The massacare at Viginia Tech.... where to begin. I'm saddened by the events of yesterday and my prayers go out to all those who were effected. Those who survived and those who loved someone who did not.

When Columbine happened, I was still fairly new into the counseling profession. After all the hearings, all the dialogue, all the attempts to understand the whys of Columbine, we're back at square one (or trying to get back there after falling even further behind). I remember what happened after Columbine - lots of talk about who was likely to go on a shooting rampage, policies put in place in schools about what to do if a shooting started, national discussion about gun laws, tougher punishments for kids with any sort of weapon in school or making any threat, and there is a greater awareness of the evils of bullying (not any ways to stop it, mind you, just a greater awareness). ... A lot of those things will likely be getting address again, 8 years later. None of it gets to the heart of the problem - that we have a generation of unattached people who think nothing of wiping out a large group of people as their final act on this earth.

What needs to happen is that we need a nation of attached, connected people. We need parents to actually parent their kids instead of leaving that to preschool, school, afterschool programs, or to the kid to figure out when coming home to an empty house at the end of the school day and no guidance. We need a nation where there is a caring parent at home with the kids so there is some stability in their homes, so they aren't getting shuttled off from one caretaker to another. We can't be shocked about people killing dozens of people before killing themself anymore. The shocking thing to me is that this isn't a monthly (or weekly, or daily) event in our country. In my work at the prison, I see unattached man after unattached man. I sadly know that I am in no danger of ever losing my job. There are too many people out there preying on others, too many people who are allowing it to happen, too many throwing up their hands because it isn't their problem that their kid is turning out the way he is. it is to the fault of the school, or a teacher, or the principal.... There are too many people who weren't parented trying to parent and finding that it is a tough thing to do. Easier to have another kid and try again with the next seems to be the attitude of some...

And don't even get me started on how Iraq ties into this. When, as a society, we don't really seem to care about the deaths of thousands, it is difficult to preach the sanctity of a human life. Not to mention how damaged (physically and emotionally) the men and women returning are. The level of care they are getting for mental health concerns is a step below pathetic. Our priorities as a society are who will win American Idol.

I had to turn off the news this morning as I started to feel like a ghoul. Couldn't take hearing another student reduced to tears by a reporter asking what it was like, what they heard, what they felt, if the shooter said anything, what it was like to expect to be shot at any moment. I do understand the desire of the public to understand what happened, but think there should be some protection afforded the people who were victimized (have thought that since Columbine). Give them time to process what happened and get out of that disconnect before exposing them to the world and all the probing questions. Allow them to get back the ability to think before asking them to decide if they even want to talk with the media. Maybe some legislation to protect the victims of tragedies like this.

I'm angry that this happened. Maybe if enough of us get angry, there will be change. I'm also realistic (cynical??) enough to know there are no chnages coming. Our society doesn't have the ability to truly connect. We are constantly inventing new technologies to keep from connecting with other people. I'm guily too. I think I'm going to be getting an iPod for my bday, and know that it will be used when I want to be isolated in my own world.

Happy tax day! I know it doesn't officially hit for a couple days, but thought I'd be early.

Got back from the SDCA conference. Was a little disappointed by the preconference. I'd seen the presenter on Impact Therapy last year at SDCA and was eager to learn more. Unfortunately, he had 5-10% material he hadn't covered last year. A big waste of my time and money. Maybe if it had been two years ago, it would have even been a better review. The main conference was decent. Didn't really get into the keynote, but it was better than the one last year (wow, am I critical).

I did go to a breakout session on the doctoral program at USD. Was trying to scare myself out of it, but have got myself thinking in terms of getting into the program in the next 5 years or so. It will depend on how we rock through our debt snowball. I'd like to go back while I'm with the state as it is 1/2 off tuition. Would be a lot easier to pay cash to go through.

I realized while at SDCA that I've officially been a counselor for a decade! Yep, started at Lewis and Clark on 4/1/97.

On Friday, I skipped out of the banquet and went to see my Dad perform in the Al Opland Singers in Pipestone, MN. It is his first year singing with them. He did a GREAT job. I ended up getting back to my hotel a bit after midnight on Saturday morning. Was a bit off the remainder of the weekend as I had trouble sleeping that night.

SDCA is in Rapid City next year. I'm looking forward to it because I will have Amy and the kids with me for it. Lots of time in the pool and hanging out in the room. Don't usually see as many people I know out there, but it is still a decent, inexpensive way to get the CEU's I need.

The streak has ended. One cavity between two teeth. Grrr.... the good news is the pockets in my gums continue to shrink - proof the SoniCare works to reverse gum disease, I guess.

Cole had knocked a tooth out last weekend (yeah). Found out that the root is still in there. Dentist said he'd consult with someone. Most of the time,the root in baby teeth is reabsorbed, but he wanted to talk with a pediatric oral surgeon before deciding if Cole would need to have the root surgically removed. We've told him that the tooth fairy is waiting for Dr. Jensen to clear her taking the tooth....

Drilling and filling on Monday! I'm SO excited.

Happy day, I am the official owner of a different car! The transmission in the Bonneville started to slip (260,000 + miles, it was warrior for us!) and the transmission shop said it wouldn't be adviseable to put the work into it given the age and number of miles. Basically told me to start shopping.

I did find a purple Neon at Sid's Salvage here in Yankton for 2400. It only had 42,000 miles on it. I took it to my mechanic and found out there was also about $1100 of repairs that would need to be made. It was the best $22 I had ever spent! I did some online searching and found a Taurus here in town for 5595. I took it for a spin yesterday and started the paperwork for an auto loan (booo!!!!). Heard back earlier today that the loan went through and the car is now mine. It is a blue 1999 Taurus with 78,000 miles. Amy called it perrywinkle blue, but I see it more as cobalt blue (because that sounds more manly). It will get its first big challenge when it ferries me to SDCA later this week. First, the fun of the dentist tomorrow. Have to see if my streak of no cavities continues...