me fired up when I learned that there were people in Australia trying to ban people dressed up as Santa Clause from shouting that oh so popular phrase “Ho, Ho, Ho”. It seems that there are some who think that is sending a bad message to the youth of today because of the glorification of the word “ho” by today’s gangsta rappers. It seems that if not protected, the children of today will believe Santa Clause is calling women whores. Come on people, wake up. Whether you believe in Christmas or not, it would really not be this time of year having Santa on every corner shouting “Ha, Ha, Ha”. Stupid. Period.

Since I’m on the topic, another waste of time is the suspension of elementary students from school for the audacity to play cops and robbers or any other game that requires students to use pretend guns. Sure, our climate has changed forever since Columbine and 9-11 but do we really believe that the next Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are being created on America’s playgrounds because they are playing soldiers on the playground?

Maybe it is my small town upbringing that makes me naïve, but I seriously doubt that only people form small town Iowa communities with populations under 1200 feel the way I feel. Granted, Mom and Dad should be worried if their little angel suddenly comes home and says things like “I’m going to take a steak knife, cut out your eyes, and feed it to my guinea pig”. I agree that is worrisome. However, I do not agree that Susan giving a hug to Timmy on the playground is creating the next sexual harassment lawsuit that will have the TV news people and other talking heads spitting fire in twenty years. People today are too quick to keep others from showing emotion and expressing themselves all in the name of political correctness.

Perhaps the straw that broke the camel’s back (I know, here comes the PETA people—I’ve abused an animal) was when the US censors decided that the original Sesame Street episodes from 1969 to 1974 should come with an adults only warning: "These early Sesame Street episodes are intended for grown-ups and may not suit the needs of today's preschool child."

I didn’t believe it when I heard it several weeks ago on the radio. I assumed that I missed some vital piece of information and that they fessed up to some huge joke when I wasn’t listening. But alas, it seems that the censors have really lost it on this one.

Apparently watching the Cookie Monster eating cookies is responsible for me being fat (Today he says cookies are a sometimes snack). My mood swings come from Bert waking up cranky. Are those delusions that you are having? Those are caused by Big Bird and his occasional Snuffleupagus sightings. Don’t even get me started on the reason your house is dirty. That obviously occurred because you saw Oscar the Grouch living in such dirty conditions in his trash can. Or the reason I like to see people splashed with mud puddles while driving is because the cake chef used to fall down the stairs with his five strawberry cream cakes. Suddenly, I’m not feeling so cheery for the holiday season after all.

Bah-humbug! Anyway, that's how I see it.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22857738-7583,00.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/keeping-us-on-the-street-and-narrow/2007/12/01/1196394689031.html

Diversity

2007-09-17T10:14:00.001-07:00

One of the things I think is great about living in a city like Las Vegas is all the diversity that is there. I know that everyone doesn't always agree with this, but I like the fact that everybody doesn't look like me. No, to the Panora haters I'm not referring to the fact that everybody there is related, so of course they look like each other. In Vegas, everywhere you go there is a different culture or religion or nationality. I like that.

I especially like that little Matthew has already been exposed to more cultures, ethnic groups, and languages than I had been in 30 years. I especially notice it in our neighborhood. We will take Matthew outside and there are always a group of kids playing in the street, or the grassy area. The best part is that even where we live there is a lot of diversity. Matthew is going to have a chance to be friends with people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, or culture that I even thought possible growing up in Iowa. Who knows what he will end up using that experience to do, but it is nice to know that he has been exposed to many different things. His options are literally wide open.

I want Matthew to grow up knowing that difference is good. I hope he doesn't just accept differences, but cherishes the differences that make everyone unique. I too often hear people talk about tolerance and acceptance, but for Matthew that will not be good enough. I want him to KNOW that unique is good.

I watch the news or read the paper and see the different cultural clashes going on throughout the nation. It's sad to think that so much bloodshed occurs all over the world over differences in religion, language, or culture. I personally do not think that it is the right of one group of people to impose their will over another group just because they can, but it appears to be happening every day. I know that this type of conflict has occurred as long as Man has inhabited the earth, but when will the fanaticism stop?

I hope Matthew grows up with the tools necessary to make a difference in how these perceptions are accepted, or rather not accepted, around the world. The greatest gift any generation is to leave the world better than when that generation arrived, I fear for Matthew and others of his generation, this is an improbable scenario. I just hope that we leave his generation something that is even near salvageable.

For Matthew I hope that growing up in the community melting-pot that surrounds our home gives him the opportunity to make the kind of difference that we seem to be blowing today. It’s an optimistic view, but that’s how I see it.

Friendly Pigeons

2007-08-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

When Matthew was a newborn, I really thought he could poop. But that is nothing compared to the pigeon's that live around my house. I mean, we got some serious pigeon poop on our driveway every single day.

I don't consider myself easily angered, or very likely to just explode, but there is something about those pigeons that bring out the worst in me. If I'm talking about those pigeons, there is a good chance that I'm gonna use the F word in there somewhere. Don't get me wrong, I don't really swear all that much. Also, I'm not a prude. I like hearing the F bomb dropped in gangsta rap songs as much as the next guy. But these rodents with wings really get to me.

Those funky pigeons think they own the whole neighborhood. You can't even drive into the complex without narrowly missing one of them. It is really quite scandalous. I can't stand those frat-loving birds.

My 19 month old has quite a different impression of them. Every time he sees one he starts waving his arms, jumping up and down, and screaming "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr". I calmly say, "yep, that's a finicky pigeon". He just squeals with delight. I can't blame him. He doesn't know any better. To him it's all fun because then I get the garden hose out and spray all the poop off the driveway. He loves that because anything to do with water just makes his day.

Meanwhile, I'm muttering under my breath, "those frigid pigeons". We've put up things to try to get them to roost other places, but it seems they just move to another part of the house. When we first put spikes up to deter them from roosting right above our walk and driveway, I was somewhat optimistic. That was before one of them laid and egg and somehow it ended up on our sidewalk. You guessed it, I got the garden hose out and washed it away. Apparently fantastic pigeons are protective of their eggs, because they came swooping down at me. Luckily for them, all I had at the time was a garden hose.

Meanwhile, I've decided to stop waging war with those frenzied pigeons. I think we should take advantage of our major tourist economy here in the Las Vegas Valley and make some of the tourists a deal they cannot refuse. From now on every time somebody comes to visit, as a parting gift, they receive two pigeons. Yep. That's the plan. All tourists will now take home with them two pigeons.

Imagine it, someone comes to Vegas from Spain. As they get on the airplane to head home somebody says, "Adios! Here's your two pigeon's". And Slam! the door to the plane closes. Ahhhhhhh.......another plane full of pigeon's leaving the city. It's not like it has to be somebody from Spain, they could be from say, China. Same scenario, as they enter the aircraft somebody says, "..........................". Well, I don't have my translation dictionary with me but it ends with somebody saying, "here's your pigeons" and a door being slammed shut. It's really a win win situation. Vegas gets rid of pigeons, and everybody else goes home a winner.

Anyway, that's the view as I see it (and I got to admit, the view on the driveway is a lot clearer).

Farewell

2007-08-12T00:05:00.000-07:00

I recently had to say goodbye to an old friend. It wasn’t a person, but rather a building. Although just a building, its meaning is so much more. Tuesday morning I will be putting on a long sleeve shirt and tie and heading off to work. However, for the first time in five years I will not be heading towards Variety School. I will be heading to a different location.

Variety doesn’t seem like much. It is a dilapidated old building that has been serving special needs students for almost 55 years. It is constantly in need of repair with the foundation apparently crumbling wjith every step a person takes throughout. Nevertheless, to me, it has represented a lot more. When I moved to Las Vegas, I had no idea what might be in store for me.

At the time, I had no job although I did have an interview scheduled with the district. After the interview, I received a letter in the mail saying they were delighted to offer me a position in the district and that principals would be calling soon to schedule interviews with me. Although I did not know where I would be working, I was relieved to know that I would have a job in August. After working a few weeks for my friends landscaping business I knew that I didn’t want any more of that.

Several days later, the principal of Variety called and asked me to come meet with her to discuss one of several positions she had available. I was pretty stoked at the time because when she told me where it was, it was actually close to one of the few roads that I had heard of. I headed in for an interview not knowing what might be ahead of me. Pulling into the parking lot that hot July day I had know way of knowing that I would continue to be a guest in the parking lot for over 1000 more days over the next five years.

I don’t have a very good recollection of what the interview consisted of after that. I know that Variety was in the middle of summer school and my new principal took me around campus and showed me several rooms. In one room, she mentioned that the teacher would receive a prep buyout. Later, when she asked me which room I would be interested in I chose the money. Probably not the most auspicious start, but as an educator I was prepared to take all I could get. Since then she has told me that during the interview I wanted to prove that people from the country and city were all the same. I mentioned that we were all people and was confident that we could learn things from each other. She has since told me that she wasn’t completely convinced at the time, but decided to take a chance on me anyway. I'm lucky to have had that chance.

And what a chance it was. The past five years have been great for me. I’ve grown professionally as well as personally. I never anticipated being at Variety for five years. I assumed I would complete my two years that the district was requiring and then be on my way to teach Jr. High math or something. But something about the place stuck on me. The year I arrived at Variety there were six new teachers there. All of them left after that first year (including my wife). Still, a new year came and there I was.

The people at Variety matter the most. Sharing the success and failures with the students has been a great experience. Although it can be heartbreaking at times, it is definitely worth it for those of us who have been pegged to serve at Variety. Over the past five years, I’ve recommended the school to several of my friends. A couple have taken me up on the offer and others have stayed away. It certainly is not for everyone. But for those of us who have worked there and found ourselves wanting to leave but always having an excuse for staying, there is no way to describe it. Variety just becomes part of who you are. In fact, I’ve joked many times that I needed to leave because I was becoming known as “special school Greg”. Now is the time.

It’s with sadness and happiness as I begin my next journey. I don’t know whether I am off to bigger and better things, but I am off nonetheless. I’m not sure where this move will take me, but I do know that I’m taking away a lot more than what I drove into the parking lot with that day in July of 2001. You see, I moved to Las Vegas with only what could fit into my Ford Explorer but the memories and friendships I’m leaving Variety with could not fit into a fleet of trucks.

I know that Variety will continue as only it can. The staff there will continue to serve a population of students that few people are willing to take on. I hope each of them understands the significance and importance that each of them bring to the students at the school. For me it’s the difference that they have made in my life that makes my move so difficult. They do outstanding jobs, at one of the most difficult situations in the nation, and they do it willingly every day. For me, that’s priceless.

I hope that I gave Variety, and the people there, even a small percentage of what it gave me. It certainly deserves it.

At least that’s the view as I see it.

Gold Through the Rockies

2007-07-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

Living in a big city, kind of makes you move along at the same pace as everyone else. It is easy to forget to take time to slow down and do things for yourself. The perfect cure for that is a trip through the majestic Colorado Mountains.

Most of you that know me realize that if you were traveling in my car you would most likely be listening to R&B or Hip Hop. The more "gangsta" the music is, the better. I like to cruise to new stars like 50 cent, Eminem or jam out to classic gangsta rap like NWA, Ice T, or Public Enemy. If you wanted to go out of the gangsta genre, then we could listen to more soft-core artists like Sir Mix a Lot or Vanilla Ice. As long as it's rap, I'll go along with it. Seriously, those of you in the know realize how I roll.

However, when I get on my 20th anniversary, 1995, candy apple red, Honda Goldwing that all changes. There is something about hopping on my motorcycle and taking off across the desert that brings me back to my rural Iowa redneck roots. Without thinking, I find myself tuning into the country radio stations. I guess it is the freedom of the open road that makes me want to slow down and take things a little more slowly and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smell of the open road.

In fact, I would encourage each of you to start finding things to do outside of the city. Pick a destination out in the country or possibly a lake. Why not visit one of the national parks that dot the country in every corner of the nation. I promise it will help start to put things in perspective. So the next time you, your friends, or your family have some time why not head out to the mountains, the country, or lake and head out for a nice heart healthy hike? Or if you are fat like me and allergic to everything from bug bites to dust mites-- grap your epipen, lather up with Off, grab a lawn chair and watch somebody else go for a hike. At least you will be outside and away from the city.

I owe my love of motorcycling to my parents. They had a Goldwing when I was growing up and I remember them going on little weekend trips. When I was 14 my father and I took off across Nebraska and into Missouri. He was on his Goldwing and I was following along with a learner's permit driving my Honda 400 CMT. I think my parents were pleasantly surprised, if not proud, when I began riding again. I think they enjoy hearing of my adventures and thinking about me heading down some of the same roads they may have traveled so many years ago.

I recently spent a few days touring part of the Rocky Mountains on my cycle. And as I listened to country music while driving down the Million Dollar Highway, it seemed like the lyrics were speaking directly to me.

One song in particular jumped out at me. The song was sung by Tim McGraw and is titled "My Next 30 Years". A few years ago, that song might not have meant very much to me. But at 34, I've started to realize that life isn't forever. The song made so much sense to me. I felt like some of the lyrics could have been written for me, or about me.

For instance, Tim sings, "My next thirty years will be the best years of my life, Raise a little family and hang out with my wife, Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear, Make up for lost time here ,In my next thirty years". As many of you know, I got married on my 30th birthday. So you can see the importance of those lyrics to me. Then on my 33rd birthday we found out that my wife was pregnant. Another memorable birthday for sure. Those lyrics really hit home and made sense to me.

The song also says, "Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight, Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late, Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers, Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years". I could certainly get behind this advice. My vegetarian wife would like to see me eat a few more salads and maybe get rid of some of this non vegetarian belly. As an insomniac, I SHOULD get some more sleep. But I especially feel like this last line would fit especially well for me, "Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers". I think I can really get behind this. Of course, it shouldn't surprise anyone to learn that I'm going to substitute Countrytime Lemonade with Mike's Hard Lemonade.

After all, I am my father's son. That's the view as I see it.

Asbestos

2007-07-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

I've decided that my next license plate is going to say ASBSTS. It's not because I have a particularly strong love affair with this cancer causing substance, but because I think it will leave plenty of people wondering what I am trying to say. People are not going to understand why someone would have such a strong feeling for asbestos. I mean, aren't license plates supposed to be for something we really have a strong stance on?

On any given day, you will notice many different personalized plates. I, for one, cannot keep up with what people are trying to say. I personally feel like I am somewhat of an expert on this subject because my family members have used them for years. Alas, I have been the main holdout until now. My mother has always had the plate "9A" and of course dad was "9asgary". There was no way I was going to be "9ASGreg". Wasn't going to happen. I believe my brother avoided using personalized plates as well. Oh, and don't forget "MAPARK" out at the lake. I'm sure the list could go on and on.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on folks that decide personalized plates are for them. Some of them are very clever. Some of them even elicit a chuckle from me. I remember growing up, one of my friends parents had personalized plates and that was the only name I would call her by. She quickly memorized my plates and from that day forward, I was 089515S. Fortunately, it was her people would think was crazy.

The reason I find them frustrating is that I cannot figure half of them out. I don't know if people are Gator Hators or Gator Lovers. Do they want Bonds to break the home run record or not? Moreover, exactly which Chicago team do they support? Some even try to be intellectual. Of course, they go right over my head.

The state of Nevada randomly assigned me my current plates so I need to come up with a meaning for them I guess. Hmmmmm.....923PNC..... I guess we could try 9 23 year-olds puked and called it a day, or 92 3 year-olds peed in a cup. See, this is hard. That is why I like ASBSTS. People will spend the next 500 miles trying to figure out what it means. Those of them that do figure out that it stands for ASBESTOS will then be really confused. They will spend another 500 miles trying to figure out why someone would have a license plate that said asbestos. That is the goal, isn't it? How do you think I came up with the idea for this blog? Driving across the hot desert, you have a lot of time to think.

Personally, I think 923 people need a clue. Hey, it's my plate so that's the way I see it.

A battle is brewing.....

2007-07-09T12:16:00.001-07:00

As Michael Buffer might say "Let's get ready to RUMMMMMMMBBBLLLLEEEEEE".

Recently, Las Vegas Teamsters Local 14 held a news conference stating that they are moving towards a showdown with the local Clark County Education Association (CCEA)in an effort to represent Clark County teachers. Local teachers who support the move recently held a 2 day rally and encouraged teachers to resign from CCEA. During this time they also encouraged teachers to sign pledge cards. The Teamsters got their start at http://teachers4change.net/ and have been trying to gain support for some time.

In the mean time, CCEA countered with a rally of their own in support of the current association. CCEA asserts that the teamsters are unfamiliar with the needs of educators and lack the experience necessary to meet the demands that come with the representation of a public service group.

It is estimated that 18,000 teachers serve the needs of Clark County, Nevada. In order for Local 14 to force a vote on representation some 9,000 local teachers would need to sign pledge cards, essentially saying that they want a vote on representation.

I'm sure the Teamsters are in for a battle. Rarely, will you find a more apathetic group than the teachers of Clark County. CCEA claims to represent 13,300 local teachers but thousands fewer than that voted in the last election for association president. Even if the Teamsters do earn the right to have an election to see who will represent them in negotiations for future contracts, 9,000 teachers would need to vote in favor of the new representation. No doubt, this is a large burden to overcome.

Regardless of who represent the teachers of Clark County in the future, teachers need to demand more than what the state legislature has been providing in salary increases. Power bills alone have risen much more than the 2% per year teachers have been averaging since 1999. It's not just Clark County that must do better, but the state of Nevada must find a way to attract and retain qualified teachers.

The problem really is the lack of concern the average teacher seems to care about the process of negotiations and making sure that somebody is standing loud and tall to support teachers interests. Until more teachers get off their cans and demand less hostile work environments and better pay, they are getting exactly what they deserve. The next few months are vital for Clark County School District teachers. Regardless of whether you side with the Teamsters local 14 or with the current Clark County Education Association it is important that each teacher stands up and is heard. If not, the state of Nevada and CCSD will continue giving teachers exactly what they deserve. Which is to say they will continue the status quo.

It should be quite a battle here in the battle born state, at least that's how I see it.

Shopping Carts

2007-06-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

I think I have a solution for the parking problems at grocery stores. You know how it is; every time you go to the grocery store every good parking spot has a grocery cart in it. Here is the solution. The grocery stores should start charging a deposit for using the carts. It would not even need to be very much. Let's say $1. Then, like a pop (what some of us call soda) can when you are done with the cart, you go back and get your dollar.

Oh, wait everywhere doesn’t give money back for cans. Some of us have spent our whole lives getting a nickel back for pop cans. It’s pretty cool really. You do not see many cans on the side of the road. I’ve even heard rumors that in some states you can get a dime back. Here in Vegas we just recycle them at the curb. I have actually had people beat the trash people to my house and take them so they could recycle them for cash I suppose. Once I messed up and put my cans out a week early, only to find that somebody recycled them for me.

Anyway, back to the real story. I know what you're saying, “But, I'm not the person leaving the carts out to cause damage to all the cars. Why should I be forced to pay a deposit when I'm not the person leaving the cart out?” Well, if it isn't I and it's not you, then who the heck is it? It's certainly not the homeless. In fact, if they took the stupid wheel locks off there wouldn't be any in the parking lot at all. Actually, I'm sure that we wouldn't see any in the parking lots if they were worth a dollar. People would be lining up to take them back.

In the small town where I grew up we never had run away grocery carts. We didn't even take the carts outside. There was high school kids hired to do it for everyone. As I remember it, we weren’t even tipped. It was just part of our job. I remember someone getting a tip once but it was a person from out of town and stopped at the lake for the weekend. I remember thinking, "wow, that's what it is like to live in the city." Well now that I live in the city, it just seems like I must walk farther. But that is what we get for reserving so many prime spots for shopping carts.

At least that's the way I see it.

The view from here

2007-06-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Unless you come from a small rural area, it is hard to appreciate the difference that a city and farm country can bring. Although my family wasn’t farmers, we did our share of farm activities. I barely know anyone that didn't grow up walking beans, bailing hay, or detassling corn.

My father probably gets credit for being one of the smartest people on the planet when he encouraged me to go to college. "Son", he said, "perhaps you should go to college. You just aren't very good using your hands". It was wise advice, but maybe not a revelation since I can barely change a light bulb let alone work on anything mechanical. It's those types of memories that make the political world of Las Vegas seem so amazing to those of us not from the big city.

Amazingly, in the Las Vegas Review Journal yesterday, there was an article in the Nevada section detailing the history of corruption that Clark County Commissioners have shown. The headline reads "Class of 1999: Vote (by Clark County residents) most likely to succeed..." (p. 1b).

Along with the headline was a picture of the commissioners at that time. In 1999, the commissioners were Lance Malone, Dario Herrera, Erin Kenny, Yvonne Atkinson-Gates, Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, Bruce Woodbury and Myrna Williams. Since then Dario Herrera, Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, Erin Kenny, and Lance Malone are either currently serving prison sentences or on their way. Atkinson-Gates is under scrutiny for enriching herself although she has not been charged with any crimes. Bruce Woodbury is the only commissioner still serving, and to his credit, he is apparently above all the scandal that plagues the commission.

It probably isn't a surprise to most folks from the Las Vegas area that such things take place here. It appears to be part of the local culture. Nevertheless, for a small town person from rural Iowa it is a real revelation.

Back home I remember some controversy when the town mayor was found letting off fireworks on the 4th of July. Certainly it may have been patriotic, but the town mayor committing such an act? Many were aghast at such scandalous behavior. Lately that former mayor is constantly in the news for suing the city for allowing a fence be put up in a vacated alley. He argues that it infringes on his use of his own property. Right or wrong, I don't know but certainly as exciting as it gets for back home.

I remember moving back to Iowa right after I received my undergrad degree from Northwest Missouri State University. At the time, there was controversy everywhere about family farms. I know the issue is still troubling for many back home.

However, I'll never forget the first time I saw the following signs while driving down Interstate 80 towards Des Moines. As I recall, the first sign said "Urban Sprawl ain't too pretty", a while later was another sign "save our farms, build in the city". I believe there was a picture of a farm animal, tractor, or such along with it. However, the next signs were even better: "Building homes on rural ground" "How 'bout raisin hogs downtown". Those farmers really had a sense of humor, but that was the controversy we had at the time.

I can only imagine the signs politicians in this area may use as a catchy slogan: "Taking money from special interests", "save our state recall Gibbons".

Well, I'm sure it needs work, but that's how I see it.

The Preview

2007-06-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Step Right Up. The Circus is in town again. Oh wait, that isn’t Barnum and Bailey leaving Carson City. As Porky the Pig might say “That’s all folks”. The Nevada State Legislature adjourned this week and will now be officially “Out to Lunch” for the next two years.

To this observer it appears that there was just a lot more political feuding and not a lot of real action taking place. Sure, they sent some money to help with Autism (a big hooray for that!). And the Las Vegas Convention Bureau will not be suing the state for taking too much money as a compromise bill came out about how to fund the state’s roadways.

The sad thing is that the biggest winner in the fiasco we in Nevada call a legislative session is probably Governor Gibbons. You see, Governor Gibbons promised to veto any potential tax increase and used his “political power” to try to stop folks from placing items for vote during the next election. How could the least popular governor in the country have political power to do anything? I wouldn’t be more surprised if I saw George W. Bush campaigning for Hilary Clinton. Out of the hat, Gibbons pulled a pilot program that would provide$10 million pay for performance education initiative, $4.5 million for gifted and talented and after school programs, and incentive pay for hard-to-fill subject areas.

Speaking of presidential elections, the races are really heating up across the nation. This means more and more political preening will be taking place throughout the state. I guess the candidates know where to come to get money. Of course, these politicians should be careful as they may run into the same ethical problems that plague so many of our local and state politicians. I would think it is tough for the national candidates to decide whom they should get their picture taken for since there is a good chance that one of the Nevada politicians may end up serving 4 to 8 right alongside them. Oh, not right beside them, but serving time nonetheless.

Who knows, but that’s how I see it.