The Home of the Brave?

Those that know me, or if you've read some of the latest issues of this blog, you know that I recently began working again.  I have a bit of a commute.  I have about six miles of freeway, then I get off on a city street for six miles, make another left turn, and I'm at my office.  Years ago, I was driving quite a long way all on freeway, and I learned that I needed to calm down, slow down, and take my time during my normal commute.

Yesterday evening, I was driving home, right about five o' clock, and I was merging to the right at my exit off the freeway.  This particular exit has two dedicated exit lanes, or 'exit only' lanes that are actually the two lanes of the toll road that just continue to my exit.  So, you have folks coming off the tollway, merging left, and you have those on the freeway trying to exit at the same time, merging right.  It is no doubt busy at this particular time of day.

I checked my blind spot to make my move right, to get over to the exit lanes.  I like to be in the farthest right exit lane, because it usually moves faster becuase it has less mergers.  Either people are exiting straight from the toll road on the far right lane, or it has those of us (like me) that have successfully merged over through the weave of cars.  Anyway, I merged in behind a vehicle in the 'left' exit lane, and I checked my blind spot for the second lane change.  As I 'blinked' to move over, I got a long honk from a guy beside me; I didn't see him before.  I thought that maybe I had just missed him, felt a little bad, and slowed a little to get out of his way. 

He then proceeded to cut me off, move over two other lanes, accelerate at a fast rate, then slam on his brakes when he reached the point where the exit lanes exited, then cut somebody else off.

I was fairly certain he wasn't in my blind spot when I looked.  He had just been hauling ass, and had to slow down for the car beside the car I was behind.  What a jackass. 

I hope you don't take out anyone else when you take yourself out there, pardner.  It ain't worth it.

Or take out the lady that was on my radio shortly before.  The one that said that they don't play the national anthem at their college, because the Bible says not to.  God doesn't like War Mongers.   She said the National Anthem in this country is against religion.  They didn't believe in War, so they don't sing the National Anthem. 

Then I learned something.  The next lady that called, taught me, or maybe just reminded me.  I'm sure I must have learnded about that bak in skool, when I was a youngen. 

Our National Anthem is actually from a poem.  And when we sing the National Anthem, we only sing the first stanza.  After all, did you remember that the first stanza ends in a Question????

The Home of the Brave?

And how many stanzas are there? 

Who wrote it?


Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Home of the Brave. 

Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814.  Enjoy the history lesson, too.  I did.

Along for the ride.

I've got some things on my mind, and I was reminded tonight, as I couldn't really sleep, seemed wide awake, or whatever, reminded of why I decided to write on this here blog.

  I'm about to start the next chapter of my life, and have a few things kicking around in my brain.  I thought of one thing in particular, and it brought me back to my very first posts, in Jauary of last year.

There's a few good ones from back then:

It's been good.  This one is about friends.
Inside Happyness.  One about inside reflection.
Change by force.  A significant idea I discovered about me.
What I finally said.  Courage to be yourself.
Looking out for NoOne.  About being proactive.

And there's also some good ones along the way since then:

Wednesday drive.  Enjoying life.
And Then I Realized. When the head fog is thick.
Shiner-epic!  A spectacular experience.

And then, just life:

Sometimes you gotta take the hit.
Everyday life.
Decisions Decisions.
This is why I'm here.
Ready, set, grieve-Celebrate life.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.  I hope that I have given some of you something to think about.  Or maybe you just enjoy reading.  But I hope that maybe some of you have thought about something differently because of something you read, or something you felt because of the way I felt.

It is really neat to go back and read about some of my experiences that have long left my brain.  If you know me, right now I'm having a tough time remembering much at all, but with a little reminder, it's much better.  This thing has helped me remember.

So loyal readers, press on, fight the good fight, speak your mind, be yourself, and don't forget to write.

You can do that at least.

Sometimes things just wear out.

And sometimes things seem to wear out all at one time.

My hiatus from the working world was just awesome.  At the time I decided to take time off, it was the best thing for me at that time because I was able to reflect.  I was able to step back.  I was able to see things from a different view.  I was able to take care of family issues, personal issues, and was able to be there for those that needed me.  Namely, I was able to spend time with Dad when I didn't have a job to worry about taking time off or any of those job concerns.

I started a new job a few weeks ago.  It is pretty low key, pretty reasonable at this time, as I'm learning new things, and there's a learning curve there.  I'm actually getting a few items on the radar, but they don't take very long to do, so it's good for me to ease into the cubicle life again.

And I think it's starting to get me moving in my mind again.  Every night this week so far, I've thought, "I wonder what I should do tonight..." type thoughts.  Well, gardening has been on my mind the last few weeks, as my yard has a few patches of dead, and my trees aren't looking spectacular, either.  And I'm learning that things take a little bit of time to get back to where they were after you haven't paid that much attention to them at all.

Like work clothes, for example.

I had three pairs left in my closet that didn't have rips or worn holes.  One was my 'fat pants', and they are three inches too big for me as I stand today.  They work with a belt, but look retarded.  Another pair was about an inch too small, and was uncomfortable to wear all day (leveraged around my waist with said belt). 

Then there's the shirts that I've worn for years.  Little tear there, worn out on the collar, just not professional looking anymore.  Really should clean out a bunch of those.

Then I noticed my favorite t-shirts are doing the same thing.  And my shorts that I've been wearing for years. And then my dress socks, and other socks.  And undies.  And undershirts.  It just seems everything wore out at once.

Then there's the other stuff.  My mp3 has a cracked screen, and plays through the songs by name instead of random and I can't change it.  I've got a few things to do to my teeth; two fillings and a crown.  I'm in need of some new sunglasses; I just haven't taken the time to find some.  My road bike just got new pedals and shoes in March 'cause I'd worn them out.  My 12 inch skillet is peeling.  And my gas can for the lawn mower is just about empty.

Oh, and the car registration is due.  But what got me thinking about all this was a conversation with my sister on Monday.  About how we seem to be indecisive in the same way, over some of the same things, wondering about the same issues. 

And then I have realized over the last few days that I am getting into a routine again with this job.  And, it's a good thing in a number of ways.  Making me get up and having something to do.  Something to look forward to, or at least look forward to in the evening.

I did go and get two sets of casual business attire, pants and shirts, and I'm pretty happy with them.  Tonight I'll go get some more gas, and mow the yard (I've been watering to keep it alive, and to try and get some of those dead spots back sooner than later), maybe look for some sunglasses, and maybe start getting on the elliptical every other day like I suggested to myself talking with Sister.  Maybe that will help with things.

I cleaned my desk Monday and got a bit more organized; found my desk.  Found the floor Tuesday. Maybe I'll find some sunglasses by the weekend.  And maybe run to Goodwill.   Then I'll be able to see the closet floor then.

I know some friends that are in a similar spot as me, having their own issues, working through what life has dealt them.  And it's hard, and you have to do what you can when you can.  I should know.  I've kept a lot to do, and I'm starting to work through the pile.  This will take awhile, and I'm ready.

So work through it.  Do something.  Find something to look forward to.  Something to enjoy, especially by yourself if you haven't in awhile.  You can do that at least.  It will help.