What you need to know about me. Part 1

Introduction: Getting to Know Me

When embarking on a journey of self-expression, it's important to start with a glimpse into the person behind the words. So, allow me to introduce myself. I am an older, white, married Christian male weighing in at a solid three hundred pounds. Just like everyone else, I have my own opinions, and I find solace in expressing them. I believe that by sharing my thoughts and engaging in civilized discussions, I can gain insights into the perspectives that diverge from my own. It sounds like a simple endeavor, doesn't it?

My Work Ethic and Background

Throughout my life, I have been no stranger to hard work. My journey began in the seventies, bussing tables at a restaurant for a mere dollar an hour. As the years passed, I made my way up the ladder, managing a pawn shop in the eighties. Eventually, I transitioned into the IT industry, initially as a contractor and later as the head of an IT department. Remarkably, I've remained with the same company for thirty years, witnessing its growth from a workforce of hundreds to a stable team of around two hundred and fifty employees.

Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures

When I'm not immersed in the demands of my career, I seek solace in the simple pleasures of life. Among these is my profound love for sail-boating and marina life. My sailboat is a constant source of joy, and I dream of one day living aboard it full time, traversing the Great Loop and exploring the Caribbean. Another passion of mine is cigar smoking. However, I must confess that the once limited selection of cigars has now exploded into a bewildering array of brands, leaving me slightly vexed. When I sit down to enjoy a cigar, I just want to savor the moment, free from endless discussions about different brands and recommendations. To venture into uncharted territories, I've even joined a few monthly subscription cigar clubs, sampling various options. While some have proven enjoyable, most fall into the realm of mediocrity. As for my go-to cigar, I find solace in the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur #4.

Furthermore, the world of whiskey has taken a similar route, with an overwhelming abundance of brands and types. Personally, I'm not much of a drinker, preferring to sip on whiskey, bourbon, or brandy only occasionally. Mixed drinks have never quite tickled my palate. Currently, my drink of choice is B&B.

I think the ESV version says it best. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. This is Proverbs 18:2. 

I want to understand.

Here are some of my thoughts.

Racism:

    I believe everyone has a chance in life and I do believe some have it easier than others. But I believe anyone can make it if they try. I don't think skin color has anything to do with it. I thing it is how a person appears that has everything to do with it, let me explain. We hire people everyday and those that come to fill out an application in there pajamas with there kids running around don't move to the top of the stack. The ones that show up dressed and ready to go to work do move to the top of the stack. It's really simple first impression weather subconscious or conscious is a real thing. The ones  that show up in their pajamas have never been taught the proper way to ask for a job and they will must likely never make it very far in life.  If you come from the Hood or the Redneck Trailer park you have a tougher time then the ones that come from suburbs. Its how you are raised that is the problem not the color of you skin. I grew up a few houses down from a black couple that had two young boys. The dad worked at one of the plants in our town and the mother worked for the phone company. They were very good parents  and taught there kids right from wrong and to respect people in general they were very polite and well behaved and both grew up to do very well for themselves. I have seen them both many times later in life and it is always a joy to catch up with them. They both now have families of there own and there kids are well behaved and very polite as well and I have no doubt that their kids will do well for themselves. There is a saying " He got in with the wrong crowd " it is where and how you are brought up not the color of you skin that is the problem. One thing I am sure about if you treat everyone the way you want to be treated then this world would have a lot less problems.