A very long song

What perfect timing for my transformation on the week of lent. Making a stand and taking in my personal responsibilities as a good human. Enough said. Really who cares what I'm trying to change about myself. After all, as far as I'm concerned, evolving is just a normal phase in a humans journey through this long song of life.

I've always been a robber. Not in the traditional sense of the word. But with music, lyrics, and literature I seem to pick up a few suggestions, catch phrases, titles, passages and ideas along the way and try to incorporate them as something I can relate to and share.

First, it was learned that a good man (who happens to be my uncle and godfather) is going to die very soon. Now, this isn't the typical death sentence. Bottom line is that his blood transfusions will not be covered through his insurance. After all, when the doctors opened his stomach up awhile back and couldn't find the problem his story just about ended. This hit me pretty hard because he is left to die almost like a dog. When I paid a visit with another uncle, he seemed strong and in good spirits. He was going to get the news from the doctor later that day that the blood transfusion were going to stop. I would not count Uncle George out, but after almost 1 year to the day since his wife passed suddenly, I seem to be unsure. I just hope I can find the strength to visit the man before... I'm sure I will.

Second, the family dog here is going to die of cancer. Marilyn, our golden retrieve-Australian Shepard mix has been with us for almost 12 years started coughing like she had a lung infection. Got anti-bio tics from the first vet that blindly diagnosed her condition. But, after a week of not kicking the cough we took her in again. This time we took x-rays and found out that her lungs were blackened with cancer. It had spread from somewhere else in her body the vet said. I really felt like hugging this guy for being honest and consoling. What else can one do for an elderly dog? What else can one do for a dying uncle?

Life does seem to be a long song. Of course, I'm am taking a rip from a Jethro Tull song title. It really seems fitting though. Once again I'm taking my life back and taking a stand. I need to be there for the ones most precious to me. I also am on the never ending journey to constantly enjoy the time here, bottom line! For me, it will have to be all about running, biking, practicing, writing, feverish reading, loving and most of forgiving. Forgiving not only others but myself.

Happiest place on Earth----Quest

What the hell was going through my mind when I scooted out of work early on a Friday before the President's Day week-end? My thought was...get out of a hard days work to go visit the last part of the day with my family and friends at Disneyland. Again, what was I thinking?

I left Burbank at 2:30 pm heading down to Anaheim via 5 south to 134 east to catch the 605 south. This, I thought would save me time that taking the 5 south straight to Walt's place. Ha! No freaking way! Legs went numb after two hours on the road.

Pulling into the Downtown Disney parking lot next to the ESPN Zone felt so very good and satisfying. This how I usually start my time at this place. Fill up and just feel happy!

I should not have seen "The Hurt Locker" the night before. Backpacks scare the crap out of me! Crowded place, high profile to boot, and backpacks everywhere! It really does seem any day now...and I got family passes to this place? Great...

Anyway, back to the living! People watching is really the thing to do. Watching a dad with two young boys (10 and 6?) get in the face of their mother like a psycho and berate her about some shit. Hmmmm...how many times do I need to see this? Next, checking out a young woman stumbling out of House of Blues to her boyfriend kissing and saying, "just one more vodka martini and I'm good to GO!" Ahhhh.....the thoughts were running wild!

Even if I didn't go on a ride, just to watch my kids and lovely wife have a great time, it was so very worth the traffic nightmare. California Adventure has got my vote for food and fun and as long as ESPN Zone stays put...I will always find sanctuary at the happiest place on earth.

Aid for Haiti

From the latest propaganda feed this morning, about 69% of dollars has NOT been spent to help Haiti. Again, this reminds me of an e-mail from the wild right. Read part of this e-mail below:

"In 1973 the United States once again began playing a huge role in Haiti, giving the Island huge sums of money in handouts each year. In 1994 the Clinton administration once again sent the US military to Haiti to rebuild the Island’s infrastructure. In 1995 the Peace Corps went to Haiti in large numbers to train the Haitians in job skills. The US government spent almost one Billion providing food and job training to the Haitians between 95 and 99. So when Obama says that Haiti has our “full, unwavering, support,” they have already had our full support since 1915."

We should buckle down and keep providing aid. Not spotty aid that is going to give the current administration props. Unfortunately, this is the way the US has always helped our poor nation friends.