Still Counting

I can't help but feel some thoughts of my childhood on an afternoon like this...
A few leaves left on a sleeping tree with a background of gray and white. Drops of chilling rain dripping from here and there... naked branches just outside my door.
It's warm and quiet behind the window that separates me from what's going on out there.
Oh I have things do but at least there's no such thing as homework anymore.
Blessed and still counting.

Create-O-lution

Understanding logic and yet incorporating a little faith is healthy for the mind. When you maintain a balance of mind and heart, the concept of holy wars seems so played out and immature.

It's That Simple

When we apply simple acts of compromise focused on the cause we'll ultimately achieve success and a tremendous round of applause.

The future is the present that's just a heartbeat away.

Sign Here

As "partnerships" go... if you tolerate their shit, you could lose half of yours.

I Can't!

If you think someone can't get to you... just give them another chance.

I Must Admit

There are several things about me that have changed since I've grown older. One of them, and with a sense of humor I say, is my ability to cope with people who are down right full of themselves.

Made To Last

Like anybody else we've been through the ringer quite a few times in our lives but we have a particular resiliency to people who've attempted make us feel small. It's a good thing God made us from moral fiber that was pre-shrunk.

"If The Shoe Fits" #9

Never allow yourself to become the piece that completes someone's puzzled life.

Turn your heart towards ignorance and your back to stupidity.

"If The Shoe Fits" #8

If you can't share and live to love it... all you'll have is what you covet and, in misery... never rise above it.

Clear The Deck

Remember when you and a few friends would be hanging out having a few words or a few laughs and a wise ass would come around... open his/her mouth and say something totally unrelated and stupid. Everyone would simply disperse and walk away.
I'll admit, I've been there, done... and caused that.
How fitting... that shoe is.

Watch Your Back

Mind your own store or someone just might have something in store for you.

Spit It Out

If you thirst and it tastes the worst... just stay, stay away!

That's Life

Sometimes there can be things that we want to live with that make us happy and have to live without... and yet there can be other things we have to live with that make us unhappy and can't live without?

"If The Shoe Fits" #7

If you never had the experience of having your head handed to you there's a good chance you might wind up with a head that's too big to handle.

Keep On Truckin'

In our early years all we want is to break the speed limits of life till we reach a point where all we want is to be able to keep up with the traffic.

"If The Shoe Fits" #6

Some people think that just because they have what it takes to back you into a corner it proves you're the rat.

On The Couch

The Sun was bright and white peaking through my oak tree from the corner of my eyes taking smiling chances... streaming past leaves on all the branches.
It moved down hiding behind from yellow to gold till its glow of orange hit the tips of green like holiday lights from another season.
It hung around chatting with a band of clouds showing me how it could gently coax that tree to sleep as if it had no other reason.

"If The Shoe Fits" #5

"Some people become lovable when they drink while others just wind up miserable,"crying in their glass." Then there are folks who say that when they have one too many the truth comes out and if they get nasty it's because they're just being truthful. The truth is... lovable or miserable, if you can get nasty... you're just nasty."

Still In The Know

When we were kids we knew kids and we called them friends. We did stuff and from time to time we would remind each other we were friends. Then we'd go back to doing stuff and grow, even though some remained and some would go.
Year after year, places in time, friends would join my past and I'd make new ones where ever I'd go. From work to play they'd come and go... some even disappeared just as my heart was growing fonder. (right out of the wild blue yonder)
Now my life consists of friends who still want to know me and there's so much stuff we share that we haven't forgotten.
Without them... I'd be alone and feeling pretty rotten.

Success... The substitute for suicide.‏

Think of all the times when you could be taking your life over stupid shit. You might be in your bed at night praying to God and simply informing Him that if would be perfectly fine if you didn't wake up the next morning. I remember doing just that and actually felt relieved and comfortable after a few minutes of prayer and explaining the details of my request.
My head would rest softly on my pillow. The sorrow of how I had imprisoned myself in a place I couldn't get control of drifted peacefully from my mind and sleep would begin to overtake me.
I'd fall asleep feeling secure that my life was once again in the hands of God.
When the morning would come and I was awake again all thoughts of death were gone and I'd admit to myself that God didn't want any part of my misery.
After so many unsuccessful nights of wishing I was dead I eventually began doing things that started to change my life and with some effort I realized God had a much better plan for me.
It's really not that difficult to get on track and steer clear of suicide by substituting it with success.

"If The Shoe Fits" #4

Just because "We The People of The United States" allow you to "play house" in Our Country... it doesn't mean you actually belong here. - Rocky Magistro - July 4th. 2012

"If The Shoe Fits" #3

"You don't actually have to be happy to be happy for someone else."- Unknown

"If The Shoe Fits" #2

"Just because you have to read it... some people think that their opinion is worth the paper it's written on." - Unknown

"If The Shoe Fits" # 1

"Why is it when you share your ladder with someone and they fall off... they blame your ladder?" - Unknown

And That's That

(Q) Why won't my blood turn from red to rust? (A) My heart refuses to sit around collecting dust.

On The Phone

It was Nov 8, 1989. I was at, "The Hard Rock Cafe" doing a show/party for the 10th. Anniversary of the Sony, "Walkman." Lots of celebrities were there and hosted by Rich Little. Included as a guest was Dick Clark. Without going into all the details about the show, what it was like... bla-bla-bla, let's just cut to the chase.
Back then, for some reason, the place had only one pay phone. My wife, at the time, was in her ninth month of pregnancy with my second son, Carlo, so as soon as I got a break and the phone was available I called home to see how she was doing.
I was on for about a minute. I turned and saw Dick Clark standing behind me waiting to use the pay phone. I blinked my eyes a few times and said, "I'll be off in just a minute." He said, "No problem, take your time!"
On the phone, I hear my wife say, "Who's that you're talking to?" I said, "It's Dick Clark. He's waiting to use the phone." "Yeah sure, right, Dick Clark!" I felt I had to make this happen real quick so I turned to Mr. Clark and said, "Here Dick, you talk to her, she doesn't believe it's really you."
He smiled and took the phone from me and asked, "What's her name?" I said, "Gina." He opened a very brief conversation with, "Hi Gina! This is Dick Clark!" After a few words and wishing her best of luck with our baby he handed me the phone. I told my wife to calm down... and said good bye.
I gave the phone back to Dick Clark and while he was dialing I thanked him for, "making her day!"
Seven days later, Carlo was born. Here's to you Mr. Clark and how I'll remember you.

She Cries, He Cries

Ah yes, the challenge of understanding when tears are real or knowing how to cope when they're crocodile. For many women those are second nature and staying in practice is essential for maintaining the image of vulnerability and childlike control. Of course, while mans paternal instincts cause him to reach out, comfort and hold... she's smiling and saying to herself, "i win." This is just one facet of how beautiful women are and their instinctive quest to be feminine. As far as men, don't confuse our sensitivity towards the heart and spirit of a real woman as being vulnerable. Although I must admit, our naive ability to determine when that heart is real can bring real tears to a mans eyes.

Hello? Hello?

When my kids need to talk to me they know just where to find me, but when I want to hear from them, they're nowhere to be found.

Wake Up!

My-My, Magnolia!
How you awaken with a yawn... your sunlight quenched petals spreading further and further each dawn.

Hauled Away

Today, after visiting a friend and as I was leaving, saying goodbye... a garbage truck began to back up next to his house. He explained to me that the old man next door passed away last week and yesterday the family had a garage sale and what was left was being hauled away today.
I was sort of... OK... with it all till I saw them crushing the sofa and chairs.
Why would that bother me you might ask.
The clear plastic slip covers.
I don't know. WTF.

It's That Simple

There's a reason why we feel good after we exercise... gym, walking, playing hard... like we should. The body makes all the chemicals needed for our brains to be happy. When you sit around and F-off your body doesn't make the stuff that you need to be happy. Then we substitute for that by ingesting BS.
Drug companies love the fact that we're clueless... all the way to the bank even after the warnings that the shit they make might make us want to jump off a bridge.
Get out and break a sweat!!!
Your body will thank you for it!

Three Is A Charm

Starlight... Star bright!
I lay me down, oh God...
to sleep tonight.
First star to the right,
and straight on through...
till morning.

"The Crap Shoot"

The love of life I'm reminded...
how much it's respected.
You can look both ways with all due respect...
and still expect the unexpected.