Sometimes, I sit and think…  Other times, I just sit.

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something (about humanity) you absolutely hate.

     If you’re a polite, generous person, people will try and walk all over you.  That’s a fact, Jack!

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.

     All that talk about Fred Phelps really got me going.  People like him, who twist around the words of the Bible to support their own ignorant notions, really tick me off.
     Pat Robertson did a long bit about God’s Wrath a little over a year ago.  Why, instead of showing any Christian concern towards Ariel Sharon, Robertson said the reason was, “God’s Wrath!”.  Sam Venable from the Knoxville News-Sentinel let him have it with a laugh, too.

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.

     I’ve had an extraordinary amount of crap and drama dumped on me lately.  It’s changed my attitude a little … I don’t laugh as much lately.  The sarcasm’s starting to sound serious…

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.

     Oh, you who will remain nameless…  We’ve known each other for a long time.  You’ve always had my best interests at heart, even though the implementation wasn’t the best, at times.
     You’ve had a rough time with a lot of things, with someone dragging you into situations completely out of your control.  Yet, you still keep coming out on top.
     Seriously, if you’ll just stop and think about it, you’ll start to realize just how strong you really are.  You’re strong… you just don’t give yourself enough credit. 

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it.

     Patience is a virtue.  I’m finding out I do have some, after all.

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.

     I wish I was moved already…

Now it’s your turn.

You can take part in The Monday Melee, even make it a regular feature at your site by visiting The Monday Melee page and following the steps. Kick-start your brain on Mondays and meet other bloggers.

     Today’s Monday Melee is brought to you by the Letters A, K, and the number 47…

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something (about humanity) you absolutely hate.

     What the Hell snaps in peoples’ heads and makes them go on a rampage and start shooting people?  Certainly, I can imagine having one person tick you off so badly that you’ll seriously consider it.  But how do you get from that point to shooting more than fifty people on a college campus?
     That’s hardcore.

     And there are many, many more where he came from… people who have absolutely no value or respect for human life.

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.

     Earlier today, a couple of Mormons saw me pull into my driveway and came knocking on my door.  When I answered, they wanted to tell me all their story, despite my having told them, “I’m busy working.”
     It’s sort of amusing, really, when you consider that the basis of their religion relies heavily of the word of an angry teenager who was exiled from his Utah township.  Eventually, when hunger and the elements took their toll on him, he returned home with an elaborate hoax and was celebrated as a Saint.
     Seeing these two kids walking around, out of school and without jobs, certainly makes it seem that maybe, just maybe, that old tradition is alive and well…

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.

     I am currently unhappy that I cannot find a pair of shoes anywhere near as nice as the ones I’m wearing right now.  They’re old.  They stink.  They’re falling apart inside.  But I can’t let them go until I find a suitable replacement.
     These were built extremely well, dress-style in Italian leather, with a boot-style sole that makes them equally comfortable as casual shoes.  They’re the type of go anywhere, do anything, all-purpose, sensible shoes which look just as good with a tailored suit as they do with a t-shirt and jeans.
     And do you think I can find anything close to that for less than $400?  Oh, HELL no.

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.

     I read a few of Diva’s blogs last week, and was pretty impressed with a few of them.  I gave her the opportunity to jump in here, and she’s hit the ground running with some pretty good material.
     Kudos, Diva.  Good job!

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it.

     Last week was tough, with the two court cases.  I was willing to negotiate in the first one to a large degree, but as they were unwilling, I still came out with exactly what I asked — and without having to bend over backwards.
     The second case was very difficult emotionally, and I got through it anyway — also in my favor.  I can’t take all of the credit, as I’ve surrounded myself with some pretty damn good people, as well.  They’ve propped me up when I’ve needed it.

     To the end, I attempted to make a lot of concessions and be reasonable with my family, which amazes me when I consider the Hell they were putting me through.  I tried to do the right thing, and was more than fair.
     At the same time, some of that probably has something to do with the fact I hang around with people who expect me to be that way.  I’m damn glad I’ve made the choice to hang around with them.

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.

     I wish I had written this earlier today…

Now it’s your turn.

You can take part in The Monday Melee, even make it a regular feature at your site by visiting The Monday Melee page and following the steps. Kick-start your brain on Mondays and meet other bloggers.

     I guess there’s a first time for everything.  Today’s the first time I’ve decided to do the Monday Melee, something Fracas asked me to start doing over a month ago…

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something (about humanity) you absolutely hate.
     I truly hate the fact that when you get an Order of Protection against someone, the Courts will do little to address the problem of Retaliatory Litigation. 

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.
     Have you ever wondered why so many people get off on this 9/11 Truth movement, especially with such an inconsistent, un-scientific, un-factual flagship film like “Loose Change?”  I wish all of those people would go and read Frequently Stupid Theories for a play-by-play rundown of the common conspiracies…

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.
     I’m completely unhappy with the fact that people can’t tell fact from opinion anymore.  “News Talk” is opinion.  Just because someone said something on one of those shows doesn’t make it real, or right.  It gets especially bad when comedians and satirists like Limbaugh, Coulter, Franken and Stewart (or even Lenny Bruce) are used as sources of “fact” instead of being taken with the grains of salt they deliver.  Using comedy as social commentary has twice as much effect when it’s interspersed with a little truth.  Although, none of them are as funny as Carlos Mencia, Maddox or WhoreChurch…

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.
     I have a couple of friends who’ve known me my entire life, people who are like family to me.  They’ve really been here for me a lot the last few weeks, offering a bit of their wisdom and even a bit of spiritual guidance through this mess.  It doesn’t actually help the situation any, but it damn sure makes me feel better to know I’m not totally alone regardless of the outcome.

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it.
     I’m a great listener — most of the time.  I try not to interrupt people, give people the benefit of the doubt, make them feel comfortable, and have some pretty incredible conversations with people.  I tend to be the go-to guy not just in my work, but as a friend, as well.

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.
     I wish … that I could sleep through the next few days, and be magically transported to another destination and not have to deal with all of this stress that’s going on … that would be so nice!  Barring that, I just hope I get through the next few days without losing my damn mind.

     As for the Monday Melee … I’ll try and do this once a week.