Politics: Different Gifts

I don't know about you, but during heated times of politics (i.e. presidential race) I tend to step back and take an independent position.  

"Don't you care about who runs this country?"
"I do care, but I believe there's more than one right person for the job."

Part of the reason I take my independent stance is I get sick of all the 'mud slinging', the crap that haunts our televised commercial breaks with propaganda.  The real reason though is something a little deeper (yeah I'm full of deep thoughts).

I have friends and know people who really get into politics, but that's not everybody.  The stats about the number of people who actually participate in voting is, to me, quite shocking.  I've heard in past elections that it's considered a miracle if 70% of the people vote (and that's just in my area - it's probably lower in other places).  So why doesn't everybody vote?  Is it because they don't care, about their country or the laws that govern it?

I would like to think it's NOT for that reason.  If you will allow me to get deep for a minute I'll explain.

In general, I believe that everyone has different gifts.  Some people are musicians and singers, while others should not be heard singing.  There are people who are outgoing and charismatic, while others can barely get out of their house.  Other people are talented sports players, while others hurt themselves when they see a pair of running shoes.

Everyone is given a different set of gifts, and I would like to suggest that caring about politics and being able to look past the filth is a gift.  I admit that I do not have this gift, and I'd like to think I'm not alone in this.  However, don't misunderstand me.  I am a very patriotic person - I would fight to preserve the freedoms we enjoy if it came to it.  So before we go around accusing others of not caring about their country, let us think twice and consider this:

Maybe they have other gifts of patriotism.

May whatever divine power you believe in watch over this beautiful nation.  May our leaders remember what they stand for and who they represent.

The DTR

The DTR.  In case you're not familiar with this term, it stands for Defining the Relationship.  Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you about one - that would make me gag. *blaugghhh*  What I am going to do however is talk about it in general because it's what's on my mind, so bare with me through my intellectual vomit.  (Eww gross, he totally just said vomit - uhh yeah, I did.  Deal with it.)

For anyone who's in or been in a relationship, you've had a DTR at one point or another.

'What?  No I haven't.'
'Uhh, yes. Yes you have.'

How is this possible?  Well technically anytime you've talked about your relationship with another person, that could be considered a DTR.  Wait wait wait a minute, a DTR?  That sounds so serious!  Well it can be, but look at the name, Defining the Relationship.

See what I mean?  Defining can mean almost anything.  From how you feel about kids, to breaking up, becoming boyfriend/girlfriend, getting engaged... seriously the possibilities are endless here.  Oh, not enough?  Okay well there's also deciding to get a pet, deciding whether to move-in together, when it's appropriate to hold hands or kiss, what kind of detergent you buy, the unknown sharing of a toothbrush, whether you buy crunchy or creamy peanut butter... see where I'm going with this?

So what happens after you have a DTR?  Well generally you either grow closer together, further apart, or you resolve to accept your differences and buy both creamy and crunchy peanut butter, which then takes up more shelf space, but it doesn't matter because you care about each other.  Yes that 'C' word that actually means you have feelings for another person.

'Well I knew girls had feelings but guys?'
'Oh trust me they do.  You think that Pride and Prejudice got in the DVD player all by itself?  I don't think so sista!'

So what's the point of me writing this?  Well I... have no idea.  I just had some jumbled up mess in my head that I needed to barf out onto a page.  But hey, if you didn't know about a DTR before, now you do!  Look at that, you learned something today!  Gold Star!  Cha-Ching!  Now put it in your pocket... and walk away.  :-)  Have a great day everybody!

Entry to TomTom's Paradise Mapping

This is what I submitted as my entry to TomTom's Paradise Mapping contest.  Every once in a while I get a creative vibe, and it just happened to be this day.  Check it out!
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In response to the question: Why should we pick you and your group to go explore paradise?  Why are you the perfect individuals for this task?  Describe the qualities and qualifications you and you group possess that make you the ideal candidates.
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My response:

Are you kidding me? We're not just perfect we are the best! We're excellence in a bottle. We got mapping skills coming out of our wazoo, wherever that is. If TomTom is looking for people to explore a tropical paradise, why not pick people who've never been to one? We'll explore everywhere! My group and I are explorers of the unknown, daring soldiers of the cartographic and physical world. North would still be my middle name if it I hadn't changed it to South. I've even thought about wearing a compass around my neck, but reconsidered it after all the chafing. 

In all seriousness, who better to lead an expedition to cartography success than a detail oriented engineer and his closest family and friends. These people are in some serious need of some R and R, and as for me, well I get 'oriented north' when I think about spending days letting my inner geek add to the collective knowledge of the map that is our world. Whew, I can feel those latitudes and longitudes calling my name. So when you're thinking of who to send, think of my group and I; we will blow your compass mind!