Michael was so excited about his first day of school, it was all Kris could do to get a picture of him. Note the new backpack. He is very proud. (So's his dad.)

Proud father

Today was Michael's second day of school, but his first full day.
He is going to Greenwood Elementary, just down the street from our house.
I take him to school every morning at 8:45, and Kris will pick him up at 3:45.
Both yesterday and today, I have teared up a little after dropping him off.
They grow up so fast.
Anthony starts preschool next week, also at Greenwood, but he will only go half-day.

The Countdown Continues

In just 19 (very, very long) days, Tony and I will be teeing off at Treetops' Tradition.
Goody, goody, goody.

CrackBerry

I have now entered the world of tech nerds... I think.
I traded my old phone in for a Nextel BlackBerry, and I am addicted. The wireless Internet and e-mail is sweet, and I am saving my pennies for a Bluetooth headset.
The calander and contacts software allowed me to eliminate my PDA, and the phone itself is not as big or awkward as I thought it would be.
Not a big deal, I know. But I think it's cool.

A response from John Vargo

MMORPGs are just getting out of hand...

To me, it seems like an extension of the geeks that gave us RPG.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I have participated, and enjoyed a few RPGs.
But, there are people that take these things waaaay too seriously.

And on that note, I leave you with Tom Smith's web site.
Be sure to check out the Free Stuff > MP3s.

Freakin' nerds...

Why You Should Fear Video Games

As a software developer I know a lot of video gamers, including most of my best friends and myself. I must admit that I myself am not an avid (read obsessed) video gamer, but I do play my fare share and I am certainly in the right circles to keep my finger on the pulse.

Anyway, over the last few years, I have noticed a pattern emerging in video games: increased levels of incidents of addiction. This may seem like an exaggeration, but give me a chance.

First, let us discuss the economy of online, massive-multiplayer games where a player is represented in the game by an avatar, or a digital character, for example EverQuest or World of Warcraft. The virtual worlds these games take place in are very complex, and include money, real estate, commerce, etc. I have friends who have spent money (real money) for (not real but virtual) gold for their character. Don't believe me? There are people who are making a living just by playing the game so their character will gain salable goods, and then selling these goods to other gamers. Well, as this virtual economy has evolved, so has its crime rate. Mugging and sweat-shops have now become a part of your gaming experience.

Now let us discuss duration of playing sessions. I think it is fair to say that on a day with no scheduled activities, it is not hard to lose several hours to any good video game. However, when sessions start to creep over the single-day-of-continuous-play mark, it is time to rethink your priorities. I know people who have taken one or two week vacations just so they could spend all their time playing a game. Thus, leading from that with no surprise at all, I present you this.

So there, that is why video games are bad. And, to those gamers who find themselves hopelessly addicted to some game where they get to pretend to be a two-inch high dwarf that hangs-out with a bunch of Swedish elves searching for a dragon-scale-loin-cloth or something, I give you this: go outside and play the game of life as yourself - you never know, you just might like it.

This post was authored by Tony, my brother. 
If you are interested in writing a guest post, send your idea to nschirripa@hotmail.com. 
Please include any Web addresses or links that might be helpful to readers.

Tee minus...

26 days and counting.
Yippee!
Treetops, here we come!

You've been called out

So this was a comment posted to The Script a couple of days ago:

Anonymous said...
Free golf!!! Sounds like a great friend, where can I get one that thoughtful? What a prize! Enjoy the experience.

You all remember when I asked you not to leave anonymous comments, right? Well, someone has to be a rebel and continues to drop little comments with no name attached to them.
I'm calling you out, Phantom Commenter Person!
It just so happens that the Phantom is the same friend who got me into the raffle for the Treetops trip. Apparently, there haven't been enough accolades.
I'll get right on that.

Tee 'em high...

Some great advice from a great golfer, my dad, regarding the upcoming free-golf extravaganza at the Treetops:

Enjoy, relax and take in the beauty of the courses. Don't forget to look back at the tees from every green. The scenery is breath taking. Hit 'em straight!

According to the veteran golfer, I have skill. He can be so cute when he's lying!
Thanks, Pop. I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Dad's the experienced one

My dad says he's golfed the Treetops courses, and he guarantees we'll love them.
Here's a picture of him, as well as my brother and I. Please note, Dad's the good looking one in the middle, Tony's the smart one on the right, and I am the fat guy in a little coat.
Anyway, Dad is a phenomenal golfer. I wish I was half as good as him. I have never met anyone who can shape shots and think the game like he can. Just amazing.
Tony is good, too, He's gotten a hole-in-one already.
I have been golfing for more than 20 years, and I can't even shoot par.
A hole-in-one is out of the question.
Treetops, here I come!

FORE!

So, I have this friend who called me one day a few weeks ago and said, "Hey, I'm going to this thing and one of the raffle prizes is a golf trip to some place called 'Treetops.' Do you want a ticket or two?"
Well, being an avid-but-awful golfer, I said, "Absolutely," then forgot about it because I never win anything.
Last Friday, I checked my voicemail, and what do you know, I won.
SWEET!
September 18 and 19, my brother and I are golfing at Treetops. 27 holes Sunday and 36 holes Monday. Some of the best golf I could ever hope to play.
Here's the schedule for Sunday:
10 a.m.: 18 holes on Tradition.
4 p.m.: Check into our deluxe room.
4:10 p.m.: 9 holes on Threetops.
And for Monday:
10:20 a.m.: 18 holes on Signature.
3 p.m.: 18 holes on Premier.
Oh. Did I mention the best part? It's all FREE!
I love free golf.

Peter Jennings, 7.29.1938-8.7.2005

A death in the family

Peter Jennings was great.
As a journalist, I bow my head in respect to one of the industry's most recognized names.
As a man, I pray his family finds peace after his passing.
For years, millions of people welcomed him into their homes each night to report the news the world over. He touched hearts with stories of tragedy and compassion, stirred discontent with reports of injustice, and taught with glimpses of the world outside everyday life.
More than that, he became a distant but reliable friend.
He was know for respecting people's privacy, and so relied on viewers and sources to let him in. We did, and we respected and appreciated his observance of our private space.

Some people continue to pretend that anchor people are reporters.
Peter Jennings

There is a great divide between print journalists and television news anchors. Peter realized that, and used his "face time" to develop relationships with his viewers.
Peter Jennings will be missed by many.
God bless.

Greed

Dad wrote again:

"I agree with most of what you say, but our forefathers did not design the government we have today. Theirs was completely different. It was done with the "people" in mind, not the government. Today with big businesses and the greed of most politicians, the government is nothing like our forefathers had hoped. (MY opinion!)"

Dad, Dad, Dad. You are awesome.
I think you are mostly right. The government we have is still the government designed more than 200 years ago by a group of land owning, weed smoking, slave banging aristocrats.
What they didn't plan on, account for or foresee was the power of lobbyists and special interest groups swaying the lawmakers.
We can all agree ethics in government may as well be the name of a college drinking game. Federal politicians don't necessarily worry about doing the right thing, but doing the thing right now, especially if it means some pork or campaign money.
"Big business," as it were, accounts for the degeneration of the people as a voice. Lawmakers have managed to squirm their way into interstate commerce and the business of individual states, taking away the power of states to exist on a relatively autonomous level.
Perhaps Betsy Ross should have used three shades of green for our country's flag. Could we be proud of the Green, Hunter Green and Mint Green?

Now this is what it's all about

The two previous posts, in which I quote my parents' comments and respond with my own thoughts, are two of my best blog entries.
It's not alone that we toil through struggles, live through adventures, grieve losses or celebrate greatness. But it is those we hold closest to our hearts with whom we pass through this life.
It is futile for me to spout opinion and profess knowledge, for without the exchange of ideas with others, I exist in a vacuum.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your thoughts and ideas are bound to stir thoughtful discussion and passionate debate, the likes of which can only strengthen us as friends, embolden us as citizens and elevate us and human beings.
Peace and love to you all.

Fathers' words of wisdom

My dad wrote:

"I agree that the constitution was written to preserve our rights but that seems to be going away slowly but surely. I enjoy reading what you write and do agree with some of it. The patriot act has diminished some of our rights, and if you log onto some of the forums from papers around the state, they have "Big Brother" monitoring what you say. If something is said that they don't like, it is gone before you know it. So as far as our rights go, they are not what our forefathers had in mind. But in response to your writing, I enjoy hearing my son spout words of wisdom about our country and politics whether it be local or national. I might be a little biased, but I am enlightened every time I read your articles. Keep up the good work and know that your are a treasure."

A treasure? Enlightened? Aw, shucks. I'm blushing.
My dad makes an interesting point that the government seems to whittling away at our rights, and strengthens his point by citing the USA PATRIOT Act.
Good show, Old Bean!
However, I am not ready to join the ACLU just yet.
There certainly is a fear of the omnipresence of "Big Brother," and certainly some recent legislation -- especially since 9/11 -- has increased that idea.
But I think it's more complicated than just saying the government is taking over. Remember, our forefathers designed the government we have, and as Pres. Abraham Lincoln so eloquently pointed out, countless men and women have died to ensure a "government of the people, by the people, for the people."
The government has no more or less power than we allow it to have over us. Granted, once elected officials take office, they are virtually free to enact any legislation they see fit. They do, however, have to answer to voters for their decisions, whether through our right to vote them out of office, or the right to call for a referendum vote to overturn overwhelmingly objectionable policies.
Not only that, but there are numerous checks and balances built into the system that prevent our government from turning into a monstrous, dictatorial regime -- although Pres. Bush is coming dangerously close. (Thank goodness for term limits!)
The First Amendment is alive and well, and we, as Americans, need to be diligent about exercising our right to free speech when we are not satisfied with the decisions made by those we put in office to represent us.

Another link for you to visit

So Kelli says, "Go to my Web site, you big meanie head!"
Well, I'm going.
Here's the link.
Fair warning. There's lots of pink and bad grammar.
Yuck!

Yea! My first comment and response!

My mom wrote:

"I'm not really into politics, especially the national stuff because I don't think I have any control over that. I do like hearing about local concerns. Things closer to home have an impact on my life. Of course being your mother, I like to read about how you think and feel about most everything."

Well, first of all, thanks Mommy.
With all due respect, the national politics thing is way off. There are millions of Americans who need to remember that every voice counts. I know it seems overwhelming sometimes, but it's the truth. Some very wise men wrote a thing a few years ago that guarantees us that right. You may have heard of it, the United States Constitution?
I'm not trying to be critical or condescending, so forgive me if it reads that way. But we all need to respect our own value if we expect our elected officials to respect our ideas.
Local concerns are a newspaper's bread and butter. That's where we, as print journalists, do our best work; informing the people in our communities about what's going on around them, what their government is doing and how it impacts their daily lives.
Here is a wonderful example of the power journalists have.
It's always nice to get a letter or a quick e-mail from readers telling us we've done just that.
How I feel about most everything is really irrelevant. Well, actually, I'm always right, but don't' tell Mark.

Thanks, and a small request

I've recently learned a lesson about comments made on my blog.
Allow me to say thank you to each of you who has taken the time submit comments. I will be sure to respond to each of them from here on out.
My small request is rather simple, but it does involve typing.
As most of you know, I am a journalist. To be more specific, I am a newspaper reporter.
As such, it always interests me to know what kind of news you like to read, what you hate about newspapers, and how journalists can do a better job.
Please take a few thoughtful minutes to let me know what you think.
I will be sure to address each of your ideas as quickly as I can.
Thanks,
Shrips.

Toxic Bash = Rockin' summer fun!

Semi-productive certainly made the trip worth it. St Clair Shores was rockin' Saturday, and my little brother's band was one of the best.
O.K. So I'm a little biased, but the whole experience was great.
Pictures are soon to come.