Coffee and Warm Drinks

This is going to get me in trouble with some, oh well! I'll keep it short.

I love coffee, I really can't stand Starbucks. Every once in a while I'll go back just to make sure it hasn't improved. Today I when and got a Carmel Macchiato, venti, hot. It's horrible! I always feel that the beans are over cooked or something! I over pay every time! Bucks is just convenient garbage, much like McDonalds. Except their fries, who doesn't love their fries right?

But then there's this wonderful place down the road. My Circle K. Cheap, hot, and delicious! If I really want to splurge, I'll go to Dunkin Donuts. Yup, that place! My fiancée is all about her Starbucks, but these days it's a much more open door. She even said that Dunkin is better! Can you believe it! I was on cloud 9 because I knew she meant it! We'll go to the store and buy better coffee for home.

But now there's a little more of a bit in the air. So I've been warming up a different drink a little more often. First there's the Apple Cider, sometime with a little Irish Whiskey, sometime not. But then there's the grand daddy of winter awesomeness! Hot Cocoa! And I especially love my with broken up candy cane!

Now, sometimes I go into teenager mode. And even I was a bit skeptical when I did this. I made some with Eggnog. It's the one time I'll say skip the candy cane. When done with just the plain cocoa though.... mmm! I'm going to have to get more eggnog at the store today. It really is awesome though. An holiday treat dancing into my mouth, and down my throat. Not for the light of heart. Give it a try. I dare you!

Extra Time

Well the holidays are upon us. The home stretch of the year, that puts a hurt on everyone's wallets. And as the saying holds, only in America do we have a holiday to reflect on what you're grateful for, only to have an event the next day that promotes trampling others for the stuff you don't have. So last week I got to enjoy a rare treat in the holiday spirit. I got to go have a Thanksgiving lunch with my youngest.

I did it last year too, and even though it's nothing flashy, it still holds an amazing feeling around it. Here in our area, the elementary schools have an annual Thanksgiving lunch. And the parents get to go sit down with their kiddos. So I got to have a little time with my boy, that I normally wouldn't have. And that in itself is something to grateful for.

We all meet up at our kiddos classrooms, then get in line with them. And the food is actually pretty decent. Some of it is a bit salty for my taste, but still pretty decent. Turkey (a bit of white and dark meat), stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, a wheat dinner roll, pumpkin spiced cake, cranberry sauce, and a choice of milk (white, chocolate, or strawberry).

So in a month where so many say I'm thankful for this, and that, with some BS daily little thing to say they're grateful for the month. I'm grateful for my family, and the extra time I get to spend with them as it comes. And not just today, but everyday of the year.

And on a final note... SCREW BLACK FRIDAY!

Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day. It's an annual holiday which honors those whose paid the ultimate price for our country, and the many freedoms we have. Originally it was to honor the deceased troops of the Civil War, but quickly spread to honor all of the fallen. Unlike Veterans Day, it is only to honor the dead. Something that many people have forgotten, or take for granted and instead look towards family gatherings, an extra day off of work, and BBQ's. But many others still recognize it as well. And it truly holds a different meaning for the average civilian when compared to service members, and their families.

As of this morning, many people started enjoying parades, stalking up for various festivities, cleaning up the boat, and then some. For many of these people, Memorial Day doesn't hold much meaning. It's not a shot at them, but they just don't know anything else because they've never been directly impacted by this day of remembrance. They might know on an academic level what it represents, but beyond that there is nothing. 

Then you have those who have been touched in some way. Perhaps it's by a friend lost, or hurt in service. Possibly a veteran they met while volunteering at a retirement home, or helped at a shelter. Whatever the circumstance, they know that this is a day that represents a bigger picture than they realize. They go out to homes, and churches to help those veterans to pay their respects to fallen comrades. They go out to graveyards, clean them up, place flags, and possibly help others find the markers of the fallen warriors they're looking for. And yet others even go beyond that and do what they can to ensure that none of the graves are disturbed or vandalized.

You have the families of our warriors. They spend countless hours wondering if their fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, uncles, cousins, husbands, and wives are alright. They worry about them even when out training. They worry when they are out at their daily jobs. Then they worry when they are deployed. Seeing and hearing the news of an accident, ambush, or attack and wondering if their loved one will be next, while seeing their neighbor get the news that someone will not be coming home to them ever again. To the Memorial Day represents their lost loved ones, lost friends, and their loved ones family away from home.

Ultimately you have service members. The men and women who raised their hand, swore an oath, and signed a blank check up to and including their very life. Memorial Day has a special meaning. We remember those who came before us. We remember those we called brother and sister, who have been called for duty by our Commander-in-Chief in the sky. For some it's a hard day, because to a point we feel that we are having it crammed down our throats that we've lost a part of our family. For others it's a good reminder that we have life to live for them and to make it count. We reflect on our fights, as much as we do our accomplishments. While some of us will let our eyeballs sweat, others will drown their sorrow in something else. But ultimately, we remember. We remember because for us Memorial Day isn't a holiday. It isn't a news report. It isn't a parade, or a BBQ. It's a face, a voice, a friend, a family member, a part of ourselves.

To those who have fallen, thank you. You are not forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

Happy Thoughts, Happy Days, and Holidays!

Time for a happy blog. :-D No, I'm not bipolar, I swear. VD day has past us by. Yes, that time of year when condom manufacturers stocks are their highest, and today being the day that pharmacies across the land have sold out of the morning after pill. I'm sure the bars made a killing last night while the countless singles bought into the commercialized BS and got trashed while looking for that last minutes booty call so they wouldn't feel alone for the holiday.

Finally a holiday approaches that I can relate to. St Patrick's Day! A day of cities dying rivers green, parades in some areas, people traveling distance to kiss the Blarney Stone, some churches have celebrations, rugby tournaments, and of course tons of green beer to be had! I look forward to having a drink with the Irish side of my bloodline. Yes, that's right. While everyone is drinking green dyed piss water in an attempt to see if they can actually pee green, I'll rep the Emerald Isles properly by chugging down Guinness, Jameson, or any other Irish beer or whiskey that happens to befall me. Up yours Anheuser, you can kiss my rosey white ass.

FYI: I'll be the guy wearing the kilt. So kiss my Blarney Stone (_!_) and let the games begin!