J.J. Goodman: Writings, Musings and More

Time fascinates me. Well, not so much time, but what transpires within its confines. So much can happen in so little time, and so many subtle things can evolve over longer periods of time that you barely notice them. For me, it's that time again; it's a time when I stop and reflect on the past year and all that's taken place to bring me to the place I stand as I approach another birthday. And oh, so much has changed.   I often find myself beginning Facebook posts, and paragraphs on these pages, with the words "those that know me well know that…" because there are many of you that do, in fact, know me well. I include in that group: friends I've known for years; family; and those that have only come to know me recently, but who have truly come to know me. I even count among that group you readers of this blog whom I've never met; through your readings of these pages you've learned much about me. And those that know me well, know that I don'...

As Ferris Bueller reminded us, life moves pretty fast. If you don't take time to stop and look around, you might miss it. So I looked around today.   What. The. Fudge nuggets. Life.   (Fudge nuggets???)   Would you rather I say farfegnugen?     (*squints* It's going to be one of those posts, isn't it?)   Yup. It sure is. Anywhoos, I did some casual observing lately; traveling, on the drive to work, walking to get lunch, perusing social media…. There are some interesting observations to be had. In no particular order….   1.         The weather has been nicer the last couple of days, and again the weirdo convertible drivers are out driving with their tops down… and windows up. Now, don't get all defensive and say it cuts down on the wind and that's why Sheila with her hair bun, or Devon with his man-bun, has the windows up. Because you're wrong and can go sit in the corn...

It's been one of those weeks.   I don't know how to describe it accurately, which means this post is going to be a bunch of words that, at times, will ramble, will make little sense, or will be so poignant to some of you that you will simultaneous appreciate and regret reading them. Yes, it's going to be one of those posts.   Over the years I've been writing this blog, one thing about which I have not been shy is my own emotional state. As a writer I firmly believe that I have to be honest on these pages if I'm to earn your readership and respect. I've shared a lot about myself, from my failures, including failed marriages, to my triumphs, and pretty much everything in between. There's not a lot about this writer you haven't come to learn since I first began this blog on July 27, 2011, with the exception of my true, given name; even astute readers, however, have probably come to figure that out fairly easily, as well. One prominent aspe...

I don't like to think on Monday's as it is. I don't like to adult on Mondays. I do not like Mondays with some ham, I do not like Mondays with guys named Sam.   (Oh dear cripes. Please go have some more coffee, Dr. Seuss.)   I'm just getting started. See, here's the thing. I saw a bumper sticker this morning on my drive downtown, and it got me thinking. Like, deep, philosophical stuff. Who needs that on a Monday morning?   (Not you, apparently….)   Right?? But yet, here we are. So, I'm thinking, which means you get words. Lots of 'em.   (*sigh* Let me get my coffee, then.)   There I was driving on the expressway, and the car in front of me, going ever so slowly in the passing lane, has a bumper sticker that says "No Jesus, No Peace." My first thought was how I could write an entire blog post about how drivers that display religious bumper stickers are, in my general experience, stereotypically poor d...