a cup of G.I. Joe

Growing up (obviously, still a work-in-progress for me) I witnessed my Grandad and Dad always buy a meal, or cup of coffee (or pie), for anyone in uniform.

Now it’s tradition in my own family.

Haley Anne and Emma Jo see me quietly cover the tab for uniformed personnel and their families whenever we’re out-and-about. And, it’s my habit and pleasure to pay for the coffee if I see a soldier or peace officer at Starbucks.

[digression alert]

On a side-note, I’ve never had a cup of coffee in my life. I grew up in a military household. Each morning I’d awaken to the aroma of coffee and cigarette smoke. To this day I can’t smell coffee without getting a cigarette smoke headache. Coffee shops are agony for me. But, I’ll suffer a SBUX for my Vente Ice Chai. By the way… ANYONE that stands anywhere near a SBUX door and smokes SUCKS.

[end of digression]

…or lunch. I had some of my team visiting with me from Chicago recently. We were at Bagel Boys when I spotted a policeman waiting in-line. I told the crew at the cashier that lunch was on me. The officer was stunned and really grateful.

But, it was me that had the honor of thanking him for his service.

I’m not bragging, mind you. This is something that’s ingrained in my own DNA now. And, it was my Grandad that started the family tradition (and, likely his own father before him).

I stop in at the Bethany SBUX most days in the morning, and they hit me up to cover the cost of shipping LOTS of coffee to units in Afghanistan. That’s easy. I’ll do it every time. But, the overture of simply showing respect and buying a cup of coffee is profound – both for me, and the recipient.

This is only a reminder that you can quietly show your support by covering the cost of a cup of coffee (or pie). Its that common courtesy and it’s foundation that our warriors are defending every day.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

stands to Reason

I was talking to an older fellow here in town Thursday. He leads a Bible study group and, regardless of mitigating factors, can often be quite close-minded. I savor that delicious irony. I do!

Just to be clear, I understand, and will also submit that this is not a view limited to Christians (not even those whom profile as Christian-esque or Christian-ish [see Atlanta-based MSA Mafia]).

In any event, we find ourselves outside of Starbucks, often engaged in friendly debate around all manner of topics. Thursday he was explaining to me that God “gave” man woman. Husbands, in his view (and, he isnsists the Bible is clear on this), “own” their wives.

I shared one of my own maxims with him as we were parting:

“Behind every great man there stands a woman rolling her eyes”.

He did not like that. This was greatly evident in his body language – and, his face turning an alarming shade of purple. And, he grimly warned me, in his own not uncertain terms,  that: “you don’t get it”.

Correct. Albeit relative to context.

This fellow, and he’s a good man, in my estimation, believes I have some how failed (his version of) God.

However…

I have two daughters (and, I coach and otherwise influence many more daughters).

Me? I’m teaching them to be forthright, self-aware, leaders with positive self-image. Other earthly fathers trust me with their daughters when I coach them in soccer, and hang out at our home. They don’t have to be second class citizens if there is a son in the house.

[pause for effect]… …how many readers out there have such a situation in their home? Sons being favored over daughters, to be more clear. It needs to be a veritable elephant in the room (often crowded with another form of idolatry).

In any event, I’m seeing good results. I think I’m on the right path. And, if not, in terms of wanting to facilitate my daughters contributing to society in a meaningful and multi-faceted way, then God can smite me now.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

i spit in the general direction of your Benefits

For a solid reference point, please see one of my earlier posts: healthcare is not for You.

On Tuesday the 20th of November 2009, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn that would require all Members and their staffs to enroll in any new government-run health plan. Generally speaking the details mean Congress would have U.S. Citizens accept a watered-down healthcare platform that offers limited benefits.

However, what is not easily deciphered in the language of the amendment is that, under proposed legislation, they, as a body, are contemptuously curiously exempt from the national plan.  instead, they would be entitled to platinum healthcare on par with the President of the United States and his executive Staff.

However, Congressman John Fleming (he’s a Louisiana physician) has proposed an amendment that would require Congressmen and Senators to take the same healthcare plan they force on us .

Having read my prior Blog posts around this topic, you know that I feel Members of Congress and the Senate should have access to only the same healthcare used by their constituents. Otherwise, how can they claim to represent us with a straight face?

Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go on his Website and sign his petition. It’s quite simple. Do it!

I have immediately done just that by visiting:

http://fleming.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=55&sectiontree=29,55

We need to make up some Thomas Jefferson tee-shirts, and march.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

just how deep is the Abyss?

So… I’ve been  advised that one can walk away from a family sur name for less than $19.95. You don’t even need a lawyer. Seriously… You can apparently, and easily, access such diabolical documents over the internet.

Some times, more often than not, I might submit that the internet is a portal to the pits of hell. More on that later – else I run the, not unusual, risk of digressing and distracting from another point.

I suppose the story is more complicated. And there are too many ironies behind this post for even me to explore, today.

But there you have it, reader, one of those twists life cruelly offers us. Some expected and girded for. Others with no hopes for such largesse.

I don’t believe that I’ve realized agony like this since I watched Mom fade to black, while in the grips of cancer; dragged into the abyss, unaware that I was holding her hand; and, likely uncaring.

I’ll run far later today. Just to be numb. And, pray for the pain. At least I can make that stop with some element of my will. Another Kobayashi Maru?

I’ll likely refer to Dante’s Inferno, seeking some insight. The Bible rarely works for me.

Meanwhile, I’m listening to Ralph Kirshbaum’s Suite No. 1 in G Major, BMV1007, V. Menuet 1 and 2. And, Sia’s Sunday (mostly because it’s so damn self-indulgent).

On a positive note, I’m taking Haley Anne (thirteen) to the Black Eyed Peas concert at Phillips Arena tonight. It’s lost on her, for the moment, but I think it’s cool that we like a lot of the same music.

So, I’ll also be listening to selections of their work through the day as well.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

inside the Box

We were asked: “What is thinking ‘inside the box”?

We hear so much about thinking “outside the box” that it apparently made the questioner wonder if going back into the box might not be a wise thing these days. They suggested that it might “just be less crowded. Or maybe not.”

My own immediate thought is that we need to focus on core objectives relative to goals.

So, whereas “outside the box” allows for broader thinking – and, suggests open-mindedness, “inside the box” might signal that we have opened the box, come up with a great idea, and are now implementing a plan of action to execute.

This has equal applications in both business, and life inside and outside of  business (sometimes there is a difference).

That’s just me thinking. I tend to do that, sometimes, more than many people care to know.

However, I do think much of this offers an insight to the views of the Heterodox.

Peace be to my Bothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

gestures

A challenge:

Try to sit around a conference table and not form meaningless boxes with your hands while speaking.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

showing Up

I’ve discussed this in, possibly, more detail with an earlier post: being pleased or being satisfied.

However, along a different track (but in so many ways the same), Friday night Emma Jo and I were at the annual Daddy’s and Daughters Dance at the Intercontinental. Woody Faulk, a Chick-fil-A stalwart, has helped sponsor the event for going on six years now.

We had a terrific time, although I’ll submit that much of the excitement is focused on the weeks leading up to the big event (that dress, and the right shoes, are a really big deal), and the sore feet to prove it. Although Emma Jo was quick to point out that they failed to play any Selena Gomez songs (or, John Mayer, and Daddy sings those tunes really well).

I had the opportunity to lift my head up and observe many of the fathers with their daughters. And, I was struck by many, and many more variable images.

And, this thought:

You can spend your time, waste your time, or invest your time. It’s your choice.

I feel great about mine. Especially how I relate to my girls.

We can’t just show up. This was greatly evident to me as Emma Jo clung happily to me, whirling slowly to the sound of a song that she could care less about.

This morning I’m listening to Fly to Your Heart by Selena Gomez (with Emma Jo working on a project nearby). It happens to be associated with Tinker Bell. And, Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork