Thoughts worth thinking about: John F. Kennedy

America is seeing some troubling times these days: Oil is reaching unheard of prices, crime is previalent on network television, along with smut and cheesy "reality" shows. One can't help but be a cynic these days with so much lying and betrail... and all that is from our Peers and Elected officials!

Well, as much terrible change there is in the world, there is also good change. I have seen friends with cancer, SERIOUS cancer, come out the other side alive and kicking. I have seen nephews grow up from babies to become true Thinkers and Doers for themselves.

Change of all kind is happening all around us, and yet... we could stand a little more. And that, my friends, is what brings me to todays quote from former President John F. Kennedy.

So... ponder this: burning the flag is against the Constitution, according to congress. Also, government entities can seize your home if it is to the benefit of all in the community. And then there is the subdivision in Lubbock that is building a "child molestor" free zone. When do the walls go up? When do the attack dogs start roaming the streets? When do we start implanting computer chips in peoples hands for "true" identification checks?

Ponder these things... and then think about this, that JFK had to say:

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

Greetings to friends far and wide!

For those of you who have not formed up a "blog" or "web log" where the term actually came from, I just thought I would post on how you are missing out!

Since forming up this blog, I have had the pleasure of meeting an editor form the local paper, the Executive Directors of Keep Midland Beautiful http://www.keepmidlandbeautiful.org/ and of Downtown Midland, Inc. I have attended meetings, given feedback, and I have even been written of in the local paper! And not just that letter to the editor either, though I was particularly proud of that piece.

Yes, since I started blogging for Midland, my life has changed and I've met many good people. Just the other day, I met Miriam Parker http://www.miriamparker.com/ (Hi Miriam!) who I found to be a far superior and entertaining writer than... well, even me! (It's not easy to admit that, people. After all, I'm darn good! Admit it!) *grin*

Anyway, through the internet and this journal-like medium which has seen hundreds of visitors and thousands of visits, I have met wonderful people and I'm learning a lot about the world. I have seen how much an impact my words can have on others. I have gotten a good perspective and seen just how small of an ant I am, even in a little place like Midland. And I have learned the importance of communication, and the bonds communication creates.

So... Greetings to my friends both near and far. Thank you for coming around and know that I think of you all often and more importantly... wonder who you are? (Those of you who are reading and don't write back, that is. ;)

Have a great day and tomorrow, I hope to resume my series on thoughts to think about... or whatever I called it.

...I promise to be more literary tomorrow. I'm just enjoying a day with no phone ringing off the wall! *sigh*

Cleaning up Downtown: The Reality

Hello again everyone! How's things? You know, you could talk to me if you wanted to.
Drop a line anytime: snowshadower33@yahoo.com
Thanks!

So! I had the pleasure of meeting Doreen Richardson, Executive Director of Keep Midland Beautiful. She is a wonderfully upbeat and energized person working harder than any of us know at getting and keeping Midland looking as good as it possibly can.

Doreen and I discussed the possibility of getting a volunteer rally of sorts together and working on downtown Midland: cleaning, sweeping, painting, etc. She is, thankfully, familiar with downtown Fort Worth and knows where I am coming from when I explain my ideas. We were in complete agreement that simple "cleaning house" is the place to begin and that we could then move on from there. But, (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?) the reality of getting something like this to happen is contingent upon getting the downtown business owners involved.

The Midland Municiple Management District (MMMD) is an entity composed of all the business owners downtown, and they have been and are taking steps to market their territory. The bad news is, while looking at the big picture, downtown is falling apart on a "Right Now" basis. Basic upkeep needs to be done, but wouldn't it be great to kick that off in a big way? Yes.

SO... if any of you reading this are members of the MMMD or know someone that is, or has a business in downtown Midland, CONTACT ME! My e-mail is up above and I check it multiple times a day. We have a lot of really easy work that needs to be done, but it is going to take some coordination and TEAMWORK. I don't have all the contacts in the world, but we all know someone. With a little help, we can coordinate a clean-up effort that will make Midlanders realize that Yes: We can ALL have an impact and improve out city!

And in the end, isn't that what Midland is all about? Doing better. Making an impact.
Drop me a line... TODAY!

Thank you!
John A.E. Boswell
Midlander since 1973

It's time to clean up this town!

Greetings everyone! Just a quick note here... wanted to "drop a bug" in your ear and see what you thought about this idea.

Talking to people on the Midland Forum (link is to the left), I came up with the idea of getting volunteers together to do genuine and actual CLEANING of downtown Midland. Novel idea, huh?

Anyhow, I have a meeting set up next week with Doreen Richardson of Keep Midland Beautiful to share with her my ideas and examples and ... well, thought I'd toss the idea out on this here blog and look for feedback.

Is this something that might interest you?
Are you concerned with downtown Midland and would like to help clean it up?
Are you capable of washing windows? picking up trash? painting curbs? telling someone else to do all that?

Well, put down that darn mouse and drop me a line! Okay, you can pick up the mouse now, but click on "Comments" and tell me who you are or e-mail me and let me know if you'd be interested in this or have ideas on it. snowshadower33@yahoo.com

It's time to Clean Up This Town! Grab a rag, broom or paint brush and follow me...

This just in... LAN POWERS PASSED HIS BLACK BELT EXAM !!

..... FLASH.... .....FLASH....

.............URGENT BULLETIN................

Dateline: June 6, 2005
Midland, Texas

Regional Rapscallion Reaps Rewards In Martial Arts Exam!

While partaking in a martial arts seminar in Houston, Texas, local businessman and entrepreneur, LAN POWERS, under went testing for the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt). Multiple sources have confirmed this story, and now your faithful reporter has exclusive statements from Mr. Powers "brothers-in-arms."

"I see what it is." says Sensei John Couch. "Lan's been sandbaggin'! We all knew he was 'okay,' but he's been holding back and wanting to show off in front of his buddy Robert down there in Houston! See, now the pressure is on Robert to kick it into gear and get promoted." John Couch, Shodan Midland, TX

"Sure he passed his test, but can he park backward?" asks Sensei Michael Cervantes. "See, if he can do that AND listen to Carlos Santana without rockin' out and wrecking his truck... then we'll really know he's black belt material" Michael says with a wink and a grin.

"You have to look at testing with a Zen attitude" says Lan's instructor, Sensei John H. Riggs III, Esquire, Yondan, D.C., D.A.B.D.A. "One is either ready for a test or one is not ready for a test. In this case, it was a simple matter of catching Lan before he had a chance to run out the door, toss him into oyowaza highfall and pin him to the mat by extending my Ki... until Kato Shihan was ready to call him up to take the test. Piece of cake really... throwing Lan around, that is. Lan? Oh... he was a nervous wreak!"

Friends back in Midland cheered at the news of Mr. Powers announcement of passing the test. Said one fellow," yeah ." And there was much rejoicing.

.....STAY TUNED FOR MORE.......

On Excellence

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
-Aristotle

Of all the habits people develop in the world, wouldn't it be nice if we could instill this one first?

I have always been a "jack of all trades, master of none." Not sure who came up with that idea, but when I find the sorry sonuvab... I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. What a curse it is, to know "something" about everything and have no true skill to use it, desire to peruse it, willingness to stick to it or persistence to follow it through.

Over the weekend, I saw my nephew graduate from St. Stephens in Austin. He is going on to Embry-Riddle in Arizona... a school that only accepts the best. Afterwards, I went to visit my eldest brother in Comfort, TX and stay at his home, a landmark for excellence: groomed flowerbeds, trees, everything. You can't help but be inspired there. He truly is what he repeatedly does.

Well, about 3 years ago, I started a martial art with the intention of seeing something through. Starting it and never letting it go. So far, I'm doing good at that. Times are getting tough, but I'm sticking with it. However, my wife and I learned yesterday after testing for the third time... that she is "with child." The shock of it all is still sinking in, but a blessing it truly will be.

But right now... all I can think about, all I can hope for, all I can pray and wish and beg of God... is that this child be NOT like me. Instead, I hope that our future child develop the habit of Excellence: never settle for second best, never start something and walk away, never take "no" for an answer and never resolve to accept something... when everyone knows better.

I'm still working on my habit of excellence. I hope to have it somewhat "down" when baby shows up on the scene. Time will be my judge... and my wife of course! ;)