800

“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.”~  Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Last night I was looking at this blog and its stats and there were a few things that I noticed.

First and foremost, since the beginning of this blog I have now reached a total of 800 individual posts.

This being the 800th post. I find it amazing.

And in that time, there are 145 of you who decided that this blog’s content was important enough that you wanted to keep up with it and subscribed for whatever your individual reasons were.

There are blogs out there that have so much more for sure. But then there are blogs that have so much less. And I am grateful for all of you being here and sticking it out. Especially over the last three years or so that this blog nearly went silent and was on the edge of disappearing into extinction.

It is true. There were times where I thought about just deleting the entire blog website.

But I did not, and so here it is.

The other thing that I noticed was the list of countries where this blog website had been accessed. To me, seven years is a short time. Especially knowing the fact that this blog has reached every nation on the planet. With the exception of about seven countries in Africa. And the Federation States of Micronesia.

There are tiny islands are also not accounted for. For example: South Georgia Island. A tiny island that is claimed by the country of Argentina. Population of only thirty people! I don’t expect anyone to just happen to cross this blog from there any time soon.

Bigger surprises were countries like: China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba just to name a few. All of which had at least viewed the blog webpage ONCE.

Greenland was also a country that had not viewed the blog webpage for the longest time. But I guess it happened over the past year. So thank you, Greenland.

It was funny about Greenland because at the time nobody from there had read the blog webpage. And I thought about trying to draw them in by putting their country in the list of tags and then talk shit about them in the blog posts. Thankfully, I didn’t have to.

Maybe I should for the Federation States of Micronesia to get them on board????

At some point around 2015, I stopped writing blog posts about different live music shows that I went to. It didn’t appear that they were getting a lot of traffic. And that greatly decreased the traffic to the site. I’m not sure if that was a mistake or not. I know that a number of you who are subscribed to this blog are from the music scene, but I just could not tell if that was something that people were reading at all.

As with everything in life, this blog constantly evolves because of time, source material, and the thought of “Will anyone actually read this?”.

There was a lot that kept me busy in life in between 2015 and 2017 that I was not able to write as much here as I used to. Maybe it can pick back up again?

Now that I don’t have that burning desire to just delete this entire beast, I can once again come back and fill it with content. I still struggle to figure out what will make it and what will not. But that’s for another time.

This is 800. It seems so crazy! But in all of its insanity, thank you to all of you. Hang in there. There is more to come.

19 November 2016: The Reverent Few EP Release

“I’m not trying to be sexy. It’s just my way of expressing myself when I move around.”~ Elvis Presley

It is time to gush once more!

No, it doesn’t really bother me either. I haven’t seen THE REVERENT FEW play live since the end of June of this year. By my own standards… totally unacceptable.

TIME TO GET SEXY!!!!!!

So I busted ass to make sure that I was there for their EP release.

This soulful set confirmed what I had been feeling and thinking all year long since the first time I heard them back in May of this year.

THE REVERENT FEW is the one, the only, the ultimate band that remains true to form and is a constant source or excuse as to why I have tears flowing from my eyes by the time the event is over.

Truth be told that 2016 has been a particularly busy year for me. The lack of posts this year is proof of that. And THE REVERENT FEW never ceases to amaze me at any level. And because of that, I am assured that when I am attending one of their shows that I know this is going to be a wonderfully fun time!

Each time I have made that effort to come out and see them from long and far distances, I have NOT been disappointed!

I was pleased to see that the venue was packed full of people for this event. I was also glad that I had the sense to get there a little bit early to find a front row seat. It has been a very long time since I have seen an engaged audience such as that, especially for a music release show.

This band oozes so much soul and sex… that it will make you nervous for the next nine months. A pure audio orgasm for the senses which takes control over everything and lifts you into a place of ethereal musical delight. The voice of singer Paige DeChausse gets me every time to the point where I am melted down into sheer nothing, and yet inside my body and mind – I am begging for more. SO.MUCH.SEXY. I find it worth the tears.

Some people believe that I am just having fun and kidding around when I refer to guitarist Nick Boettcher as “Your highness… the King of the Strings” but honestly, I’m not joking!! He makes those strings behave so badly that what comes from his instrument is an absolute utopia of sound.

THE REVERENT FEW is it! It is THE one that you must have. No matter what your preferences in life. Such inspiration that I am willing to degrade myself on my own blog so that they can receive the exposure that they rightly deserve.

Team USA Knocks Off Russia In Sledge Hockey At 2014 Paralympics For Gold

“With every set back there’s a chance to come back.” 

The 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia are now over.

Most importantly the gold medal match between USA and Russia was televised on NBC. 

I am given to understand that NBC used during the Olympic Games the duet “Incredible” by Céline Dion and Ne-Yo. Hell, if you want inspirational and incredible… they SHOULD have used it for the Paralympics.

However there was a lot involved and a lot on the line today as both gold and bronze medal matches went down. 

The semi-finals found USA against No. 1 seed Canada. And host nation Russia took on Norway. 

Team USA had previously lost to host team Russia and they had to take on their arch rivals Canada for the semi-finals. 

After the unusual and humiliating loss to Russia in the preliminaries, USA woke up and took their frustrations out on Canada winning  the match 3-0.

And so it was that Canada would play Norway for the bronze medal match. USA would again face Russia for gold. 

Let me explain why I said that a lot was on the line. 

• Team USA took the gold in 2010 in Vancouver with a win over Japan. The team actually went 5-0 and shut out everyone they played outscoring them 19-0. USA was playing both to defend their gold medal and to become the first team ever in the Paralympics to win back to back gold medals in sledge hockey. 
• Canada in 2010 on their home ice walked away with nothing, winning 4th place.
• Norway had earned a medal in every Paralympics sledge hockey tournament since the sport was introduced and inducted into the Paralympics back in 1994. It didn’t matter what color the medal was. They had won a medal in every tournament. 
• Canada had something to prove. They wanted their pride back after getting spanked by USA and being shutout. Norway’s medal streak was on the line. 
• Norway however (and unfortunately in my opinion) lost their streak as Canada won the match and earned the bronze medal for 2014. History was changed. 
• Not only was USA playing for back to back medals, but also taking into consideration that if they would win in Sochi, they would have the record of winning gold in the Paralympics three out of the last four times. 

Team USA’s Josh Sweeney (Texas) in the second period of the Gold Medal match was the one and only player that scored during the entire game. And that was enough for USA to become victorious. 

Josh Sweeney (#13) scores on Russia, making the game 1-0. The only goal scored.

 

Watching the … what was called.. the Victory Ceremonies where they handed out the gold, silver, and bronze medals to USA, RUSSIA, and CANADA.. it was an amazing sight to behold. 

Although I could not help but notice the depressing frowns on the faces of the Canadian team members. I didn’t get that at all. 

Russia was right there with their silver medals and in front of their home crowd. It was like THEY won the gold… considering that the one fact that Russia did not have a national team 3-4 years ago, then they end up hosting the Games, and then make it to the Gold Medal match their first time playing in the Paralympics? Holy crap on a cracker!! 

Yeah… “incredible” indeed. Again, THIS is where that song needs to be played. 

I’m actually proud of Team USA. I am also really proud that I know a lot of these players on the team, and I have met in person many more. These are your people who are incredible. 

These are the ones that should make you think twice if you think your life sucks from time to time and that things aren’t going the way you want them. Inspiration overload. 

2014 Paralympics Gold Medal Match- Sledge Hockey

 PBS Sled Hockey Documentary “ICE WARRIORS

Where Dambreaker Meets RedVamp Meets Inspiration

RedVamp

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”~ Audrey Hepburn

Today was a lesson in inspiration. And figuring out who or what inspires you.

The image that you see before you is of a model who goes by the name RedVamp. I am sure that you can figure out why.

She began her modeling career back in 2001 and I remember the days back then where she seemed to be everywhere you looked… that is IF you did the right searches on the Internet. You just simply were not going to get away from her.

Needless to say that was not a problem for me. I welcomed her (or the thought of her) into my life. And I’ve always been amazed by her and whenever I would attempt to contact her, I would make sure that I spoke to her like a human being… rather than like these scores of “fans” would do. Leaving these disgusting comments as so many members of the male gender will leave behind. I hoped she’d see beyond that and realize that I wasn’t about to be one of those kinds of fans.

RedVamp, ca. 2004

I read in an interview back in 2003 that she had trouble dealing with the idea or fact that she did have “fans” … hell, I have always been one of them.

But as life moves on, RedVamp decided to put an end to her modeling career and focus on other things in life. Including the fact that she live her life as a loving wife and mother. 

Out of the public spotlight she left and into her own personal life away from it all. It appeared that she wanted to focus more on things that were far greater and more important to her than modeling and fame.

But had I made a dent? Did I keep the lines of communication fluid enough for her to realize that I wasn’t “one of those kinds” and that everything would be okay? Was there any impact?

Nobody would be able to tell.

She vanished. Everything that was searchable on the Internet was basically material that was left behind. Nothing updated, nothing new. She was gone.

But then I would be surprised to cross paths with her one more time while  I was with my last girlfriend.

Again, speaking to her like she is…. a human being got me farther than anything else in this world. She was polite, social, friendly, and trusting.

An image that comes from one of my personal favorite shoots that RedVamp did during her career.

And when my last relationship came crashing down in flames, she was there to offer her condolences. It was something that I didn’t expect. After all… what or who was I to her? Just a fan.

I didn’t realize that what RedVamp was doing was reciprocating the favor of treating ME too… as a human being. With feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

That one time that we reconnected, I would learn that she had stopped modeling in 2008 and moved on. And I applauded her greatly. even though as a fan of hers I was greatly disappointed to know that there would no longer be any more modeling work to view.

I was just really glad that RedVamp did not get sucked into that vortex of vanity and selfishness and “look at me! look at me!! I’m pretty!! everyone look at me!!!”

She had come out of the fires and ashes to remain the same woman she was before she became a model. Only now more grown up.

Suddenly it didn’t matter what she was doing. Modeling was now part of the past. And I was dealing with RedVamp in the present. No more RedVamp the model, this was RedVamp the woman!! 

And here I am to the point of telling you this story.

With the modeling out of the way, it was a true test to see whether or not I could hold a cogent conversation with her and talk about other things… outside of how beautiful she is and this photograph was awesome and the like. This model now a woman looked upon me with favor. I just did not realize it at the time. Nor did I realize how much favor was bestowed upon me.

I too moved on. I started playing sledge hockey. Did other things and kept moving no matter despite the bumps in the road that life can often throw in the way.

RedVamp was a silent watcher so to speak.

She took notice of all the things I involved myself in, regardless of the fact of the disability that I live with every day of my life since birth.

It was RedVamp who was finding more inspiration than I could ever imagine there being.

She mentioned in that interview long ago that she was trying to get used to the idea of having “fans” when in fact RedVamp has turned into one of MY fans!! And she has mentioned many, many times how much she finds hope and determination and courage in me. She adores the fact that I play sledge hockey and believes that it is one of the most remarkable things that she has ever heard of. For people with disabilities to be able to play the sport of ice hockey and have it made so that they can enjoy it as well, just really blows her away. The other fact that she knows that I play it and have done well thus far is another thing that causes her to be so proud. 

But who am I? I mean after all, RedVamp is the beautiful model… she’s the beautiful woman that has throughout the years in the past gathered so much attention and built in her own way her “fandom” – how can this be that SHE is the one that gets inspired by me and what I do?

The fact is that its been that way for a while and just lately, she’s been able to tell me about it. And every time that I hear about it… it floors me to the point of actual physical tears that run down my face.

I know that certain people love the idea of me playing sled hockey. My family, my colleagues, my close personal friends all support me. And I love it every time I am introducing the sport to someone new and watching their faces as they begin to learn about this sport that I play whenever I show them the short video clips that are YouTube. It comes with the territory that I have surrounded myself with people who also play the sport and who also have people close that love them that support them too. So everyone is supporting everyone else.

But to have that one person… such as RedVamp to also support me in what I do in sled hockey, its just beyond words. I honestly didn’t think that that I meant that much to anyone outside of the small circles. I never thought of myself to have my own “fandom” but there sits RedVamp. And she still sits there today with awe and wonder.

She and I are starting to become good friends now. We talk whenever we can. And like I said, she brings up all the time that she is inspired by me. And we hope that one day our paths will cross in real life that we will meet face to face. Because if you asked anyone that close, they would tell you that I’ve dreamed of that happening for over ten years now. And RedVamp is most certain that one day that she will meet me… a person that inspires her. 

So in conclusion, here is my point to all of this admiration, this mushy adulation and what not.

Be the best that you can be. Do your best in everything that you do. And give it your all. Because you never really know who is watching you. You never really know who you are inspiring to do the best in everything that THEY can do.  You just may be that secret inspiration of many people, like I just found out earlier this evening.

A Personal Kick In The Ass

As I strive to find something POSITIVE to end the evening on before retiring for bed. I stumbled across something that was said to me on my birthday.

I originally had intended on posting about this shortly after my birthday, but things got messed up.

Ironically enough this person has a personal image that one would not seem to have the ability to say. Or the desire for that matter!!

I personally think that its those people are the true treasures in life because once they say something so profound and it hits deep, you never really forget them.

Once we find them, what we do with these people is up to us.

But here I was discussing the fact that I don’t honestly have that many years left to live on this planet, due to the disability that I have. And the response that I received? Well… read for yourself:

“Don’t let numbers like that worry you. It is not the years you get but what you do with them. Live each day to the fullest and waste nothing. You have just a good a chance of dying in a bus accident on the way to a gig in Houston as you do from your condition. We are all guaranteed to die, but each of us must choose to live. You always do, and it is one of the qualities that I respect and admire the most in you. Your condition has always been your challenge…never your master.”

Thank you, Dr. Froth.

 

Meet Brittany

Brittany

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”~ Norman Vincent Peale

I have actually been sitting on this story of inspiration for quite some time now. I don’t really know why. Tonight, I have decided to share it with you.

Through the magic of Facebook and mutual interests, I was introduced to Brittany. That was just over one year ago.

Her story is one of dreams that actually do come true.

As she was beginning her college education, this ravishing redhead who was studying in the southeastern United States began a very serious campaign of wanting to meet her most favorite person in the world, her idol.

Her efforts did pay off, as an e-mail was sent to Chicago, Illinois and the offices of none other than Oprah Winfrey. The news of Brittany wanting to meet her idol so badly actually spread to Oprah Winfrey. As Oprah said, “She is a fan, and probably the hottest redhead ever.”

And then in 2007, while she was in her college dormitory settling down for “Movie Night” a special surprise was played on a DVD recorded by her idol herself. That being Céline Dion.

Brittany was then flown to Chicago to be a part of the studio audience for The Oprah Winfrey Show, and that is where Brittany was able to meet her idol face to face, sitting on stage next in between Oprah and Céline Dion and in front of a nationwide television audience.

Shortly after that, Brittany would have the opportunity to duplicate her chances of meeting her idol, at LEAST three times in total (if I am not mistaken).

Her undying passion really paid off for her.

Earlier this evening, I traded messages with Brittany. I reminded her that she now has experiences that she will never forget for the rest of her life. I also mentioned to her that she is (in a way) an ambassador and her experiences are truly an inspiration for others. If this girl can do it, so can you!

Brittany also has a very nice start at a career or modeling/acting now. I am to understand that she can be seen in a few scenes of the film, “The Hunger Games”. I haven’t seen it, but others who have seen it have confirmed that they had seen her on the big screen. And that is now currently coming out on DVD/Blu-Ray. She also has her own profile on the IMDB website.

I cannot say that I personally or intimately know Brittany. I have traded correspondence with her via Facebook. And she’s always leaving smiles with each of her messages when she replies. That is always a shock for me because she has so many friends on Facebook that she takes the time to write me. And I wonder as to why she laughs when I’ve repeatedly requested an autograph??

And so there is a point to all of this:

No matter who or what your own passion is, no matter who your idol may be, there is always a viable and plausible opportunity for you. For some it is a political figure or a Hollywood actor or actress. For others it is musicians.

It is possible that with enough dedication and hard work, that your efforts in the end will cause your dreams to come totally true!!

Most importantly though, NEVER give up on your dreams! You may think that it is impossible because it will never happen. Or that it costs too much money. Whatever the excuse is– let it go. Do not let negativity overpower you.

In the case of Brittany, she set out to do something and she stuck with it and never gave up. Sufficed to say that she was greatly rewarded for her efforts.

If you have enough desire and will power, you will be rewarded too.

So did Brittany TRULY get to meet her idol? Well, you tell me… If you go to YouTube and do the right search, you will be able to witness all of these moments of Brittany’s dreams coming true.

 

 

 

 

You Watch Your Damned Mouth!

So I could not help myself but to write this post, after being somewhat mesmerized by reading the newest posted edition of Frothtonomy.

Language skills, they teach us are VERY important! And wouldn’t you know it, if you actually paid attention to them telling you that, you would know by now that it is true.

But we also grew up with being told to watch our language. Okay sure, nobody wants to get into trouble by what we say. Yet there are those out there who really don’t care what kind of diarrhea comes flowing from their mouth. There’s just no stopping that, or them. And that, I might leave that subject for another time.

Still,  as I read the genius of Dr. Froth, and his infinite creative wisdom, it totally had me thinking about just how swiftly languages evolve.

Who in the world writes the rules on what is considered “in” as far as speech is concerned and how we communicate with others?? There’s been quite a change in how we talk. And people wonder why English is the hardest language to learn, for those who do not actually speak it.

The best and most provocative examples I can come up with are the words, “bitch” and “gay”.

Bitch by definition is a female dog. But somewhere along the road the word “bitch” has turned more into a vulgar and derogatory term for a nagging, whining, irritating person. It had been used against only females, but I suppose now men are bitches too. And who can remember when you could not say “bitch” on television? Now its as common on television and in dialogue and assorted screenplays as the word, “and”.

Gay by definition was an adjective that described someone or something to be happy and cheerful. I don’t think that I need to go into what it is commonly referred to as today.

Words indeed, are very powerful. If you add one too many or leave out one too few, you’re are in deep trouble. And with the world of technology, where we don’t even actuall SPEAK to one another, that causes a lot of problems too. I’ve already talked about the vocal inflection. But it is more common to get our butts in trouble by lacking the proper skills of writing and punctuation.

The most common reference to this, is the sentence:

LET’S EAT GRANDMA.

Sounds pretty serious if you asked me. But where is the punctuation? It is a totally different sentence if proper punctuation was involved.

LET’S EAT, GRANDMA.

The total difference between expressing hunger and a request for an action to an elder family member and inbreeding cannibalism.

Yet again, if one person leaves out one word, or adds one too many… they run the risk of being in a world of hurt. Do I even have to discuss the “F bomb” and its many uses in the English language?

So I guarantee you that language is powerful. It makes or breaks a world. Think twice about what you are saying and who you are talking to. Make up your mind what it is you need to say, then say it and be done with it.