Pizza Break

What is this thing we all MUST do in order to survive? This movement of sorts where we are required to participate? To provide food, shelter, heat or air, to our selves and loved ones. Why does work have to be such a dominant factor in our lives and define who we are as a people? "What do you do?" A typical question asked without thought and answered with a scripted response all too familiar. If you tend to think a little highly of yourself, you might have to define what you do, just so people know how important you are. If you have a job that is an obvious lower-level employment, then this question can be a problem, especially in "unsafe" circles. Like a room full of pompous businessmen when you are an artist. What we all do however is contribute to this societal structure in some meaningful way. We all build a block that contributes to the foundation on which society resides and looks to for comfort. After all, the only way people can complain about how soci...

Not me, but a guy I know... Being called, “handsome,” is like the ultimate, "mom" phrase in describing their sons, or the way my wife says I look when I dress in my "nice" clothes that albeit, are not the most appealing or trendy. Handsome is defined simply as, "good-looking." Though the act of looking has rarely anything to do with handsome as it applies. Typically, use of the word is in reference to anything but an action or a verb, despite the definition making it seem as though it is therefore an action. "My boys are soooo handsome." -Mom circa 2010 Handsome, as it is defined, refers to the superficial, and that is where it resides. Unfortunately, when you really know a person, calling them handsome, can be difficult, even when they might meet the criteria of being so. A handsome boy with a devilish grin might be more devious than handsome. A mirrored image of the other with a slight distortion. A homeless man, dressed in weathered ...

Wanting something, ferociously, it can be painful. It can be like an unfairness to not have the answer right now. Entitlement must be a cancer that inadequacy fuels. I know the people, the ones who are able to take uncertainty as the obvious part of life it truly is. After all, don’t we all like surprises? Isn’t life only worth living because of the unknown? On this one instance though, I want an answer now. There is a part of my mind that feels I cannot possibly go on, performing at my job, interacting with people without this result of this one question. What does waiting do for me anyway, build character? I think I am fully developed. Do I have to keep building? When is it ever enough? The anticipation is this mix of uncertainty, an excitement, along with anxiety, lack of control. I cannot control this situation, nor the result. Even if you asked me what I would have wanted from this, I can’t say that I would have chosen correctly. I want God himself to interrupt his schedule, make...

January can be such a dismal time of year. Sure, we convince ourselves on the renewal of self, that this year is anew and that our old behaviors will change. Sure we are fresh on our diets, new spending habits, new, more strict routines. We are probably at our most ideal intent at this time of year because the wear of the year and old behaviors resurfacing has not yet affected our score card. The Christmas Tree is now nothing but an inconvenient paperweight that has to be dealt with. It stands there in the corner of the living room, once prominently displayed, perfectly decorated, and in our house protected by two parents from the 2ft and lower range of a child. When the tree was adorned, we did so with pride. We anticipated the day when it was appropriate in our household to display out artificially, green representation of outdoor foliage, indoors. For those with the real trees your has not been up as long, but the scenario is still the same. The ornaments delicately placed the ...

While I was in the military, I was blessed to be part of the Honor Guard. It was a joint service detail where any person who had served in the military, whether it be combat or not, receives the entitled military funeral honors. I typically folded or presented the flag, sometimes both depending on the circumstances. Again, I say blessed for the duty was still to this day, one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever had. One story sticks out more than the rest. On many occasions, the entire service was conducted at the graveside. This different than most where the graveside was a short ending to a longer service, typically indoors. On this particular day in early Spring, the weather was pleasant with a slight breeze that ran across the cemetery that produced a slight whistle. The grass was fresh and green, the trees swaying in the breeze with the gathered sounds of thousands of fresh leaves rustling. The cemetery was next to a semi-busy road, which the service was mid-morning so the...