Father's Day

I wrote this post a while back but I thought that this would be the appropriate time to post it.
I have never gotten along with my father, and as far as I am concerned, he has never been a father to me. I won't go into the reasons, in fact I've never really told anyone why (well one person but she knows who she is). And to be entirely honest I don't get along with my paternal grandfather either.
My maternal grandfather sounded like a great man, but he unfortunately died before I was even a thought, cancer claimed his life back when my mother was only 7.
But throughout my life I have had several surrogate father like figures.
The first was an elderly man, and my next door neighbor for the first 15 or so years of my life. He was a little Italian man, and one of the nicest people that you would ever want to meet. He taught me many life lessons, probably more than he ever knew, he was truly a friend to me, and always will be. Sadly around the time I was 16 he had a heart attack, and his family decided to move him into an assisted living home, I only saw him a couple more times after that. Within a year he passed away. His was the first funeral I ever attended, and the first loss of a friend that I ever experienced. But I would not be the person I am today without the influence of the man that I have always known as Tony. It is partially because of him that I am as kind and empathetic as I am today.
The second of my surrogate father figures came into my life when I joined SPARC, he donated more time and equipment to the project than it had ever seen before, and he brought the program back to its former glory. It was he, who helped me earn my place in the Freemasons, and he who taught me how important it was to make connections everywhere. He taught me to be more outgoing and gave me the pointers that helped me become the public speaker that I am today. He was with me through my entire process of becoming a Freemason, and when I received my third degree I could see an immeasurable amount of pride on his face, and that made me feel fantastic, just for those few moments that void that has always existed in me from not having a true father like figure was filled. But then he moved to Florida towards the end of 2010, and I haven't heard from him since. I can only hope that he is doing well.
The third and most recent of my surrogate father figures is one whom I still keep in regular contact with. I met him as I was inducted into the National Honor Society and he helped me through the process of becoming the Junior Vice President and eventually the President of the NHS, it is him who I have to thank for helping me gain the skills that I would need to become a good leader.
Without these surrogate father figures in my life I do not think that I would be the person that I am today, but in a sense that is true of everyone that I know, each person that has crossed into my life has effected me in some profound way, no matter how short they may have been in my life, they all have a great effect on shaping who I am.
I only hope that someday I can inspire people in a positive way and help to shape them into the people that they will become. And I hope that one day I can be a great father to my children, and instil the qualities of kindness, confidence, leadership, and many more that I pick up throughout my life.

The Invasion

Just because I we are, by no choice of my own, related by blood, it does not give you the right to show up unannounced on my doorstep. Odds are if I had wanted to see you, I would have. Don't just pop in and expect us to start entertaining you. Especially when I never could stand you.
Out of all the hundreds of people that I would like to see turn up at my door, why did it have to be you. Do me a favor and don't pop back, you pompous arrogant know-it-all.

The Company of Friends

I meant to post this last night, but I just never found the moment to write it. Seeing all of my 170 friends graduate was an interesting experience. When I first came I was reminded of my own graduation. It seems like just yesterday that 169 was gathered together to reflect on our time at NE. I can't believe that its been a year all ready. So much has changed since that time. Certainly the company that I keep is not the same, but in all honesty I prefer it this way. Penn State has helped to strengthen/form my friendships with my favorite people in the world. And being away has let me see who really cares, by who actually bothered to stay in touch. It's nice to know where you stand in people's lives, though it may be bitter-sweet to see how some have changed.
The speeches at the graduation were amazing each in its own style, Gurinder's was reflective and concise, Gah's was funny and poignant, and Mike's was simply touching, he even managed to bring a tear to my eye when he spoke from the heart about how Gah was like the brother he lost so long ago.
Seeing everyone after they got their diploma made me realize just how quickly time can pass by. But I think that I will be able to stay in touch with 170 more, partially because I've learned what not to do from losing touch with some of 169. But only time will tell for sure, till then I can just hope for the best.

Time and the Rani

I'm rather excited to see all of my 170 friends graduate this Wednesday, I just hope that I can find someone to go with, I'd rather not sit through the whole ceremony alone. Of course, I will if I can't find anyone, nothing will stop me from being there for my friends. But it would be nice to have some company...

Full Circle

So I thought I'd post that NHS speech that I gave later this evening. I think it turned out well. The funny thing is I remember being inducted, and who the NHS president was who inducted me, I remember being the President and inducting new members, and now here I am giving the speech as the alumni speaker, and watching some of the people I inducted as they run the show. Funny how things have a tendency to come full circle.

Good evening everyone, for those who do not know me, my name is Michael Behr. This evening I have

been given the honor and privilege of giving the alumni speech at this year’s induction ceremony. To me

the National Honor Society was more than just an organization; we were and always will be a family. I

have formed some of my closest friendships with my NHS family, a bond that has endured and I know

will continue to thrive, no matter where we all end up on our life paths. I learnt much in my time with

NHS, I learnt how to be a good leader, but even more importantly I learnt the importance of helping

others. I am proud to say that I would not be the person I am today without the influence that NHS has

had on me.

To the newly inducted members you are embarking on what will be one of the greatest times in your

life. You are now not only part of a prestigious organization but part of a family upon which you can

reach out to any of the past members for guidance, as we never really leave NHS behind.

To the current members you still have time with NHS, make the most of it, don’t just focus on getting

your minutes for the sake of putting NHS on your college resume, there’s so much more to be done, so

much more to be seen, make the most of it while you still have the chance.

To the seniors, I can say in full faith that you will never be forgotten. You have made a great impact on

Northeast, as we had in the past, and it is all the better for your influence. Most of you are now on your

way to college, you’re going to love it, maybe not instantly, but once you adjust to this entirely new way

of life, you’re never going to want it to change. You’re probably going to have to endure a few things

along the way, insane roommates, bad professors, horrible weather, but for all these dire events, there

is ten times as much good. Your friendships will strengthen to levels you never thought possible and you

will have more fun than you have ever had in your life. Don’t spend too much time stressing over the

future, make sure you stop to enjoy the present.

If you’re not sure what you want to major in don’t worry we’ve all been there, even if you think you

know what you want to do with your life, and trust me here I speak from personal experience, it’s not

set in stone, feel free to change your major if you find something that you will be happy doing for the

rest of your life. In fact I encourage you to try as many new classes as you can, who knows you might

just stumble onto your future career. And don’t worry you won’t be alone, you’ll have your friends to

turn to for advice, and if you need someone with more experience with college, there’s NHS members

in almost every college that you’re going to. Any of you, especially those of you that are going to Penn

State can feel free to come to me for advice, you won’t be bothering me, I’m a psych major, if anything

you’ll be helping me get ready for my future career.

And on that note, I’d just like to thank Mr. Frank and everyone else here for letting this alum come back

to make this speech.

Frontios

I just finished writing my speech for the NHS induction. I must say I'm quite proud of how it turned out. I hope its well received. The way the induction keeps getting pushed back, I hope I get to make it. I'll be posting it on here sometime after the NHS induction, just in case anyone wanted to read it.
It's been a pretty good day. Thought I must say I cannot stand this heat wave, I despise the heat, I long for the days of snow and ice at times like this. Good thing I live at PSU 75% of the year and I'll be getting plenty of snow and ice before I know it.

Everything Changes

After seeing my old salutatorian speech again I can not believe that it has been almost a year since I first gave it. It seems like just yesterday. But when I think of how much has changed and how much I have changed over the past year, I realize just how much time a year can be. In this past year I have made some of (admittedly one stands out in particular as better than all the rest) the best friendships of my life and strengthened those friendships that I already had (again a few stand out in particular). This year may have had its ups and downs at points, but overall it was absolutely amazing, and in all honesty I wouldn't change a thing, because even the small things that went wrong this year all lead to or indirectly influenced even better things.

Ghost Machine

All this thinking of writing this speech for the NHS Induction Thursday has gotten my reminiscing. I was looking through some of my past works for some inspiration and I came across my Salutatorian Speech. So partially for archival purposes, but mostly because I just really liked that speech I'm posting it here, where it can sit in its little corner of cyber-space for all of eternity.

Good morning ladies and gentleman. My name is Michael Behr and I have been awarded the privilege and honor of giving this speech today at this the graduation of Northeast’s greatest class, 169!

William Hartnell once said, “Our lives are important - at least to us - and as we see, so we learn... Our destiny is in the stars, so let's go and search for it.”

I have always found these words to be true. Our own lives are important to each and every one of us as well as those who care about us, those who would give anything to ensure the protection and simplification of our lives. These people are our families who raised us to the point in which we can stand here today not only as the children they raised, but as independent free speaking adults. These people are also our friends whom we have either met or strengthened our bonds with during our time at Northeast. It is these same people whose lives are important to us, and it is these relationships that will last a lifetime and be there for us in even our darkest moments, inspiring us to press forward and be all that we can be.

As we see, so we learn, this is true no matter where one finds them self on the road of life. From the time that we are infants we explore the world around us, constantly searching for something new, something that will inspire us to learn, whether It be  something as simple as learning the names of your new neighbors or something complex such as memorizing pi to the 169^th digit.  Our time at Northeast has helped us immensely with this learning process, we have been given the opportunity to witness and take part in so many wonderful events. We have not only been taught the traditional subjects of math, science, and English, but also the more complex lessons, such as compassion for ones fellow man, and how to remain positive in even when all hope seems lost. These lessons will remain with us forever and help us just as long.

Our destiny lies in the stars, our time here at Northeast has helped us expand our horizons greatly, increasing not only our knowledge but our imaginations and aspirations as well. It is here that many of us have drafted the blue prints through which we plan to shape the rest of our lives. But now comes the bitter sweet moment when we realize that we must move on from our comfortable surroundings at Northeast and take the next step in our lives, whether that be college, trade school, a career, or even the armed forces. And it is because of our time at Northeast that we are ready to succeed in the next stage of life, our time here has prepared us for any challenge that may come our way. I believe I speak for the entire class of 169 when I say that we will always be thankful for this preparation.

We have gone through a lot as a class here at Northeast, and have made the memories that will last a life time. As we journey into the next stage of life where we will form new friendships, we will never forget our Northeast family. And as we bid a fond farewell to our time together may I simply finish by saying that while we may be miles apart, in our hearts we will always be CLASS 169!

Dalek Cutaway

Just a brief note, if you ever want to, or you suddenly get the urge, feel free to comment on anything on this blog, or hit that new little +1 button that Google has added. I love reading the feedback on my posts =)

The Macra Terror

I have been given the honor and privilege of making the alumni speech at this years NHS Induction, which I think is absolutely brilliant, couldn't be happier. Well I could be I suppose, I love public speaking and I love giving speeches, but I absolutely hate finding the time to write the speeches in the first place. I always have just the right idea that I want to get across and I usually know just about how I will say it. It's just something about sitting still and putting it down on a word processes that drives me insane, I have no idea why, it just does. I'll be much happier once I've typed it all out and delivered it on Thursday. I'll probably post a copy on here, whenever I get it all typed out.

The Lodger

This was one of those weekends where everything just seemed to fit into place. But I suppose that's generally how things go when you are surrounded by your absolute favorite people in the world.
It's funny how not getting together with people for a short period of time makes you love and appreciate them all the more.
On a side note, I do still plan on moving away from Philly one day, but maybe not as far as I had previously thought. =)