In my never ending search for basketball news (yes, I am a FANatic), I happened across an article that raised age old question as to whether athletes should be viewed as role models. I don't know, maybe it is just me, but that question just seems to be, how should I say this... "Not well thought out" ( I really want to say dumb as dirt). While we are at it why don't we ask other ill conceived questions like... "Are all dogs good watch dogs."

Obviously there is a reason this question pertaining to athletes is asked. The answer to which has nothing to do with whether or not one really believes the question has any validity. Surprise!! No, the reason the question is asked is because it sparks debate or interest. Debate or interest by whom you ask? Well I will leave you to ponder, or not, just who might even care about such a question. The reality is that you can no more judge athletes as a whole with regard to being a role model as you can judge canines as a whole for being watch dogs.

NEXT!!!

In Passing

Starting anew but remembering the past

Releaseing things once held to fast

Embarking on this, a new journey

Unsure of what's in store for me

Twists and turns down uncharted road

Unburdened though carrying my load

In these travels I encounter you

Undoubtedly one being a traveler too

A smile, a glance as I pass your way

Even take the time to stop and say

"How do you do" while I give my name

As I hope that you'd do the same

Maybe take a minute to sit down

And share some things that we have found

In our travels and throughout our time

A piece of your mind and a piece of mine

Who know of it just what will come

Othe thing for certain when we are done

I will be enriched for meeting you

And can only hope you feel the same way too!

There is a whole bunch of talk going around about a government health care plan. Detractors of the plan, among other things, caution us that a government run plan means that legislators will be in control of who gets or does not get certain health care treatments. Supporters of the plan deny this would be the case.

I just had this strange thought that maybe there should be an early termination option. You know, if your prognosis is not good that you could elect to call it a day, check out, bring an end to it all with the insurance plan covering the cost of euthanasia.

I don't know, what do you think?

Ha, so much for the new approach. You see how that worked out. I went even longer than the last time without a post... However, this time I have something to write about. If for no other reason but to get the thoughts out of my head.

On June 25 2009, I got news about Michael Jackson's demise just like many of you. I took that news rather hard because I grew up to Michael Jackson and his brothers in the Jackson 5. Now usually given a few years I would struggle to remember that date. However this date I am sure to remember because not only did Micheal die, but it was the day that I found out that I had a brain AVM which had bled.

What is an AVM? That is the very same question I asked the doctor. He informed me that an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) is a cluster of capillaries that is not properly formed. AVMs are congenital and can be found in all parts of the body. Mine, as I said was on my brain.

I was at home when my AVM bled. If felt in instantly. First I heard a small pop sound in my head then I had such a headache like you would not believe. That coupled with my vision going blurry, losing my balance and perspiring perfusely told me that something was wrong. So what did I do? I drove myself to the hospital. A vertigo and aneurysm diagnosis later I was laying in the emergency room at St. Joseph's hospital crying and thinking this sucks. You see, some number of years ago an aneurysm claimed my oldest brothers life. I followed in a lot of his footsteps, but not this one.

After I was transferred to one of the leading neuro surgical hospitals in the country, University of Maryland Medical Center a young resident correctly diagnosed my problem as an AVM not an aneurysm. A few angiograms, CT scans, MRIs, a crown screwed to my head and 25 minutes of radiation, I still can't be sure if this thing is under control. I have to wait four months for a follow up visit with my neurosurgeon to know if the problem is going away.

In the mean time, I just have to wait. With every little ache of my head I am sure that my pressure rises out of concern for what it could mean. I am not one to pray, but I am thinking positive thoughts that will create an environment in which I Will Survivve (Gloria Gaynor).

PS. I hope this all fits no problem...

This is not going the way I thought...

In the interest of staying connected, I am posting today... I started this web log with the thought that I would come here and share my thought and feelings on a regular basis. My feeling at the time is that I would just be open with whatever was going on at the time. 

What I have found is that I am reluctant to do so for a number of reasons. First I am not sure just what it is that I want to share. That reason in and of itself is in direct contrast to my initial intentions. Instead of just writing down the thoughts, feeling and perspectives, I have been trying to come up with something profund and thought provoking. As such that line of thinking has crippled my ability to find something to share. In a sense I have predetermined what others may find thought provoking.

Today I decided to take a new approach. Once a week I will pick a topic. The topic can be something that is going on in my life (I apologize now to those involved directly in my life if a post includes some familiar references) or something that is going on around me. On the chosen topic I will express my perspectives. Note that I said my perspective. If you are a reader and happen across anything that I write feel free to comment.

Is anybody in there

Hello! Hello, is anybody in there? Can anyone hear me? Well maybe its good that no one answers at this time. It leaves me the chance to collect my thoughts and feel my way around "Within My Existence"... 

I have the chance now to develop my voice, within my existence so that when I speak out those that hear will take notice and be drawn into my existence where they can consume a part of me... No, I will not present myself as the saviour or even someone of extraordinary intellect, but nonetheless I can now make my voice heard...

So, I am taking a moment now to gather my first thoughts to share in this existence and soon, yes soon my voice shall speak out...