Colony in Space

A lot of things have happened recently so I think I'll just put up a few at a time.
First I ran into an old friend of sorts last week. He was always like a mentor to me, but when he left Philadelphia for Florida last year, he left on somewhat awkward terms. So I was a bit hesitant at first to accept the invitation to dinner, but I am glad that I did. We met up and reminisced about old times while discussing the new. Then we went to our masonic meeting and it was almost as if things never changed. All in all I'm glad I decided to accept the invitation, just goes to show that you should always try to take risks in life, you'll always learn something from them.

The Daleks

Haven't had much time to write lately, must work on that, been busy with work and ebay sales mostly. I'll try to write again soon, sorry for the delay...

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.