WordUp by Chad Gramling

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IN 2006, I blogged a post called “Where is the Olympic Luster?” and it is getting visits in light of the 2008 Summer Olympics that are currently taking place. At the time, it was a simple pondering about whether or not I had become disenfranchised about the whole thing.

There was a day when I watched the Olympics with some sort of passion (as much as a twelve-year-old could anyway). But it seems, I no longer have any such sentiment. I really couldn’t care any less about the Olympics.

The sad fact is that I really don’t feel any different today than I did back then. But now I am thinking more about it. In general, the Olympics have become so much less than what they once were.

There is no doubting that the world has become a massive melting pot where boundaries between countries that once existed have been eliminated or less obtrusive. The rise in technology, mass transportation, easier crossing of borders have made hub culture a reality of life. The extermination of the “cold war” and the growing disenfranchisement with the so-called “war on terror” have left so many with a loss of nationalism.

In fact, we now have athletes participating for countries that are not their native lands. Add to that the fact that we have become a culture that thrives on individual celebrity status as well as the certain reality that many of the Olympians are doping in some fashion, there is little to get excited about.

Ratings show that the Games are being watched, but I still don’t see that rooting interest that once was present. People used to wait for the games with dire interest and salivated over the prospect of seeing their country bring home the gold. This sentiment plateaued when the US sent over the original “dream team” to crush the competition.

Had it not been for Michael Phelps, I don’t think I would know one thing about the latest installment of the Olympics. The events would be overshadowed by political BS, protesters, and tragedy. Instead, that thirst and fascination with individual celebrity status shines through.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Last year, there was this odd plant growing near where I had planted two lilac starts for a lilac that is sure to have been centuries old and at one time, perhaps it was frequented by Smurfs. I was intrigued at first, but when it got to be about three feet tall, I decided to yank it and throw it on the compost.

That was last spring. It came back this year. So I let it grow. And boy did it grow.

Today, it stands approximately 6 ½ to 7 feet tall and it is more bizarre to me with each passing day and week. Methinks it might have magical properties or have been secretly planted by space aliens and could hold potential for world peace if I allow it to mature long enough.

Okay, some of that is fantastic embellishment on my part, but this plant truly is a marvel. I stand in front of it and quite often ask it, “What the hell are you?”

It almost takes on the appearance of a tropical plant with broad green leaves and a trunk that has thickened and taken on a plum-like hue as the plant has grown taller. In the early spring, it bloomed with grape cluster-like shoots that had little whitish pink blossoms. They didin’t stay long and in the middle of the blooms, little green things formed and grew to a size similar to that of a pee. The shoots actually look like little green gourds. After a few weeks of that, the stems of the shoots have turned to a really vibrant magenta and on some, the “gourds” have turned a deep purple and softened quite a bit.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next component of the plant’s metamorphosis, but I am deeply interested to find out more about the plant. I have taken a short video of the plant. If anyone has the slightest clue what it might be, please comment here.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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There is a widespread perception that we all have to be “green” in order to sustain humanity on planet earth. Businesses are spending lots of green just to be green because some former Vice-President of the United States who may or may not have invented the Internet made a movie and got his butt kissed by a bunch of Hollywood’s finest fakers.

The common perception is that the there’s a giant hole in the Ozone, that the globe is warming and that we’re all going to die unless we quit using hairspray and start driving hybrid vehicles that are seriously lacking in their technologies.

My only question is “Where the hell were all of you back when I was in elementary school getting advice from Captain Planet and learning about the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R) concept?

You see, my perception is different. Therefore, my reality is different.

The fact is, Al Gore did not invent the Internet, but due to a poor choice of wording, media types and naysayers twisted his statement into something that was their perception and not the reality.

For the record, he stated in an interview with Wolf Blitzer that:

During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.

While this is definitely an overstatement, Gore does deserve some credit for the technology’s existence. He was - without a doubt - involved in programs that supported the development. Even Vinton Cerf, the Stanford researcher who sketched a design for the Internet in 1973, suggested that ‘It is entirely fitting that the vice president take some credit for helping to create an environment in which Internet could thrive.’

But what Gore has now done is create a frenzy that is based upon a generational shift to seek something more than materialistic gain. Right now, marketers and writers are trying to find ways to appeal to a youthful generation. This generation - while “it’s all about me” – is one that seeks greater meaning to their lives and lifestyle. And that’s why so many have latched onto this whole “green” concept.

My perception is that global warming is a fallacy. I have no facts to back this up, so don’t ask for them. And I probably won’t believe you if you try to feed me any.

Fact is; my perception is my reality.

Fact is; I was at least partially green before Al Gore made his damn movie. Fact is, my life is one of moderation in many (NOT ALL) areas. And that’s the real answer.

We don’t need to take drastic measures. We don’t have to create a television network that’s recruited some of the en vogue celebrities of the era to pitch their corporate motivated theories and products.

Fact is; we are a society that obsesses over consumption. Our additions to alcohol, caffeine, illegal drugs, shopping, music, eating, etc. are rooted in the fact that we thirst for greater consumption of whatever it is that consumes us. Our hobbies and our interests define us to the point that hey become our identities.

At that point, there’s little chance of escape. Suddenly, we’re known as “the drunkard,” “the junkie,” “the fat guy (or girl).” Even the so-called positive obsessions receive labels that stir negative perceptions. The individual who always seeks to do right is labeled “the Prude” or “the Goodie-Goodie.” The person who smartly manages his or her finances by watching their spending and/or using coupons is labeled as “the Greedy Penny-Pincher” and even the Christian is labeled as – of all things – “the Christian.” I ask you, when did being called a Christian become shameful?

Accept it folks, we’re living in a culture where good is bad and bad is good. It was much easier when Hulk Hogan was a “real American” and not the leader of the New World Order – only to become “the Immortal” Hulk Hogan again. It’s no wonder we’re all confused.

You know why? It’s because, just like the current movement to “go green,” businesses and marketers continually monitor us and our behaviors to see what we are consuming. Surprisingly, it’s not a liquid, a food or even a drug that they are packaging. It’s ideology. They’re taking it and spending a whole lot of time, effort and money to wrap it up nicely and stocking it on the shelves of our souls so they can get us to buy in.

Then you’re hooked. Before you know it, you’re wearing 100% chemically untreated cotton clothes and lightly pushing the accelerator of your hybrid with your vegan shoes on your feet so you can go home to cook your organic food (that you paid extra for) and enjoy an evening of watching Planet Green in your eco-friendly house that you paid a ton to produce and then paid some suit to certify that the house was build to green standards. Before you know it, you’ve financed the lives of those who made you believe there was a problem and made you the fool by making you think you could solve it.

Thanks Al Gore. Looks like you have a knack for creating social frenzies.

That’s my perception anyway. Comment and let me know if you’re with me or if you have a different reality.

(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)

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Your perception probably caught your interest in this post based solely upon the title. The word (or perhaps brand) “Obama” currently invokes emotion of some sort for pretty much everyone. Funny how that works, eh?

I am not one of those political bloggers and quite frankly, I hate politics; whether it is with regard my nation or my office. The term “politically correct” sends shivers down my spine as I find it inane to think that I must make an elaborate attempt to ensure my words, my actions, even my attire are the least offensive to every single person with whom I might come in contact.

So therefore, this is not a political post (and frankly, I don’t give a damn if it offends you). Rather, it is an observation on perception. My perception. Not yours – so my opinion is the only one that is right here (but feel free to argue my points because you might be able to change my perception).

There have been four United States Presidents where I have memory of their campaigns and/or society during their terms: Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush. That’s R, R, D, R respectively. For the record and supporting evidence later, I was alive during Carter’s term, but was too young to remember it.

From what I recall about Reagan’s terms; people loved him, but they hated their lives and times were difficult. Bush’s term was characterized by war and people generally hated their lives more than during Reagan’s. Then came Clinton. People hated him and his lifestyle, but I cannot recall a more economically prosperous time in my lifetime and people generally were happy, jobs were abundant and there were no wars. Gas prices were low and life was good. Then game Bush part deaux. More war, terrible economy and people are again downtrodden and pissed at the world.

See a pattern here?

This is where someone will undoubtedly say

“What about Carter? Times sucked then.”

You’re probably right, but I don’t have any perception of that era and I genuinely admire Carter as a person. Maybe he was just a crappy President. I don’t know. I was four when he was voted out of office.

This is where someone will undoubtedly say

“Well, all of the good things that happened during Clinton’s term were clearly the works of Reagan’s economic policies – it just took time for them to ripple.”

Uh, sorry, but that’s not my perception. Bill Gates and the Internet had more to do with the prosperity of the economy than Reagan.

So now, we are enthralled in a new election where we have the presumptive Democratic nominee talking about “hope” and the presumptive Republican nominee talking about more war. I watch their appearances and see Obama engaged with a youthful, exuberant audience who appear open-minded enough to truly change the world because they realize there is no damn box. I watch McCain and I see a tired old man blinking to a group of people who are just as old, stuck in status quo and caring only about their own wallets. (Although, I do love a good game of “Pork Invaders” from time to time).

I want a country that isn’t afraid to hope for something more. I want a country with a leader that the rest of the world can admire and view as inspiring. I want a country that seeks innovation first and personal wealth second.

My perception is that Obama will provide that. My perception is that McCain will continue to entrench our nation – MY NATION – further into the chasms of war and economics where only the wealthy prosper and the poor . . . well, the poor die.

If you have to ask why I may vote for Obama, your perception must be a different reality. Leave a comment to tell my why I am right or wrong.

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I’ve pretty much decided that I will be moving chadgramling.com and baseballinfortwayne.com sometime within the next couple months. Any suggestions for whom I should move to? PowWeb sucks. (Sorry PowWeb, it’s true). And the fact that I am still on version 2.3.3 of WP is only a part of the reason why. I could go on about e-mail, support, uptime, price, etc., but I’ll refrain.

Now, who knows a lot about moving a WordPress blog?

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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The third annual Gramling Minor League Baseball All-Star Game was last night. The 2008 edition saw is take in Triple-A action in Louisville. We also briefly stopped by the Louisville Slugger Museum, rode the trolley and walked a heck of a lot to find a restaurant that was open past 10PM.

Our extreme compliments goes out to the hotel staff of the Residence Inn Louisville Downtown. Not only was our hotel clean and comfortable, but the amenities were just swell and all the employees were unbelievably kind and helpful. I remained convinced that the Marriott chain is in the upper echelon of first class service in the hotel industry. If you visit Louisville and plan to go to the park, this is the hotel where you must stay.

This year, we brought along the nutheads (Dan and DAve) from OMGreds.com. Not sure why, but they have an uncanny affinity for sundae helmets and photos with mascots.

Previous trips: 2007-Kane County | 2006-Toledo

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As you probably already realize, I blog here at WordUp pretty infrequently. It’s not that I don’t have thinks to say or that I don’t want to blog them. In fact, the truth is, there are many things I observe and consider but I just don’t ever get around to blogging it out.

This is NOT one of those “Woe is me, I don’t like to blog here and I’m shutting it down” posts. WordUp will remain open, probably indefinitely. However, in terms of priority, I have to get back to the real reason(s) I started blogging.

The primary ponders in my head as of late have been specific to 1.) purpose, 2.) focus, and 3.) opportunity. I’m not a “pro-blogger” but I am getting back to making blogging fit into strategies that further my ambitions. And my ultimate worldly ambition hasn’t wavered from the same thing it was five, ten, fifteen years ago; to become successful enough as a writer to be financial secure so I can do it as a full-time job. Stephen King I am not, but R. Karl Largent (REST IN PEACE MR. LARGENT), maybe.

That being my focus, when I started on this WordUp Journey, it was to help further my longed-for career. Along the way, it became a melting pot for what was on my mind, family updates, and telling stories. Judging by the most often used search phrases for this blog, it is also a place where people seek out pictures of Jack Osborn and/or Jodie Seetin. Does any of that present an opportunity for furthering the core ambition? Not really. Right now, the opportunity is at BaseballinFortWayne.com. Some really great things are happening over there in terms of Northeast Indiana baseball history as it happens and as it happened. That being the opportunity, I’m running with it and doing some other great things to complement the blog, which has developed a solid following and is generating good exposure.

But this now all goes back to the core: writing and baseball. BBIFW allows me to combine both and I love doing it, but I don’t think that particular niche will 1.) help me make it into a full-time career nor will it 2.) completely scratch the itch I have for writing fiction (novels).

All this said, you’ll begin to notice some change ’round these here parts very soon. I’m going to streamline the site, this blog and perhaps develop another blog that is specific to helping me achieve that core. Neither blog will likely get updated on a daily or even weekly basis on regular intervals, only when necessary or the mood strikes. BBIFW may even begin to evolve a little bit as I begin some things to help expand search engine placement, and generate more traffic.

Get set, cause I’m making a run at it! Stay tuned.

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The Downtown Auburn Business Association is currently presenting “Out of the Box Art: A Celebration in Trompe L’Oeil.” The summer art exhibit features several “boxes” of art that are done by local artists in the style of Trompe L’Oeil; which is attributed to the style of painting that achieves the sense of being three dimensional. If you haven’t yet gotten down to see these wonder creations, I highly suggest you do so.

However, whether you have or haven’t. I’ve taken a bit of time to put together a little video that provides a virtual look. My apologies to the couple that I missed. I took two trips and still didn’t get them all. If your art does not appear in the video, please do not take it personal. I tried to get them all, but between my limited map skills, video capabilities and my wife and two daughters getting tired and cranky, I just couldn’t get all of them.

(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)

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Daphne “Big Bird” Gramling and Stella “Little Chick” Gramling