Month: March 2018

Tangled Up in Blue

/ justdrivewillyou / 2 Comments

 

These are my two favorite times of the year in Texas, in order:

Whenever the hot weather finally ends, and cool weather has moved in.

And right now, when all the bluebonnets are out.

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The bluebonnet is our state flower, and it’s about this time every year that they show up in force; amazing, broad, blue brushstrokes across the Texas canvas.

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And I love it.

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They also look good with some Indian Paintbrush mixed in with ‘em…

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And you can see them in the country and the city.

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It’s common to see drivers pulled over on the shoulder of the freeway to get a picture of someone, usually kids, standing or sitting among some bluebonnets. (What you don’t see, are those kids getting treated later for bug bites.)

Anyway, they’re beautiful (the bluebonnets, not the kids), so treat yourself to their splendor if you’re in Texas in the next couple months or so.

They’re purty, y’all.

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A Brief History of a Genius

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We didn’t understand much of what he said; we just knew it was brilliant.

That such a singularly remarkable mind could reside in such a thoroughly disabled body should give you a clue as to the man’s heart.

Professor Stephen Hawking died at his home in Cambridge, England, at the age of 76. He was diagnosed with the crippling nerve disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at age 21, and told he would probably live only a few more years.

His heart told him a lot longer than that, because that amazing mind had much, much more to share with the mere mortals around him.  Long after the ALS ravaged his body to the point of almost complete uselessness.

What he did have to share was way above most of our pay grades. See, Professor Hawking was a theoretical physicist, whose job it was, according to him, to figure out the origins of the universe. Why are we here, and how did we get here, in other words. His dramatic breakthroughs on black holes and cosmology paved the way for all other scientists of his field to follow.

Hawking’s landmark book, “A Brief History of Time”, is widely regarded as the least-read bestseller ever. Lots of us bought it, lots of us started it, but not too many of us got all the way through it. (This ol’ boy didn’t even attempt it.)

He spoke of things that often were even beyond the comprehension of his colleagues. His mind was on just that much higher plane than ours.

But, more significantly, he didn’t allow the disease that mercilessly attacked his body to deter his ability and determination to think, to explore, to theorize…

And especially, to communicate. To share his discoveries. To try and make them more accessible to the mortals, so they could share his excitement at what he had found.

Dr. Sheldon Cooper, the physicist played by Jim Parsons on the TV series, “The Big Bang Theory”, is undoubtedly shedding tears for his scientific idol today.

We were graced with his presence, awed by his brilliance, and inspired by his will.

Thank you so much, Professor, for giving us a piece of your mind. May we be good stewards of the knowledge you so generously imparted.

I Stand Corrected

/ justdrivewillyou / 4 Comments

 

“IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER.”

John Quincy Adams, American president (1767-1848)

The above quote is in my morning paper today, as the Quote of the Day, and it made me realize that, apparently, I’ve been wrong all this time.

I guess donald trump is, by Mr. Adams’ definition, one of the greatest leaders this world has ever witnessed. At least, when it comes to the qualifications Mr. Adams laid out, he certainly checks all the boxes.

I shall explain:

DREAM MORE: trump has Americans dreaming of a time, not so long ago, when this country wasn’t the unmitigated disaster it is now, and what it can become again, once he leaves office – the sooner, the better.

LEARN MORE: Okay, how much did you know about the environment before trump became President? Or health care? Or North Korea? Or tariffs? Or Stormy Daniels?

Well, here’s what we’ve learned about those things:

Environment – trump doesn’t give a $#!t about it.

Health care – Or this, either. At least, not when it pertains to folks on the outer fringes of society like, for example, women.

North Korea – It’s a little country led by a little “Rocket Man” whose button isn’t as big as donald’s. His words, not mine.

Tariffs – Despite what every economist and his mother says, trump is going ahead with them because, by god, they’re good for the economy, because AMERICA FIRST!

Stormy Daniels – A porn star who alleges an affair with trump, was allegedly paid $130,000 to keep quiet about it until after the erection, I mean, election, and now is suing because the alleged non-disclosure agreement was allegedly never signed by the alleged President. A guy so anxious to sign so many things, and he forgets about this one?

She signed the agreement under her pseudonym, Peggy Peterson. If she wanted to avoid any suspicion of having sex with donald, she should have used the name, Melania Trump.

DO MORE: Gotta give credit; this guy has done more to inspire Americans to action than anyone in recent memory. From a more vigilant and persistent press corps, to more numerous and determined voices of protest, to all those individuals and groups, newly emboldened by this President, who spew their hate-filled rhetoric unashamedly, and follow that up with despicable, cowardly acts of cruelty and violence.

Just remember, doin’ more ain’t always doin’ better.

BECOME MORE: Need anything be said here? trump inspires us as individuals, as well as a country, to become more caring and compassionate towards each other, and towards our planet, since he and his minions have absolutely no concern for either.

So, yeah, I guess trump is really one helluva leader.

Thanks, Mr. Adams, for ruining my day.

 

 

For the Fellas

/ justdrivewillyou / 3 Comments

 

Men. Guys. Dudes. Brothers.

Listen to me right now. If I could, I would grab every single one of you by the lapels on your coat, pull you right to my face, and say, “Pay Attention!!”

Here’s why: There are two professional basketball players who have something very important to say to all of us guys.

So, I want all of you to go straight to The Players’ Tribune, a website where professional athletes connect directly with fans, in their own words. Once you’re there, read Everyone is Going Through Something, by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love, about the panic attack that woke him up to his mental illness.

Then, read about DeMar DeRozan, of the Toronto Raptors, opening up about his struggles with depression and anxiety.

Go ahead, do it now. I’ll wait here.

 

Done? Good.

Could you identify with some of what you read? I sure could. I think lots of men can.

But nobody ever knows that, because to speak up about it is to admit to a “weakness”, which, of course, no real man can admit, right?

Plus, in our culture, “mental illness” is synonymous with “looney toons”, and it’s time we all get past that way of thinking.

What I hope sticks with you, fellas, from Kevin and DeMar’s stories, is that it’s okay to talk to someone about your mental health. You’re not any less of a man if you have a problem.

You hear me? You’re not any less of a man if you have a problem. And you’re not any less of a man for talking with someone about it. The fact I have to practically shout it to you just shows how much STIGMA is attached to mental illness in America. Especially, with men.

And, the way to make that go away is for more of us to talk openly about it, like Kevin and DeMar, and so many before them, and not just athletes, either. Men from all different walks of life.

Because, the truth is, big boys do cry. We just never see them do it.

Mental illness isn’t something that will just go away with time if you wait it out, and it sure as hell isn’t something you can fix, yourself; I don’t care how badass you think you are.

I’m gonna keep talking about mental illness. My mental illness. My depression. Because it’s something men need to talk about a whole lot more. Not just about sports, or cars, or politics, or women, or our physical health.

Our mental health is as much a part of who we are as the rest of it, guys. So, let’s make it part of the conversation.

I just want to remind you of what Kevin said at the end of his essay:

“So if you’re reading this and you’re having a hard time, no matter how big or small it seems to you, I want to remind you that you’re not weird or different for sharing what you’re going through.

“Just the opposite. It could be the most important thing you do. It was for me.”

It was for me. And, with all my heart, guys, I promise you, it could be for you.

It really is okay.