Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Something to Be Thankful For!

Thnaksgiving is two days away and my thoughts, as with many other people, is what we're thankful for. Let me start by saying that this year Lea and I are going out for Thanksgiving dinner to a restaurant. Fond memories of past Thanksgiving dinner debacles still dance in my head. There isn't anything quite like going to someone's house for Thanksgiving dinner and hoping to see a beautiful turkey, golden brown and waiting to be carved. Instead I see a pan with a bag containing a shredded turkey, completely unrecognizable to it's once majestic visage.  We had the bad forutne of going to Thanksgiving dinner where the turkey was a new breed. A breed that didn't have legs or wings. Our host decided to keep them for himself. Such a gracious, generous host on such a sharing day. I once had a host who ate dinner in the pantry instead of at the table with everyone else. Great manners on exhibit there too. Traveling on a plane to another state for Thanksgiving dinner is something i'll never do again. Expectations are high but quickly shattered when you're offered water with the appetizers. Rugs have been recently cleaned and we can't let our slovenly guests drop wine or beer on them. Let's not put out all our food for the guests that way we won't have any left for us later on when they've fianlly left. Great memories that aren't easily forgotten. So this year a fine restaurant to spend our Thanksgiving. A wonder turkey dinner with strangers.
 I am thankful for a wonderful wife, Kris and Nicholas, great pets, beautiful house, loyal tennis clients, good health and the opportunity to live my life on my terms. Hope you have as much to be thankful for too!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

What makes me what I am.

Twenty Three Chromosomes. $99 will get you the opportunity to see what your 23 chromosomes tell about your composition.  Subscribe and you can get a leaf to tell you about your ancestry. Anything to make a buck and give people a reason blame their behavior on their ancestry.
    I don't need any of these tools. I know I came from my mother's uterus. I, hopefully, believe it was my father's sperm that fertilized my egg. I know my mother was Armenian and my father was Polish. I know my paternal grandparents were from Austria. My maternal grandparents were from Armenia. None of them spoke English so I never did get the opportunity to ask them them about their pasts or form any sort of grandparent -grandchild bond. Just because I am Armenian doesn't mean I have an affection for camels or I eat only Armenian food. My Polish heritage doesn't mean that I have someone help me screw in a light bulb or eat only kielbasa.
  I don't think these have anything to do with who I am. I know I have a dual nationality but these are so far removed from my makeup.
  What makes me what I am are the things I have experienced in my life. The people I have met  and the events i have lived through have shaped my chromosomes into the person I am today. I don't have to point to character traits in nationalities to explain my behavior. I don't need old animosities towards other countries to explain my frustration and anger. I have lived my life not as a Pole or Armenian but as Don Krzan.
     So spend your money. Search to find why you are the person you are. Me, I'll just take a good at myself and try to see the person as I hope others see me.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Things I Miss and eDon`t Miss

Let me start by saying what I am missing is the right of everyone to have an opinion. Everyone has a right to speak and be heard. The protests these days that are are not permitting people to make public speeches is appalling. The fact that they are allowed to block speakers is more appalling.

I miss people with inner fortitude(commonly know as Balls) to express their views and actually maker a difference in everyday life.

I miss Green Stamps and waiting for the new Encyclopedia book to become available at the grocery store.

I miss the innocence of young children. As hard as parents try to shield their kids from the outside world they go school and hear and see what they are being shielded from.

I miss the time when there was only two genders. People can make up any gender they want to but there's still only two and yes, it may be hard to choose one but choosing none is an easy way out.

I miss Politicians with cajones. Now their only goal is to get reelected so they're eligible for the pension.

I miss having hope that people will actually change as they grow older. It seems that some will never change. These are the people who never reflect on their lives and are honest with themselves. I have become jaded as I've grown older.

I miss individualism. Every kid looks the same. Every guy has a beard and shaved hair. Tattoos are everywhere. I like being plain but plain these days is actually an individualistic behavior.

I don't miss Rhode Island.

I don't miss remembering my past.

I don't miss teaching High School.

I don't miss some members of my family.

I don't miss having neighbors ten feet from my house.

I don't miss working at a Tennis club.

I don't miss being able to afford only cheap seats at an event.

I do miss my friends who have died and my pets I've had to put down.

When I die.  I don't want to pass. Please no candle light vigil. Have the people use their time more wisely by volunteering at an animal shelter.


Friday, May 5, 2017

New Likes and Loathes

Hi! I'm back. I have been gone for a while. It has given me time to ruminate and have something to talk about.

Let's begin with medications. We are inundated with new medications with clever commercials and catchy names that have nothing to do with the real drugs involved. Let me give some of my own.

Justaskme,  a drug that if you'd ask me I'd tell you to run as far away from the prescription as possible.

Youbestupid, you would if you wanted any of the side effects associated with this drug.

Worseoff, yes, you can't improve with this prescription.

None of these would ever be sold over the counter because then the drug companies couldn't charge outrageous prices.

I want to develop an app for people's phones so they can see how many lights don't work on their cars. It would take a picture of the non functioning light and post it on Facebook so everyone could see the  car whose owner doesn't occasionally inspect their vehicles.

Some final thoughts.
Live PD is a very good show.
Nothing like eggs from our chickens
I can actually say that since we got chickens I am really hen pecked
Hens make great pets
Life has been good
I still love Florida
I miss typing on a typewriter
I miss changing my own car's oil
I don't miss cutting my lawn
Social media is good for one thing  finding something you lost
Having a wife is good but having a wife who is also your partner is great

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

R- E- S- P- E- C- T

Respect is a word that has been forgotten in these troubled times. These times are troubled by the lack of respect present in our society. Respect is a two way street. If you give respect then you have the right to expect it also. If you don't give respect to others' titles, ranks, and positions then you should expect no respect in return. I try to respect others and their views. The citizens of our country have chosen to lose respect for people who have different views from theirs. They have broken off friendships, insulted their parents and have convinced themselves that they, self righteously, have the only correct opinion. They think that one's political beliefs define the whole character of an individual. It is impossible to overlook this opinion. Don't worry about all the character flaws every one has.  This one is a deal breaker. Don't be my friend anymore. Your values are so flawed, how could I associate with you? Oh wait! These criticizers don't have any flaws, no warts, no bad decisions in their lives.
No one has unfriended them for some flaw in their character.
All this energy now that the election is over. Where was all this passion during the months leading up to the election.? How many rallies did you attend? How much financial support did you give to your candidate? Did you even vote? If not you need to reevaluate your passion. The world loves to see unions torn apart. Instead of trying to bring the country together it is being ripped asunder. Little children crying in school after the election is over because of despicable parents. Old enough to vote, old enough to have a voice. The Congress is based on two houses with different political parties. All of them speak with respect to each other, respecting diffrent points of view. Differing on politics but working to join the country.
  I will tolerate anyone's political view. I won't ruin a friendship or a family tie because of it. I know  what it takes to have relationships and I don't want anyone that thinks exactly the way I do. I enjoy conversations with differnet points of view. I enjoy the banter. I realize that maybe I'm able to see the other's side points. No one is ever 100 per cent right or wrong.

Intolerance is something that is being fought against on many fronts in this country. It seems funny that the segment of people who want intolearnce to end are the ones who still practice it. Intolerance is something practiced  by elitist people. People who somehow think that they are the superior species. People who don't understand that if you don't give repsect you shouldn't expect it towards you regardless of your title or position.
Finally, anyone who speaks ill or makes any transgression against any member of my family will incur my wrath.