Mentoring

Offer of free mentoring for young people about planning for the future, including interview techniques and resumé preparation.

Career aerospace engineer and aerospace manufacturing company general manager.

SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) counselor emeritus and author of a Small Business Start-up book.

Former restaurant owner.

Contact me at ww802666@gmail.com

Will 

I Think of You

Something beautiful your way comes.

Romantic music American style. Close your eyes and see it.

Perry Como - "I Think of You." (3.32 min)

I'll have to learn the techniques of posting music, but until I do just copy the URL below and paste it into your browser. It'll take you to You Tube and the song. Ignore any statement about why it won't play - because it will.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8qml60CJTg

The Masked Ball

Note: I did not write this but it was in a folder of newspaper cuttings in my files without authorship.  I thought it was worth exposure.

The Masked Ball

A couple was invited to a swanky masked ball.

She got a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party alone.

He, being a devoted husband, protested, but she argued and said she was going to take an aspirin and go to bed, and there was no need of his good time being spoiled by not going. So he took his costume and went.

The wife, after sleeping soundly for an hour, awakened and surprisingly was pain free, and as it was still early she decided to go to the ball. Inasmuch as her husband didn't know what her costume was, she thought she would have some fun with him by watching to see how he acted when she was not with him.

She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting on the dance floor with every woman he could and copping  a kiss here and there. His wife seductively sidled up to him and he left his current partner high and dry to take advantage of this new stuff that had just arrived. She let him have his way with her; naturally, since he was her husband.

Finally, because this partner was very amenable to his actions he whispered a proposition into her ear and she agreed. Out in the parking lot they got into one of the cars and had a lot of unbridled fun.

Just before unmasking at midnight she slipped away, went home and climbed into bed, wondering what kind of explanation he would make for his behavior. She was sitting up reading when he came in and she asked what kind of a time he had.

"Oh, the same old thing. You know I don't enjoy myself when you're not with me."

The she asked, "Did you dance much?"

He replied, "I'll tell you, I never even danced once. When I got there I met Pete, Bill Brown, and some of the other guys, so we went into the den and played poker all evening. But you're not going to believe what happened to the guy I loaned my costume to...

XXX

Music Appreciation!

On Monday November 3rd I posted "Music and the Minds Eye" which sought to explain that music today is visual and has no resemblance to music. Yesterday, while perusing the news on the web I noticed the reportage of the American Music Awards from the previous day which included many photos. I post two here as evidence of my argument. One "lady" is a music award candidate on the red carpet and the other "lady" is actually performing a "song". I'm sure if you go to You Tube you can hear many examples of the "music" too. If you'd like to see all the photos go to yesterdays Daily Mail online.

Remember that this is the norm for the youth of today. Many parents probably don't know what their kids are watching, and with those ear buds in place 24/7 they haven't a clue what it sounds like either.

I rest my case!

Looking at Love

Looking at Love

"I'm Glad There Is You" is a song written by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira

In this world of ordinary people...
Extraordinary people,
I'm glad there is you.

In this world of overrated pleasures
And underrated treasures,
I'm glad there is you.

I live to love,
I love to live with you beside me.
This role, so new
I'll muddle through with you to guide me.
 

In this world where many, many play at love
And hardly any stay in love,
I'm glad there is you.
More than ever, I'm glad there is you.

Blog content must necessarily be easy to assimilate. It's not like settling down to read a book. The reader wants to be informed or entertained on their visit but not chained to a clock...so let's get to the point. Let's look at love!

Love is not about sex. Love is not about having a swinging lifestyle. It's not about taking advantage of someone. It's not about selfishness or ego. Its not about material things. It's not even about physical attraction per se.  

Why don't marriages last the way they used to? Our world has changed significantly in the last 50 years. There are a number of societal reasons why, and they should be examined - but they are not the subject of this narrative. We know of the mistakes that are made in marriages but do we know why? I think it's because we don't really understand love.

A story was published in an English newspaper recently about a couple who celebrated 77 years of wedded bliss. Most weeks, wherever you may live, there are announcements of fifty and sixty year anniversaries. Why does it work for some and not for others? Our faster lifestyle, and advanced technology engage us in a myriad of pursuits and are partly to blame. Easier to obtain divorces contribute to the lack of staying power. Not worth the effort to resolve the irritations which occur in any partnership. The bloom is off the rose is descriptive of real life as in the flower world. It's just as true in relationships. Making life a daily routine of survival and obligation will result in a staleness of existence that will suck the energy and dampen the spirit of just about anyone.

Why do we make war rather than love? At every level of human "being" war is more prevalent than love. In the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the car, in families, in politics, in sports, in religion, in commerce, in industry and in international relations. Let's concern ourselves with love in a personal way which may be very revealing.

Our species mate for procreation, otherwise we would no longer exist. We attract each by looks, smells, and behavior - and we make conscious efforts in those regards. So, we're working at it - we want it badly enough to work at it. We connect, and we make a commitment to love each other. We won't examine marriage, or any of the  seemingly limitless new forms of partnership specifically...we just need to know about two people in love and committed to each other.

The secret to lasting love is total commitment. Easy to say, but not easy to do. Why not?

Love does not get mad. Love does not control. Love is not sour. Love is not selfish. Love does not take sides unfairly. Love does not cheat, or lie, or be cruel. How can it, and still be love? Love is gentleness, kindness, devotion, sincerity and sacrifice...wholly and forever. Not just sometimes this week, but every free moment of your life. Your spouse should occupy your mind with the wonder of how lovely it is to be loved and adored and supported. You should always be cognizant of the comfort and warmth of your relationship. Nothing you can or ever will do is consciously meant to hurt your partner. Yes, there will be bumps in life's road but they will be quickly smoothed because they are not deliberate - and as we age, life becomes even more companionable.

We have children and then we often diminish the role of the father and give preference to the children. Was the father essentially the necessary sperm donor and now relegated to a different role? Does the father now spend more time with his buddies and perhaps his golf, while mother can take care of the household duties? The partnership built on love is already crumbling. It will never be the same again. Oh, we carry on, accepting whatever comes our way under these new conditions, thinking this is what life is all about. Make no mistake about this...true, lasting love does not take a holiday, and it can't be relegated to the back of ones mind. If your life becomes tedious, boring, routine and with irritation and bickering seemingly always present...you never really loved each other. You exist in a relationship, nothing more.

While we can't abrogate our obligations and responsibilities in life; love for each other is more important than anything else and it makes everything else easier to handle - it makes all aspects of life much more amenable than it would otherwise be. Your life partner is your reason for happiness and contentment no matter what besets you. The comfort and support can always be relied on. Adversity, if it rears its ugly head, is a lot less onerous than it would be otherwise. If you have abiding love for each other you will create a family atmosphere in which your children will always be comfortable and respectful to you and to others. They will develop a strength of character and a morality mirroring your own. They will also learn to adopt a calm, peaceful approach to life and eschew bickering and pettiness. They will not be threatened by peer pressure.

Those parents who alienate a spouse in favor of the children will never really be winners. Your partner is a life partner and your children may only inhabit a portion of your life. Truly loving your partner certainly puts the odds in your favor as to the permanence and warmth of your relationship with your children.

Have we defined love? Well, I feel that dictionary definitions don't establish a criterion. Love is unique to the individuals and their personalities, but its basis is wanting to do more for each other than for ones self...without fail, and forever!

NOTE: While I offer my opinions on many subjects, I'm certainly interested in your viewpoints and you can contact me at ww802666@gmail.com. You can advise me whether they can be posted or private. Thank you. Will.

Compliments

Compliments

No person is so poor that he cannot give a compliment - nor so rich that he cannot accept one.

Don't forget that appreciation is always appreciated.

It's so easy to vent our frustrations on others when things go wrong. Sometimes we blame others for our own shortcomings, especially in spontaneous situations. The sharp retort is never more present than among those we love the most. Spouses and family often bear the brunt of each others anger to an extent not felt in our other relationships. We always hurt the ones we love...as the saying goes.

What about the other side of the coin? What's so difficult about being complimentary? A compliment is defined as; an expression of esteem, respect, affection or admiration; a flattering remark, formal and respectful recognition, best wishes, etc. That covers a lot of territory when applied to human relationships. It's obvious that almost everyone is in line to receive a compliment once in a while.

The word complimentary means "given free as a courtesy or favor." Giving a compliment doesn't cost us anything...it's free. Let's hand out more compliments. "My you are looking well today." "I do appreciate  your keeping my newspaper dry when it rains." "Honey, that was a lovely meal you prepared tonight." (applies to either gender). "Your mother and I are very proud of your academic efforts." "Your courtesy is appreciated."

You don't need to search for reasons to be complimentary - they're all around you. You just have to be more aware. Perhaps you feel that our society is not offering many opportunities for us to be complimentary to each other? Well, if we all offer just one extra compliment a day beyond our average, we might just effect an astonishing change in the way we relate to each other, and remember...your average will compound.

Minimum Wage?

Minimum Wage?

I saw another article recently about the rat hole that is foreign aid. Billions of dollars disappear from every target and often nothing reaches the target at all. I say "another" because in my very long lifetime there are several stories every year. Some of the foreign aid is just a cover up to pay our buddies, many of whom are our enemies for all kinds of reasons. 

I would urge our congress to investigate this profligate system and to authorize only genuinely compassionate needs with total control. 

We are pounded incessantly by the government and socialistic organizations in America to regularly increase the minimum wage which can be ruinous to some businesses, and destroys the incentive to work and earn a living in individuals.

Our military is not served well financially and in retirement, yet they can be relied on to serve us well. I propose a very thorough overhaul of our military's wages, medical care, and pensions. They must be supported by us in a generous and sincere fashion.