It’s something we either never talk about or trivialize in order to forget. It is the reason why many men are so pathetic at talking to women during their teenage years. Whether insecurity or heartache, we cannot decide how best to handle the pain.

Pretending makes us feel awkward, as though we are out of step with the rest of the world. Admitting makes us feel weak, ashamed, and disrespected by those whom we have trusted and have not taken our hearts seriously.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 3% [?]

It’s pretty amazing what all Google has accomplished. From Blogger to YouTube, and I think even Flickr, Google is snatching up companies left and right. And they’ve got their thumbs in even more pies. Google is involved in a project with NASA. I’d give you more details but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. Then there’s Google powering search for MySpace. We all knew that was going to happen eventually. MySpace search was pathetic and it’s simply too powerful of a site to allow such high levels of suck.

It still doesn’t do anything for my grudge against MySpace, though. One of my coworkers talks about Google like they’re the devil. He prefers to avoid all things Google including Analytics, Search, Maps, Blogs, and Video. He’s like those people who refuse to shop at Target or Barnes & Noble because it’s not fair for the little shop down the street trying to make an honest buck. He’s like that except he doesn’t support any little shops on the corners of streets trying to make an honest buck….

So Google continues to make headlines. GoogleChat, GoogleEarth, GoogleTalk, Googlethis, Googlethat, Googleeverything.

I’m all Googled out.

Popularity: 1% [?]

It’s called the idiot box by many. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not because the actors behave like idiots. It’s because you cannot sit in front of a television like a vegetable for hours and days on end and expect to have enhanced your mind.

There’s a reason why reading books has such a powerful effect on a person’s mental development. The mind must perform so many tasks just to accomplish the comprehension of the story. It’s really quite amazing.

Having said that, I sit and, on average, watch two or three hours of television per day. It’s time lost that can never be regained. Still, I can’t say that I regret it.

I read books when I happen across a keeper. I’ve just read an excellent review of Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, so I think that will be one of my next picks. Right now I am starting The Meaning of the City, by Jacques Ellul. I’m trying to regain some of that edge I had while in college, when my mind felt razor sharp compared to these past few years.

I could only get ahold of Ellul’s books through interlibrary loan, so I have to finish it off within the next three weeks. Ordinarily, three weeks is nothing for a book, but we’re getting busier and busier lately. No complaints. Just the facts.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I had a miserable day today. I couldn’t focus for anything. Want to know what ADD looks like? It looks like me, frantically scampering through my thoughts in vain attempts to reign in sanity, clarity, and self-control.

On the upside, my wife was a complete doll this evening. She knew I was frustrated and she went out of her way to make me feel supported and encouraged while I worked. I have this weird deal where I feel more calm and peaceful when she is near. So she came into the office and read a magazine while I worked. Just having her nearby helped to calm my thoughts and allowed me the opportunity to focus and get my work done.

Once upon a time, I thought it was cool to have psychological and emotional problems. These were slightly misrepresented in films where the dark, wounded figure seemed to be so poetic and beautiful. Now a problem is a problem. It’s not practical to wish for problems just to live a dramatic life.

Give me fully-functional parts any day over the jumbled mess I sometimes face. Any day. But until then, give me a wife who treats me like mine did today. She made it worth living.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Dallas’ own Heather Hays is more than an attractive news anchor on FOX News. She is a woman who has been through one of the worst tragedies a person can suffer, and she has returned stronger than ever. Heather Hays graces the cover of the Oct/Nov issue of Southern Vanity Magazine. Referencing her book, Surviving Suicide: Help to Heal Your Heart, Heather talks about the hardest time of her life - losing her fiance to suicide.

It’s hard to imagine what a person must feel after losing a loved one to suicide. Heather describes those feelings, and admits to some that you wouldn’t expect. Embarrassment, for one. The thought that her fiance was so desperately depressed that he would consider taking his own life, and that she never had the slightest clue. Ten years later, Heather Hays is getting married. At least some of the wounds have healed, and she has a man in her life now who makes her happy. Life is blossoming into something wonderful for her, and we wish her all the best. It is refreshing to read or hear about a celebrity who is down to earth enough to admit to experiencing real trauma and tragedy, especially when that someone offers so much positivity and hope for others with similar circumstances.

I have a newfound respect for Ms. Hays. She has self-published a book because she needed to write and to heal. Now she has moved on, because she chose to allow real pain and shame and anger rather than to ignore the overwhelming emotions.

Popularity: 3% [?]

What a game! My head hurts from the tension. The Cowboys’ pivotal game against New York ended in surprised celebration. It was Automatica Grammatica who kicked the winning field goal with six seconds left. Everyone has been questioning coach Bill Parcells for choosing to release the team’s field goal kicker, Mike Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt was the most accurate kicker in the league for several years until this season. New York played a very tough game. Jeremy Shockey’s big mouth wasn’t enough to win the game. He did play well, though. No one wants to give him credit because he’s an ass, but that didn’t stop Cowboys fans from cheering for Terrell Owens.

I have to admit that I expect Martin Grammatica to miss the game winning field goal. His most recent history doesn’t inspire much confidence. All that matters, though, is that he made it when it counted today, and tomorrow he will be the toast of the town. The incredible Tony Romo played one of the weakest games in his short career today. It had to happen eventually. Luckily for the Cows, Romo’s interceptions and fumble didn’t cost them the game.

Most reliable players on the team: Andre Ware for constant pressure on the quarterback, Marion Barber for running with explosive power and energy, Jason Witten for his sticky hands and enviable strength, and Tony Romo for his overall composure, accuracy, and decision making. Both teams are extremely talented. The press is making too much of the Giants’ immaturity and lack of cohesion. They have the talent to compete with top teams like the Cowboys, Bears, Saints, Colts, Ravens, and Patriots. Don’t be surprised if these two teams meet again before it’s all over.

Popularity: 1% [?]

For months, Heather had trouble getting to sleep. It was all my fault, of course. I was the one who, amidst a horrible Robert Jordan obsession, insisted on reading well past the time Heather was ready to sleep. The light from my lamp was always keeping her awake, so I had to either turn off the light and try to sleep prematurely or leave the room in order to continue my story. We’re the type of couple who rarely spends money on frivolous things. Who am I kidding? Sometimes we don’t even spend money on what others would consider necessities. In this case, it took us at least six months if not a year of inconvenience before I broke down and took Heather to Bed, Bath & Beyond. There I found an adorable sleep mask (pictured above) for her. Problem solved. Now I can read as late as I want to and she can sleep as soon as she wants to. If only they made something better for tuning out my snoring. Ear plugs apparently fall miserably short.Â

Popularity: 1% [?]