I decided to create this blogspot to share with others stories of my life experiences. I consider them to be pertinent as they are my life, they are what I am, who I am. I have considered writing a book. Maybe not, maybe this will allow me to share memories without pressures of what comes next. As I have tended to live my life without much structure, mostly to react to stimuli, as they say. These pages will come as they come back to me, as they strike, I will write. I can also be a bit of a storyteller as the mood hits me. Maybe some things here won't agree with you, but at least you'll get to know me and isn't that why you are here?

Thursday, December 31, 2009

First Blog, Last Story of the Year

This morning I shared another story with my co-workers during our safety meeting. A while back, after being railroaded into becoming the safety officer for our group, I decided I didn't want to waste time, reading boring items that had been read over and over to everyone. I wanted to get their attention. I wanted to touch them. Personal stories weaved in and out with maybe news items and then the "punch line" regarding safety. I got mostly positive feedback so whenever I'm asked to do the topic, I attempt to continue to tell the stories. Which leads to this one, I promised, the last one of the year.

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Maybe you all remember where you were, December 31st, 1973. I do. I was with friends, watching "Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve." During the show, Dick introduced George Carlin. Now at that time, George Carlin was "the man". We loved him. He would say anything he wanted to say. Do anything he wanted to do. My friends and I were crazy about him. Most of our parents couldn't stand him, for the same reason. Well, the crowd erupted in an unbelieveable explosion of cheering and hand clapping. A standing ovation. George walked out onto the stage with his hands in his pockets, looking out over the audience with no expression on his face. He just stood there with all that noise and adoration and never said a word. After, if memory serves, about 10 minutes he just walked back stage and was gone. The ovation lasted, I'm sure another 10 minutes and the show went on. I could not imagine the power the man had.
Well, that came to me today, on the last day of the year/decade and brought to mind:
We should,
Remember those whose voices are now silent,
whether it is a commedian in New York,
a brother of the wind, a fellow duffer in Duncan, Oklahoma.
Or a soldier, who gave the ultimate sacrifice on American soil or on a foreign battle ground.
And be safe out there, whether at home or here (at work).
So we may meet each other again,
same time, next year.