"Life is what we make of it, and money does not provide happiness, it simply provides comfort. These two things can easily be seperated. We can be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy." -- Carlos Caggiani

Well... I  love my kindle.  I finished another book.

TRACKS AND HORIZONS : 26 COUNTRIES ON A MOTORCYCLE

BY CARLOS CAGGIANI

So, I'm a sucker for these travel narratives.  This book chronicles the journey of a young Carlos Caggiani.  But, it is also a snapshot of what was happening in the world in the mid 1960's.  Caggiani decides, at the age of 24, that he is going to travel around the world on his 1947 Indian Chief motorcycle.  He decides and just does it.  With little to no money, he lived hand to mouth in many a foreign land.  His trip lasted two years.  When he returned to his home town of Montevideo (Uruguay), he realized the trip had changed him.  I left a lot out because I think it's worth the read.  So, if you're so inclned.... Check it out.

One of the stories my Dad shared on our roadtrip involved an Indian motorcycle.  He grew up in a rural community that was growing.  There was a crew that came in to cut in the road in front of their house.  A member of the crew rode an Indian motorcycle.  While the crew worked, he let the kids toy with the motorcycle.  Well, my Dad asked if he could take it for a ride.  He was granted permission and down the dirt road he went.  As he approached the intersection to the main road, he attempted a U-turn on the bike.  He got about 2/3rd's of the way around and the weight was too much.  My dad fell in a ditch with the 1000 lb. bike on top of him.  Well, he yelled loud enough that the crew heard him and eventually freed him from under the bike.  He's not real fond of bikes these days.

Never gonna grow up... Never gonna slow down..

So, I missed another dose of cool.  The video for this is kinda cool.  The artist chronicled his road trip to Vero Beach from his own footage.

BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT

JAKE OWEN

Full moon shinin' bright
Edge of the water we were feelin' alright
Back down a country road
The girls are always hot & the beer is ice cold
Cadillac horns on the hood
My brother Jarrod had his dad hook us up good
Girls smiled when we rode by
They'd hop in the back & we'd cruise to the riverside

Chorus:
Wohh never gonna grow up
Wohh never gonna slow down
Wohh we were shinin' like lighters in the dark
In the middle of a rock show
Wohh we were doin' it right
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Wohh we were comin' alive
Wohh We were caught up in a southern summer
Barefoot bluejean night

Blue eyes & auburn hair
Sittn' lookin' pretty by the fire in a lawn chair
New to town, new to me
Her ruby red lips were sippin' on sweet tea
Shot me a look like a shootin' star
So I grabbed a beer & my ole guitar
Sat around til the break of dawn
Howlin' & singin' to our favorite songs

Repeat Chorus x2

Corpus Christi.... The Play

I attended the Good Friday performance of the play Corpus Christi.  Yes, it is a controversial play.  Yes, there were protestors.  Both the church and production company were hit with hate mail...  Hate mail from churches.  Think about that.  The hate mail was from churches.  Yes. the subject matter was adult in nature and outside of what most consider the norm.  I went with an open mind.  I felt that it was an excellent play.  It revisited the story of  Jesus Christ.  I was fortunate enough to know two of the actors in this production.  Both are phenomenal.  The part of Jesus is in this case was played by a female lead.  You can tell the ability of an actor by how believable the performance is.  Let me tell you.  I hurt when he was betrayed.  I hurt when he was in the garden.  I almost had to leave as they drove in the nails because I truly felt for him.  So, there was a whole lot of talent going on. 

Afterwards, I had a healthy discussion about the play and life really.  It is amazing to be on the same wave length with like minded individuals. 

I have to give props to the church that hosted the event.  This church is a true example of what I feel a church should be.  They open their doors to anyone.  They didn't criticize.  They didn't judge.  They didn't turn away.  It is the First Grace United Church Of Christ located at 350 S. Portage Path, Akron.

I will end this post with a quote from their website.  "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

So, The Train Went Of The Tracks....

So, I think somewhere I've gotten off track on my blogging.  I need to jump back on.

I was at a client's office a few weeks ago.  In talking with the owner, he was slowly handing the business over to a key member of his team.  He was headed for retirement.  I inquired about how he planned on spending his retirement.  Traveling was his response.  He explained that whenever he traveled, he stopped to take an interest in people.  I picked up on this same quality in myself.  Whenever I traveled, I enjoyed meeting the locals as much as seeing the sights.  I talk to everyone. 

I struggle to understand that when I'm back in my locale of Akron, I am so much more reserved.  I've been pondering that question lately.  There are days when I interact with people.  But it is not consistent.  I'm starting to wonder if it's because I perceive ill intentions.  On too many occassions, I've said a greeting too someone and they've hit me up for money.  The worst of all was at an inner city gas station.  I don't get frustrated with people that often.   This guy must have noticed my dockers and dress shirt and perceived that I have money to give.  I told him that I was sorry I had nothing to give.  Then, he proceeded to give me a lecture on how I didn't need all that money and that I can't take it with me when I die.  This was slowly pissisng me off.  I, finally, put the nozzle back on the pump and left.  There was also the time that I was leaving the bank one pay day.  I'm on a very tight budget.  I had taken out enough money to hold me over for a couple of days.  I was approached by a middle age woman who frantically explained that her car had broken down.  She needed $10 dollars more in order to get the car towed and get to work.  Her badge showed that she worked for Visiting Nurse Services.  I felt sorry for her.  I handed her all of the money I had.  Well, she then proceeded to ask for a ride to her "car".  It was 3 or 4 miles away from where we were, in a bad neighborhood.  I couldn't fathom her walking for 3 or 4 miles and no one helping her.  Well, the light bulb came on.  I had just been scammed by a 50 year old drug addict.  I have to admit, it was a creative story.  I don't know that it was worth $10.00 though.

So, I've been making it a point lately to interact with people like I were on vacation.  I'm very selective these days to avoid situations like the ones mentioned above.  I've met some interesting people.  Everyone has a story to tell.  I love hearing these stories.

Well, today is a vacation day from work.  I'm out to hear some great stories.

Blow the candles out.... Looks like a solo tonight.... But, I think

I'm a little down today.

"CANDLES"

HEY MONDAY

The power lines went out
And I am all alone
But I don't really care at all
Not answering my phone
All the games you played
The promises you made
Couldn't finish what you started
Only darkness still remains

Lost sight
Couldn't see
When it was you and me

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

Been black and blue before
There's no need to explain
I am not the jaded kind
Playback's such a waste
You're invisible
Invisible to me
My wish is coming true
Erase the memory of your face

Lost sight
Couldn't see
When it was you and me

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

One day
You will wake up
With nothing but "you're sorrys"
And someday
You will get back
Everything you gave me

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

Akron Film - Missed Connections Challenge

For fun, my friends from the film club accept local challenges.  The folks at Akron Film threw the gauntlet down.  The challenge was to take a Craigslist Missed Connection and tell the story through film.  We have two weeks to turn in the project.  There are 21 teams competing.  Here's the post we drew:

Craigslist: Pittsburgh

ON THE COUCH - W4M

I don't know what to do.  I want to make a move.  I want you to make a move.  I'm pretty sure you are somewhat attracted to me... But I'm so bad at this.

I know I'm kinda badass -- But I'm so shy.  The adrenaline rush of walking through your front door is enough to power me through a million work days.  I want to inch way closer to you on that couch and just tear into you.

Well now.  I think there is a story there.  We're meeting Thursday.  So, we'll throw something on paper.  It was good to see some of my film friends drawing as well.  Some of the posts were tough.  I can't wait to see their work.

Roadtrip To Charleston

So, The roadtrip went well.  The Route 1 Ends performed flawlessly.  As a matter of fact, she was posting 33.5 miles per gallon.  This is a very good benchmark to keep in mind when planning future road trips.  We put her up on the trailer to haul her back to Ohio.  My brother needed to clean his driveway up a little bit.  So, his truck and trailer now reside in southern Ohio.



I had an excellent time with my Dad.  I heard so many stories.  I wouldn't even know where to begin in telling them.  I'll touch on them from time to time in this blog.  We are alike in so many ways.  It is crazy.  We both had to deal with similar challenges, Although 30 years apart.  When my girls moved to Long Island a few years back, I had some challenges with loss.  I was used to them being here with me.  Well near me.  I had to learn to deal with this loss.  This was not that different from when my Dad had to let us go all those years ago.  He was dealing with similar loss it seems.  It seems it was a challenge for both of us. 



My brother was incredibly busy.  So, the timing of the trip could have been better.  I think that he felt he had to entertain us.  He is in charge of making sure the local newspaper get to the doorstep daily on time.  This means that he has to count on people.  Counting on people is a huge challenge.  The second day of the trip he received 12 complaint phone calls.  The guy on that route didn't finish the last 15 deliveries.  Crazy.  Needless to say, that guy was fired.  So, I offered to help on the Sunday Morning delivery.  I was able to help with the single copy.  This meant that we had to pick up the front page and the special bridge run booklet from the printer at 12:00 AM.  Once we recieved these, we had to scoot back to the warehouse to pair these two parts with the other three parts.  This week was a five part paper.  Once all the papers parts were together, I rode with June to deliver the single copy to local stores and paper boxes throughout the territory.  If I remember right,  we finished combining the parts and were rolling out at 3:00 AM or so.  We had about 40 stops.  We wrapped up the single copy at around 6:00 AM.  My brother then picked me up from the warehouse to finish his route.  He wrapped up this route by 8:00 AM.  Ideally, they like to be wrapped up by 7:00 AM.  When we got back to the house, I crashed.  But, I was up and moving by noon. 



We spent most of Sunday in and around Charleston.  Here are some random shots:

This could be good... It's already better than the last..

I heard this song a while ago.  I found myself singing it just the other day.  I had to look it up to listen to it again to see why that was.  I am going to tell you that I am a huge Kara DioGuardi fan.  She is an amazing songwriter.  This is by far my favorite.  Her performance in this clip is amazing.  It seems as though she truly feels it.

"Terrified"

Kara DioGuardi & Jason Reeves
You by the light is the greatest find
In a world full of wrong you're the thing that's right
Finally made it through the lonely to the other side

You said it again, my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark,
And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time and the last time
In my only life.

This could be good
It's already better than last
And love is worse than knowing
You're holding back
I could be all that you needed
If you let me try

You said it again, my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time
In my only

I only said it 'cause I mean it
I only mean it 'cause it's true
So don't you doubt what I've been dreaming
'Cause it fills me up and holds me close
Whenever I'm without you

You said it again, my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
I'm at the edge of my emotions
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time
In my only life

We all bleed red..

     I'm back from the road trip.  It was a great experience and I'm glad I went.  I understand things a lot better.  He talked the entire way down.  Yes, all twelve hours.  So, I heard some great stories and some heartbreaking stories.  It turns out, we're really not that different.

   I realized I missed posting my Sunday dose of cool music.  So, Here ya' go. 

Bleed Red

Ronnie Dunn

Written By: Tommy Lee James, Andrew Dorff

Let’s say were sorry, before it’s too late, give forgiveness a chance

Turn the anger into water; let it slip through our hands
We all bleed red, we all taste rain, all fall down, Lose our way,
We all say words we regret, we all cry tears, we all bleed red

If we’re fighting, we’re both losing; we’re just wasting our time
Because my scars, they are your scars and your world is mine
You and I, we all bleed red, we all taste rain, all fall down, lose our way
We all say words, we regret, well cry tears, we all bleed red
Sometimes we’re strong, sometimes we’re weak, sometimes we’re hurt and it cuts deep
We live this life, breath to breath, we’re all the same; we all bleed red

(Instrumental break)
Let’s say we’re sorry….Before it’s too late….

We all bleed red, all taste rain, all fall down, lose our way,
We all say words we regret, we all cry tears we all bleed red,
Sometimes we’re strong, sometimes we’re weak; sometimes we’re hurt
It cuts deep; we live this life breath to breath; we’re all the same
We all bleed r-e-e-e-d-d-d