Hound Dog Blog

Today is my Father's Day

Sometimes we push it a bit too far  

 Trying to find out just who we are.
Often we speak and move out of line
 But a happy medium is hard to define.
Our lives are joyful, we never knew sorrow-
 We played through yesterday,
  and lived for tomorrow.
One day we'll awake, and start life anew
 Knowing life's hard for us
  as it was for you.
We toil and try and we wonder why
 Our ceiling o success is as 
  high as the sky;
What waits before us is greater
  than that behind,
 What lies at our feet is
  us to find.
We go to life's window to look 
  at the view.
And we see our generation is
  filling the gap
Of the void yours will leave
  when it takes its nap.
We lay our heads on a pillow of potentials
 Rest assured that we have the essentials.
That life as we want is within our grasp
 To save the world all we need do is ask.
We have our own dreams of gold, 
 Dreams so deep that only the heart can hold.
With our minds, we paint the picture of success,
 With our hearts anxieties'
  pains are recessed.
All we need is some elbow room
 Just some fresh air to make us bloom.
And we'll show you how the world can be
 A more wonderful place for
  you and me.
Give us that chance, a chance to speak,
The urge to create, the opportunity to seek.
Let us make this world a better place to live-
We've got the tools-we have ourselves to give.

~John C Beattie, Jr. 

This Won't fit on a Yellow Bracelet

Some people quit and some people fight like hell. Those are not, as I have posted before in this blog, our only choices in life (unless... well just click here and read). 

I had a drink with two people I admire that never even broached the option of: quit (again, I am saying there are many more options). It occurred to me that to 'fight like hell' is what they (along with me) have been doing just that for years in various capacities. I came across this quote and found it relevant in regards to Seth's milestone.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

By the way, he also thinks you should start a blog. 

'Giving it A Shot'

I don't ever want to feel like I 'gave it a shot.' By that, I mean I want to know when I fail (and I do, but I like to think that I fail forward) that I at least, 'never gave up...' (that one of 2 choices things).

Certainly, I am not the prototype of success; however I like to think that I have done more in my 35 years than 'given it a shot.'

What if people were opportunists? What if there were no such people as trailblazers like Bill Gates, Bono,Steve Jobs or The Beatles? What would culture or even relationships be like? 

More than that, what would business be like? It seems like if you just 'give something a shot,' (especially these days) - you come off seemingly desperate, transparent and maybe not so 'true-to-form.' 

But that's just me. I am not an opportunist. There is a difference between being an opportunist and being aggressive. The former is: the means never justify the ends, while the latter is:  means justify the ends... and then some.

Dum Dum Happy Happy Song . . . O T I S :)

I digress to my 'Get Real!' and Seth's recent post on Authenticity. 

But doesn't it seem that it's easier to be real? Isn't it easier to tell the truth? 

Is it not easier to love the one your with 'fully' rather than a 'little bit?' Isn't it a easier to walk around in clothes that you're comfortable in, than one's that you're not?

I, for one, know many musicians who 'try' to play with soul, but it is only from MTV that they can even place their fingers on the fretboard. I know not why people can't be real - never could, but is this not part of a larger problem?

If standing in a 'posh, swanky' environment because you want affirmation that you exist, email here beaglesandblues@gmail.com and I'll confirm that you exist, but if ACTING as if you BELONG there is a goal that is further from that, please email twice. In which case we should talk. 

It's ok... I've known music with Dada... yes... I said it... that guy can play... and I've known music with Rob Thomas (before he was what you thought he was)... and I've played with Edwin McCain... and I've played with all the boys from Sister Hazel... and . . . you know... who's real... ? they are... they have NO tolerance for PHONIES . . . good people. . . 

Oh... p.s I even saw Mikey from Widespread Panic 'standing up' at the Reitz Union Ballroom... in Gainesville before they were what they are now... selling out Madison Square...

Just ... get real . . . be real ... and most of ACT real... I need you to BE.

Clever is Not this:

If you take an interest in a blog, a facebook profile, or a twitter stream, it does not entitle you to 'judge.' This is because like Seth's blog you are not 'doing' anything, except for observing which is the opposite of a conversation or engagement. 

This is NOT clever.

1. Being able to perform a search on Google is NOT clever.
2. To do the same on Yahoo is NOT clever.
3. To search with quotation marks or any other 'google' search tricks is not clever, that's just common sense
4. Ability to perform a 'screenshot' does not make you computer savvy.
5. All and EVERYTHING you type into the WEB puts a CYBER footprint of your life - and this I CANT stress enough... EVEN if you are PASSWORD protected and you know EVERYONE is asleep... you are indelibly marked in a 'cache' somewhere - being sneaky (in other words) on the internet is a joke
6. Be careful on what you say to anyone, unless of course you are 'brave' enough to do it in public - then, of course you are 'LIBEL' for it.
7. Clever is not being manipulative

I took a class once on 'being authentic' (which was a BIG mistake and waste of $$$) and I couldn't understand why people couldn't be themselves and needed this type of 'help.'

While there were many 'pearls' of wisdom - it seemed as if the entire group was full of 'actors,' 'phonies,' and 'know-it-alls,' they encouraged deceptive behavior in the 'real' world while claiming that you need to be 'authentic.'

Authenticity is the most admirable trait a human (or a duck) can possess, in my opinion. It is so much easier to communicate with people who don't always have 'something up their sleeve.' I don't see why it is so difficult, unless... you are hiding something. . . in which case, it only makes you more transparent and less authentic.

100th post needs no words . . . lest we forget . .

STOP! You are ruing facebook by your LISTS, SPAM, and MARKETING!

Ok. This is a blog. This is facebook. This is an email address. This is a website.

Each is a different entity. Each is a form of communication, though different.

Enough with the tagging of 48 things, or the One word... thing... it is ABSOLUTELY the 'beginning of the end' of the 'fun' that is facebook.

See... facebook is 'fun' because it allows you to become close to people anonymously, and at the same time get to know them. It is precisely this reason that you don't need a 'spin the bottle' game like 'tag... youre it... and if you don't you break the chain' 

People went to facebook because email became obsolete... no more anonymity was to be on email because you had to wade through your 'junk' box just to be 'sure' there was nothing important.

I (and I know noone cares) am growing ever more tired of the 'lists' that appear on the wall...

I like facebook, and I love my friends on there, and I may not be the best of friends... and I did do the '25 things,' but I did it and I tagged ALL of my 'friends'... by that, I mean, I INDIVIDUALLY posted my '25 Things' their walls ... because I can't stand it when 'people aren't invited'... not my cup of coffee... 

Anyway... facebook obviously will evolve to the next 'social platform' ... whatever that may be... with the 'L I S T E R' people's help... I guess that's just part of the fun, huh... 

I think you 'list' people ought to start blogs... instead of using 'facebook' just because it is free. I pay to host this blog... and I know there is no actual 'content' here, but ... I ask... why? Why ruin a good thing? So many people have so much fun on facebook...and you, yes you... the 'lister' want everyone to respond to your spam? 

Again... SPAM IS CANNED FOR A REASON!!!

25 things - and I'm tagging EVERYONE

1I have ADHD - if you think it's a copout, that is, in fact what makes you uninformed

2. I lived in NYC during the 2001 attacks on our country. 

3. I was in the 7th Grade at John F. Kennedy Middle School when the Challenger blew up in the sky. We walked outside and saw the SRB's flying erratically.

4. I was living in Ft. Lauderdale when tropical storm 'Katrina' turned into a Category 1 Hurricane and destroyed Ft. Lauderdale until 4 days it decimated New Orleans

5. I have 14 different stringed instruments in a 500 square foot apartment

6. I love my hound dog, Ruby - and, there is no other

7. I have a tattoo of John Lennon (we were also born on the same day) on the inside of my left wrist (so when I play he watches me) and I have the mother-of-pearl inlays of the 12th fret of my Les Paul tattooed on the inside of my right wrist (my Dad gave me the Les Paul)

8. The tattoos were done by the shopowner of Perry Farrell's brother in Queen's NY

9. I think WAR (for whatever reason) is stupid, dumb and atrocious

10. I can sing all the words to ALL Beatles songs (not in key, that is) as well as I  can sing all the words to 'American Pie,' however - I don't believe it was the day the music died, I believe it was the day that music (as we know it - culturally - began)

11. Cancer 

12. Sucks

13. My belief system is as follows: "There's nothing you can do that can't be done... there's nothing that be but you can learn how to be you in time - it's easy - All you need is love"

14. Ruby.... Rubies... and more Rubies

15. Classes.... 'i.e. rich, poor, beggars...' I get on with 'em all. people are all the same, money or not

16. Clichés are for losers

17. People who carry a camera around their whole life are missing the moment

18. I've been on stage with people that I wouldn't mention for fear of being labeled a sycophant

19. Some of best friends are rockstars

20. I work for and with amazing people

21. I have always been where the action is, otherwise... I'd have to go find it

22. I talk to my Dad, even though he is dead... (he died at 54 of cancer - it sucks --) but I don't believe in randomness, I believe everything happens for a reason

23. I hate lies.... B I G time

24. I shook Greg Allman's hand in Gainesville, FL right after he played Whipping Post (while sitting right next to his Mom) at the O'Connell center

25. I could probably kick your ass.... mainly because I don't have much to lose... and that... is a dangerous proposition... especially for you, because I am not skilled in the ways of the warrior.

Can't Buy Me Passion

~ You cannot consistently perform in a manner which is inconsistent with the way you see yourself. ~ Zig Ziglar

I love this quotation. The photo you see here is, and has been, the #1 Sales Rep for an esteemed organization. I won't mention names; though I will point out the fact that she (yes - the one dressed like Bozo the Clown, though in Steelers garb), is a personal mentor, friend and 'distinguished' (yes - it's true) associate of mine.

I will go one step further, since there was a prior post about my work in the service industry at the Olive Garden, she ... was actually . . . yes . . . dare I say . . . to work in sales from the 'service' industry. 

The larger point here is that passion, being yourself, desire and enthusiasm cannot be contrived. One step further. . . If you think for one second. . . that because you have a 'college degree' from an accredited school with a degree in Advertising that you can keep up with this... you are sorely mistaken (not that she doesn't - I am unsure, to tell you the truth she may have a degree from Harvard - though I don't recall the conversation). 

If I were starting a band, she would be my lead singer. . . (even if she couldn't sing - but she can).

P.S. she can sing too... you know why? because she's ALL heart and passion. . . and by the way . . . passionate people have NO time for gossiping or 'what's fair,' or the 'entitlement' thing because they don't need it. . . These type of people are the opposite of 'gossip and entitlement' . . they are the ones who create the 'need' for people in such organizations to 'feel' as if they are 'entitled.' (ironic, huh?)

P.S.S. If it weren't for these 'passionate' people . . . one would not feel entitled because they are the ones who created the very thing you feel entitled to.