The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I recently received word that a friend of mine was in need of some help financially. Her story can be read at the following link. If anyone can donate even just a few bucks, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this. https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-ending-a-long-running-battle?utm_location=DASHBOARD

Podcast: I Feel Snitty Episode 210: Live in War, Rest in Peace Premiere Date: 4/6/2023 Length: 14:32 (2,333 words) Link: https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/live-in-war-rest-in-peace/ Transcript:  Welcome to “I Feel Snitty,” episode 210, entitled, “Live in War, Rest in Peace.” I’m your host, Craig Rozniecki.   This is going to be a different kind of episode. The main reason why I’ve been so absent on social-media in recent months is because in early January I learned one of my best friends from high school – Brian Grgurich – passed away. I actually recorded a podcast shortly after hearing the news, but was so angry I decided it’d be best served as personal catharsis. While I’m still mad as hell, I think I’ve finally accepted the loss, and am ready to discuss it, as calmly as I can manage.   We’ve all lost people close to us, and sadly death is one thing which tends to bring us closer together. So, whether you did or didn’t know Brian, I’m sure you can relate to wh...

The latest episode of my podcast ("I Feel Snitty"), entitled "Live in War, Rest in Peace," is now available. Here's a brief description of it:  I dedicate this podcast to Brian Grgurich, who was gay; never given a fair chance in life; and passed way too soon. Rest in peace, my good friend. The episode can be heard here. - https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/live-in-war-rest-in-peace/

Sadly, my dear friend of over a quarter century, Brian, passed away a month ago. I've been trying to reflect and make sense of things since that time. One such reflection was a blog I wrote shortly after his passing, titled, "RIP Brian." I recently received this comment on it: - "Your article was heartfelt and honest and I’m glad you wrote it. As a side note, you’re not alone. You’re not alone in wanting the truth and you’re not alone in spreading the truth." The piece can be read here. - https://thekind-heartedsmartaleck.blogspot.com/2023/01/rip-brian.html

Over 11 years ago my friend Brian, who had come out 11 years prior and been disowned by his parents as a result, came to me with depressive and suicidal thoughts due to said rejection. Feeling helpless, I wrote this poem for him, in an attempt to help him see he wasn't alone. While he said it helped him at the time, he unfortunately passed last month. I recently received the following comment on the aforementioned poem, titled "Blood Before Principle": - "That was both beautiful and heartbreaking." The poem can be found here. - https://thekind-heartedsmartaleck.blogspot.com/2011/08/blood-before-principle-poem-i-just.html

A dear old friend of mine, Brian Grgurich, sadly passed away recently. He would have turned 42 next month. I decided to write a tribute for him, and wanted to share it with everyone. Here it is: I’ve known Brian for about a quarter of a century. If someone were to ask me, “What are the first two words you think of when the name ‘Brian Grgurich’ comes to mind?,” I’d state unequivocally, “love” and “acceptance.” Having said that, I’m now going to read a few Bible verses which remind me of him, and I’ll then add my own thoughts after reading them.   John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”   Romans 15:7 “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”   1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints.” ...

I just learned of the awful, tragic news that a former high school classmate and friend of mine passed away on Christmas night, after battling brain cancer for 3 years. She was just 40 years old.  It's come to my attention that she was heavily involved with BrainTumor.org, an organization whose mission it is to fund research to prevent any victims of brain cancer in the future. Cancer isn't a partisan issue. We've all unfortunately been affected by it at some point or another, and this sad trend will continue until we find a cure. Cancer isn't prejudice; it affects all age groups, races, genders, orientations, etc. This is one time where we can all come together to support a common cause and hopefully be able to finally put an end to this horrific, heart-wrenching, debilitating disease. Please, if you have $1, $5, $10, or more to spare, donate to this cause, so that we can finally say cancer won't kill us, for we killed cancer. - https://secure.braintumor.org/site/D...

It's hard for me to believe, but yesterday marked the 1-year anniversary of my friend Gary's passing. After being diagnosed with cancer, he was given 6 months to live, but battled it for over 7 years. It's been a rough year for me on the health front, but Gary continues to be an inspiration to me, as he's taught me, no matter how bleak things might seem today, so long as we're breathing, we can fight for a better tomorrow. Rest in peace, Gary. We miss you, bud.

I've just recently come into contact with the host of the Tracy Fort Show , yes, Tracy Fort, and think my readers should check out her show She covers a wide range of topics, is interesting, progressive, and needs help spreading the word about her new show. For more information, you can check out her 4 pm (EST) show today or previous recordings here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetracyfortshow If you have a Twitter account, you can follow the show at this link: https://twitter.com/TracyFortShow To try and get word out about the show, they're holding a contest. Ms. Fort explains it via these two tweets: - "We are having a contest! Get me to 1000 followers. Tell people to follow the show @TracyFortShow & also have them post who told them.1/2" - "Once we get to 1000,the person closest 2 1000 in referring friends,will get $25 iTunes card along with person who referred them will as well" If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Yesterday I noted I lost a friend of mine to cancer late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, and as always during such times, it really made me pause to think about my life and life in general. Since he was only given 6 months to live initially and lasted 7 years, it was quite miraculous for him to have lived as long as he did, yet at the same time, it's difficult to believe that final chapter of his life has actually closed. It's somewhat reminiscent to my grandfather, who passed in February of this year. The guy had been in and out of the hospital for 5-10 consecutive years it seemed, yet regardless of the complications, he always seemed to battle through them and be around when I was back in town over the holidays. I guess no matter how hard we mentally and emotionally try to prepare for the loss of a loved one, it's never enough to fully brace ourselves for the deep impact we'll feel when they finally do pass. It's quite different to imagine life without a pers...

It's very sad for me to report that I lost a friend over the weekend. As I'm sure is common amongst a majority of people, whenever someone I know passes on, I start reflecting on my own life and life in general. My friend, Gary, led quite a life. Having fun seemed to be easy for him throughout most of his 64 years, but then when he was diagnosed with cancer 7 years ago and given 6 months to live, he proved time and time again he was the ultimate fighter too. Throughout it all, he continued to live life on his terms, much to the dismay of his doctors, for if he was going to die, he was going to die with a smile on his face. While I probably wouldn't advise people with a similar condition to do this, my friend wasn't about following rules; he was about simultaneously defying odds and enjoying himself as much as life would allow him. Through this, he inspired me and earned my utmost respect. I think one reason I felt a special connection with Gary, who was 30 years ...

Most people I know, so long as they're not driving under the influence, are rather harmless when they drink. Yes, many will get to be a bit louder and perhaps more social with complete strangers. Some will garner something known as "liquid courage" and either sing karaoke or ask a person for their phone number. There are even others that will get quiet and have a goofy smile on their faces. Even though it's a depressant, alcohol does affect people's personalities differently. However, for as harmless as the before-mentioned alterations are to someone's personality, there are other people whom suffer far more detrimental and potentially dangerous effects. Unfortunately, it seems that more times than not, these individuals don't see how alcohol negatively affects them and continue drinking. When it comes to me drinking, I've been told I can get slightly more social and animated. However, there have been times when people have walked up to me and said, ...

For a number of years now, I've been regularly complimented on my speaking voice. I hear myself differently than others hear me, so I can't exactly tell you what it is they seem to hear and like. However, through the years, I've heard others say the following about my voice: "You should be on the radio," "You could be like the male version of Delilah," "It's deep," "It's sexy," "Have you ever thought about becoming a DJ?" "Is your singing voice as nice as your regular voice?" "You've got the radio-face, man, no - I mean voice. Damn, I'm drunk," among other lovely observations. Just last week, a new friend of mine jokingly said (I think she was joking anyway), "With a sexy voice like that, you could have your own 900 number." In light of that comment, I thought I'd have a little fun with it and bring forth some ideas for my own 900 number. Hotline: White Chocolate Autom...

The saying goes that "a dog is a man's best friend." That was definitely the case for me with my Siberian Husky, Tara. She was born on April 14th of 2001, was all white, with blue eyes, weighed in at 45 lbs. during her middle years, before reaching 60 lbs. in her later ones. She never barked, but liked to talk, as huskies have a tendency to do. She had a great amount of energy. There were times we'd go in the backyard, would line up across from one another as if we were about to square off playing football. She'd get into the play position - with her head down, eyes looking straight at me, butt up in the air, and tail wagging. Then once I said, "hike," she ran around the yard like a cheetah, I'd give a half-hearted effort of chasing her, before she finally stopped by my side for some attention, and then would get back into the play position for another round of fun. This high energy was great for both of us, as after I moved to Ohio from Nebraska and...

It's being reported that the 53-year old former American Idol judge and current X Factor judge - Simon Cowell - has impregnated Lauren Silverman, who happens to be married to Cowell's "close" friend, Andrew Silverman. Mr. Cowell, how would you judge that bit of news? "That was terrible, I mean just awful." Rumor has it that Cowell will be teaming up with Dick Cheney when they go on a We're-The-Best-Friends-A-Person-Could-Ever-Have Tour, where they'll take turns shooting friends in the face and sleeping with their wives. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/simon-cowell-baby_n_3681801.html http://www.angrysimon.com/simon_quotes.html

I just saw the new film "Ted" last Sunday and while I found the movie to be utterly hilarious and wouldn't mind seeing it again sometime, I found it to be interesting on a personal level, for as I soon came to discover, I am like someone's "Ted". She and I have been friends for 10 or so years now and while we've gone through some rocky times and have had some rather large gaps between communications, we've found a way to pick up right where we left off whenever we do communicate and maintain a decent friendship. The problem for us has always been that she's always wanted something more than the friendship and it's never happened. Either I was involved in a relationship at the outset (with my girlfriend of 2 years) or she was married (for a few years) or engaged (for a year or two) or I moved a ways away, which would complicate matters quite a bit, especially with her having a kid. So things just have never developed into anything greater ...

I'm sure most people after a certain age have been through at least one occasion with a friend when they're stuck in not knowing what to do or say to them. It's a difficult situation to be in sometimes. What does a "real" friend do? Does a "real" friend always stand by and support their friend's decision, regardless if they agree with it or not? Does a "real" friend make his or her voice known if they don't agree with said friend's decision? Is it possible to find a middle ground between those two options? It's so difficult, because I don't think there's really a singular right way to go about it. In the end, it's the other person making the decision. We, as friends, can say as much as we'd like and may very well wind up influencing a friend's final decision, yet in the end, they're the ones with the ultimate say. So is it really worth potentially damaging or losing a friendship by making your voice kno...

I love when this happens. Yeah, so I suppose I earned my degrees in psychology, but even I have trouble staying tuned into a conversation if it all is being directed toward me without me being invited to join before a decent amount of time has lapsed. I don't know if this is very common, but if I'm involved in a conversation and the person I'm talking to doesn't let me say anything for a certain period of time, I lose interest and my mind begins to wander a bit. I'm thinking that might be fairly common, but don't have the stats to back it up at this juncture. In any case, if one of the two parties is doing all the talking, that other party may just feel like it wouldn't matter who they were, so long as a living being is there, they would suffice. I know some people may not be thinking about this at times, but even though it seems as if their world is going to end (according to them) and they have a great number of things to get off their chest, it's nice...

Just a Friend Always finds a way to see me, Flirts time and time again, She stares deeply into my eyes, I’m just a friend, She laughs at all my jokes, Smiles when I’m near, Playfully touches me when close, I’m just a friend, Never afraid to send compliments my way, Shows interest in anything I say or do, Tells her closest friends and family about me, I’m just a friend, Charming, Thoughtful, Sweet, Personable, Funny, Smart, Good-looking, Talented, Tells me no man has ever treated her so well, That she wishes she could be so lucky, That I’d be a prize for any woman, I’m just a friend, A connection felt every time she’s near, A sense of longing for one another, As I float high above the clouds, Anytime we’re together, Signs of attraction, Signs of interest, Oblivious to the obvious, I’m just a friend.

The other day, a good friend of mine gave me the compliment of a lifetime. She said I'm not repulsive, so I've got that going for me, which is nice. (By the way, if this friend is reading this, I'm not mad at all. I just thought the wording was funny. 'Tis all good and stuff...)