Well bloggers and blog readers. It's been quite a while since last we wrote and read.
A lot has changed in my world since May. I am now back in the USA, working and living in Texas again. I am a fingerprint technician for the state of Texas, doing the same thing I was doing for our Govt, but on a local state level. I am taking fingerprints from our State educators and submitting them for background checks. Nice, safe, relatively secure career.
I get to see firsthand how our schools function, seeing as how I see our youth everyday, just not as a teacher. Fairly interesting to be sure.

I am currently becoming more involved with the Native American population in the area. I went to the Traders Village Pow Wow over the weekend. Got to see a lot of fancy regalia and the dancers wearing them. I felt so welcomed by the attendees and the vendors. They were all so warm and friendly to me. I even got to meet the staff and radio personalitites of the KNON "Beyond Bows and Arrows" radio show from Dallas, TX.
I have been invited to attend a Pow Wow in Weatherford, TX in October, the weekend of the 17-19th. I was even invited to dance on the behalf of my father, as he is a Veteran and will not be in attendance. Camping, dancing, reveling in the company of some very intersting cultures, that until now, had been very elusive to me.

I also did a sweat lodge on this past Saturday night with my good friend and room mate. We spent about 1 hour or so in sweat, lost a few pounds in the process as well, so all was good. It feels good to be toxin free, at least I feel great. I have no desire to put toxins back into my body at this point, save some coffee or the occasional soda. :)
I look forward to the next time I do sweat. It's very liberating and causes my thoughts to be pure, as well as my spirit being charged for a good amount of time afterwards.

I will post some pictures from the next sweat we do, so you that actually read my posts can view the progress as we experiment and try new ideas.

Peace, TO the Middle East (as I am no longer over in the thick of it all in Iraq)

So, I know it's been QUITE some time since my last post...LOTS has happened since Dec 1st I can tell you! I went home on vacation, to see the dentist and give him my hard earned cash, spend some money partying like a rock star, b uying a newer vehicle, Toyota 4Runner, getting new tattoo's and spending time with my son and my family. WOW, the 49 days I was home went quicker than I expected it to. But, now I am back in Iraq, since Feb 12th. I have moved out of Baghdad, since the beginning of April, since the insurgents decided they wanted to make my living area their bombing targets. Go figure eh? Bastards! So, I moved to Tallil, the City of Ur...Lot's of history and ancient civilizations to be remembered there. Such as: Sumerians, dating back as early as the 21st century BC...I saw, toured and took pictures of the site of the Ziggurat of Ur, the surrounding area with the House of Abraham and various other archaeological excavation sites to include: King Shulgi (circa 2048 B.C) What an humbling experience that was, I assure you...to walk in the sands around the old remains of the King of Sumer's palace, something many will never get to witness unless you come over here to work that is.

I will post some pics on here as soon as I figure out how to do that. Seeing as how I cannot post pics without my laptop or a thumb drive. Now, I am in transit to the northern most points of Iraq to the Nineveh Province, Tall'Afar. Interestingly enough, I get to possibly see other parts of biblical history in this area. Perhaps even some more of the Sumerian dynasty artifacts or ruins? I hope so. This has made my trip over here complete.

Well, I shall save more for later, no need in writing it all down this time.

Peace, FROM the Middle East.

Okay you guys and gals in blog land, prepare for my next rant. I forewarn you I will not hold back my opinions (as if that happens).

This concerns the "crisis" in Sudan over the Teddy Bear named Muhammed..Oh no, did I cause a stink over using the name of the oh so holy Muhammed? Seeing as how I am NOT muslim, I guess I am not allowed to use that name for anything? Come on, for crying out loud, who in the hell cares what the name of the friggin teddy bear was? I suppose the teacher should be put to death because she should have known better than to piss off the local population....hmmm, seems a bit radical for a peace loving religion.

So, if a Muslim decided to name their teddy bear or other dolly, Jesus, would that cause an uprising and possible lynch mob? Doubtful, but you never know, depending on if it took place in the Bible Belt or not. Depends on if the Muslim was a teacher or not. Supposing, for a minute that we ALL put down our guns and swords for a minute, perhaps we should examine the true reason for the issue.

Muslims are not allowed to use the name Muhammed or make any depiction of Allah in words, works or otherwise non-religious activities....But when it is done, and may I say, blatantly used to endear a stuffed animal to a CHILD, or classroom full might I add, it's all of a sudden cause to kill that person?! WTF, over?! If it's such an issue, why care about another person using that name at all? What's in a name exactly? Wherein does the problem really lie? Is it because the USA has caused such an outrageous politically correct example that now the rest of the world is trying to catch up and be like us? Have we gone so far to dis-allow the usage of a friggin name in everyday life? Come on! People.....for real......All you Muslims in and not in the USA, get used to the fact that we are going to use the names however we choose, no matter if it's sacreligious to your cause or not! Look at the misuse of the Christian Gods name. I mean, if we can use it to our own advantage or disadvantage depending on your point of view, then what makes you think we care about the proper use of another religions god? Why should we? It's all becomes very apparent to me that we care a little too much what the rest of the world thinks about us. No really. When did it all become a popularity contest?

You know what? In the end, or 30 years from now, who is really going to give a rats ass? Not me. I don't give a crap now!
Do I care about religious rights? Yes I do. I care that everyone now has to walk around on eggshells fearing the repercussions of a "peaceful" culture just because they can't stand the fact that their god had a Prophet and somehow that gives them a copyright on the name. So, what if someone decided to call the Teddy Bear Samuel? Or Elijah, Elisha, Peter, John, Judas....You get my point?

So, in the end the poor teacher gets 15 days in jail, if the mob doesn't get to her first and kill the poor lady. Sheesh, look at the mess our race has gotten us into. We are a poor example to the rest of the universe to be sure. If there IS extra terrestrial life outside our galaxy, take warning, stay away from earth, you may get jailed or killed for using the name earth for your stuffed animals.

That is all!

So, to all you readers out there, I AM still living. LOL. I just took some time to gather thoughts to post as a new blog. I am enjoying the quiet nature of the "cease fire" that currently exisists here in Baghdad. Although if you asked other military or higher up folks, they would say otherwise. Since I got here, there has been no significant cause for alarm. Nice to know.

I have hooked up with a few fellow musicians and we play weekly, up to 3 times per week. We are called..."The Baghdad String Benders". We play a mixture of Bluegrass, Country, Gospel (the sittin on yer porch evenin singin that your granparents told you about) some classic rock, top 40 pop once in a while, only, we do it in one of Saddams old palaces. Ironic, don't you think?
So, quite a diverse bunch. We have 2-3 guitarists at any given time, Nathaniel Sears, Abby Bradley, Toby Stell, Vincent Foulk guitar and mandolin/mandola, Bernie Poindexter Banjo, til he left to go back to the USA. Anyways, it keeps the boredom at bay, for the most part.

So, I'm going to try and post a picture of the band taken on the last night we were all together, before Bernie left.

Till next time, BLOG ON!!

Peace, FROM the Middle East.

So, I'm over seas in Iraq now. I can say this, it's not as shaky as I thought it would be. I do know a couple of things...1.when you hear a BOOM! it's very likely you need to duck and cover. 2. I don't know too much about the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of every loud bang I hear, 3. when you see someone running out of their housing to the cover bunker, you should follow suit. LOL!
Anyways, while over here, I plan on blogging as often as I can to keep those of you tuned into my thoughts aware of what's going on, with care of course. I know I can't tell all that goes on over here, to do so would violate some kind of silence order I think. :P
Hopefully I can achieve some kind of peace or some epiphone while I'm here. Maybe even pen a few lines of prose or new songs? Who knows.
I will try to keep current so those that, again, are tuned in, will know how I am doing.

Till then,
Peace.

Newest career endeavor. So, here I am, living in Oklahoma, working on some of the most beautiful land in the country (80 acres to be exact). Living with my folks, close to my family etc. I get to work a short lived part time job that goes into 1-2 days per month (SUCK). When all of a sudden, (of course, here's where I can't exaggerate details, cause I've actually thought about this move in careers for a while). I decide to put my resume in to this "head hunter" that my buddy got a job through. So, I write an email to this human resources lady in Texas. I send her a resume`. I wait for a couple of weeks before I decide to follow up on it, cause I don't want to be pushy, right? So I write an email to her again. It seems I am not getting a response, so I stepped up my efforts...Wait, hold up....Back up the info bus!

Take you back a few months to the time when I first got the heads up on this job. Before I even moved up to Oklahoma from TX. I sat on this email from my buddy for almost 4 months before I even acted on this hot job possibility. It gave me time to think about things, consider other options, other job offers, snort, what other job offers?! Yeah, I know, no cynicism allowed. Okay....So, after I sent this HR person my resume` a 2nd time, I finally got a response. I'm to be scheduled for a telephone interview. Okay, no problem, I can handle that okay, I give good phone. (got the ability from years on a phone in a customer service realm. So, the interview happens, I felt pretty good about it. I am told that after the interview I can expect a few days perhaps in between time that I hear back about the next phase. So, later on the SAME DAY, I get this phone call. It's another HR lady telling me the company wants to have me fly into their headquarters in Virginia for an interview, face to face. Well, imagine that......
So, they paid for the flight I paid for the hotel (that's another rant entirely) I get a job offer the next day before I leave to come back to Oklahoma. Well, after talking to my folks the night before and several weeks before that, I had already accepted the offer before they made it. Well, they had hired me based on the phone interview, and perhaps a referral from my good buddy. THANKS GOOD BUDDY!!

Cut to the now, the present, the well, right here. LOL! I now have 2 weeks before I fly back to the east coast to train for my new career. I'm flying to West Virginia first for 3 days, then to Georgia for another week, then...Well, I can't say exactly where cause I don't rightly know exact details until I get my itinerary, but I assure you, the compensation package is DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!! You know what I mean? I mean, some folks never see this kind of money except in dreams, okay? Yeah, it's that good. Anyways....Just wanted to share in my excitement. I will be out of touch for about 4-5 months, depending on my itinerary (again that word haunts me) ;)

I will definitely stay in touch though.

Peace to all.
Toby

Hello all you bloggers! Today is July 30, 2007. We're almost done with the month. On to August! With the summer nearing a close (doesn't feel like it) we have a few things to remember before the end of the sun's reign. It's almost time to gather in the last of the crops, before they burn up. Remember to store up now for the autumn and winter, it seems we will see quite a winter this year. After all of the rains and hot weather in parts of the USA....Does anyone catch the change in climate? Has anyone else thought about the subsequent difference in weather patterns this year? I am just wondering if I'm the only one that has noticed...

Anyways.

I went to Virginia on July 16th for a job interview and came back on the 17th. I got to fly into Washington DC via Denver from OKC. I was only there long enough to stay in an overpriced hotel for one night (Holiday Inn Rosslyn, I will not patronize your establishment again) You were overpriced, snobby and otherwise down right rude! I realized this information all too late, not that I was in control of my reservations mind you, the company interviewing me was the arrangement side of things. Alas, they paid for my flight there and back, which went rather smoothly all things considered. I was slightly worried about all of the checkpoints and TSA, but everything went off without a hitch. Surprisingly enough, they did not tell me to remove my tube of toothpaste, even though it was over the 3 oz maximum, nor did they ask about my over sized bottle of contact lens solution (12 oz) go figure. ;)

Well, I signed the contract with a good company, referred by a good friend of mine. I will be flying back out next month to train and go from there.

More on that topic later.

Peaceful Monday!

Today is July 8, 2007. The day after "Live Earth" 7-7-07. I see most of us are still alive and kicking. That's good, but, I'll let you in on a theory I've been pondering lately...
I've griped about all the rain in the first of the summer months. Well, I may have been hasty in griping. Seems to me, in theory, all the water that has been poured into Texas and Oklahoma and some of the neighboring states has been preparing us for warmer climates. I see it this way...The sun has been playing havoc with our climate since 20 years ago. Now, more than ever, we should pay attention to the tell tale signs of sunspots. I believe that, in time, we will see sunspot activity so intense, it will cause flash fires across the USA. In doing so, all the Pacific and East coasts (the ones in drought) will burn significantly. This puts the central USA in the way, or as I call it "the fire break". If and when this happens, I believe that the areas curently in drought, will burn or start burning almost spontaneously. When this takes place, I believe that the central states will provide a sort of oasis that casues the fires to stop. Thus securing the east and west coasts, to a point. I don't believe that global warming is all natural, I do know that we as humans, should take responsibility for our actions as a whole. Yes, we are to blame for some of the damageas to our world. I don't think we can begin to repair them either.

I think that the ideas presented by Al Gore are promising steps to make us all aware of the issues, but, I don't think we can alter our past mistakes. What I think we should do as humans, is, reduce the amount of gasoline we use on a daily, weekely, monthly and yearly basis. I think we should reduce our importing from Oil rich nations. I think we should stop burning coal, start using more hydroelectric power and possibly hydrogen power. Fossil fuels WILL run out! This is not a looming possibility any longer, it is a looming likelyhood in our day and age. There are many things we can do to make our world nicer. We can never reverse what has already been done, that much is apparent. Consider all the oil corporations, both domestic and foreign. How do you think they are going to take a drop or complete drop off of business if we outlaw oil usage? First of, we have to come up with a replacement RENEWABLE energy concept. Once this has been successfully done, we can move on to furthering the repairs to our climate. For right now, just suffice it to say, we are in for one heck of a ride with the coming climate roller coaster. I for one, am glad that the warming trend has brought many to their senses. I am only sad that it took so long for many to realize the damage we are inflicting upon ourselves. Hindsight is 20/20. Go figure...

I wish peace upon all, prosperity, love and happiness. But above all, I wish upon our planet, health and well being.

Howdy there folks in Blogger land!

If you all watch any form of news media, you may or may not have heard or seen anything about "Hamas Mouse".

I watched and have a couple of comments to the news media in the USA, as well as the government that allows this to get out into mainstream USA media resources. ARE YOU STUPID? That's the number one comment thus far. #2 ARE YOU STUPID? Sounds a bit redundant eh? The reason I ask are you stupid is this. Why in the hell would you allow propaganda into our mainstream news feeds anyway? Who decided to interpret this crazy crap and put it out so that everyone, America, and our Muslim immigrants can see? I am not a supporter of Palestine or Hamas, or Al Quaeda, or any other radical group against freedom. I AM against seeing this crap posted for all the free world to get their eyes on! To be fair, if you saw an Anarchist website posted with propaganda, it would be called freedom of speech, but it would be quieted or removed. Yes? What if Texans started posting Propaganda regarding Seceding from the rest of America? Would ou government stand for that? I highly doubt it. People would be outraged! Putting these children up to recording this crap and then putting it on the air in the Middle East just fuels the fire of war and destruction. Not only to the Muslim radicals, but it's like their crowning glory to see it posted all over the WORLD WIDE WEB. BILLIONS of people can come into contact with this CRAP! Just like several can come across these blogs and call it crap! Whatever, but, shouldn't we be concerned with pasting this all over to be seen?

Am I the only one with this opinion? First of all, the idea of Martyrdom in a cause such as Al Quaeda, Islam, Al Hamas, or whoever the hell these people are, is ridiculous! If you die in a cause that promised you 72 Virgins, well, that's for the Creator to decide. I doubt you will see Allah in the same light when the CREATOR boots your sorry asses back to wherever you climbed out of. I am disgusted with the bariers not in place to filter out this garbage from our Media. And outraged at the people that cross post from Youtube into Myspace for MILLIONS perhaps BILLIONS to see everyday.

There, I'll step down from my soapbox for a while.

Ahhh, summertime. The smells of sweet......hey! Wait a minute! Summer heat SUCKS! Especially the humidity!

Ahh, but the swimming pools, the outdoor activities, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, swimming (did I mention swimming?)

I am looking forward to Summer Solstice in Summerland this year. I always look forward to it every year, but this year seems a bit more important to me. It seems more personal for some reason. Maybe it's because old feelings for certain people seem to re-surface a bit. You know? The ones that have been in your life and slowly exited out of it? I mean, I understand that people will change no matter what we wish or hope for, but, when you find that one person that you fit with so perfectly and for one reason or another, things don't seem to work out in the moment....Causes regret. That's what I can say at the moment. I mean, you find one person that you seem to fit with in all respects, energy wise, personality, attitude etc. Then because you feel responsible for another person (in this case, married) you drift away from the person you are really right for. Then, later on down the road, you remember why you liked being with that person. Even though the relationship could and would cause issues for those around you. SIGH....

Oh well, I guess that's why life sucks at times.

I guess I should be thankful for the blessings I have and not regret the things I cannot change. At least I will get to see those that I am friends with at Summerland this year.

I cannot wait! I am so excited to get to camp out again!

Well, guess that wraps up my rant for the time being.

More later.

Peace fellow humans.

So, we went to the OKC Zoo yesterday. What a fascinating visit we had!! It took us all day but, I think we visited all the animals they have there. LOL! That zoo is HUGE! 110 acres. We were there from 11AM until 6PM. We must have walked around that place 4 times at least. Boy were we tired when we got home last night, to be sure. I crashed out around 9 and slept until this morning at 7. Whew! Tiring, but fun.

So, I saw a very moving video shot this morning. It's on www.youtube.com

It's about the vanishing bees in our eco system. Very moving....I didn't ever think this way until recently, but, without our plants and pollination, even with science, we cannot survive more than a few years at best. The honeybees are VERY important to our survival. It also makes reference to being vegan......hmmmm.......if everyone went vegan, our dependance on vegetables and plants would become more so, I think the population of bees would be over taxed at that point. Isn't that a bit much? To rely on vegetation in the possibility that all of it will be gone without bees? Personally, I don't eat much red meat anymore. I eat alot of chicken, fish and veggies. I rarely eat beef at all. Even pork stands to be rejected by my body, ESPECIALLY in the summer months. I think it's because so much heat causes my discomfort in my digestion anyways, that, I naturally lean towards the higher energy foods. Besides, the length of time it takes the beef to digest can cause way too many issues in the colon etc. You all have heard that I'm sure.
The video also approaches several topic starters.....Ecological disaster, over population, self destruction etc. This is stuff I have ranted about on here before now. I wonder when our "Civilization" will come to realize the truth about ourselves? When will it become important enough to start to do something to help our planet? When is too late?

Folks, we ARE destroying our planet!! How much more proof do we need? Global warming is NOT a concept! It IS a reality!! Eco systems around the globe are suffering at the hands of our leaders, our fellow human beings, our corporations, all in search of the almighty dollar. I think if we were to really search for another place to call home, we would find a "temporary" living place, but we would soon destroy that as well. We don't need to move to another planet, we need to restore this one. It was given to us to maintain, to care for, not destroy! Look at how we've mangaed, or mis-managed, our gifts....It saddens me to realize that my son's generation, heck, not even that close, my generation will live through some very trying times coming soon. We will likely see the end of the oceanic life, the end of the honey bees, then the eventual end of our lives. I cannot even put into wos the sadness this causes me. And yet, I still have peace. It's unfair that I can remain this peaceful despite the eventual consequences.

Peace.

Hello world!!

I am doing well in Oklahoma for the 2nd month I've been here. I am enjoying the solitude and serenity that the country offers. I work a part time job, take care of my grandmother's lawn, household needs etc and most of my free time I spend either visiting friends, relatives or just playing music to soothe my inner need.

I went and picked up my son on the 1st of June, for summer break. We enjoyed our first weekend thus far. We went to "Red Earth" celebration on Saturday morning. We got to walk around and see art exhibits of Native American artists, crafts from different tribes. We also got to watch the Grand Entry (for those unsure of what this is, you can see a re-broadcast on www.powwows.com) The grand entry is when all the tribes that will be in attendance come into the main arena. They dance around while the different drum groups drum and sing the host of dancers around, until all dancers and participants are in the main area. You want to see something like this for your first time, I assure you! Talk about an emotional invoking experience!! Being able to see all the colors, hear all the sounds, bells jingling, rattles shaking, voices singing to the rhythms..... Man! I only wish we would have stayed all day. We missed the dance competitions :( Sadly enough. BUT, my son and I got to go visit with our extended family at a birthday party. After that, we all went as a family to celebrate my birthday at a very authentic German restaurant in Choctaw Oklahoma. (my compliments to the chef!)
(semi post script note: May was a blue moon month, so, my birthday fell on a full moon. How cool is that?)

After that, we all came home, chilled out, got baths and what not (mostly the boy), got ready for bed, (again the boy). After lights out, I traversed to Shawnee to visit and hang out with my cousin and his room mate. We met at this nice pub called, "Knuckles Pub". Very authentic Irish pub feel. We sat up in the pool table area talking and drinking on a few beverages (nice selection of dark and high alcohol beers) and then went to their place and continued talking until almost 1:30AM. I then came home to my bed and slept until this morning around, 9:30. Nice! I like the simple things, like sleeping in occasionally. :)

Well, I'm not much for ranting or raving lately, but, if I had to rave about anything at all....It would be the incessant rain we seem to be getting lately. Not just us in Oklahoma either. But, all across the mid-west. Now, if I were to say that the east coast could use some of this rain, that would be very correct. I know that Florida, Georgia, Alabama and several other states could very well use some of the excess water we seem to be harboring. I have jokingly stated that I feel as though I am living in a rain forest, due to the almost daily rains we have been receiving. I also know that in the summer months to come, we will be glad of the moisture we have gotten to this point. It should prove to be quite a hot summer for most of this area.

Well, Mid-Summer is approaching fast. June 21st will be the summer equinox, the date that the sun is in it's strongest position. The day of longest light. after that day, the light will start to fade into the oncoming fall season. Days will begin to get shorter a little at a time. I hope that we all have adequately prepared ourselves for this time in the calendar year. It is a time to watch closely. Anything in nature that you can look at, watch closely. Pay attention to your environment. Our eco system can fortell the coming weather quite accurately. I for one am lucky to be able to watch closely in my suroundings. I know that city dwellers have a hard time getting to see the signs as approaching weather changes so fast and often without warning, but, the warnings should be heeded. We are very near to completing another seasonal cycle of change. After this, it will seem harder on us as humans to deal with such scorching heat in the mid-west. After all, this area has been in drought for several years. Now the rains have brought some desired relief. Next on the agenda is dry conditions again. I hope we can persevere.

Well, I guess those are my thoughts for the moment.

Be at peace in all your works and bring peace to those around you.

Here it is, May 22, 2007 and I have not blogged in a while, a month to be exact. Seems I have been rather busy lately. Working a part time job, keeping the lawn mowed, various chores etc.

I took a quick look in the news....seems nothing too noteworthy exists at this time. I am a bit disappointed to see Melinda Dolittle off of American Idol, I really thought she should be the one to win, but, we'll see who makes it to the last of the contest.

Also, the death of Jerry Fallwell....hmmm, not too much I can say that is noce about him. Other than the fact, he's never been the only one making trouble in the religion front. There are more to take his place I assure you.

Well, I will pay a bit more attention to my blog in coming weeks and months.

Peace.

So, I've been in Oklahoma for a while now. I have work already. Got a job by the 2nd day I was living here. I successfully moved all of my "stuff" from Texas to my new (old) stomping grounds.

I am only working a seemingly part time schedule for the moment, but it's enough to keep my attention where it needs to be.

My world consists of: 2-5 hours a day carying Propane bottles empty back to the office, filling them and then returning them to the proper businesses the next day. I can go help my Grandmother in the afternoons with my free time. I get to maintain her lawn, approximately 2-3 acres, I help her with household issues, such as light bulb changes, dusting, light maintenance etc. I get to sit and talk with an elder from my maternal side, (imagine getting to hear all of the family history from a living historian?) I love it! I am learning more about my family history each time I sit with her. This is a good thing, seeing as how I will now be able to pass along the information to my son as he gets older as well.

I went to OKC yesterday for the "Deal or No Deal" casting call. WOW! I spent 10 hours in the baseball park, (AT&T Ball Park) with about 10-12,000 other people all vying for that one chance to appear as a contestant. The only thing is, we all had about 20 seconds to sell ourselves to the casting directors at 10 people in a room at a time. Whew! I got slightly sun kissed, which is not a bad deal. I got to sit around many various folks from all walks of life. Possibly even making a mark on their lives as well. Who knows. All I can say is, if I get to go to another casting call for anything again, I will be a bit more prepared from this experience.

So, as for the news front...I can say that I have been so out of touch from the world and local events since I have a slower connection to the internet. I rarely get to view the US news on CNN.com like I used to. All the news I get to see is on local or affiliate channels i.e CBS, FOX, NBC etc. I do know this, Monday night, the new and final 9 episodes of "Heroes" begins again, after an all new Deal or No Deal. So, for those fans of the 2 shows mentioned, be on your toes. I can assure you of a fantastic new season of Heroes.

Well, not too much to blog about at the moment.

More later.

Peace.

Well, I have passed the 90 day mark on the no smoking front. April 3rd was the anniversary. I also passed the border into Oklahoma this past weekend. I got the majority of my stuff all moved into my new pad. I still have a few things to get moved up here, but this coming weekend I can finish with the move in one fell swoop.

I am looking forward to being back in the country. :)

I am already getting to see family again, that makes me feel good. There are some things that I can say I already miss in Texas, but, I do NOT miss the noise, airplanes, NOISE, neighbors above and below me, NOISE, did I mention noise? I can also practice my guitar and singing with no regard to my own noise level. I don't have neighbors to disturb (fortunately for them). I can take a walk out my back door and I have nothing but God's country to walk around in. Just about 80 acres to roam on. Nice! I just hope that all works out the way I envision it.

For now, I am good to go. Time will heal some wounds incurred by my time in Texas.

More to come. Maybe I should re-name my blog to : "Peace of my mind". LOL.

So, I have run the gambit of employment possibilities in the DFW area. I cannot seem to locate a job/career that not only suits my needs, but also is compatible enough with my attitude.
So, with that in mind, I have made a very difficult decision. I am moving up to Oklahoma to live close to my family and my grandmother. Incidentally, I will be caring for my granny and living right next to her on a nice piece of property. The property I lived on when I was a child. the same property that my papa built their house on before I was born. So, not only am I going to be close to my family on land that I am so connected to, but I'll also be fulfilling a desire to move back to the country I grew up in.

How appropriate is that?

So, I'm fully immersed thus far, in some kind of sick universal game. One whee most of us have been the players at one time or he other.

It happens like this.
First, you geto to search for a job.
Second, you get to finally find one that you might like.
Thirdly, after finding out that you don't think you like the job, you quit and now have o start all over again. This whole beginning thing I am encountering is getting boorish. And it's not even like it's any one else's fault but my own. I have yet to find a job that I really like to work at. (besides music, and that job really doesn't pay unless you're a recorded artist)
So, this year has been about allot of quitting. Quitting smoking, good choice, so I can live a healthier and prosperous life. Well, so far I feel physically better, but this whole prosperous thing is really taking aim at me. I know, my 5th seven year cycle is about to begin...for those that are aware of what I am speaking of...See, things start to change from what a person is familiar with at the passing of each 7 years of life. I have referred to it as a rite of passage, which it is, but why should my life take on such drastic changes? The changes don't reserve themselves to every 7 years, but now it seems as seven times per year! LOL! Some joke this turned out to be. :(

Oh well, I know that spring is drawing closer to our time frame. The earth is warming up a bit at a time. Soon, it will be summer again. Time to fry in the Texas heat. Thanks to HUMANITY, we a re all drawing closer to another 7 year cycle beginning. (talking politics here, but I won't start a soapbox rant at the moment) ;)

Now that the earth is getting ready to be planted, we should remember that the seeds we plant now, may not all make it to the first harvest. We have one last cold spell that has yet to arrive on our weather scene. Mark my words, we WILL see another cold spell before March 22, 2007. (also the date of the Spring Equinox)

Also in the news: Daylight Saving Time. We got to move our clocks forward later this year. Thanks to our illustrious government. I am SO pleased about that one. It was so smart too. To cause the mass of it's citizens to ask, "How does that affect us?" Like we care when the time changes! Most don't have a clue as to why we observe daylight saving time anyhow!

The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time (called "Summer Time" in many places in the world) is to make better use of daylight. We change our clocks during the summer months to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy sunny summer evenings by moving our clocks an hour forward in the spring. Yet, the implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin first conceived of the idea. The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin (portrait at right) during his sojourn as an American delegate in Paris in 1784, in an essay, "An Economical Project." Read more about Franklin's essay.
Some of Franklin's friends, inventors of a new kind of oil lamp, were so taken by the scheme that they continued corresponding with Franklin even after he returned to America.
The idea was first advocated seriously by London builder William Willett (1857-1915) in the pamphlet, "Waste of Daylight" (1907), that proposed advancing clocks 20 minutes on each of four Sundays in April, and retarding them by the same amount on four Sundays in September. As he was taking an early morning a ride through Petts Wood, near Croydon, Willett was struck by the fact that the blinds of nearby houses were closed, even though the sun was fully risen. When questioned as to why he didn't simply get up an hour earlier, Willett replied with typical British humor, "What?" In his pamphlet "The Waste of Daylight" he wrote:
"Everyone appreciates the long, light evenings. Everyone laments their shortage as Autumn approaches; and everyone has given utterance to regret that the clear, bright light of an early morning during Spring and Summer months is so seldom seen or used."
Early British laws and lax observance
About one year after Willett began to advocate daylight saving (he spent a fortune lobbying), he attracted the attention of the authorities. Robert Pearce - later Sir Robert Pearce - introduced a bill in the House of Commons to make it compulsory to adjust the clocks. The bill was drafted in 1909 and introduced in Parliament several times, but it met with ridicule and opposition, especially from farming interests. Generally lampooned at the time, Willett died on March 4, 1915.
Following Germany’s lead, Britain passed an act on May 17, 1916, and Willett’s scheme of adding 80 minutes, in four separate movements was put in operation on the following Sunday, May 21, 1916. There was a storm of opposition, confusion, and prejudice. The Royal Meteorological Society insisted that Greenwich time would still be used to measure tides. The parks belonging to the Office of Works and the London County Council decided to close at dusk, which meant that they would be open an extra hour in the evening. Kew Gardens, on the other hand, ignored the daylight saving scheme and decided to close by the clock.

In Edinburgh, the confusion was even more marked, for the gun at the Castle was fired at 1:00 p.m. Summer Time, while the ball on the top of the Nelson monument on Calton Hill fell at 1:00 Greenwich Time. That arrangement was carried on for the benefit of seamen who could see it from the Firth of Forth. The time fixed for changing clocks was 2:00 a.m. on a Sunday.There was a fair bit of opposition from the general public and from agricultural interests who wanted daylight in the morning, but Lord Balfour came forward with a unique concern:
"Supposing some unfortunate lady was confined with twins and one child was born 10 minutes before 1 o'clock. ... the time of birth of the two children would be reversed. ... Such an alteration might conceivably affect the property and titles in that House."
After World War I, Parliament passed several acts relating to Summer Time. In 1925, a law was enacted that Summer Time should begin on the day following the third Saturday in April (or one week earlier if that day was Easter Day). The date for closing of Summer Time was fixed for the day after the first Saturday in October.

The energy saving benefits of Summer Time were recognized during World War II, when clocks in Britain were put two hours ahead of GMT during the summer. This became known as Double Summer Time. During the war, clocks remained one hour ahead of GMT throughout the winter.

A writer in 1947 noted, "I don't really care how time is reckoned so long as there is some agreement about it, but I object to being told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the implication that I am wasting something valuable if I stay in bed after the sun has risen. As an admirer of moonlight I resent the bossy insistence of those who want to reduce my time for enjoying it. At the back of the Daylight Saving scheme I detect the bony, blue-fingered hand of Puritanism, eager to push people into bed earlier, and get them up earlier, to make them healthy, wealthy and wise in spite of themselves." (Robertson Davies, The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks, 1947, XIX, Sunday.)

As if us "saving" the hour during the summer is going to somehow give it back to us in the fall...umm, no. AND, we have to go to bed an hour later in the "fall back" time, thereby losing an hour of the same hour we saved! Dee, dee, dee!

Okay, okay, I am finished for tonight.

Peace!

63 days, no smoking!

Almost 2 weeks without work...

Almost 1 week without a band...

Geez, wonder what's next?

I figure, if it's really supposed to happen, me being found, discovered, signed etc, it will have to happen in my dreams because it seems I am not cut out to be in a band, at least not one that plays rock and roll. Seems that my sound is too clean, too smooth, too un rock-n-roll. So I should "not be in a metal band" if I am going to be a frontman vocalist. Seems that I "should stick to coffe shops and places where the girls can swoon at my sounds". I should not stop playing the music I have, cause it's great, I just can't "front a metal band". Those quotes are directly from one of the members of the band I WAS in. They liked all my originals, even liked the words to the songs that I penned for them on other songs even. They like the fact that I can pen a song lyric with an idea in front of me and not too much time spent. Hmmm, I seem to have all the stuff together to make it in rock, just not the sound of a scratchy, smoked out, coarse sounding voice. I have been likened unto Queensryche, The Cult, Bad Company and a few others, but I am not new enough to front a metal band. I guess that makes me talented enough to sing, but too talented to be involved with a band that wants to make it? That doesn't make a lick of sense to me personally, but maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture.

Maybe I should focus on other things, like career, family, social life, community...Maybe I should just be a hobby musician in my spare time. Play the coffee houses, open mics for the rest of my life. Maybe it's about tenacity, maybe it's about my ego, maybe I should be more forceful with band mates in the future, if I so choose to be a part of another band that is.

Oh well, guess I'll see how it goes.

Peace.

So, it's been almost 60 days with no smoking. I am starting to feel better about doing physical labor again. It wears me down a bit at first, but then again I have been on the inside office workforce for a long time running.

I am doing better than I could be. My job and I parted ways amicably, sort of...

Anyway, I am going camping this weekend with my son and a few friends. We are going to celebrate my sons 7th birthday in the woods. He'll be leaning about camping, fire safety, how to dig a fire pit, how to hike and search for "treasures", seeing the stars without the impedence of the city lights to stop him. I am pretty sure I have more fun outdoors then most folks. If the temparature were to dip below freezing, I would feel at home. I've camped in colder! Of course, when it starts to get hot, and I do mean Texas hot, it's not nearly as fun anymore. So, that's when you break out the perma shade (AKA 12X20 Pavillion Tent) That actually keeps the temparature 10-15 degrees lower than the outside. Amazing!

Back in the day, you had no options. You either camped out primative like, or not at all. Motels were for sissies! (or for those of us that might like a dirty little tryst every now and again)
So, we plan on being out there in the woods on a 50 acre semi-primative camp spot the whole weekend. I think it's fantastic that my son chose camping for our weekend together! I didn't even have o say it more than once! That's my boy! My mini-me, my clone....okay, my reality. ;)

Well, I guess I'll stop here for today. Not too much going on in my mind regarding outside influences such as News, local or worldwide right now. Employment is my focus at the very moment.

Peace.

50 Days no smoking! I have had a few dreams that I was smoking though....YUCK! I even have to brush my teeth after I wake up from a dream like that!

On other fronts....Nazi style management techniques reign supreme in my company lately. Seems as though the old adage "Shit rolls downhill" is for real.

Snooping on websites I visit, not that it's my own personal PC, but, seems to me that some of the paranoia derives from someone in the company sending an anonymous email that sparked a rage.

Well, it's the price you pay to be employed, right?