What Happened To July?

No, there isn't a reason why Richie Cunningham is pictured, but who doesn't love Ron Howard?  Anyways, July flew by and I didn't do a whole lot with this blog.  I haven't given up on it or quit...it's just that real life get's in the way sometimes. 

I'm doing full on Daddy Duty from about 8AM to about 6PM and then more after the wife goes to bed.  Plus, the physical toll it takes.  You just don't want to write after that.  I'm loving every minute of it, but just can't find time to write that often.

The 8th Off The Beaten Path Radio Show has been completed.  I'll post more when it gets closer to it's debut. 

Me along with a couple of other friends have started to plan a fundraiser for my friend Mark.  He's been in the hospital for over a month with an illness that is still undetermined.  He's starting to show improvement, which is really all you can ask for.  Still in the planning stages, but there has been talk of a concert with some great Rhode Island bands and a raffle.  More to come on that when plans get solidified. 

Our family vacation will be coming up quickly in the month of August and we can't wait.  A week at the lake is always a good way to recharge the batteries.  Seeing family and old friends.  It's easily the best place on Earth for us.  A little piece of heaven.

That's what I've got for you.  I'll be back with more news on the radio show, as well as, the fundraiser.
 

Live Your Life

Health emergencies can lead to many things.  Panic is usually the first on the list, because the unknown is scary.  People deal in their own ways.  Some fall apart, some step up their game and others fall somewhere in the middle.  You never really know how you're going to react until it's time and you're tested.  Words are said that might be better thought, than uttered. 

Transference of anger is a bitch.  I've done it most of my life.  If I'm mad about something, someone or a situation, the wrong person usually gets the brunt of it...the anger.  Even when you know that you are doing it, it doesn't change the fact you can't stop it.  I see a lot of that happening currently, thankfully not by me this time, but with others.  We're human, mistakes are made and emotions can play havoc with your thought process and actions.

One of my oldest friends is currently in the hospital and in pretty bad shape, but as always there's hope.  A better hospital, with probably, most likely, better doctors.  Rhode Island tends to scare me about their health care.  I'm originally from Massachusetts and some of the best hospitals in the USA are in Boston.  I'm bias, I guess.  I like living, you should to.  Times like these you start reflecting, which can both be good and bad.  Makes you look in the mirror a little. 

I'm just babbling now, because that's what these things tend to do to you.  You don't want to say/do the wrong thing and it doesn't help when you don't know what that might be.  Send positive vibes/thoughts my way and I'll send them along to him. 

Friendship Isn't A One Way Street

This is a real picture from downtown Providence, RI.  Friendship St. is really a one way street, at least in Rhode Island it is, but not in life.  Well it shouldn't be.  Had a nice get together with an old friend tonight.  Someone I've known for more than half of my life.  One of those people that your there for no matter how long its been since you've last talked or seen them. 

As we all know, life can be pretty cruel.  It's how you make it through and who helps you along the way that matters.  Nobody has a perfect life, but we all try to make the most of what we're dealt.  Some people are better at it than others.  I'm in the middle...great sometimes, horrible others.

I can be tough on friends.  Mood stabilizing medications have made me easier to deal with.  We'll just keep it there.  So, it's nice when you can just pick up from where you've left off the last time, whenever that was.  We talked about a variety of things that I'm not about to go into here, but mainly how it would be nice to see everyone (the people we hung out with a lot, back in school) again.  Just to catch up and not have it be 5,10 or 20 years since some of us have seen or spoken to one another.

I've never had many friends.  Lots of acquaintances, but not many people I consider true friends.  It would be good to see everyone.  People that I've always gotten along with and some that I've had issues with or have had issues with me, but time heals most wounds.  Either way, I'd still be interested in seeing them, good, bad or otherwise...although, I think things would be just fine.  I think we made some progress to achieving that goal tonight.

Fake Friends

Joan Jett wrote a song called "Fake Friends."  It's about what you'd expect it to be.  I think all of us have fake friends.  People you've grown apart from, people you can't figure out what you had in common with, in the first place.  I suppose it's just the progression of life.  As you grow up, you change and adapt, some never do.  I know people still stuck in "college" and even, "high school," mentally at least.  Of course, it's sad when you lose touch with people you've known for a long time, but in the end, it's probably better for everyone.

We've all cut people out of our lives, on purpose or not, at times, even family.  Sometimes, they just have to go.  As I think about the next chapter of my life and how certain people won't be involved, it hits me that a lot of these people have already made their choice and I, for once, don't have to play the bad guy.  I've already been cut out of their lives.  Since nothing is ever really officially ever said or written down on paper, there is always the illusion of friendship and the theory of camaraderie.

I'll quote Henry Rollins, "It's sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew."

This Life Under Construction

We've been working very hard on getting the baby's room completed.  We have limited room in our small condo.  The spare bedroom became a catch-all, for our books, CDs and everything else.  That would be fine if we had a normal sized collection, but we don't.  We have a small library of books (over 1300) and a small record store (around 1000).  I'll continue to put everything on iTunes, but will never get rid of my CDs and we'll never buy a Kindle or Nook.  It's just not our style.  We physically like to hold books in our hand.  We like to read liner notes and look at the album art.

That's only part of this whole deal.  The real hard part is fitting all of that stuff, somewhere.  So, we're getting creative, because we have to and it's what we do best.  The baby will have colorful wall pictures like Winnie the Pooh, but she'll also have some framed concert posters and framed vinyl on the walls.  Her first words might not be Mama or Dada, but Cheap Trick or Led Zeppelin.  I'd still be extremely proud, maybe even more so. 

Needless to say our place looks like a bomb hit it, which is about what it always looks like in reality.  In a perfect world, we would have moved about 6 years ago, but we know this world is anything but, perfect.  Now it's impossible for us to do that and we'll make do with what we have.  We'll figure it out, because (a) we have to and (b) it's what we always do. 

I'll just hang in there with the rest of you.  There's no give up here.  I just have to figure out how to hit the curveballs of life consistently.  I don't think batting .300 in Life is as good as it is in Baseball.  I could be wrong, but I doubt it.  Alrighty then...back to work.  I'm wearing my hard hat and safety glasses.

The Terry Fox Story

I'd say most people in the United States don't know who Terry Fox is.  That's fine.  I probably wouldn't know either, but I saw a made for HBO movie back in the early 80's about him and never forgot.  He was a young cancer survivor, although, an amputee, that was going to run across Canada for Cancer research.  Basically, what started as a personal mission, with the help of his brother, Darrell and best friend, Doug, would by the end of it, turn the nation on it's head.

His real life struggle is even greater than what is portrayed in the movie.  He tried to run 5,000 miles, but was able to "ONLY" run 3,339 miles in 143 days.  He did this all on one leg don't forget and he didn't have the technology for artificial limbs we have now.  I watched the premiere of the 30 for 30 documentary Into the Wind.  I learned first hand from the people involved about what really happened and Fox has every right to be a National Hero in Canada.  It's that amazing.

So, what am I asking of you?  I'm not asking for donations, that's on you.  So, nothing, watch the documentary.  DVR it, watch it with your kids and/or loved ones.  Tell your kids that sometimes there are real heroes in sports and they won't disappoint you.  It's incredibly rare, but it does happen.  Terry Fox ran a marathon of hope and all he wanted to do was make a difference.  I'd say he succeeded.

September 11th, 1951

Kevin, Dad and Myself

I know 9/11 is the greatest American tragedy of my lifetime and my heart goes out to everyone touched by it.  It is however also, my Dad's birthday and that's how I like to think about it.  He would have been 59 yrs old on Saturday, but passed away in 1997 of cancer.  September 10th, the day I'm writing this, is Stand Up to Cancer Day or something that celebrities want to feel good about doing.  I'm all for our most famous and recognizable celebs putting in face time to try to eradicate this or any horrible disease.  Cancer sucks...that's the simplest and most basic way I can put it.  There is nothing good about it and it effects everyone involved. 

I'm not trying to stand here on a soapbox and preach about stuff you already know.  The trigger for this whole thing actually wasn't my Dad's birthday, but was Robert Schimmel dying in car accident just a few days ago.  In case you are unaware of who that is, he was a comedian and a pretty good one, but more importantly, he was a cancer survivor.  It just really hit me, he survived cancer, but died in a car accident.  If that's not telling you life is fleeting, then I don't what is? 

I was 23 when my Dad died and one of my few regrets was that I didn't have enough time with him.  I thought I was the "bees knees" and didn't need anything from him.  Looking back, I'd love to go back in time and kick my own ass about that.  So, treasure all of your time with friends, family and loved ones, because if it takes a crisis to get you into that mindset, you're wasting time.  Yes, I miss my Dad...everyday, but I don't talk about it, because I know I'm not the only one missing someone for whatever reason that may be...it's all different for everyone.  So for those out there struggling...some days are better than others, talk about it when you're ready and stay as strong as you can.  And no, crying doesn't mean your weak...it means you care.

To everyone out there...hopefully 9/11/10 will be good to you.

Happy Birthday Dad...wherever you are.

The Little Things (or Ones)

The little things can really make your day.  Sometimes, they are better than things you've been waiting or hoping for.

I'm standing at the service desk at my supermarket waiting to buy some stamps.  I hear a little voice say, "Hi, nice to meet you."  I look down and see a small boy no older than four, looking at me.  I say "Hi" back to him.  Now years ago, you could get down to his level and start talking to the kid.  These days...not so much...I don't want mom to get the "Creepy Old Guy" vibe.  He was there with his mom and older sister, who was about 6 or 7.

5 words from a little kid made my day today.  I just thought it was great that he actually knew how to use it in context.