It's lonely up here on my soapbox...

October 13, 2009
It has been awhile since my last posting, but I have recently found out some news that has me needing to share some of my thoughts with all of you.

I have wonderful friends. Friends that I would take care under the most difficult of circumstances and feel they would do the same for me. My friend Rich who I lost for 20 years is now back in my life. My friend Mark from college, who I was so incredibly fortunate to be a part of his wedding will forever be a friend. Then there are my friends that I have known from my days in Colorado. Regardless of who you are, my friend, I promise to try and be there for you. I may fail at times, but this is not because I don't care, it may just be because I am not listening hard enough. With news of new children, or strained marriages or anything in between, I want you all to know that I care about all of you.

With that being said, to my incredibly special friends that are struggling, I love you both. I am not looking to give advice, but instead please know that I have a shoulder for each of you. If you need a place to vent, sleep, cry or whatever, don't hesitate to call me.

To my wife Abby.....I am reminded that even the greastest of love stories have their struggles. I am far from perfect and I know that I can be difficult a lot of the time, but my wife...I love you. I am sorry for the inflexibilities, I am sorry for my countless inperfections. What I am not sorry is who I have chosen to share these with. I work constantly. I complain constantly. I am constantly at my desk at work or at home, and you continue to constantly love me. It's true what people say, I adore you. I may not show it all the time, but it's true.

June 1, 2009

I think we are seeing the calm before the storm. Our largest manufacturer (General Motors) just declared bankruptcy and people are cheering while our government takes a majority share, pulling any possibility for current bondholders to reap the benefits of their initial investments while the stock market soars. In ordinary times, such a bankruptcy would be seen as a collapse of a giant and the media would report on the shock waves we are about to feel as all the smaller veins crumble to parts distributors and all other entities related to GM. Not today. Today we are raising our hands in praise to a leader that has given $50 billion to a company that had not turned a profit in 7 years. A company that relied on the necessity of the people to spend more and be bigger than their neighbors. Our economic collapse has proven that our diversion from manufacturing our own materials has not been what is best for us. What are we doing about it? Nothing. We are doing nothing. We will close 14 plants, see countless jobs and entire communities spiral downwards and then when our leader proclaims that he has saved 3 million jobs and the media confirms it, we can sit back and relax knowing that all is well.

September 19, 2008

Socialism - Any of various theories or systems of social organization in
which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized
government that often plans and controls the economy.

To Date: (09/08/08) - Feds (Henry Paulson) release statement announcing the takeover of two mortgage juggernauts Fannie May and Freddie Mac, costing upwards of $400-$500 billion dollars. (09/17/08) - Feds (Henry Paulson) release statement that it will bailout insurance giant AIG with an $85 billion dollar investment, taking a 79.9% share in the company.(09/19/08) - Feds (Henry Paulson) release statement acknowledging plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into failing banks and acquiring bank owned mortgages. Somewhere here in the middle the auto industry has requested close to $50 billion to help them get through the tough times.

Question: How is someone who has a debt like ours able to issue as much as $1,000,000,000,000 (1 Trillion) in loans? What makes our government think they can do something the us citizens are not able to do. If you wanted to buy the house(s) up the street, but did not have the money, plain and simple, you could not buy them. In case you missed it, our government now owns a major majority of our countries mortgages, has its hands deep inside of insurance (AIG), soon Auto with Airlines not far behind.

Will someone please tell the Politicians in Washington that we no longer want to pay for others mistakes!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are we just a tired civilization? Seriously, it's almost as if we just don't care anymore. We stand by and watch things happen without a second thought. We see a woman slumped over in a hospital, we witness a man laying injured in the street after being hit by a car that has crossed the double yellow line. Our elected officials gaze curiously at a woman pretending to be a patriot while singing the "Black National Anthem", when she was hired to sing our countries national anthem. The news recently reported on a story of how a grocery store worker did nothing while a person snatched a persons beloved pet by forcing down their car window and then drove off. Where are our heroes? Did we lose our will to act after 9/11? Are we just scared of stepping out and raising our voice for fear of being shunned or even sued? I say we recapture our days of chivalry and stop allowing these evils to penetrate our nightly news. Todd Beamer had it right..."Let's Roll".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why does the media report on what actors think about politicians? Is it because they are wealthy? Is it because they have famous faces? More importantly, why does the public care one bit what actors think? Sean Penn, the Baldwins, Barbara Streisand, Ben Affleck (sorry, bad example of an actor) all think for some reason their opinions matter more. Isn't it funny how we publicize the thoughts of Sean Penn, whose father was actually labeled a communist? What do you think would happen if my wife and I who are college educated, called the media and said we would like to endorse a candidate? Would anyone show up or even listen? Things have gotten a bit out of control. Stop the chaos!! I challenge you to turn off your televisions the next time Paris Hilton appears (convicted criminal), or Brittany Spears (deadbeat mother) is shown with their latest idiocy.

My thought of the day...

If you throw a large rock in a puddle and it creates a small ripple, then all you have done is cause a small commotion with a lot of effort. In other words, don't look to create chaos in a situation that can be handled with a gentle hand.
- JRS (July 27, 2008)

Do well with what is asked of you, and excel at what you ask of yourself.
- JRS (July 28, 2008)

At 3:17 p.m EST on July 20, 1969 the Eagle landed on the moon and allowed man to stand on it's surface. There was nothing easy about this 11th Apollo mission. During a routine test on Apollo 1 three men lost their life because of a spark from a short circuit. We went to the moon, because we believed we could. We never gave up, even in the face of death. What do you believe you can accomplish? The next time you look up at night and see the moon, never forget that man stood on it just over 39 years ago. Never doubt yourself, think positive and dream big.
- JRS (July 29, 2008)

Success does not necessarily mean coming in first. Success can be found in any measurable means. A trainer, a teacher, a coach can always find success in watching the accomplishments of their students. My point is this...you don't always need to be first. Look around, be a coach, a teacher, a trainer and measure successes well beyond any first place finish. Your success will last generations and that my friend is better than any first place finish.
- JRS (July 30, 2008)

You can only expect perfection from others once you are perfect yourself.
- JRS (July 31, 2008)

If you are upset with someone, tell them kindly. They may not know they have wronged you.
- JRS (August 1, 2008)

Imagine a world without grudges, and then take the first step by forgiving someone.
- JRS (August 2, 2008)

If you are voting based solely on your political affiliation, shame on you. If you are voting based upon your beliefs on who you feel will be best for America after considerable research, you've done the right thing.
- JRS (August 3, 2008)

There is a difference between making mistakes and making bad decisions. Mistakes are usually unintentional and bad decisions usually take much more thought.
- JRS (August 4, 2008)

Don't be so quick to blame someone. You never know what kind of day they may be having. Instead offer to help make the situation better.
- JRS (August 5, 2008)

The next time you walk out the door, put a penny in your pocket for the sole purpose of dropping it. It may be the lucky penny for whoever finds it.
- JRS (August 6, 2008)

Everything new becomes old - savor both.
- JRS (August 7, 2008)

Listen to music that makes you feel happy.
- JRS (August 8, 2008)

What do you love, and I mean really love? Have you expressed that love today?
- JRS (August 9, 2008)

Even a person without sight can see ugly people. The next person you talk to today, make sure they know you're beautiful.
- JRS (August 10, 2008)

Always remember that you are in the same line as everyone else. Wait your turn, be patient and when you get to the front, your patience will be rewarded.
- JRS (August 11, 2008)

Ask for what you want, work for what you need, and give all that you can.
- JRS (August 12, 2008)

How many friends did you call today? How many of them called you?
- JRS (August 13, 2008)

-We all have parents. Some are better than others, but we should do what we can to make them all proud.
- JRS (August 14, 2008)

Did you shun someone today? That person may be your boss tomorrow. Treat everyone with respect and you'll be amazed at the outcome.
- JRS (August 15, 2008)

Compliment someone today, start with yourself.
- JRS (August 16, 2008)

Don't do something today out of necessity, but from the kindness of your heart. Then don't tell anyone what you did.
- JRS (September 17, 2008)

Every decision leads to a conclusion.
- JRS (September 18, 2008)

Don't allow yourself to envy the man in the Rolls Royce sitting next to you at the red light. With luxury comes cost. Think of what it costs him for repairs. Think of where he can park that without drawing attention to himself. Think about the fact that he cannot safely drive through some neighborhoods. Think about all of this as the light turns green and you go on your merry while he frets over rock chips.
- JRS (September 19, 2008)

Would you consider doing business with someone based on a handshake? Would someone consider doing business with you on the same terms?
- JRS (June 1, 2009)

When I am at my worst, when I snap at what is otherwise meaningless, I later realize that I was being selfish. My needs outweighed those of who was around me and I may have missed a great opportunity to thank someone for what may have been a special favor. Because of this, and because of all my negative comments today that I reach out to those who I need to ask forgiveness. Remember that it is usually better to have our friends and loved ones around us even at our worst and it is those that are there that truly love us, because they chose to be there most at those times.
- JRS (July 10, 2009)

Don't ever forget that an angry heart can be incredibly destructive.  Words can be more dangerous than any other weapon.
- JRS (August 29, 2017)

If you like how things are, just remember that they were not always like this and accept that change is a part of life.  If you are not happy with how things are, then change is even more important.
- JRS (May 30, 2018)

Really, I'm blogging?

After hearing multiple times that I should blog, I decided to look into this crazy fad and take a shot at it. Here goes....

um, er, I am not really sure what I could possibly write that might interest anyone in actually reading this. After all, I'm just another guy with pretty much the same story as anyone else. Typical life, typical job, typical family.

I love politics and have considered numerous times at throwing my hat into the political arena just to see if there is the possiblity of actually seeing if one man can truly make a difference. In the meantime I am just another person blending into the crowd.

I suppose I should write something profound in order to capture your attention. I'm wealthier than most people think. Do I have millions of dollars, no. Do I have a fleet of fancy sports cars tucked away under covers in some obsure warehouse, no. Do I wear thousand dollar suits with 18K gold watches showing just beyond the custom cuffs, no. Don't let any of that fool you, I have more in my life now than most people could ever dream of having. I'm talking friends like one could only imagine, a wife that is as close to a perfect 10 as I've ever imagined, a family that although might not ever admit it, cares for me and loves me with all my imperfections. I have angels in Heaven looking down on me and although some might think it a raw deal to lose a parent and best friend at the age of 21, I consider myself lucky to have been blessed by such a wonderful Mother for the time I did have and now to know that she is watching over me and seeing my future successes.

So here is my blog. I will share with you my imperfections and my thoughts on how I handle each of these in my daily life. I will bring to you my numerous (mis)adventures on the road. I will post my one liners and hopefully, maybe, just maybe someone will read this in their moment of need for a good laugh or even a shred of hope and remember that there is just another guy out there sharing moments like theirs and knowing that there will be another day and most likely one that is worth writing about.