Makes you think...sometimes

I sometimes wonder about the things I haven't done during my life because I thought of them as a big waste of time. Somethings I don't regret. Actually, most of them I don't regret.
I know I've wasted a lot of time and opportunity in my relatively brief time on Earth, but I've learned recently to not dwell on the past and look into the future. I'm thinking about that right now as I sit on the 21st floor of a rented condominium in Panama City. Yep, it's pretty freaking chilly out here, but a few years ago, I never would have though about spending Christmas Eve on a beach in Florida and if I did, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be looking at the sunset I'm looking at right now.
I've never been one to admire sunsets. Mainly because they've I haven't seen any that were that impressive. I have learned to appreciate them a little more these days. One reason is because I can see the sun set from my office overlooking the Mississippi River. But there is a lot to be said for watching it set over the ocean. One thing I can say is I've seen the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and now, ironically, I've seen it set over the Atlantic Ocean. As a person who has at times prided myself on not being too impressed with...well, anything or anybody, I can say that watching this particular sunset on Christmas Eve is the highlight of my year. And I actually had the presence of mind to take a photo of it.
Maybe I'm getting a bit older, or maybe I'm learning to actually appreciate the little things that I get to do instead of dwelling on the unimportant things I don't get to do. My life is good. I realize that and I'm reminded of it at least once or twice a week. I won't say that I'm becoming an optimist. I don't think that'll ever happen. See? An optimist would never have written those words.
I can say that I'm becoming more appreciative. I owe that to my wife. It's amazing how one person could have such a profound impact on another in so many unexpected ways. But here it is. Now the only question how long can I sit outside in a Northern Florida winter evening with shorts and a sweatshirt on.

It's been a long time since I left you a strong rhyme to step to. Think of how many weak blogs you slept through. Time's up, sorry I kept you.

So what's been missing lately? A little civility and way too much common sense. The world has lost its mind. The best thing about having a black president is white people no longer feel the need to conceal what they think. Any offensive, racist or straight up ignorant thing that comes to mind, they're all over. I've walked in offices and seen a picture of a witchdoctor with a bone through his nose and mouth. Look closer and Obama's face has been superimposed on it with the caption reading "Obamacare". And this was before healthcare reform passed.

"Nah, that's not racist at all," i said sarcastically, realizing I would be meeting with these guys for at least an hour.

"we like to have fun around here," preppy old fart #1 said, visibly uncomfortable that the black reporter he didn't think would make it to the back office had seen what wasn't to be seen.

"And that's the slightest bit racist," I said again before moving on and conducting the meeting.

It's been my experience that I'm not gonna like (or particularly be interested) in 56% of the people I interview throughout my career. Some I like more than others, some I like less. Then, there are the ones who I downright LOATHE. But it isn't always ignorant racist whites.

I tend to run into a lot of black people with an inflated sense of self, meaning they think they're a hell of a lot more important than they really are. And they want everyone else to acknowledge it. Bow Down! as Ice Cube would say. Most of the time, hilarity ensues. At other times I'm made sick to my stomach as I realize these are the people who may end up in charge of the city I live in. Next step, escape.