Hop's Thoughts

Over the last two weeks I've been a little out of sorts.  I've been away from home and when this happens, like most of us, I lose touch with reality a bit. Nothing really changed, if anything it changed for the worse, but for over two weeks, I've been able to relax a bit and notice some things I may normally have missed.  Like some of my "Random Thoughts" blogs, these don't really have any cohesiveness. I've had three friends "unfriend" me on Facebook.  Two of them I've known for over 20 years. The other is an asshole, so good riddance.  I don't know if it's my maturity or their immaturity that honestly makes me not care.  I still consider those two friends, but the reality is, if you can't take judgement, you might not want to judge people yourself. While waiting to leave Ithaca, I sat on the bus and saw a car pull up.  A young college student got out of the passenger side and had a book bag and without meaning to classify so...

Anyone who has the awful luck of being my friend on Facebook has realized that I love debating anything. Politics is at the forefront right now and it's a daily battle, usually with the same people.  Someone usually posts something completely outlandish and false, that despite my attempts to refrain, I can't resist.  The initial comments start slow, but then it's a free for all.  Tons of comments and barbs are thrown and it's usually in good fun, but a few people recently made it personal and paid the price.  I was unfriended by one friend who made a personal attack and found out how quickly, as much as I didn't want to, I can dish it out. Here's my thing about politics and why it's fun for me.  In any other category, it's an even playing field and despite coming across as a pompous ass, I can usually destroy my opposition with facts and figures.  The key to all successful debates. Sure, there is everyone's personal take on what these numbers mean,...

Last June, I came to Ithaca and spent a week with my 98-year-old grandmother.  She was using a walker, but was quite spry.  We'd have breakfast in the morning and then she'd disappear to get dressed. We'd then spend time sitting on the porch, she reading and me at the computer.  We'd have lunch, spend and hour or two telling each other stories of the past, then she'd usually take a nap.  She'd normally be in bed reading, but would hop up around 4:30-5:00 for a cocktail or two.  Cheese and crackers and some laughs were had before we started thinking about dinner.  We'd have dinner, then coffee and dessert and finish the night with a movie or maybe even a baseball game.  Around 10:30-11:00 she'd retired and we'd repeat the process the next day. One year later and I'm back filling in for my father.  The routine has changed and the moments have slowed drastically. It seems almost comical to mention time when discussing someone who is now 99.  S...

I am called all kinds of names, because of my left leaning views, despite having some more right than most.  Regardless of my political beliefs, there is one thing I am not.  A flag waver.  I'm patriotic in the sense that I respect our military and what they do and I realize this country has a lot to offer, but that's where my patriotism ends. You will never see me painting my face red, white and blue or waving a flag.  I stand and place my hand on my heart during our national anthem out of respect, but I think God should be taken out of our pledge of allegiance.  Before you jump on me and think your shit don't stink and you're a true 'Mercan, listen to a couple of things which might point your disdain stick right back at yourself.  We all love fourth of July, right A quarter of a billion dollars in fireworks are shot off each 4th.  Almost entirely imported from China. Of the 150 million American flags bought in this country.  Less than 1...

Everyone has their views about Kim Kardashian's sex tape, but does anyone realize she was married when she made it...and not to the guy in the video? Other than news clips, I have never watched one second of The Jersey Shore.  I am pretty sure my life is better for it. Rihanna is an absolutely beautiful and talented woman, but since Chris Brown beat her up, Chris Brown has been more popular. The sections of Fifty Shades of Grey that I have read are some of the worst quotes in literature I have personally ever read.  Women complain that men don't understand them and this book has made me thankful. When you mention Liam Neeson to anyone under 30, they mention Taken, The Grey and the Star Wars movies.  Over 30, they mention Kinsey, Michael Collins and Schindler's List.  If ever the roles are reversed, the world will explode. Jennifer Lawrence is the hottest thing since sliced bread.  Almost nobody that adores her has seen Winter's Bone.  Her only goo...

Yesterday I made my venture to Ithaca via bus. Starting in White Plains, we made our stops until we reached the destination of our transfer.  While waiting for second bus to arrive I noticed and incredible amount of young people.  The second bus was going to Binghampton and Ithaca, so it made sense.  I sipped my iced tea and noticed a girl, like me, standing with one bag at her feet and one draped over her shoulder.  She was short, about 5'1, with long brown hair.  She was wearing a purple shirt, jean shorts and short black boots.  She had the most perfect athletic legs, but due to her petite frame, they looked with some movements, almost muscular.  I noticed she had fair skin and wore no makeup to speak of.  She was the typical girl I would have gone crazy for in high school or college. As we boarded the bus, she took the very first seat on the right. The bus looked packed, but I started to make my way to the rear.  Apparently, many of tho...

I've normally been so open about myself on here.  The last three nights, I've written blogs and erased them.  I've been so down lately, that I don't know if I really want people knowing all the minute details of my life.  When things are good, it's funny to bitch and moan, to point out the atrocities of life and to try to offend.  When things are rough, I can use this to vent and give myself a little dose of self therapy.  It usually helps.  These days things are dire.  I try to keep up a good front, but I'm scared about things for the first time in my life.  I'm flat broke, work (part-time) doesn't start up for another two weeks and I don't get paid until sometime early November.  I broke a deal, inadvertently with the IRS, so my first paycheck, which is usually pretty nice for what I do, is gone.  For the first time since I was a stupid 21 year old getting myself in trouble, I've had to borrow money.  It's embarrassing. I've tur...