Years ago, back in the Paleozoic area - er high school, I had a friend I was 90% sure stole some money from that mom had sitting on the counter. It was only $20 bucks, but my mother is a type I diabetic and it's the money my father had left for her insulin. All my life, it had been indoctrinated into me that she needed her insulin to live and you didn't mess with that.
Well, over the years, I had thought about how I accused him of that, and eventually began to feel sorry for the guy. Perhaps I was wrong. And if even if I wasn't wrong, I decided I would forgive him.
Now I should say, he was part of a group of eight of us that ran around together. Well, three of which (besides myself) I drove to school each morning, the $20 thief being one. Fast forward years later, I am living in Florida and one of the "ride to school buddies" is down and wants to visit. The wife and I head over to see him (we will call him Ozzy Osborne, because he now looks like him). Upon visiting, Ozzy asks me if I had heard from the $20 thief. I told him not since that falling out over the money, other than on Facebook. Then he proceeds to tell me that he and the other guy had a gay/bi thing going on all through high school (Ozzy had since come out). Well, I NEVER KNEW.
Fast forward a couple of years. I get a call from one of the other guys in the eight. Lets call him "Sales Guy". Well Sales Guy likes to call me every now and again. Either for some advice on a project/product he wants to sell or when he is slightly tipsy. Well it just so happens he has made contact with $20-thief guy. He calls him on a 3-way calling feature. As we are talking about old times, laughs, fun etc., Sales Guy asks about Ozzy. Before I can say anything about seeing him, $20-thief says, I heard he was gay. Well. Calling the kettle black aren't we? I didn't say anything on the phone, but I should have. That is the one regret. I said I met up with him when he was down and what he was up too (he's not actually doing all that well).
Now I could give to shits about your sexual orientation. Hell, our 3 year old calls one of our good friends (that's coincidentally gay) Uncle D. I do mind when someone lies to everyone at the expense of someone else. The truly sad part is they are lying to themselves.
Anyway, to wrap it up, I felt it was pretty hipocritical of him to say that.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Back Again (me and the snowbirds)
For no particular reason I decided to pick up my blogging again. I have decided to turn this blog more into a piece about my local environment of South West Florida. Currently living in Cape Coral (the largest city by land mass in Florida) I have the honor of having a fairly geriatric population of neighbors, a large amount being snow birds.
Now being in the thick of snow bird season, I tend to think of them more and more. They are a double edge sword as any tourist town knows of seasonal visitors. Albeit ours stay for longer stretches than the typical American vacationer (which is 1-2 weeks at most, and ours stay 1-3 months). This leads to longer lines, need for bigger infrastructure of services (private and public) and general dislike from some locals. However, all and all, I don't mind the snowbirds (and my income doesn't depend on them either). They do bring vital income to area and some what of a diversity of character.
However, what I do mind is the homogenizing of local color. If you go to a place other than your home, do a few things, namely be respectful of environment, the peace of community you are visiting, and local traditions/customs. If things must be "how things are done up north", well frankly, just stay there. Likewise on bad behavior that would violate the peace of community. The phrase that comes to mind is "if you don't shit where you eat, don't do it where I eat". This little part of the rant stems from the seasonal bad behavior we witness year and year.
However, I must admit, I am thankful we don't live on the beach or in a full blown party town like Key West or Cancun.
All and all, snowbirds and tourists come for the same thing that drew many transplants here. The weather and Florida lifestyle. I cannot fault them for that.
Now being in the thick of snow bird season, I tend to think of them more and more. They are a double edge sword as any tourist town knows of seasonal visitors. Albeit ours stay for longer stretches than the typical American vacationer (which is 1-2 weeks at most, and ours stay 1-3 months). This leads to longer lines, need for bigger infrastructure of services (private and public) and general dislike from some locals. However, all and all, I don't mind the snowbirds (and my income doesn't depend on them either). They do bring vital income to area and some what of a diversity of character.
However, what I do mind is the homogenizing of local color. If you go to a place other than your home, do a few things, namely be respectful of environment, the peace of community you are visiting, and local traditions/customs. If things must be "how things are done up north", well frankly, just stay there. Likewise on bad behavior that would violate the peace of community. The phrase that comes to mind is "if you don't shit where you eat, don't do it where I eat". This little part of the rant stems from the seasonal bad behavior we witness year and year.
However, I must admit, I am thankful we don't live on the beach or in a full blown party town like Key West or Cancun.
All and all, snowbirds and tourists come for the same thing that drew many transplants here. The weather and Florida lifestyle. I cannot fault them for that.
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