The Toughest $126.33 I've Ever Earned...

 In the last decade or so, I've taken to my computer in the evenings--sometimes afternoons, but never after midnight--and cranked out something on this little blog. I'm doing that again right now. I find a photo (many times the picture inspires the blog...), add it, write three or more paragraphs of varying length, try to make the photo and words look/sound interesting, then hit "Publish" for all the world to see.

As of today, I have hit "Publish" 4,155 times.

And I've earned $126.33 for all that work.

Clearly, it's the toughest $126.33 I've ever earned.

I use Blogger as my blog host. It's Google's blogging service. I use it because it's simple, as are almost all of my posts. I've also enable ads to be posted on my blog. Having ads on my blog means the more  views I receive directly translates to cold hard cash. If you do the math, it means I've earned 3¢ for each blog post I've written and published.

Three cents.

I hope this doesn't come across as complaining. I truly do not mean to give this impression. I understand it's my responsibility to write and post things people want to see and read. I can't blame the public if I don't give them interesting things. And it's not like I put in a lot of time/effort/research into these posts, either. If you read them, you know this to be true. Basically, I'm giving an opinion on things, on my life, our home, our yard, my work, my family. I'm not a famous person. I don't have the biggest family--not a lot of people to draw upon for views. And, to be honest, I'm sure many of my friends/family are tired and/or bored of these daily offerings.

This is post #4156. If the numbers stand, I'll earn an additional three pennies. If you click on this and have stuck with me to this point, hopefully it's been worth your time. Since I like writing and sharing these posts, it's been worth mine, and if you've stuck with me today or any time in the past, I want to give you a sincere, thank you.

Saying "Thanks" On Veterans Day...

I sat home all day--no work to go to, no rehearsals to attend. I did some writing, watched some football, and did the family's laundry.

Before all that, I hung our flag outside.

It was probably the best thing I did all day, even though taking freshly-made pies to the garage refrigerator for tomorrow night's Family Pie Night after my wife asked me to was important, too. I thought about using the picture of the flag as today's "Pic Of The Day," but I decided against it. I should devote more time to the flag, the day, and what the day means to me than just posting a simple picture.

We can thank the relatives who went before us for literally our lives. Because of their decisions we're here. And because of how events turned out, people living today do so in a world where more people are fed, clothed, and sheltered than at any given time in the history of humanity.

What does that have to do with Veterans Day?

I'd like to think we're smart enough to not want to kill each other. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. Just in the twentieth century alone millions of people died due to the decisions of their governments. And because of brave men and women of our country, things turned out differently than they could have.

We honor (or, at least, discuss...) veterans only a few times a year, and like my single picture of a flag, they deserve more attention than that. They volunteered to die for people they don't even know. There are few things in life that compares with that.

In a world where everyone wants to be famous, they serve wanting nothing but a simple "thank you," and for those whom they serve to treat them with respect. If we could all follow their example.

I benefit from the sacrifices of others. My father and four of his brothers served in WWII. Thankfully, they all survived. And I stayed home all day, watching sports, trying to write, doing laundry, and accessing all the world's information at my fingertips. I exist because of the actions and sacrifices of others. To them I say, thanks. I'll try to be a better person because you and what you did.

My Thanks...To A Bunch Of Zombies

After my summer gig ended, Lagoon asked me to help them out with their Frightmares season. They needed floor managers for one of their shows. My son, with whom I worked at that summer gig, was already lined up as a floor manager and they needed more help.

"Sure," I said. "Sounds like fun."

I didn't realize it would be much more than that.

I work in an office building on the third floor surrounded by half-high gray cubicle walls. At no time in my almost twenty year career have I worked with zombies (of course, some might argue I do, but that depends on the definition of "zombie" which is a whole of other topic altogether...). But I did last month. As everyone watched the Frightmares zombies entertain, my job was to observe the people, making sure they were safe and that the kids (and occasionally, the adults...) didn't grab the chain that formed our temporary stage.

I loved watching the people. They smiled. They sang along. They danced and clapped and cheered. They were happy and being a part of that production--albeit, a small one--was very satisfying.

But, when I looked back after the season ended, I realized what I most appreciated about the job were two things: 1--working with my son, and 2--the way the cast and crew treated my son.

Some authors have asked me why I do so many shows. Granted, usually I don't do as many shows as I've done in the past two years, but even one show can throw a writer's schedule into complete chaos, especially a writer who works a full-time job and is trying to be a good husband and father.

I do shows--for the most part--to be with my kids. My son doesn't like to do plays like his brother and sister do, so this summer I got to spend time with him, performing and getting paid to do it. Spending so much time with him this past summer and fall made me remember what it was like being sixteen-years old. The fact that he looks almost exactly like I did at his age helped. I remember what it was like to be shy, especially around confident performers. When I was sixteen I worked with the show "Music U.S.A." doing lights. Those performers were larger-than-life at times. They could do things I could only dream of doing, and they treated me well, like one of their own, like I somehow belonged.

Fast-forward thirty-three or so years and I'm watching life repeat itself. I watched entertainers make jokes and laugh and compliment the boy who looks the way I did and it made me happy, more happy than seeing the faces of all those who came to watch the zombies sing and dance.

So, as a father on my own father's birthday, I thank you Karson, Mickey and Truman, to the Aarons, Mason and Cody, to Taryn, Alexa, Angie, Jack, Chelsey, Amber, Matt and Adam. You all made my first Frightmares a fantastic time. 

Thank you.

No...Thank You

Back in June of last year, I wrote a blog post about a friend who had passed away (you can check out the original blog post: HERE). I had just found out a person I knew was his daughter. I wish I had known this back when we did a show together a few years ago. We could have had some fun conversations.

This week I received a couple of comments from people in my friend's life who thanked me for including those thoughts in my blog. Their comments mean a lot to me. I write these blog posts for many reasons, mostly for the benefit of my family (and also, so I can remember things in my old age...). But sometimes, I write for others.

Looking back in my journal, I came across my friend's wedding announcement--what a beautiful couple. For those people who sent me comments, I'm glad I could, in some small way, touch their lives and bring back memories of the man we all love and wish we could be with again. They thanked me, but really, I wanted to thank them for their kind words. Take care, and God bless.