Random Thoughts July 2007

When I tell people they’d make a good politician, sometimes they take it as a complement. It’s not. Why do people insist on bringing their cell phones in the work out area of the gym? I really don’t want to hear about how awful your ex-spouse is while I’m working out.

Sometimes I think I’d be a better parent if kids came with some sort of instruction manual.

After years of watching the Tigers languish near the bottom of baseball’s power rankings, it’s nice to see them consistently ranked in the top five.

Why is it when someone is an expert in one field, they think that makes them an expert in everything else?

Sometimes the hardest thing about writing books is deciding which of the three or four that are constantly bouncing around your head is the one you want to write.

Nice clothes, a fancy car, and a big house may give someone the appearance of success, but the real measurement of success is not what you wear, drive, or live but what you actually produce.

Michael Connelly is one of the best writers in America. Too bad the literary snobs of the world won’t give him a read. They’re missing out.

As much as I love politics, I’m really sad that the presidential election has started as early as it has. I could get burned out on it long before it comes time to vote in the primaries.

The only thing worse than having one sick child, is having two sick children. Thankfully I don’t know what it’s like (yet) to have three sick children.

We haven’t had any measurable precipitation in over six weeks. It’s time like this I wished I lived in the Seattle area.

You know it’s hot outside when you never seem to cool down from your run no matter how cold of a shower you took.

I’ve gone to the pool more this summer than in the last 10 years combined.

Talking about fixing a problem is easy. Taking action to actually solve it is difficult.

I love reading to my kids.

If I could have anything in the world right now, I’d ask for a comfortable couch to lie on, a good book to read, and ask that all my other pressing deadlines simply go away.

Mike Maroth is a Cardinal. Who knew?

 

I’ve been so busy being a husband and father, and getting the final details on my book worked out, I didn’t even know that the Detroit Tigers traded Mike Maroth to the St. Louis Cardinals three weeks ago. I was driving back and forth from the hospital on Saturday listening to sports radio when some baseball announced that Maroth was getting pounded against the Phillies and my first thought was: What are the Tigers doing playing the Phillies? I thought they were taking on the Mariners this weekend.

The only reason I mention it because I saw Maroth pitch in his second major league game and earn his first victory against the then defending World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks five years ago. (What it really five years ago?) It happened to be the first Detroit Tiger game I ever attended and one of my fondest sports memories. Marathon Girl and I also saw him pitch and earn a win against the Rockies the following summer.

Because he seemed to win every time I watched him play in person, I offered to attend every game he started in return for airfare, tickets to the game, and other expenses. Sadly, he never took me up on it. He really could have used my presence in the stands Saturday.

I hope he enjoys playing for the lowly Cardinals. That has to be a big step down going from a winning team to a losing one -- espically when he was with the Tigers when they were the lowliest team in the majors.

Room for Two Book Cover and Back Cover Excerpt

Available to order online at abelkeogh.com in August 2007

In bookstores September 2007 

On a November afternoon, Abel's world comes to an end.

As he steps through the door of his home, he hears a gunshot echo from the bedroom. His fears are realized when he finds his pregnant wife dead, a victim of suicide. Their premature baby is rushed to the hospital. She dies nine days later.

A true story, Room for Two follows Abel as he deals with the grief, anger and guilt that accompany his wife's death. As he struggles with the thought that he is to blame for Krista's depression and subsequent suicide -- and the death of their only child -- Abel comes to realize that if he wants to move on, he must forgive Krista, as well as himself.

With time and the help of a wonderful woman, Julianna, Abel begins to understand that if he can let go of the past he can have another chance at happiness. As their relationship progresses, he also learns that every life has trials and tribulations -- none are exempt. It is when a person rises to their challenges that they conquer and find peace.

A touching account of one man's struggle for happiness, Room for Two is a story that readers will never forget.

Read the first chapter.

Fake Book Cover

 

Those who are on my mailing list know I’ve expressed concern that my book cover would look like some sort of silly romance novel – you know, one that I’d be embarrassed to be seen reading, selling, or giving out for friends and family.

Well the good news is that I just approved the final cover of the book from the publisher. I really like it and I’m proud to say that it’s a cover that I’m not ashamed of. All things considered, I think Cedar Fort did an excellent job and captured the mood and message of Room for Two very well.

I showed the real cover to my graphic designer friend Trevor yesterday. He said the publishers didn’t get the actual message of my book and whipped up the cover at the top of this post.

I think he did a great job recreating my reoccurring nightmare.

I did have some fun with the fake cover around the office, however. I proudly showed several co-workers the amazing cover for my book and had to hold back the laughs as they struggled to complement it.

I’ll be posting the real cover in the next few days and unveiling some new places on my website. Be patient and stay tuned.

Update: I forgot to mention that I thought Trevor did a great job of capturing my muscular body though my hair's brown, not black.

Made in America -- Or Else

When the Boy Scouts put American flags in yards throughout my neighborhood on Wednesday, I didn’t check to see if the flags were made in the United States. They might have been manufactured in China, Taiwan, or Mexico. Honestly, I don’t care where the flags were manufactured. All I know is that they added to the patriotic feeling in the neighborhood as we celebrated our nation’s independence.

If I lived in the great state of Minnesota, however, I’d have to care where the flag was made. At the end of the year, a new law goes into effect that makes it illegal to sell American flags that aren’t made in the United States. Those who sell foreign-made American flags could be faced with a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.

The Founding Fathers must be rolling in their graves.

The new law was the brainchild of Democratic state congressman Tom Rukavina who, bursting no doubt with American-made pride, said: “The biggest honor that you can give the flag is that it be made by American workers in the United States of America.”

Actually, the biggest honor you could give the flag is actually abiding by the principles it symbolizes – freedom and liberty – not cloaking yourself in the American flag while acting like a communist dictator or petty tyrant.

The irony of passing a law that forces retailers to sell only flags that are made in the USA is apparently lost on Rukavina and the other legislators that supported the measure. Having the freedom to purchase a flag made in America or one made in China is a foreign concept to them.

It’s easy to get upset at smalltime state representatives like Rukavina. But his well-intentioned bill is small potatoes compared to what other freedom-grabbing politicians are doing.

  • In Brandon, Ore., Scott Cook’s income-producing timberland is being taken by the city via eminent domain so it can be sold to another businessman to expand his golf course.
  • A law, signed by then-governor and current Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, took effect in Massachusetts this week that requires all residents of the state have health insurance
  • The U.S. Senate recently passed an energy bill that forces automakers to improve their fuel efficiency standards.
  • Other politicians want to legislate what shows radio stations can broadcast or how many stations an individual or company can own.

Freedom or liberty anyone?

Politicians on both sides of the aisle don’t understand it. Most pay lip service to our liberty and rights but often use the first opportunity to restrict them. Of course they do so under the guise that they’re making our lives better. Supporters of the Minnesota law said it would help save American manufacturing jobs.

Of course if people understood what true liberty and freedom was, they wouldn’t elect politicians like Rukavina who have nothing better to do then dictate whether the flags we buy are made in the United States or another country.

Before you know it legislators will be demanding that only American made flags be displayed.

Oh, wait. Arizona is already doing that.

As of last Sunday, each junior high, high school, and college classrooms in Arizona are now required to display an American-made Old Glory. Flags made outside the United States are not allowed to be displayed.

Apparently the great minds in the Arizona legislature think displaying the American-made Stars and Stripes will make Arizona students bleed red, white, and blue. It seems that flags are a more effective way to promote patriotism than actually teaching things like the Constitution.

“Nothing is more embarrassing to me than a plastic flag made in China. This replica of freedom we should respect should be made in this country,” Rukavina said as he passed out miniature flags at Independence Day parades in his district.

In reality, nothing is more embarrassing than a politician giving lip service to freedom while supporting laws that do the exact opposite.

American politicians should know better.

Unfortunately, most don’t.

***

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This essay was originally published on FreeCapitalist.com. You can read all of Abel's FreeCapitalist essays here.

My Kids Speak Bulgarian

I haven’t spoken Bulgarian on a daily basis in 10 years. Were I put in a room today with someone who only spoke Bulgarian, I’d probably have a hard time understanding them, let alone putting together a comprehensible sentence. The last time I attempted to speak it with a native Bulgarian was on my honeymoon with Marathon Girl. We ate at a Bulgarian restaurant in Las Vegas and I managed to order a meal and carry on a basic conversation with the waitress. The waitress was so floored that an American could speak Bulgarian, she rewarded Marathon Girl and I with some complimentary Bulgarian deserts after our meal.  The only word Bulgarian word I use on a somewhat regular basis is stiga (pronounced STEE-ga). Translated it means Stop it! or Enough! When used on context, you say it to a misbehaving dog or other animal. You never say it to a person. At least that’s what Bulgarians told me.

Of course how one is supposed to use the word doesn’t stop me from using it at my kids when they’re fighting or misbehaving. If they don’t settle down I’m more than likely to use the world stiga than “Knock it off!” or “Quit fighting!” For some reason the word just works better in my mind for the point I'm trying to make to the kids.

I didn’t realize that the boys even understood the context of stiga (or how much I used the word) until Aidan and Steven were fighting over a toy last week. Steven was upset that Aidan wouldn’t share and tried to take it from Aidan. A mighty struggle ensued. Once Aidan realized Steven wasn’t going to give up the fight for the toy he yelled “Stiga, Steven!” at which point Steven backed down.

After I got over my initial shock that Aidan said a Bulgarian word, I took him aside and explained to him that stiga wasn’t English and that most people wouldn’t understand what he was saying. I then told him I’d try to speak English when I was talking to him and Steven.

Of course that little talk did nothing to dissuade Aidan from saying stiga several times since then. And I still catch myself using it even though I quickly follow it up with a “Stop it, boys” or “Quit fighting.”

The whole incident has been another reminder for me what an example parents are to their kids and how we constantly do things that they pick up on – even if we’re unaware of it. I should be glad that it’s just a Bulgarian word my kids have picked up on. If I was a swearing man no doubt Aidan and Steven would pick up on that too. I’d much rather have them stay stiga than swear words.

Hopefully any other bad examples I’m unconsciously setting for them aren’t becoming part of their daily habits too. If they are, not doubt they'll show up very soon.

Small Shopping Carts

The grocery store near our home has about a half dozen miniaturized shopping carts. They’re about a third the size of a normal shopping cart and are perfect for children to use who are too short or small to “help” mom and dad by pushing the big shopping cart. Every time I take Aidan to the store, I hope that a small cart is available because it keeps Aidan from engaging in mischievous three-year-old behavior. I was relieved to find one last night when Marathon Girl and I did our huge monthly shopping trip. Instead of having to worry about Aidan running all over the place, we just give him a cart and he and I take part of the grocery list and go shopping. Not only does this cut the amount of time we spend in the store by about a third, but it actually makes grocery shopping a fun experience. Aidan and I race down an aisles, food put it in the cart, and race down another one to get more food. When his cart is full, we empty the contents into my bigger shopping cart and go find more food.

So last night after I put him to bed, I asked him what his favorite part of the day was.

“Buying food,” Aidan said.

“I like it when you help Dad buy food,” I said. “You’re a good helper.”

“Can we buy food tomorrow?” Aidan asked.

I explained to Aidan that we didn’t need to buy food everyday but next time I needed to go to the store he was more than welcome to come and help.

I don’t know who came up with the idea of making small carts for kids, but I hope the person’s a millionaire. Those carts have made grocery shopping something I actually look forward too as opposed to just another chore. The person that can do that should be richly rewarded indeed.

Hope you all have a safe and memorable Independence Day!

Live Free or Die Hard

 

Yippie-ki-yay! John McClane is back.

It’s been a long time since Hollywood came up with a decent action movie. Fortunately, Live Free or Die Hard helps reestablish a genre that has been on the recent decline.

The story begins when McClane (Bruce Willis) is assigned to pick up hacker Justin Long (Matt Farrell) and take him to FBI headquarters in Washington D.C. Thinking it’s just another routine assignment to pick up a computer nerd, McClane unenthusiastically goes to Long’s apartment only to find himself involved in a shoot out with people intent on killing the suspect.

After some intense and very slick action sequences in which McClane takes care of the bad guys, the pair heads off to Washington D.C. Once they arrive, the entire city begins shutting down. After a brief talk with the FBI, they conclude an Internet terrorist group is bent on shutting down the entire country by taking over the country’s vital computer systems.

But McClane’s not letting a bunch of computer geeks shut down the United States. What follows is two-hours of some of the most original and innovative action sequences in an action movie. Whether it’s taking down a helicopter with a police car, driving a 18-wheeler over a collapsing freeway system, or escaping from an SUV before it plummets down an elevator shaft, McClane shows that nothing can stop him from getting the bad guys.

Action and adventure type movies are never big on creating characters that the audience will actually care about. But that’s okay. There are just good guys and bad guys in this film. But like any good action movie, the audience will root for the hero and cheer when bad guys meet their demise – never mind the fact that the bad guy’s motives for shutting down the entire country are a little weak and the plot a bit implausible.

Willis is one of the most underrated actors and delivers another great performance as the hero who always keeps his cool even if the world around him is falling to pieces. He knows just how to deliver the script’s one-liners and come across as a regular guy who wants to save the world.

My only real complaint is that they killed off the best bad guy, played by Maggie Q, too early in the film. Q’s character was the most interesting of all the villains and it would have made the move better to see her in final climatic fight with McClane instead of the lackluster mastermind played by Timothy Olyphant.

Live Free or Die Hard is a perfect way to escape from the summer heat, reality, or any in-laws that may be visiting during Independence Day. Fans of action-packed, shoot-‘m-up movies will love the latest Die Hard installment and audiences will leave the theatre excited that once again John McClane saved the day.

Let’s hope Live Free or Die Hard is the first in a series of improved action/adventure movies that will come out of Hollywood.

*** stars (out of four)

Book Update II

The final edits for Room for Two were accepted by the editor yesterday. • It goes to press July 15. • I get to see the cover art next week. (Crossing my fingers that I like it.) • I should be in bookstores sometime in September though I’ll be selling copies on my website sometime in August.

Part of me can’t believe that I’m pretty much done with it. Even though it was three years ago, it seems like yesterday I started writing Room for Two, and just dreaming that it would be published.

All my hard work and perseverance has paid off.

My dream is about to become a reality.