Happy St. Patrick's Day...and some other stuff..

Hey, it's that time again, kids! Time to dust off your clogs, strap on a snare drum and put a set of bagpipes under arms and give it a hug - it's St. Patrick's Day! What does that mean? It's an excuse to drink! AS IF WE NEEDED AN EXCUSE???? Here's what I don't get: We're all Irish for a day once a year - but why aren't we all Greek, Italian, German, Swiss, French, etc for one day throughout the year, too? OK, the Irish built the railroads...and without the French, we'd still be British. It just seems a trifle unfair to the rest of the nationalities that make up this gigantic Melting Pot. Nope, I say we become equal opportunity offenders and have the following list of holidays (note, they all center around food - just to make it easier):
Germany: Kraut Day.
Italian: Pasta Day
Swiss: Gruyere and Chocolate Day
Hungarian: Paprika Day
Russian: Borscht Day (What - it was that or Vodka Day...I approve of both)
English: Pudding Day
Scottish: Haggis and Scotch Day (minus the Haggis, if you prefer)
Irish: Shepherd's Pie Day
Polish: Kielbasa Day
Spanish: Piaella Day (or Everything Saffron Day - you can pick)
Greek: Baklava Day (apologies for spelling errors)
Chinese: General Tso's Day
Japanese: Sushi Day
Thailand: Pad Thai Day
Indian: Curry Day

I dunno - these are just a few that I can come up with off the top of my head. There are tons of possibilities and I think we should explore them all!

But in the realm of things that actually can/do happen - the Fat Kid had an experience yesterday that he's never had before, and I am now qualified to write for "Law and Order." See, about a month ago, I witnessed a hit & run accident where a motorcylist was slammed into by a truck. Since I was there and saw it, I hung around and gave the officers who showed up on the scene all the info I could on the truck, the driver, the scenario, etc. Technically, that's the law - you're supposed to do it - and yet, I'm sure that plenty of folks didn't stick around. So, they finally called me, wanting me to come down to the station and look at some photos. Talk about exciting! I get to be that person they bring into the police station to ID a "perp" - You know, the one the defense attorney cross-examines and makes to look like an idiot on the stand because it's been a month and I really couldn't be 100% sure of what I saw after all that time. I GOT TO BE THAT GUY! This stuff really happens!!!

And that's when I realize something: I have the power to really mess up someone's life, too. This is serious. What happens if I pick the wrong guy? What happens to him? Am I now responsible for a downward turn in his life? If I pick anyone out of those pictures, I had better be sure of it. There's no room for error. Now, in this case, the police have the vehicle. They know who did it - they just need someone to ID the right picture that places the guy at the scene to seal up the case nice and tight. So I looked at photos - and let me tell you, a month after the fact - plus it doesn't help that I saw the guy for about 2 seconds from 30 feet away in the yellow light of a streetlamp - I think I didn't pick the right one. But, I was told that I may be called upon to testify in court as to what happened - even if I can't place the guy there.

Driving home, though, I realized how lucky we are to live in a country where innocence is assumed until guilt can be proven. How easy would it be to want to throw the book at this guy, to railroad the individual into a prison term or hefty fine - to really mess up his life just because the police are 90% sure? That's not what our local government is doing. They're not wasting court time unless they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that this guy was there. They're not sullying his name. They are treating both the perpetraitor and the victim with respect and dignity. They treated me that way, too, as a witness.

So thank-you to all the Irish, German, English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Italians, etc - for building this nation. For sacrificing your homeland and bringing your traditions here, and helping create an environment where reason can prevail. Thank you for the hardships you've endured - the bigotry and hatred, the near slave labor, the class warfare - all for the hope of a better tomorrow where all those things go away. This great experiment of the United States is working.

Thanks for reading.

The Fat Kid

Version 2.0

In these days of "computerspeak," it seems that a lot of people are leaning on the phrase "2.0," and likening it to their lives. Case in point, when the Fat Kid's hero, Lance Armstrong, came out of retirement, it was "The Comeback, 2.0," which has now turned into "retirement, 2.0." A friend of mine in the process of re-thinking a great many things in her life, thus "(Her name), 2.0," etc, etc. A lot of people do this. It got me thinking of the many "2.0" things in my own life, and what's even on the horizon for me.

The Poetry Project, 2.0: Yep - some of you may recall last April's Poetry Project: an original, never-seen poem published on here each day of National Poetry Month. Some were good, others...not so good...but the point is to experience writing in a very real sense, from a daily perspective, and observe the effects it has on others. It was a success last year, and I'm happy to announce that it will be brought back this year for the month of April - only this year, there's a twist: I want you to help me out by taking up the challenge yourself. That's right - a poem-a-day from you, too. If you can't do one a day, do one every other day, or one a week...I don't care. Start your own blog, just mail them to me - it seriously doesn't matter. But I would love it if you can join me. Here are the rules:
1) poem must be an original "you." No plagiarism, kids.
2) You CAN copy styles from favorite writers if you like. Sometimes, that's how you find your own style, ater all!
3) It doesn't have to be made up on the spot.
4) It's not about making the poem perfect - it's simply about making the poem. So no fretting about whether it's "good" or "bad." You're the writer, you decide what to share.
5) No critiques on what you can do better unless you ask for them. I might tell you how it makes me feel, etc, but it's your work, and I won't tear it apart (unless you ask me nicely).
6) HAVE FUN. The most important rule. It's not an easy project - it takes time and effort, and some days are a bit difficult - but overall, the experience should be fun.

That's it. The challenge is before you. I hope you will join me.

Fat Kid 2.0: Yep - a making over of myself and my life that started a few years back has hit another stage where I must decide to be content or if I want more. I want more. The Fat Kid has never learned to ride hills properly on his bike. Part of the goal for this season (for which I am very much out of shape for at present) is to finally learn to ride hills properly. Why? A lot of my friends like to go for long rides in the area, and I can't go with them because I am TERRIBLE at riding hills. So, in an effort to actually continue to turn the Fat Kid into a cycling bad-ass (which is a good thing, for those playing along at home) I have to learn how to ride hills. I envision lots of pain in this process, but I have a suspicion that it will be worth it, in the long run. Anyway, that's the goal for the cycling season - so by September, I hope to be pretty darned decent on hills. Note to all ACA friends: NO, this does NOT mean that I'm planning on riding the Dirty Dozen. Those are not hills - they are instruments of pure torture. That is all.

But what's behind the "2.0" idea? Easy - it's a second chance to get it right. It's something we all can do, if we want it enough. The opportunities are all around us - we just have to seize them by the horns and fight for them. So - what's your 2.0 story?

Thanks for reading,

The Fat Kid