Choosing Sides

We are often happy when two of our friends start dating. We are even more excited for them when they prepare for marriage. We have pictures from their wedding, and invite them to double dates and game nights, and all is right in the world.

Then it starts. You see one of them constantly dejected, or the other constantly unavailable. You see less love and more obligation. The tension between them is palpable. The effort becomes more one sided.

And then we pick sides. Inevitably, one person becomes the obvious choice, the other a pure villian. I am okay with this in certain situations. If one person gives up on a relationship, or cheats, or simply leaves, and the other person hasn't been abusive and has tried to reconcile a situation they didn't create, the answer is obvious. The villian has chosen their path.

But what do you do when the answer isn't so obvious? What do you do when both people have hurt the other, when neither has been willing to compromise? What do you do when your long time friend is the obvious villian?

Is it ever really that cut and dry?

All I know is that when I pray for my couple friends, the prayers always have a small selfish element. I don't want to have to choose sides. I like you both! Besides, Kristen and I need good double date partners for the next 50 years or so.

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Missing The Point

I was reading the yahoo report about Obama's speech at the memorial service in Tucson. I had listened to the speech earlier this evening, and was impressed with his leadership in the situation. The way that he spoke to the polarized political factions who are attempting to pin the blame on their opponents was perhaps the most poignant message he could have delivered, in the midst of what could still be an explosive situation. I don't agree with everything he does, but that hopeful and triumphant tone is what was needed in this time of knee-jerk politics.

Imagine my surprise when I scroll to the bottom of the story, and the first two comments are complaining about Obama "taking advantage of the situation for a political rally" and calling for him to apologize. Another proceeded to place all of the blame for the situation on "liberals" or something. Essentially, they completely missed the point.

People, this is a democracy. We elect a leader... and we need to let him lead. Obama was there to eulogize, but also to play an inspirational role, and he did quite well. He is right about the need for civility in our political discourse... and it is sad that the only people who don't get that are the ones who need to hear it the most.

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Imagination

All it takes is a little imagination to make your world more interesting. For instance, today the breakfast vendor at my office had drops of water on the tray toppers. The water on the stainless steel reminded me of the liquid metal in the Terminator movies. I imagined the droplets coming together and forming a tiny terminator. Except, this Terminator would serve you breakfast instead of ruthlessly eliminating you. It would terminate your hunger with eggs and bacon.

I don't know about you, but i would be happy if a tiny terminator gave me breakfast.

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More thoughts on aliens...

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to find out i was from another planet. Would I want to stay here because it felt like home? Would everyone treat me differently? Would I have super powers? Would Sheriff Joe still try to deport me?

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Angry Corporate Bear #3

Angry Corporate Bear #2

A.C. Bear - Day 1

I was told today that I should write a children's book, so that all of my creativity didn't go to waste. I took that idea, and this is what I came up with. This will be the first of many :).