number 3

Death Penalty or the New Dog?

I'm torn between opining on the death penalty or telling you about our new puppy.  If this were the pilot of a new TV show, I'd go for the DP, but that would be depressive and controversial.  The only thing controversial about the puppy is what our six-year old cat thinks of her.  As I sit here staring at the flashing curser, I think I'll save capital punishment for later, but mostly I'm against it.  What would you expect from a left-leaning Oberlin grad?

On Saturday, the girls and I headed out on errands.  For those not completely in the loop, that means my two daughters Emma (14), and Grace (11).  We needed birdseed for the backyard feeders and went into a local pet store for that reason.  The local humane society was there and you can guess the rest.  Ginger is approximately 3 months old (we arbitrarily chose the 4th of July as her B-day), and is at least a yellow lab. We're not sure about the other half, but golden retriever is the odds on favorite.  She's behaves like a puppy should, but she has the sweetest disposition.  If this dog ever bites anyone in anger, I'll eat the hat of your choice.  Right now, she's all legs, and those legs aren't the most coordinated.  It's especially humorous watching her navigate steps, although I do feel guilty about laughing after the fact.  She's a wonderful addition to the family.

Kitty, (who had a real name once upon a time), would beg to differ.  We've had the cat for 6 or 7 years, and he's always been a little skittish, but he's learned to be fairly mellow around the four of us.  I'm not fluent in cat but I think his first impression could best be summed up as, "seriously, wtf?"  He'll get used to Ginger, or he won't.  Frankly, I don't care.

The toughest part has been the middle of the night trips to the backyard for "poops and piddles".  I've accepted this responsibility.  When I told my wife this makes up for all the 2 A.M. feedings she endured with the girls she looked at me dubiously and said, "ah, no."  I left it alone after that.

That's enough for now (and I was right - it was much more fun writing about our new puppy than the DP - maybe there's a lesson there for all of us).

number 2

Where I'm Coming From

It seems that I should share some information about myself to provide appropriate context about any posts that will follow.  For instance, if you were to read something that was critical of President Obama, it would be helpful to know if it were said by Rush Limbaugh or Keith Olberman.

First of all, I'm a blackhole of pop culture references.  As I go through my day, the things I do or see send a constant stream of song lyrics, TV shows, books, and/or movies to my mind.  Be prepared for those obscure references.  They may not make sense to you, but to me they're perfectly logical.

Politically and socially, (big pause... do I really want to put this out there?  Of course I do.  I already decided I did when I started AtRP), I'm left of center.  However, I feel very strongly that the ability to reach out to people of other points of view to reach consensus is more important than any political ideology.  That doesn't mean I don't have strong convictions.  I do, and I'm right (as in correct).  It only means that I recognize that another person can have a different point of view and be equally convinced that he or she is correct.  It seems to me that our leaders have lost the ability to compromise, and that is a big part of our country's problems right now.  Please understand that if I share an opinion that you might disagree with, I consider that the start of the dialogue and not the end.  Principled, uncompromising stands may make good theater, but in the end they rarely accomplish anything.

QUIZ answer:  Thunder Road (from Born to Run)

"Screen door slams, Mary's dress waves,
Like a vision she dances across the porch
as the radio plays
Roy Orbison singing for the lonely.
Hey, that's me and I want you only."

(more about Bruce to come, I'm sure)

number 1

I must believe that me and my opinions are worth sharing.  Why else would I be doing this?  I hope it's more than simple narcissism.  Recently, as John Lennon and I have been watching the wheels go 'round and round, I've been feeling the need to share my thoughts with the world around me, so I thought I'd give this a whirl.  Some posts may be profound, but many probably won't be.  My love of irony and absurdist humor should ensure that.

Let's start things of with a quiz.  Anyone with even a casual knowledge of me knows that music is an important part of my life.  The name of the blog - "As the Radio Plays" - comes from what song by Bruce Springsteen?

The answer will come soon.