The Problem

I think the major problem with our country today is apathy. The general lack of caring and compasion that has lead to the different subculture we know today. Last night I saw a movie set in the times of the Great Depression. The class separation was an overtone of the poorest vs. The wealthiest of the time. I kept wondering to myself how it was possible, in those days, for the wealthy to just not care or even attempt to do do anything about the bottom of the dregs, the poor, who lived in cardboard boxes in zero degree weather. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how there are similar situations today. Albeit there are a multitude of help groups and charities, I am willing to wager not even ten percent receive the assistance needed. I myself am single and what you may consider to be middle class, but I put myself on the block and see I don't do as much as I can. Then, I wonder if this realization will change my attitude and willingness to help or if this feeling will only disapate after a couple of beers. Here again apathy takes effect and does nothing but perpetuate the problem.

I also see it in my friends on a more "in your face" level. Unwillingness to do what it takes to the job done. Or to even do a job correctly. I remember when I was young, my parents would always get on to me about the half-ass way I would do things. I was never able to see what all the fuss was about, until I became older. Now I can see why they complained so much. When you put great effort into doing something or achieving something, only to have someone who just doesn't care come by and idly stand by or not put there all into it, it gets frustrating.

But what do you do? Do you quickly change your ways, alienate those people and become a self sufficient hermit, living in a tent in the mountains. Eating grubs, squirrels and the occasional badger? Do you reach the breaking point were you yell, fight, and become the asshole who no one wants to be around? Do you gradually change your ways and focus on respectable yet firm ways to change the people around you. Although the latter of the three is probably the best, it is also the most difficult to do. Mad Eye Moody, a character in the Harry Potter books, has the phrase "Constant Vigilance." This, combined with a positive attitude can render the desired outcome. But at what expense, your version of what you should become. Is that what you search for over the years, and when, if at all, do you achieve it. Is it worth it or should you sit by and not care at what the others think or do as long you get what you want. Apathy what a bitch of a stance on life.

Ugh, Mondays

I hate Mondays. The weeks work looms overhead and taunts you with five more days until freedom and laziness. Alas, what is there to do. Give up, never. Bury the head, dig into the work and make sure the weekends are worth the crap you put up with to get you there. This past weekend I had the best golf shot of my life. I was 110 yards out from the hole, hitting my third shot. It was and par four and I am not the best golfer, that's why I was so far out. I I gripped it and ripped it. I knew from the get go it was going to be pretty. It bounced once on the green and began to roll. Yeah, it rolled straight into the hole. Those are the shots that keep you coming back to play again. Granted the rest of my round was less than superb. I met a guy once who was wearing a shirt that sums up my golf game. It didn't have any pictures but just a few sayings:

I Hate Golf
I hate Golf
"Nice Shot"
I Love Golf

So that is my golf philosophy. I know I could go to the driving range, and take lessons, but nothing beats the thrill of just going out and playing. So, now I have to go back to work and fight my way through till the weekend, and hopefully another "Nice Shot" that makes me love the game.

Krispy Kreme and Me

This Saturday morning shaped up like the past four Saturdays. I woke up, laid on the couch and waited for the roommates to peel themselves from their respective bedrooms. As the last roommate ventured into the living room, we all got up and left the home in almost complete silence. There was no need to talk, no missed stories from the night before. No amusing antedotes to hear for the twentith time. It was relatively early in the morning and time for the time honored tradition of Donuts and a stout cup of coffee. We headed to Krispy Kreme.

For years there has been one major donut company. Southern Maid. Don't get me wrong the deep fried dough coated with pure sugar is very good, but there is just something magical about Krispy Kreme. The store had just opened here and I finally got to experience the simple thrill of standing in line watching the conveyor belt of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes trickle by. I dismissed these thoughts as my spare tire began to grumble. I have to say it was worth it.

This is a great much needed bonding time for the roomates of the house. Conversations very from very spirited one week to few words spoken the next. But, the effort and much needed break from the hectic week make that half hour a much sought after Oasis.

Easy my Butt

You would think creating a Blog would be an easy enough task for today's average computer literate person, right? Well...I guess that makes me less than average. I know I spend around 4 to 8 hours a day on a computer, but apparently I am a step behind on the world's blogging radar. I could not find an original web address for this Blog. It about drove me crazy. I would put down my proposed original idea, only to have it shot back at me. Well, this just made me mad. So I started venting my anger through words and phrases that made no sense or were not appropriate. The shocking thing was, they too had already be taken. So I went from trying to create an original web address to typing the thoughts in my head. Finany, one was accepted and it was clean enough to share with my friends and family.

I titled this site A Step Behind, because that's what I am. I have been hearing about blogs, with both good references and bad, for over a year now. I've had friends who traveled to far off places promising to keep everyone up to speed with their Blog. I even attempted to see what this person was up to one day, only to be unable to find her site. I've heard about blogs on the news. I have had concerned parents ask me if it was ok for there kids to be "bloggers." So, after seeing my roommate's Blog (with a very funny experience of his) I have decided to start my own.

The only problem is, I have only seen one operational Blog before, five minutes ago, and I don't know what tone I want this one to have. I don't want to use this as an outlet to vent my anger, however I have a feeling it could easily become that. So, I will take my chances and strive for a noble cause. But, who the hell knows what will become of those A Step Behind