Many of us will enjoy a holiday day off on Monday specifically because of those who have died serving this country. Memorial Day originated as “Decoration Day” between 1866-68 to decorate the graves of our Civil War dead with flowers. The holiday was officially expanded in 1971 to honor all American war dead. Every American should do some reflecting on the meaning of this ultimate sacrifice made by so many.

I do think I understand the loss to some small extent, even though I’m fortunate to not have lost loved ones to war. While working for NEC around ten years ago in our DC office, I went our for a morning run. It was a crisp Easter Sunday. As I ran down New York Avenue to the Capitol Mall, the combination of cold air and warm rushing blood heightened my senses. I ran past the reflecting pool and up the stairs of the Lincoln Memoral to marvel at the size of a marbelized old Abe sitting in his chair. As I exited, I saw black and headed directly there.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is made up of two black granite walls about 250 feet long that meet to form a “V.” Inscribed are the names of over 58,000 who died. The walls are sunk into the ground with the top level with the earth behind them. At the apex of the “V”, they are just over ten feet high, and they taper down to eight inches (20cm) at each end, so when I approached, the wall was underwhelming. I began my descent. As I walked down, my breathing was slowing toward the stillness of the place. I scanned the thousands of names, but I wasn’t moved. Then I saw a rose, just like this one.

There was a note with it. I haltingly stooped down, opened the note and read, “To my son. I love you and I miss you. Mom.” I felt an immediate and overwhelming rush of emotion and quickly resumed my run to get out of there. It wasn’t the enormity of over 58,000 names that got me, but the personal pain of one mother grieving the loss of her child.

Did you know that there is a National Moment of Remembrance at 3pm on Memorial Day? It asks Americans, wherever they are, to pause for one-minute in an act of national unity. It is intended to help reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred holiday it was meant to be. So, regardless of the politics of our wars, the dead didn’t make the policy. Give them a minute on Monday.

I just got IM’d by “kareemseun” and told I would get “a percentage” of $15 Million just for being me! (It’s about time I might add…) Anyway, I played with this cretin for about fifteen minutes then asked it how many people fall for the scam. Apparently, appealing to the greed and stupidity of Americans doesn’t just work in the stock market. Wired reports that an Aussie bilked quite a few dopes out of $3.8 million in 2004.

I receive a weekly (unless he’s slacking) newsletter called “Business Banter” by Tony Paradiso. Tony is smart and sarcastic, two qualities I hold dear. Here’s just a three ounce beer sampler of this weeks rant:

“Sadly, if we had begun serious research on alternative fuels during the 1974 oil embargo we’d probably have solved the problem by now. Unfortunately that would have taken real leadership from Washington. It would have also required an attention span longer than the life span of a tsetse fly from the American public. Neither of those existed then or now.”

If you’d like the free Business Banter, shoot an eMail to Tony. Also check out his weekly column in the Nashua Telegraph.

Tony ended this week with a humorous observation on the sexes submitted by one Leslie S:

“Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don’t want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren’t as good, but easy. The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they’re amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who’s brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Now men … men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it’s up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with!”

I do despise heights, but I love a good apple.

You know how people joke about Seattle when it’s raining a lot? No? Anyway, I spent about two weeks in the Great Northwest (Portland, Seattle, Vancouver) in 1992 and didn’t feel a drop of rain. I also met Carol on that trip and we’ve remained friends to this day. That’s 13 years… Wow. So I’m not really writing about the rain, although it seems our recent weather and extended forecast through forever looks like this:

“Feels Like Rain” is from John Hiatt’s 1989 record, “Slow Turning.” The title track may have been his biggest hit, and contains lyrics that can make any baby-boomer dad smile:

I love his songwriting, and with 18 records (#19 due June 21), there are just tons of great songs in his catalog. Hiatt’s songs have been covered by Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, and B. B. King with Eric Clapton, just to name a few.

As is the case for much of the music I love, it’s usually Jeff or Dave that have turned me on to it. In this case, Dave made me a John Hiatt compilation CD about 5 years ago and that was it. I’ve seen him a couple times live with Kyle at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. It’s one of those summer theatre places that caters to a somewhat upscale crowd. At one of the shows as we approached the concession area I scanned the menu and said, “I’ll have a champagne…” then looked at Kyle to get the rest of my order… “and M&M;’s please.”

Here’s another example of his fine writing and upcoming tour dates so you can see and hear for yourself.

She’s 65 today. Much of our family will head to her house to celebrate. Most of her four sisters and two brothers will be there, plus an assortment of cousins and their kids. My brother Kevin flew up from Philly. Mom and her siblings were orphaned by the time she was seven, and she’s become the central, stabilizing force that unifies the family.

People find strength in themselves through her. Many would benefit by emulating her. As a single mother of three boys, she worked incredibly hard with both a job and college, doggedly pursuing education as a path to a more fulfilling life. I remember during high school, she’d be at the kitchen table studying every night long after I’d gone to bed. When I graduated high school in 1976, Mom received her Nursing degree. All the while, she provided a good life for her three boys.

Those years were compelling evidence of the value education and hard work can bring. I’m incredibly proud of her, and thankful for the example she provided to me growing up. Oh, and I’m really thankful for that time she let me stay up to watch Batman… Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you.

Frank Gorshin passed away this week. Mr. Gorshin played the Riddler in the original Batman TV series.

I remember well Wednesday January 12, 1966. ABC had really hyped their new show and this seven year old was fired up, although I must have been something else, as “fired up” had not yet made the lexicon.

My mother was letting me stay up for this “late” show and it was in COLOR! The show was incredible with computers, utility belts, secret bat caves, the batmobile and the Riddler. In later shows, I would experience Catwoman, an image that shaped my view of feminine magnetism that lingers to this day. (Note: Maybe I should open a Freudian wing of the blog…)

Twenty three years passed and the film version with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson hit the screens. Again, I was as fired up as that seven year old, the only difference being that I didn’t watch the movie in “feety pajamas” like in ’66. My wife had no interest in going, so I went alone. Just me, a popcorn and coke in the 7th row center. Life was good and the Tim Burton film blew me away. It’s funny, and maybe even ironic, but “Batman” remains one of Kyle’s favorite movies and he wasn’t even born when it was released.

The little bat around 1997…

Needless to say, we’ll be there when “Batman Begins” again on June 15th.

Kyle and I went to see “Revenge of the Sith” today, the final “prequel” to the original 1977 “Star Wars,” but you knew that. At one point, I actually thought to myself this is just another rehashing of space battles and light-saber duels. That was until the final 45 minutes when the dark matter really hit the fan. This time George Lucas takes us past the colorful obliteration of a planet into a place more worthy of exploration. The darkness in all of us.

Also a great new song from Ryan Adams on his new record, Cold Roses…

A few days in Napa have me thinking of returning. I’ll return with the woman I love. We’ll listen to music and silently admire the beauty of the valley as we travel leisurely from galleries to vineyards and restaurants. Our hands will brush and then come together slowly like leaves floating to the ground in Fall. No words will be necessary. The kids will be home this time. Megan will be happy and looking forward to college. Kyle will be reading her the latest Harry Potter novel. Jessica will be helping her Mackenzie with homework. Sweet indeed.

I’m jumping on a plane tonight bound for San Francisco. On second thought, jumping may not be in good taste, so I’ll walk on. My lovely ex-wife believes my business trips are just vacations. In this case, the location is certainly suitable for one. Arriving in the city by the bay at 10:12pm, my boss Paul and I will drive to the Silverado Country Club and Resort in Napa Valley for two days of meetings and one day of a local User’s Conference. Even though we won’t have time for golf, we’ll be in a picturesque location and will visit the Bistro Jeanty for a team dinner and a winery for a customer event. Hopefully the brunette will be there.