My Morning View

This is what I see every morning after my 2 block walk to the bus stop for my 10 minute ride to work.

I often stare at the mountains and say a thank-you to the universe for all of the lessons that I have learned through life. It's been a good life, too. Better than I ever deserved.

It has been a hard week in a way learning of Michael. Ed, and Farrah's demise.

I was a big fan of Ed and Michael, not as much Farrah, and for no particular reason. I remember watching Johnny Carson in High School when I could not sleep. The banter between Ed and Johnny contributed in a lot of ways to my own sense of humor and timing.

I was a big fan of Michael especially during the Thriller era. You were,too, don't lie!

Michael's legacy lives on through all sorts of fabrics of our daily and "entertainment" aspects of our lives. Every time I saw U2's big tour productions, I was always reminded who put on the big tours first. It was Michael and the "Victory" Tour with his brothers. It was the first tour of that magnitude where there were two stages being built in 2 venues at once. One stage was being used while the other was being built. The used stage was torn down immediately after the show and was delivered and built while the built stage was once again being used. It was a "leap frog" system that was invented for that tour and is being used today for the big stadium shows.

I must have worn my vinyl Thriller album out I listened to it a million times. Watched the Thriller video so much I still see it burned in the back of my eyes. As a teenager in Detroit, and not living very far from Hitsville, USA (Motown Records studios) where Michale got his start, his talent inspired me greatly to go and do great things. Of course, maybe I have not or will not ever achieve "great things" but the inspiration never left me.

He died too young.


That picture was taken the day before Michael died. I am sure whenever I look at the mountains again, I will remember his contribution to my own life through his music.

June 14,2009

Greetings!

Had a wonderful birthday weekend. I am glad I took Friday off from work. OH!! about Friday, I decided to do something totally out of line from what I would normally do. Kind of a long story that starts 4 years ago.....


Four years ago, I used to reply "oh GOD where's my FLASK?" half-jokingly when my wife would ask me to do a chore or go somewhere I did not want to go. So, as a joke for xmas that year, she bought me a flask set. It's a nice one, too. Funny thing though...it even has a 1 oz keychain flask as well as a hip flask...KEYCHAIN!! OMG!! Too funny!!

Fast forward to last Friday. I decided I wanted to go see a movie. I usually go alone as my wife does not like going to movies, which is ok, I like being alone sometimes. I decided to do something just totally out of the norm, I pulled the flask out from my drawer (never used it before) filled it with some rather expensive Single Barrel Jack Daniels Whiskey, and proceeded out the door to the bus stop, which then takes me to the light rail, which drops me off right at the door of the theater. Ok, so I took a shot or two before i left, as well. GUILTY!! :)

So, I got to the theater, ordered a Dr. Pepper and went and sat in my seat 30 minutes early..no one in the theater but me. I poured myself a nice Jack and Pepper. Totally enhanced the movie!!

One thing though. I did not take into account the effects of alcohol on the bladder. Let's just say I was glad the movie ended. Just in time ,too.

I had some whisky left over and as I was waiting at the light rail station I decided to drink that for the ride home. You know....public transportation is better on alcohol than off of it. I could actually tolerate peoples annoyances much better. The ride seemed smoother,too. I think I was actually even smiling!!

So, yeah, Friday was excellent. I think this will not be the last time the flask will be used for movies and days on light rail.

On Saturday, my wife and I ate at our special chinese restaurant and she gave me a really nice diamond ring that she had on layway for months. I have always wanted a big diamond ring, too. It's the Elvis in me, what can I say?

So, it's been a great weekend. Time off from work is very good for the soul.

And so is a flask....go get one!!! :)

All the best!

June 11,2009 Thursday

Greetings!

Well, it has been a very different time in my life lately as I pursue the college degree. I have been enjoying the challenge that school offers. I have been offered new ways to think about life and politics as well. Some nights though, after working all day and taking public transportation home, and then walking the three blocks, and THEN making dinner and eating and cleaning, THEN finally reading the 2 chapters in the text books, THEN doing my assignments...some nights I get very tired. But still, I am enjoying myself...it's either this or watch too much TV....I'd rather be schooling.

Saturday June 13, is my birthday. I am taking the 12th off from work to celebrate a bit early. I am going to a movie and maybe have a few drinks. I kinda started my time off early as I mostly just drove around during work and listened to the radio today. I even sang a few songs for the first time in a long time...realized I still have a good singing voice. I used to sing all of the time, don't know why I ever stopped, I rarely even have the radio on anymore, but I think I'll change that.

I am starting to feel more alive lately. I have been in a funk that has been hard to shake. I think it has to do with feeling like I have done it all already. I even made a statement a few weeks ago that I don't think we are supposed to live past 30. By then it seems a person has seen just about all there is to see. But I don't feel that way tonight.

Tonight I am excited for a new day. I am glad to have some time off work, maybe that's part of my issues. I work too much, not as much as I USED to, but still, there's a lot to do in my job. I am excited to be back in school. I really have missed it. It's hard some days to do the assignments, but I make it through. Can't wait til I get the diplomas.

I hope you have all been well. Thanks for reading this rambling tonight.