acknowledge others

For the last year I’ve been seeing Rick Angood walking the streets of Coudersport with an ever longer beard. Rick and I used to work out at the gym together and I was always impressed with his fitness. He was clean shaven in those days and most would have considered him handsome.

He’s currently being featured in a book by Justin James Muir who has been photographing beards for the past couple of years. You can read more about the book here.

I’m not sure why Rick stopped coming to the gym or why he started growing a beard like this. But I know he’s happy and isn’t that all that matters?

Earlier today I clicked on a link in my email because someone had invited me to check out Twoo which apparently is a new dating site, though it’s not until you’re actually partway through the signup process that you realize that’s what it is as it appears to be a generic social media site. Apparently during that process too, it sends out spam on your behalf without asking you or giving you the ability to opt out. So if you got something like that in email from me, I apologize. It was not sent with intent, and I would not recommend anyone sign up for Twoo because it displays your full birth date without an option to hide it.

It appears the bug that keeps reordering your list of things has finally been fixed. Or maybe I’m currently experiencing a different bug that doesn’t automagically reorder my list. Anyway, thanks to the Robots for all they do on our behalf.

Last night I almost hit two pedestrians who were dressed in dark clothing crossing the street in a non-crosswalk area. A vehicle with its high beams was approaching me so I didn’t see them as soon as I would have otherwise. I didn’t have to slam my brakes or anything, but they definitely put their life at risk. (The two times I’ve hit deer have been a similar situation.)

Today I read about this video that is stirring a big controversy. The video comes from the Florida Department of Transportation, and shows real-life videos of people being hit by cars. The campaign is targeting the Tampa area, but pedestrian safety is a big issue across the state of Florida, which leads the nation in pedestrian accidents.

Let me warn you that the images are not for the squeemish. I’ve responded to these kinds of calls as paramedic, usually the vehicle wins. I understand the reasons behind the video, and actually support the message. I think if more people see this, they’ll hopefully think twice before running out into traffic.

During my first six years on this site, I did not use the blocking feature because I felt it stops the possibility of communication and without communication there isn’t a chance to gain understanding or reach a compromise or agreement.

I’ve changed my mind though because of personal attacks that have been made, and because I realize that those people who made them are not open to positive communication. So I want to acknowledge those people who find it easy to hide behind their computer and throw insults and attacks instead of having a positive and healthy communication.

If I have blocked you and you want to have a positive conversation with me, feel free to contact me at Twitter (toddschoonover) or Yahoo (toddschoonover) or anywhere else that I’m (toddschoonover) affiliated.