William Shatner - It Hasn't Happened Yet

Don't ignore this. I'm beggin' ya.

Yes, William Shatner could get an honorary degree from Cheeseball University.
However, this is not one of his 70's spoken word cheese-fests. I have listened to
those and cringed with embarrassment for the whole human race that we had
produced such a monstrosity.

But the new work by Shatner is not like that at all. Ben Folds teamed up with
Shatner to produce this spoken word album. What was produced is a funny,
self-effacing and honest experience. I downloaded the whole album on Spotify and
was amazed at the great writing and the humour involved in this.

So-check it out...please?

Folk Alley Sessions - John Gorka, "I'm from New Jersey"

I remember working at a call center where we had to contact contractors
from all over the country to take care of our clients that called in. Once
I called one of our vendors from New Jersey and I had grown used to
them being rough and sarcastic and I made a joke to the guy about his
fine state in a negative I thought he would like. His answer surprised me.
"Don't say that. I don't like that. We aren't all like that."
He said it in a sincere, hurt tone that I rarely heard from people on the
East Coast. I apologized right away.

It taught me a lesson about people. Many times stereotypes exist for good
reason. I had experience with a lot of people in New Jersey that were
what I had expected-rude, brusque, pushy, just like I saw on stupid TV
shows. But that wasn't all of them, and sometimes I think the way they
acted wasn't really who they were outside of the rough business we both
were in.

I saw this video on Youtube of a folk song about New Jersey, and it really
illustrated this point very well. Good music and he has a nice voice too.

A Special Time of the Month...

As the sweet perfumed dust from the 35 lb jar of Happy Cats Litter rises into the air like priestly incense, it signals the end of that glamorous monthly ritual known as the Changing of the Kitty Litter. 

The Zen Garden like perfection has been christened by Princess Lucy. Now all that is left is the transport of the bio hazard to the dumpster and the evil will be purged from our fair basement.

Derek Trucks Band - Sahib Teri Bandi

"Party Planet" by Scott Lava

"Party Planet" by Scott Lava. Part of the Great Showdowns collection.

Bacon Pancakes

The Shepherds on the Trolley

Please click the link below to read a very nice poem by my friend Andrew Kreider.

The Shepherds on the Trolley

Happy Thanksgiving to a Special Person

This Thanksgiving I want to express my thanks to God for bringing a person into my life: Barb True. Its her birthday also-so it seemed like a good time to do this. I wanted to write a poem, but I just am unable to produce any poetry at this point-just a little lame alliteration   

She may be my wife's maternal aunt, but I consider her to be family just like she was related by blood. Barb is one of those rare people that you like them the from the moment you meet them.

Not only does Barb show her incredible intelligence by loving me like family, she has this way about her where you can imagine what God's love is like by watching how she treats those around her. She has an a serious intention to love her family and friends any way she can. 

I have known her since 1989. In that time, I have seen her bring people into her house to live with her, I have seen her sacrifice time and money for others. When her parents became sick and were suffering from dementia, she cared for them like she was the mother, giving up a great deal for them. 

No, she is not perfect. She does not have a halo. I know there are people that she is not crazy about, people that irritate her, just like the rest of us. Also, it pains me to admit this but I am fairly certain that I have heard certain phrases escape her mouth from time to time that were not something I remember learning in Sunday school. When people irritate her, many times its because they aren't treating her family or friends right, or are just plain selfish. I guess I almost don't consider that a fault, because it simply expresses her love for those that are dear to her. 


One of the reasons I am writing this is because of one of her faults. I don't think she  appreciates herself for the gift she is to the rest of us. She is affectionate, funny, intelligent and a beautiful person that I would step in front of a bullet for. She has made my life, and the life of so many people around me better. 

For that I am truly thankful that she is part of my heart-family and one of my forever friends. 

Happy Birthday Aunt Barb. 

Sundays at Rocco's

Ben Folds - Learn To Live With What You Are

Ben Folds is a very funny, funny man who writes clever songs that are full
of the sort of truth you don't normally find in most shallow pop songs.

That said, he's also a big giant potty-mouth and his mom probably is
scheming for the day she tie him down and wash out his mouth with the
crate of Lifebuoy she bought at Sam's just for that purpose. Probably
not, buts its a great mental picture.

Here's a song that is ok for any audience, and the full lyrics are listed below.
The lyrics touched me. Especially the idea that we are all waiting for some
Movie-like, moment of truth when everything will change and everyone will
see us for the awesome person we are. That almost never happens. Most of
life is made up of all those little decisions we make every day that lead to a
successful life or an epic fail. Its possible to change; to become great-but most of
the time we will live day by day, doing our work, loving our dear ones and
doing the best we can. Living your life seeking anything else is just wasting
what precious time you have on this earth.



I know that you're in there
I can see you
You're saying you're ok
I don't believe you

And now that the gig is off
The spell is broken
The fat lady sung
The president has spoken

These days that you were waiting for
Will come and go
Like any day
Just another day

[Chorus]
There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching
All you need is the thing you forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are

So freak out if you wanna
And I'll still be here
Don't call me for years and when you do
Yeah, I'll still be here

I'm not saying the effort is a waste of time - but I
Just love you for the things you couldn't change
Though you've tried
These hours of confusion they will soon expire
Like everything
Does

[Chorus]

Sometimes
Everything you've ever wanted
Floats above
He's sticking out his tongue and laughing
While everything
Anyone can ever need
Is down below
Waiting for you
To know this

Tamburello Cafè - Vincenzo Solo.

Star Wars Light Saber Ice Pops from ThinkGeek

Live From Daryl's House - "I Can't Go For That"

As a teenager in the 80's I was a HUGE fan of Hall and Oates. I had every
album I could lay my hands on. I remember bringing a cassette of the album
H2O to church one night during youth group. I wasn't trying to start anything
I just planned to listen to it in the car with my friend David while our folks
stood around and talked.

Anyways, the youth group leaders made us listen to the song "Maneater" and
have a meaningful discussion about the dangers of Rock and Roll and we were
all annoyed, quiet and sullen about it. Having been a youth pastor, I have
been in that kind of situation, but I never did it about music.

Since I'm already this far into getting into trouble, I'll go further, it's not good
to leave something only done half-way. Just pointing out that you think something
is evil is of absolutely no use in changing people's behaviors, especially adolescents.
Change must come first from a change of heart, not because the outward disapproval
of some authority figure. The truth of the matter is that the outward disapproval from
figures of authority is a great way to make people want to do something even more.

As an adult, I listen to a wide range of types of music and artists. I do watch
the lyrics and don't listen to just anything, but I also let my conscience be
my guide and try not to take things too seriously.

There is a story of Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart railing against the group
The Police for the song "Murder By Numbers" as decadent and evil.
When you read the lyrics, you find out it's tongue in cheek and is talking
about how easy it is for governments to kill people.

The lyrics for the song below are vague, and don't tell you what the "That" in
the song actually is. It's really an R & B version of Meatloaf's song "I Would
Do Anything For Love". Both songs are really the same joke and shouldn't
be taken seriously.

What I do take seriously about the song below is that it is very pretty, the
arrangement is lovely and the musicians are all very skilled. I feel good
when I listen to the music.

Puerto Rico Statehood

Sheldon

Artsy Stuff

Several entries from A Softer World .
Brilliant writing, like haikus on Acid.
Not for kids-adult only reading-could be offensive...yada, yada, yada.
art and literature...yada, yada, yada...truth found in odd places...etc.
Thanks for understanding.

Post Election Post

So its the day after the big presidential election and most of my friends in conservative Indiana are bummed out. I haven't even darkened Facebook or Twitter, but I've actually been off of social media for the last month. I'm not going to lie to you, I'm disappointed, I wanted the other guy to win. However, I wasn't really crazy about either of them, so I've actually been disappointed since the primaries that we had to have such polar opposites to choose from. If only there was some super rich billionaire that wanted to fund moderate  candidates for national offices, then there could be real change, (sorry-couldn't help myself, but it would be cool if that was true). Some of my friends are really taking it hard. I'm feeling a little better about it after I had some time to think about it.

The thing is this: the majority of our time living day to day has very little to do with the government. When we get our focus entirely on the macro view-on national politics, we get more obsessed with things that rarely affect us like the people and events here on the ground. The micro view of our lives is more realistic, the day to day people places and things affect us more profoundly than any president. Yes, all of the people that said the world will go to Hell in a Hand basket after this election could be right. But unless you are either leaving the country (quitters-ain't got no use for 'em!), or joining an armed resistance movement,(that's a bad idea in case you don't get sarcasm), you just need to live your life the best you can to help those people around you. Only having a macro view causes you to be useless on a day to day micro level. Its like living your life looking through the wrong end of binoculars and wondering why you can't tie your shoes.

I remember being obsessed with national government during the Clinton years. I've written letters, made phone calls and kept an eye on every piece of news coming across the wire and I can tell you it only leads to fear and unhealthy obsession, and never brings real change. Most of the time it's jousting at windmills. Sure, the government has the ability to affect your day to day life, things can get worse, but probably not as bad as the fear mongers in the media would tell us. We seem to forget some times that there are people who want to make us do their bidding or get our money by scaring us.

What I have learned from studying Spanish and Latino culture is that another way to look at the world is to put personal relationships first; look to your family & friends for your support and don't count on the government to be your salvation. In the end the most useful thing to do is love your friends & family, to enjoy life like you always have and to do the good that you can where you are at. Its a much better way than to let fear and hate rule your life.

So like the man said, "Now everyone shut up and get a life!"

Actual Business Spanish Writing on the Blog!

I spent about 30 minutes writing an email to a customer today, and when I got done I was really happy with the feeling of the letter and how it came out. Since I rarely post my Spanish writing here, I thought this would be a good thing to share. This is probably not perfect, and my tone is more familiar than it should be, but I have done business with this customer for a long time, so there is no need to be extra formal. I have also come to the conclusion that since I'm not an overly formal person, I shouldn't go out of my way to be something I am not.

"Oye amigo, la información que he diste solo fuera valido para un punto fijado en tiempo-todo podría cambiar día por día. No sé exactamente que es tu intento con estas preguntas, pero lo pareciera que quisieras decir a tu cliente que no quedaría ninguna posibilidad de demora ni problemas si ellos darte el pedido. Muchos de estos productos son importados desde China y otros lugares y no podemos garantizar la entrega exacta, ni nuestras fabricas-solo podemos dar un plazo de entrega aproximada. Haremos lo mejor posible para llenar el pedido lo antes posible, pero como la naturaleza de la vida, no podemos garantizar que todo pase sin problemas. Si sea problemas o demoras, trabajaremos contigo para ayudar satisfacer tu cliente, pero no queda ningún garantía de un plazo de entrega fijada. "

Ain't No Sunshine - Daryl Hall with Finger Eleven

"Bang on the Drum" Todd Rundgren and Darryl Hall

Its hard not to enjoy this. Darryl Hall and Todd Rundgren are great, and all
of the hand drums are awesome. It looks like it was filmed in Hawaii, so the
scenery looks warm. The hula dancer seems a little over the top though, just
look away and chalk it up to the cultural influences of where the song was sung.


 

GoPro HERO2: Cats vs. Laser

Cat's chasing lasers with an incredible drum soundtrack behind it. Incredibleness with
awesome sauce.

Gifts Come From Strange Places.

10:00 pm-My head is thumping like a 24 inch kick drum .

I take two strangely shaped prescription pain relievers with an 

impressive sounding name. After offering my legs as a source of 

heat to the red-headed love of my life everything goes wonderfully grey.

2:00 am-Awakening slowly from a dream of the barely lit truck stop

on the East side of Fort Wayne, I lay in the dark thinking of

everything and nothing in particular.

It’s been so many years since I lived in those wide lonely views

of the West. I never awaken any longer to the snow capped 

Cascades framing my view to the West. Nor have I smelled the morning dew 

on the sagebrush that rolls into the horizon of the Eastern Desert, 

the view dotted by the Juniper trees with their gnarled branches for more 

than twenty years and the painted hills. In a landscape like that, the immense size  

of the world and the palpable existence of divinity walk hand in hand.

But as I lay in the dark watching the colors of black, grey and navy

on the ceiling of my room, morphing with the movement of the

odd branch in the wind or car in the street I feel those same feelings

return that my beloved vistas brought when I was younger.

The utter loneliness of this moment brings a Western-sized peace. 

Even though I hear the breathing of someone next to me and the 

sounds of a world outside, I am as fulfilled as the night I slept under 

the stars on top of a desert mountain. 

We built a fire, listened to ZZ Top as loud as the batteries of my 

JC Penny boombox would permit, yelled into the night because 

no one was within 30 miles to complain and yet the cold silence 

laughed at us and remained as all encompassing as I had ever 

known it in my short 16 years.

Blaise Pascal said that all men’s troubles from not knowing how to 

sit still in one room. I don’t know how, but in my heart tonight I 

have found the vastness of the world still existing in one room 

and the peace of my Saviour making the darkness warm.

Dragon Baby

An Unexpected Briefing - Air New Zealand

Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal.

http://emergencycompliment.com/

Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney

I hear ya kid...I hear ya.