thank you

A fine writer once said that. May his eternal soul rest in peace.

I would like to dedicate this one to everyone that I have met: my virtual friendships, my actual friendships, those I’ve seen with my eyes (who I consider ‘real’), and those that I have only heard of. To all of you, I say thank you: my experiences, my life, my soul, sits content in knowing you. My coffee breaks with you, my meals and drinks I have spent in the company of others, the laughs, the cries and (possibly most important) the competitions. Enriched, I may perish tomorrow, but I will have met simply the finest people in the world.

I would also like to thank everyone for their supportive comments, cheers, and even the occasional jeers. However, I must confess: what I do is no different than what everyone else does. In some cases, I simply was the first. Other times, I’m one of many, a voice in a sea of comments. It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue; someone simply has to give it a name.

Everyone on this website is similar in that they have good intentions, they can all guide in their own way. While I may ont agree with it (and I should probably bite my tongue a little more often), it is important to realize that everyone has opinions, experiences and talents. All the people that I have met, I draw from your experiences, your talents, your opinions, so that I may be a more complete person.

Thank you.

—-FIG

I let these go too long in between. Work seems to be a real pain in the rump as far as finding all the time I want in a day. Anyways…

This time, I would like to thank Captain Wings ‘N Fins. Not only did I enjoy my stay in Connecticut where I met with her, but for all the small recognitions around these boards. Listening, encouraging, putting things into perspective, and helping with research, to name a few.

There are few things that one can request of another that carry the power of asking one to think for themselves. I have asked countless people this and I am always astonished by what I see as their response. Some shirk away from the responsibility, going back to their comfort zone. Others, like a bull in a china shop, go wild and often return from whence they came. A few, though, see what’s around them, see the chains that burden them, see the cushion of loved ones that support them. But most importantly, they see why they act and who it is that they act for.

At the risk of sounding cliche, I think it’s important to call upon some Emerson and Dead Poet Society.
“O, Captain, my Captain”

You have sailed the seas, and
Seen adventure abound.
Through the clouds you have
Flown, like Daedalus, and
Like many before and many to
Come, you have seen the surf
Rise to swallow you like Icarus.
But from the same surf you swim,
And dive and play, there is more
To be seen than what is first
Seen. There is high and low,
And mammals and fish, and
Coral and beasts. But most
Importantly, there is peace.
Serenity, in all its awesome
Glory is there, heralded by
The advent of doves and olives
And the feast of plenty.

Thank you, Captain Wings ‘N Fins,

—-FIG

But I should start on the next too.

I need to thank my father for being. He is a bit of an ass and doesn’t quite realize what he does but he still deserves thanks. I’m sure that when I’m away for a while, it will make more sense to me. Hopefully this will also lend itself nicely for forgiveness.

—-FIG

Alright.

One person I am going to find and thank is Dynamite the Clown. In the Cadillac area, Saturday morning cartoons on FOX were always pretty cool. Spiderman, X-Men, and I think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the original ones) were all there. In between such shows, Dynamite would have a PSA type announcement. This was a minor part of the mornings, but I still remember it.

All of this took place something along the lines of sixteen years ago. About three years ago, I was a junior in high school took American Studies. We covered the normal subjects: roots, the middle years, basic social classes, and (of course) wars and police actions. When we were being taught about the Korean War (again, those police actions), a guest speaker spoke about the “war”. Well, Dynamite the Clown was our speaker (not the clown, but the person behind the costume).

Dynamite didn’t end up talking all that much, but his story is the important thing. Dynamite graduated from high school, and immediately after walking, marched onto a bus to go to training camp for (I really hate me for not knowing) the Army(?). He toured for four years, returned home and then toured with a circus as a clown. I believe he is still a clown this day.

I have been wanting to find Dynamite for the last few years to thank him.