I am the lamest blogger ever!  I’ve missed two whole weeks.  That means I’m either dead or I’ve started another big project.  Obviously it’s not the former.  Two weeks ago a started remodeling my brother Tim’s kitchen.  His wife Diana has suffered for 25 years with one of the weirdest kitchens I’ve ever seen and now it’s time to give her what she truly deserves.  Life might be “a box of chocolates” to Forrest Gump and I like to think of remodeling kitchens in old houses in the same way, but the surprises are never pleasant!  Let the fun begin.

One more off subject comment.  (although the subject is pretty much defined by me).  For those that missed “Cotton Patch” last month, you have another opportunity this Saturday, 23 Nov.  We’ll be performing at the Emmanuel Christian Church. Here’s the info:

“Cotton Patch Gospel”, Saturday, 23 November, 7:00 PM, Emmanuel Christian Church, 1427 Davis Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212.  $10 at the door, children, 12 and under, $5.  For advanced reservations call 412.761.0428.

It’s that time of year again.  No, not Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s time for Academy selection boards.  For years I’ve been sitting on congressional service academy selection boards for several congressmen and senators.  The process is daunting.  Hundreds of high school seniors across the state want to attend one of the academies but only a select few will get the opportunity.  Since the legislators can’t personally interview each one, most rely on a screening process made up of current and retired military, civic leaders, businessmen and families of those who have attended.  No process is perfect, but a wide cross-section of board members is a good thing.  It adds a variety of perspectives to the interviews.

I approach the whole process very seriously.  Most of these kids have dreamed of attending an Academy for years and have single-mindedly built their high school careers around participating in the activities that will make their application stand out above the rest and I’m the one who will, basically, grade those efforts and make a recommendation that will make their dream come true or smash it to bits.  No pressure!

I look at myself at their age and I realize I would have fallen somewhere in the middle of the pack.  I wouldn’t have looked as good on paper as most of these kids and that’s why the interview process is so important.  It’s hard to put my finger on it, to quantify it, but I know it when I see it.  I guess it’s a combination of passion and drive.  Not being the smartest guy in the room but recognizing that you’re not.  Self awareness can be a powerful motivator.  Stir in a large cup of humility, integrity, and a healthy dose of compassion and I think you’ve got it.  It’s not easy and by the end of the day I always have a headache.  But what I enjoy most about the process is the feeling I have after it’s over and that feeling is hope.

We’re inundated daily with the results of our poor public education system.  Stories of kids who can barely read and who have little, or no, understanding of American history.  I know that, to some degree, it’s intentional.  It’s much easier to control and manipulate the ill-informed.  But these kids have risen above the crowd.  They have sought out opportunities to be challenged and succeeded.  They are out there.  The hardworking, caring kids who we need to save our nation from the lazy narcissistic masses.  We need to encourage them and mentor them.  They’re not hard to find.  In a world that glorifies grey, white is blinding.