Mother and Daughter Together Forever

"One sang in the rain while the other proved the force was with us. Despite their different cinematic roles, they both put a smile on all of our faces. Though we may not have known them, they were both a part of our lives in one way or another. Whether a die hard fan or a casual viewer, the majority of people could relate to their everlasting presence on the big screen. Their lives may have been rocky in one way or another and the pressures of fame could very well have been hard on their very own relationship. In the end, however, they both bonded as one. For it was meant to be that the two would leave this world together, leaving behind a legacy for the whole world to continuously cherish and adore. For it was meant to be that Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds would go on to a better place just one day apart. Just as we have their works to view throughout time, both mother and daughter are together forever!!"

Night and Day

Night and Day.  The 24 hour cycle that is a full calendar date consists of two stages, daytime and nighttime.  The two stages differ greatly from one another.  One consists of darkness, while the other consists of light.  Traditionally, the daytime is the period in which human beings and most living things are active.  Nighttime, on the other hand, is widely regarded as a period of rest.  Despite the obvious differences between the two, I feel that living beings share similar feelings and emotions in relation to both phases of a full day.  The positive emotions related to daytime consist of the thankfulness and gratitude that are associated with just being alive and breathing fresh air.  For some people, just being able to say to oneself "I am alive and above ground" is enough positive affirmation.  Of course, not everyone works during the daytime so perhaps those that work at night experience the same feelings, only within the absence of daylight.  The main majority of people whom work and/or are active during the day or night may not exhibit the most positive thoughts.  Strained work and family situations oftentimes limit the enthusiasm one has in being able to get up and start the day.  In many people's lives, a full day can consist of a roller coaster of emotions and feelings including: happiness, sadness, humor, anger, love, self-motivation, and complacency.  One feeling that can be greatly compared and contrasted in relation to a full day is that of 'Fear'.  Many people say human beings, and living beings for that matter all live in fear.  We all fear something inside us, whether its a tangible being or ancient myth.  Different aspects of fear are consistent with both night and day.  During the period of the day in which one is most active, there is always the fear of the unknown.  We fear what may happen to our careers, families or even the safety of our very existence.  When we are children, the fear of the unknown during the hours of daylight is typically about what may or may not happen at school and our relationship with our peers.  At nighttime, children become scared of the unknown.  Since night consists of the absence of light, it is what we cannot see that makes us scared.  As children, we hear the stories of the boogie man or the monster under our beds and are generally told that these beings only come out at night.  If you add the darkness of the night, this makes for a scary scenario as the child can't fully see these creatures at what they perceive to be their most active time.  As we enter adolescence and then adulthood, we realize that darkness of the night contains real beings that are even scarier.  Traditionally, criminals prefer to operate at a time of day when they are not seen.   When one walks by themselves at night in a a dark alley, the fear of what is not seen and the fear of the unknown certainly registers within the human conscience.  At the time of day in which one is most active, the fear of everyday tasks and human tasks is always prevalent.  While the time of day in which one rests appears to be the safest, the fear of actually drifting off to sleep is related to the fear of the unknown.  When one is asleep they are in a semiconscious state and are, therefore, unaware of their surroundings.  When I say we, I am referring to myself in the race of human beings.  Let us not forget our animal brothers.  One species of animals that are very unique are birds.  They have the ability to fly and literally watch over us.  Songbirds are active during the daytime and vocalize themselves consistently.  An owl is a nocturnal type of bird that lets out its legendary "Whoo".  Both birds are active during different phases of the day.  Certainly, like us, their is some type of fear that exists within them.  However, as a creature that views the lives of human beings, I wonder what birds think of the different emotions we exhibit on a daily basis.  Perhaps if we had the ability to look at ourselves from a tree the way an owl or songbird can, maybe we would realize what is wrong with society.  Think about it?  Nevertheless, the cycle continues between the variations of Night and Day!!!!

Dogs

Dogs. They are called Man's Best Friend but is there something more to that saying.  In a thorough analysis of the meaning of this statement, one must try to decide what a 'friend' really is.  There are people we work with and those we call our 'associates', but are they really our 'friends'.  There are those we went to school with, grew up with, or are associated on social media with.  You must ask yourself some questions.  Are these people there for us every time we need them the most?  Do they positively respond to you when you are feeling down or angry? Do these so-called 'friends' obey your every command?  Most importantly, do they treat you the same no matter how you have treated them?  If you answered Yes to every single question then they are your friends.  I cannot say that I answered 'Yes' to any of these questions.  That certainly doesn't undermine any of the people that can be categorized in these inquiries.  However, it does say something about what a 'friend' really is.  If I replace the subjects of the inquiries with dogs, I amazingly can answer 'Yes' every time.  Therefore, I can definitely say that Dogs are Man's and Woman's Best Friend!!  Need I Say More!!!

Music Never Dies

The end of 2015 and all of 2016 was marked by an eerie number of deaths of famous musicians.  Some of these individual's demises occurred just days after their own birthdays. In one case, it occurred on that person's birthday.  In addition, there was a strange correlation since a number of the individuals died between the ages of 65 and 75. Even more interesting was how so many of the musicians were either in the same musical group or related in some wy.

Throughout the history of rock music, there have always been many urban legends and talks of so-called curses. Some say Elvis is still alive and some even claim they've seen him It was always been rumored that at the end of "Strawberry Fields Forever", John Lennon quoted the words "I buried Paul".  This, of course, suggesting that his fellow Beatle Paul McCartney had passed on.  However, this was proved to be ludicrous since John Lennon is no longer with us, and Paul McCartney still performs.  Of course, there's been the talk of the pairing of Pink Floyd'sDark Side of the Moon with the visual portion of the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz.  The members of Pink Floyd have claimed that this was never intentional and is purely coincidence.  The deaths of musicians have definitely fueled the idea of curses within the music industry.  Southern rock saw several tragic events in its heyday. In the late 70's, certain Lynyrd Skynyrd band members died in a horrible plane crash in Mississippi.  In addition, other original and succeeding members would pass on over the years.  In the case of the Allman Brothers Band, founding member Duane Allman and Berry Oakley both died in motorcycle accidents thirteen months apart and, strangely, three blocks from each other in Macon, Georgia.  Whether it is a curse or a legend one is speaking of in regards to musicians, I think we should always remember their music lives on forever.

December of 2015 started off with on a sad note for fans of rock music as legendary Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver front man passed away in his sleep at the young age of 48.  Weiland was a very talented singer whom had the uncanny ability to appeal to both modern and classic rock audiences.  His fronting of the Stone Temple Pilots gained him fame in both the grunge and post-grunge era of rock music.  During his time with Velvet Revolver, Weiland brought in both eras of fans while playing with former members of Guns N' Roses and the Cult.  In Scott Weiland's final interrview, he admitted David Bowie was one of his main influences.  Bowie would pass a month later.  Towards the end of the month and year, legendary Motorhead front man Lemmy Kilmister passed away just four days after his 70th birthday.  In addition to the coincidence surrounding the proximity of his death and his birthday, it is interesting to note that Lemmy passed away just a little over a month after his original band mate Phil 'Philty Animal' Taylor died.  While some people may not have been aware of Lemmy prior to his death, it is important to note his contributions to the music world.  Lemmy and his band Motorhead were a mix of punk rock, blues rock, classic hard rock and heavy metal that influenced a stream of hard rock musicians from the early 1980's to present day.  Much like Scott Weiland, Lemmy and Motorhead had much crossover appeal.  Artists in very hard rock sub-genre including hair metal, thrash metal, punk rock, grunge, hard alternative, nu-metal and everything in between have claimed them as a primary influence.   The very last day of the month and 2015 saw the death of Natalie Cole at the age of 65.  Daughter of legendary singer Nat King Cole, Natalie left behind a beautiful voice that brought her a huge amount of musical acclaim in the R&B and pop circles.  She proved that any artist could make a comeback after having fallen out of sight after the 1970's made a return in the late 80's and into the 90's.  The beginning of 2016 saw the death of legendary singer David Bowie, just two days after his 69th birthday.  An innovator and pioneer of rock and pop music, Bowie left behind a legacy like no other.  In addition to being an outstanding song writer, David Bowie brought an element to music that would set the ground for both the look and stage production of many artists to come.  While I personally was never one of his biggest fans, I, ironically, became inspired by one of his musical quotes just hours before I learned of his passing. (Check out my article on that one).  Three months after Bowie passed Dennis Davis, whom was the most well known drummer for David Bowie also passed away.   Not long after Bowie, legendary singer Celine Dion lost her husband at age 67 and her brother within days od each other.  In addition, legendary singer Glenn Frey passed away at age 67.  One of the primary singers of rock legends The Eagles, Frey left behind another musical voice that can never be replicated.  His vocals in such classics as "Take it Easy", "Tequila Sunrise" as well as his solo work has resonated within the consciences of the general populous.  I forgot to mention that Dale Griffin, drummer of English rock band Mott the Hoople, died a day before Frey, also at the age of 67.  Well renowned rock bassist Jimmy Bain (Dio, Rainbow) passed away at age 68.  Paul Kantner and Signe Tole Anderson, both of the Jefferson Airplane, passed away on the very same day at age 74.  Country Music Icon Merle Haggard died on his 79th Birthday.  Sources say Merle Haggard had predicted a year before that he would die on his birthday.  Pop Music Icon Prince's death was heard around the world as his influence on pop music was extravagant.  Just two months before Prince, his former backup singer and protégé Vanity passed away. Both were 57 years old. Keith Emerson and Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer both passed away this year leaving Carl Palmer the only surviving member of the group.  Frank Sinatra Jr., son of Frank Sinatra, and Ricci Martin, son of Dean Martin, both died this year ending an era to two children of the Rat Pack.  It is also interesting to note that that there has been a strange relation among deaths not only in music but in pop culture as a whole.  Both the inventor of R2-D2, Tony Dyson, and the man who played R2-D2, Kenny Baker, passed away this year.  In addition, the voice of Admiral Ackbar, Erik Bauersfield, and actor Anton Yelchin passed away.  

Due to the coincidence of the ages of some of these artists at the time of their deaths, their relation to one another, That individual may not physically be here, but their music never really dies.

as well as the close proximity of some to their own birthdays, one may speculate that there is some type of curse.  While I don't personally believe in curses, I do find the correlation between these artist's deaths somewhat eerie.  I feel as though God and the powers that be are trying to tell us something about life.  Even though we may not personally know musicians, we always feel we know them on some level with our connection to their music and artistry.  When that one person passes on, we sometimes grieve over their demise as if we personally knew them.  Much like any person who leaves behind pictures and work that they have completed, a musician leaves behind work that is given to us to remember them forever.   Due to the fact that many of these artists were both very highly praised by the industry, I feel compelled to write something about what they may mean to me as a person.

Here's something I wrote:

Your words and your sounds are with me always

Whenever I awake, Whenever I retire, Whenever I think, Whenever I feel

Your words and sounds are with me always

On my way to work, On my way to the grocery store, While I'm eating, While I'm sleeping

Your words and sounds are with me always

Whether I'm happy, Whether I'm sad, Whether I'm excited, Whether I'm angry

Your words and sounds are with me always

In the dark, in the light, in the bushes, in the shadows

Your words and sounds are with me always

In the car, in the shower, in the attic , in the basement

Your words and sounds are with me always

I never forget how I felt when I first heard your words and first heard your sounds

You are not of this earthly word anymore but your Music Will Never Die

Addiction and the Entertainment Industry

As most of you know since November 2015, many musicians have passed away.  While some have died of natural causes, others deaths have been associated with drug and alcohol addiction.  I will not speculate what may have happened in certain instances as that's what 'certain' people like to hear. However, since I'm a former musician and have music as a HUGE part of my life, I wanted to write an article on the addictions that have plagued musicians, actors, and entertainers of all kind. Even though I've always liked wild and crazy music, and music of all kinds, I have always stayed away from drugs and alcohol. Of course, I drink every now and then but not consistently. While many of the songs I like have drug references, I felt that didnt mean I had to partake in them. I always found the 'high' in listening to the music itself. In addition, despite the fact that certain people consider certain musicians 'evil', I am proud to still be a Christian. The rock star lifestyle has been synonymous with alcohol, heavy drug use and anonymous sex. In addition, actors, pro wrestlers, and entertainers of all kind have been known to have a variety of vices. Many people's lives have been cut short. Lots of men and women didnt live to see their 50th or 40th birthday. In some of the saddest cases, they never even lived to see their 30th. I've read many books on musicians. I can tell you that the fact that the members of Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Greg Allman, Willie Nelson, Ace Frehley (Kiss), , Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Motley Crue, Megadeth, certain members of Metallica, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lita Ford, Courtney Love, Dave Grohl and Pantera are still alive is Amazing to say the least. The abuses they did to their bodies were extravagant and would kill most people. Actors get addicted to drugs as well. The thing about entertainment is that its considered an escape from reality. As entertainers, its easy to wish to escape from reality as that what their art form is, an escape. When the concert or movie lights come up, its hard for entertainers to deal with reality. Many times, they realize they are not as important off stage as they were on stage. While I cant speak for specific people, I just think that that's one of the psychological bearings behind the addiction of entertainers. In the case of touring rock stars, intense travel can also contribute to the use uppers and downers to keep them going on a regular basis. Of course, drugs and alcohol are not the only addictions out there. The only two rock stars I know of that have openly admitted to not abusing drugs or alcohol are Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent. However, both had a Huge Vice for Sex. I don;t know if what both men did constitutes a sexual addiction, but they definitely had a huge vice for it. Some People have abused certain things while keeping straight on the other. Alice Cooper had a huge alcohol problem in the 70s and early 80s before becoming sober and finding God.. However, he claims he has Never Cheated on his wife. Regardless of what ones addictions may be, I feel that the entertainment lifestyle will only take you down IF YOU LET IT. As much a fun as entertaining people is, one must return to reality. I've told people before that Ill never really truly Grow Up and I mean that in a certain sense. I have long hair, Wear Rock Shirts, Watch Cartoons and like to have fun. However, I realize that there are responsibilities I have in the real world. I have to pay bills, look after my family and, most importantly, take care of my own health and well being. I like to have fun in life but I know I have to harness the Fun. Drugs and Alcohol are not going to help me harness the fun. I know that for sure. The Former, and in some cases, Current Lifestyles of my heroes doesnt appeal to me. As I said, I get my fulfillment out of their works and artistry. I think if more people had this type of mentality as it relates to entertainment, there might somewhat lesser addictions. Hey, It's Possible!!

Growing Up

Maybe I'm taking this too Personally but I am offended by two of the things The Article Below Mentions Men Should Stop Doing in their 30's!! Those are: WATCHING PRO WRESTLING AND BEING A METAL HEAD. Dont get me wrong. I'm not a Crazy Super obsessed fan of either and dont live my whole life by it but its still a part of me and I hate to say this BOTH Always Will. While my aspirations for becoming a Pro Wrestler or Famous Rock Star didnt quite pan out, I can still enjoy my life in things that are not considered appropriate to some for a grown man. I didnt grow my hair long until recently and I was 30 years old and had it that way for a year. Some people thought I was too old to have long hair but I didn't care. Of course, I have my limits, Im not into Tatoos or Ear Piercings and for someone as into the style of music Im in I dont party like I did in College or my 20s. Even though I still like watching old school tapes, Im not that fond of the Wrestling product today and hope one day it will change. Do Know that I've accepted the responsibilities of an adult in paying bills, taking care of myself and my house. The adult world has its positives and negatives. However, I think to have a balanced life its good to combine aspects of childhood, adolescence and young adulthood into your life but not in a destructive way. When you become too entrenched into the role you play as an adult, I feel you your life becomes mundane and sad. I am an adult but I'm a fun Adult. If I ever choose to have children, I want to teach them responsibility but also teach them how to enjoy life. You only Live Once in this World. Have Fun but Harness the Fun with Responsibility. I'm just like one of my many Alter Egos Keith Richards, I keep Rolling like a Rolling Stone!!

http://www.rantlifestyle.com/2014/11/21/20-things-men-in-their-30s-need-to-stop-doing/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RantLifestyleFB

There Go the Neighborhoods

I recently re watched two of my favorite movies that showcase the relationship between people whom live within close proximity to one another.  Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954) and Joe Dante's The Burbs (1989).  Both films are from two different eras of cinematic history with two different plots.  However, the similarities between the films is evident.  Both movies showcase individuals living in a community.  In the case of Rear Window, it's a high rise apartment complex.  In the case of The Burbs, it's the suburbs, hence the name of the film.  In addition, both films showcase individuals perusing something that does not seem right within their community.  InRear Window, Jimmy Stewart's character, along with his friends, begin noticing peculiar behavior from a man whom lives in a high rise across the street.  Things begin to heat up as the man's wife disappears and a rearrangement of the man's apartment occurs.  In The Burbs, Tom Hank's character, along with his neighbors, begin noticing extremely peculiar behavior from a new family that has moved into the neighborhood.  The family barely comes out of their house during the daytime and some in the neighborhood claim to have seen them digging deep holes in their backyard in the middle of the night, even amongst a heavy rainstorm.  Things take a turn as one of the neighbors suddenly disappears and the new family on the block are suspected of foul play due to their idiosyncracies.

First, I would like to point out some of the parallels I found between my own life and Joe Dante's film.  In The Burbs, the film takes place on a cul-de-sac, which I currently live on myself.  Living on a dead end street, it's easy to notice every car and person that passes by. I'm just stating the obvious.  In addition, one of the characters in the film is an older man with a small dog.  I have a neighbor that lives across the street with me that is an older man with a dog.  However, I can openly admit that this is one of the only neighbors I have a close relationship with. That's certainly not an insult to people that do live in my neighborhood but I'd say its a reflection of how are society has become, for better or worse. That is the main point of this article.  Neighborhoods and communities are almost gone!!

As stated, both Rear Window and The Burbs are from two different eras.  However, I would say that both are from eras in which neighbors had closer relationships with one another.  In Rear Window, the film takes place within an apartment complex in a big city.  Even amongst the metropolitan lifestyle, the majority of the people in the complexes both know and are congenial to one another.  In The Burbs, the suburbanites have close relationships with one another and certainly know anything and everything about what's going on within their street.  I'm starting to think that these types of bonds among neighbors is becoming something of the past.  Sure, there are online community boards.  However, the physical interaction between neighbors has become very limited.  In The Burbs, the skeptical neighbors even offer to go over to the peculiar family's house to welcome them to the neighborhood with food.  This is something I rarely see happening anymore.  People are still aware of when a house is sold or rented.  However, there are no more formal introductions made by people to welcome newcomers into their community, at least that I see.  Unlike the characters in Rear Window, apartment complexes, both in big and small towns, are now rampant with total strangers living in the same building.

Of course, there are various things that have contributed to this lack of community that has prevailed in the 21st century.  Sociological changes have occured that make people feel threatened by others.  In addition, rampant crime has made people want to keep to themselves.  Even as much as I use it and find it beneficial, technology has certainly contributed to this downfall of the community.  Even though I grew up with cable television and video games, I still played outside with other children.  When I was a young child, though, people didn't have over 300 channels unless they had a satellite.  There also weren't six different video game systems and a new one that came out every two years.  The internet was still in its infancy and not everyone had a cell phone.  Both children and adults were forced to create ways to be entertained.  Most importantly, people didn't have a virtual means of communication to fall back on to contact one another. 

I'm not sure if the idea of the 'neighborhood' in a traditional sense is becoming extinct.  However, based on my own assesment, I can say that it has been on a downward spiral.  Not as many people know one another nowadays.  Sure, people may wave at one another when driving by or say hello when passing each other on the street.  However, that's the extent of the communication.  Many times, people can live in the same neighborhood for years and still not know the actual names of the people they greet.  Neighborhood children don't seem to play with each other the way the used to.  I'm concerned that their imaginations may disappear.  Only time will tell how this decline of the neighborhood will affect society as a whole.  I certainly don't think that people should spy on one another the way Jimmy Stewart did in Rear Window nor do I think people have to get know people they deem questionable like the people in The Burbs.  However, there needs to be more of a bond between neighbors.  If we as people keep on operating the way we have the past 20 years, there may very well be no more 'neighborhood'.  We may then be forced to watch classic films that showcase a time when they truly existed.  One phrase I know of that many people grew up with was from one of the one and only Mr. Rogers whom said "Won't you be my Neighbor!!"  That's something I haven't heard in a while!!!