Physical Fit

Forget the budget wars; all of us cynics know in the back of our minds that the pseudo intellectual politicos will pull it out of their self-preservation and pass a bill either at the 11th or 12th hour. The Tea Farty has made their point, and their inch deep brains have hopefully been orgasmically appeased. But more about that later - maybe.

The real thought today is on physical fitness, wellness or otherwise being able to breathe when you stand up. The Dog's been pondering this for some time - and it's been one of those irrepressible hot buttons for a long time. The Dog used to weigh in at a svelte 234, so don't think too many mean thoughts about him.
While real dogs go for a run, this one goes for a bike ride some time. And, one of the misguided thoughts that regularly come to me is the incentive that people SHOULD have for losing weight when they try to squeeze into their trendy, over-priced, bike riding togs. I won't even comment on the ones who fall off the bikes because they can't get their $100 bike shoe off the peddle.
The Dog more than admires everyone's efforts to get some exercise and clear their pores and arteries with a little cardio sweat programming. But, the only people who look reasonable in those spandex compressors are real bike people, and few others. No sexist comments here, you can make them yourselves. I know what you're thinking.
But, now seriously folks, do some of these people actually LOOK at themselves when they put on the biker shorts and the skin tight jersey shore shirts? I know they must laugh at the guy on Modern Family when he dons the biker shorts, so why don't they make the connection?
Of course, who am I to talk when I'm merrily peddling along in gym shorts and t-shirt and one of the over-stuffed ones buzzes by me? Ride on !!


Another thought in this physical fit, the Dog would like to encourage both readers to attend any meetings, lectures, or presentation on wellness and, this time of year, health insurance programs. I went to one last week and listened to the presenters talk about the cost of insurance and the need for people to take responsibility for some of these costs being caused by over utilization and people leading unhealthy life styles.
The Dog went to refill his dog dish with warm coffee and happened to notice the eight people sitting in the back row folding chairs. Six of them seriously couldn't fit on the chairs. That can't be comfortable, can it? The Dog flashed on the thought that the view had to be similar to the one Aaron Rogers gets when he approaches the Packers offensive line on any play.
The Dog put down the scone and drank the coffee black; admiring them for attending, hoping they would listen and that they would live happily ever after.

OK, one more, from the other side. Have you ever noticed how the "physically fit" are always carping about being sore, or having a pulled something, or limping, or being tight in the chest, legs, or some body part? And, when they go out for an evening they always remind everyone that they can only eat salad, bland food, and drink less than real drinks? After they've succeeded in bringing everybody else down, they then have a heart attack or get hit by a bus? Seriously, get over yourselves and just live in semi-moderation and bust loose every now and then and experience something called "life". If that's your life, so be it, just don't wake up on your death bed wishing you had tried the lasagna. Or wake up wishing you hadn't, for that fact.

Back to the trail.... Ride on.

Dog's Day "Memorial" - 40 Years Later

The Dog was coming home. Working my way through the San Francisco airport to make the flight to Seattle. The resplendent disabled veteran, in my Marine Corps uniform, medals worn proudly.
I saw her coming well in advance. Call it jungle awareness, call it noticing the obvious, the point is that I knew she was directed at me and was on a mission.
She was in her late 20's, shoulder length dark hair and big brown eyes that burned with the passion and fire of someone who was following her heart. She was carrying a brown leather shoulder bag and wearing a long navy blue wool coat. She moved toward me with the grace of a tigress.
When she was within fifteen feet of me, I stopped. My instinct and reflexes told me to watch her hands, her bag, her coat. My sense told me to look deeper into her eyes.
She came to me, stopping within a foot and I could feel her energy and heat. I could smell her scent.
She grabbed me with her eyes, pulling my total focus there in initiating the shaking and nervous stomach of apprehension.
We stood there, locked in that optic connection, for some time -- then she blinked and the tears came down her cheeks. I had watched them fill her eyes and move onto her high cheekbones. She was sending me her pain, her sorrow... her hate.
Her right hand came up quickly, index finger extended as her mouth opened. She was struggling to find words, and when they finally came, the voice was raspy and choking through a hoarse throat.
Her finger touched the ribbons on my chest.
"You're nothing but a hit man for the U.S. Government."
With that, she moved to my left and down the concourse.

Physically, she was out of my life. Mentally, she will always be a part of my spirit.

I hope she found peace. I hope she found love.

Dog's View of Democracy

Been hearing a lot lately about this term "democracy", and had to wake the Dog up for some thoughts....
The Dog, fresh from sojourn to Key West and visits with Ernie Hemingway and Hunter Thompson, remains groggy as Aerosmith's "Same Old Song and Dance" rips the dust from the microbials...
First thought... ala Hunter, don't confuse democracy with democrats.
Second thought, ala Ernie, the one thing they do have in common is that nobody really understands either of them.
The Dog's basically a socialist democrat with a lot of growing conservative tendencies. An old Dog revolutionary who has a mix of patience, experience, and apathos now running through his veins. An FDR Democrat, an Eisenhower Republican, a George Meany Unionist, who talks to himself.
So, given all of that babble-on... one of the brightest memories of my Boulder education is hearing that democracy and capitalism are two systems that are inherently self-destructive. Ken Boulding was a wise man.
I also remember, and still believe, the line, "leadership must be greatly participative, but it can never be democratic". Sacrilege !! Blasphemy !!! No dears, THE truth.
But, what, exactly, is democracy? Not your theoretical, your reality.
Noah's Webster's notes that it doesn't mean everybody necessarily gets a vote in the way things happen, but it does cite majority rule. A lot of Wisconsites choose to forget their present governor won by majority vote.... was it "bait and switch"? Don't think so...it was apathetic voters and democracy self-destructing.
Anyway, contrary to what some people may believe or think they want, we will never have total democracy in politics or in business management. We can't/won't/don't put everything out for a voite and sure 'nuf it ain't majority rule.
BUT, democracy must have cooperative participation to thrive and be survivable.
What do I mean by that? Wake up the polticians (elected and otherwise) at this point and ask them to pay attention...
Quite simply, it is people in decision making roles getting as much relevant input and ideas on issues and decisions that they deal with.
It is decision makers seeking out input and opinions from other people WHO WORK CLOSE to the issues and WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED by any decisions made.
(Good Gawd Awmighty, do I REALLY have to tell you this?)
It is decision makers seeking out as much information as possilbe within the time available, to enable any decision made to be as fair and equitable as possible, and in the best interest of the people.
The most important part of the Webster's definition is the idea of striving for "principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community".
But, and the most misunderstood piece of this puzzle...at the end of all that information and opinion gathering, SOMEONE has to actually make a decision. Democracy does involve someone being in charge and making decisions.
Near as I can tell, "style" comes into play here more than substance. Particularly in the political arena and certainly in Madison, Wisconsin.
These decisions may not be popular. But that doesn't make them bad. "Leaders" really do have to venture out alone and take people where they don't necessarily want to go... because the leader, in his or her heart of hearts, believes that is the right thing to do.

Don't get your hopes up Scottie, I'm really not referring to you here. You've got a ways to go.

Super Dog Bowl

Football. Packers. Steelers. Road dog rabble rumble. Even The Dog got into this Stupor Bowl. The best team won. This game was like a dog fight that even Michael Vick couldn't handle. Some of the announcers called it a "blue collar bowl". Nope, sorry, this was a dog bowl from the get-go.
These dogs came back from everything nature and the God Dog could throw at them. Rodgers (note the "d-o-g" hidden in his name...) made Brett Favre a distant memory with just enough emotion to keep the pack moving forward and just enough cool to bring them back from the edge. McCarthy. Now that guy just looks like a dog lover and has just enough hidden bite to make the most rabid foe think twice.
Couple of Road Dog thoughts on the game and post-game babble. Why is everyone so quick to find something wrong? Start with the stupid stuff; like half time. The Black Eyed Peas got critiqued for a less-than-something show. Good Gawd people... these puppies gave their best shot to perform in a zero-acoustic location with 80 bazillion people watching them. As will-I-am (love that name) said, "if critics didn't criticize, they'd just be fans". Good one.
Then the game wrap ups. Can somebody put Ache-man on a shelf some place? Let "Bring me another brew Bradshaw" do the game. Now that guy is an old dog who still throws a good bite every now and then.
Of course, Steeler QB Rottweiler couldn't bring them back to win in the last 2 minutes. Hey guys, so what? He was out there trying, where were you? And, Troy Potowanami wasn't the MVP he was hyped to be. I don't know what game you were watching, but I saw that hair on almost every play.
All of them, on both sides, deserve an extra bowl after that one.
Anyway, enough babble - off for kibble.