Category: Holidays

Still Remembering

To the victims of the senseless tragedy on 9-11-2001, to the heroic first responders, and to their families…

Seven years later, we still remember your loss and suffering.

I am not a huge Ann Coulter fan, but she makes a good point in this article.

Yes, President Bush has kept us safe for 7 years. I will give that to him and the fine men and women of our intelligence and armed services.

The truth is, there is a lot that goes on out of the public eye in our government.  And it really needs to be that way.

So today, in my eyes, also becomes a celebration of those men and women who work day in and day out sifting through massive amounts of data, and who do really really cool stuff with it.

Back to the Blog

First of all, let me apologize for my lack of posting in this fine month of August.  I realize that many of you rely on WhiteEyebrows.com for your daily dose of propaganda, intellectual stimulation, humor and mirth, and so I profusely apologize for the acute absence of said things this past week.  (Especially the mirth)

This blog is going to be a bit of a scattered catch-up (as opposed to a Catsup or Ketchup).

Continue reading Back to the Blog

I Love Airports

I love airports. They are exciting.  Everyone is either going somewhere or coming back from somewhere.  There is movement.  There is anticipation.

Then there’s also exhaustion… lots and lots of exhaustion.

I’ve often wondered why some business travelers insist on wearing suits and ties onto the airplane.  My brother-in-law informs me that this is because they’re always worried about who they might meet, and want to look professional.  I think they are plain nuts!  Especially if they are flying coach with we common folk.

Continue reading I Love Airports

Patriotism

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.

– George Bernard Shaw

I left the United States for the first time in 2000 to spend two years in Sao Paulo, Brazil doing Missionary service for my church. To take you back, this was before the average American even knew what a Muslim was and before Osama Bin Laden was a household name.

When I returned in August of 2002, something had drastically changed about my country. Flags flew on many more houses that usual. There were flags everywhere!  Some enterprising guy had also created a novel American Flag lapel pin which everyone seemed to be sporting. People had somehow become much more proud of their country than I’d ever seen them, and more willing to do anything for it.

Then it dawned on me.  I totally missed 9/11. Continue reading Patriotism

The Last Day of My Mid-Twenties

This Thursday will mark my twenty hmm-hmm birthday.

That’s right, twenty hmm-hmm.

We’re not focusing on the number this year, because it feels like I’m marking the end of my mid-twenties and the beginning of my late-twenties, something I’m not entirely comfortable with yet.

I don’t like to make a big deal out of birthdays, mostly because it’s so awkward to have to stand there by a cake while people sing the Birthday Song. I’m never quite sure if I should sing along, make eye contact, do a lyrical ballet, or just feel awkward that everyone is staring at me and singing a really stupid song… especially if they sing it really slow.

So tomorrow will probably be the last day of my mid-twenties, and I have no plans. So to you, my faithful blog readers, I pose the question: if you had one last day to be in your mid-twenties, what would you do with it?

In Memoriam

On this memorial day, I want to take a moment to express gratitude for those people who volunteer their young lives to our military forces, and who fight on my behalf.

I remember the day I submitted my obligatory registration for the Selective Service. For those of you who don’t recall, that’s the system you are put into in case there is ever a draft. I remember absolutely dreading the thought of there ever being a draft, and my total unwillingness to participate in bloodshed for any reason or for any cause.

Let’s face it, it was the 90’s and there was going to be peace on earth forever, right?

We all know that this isn’t the case. Today we face different threats than we’ve ever faced, and must fight wars in ways we’ve never dreamed of in the past. These are not only the soldiers in camouflage and laser guided missiles, but those secret, unassuming ‘soldiers’ who fight our wars in the back-channels, who linger in the shadows and baffles. You know who you are.

And so I thank those who have volunteered to guard my American Dream for me. We did not always have it so good in this country. Our fathers and grandfathers were conscripted into military service, putting their lives and families on hold, and often giving their fragile, young lives for our country.

So while we enjoy our barbecues and baseball games on this memorial weekend, with the intermittent thoughts of distant conflicts being waged half-way around the world, let’s take a moment and remember the one, the thousands, and the millions who have given their life so we can put that thick, juicy rib eye on the grill…