Often times my head is filled with random thoughts. They swirl around up there like water draining from a bathtub, but the drain is clogged. Most of these are good discussion topics, but not worth writing about on their own. I could complain to everyone, but I risk sounding like a cranky old man. I could call in to talk shows or write letters to the editor, but that’s a waste of time. Listening to me should be a selective process, not a forced one. So this is really my best outlet… sort of like liquid plumber for the brain. Enjoy!

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If you’re like us, you’ve probably had the Olympics tuned in on the tube at some point or other over the past two weeks. Personally, I tune in to hear what Bob Costas might say next. Beyond that, I pretty much catch whatever event might be on at the moment. If it’s fascinating, like women’s beach volleyball (wink wink), I’ll keep watching. If it’s not, like men’s gymnastics, then I’ll change the channel to “Antiques Roadshow” or something else more stimulating.

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As a child, one of my favorite “types” of book to read were those in which you could “Choose Your Own Adventure”. In these books, you (as the reader) are the main character. As events of the story unfold, you are presented with important decisions which will impact the direction of the story. On occasion (especially in the sci-fi versions of these books), your decision would be the difference in whether the story even continued.

In reality, our lives are not much different than a Choose Your Own Adventure book. Each month, day, hour, and minute we are faced with imporant decisions which impact the direction of our life and the lives of those around us. Your choice, right or wrong, changes everything from that moment forth.

With that in mind, I ask you to consider the decisions that must have faced President George W. Bush after his daily briefing on August 7th, 2001.

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Off to the left of I64W near Jasper, IN, there’s an abandoned farm that sits nestled in the trees, alongside a bubbling creek.

Notice I said farm. That’s because the whole thing is there — house, barns, outbuildings, everything. Bit by bit it’s starting to crumble and fall. In just the past few years, the large barn has collapsed. The wood on all the buildings is weathered and old. Nature is slowly reclaiming what were once well-worn pathways and barnyards.

I’m not really a collector of “antiques”, but old things bring me pause. I can’t help but to let my mind drift when I see abandoned homes, old furniture, or forgotten heirlooms. I wonder about the people and families who once owned and cherished these items. What were they like? Where were they from? What happened to them?

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When you were a child, did you have Monsters in your room? Perhaps they lurked in the corners, or under the bed. Maybe they even had a summer home in your closet.

As a kid, I was positive these Monsters existed. And they were not cute or funny like the ones featured in Disney’s “Monster’s, Inc.” movie. These were dark, shadowy creatures that moved fast and hovered over me while I slept. I tried to convince my parents of their presence, but of course they didn’t believe. As I grew older I stopped believing, too. The Monsters eventually disappeared.

But now, after all these years, I know the Monsters were REAL. I know, because I am one. And I’m not alone.

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According to a recent article in The Seattle Times, the school honor roll, Dean’s list, spelling bee, and pep rally may soon become a thing of the past.

Not possible? Apparently (due in no small part to our law-suit-happy society), we are now afraid of damaging the fragile egos of underachivers. Instead of driving them to succeed, we are now going to coddle students into thinking its OKAY if they don’t make the grade.

Does this spell the demise of these time-honored trends? Probably not. However, it may mean that parents must now give approval for their child to have have his or her name listed on the honor roll, to be recognized for perfect attendance, or for the art teacher to display their work in the hallway.

Kids will now be able to respond to questions regarding their performance by saying “I’m not on the list because my parents didn’t return my permission slip”. An easy out which appears to devalue the success of others. I feel sorry for the poor child who works hard to make good grades or the basketball team, but who’s parent is too lazy to sign and return their permission form. Will that child will be left simmering in the shadows because of a silly rule? The only thing worse than being recognized for your failure is not being recognized for your success.

The real fools here are the lawyers and adults (not necessarily synonymous) who think that students, especially those in middle and high schools, won’t pick up on this trend. For these individuals, here’s a newsflash — kids will find their own ways to weed out the underachievers. I will say from experience that there is often little surprise to students who makes these lists and who does not, given the considerable time they spend together.

As a student, I was much more embarrassed in PhysEd than I ever was by not making the honor roll. Trying in vain to pull myself up a knotted rope while 30 of my classmates (male and female) stood around in a circle laughing as my gym-shorts slid off was the epitomy of humiliation. Why aren’t they trying to stop THAT?!

So the question begs, who are we REALLY trying to protect with these changes?

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

I read with interest today that a Christmas tree on display at the IU School of Law has been removed due to complaints about its “religious implications”. Apparently a few people felt “excluded” by the display.

According to the article, “the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Christmas trees are secular holiday symbols. But the courts have said putting up trees in public places gives other groups the right to place holiday symbols in the same place.” Of course this makes little sense considering “secular” means “not overtly or specifically religious”. So if Christmas trees are “not specifically religious”, then why would anyone NEED to put up any other symbols? And if they did, wouldn’t their display also have to be of a “secular” nature?

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