What Has Happened to Respect?

I was at Walmart, as many have done, just trying to quickly get a few grocery items, and get out. Of course I happened down one of the aisles being restocked, and I would have left the area, except that I needed some Pasta for spaghetti. So I tried picking my moment to dart around the large cart in the aisle covered in merchandise filled boxes, when the guy stocking the shelves pushed his way between me and the shelves. He did this without a "pardon me", " excuse me", or "hey, watch yourself". His job was more important than my buying the products that keep him in a job stocking shelves. Walmart is not the only store with this issue. In fact I have found that most stores have such rude employees that need to run you down to get that cart that has been sitting in the parking lot for three days. No respect.

I'm not going to jump into a Rodney Dangerfield routine, of how "I get no respect", but it does seem to be becoming a problem that we have let go on for way too long. Back in the 80's when I was a teenager, it was very common to jokingly talk to your friends with disdain, and tongue planted firm in your cheek. My Dad still cannot get over how I would talk to my friends on the phone, and how he thought that I was being quite insulting, but we were teenagers, we all knew we were joking. Of course I would not talk that way with those same people today, it's different after you grow up.

But some people have gotten too desensitized to each other that they believe they can treat you, and talk to you anyway that they please, and there's nothing you can do about it. There was a time in this country that if you didn't watch what you said, you'd get your teeth knocked down your throat. Lawyers have pretty much stopped that, and of course there is no honor in fighting anymore because the looser now would call the police and press charges. I know, you probably think that fighting doesn't solve anything, or prove anyone right. True, but how come nothing ever gets resolved. We go through the same ole relationships, being treated the same ole way, year after year, until violence erupts and someone's button got pushed, marked "fire gun". After a difference of opinion and a subsequent fight, the two men would have now earned respect for one another, therefore becoming the best of friends.

Respect. What is it, and how is it shown? Well, I'm not talking about the kind of respect that you would see in the "Godfather" movies, but a well defined respect for everyone. thefreedictionary.com defines respect as:

re·spect  (r-spkt)

tr.v. re·spect·ed, re·spect·ing, re·spects

1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.

2. To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.

3. To relate or refer to; concern.

n.

1. A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem. See Synonyms at regard.

2. The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.

3. Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.

4. respects Polite expressions of consideration or deference: pay one's respects.

Okay, now we have the definition, but that sounds too much like groveling at someone's feet, doesn't it? Kissing the Pope's ring, and bowing before royalty? No. Actually it's a lot more simple than that. For example, showing up on time to someone's house shows that you respect the other person's valuable time. "Please" and "Thank You", are always good ways of showing respect. If someone let's you cut in front of them on the road, or holds a door open for you, the appropriate thing to say is "Thank You" or at least wave in appreciation. You might think that it's too much trouble hanging up your cell phone that is permanently attached to your ear, or you might actually have to stop talking to your friend long enough to do one of those, but it's worth it. Well it beats having a door slammed in your face.

In conversations it is always respectful to not make assumptions on what you think a topic of conversation is about when you walk in the middle of it. These things can really make for embarrassing moments for you and the other person. Be considerate in your conversations that you fully listen to the other person, then judge maybe by that person's tone, or body language as to what response maybe appropriate. It's never wise to assume that people need or want your advise, especially when it is of a critical nature. This may lead to hard feelings, resentment, and of course an argument. There are some that find arguments appalling and nerve racking. I on the other hand find they clear the air faster than years of living in dread and loathing. 

Alright. You now have proverbially stepped in it; now what are you going to do? I have tried leaving the situation as quickly as possible which doesn't solving anything, but does allow both parties to "cool off". Always try to fall back on your manners. When at someone's house, you do not want to say things to the owner of that house that may make that person feel disrespected. You can't tell that person off, or come barking orders to someone in their own home. It's always best to thank everyone for a lovely time and leave. You have just spared that person from an indignant situation and you have also showed them respect in your courtesy. When you don't use your manners, then your classless exhibition seems cheap and petty.  

These are just a few ways that we as a culture need to function. Without respect, we each would not feel willing to give any other courtesies to others that may need it. Always try to do for others. This does not include advice giving. I have always found peace trying to show common courtesy and manners. I try not to look for that "thanks", or even that nod of gratitude, but I am human. Make someone feel special by showing them respect. They may just need it.

Sebastian Inlet : Tides of Change

Recently, my family and I took the time to drive down to Sebastian Inlet for the afternoon and to swim in the tidal pool area of the north park. So many memories, flooded back to me as I drove towards our destination along A1A. My four kids in the back of the car, much as I was at their age, chattering away, excited to play in the salty water and sun, without a care in this world. Back in my childhood, in the 70's, A1A looked alot different than it does today. Floridana Beach had a lot less house and no condos, Melbourne Beach didn't stretch too far past the 7-11, south of the Spessard Holland Golf Course, and there were many miles of lush palm frond bushes separating the view of the beach from the passing cars. Occasionally as you traveled down there were breaks in the bushes where locals could access the beach, and give you a view of the untouched beauty of the surf.

As I was growing up, camping was a large part of our lives. My father, who worked for the State and didn't make a lot of money, found that vacationing with a large family was more cost efficient that way; it makes up the bulk of my child hood memories. He knew someone who worked for the Sebastian Park Camping area, so we were able to get a site in the south park area whenever we wanted. The Camping area back then was beautiful with tall pine trees that provided a relief from the sun, and a pleasant camping area. People were put on waiting lists for months just to get a spot in that camping area. The fishing at night was a large draw. My Father and Uncles would fish till late in the night under the bridge, and off the jetty, with all the other people crammed in there. As a kid, I was deathly afraid of walking over the grates on the jetty, with the roaring ocean, and breaking waves underneath. At night, it felt as though you were stepping out into the darkness, hoping you wouldn't fall to a watery grave on the rocks below. There were too many people fishing along the sides of the jetty to walk around, so I would close my eyes and quickly try to jump across the grates, trying to push down the fear in the pit of my stomach.

Some of my other memories of the Park, were of the tidal pool area, which some liked to go to, but it wasn't like it is today. Back then the tidal pool area was surrounded by pines and was much more shallow than it is now. All these qualities meant more mosquitoes, and the water was really warm with a mucky bottom. Usually only people with really small children would go there, because the surf was much too deep and rough; which hasn't changed. But one of my favorite past times in the camping area, was if we got one of the sites in the back of the park, it would back up to the mangrove wetlands area. This meant all the Fiddler Crabs we could catch. My cousins and myself had hours of fun finding and catching crabs for our Dads to use as bait. You had to hide from site long enough for the crabs to come out of their holes, then you had to quickly try to grab them from behind, so that you wouldn't get pinched by that one big claw. I also miss the sound of the breeze through the pines as you sat there under their shade on a hot summer's day waiting for that very gust of wind to cool you down. It was much simpler times when you're a kid.

Now a days Hurricanes have killed the trees on both the north and south side parks. The State in an effort to make the best of the situation, has paved the dirt roads that once wandered around the primitive camp sites, and made other "improvements". The tidal pool has now been dredged, to make a really nice swim area, but all the flavor just seems to have been plowed over. Everything seems a little too.....unnatural, and barren. But I found some pictures and some history of the Inlet that show that this area really has a forever changing face, and Hurricanes will always have major impacts to what we have created there.

 This is Sebastian as it looked in the late 1930's. This cut was actually created in 1885 - 1886, and was called Gibson's Cut or Gibson's Folley in mocking laughter. Gibson was a Turpentiner from Georgia, who wanted access to his land holdings.

This Picture was taken in 1937 at the Inlet. I bet fishing back then was spectacular.  The rocks you see were the beginnings of the jetty that was placed to help protect from erosion in 1924.

 From the beginning of the cut, hurricanes and tropical storms have all taken their toll on the project. Sometimes widening the waters, and sometimes filling it back in, but each time improvements were made to stop the effects. In 1941 - 1942 the Inlet was completely closed by a Northeaster that clobbered the island. In September of 1947, the Navy used some of their left over munitions to blast the channel back open, as seen here.

In 1948, the Indian River was flooded, and so it was deemed necessary to recut Sebastian from a northwesterly flow to a southwesterly flow, thus creating the tidal pool area. 

In 1962, construction of the A1A bridge began, and in 1968, construction of the north jetty began. In 1972, Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area was born, bring me back to the beginning of my story. Since then many hurricanes and storms have left their marks and have caused the State great amounts of money. 

As we look back at all the changes to our area, and what we have lost or gained, we should always remember that although someone built it, we all need to help preserve it. Sebastian Inlet is truly apart of Brevard County's heritage that we can continue to enjoy.






Portions of the history were referenced :
http://www.theberkmans.com/fishing/Fishing_Melbourne/History_of_Sebastian.html

Things Worth Believing In

I grew up with a Father that was a child during WWII. Due to this I was subject to watching War movies and the like. I was taught that our Military was the best in the World, our Country was one of the three most important things in life next to Family, but under God. I was taught to respect the Flag and what it stands for. Remember all the people who have died defending it's colors and never believe that God would want us to live in any other conditions other than freedom. I was also taught that there are some things worth believing in, like the US stands for justice, the good guy always wins, and truth will always be found out. These are the things worth believing in; it doesn't matter whether it's always true or not. These are ideals worth fighting for.

I think that in the early days of our Country, this was truly the "melting pot" of people. The Cultural differences that we once had were morphed into, and added to the American way of life. People through out the World sought to come and be apart of this nation because of it's opportunities, it's freedoms, it's care for others that we just wanted to spread freedom through out the planet. It didn't matter where they came from, what religion they were, what language they spoke, they all wanted to come and be apart of something great. They tried to learn English, thought of themselves as Americans, and contributed what they could to the community. I still know people like that. I know people who came from Iran, who think of themselves as Americans. I have met many who still remember the abuse they took from their previous home lands, but for the most part, I believe that America has become a "tossed salad" rather than a "melting pot".

America, the big "tossed salad", where the colors, and flavors just don't meld together anymore. Everyone seems to have their hand out wanting something from this country, but refuse to pledge allegiance to it's flag. I rarely see pride in our country anymore depicted on TV or in our media. The biggest group of people that I have witnessed that still uphold the pledge, respect for our flag and for our country is the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Girl Scouts of America(GSA). I have been apart of these organizations for a few years, and it still gives me goose bumps with the respect that is paid to this country and our leaders. You may think they only get out to sell cookies or popcorn, but they are some hard working people doing community service projects, helping to feed the needy, and becoming the leaders that we will want to run this country in the future. And you should see the diverse culture that comes together to do all this.

I'm proud of what the Scouts continue to do, and what the volunteers continue to do. They remind us of how this country should be. Recently I was in an argument with a friend of a friend on Facebook about the Balancing of the Budget. Unfortunately, he started off mocking my patriotism and how I'm basically stupid for believing in this country. I was so mad I typed a few things that didn't help my cause. The point being that these people are out there, living off our means, hating this country and what it stands for and it's because they believe everything on the internet; in fact, the only way these people can back their points is by putting up a website for reference. They're dolts that can not think for themselves, but have to let someone do it for them. Do not let these people control how you think, they don't see the big picture.

The US is the only country that fights wars for other people's freedoms and without taking any land; which is a first in history. The good guy may not always win the fight, but he will always have the moral win. And truth is always known by God above. These are the things worth fighting for; these are the things worth dying for. If you can't do that, life will always be a disappointment.

Brevard County, A Slice of America

Living in the Brevard County area my whole 40 years of existence, I have seen many changes to the area, as well as changes in the people. For instance, in the 70's and early 80's, if you were not traveling at 60 MPH on A1A, you were blocking traffic. Now a days if your traveling on A1A, your luck to be going 35, due to the fear that police officers on beach-side have instilled in the public. Some changes are good, and others just plain stink.

It is my intention to bring to light what we as Brevard County residents, go through on a day to day basis, as well as changes that we have endured over time, and what we can do to preserve our community. This County is the perfect place to live; on the coast, and not too far from the attractions of Central Florida, but far enough away to separate ourselves from the Tourists. For the most part our towns are clean and well taken care of, with islands of wealthy individuals, living amongst the not so wealthy. We have our old slummy areas, our communal areas, and our pieces of Paradise. And the people range from the high technically skilled, to the ordinary layman that's been laid-off; people from all nationalities and ethnicity's; spanning indigenous family and snow birds. We are a cross section of the life that is typically facing the general populous of the United States today. 

Celebrating our achievements is great, but we also need to acknowledge our down falls and splits in the seams of our bulging growth. With the economic times as they are, we the people of Brevard County have been hit harder than most, with our out of work percentage reaching the upper eighteen percentile. Marion County seems to be neck and neck with our numbers, but the people have been told that the Recession is ending. If your like me then you have gazed in wonderment as the typical TV news outlets have tried to sell us on the "up turns" in the economy. Really then explain all the people being foreclosed on in their homes because the primary pay check has been laid off due to the lack of contracts. Then we have to look at Cities that keep on taxing their people into the ground like Palm Bay. If you haven't heard, they're trying to add an additional "Fire Tax" on the citizens. Of course they have seen this as a "Stop Gap Measure". If our Government would take their head out of the sand and declare the economy what it is, a "Depression", and not a "Recession", then maybe companies would stop raising prices on our essentials, like food, and start looking at this as a long term problem.

As you can tell, it's going to be a bumpy ride. We are in this together, so let's come together and take care of this County and ourselves.