Hop's Thoughts

Now, this isn't a photo with a hidden message, funny incident or a foot that looks like male genitalia. It's not a knee slapper or an "Oh my god" moment. It's when something that's been around you all your life, comes into focus as not being what it appeared. At times, I wonder what hurts more, the reality of it or the reality I ignored, not only the signs, but the warnings. We are raised to love and respect our parents and grandparents. We are raised to. We are raised to listen and obey, value their wisdom and most of all, in most cases, we're told by outsiders to emulate their lives. We hear people say, "If I can be half the man my father was," or "If I'm half the mother my mom was," and then something following that pertains to luck. But here's where this has always fascinated me. We judge our father's on being men, but our mother's on being moms. Why? I'm 47-years-old and I'm very happy being not even clo...

In an attempt to romanticize my mundane life, I may exaggerate the power of simple moments, but it occurred to me, that locations have a time of day. What I mean by this is, for each place we visit, live in or come across, there's a time when that place is illuminated. Maybe it's routine that makes us seek out these moments, like being captive, waiting for the sunlight to stream across the cell. Many who work in office buildings probably feel that same need for a glimmer of hope, even if it is just light. I'm sure this has always been present, but nothing in my childhood matched the first glimpse of the outfield grass, while walking through the shadowy tunnel of Yankee Stadium, on way to my seat. The bright lights making the lush grass glow, still gives me shivers. I sometimes wondered, if there was a heaven, might this be what it looks like.  Later in life, there was a moment, shared with five friends in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. We took our folding chairs, placed ...

I was listening to politicians in Mexico and San Juan this morning and you heard the pain and fear, but also the trembling sincerity in their voices. The main concern was making sure our citizens were safe. They reassured them all would be done to take care of the damage, but that they must first protect themselves and their loved ones. I then listened to Trump use words like I and my, using hyperbole to describe the natural disasters, recovery and rebuilding efforts. I and My, in contrast with We and Our.  It doesn't even have to be taken politically. It's about the person at this point. It's just so frustrating, when we look back at how America dealt with both gas/oil crisis, Iran hostage crisis, a crumbling economy and increased debt, 9/11, housing market collapse, recession, wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, those that preceded them, and every natural disaster in between....it's always been We, Us, Our.  I miss that terribly.

I have a new roommate. He's 25 and like most people his age, he is wise beyond his ears. Yes, ears was intentional. His intelligence, his profound thought and his life experience is simply something that sounds good; to himself. There's very little substance to it and within his ears, I sometimes question whether there is a light on. Like many his era and younger, he appears to have a strange sense that if you leave something and it's washed, fixed, repaired, assembled or replaced, he has achieved. Many people will blame parenting, society or participation trophies, but I question those people. I also condemn that thought process as being part of the problem. A proverbial out for an entire generation. My feeling is, he simply lacks knowledge in an era, where it's so easily accessible, one must make attempts to appear smart, as to avoid questioning.  So why am I bashing this young man? Many reasons, but I do have fun with the child, at times. One afternoon I happened ...

Every year, since I was young, I have watched movies. Almost every night. I've never been much on television, and rarely as an adult, have I had "my shows." In fact, I've not owned a working television for over seven years. I now have one in my bedroom, but so far, I've only watch sports. Movies are, and always will be "my shows." In the course of any given year, I will watch approximately 350 movies. I rarely re-watch movie I've seen, but still will do so, if I've forgotten them. This time, last year, I was approaching movie #250. The year before, #240. This year, I've watched a paltry 130. While many may laugh and think of this as much ado about nothing, it has a great impact on my mood. Even more so, I've not had many people to discuss my films with, because nobody I have left in my life embraces the art of cinema, as I do. I realize this all sounds petty, slightly conceited and incredibly minor, when one looks at the woes of surro...

I love my cat. Anyone who knows me well, knows in many ways, he's why I exist or quite possibly why I still exist. He sets my schedule. He makes me wonder, worry and at times, most times, makes me feel important. I sense he knows this and there are days he plays this against me and others allows me to appreciated feeling in needed. He senses my moods, when humans can not, but unlike them, he shows deference, always. He also likes to hunt. His tally of field mice is in the thirties, and that is merely the number I know of. He has eaten some whole, but usually shows those to me first. He occasionally comes home with feathers stuff to his whiskers. That number is much lower. Being vegan, for moral reasons, the deaths bother me. I then put myself in his mind and realize it's these instincts, skills if you may, that set him apart from humans. He is not doing it for sport, but at times, to feed me. In his mind, I am aloof and can not fend for myself. In most humans minds, we ow...

I know it's probably not as often as I believe, but is it always a high, cloudless, light blue sky on this morning, every year? This morning's, with the sun and the moon both visible, brought back memories, both awful and promising.  I don't normally post about this and actually, I normally don't post at all on this day, but it's the first year that I've felt we're worse off than we were on this day 16 years ago. Obviously, nothing compares to the horrors of that day, but the country, almost immediately, came together. Those on the fringe, have grown into what is now running the country (and media) and while they are still a minority, they are no longer silent. Their hate is bold and brash, mush like the terrorists from a little over a decade and a half ago.  It's just an odd feeling for me. As someone who grew up peering out my bedroom window at those majestic towers, I commented a long time ago, about a tangible loss of innocence. I remember when I...

Yeah, I know, the Chiefs shocked the Patriots and I know Eric Berry is done for the year (Horrible!) But here it is, one game in And yes, I realize I've not exactly gone out on a limb with my pick for champion AFC EAST Patriots - 2 Bills Dolphins Jets AFC NORTH Steelers - 4 Bengals Ravens Browns AFC SOUTH Texans - 3 Titans - 6 Jaguars Colts AFC WEST Chiefs - 1 Chargers - 5 Broncos Raiders NFC EAST Cowboys - 4 Eagles Giants Redskins NFC NORTH Packers - 3 Lions Bears Vikings NFC SOUTH Saints - 1 Falcons - 5 Buccaneers - 6 Panthers NFC WEST Seahawks - 2 Cardinals Rams 49'ers Wild Card  Steelers over Chargers Titans over Texans Falcons over Cowboys Packers over Buccaneers Divisional Chiefs over Texans Patriots over Steelers Saints over Falcons Packers over Seahawks Conference Patriots over Chiefs Packers over Saints Super Bowl Champs - New England Patriots

I defend every human who comes here and their right to dream about a better life I defend the LGBTQ community and their right to love, marry and be respected for who they are. I defend POC and their right not to be treated differently, because of their skin. I defend Muslims and their right not to be judged by the actions of a few. I defend the poor, of which I am now one, but very few I know can relate. I defend a living wage and American's right to achieve some semblance of he American Dream. I defend women and their rights to be treated as equals, both in the workplace and in society. I defend everyone's right to vote and believe it should be as easy for each and every one of us. I defend every child's right to a proper education. I defend every human being's right to shelter, food and healthcare. I defend every human being's right to choose what happens to their own bodies. I defend every human being's right to be happy and feel safe in their worl...

To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity. William Arthur Ward I'm as critical of Donald Trump, if not more, than most. I don't like his political views, his goals or his ideals, but truth be known, the things that bother me about him most are not political in nature. In fact, the single most telling sign we were headed where we are now, lies in his disposition and it's not something one can fake. I've never seen a spontaneous photo that shows joy on his face. The joy that comes from looking at your spouse, your child or a beautiful view. I don't like that he doesn't have a dog or a cat, and rumors have it he never has. I don't like that he never speaks candidly about his favorite book or movie, his favorite composer or pop artist. I don't like that despite his great wealth, his lone known piece of art is a portrait of himself. I don't like that he doesn't speak like any other president...