ATWT - The Beautiful Sky

I took this picture while on the Oregon coast. I love how the sun is fighting to break through the rippled clouds. I found it very appropriate for today as I have been fighting to get a job these past months. I am off today to a very important interview. Please say a prayer for me. Thank you in advance to each of you for your support and kindness.

Thanks The Mom Jen for this platform of sharing.


Keep On Rock'in In The Free World, Peace

WW- Could This Be Where It All started?

I am not sure, but I am guessing this could not produce anything good. As I have said before, putting lipstick on a pig still makes it a pig. Now we have H1N1 Flu to deal with. What next, the petting zoo goat flu?


DISCLOSURE: This is NOT my child. Just a funny picture I came across.



Keep On Rockin' In The Free World

Tuesday's Tribute- Friends & Acquaintances

This Tuesday's Tribute I am tributing friends. What do you think a friend is? I know Webster has a definition of a this truly allusive creature:(friend. frend/noun supportive and respected associate. esp. one for whom affection is felt. ally: kind person.)
A very wise and honorable man (my dad, Big R) once told me that during life's hardest trials you will find out who your real, true friends are. In today's terms, it is like separating the men from the boys, if you will. I have had the fortunate and unfortunate opportunity to find out who my friends really are and who my acquaintances are in these past months. Some folks, I must say, have really surprised and disappointed me with taking a back seat as an acquaintance. Others, not so much.

You see, I am a Labrador in a man's clothing. I tell you I am your friend. I am. I do not take friendship lightly. Friendship is a badge of honor and pride for me. I will defend you like family. Come to your aide even if I have no money to offer. I would never leave you to your own devices to flounder in the emotional sea of uncertainty because you grow ill, lose a job, go through a divorce or any of the myriad of unsavory things life can throw at you. No, because you are my friend and I care about you, your family and your well being. I guess you could say I treat friendship with a very mafioso manner. That is just me. It is how I was raised and it is how I will die.

So today I outwardly thank you friends. You know who you are. Those who call from near and far to see how I am, to see if they can help. Those who stop by to say hello and see if there is anything I may need. Maybe take a few moments of their busy day to grab a sandwich or chat over a beer. Those who e-mail support with leads and ideas. Thank you!!!! It means the world to me to know you care and consider me as a friend. I promise I will always do my best to reciprocate the kindness, love and friendship. A reader of mine Amy shared this quote with me. "Friends are the Family you meet along the way."

To my acquaintances, you are always welcome around my campfire because that is who I am. I will still come to your aide in a time of need, because that is who I am. For the record, unemployment is not the Swine virus or any other contractible disease. We are going to survive this very rough patch in our family's time, and rise like the Phoenix to be stronger, better people and friends for the experience.



Keep on Rockin' in The Free World, Peace

Mindless Monday Madness

Ok, so around here the weather is not exactly what you would call consistent. It is Oregon after all. So the kids had a lot of free time on their hands and after reading books and making forts, they watch way too much TV in my humble, yet authoritative opinion. I got totally sick of hearing the theme music for Zack & Cody ,Hanna Montana, The Wizards of Waverly Place and the loathsome i.carly. I walk into a room with these pieces of bovine balderdash shows on and the kids are in some sort of "Lucky Charms" high trance that cannot be broken. At least they are not trying to smoke Smarties like we saw on CNN the other night. Do Smarties show up on a drug test? I had had enough of this insanity. I told them they had to first turn off the boob tube and second, come up with a new creative jingle.
This shouldn't be hard with all the damned TV they had watched. I guess in the end
you could say 'careful what you wish for' from two highly intelligent youngsters. The following is what they created. WOW. I am off to blaze some Smarties.

"800 5 8 8 2 300 Empire...Today! Ding! Eat fresh! Men, men, men, men manly men, hoo hoo hoo ooo hoo ooo hooo...It's not too late to sleep like a..Baby come back, you can blame it all on me...Mattress World! Every kiss begins with Kay! Ding!!

You have to sing the entire thing to get the effect.



Alayna got to get her ears pierced for accomplishing an exceeding in her state reading and math testing. A 205 was meeting the state standard. She scored a 223. She is growing up so fast in so many ways. I have my box of shotgun shells already. Each potential date will get his own shell with his name on it during our little chat prior to allowing my daughter to leave my home with him. (more on that another day) Make it a great week.

Keep On Rockin' In The Free World - Peace

Something To Think About

I don't care who you are or what you believe in, this is funny.



Gun Control
Barack Obama at a recent rural elementary school assembly in East Texas, asked the audience for total quiet.

Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands once every few seconds, holding the audience in total silence.

Then he said into the microphone, 'Children, every time I clap my hands together, a child in America dies from gun violence.'

Then, little Richard Earl, with a proud East Texas drawl, pierced the quiet and said: ''Well, dumbass, stop clapping!

All I am going to say is please remember that guns do not kill people. People kill people. Preserve our right to bear arms.

Keep On Rock'in The Free World, Peace.

Wordful Wednesday - The simple, yet over looked stuff

So as I was thinking about what to bring to this week's Wordful Wednesday Picnic . I had a huge epiphany. I have had a really rough last few days, hell for that matter, a really rough last few months after being laid off. I do not pretend to understand how people choose who to lay off. Nope, my 08 numbers were all in double digit increases and had very profitable business booked for this 2009. Then, out of nowhere, after being told an hour earlier I was safe, the carpet was ripped out from under my feet. I was told by a friend I was not an ass kisser, thus, I was a threat. Well sure, I am a man who respects his accomplishments and that of others. Why would I kiss anyone's ass other than my wife's? I am sorry... let's be real if we can. If you are an invertebrate and have to lower yourself to cowl down and "kiss the ass" of someone else to be employed or please your boss, there are two very fundamental problems that will always haunt you in life.

1. You have no pride in yourself. NONE !!
2. You will always be kissing someone's ass. Pucker up buttercup.. Invest in some bag balm.

Come on. If you need to succumb to kissing up to someone with a gigantic ego and probably a size 4 shoe, you need serious help.

As a former athlete you learn to respect those with who you work and play, but to fear no one. In business in the U.S. the reality is you either learn to kiss ass of those above you no matter how fucking incompetent they may be or how much fecal matter they may have on their lips, or face lay off or dismissal. Be honest with yourself. If you are working, you could not look yourself in the mirror and tell me what I say is not the absolute truth. The system is so fatally flawed. It is what is at the root of the country's current financial and corporate collapse. As with animals, the strong should lead the pack, not the meek yet threatening.

I believe we need to start a grass roots effort to stop this long standing business practice. People need to take a stand for their personal pride, their hard work and ensure that their daily efforts are recognized and not minimalized, not sent to the unemployment line. Hold managers accountable for annual reviews that create value for the companies for which they work and not just use them as a pass off tool. Use them to help better the employees so to thus, better the company. Hello. Gut check HR departments. If they cannot perform this function, then they should lose their jobs or be demoted. Enough of the Golden Parachute days. Earn it, don't whore it out through selling out to the next manager you have to which you have to report. Managers need to manage. When I say that I mean really manage. Which, if we must go back to business 101 means actually "Coaching employees", not just giving the new tag line of:

"I expect you to run your area like it is your business."

For me this is a fine approach , as I have been on my own island on the west coast for 18 yrs serving dutifully and making business happen, year after year. However this canned management approach may sound great to some, but to those who want to learn, want to move up and want to actually be in your shoes and show how to be a manager and a leader it is a punk ass way out of doing your job. Much like raising great kids, get involved in the daily activities of the individual so to ensure you leave the world with a more desired product. Not just an obligatory, "Yeah, I was a manager or a father and it just didn't work, I e-mailed it in." If you choose that path .. First - good luck>> and second, please invest in chapstick and bag balm... ENJOY.

I say all this because I have always been, as I am with my family and friends, as loyal as a Labrador in a man's clothing to every company for which I have worked. My son came to me tonight on his way to bed and asked the following:

Son- "Dad? Do you know how much I love you?"

Me- "How Much?"

Son- "I love you more than the universe." Followed by a big hug.

That is all that matters to me. The love of my kids. Take the many awards I have earned in life away- who cares? My kids love me. I love them.


I simply want to have a job to continue to provide for them.

It is easier to please the world than it is to please myself.




Thanks so much to my friend Angie for the Wordful Wednesday Platform.

God Bless & Keep On Rockin In The Free World, Peace.

Tuesday's Tribute - Ridiculous Retail & A Heavy Heart

So it is with a heavy heart that I present my first ever Tuesday's Tribute without my brother and friend. Senor' Jay & the beloved, wonderful Deb. I know all is in good hands with Angie to be sure, as she is amazing. I just had to give a shout out to Jay as he heads to the basement to recharge his bloggy batteries to hopefully make an epic crushing come back very soon. Like the Phoenix he will rise from the ashes to be better than ever.

Now to some short but very ridiculous retail tribute. I go to a local national hardware store to buy a few small yard beautification products. Bark and river rocks. I am loading the 50lb bags of bark onto my push cart when I am approached by said sales person.

Me- "Hello, how are you this fine morning?"

Sales idiot- "Uh, ok."

Silence........

Sales idiot- "Uh, like can I answer any questions?"

I literally looked him in the eyes with the disbelief of the world written all over my face and replied.

Me- "You're serious? I mean, it is only bark; shredded wood right? Do YOU have any questions?"

Sales idiot- "Uh, good point.."

Me- "Have a great day, dude."

Sales idiot- "mumble, mumble.."

I think I heard him say something as he slothed away about how he wished he had done a better job of waking and baking before coming to work. Not sure, but the possible translation was there. Oh my.

Cue Yackety Sax





Keep On Rockin' in The Free World. Peace

Mindless Monday Madness

OK, I DO NOT usually participate in these MEME things. Just not my thing. But today, as I kick off Mindless Monday Madness (Monday always seem to be a day where folks stand around the water cooler sharing tales of their weekend or something.) I am handing the keys of this vehicle over to my lovely wife. Honey, please be gentle. Thanks Jill Jill Bo Bill for prompting this platform. I hope you enjoy. I am going for a walk now. Have a wonderful week.

My husband, hmmmm. What can I say? This is a great opportunity to thank you for taking the time to read his blog, which he so thoroughly enjoys putting together each and every day. He loves to write and share his thoughts and feelings on life and every day goings on. He's a wonderful, mad man and I love him so. Thanks again for reading. Enjoy!

1. What is something your husband always says to you? "I love you."

2. What makes your husband happy? Knowing that he's done something good for someone else.

3. What makes your husband sad? Knowing that someone, whether a friend or family member has been hurt physically, mentally or emotionally.

4. What was your husband like as a teen? I didn't know him as a teen but have heard he was a star athlete (played varsity football as a Freshman).

5. How old is your husband ? 41

6. How tall is your husband ? 6'

7. What is his favorite thing to do? Spending time with his precious children first of all, but also tending to the yard (has to be impeccable), golf, going to the beach, cycling, camping and sex.

8. What does your hubby do when you're not around? Wishes that I WAS around.

9. If your husband becomes famous, what will it be for? His consistency at making his car the most meticulously shiny and clean in the neighborhood.

10. What is your husband really good at? Cooking, making people laugh, being extremely organized and taking really good care of me. ;)

11. What is your husband not really good at? Laundry and not having a lot of patience (we're still working on that).

12. What does your husband do for a job? He doesn't have one right now, thanks to our economy.

13. What is your husbands favorite food? My home cooked lasagna and Sashimi.

14. What makes you proud of your husband? That he's such a hard worker and strives to do the best for his family.

15. If your husband were a cartoon character, who would he be? Yogi Bear (kind, gentle and always shares his picnic basket).

Keep On Rockin' In The Free World - Peace

Are You Kidding Me? Really? Yo Ho Ho & A 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle.

So as most of you who have not been living under a rock somewhere know, we have pirates on the high seas again. Yes, your ears did not fail you. Pirates. Somali, that is. Scooting across the waters in what looks like large bath tubs held together by duct tape, tarps and chewing gum. This, providing a mounting concern worldwide over how to end the escalating attacks off the Horn of Africa against huge cargo ships. So we have the old Hummer vs. Kia. Who should win? Screeeeeech.......

Hold the hell up. These are punks from a war torn country in boats that are 1/40th the size of the cargo freighters they are over taking. I have a problem with this. Come on shipping companies, why not pay Blackwater to protect your ships rather than pay some exorbitant ransom? To allow this to even become a worldwide issue is just not acceptable. Hell, the Frenchies should be able to handle this and that is saying something about the wine swilling ostriches we have saved twice in major world conflict. No kidding. MSNBC actually had the title to their story "France is fighting back". I laughed my ass off when I read that. France fight? Come on, over what? Who gets the first round of escargot? I thought the only things France was trying to crush were Lance Armstrong and a magnum of Merlot. I had to laugh when a Somali official (is there such a thing? There has been no true governmental order over there for 20+ yrs) stated today that if the U.S. gave them money they could attack the problem and get resolution. Hmm. Yeah and his close pal has $28M he wants me to help him move out of his country into my bank account because I have a distant relative that has passed away and left this money to me. (You know the BS scam e-mails you get from Sir Edward Johanson.) Where do we sign up? Kiss our ass.

Anyway, I think the following picture is self explanatory. Somali pirates must be doing meth and drinking too much to start making threats against anyone, and if the world does not just squash this issue and end it we are foolish. For anyone who is not versed in what it takes to make a shot like this here you go. When a sniper takes a shot, there are countless variables to consider before squeezing the trigger --- wind speed, wind direction, range, target movement, mirage, light source, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and that's just the beginning. Keep making threats Somali's, these fine U.S. men can do this all day long. Bush's Military rocks!!

On a parting note in response to Tax day yesterday. Hey O, "Give Me Liberty, Not Debt."

Keep On Rockin' In The Free World

A Thousand Words Thursday- Never Judge A Book By Its Cover

I am sure you may have seen this, but I felt the need to share again. If you have not seen it, all I can say is you are in for a true gem of a treat. NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Dream. Shoot for the stars, keep your feet on the ground.
To each of you who stopped by today, follow your dreams.


Britains Got Talent 2009 Susan Boyle (Singer) (Hq) - Watch the top videos of the week here

Wordful Wednesday - Learning Japanese

So Alayna has been learning about Japan in school. She has brought home her latest skill set. These gems are made of paper, any paper but must be a perfect square to begin. Yes, she figured out that even toilet paper is a perfect square. Someone cue the band "The Vapors" old song. You know the song, the one that once you hear it you are screwed all day because it's stuck to the inside of your cerebral cortex like Mom's pot roast and potatoes all day.
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so

Have a great day.

Tuesday's Tribute - Mailing It In

So today I tribute that lovely feeling of being totally freezing cold, while all the time sweating like you are running a marathon. The awesome salty flavor that builds on your back teeth just before.. Yeah. Nothing seems to want to stay in your stomach and all you want to do is sleep, but you can't, because you can't keep down your arthritis meds so your joints are screaming the terribly scary "B" movie Halloween scream. Hopefully my 48 hrs are up soon - for the love of God.


A Jay and Deb Production.

Mad * Freaking Mad World Friday

So let's do this.
We live in a Mad Mad World these days. The pain in our country is raw and palpable. I am not sure that the moon hangs as high as it used to. I do not know if the sun really wants to shine anymore. I just don't know. Do you? I DO know that the rain is not going to wash away our country's troubles and to hide behind any ill accepted idea that our government, in its infinite wisdom, is going to be able to fix this is foolhardy at best. Our happiness is not a map that sits on our door step each morning waiting to show us the way.

With this said, this weekend is Easter, today is Good Friday. Both symbols of resurrection and cleansing of soul and humanity. Our faces are a map of the world, our world. I think we all need to make a concerted effort and attempt to resurrect our mad world from this cesspool of a shitty economy and find a ray of hope, a new garden path or new personal plan, whatever it may be to which we boldly move forward on our own as individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities. Pay it forward no matter how small the action or gift. Smile at someone when you may not have. Pay someone's toll, pay for someone's coffee if you can. Choose to be happy even if you feel painfully frustrated and helpless. Hold onto the American staple of humor. Laughter is the golden ticket, even if you're only laughing at yourself. It always finds a way to lift your spirits. I promise it will pay your psyche back in spades. God bless you all. I wish you a wonderful Easter spring weekend.

Here is one classic to start you off. Thanks to my new friend Jessica





Keep On Rockin' In The Free World

A Thousand Words Thursday

Kids need clothes & shoes right? Well, I am happy to say my daughter has good taste in fashion. Ed Hardy rocks the edgy side of the clothing world, and she loves it. Great style kiddo. Your awesome grades earned it. Those will rock a killer Easter dress. I am so proud of you.
Love, Dad



Keep on Rockin the Free world

Wordful Wednesday- Am I talking to the wall?

You know the things I hear when I talk to myself? Yeah, they are the crazy, irreverent at times and sometimes thought provoking ramblings that end up making it on this island of scrawling. Every piece of the written word has a calculated purpose. I take a great deal of pride in what I allow out of this over concussed cerebrum for your eyes to read and hopefully enjoy. I find that I talk to myself a great deal these days. I'm not sure it is actually healthy or maybe it is a good thing. I mean, when you talk to yourself, it is harder to have a dissenting reply like you may get from a normal conversation. Well, until my alter-ego Bob decides to step into the conversation. Then all Hell can break loose. (Note to self, discuss with therapist Bob's current behavior).

There are days when I feel like I am really talking to a wall. You know, like asking your wife a question and you get nothing in response. Nothing. In my mind I think,
" What the hell? Did a properly constructed question not just emanate from my lips in your direction and at a volume in which you could hear and understand what I said? "
If so, then what's with the non responsiveness? You're not pale and pulse-less laying on the ground dead. Freaking respond. Say something, anything. A grunt, like the apes before us to simply acknowledge my presence. The worst is asking the kids what they want for dinner.
"Ok, then you will have brussel sprouts, pea soup and spam sandwiches."
So, I think this translates to everything in our lives. If you read something you like or dislike please take a moment to comment and respond to the penman. Let us all know, we are not just talking to the wall. To those who do leave a quick comment, God bless your considerate soul.

Keep on rocking in the free world, peace out.

Tuesday's Tribute- Yeah that is Freaking Smart

Ok, so I am going to keep this tribute as short and sweet as possible. (good luck with that, my mind tells me.)

I am sending a resounding tribute out to the guy who can't seem to figure out how the hell to pronounce Pakistan each day. Let me help you (Pack-i-stan) not Pauk-a-staun. Apparently my editor has let me know that this country can be pronounced either way. However, I would rather have this high profile individual worrying about more pressing matters than creating a new cultural pronunciation. See, this is just one of my very deep set worries I have with someone who, 76 days into office, has been given a free pass by the press with no end in sight and has basically spent my kids' and their kids' futures down the Suez canal. But, when I asked a couple of college students the other day what they liked about this man so much that they voted him into office? They replied, "he gives such good speeches."

Whoooo, hold the presses. Really? That is the criteria or standard used to make such a huge decision? Really? Being a good speaker is what we are going to accept as we watch him do his version of the old Eddie Murphy, Beverly Hills Cops banana in the tailpipe rendition to us tax paying citizens? The worst of it is yet to come I am sure, not to alarm any of you who are still caught in the honeymoon bliss of this administration. For those dying to take advantage of next year's zero percent federal "death tax," they may want to kill those plans. President Obama's budget keeps the estate tax at the 2009 level, which means the government gets 45 percent of a dead person's estate valued over $3.5 million dollars or $7 million for a couple.
Republicans argue this tax doesn't just strike the wealthy. (WHAT??)

"It destroys a lot of small businesses and a lot of family farms and ranches in America," said Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.

"People who aren't wealthy, who may have built up value in land over generations and many family farms find themselves in situations where they've got to sell the farm in order for them to pay the taxes." Yeah, because you can count on 2 things in this country...death and taxes. Now hell, your ass can die and your beloved family can enjoy much grief and more taxes. What a novel and soothing concept. R.I.P.

Can I just say let's give a big round of applause to all you ostriches out there. Thanks for the banana in the tail pipe treatment. I guess it lubed me up for the North Korean nuke we will be getting soon. Oh, but Mrs.O looks so "hot" in those argyle blue dresses. What-evs. Bite me.

Peace out, word to your mother and keep on rocking in the free world.


A Jay and Deb Production.

Pick me Jay, Pick me...

Far Out Friday

So in support of my new friend EM and her recent post about a type A raising a type B, I had to share this moment of beauty.

A few nights ago, dinner is over, the kitchen is all cleaned with care, dishwasher loaded with the 30 million small plastic cups you get from every kids' pizza house and freaking food joint in town. Small cups for small hands, right? RIGHT....

But we seem to dirty like 20 a day...blah, blah blah...A family can never have enough of those trinkets of marketing trash. So I had asked the kids to try to use one cup for the entire day. Am I asking too much? Unless a bird happens by and shits in the said cup, it should be able to support your daily need for water, milk and maybe some juice. Just rinse and keep using. No?

So I hear the laughter of my 2 ever glowing geniuses from the kitchen. I just know that at 8 & 5 this means something of odd or potentially destructive value is taking place. So I go to investigate.

I round the corner and yes I was correct. They had taken party straws and jammed them into the outlet tube on the refrigerator door water dispenser to drink water.

"Mia Skatulli!! (Greek for little shits - they do not understand Greek yet, so it is my last island of expression that has not been explored by Columbus and his sister.) Why are you doing this?!!"


"We didn't want to use more cups, Dad."

I guess I had it coming, but come on. 8 & 5 and they have learned to tap into a 6ft tall keg of water? What is next? I dare not ask... Oy Vey.. God Bless me please.

Song of the Day: Live--- Lightening Crashes

A Thousand Words Thursday

As most of you know the premise behind ATWT is, as the CEO of ATWT said,

"Every Thursday I am going to post a picture that is powerful, that expresses emotion, and speaks volumes to me." The Mom Jen

On this Thursday I choose to be thankful as I am everyday for my every growing little man. These photos were taken Nov. 2007 before and after he had a thyroglossal duct cyst removed and then an additional surgery 7 days later to remove some straggling tissue and massive infection. The doctors and staff at the Doernbecker Children's Hospital were awesome. I do not know who was more scared, little man or his mother and me? The "Hugs & Kisses Corner", directly before entering the operating room, was a parental learning curve for which I was ill prepared. That was not in the owners' manual.

I love this little guy with every fiber of my being. I am thankful.