Just a thought: it’s interesting how family dynamics change with the death of a family matriarch/patriarch.

One of the more interesting things I have noticed about maturing is the internal, psychological and emotional changes in myself. I have started to realize my character flaws and how to work around them. I have also started to view my family members as adults rather than authority figures.

This particular issue has brought with it the unsettling realization that there are people in my family who I just do not like. And there are people in my family who I loved as a child who, now that I know them better, I no longer care for!

Does anyone else think this is strange/unsettling?

My daughter is here!!! She was born a few days early, but she is healthy and all is fine.

Especially her digestive system!

I don’t know for sure, but I reckon we have gone through 150-200 diapers in her short 2-week life. I don’t know where it all comes from, either! She only weighs 7lbs 4oz.

Pooping aside, I have to say that so far life is awesome with her. I already have trouble remembering what the house was like without her in it.

Since I graduated from college in 2005, I have struggled with not being happy about my work. I have often thought the problem is me. Turns out that might not be all there is to it!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127352130

This story is an NPR report about research done by Dan Ariely, a Duke University professor who has studied the economics and emotions of work. His experiments in this story revolve around the benefits of work other than money, and how our view of our work affects the quality of the work.

My wife is now 25 weeks pregnant and I am stoked. This weekend we (meaning a lot of people and NOT me) painted the nursery and put together the crib (which I DID help with). Now, every time I walk by the room, I get a goofy smile on my face. I am so excited about being a dad I can’t stand it!

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I have this idea that my work life is worse than other peoples’.

Not so, apparently!

http://www.worksucks.com/job-rants

I stole this image. Sue me!

My wife is now about halfway through the pregnancy, and the closer it gets the more mushy I get. I feel like this is what I am supposed to do and that makes me happy and content. I know it will be hard; I know it will be harder than I can even prepare for. That doesn’t deter me. I am looking forward to being a dad to a beautiful little girl!

I made a post on a message board recently about ECU’s new head coach, and that he is the first black head football coach at a D1 school in NC. This is a point of pride for me, even if I am not the typical affirmative action proponent.

I was crucified for bringing this up! I was asked why I had to make a post about it. I was told that “this” (i.e. bringing up past wrongs) is what keeps America from moving forward in race relations. I was asked why it mattered what color the coach is.

I could see the issue if I claimed that Coach McNeill got the job simply because he is black. What I said, however, was “Lost in all the coverage is the fact that McNeill is ECU’s 1st black HC!” (actual post title). I see nothing wrong with this.

I also see no reason why we can’t talk about race relations, good and bad, in this country. It boggles my mind that something that consumes so much of our national conscience is so hard to discuss openly. Ladies and gentlemen, like it or not, white people have historically repressed and discriminated against minorities. Minorities, like it or not, there are just as many opportunities available to you today as there are for white people, and the blame for failure no longer rests on whites. We all need to get over ourselves and start to talk about this. If we do not we are all doomed to repeat every indiscretion.

I have a dilemma: should I withhold my feelings on the internet to spare the feelings of close friends/family the same as I do in real life?

Mainly my issues arises when I want to talk politics or religion. I don’t make public my beliefs to certain people because they do not agree with me; and honestly I don’t feel as if it will do them any good to know such things.

But should I feel free to speak my mind on the interwebs? I link to this blog not only from my website, but also from my other online presences (Facebook, my family site, etc.), and those from whom I withhold information in my real life can easily see it in my cyber-life. If I am interested in shielding them do I have an obligation to do so in all realms?

OR – is this blog a sounding board for my ideas, thoughts and feelings?