Category: Thought and Opinion

Life, Thought and Opinion

Live For Today
Robert Kennedy

I like to think that I’m a healthy guy. Oh sure, I’m someone who likes to partake in a slice of pizza (or 3) at times and make pit-stops at the drive thru on occasion.

The truth is, I’ve been lucky to have always been in somewhat reasonable shape. But shortly after I graduated high school it was a much different story. I weighed a measly 157 lbs soaking wet. I didn’t like how I looked and remember being obsessed with the guys I saw in the muscle magazines.

It wasn’t so much because they were these huge meat heads who did nothing all day but pick things up and put them down. My obsession with them was based on the notion that I wanted to look like them but on a much smaller scale.

I read “Robert Kennedy’s MuscleMag International” magazine religiously and learned that the only real way to get the body I wanted was to always eat “clean” (meaning absolutely no junk food) and exercising until I puked every day. The sound advice coming from guys who had ripped abs and tanned bodies sure was convincing.

Drinking weight gainer/protein shakes, eating only the freshest (and most expensive) organic foods and exercising ad nauseam worked well for me in the short run. But I always felt as if I was missing something. The strict regimen imposed by these chiseled abbed Adonis’ was something I just couldn’t stick with. I needed my carbs, particularly those of the bread and alcohol varieties. At least in moderation. As far as I was concerned, life was too short to deprive myself of such things.

I’ve since learned that using the advice in the magazine is important but the truth is, I’m never going to compete in bodybuilding. So although my weight had fluctuated over the years, by using modifications of what I had read, I was finally able to bring it under control. I am now in a regular exercise routine and eat good for the most part. (Bacon and Count Chocula aside of course).

So what’s my point?

Yesterday while standing in the Barnes and Noble bookstore I picked up the latest copy of “MuscleMag International”. With the alluring call of coffee and fatty pastries just a few feet from the magazine rack I read a letter written by Robert Kennedy. I had just discovered, by reading the letter, that Mr. Kennedy had passed away from an aggressive form of lung cancer back in April. Robert was the publisher of the magazine and is considered a titan in the world of bodybuilding and ironically, someone who before I picked up the periodical had absolutely no idea had died (bad news travels slow in these parts).

What was odd was that Mr. Kennedy had known since January that he was going to die and decided to write a final column to his beloved readers. I tried to imagine myself knowing that I had only a few months to live and writing a similar letter. What would I say?

Mr. Kennedy used his final column, with the knowledge of his impending demise wearing on him, to alert readers of the importance of regular checkups and avoiding excessive sun. You see, Robert Kennedy was an avid sunbather in his prime and had developed cancer. A cancer that, had it been caught earlier, been easily treated.

Rather than write out his entire letter, I took a picture of it. Even if you’re not a bodybuilding fan please take a moment to read his final words. (Click on the picture to expand).

Although regular medical checkups and limited exposure to tanning is sound advice, the real message I took from his last letter is this: no matter how much we exercise or how clean we eat eventually we all have to face our own mortality.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t take care of ourselves. On the contrary, we should always strive to be the best we can be both physically and mentally. The fact is, not one of us knows if we have five years left or fifty so lets live every one of them to the fullest.

But if I had to write a final letter like Mr. Kennedy someday, I hope I’m able to sum it all up in just four words: “I lived for today”.

RIP Robert Kennedy.

Thought and Opinion

Why Philadelphia Doesn’t Deserve A Sports Championship

I had to write this post. It’s been eating me up for quite some time and I feel as though I’m qualified to write it since I’ve lived eighty miles north of the city since the first Nixon administration.

I grew up a Philadelphia sports fan. So much so that I used to get into literal fist fights with my brother, a huge Cowboys fan, whenever the Eagles had the nerve to beat his beloved team.

I also loved watching Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa and the rest of the boys tearing it up at Veteran’s Stadium.

Truth be told, I never really cared much for basketball (76ers) or hockey (Flyers) although if anyone ever asked me who I liked my loyalty remained true to the city of brotherly love.

Eventually, I came to my senses in the way of the pigskin and gravitated over to the Seattle Seahawks for football although I still kept tabs on my beloved Phillies and finally got to see them win a championship again nearly three decades after their last one.

Which leads me to why I think Philadelphia doesn’t deserve any more.

The Philadelphia 76ers, a team and sport I have very little interest in are in the second round of the playoffs against The Boston Celtics. A series that no one really thought they’d be in.

So you’d think that this would be causing a huge stir in the Philly region right? Hardly. Even though I’m sure there’s plenty of local excitement, listening to the sports radio station you’d never even know.

Instead of talking ad nauseam about how the Sixers lost game three these clowns on the radio, the supposed “Voice of Sports” in Philadelphia, are more inclined to talk about a Phillies win in Chicago. In fact, the hosts of the show were actually predicting the 76ers would lose again on Friday and be on the verge of elimination.

Thanks guys.

Like I mentioned, I’m no fan of basketball but it angers me to listen to these people writing off the team they’re supposed to be representing. A team their whole business model is based around SUPPORTING!

Relegating playoff basketball to the back seat in favor or a single Phillies game that means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things at this point in the season is deplorable.

When the Flyers, Eagles or Phillies are anywhere near the playoffs that’s all they want to talk about. But when the 76ers are in the thick of things they could care less.

I’m sure if they’re prediction comes true and the Sixers are eliminated they’ll be happy to say “I told ya so”. But if by some miracle the opposite occurs they’ll jump right back on the bandwagon as if they’ve been there the whole time. It’s this kind of mentality that makes me wish Philly never gets another championship.

Shame on them.

Movies and TV, Thought and Opinion

The Power of Infomercials

Some people say that if you just keep saying the same message over and over people will eventually start to believe it. Just ask anyone who complains about people who watch the Fox News Channel or listen to any progressive radio station.

Those media outlets are geared toward people with a particular way of thinking. It’s all feeding the sheep what they want to hear and perhaps even using subliminal messages to help get their point across.

In some ways I suppose its similar to what they did at the movies years ago. There were some theaters who, in their quest for profits would splice in a split second of extra film into the main feature with an image of popcorn. Even though you were unaware of it, your brain had subconsciously picked up on that popcorn image and before too long you were making a bee-line for the concession stand because you suddenly had the urge to have some.

And please don’t get me started about the splicing use in the movie “Fight Club”.

I like to think that for the most part people are pretty smart in making up their minds over who to vote for or whether or not to eat popcorn. My problem with what I like to call “influential media” is that it can not only lean our decision-making in one direction or the other but it can also bankrupt us as well.

Confused?

There comes a time, usually in the middle of the night if you really want to know, when the mind really does become susceptible to the influence of messages made on television. And these messages don’t come from a political news network. They come in the form of advertising. Those late-night infomercials that peddle everything from exercise programs to space-age blenders.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many sleep deprived nights I’ve spent perusing the channels in a desperate search for a Three Stooges or MASH marathon but instead come across the P90x infomercial. Even though I had seen the entire thing dozens of times and could mimic Tony Horton’s every word, I still had to watch.

So there I was, sitting like a lazy log on the sofa with blood-shot eyes very much pissed that I was going to be useless at work the next morning but parroting every line: “This ain’t no aerobics class from the seventies”….”Do your best and forget the rest!”…

Now I consider myself to be in reasonable shape. I eat right and exercise regularly but still, had a laptop with an internet connection and my credit card been within arm’s reach I may have pulled the trigger right then.

The images I saw: the ripped abs…the sculpted shoulders. I could look that way! And in only ninety days!

That program was immediately followed by an hour-long Montel Williams “special” on the benefits of juicing. Of course, using the only machine he’s found to do the job right.  And one which coincidentally bears his name.

Hmmmm? Exercise AND juicing… The perfect combination. Now this was getting very tempting. I quickly surmised that for both items it would “only” cost me around $400. But I could always use their “easy” payment plan!

Once Montel gave me my final chance to “call now” the urge became too great. I began to reach for the credit card but that’s when something amazing happened. The crazy guy who peddles pillows came on the screen. Now who would ever have thought to do a half-hour commercial just to sell a pillow?

I began watching people sleeping using his soft, comfortable, cool pillow.

God bless the pillow man. His schtick put me to sleep within fifteen minutes and saved me a bundle.

Thought and Opinion

The Five Senses Of Motorcycle

It’s a beautiful spring day in mid April. The kind where the temperature is unusually perfect. By that I mean not overbearingly cold or windy which is typically the norm for this time of year.

I think I’m going to take my motorcycle for a ride. In fact, a day like this pretty much requires it. Riding a bike on a day like this is spiritual catharsis.

I’m not one of those people who has to ride the bike everywhere I go. To me, motorcycle riding is sacred. I’ll never ride my bike on the highway on long trips. Not just because of the danger factor but also because it’s pointless.

I’ve come to the conclusion that any thing that requires using a “from here to there” means of transportation is what a car is for.

In fact, other than two wheels, there is another huge difference between cars and bikes. Cars are meant for “driving” while bikes are meant for “riding”.

People often ask me what makes riding one so special. It’s easy to explain.

Have you ever driven in a convertible? Do you remember that feeling you had of the top being down? The wind in your hair? Well, imagine that times ten. That’s what it’s like on a bike.

Also, when you ride you immediately become a member of an exclusive club with full benefits. For you see, there’s a special camaraderie among motorcyclists too.

It’s the only means of transportation where, no matter what kind of bike you have, when you pass someone coming in the opposite direction of you also riding a motorcycle expect a head nod or to be waved to. It took me a few times to figure out what that salute was all about.

It’s actually a means of communication between two motorcyclists. A language only we can understand. We’re both members in a special club. Essentially, it’s saying we are one in the same.

Motorcycling to me is all about the experience. It fuels the senses. Every last one of them. Even if it’s a simple trip through the back roads to clear your head. There is nothing in the world that can compare to the feeling of being in control of a motorcycle.

Let me explain what I mean by fueling the senses:

Seeing: When you’re out on the road you have a better visual of the world. From the green pastures to the asphalt. The beautiful sky, the animals of the forest and the old structures you pass near farm lands is simply breathtaking. You can take in as little or as much as you want. There are no limits.

Riding without the constraints of a car surrounding you puts you more in tune with nature.

Hearing: The sound of the bike as you shift gears is exhilarating. Listening to the water fall as you drive past the creek or the birds chirping makes you one with it.

Smelling: I still remember the first time I smelled honeysuckle while riding my bike past a field. It was a smell I hadn’t sensed since I was a child. It’s always there but, like many other things, I was always too busy to immerse myself in it.

Then there’s the smell of fresh bread as you drive past Maiers bakery. Can there be anything better? Only perhaps the smell of someone cooking out on the grill. It gives you the feeling that there’s a picnic somewhere you need to get to.

Touching: One hand on the gas and the other one on the clutch. The feeling of power and control. Sounds corny I know, but it’s true.

There’s also the temperature change element. You really feel the coolness on your skin as you wind your way into “cool spots” along your journey.

Finally, the touch of a beautiful woman holding on to your waist as you drive her through the back roads is a feeling that words just can not express.

In summation, riding a motorcycle is freedom. Do it safely and it’s almost like flying. There’s no need to be in a hurry. You can clear your head, relive your childhood, stop and smell the roses, be with someone special. In a nutshell, it’s the best of everything. So, yeah, I think I’m going to indulge.

Oops, I almost forgot the most important sense when riding a motorcycle.

Easily summed up: When you ride a motorcycle, you taste life.

So, who wants to ride with me?

Thought and Opinion

Why I Love Mornings

The break of dawn arrives in the tiny town of Easton, Pennsylvania just as it does every morning. You can hear the sound of birds singing from deep within the pine trees welcoming the sun back from its slumber.

The glistening shine of dew covers lawns in every neighborhood and somewhere in Palmer Township a new day has begun.

I’m an early riser. A morning person. I know my numbers are diminishing and it seems as though I may be the last of a dying breed. Most people can’t believe that if it’s 7 am (even on weekends) and I am still in bed I feel like I am missing out on something.

But ironically, like clockwork I am usually up before then. I have some kind of internal thing going on inside that alerts me when it is time to rise.  It’s not strong enough kung-fu to where I can say in my head “5:15 am”, close my eyes and the next time I open them it is that exact time. But the fact of the matter is that on days that I work the alarm will rarely ever have a need to rouse me. I’m THAT good.

You see mornings are something I long for. A time most others take for granted and would like to skip altogether if possible in favor of slumber. But not me. Nothing can compare to that quiet time in the early hours of the day. It awakens the senses. Seeing the morning light of a new day, listening to the birds singing outside an open window, feeling the air as it passes through,  the smell of fresh coffee brewing, the taste of bacon. From my point of view, it’s hard to imagine someone NOT wanting this same thing.

Critics will claim that you can have all of these things when ever you wake up but I beg to differ. It’s not just the act of drinking the coffee or hearing the birds as much as it is the “experience”. To know that through some divine miracle you’ve been given a new morning and you have the entire day ahead of you. What will you do with it?

It’s a time when you can relax and reflect on the events of the day (whether they be school, work or even nothing at all) without rush or worry. Plenty of time to read the newspaper or Internet blogs for those 21st Century types.

Here’s another reason to like mornings: It’s the only me time you may get before your children (who, ironically as they age tend to become non-morning persons) come barreling down the stairs demanding breakfast.

Sadly though, there is one con to this malady my friends claim I am “suffering” from.  The trade-off for getting up early means obviously going to bed early also. Unless I am out somewhere already I rarely stay up past 10 pm.  I am more than tired by then.  But just one look at programming on television at that time of the night is enough to send anyone running for the sheets so it’s not like I am missing anything.

Unfortunately, this is where family and friends usually find reason to ridicule me because of my “school night” sleep pattern.

Call me an old man if you must but I’m not ashamed. I prefer to look at it this way: The sooner I fall asleep the closer I am to morning.

Good Morning!

Music, Thought and Opinion

The Rock & Roll Hall of Shame

Is there anyone who cares at all about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anymore? A shrine that supposedly celebrates music but over the years has turned into one huge joke.

Late last year a lot of brouhaha was made when it was announced that Guns N Roses was going to be one of the acts to be enshrined.

Anyone whose had a pulse in the music industry over the last twenty years already knows that the classic line-up of this band has literally HATED each other for years. In fact, I believe that since it was formed in 1985 the band has gone through almost two dozen different members.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the classic GnR line-up. But let’s be real here folks: if the Hall’s whole intention was to try to have these guys reunite on stage, play again and suddenly come to their senses and get back together, they’re sadly mistaken.

And that poses the question:

Why even have a music award ceremony recognizing a half-dozen acts and none of the inductees even wants to play together?

Yesterday guitarist Slash, a staple of the band in its early inception and one of the first to leave at the height of its success due to drama, told a reporter that the band will NOT reunite and play at the induction ceremony. In fact, he’s not even sure if his “old buddy” Axl Rose was even going to attend. He only “assumed” that he would. What does that tell you?

But the thing that really gets me was when Slash nonchalantly told the reporter that he hates “formal” ceremonies and the honor of being inducted with the likes of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton hasn’t even sunk in.

He’s on par with LEGENDS and he feels NOTHING?…It just goes to show you how much of a farce the whole thing has become. It’s meaningless.

The Hall inducts bands like Guns N Roses but ignores way more deserving artists. Consider just a few of these bands that are NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

KISS, RUSH, JOURNEY, FOREIGNER, REO SPEEDWAGON, SURVIVOR,  THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, STYX, IRON  MAIDEN, CHEAP TRICK.

Whether you personally like any of these bands or not you have to admit that the successes they’ve achieved over the years equally match what Guns n Roses did. And in every case these bands are far more deserving because they’ve been doing it longer.

And my guess is, if you inducted any of them and asked them to perform with the most classic line-up they probably would without question. I think they’d probably be honored to. Go figure.

It will be interesting to see if the classic Guns N Roses can put aside their differences and take us where the green grass and pretty girls are one more time. But even if they did do the impossible there’s one thing I know for sure:

I won’t be watching.

Music, Thought and Opinion, Uncategorized

Musical Procrastination

It’s been a sad couple of weeks for music lovers in the Blues, R&B, Pop and Rock categories. We’ve lost people whose music influenced entire generations of fans.

Etta James, Whitney Houston, Davy Jones and just this morning Ronnie Montrose, all passed away long before we were ready for them to.

And while it saddens me that such great talent has moved on, some of us that remain have said things that have me scratching my head a bit.

One of the first things I always see lighting up the Facebook and Twitter feeds when our musical heroes die are posts from people who, perhaps unbeknownst, indirectly beg people to go out and buy their music posthumously. It’s as if when these musical greats leave those of us left behind feel compelled to give them one last big send off.

Maybe its a way to make ourselves feel better and somehow make these musical pioneers relevant again on the big stage. To show this generation of robotic, auto-tuned, vanilla music lovers what “real” music is all about. To say to them: “Do you see what you missed out on by being inside your bubble all this time? Natural talent that changed the game. And now it’s too late.”

But it’s not too late. Why must we wait until they are gone to try and get others to appreciate their contributions? We really need to stop putting off all of the great music that exists in this world. Let’s open our ears, maybe just a little?

Don’t you think Etta, Whitney, Davy, Ronnie or the thousands of other great artists would appreciate it more by seeing fans shouting from the rooftops while they’re still alive? The music never dies. It’s always been there. When are people going to get out of their box, test the musical waters and try new things?

Chances are, what they’re listening to now was influenced by the ones who’ve gone and they don’t even know it.

The choir that I’m a part of did a piece by John Rutter last year called “The Music’s Always There For You“. It’s a beautiful piece and one whose words seem to echo my thoughts. See if you agree:

But the magic you share when you make music
Won’t leave you when the time has come to part;
And it feels like you never have to say goodbye,
Because the music’s always there in your heart.

Movies and TV, Music, Thought and Opinion

A Farewell To Davy Jones

I never met Davy Jones. Never even saw him perform in concert for that matter. And yet somehow I still felt a sense of loss when word of his death reached me yesterday.

Quite frankly, before The Monkees I used to think that Davy Jones was just the guy who owned the locker everyone from Popeye to Captain Jack Sparrow talked about. Little did I know he could sing, dance and act with the best of them.

I still remember watching his antics on the show and longed to be like him. The guy with the good looks and boyish charm who could sing anything and woo any woman. Someone who was immortal to me. Until yesterday.

But rather than just post a blurb remembering the show, his records and just saying “goodbye” I’d rather write about Davy from a bit of a different angle. Specifically, from his role as himself on the Brady Bunch forty years ago.

When I first saw the episode with Davy and Marsha Brady it really struck a nerve. In the episode, Marsha had promised her friends that she would get Davy Jones to sing at her prom. She eventually tracks him down to the recording studio and actually manages to get inside and watch him record.

Girl. Look What You’ve Done To Me.
Me, And My Whole World.

As the producer begins scolding her Marsha makes her plea that Davy had promised her he would perform if ever he was in town. Davy, who over hears the conversation, later shows up at Marsha’s house and promises to perform at her prom. He even goes so far as asking her to be his date and gets a kiss for his efforts. And what boy wouldn’t want a kiss from Marsha Brady?

Although fictitious, the storyline of celebrities helping “normal” folks still resonates even today.

Just recently a young man who has been suffering from leukemia asked country music star Taylor Swift to be his date for the prom. Swift was unable to make the date so instead asked him to accompany her to the Academy of Country Music Awards.

We could sure use more people using their celebrity status for noble causes. The world would be a much better place.

I believe Davy Jones was much more than just a singer, a locker or a Monkee. In an odd sort of way I think he may also have been a trendsetter as well.

Godspeed Davy Jones.

Thought and Opinion

In The Dead of Night

I was driving into work this morning around 5:30 am and was listening to a news update. Something I always do to fill the silence of my morning commute and also because I can’t listen to heavy music that early.

I know, shocker right? Nope, it’s either smooth jazz or news that early in the morning and most of the time I choose the latter.

I usually look forward to these drives. Not because I like being up this early and have to go to work but because the drive itself is therapeutic. I can find out everything that’s going on in the world and then drown all that sorrow into my morning coffee.

One of the top stories today was about the continuing increase in the cost of gasoline. In a feeble attempt to bring a bit of humor into the subject the news anchor said: “In case you haven’t noticed, gas prices rose two-cents overnight while you were sleeping.”

I didn’t find that line particularly funny. On the contrary, I think this is quite serious. Has anyone else noticed the pattern of things like this happening in the dead of night while we sleep?

If it’s not gas prices rising a few pennies shortly after the Sandman visits it’s legislation in Washington. Why is it that controversial bills and decisions that affect the American people always seem to be passed around three in the morning?

We really need to take some action now before this pandemic gets even more out of control. What if we put some high-powered sedatives into these decision makers drinks after 8pm? That should put them out for the night and allow me to get a decent night’s sleep and not have to sacrifice my morning Starbucks in favor of a half a gallon of gas.

There has to be some consideration for the sanctity of sleep.

Isn’t it bad enough they already screw me while I’m awake?

Sports, Thought and Opinion

Enough With The Jeremy Lin Sterotypes

Rant: ON:

I don’t know about you but I’ve sure had enough of these news stories about New York Knicks’ star Jeremy Lin being stereo typed.

Personally, I’m not a big follower of NBA basketball but it’s concerning to me that in this day and age we still have this racial nonsense going on.

In case you’ve been asleep under a rock, Jeremy Lin, a Harvard graduate whose parents are of Taiwanese descent, was a bench warmer for the Knicks but finally got the opportunity to play and became an instant sensation.

His success helped the Knicks win several games with tremendous efforts and last second wins. “Linsanity” became the word of the day in daily sports reports.

But one day, in the midst of a nice winning streak, Lin had an “off night” and the Knicks wound up losing their first game with him as a starter.

So what do you suppose the headline read on the ESPN website?:

“CHINK in the Armor”

You’ve got to be kidding me. You mean there was no one who proof read that article before it was posted, saw that title and didn’t raise a red flag?

The article was removed thirty minutes later after backlash and the person who posted the article was suspended.

But wait, it gets even better (or, worse in this case). Today I read a story that  Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream company, decided to make a flavor to celebrate the success of Lin.

Ben & Jerry’s has named a frozen yogurt flavor “Lin-sanity” for the current NBA superstar Jeremy Lin. The frozen yogurt was originally intended to feature a honey swirl with fortune cookie bits in it.

After appearing briefly in the Boston area, the frozen yogurt was changed to include waffle bits instead of fortune cookies. Ben & Jerry’s has apologized for any potential offense that was taken for the use of the fortune cookies.

Fortune cookies? Nope, don’t see any stereotype there either.

Come on, we’re living in 2012. Shouldn’t we be past this lunacy by now?

Rant: OFF