Is There Anything Wrong In Helping Out A Neighbor?

If you live in a neighborhood, like so many of us do, is there anything stopping you from helping out your neighbor?  I mean, really helping out.  Not waiting for said neighbor to ask.  I've always been the type to stop and ask myself:  'What is wrong with this picture?'  I don't know if it's a matter of pride or just not wanting to be a bother, but it always seems when someone needs a hand and they have nobody to ask, they just do without.  To me, that is just wrong.  I grew up in a military family where whenever we moved into a new housing area, neighbors came by to see if we needed anything.  It didn't matter what it was, if it was needed, it got done.  I brought that way of thinking with me wherever I went.  However, that was not what I saw around me.  It always seemed that the ongoing attitude was 'Every man fends for themselves'.  That's just wrong in my eyes.  First of all, I am not asking anyone to be a doormat.  That is not the intention of this post.  What I am talking about is genuinely helping out your neighbor when the opportunity presents itself.  The rewards so far outweigh the time invested.  And by rewards, I mean just feeling good about yourself.  By no means, tell everybody you know what you did to help out in detail.  It should never go beyond 'I helped out a neighbor' today.  If it does, then you're just tooting your own damn horn.  Let the neighbor, if they so choose, do the telling.  Be that unsung hero and let it go at that.  Maybe I just have more compassion for my fellow man.  Maybe you, the general public, need to realize that there is a human being in need and not just an object.  I cannot be the only one that thinks like this but I sure do feel like the exception over the rule.  So if you see somebody that genuinely, and that is the key word here, needs help and you can be that help, step up and just do it.  Believe me, it will go a long way in that persons eyes.  And whatever you do, do not accept a monetary reward beyond cost of materials, if any.  Remember, it's not a job.  In my mind, I take it as an insult but remind myself, they may just not know any better.  If they could pay for it, they probably would have already done so.  Don't rob them in the process of your good deed.  If that's the only reason you're doing it, go back to whatever you were doing and let the real human beings take care of it.

As always, these are my thoughts.  If you agree or disagree, let me know.  I may not agree with what you have to say but if you got this far, let me know.  And thank you for your time.

J.

Sky Harbor Bavarian Inn

So we decided to get away for the weekend for our Porcelain Anniversary.  We were going to go to Gatlinburg, maybe get a cabin and check out the foilage.  Then we realized that would not be the greatest idea since UT was facing Florida at home and all the rooms within spitting distance were just gone.  So we looked at the opposite side of the state, Chattanooga.  The last time we were in Chattanooga was a ways back with my inlaws to do some rafting on the Ocoee River pre-Olympic renovation.  That was not our focus this trip but it got us looking.  What we found was a cozy little place, the Sky Harbor Bavarian Inn.  All I can say is thank you UT and Florida.  We read the reviews, cleared our schedules and just waited for Saturday morning to get here.  It came, we went.  After a three hour drive, we arrived at Lookout Mountain at right about 1:30 EST (we left CST zone) to find a quaint little place.  Check-in was not until 2:00 and the front office was closed.  After a look around, we discovered a trail right up the road.  We parked it in the visitor's spot and headed out.  The trail was lightly used, a bonus.  We hiked for about an hour, 30 minutes in and 30 minutes out, and met Patsy to get checked into our room.  Keys in hand, we opened up room 4 and really never left.  We had plans to go see some of the tourists traps, shops and what have nots.  That never panned out.  Instead, we hit the pool and just swam/played for hours.  With the exception of some undisciplined kids, what vacation doesn't have them, it was a quiet time for us to be alone.  Something we have not had in a long time.  There is no hardline internet and we did not care enough to break out the laptop that we brought to view the pictures we had taken to see if there is Wi-Fi.  From our balcony, we had a gorgeous view of the Tennessee River below.  Not to mention a non-descript building that we took turns guessing what it may house.  Inmates?  Public school?  Private school?  We found the answer but you will have to either ask someone else or find out like we did reading the 'Educational Placards' on the aforementioned trail.  READ THE PLACARADS.  You, the visitor, may learn something.  The more time you spend on the balcony looking at the property, the more little things you will pick out.  The little statues placed throughout, blending in with their surroundings.  I will mention the cats.  I am owned by two cats (something only a cat owner will know) so they did not bother us at all.  Watching them play on, over, under and throughout the rocks was relaxing and enjoyable.  If they are not to your liking, that is okay.  If you do not stop and look for them, you will not know they are there for the most part.  This is a pet friendly place, very accomadating.  We did not bring ours, this was our time.  But it did feel a bit like cheating.  As for meals, we brought our own food with us but if you were so inclined, there are a number of restaraunts nearby and most will deliver for a fee, of course.  We never got a chance to use the jacuzzi but will the next time we visit, especially if it is in the Winter.  We stopped enroute at Beans Creek Winery and picked up some nice wines after a tasting.  Did not make it to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg but according to everyone I have spoken with, it is well worth the tour.  A definite future trip very likely tied to our next visit to Sky Harbor.  So if you are looking for a cozy get away while visiting the Mountain, give Steve and Patsy a shout at Sky Harbor Bavarian Inn.  You won't be sorry.

Sky Harbor Bavarian Inn:

Beans Creek Winery:

So I got Halo Reach.

First and foremost:  This is not a review of Halo Reach BUT just my thoughts on it so far.  I have not completed the campaign as of this posting.

So I went and picked up my regular copy of Halo Reach this evening.  To say I raced home right afterwards would be a total lie.  I never bought ODST on the merits that it was geared towards multi player and a very short campaign.  I rented my copy and did not get to far.  Instead of 'I spawn, I die' it, like all Halos, is 'I shot, they jumped, I died' would be a better suited anthem.  As of this posting, I have yet to play the multi player aspect of Reach.  I really want to get into the game and make a dent before saying I should have saved my money.  The first hurdle was getting sound to my headset.  I use a pair of Triton AX720's and there was no sound coming through once the game loaded.  Everything was fine up to the point of beginning the campaign.  Easy fix.  I just powered down and then up the amp.  Sound restored.  The second hurdle was the opening scene.  As with all things, I am comparing this game to another.  In this case, Battlefield Bad Company 2.  When I first loaded BFBC2 multi player, I had to find a spot and just take a look around.  The graphics were crisp and the field of view was great.  I was in awe right up to the 'ploink' of being beamed in the head with a sniper round.  Lesson learned.  With Halo Reach, I just did not have that moment.  Maybe it will come later but I am doubtful.  It reminded me way too much of Halo 3, of which I have yet to complete.  Maybe I will do so some day as I am in the process of playing a large backlog of games.  For reference, I just completed Brother's in Arms Hells Highway.  I just wanted to skip the cutscene and get on with it already.  I really do want to be a Halo fan and maybe I will be, as stated, once I get into the meat of the game.  I will give co-op a shot and see if that may make a difference as well.  Until then, its just another game to me.

No, I am not a gamer blogger.  No, I am not in the industry.  These thoughts/words/scribblings are my own and I value my opinion.  Futher more, I value your opinion in direct proportion that you value mine.  In other words, treat me as you would like me to treat you.  I may not agree BUT I do respect the thoughts of others, to include yours by default..

Until then, happy gaming.  If anyone would like to help out in this endeavour, look me up.  XBLGT n00bIEwan007 or VEdReSmIoON (demo VERSION).

Everything has a beginning.

Greetings.  This is a work in progress.  What you may eventually find here are my random thoughts on everything from work to game play.  No promises of useful content.  No promises of weekly updates.  I'm just this guy.  That's all.  If you per chance took the time to read my profile, you'll get the jist of who I am.  Right now, this blog is open to any one who cares to take the time to visit.  I don't expect that to change but trolls being what they are, we shall see.

Thanks for dropping by and for those that know me,

happy gaming