January 19, 2012
Perhaps a clarification is in order, given recent communications.

I am always amazed by the capacity for human beings to hate and to hold bitterness toward, and seek retribution against, others. This is such a sad waste of human potential. Yet it is insidiously pervasive.

There are feuds and fusses, and the deeply disappointing failures in close personal relationships... epic failures that hurt me all the way into my soul.

How is it that almost every time I help someone I end up being used... abused actually. People whom I never would have expected to do wrong to me make me out to be the bad guy after I bend over backwards to help them and to make serving them my top priority.

Those who have been the recipients of kindness have so often turned on me, desperately trying to justify their bad behavior by hiding it and like a magician directing your attention to an unrelated matter, which is laced with lies and deception simply because they cannot acknowledge their own wrong doing.

These people who seemed to want to create relationship actually are users of others for whatever they think they can gain, then they discard said relationship and set about slandering so as to hide their own evil.

Whatever happened to the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have others do unto you"? It seems that worst offenders are often those who profess a "religious" conviction, who ought to know better, yet who are the most vile in their maliciousness and the most arrogant in their self-righteousness.

So, in the time remaining, I find myself less willing to trust some (especially those who pretend to be Christians), far less charitable to strangers and those who claim Christianity as their mantle, and saddened by nearly all that I encounter... and particularly deeply saddened by those who were close to me and only attempted to ruin me.

I begin this new year with an intention to return my focus to my family and my business. And to all the liars and fake Christians, I say "The Lord rebuke you." (Jude 9)

David Burney

January 12, 2012
Before we know it, we are in the last days of our lives and wonder, "WTF?"

There are the feuds, fusses, arguments, and other complete wastes of our time, emotion, and energy. I am always amazed by the capacity for human beings to hate and to hold bitterness toward, and seek retribution against, others. This is such a sad waste of human potential. Yet it is insidiously pervasive.

And then the deeply disappointing failures in close personal relationships... epic failures that hurt me all the way into my soul.

How is it that every time I help someone I end up being used... abused actually. People whom I never would have expected to do wrong to me make me out to be the bad guy after I bend over backwards to help them and to make serving them my top priority.

No one is genuine.

Those who have been the recipients of kindness turn on you, desperately trying to justify their bad behavior. Those who seemed to want to create relationship actually use you for whatever they think they can gain from you, then discard said relationship.

Whatever happened to the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have others do unto you"? It seems that even the "religious" among us, who ought to know better, are offenders in equal measure to those who are not religious.

So, in the time remaining, I find myself less willing to trust, far less charitable, and saddened by nearly all that I encounter... and particularly deeply saddened by those who were close to me.

What a misery life has become.

I begin this new year with an intention to return my focus to my family and my business. No one else seems to give a damn... and I have been a fool to believe otherwise.

What should be engraved on my tombstone?

David Burney

The 9-12 Project and the March on D.C.
The 9-12 Project and the "tea parties" marched on Washington D.C. and I was there...

New Trucks for the Girls!
The girls now have new trucks.
    
        Click images for Hannah above and Alexandra below.
    
I did the best I could afford to do. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 - If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Property for Sale: Perfect!
The property on Monteagle Mountain is a beautiful and very private place, 50% wooded and with three hills, one having a 30 mile view to the south. The total acreage is 20.22 (hectares = 8.19).

Philosophical
I have begun adding many philosophical items to my website. Given many circumstances I have experienced over the years, I have been trying to articulate an evaluation of the "why" of things, as well as of the important matters we should all consider.

While much of this has been completed and added to my website, I realize that there is substantially more that I want to evaluate and articulate, so I expect this will take a rather long time to complete.

One key thought gives rise to the photo of my feet: namely, the proverb quoted on the banner above, so put your feet up and do not chase stupid fantasies.

Humor: Laughter is the Best Medicine
So many funny things... and not enough time to enjoy them all. For a small selection which will be expanded over time... For Election 2008 humor...

David's Pages
I have installed a few new personal pages and will be expanding the philosophical, political, and personal aspects as times allows.

This area includes an index of items both secured and unsecured.

My Girls
As I began 2009, I paused and wondered how quickly the girls have grown, and how mature they have become. Now Hannah is about to begin college.

Soon I will help Hannah move her things to her college dorm room. This will be a new time and may she always treasure the memories that she will have of this time of her life. Both Hannah and Alexandra are studying Spanish along with the normal curriculum for their high school courses. Hannah will continue this on into her college curriculum. This was the one thing I insisted they include in their education, so as to become fluent in Spanish -- an achievement I have not made myself.

Alexandra has been doing well in recent years in her schoolwork and I am proud of her effort. She also is about to receive her driver's license and I have purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport (2 door) to be her first vehicle. I know this is a big thing at this time of her life. It was for me (so long ago) and was for Hannah as well.

Granny
My father's mother seems to doing well in the assisted living facility in Chattanooga. She seems to have fun and be well established in her routine at the center, enjoying many of the activities designed for the seniors who live there.

While she has fallen and injured herself a number of times, her spirits are good and she is still somewhat self-sufficient. I pray she continues to function for a long time without need for much assistance.

Mammaw's Passing
My mother's mother had a significant surgery at the age of 92 last year, and she recovered rapidly. Yet the cancer returned and in the last few weeks of her life, she also broke her hip.

She spent the final days of her life in her home, and passed peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 3:30 pm CDT. We buried her on Monday, April 27 at 2 pm in Huntsville, Alabama. As time permits, I will include a tribute to her on this website.

Vincent LaGuardia Gambini
Sings Just for You
Those who love the movie "My Cousin Vinny" will probably love this CD (click here). It is explicit and has something to offend everyone, including a Christmas Song.

Probably most offensive is the third one on the CD ("Take Your Love and Shove It"). While most of the songs are crass, the music is performed by some of the best musicians and orchestras in the business and brilliantly mixed.

This is a "must-have" for one's collection, perfect for those moments when an irreverent lyric seems to fit.

The Lakehouse
I have found the family house on Lake Cherokee in eastern Tennessee to be a wonderful refuge.

In fact, many of my website updates have occurred while lounging on the front deck and looking at the water.

It is such a relaxing place and affords me time to reflect on what is really important.