Have we lost our way?

In the last week I've watched as the state of Georgia executed a possibly innocent man, read about a fourteen year old boy that took his own life because of bullying, sat disgusted as the crowd at the Republican Debate booed a soldier and just recently had to sit here and just shake my head after reading about a hockey fan that tossed a banana at a Flyers player.

What the hell is going on out there? It's gotten to the point where I'm actually considering quitting my attempts to stay up on the news because I'm quite certain every time I check into one of my sites or turn to one of my channels, I'm going to be bombarded with ugly stories of my fellow man.

I'm not perfect, not even close. But I know in my heart that I try to stick to common sense values when it comes to this group that call ourselves humans. I respect someone, regardless of skin color or sexual orientation. I respect someone even more if they're also an active solider stationed in Iraq, fighting for the very freedoms that allow me to write this blog and those people at that debate to sit there and jeer him.

Regardless of your political affiliation or feelings on the death penalty or the messages in some archaic book, there comes a time where you have to look inward and think to yourself that we are all granted a very short time on this rock. Let's at least try to be nice to one another, it's simple, it's what our parents should have taught us in grade school. If this came off preachy, so be it. Sometimes I must vent through the written word. Peace to all and good luck.

House of 1,000 Costumes

My wife and I decorated our house for Halloween a week ago, but since today is officially the last day of summer and gravestones are starting to pop up in other families' front yards besides ours, I think it's socially acceptable now to make this post.

Every year Jamie and I can't help ourselves, it's one of the many lovely elements about our relationship. Our mutual appreciation for not only Autumn but the magic of All Hallow's Eve. I'll never forget our first trip to Spirit together to find some decorations for our new apartment. I was a bit nervous that my own fondness for the macabre wouldn't jive with hers, since all I knew about women and this particular holiday was twofold, my mother's choice of decor (smiling scarecrows) and the unspoken competition between young ladies on who could sex up an otherwise non-sexy character or occupation the most.

To my surprise Jamie was not only going to accept disgusting ghouls and mutilated zombies around the apartment as the norm, but was going to pick out the most disturbing things herself. Most notably the large hook and severed head connected to a giant chain, that is hung across our living room as I type this. Of course with the season comes the costumes and since our first Halloween together we've tried to something fun an unique as a duo, this year will be no different as we go back in time and break out a classic monster movie couple. Until then check out our past endeavors...

2006

Beetlejuice and Lydia

Too bad we came out of the gate with this ensemble because I'm afraid we may never top it. Not only did Jamie do my makeup perfectly (complete with real moss) and we payed major attention to detail (Lydia's old school camera) but we embodied the characters themselves perfectly.

2007

Mario and Princess Toadstool

I'll always remember this because of Jamie's insistence on having the dark hair instead of blonde and being referred to as "Toadstool" instead of "Peach". Major cool points awarded for that decision since I'm a man of tradition and Princess Peach is some newb shit.

2008

No parties. :(

2009

Freddy vs. Jason

Our return to dressing up after an off year was a lazy one for us. Not that I didn't enjoy seeing my wife as the cutest Freddy Kruger ever, I just think this one lacked our usual zest. Especially me, with my beard hanging out of my dollar store hockey mask and borrowed overalls, which I don't believe Jason Voorhees ever actually wore.

2010

Ghostbusters + The Devil's Rejects

After a couple of slow outings, a few parties last year gave us a chance for a double header and Jamie a real chance to flex her makeup muscles on me.The first time around we went nice and friendly, with Stay Puft and the little known fifth Ghostbuster. The second time, we went downright nasty as two members of the notorious "Firefly Family", Baby and Captain Spaulding. Jamie wasn't as excited as me at first to get into the garb of a homicidal maniac but eased into her role quite nicely as the night progressed, as you can see here...

Stay tuned and happy hauntings...

Ten years ago today.

Ten years ago today we witnessed a great tragedy, the details of which have been exhausted ever since. I personally changed on this day more so than most people probably realized, even my closest of friends. I evolved in almost an instant from a 19 year old kid who could care less, to the prototype version of the almost 30 year old man I am today. Watching those scenes unfold on that day, watching the familiar story play out live on television had a profound impact on me. I became more aware. More aware of our government, more aware of the religions we throw our faith into and most importantly more aware of our country, of us. Americans.

Ten years later I don't want to see the attack from space. I don't want to look at "never before scene" photos or hear "brand new stories" from the eyewitnesses. Frankly, the images are etched into my conscience and will be until I take them into the grave with me. It's probably a bit hypocritical for me to even make this post, but I truly feel like today is a day for remembrance, but a quiet remembrance. A quiet reflection.

A reflection on the victims and the selfless heroes. A reflection on who we were personally, on who we were as a people and most importantly who we are now.