What Ever Happened to Holiday Cheer?

Thanksgiving turned out to be a sensational experience for me this year: the weather was fantastic, the food menu was nontraditional (which was quite tasty and none was left over... to include beer), and the sports venue—as well as time spent with family and friends—was tremendously entertaining. These are the kind of moments I'm sure we all enjoy and cherish as we observe the holidays. But then I saw a Best Buy paper advertisement. I was suddenly reminded of how sensitive and litigious our society has become.

Some time ago, Best Buy announced that it would no longer print the words “Merry Christmas” in its flyers. Incidentally, I was reading through one of its ads last week to get a feel for the kinds of things offered for the famous Black Friday sales, when I happen to come across the company's way of spreading holiday cheer: Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstices, and Eid A-Adha (a Muslim holiday that contained bolder font and extra bordering)... no mention of happy Thanksgiving, which at the time of this ad was the befalling of the holiday.

Now, I understand why this ad was posted this way; I understand the reasoning behind why we fuss and fight over holidays nowadays. I'm all for healthy debates and the mulling over pros and cons; merits and demerits of certain viewpoints. However, while I feel that it is appropriate to be inclusive (in terms of other worldly causes and points of views), I feel that it is inappropriate to be exclusive when it comes to our own causes, traditions, and views. I somehow get the feeling that we placate the other side and other traditions more than we do our own. Is this because our overly litigious society makes it uncomfortable for some to rest at night from fear of legal backlash? Have judges morphed their own roles to resemble lawmakers rather than interpreters? Are we, on some level, afraid that we may be attacked again on grounds of "American dogma"?

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the bickering, fussing, and fighting at a time when we're suppose to be cheerful and festive. This happens every year! Have we not sorted this out yet?

-R

January 6 is my birthday. For many years—rain, hail, sleet, or snow—I've always been able to thrive and go about this day festively and in a most enjoyable fashion (not that the obligatory shot of tequila has anything to do with it).  Like other holidays—because let's be honest, birthdays are holidays unique to each individual—I've learned that the older I become, the less weight or emphasis I put upon all the celebratory rituals (like parties, for example).

Don't get me wrong—I enjoy taking pause to reflect upon the many years I've been able to enjoy life, but if there's going to be some big blowout having, party hat wearing, confetti everywhere, vomit-provoking party... just for me… well, somebody else would have to see that this happens. Not me. I enjoy recognizing this day, but as I've said before... it's usually low key. But has anyone ever stopped to think about from where did this tradition of celebrating birthdays come?

Many centuries ago in Europe (back when only kings were worthy of birthday celebrations), it was believed that evil spirits took interest in people the most when it was their birthday. To ward off this perceived danger and vulnerability, family and friends would surround a person, on the day of his or her birthday, with festivities, foods, gifts, arts, and crafts; thus, instigating and bringing about of good, warm, and happy thoughts—actively dissuading evil spirits from partaking their odious and devilish activities. Heinous superstition?

Anyway, there's my food for thought with regard to birthdays.

-R

Driving in OK

Driving in the state of Oklahoma can really infect one with road rage. I've been here for eight years and have traveled to numerous places, but not many places compare to Oklahoma when it comes to some of its drivers. I'm not really sure what contributes to this phenomenon; I tend to believe that it stems from highway design: on/off ramps often share the same space, yielding only 50 feet of asphalt for cars to exit and get out into the flow of traffic (both at the same time). It's funny how cars looking to exit are often met with resistance by those who are coming out (even though yielding is the rule).

But what I don't understand the most is how come people are so hell-bent on not allowing others to pass? Why is it that when one uses his or her turn signal, a device of which we all are suppose to use, people just speed up to stop you from advancing in front of them? Even if it appears as though you're contemplating on advancing in front of them (slightly by looking at your rear-view mirror)… they speed up!! What is the deal, people? Is this why no one uses turn signals?

The last thing I will harp on is rubbernecking. I'm not really sure what the deal is as far as accidents and how they affect drivers clean on the other side of the freeway (traveling in the opposite direction, no less). I really hate when I'm in a rush to go somewhere, only to find that traffic is backed up for 3 miles due to a fender-bender or because the state trooper has pulled someone over. Why? And why is it that people are always willing to let you go ahead first only when it's inconvenient or when they are the ones who has the right-of-way (like those annoying stop sign standoffs, for example)?

Is it just me?

-R

Halloween

Through the years, childhood and all, Halloween has undoubtedly been one of my favorite holidays. Often times when I reminisce about my childhood, Halloween always seems to be a part of those memories. Memories, at least in my case, always seem to play out in a way that is similar to watching a film strip that is fragmented and blurry. My visions of Halloween aren't so blurry or obstructed.

The fact that this holiday lands on a moderate (in some cases, brisk) time of year makes it perfect for bonfires. I remember as a child smelling the faint and distant aroma of burning materials, as we prepared to go trick-or-treating under the orange-magenta sky, slowly befallen by darkness. Seeing who could acquire the most amount of candy was always my favorite part. The flavors of Candy Corn, Mary Janes, Tootsie Rolls, and Sugar Babies have their special places in my memory bank. Without these flavors, things just would not have been the same.

My second favorite thing to do back then was dawning the ensemble. Who could ever forget the innovative Superman costume: all the right clothing with the exception of the cape. The cape would always be substituted with a towel held on by clothes pins. Haha! Those were the days. Halloween is no longer a safe holiday. I remember when kids had to beware of embedded razor blades inside certain candies. Ever since then things have swiftly gone downhill. I wonder what's next?

-R

Life as a Working Student

I've been a uniform service member (U.S. Air Force) for over 16 years and I've traveled all over the world. My primary job in the Air Force is Communications Systems Operator (CSO) as a crew member on board the E-3 Sentry, also known as AWACS, where I've accrued over 2,500 flying hours. In the AWACS community I'm also known as the subject matter expert, because I'm also an airborne instructor, evaluator, and I manage the training curriculum other CSO's must accomplish upon qualification on the AWACS. I've been stationed at Tinker AFB since November 2001.

As one can imagine my job keeps me pretty busy: flying, keeping track of meetings, ensuring training syllabi and courseware are in tip-top, world-class condition. But these aren't the only things I strive to maintain; I work hard at obtaining a quality education as well. Those who know me will tell you that education is very important to me. Up to this point I've been able to secure a total of four associate degrees under four different disciplines or studies. The plan, as of right now, is to graduate with a baccalaureate degree from Oklahoma City University, and continue my education at Oklahoma University beginning Fall 2011. So one must wonder at this point—how am I able to do all of this; what keeps me motivated.

We all understand that an education is instrumental to a successful life. We further understand that employers seek education as well as experience in future employees. We are no longer in a time where a high school diploma is the ticket; but rather, bachelor degrees have become the new standard. Having a Masters degree has become the new way of establishing oneself apart from the norm or standard. Of course there's always the danger of over qualifying oneself.  At any rate, these are the things that drive me to strive. These are the things that keep me centered and my eyes on the ball. Living in a competitive world.

While keeping my eyes on the ball, life as a working student is no easy feat; in fact, it can be truly exhausting (depending on how classes and flight schedules align themselves). Obviously, the hope is that they don't collide or line-up in a way that will maximize fatigue. Sometimes this is truly unavoidable. The unique thing about being a working student that's different from that of being a traditional student is that most of us appreciate the value of an education; we want to engage the onslaught of academia, unlike most fresh-out-of-high school students, whose parents (in some cases, not all) have given them no choice. 

Personally, at the end of the day, I get a sense of gratification knowing that I work so hard at making myself a better person and a better citizen. 

-Rick