Rough week for some important people.

James Brown.....Here is a guy who really made me love Soul music. Here is a guy who made an entire People stand up and say " I'm proud to be who I am". Here is a man who influenced hundreds if not thousands of musicians and millions of people. Here is a man who had flaws and weaknesses and rose above them to be and inspiration to the world. I guess there is one curtain call that the Hardest Working Man in Showbusiness can't miss. I hope they enjoy the show up there James. Rest easy.....you will be missed.

Gerald Ford.....A man reviled for pardoning Richard Nixon, something that needed to be done so that a Nation could move on and heal. Called a meaningless President at the time he has proven to have a great deal more vison....more wisdom than many since him. Here was a humble man who wasn't afraid to take a hit for the future of our country. Would that there were more Politicoes out there today like him. He may have been the last or a dying breed. Rest Easy, Gerry......you won't be missed nearly as much as you should be, I'm afraid.

Saddam Hussain.....I have little good to say about this man and really, some of that fault lies with this Nation and its Government. We made him to stymie the Iranians. We armed him, trained his troops, gave him money and let him spend the blood of an entire generation of his people for our benefit. And when he ceased to be of use we walked away. Talk about our esteemed Politicoes not seeing the "Big Picture" (tm). I'm not saying he was an angel...not by any stretch but we took a minor demon and turned him into a Devil....in more ways than one, right "W"? Rest Saddam.....you won't be missed. In truth, you'll be used to kill thousands more before all is said and done. :(

In truth.....its been a hard year for a lot of people. Lets hope next year is better. Hell, lets make it better. I think things have gotten the way they are because a lot of people have sat on their asses and waited for someone else to make things better. Ain't gonna happen......look around.....they're sitting on their asses thinking the same thing. Get up, get it on and get 'er done.

How does it go..."God helps those who help themselves"?

Lets make 2007 a better year, one day at a time. Lets stand up and be heard. Lets get out and do something about our problems. I'm going to.

Happy Holidays to anyone who happens to stroll by.....whatever your Holiday may be.

Treasure the time you have with friends, family and loved ones because life has this funny way of moving on without you if you let it.

This year is drawing to and end....at bloody last! It has been a rough one and one I'd like to see go out with a wimper instead of a bang. If I never have another year like this...even if it means getting hit by a train....it'll be too damned soon.

Stress levels are still too high but I've made some new friends of late and they are helping me emerge from the Long Dark Night of the Soul that I have lived in for a couple of years now. I'm starting to remember who I was.......reawaken some of the Spiritual aspects that I once had. One of these new friends I hope turns into much more. I have a good feeling about it.

Anyway.....the new year coming is going to be a turning point. Lots of things will change......I'll finally let go of some old things...old feelings...old tensions. I plan to learn a new language or two and I want to go back to school and finish my PT degree. I think I've let the world pass me by long enough and now its time to jump back on that damned horse.

Anyway....Happy Holiday(s)

Have fun

Love a little

Treasure what you have.

I have been considering that sometimes the price of Peace is unhappiness.

In other words.....in order to ensure "Domestic Tranquility" (tm) we may find ourselves swallowing a nasty tasting "bug" or something and have to keep our reaction from showing on our faces.....you know....kind of like eating Aunt Ethel's tuna surprise .

Unfortunately, I am not overly fond of "bugs" and haven't been willing to fake a feeling I don't have for some time now. That may mean a drop in the "Tranquility" around here but if I have to be a little unhappy, at least it won't be from putting up with a crappy taste in my mouth.

I believe that in order for there to be "Peace" there has to be Compromise......that and a certain maturity level. But that's another Rant.