A life in progress

I haven't written anything in almost six months.  After I wrote about the tragic shooting that rocked Las Vegas on October 1, 2017, I truly hoped we as Americans could have a honest discussion about common sense gun reform.  As well all know, that didn't happen.  Instead, the country screamed conspiracy theories, how this must be an act of Islamic terrorism, and how casino security should be increased to prevent this sort of thing from happening. 59 people died, nearly 600 more were treated for injuries serious enough for emergency treatment, and thousands more sought treatment elsewhere, or patched themselves up with first aid.  I don't know that we will ever really know how many people were injured.  Needless to say, it was hundreds, if not thousands. The fact that nothing happened, and our own Nevada Senator Dean Heller voted against common sense gun restrictions just days after the shooting was so unbelievable.  I was saddened by the realization that ...

Every year, October really irritates me... for a number of reasons.  Partially because of all of the pumpkin spice nonsense... Seriously.  I think they are terrible.  So terrible.  They taste like sugar and regret.  A little bit like coffee. Anyway, that's not what this is about.  There's another reason that I don't like October. (Sexy Twizzlers, in case you didn't catch it) <sigh>  Make that a two reasons...  Yup -- the pink ribbon.  I HATE the pink ribbon.  And I hear you all screaming right now.  "What?!  Breast Cancer is BAD.  How can you be against breast cancer awareness?!  Are you FOR breast cancer?  Are you a MONSTER??" Short answer - no.  Not a monster, not pro-cancer.  Cancer = bad.  That's a pretty easy side of the fence to be on. As a matter of fact, I have a personal history of breast cancer.  One day about 10 years ago I was attempting ...

Dear America, I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a conflicted mind.  As you know, last weekend, we were rocked by an unimaginable tragedy that has affected all of our two million citizens.  Most people don't realize there are two million of us. Here's a map for context: (Source: NASA image, circa 2010) To orient you, the red areas are parks and golf courses; the grey areas are buildings; the brown is undeveloped desert.  In total, the metro area covers about 600 square miles.  It is massive.  However, most people don't think of much beyond the casinos and the Las Vegas Strip - which, for reference is that darker grey swath that cuts kind of diagonally through the lower center, with the airport slightly to its east.  For the past week, all of us have been trying to grapple with the idea of someone - for whatever reason - opening fire on a crowd of innocent people, as if it was the opening scene of the latest Hollywood action fi...