-
So, we've all seen the photo of the call girl on the yacht. We can all probably recite her various names and what she did prior to her meetings with the governor. Hell, we will soon know what happened at each of those meetings.

Quick - who invented the artificial heart?

We were introduced to the whole cast of characters surrounding Anna Nicole Smith. We all know who fathered her child, even though there was a long list of names. We know her lawyer, and her poor daughter. We know how and why her son died tragically.

Quick - who wrote The Great Gatsby.

We all have followed Britney in and out of rehab centers. We've seen her crotch shot a half a dozen times. We love the footage of her kissing Madonna (I do anyway) and we can't wait to see her on the sitcom.

Quick - name the doctor who saved the life of Buffalo Bills football player Kevin Everett. Or name the doctor who saved the life of hockey player Richard Zednik. Or name even one firefighter from September 11th. Or name the poor man who was on the flight over Pennsylvania who said - "Let's Roll."

We simply are drawn to the sordid, miserable details of lives gone bad. We love sensationalism and poor journalism. We shrug off the positive stories of good news.

Why is that? Can someone please explain why we are quick to downplay the truly heroic, and elevate the scum of the earth?

I suppose that it is a lot like watching a car crash. I imagine that the mundane routine of a typical life is somehow enhanced by the bad behavior of others.

Somewhere, somehow, we need to figure out that the people we should be following are those who aspire to do great things. It'll probably never happen, right?

Today's advice concerns the eye and what you are drawn to. It comes courtesy of Matthew 6:22-23. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness."

I'm going to think of that the next time I see the call girl on the yacht in that wonderful two-piece, white bikini. I don't need her in my mind's eye.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more