It's not you, it's me...

There are ways to break off a relationship that are open and honest, and then there are absolute lies that both parties recognize as complete fabrications. One of those is to say this simple phrase, "It's not you, it's me." The person breaking up is trying to let the rejected party down easy. This approach is designed to not destroy the self esteem of the "victim." And it is crap.

Today we heard about the automobile industry from President Obama, and we heard about his plan to save General Motors. Among other things, the CEO was asked (ordered) to step down. Most likely Mr. Rick Wagoner was informed he would be allowed to resign, or he would be fired. The result would be the same of course, just the resume would look different. Fired looks much worse than resigned when applying for a new position.

Call me cynical, but this announcement came right before the President said, "Let me be clear: The United States government has no interest in running GM; we have no intention in running GM." Now I don't know much, but I do know that giving someone the order to terminate their employment sounds like you might be trying to run things. Just saying.

In his news conference, President Obama said, "This is not meant as a criticism of Mr. Wagoner, who has devoted his life to this company; rather it's a recognition that it will take a new vision and new direction to create the GM of the future."

So let me get this straight, you want me out but I really did not do much wrong? Sound like a line of garbage to you? I don't think it passes the smell test.

On January 2, 2001, I went to work expecting a normal day. A few hours later I was home and no longer employed. My boss decided he wanted to move in a different direction and did not feel I had the skills to perform the new duties he wanted someone in my position to have. That was his prerogative, he was the boss. As I look back, I agree with him and he did me a favor. I began to recognize and work on some things that would prepare me for such a position in the future. Certainly, I was not happy, yet never was I bitter. Essentially what he told me was it was not me, it was him and the organization as a whole would be better if someone with a different skill set was in my position. I knew my boss was a man of integrity and I believed he was serious.

Back to today: I don't know Mr. Wagoner at all. He could be a despicable human being and maybe he deserves swift and harsh punishment for poor management at GM. He could be a good man, caught up in a position in which he could not be truly successful. Union contracts and government intervention may have created a situation where Rick Wagoner was destined to fail.
Most likely, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

What I do know is when Mr. Obama said no criticism was meant of Mr. Wagoner, that is a load of crap. This was said at the same time Obama said he did not want to run GM, yet we are firing the CEO. Other changes include new members on its board. So we don't want to run General Motors, but we are going to run GM. That is the same as when someone says, "I don't want to say anything bad about that person, but..."

We have all heard things in our past that just don't add up. This speech from the President today is certainly one that does not add up.

Mr. President, I am having a difficult time believing much of what you say and agreeing with your policies. But don't worry, it's not you, it's me!

Driving and Crying

Like many areas, this county where I live has a few quirks. Many of the people are nice, there are a million churches, it seems everyone has a truck, and I think it is against the law to own an acre and not have at least one abandoned vehicle in your front yard.

The most irritating quirk is the way many of the residents of this quaint mountain county drive. Many of the residents seem to think turn signals were options not included on their specific vehicle. Young or old, regardless of the condition of the car (or truck), the vast majority of drivers simply do not use their turn signal. Now I recognize that some may have a signal that does not work or a turn light could be out. That said, there is absolutely no way this many folks can have trouble with their turn signals all at the same time. What I don't know for sure, but suspect, is drivers that do not signal are in a couple of camps.

• Everybody knows where I live so I don't need to use a signal
• I just got distracted and forgot to turn the signal on
  
• I don't care what the law is, I ain't goin' to use that @#$% signal 'cause I pay taxes, I pay the salary of the PO-lice and if'n they pull me over I aim to remind 'em of that

Now of course I don't know this for sure, and this a great assumption on my part. I figure the first one is the most common. Many folks have lived in the same area for years and years. So they probably think everyone knows they are going to turn. What I would not doubt is that a large percentage of drivers in this county have that third reason in mind. These same folks throw the cellophane from their cigarettes out on the road and refuse to buckle their seat belts. Laws and rules are for others, not them. The second reason is probably the least common, yet most understandable. It is easy to get distracted while talking on your phone, lighting a cigarette, yelling at one of the kids, getting the dog out of the way so you can see and throwing your beer can into the bed of the truck as you drive. Who wouldn't be distracted?

The other type of driver that bothers me is the "Sunday Driver." My parents referred to these drivers when I was a kid. These were the kinds of drivers who often took a drive on Sunday after church. They were in no hurry and had no particular place to go. It seems like a large number of drivers in this area have no concept of "speed limit." I know and understand that the speed limit is supposed to be the maximum speed that can be safely driven on a specific stretch of road. All I am asking is that they approach the speed limit. I mean, like come somewhat close to it. Do you know how infuriating it is to travel 15 miles below the speed limit on a 2 lane road? When you see a line of 37 cars behind you, you probably need to either speed up or get off the road!!! Highway 70 is one of the main arteries for transportation in our area. I understand a loaded 18 wheeler or dump truck or school bus traveling slowly, or when there is poor weather. That makes sense. What does not make sense is a perfectly sunny day, when a driver will decide to mandate the speed everyone else can drive by traveling along at 35 mph in a 55 mph zone in their 1990 Ford Aerostar. Or maybe that does make sense.

The last type of driver I cannot fathom is those on a "Liquor Cycle." For those not from this area, this is a person who normally has lost their license, often from something along the lines of D.U.I., that drives on the main roads on a motorized scooter. Now you might think that losing a license should prevent someone from driving. Not in North Carolina! As long as you are the legal age to drive the scooter, you can drive one. No license is required! At least these folks are trying to get to and from work, however they drive on the main roads, and even when they pull a little closer to the shoulder they still block the road. These scooters don't go very fast. The line of cars stretches miles behind the scooter. But at least they wear a helmet for when those in real automobiles get up real close and knock them into a ditch.

As I said, this area has some positives. The driving is certainly not one of them. And I am certainly glad no one can ever complain about my driving! I learned to drive in Atlanta. If you ain't bumping and drafting you ain't trying.

So while I appreciate the slower pace of the area, I do not like the driving skills exhibited here. Maybe I should open a driving school. Anybody have a car with break pedals on both sides?

And away she goes...

Oh the concentration!

This past Sunday saw a big event in our family. Our little 5 year old girl, Lauren, learned to ride her bike without training wheels. We tried this about a year ago, but she just could not quite get it. This time, off she went and never looked back.

She jumped on, and off she went. Of course there were some tough moments. She had a difficult time learning to turn. Mail boxes, trees, bushes, the occasional parked car all presented challenges-and at times targets. With a little steadying from Dad, and a little encouragement from Amy and Andrew, she got it. Each day since she has ridden more to practice and the improvement is drastic.

Think back to when you were a child. When we start school, we think we have arrived. We think we are finally a "big kid." That said, the biggest moment of our childhood is when the training wheels come off. When we ride with training wheels everyone on the street can hear us coming. There is no way to sneak up on anyone. Those things are loud. The removal of the training wheels opens up a new world. We can ride quietly, can go over hills and through fields. We can learn to do wheelies, jumps, and occasionally win a race. We can feel the wind and experience true freedom.

Inevitably, we fall. Tonight Lauren got a little ambitious. She went up the only hill on our street. Coming down, she got a little wobbly and experienced a crash. Now she has a little "road rash." We think she will live. She is doubtful about that. We know she is tough and will get back on the bike, learn her lesson (hopefully) and ride better next time. Riding a bike is a reflection of life. We learn, fall, get back on and get better. We ride faster, slower, more daring, wreck, but do better next time.

I saw something else when she rode off: I saw the future. Someday, all too soon, she won't want her dad to steady her. She will go off to high school, college and the rest of her life. She is the perfect age right now-full of wonder and zest for life. Lauren is a good girl, smart and frequently laughing. She never meets a stranger and is full of confidence.

My little girl is growing up. I won't be one of those hovering helicopter parents. Those folks really are doing no good for their children. I want my kids to know I am there for them, yet I refuse to be the over protective nightmares we hear about in the news. Just because she is growing up does not mean I have to like it. Sometimes I lay awake at night wondering what will happen with my kids. I am so proud of each of them. They truly are a blessing.

Someday Lauren may look back at this post and be embarrassed. I won't apologize for telling her how proud I am of her. All too soon she will be gone. I want her to have the confidence to face the world and make her place. I just want her to know I will always be willing to steady when she wants it.

Really, there is something in my eye.

Look at her go!