grateful I Can be thankful

Today, because I do this sort of thing, and often, I’ll be exploring the difference between being grateful and thankful.

They can be defined the same, perhaps. However, I’ll propose they’re not.

The possibilities are likely without limit. The opportunities to expand my own life’s vista, naught less than profound.

Or, I’ll get bogged down in endless nuance, and drive everyone around me, certainly within reach, utterly mad.

Nonetheless, If you’re reading this, and there are many of you that do, I don’t have to work too hard to represent and reflect both adjectives in good cheer. You are all in my life, in some form or fashion. I’m the one richer and better rounded for it.

Peace be to me Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

mount rainier Beckons

My friend William “Bill” Wallace, and yes, he is my dear friend, has asked that I summit Mt. Rainier with him.

We were at Hudson Grill in Alphartetta. Certainly, there were spirits involved.

…I’ll wager of several varieties.

I’ve said yes. And, our goal is for June 2010.

There will be updates. Indeed. And, this story promises to be naught less than epic, to be sure.

Training begins, in earnest, December.

The mountain beckons. But, it’s friendship, and the promise of high adventure, that’s the beacon.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

opportunities to Shine, really

we face many instances where we don’t have control over what happens.

however, we always have the opportunity to control how we react.

and, that can determine what we do, and how well we do it.

the objective always being to finish well.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

fearless leadership (less)

So… You can read more details here, in one of my earlier posts (over 300,000 hits on that one): healthcare is not for You. Do it!

But, let’s focus on a key point that isn’t getting nearly enough press by the Obamacratic-oriented media.

Did you know that Obama refers to high-end health plans as “cadillac plans”?

Its true!

…indirectly, anyway.

It’s also an over-broad and general shot at a very complicated and deeply-trenched problem that may create more problems than solutions – especially for the affluent (but, that is part of the Democrats mission statement, after all). Remember, Democrats like to secure cushy government jobs that offer better (under publicized) benefits, and then bring in friends and family while insisting that strangers (entrepreneurs) foot the bill.

However, what is absolutely true is that Obama positions the cadillac plans as economically unfair and unpatriotic. However, he’ll manage to side step any confirmation that he, along with his executive staff and members of the House and Senate, have access to that very level of plan – and, for only $503.00 a month.

That’s your fearless leader.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

rowdy is Rowdy

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are notorious “counter surfers”.

But, we were nonetheless, surprised (although, I’ll add delighted) when Rowdy made a 48″ vertical leap, at nine months, mind you, onto our kitchen island. This spot is always the center for entertainment, much of it raucous, to be certain.

In the picture to the left, he is evidently quite pleased with his prowess, and posed amicably enough, for the shot.

There was homemade soup and bread to be investigated, and he was not about to be excluded, not at all.

However, this Ridgeback gets no human food.

Peace be to my Brothers and sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

dire Warnings, indeed

Something terrible has happened.

The entire text of The Unsinkable brian cork, a simple Blog for Gods’ sake, albeit a chronicle of worthy events, has been made available online – for FREE. It’s now open to anyone, including horrible villains, missionaries, innocent readers, and you.

Can they do this?

And, who are “they” anyway? I’ll still suspect it’s that damn smoking rabbit and a nefarious crew of cutthroat conspiracy theorists. Surely this is a clarion call for those Prudent Gentlemen.

PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS LINK TO FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR PEOPLE WITH COMPUTERS. SHARING THE UNCENSORED Unsinkable brian cork WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER READ IT IS COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE.

However, “Completely irresponsible” is a phrase which here means no one will be able to prove you did it.

Click here to develop an understanding of why someone like me might possibly do such a thing as this. Do it!

The sudden appearance of the uncoded text online may be a horrible mistake. Hopefully, it will be corrected as soon as possible.

A final, and heartfelt warning: Do not visit www.unsinkablebriancork.com.

The experience will be extremely unpleasant and filled with the viewing of utterly fascinating dissertations, hilarious insight, poignant prose, unbiased views on all things religious, introductions to brilliant music and associated artists, vile videos and other dire things.

I’m resigned to my duty, here, and you are warned. Yes, you certainly are.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

strange opportunity, really

One of the best ways we start our day off is with me walking Emma Jo to the bus stop.

Today, it was colder than most days. Rowdy has a new store-bought coat, and still could not be coaxed outside.

There was frost on the windshield of my (my big black bad-ass) truck. So, I crawled into the cockpit to start the engine; the intention to warm it up for the drive to work and the related high adventure.

That’s when I noticed that my automobile registration and proof of insurance were laid-out on the passenger seat  alongside two pair of sunglasses I normally keep in the console between the seats.

Odd and creepy, to be sure.

The only thing I could immediately determine that might be missing was a flashlight that I keep in the same console.

The sunglasses are both high-end and expensive. So, the interloper has bad taste, or simply different taste.

But, we know the intent, at large, in this matter is creepy (that word again), and evil.

If some hapless stranger needed a flashlight I would have offered it to him, with a spare set of batteries. And, probably a knapsack of provisions, including a thermos of hot chocolate. If they are looking for me or need something, I’d prefer they not slink through the night like a jackal. Toe-to-toe, any time, say I.

So, as I walked my little daughter to the bus stop this morning, her warm and endless chatter generating delight in my heart, I had to be reminded that there is an odd balance to life. It’s my job to represent truth and light. To protect my family and neighbors. But, never lose sight of my humanity. Another Kobayashi Maru?

I’ll have no choice but to view this as a God-given opportunity to represent and reflect, some how.

That’s me, raising my hand.

By the way… Do you, my readers, remember (or, just know) the pledge of Green Lantern as he recharges his ring? If not, you only have to ask in the comments, or via email, as so many of you do, and, I’ll share it with you.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork