There's a fact of life that I've never really given much thought until just a few days ago. It's not important where I was when this realization hit me, but for the sake of this story, I'll tell you anyway. I was sitting alone at breakfast in the Holiday Inn of Springdale, Arkansas. As I was looking over my choices of food, with all the beautiful fruit, the selection of cereal, and the different kinds of bread and pastries, my mind went back to the meal I'd had the night before. Then, almost unintentionally, I went back one more meal to the previous day's lunch. Well, at that point, there was no reason to stop, so I began to recall all the different types of food that had sustained me all my life, and it dawned on me that there was one common denominator in all of it. Before I get into that, however, let me go ahead and relate some of the questions that then began to pop into my mind: "Can a person receive nutrition from a rock?" "What if I could grind up iron or copper into a powder and mix it with water? Would I be able to survive on that?" The answer is an obvious "No!"
Let's get back to that one common denominator of all the different types of food I've ever eaten. When I thought about it, suddenly some things started making a lot more sense to me, and I immediately grasped a better of understanding of what I've always been taught about both my physical and spiritual life. Here it is: The only thing that can give me life is: Life. I can't live without food, and the only food that can sustain me either is, or has been, alive. It doesn't matter if it's fish, carrots, cows, or wheat...whatever it is, at some point in its existence, it has experienced life.
Now let's take it one step further. In order for me to have life, another life has to be sacrificed. There's no other way. It's God's design. The only way you and I can experience life is when another form of life experiences death. I love to observe the beauties of nature, and some of the sights I love to see are pastures with cows grazing peacefully, cool clear streams with fish swimming lazily through the water, orchards with fruit hanging heavily upon each tree, or just a small vegetable garden filled with a variety of plants beautifully in bloom; yet all those wonders of nature must be devoured just so I can have life.
That leads me to ask just one more question: "Who am I that I would deserve to continue enjoying my life at the expense of so many others?" That's a question that is very difficult to answer, but I think the crux of the matter is I don't deserve it...I'm just blessed beyond measure. Therefore, I must commit myself to expressing thanks at every possible opportunity. "Lord, I thank you so much for Your awesome sacrifice on my behalf, of which I am so unworthy, and also for the way You continuously provide me with 'life' for my own consumption so that I may continue to live. May I be eternally grateful. Amen."
Preston
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume, CCLXXXIII
I had really intended to eat that banana. I opened the shell, took out the fruit, and was just about to take a bite when my phone rang. It was a business call and required immediate attention. Soon I was engrossed in my work, which took quite a while to complete; all this time that forgotten banana was lying right where I left it, patiently waiting to be consumed. It was not to be. With one project leading to another, I soon found that my day was spent with no more thought being given to that hapless piece of fruit...until the next morning.
I started out my day bumbling and fumbling around, trying to get myself in gear, and I stumbled across that banana....still lying there in all its yuckiness. Since I make it a policy to try to eat at least one banana a day, that would've been a good time to eat one...but not that one. It was worthless. In less than twenty-four hours, that delicious piece of nutrition had been transformed from being desirable to being repulsive. Then I looked over at the bananas that were still in the bowl, and they were still good, although they had been there when I picked up the one that was now about to be thrown into the trash can. Why? What was the difference? They were all from the same bunch....siblings. You see, the ones in the bowl were still encased in their shells, their primary source of preservation and protection. With me being the philosophical person that I am, I thought that there must be some kind of lesson to be learned from that scenario...like when we step outside the surroundings of the ones who are there to protect and care for us, we are expediting our own destruction.
Then I looked back at the banana and I saw something else that up until that point had gone unnoticed...the peel, the protector. It was in worse shape than the fruit itself. Looking back at the others still in the bowl, I saw that all those peels still looked healthy. I thought the protector was supposed to be stronger, more durable. In fact, its only reason for existence was to surround and preserve the banana inside. Although by that time the fruit had deteriorated to a point that I would consider in inedible, it had actually lasted longer than its protector. How could that be? Here's what I think: Although it was now outside its protective surroundings and was completely vulnerable to the world, there was still a chance that someone would want it. There was still a purpose in life. The shell, on the other hand, was no longer of any use to anyone or anything, therefore its death came much more quickly.
So, Mr. Philosopher, is there a lesson in this story? Yes, there is. Several, actually. But here's the one I want to focus on right now: I don't know when, or if, I'll ever decide to retire. Whether I do or don't is really not the issue. What's important is that I never ever lose my purpose for being here. Whether I'm the protector or the protectee, when I get to the point to where I no longer have a purpose in life, I'm a goner. So, if for any reason, you need me, please don't stop. You're what's keeping me alive.
Preston
I started out my day bumbling and fumbling around, trying to get myself in gear, and I stumbled across that banana....still lying there in all its yuckiness. Since I make it a policy to try to eat at least one banana a day, that would've been a good time to eat one...but not that one. It was worthless. In less than twenty-four hours, that delicious piece of nutrition had been transformed from being desirable to being repulsive. Then I looked over at the bananas that were still in the bowl, and they were still good, although they had been there when I picked up the one that was now about to be thrown into the trash can. Why? What was the difference? They were all from the same bunch....siblings. You see, the ones in the bowl were still encased in their shells, their primary source of preservation and protection. With me being the philosophical person that I am, I thought that there must be some kind of lesson to be learned from that scenario...like when we step outside the surroundings of the ones who are there to protect and care for us, we are expediting our own destruction.
Then I looked back at the banana and I saw something else that up until that point had gone unnoticed...the peel, the protector. It was in worse shape than the fruit itself. Looking back at the others still in the bowl, I saw that all those peels still looked healthy. I thought the protector was supposed to be stronger, more durable. In fact, its only reason for existence was to surround and preserve the banana inside. Although by that time the fruit had deteriorated to a point that I would consider in inedible, it had actually lasted longer than its protector. How could that be? Here's what I think: Although it was now outside its protective surroundings and was completely vulnerable to the world, there was still a chance that someone would want it. There was still a purpose in life. The shell, on the other hand, was no longer of any use to anyone or anything, therefore its death came much more quickly.
So, Mr. Philosopher, is there a lesson in this story? Yes, there is. Several, actually. But here's the one I want to focus on right now: I don't know when, or if, I'll ever decide to retire. Whether I do or don't is really not the issue. What's important is that I never ever lose my purpose for being here. Whether I'm the protector or the protectee, when I get to the point to where I no longer have a purpose in life, I'm a goner. So, if for any reason, you need me, please don't stop. You're what's keeping me alive.
Preston
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXVII
Wow! It's already been ten years! It doesn't seem like it. Kids born on that day are on the verge of becoming teenagers. Fifth graders who were at school that day are now adults. I'm sure we can all think of loved ones who were alive and well back then, but are no longer with us. I can easily remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news...and without a doubt, so can you. As a matter of fact, Angie and I were vacationing on the beach, but all we wanted to do for the rest of the day was sit in our hotel room, glued to the television. Even our vocabulary was altered by the horrific events of that day...we can just say "Nine Eleven" and most anybody will know what we're talking about.
All you have to do is board a commercial flight to see how our lives have been changed. I've now grown accustomed to pulling off my shoes and emptying my pockets every time I board a plane, not to mention all the regulations regarding our baggage, both checked and carry-on. If the goal of the terrorists was to change the way the live and think, while taking away some of our freedoms, then we have to admit that they achieved at least some degree of success. But I must also say that in my lifetime, I have never seen this nation's citizens, both left and right, come together like they did in the weeks and months following those attacks on our country. That unity didn't last as long as I would have liked, but I long to see it again.
It's just natural for our citizens to have differing opinions on how to best solve the problems that our nation faces. That doesn't mean that any of us are unpatriotic. Even as I'm typing these words, I'm thinking of a good friend whose political views are 180 degrees apart from mine, yet he is a great guy who has been a real friend to me, and I know he feels the same. We always enjoy each other's company....we just don't talk politics when we're together. He and I are proof that friends can be friends even while disagreeing. That's the way it's supposed to be...it was the intention of our founding fathers. I spend a lot of time in my car, and I keep my satellite radio tuned to a news channel most of the day. Some of the pundits who are interviewed have political views that are opposite of the way I believe, but I don't mind hearing them because they don't present themselves with an adversarial tone; yet there are others, from both sides of the spectrum, who resort to name-calling and hate speech so much that I don't want to hear them any more, whether I agree with them or not.
The events of September 11, 2001 were beyond terrible, and I hope we never have to experience anything even similar to that ever again. I'm sure there were some who even changed their political stripes as a result of what happened that day, although the majority of us still hold fast to the same value system we had before. It's probably best that we have differing opinions. For a bird to fly straight, it must have both a left wing and a right wing, working on opposite sides for the same purpose. We're never all going to agree, but we can work together for the betterment of our nation as a whole, disagreeing in an agreeable manner. I just hope it doesn't take another "Nine Eleven" to get us back to that point.
Preston
All you have to do is board a commercial flight to see how our lives have been changed. I've now grown accustomed to pulling off my shoes and emptying my pockets every time I board a plane, not to mention all the regulations regarding our baggage, both checked and carry-on. If the goal of the terrorists was to change the way the live and think, while taking away some of our freedoms, then we have to admit that they achieved at least some degree of success. But I must also say that in my lifetime, I have never seen this nation's citizens, both left and right, come together like they did in the weeks and months following those attacks on our country. That unity didn't last as long as I would have liked, but I long to see it again.
It's just natural for our citizens to have differing opinions on how to best solve the problems that our nation faces. That doesn't mean that any of us are unpatriotic. Even as I'm typing these words, I'm thinking of a good friend whose political views are 180 degrees apart from mine, yet he is a great guy who has been a real friend to me, and I know he feels the same. We always enjoy each other's company....we just don't talk politics when we're together. He and I are proof that friends can be friends even while disagreeing. That's the way it's supposed to be...it was the intention of our founding fathers. I spend a lot of time in my car, and I keep my satellite radio tuned to a news channel most of the day. Some of the pundits who are interviewed have political views that are opposite of the way I believe, but I don't mind hearing them because they don't present themselves with an adversarial tone; yet there are others, from both sides of the spectrum, who resort to name-calling and hate speech so much that I don't want to hear them any more, whether I agree with them or not.
The events of September 11, 2001 were beyond terrible, and I hope we never have to experience anything even similar to that ever again. I'm sure there were some who even changed their political stripes as a result of what happened that day, although the majority of us still hold fast to the same value system we had before. It's probably best that we have differing opinions. For a bird to fly straight, it must have both a left wing and a right wing, working on opposite sides for the same purpose. We're never all going to agree, but we can work together for the betterment of our nation as a whole, disagreeing in an agreeable manner. I just hope it doesn't take another "Nine Eleven" to get us back to that point.
Preston
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXVI
It was all the rage just a few years ago. A big fashion item. It started out as a simple bracelet, but it soon spread to almost every imaginable item where people thought they might could make a buck. I feel quite certain that the person who came up with the original idea did it with the best of intentions, and if these products made some people stop and think, then the idea achieved its purpose. This innovator, the one from whom this idea originated, came up with a simple four word phrase, which was then reduce to four initials, but most everyone knew what they meant: WWJD...."What Would Jesus Do?" It turned out to be a fad, and like all fads, it was here one day and gone the next. But I also have to wonder if the message behind it may have also been just a fad, and just like those bracelets, it's now yesterday's news.
Is it possible to bring something like that back? I don't necessarily mean that I'd like to see all the WWJD accessories come back in style, but what if we could bring that phrase back and let it become a part of our lifestyle? If we could get everybody on the bandwagon to just ask that question before every major decision, our crime problem would disappear. Family problems would go away, everyone would love each other again, and all of us would start getting along with each other much better. Yes I know that the idea that we could get every person to start asking themselves that question is just a dream, but what if just you and I would get back on that program....what kind of difference could we make? Because, you see, I have to admit that I don't always stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were in my situation, and I'm pretty sure that you don't either.
And yes, I know that we could take it too far. What color car would Jesus buy? Would He prefer carrots or broccoli? What time would He have his breakfast in the mornings? Those are non issues, but there are some other questions that could alter how we live our lives. What about "Is this a movie He would watch?", or "Would He say what I'm tempted to say right now?" What would He think about the way I treat my spouse? How would He react when the cashier accidentally gave Him too much change? Does He think I'm too selfish? I could go on and on, but the truth of the matter is, when we stop to ask ourselves those questions, in most circumstances we really already know what the answer would be. Maybe that's why we've quit asking.
I would like to think that in most circumstances, the choices I make would line up with His. And maybe if I compare myself with the majority of the general population, I'm really doing pretty good. But that leads me to ask this question: "Does God grade on a curve?" I don't think He does. When He looks at how I'm doing, the actions of other people never even become a part of the equation. And who do I think I am if I feel that I can approve of something of which He would disapprove? Do I think I can overrule His decisions? I don't have that kind of authority! Nor does anyone else.
Preston
Is it possible to bring something like that back? I don't necessarily mean that I'd like to see all the WWJD accessories come back in style, but what if we could bring that phrase back and let it become a part of our lifestyle? If we could get everybody on the bandwagon to just ask that question before every major decision, our crime problem would disappear. Family problems would go away, everyone would love each other again, and all of us would start getting along with each other much better. Yes I know that the idea that we could get every person to start asking themselves that question is just a dream, but what if just you and I would get back on that program....what kind of difference could we make? Because, you see, I have to admit that I don't always stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were in my situation, and I'm pretty sure that you don't either.
And yes, I know that we could take it too far. What color car would Jesus buy? Would He prefer carrots or broccoli? What time would He have his breakfast in the mornings? Those are non issues, but there are some other questions that could alter how we live our lives. What about "Is this a movie He would watch?", or "Would He say what I'm tempted to say right now?" What would He think about the way I treat my spouse? How would He react when the cashier accidentally gave Him too much change? Does He think I'm too selfish? I could go on and on, but the truth of the matter is, when we stop to ask ourselves those questions, in most circumstances we really already know what the answer would be. Maybe that's why we've quit asking.
I would like to think that in most circumstances, the choices I make would line up with His. And maybe if I compare myself with the majority of the general population, I'm really doing pretty good. But that leads me to ask this question: "Does God grade on a curve?" I don't think He does. When He looks at how I'm doing, the actions of other people never even become a part of the equation. And who do I think I am if I feel that I can approve of something of which He would disapprove? Do I think I can overrule His decisions? I don't have that kind of authority! Nor does anyone else.
Preston
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXV
Sometimes people go to their graves without receiving the honor they deserve. There are also times when the honor is bestowed, but it comes after the death of the honoree. And then there are times when the deserving party gets to experience the recognition he or she deserves, but it's many years after the event for which they are being honored. Today I want to talk about the latter, and it involves someone who is very special to me. His name is Elliott Fontenot, my father in law. He, along with the other men and women that I want to tell you about are World War II veterans, and there is no way to actually give them the credit they deserve, and although the gift they received was long overdue and could not come close to repaying them for everything they endured during those battles so many years ago, it was a once in a lifetime event...a day they'll never forget.
The big day was the Saturday before Memorial Day, 2011. The honorees, all Louisiana World War II veterans, were told to meet early that morning at the airport in Lafayette, where they boarded a big commercial airliner that had been chartered for this special trip to our nation's capitol. The huge jet was filled to capacity with a diverse group of men and women, and practically all of them were in their eighties and nineties. Some of them had to use walkers, many were in wheel chairs, and others, including my father in law, were in excellent health. After they had touched down at the airport in Washington and were making their way down the hallway, there were hundreds of people of all ages lining both sides of the corridor, applauding, waving flags, shaking hands, and thanking them for their service to the American People.
I'm really not sure where they went first, but one of the stops was the World War II Memorial. As they toured this beautifully touching edifice that was built to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of all those who risked their lives protecting our homeland during that horrific time in our history, many of them posed for a picture in front of the Louisiana monument. Another stop took them to Arlington National Cemetery, where they were able to witness the Changing of the Guard. This is an event I've been privileged to see two different times, and all I can say is, if you've never seen it, I hope you get the chance. After the Changing of the Guard, two of the veterans, both confined to wheel chairs, were selected to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Trips like that are not cheap. Each of these veterans who were selected for this day of honor had someone to sponsor them, but these were more than sponsors. As I've mentioned, many of these heroes have reached a stage of life where they are not as mobile as they once were, so not only did the sponsors fork over the cash for the trip, but each one accompanied the veteran he/she had sponsored, staying by his/her side the entire trip. There's no way I could mention all the names involved, but I would like to give a big shout out to Mr. Skip Arnould of the Entergy Corporation for sponsoring and accompanying my father in law for this once in a lifetime event.
Much too soon it was time to head back to Louisiana, and when they deplaned in Lafayette, there was a band playing and hundreds more were applauding and cheering as soldiers escorted each veteran down the escalator toward the baggage claim area. I've watched the video, and I admit, it brought tears to my eyes. And one thing that is so unbelievable to me is everything I've told you about happened the same day. They had traveled so far, seen so much, and done so many things that it makes me want to borrow a statement from the Bible that's not quite a direct quote, but almost: And the morning and the evening were one day.
Preston
The big day was the Saturday before Memorial Day, 2011. The honorees, all Louisiana World War II veterans, were told to meet early that morning at the airport in Lafayette, where they boarded a big commercial airliner that had been chartered for this special trip to our nation's capitol. The huge jet was filled to capacity with a diverse group of men and women, and practically all of them were in their eighties and nineties. Some of them had to use walkers, many were in wheel chairs, and others, including my father in law, were in excellent health. After they had touched down at the airport in Washington and were making their way down the hallway, there were hundreds of people of all ages lining both sides of the corridor, applauding, waving flags, shaking hands, and thanking them for their service to the American People.
I'm really not sure where they went first, but one of the stops was the World War II Memorial. As they toured this beautifully touching edifice that was built to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of all those who risked their lives protecting our homeland during that horrific time in our history, many of them posed for a picture in front of the Louisiana monument. Another stop took them to Arlington National Cemetery, where they were able to witness the Changing of the Guard. This is an event I've been privileged to see two different times, and all I can say is, if you've never seen it, I hope you get the chance. After the Changing of the Guard, two of the veterans, both confined to wheel chairs, were selected to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Trips like that are not cheap. Each of these veterans who were selected for this day of honor had someone to sponsor them, but these were more than sponsors. As I've mentioned, many of these heroes have reached a stage of life where they are not as mobile as they once were, so not only did the sponsors fork over the cash for the trip, but each one accompanied the veteran he/she had sponsored, staying by his/her side the entire trip. There's no way I could mention all the names involved, but I would like to give a big shout out to Mr. Skip Arnould of the Entergy Corporation for sponsoring and accompanying my father in law for this once in a lifetime event.
Much too soon it was time to head back to Louisiana, and when they deplaned in Lafayette, there was a band playing and hundreds more were applauding and cheering as soldiers escorted each veteran down the escalator toward the baggage claim area. I've watched the video, and I admit, it brought tears to my eyes. And one thing that is so unbelievable to me is everything I've told you about happened the same day. They had traveled so far, seen so much, and done so many things that it makes me want to borrow a statement from the Bible that's not quite a direct quote, but almost: And the morning and the evening were one day.
Preston
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXIV
I'm not a shopper, but one of my favorite places to visit when I make the trip to Chattanooga is called McKay Books. It is a huge store that sells used books, and you can find a huge selection of books on most any subject at unbelievable prices. (Bill Clinton would be thrilled to know that I purchased his book, "My Life," in hardback for 75 cents.) We went by there this past Sunday afternoon, and when I picked out four books that I wanted to purchase, I had to stand in line for fifteen minutes at the checkout, and they had four cash registers going. I was a small time shopper compared to the average customer, since most everyone I saw was buying more like twenty books at a time. With that in mind, when you first look at it, you might think that a used book store like McKay Books might be a good investment, if they can attract that many buyers, and no doubt the McKays have made a fortune from that business. But I have to wonder what that business will look like in ten years. I believe that books, as we know them, will eventually cease to exist.
I'm not saying that in the next couple of decades people will stop reading....in fact, I believe the opposite is true. It's just that books made of paper may be about to become obsolete, and when that happens we may no longer have a need for bookshelves or even libraries. Modern technology is changing our lives in more ways than any of us could've ever predicted, and if you think we've gone about as far as we can go, I've got news for you: We haven't even scratched the surface. Most of us will live to see scientific advances that we can't even imagine...new breakthroughs that will completely alter our culture and even the way we speak.
Here's another example: How much longer will it be until the U.S. Postal Service is a thing of the past? People don't use the mail any more, compared to the way it was done just a few short years ago. A few days ago, since I had to run by the Post Office anyway, I decided to pick up a few stamps, since I was down to just one. I bought ten stamps. When I got home, I had to ask myself why I had bought so many...it will take me months to go through ten stamps. (I used to buy them in rolls of 100.) It's gotten so bad that the Postal Service is considering cutting back on mail delivery days, reducing service, and raising prices. Do you know what happens when businesses cut back on service and increase prices? They go out of business. Technology has changed the way we live. Fewer and fewer of us are writing checks any more. Most of us don't even receive a check when we're paid our salaries...it's all done electronically. How long will it be until we no longer see a bank located on every other street corner the way we do now? How many of us still subscribe to the newspaper? I don't. We read it online.
When we stop to consider how many jobs will be affected over the next few years by these changes, it will blow our minds. The paper industry will be hit especially hard, which will, in turn, affect an untold number of other industries like loggers, printers, ink manufacturers, etc. The list goes on and on. And yes, I do understand that we are going to have to start thinking more in terms of high tech jobs, but how many of those can be obtained in America? It seems to me that so much of that industry is located in Asia. If we want to continue to hold on to our status as the World Economic Power, we must become more competitive in the field of technology. It can be done, and we have the brain power to accomplish it if we do it right. It just simply boils down to our ability to compete. Capitalism works when we give it a chance.
Preston
I'm not saying that in the next couple of decades people will stop reading....in fact, I believe the opposite is true. It's just that books made of paper may be about to become obsolete, and when that happens we may no longer have a need for bookshelves or even libraries. Modern technology is changing our lives in more ways than any of us could've ever predicted, and if you think we've gone about as far as we can go, I've got news for you: We haven't even scratched the surface. Most of us will live to see scientific advances that we can't even imagine...new breakthroughs that will completely alter our culture and even the way we speak.
Here's another example: How much longer will it be until the U.S. Postal Service is a thing of the past? People don't use the mail any more, compared to the way it was done just a few short years ago. A few days ago, since I had to run by the Post Office anyway, I decided to pick up a few stamps, since I was down to just one. I bought ten stamps. When I got home, I had to ask myself why I had bought so many...it will take me months to go through ten stamps. (I used to buy them in rolls of 100.) It's gotten so bad that the Postal Service is considering cutting back on mail delivery days, reducing service, and raising prices. Do you know what happens when businesses cut back on service and increase prices? They go out of business. Technology has changed the way we live. Fewer and fewer of us are writing checks any more. Most of us don't even receive a check when we're paid our salaries...it's all done electronically. How long will it be until we no longer see a bank located on every other street corner the way we do now? How many of us still subscribe to the newspaper? I don't. We read it online.
When we stop to consider how many jobs will be affected over the next few years by these changes, it will blow our minds. The paper industry will be hit especially hard, which will, in turn, affect an untold number of other industries like loggers, printers, ink manufacturers, etc. The list goes on and on. And yes, I do understand that we are going to have to start thinking more in terms of high tech jobs, but how many of those can be obtained in America? It seems to me that so much of that industry is located in Asia. If we want to continue to hold on to our status as the World Economic Power, we must become more competitive in the field of technology. It can be done, and we have the brain power to accomplish it if we do it right. It just simply boils down to our ability to compete. Capitalism works when we give it a chance.
Preston
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thinking Out Loud, Volume CCLXXXIII
I'm a fairly decent guy, yet I'm totally disgusting! I have a lot of good friends, yet at times I can be completely repulsive. Every one of these friends that I'm telling you about are also high quality individuals, although a sizable number of them will do some things that are just as reprehensible as the things that I do. I'm talking about things that would humiliate our mothers if they knew what we were up to. So what traits do we have in common that make us commit such taboo acts? It's this club that we've joined. It doesn't require its members to see just what kind of degrading acts we can perform, but there's something about being an active member that automatically causes us to go completely against our upbringing and do things that we ordinarily wouldn't even dream of doing...in fact we would be glad to participate in a protest against anyone else who attempted to commit some of the acts we've done. We would say they must be out of their minds.
One of the worst things we've been guilty of doing: Some of us will urinate on the ground in the middle of town in broad daylight...men and women, side by side, minding our own business while "taking care of business." We will accept a drink of water from a total stranger...someone we've never seen before and will never see again...drinking from the same bottle that was just used by another complete stranger. We may pick up a used cup from the side of the street, even one that's been stepped on and mashed, and use it do dip into a tub of Gatorade to get us a drink. Yes, our moms would be so proud if they could see us while we're in this "zone" that temporarily moves us outside of the realm of human decency. Oh,and while I'm on this subject, I should mention that I'm in the middle of a recruiting drive to bring more members into this club. Do you think you might be interested in joining? I'd be glad to give a list of names of notable citizens who are members...some of them newly recruited.
The name of this club is "The Marathoners." There's only one simple requirement for membership, but actually meeting this requirement may be more of a challenge than what some may expect: All you have to do is run 26.2 miles. That's it. Just register for an official 26.2 mile run, then go our there on race day and actually perform your required task, and you're automatically a member. The benefits are tremendous! First of all, you get a free tee shirt. But here's the big perk: As soon as you finish, they will hang a nice medal around your neck...that is if you have the strength to continue standing with the additional weight of the medal, which is about four ounces. Just remember however, the medal and the tee shirt aren't really free...you have to earn them, and over the course of 26.2 miles, things can happen. They almost always have adequate supplies of water and cups along the route, but in case of a heat wave, like we saw in Chicago in 2007, the marathon support groups may find themselves unprepared for the excessive amount of water needed by the runners, and desperate times call for desperate measures. And, yes, there will be Port-a-Johns stationed all along the course, but if they have 11,000 participants and 300 Port-a-Johns, runners may find themselves standing in line, and sometimes that's just not an option. During one marathon, after seeing the lines at the Port-a-Johns, I decided to duck into a narrow alley, and when I got there, I saw three women and two men who had the same idea that I had. During desperate times, you do what you've gotta do. That was one of those times.
Maybe this is not the best job of salesmanship that you've ever witnessed, but all in all, completing a marathon is one of the most rewarding challenges I've ever experienced, and I believe it's the challenge that makes it so rewarding. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can. We'd love for you to join us, but when you do, don't be surprised if you find yourself committing an act that heretofore would've been unthinkable.
Preston
One of the worst things we've been guilty of doing: Some of us will urinate on the ground in the middle of town in broad daylight...men and women, side by side, minding our own business while "taking care of business." We will accept a drink of water from a total stranger...someone we've never seen before and will never see again...drinking from the same bottle that was just used by another complete stranger. We may pick up a used cup from the side of the street, even one that's been stepped on and mashed, and use it do dip into a tub of Gatorade to get us a drink. Yes, our moms would be so proud if they could see us while we're in this "zone" that temporarily moves us outside of the realm of human decency. Oh,and while I'm on this subject, I should mention that I'm in the middle of a recruiting drive to bring more members into this club. Do you think you might be interested in joining? I'd be glad to give a list of names of notable citizens who are members...some of them newly recruited.
The name of this club is "The Marathoners." There's only one simple requirement for membership, but actually meeting this requirement may be more of a challenge than what some may expect: All you have to do is run 26.2 miles. That's it. Just register for an official 26.2 mile run, then go our there on race day and actually perform your required task, and you're automatically a member. The benefits are tremendous! First of all, you get a free tee shirt. But here's the big perk: As soon as you finish, they will hang a nice medal around your neck...that is if you have the strength to continue standing with the additional weight of the medal, which is about four ounces. Just remember however, the medal and the tee shirt aren't really free...you have to earn them, and over the course of 26.2 miles, things can happen. They almost always have adequate supplies of water and cups along the route, but in case of a heat wave, like we saw in Chicago in 2007, the marathon support groups may find themselves unprepared for the excessive amount of water needed by the runners, and desperate times call for desperate measures. And, yes, there will be Port-a-Johns stationed all along the course, but if they have 11,000 participants and 300 Port-a-Johns, runners may find themselves standing in line, and sometimes that's just not an option. During one marathon, after seeing the lines at the Port-a-Johns, I decided to duck into a narrow alley, and when I got there, I saw three women and two men who had the same idea that I had. During desperate times, you do what you've gotta do. That was one of those times.
Maybe this is not the best job of salesmanship that you've ever witnessed, but all in all, completing a marathon is one of the most rewarding challenges I've ever experienced, and I believe it's the challenge that makes it so rewarding. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can. We'd love for you to join us, but when you do, don't be surprised if you find yourself committing an act that heretofore would've been unthinkable.
Preston
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