When you are in the mood for excellent Mediterranean cuisine, I'm sure Preston Highway is where you would expect to find it, right? Well, maybe not. But if you overlook Mirage based simply on its location (with our signature "restaurant rows" nowhere in sight) you are missing out! For my money, Mirage is the best in the city. Their menu is varied, from the traditional gyro to an array of stewed dishes. Even if you are not well versed in Mediterranean food, there is something for every taste.
Based on a few recent visits, Mirage is hardly a secret, however. Diners from all walks of life seem to have not only found this place, but apparently share my affection for it as well. The restaurant has transformed an old concrete building into an attractive dining space. There is seating for about 50 diners inside and another dozen or so on the patio. The kitchen is typically run by one person at a time so a little (not too much) patience is necessary. The service is always friendly, though and the food is certainly worth the wait!
I have never had a bad meal in perhaps 15-20 visits, but I almost always get the gyro. The Mirage version ranks up there with virtually any I have had, including the street vendors of New York City. They use Halal meats (a top brand in the industry) and a lavash-like flatbread (thinner than a traditional pita) and roll it almost like a burrito or soft taco, for minimal mess. Their tzatziki (yogurt/cucumber based) sauce is excellent and you can add your choice of vegetables and other toppings.
My wife is not much of a meat eater. She loves their falafel (fried chickpea fritters in either sandwich form or served on a plate), but usually orders the salad plate which includes a combination of your choice of 4 traditional Mediterranean salads. My 3-year-old son also loves Mirage and asks for it by name. He is a huge fan of their lentil rice!
If you go with a few friends and cannot decide what to get, you can always order one of the Mirage sampler platters. There is the smaller "Mirage Special" which feeds 2-3 and the "Mirage Super Special" that can feed 4-6. Each feature many Mirage favorites including varied meat skewers, rice and vegetables. The larger one adds gyro meat as well. If you wish to make substitutions I am sure it would be no problem as they are very willing to accommodate.
Trust me, I love going to restaurants on Bardstown Rd and Frankfort Ave. I grew up in those areas. You also get to take in quite a bit of eclectic Louisville culture around that way. Mirage is worth the trip, though (and its not that far). It is just off the Watterson Expressway. Discover what many others in the city already have. You will not be disappointed.
Go Cards!
If you go:
Mirage Mediterranean Restaurant
4100 Preston Hwy
Louisville, KY 40213
502-363-7788
All major credit cards accepted
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
No Choice in the Matter
I would not generally use this forum to discuss extremely heavy topics. With the election nearing and the endless debate on same-sex marriage, however, I feel it is necessary to weigh in. Now, my goal is not to change your political affiliation. I simply want to educate those in need. This remains a very sensitive issue, but should it continue to be?
The term "sexual preference" is not as accurate as "sexual orientation". The word 'preference' implies that there was a conscious choice. There are many differing opinions on the matter, but I can assure you, homosexuals do not choose to be gay! Given the general attitude our society has towards the gay and lesbian population, why would they "choose" to live their lives that way? The only real choice homosexuals have is whether or not to let the rest of the world know. That is a tough choice to make.
Which is more painful...living a lie or finding out who your true friends and family are? I have known people that have been "disowned" by the people that raised them, ridiculed by the people that once thought highly of them, and stepped on by a society that is not nearly as accepting as it claims to be. Would a poor black kid from the inner-city streets choose to be gay? Would a white kid from rural Kentucky choose to be gay? What cannot be argued is that these people exist. This is not to imply that an affluent family couldn't be just as close-minded, but the reality is, families with fewer financial resources tend to be less educated than those who have money. Education and awareness are key components to becoming a truly accepting nation.
Most hate and prejudices are derived from fear. A fear of what we do not know or understand. The kind of education needed in this case does not come from books or school, though. It comes from life experience. Financial freedom affords opportunities to travel and experience different cultures. Living in a certain part of the country or having limited funds does not excuse bigotry, however. As I have written before, every sub-category of people contains assholes. It is up to you to judge each person individually. Do not let a single bad experience influence your opinion over an entire race, religion or community. By taking the time to get to know an individual, an informed decision can be made about that one person, but not about every person from a particular group to which they belong.
You probably have daily encounters with people in which you have no idea are gay. Would knowing that they are gay change your opinion of them? They are still the same person, right? Understanding that it is not a choice is the first step towards acceptance. Everybody deserves to be loved and to love freely, without fear of religious or legal persecution.
What happened to separation of Church and State anyway? How else can you explain making same-sex marriage illegal? I do not mean to downplay the significance of marriage, but to put it simply, marriage is a legal document. To deny a same-sex couple this right is clearly discrimination. As long as they are consenting (non-related) adults, why shouldn't they have the same legal rights in which a heterosexual couple is entitled? Gay people do not want to marry in an effort to take advantage of the system. They want to get married for the same reason a heterosexual couple does: To provide the ultimate symbol of commitment to their significant other.
This is not a debate of religion or morality. This is about people, and we should all have the same rights and privileges according to the law. Gay people are not monsters. They cannot be thrown into the same category as pedophiles and other sexual deviants. Many people will try, but this really couldn't be more off base. Gay people are our sons, our daughters, our teachers, our doctors, our parents, our loved ones. Gay people are people and it is time we started to treat them that way.
Go Cards!
The term "sexual preference" is not as accurate as "sexual orientation". The word 'preference' implies that there was a conscious choice. There are many differing opinions on the matter, but I can assure you, homosexuals do not choose to be gay! Given the general attitude our society has towards the gay and lesbian population, why would they "choose" to live their lives that way? The only real choice homosexuals have is whether or not to let the rest of the world know. That is a tough choice to make.
Which is more painful...living a lie or finding out who your true friends and family are? I have known people that have been "disowned" by the people that raised them, ridiculed by the people that once thought highly of them, and stepped on by a society that is not nearly as accepting as it claims to be. Would a poor black kid from the inner-city streets choose to be gay? Would a white kid from rural Kentucky choose to be gay? What cannot be argued is that these people exist. This is not to imply that an affluent family couldn't be just as close-minded, but the reality is, families with fewer financial resources tend to be less educated than those who have money. Education and awareness are key components to becoming a truly accepting nation.
Most hate and prejudices are derived from fear. A fear of what we do not know or understand. The kind of education needed in this case does not come from books or school, though. It comes from life experience. Financial freedom affords opportunities to travel and experience different cultures. Living in a certain part of the country or having limited funds does not excuse bigotry, however. As I have written before, every sub-category of people contains assholes. It is up to you to judge each person individually. Do not let a single bad experience influence your opinion over an entire race, religion or community. By taking the time to get to know an individual, an informed decision can be made about that one person, but not about every person from a particular group to which they belong.
You probably have daily encounters with people in which you have no idea are gay. Would knowing that they are gay change your opinion of them? They are still the same person, right? Understanding that it is not a choice is the first step towards acceptance. Everybody deserves to be loved and to love freely, without fear of religious or legal persecution.
What happened to separation of Church and State anyway? How else can you explain making same-sex marriage illegal? I do not mean to downplay the significance of marriage, but to put it simply, marriage is a legal document. To deny a same-sex couple this right is clearly discrimination. As long as they are consenting (non-related) adults, why shouldn't they have the same legal rights in which a heterosexual couple is entitled? Gay people do not want to marry in an effort to take advantage of the system. They want to get married for the same reason a heterosexual couple does: To provide the ultimate symbol of commitment to their significant other.
This is not a debate of religion or morality. This is about people, and we should all have the same rights and privileges according to the law. Gay people are not monsters. They cannot be thrown into the same category as pedophiles and other sexual deviants. Many people will try, but this really couldn't be more off base. Gay people are our sons, our daughters, our teachers, our doctors, our parents, our loved ones. Gay people are people and it is time we started to treat them that way.
Go Cards!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Hard to Hate THESE Cats
Many people, this week, will be writing about the epic showdown between the Cards and the Cats in the Final Four on Saturday. My take, however, is a bit different. Perhaps even greatly unexpected of me by my 11 loyal followers and my ehhem (throat clearing) hundreds of other readers. I do not hate this Kentucky basketball squad. I have always been (and always will be) an unwavering supporter of my Cardinals. But Kentucky is our state school and I have tried my best to support them through the years as well. Recently, it has just been much more difficult.
See, "fan" is short for fanatic. People are absolutely nuts about their teams. As a result of this craziness, most fans are so blinded by the team / school they cheer for, they cannot possibly offer an objective opinion. My father (love you dad) for example, hates all things UK. He says it is because of their fans, but to me, that makes him no better than them. I like to think that I am a pretty rational fan, though. I can provide an honest evaluation of the team I root for, but also for our most bitter rival. If our team is awful, I will say it. If their team is great, I will say it. The problem with being a Louisville fan in the state of Kentucky, though, is that we are so vastly outnumbered. It is the voice of the obnoxious few that drowns the large number of respectful fans from both fan bases. When you draw from the entire state as UK does, by default there are many more obnoxious supporters.
I have never liked John Calipari. This distaste dates back to when he was the coach of our second most hated rival, Memphis. Regardless of his shady past and the personal animosity I feel towards him, I have learned to respect him as a coach. Even if they had the talent, there are very few coaches that could have done as much as Calipari has with it. It is very difficult to cater to all of those egos. To get that many great players to buy in for one season is pretty remarkable. Many people will continue to dismiss his actual coaching ability. I used to be one of them. But the last two years have changed my mind.
That ties into why it is so hard for me to hate THESE Cats. You look at a roster with six potential first round NBA draft picks and it is easy to appreciate their raw ability on the basketball court. What has most impressed me though, is the way they conduct themselves off of it. With the exception of maybe Terrence Jones, this seems to be a very humble group. They may know how great they are (and they should), but they never appear to come across as arrogant. That was not true of the DeMarcus Cousins / John Wall squad, in my opinion.
Again, you may say it is easy to win with all of that talent, but I think the character of this Kentucky team is demonstrated through their defensive intensity and unselfish play. They are the number one team in the country in field goal percentage defense and they have six guys that average double figures in scoring. They have great individual talent, but without great team play, you won't get very far. Just ask Connecticut.
Obviously as a Cards fan, I would want nothing more than to beat Kentucky, especially on college basketball's biggest stage. I am a realist, however, and know that it would be a monumental upset. I will not concede anything. The game still has to be played. But losing to this Kentucky team would be much easier to accept than those of years past. Both because they are clearly the better team on paper and because they conduct themselves much more maturely than previous versions of youthful Kentucky squads.
Don't get it twisted though! I love the Cards more than almost anything in my life. I may have respect for the Cats and appreciate their excellence, but I rarely experience greater joy than when my Cardinals beat Kentucky. If we win on Saturday I will probably cry. If we lose, I will not throw myself off of a cliff. Can you say the same, Kentucky fans? Sorry, couldn't help it!
Go Cards!
See, "fan" is short for fanatic. People are absolutely nuts about their teams. As a result of this craziness, most fans are so blinded by the team / school they cheer for, they cannot possibly offer an objective opinion. My father (love you dad) for example, hates all things UK. He says it is because of their fans, but to me, that makes him no better than them. I like to think that I am a pretty rational fan, though. I can provide an honest evaluation of the team I root for, but also for our most bitter rival. If our team is awful, I will say it. If their team is great, I will say it. The problem with being a Louisville fan in the state of Kentucky, though, is that we are so vastly outnumbered. It is the voice of the obnoxious few that drowns the large number of respectful fans from both fan bases. When you draw from the entire state as UK does, by default there are many more obnoxious supporters.
I have never liked John Calipari. This distaste dates back to when he was the coach of our second most hated rival, Memphis. Regardless of his shady past and the personal animosity I feel towards him, I have learned to respect him as a coach. Even if they had the talent, there are very few coaches that could have done as much as Calipari has with it. It is very difficult to cater to all of those egos. To get that many great players to buy in for one season is pretty remarkable. Many people will continue to dismiss his actual coaching ability. I used to be one of them. But the last two years have changed my mind.
That ties into why it is so hard for me to hate THESE Cats. You look at a roster with six potential first round NBA draft picks and it is easy to appreciate their raw ability on the basketball court. What has most impressed me though, is the way they conduct themselves off of it. With the exception of maybe Terrence Jones, this seems to be a very humble group. They may know how great they are (and they should), but they never appear to come across as arrogant. That was not true of the DeMarcus Cousins / John Wall squad, in my opinion.
Again, you may say it is easy to win with all of that talent, but I think the character of this Kentucky team is demonstrated through their defensive intensity and unselfish play. They are the number one team in the country in field goal percentage defense and they have six guys that average double figures in scoring. They have great individual talent, but without great team play, you won't get very far. Just ask Connecticut.
Obviously as a Cards fan, I would want nothing more than to beat Kentucky, especially on college basketball's biggest stage. I am a realist, however, and know that it would be a monumental upset. I will not concede anything. The game still has to be played. But losing to this Kentucky team would be much easier to accept than those of years past. Both because they are clearly the better team on paper and because they conduct themselves much more maturely than previous versions of youthful Kentucky squads.
Don't get it twisted though! I love the Cards more than almost anything in my life. I may have respect for the Cats and appreciate their excellence, but I rarely experience greater joy than when my Cardinals beat Kentucky. If we win on Saturday I will probably cry. If we lose, I will not throw myself off of a cliff. Can you say the same, Kentucky fans? Sorry, couldn't help it!
Go Cards!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Local Talent Spotlight: The Winston Hours
As a lover of and advocate for our city, I feel a sense of duty and pride in supporting our local purveyors. Of course this is true for our restaurants and shops, but also for our artists and entertainers. Louisville has always had a thriving music scene and The Winston Hours may have a shot at being "the next big thing". The talented quartet consists of Taylor Nicholson (lead vocals / guitar), Russell Allen (base / keyboards), Nick Beach (drums), and Jim Bob Brown (keyboards / vocals).
Their style is a melodic form of rock similar to indie. Their songs (they do write their own music) are harmony driven and designed to have mass appeal. Some of the bands influences include Arcade Fire, Avett Brothers, and The Killers.
Taylor's voice is soothing. He knows his range and stays within it well. There are a few tracks, however, where the decibels are raised quite a bit, but nothing resembling heavy metal. Nick, Russell, and Jim Bob have been friends for years. They have performed in several local bands both together and separately from each other. When their most recent band, well, disbanded they were fortunate enough to come in contact with Taylor to complete the current lineup in August of 2011.
Each member is uniquely gifted. One of my friends referred to Nick as "the best drummer I have ever heard live". They are one of the few bands anywhere that sound just as good in person as they do in studio. The Winston Hours have played at many local venues including Wick's, Mag Bar, and The Grand in New Albany, to name a few. You can also catch them tonight at Phoenix Hill Tavern.
The Winston Hours need your help in reaching their real musical dreams, though. They have an opportunity to play in the Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands. Thousands of bands have entered, but only a few hundred will get to compete. Eighty-six Hard Rock Cafes are hosting preliminary events in their respective cities. The one winning band will be flown to London to play "Hard Rock Calling" in Hyde Park. The Winston Hours need your vote! In order to be considered, they must first get selected to play at the Hard Rock Cafe here in Louisville. Go to http://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafelouisville and follow the voting instructions. You can also learn more at http://www.reverbnation.com/. The voting ends at 11:59 PM on February 6th so hurry!
If you can't make it to see the band play live this evening, go to their facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Winston-Hours/109849309098729. There, you can hear some of their songs and view the band's profile. Support you local artists!
Go Cards!
Their style is a melodic form of rock similar to indie. Their songs (they do write their own music) are harmony driven and designed to have mass appeal. Some of the bands influences include Arcade Fire, Avett Brothers, and The Killers.
Taylor's voice is soothing. He knows his range and stays within it well. There are a few tracks, however, where the decibels are raised quite a bit, but nothing resembling heavy metal. Nick, Russell, and Jim Bob have been friends for years. They have performed in several local bands both together and separately from each other. When their most recent band, well, disbanded they were fortunate enough to come in contact with Taylor to complete the current lineup in August of 2011.
Each member is uniquely gifted. One of my friends referred to Nick as "the best drummer I have ever heard live". They are one of the few bands anywhere that sound just as good in person as they do in studio. The Winston Hours have played at many local venues including Wick's, Mag Bar, and The Grand in New Albany, to name a few. You can also catch them tonight at Phoenix Hill Tavern.
The Winston Hours need your help in reaching their real musical dreams, though. They have an opportunity to play in the Hard Rock Rising Global Battle of the Bands. Thousands of bands have entered, but only a few hundred will get to compete. Eighty-six Hard Rock Cafes are hosting preliminary events in their respective cities. The one winning band will be flown to London to play "Hard Rock Calling" in Hyde Park. The Winston Hours need your vote! In order to be considered, they must first get selected to play at the Hard Rock Cafe here in Louisville. Go to http://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafelouisville and follow the voting instructions. You can also learn more at http://www.reverbnation.com/. The voting ends at 11:59 PM on February 6th so hurry!
If you can't make it to see the band play live this evening, go to their facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Winston-Hours/109849309098729. There, you can hear some of their songs and view the band's profile. Support you local artists!
Go Cards!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Fitness Test For Refs?
As you know, I am a huge Louisville Cardinals fan. My mood can be very much affected by how my Cardinals perform in a given sporting event. I attend most U of L home basketball games and find it quite disturbing that we can't seem to get a call on our own court! Of course some may assume that this is just my biased opinion as a fan. Perhaps that is true to a degree, but my friend, who happens to be a die hard Kentucky fan, reiterated those same sentiments after a U of L game he recently attended.
I am not trying to suggest that there is some sort of conspiracy against my Cardinals, but there does seem to be an alarming trend. Assuming the referees don't actually have it out for Louisville, there may be a way to help remedy the situation: Get new officials! No, not because the current ones are all corrupt, but because they are just too darn old! The vast majority of referees in major college basketball are way too old and out of shape to keep up with the elite athletes running up and down the floor.
I realize that there are certainly some elderly people that have a high level of cardiovascular fitness, and plenty of young people that couldn't jog to the end of their driveway. My question would be: What is the fitness criteria (if any) a college basketball referee must meet in order to prove that they can carry out their responsibilities on the court? If there is not something in place, then there should be. And if they have something in place already, it needs to be reevaluated.
I understand that officials are human and they will not always make the correct call. The game is played at a fast pace and we often miss things in live action. There is no excuse, however, for not being in the proper position to make the call. When a ref makes an incorrect call because they were trailing the play and didn't see what actually happened, I get very frustrated.
If you are a referee at the highest level of college basketball, you should be one of the best officials in sports. Unfortunately, it appears that the same refs that were running the floor when Denny Crum started his coaching career are the same ones attempting to run the floor now. It's time for a new standard for officiating to be set, not to mention some new bodies.
Go Cards!
I am not trying to suggest that there is some sort of conspiracy against my Cardinals, but there does seem to be an alarming trend. Assuming the referees don't actually have it out for Louisville, there may be a way to help remedy the situation: Get new officials! No, not because the current ones are all corrupt, but because they are just too darn old! The vast majority of referees in major college basketball are way too old and out of shape to keep up with the elite athletes running up and down the floor.
I realize that there are certainly some elderly people that have a high level of cardiovascular fitness, and plenty of young people that couldn't jog to the end of their driveway. My question would be: What is the fitness criteria (if any) a college basketball referee must meet in order to prove that they can carry out their responsibilities on the court? If there is not something in place, then there should be. And if they have something in place already, it needs to be reevaluated.
I understand that officials are human and they will not always make the correct call. The game is played at a fast pace and we often miss things in live action. There is no excuse, however, for not being in the proper position to make the call. When a ref makes an incorrect call because they were trailing the play and didn't see what actually happened, I get very frustrated.
If you are a referee at the highest level of college basketball, you should be one of the best officials in sports. Unfortunately, it appears that the same refs that were running the floor when Denny Crum started his coaching career are the same ones attempting to run the floor now. It's time for a new standard for officiating to be set, not to mention some new bodies.
Go Cards!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Poor City Planning?
This past Friday night I went downtown to watch the University of Louisville men's basketball game. This is not uncommon as I attend most games. This night was different, however, because "Light Up Louisville" had been scheduled for the same evening. There was to be an expected turnout of around 75,000 people for the event, plus 22,000 fans heading to the game. Needless to say, packing 100,000 people in the same vicinity downtown, was a traffic nightmare.
I drove around for 45 mins looking for some way to get to my regular parking spot, only to learn that a parade was going directly around where I needed to be. I eventually gave up and parked several blocks further away. Fortunately, it was a nice night and I am capable of making the trek. I am not sure who to blame for this debacle, but if the city knew of both events ahead of time (which I am not sure of how much notice they had, especially for the basketball game), making a change in the schedule would have been appropriate.
I am all for attracting people to our revitalized downtown, but this was not a well planned or well executed strategy. I realize that times for sporting events are often dictated by television and it may be the week of the game before you actually know what the game time is going to be. With that said, this was Louisville vs Ohio, a game that was not to be nationally televised. I am sure that "Light Up Louisville" had been planned some time in advance. You would think that something could have been done to prevent the craziness I experienced. Oh well, I made it, and the Cards won!
Go Cards!
I drove around for 45 mins looking for some way to get to my regular parking spot, only to learn that a parade was going directly around where I needed to be. I eventually gave up and parked several blocks further away. Fortunately, it was a nice night and I am capable of making the trek. I am not sure who to blame for this debacle, but if the city knew of both events ahead of time (which I am not sure of how much notice they had, especially for the basketball game), making a change in the schedule would have been appropriate.
I am all for attracting people to our revitalized downtown, but this was not a well planned or well executed strategy. I realize that times for sporting events are often dictated by television and it may be the week of the game before you actually know what the game time is going to be. With that said, this was Louisville vs Ohio, a game that was not to be nationally televised. I am sure that "Light Up Louisville" had been planned some time in advance. You would think that something could have been done to prevent the craziness I experienced. Oh well, I made it, and the Cards won!
Go Cards!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Family Comes First
I was taught at a very young age that nothing is more important than family. Family can mean different things to different people. Having lived here my entire life and, by virtue of being the offspring of people whose families have been in Louisville for several generations, my family is very much biological. My wife, however, is a first generation Louisvillian. Her family consists of people that her parents befriended when they first came here over 30 years ago. Through various organizations to which they belonged, they have developed life-long relationships. So, family is not always biological, but more so the people that you know you can depend on in any situation.
There is no doubt that life will test you. Regardless of your economic status, race, religion, sexual orientation; we all have our struggles. Whatever it takes for you to get through it is generally fine by me. One thing about life that is certain: none of us will make it out alive. I just feel that, while we're here, it is most important to focus on the things we can control.
I have lost several people that I was closely connected to recently. Many people will turn to God for the strength to get through times like these. Again, whatever it takes for you to get through this life, I will not judge. For me though, my family is who I look to for strength and who I try to be strong for.
My dear friend Justin Ford once wrote "I have approximate answers and possible beliefs and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything and there are many things I don't know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask why we're here." The truth is nobody can tell us for certain, what our purpose is. As individuals, we have to figure it out. One thing I am pretty certain about, however, is the importance of family. As you wander through life searching for answers to age-old questions, remember that you do control your own destiny...on Earth.
By focusing on doing what is necessary to take care of yourself and your family, and worrying less about how others take care of themselves and their families, I feel that people in general, can really get the most out of their lives. When I say that you control your own destiny, I mean it in a philosophical sense. I believe that all humans have and should be able to express their free will. In this country we can do that more so than in most others. You cannot control the situation you are born into, but you do have the ability to choose your own path as an adult. It may not be easy, but your reality is ultimately what you create within yourself.
I am an idealist. I can't help it. As I get older, I realize more and more that the world is not always fair or fun. I have been hardened by situations I have gone through, but I still remain eternally optimistic. I will get what I want out of this life. The road has been more difficult than I imagined it would be, but I will get to where I want to be. It is sad to me, though, that people as a whole remain so divided. Whether its religion, politics, ethnicity, or social status we are all subject to certain labels. I try to disprove stereotypes and stigmas, but again, I am an idealist.
As I've mentioned, I do not have a problem with people believing in certain things. I just don't want someone to try and force me to believe what they believe. You may suggest that I am trying to do just that in this post, but my goal is not to change your convictions. I just hope against hope that our society will eventually learn to live together peacefully. I realize that there will always be crime and heartache, but so much of it is baseless and truly tragic. If you do not like me, that's fine, but hopefully it is based on what you know about me as a person and not the fact that my family is Jewish or that I have freckles or dress a certain way. There are assholes in every subcategory of humans you can think of. It doesn't mean, however, that everyone from that particular subcategory is an asshole.
We have progressed so much in terms of technology, but as far as I can tell, the thought process for humans is very similar to that of humans 1000 years ago. Virtually every country has been annexed through war. Fighting and conquering. Is there no better way? I do not expect all of the world's problems to be solved, but I would like to see some global progression. What if today was your last day on Earth? Would you care about what God someone else believed in? Would you care about the skin color of the person sitting next to you?
The world will go on without me. This much I know. While I'm here though, I plan on enjoying the ride. It takes enough energy to be productive for those you care about. I really don't see a point in worrying about how others choose to live their lives. As long as it doesn't interfere with or infringe on my personal freedoms, I don't have a problem.
My family will always be my biggest influence. We do not always see eye to eye, but our love and respect for each other does not wain. There is an understanding; we don't always have to agree, but we are still family. It is an unbreakable bond. As long as I do right by my family, I will feel good about my time here.
After reading this piece you may think that I am unrealistic. You may be right. Maybe there is no hope for a better future, but I just can't help thinking that the future absolutely can be better. You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Go Cards!
There is no doubt that life will test you. Regardless of your economic status, race, religion, sexual orientation; we all have our struggles. Whatever it takes for you to get through it is generally fine by me. One thing about life that is certain: none of us will make it out alive. I just feel that, while we're here, it is most important to focus on the things we can control.
I have lost several people that I was closely connected to recently. Many people will turn to God for the strength to get through times like these. Again, whatever it takes for you to get through this life, I will not judge. For me though, my family is who I look to for strength and who I try to be strong for.
My dear friend Justin Ford once wrote "I have approximate answers and possible beliefs and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything and there are many things I don't know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask why we're here." The truth is nobody can tell us for certain, what our purpose is. As individuals, we have to figure it out. One thing I am pretty certain about, however, is the importance of family. As you wander through life searching for answers to age-old questions, remember that you do control your own destiny...on Earth.
By focusing on doing what is necessary to take care of yourself and your family, and worrying less about how others take care of themselves and their families, I feel that people in general, can really get the most out of their lives. When I say that you control your own destiny, I mean it in a philosophical sense. I believe that all humans have and should be able to express their free will. In this country we can do that more so than in most others. You cannot control the situation you are born into, but you do have the ability to choose your own path as an adult. It may not be easy, but your reality is ultimately what you create within yourself.
I am an idealist. I can't help it. As I get older, I realize more and more that the world is not always fair or fun. I have been hardened by situations I have gone through, but I still remain eternally optimistic. I will get what I want out of this life. The road has been more difficult than I imagined it would be, but I will get to where I want to be. It is sad to me, though, that people as a whole remain so divided. Whether its religion, politics, ethnicity, or social status we are all subject to certain labels. I try to disprove stereotypes and stigmas, but again, I am an idealist.
As I've mentioned, I do not have a problem with people believing in certain things. I just don't want someone to try and force me to believe what they believe. You may suggest that I am trying to do just that in this post, but my goal is not to change your convictions. I just hope against hope that our society will eventually learn to live together peacefully. I realize that there will always be crime and heartache, but so much of it is baseless and truly tragic. If you do not like me, that's fine, but hopefully it is based on what you know about me as a person and not the fact that my family is Jewish or that I have freckles or dress a certain way. There are assholes in every subcategory of humans you can think of. It doesn't mean, however, that everyone from that particular subcategory is an asshole.
We have progressed so much in terms of technology, but as far as I can tell, the thought process for humans is very similar to that of humans 1000 years ago. Virtually every country has been annexed through war. Fighting and conquering. Is there no better way? I do not expect all of the world's problems to be solved, but I would like to see some global progression. What if today was your last day on Earth? Would you care about what God someone else believed in? Would you care about the skin color of the person sitting next to you?
The world will go on without me. This much I know. While I'm here though, I plan on enjoying the ride. It takes enough energy to be productive for those you care about. I really don't see a point in worrying about how others choose to live their lives. As long as it doesn't interfere with or infringe on my personal freedoms, I don't have a problem.
My family will always be my biggest influence. We do not always see eye to eye, but our love and respect for each other does not wain. There is an understanding; we don't always have to agree, but we are still family. It is an unbreakable bond. As long as I do right by my family, I will feel good about my time here.
After reading this piece you may think that I am unrealistic. You may be right. Maybe there is no hope for a better future, but I just can't help thinking that the future absolutely can be better. You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Go Cards!
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