The Best Halloween Costume I’ve Ever Seen

As I lay here not able to sleep, I can't honestly think of my favourite costume I've witnessed someone else wearing, but I can vividly recall my favourite costume I wore as a kid. Oh good memories, so that is the one I'll choose to share.

I dressed up a lot as a kid, everything from a rabbit (which I'm told there are blackmail pictures of me as somewhere) to a pirate and everything in between. But I gotta tell you, my favourite costume I ever wore was an Army Soldier uniform.

It was simple, some camos, a full metal shell hat, some good patches, nice boots, and if I recall correctly a fake gun strapped to my back along with a military ruck sack. But the best part about it? As my giant plastic pumpkin filled, I'd simply empty it into the backpack. I'm fairly certain we didn't stop until that backpack was not only filled but our afore mentioned plastic pumpkins were filled as well. But as I think about it, the best part about the costume was that every house we visited, people seemed to love it. I can't recall what my sister was wearing that year, but I do remember we got lots and lots of remarks on our outfits.

My sister and I trick or treated that year for longer than I believe any other year, and we had a complete blast doing it. It's one of those memories from growing up that I smile on thinking about, and this back in elementary grade school, most likely started my love for Halloween being my absolute favourite holiday of the year.

My Dating Deal Breakers

With the question posed of dating deal breakers, I'm just going to list a couple of the things that really have gotten to me over the years. Maybe they're why I'm still looking for that elusive someone, or maybe, just maybe, someone will read these and our paths will cross. Who knows.

Inability to Smile
Talk about a massive deal breaker... if you're not able to smile and have a good time, why am I there again? The whole point of a date to me is to have a good time with the person you're with.

"Oh yea, me too"
We all come from different backgrounds, different walks of life, and different stories that make us who we are today. Part of dating to me is getting to know the other person, and if all I'm hearing is "yea, I did that too", I really don't want to date myself...

Expectations above and beyond
I love to treat people... don't get me wrong. And I do it more often than I probably should. But when the other person simply expects it? Kinda kills the fun in it to me... Sharing is caring, and sometimes sharing means I don't want to have to feel like it's an obligation instead of something I'm doing as something kind.

Lack of Self Respect
Seriously, you need to be able to respect and accept yourself for who you are. We're all not perfect beings, and we've all got things we want to change about ourselves. But thru the entire date, I don't need to be continually reminded of all of the negative things going on in your life. This does not mean I'm an insensitive prick who doesn't want to hear about your life, but when you're bringing it up for the 5th time, I think I got the picture.

Inability to speak your mind
If you don't agree with me, I honestly want to hear it. Don't fake it just to try to get along with me, because it's the difference of opinion that can lead to some of the most interesting conversations. When I'm looking for someone I want to spend time with, I don't want someone who will do everything just because I want to, I want someone who will stand on their own two feet and think for themselves. Trust me, it's better for everyone, you get what you want, and I get to find out the person you are.

I'm not your brother
I can't tell you how many times I've heard one of these lines: "You're to much like a brother", "You're a really good friend but...", "You're an amazing person, but..."

Yes, thank you, it really does mean a lot... but if I'm such a good friend, or such an amazing person, why can't you find it in yourself to perhaps be with me? I've never actually gotten an answer to that question. Here's to hoping.

If I Were President

The question is posed "If you were President of the U.S, what would be your #1 priority? Why?", and to me the answer is a no brainer.

Free basic health care to every U.S. citizen.

I've been in the position, and seen others in the position, of worrying about going down and even paying the most basic of medical bills. And let me tell you, if you haven't witnessed them, they add up quickly. Not only that, but the few places that are offering 'affordable' health care are so slammed with patients they're often not able to see everyone in a given day, even in a town as small as Coeur d'Alene. I mean come on, we only have 35,000 people roughly in town, and we're running out of time? I can't even imagine it in a bigger city.

So there people sit, in the waiting room, passing around whatever infectious disease they currently have to others waiting for treatment, or even those who are waiting with the people in line. And then the stress adds on top of it, "Can I even pay this bill?", "Why bother, they're just going to tell me to go home and get some rest anyway, and maybe give me some aspirin.", "Is this even worth it?". Suddenly the question of seeking help to get better gets overshadowed with other questions, and as I've watched time and time again, people get up and walk out. Not getting the help they need, not getting the help they came for, and only allowing the problem to grow even worse.

It's a modern tragedy that we allow this to happen in our own country, and every country needs to step up and take action to make sure that its people are cared for. Sure, there will be people out there saying "well they should get a job/get a better job to take care of themselves", and to those people I say, in your time of need, I hope humanity looks at you with different eyes than you look at it.

Free basic health care for everyone in the U.S. No question, that'd be my platform, and unlike every single bloody diplomatic who's claimed it's on their agenda for their term, I'd see that it actually happen.

Taking a Stand, or… A brothers love.

There are a lot of things that over the years I'd say I've stood up for. I'm a fairly thick headed person (though I'm fairly certain all redheads are), and as such I take a stand on everything I truly believe in, because I believe it for a reason and a passion. However, there is one situation where I must admit, I stood up for something that I was very proud of, and this is that story.

Growing up my sister and I were at odds as much as, or potentially more than, we were on each others side. You know what they say, kids will be kids, and we certainly were that. We'd argue about the most stupid of shit as I think back on it that seemed so so soooo important. In the end of things though, she's my only sister and very truthfully the single most important family member out there to me.

It's funny then, that as I moved away from our family, our relationship would actually grow. My sister and I have gotten closer as the years have gone on, and I've gained more respect for the person she is. I guess it's why then that I write about her when I talk about something I've stood up for.

From the sister that in high school my friends and I would joke about "my little brother" (trust me, you had to see her pictures at the time to understand), I've found myself standing up for her time and time again as the years pass. She's made some tough decisions, and while I may not have agreed with all of them, it's her life and I respect the hell out of her for it. I'll not have anyone talk down about her lifes choices, because in the end of it, she's my sister, and I wouldn't have her any other way.

She's married, she's successful, she's amazing, funny, witty, and shockingly intelligent. It is our biggest flaw of humanity that we take so much time to judge others based on our own standards without looking at the person they are and trying to understand them. It enrages me like no other, and when it comes to my sister, I'll not have any of it.

I fully believe that one day, she's going to do something completely amazing, and I'll stand up for her every day from this one til the last.

What I’d Do With a Million Dollars

If I were to win a million dollars... boy, wouldn't that be something? There's the stereo-typical answers like "I'd pay off my debts", "I'd buy a new car", etc etc etc... but lets not dwell on those shall we? What would I do if I really won a million dollars?

I'd build the business I've always wanted to have. A simple network gaming facility, where I could give back to the community while at the same time turning my winnings into an investment. I miss going down to the local net cafe with friends and having a lan party, and you know? I havn't seen one of those in ages. Least not around here that I've been able to find. And I really do feel there's still a market for it, because for all the social interaction we might gain from sitting at a computer, it pales in comparison to the social interaction of being face to face with someone and sharing that laughter.

It'd take some funding, no doubt, you'd need a sizeable facility, a fair number of good computers, and of course the software licences to run on all of them. But if it were done right, if it were a place people felt safe going to and hanging out, if it were a place where people got together and had a good time? It'd be the best investment ever.

Sure, I'd also buy myself a new car, and pay off my debts. But wouldn't we all? I want to build something, something I can be truly proud of, and having a successful business like that would be tops on my list.

(PS: Oh yea, I'd move to Ireland too.)