can't we just get along?

so I'm not sure who actually reads these blogs of mine, but I suppose I write them as much for me as anyone. I am sitting here with free reign of the TV since Dad's drunkass has already retired for the evening.

Usually, I just turn the damn thing off, unless there is a sporting event (typically college ball) on, I will turn it off or maybe switch to one of the music channels. I tend to check the movie channels we get and the box gets shut down because nothing appeals.

However, tonight "Remember the Titans" was on. I have seen it many times and it's a good flick that I do enjoy watching, so tuned in.

It's a feel good movie, but it's powerful because of all the socially driven context it addresses. It was a different time and racism was much more rampant than it is today.

Sadly though, nearly 40 years after the time frame of the setting of this movie, we as a society, haven't really progressed much. I have lived in the deep south most of my life.

Racism is something that I am not oblivious to. I see way too much of it. I don't get it, but I am in no bubble either.

I hate racism! HATE IT! I do NOT understand how you can have preconceived notions about a person before you have met him/her just because of the fact they are different from you.

The word "individual" is just that! Each person deserves the opportunity to let you down before you determine he/she deserves disdain. Why should you judge a person because of some group they belong to you whether that group wronged YOU or not?

How shallow is that? How come nearly 150 years after the end of the "Civil War" (ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS!!) we cannot get past this hatred? It baffles and sickens me!

This isn't just a black and white thing, though. It's not just race, it's culture. Take Muslims. MOST of them are NOT Jihad lunatics. Yet, we as Americans have a mindset about Asiatic cultures -- stereotyping is a bad thing.

Some of those folks DO have hateful intentions toward us, but not the majority. One bad apple and all that ...

Prejudice knows no bounds. Why can we not break down this wall (as a species)?

It is great to see that blacks and whites can get along. When I was in college (only a decade ago) I shared an apartment with two other guys who were best friends.

One was a white guy, the other a black guy. I was tickled to see this. This has been showcased more and more over the past decade through the media, and I think it is a good thing, but it still remains in some fashion.

I suppose the landscape has changed to where it's not so much black and white as it once was, but we still have that predisposition to judge someone by their culture in a wholistic rather than individual approach. That sucks! When we can accept each PERSON as a PERSON and not part of a group we will ALL be better!

Maybe one day the human race can just get along and agree to disagree on things and it be cool. Right now, not so much.

consumed ...

that's what I am! I am about to head out on a road trip on the bike later this week.

This will be my first road trip in a few years. I sooo miss road trippin' on the bike! It's been waaayyy too long!

I am headed up to the D.C. area to visit with a very good friend for a few days. We have some work to do, but after that ... it's play time!!

On Saturday, we will head up towards Philadelphia where another friend of mine is storing a bike for me. The idea is to load it onto the trailer, hang out for a bit, then head to Philly. Or do Philly first then grab the bike. Either way, that's Saturday's to-do list.

Sunday, I will head on home on the new bike mostly on secondary roads and probably a good stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Of course, if the weather sucks, I guess I will just slab it home. I will leave the KLR up there and Skip will bring it down when he comes down for the Tellico event next month.

So this is *all* I'm thinking about. I am finally going to get to log some significant miles. I get to hang out with good friends. AAAANNNDDD .. I am picking up a bike that I have wanted since it hit the showroom floor. Does it get much better?

I am not a bike slut -- well in a way, yeah, but I mean I have never really lusted after a new bike. Ever since this one was announced I have yearned to own it ... and now I do.

So all I am thinking about is this upcoming trip. I am consumed. Is it Thursday morning yet?