Failing Up

As I decided to take a nice four mile walk to work the other day, I passed through many neighborhoods.  Although the most dangerous neighborhood of all was in my head, as my thoughts began to stray with each step.   Questions of why did the government have to remind us to wash are hands and cover our mouths when coughing during a pandemic?  My grandmother told me to do that 55 years ago.  Why is s...

To quote Paul Simon: "when I think back to all the crap I learned in high school" or,  in my case revolted against, the most important lesson was typing.  A quirky 7th grade math teacher named Mr. Friske, then a professor at Onondaga Community College  both said, learn to type it is the future.  Google, spellcheck, calculators on my phone, all I have to do is type, and oh yes think.  Dam...

I have always loved football and felt I had left some unfinished business on the field. (that can be taken a few ways)  So, at 37 years of age I decided to join the Syracuse Express, a semi-pro football team located in Syracuse, N.Y.   One game, one day of glory, well not really, just a sore jaw and limp.  timothymahar.org

In my teens there were strip malls and one enclosed mall, Fairmount Fair, a place of adventure and mischief.  Now, malls have expanded, swallowing up mid-sized cities they are giant enclosed snow globes large human zoos.  Feeding time at the food court!!! timothymahar.org

From pump soap, to the garden hose and the male and female end of electrical cords  most of our products are inspired by the human anatomy functioning in private.  Where do designers and inventors get their inspiration from, need I really ask?   timothymahar.org

Something happens when individuals enter a grocery store.  I see men steering carts hunched over with a defeated gaze on their face.  People staring  through the freezer glass doors like they are looking into a huge aquarium.  No one wanting others to know what medicine they are picking up at the pharmacy.  Making sure that you get in the best checkout line.  No one talks just stares even in the p...

I have had the chance to travel the world and meet celebrities from all walks of life and leaders in politics and arts.  Meetings a studios on LA, fashion leaders in NYC and politics in DC, and my favorite diners in all those spots.  One thing holds true that their are no ordinary people.  Those that are not rich and famous are just as unique as those that are!   timothymahar.org

My parents moved our family to a road in a rural area over looking the surrounding valleys  12 miles west from the city for Syracuse, NY and 3 miles  east from the village of Marcellus NY.  Over the next five years several families from all over with varied social economic backgrounds moved to the isolated street on the hill.  Special bonds were formed as we all came of age together.   timothymaha...

The Rolling Stones one of the greatest rock bands of all time, are still on stage touring? Well really not.  There are only two original members of the band left on stage.  In fact, the band has not had its original members since 1969 when they fired founder Brian Jones. Then came Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman left in 1992 and Charlie Watts sadly passed away in 2021.  Mick Jagger is not...

The annual State Fair, marks the end for summer for many of our states and the country as a whole.  From Minnesota, Kansas, Indiana, Florida, West Virginia, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Arizona and beyond, these fairs feature rides, food, horse shows, games of chance, local politicians, and bands who are on the B-side of their careers.  A reflection of the state, and our culture.  Time for some fr...

God, the mystical figure who resides above and looks down on humans, watching us screw up over and over.  Humans who ask for money so they can save us. Humans who spread guilt so we can become dependent on them with our donations to be saved.   I argue that God no matter what you call him/her is not in the sky and is amongst us, and further more the Beatles were right, "All you need is love.&...

Why are the politics in the workplace so bloody?  It is because they mean so little.  When individuals stray from the mission or purpose to protect their own interests, then the games begin. Just like in DC.  timothymahar.org

How exciting that we are going to the Moon again, but this has been done before.  Why did we stop?  If we had not stopped we would be on Mars by now, and the Moon would be a Thruway  rest stop with a McDonalds. If we got to the Moon in 1969 with a Lunar Module made of tin foil and a space ship with less battery power than your phone, you would think it would not be a challenge to get back.  I mean...

After viewing the initial photographs from the James Webb telescope, it is more apparent than ever that we are a speck in a vast universe.  Does this make us, (Earth) less significant? On the contrary it makes us more significant, just the things we see as important less significant.  And, if someone or something is viewing us from their telescope, they may wonder how our priorities are out of wha...

Like a dog or any other living creature, Earth is a breathing living planet.  Just like with any form of life, bacteria or fleas can come along for the ride and cause harm.  We cause rashes to our dog Earth, we cause him to scratch his fur away, but that's ok we have are home, and really we are not causing any harm.  As we pollute the waters it is as if we have polluted the blood flow to our...

To quote the great philosopher former New York Yankee great, Yogi Berra, "Deja Vu all over again".  History is cyclical mainly  because the human race never really learns, and the tools of the past are the tools of the present, just more effective with today's technology.  Leaders have always lied, followers have always been manipulated and followed, big nations attack small nations...

Whether a large city or the smallest of towns, the diner is the place that reflects the culture of the community, through the food, conversations, and people. Diners are America's sanctuary. Place's of history,  places of change, and places depending on the time of day that are our emotional and physical comfort food!  The diner is not red or white, it is America.  timothymahar.org

From 1964 -1974, AM radio was at is height minimum, stations, maximum music with  a message.  No specialty SIRUS stations, free radio with some of the best music of all time with accessible disc-jockeys, An era that changed the world.  timothymahar.org

Education is the most powerful weapon!  It is through education that we question, challenge understand injustices and instill change.  It is a tale as old as time that those in power do not want the masses or those they view beneath them to be educated, for then they become a threat.  Education does not always mean sitting in a classroom, but to stay inquisitive, learn explore and question.  timot...

With all the events occurring in our lives the tragedies of shootings and war in the news, along with the January 6th committee, and decisive politics, it seemed to me the anniversary of D-Day was lost.   An invasion like no other. Sacrifice, like no other. Courage I can't imagine.  Good to stop evil, a turning point.   Let those who sacrificed never be forgotten.  Let us who have benefitted...

Memorial Day! The unofficial kick-off to summer.  But' a day to remembered all those brave individuals that died so we can eat hotdogs or tofu burgers, and attended parades.  And, just like a good Irish wake we remember those brave souls as we honor them in ceremony, and the freedom we have, because of their sacrifice to kick-off summer.   timothymahar.org

One of the lingering tragedies of the Pandemic is that there are no longer free samples at the grocery store.  I miss the maneuvering, positioning, and broken promises that I will return to buy the sample, as I weaved my way through the store to enjoy my free meal.  timothymahar.org

Two major events in a life, birth and death.  And it is through death, that hopefully we learn about life.  Does it matter if the car is washed or the grass it cut? If I spilled a drink on the floor, or left the seat up.  We miss all those things and more when we lose someone, and we learn what is important between the two main events of birth and death.  timothymahar.org

Reflections by a late night river fire under  the eclipse of the Blood Red moon, brought back the lessons learned and applied the day my father cut off his finger.  timothymahar.org

Rush hour the twice at day five day a week ritual that transform us from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde as we race to to our important destination.  Living for the lunch hour when we can cram in errands and food simultaneously!  Happy Hour the end of week celebration of surviving the other hours!  One hour our agreed upon amount of time for racing and reward.    timothymahar.org