Equal Rights and a Chicken Sandwich

Within the last couple of weeks the country was divided by an issue that had the power to disrupt everything that the mighty United States of America stood for.  It could have easily unjustified every time that we poked our nosey government heads into the business of other countries in the name of freedom.  What was the issue you ask?  It wasn't about nuclear weapons or abortion or welfare reform. It was about that dreaded thing that no one ever wants to face....Whether to eat a chicken sandwich or not.  I stood back and saw the debate blow up.  This chain made some statements that said they were against the idea of gay marriage, and so the debate started.  I've been very minimally vocal about my stance on the situation, until now.  Let me start by saying that the separation of church and government seems to only matter when it benefits the government.  Our government works just like a casino, the house will ALWAYS win.  Throw in a successful christian based business and boom, civil war.  I've heard disgusting points of view on the matter and the worst thing I've heard from people so far is that they have friends that are gay, but their church says it's wrong for them to marry so they stand by the church.  Different variations of that statement have been posted via social media and to me it's translated like this: I may say racist things and use the "N" word but I have friends that are black, so i'm not racist.  Where were the christian bible thumping majority when not longer than a few decades ago African Americans were fighting tooth and nail for equal rights?  The minorities in this country couldn't share a freakin water fountain with white people much less be treated fairly.  Fast forward to 2012 and we have in my opinion the same type of issue.  Lets not kid ourselves, the institute of marriage between what christians assume is acceptable isn't exactly as the bible thumpers make it out to be.  There are quite a few of my readers who have gone through a divorce.  Some have been married multiple times, or have had extramarital affairs and think nothing of it.  But ask them to support gay marriage and they feel that they will burn in hell for standing up for what should be an equal human right.  These are the same people who will shun and disown their own children for being gay.  Where are the God given morals and values in disowning your own blood?  A huge turning of the tides is coming.  Equal rights will prevail.  I hope that humanity chooses to do what's right.  Imagine your surprise when you get up to the pearly gates and Saint Peter is jamming to some Indigo girls, wearing a half t-shirt and cut off jean shorts with birkenstocks, hair in a pony tail and a martini in one hand.  While I'm in the express line to the promised land, I'm sure there will be a Chick-fil-A for the rest of you to hang out at.

A Daddy/Daughter Summer

A lot of you know that the hardest decision of my life was made last year when I opted to leave San Antonio, Texas to live in Maryland.  Not only was I leaving my friends, family, and career behind but I was also leaving the single most important person in my life.  My daughter Azilee has been the foundation of my life since she was born in 2001.  I'll never forget how hard I cried when I said goodbye to her before making the trek up north.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago and something great came out of it.  For the first time, I was able to take advantage of my summer visitation rights.  She hopped on a plane and into my home for an extended stay.  I could see right away by her smart ass attitude and incredible sense of humor that she took after me in several ways.  She clings to me to the point that my shadow booked ass cause there was no point in trying to keep up with her.  She's been my sioux chef in the kitchen and we've invented a top secret mashed potato recipe that she swears she's going to open a restaurant based on.  I guess it will be a Ramen noodle, mashed potato restaurant as those are the only two things she knows how to make.  Overall it's been an amazing experience for me and my heart melts knowing that she sleeps in the next bedroom over.  She makes me laugh hard everyday and I really look forward to saying goodnight to her every night.  The time is almost coming where we head back to take her home.  It saddens me that the time leading up to this seemed to take forever and now it's almost gone.  I ask each one of you with children to cherish every moment you have with your kids.  Create traditions, do things that will make memories they will never forget.  Don't take one minute for granted with them.  That is all for now, gotta go wake her up as its almost noon and her breakfast has gotten cold.  I guess Ramen and mashed potatoes it is.

From Mad Men to Magic Mike

As a nation of horny lonely women anticipate the release of the movie Magic Mike, it occurred to me that the tides have turned on the men of this world when it comes to chauvinism.  No longer are the days of the crusty construction worker screaming cat calls at women crossing the job site with us.  These days are the days of the cougar!  The only thing missing is the equivalent of the members only jacket for the girls.  Back in the day, if an older man wanted to court a younger women he was considered a pathetic old pervert.  In the 2000's, hordes of older ladies turned the tides and started robbing the cradle as a sense of entitlement.  Samantha from Sex and the City became a role model for those who grew tired of Viagra popping men.  Midlife crisis cars were no match for a younger man with more stamina where it counted.  I've learned another thing or two recently about the evolution taking place.  Women have no shame anymore when it comes to sexuality.  Sex toy parties are more popular than ever.  Back massagers are going out of business because the stigma is all but gone.  Let's face it, hundreds of millions of people didn't end up on this earth from two people watching television together.  Why hide what makes the world go round?  Based on the reaction to a few male stars baring some skin on the big screen, women are done hiding it.  One of the biggest differences is how women react to seeing men bare all as opposed to how men handle themselves when put in a similar situation.  Women act as wild and crazy as they can when they are put in this type of environment.  They scream, yell, let loose, and ultimately let out their inner whore.  Men act nonchalant about a half naked women on a pole in a thong.  The code is just different.  Maybe we've just gotten soft.  Until next time, I gotta go.  My mani and pedi await. 

The Man That I've Become

As I get older, I'm noticing some weird changes in myself.  I'm having to treat abnormal hair growth in my ears, nose, back, eyebrows, and only god knows where else.  My stubborness has reached new levels, my love for oldies music is out of control, and my belly has reached a growth that only pregnant women experience.  After careful consideration I sat with my arms crossed with a puzzled look on my face when it hit me so hard I felt like one of Chris Brown's girlfriends.  I am turning into my dad!!!  This, of course is not a bad thing.  It made me take a good look in the mirror and ask when all this happened.  I don't remember giving a lesson with every speech I give.  Have I really been talking about the good ol' days when I was a kid?  I felt like maybe I should carry some of the other good qualities that my pop has.  He's always put our family and everyone in it first.  He's always had a gentle heart, even though he looks like he could strangle a bear.  (I'm sure it's crossed his mind to strangle me at times!)  He's always had a very strong work ethic, something I've always tried to model.  Overall, he is the example of the all american dad, and maybe a Harley is in my future!  I have incredible memories of going to baseball games with him and everytime I have had an event that I have participated in, he's been there.  Cheers, Pop.  I'm looking forward to some of the other changes I may encounter during this transformation...except your Build-A-Bear obsession.  

The Domesticated Man

I took a vacation day today.  Most men my age would have done so to go fishing, or hit up a ballgame.  I did it so I could catch up on housework, laundry, and to go do our grocery shopping.  It may seem strange or odd to some but I asked around and it seems that more and more men are picking up the slack at the homefront these days.  I also noticed that the women who's men helped to some degree were happier about that aspect of their relationship.  As I've said before, the womans role in the house has changed dramatically over the years.  They are more independent, educated, and most make more money than their spouses.  That is definitely the case in my household.  I feel that in order to earn my keep so to speak, I can do things around the house to take the pressure off of my fiance when she gets home from a long day or week at the office.  Of course the role of the nagging housewife has been put in my hands as well.  I seem to be the one hollering all the time about her not picking up her clothes or not rinsing a dish.  I'm sure at this point that I nag worse than my mom ever did.  Point is, I'm here to do what it takes to make my relationship as stress free as i can. If that means I have to put on my Aunt Jemima outfit and clean the bathtub, I say pass me the rubber gloves and pine sol and watch my fat ass go.  Peace with chicken grease, peeps.  I got a list of stuff I gotta get done. 

The Package

So, yesterday was Mother's Day.  When you've only talked to your mother once or twice in the last 6 months it's a bit difficult to get excited about the day.  I went through the motions of the day and even secretly made a phone call to her despite my sense of pride.  Having lost a friend last week and reading about a lot of my friends who have lost their mothers and miss them dearly, there was no way I could vent my frustration on a day like that.  My relationship with mom has been quite strained since I had a physical altercation with her then spouse.  You see, like many sons who love their close ones we have a responsibility to protect them.  When a grown man is cussing out my mother and sister in front of me,  he's gonna find out real quick who the fuck I am.  I did'nt think about the consequences until later, when I found out she was back in his arms.  Fast forward to now.  I'm 1600 miles away, alone.  The simple comforts of phone calls don't come as often as I anticipated, yet my obligation to be the bigger man never stops.  Today, there was a package in the mail for my fiance and it contained some very nice things and a card.  My mood was dashed whereas it would normally be uplifted.  The reason is because the package was from her mom.  I'm positive that it was done out of a deep love that I haven't felt in a while.  My heart sinks as I write this.  I sacrifice so much for people. I do everything that I feel needs to be done to be a decent human being. I keep my head up like a man even when I feel I can't anymore.  I try to spread laughter and joy to people. I love NOTHING more than to make those around me happy.  I'm the best father I can be.  I work hard and do everything I can to make more money and jump at every opportunity that would benefit my fiance and I.  In return, I deal with a weird sense of emptyness.  I've had my ass handed to me at every stage in my life and have always fought my way through it.  This is no different.  I have tons to be greatful for and my relationship with my fiance is the best thing I've ever had in my life aside from my daughter.  I just needed to put the mask away and vent for a minute.  I ask that you cherish your relationships.  Don't go a day without telling the ones you love how you feel.  It makes all the difference in the world to those who secretly hurt.         

Freedom of Speech-or Lack Thereof

Censorship in any form sucks.  We as Americans are given basic rights as citizens and the one that is probably taken for granted the most is our freedom of speech.  As our media outlets grow and our social networking is at an all time high, I am discovering that freedom of speech comes with serious consequences.  Not a day goes by that a politician or celebrity or anyone who's given a strong opinion about their beliefs is retracting a previous statement and apologizing to the masses for offending one group or another.  Aside from some moral obligations that we have, I think we as people should say what we want to say and stand firm behind our statements.  It bothers me that even athletes have to monitor what they say to give politically correct answers to appeal to the audience in fear of a backlash.  People are so different in every aspect and each person has his or her belief system that is unique to themselves.  People should realize that no matter what is said, you are not going to please everyone.  I would be lucky if half of my family at a gathering agree with anything I say.  For once I would love to hear an athlete say how they really feel.  I don't want to hear the cliche stuff that has become the norm.  "We got beat because the other team just executed and we couldn't", or "We just didn't stick to our game plan and make the adjustments we needed to get the win".  I want to hear "We just flat out sucked ass tonight, and my teamates kept fucking up", or "That stupid ass ref don't know shit".  That to me, is entertainment.  A few years ago the media world was turned upside-down when Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake performed at the Super Bowl halftime show.  At some point in the act, Justin grabbed a piece of clothing on Janet that tore away to reveal a crusty nipple that looked like a cooked sandollar with a burnt marshmallow on top.  That set everything in motion that would pretty much destroy the freedoms we once had.  Radio deejays had to tone down their act.  Some even jumped ship to satellite radio where they could protect their right of freedom of speech that terrestrial radio could not give them.  At this point, I'm not happy with the path our country is taking to not offend the blue hairs and conservatives that bitch and moan every chance they get.  Take back what is ours.  Say what you believe, and stand by it.  Don't apologize cause some jackass can't handle what you have to say.  I live by the words my grandma taught me at a young age and I'd like to pass them on to you.  She said "If people don't like what you have to say, fuck it in a bucket".  I'll be back next week to issue an apology on behalf of myself and granny.