Joe the Plumber

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 11:12pm

You know after watching this last and seemingly more personal debate of the 2008 Presidential campaign season, I must say that I am now more than ever, completely impressed with Bob Schaeffer. No bullshit, he actually held them, both Senators, to the question asked. And this reference to Joe Plumber, was most appropriate. You see Joe six pack and Sarah Hockey Mom dont necessarily translate across america. My dad is not a plumber but he is a blue collar Man much the same who happens to own and run multiple business'. For the countless numbers of blue collars guys and gals out there who tirelessy perform tasks that at times seem utterly mundane, and oft times downright unpallatable, I'm happy to see all of you represented. You take the shit jobs, sometimes quite literally and don't really ask for much in return save that you are allowed to live the lives that you and your family struggle with and strive for daily. Most of you aren't earning huge salaries and often have to put in the type of hours doing the kind of back breaking hard work that would make many weep. Much of you lament this to a degree, because while you day in and out serve your local communities, your own families suffer greatly in the interim. You do this to build happy families and provide the type of education, healthcare, lifestyle and opportunities that many of you had not the pleasure of knowing as youth. You should all be applauded. And I don't want to leave out all the spouses, for those that are married, who hold you up on the flipside. Some families would crumble if not for the dads and moms who are at home or who take an active part in child rearing.For those Joe plumbers or bus drivers or whoevers that are producing numbers that allow you to hire staff and by extension take care of countless families, profound praise. Hard work does indeed pay off. I pray that I might soon join your ranks. It is by the grace of GOD, by whichever name and face you recognize, that we are able to go out ther and produce everyday and stay self-sufficient and self-reliant. You are the backbone, and no doubt have always been, of every society and economy since antiquity. And shit, who is Main Street america? Much as I see there is at least one Main Street in every state across america. If that is the case, then "who" is Main street america? Just thought I'd ask.

Socks

Socks feel real good on my feet. I love them best right out of the package when they're brand new( in case you didn't realize that anything right out of the package is almost always brand new), and at their peak of softness. Or just as they come out of the dryer on a cool, brisk fall or icy, frigid winter day. All squishy when you get caught in the rain and catch yourself accidentally stepping in a puddle( imagine we used to do this deliberately when we were young). Socks are awesome. Black socks, white socks, grey socks, polka dots stripes or Elmo. I love socks. Dirty socks suck lint balls though.

Never Realize When It's Father's Day Cause Yur Always Around

God knows there were days growing up that I coudn'tstand the sight of your face,the sound of your voice, or the way you made me feel like a little boy everytime you walked in the room.Do you remember how many times you showed up toMy recital, or practice or game?I swear the only thing I think I learnedgrowing up was how muchmoney really meant.

The fellas on the block were the first to hear bout my "first time".The first time I went to jail;the first time shit got real hard,my "family" held me up.Could never say to you what a miserable little fuck I thought you were.Funny though how time changes things.When my little one was breedingI realized that everything I hatedwas the only way I would make it through this next stage;that all the years of school never prepared me for.Ain't that some shit?

If you don't mind I did change a couple of things though.Whenever I feel down, I call them instead of the bank.When things are going well, I share.Whenevr, wherever I canI show up,never mind how silly ballet practice seems.And still yet,what do I have to complain about?You came home every night,even if we didn't see you.I still own stuff you bought when I hated you.The Man I am todayThe good Man I am today,would never be if it wasn't for you.The good Father I try to be...

With all the fuss this world makesabout Mother's Day,I follow your example and stay cool asthe breeze that blows through thebeachside that raised you, that I would never see until I was a grown Man.I follow your example andsay "Thank You" on the phoneall the while making sure that there isanother day like this next year for "them ".

If I were a tree,you be the root.If I were a river you would be the first drop.If I were a Star,you would be the Sun.You are my beginning,I pray there is no end.Thanks Dad.For Everything.

Love Is...

Love is all at once the most wonderful and most devastating of all God's mysteries. On any level and in any form: it can break apart families or create new ones. In an instant new worlds are begun and old ones shattered into a myriad of pieces that no amount of love can return to form. Who can say that they have never known pain from love and I say that that Man has never known love.

Have you love for the Man or Woman who begs humbly in the road for a piece of spare change? When was the last time you said no? When was the last time you cleaned out the junk from your car seats? Enough spare change there to feed a child in a far off land.

Have you love for the child who never has known a moment of love from any of the hundreds of parents that each year bemoan the extra tax payments for these poor children? These welfare kids? When was the last time you noticed exactly how much extra spare cents went missing from your check? When was the last time it meant the difference between you eating or going hungry for a week?

Love is a funny thing. Yes it is indeed. Too often we only associate romantic love and oft times it is the only love we desire. But give me the touch of an honest Woman's words, the aroma from a home which is settling in to Sunday dinner, the full tank surprise on Monday morning when you are on the way to work. Give me my child whose words sting with truth and whose heart comforts in a way she understands not yet.

I love. I love. I LOVE.

Gas prices on the rise....AGAIN

Stop blamin the Saudi's and others for the increasing fuel prices when it's uS manufacturers and suppliers who have slowed or cut back production just in time for the summer driving season...

The New 40 sumthins

Is 40 the new hot age? Or are the same celebs' who were hot 20 years ago still hot and the rest of us are still trudging along and still not as attractive?

The Unjust Family Court Shitstem...

Can I just vent for a moment? How in the hell did the Child Support System in NY State hit me up for almost 50% of my annual income when it came to its' decision in an almost 2 year long trial? Who am I 50 cent or Sean Combs? I hate to even think this but is the heavily female laden family court system biased against males? Black males especially? I can't see how more clear this particular case could have been. She makes more than 3 times my salary and I have to chump out of pocket enough money to actually make me consider moving into a homeless shelter? Something is ass backwords in this country. When I tell you that I have long had serious considerations about picking up and returning home, things like this make it even more clear to me that that is the most proper and prudent course of action. Just my 2 cents...