Failing Up

The Jenny Craig commercials are in full swing, the gym memberships are paid, all sweets have been put away, and resolutions are breaking like wind at a chilly cookoff. 
The diaper have come off baby 2024 and the year has aged quickly, with the same news only higher stakes.  The ball has dropped and we must grab ours, (metaphorically) as we embark on a roller-coaster ride like never seen before.  Time to participate.  Maybe the weight loss, gym, no dessert, resolutions can be put aside for some resolution we should strive for; peace, truth, and dignity for all.  Those are hard ones to keep, why? 

timothymahar.org

Forget the exercise and weight loss, or cutting back on desserts.  The New Year Resolution for 2024 needs to be Peace. 

timothymahar.org

On December 8th 1980 on a dark New City night, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, a man of peace was gunned down in the entrance of his apartment building.  From the time they landed in NYC on February 7th 1964 unit his death the Beatles and Lennon were a beacon for a baby boomer generation.  Shaping the music, fashion, pollical awareness they were in our DNA.  There was always a hope they would sing again.  The sharp witted outspoken Lennon a man of peace, gave so much, and when he was taken so was a strand of our DNA, but his voice and music live on. 

timothymahar.org

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It is a holiday of reflection and gratitude for me. Each football hiked, or balloon in the Macy Day Parade brings to life holidays gone by.  The smell and taste of traditional  family dishes bring to life those no longer with me.  Gratitude for the friends of years gone by and today, who I laughed with, and at times cried, loved. Those who saw something in me that I did not. Of course family.  This holiday takes me out of myself to think and pray for those suffering, scared, who have lost family, have no food. I have been carried on the shoulders of  heroes; and to all I am grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving! 

timothymahar.org

Every week, mostly on weekends. many individuals flock to the grocery store to purchase food and supplies for their family.  This ritual dates back to hunting expeditions leaving their shelters to hunt, and find materials.  Well, the modern day experience is not  that different.  People fighting over parking spaces, chasing down their prey no matter the cost. Prey, such as bananas, eggs 2% milk, cheese, cereal, baked goods. Then getting supplies, medicines for all to hear, paper towels soaps etc. You learn a lot about people by looking at their cart.  Of course, there is no dress code and you see the worst of those in their comfort clothes fresh out of bed. They always act surprised when they see someone they know,  (hey, they have to hunt too) and in some cases apologizes for being in their  pajamas or worse.  Thanksgiving is here. The hunt is on!!

timothymahar.org

If "they"  get your social security number you are screwed!  Why is that?
With our phones, social media and the cloud "they" know all about us, our favorite foods, where we vacation, our pet's names, heck they can even track us!  Damn, am I paranoid or what!  And who are "they"??  I know these are meaningless questions, but they do keep me up at night.  Is my social security number the firewall to my security, even when "they' know what kind of toothpaste I use? 

Also, whey do I have to take my shoes off at the airport?  All I have to do is purchase a premium ticket and I go through the express security line, shoes on.  Does the higher priced ticket or my flying status make my feet safer then the average flyer?   I am missing something.  I know I am. 

timothymahar.org

Before I reached the ripe old age of 30yrs, I was bald, had major knee surgery, a nice case of hemorrhoid's, (which is ok to talk about when you are older) and looked at least 60!  My mid-life crisis occurred prior to 30yrs of age.  

Now here I am finally looking my age, only really concerned with the prep for a coloscopy, and yes, getting all the perks of being a senior citizen!  Free large drinks at Taco Bell, young people apologizing for no reason when they see me, everyone talking loud at me.  (Ok, that one is a little annoying).   Police do not give me speeding tickets, because they are grateful I am not driving 10 MPH below the speed limit!  

Life has come full circle. I used to be at Denny's at 3:00am eating after a wild night out. Inhaling the Grand Slam Breakfast, to soothe the lining of my stomach from what ever I had filled it with.  Now, I find myself there again, taking advantage of the senior discount.
  

timothymahar.org

Road rage is old news, it is even expected and accepted as just another common occurrence while driving.     The new rage is shopping cart rage!  Inside the grocery store it is everyone for themselves!  People speeding through aisle intersections without looking, parking in the middle of the aisle blocking traffic, and driving stoned in the produce section.  Looks are exchange, words muttered and tempers frayed.  Pickup on aisle 5!!

timothymahar.org

Football and television came of age together. Some may say the 1950's were the golden age of television, but in fact it was the 1960's.  It was the  televised 1958 NFL championship game between the Baltimore Colts and the NY Giants, where the marriage was consummated.   The growth of both industries have run parallel  through the years, thus incorporating all forms entertainment and creating a national holiday. 
( Well kind of)

timothymahar.org

Not mighty armies, or dictators will rule the world.  The power and control goes to the few who pull the strings of (AI).  We in the so called developed countries have been conditioned for years to be dependent on and accepting of technology.  The lines between reality and what is not real have all but evaporated.  We have become dependent on what we can type.  Now there is an app to create you perfect mate on (AI). campaign ads on (AI) It is a scary place when few influence many through artificial intelligence.  Talk about control.  

timothymahar.org