Day 150

I have always loved to write. Supposedly I even had a typewriter in my crib, along with 5 bottles of milk and one bottle of water (I have been told). I even had a subscription to Writer's Digest before my subscription to Soldier of Fortune. I wanted to be a reporter like Karl Kolchak.

For me, there is something about the written word, a book you hold in your hand and turn the pages. In this case I am like Samuel T. Cogley. (Go find that reference for those who don't know.) And my passion for books is well known. I also carry a book with me in case I am bored to the point that I would have a paperback book inside my sousaphone when we would do parade practice, as inevitably it would take longer and we would just be standing around. So instead of looking bad carrying a book with me, I would just stuff a paperback down the bell.

And I know; from reading WD to having talked with many, many, MANY writers, that like any other profession I have to write. That's why I thought a blog would help. And in some ways it has. I just need to do more. Also, to write what I know. Now that's the part I may have some problem with. I know a little about a lot of things, and a lot about a few things. The main thing, which a blog is best used for is writing about yourself, which is one thing I DO know the most about: me.

And while I am not shy by any means, I do take into account others feelings when I write. Be they people I know that I may say something wrong or just the usual boring stuff. I do try and write something worth reading. It could be as simple as something about me riding to work on my bicycle and seeing rabbits and squirrels, which I do see. Or about the story my co-worker told about a deer running down the street to Columbia College and making it. I said she was late for a class.

I will try and do better in my writing. It is almost like a prescription. I have always felt that writing exorcise inner demons and is a cathartic exercise. So here is my daily dose of medicine.

Day 146 - Weird Dreams

Ok, weird dream time. Last night I had a dream that Pres. Obama had appointed my friend "Luscious" to head up a really black op team.

Then another dream I had, had Barbara Streisand in it. I remember ringing her doorbell and she opened and said, "Oh I'm glad you're here. I just love cooking for you."

I also remember I was at a party and we had these miniature rock/sand gardens made of plastic; red, blue, green and yellow (I was yellow) and it was like Pictionary with them. you had to use the rake to draw.

I don't know why I had these dreams. But no more Italian subs at night.

Day 137 - Farrah Fawcett

I love Farrah. Always have since I first saw her in Logan's Run and then in Charlie's Angels. I had her posters, trading cards, books and even a Farrah Fawcett bean bag chair. I really hope that whatever she is going through is pain free; both physically and mentally. She has had some rough times, but then haven't we all. I followed anything that was written about her in the National Enquirer while growing up and had scrapbooks filled with any little thing about her.

I wished that her and Lee Majors hadn't had split up, but then that's just the romantic in me. It seemed that they were the perfect couple, but then we never know whats going to happen or the reasons people act they way they did.

Never was much for Ryan O'Neal and her. Sorry Ryan.

As I got older I still have a very big, soft spot for her. Its part of the mystique about her, her hair and just... her. The other is the time all that was going on. The 70's and 80's. Whatever name you call it, I call it the time of growing up. And I don't mean just me. It seems those were the times that things seem to really change. I am glad there was no Internet and no Twitter at the time. I wonder how much people have changed from those two seemingly innocuous inventions. Almost instant communication anywhere in the world.

Farrah has been in the news with health issues. I pray for Farrah, and hope everything will be alright. If she passes I truly know there will be an angel in Heaven. Sorry Charlie. Some people might think of George Burns or Morgan Freeman as God. I just know that if I see an angel, in my mind it will always be Farrah.

All my prayers, hopes and dreams. I wish you more than I can say. I know that there is no way she will see this. But I hope she knows that she made an impact on a generation of young men. Yeah, yeah, snicker if you will. Well those young men are now adults. And I will bet you, if they are honest with themselves, that in some dreams or a small part of them they carry with them that poster of Farrah. A love affair that each fantasized about, but of course never happened. The height of unrequited love. Some may even say first love. I just hope she knows that words can not say enough. Just know that, at least speaking for me: I will her well and her family and friends my prayers.

I had just watch the pilot for The Fall Guy with Lee Majors. I think it was right after they had divorced. And it was at the end of the pilot when Lee was pretending to be Farrah in a stunt. When it was over she called him over ans asked how he was. he said he was ok. She looked at him and said remember she knew him. They had a moment there. I don't know if was just for the show, but I look at that after 28 years and I still see that they cared for it. Or like I said, maybe it was just for the show. For me, I will take the heart felt moment. Always will.

Day 127 - Bones & Kingdom

I started out liking the series "Bones." But now, I don't like Bones. I like the series and all the other characters. In fact they can down play her in the series-leave her in the lab so she can talk to the bones, and let everyone else have a better tole. She may be the smartest person, but she is the most socially inept person ever. Yeah it was cute the first or second season, but its like watching "I Love Lucy." She doesn't get it. So anymore I just tune her out and concentrate on the others. I like that they have one of ZZ Top in there as one of the regulars father. And he plays it so well.

Another thing that I like is when I find something on my own. That's how I found the music of Barry Manilow and Poco. The series that I found is from the BBC, and is called Kingdom. After watching the first episode on Hulu, I watched the rest of them. Great ! Great!

Day 126 - Star Trek

Ok, I know that I am a Trekkie. I am a fan from way back; one of the 'originals' as I can remember the original when it came on, and I read the James Blish books. I was also made fun of for liking it. In those days, it wasn't cool. And since 1987 I have been a card caring, uniform wearing, position and rank holding individual in the largest Star Trek fan organization (according to the Guinness Book of world records). And now with this "new" Star Trek, I am seeing reviews by the supposed media that the older fans don't really think this comes across as what Star Trek is all about. Well du-uh.

This new generation, not going to say Next Generation, wants the CGI, wants scantly clothed men and women who have sculptured looks and more explosions in space and cool James Bond like toys. Well you know what: If I could say it in Klingon I would, but don't know the language. Needless to say, I agree and I WILL NOT be going to see the new Trek. Hell I haven't seen the last two, so why stop now. My reason is simple: it is not the Star Trek I know. It bears no resemblance to anything that Roddenberry, either one, could imagine.

Now I know some of my comrades in uniforms are all for it. They see it as a chance to revise the sagging numbers and with no new TV show, they need to rally around something. But not all of of the old school like this new Trek. I don't. I don't need some flash director/writer whatever to pen a script about Kirk, Spock and the rest of the gang's beginning. I know it. I lived it for well over 22 years. I have paid my dues. Now its cool to like sci fi and fantasy. With the Lord of the Rings on the big screen and Harry Potter sweeping all over the place, people are seeing it for what sci fi and fantasy are all about. BUT there is a cost.

Look at Starship Troopers. Anyone who have ever read that book, know they took A LOT of license. It doesn't really look like anything from the book. And if they had made this movie with any other characters but the main ones, I think that would be fine. But you are messing with canon; the characters that started it all. Their back stories are established by The Great Bird of The Galaxy (That's Gene Roddenberry for those of you who don't know). Hey screw with Picard or Sisko or even Janeway's background. Leave TOS (that's The Original Series) ALONE!

And for the Orion News Network or whatever farce of an entrainment review that I saw online, again, I can't say it in public and can't say it in Klingon, but the first letter is "F" and the last word is "Off."

And to let those who don't know what I have done, and yeah, how geekie can I get (don't know, still racking up the points) here goes my bona fides for talking Trek:

Started in STARFLEET INTERNATIONAL on January 31, 1987
Hold the rank of Vice-Admiral.
Have served from everything from local level (ship's captain) region level (Regional RC) and Fleetwide (I am a former Commander-STARFLEET). And I have held numerous positions, simultaneously.
And yes I have a few uniforms in my closet.

All that said, I will not be watching this movie. Its my right and my right to say why. I am sure it will be a big hit. My only hope is that it won't be a big enough hit that they re-produce this drek for another movie. Or at the least use different characters.

Yeah I know, I might as well pull out communicator and try to talk to Kirk. Oh wait, we do have flip phones, small computers, like what was in TOS, the ability to talk over vast distances, just like in Trek and numerous other things, that Star Trek started. hell even the first space shuttle was called "Enterprise" after Star trek, and had all the actors/actresses and Roddenberry there when they rolled her out.

In closing, I will save my money buy not going and spending more on popcorn and soda. I have my opinions, which I have expressed.

So Live Long and Prosper and...

may the wind be at your back....

Day 117 - Track 10 Angel

Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" has two things that I think of. One, is when I was going through my first divorce, I remember hearing it and crying. I have no idea why except for the line, "in the arms of the angel, may you find some peace of mind." Also the part about Thieves and Vultures since I had just had a major life changing experience, besides my divorce.

And then the second reason; that pet video-you know, the prevention of cruelty one? They use this as the background music. OMG, I can't watch that without tearing up. Seeing the puppies and kittens that people have abused. I know, kinda of double standard; we seem immune when it comes to abuse to people (we shouldn't be), but these are animals that just know love and want to be loved. There is a difference. Humans know that humans can be assholes. A pet doesn't and trusts us completely to feed it, comfort and protect it. Like a baby. And that's why I go ballistic about child abuse. Don't get me wrong, any abuse is not right; but to a baby....that makes me want to break something; like someones face.

Anyways, that's why I have this as track 10 on my "Songs to be played at my funeral."




Angel


Spend all your time waiting

for that second chance

for a break that would make it okay

there's always some reason

to feel not good enough

and it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction

oh a beautiful release

memory seeps from my veins

let me be empty

oh and weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight



In the arms of the angel

fly away from here

from this dark cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here



So tired of the straight line

and everywhere you turn

there's vultures and thieves at your back

the storm keeps on twisting

you keep on building the lies

that you make up for all that you lack

it don't make no difference

escaping one last time

it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh

this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees



In the arms of the angel

fly away from here

from this dark cold hotel room

and the endlessness that you fear

you are pulled from the wreckage

of your silent reverie

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here

you're in the arms of the angel

may you find some comfort here

Stern!

I had to go to my own copy of the movie to get this. For some reason it has been stuck in my brain and it is NO WHERE to be found on the Net, which surprised me. For those of you who remember that great movie: Heavy Metal and of course our ever popular Captain Lincoln F. Stern. He was charged with the following:
12 counts of murder in the 1st degree
14 counts of armed theft of Federation property
22 counts of piracy in high space
18 counts of fraud
37 counts of rape
and 1 moving violation.
Least we not forget, he was also accused of the Pre-Schooler Prostitute Ring, and that he Sold Dope as a Nun, by his lackey Hanover Fist, who he was going to get paid 35,000 Zulicks to testify in his behalf.

Heavy Metal. Great movie!