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30 years of pain in lightening speed

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 Hello my good readers, I have to take a deep breath to start this piece, as something happened to a member of my family recently that reminded me of episodes of violence and great sadness that didn't seem so long ago.  Then I  realized that 30 years (or more) have passed.  So much has changed for the better in the systematic response and management of emergencies, born out of one of the episodes -- but the episodes of senseless violence are still present.  So much still stays the same...for some but not all.  Part of that violence hit home within my inner circle, and it immediately made me think of an event that ended in a historic tragedy in Northeast (NE) Philadelphia.  NE Philly is a part of the city that is a part of me.  I'm a NE kid.  My friend Joe and I talk about our NE youth all the time.. Within days, the anniversary of that horrific event hit the news, it was then that I realized that 30 years had passed.  30 years had passed...
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Joy of Joys

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 Good day readers,  I am so happy to have this blog back up on the internet.  This process took a lot of turns due to a lack of communication from the portal owner that knocked it off line unknowingly, then a few self-induced errors while I tried to get it back on without assistance.  So much has happened.  As a writer, blogger, etc., not having the creative outlet to "empty my head," share my thoughts, both serious and humorous was uncomfortable. Getting the blog back up to share, brings me joy.  There is an underlying storyline here, and we will all get to it together, as I normally do.  First, what is joy?  According to my most trusted source, Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definitions vary but are related;  Joy- A feeling or state of great happiness or bliss. A source or cause of great delight.  One would say these are all positive and I agree.   The Human Side of Humanity blog by Answerman Sez getting back online is not t...
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New Post for a New Year

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 Good day readers! Finally, after nearly a year and a half knocked offline, I am back.  I am back online.  Answerman says, this is a test post, and the test passed.  Thank you to my friend John H for taking the time to get HumansideOfHumanity.com back online.  I hope you enjoyed the cold Carlsberg's.  A great end to a nice weekend.  Stay tuned.  There's a lot to write about.  So much has happened.   The Answerman says, "It is good to be back."
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Soccer Tournament season/ Countries of Confusion

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 Good day readers.  I finally have full use of both hands to type and write as I recover from shoulder surgery.  It is summer here in the states and International soccer tournament season around the world.  More appropriately, Football in all other parts of the world.  Every time these tournaments roll around I have the discussion about the countries of confusion.  The out-loud questions I ask myself and my friends, true inquiries about history and naming conventions.  I had to get away from writing about the constant cycle of violence that is claiming our youth because it had become such a source of sadness and we all need to laugh. Laughter is truly good medicine for the soul.  I will honestly say that is sure beats crying.  Although, when I watch some games I do have the soundtrack of the band Everclear  lyrics from I will buy you a new life in my head.  Why Answerman you ask?  I will tell you, the line in the song is "Yo...
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Children with guns and dodging Bullets- A new American Sadness

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 Readers, followers, I have tried and I have waited to write, to blog about something upbeat, positive and new.  The unfortunate fact remains that as sure as the sun will rise in the east and set in the west the news every day brings more reports- just locally, of gun violence.  Lives threatened, ruined, mamed and lives ended.  Lives barely lived, ended by senseless and needless gun violence.  Shootings by actual children that have not even reached their teens.  This isn't just a Philadelphia phenomenon but it is the metropolitan area where I live so it is a constant theme.  Everyday...and it has become the new American Sadness. The first thing that jumps out is; where are all the guns coming from that these kids are getting?  I've written about the teenagers, the older teens, but now it is 11 and 12 year olds.  No school yard tussles.  Kids argue and then later someone gets shot.   Sometimes you would worry about "getting jump...
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Matches and Games- 221 for 2023

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 Good day dear readers and followers,  I have wound down and wound out of the calendar year's soccer officiating.  A record of 221 matches or games- whichever you prefer was covered.  If not for some weather related cancellations it would have been over 240.  The legion of youth sports officials is getting ever shorter.  Soccer in particular.  If not for a solid grouping of older referees, like myself, staying in the game then there would be no games.  The problem is the behavior of the fans, coaches and the players too, and it is getting worse, which is unfortunate.  Playing sports when I was younger brought great joy.  It was fun, we got out, got exercise, socially engaged and made new friends.  There are still great people out there, for sure.  I coached with a terrific group of people and we were very engaged in the community- to invest in the children.  We paid our own way through coaching schools and clinics.  W...
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13 days in September to 880 Minutes in November

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 Good day readers,  Here we are at the end of November.  Here in my fair city we have a full moon called a Beaver moon that is lighting the night sky. The last three months have gone in warp speed, a blur.  August ended with a prison escape of a pint sized double murderer who was in a county jail instead of a prison.  November is ending with me recovering from over-challenging myself, which I freely admit.  My primary job is in an industry where the fourth quarter of the year is by far the busiest of the year too.  So much happened in between and still I cannot believe we are closer to Christmas than any other holiday.   Back in the heat of August life was progressing as a normal passage of Summer.  Then a series of events occurred that would be unbelievable.  The week of my long awaited vacation, my Dad decided to schedule himself for old fashioned open heart surgery at nearly 85 years old and not consulting family to make proper ...
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