A Frog's Tale

Advice to Facebook Friends

2010-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

What does Facebook friendship mean to you? Is it like a country club membership limited to only a select few of your closest, most intimate friends? Or is it open to all--even distant casual acquaintances--who would like to enter? Have you ever had a friend request ignored? If you have ever ignored a friend request from someone you know, perhaps you should think about what that could mean to him or her.

Like many of you I am involved with the vast social networking phenomenon that is known as Facebook. I use it to connect with friends and acquaintances, as well as to showcase and promote my business. I have reconnected with old college friends, army buddies, former students from my teaching days, and former clients from my photography business. I cannot begin to tell you the satisfaction and fulfillment I have gained by interacting with these long lost friends. I have even made some new friendships and repaired some damaged ones. It has been a wonderfully rewarding experience.

With all the good things to be said for Facebook, there is also the dark side. Most of you know that to accumulate "friends" you either send out "friend requests" or receive them. When you receive a friend request you can either confirm it (which basically says I know this person and would like to have him or her on my "friend list") or you can ignore it (this means you either do not know this person or you do not want to have any association with him or her). Likewise, the friend requests you send out can either be confirmed or ignored by the receiver. When your friend request is confirmed that is a joyful thing. On the other hand, when it is ignored that can be a hurtful thing.

I could count on the fingers of one hand--and have fingers left over--the number of friend requests I have ignored. These have been from people who I absolutely do not know, who have not sent a note explaining why they want to be my friend. Other than this I can think of no good reason to hurt someone by ignoring a request. I mean how shallow, how petty, how juvenile, do you have to be to ignore a friend request, especially from people you know? It is no big deal, after all. It's not like you are opening your door to someone to come over and raid your refrigerator or anything like that. Confirming a friend request is an infinitesimally small thing to do. The effort is tiny and it doesn't cost you anything. You sacrifice nothing by confirming a friend request.

I have had numerous friend requests ignored. It is most definitely a hurtful thing and leaves me pondering, "Why?" Most of the time I cannot fathom a reasonable answer. Then I am further perplexed when I see this person out in public, he smiles, nods his head, says how-do-you-do or whatever, asks about the family, and acts like we are the best of friends. Is this not a bit two-faced or am I just overly sensitive? Which required more effort--this great public pretense or clicking a button to confirm? I mean if you are going to ignore my Facebook friend request, then why not publicly ignore me as well?

This is no scientific study so it may not have any general application--it is rather just the random observations of a peculiar, perhaps demented, mind. Take it or leave it, as you please. I offer it free of charge and that may be exactly what it is worth. My advice to you: Do not ignore a friend request unless you have an extremely good reason to do so. It could come back to bite you.

Consider these cases in point:
• There is a national retailer of software that I use in my business. I have bought his software in the past. He ignored my Facebook friend request. I no longer do business with him.
• There is a local office machine business with an employee who ignored my friend request. I went elsewhere when I needed one of their machines.
• My dentist ignored my friend request. He is no longer my dentist. I figured if I am not worthy to be his Facebook friend, then I am not worthy to be his patient.
• I could cite more examples, but you probably get my drift already.

Think on this before you belittle someone by ignoring a friend request.

The Sound of Silence

2009-12-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

For those of you with children and grandchildren, here's a blast from the past that has some relevance to what is taking place in that great city of enlightenment as we watch in disbelief. Freedom reigned supreme in this country for well over 200 years, but your grandchildren will only be able to read about it in those documents that the government does not destroy.

Read now the words of Thomas Jefferson before the great censors erase them forever:

"To preserve [the] independence [of the people,] we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our callings and our creeds, as the people of England are, our people, like them, must come to labor sixteen hours in the twenty-four, give the earnings of fifteen of these to the government for their debts and daily expenses, and the sixteenth being insufficient to afford us bread, we must live, as they do, on oatmeal and potatoes, have no time to think, no means of calling the mismanagers to account, but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers." Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Samuel Kercheval, 1816.

Amazing! We have ignored Jefferson's warning. Good-bye liberty, my old friend. I regret that our posterity will not be able to talk with you again.

New and Improved Website Launched

2009-10-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our new website has been up and running for a few days now. We've gotten most of the kinks ironed out so that it is looking and working good. If you have a fast internet connection you are going to like it a lot; if you are still on dial-up--not so much! Check it out. Let us know what you think. We'd love suggestions for improvement. We know we need more pictures in some of the galleries and we are working on that. Go to: http://www.pineacrephoto.com/

Chasing Peacock Bass in Brazil

2009-10-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Mention an exotic excursion to Brazil—so I guess you are thinking Rio de Janeiro, right? Maybe your thoughts turn to the girl from Ipanema? Instead think the primitive wilderness of the Amazon jungle where the only mode of transportation in and out is by boat, because roads are practically non-existent.

The Amazon's finest riverboat, "The Otter."

The Otter's companion vessel towing the fishing boats.

Headed out to find the Peacock Bass.

There in the rivers lurks a multitude of colorful fish known as the “Peacock Bass.” They hide in the undergrowth just waiting to strike at colorful lures dropped in the water daring them to come out and play. Many of them weigh in excess of 20 pounds. I’m told that there may even be some that weigh in excess of thirty pounds. But, apparently, these always get away; I'm sure you've all heard that old fisherman's tale. It is a jewel in the crown of an accomplished sports fisherman to land one of these beauties, especially those in the 20 pound class.

Ron Speed Jr. touts his catch of the day.

The Brazilian guide is happy with this one!

The guide had to go underwater to untangle this one from the undergrowth.

So I went down to Brazil with Ron Speed, Jr, owner of Ron Speed’s Adventures (www.fishbrazilmexico.com), and 12 fanatic fishermen from across the United States to spend seven days chasing after a trophy catch. They did not go to sit on the beach or swim in the ocean—no, they went with one purpose in mind: to fish for the Peacock Bass in the rivers of the Amazon. These were some serious fishermen. They fished daylight to dark, taking time out only for a quick lunch each day. Me? I went along to take pictures. I will share some of them here with you.

Fly casting for the Peacock Bass.

Fine tuning the lure's propeller.

Casting in the early morning mist.

For those of you who would like more information on Ron Speed’s fishing expeditions, check out his website and then give him a call.

www.fishbrazilmexico.com

And now for some faces of the village people who live on the banks of the river. They are a very beautiful, primitive, and self-reliant people. They seem very happy and almost oblivious to the poverty in which they live. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I may soon forget the fish and the men who caught them, but I will never forget these beautiful faces.

The Amazon

2009-09-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

This could be my last GREAT adventure. My first great adventure was 36 years ago—it almost killed me. Sadly, there have been no great adventures in the interim—plenty of minor adventures, mind you—but this one is truly going to be GREAT!

I’ve got my passport and visa. I’ve been vaccinated for yellow fever, typhoid, and Hepatitis A. My malaria preventative medication is packed with my gear. I am headed to Brazil with Ron Speed, Jr., a former student of mine from the teaching years, who has invited me to go with him to take pictures on one of his highly touted fishing tours. I don’t know much about it, but he tells me it is the most beautiful place in the world. It will be my job to document that beauty and bring it back for use on his website, promotional brochures, and the like. For someone who has specialized in “people” photography for over 30 years, this will be my photographic adventure of a lifetime.

Shoot, this country boy (I’m still a boy at heart) has never even been out of the states, if you don’t count a few very short day visits to Juarez, Mexico. So this is big stuff for me. I’m like a kid waiting for Christmas. Ronny, you look a lot like Santa Claus.

Public Health Care

2009-09-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

To the best of my recollection it was 1971. We were a newlywed couple stationed at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. I was there for training. My new bride was experiencing severely painful abdominal cramps. I sent her to the post infirmary to get checked out. They told her to take off all her clothes, put on this flimsy paper gown, and go to the public waiting area. Upon her arrival at the waiting room, she discovered a room crammed full of people all attired in flimsy paper gowns. This is what happens when there are not enough doctors and the medical care is free. She, being somewhat timid, said "No, thank you," and went home to suffer alone.

The painful attacks continued on a monthly basis. We moved on for duty at Ft. Hood, Texas. I sent her to the post hospital. Again, too many patients and not enough doctors. There was a screening process in which a very young (Shall we say inexperienced?)Private First Class or Specialist Fourth Class would take your temperature and blood pressure. If he deemed you were sick enough to see someone else you could move up the ladder. In my wife's case he determined that it was simply "her time of the month" and sent her home with some aspirin. I forget exactly how many times this happened. I do remember the last time was like 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning with her almost delirious with pain, with the same result, never getting to see a doctor.

It was at this point that I told her to go see a civilian doctor. He discovered that she would need immediate major surgery. We are living happily ever after, but this experience with public health care still scares us to this day. What would have happened in her case if we did not have other options to turn to? What if we could not have afforded anything except the public health option? While not exactly grammatically correct there is an old saying: Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

Understanding "Cash for Clunkers"

2009-08-26T16:05:00.000-07:00

For those of you who took advantage of "Cash for Clunkers," let me explain my understanding of that government spread the wealth scheme.

I, and many other Americans, have been buying energy efficient vehicles since the Carter fuel shortages some 40 years ago. We did it not so much out of patriotism, but more so due to the fact that we couldn't afford to buy the gas guzzlers and in turn feed their voracious appetites for fuel.

Millions of others, better able to afford high priced transportation, better able to shell out the extra bucks for fuel, chose to continue buying and driving the gas guzzlers. Our government says that you have been grossly irresponsible in your decisions, while those like me have been exercising responsibility for decades with regard to energy conservation.

So how does our government reward those of us who have been doing the "right" thing since Uncle Jimmy told us to make sacrifices? By taking money out of our pockets to reward those of you who have been driving gas guzzlers and wasting fuel while we have been conserving. You know, ignore responsible behavior while rewarding irresponsible behavior. Sounds fair, doesn't it? That's change you can believe in.

Now I Mostly Drink Alone

2009-02-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

It started as a social thing in college. I really didn’t like it that much, but—you know—all my friends were doing it so I played along. It continued into the Army and then through 12 years of teaching school. At first I would just sneak a little between classes, but toward the end I was openly drinking in class in front of my students. I was hitting the juice all day long—drinking more and enjoying it less. It had ceased being a social thing and had become a nasty habit.

I was probably well into my forties before I became a heavy drinker. It was not until then that I discovered how to enjoy coffee for its flavor more than just the caffeine jolt. I stumbled into a tiny coffee shop where they ground the beans and brewed your cup of joe on the spot. That first sip was pure heaven. Each sip after that just got better. It was strong; it was flavorful; it was real coffee, the likes of which I had never experienced before.

I’ve been hooked since that moment. Now I only drink the hard stuff. Fresh ground beans, brewed one cup at a time—never let it sit—no sugar, no cream, just perfectly black, thank you.

Unfortunately, what started as a social thing now confines me pretty much to solitude. Contrary to what they may say, most people do not like strong coffee. Likewise, most coffee shops do not serve strong coffee, at least not coffee that meets my standard of “strong.” The truth is that when it comes to drinking coffee, most men are boys and most women are girls. They like the caffeine jolt. But they never mature to an appreciation of the actual flavor of coffee which only reveals itself in a very strong brew. Strong coffee is one of life’s secret little joys that I have embraced, but I mostly drink alone.

The Lord's Prayer: A Slightly Irreverant Update

2009-02-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

Here's my updated version of the Lord's Prayer which I offer to those of you who put your faith in government. You can commit this to memory and recite it to yourself during one of those long public "moments of silence."

Our sugardaddy, which art in Washington,
Big brother be thy name.
Thy gov'ment come, thy corruption be done
in Texas as it is in Illinois.

Give us this day our daily handout.
And forgive us our debts
as we fail to pay our bankers.
Lead us not into responsibility,
but deliver us from all bankruptcy.

For thine is the power
of the socialist states of America,
and big brotherism forever.
Right on!

Disclaimer: All hail the wisdom of our great sugardaddies
and sugarmamas, who taketh away all our debts and obligations!
Woe be unto our unborn grandchildren when the debt collector
comes knocking on their doors. This debt will be passed on, because we do not have enough taxpayers left standing to bear the burden. But it should be fun watching as the wealth of this great nation gets spread around and then goes swirling down a giant toilet drain.

"Out of the Blue"

2007-08-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

Got this bouquet of flowers (in the form of an e-mail) yesterday from one of my former students. My chest swelled up so big I could have exploded. Oh, what a blessing. Thank you, Jennifer, for remembering me. It is with great pleasure I share these flowers here with everyone who passes this way.

Hello Mr. Wylie:

I was in the middle of a Geometry lesson today with my students and a thought of you popped into my head (scary huh?). Since you were so easy to find on the internet, I decided to take a moment and let you know what a positive impact you had on me and my future. I am almost finished with my Masters in Education and I teach Basic Skills courses including GED Math at Skagit Valley Community College in Washington State. I have been a teacher since 1999, it took me awhile to get my act together. I have come a long way since 1983... It has been an incredible journey. The skills I learned in your classes, Math and Yearbook, have served me well. (some of them include: producing quality work, following the steps, show your work, circle your answer, and more importantly patience when you really want to strangle a student, and giving a second chance to someone who does not deserve it.)

While I originally began as a history teacher, I have evolved into an awesome math teacher. The four years I spent in your classroom laid the foundation for me to be the teacher I am today (thou I never knew it at the time) and I just would like to say "thank you." Now I am blessed with the opportunity to lay the same sort of foundation with my students. I have enjoyed a lot of success with my students and I just wanted to share that with you, because you are a part of it. Anyway, I want to wish you well glad to see you are still taking pictures. Thank you again and sorry too for all the grief I caused you. What a blessing that our paths crossed those many years ago.

Jennifer

Basic Skills Instructor

Skagit Valley College

(Malakoff High 1983)

Separation of Church and State

2007-07-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

I originally posted the blurb below on another forum in response to a question about the origin of the phrase "separation of church and state." I share it here with you.

I find it interesting when news reporters and commentators (both broadcast and print; local, state, and national, most of them presumably college graduates) refer to the Constitutional "separation of church and state clause," like it is actually in the Constitution. This happens more frequently than you might imagine. They apparently think it is in there and probably so do millions of others (who have never actually read the Constitution) who hear or read their references to such a clause. I've never been able to locate such a clause in the Constitution; if anyone knows where it is, please tell me.

I prefer to call it the "separation of church and state principle," which in fact has been shoved down our throats by several very creative--perhaps peyote induced--Supreme Court decisions beginning in the nineteenth century and further refined, or should I say distorted, in the last century. They borrowed the phrase from Jefferson's letters to the Danbury Baptists, and have managed to pervert it into something totally opposite to the founders original intentions. Separation of church and state was intended to keep government out of the affairs of the churches; it was never meant to keep expressions of religious thought out of the public square.

The First Amendment to the Constitution (and what Jefferson referred to as the separation of church and state principle) was intended to guarantee freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion; its primary intent was to insure that there would never be a "state" or government mandated religion. I may not agree with your religion, your prayers and proselytizing may offend me, but I stand shoulder to shoulder with you to defend your right to practice your religion and to express your views in public, or anywhere else on the soils of this nation, so long as your religion and views do not interfere with my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Introduction

2007-04-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

First things first--let's get the introductions out of the way. I've heard that "blogging" is like writing a letter to yourself. Does that mean that I am introducing myself to myself? What if I don't like the person I meet? What will that say about me?

But seriously, with all psychobabble aside, here's more than you ever wanted to know about me, because you didn't care enough to ask. I am 59 years into my journey. A lot of things have changed along the way. As "W" would say, when I was young and irresponsible, I was very irresponsible. I went down a lot of wrong paths. I took a lot of detours before I finally found the straight and narrow road of meaningful life. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the woman you sent my way who has provided meaningfulness and direction to my life for almost 36 years now. What a blessing she has been!

So here in a nutshell I will share some of the accomplishments I like to remember--my top 10.

1970: Graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Education. At A&M I was a member of the Corps of Cadets and, for kicks, spent a brief (very brief, because I ran out of money and decided I should spend more time studying) time in the Skydiving Club. Upon graduating I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
1970: While on a double date with someone else, met my future wife. It had taken me almost 23 years to find her. Life has not been the same since.
1971: Wasted no time--married the above mentioned angel in disguise.
1971-73: Served in the U.S. Army--attended the Armor Officers' Basic Course in Ft. Knox, the Airborne School in Ft. Benning, and the Defense Information School in Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Served as the Assistant (and for about four months as the "Acting") Public Information Officer of the 1st Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood. It was a really good ride.
1974: Spent a year at Sam Houston State University studying journalism and learning how to be a yearbook advisor. Was named the Outstanding Journalism Graduate of 1974-75 by the campus chapter of Sigma Delta Chi.
1980: Earned my master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
1975-1987: Served as a public school teacher in East Texas, teaching math, chemistry, physics, journalism, and yearbook. What a blast! Those 12 years are the ones of which I am most proud. I actually loved my job, thought I was exceptionally good at it, and would still be doing it, were it not for the fact that I needed to provide a better living for my family and some other factors not to be mentioned here. I miss the kids and the relationships we developed. I had some really outstanding students. I relish in their success.
1987 to present: Immediately after completing my final year of teaching, I became a full time professional photographer. I had been photographing weddings on weekends since the birth of our first child in 1977. The photography business had grown to the point where it was interfering with the teaching career--or was it the other way around? I've never looked back. Photography doesn't provide the same meaningful rewards that teaching does, but BOY, WHAT FUN! And much less stress.
2001: Designated a "Certified Professional Photographer" by the Professional Photographers of America. Less than three percent of all imaging professionals have earned this designation--there are less than 150 CPPs in Texas as of this date.
2006: Said goodbye to film forever and took the plunge into digital. Suddenly, when you didn't think it could get any better, photography is more fun than ever! It's hard to believe people actually pay me to do this.

Now you know a little about me. Come on back whenever you feel inclined, and hear what I have to say.