This holiday was created to set aside a day of rememberance for those brave souls lost in conflict, protecting this nation.  I thought it appropriate to show my appreciation for this sacrifice.  To lay down ones life so that others may prosper is valiant beyond measure.  I only hope that I could have the fortitude to never deny the beliefs that I hold even if the consequence be death.

With that said I hope that some day this holiday will also double as a day to look to the future for solutions to the conflicts of the world.  It would be naive to assume that peace around the world today could be possible.  In time, through the power of mass media and technology, peace can happen.  Most war has been instigated by the greed of the few and it's necessity force fed to the masses in disguise.  

Have we really been tricked.  Who's to say.  Eventually every person on this planet will realize their own personal worth and the equal worth of others.  Governments can only hold it's citizens back as long as they let them.  I hope that this day comes sooner than later but what do I know.  We may be destined destroy ourselves.  They say it's in our nature.  I'm normally a pessimist but in this case I'm going to go with the global glass is half full.

Don't dispair a little doom and gloom on your holiday weekend might give it a little more meaning.... goodnight kids

Fear is a really weird thing.   It gives you a feeling of helplessness in times of immediate danger.  I suppose it also gives you that run away response.  

Its funny though, fear is not always associated with danger.  Take for example being afraid of the dark.  The dark can't harm you on its own.  It must be whatever lurks in your imagination that may be hiding the dark that is causing the fear.  

Not to get too far from my reason for  writing this blog, fear can also keep us from finding happiness.   Like fear of rejection.  Imagine how many bad decisions have been made in the name of that fear.

My personal phobia is kind of unique, I think.  I have a fear of buttons.  The ones on clothing.  I have no idea where the phobia developed but it exists.  I don't run from them but I can't hold them in my hand or allow them to touch my skin.  I know your thinking wacko.  This guy needs help.

I disagree.  I don't want help.  I accept this unusual behavior as  part of my individuality.  I rather enjoy the looks and comments of people who discover this.  So I go on willing to be frightened by the completely harmless, with the confidence that my phobia can remain mine not to be taken away unless I decide to give it freely.  My fear gives me comfort, talk about irony.

Fear is an essential part of life.  Without it we wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the truelly critical desicions of life and the inconsequencial daily crap.  So I say go out and get scared, it's the way you deal with the fear that makes you who you are. 

"If I wanted drama I'd watch Days of our Lives!"  I've had a friend for years that I have been a rock for.  The strong shoulder to cry on.  The only problem is my shoulder has been wet contiuously for as long as I have known her.  She is a victim of self sabotage.  If a good situation rears it's glorious head she has the ability to destroy it as quickly as she identifies it. 

Now this may seem cold but the only thing she brings to our friendship is a negative vibe.  I am constantly drained from her sob stories.  I've come to the conclusion that my sanity requires me to cut her off.  I hate to do it but maybe it is what she needs.  She has always had me there to listen and console but she has never once taken my advice.  She asks for the advice but the truth has always been too difficult and she finds herself right back in the mire. 

I think our relationship has been an unhealthy one from the beginning.  My addiction to constantly rescuing her has crippled her as well.  We're both to blame.  The only solution I can see is ending it.  We both need to deal with our problems on our own.  And if the need arises there is always Days of Our Lives.

I've thought long and hard about the prospects of crash dieting to fit the stereotypical image of what a person in a band should be.  Can a band of overweight lovers crack into the music industry dominated by the beautiful people. 

When we put together a set list for any gig, we strategically place the song Chubby in the second slot.  It amazes me how quickly the new faces in the crowd change once they hear that song.  Our musical abilities have not changed from the first song, but people realize that we know that we're chubby. 

It almost seems like it give them the ability to forget about how physically fit we are and focus on the music.  So I suppose we're back to the dilemma.  When one of your hit songs is about being chubby should you lose weight.   I'll ponder it over a  twinkie....or two....  

I have a lot of friends who are constantly confiding in me about the various problems they have in their relationships.  Some are being ignored.  Others can't have a serious conversation with their partner.  And then there are the extreme cases where the arguments become physical.  I have a difficult time understanding why a person would endure physical abuse in a relationship.  Far too often women under value themselves. 

By saying that, I don't by any means excuse the piece of human garbage that is dishing out the abuse.  Men who abuse women are cowardly children that lack the intellect to openly and calmly discuss the issues at hand.

I have spent many a late night consoling and counselling friends on matters of the heart.  I will give my best advice and they will leave with great intentions.  A week later we are having the same talk.  I think of the term "lost in love."  I hope that the message will someday inspire them to take action, but I understand that the only person who will convince them to leave is the person staring them in the mirror. 

So with that I choose to give advice in advance, for future relationships.  When you meet someone new pay attention not just to how they treat you, but how they treat they're family or even complete strangers.  If you are given the signs in the beginning and you ignore them you have yourself to blame.  Don't let it happen.....ever.  One strike..... your out!

Only a year ago, I knew it all.  I had it all figured out.  Every peg fit into every hole with great precision.  I made all of my decisions using the system I had perfected throughout my many years of experience.  It was fool proof.  And it took only one unexpected event to make me change my entire way of thinking.  The funny thing is I can't remember what it was that made me change.  You would think something with such lasting effects would be burned into my memory, but it's not.  I just know that I have changed.

I look back at the decisions I made only last year with my nose in the air.  How could I have been so ignorant.  I was so naive.  I know better now.  I'll never look back and say, "what was I thinking?"  Will I? 

The only thing that remembering past decisions has taught me is that experience is the only true teacher.  I have been given great advice in the past that I have blown off as fear driven nonsense.  Only by experiencing the failure have I discovered the truth.   Is there a remedy to this.  I don't think so. 

 And if I'm wrong..... I guess I'll know better ......next year.

I've been slightly perturbed by the recent migration of US celebrities finding refuge in other countries  in hopes of seeking out a better environment to raise their children.  For example, Madonna. 

I find her actions incredibly insulting and ironic.  (my favorite word)  Madonna's entire career, one reinvention after another,  has been based on tearing down one moral standard after the other.  I can't remember the exact term but it goes something like this.  You made the bed, now sleep in it.  Of course her ego would never allow personal responsibility to seep in.  Many of todays problems, according to my vast knowledge of the subject, are caused by lack of personal responsibility.  Can you imagine the tax dollars that could be saved if everyone in court just owned up to what they did.  

I guess if I'm expecting the world to change I should start with myself.  "Mom it was me who broke the window when I was 10.  The neighbor kid had nothing to do with it.  Sorry Jimmy."  It's your turn now world.  :)  Here's your mantra " I did it.... I'm sorry" repeat 10 times.  It will be easier when it becomes necessary to use.     

This may be the most entirely meaningless blog that I have attempted to date.  Nevertheless, let's begin.  I've been pondering the most random things to find greater meaning in them.  For one my sudden dislike of crust on my sandwiches.  I've always loved the crust up until just the past couple of weeks.  I don't know if it is the transition in flavor, texture, or what.  I just remove them all before I eat now. 

Some might call this type of activity a return to all things adolecent.   Maybe they're right.  I mean I am pursuing a dream with astronomical chances for realization.  I am not naive to those facts.  I don't think that is what it is.

Spending alot of time thinking about something so trivial may seem like a waste of time.  Personally, I think that a healthy understanding of ones own psychological well being is necessary to maintain a level of sanity in this business.  Which leads me to my conclusion.  In this business there are alot of people with stories clouding their true intentions.  I believe they are referred to as shady.  Lies are the fuel that fires the burning of bridges.  The crust is the layer of smoke and mirrors which I now choose to eliminate immediately so that the true flavor can be discovered in the first bite. 

If life were only as simple as removing the crust from bread.  I can't concieve of a way to remove the crust from those we deal with.  But I can remove the crust from myself in hopes of setting the example for others to follow.  All this talk of food is making me hungry.  I'm going to make me a sandwich.....no crust of course.

Love is an amazing thing.  I've never been happier in all my life than when I'm in love.  But I have never hurt so bad over the same thing.  I'm not sure which sensation is more powerful but they are both equally important.  The pain of lost love helps us to better appreciate the joy of new love. Would you know how sweet the fruit was unless you had tasted the bitter?

I don't pretend to be an expert on the matters of the heart and anyone who does should have their head examined.  It's true, love is a crazy thing.  Not to be understood but just to exist.  So don't push it.  Love will either be there or it won't...

I think the best advice I could give is love always... don't ever stop loving.... and with that I'm signing out... I've got alot of loving to do today... ;)

I've been pondering the woe's of the world and have been trying to determine what really is causing all the suffering of the masses.  The most simple explaination is money, but what motivates a person to desire money.  I looked deeper through the mask of greed and found vanity.  At what point did "the powerful" look in the mirror and find themselves more important than you or me.  Who's to say.

I'm not sure that we've gone deep enough.  Is it the one right we all strive for.  Could it be that the pursuit of happiness, guarenteed by our founding fathers, is in fact the action that creates such misery.  Irony has no better example. 

However, I do have faith in humanity.  I believe that people are not evil by nature.  They get lost and must be helped back to the path.  I feel I am doing my part by spreading positive messages through music.  "Cue the sappy violins"  Keep moving forward and only stop momentum to help others who have fallen along the way....much love....salty