Greetings and welcome to the 96th edition of Random Thoughts. This will be a shorter edition than usual because there isn't that much I want to get into right now, but I do have a little bit to talk about here. With that in mind, enjoy.
- Since today is a holiday, I want to wish those of you who celebrate it a Happy Memorial Day. As most of you know, the time around Memorial Day has historically been volatile for me...sometimes it's been decent, sometimes it's been bad, and on one occasion my life completely turned upside down (I won't talk about that one until I'm comfortable doing so but it was absolutely life-changing). It's gotten to the point where the less volatility the better.
- The subtitle for this edition, "inner voice," was inspired by an article I came across on the Huffington Post, "Your Critical Inner Voice: Are You Letting It Sabotage Your Relationships?" Everybody has an inner voice, which is sometimes known as "gut instinct." There was an awful lot I could relate to in this article...more than I honestly wanted to relate to. Given the lack of social interaction at various times in my life including now, my inner voice can get rather loud, figuratively speaking. As with other people, my inner voice has been both a blessing and a curse. Mine tends toward the critical, which is why this particular article caught my eye. I've made the observation, sometimes in jest, that I don't need the criticism of others because I already criticize myself so much. I tend to give the criticism brought about by my inner voice more weight than I should and it has held me back. I can't say that inner critic has been all bad because it has counterbalanced even the most unrealistic and loftiest of expectations when I needed it to do so. However, as I've gotten older and my expectations became more grounded, that inner critic doesn't have the same positive effect it used to. It is a struggle for me, sometimes a losing one, to counter the negative aspects of my inner voice. I continue to hope and pray for the day where my inner voice doesn't work against me so forcefully and so much. Until that time I'll continue to deal with it the best I can.
- Last week, retired professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage passed away. He was one of the most consistent and popular personalities and performers in pro wrestling. He is one of the few who had almost universal respect for what he did, even from some of pro wrestling's most ardent detractors which is a hard thing to achieve (Hulk Hogan doesn't even have that). As evidenced by the number of condolences his passing received, he influenced so many people. He had personal significance to me due to his feud with Ricky Steamboat for the WWE Intercontinental Title way back in the day. I wouldn't have stayed a fan of pro wrestling if it weren't for that, so for that alone I thank him and honor him. Rest in peace, Macho Man.
- As of this morning, Jim Tressel has resigned as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. With all the negative coverage and the writing apparently being on the wall regarding his tenure in the eyes of the general public, this was a potential outcome that has now become reality. He had so much success on the field that it's a damn shame that he got caught up in all the crap certain players brought to the OSU football program. The haters are already gloating and proclaming triumph in his resignation, a sign of their jealousy and lack of respect for the man or the college as well as their inability to be better people themselves. He did a lot of good for the program, righting the ship after John Cooper's troublesome tenure and bringing in a national championship to a state starving for one. He'll be looked at more fondly down the line once the sting of the scandal he got caught up in passes. I wouldn't be surprised if OSU fans started blaming and subsequently turning on the players from said scandal...more specifically Terrelle Pryor...for ultimately causing the end of the tenure of the most successful football coach in Ohio State history. I think that will be seen soon enough. Sorry to all the haters out there but unlike them Tressel will be missed.
- Song on repeat: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum. Just a nice calming song.
- SLP to the following: Griff, Tre, Katie, Pastor Cory, Holly, Aunt Sue, Isaiah, Renee, Ernest, Debbie, Dave, Aunt Claudia, Sean, Mindy, Jay, Anna, Cheryl, Jennifer S. (happy birthday), Ryan (happy birthday), Bill (happy birthday), Julie K. (happy birthday), Heidi (happy birthday), Karen S. (happy birthday), and Steve (happy birthday).
That's it for this short edition. After all the rainy and stormy weather here, we're finally getting some sun and warmth outside. I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance. Until next time, take care and God Bless.
DJ
