Pay It Forward

A funny thing happened to me on the way to work Wednesday morning.

I stopped at our neighborhood Speedway for a little morning pick me up, and there among the four thousand pots of coffee, was another patron of the blessed coffee.

As I walked up to the counter to pay for my preferred beverage, this man was ahead of me.

He turned around, smiled at me, and told the cashier, “I’m paying for this lady’s coffee too.” 

I said, “Thank you very much!” As he was leaving, he said to me…

“Pay it forward, and have a good day.”

I’ve thought about this a lot. How much a small gesture could turn what maybe started out as a bad day, into a good day. 

Mine wasn’t starting out badly, but he sure put a bounce in my step, and a smile on my face.

I try to “pay it forward” whenever I get the opportunity. I’m always kind of shocked to see people’s reactions to a stranger being nice to them.

Last week at the bank, I was ahead of an elderly gentleman, so I held the door for him. He was a bit slumped over, so he didn’t initially see me holding the door, and he looked at me, and said…

“What?”

Then he saw me with the door, smiled, and said “Well, thank you!” He then proceeded to open the inside door for me!

I find it amazing what the smallest kind gesture will do for your mood, and someone else’s.

With all the meanness that goes on in the world, I find this comforting. Maybe people are basically good, but we are all afraid to be nice to one another.

Just like last night. I did my good deed for the day by having sex with Matt-Man! I am soooo nice…and so is he;)

Who loves themselves?

Zoooooves!!

Individuality Is Fine...As Long As We All Do It Together

There is a blogospherical hate-fest afoot, and it is directed towards me…The Lovable Matt-Man.

It’s not so much a result of what I write on my site.

In fact, as hard as I try, I can’t seem to offend anyone while they’re reading Bagwine Ruminations…

(Well, except for our resident crazy commenter and blogsite bunny boiler, Nicole.)

No my friends, the hate of me is the result of the comments that I leave upon the sites of others.

Case in point…

I made a comment on Sarge Charlie’s site the other day about how Liberal talking heads like Keith “May I Kiss You on the Mouth, President Obama” Olbermann still bash Bush, and right wingers, like Glenn (Hitler and Jesus Had Alot in Common) Beck keep talking about 9/11.

I was merely making a point that people on either fringe can’t seem to shake their ideologies and move forward on our nation’s problems.

Ol’ Sarge made a short post about my comment and here are some the responses that have been directed towards moi.…

Amazing Gracie: I don't know why Sheila and Matt have to continue to come here and pass gas where we all can smell it!

It just gripes them that we aren't kissing their messiah's butt. I stay away from fights, as a rule, but rudeness cannot be tolerated. Grow up, folks!

As it stands, I still have free speech. Don't know if that will remain true and that's why we knuckle-draggin' conservatives are trying to save your collective necks!

Ha. “Grow Up?”, Gracie. I was far from rude, and I find it funny that you speak of Free Speech and yet, you prefer me to keep my mouth shut. How ironical!!

Someone needs to grow up alright, and it ain’t me, Gracie.

Here’s a classic…

Sandee (Comedy+): Who cares what he says? Just saying Sarge. He's never done anything worthwhile for his country. Well, except complain that is.

Ol’ Sandee, now there’s a piece of work. She should start something called the 4-M Club. Why?

Because she hates Mexicans, Muslims, and Matt-Man!! But, to her point…

I do plenty for my country. I pay taxes. I work. I help to raise a wonderful son. I vote. I help others whenever possible. And, I speak out both for and against things in which I believe.

And Mizz Bigot…I actually tried to join the USAF in 1988. However, I was not accepted.

Oh sure, I scored a 97 (out of 99) on the ASVAB or AFQT entrance test, but they DQ’d me…A TDQ for bronchitis and a PDQ because of eyesight.

I think they really said no because I mentioned an incident that took place in the early 80’s between my High School gym teacher Scrub Hubner, myself, a video camera, and a can of Gold Bond Medicated Powder.

What can I say? Back then, I was young and needed the money. But seriously…I do whatever I can, whenever I can for anyone, including my fellow Americans.

And, I do it without hating entire groups of people.

I hope someday Sandee gets a spontaneous hug from an American citizen of Mexican descent named Mohammed Juarez while standing on the steps of a Mosque.

Holy Crap…I’d pay to see that, but I would feel sorry for Mr. Juarez.

Anyhoo…

Two of the things that irk me in the blogsophere are when people back down from saying what they feel and act as a yes-man and when folks try to silence others when a point of view doesn’t fit into to their Bubble of Truth.

While the vast majority of people who visit here are left of center, I adore the few who voice the differing opinions on my site.

Differing opinions are good. They’re useful. And most of all, they’re just plain fun.

And keep in mind, when two people (or more) agree on everything, every time…one of them is unnecessary.

I must give a tip of the hat to Sarge. He didn’t try to shut me up. Hell, he gave me big shout out in order to attempt to mock my point.

I dig that…a lot.

Cheers!!

Taking the Good with the Bad

I was in a bit of an odd mood yesterday. Just thinking about things…you know.

Lately I have been thinking about people I know from the internets and trying to figure them out.

It didn’t put me in a bad mood; it was more a mood of puzzlement. It all started Tuesday with the following e-mail that I received:

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:20 AM
From:
"Nicole Reynolds" Add sender to Contacts
To:
neshobadude@yahoo.com

Do you wonder why I think you're a gross creep?
Do you remember a girl named Jill? She's a friend of mine.

She tells me that you hurt her big time a few years ago. I know how she can be so I started reading you.

I thought you were funny at first but I can see that she was right. You're a jerk.

Live with THAT funny guy. I'll be around for her.

Nicole

And the e-mail prompted me to visit this crazy person’s Nicole’s site. And what did I find?

Well, click HERE and look for yourselves.

Man…So much hatred directed at me of late by her and others. It makes me wanna cry and become angry.

Okay…laugh and become amused, but hey, it’s still an emotion, right? People...

The day did end on a high note, however.

Ryno received his Interim Report Card yesterday. He has 4 A’s, 1 B, and nearly a B in Algebra.

I was very happy, even with the 83 average in Algebra because math has always been hard for him.

And, coinciding with his good report, I received something in the mail from longtime Bagwine buddy, Vinny.

Vinny of Bond’s Big Leather Couch, sent a CD of 12 WWE entrance themes for Ryno. I shall give it to him tomorrow.

Who knew a dago could be so damn nice? Here’s to ya Vin, and thanks much. That was very thoughtful.

I guess people overall, are a damn good lot of folks.

One last item for today…

I weighed and took a picture of myself this morning…

Sexy, no? Okay, no…but it’s for archival purposes. I start this Lent at 6’ 187 lbs.

I hope to lose several inches from my body and come Easter, stand only 5'7". Bada Bing.

But seriously,

Let’s see how much weight Jeebus and I can shed from my body prior to his resurrection.

After all, on most days I will eat one meal only and it will have but a couple of grams of fat if any and other than any alcohol I consume, my caloric intake will be only 500-700 per day.

Sacrifice, baby!!

Tonight in honor of Vinny, I am going to dine on a can of Minestrone soup.

Buon Alimento, and…

Cheers!!