mike's wheels: mike ritter's journey

Pastor Appreciation: Randy Elrod

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:37:03 PDT

For pastor appreciation month, I gotta give a shout out to "Pastor Randy" -- that's how I met him. Back in Largo, Florida, Randy was creative arts / praise and worship / music / whatever his title was for the season pastor. He refused to be put in a box. Randy was professional, hard-working and genuine.

R was just coming into the season of spreading his wings beyond accepted norms. He pursued life with passion and took some of us along for the ride. He started living life on the "bleeding edge" and took some cuts in that time.

When he got the opportunity of a music pastor's life -- People's Church in Nashville, Tenn. -- we were sad to see him go. Randy had outgrown his fish bowl. After moving to N'ville R really blew off his fetters. He pursued his passions and lived a scary and dynamic life for what the LORD laid on his heart.

But, in all of that, I remember the friend who went with us to watch an R movie when it wasn't allowed; who held my parents' hands as they waited for their paralyzed son to fly back to the States; who took me cruisin' in his Z; who shared Sunday lunch with his family with me; who cooked us homemade pasta when I visited N'ville on the way to DC.

Randy, you've touched so many peoples' lives, including mine.

Islam, Iran, and the World

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:50:38 PDT

This morning I took a little time to read from http://quran.com to get some perspective on the news and world events. Listening to stories on Qur'an burning, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the dispute over Israel. You might think it's crazy, but the Islam scripture is not that different from reading the Bible. If you know your Old and New Testament, you can follow along pretty well. Some of it reads like commentary from pastors I've heard on TV. Throw in a newspaper and a world map (like http://maps.google.com ) and you get some interesting perspective on current events.

Back to my title, I was interested that the Qur'an goes in depth to lay out the covenant the LORD made with his people through Abraham, Moses, and Jesus to make them righteous and their consistent rejection of the agreement. The text in Surah 2.62 even clarifies that anyone -- Jew, Christian, or Muslim -- who truly seeks to live a right life before the LORD will inherit Paradise at the Resurrection of the Dead. It seems to me this can help us come from a good starting point to share our perspectives. Indeed, Jesus even said, "there will be a time when it doesn't matter what city you worship in, but God desires people who worship him in spirit and in truth." The committed Jew, Christian and Muslim have a lot in common.

When I looked up Jerusalem and Mecca on the map, I panned out to see the region. Jerusalem is on the western end of the Middle East (with Egypt as a Afro-Eastern nation); Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is to the south; Pakistan is to the east; and Iran is in the bulls-eye. Flanking Iran are Iraq and Afghanistan (with Pakistan to the southeast). To its north are the former Soviet states.

Now, the role Iran plays in the region is clear to me. Far from being a rogue player in world affairs, Iran is central to the stability of relationships in the Middle East. This center of Muslim and Arabic/Persian culture is stable and established. While they have policies and practices Europeans find backwards, they serve as a heavy influence on the three nations where the United States has our money and military invested: Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the wake of the World Trade Center attack, Ahmadinejad offered his support. We gave him the cold shoulder, alienated him politically, and took out his biggest regional opponent anyway -- Saddam Hussein. With nowhere to go, the Iranian leader became more entrenched and isolated, working to accomplish regional stability as he knew. His government worked in the region with religious leaders and organizations with militias to establish a distinctly Muslim footprint in the region that the U.S. has been trying to westernize.

So, the U.S. took this fight to Iran. We put their leader in a corner and despised his partnership. It is a scary reminder of the Cold War with the Communists. This one has deeply religious undertones that appeal to extremists on all sides. We have mixed guns and God, entering a holy war that was not of our making. The zealots who wanted to bring in a reign of terror and usher in the last days have instigated the nations to senseless conflict. Until the U.S. takes a more humble position and respects the interests of all people in the region -- despite distinct differences -- we will not see the stability we desire. Iran, the Taliban, and other regional players who truly have vested interests in the outcome of a post-coalition Middle East have to be given a seat at the table in the light of day where we acknowledge and work with each other, If the U.S. can work with Pakistan and Mahmoud Abbas, we can work with these others in the interests of our common interest.

College: Almost done!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:02:21 PDT

I'm putting the wraps on my college program at Kaplan online. For about two years I've been studying website animation for interactivity in the online degree program. While I'm not planning on being a games developer, I've learned a lot from my courses on developing solutions and managing projects.

As I get going along now, I'll be looking for a good job to open my career path. With a background in Psychology and some experience building and maintaining websites, I just need to build a good resumé and portfolio, then APPLY.

So much thanks to Dana for putting up with my focus on school projects the last few months. It has been an investment in our future that we will see pay off over the next few years.

I joke that with a Psychology degree I was on par with every football player out of college. Now, I think my resumé will stand out a little more.

Chasing Lions in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:42:40 PST

Each winter I pull back and decide on a theme for the upcoming year. As I pondered my new challenges, opportunities and responsibilities I really felt I needed to go after challenges I had ignored for months or years. Dana recommended our pastor's book In A Pit with A Lion on A Snowy Day because it is about this same idea. The book delves into the short story of Benaiah in 2 Samuel 8 who chased a lion into a pit and killed it. This and other courageous acts got Ben a place of honor in the king's service.

Inspired by this story, my wife's example of determination, my dad's challenges, and my own yet-to-be-realized and missed opportunities, I am determined to live 2010 Chasing Lions.

Awake Autumn!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:17:16 PDT

Of the things I've dreaded moving to D.C. (and there are few) the cold is the most intimidating. I thought the crowds would get me, but people actually flow pretty well. Sitting in traffic isn't nearly as stressful with the woman I love beside me. The metro has been surprisingly accessible. The dogs get along great. So, back to that cold weather.

I'm thinking 17 years in the sunbelt has thawed my blood too thin for the cold, then a cool snap hits. Don't get me wrong, I know 40s and 50s sounds cozy to some folks right now, but the cold has slowed me down several times. I dreaded the cold, but being outside today has been nice. There's something about summer that just makes me lethargic. Autumn wakes me up. Maybe it's the colors on the Sunday drive to church. Maybe it's the cool air that bites a little when I get out. Maybe it's this transition into a new life.

Looking for Patriotism

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:33:51 PDT

This week National Public Radio reported on Somali-Americans recruited into terrorism. It got me thinking why these kids whose parents had gotten an opportunity in the States to start a new life would be compelled to go back to Somalia and fight Jihad. Following up I considered the likes of Louis Farrakhan and Al Sharpton, popular culture's references to anti-American sentiments, and partisan attacks; all of these are symptoms of the unraveling of our American identity.

Patriots are not ignorant, flag-waving yes-men blindly following selfish old white men who think they know better than everyone. This is the image of a patriot protesters of the '60s and'70s retalliated against. McCarthyism, Jim Crow, the war machine, and Wall Street big shots were the face of America in that era. So many were so very frustrated they rebelled. Consider these lyrics from a popular song:

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one.
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,
Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Fortunate Son"

There is a sad situation, then, where, as John Edwards put it, we have "two Americas." This stratification and sense of injustice and animosity threatens to tear our country apart. Like sectarian violence in the Middle East and immigrant anti-nationalism in Europe, this disparity among Americans is tearing us apart.

Patriotism is the answer. What brings us to the table should be our sense of national identity and the shared values and responsibilities we as Americans have. We will always have economic disparity. We will always have bigotry. We will always have disagreements. We will always have poverty, hunger, crime, favoritism. As Americans we can wrestle through these things without ripping our nation apart.

When someone says, "I'm embarrassed to be an American," or "they are un-American," or even hopes for the destruction of our nation and our neighbors they are chipping away at the integrity of our national identity. The Stars and Stripes, our Constitution, our government, and our national heritage are symbols of our country's greatness. Its values are greater than our differences. Its institutions are greater than partisan manipulation. Alexis de Toqueville is aattributed as saying,

America is great because she is good.
When she ceases to be good, she will no longer be great.

May we never lose that sense of goodness and belief in a good America.

full plate

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:29:08 PDT

The past weeks have been consuming. Yeah, consuming, like take a big plate, fill it with lots of food, and eat it all. I'm not complaining. It's just different for me to have so much to do. The past few years have been fairly easy. Nothing really pressing. Coasting along has been pleasant.

With the full plate I'm worn out, my fuse is short, and my memory overwhelmed. The theme for 2009 is balance and these big life events have put that to the test. Several years ago my boss introduced me to Steven Covey's Seven Habits. There are many good habits he points out and principles to apply to everyday problems (my paraphrase):

get off your duff and do something
get your priorities straight
think it through before you start
think of others first
handle conflict well
work together off each others' strengths
stay healthy

When there is so much to do I forget these habits. Okay, I just get lazy. It's easier to look like I have it together than to keep it together. So, time for the absurd analogy. When the plate is full I want to eat it all. But I can enjoy eating all I can at a nice pace while visiting with my dinner companions. Then, I can take left-overs home to enjoy later or leave the rest. Just because It is on my plate does not mean I have to shovel it all down right now.

Where Have the Good Shows Gone

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:55:58 PDT

I try to keep my must see list of TV shows around five. Coming into summer the list of canceled shows is sad because so many of my favorites are on there! The Unit (like Jericho before it) was nixed by CBS. Terminator: SCC was terminated by FOX. The Unusuals was canned by ABC (as was Pushing Daisies). The way the seasons of Terminator and The Unit wrapped up left little doubt they were headed to pasture, but I really am bummed.

Shows I like that are still running: Lost, NCIS, Bones.

Other shows nixed all too soon: Jericho, Firefly.

Shows I won't miss: Knight Rider, Homeland Security, Wipe Out (oh, wait, they actually brought that back)

Good bye to Pontiac

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:14:35 PDT

The brand is synonymous with power. Apart from the inappropriate acrostic, I remember Pontiac a a great brand. The Grand Am was the car of the '80s. Then were the Firebird, Grand Prix, and so many other great power cars. We'll miss the cars from the ol' chief.

Read / Listen to a story at npr.org.

yep yep yep yep yep. uh huh.

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:24:10 PDT

One of my favorite Sesame Street sketches.

Earth Day Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:41:43 PDT

Today is Earth Day. People across the globe are celebrating our world's natural resources and raising awareness of the dangers humans pose to the environment. It is an opportunity for perspective. Environmentalism has become a strong force in politics (albeit with waning influence at times).

This morning on Morning Joe Bobby Kennedy said the "landscape is the source of our values, our virtues, and our character as a people." I think Mr. Kennedy's perspective is off. Granted we do have perspectives on nationalism that derived from westward expansion and the grandiose rivers, canyons, mountains, plains, shores and deltas. This landscape was not the "source" of our national psychology.

I am encouraged as many Christians become more aware of environmental stewardship as a value of our faith. I would like to see communities invest more in reducing waste that enters our landfills and water table. I look forward to people helping people worldwide. However, when people mistake our national heritage with any agenda I take caution.

Today is Earth Day, but we must remember we are to be stewards of the earth, not worship it.

Spring Like a Roller Coaster

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:11:19 PDT

I know it isn't just me. Spring brings sunny weather, but each year it catches me off guard when the temps vary so much. Seriously! Monday we had the jackets on, Wednesday was AC. I like the sun. I like warm. Going between the warm and cold still blows my mind.

Hussein, Can You See?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:50:07 PDT

During the Presidential campaign and following I have expressed outrage at detractors who would use our President's middle name, Hussein, as a derogatory term. It has been embarrassing for a conservative like myself. So I was surprised and a bit miffed when I heard the President say to an Arab audience that America was special to elect a man named "Barack Hussein Obama."

I'm all for being proud of your heritage. But I've been working vigorously to convince my conservative friends he's a Christian, he is not Muslim. But here it was as if he was saying to the Islamic listeners I'm one of you. Forgive my presumptiveness, but it is unfair to guys like myself for the President to exploit his name this way when considering it bad form when opponents do the same.

My DC Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:56:35 PDT

I just got home from a week in DC with my fiance, Dana. I say home, but if "home is where your heart is," I left it behind. Yes, as I'm looking ahead to being with my wife-to-be, Texas is officially in my rear view mirror. Last summer I was wrapping up to move to Raleigh to be near my brother and his family. That did not work out. I am so far past where I was then.

The trip was REALLY wonderful. I see us there doing life together. Fairfax County, Virginia, is wonderful and growing. It is set up ready for me to get around in a wheelchair. There is a school across the road where I could substitute part time and build some relationships with local families. The church, National Community Church, is a really cool community. We even worked on Dana's crazy overnight schedule.

Here are a few photos from my walk around town.

Cherry blossoms outside the Smithsonian

Newseum from Pennsylvania Ave.

Senate office buildings facing Union Station

Return capsule for future NASA rockets outside Air and Space Museum

The Capitol

The Embryonic Stem Cell Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:18:23 PDT

Monday was a landmark in our national policy on science and ethics. President Obama reversed President Bush's freeze on NIH funding on embryonic stem cells. The freeze only affected research on stem cells from embryos and only made a restriction on federal funding. There were several other stem cell projects funded by the NIH and any project could still conduct research on embryonic stem cells, just without federal funding.

As a person with a disability I identify with people who have hope in the potential of stem cell treatment. Trials in petri dishes, lab mice, and even humans are promising. Even when I was first paralyzed in 1994, my doctors were aggressively studying stem cells (they were called Schwann cells). Hope is a potent element that can rally people in vulnerable conditions to a cause. Stem cell research has a following of vulnerable people (sometimes desperate, other times sympathetic) appalled at any limits on its use. At this point I cannot agree.

President Bush's limit was initiated because there is a genuine belief by many that the destruction of an embryo is the destruction of a potential human. There are many arguments for taking advantage of embryos in fertilization clinics and even creating embryos for the purpose of destruction to harvest stem cells.

There is so much opportunity without these embryonic cell lines. There are opportunities to continue in the current direction. This research takes years to develop into reliable treatment. I stand behind the funding limit on the destruction of embryos. I admonish other to step back and consider the larger argument: whether the creation and destruction of a potential person is justified by the relief of people today.

Ecological Awareness

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:29:42 PDT

I was asked to present my policy if I were to be President for protecting endangered species. My response follows:

My fellow Americans,

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune." It was Roosevelt who also said upon seeing the destruction of the herds of wild buffalo, "The extermination of the buffalo has been a veritable tragedy of the animal world."

In the spirit of President Roosevelt I commit the resources of this government to the preservation and protection of endangered species and their habitat. Furthermore, I commit these resources to the restoration of lost habitat and reintroduction of endangered species into these their rightful homes.

Our agenda has been long tested and hard fought. Through previous administrations the regard for the sanctity of these precious national resources has fallen to the wayside. In the hands of the Federal agencies established to protect national lands companies have been allowed and even enticed to destroy precious habitat that had developed undisturbed by human hands for thousands of years. The immediate benefits toward economies or promise of conveniences have clouded the better judgment of our agency administrators.

Recognizing this struggle between progress and preservation, I am happy to announce the development of what this administration will call the Roosevelt Ecological Preservation Doctrine. This document will lay out this administration's commitment to the aggressive preservation of endangered species and their habitats. It is a comprehensive framework that affects every cabinet-level position.

No longer will environmental protection be in the hands of an agency, nor the forestry service, nor any other singular entity acting on its own, or, at times, in contradiction to other agencies. The Roosevelt Doctrine will influence conversations within the State Department regarding our adoption of treaties and interactions with countries around the world with their own ecological policies. It will affect the Department of the Interior in guiding how we distribute and manage our natural resources. It will affect how the Department of Agriculture regulates farming and harvesting of resources on public and private lands. It will affect how the Department of Housing and Urban Development prescribes projects and awards its grants. It will hold the Department of Defense accountable for the ecological impact of weaponry and technology. It will guide the Department of the Treasury to initiate efficient and ecologically-sound practices for introducing currency. It will provide the Department of Education criteria for incorporating ecological stewardship into its standards and development. It will initiate the Department of Transportation in developing and sustaining ecologically responsible options for interstate transportation. It will authorize the Department of Justice to act in the interest of endangered species and habitats in litigation. It will guide the Department of Energy to finally adopting truly sustainable forms of energy production.

I look forward to working with members of congress to craft legislation that gives teeth to existing environmental regulation by rewarding entities that act responsibly and penalizing those who disregard ecological safeguards. However, this administration will not stand idly by waiting for congressional politics and obstructionists while we already have such powerful discretion at our disposal.

President Roosevelt also admonished, "I do not believe that any man can adequately appreciate the world of to-day unless he has some knowledge of -- a little more than a slight knowledge, some feeling for and of -- the history of the world of the past." With an eye toward the past and future, may we follow in the spirit of Yellowstone to preserve a heritage for the generations of all species everywhere who follow in our footsteps.

Mr. Brown Goes to Washington

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:19:28 PST

As I work his morning I am listening to CSAPN. Yes, I actually am that much of a politics government junkie. Among the recent archives was the address of Gordon Brown (the prime minister of Great Britain) to the U.S. Congress.

In his address Mr. Brown graciously paid homage to the service our country has provided his country and Europe over the years. He acknowledged Mr. Obama's historic position as President and the way nations around the world are buoyed by his leadership. He encouraged our nation to be a leader among nations in bringing about recovery from our current economic crisis.

Throughout his address the Prime Minister surprised me with biblical analogies. He alluded most poignantly to Jesus' term "a city on a hill" and to the parable of the good Samaritan who did not just walk on the other side of the road when he saw a man beaten up on the side of the road.

There was something quite inspirational in Mr. Brown's speech on action and faith. It was also something rather curious. Mr. Brown lauded "faith in the future", in education, and even in America. What he did not mention was faith in God. Now, he is no pastor, but with all of these biblical allusions and in a desperate time I had thought he might be the one to take that bold step.

Yellow Juicy Fruit

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:09:34 PST

This Sunday I received a package of my favorite chewing gum, Wrigley's Juicy Fruit. I was opening my second piece when I realized it is YELLOW!

It's a nice change.

For fun, check out this YouTube Juicy Fruit Video.

Parenting by Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:09 PST

This afternoon I was amused by an exchange between my teenage cousin and her mom:

C* is bored.
Mom: Do your homework then!
C: its 2 problems...that i dont get. so can u help me..later?
Mom: Have you tried to work on them at all? If you have tried to work them, then I will help you when I get home.

It sounds typical, except it was on Facebook.

Social networking is connecting people across the globe. On my Facebook I have over 470 friends. I follow their updates, keep up with old friends, and meet people with similar interests.

My family is spread across the country, so Facebook is a way for us to share pictures and updates. Even with neighbors, posting messages via Facebook is fun. Reading this conversation between my aunt and cousin made me laugh.

They have a relationship. My aunt and cousin actually do talk (as much as any mother and teenage daughter). They have sports, church and family meals. So Facebook is not her primary parenting tool.

It is funny that posting to an online profile was the easiest way to parent at the time.

Italian Invasion

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:38 PST

Friday was unexpectedly fun. While in downtown Nacogdoches I noticed a group of tourists walking down Main Street. Tourists tend to stand out in our small town. With their styled clothes and maps in hand, this group was especially obvious. As a self-appointed ambassador, I introduced myself and offered any help.

The group of very attractive ladies (all named Sylvia) I came across told me in broken English they were here on vacation. Soon, the rest of the party joined us. I tried telling them how to get here and there, recommending where to get the best fried fish, onion rings and sweet tea (Clear Springs Cafe), and trying to convey distance.

Before much conversation, I offered to escort them around. They didn't want to impose, but I insisted. It sounded like fun anyway. Here we were, seven Italian tourists and a guy in a wheelchair on a walking tour of historic Nacogdoches. They joked it was an "Italian Invasion." I took them along Mound Street toward the Stone Fort Museum at S.F.A. They insisted on walking instead of taking the bus.

We made it to Mound Street and the Old University Building before turning back for lunch. The meal was such fun. Our server, Marissa, was a charm. Surprisingly, they found the food spicy. The fried onion rings and catfish were a hit. I enjoyed teaching them words like tilapia and hush puppies. We did enjoy the sweet tea and plenty of laughs. As i reached for my wallet they insisted on picking up my tab. What courtesy!

We made it to Main Street, where it all began. I pointed to them how to get to the other historic sites. It was ironic that we ended up with me pointing them in the right direction. But the few hours we spent in between were a wonderful memory.

Chosing Whom We Will Serve

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:48:03 PST

About a year ago it became clear to me this nation was nearing a critical juncture: we were facing a financial breakdown that could test our determination and faith. American jobs were gone overseas, house prices were tanking, and the economy was beginning to slow. I thought time and again to how the Roaring Twenties, a hay day of opulence and free-spirited living gave way to the Great Depression of the Thirties.

There were unmistakable parallels along the way. Reality took a back seat to the euphoria of wealth. People who had some were getting more. Others who had not got their foot in the door. From Walmart to Wegewood, consumerism was filling our houses. Wall Street saw Dow blow past 10 K. We built bigger houses, cars, companies and churches. Each had fancy perks to make life easier. We were living our own era of decadence.

As the foundation began to crumble we were warned by some like wandering prophets calling out, "Prepare, for the end is near." Like the people of Sodom, we went headlong into destruction. Greed and avarice were revealed. We blamed the experts who talked us into taking out that loan or making that sure investment. It was all going to be fine because the economy was strong.

It should have hit us that we were not living right. Jesus said, "you cannot serve both God and money." We, as a nation, have chosen money. We're religious, but not committed. Read through the Old Testament kings and prophets. When a nation turned from God he let them go.

In the wake of the Depression our nation turned to the government to restore our prosperity. Again, we have turned to government. We ask it to provide for our needs ad get us back where we were. Where is the groundswell calling out for repentance? Where is the brave leader in our capitol encouraging us to choose God? In an age of secular pressure perhaps we have finally moved past those days. If so, then our best days may well be behind us.

Unseen Hurdles

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:19:27 PST

It has been almost fifteen years since I broke my neck. For the most part, my day-to-day has become quite normal. Like anyone else I go about my to-dos, goof off too much, try to watch my weight and exercise... you know, the normal things. Some days, though, I face some unseen hurdles. One day it's my provider not showing up, another it's unexpected mishaps with my equipment. These are the days it gets old.

My close friends know those inconveniences that trip me up some days. Gratefully, so many friends have helped me in a pinch. It's an honor to have people around willing to go the extra mile. For ten years (off and on) my family and friends were the primary help I had. Moving to Texas, I learned to rely on professional healthcare. Even then, my friends and family still pitch in to help.

With this help, still there are days things just don't go how I planned. I know, welcome to the club. But those wildcard situations can happen at the most inconvenient times and mess up all my plans. When there are so many important things to be done I don't want to slow down for those uh-ohs.

It's taken time to learn how to be gracious and tactful handling those hurdles. There are some things not everyone needs to know, but I live with in the back of my mind every day. They are the things that get oh so frustrating. Sure, after a few minutes (or so) I get fresh perspective. In the meanwhile I am cussing the hurdles.

Some things I've gotten used to, others will always get me frustrated. So here's some encouragement to everyone who's thought Mike has such a great attitude. Yep, I get down and frustrated too. I'm bummed out by those hurdles. You just don't get to see it.

My Theme Song: Here I Go Again

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:41:08 PST

Yesterday I picked up my Creative Juicers, an old tool I ordered from the Franklin-Covey store years ago. Exercise #97 asked me to come up with a company theme song. My answer was "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake.

Two lines from the song stuck out as I thought through it. "Here I go again on my own" made me think about how scary and sometimes frustrating being a self-employed contractor is. For a while I've even tried to recruit mentors to provide some camaraderie. That's something I hope to remedy. "Because I know what it means to walk along the lonely street of dreams" brought to mind the way getting a big idea where I'm heading and making it come together isolates me. Again, having a mentor and even some colleagues could help along the way.

Note: I will be getting married in September. Dana has been an amazing cheerleader and encouraged me along in pursuing my dream as I encourage her. This has been a great partnership.

Reframing the Dialogue

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:34:06 PST

This blog's been on hiatus a while.

I got off track and pretty obsessed with the election. That was fun. We had a truly historic election. However, I got pretty negative at times.

I'm reframing the dialogue now. The blog will go from my personal perspective as a day-to-day reflection on my life journey. I'll be including elements of faith, disability, and maybe even personal interests like books, music and tech.

The End of Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Ritter) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:28:02 PDT

Friday's Presidential debate was anything but. Neither candidate behaved Presidential, nor did they debate. This election was supposed to be different. Both candidates touted high ideals and promised a campaign of ideas, not words. It has deteriorated into zingers and talking points meant to woo voters.

Friday night was supposed to be a thoughtful debate of those ideas. It was an excellent format: moderated by Jim Lehrer (host of the esteemed PBS program Newshour), the topics would be presented, each would give a two-minute summary, then they would debate the ideas for five minutes with each other. This was the format agreed upon by the candidates months ago.

Instead of thoughtful debate over ideas, Senators McCain and Obama disintegrated into election-year jabs and political talking points. The ideas presented were cut from advisors and broad plans, but little was foundational or substantial. Obama used the "Bush-McCain mantra" while McCain continued his "voice of experience" argument. McCain pushed his "I'm a maverick," and "earmarks are evil" comfort points, even when they were vaguely relevant. Obama postured "what I've called for" as if the President writes legislation.

Lehrer compelled them over and over "say it directly to him." "I'm determined to get you all to talk to each other," Lehrer implored. Obama finally engaged, McCain never looked to his opponent (or the camera). This is a position where world leaders confront each other. These guys must prove they can engage. We want a lion who will lead, not a golden retriever who will dutifully fetch.

I wasn't around in the 1860s, so I did not get to see Lincoln and Douglas debate, but I have seen high schoolers and college students follow guidelines and engage each other more passionately and with less posturing than these two. If one of these me wants my vote, they should get over their hubris and one-upsmanship. McCain should stop trying to be Teddy Roosevelt and Obama stop pointing fingers at others bad judgment calls.

In my opinion, McCain lost what could be construed as a debate handily. He drew the discussion off topic and shallowly defended his various points. Obama, while casting a broad net of ideas, did present considerable arguments for his positions. Earmarks are necessary for congressional business to get done and they are abused, but the President will have to let congress deal with those because he does not have a line-item veto. Presidents' agendas get overtaken by events (consider the Bush campaign of '00 and '04 who won as a "compassionate conservative" but became the progenitor of overarching executive power).

Watch online at www.youdecide2008.com.

Revisited

I listened again to the debate. The candidates did, at points, delve deeply into issues and explained the merits of their viewpoints and how they make decisions. It was regrettable, however, that political pandering and smearing were so prominent and sullied the stronger parts.