I wanted to post up something a little more positive than my last post, and it's about Anthems or theme songs.
I have been expanding my appreciation for country in recent weeks and have been basically waiting for "Bonfire" and "Out in the Backwoods" to come on the radio.
I am not a full-blown twangified hick, although Clare is certainly worried I'm heading in that direction. I just like to rock out and hear things that resonate with things I hold dear: guns, knives, fire, trucks/jeeps, and life in general "out in the sticks." I mean, when a song begins with the lyrics "Rifle in a gun rack hanging in the back glass/ buck knife on my belt..." that pretty much has my complete attention right there, and sums up how I want to be set up in general...
I like country, but bluegrass is my absolute favorite and preference in the americana department. I mean, I could really get into some serious bluegrass, preferably on some dude's cabin porch out here, but I'd likely have better luck finding a bonfire.
Peace Out,
--Nick-Dog
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum." --Roddy Piper, They Live
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
MFL 2010
This past week went by steadily, but looking back on it, it's a blur.
My dad came out for the MFL, which took forever to start. We started walking early through the crowds, as our legs were stiffening up as we waited for over an hour for things to get underway. We were at the foot of the ascent up to Capitol Hill when the March met up with us. We joined in just behind the front-line banner carriers as people shouted down Roe.
I think it was a really good experience for my dad to see this political action first hand, as he is a Knight of Columbus and the Knights are greatly responsible for assisting with March's organization and pro-life activities in general. For me, it was just another march. I surprised an old acquaintence by saying hello and fortuitously met up with the group from Holy Family, where I work. I kept an eye on my dad, let him wander as he chose and kept the trip on track flawlessly. Skill and the grace of God made everything go like clockwork and we were some of the first ones out after we did our due diligence in front of the Supreme Court.
A couple of observations. First, each year the march is more and more made up of young adults. The older pro-life leadership has failed to overturn Roe, but their persistence in action has effectively passed the torch to the next generation.
I worked for the pro-life movement for two-years in the area of education and inspiration. I have personally witnessed the great deal of in-fighting amongst pro-lifers, to my dismay but I suppose not to my surprise. Each organization says they are or represent the grassroots, that they have the answer or way to overturn Roe, but yet cannot unite except at the March. This is where each of them tries to make their presence felt in such a way as to show that the March is their enterprise and they are leading it, or are essential to it being 'the true march.' Not all groups act this way, the best do not, but the majority act as if it's their show.
So, as I waited and waited for the walk to ensue, I saw various representatives of said groups purposefully scutter to and fro in the vain attempt to seem important and have presence. But knowing a bit of each of their stories first-hand I remain unimpressed, not because of their intentions necessarily, but because of their weaknesses. Were they there for themselves or for the cause?
You see, in the off-season these .orgs have to raise money and seem important to stay afloat and do their 'work.' My experience has been that the 'work' is often the battle over territory, power, influence, and money amonst pro-lifers. They vie against each other for the pro-life pie--the pro-life donor--and yet somehow remain influential amongst their enemies.
Every organization has to survive, but in the world of pro-life non-profits there is little if any peaceful coexistence. To call it 'cut-throat' would not be an exagerration.
Anyway, so seeing these people, brought these grim recollections to mind. The fact is, the power of the pro-life movement is with education and with the youth, not any particular association, although I would certainly agree that each has their place. The fact that there is a march and one increasingly filled with young people is a testimony to the power of the message and the Holy Spirit, not to any one group.
For my own part, I was happy to stand to be counted but be the gray man. Change begins with the individual, not with a group. History is almost always made by the minority. While the March is a damn important event, it's even more important to be an agent for God on the homefront. I would financially and personally support a local CPC before most .orgs.
And with that I leave you with my reflections, for whatever they are worth. Change begins at home.
Peace Out,
--Nick-Dog
My dad came out for the MFL, which took forever to start. We started walking early through the crowds, as our legs were stiffening up as we waited for over an hour for things to get underway. We were at the foot of the ascent up to Capitol Hill when the March met up with us. We joined in just behind the front-line banner carriers as people shouted down Roe.
I think it was a really good experience for my dad to see this political action first hand, as he is a Knight of Columbus and the Knights are greatly responsible for assisting with March's organization and pro-life activities in general. For me, it was just another march. I surprised an old acquaintence by saying hello and fortuitously met up with the group from Holy Family, where I work. I kept an eye on my dad, let him wander as he chose and kept the trip on track flawlessly. Skill and the grace of God made everything go like clockwork and we were some of the first ones out after we did our due diligence in front of the Supreme Court.
A couple of observations. First, each year the march is more and more made up of young adults. The older pro-life leadership has failed to overturn Roe, but their persistence in action has effectively passed the torch to the next generation.
I worked for the pro-life movement for two-years in the area of education and inspiration. I have personally witnessed the great deal of in-fighting amongst pro-lifers, to my dismay but I suppose not to my surprise. Each organization says they are or represent the grassroots, that they have the answer or way to overturn Roe, but yet cannot unite except at the March. This is where each of them tries to make their presence felt in such a way as to show that the March is their enterprise and they are leading it, or are essential to it being 'the true march.' Not all groups act this way, the best do not, but the majority act as if it's their show.
So, as I waited and waited for the walk to ensue, I saw various representatives of said groups purposefully scutter to and fro in the vain attempt to seem important and have presence. But knowing a bit of each of their stories first-hand I remain unimpressed, not because of their intentions necessarily, but because of their weaknesses. Were they there for themselves or for the cause?
You see, in the off-season these .orgs have to raise money and seem important to stay afloat and do their 'work.' My experience has been that the 'work' is often the battle over territory, power, influence, and money amonst pro-lifers. They vie against each other for the pro-life pie--the pro-life donor--and yet somehow remain influential amongst their enemies.
Every organization has to survive, but in the world of pro-life non-profits there is little if any peaceful coexistence. To call it 'cut-throat' would not be an exagerration.
Anyway, so seeing these people, brought these grim recollections to mind. The fact is, the power of the pro-life movement is with education and with the youth, not any particular association, although I would certainly agree that each has their place. The fact that there is a march and one increasingly filled with young people is a testimony to the power of the message and the Holy Spirit, not to any one group.
For my own part, I was happy to stand to be counted but be the gray man. Change begins with the individual, not with a group. History is almost always made by the minority. While the March is a damn important event, it's even more important to be an agent for God on the homefront. I would financially and personally support a local CPC before most .orgs.
And with that I leave you with my reflections, for whatever they are worth. Change begins at home.
Peace Out,
--Nick-Dog
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Poised to Strike
What's up, peeps?
Sorry for the lack of consistent updates, but as I intimated in previous posts, I've been hella busy. I have had my shoulder to the wheel since the beginning of the year and "have filled the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distance run." So you'll excuse me, I hope, if I am temporarily inconsistent with my ramblings.
I have spoken with some of you about the need to be prepared, here and there. Preparedness is about being centered and stable, not being a bunker-dweller. I realize that sometimes I may come off as the latter, but in my own mind, I consider preparedness is a lifestyle that acknowledges that the S can HTF at any moment, and it's best to be as ready as possible.
The key to handling any conflict is awareness: Knowing your enemy before he knows you. Seeing conflicts and conflict patterns before they happen. Going with your gut and making calculated decisions based on your intel and an honest/realistic assessment of all situations. This is hyper-dramatic sounding, perhaps, but the art of staying safe and protecting your kiester isn't magic. It's a skill, and it's something that has to be consciously developed and practiced on daily basis over time.
Being prepared is about developing good habits that will aid you in a crisis situation. If the S has already HTF and you're running to the store to fill your cupboards and gun safe, you're too late. On an individual level, it's about putting your gun on and off the same way every time. It's about being organized personally, so that if the alarm sounds in the middle of the night, you are already in the best possible position to handle that situation: your boots, car keys, clothes for the next day, gun(s), and every day carry items are at the foot of your bed, ready to go. In 60 seconds, you have all of your absolutely essential shit already there and you aren't caught off-guard. You are in a position to help yourself and others.
On a national level, it's about seeing the interdependence of the numerous systems we rely on to live our daily lives, and knowing that if any of those systems fail signficantly or goes away, our own lives and those around us will be severely impacted. With the present administration and state of affairs in the world, the crisis looms large, but all is not lost.
I have so much to say on being prepared. It's been on mind since I made my first gun purchase in Sept. 2008. What can really happen? Where is our country headed? What can be done? Am I ready to handle a crisis event in my own life? And so on. Yet there are many who say it better, or articulate my own thoughts.
I don't know what the future will hold. My gut tells me the roller coaster has only just started, and that it's best to have one's shit together sooner rather than later. Check out the www.thesurvivalpodcast.com if you are looking for ideas to do just that. I am scrambling to put life on the homestead in order myself, but honestly I need to do that anyway, whether or not the SHTF.
Peace Out,
--Nick-Dog
Sorry for the lack of consistent updates, but as I intimated in previous posts, I've been hella busy. I have had my shoulder to the wheel since the beginning of the year and "have filled the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distance run." So you'll excuse me, I hope, if I am temporarily inconsistent with my ramblings.
I have spoken with some of you about the need to be prepared, here and there. Preparedness is about being centered and stable, not being a bunker-dweller. I realize that sometimes I may come off as the latter, but in my own mind, I consider preparedness is a lifestyle that acknowledges that the S can HTF at any moment, and it's best to be as ready as possible.
The key to handling any conflict is awareness: Knowing your enemy before he knows you. Seeing conflicts and conflict patterns before they happen. Going with your gut and making calculated decisions based on your intel and an honest/realistic assessment of all situations. This is hyper-dramatic sounding, perhaps, but the art of staying safe and protecting your kiester isn't magic. It's a skill, and it's something that has to be consciously developed and practiced on daily basis over time.
Being prepared is about developing good habits that will aid you in a crisis situation. If the S has already HTF and you're running to the store to fill your cupboards and gun safe, you're too late. On an individual level, it's about putting your gun on and off the same way every time. It's about being organized personally, so that if the alarm sounds in the middle of the night, you are already in the best possible position to handle that situation: your boots, car keys, clothes for the next day, gun(s), and every day carry items are at the foot of your bed, ready to go. In 60 seconds, you have all of your absolutely essential shit already there and you aren't caught off-guard. You are in a position to help yourself and others.
On a national level, it's about seeing the interdependence of the numerous systems we rely on to live our daily lives, and knowing that if any of those systems fail signficantly or goes away, our own lives and those around us will be severely impacted. With the present administration and state of affairs in the world, the crisis looms large, but all is not lost.
I have so much to say on being prepared. It's been on mind since I made my first gun purchase in Sept. 2008. What can really happen? Where is our country headed? What can be done? Am I ready to handle a crisis event in my own life? And so on. Yet there are many who say it better, or articulate my own thoughts.
I don't know what the future will hold. My gut tells me the roller coaster has only just started, and that it's best to have one's shit together sooner rather than later. Check out the www.thesurvivalpodcast.com if you are looking for ideas to do just that. I am scrambling to put life on the homestead in order myself, but honestly I need to do that anyway, whether or not the SHTF.
Peace Out,
--Nick-Dog
Saturday, January 02, 2010
The Proper Way to Catch a Shark
A short one.
I had an interesting dream last night. I was fly-fishing for the first time out here on a Virginia creek, possibly nearby Passage Creek. Within moments, a hostile 6ft shark took the bait and I reeled him in. He was pretty viscious and wanted blood. As he came to shore, I was several feet away, pulled out my Glock 17 and emptied most of the clip into the shark's head, leaving an extra few in the magazine for possible future hostiles.
The moral of the story? It's always good to carry.
Over and Out,
--Nick-Dog
I had an interesting dream last night. I was fly-fishing for the first time out here on a Virginia creek, possibly nearby Passage Creek. Within moments, a hostile 6ft shark took the bait and I reeled him in. He was pretty viscious and wanted blood. As he came to shore, I was several feet away, pulled out my Glock 17 and emptied most of the clip into the shark's head, leaving an extra few in the magazine for possible future hostiles.
The moral of the story? It's always good to carry.
Over and Out,
--Nick-Dog
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