Damn I had a great time at Michael and Anna's house last night. Here it is -- the long awaited new home, located in the steadily busy yet lazy town of Kyle, north of San Marcos. Their subdivision is called Hometown Kyle. Kind of reminds me of Hometown News, the slogan of my former employer in Joplin. It's a simple little saying... which I think gives it all its charm. I enjoyed last night's poker and the conversation. I laughed... and laughed... and ya got a little woozy from the left over wine from their wedding! Hey it was great wine! The guestlist last night included Mike & Anna of course, Todd, Rachel, Gary, Laura, Sarah and me. The poker game was a little unfocused because we all just felt like gabbing it up more than we felt like concentrating on the game. But our heads were in it, and we did progress. So much so, in fact, that during the Pass the Trash I lost my whole fortune! :( I wasn't quite ready to go out, and I did not think at the start of that round that I would be out. Anna strong-armed me into going all in... but I guess I could have retreated. Oh well. Mike, Sarah and me played Clue -- after a little cleaning up when Sarah spilled her rum and Dr Pepper all over the coffee table and a little on the floor. Thanks to Mike's scotch-guarded carpet, no stains!!! I won, with the accusation that Ms. Peacock did it, with the wrench, in the study. (I think it was the study).
I'm a little disappointed in Floyd Landis. No, I'm quite disappointed. The conversation on this topic steered in the direction of what exactly elevated his testosterone levels. I thought it was just naturally increased levels. Gary told us that Robin said normally, a guy has like 1 (something, gram?) of testosterone, and Landis' level was 14. Athletes tend to elevate to about 4 during competitions. So I guess his was off the chart. It's upsetting because it seems every year, or for at least the past 6, 7, or 8 years when Lance Armstrong was winning the Tour, that allegations always have to surface about doping. Why can't someone just win without suspicioin? What makes me even more upset is that when doping tests like like Landis' turn out to be positive, it gives reason for calling for a test. Then there's always thing in the back of everyone's mind... even if someone wins fair and square... which apparently hasn't happened this time... and it makes me sad.
Testosterone levels... Gary made the comment that our levels are probably a lot less than the levels of our fathers generation. But is it more biologicial, or just behavioral? Maybe a little of both. It seems that behavior dictates how we do things, why we do it, what causes us to be more aware of societal and cultueral issues.
Today's generation is far more politically correct. Feminization has entered the cultural scene in a big way, and therefore has caused everyone, male and female, to look at things completely different. I think the sensitivity factor is more at play now. While jokes still poke fun at different races or cultures, and are still heard quite a bit, I think now they are really frowned upon. I know that growing up, some of the people in my family told those awful jokes, laughed, and then looked to the others in the room for approval of the joke. When the look turned in my direction, and my face wasn't involved in a smile or laugh, then the person telling the joke would either straighten up, or ask, "What's wrong with you?"
However, I didn't grow up in the 60's. I don't know what it was like to be a part of that generation. Maybe that generation looked to the one prior to theirs and thought -- wow, look at how far we've come. Now that's what I'm doing. I guess every generation gloats over what they've accomplished, and how much more sophisicated they are opposed to the barbarians that raised them. Everyone's perspective, no matter how open, or free, is by default a little narrow. That's just how it is.
The fun night is over, and now I'm back at work on a Sunday morning. Tomorrow is my weekend, and it couldn't have come any sooner.
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