Two Years

That’s how long I have been writing articles on the Internet now.

I began writing articles online in June of 2003 because, like everyone else, I have strong opinions about things I encounter in my day-to-day life.

My viewpoints did not suddenly spring to life on that day. Those who know me well have always had to put up with my discussions about what was happening in the world, and in my life.

Over 20 years in the United States Air Force taught me to pay attention to the news of the world, because it truly affects us all in one form or another. Over 40 years of just living my life has taught me everything else.

What I have come to realize is that I actually know very little in the experience we all lump together under the umbrella term called “life”.

This is the single most reason for the existence of my website. It is the ongoing search for knowledge. Not just from books, from real people that are living the reality that is the human existence on a daily basis.

People have stopped by the website and not liked some of what they read, then formed a quick opinion of who they thought I was, dropped some abusive comments, then moved along. That’s fine with me, but if you are new to this site I would encourage you to explore the website a bit more and take in a variety of topics and positions before passing judgment on who I am, and what I stand for.

If you agree or disagree with an article, feel free to leave a comment as to whatever moves you about the words. If you truly want to engage in enlightened discussions about a subject I invite you to move deeper into the website and place your comments in our forums.

Those of you reading this on my blog mirror site at Blogger can find the main website address at the top of the blog page. The website has recently undergone some updates and is looking better then ever (of course my view is a bit biased I must admit).

My opinions are strong, but in many cases this is on purpose so that I can either make you think about your own position, or to try to get a response from you, the reader.

My words mean nothing when they are posted into cyberspace and nobody participates in the subject matter. I have stated many times before that I am not writing these articles for you, or for anyone else for that matter.

The writings on these pages are for me to place in plain view for everyone to see just who I am, and what I believe. The hope is that in the future my children, and perhaps their children’s children will find these words and by reading them, gain an insight into who I truly was.

While researching my family genealogy I quickly realized that in a few generations many things about a family could be lost unless they are documented. I don’t want my family to move on wondering who I was, and what I thought about during my lifetime.

So welcome to “Life In A Handbasket”, and I hope you choose to stay a while and explore other areas of the website. There are places for you to participate in such as the “Community Forums”, and interesting places for you to go in our “Web Links” area.

Recently I have placed an RSS news feed module on the site, and I will be steadily filling it up with the news from other websites that have things to say as well.

For those of you who feel the calling to write your own words of wisdom, but don’t wish to create a website and go through the hassle of learning the ropes of publishing your own content, feel free to use the “Submit News” link in our Main Menu and let us know your view on anything you’d like.

You would think that after two years, and over 145 articles, I would run out of things to say. In the words of Robert Frost, “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”

It’s precisely because life goes on that every day presents me with a new variety of things to write about. Unfortunately time does not allow me the ability to write as frequently as I would like, but I get enough shots in to keep me happy.

Venting on the website is a great outlet, and is probably somewhat therapeutic. No longer must I annoy my friends and family with my views, now I can just hit a button and annoy all of you as well! Isn’t technology a grand thing?

Two years ago I began this site with this article.

First Article wrote:

Well this is it. Day one of "Life in a Handbasket". Not sure what I will be writing in here, but I'm certain of one thing, it will always be something... As Buckaroo says, "No matter where you go, there you are!"

It isn’t very profound, inspiring or informative. Heck, it’s even rather insignificant and small. In the end, it’s a perfect comparison to all of us in this huge universe.