The Presidential campaigns so much in the news caused me to pause and reflect. A mirror is not needed to do this. A number of years ago, a lot of years ago, an epiphany came to me and I embraced it. Use your own imagination, no X rated descriptions, please. It was when, as a citizen with a clean record, I turned thirty-five. That means that I coulda been President! Senator McCain is my age and a Naval Academy classmate ('58 is Great). Pricked my memory. Once again, no X rated descriptions, please. English is a great language, isn't it.

Should one reach thirty five and feel himself (again) less than a success because he/she is not The President? It definitely is not for me, both in desire and ability. This has not kept me awake at night.

But what is the definition of success? Google definitions say: “an event that accomplishes its intended purpose; an attainment that is successful; a state of prosperity or fame; achiever: a person with a record of successes.” That does not really help a lot. Maybe each of us need to define it for ourselves..

Money and power - “prosperity and fame” - are probably part of most folkses definition. That pretty much leaves me out. Money would be nice but power does not really interest. Definitely not a success in this field.

Contribution to the community, to mankind, is one of the first things that comes to my mind. Rationalization, perhaps. Could have done a lot more in this area but as a teacher and tutor, did make and am making a decent contribution. It brings to mind a story I heard somewhere (another epiphany). A long line before St. Peter. Pete asks Bob, the guy at the head of the line, why he should go in. Bob responds that he is a famous doctor who has saved thousands of lives. Pete asks him how much he made last year. After the Bob's astonishing figure, Pete says “You have reaped your reward. Mikey, put Bob on the down elevator.” The next in line is a school teacher, Chuck. Chuck knows he is in. Pete asks him why. Chuck tells how he has helped thousands of young lives. Pete asks if Chuck's students have appreciated his help. Chuck shows him a long file of glowing letters. Once again, Pete says “You have reaped your reward. Mikey, put Chuck on the down elevator.” At least, it puts a teacher's success on the same level as a money manager.

And a contribution to evolution? There I hit the jackpot. My offspring are certainly a step up the ladder. Worked hard at being a good husband, a good father, great genes. Maybe I am a success after all.

Happy New Year everyone.

It is a little late for New Year's greetings. But I have an excuse, driving all the way around Virginia - Eastern Shore to Norfolk to Lynchburg to Front Royal to D.C to Arlington to the Eastern Shore - to see the kids and the grandkids. Lots more miles on the old Grand Marquis.

My favorite New Year scene is from one of my favorite musicals, Show Boat. So many beautiful songs in it. In this scene Captain Andy goes to a New Year's party and shouts "Hap---py New Year". He also finds his long-lost daughter, Magnolia, singing there. She is ovewhelmed by the crowd until Captain Andy stands up and tells her "Sing it, Nolie".

This 1936 version with Irene Dunne was the only one I could find. Very good but I prefer the 1951 one with Kathryn Grayson and Joe E. Brown.

Thanks again to the Encyclopeida Britannica thing on my Yahoo home page, I learned of another famous person's birthday. Today it is Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini, (how about that for a name) the composer of “La Boheme”, “Tosca”, and “Madame Butterfly” Three of my very favorite pieces of music. Born this day in 1858 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giacomo_Puccini). Instead of a lot of words, how about some videos:

"La Boheme:"

"Tosca":

"Butterfly"

To all my blogging buddies, Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

From Thomas Edison:

And remember to put on your halo:

Have enjoyed all of my blogging associations. Thanks to everyone.

I was going to put a picture of rats feeding at the top of this but Blogstream would not take it. See my blog at http://sinannblog.blogspot.com/ to see the picture.

On the news last night (ABC World News with Charlie, http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=4028750) was an article on the Iraq war appropriations bill. So full of pork, “earmarks”. President Bush mentioned them in his speech this morning and that the bill has a total of 9800 earmarks. 298 of them costing $800 million added at the last minute before anyone had a chance to read them. $113K to Alaska for rodent control. Are we sending rats to Irag to fight? Or just to Washington to cheat us out of our taxes. Why is Alaska the corruptiion capital of America? Or is it Georgia - $430K. Louisiana - $1 million for a Lousiana congressman already accused or cheating. $2 million for Charlie Rangel. $213K for olives in France. I guess that is because the French were so brave in helping in Iraq. And on and on, sick.

Do I remember something about the Democratic Congress going to cut back on these? See the picture to view Congressmen feeding at the appropriations trouogh. But then, why expect the Democratic Congress to be any better than the Republicans? When Will Rogers said that the greatest contribution Congress makes is to take the 500 biggest liars in the country and put them in the same place, he did not say anything about their parties.

And if we elect a Democratic President, will it get any better. The Democratic candidates are all still party hacks.

Why is getting elected, buying votes, supporting the military-industrial complex, moving the party ahead, etc. so much better than the Nation's welfare? Or is it that each politician knows deep in his heart that his re-election and his party is the Nation's savior?

The revolution is at hand and good will prevail. I have been telling myself that for a lot of years, now. I would bet that George Washington said it to himself, too.