I know why....

As many of you know I'm pretty active in the scouting program for Gonzales and even for our district (south of Austin, Tx).  One of the things I try to stress time and time again to our boys is that scouting is not about the Monday meetings and going camping once a month, it's about a way we live. 

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

This week I've been left out to dry at a last minutes notice 3 times (no, not all by scouts, but at least once).  At the last minute I get a call (or in one case I called to remind them) saying that they wouldn't be able to perform what they had told me they would.  


In one case it absolutely killed an entire 1/2 day of my vacation trying to fix a problem that shouldn't have been a problem in the first place.  The person knew weeks ago they couldn't do what they told us they would, and then backed out. 


In a second (the one I called to remind), they knew at least a week before that they wouldn't be able to make it, how to I know, because they told someone else they were going to this other event...but forgot to tell me.  


So now I go back up to my list of 12 things.  Now I cherish these 12 things.  I think they are pretty Biblical in their ideology, and can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to live up to those standards (regardless of your religious preference).  They are the Golden Rule broken down 12 different ways.  They are the 10 commandments simplified.  They are...you understand where I'm going with this right?


So how trustworthy is someone when they dump something on you they said they would do?  I understand things come up, but isn't it then your place to come up with an alternative?  Isn't being trustworthy saying I'm still responsible so I'll take care of it? 


And don't even get me going on courteous!  Courteous is finding out you double booked and calling immediately.  Courteous is making sure things are going to happen regardless of your absence, because obviously someone was counting on you.  


*exhaling*

I'm pretty certain Baden Powell didn't put those two words in there for only those reasons, but I can imagine as an officer and a gentleman he knew all about being trustworthy and courteous.  


In every instance the 'panic mode' and 'scramble' could of been avoided if they individuals involved had just said something when they found out.  I understand there are last minute emergencies.  But I don't live moment by moment.  Hell I schedule things out a year plus in advance.  Between all my family, all my activities, and all my work I have to. 


So next time you've told someone you're going to do something, and you can because of xy or z, let the the right people know as soon as possible so they aren't scrambling.  Do your best to find a substitute or solution that would fill the void you've left behind.  If you don't have the answers how about some suggestions? 


There's a saying that says, "Unpreparedness on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part".  Unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way, and somehow I seem to be the one that has to pick up the pieces and make it work.  Trust me I put myself in that situation enough without anyone else helping me. 

God Bless,
Dennis

Memorial Day

I am a veteran.  I served 8 year in the US Army.  This year on Memorial Day, for what ever reason, I received a lot of text and even a couple of calls thanking me for my service.  It was uncomfortable for me. 

It was 4 years after I got of our the Army before I'd really acknowledge I had been in the military. Not because I was mad, or felt slighted by anyone like our Vietnam Vets, or anything like that, quite to the contrary.  It's because while conflicts happened during my tenure, I was, with one exception, always very safe, very secure, and definitely not in the line of fire.  I was in intelligence (put your oxymoron joke here) and provided those in the know the information they needed when needed, but for the most part I was very safe.

Yes, I went through the same basic and advanced soldier training, had the same weekly/monthly drills, took the same P/T test, and got promoted by the same standards.  I was just one of the fortunate ones that had a job that required I be left behind for the most part.   

But I'm rambling ...so back on topic....Memorial day was established to honor those soldiers, regardless of their branch of service, that gave not just the potential of sacrifice, but gave their life for our country. 

I live in a small town, and over the 150 years we've had those sacrifices.  From the 18 that went to the Alamo to help Travis, and through the centuries, our town has offered it's young men in sacrifice.

Thankfully I was never in the position that I ever had to make such a sacrifice.  I'm not saying at the time I wouldn't have, but Memorial Day is for those that did.

 A walk through a cemetery in Gonzales will provide you lots of fallen heroes to honor.  I'm sure where ever you live there are those who have do the same.

I spoke to my cousin this week who is also a proud vet.  She had very similar feelings as I do, so I know I'm not alone in my thoughts as a veteran.  Give us thanks, buy us a beer on Veterans Day and we'll smile and say thanks, that's the proper time for that.

If you want to make a burnt offering (BBQ for short) to those that went and gave their lives for our freedom, please do so.  Lift a glass of beer to them in remembrance, I think they'd like that.  But let's keep in mind what Memorial Day is really about.  It's about the men and women that have gone to their graves making sure you and I have the right to be free.  Knowing soldiers like I do, most of them would say while they didn't plan on getting killed, but we all knew it was part of the bargain we made when we signed up.  True heroes. 

By the way, I proudly stand up now when a call for all veterans in the audience.  I guess it just took me time to process it all.  I did my time and did it proudly. Can't say I was the best soldier there ever was, but I was good at what I did.  And I'm proud to be a vet!

God Bless America,
Dennis

Let's get rolling

I can't tell you how many times I've thought about something that I'd like to put out and say, but just don't have the right forum.  I've got my 90asign.com which covers politics, and my My Journey of Enlightenment, which covers my spiritual journey, but there are times that my nonsense doesn't belong on either blog.  And I like to keep on topic on those blogs. 

This blog however will be a mismatch of thoughts and ideas, desires, and general nonsense.  You might agree with me, you might think (or reinforce your opinion of me) that I'm the devil in disguise.  But what you'll read are things that have pinged around my head long enough to make their way out.  If nothing else my shrink will have something to read when and if I ever decide to decipher the rest of the stuff in my head. :)

God Bless,
Dennis