I'll Miss You, My Friend

Brandz

Well CSI:NY was great, fabulous but today just plain sucked. It Really, Really sucked. I was faced with the mortality of a human life today. Being a young mid 20 something, A part me feels invincible and immortal. In retrospect, thats pretty stupid but I think thats just part of the human condition. Today I lost a good friend, someone I've known just over a year but damn it felt like a life time.  A few hours ago, I didn't have words but now they won't stop. It's like a damn has broken.

Brandon and I have a simple complex relationship not to many people could possibly ever understand. I never physically met him, ever. Yet some how he wormed his way into the circle of my nearest and dearest friends. He challenged me, made me think of things, consider things, I'd never  have considered. He inspired me to write my own blog, share my own issues, burdens, passions, My stories and fight for causes I believed in. He empowered me, made me laugh and sometimes made me cry. There were times I didn't know whether to kiss or throttle him, because he could be such a pain in the ass. He accepted me and all my oddities and not to many people ever had.

Brandon was a lot like that toy you bought only to find out it was a deal package that came with it's own collection of dysfunction, insane misfit toys. That's a lot like what happened Brandon came with his friends, even though I didn't play with his friends as much. I'm glad he came with them, they made playtime that much more fun.

Brandon left his footprints over so many people, he'll be walking forever before your done following all those footprints.

You can check out his blog and buy his book  and you'll get a glimpse of the man I call friend.
-H
-Here's look'n at you Kid.

A Message to the the 2012-2016 President

I'm a Canadian, I'm also a conservative, I guess that'd make me a Republican but I'm a realist. If my preferred candidate does not win, thats ok, Because I can accept another with open arms and hope they do well in office. Maybe thats just the Canadian nature in me. However here is my message.

If you find yourself sitting in the President's Office, put your feet up on the resolute desk and enjoy it for 11.5 seconds, Because you worked hard to get here,  then do something about your country. Don't be afraid to seek council from your opposition, they might just have a solution your guys missed.  Show your nation what it means to come together for the greater good, even if you disagree on things. Because regardless of political affiliation, your all Americans.

Being a leader is about setting the example and what I saw during the elections, wasn't exactly stellar. In fact, you turned into something of a bully. That isn't the kind of example to set for young Americans. That just tells them bullying gets you what you want, It's O.K to bully people if you think you'll do a better job. In a nation where young people are killing themselves because they've suffered from bullying so long. Actions like those during the elections tells work employees they can bully and say the worst things about co-workers, never uttering a positive thing about them if it means they'll get to be V.P first. Not a great example is it?

It's ok to say " I was wrong" or even " I don't know", Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from other world leaders about running a country. Some of them have been doing this longer than you. Don't be afraid to find the negatives in your own politics and then talk about them with the public, because that shows growth and a willingness to learn and change for the better of your country. When your the President, your no longer just a Republican, your no longer just a Democrat. Now your everything, because your government and choices effects the Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens and every other American. That means learning to be  Conservatively Liberal. The funny thing about politics no matter where you are, the people just want a real leader, even if that leader wasn't from the party they identify with.


For the next four years, you need to be a man the people can be proud of. That means holding your heart during the national anthem,  stopping to solute a veteran or soldier. Sometimes that means getting your hands dirty helping to rebuild a bit of house lost in a fire, planting new trees in a forrest thats been forested, Serving hot meals at a homeless shelter or something hands on, that isn't a publicity stunt but just something your doing because you want to.  That means showing the future generations of American's what it means to be an American Hero, no matter who or what they are.

Let your term be your campaign.
Congratulations on being in the Oval office desk chair. Live by the motto of Service, Not Fame and you'll go along way. Just maybe you'll be one of the Presidents people remember for what they did for a America and not to it. Maybe one day I can shake your hand, until then don't forget to have fun while your in the office. If you do, grey hairs will be the least of your problems.

-H