It's what they Say......

You can become anything you want if you try hard enough. My question is, How hard is hard enough? I'll tell you, it sucks having lots of people tell you your great. And it sucks seeing people that suck getting signed to big Hollywood contracts. But getting to meet the great people that come to see me play makes it ALL worth it.

Fatty FAT, fat fat.............

I was reading an article on-line a couple of nights ago about McDonalds French Fries. *(ya I know, too much time on my hands) http://www.rense.com/general7/whyy.htm But if there is one thing that Democrats AND Republicans (and maybe even independents) agree upon is that McDonald's makes the best fast food french fry. (say that ten times real fast) But what was responsible for that great taste? The Russet Burbank Potatos were deep fried in 93 percent "BEEF TALLOW" . yummmmmmm.

But the amount of saturated fat in a small order of french fries was greater than a big mac. hahahaha.

Personally, I need to watch my Cholesterol. And what most people don't realize is that you don't control your Cholesterol by limiting your dietary Cholesterol (ie, eggs, shrimp etc) you moderate your body's production of Cholesterol by limiting the amount of "Saturated FAT" that you eat. Here's a good example: Shrimp is very high in Cholesterol yet extremely low in Saturated fat. The chances of you dying from eating a shrimp diet is far less likely than you eating a diet of potato chips that say "no cholesterol" yet is loaded to the brim with "Trans-fat". (Trans-fat elevates your tryglicerides) . Back in the day when the companies were asked to make the public aware of Cholesterol, they chose to list the chemical content of Cholesterol in their product. Most people are completely unaware of the connection between "Saturated Fat" (which BTW is primarily Animal Fat) and Cholesterol.

The American Heart Association does recommend that you keep your dail intake of dietary Cholesterol below 300 mg per day.

I highly recommend you study this page :

http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/articles/fats-chol/cholesterol.htm


I truly feel that once you understand the physics of how food works in your body, you can make smart choices about your diet that will help you live a healthier longer life. (if you want to) You'll be able to see thru the "quick fix" approach of Atkins. (Your body needs carbs, Carbs don't make you fat, Saturated fat does) Carbs are the Gasoline for the Fire (the fire being Fats)

And once again, I have to quote Matthew Kelly:

"If you owned a million dollar Race Horse. Would you feed it McDonald's fast food?"

"I'm not a bad man".....................

"I'm just a bad Wizard." Those are the immortal words of the Wizard of Oz. It's a lot like the line in "Who framed Roger Rabbit". Jessica Rabbit (played by Kathleen Turner) says "I'm not a bad woman, I'm just drawn that way".

Ya know in today's culture that is choreographed by People Magazine and ET, What a person says and what they are can be two completely opposing Ideas. Take for example the late Reggie White. Former football great for the Green Bay Packers. I remember driving home one night listening to the radio and hearing Reggie's "ethnic blessings" speech. Man did he take some heat for his stereotypical analogies. And sadly, most people will remember Reggie for what the press made him in that speech. Only the true die-hard football fans will remember Reggie as a Defensive Monster "Hall of Famer". And even sadder; even less people will remember Reggie as the faithful follower of Christ. So If I could speak for Reggie White, I'd say:

"I'm not a bad Christian, I'm just a bad Speaker"

God Bless you Reggie White.............


Ace Out..........................

5 to 1..............

I'm convinced that the best Martini recipe is a 5 to 1 ratio of Absolut Vodka to Martini and Rossi Vermuthe.

WANTED - A Republican with Testicles........

What has happened to my party? Is there not 1 (one) republican in the party that understands the practicle importance of controlling our borders? I (like most fellow republicans) thought for sure that GW was going light on the illegals to secure the hispanic vote in 04. But it seems that there is a bigger picture we're not seeing.

Being of partial Native American decent, I can't communicate properly, the importance of securing our borders. When our European ancestors "conquered" this land in the 1700's; it was in essence the Native Americans inability to secure the borders that led to the demise of the Indian Nations. Have we not learned from our mistakes? Only this time instead of bearing trinkets and viruses, the new conquerer is bearing an atomic suitcase and a Quran.

There is really nothing wrong with our immigration policy. Allowing illegals to stay and gain citizenship is a slap in the face to those immigrants that came here legitimately.

My fear is that President Bush sees the west as a future "America Union" . Similar to the European Union. The only problem is, Canada, Central and South America are not worthy of American citizenship simply because of proximity. Canada being the least worthy. The only redeeming value Canada brings to the table is Hockey. Other than that, it's a great place for liberals to go when they can't take the responsibility of being an American.

Central America offers excellent strategic advantages, and South America has an abundance of raw natural resources . (ie, coffee).

But none are worthy of being Americans. Americans are more than just the population of this country. Americans display courage when called upon. Americans are willing to die for freedom. Americans believe in being #1. 2nd and 3rd place is OK for Canada and Mexico.

Please. If there is a Republican with presidential qualifications that has the intestinal fortitude to put the national guard on the borders. Please see me for more information.



Ace out...........

Words never Heard..............

Have ya ever.................... Had so much to say that when you finished saying it you realized you were just unloading ? I got a simple email from an old friend yesterday. I hadn't seen them for 3 years. They wished me well. I said, "Thank you......" Then I went on to write about 8 paragraphs about the ups and downs of being a musician.

When I had finished purging my head of all the disappointments and highpoints; I deleted everything but the Thank you part. Sometimes I wish I had one of those high tech email systems that hold on to your email for 30 minutes before it sends it. But knowing me, that would just give me 30 more minutes to stick my foot in my mouth.


Ace Out....................

Checkin' in...............

I'm currently fighting off a virus that's going around. Running a low temp but still trying to get things done. I played with a group this weekend called "Tuff Mama" . It was very fun. I look forward to playing shows with them in the coming months. I believe you can check them out at www.tuffmama.com

Danica Patrick crashed. Probably the most viewed crash this week-end.

The Witches of California are already getting their anti-Roberts venom ready. Feinstein, Pelosi and Boxer can't wait to show off their lack of morals and self-control.

And I'm going to bed.

Ace out.............................

It's what you didn't see.......................

Wednesday night when President Bush was naming John Roberts as his selection to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the bench of the Supreme court, All you saw was two straight faced men. Occaisionally you saw John Roberts smiling for no apparent reason. Was he letting his excitement of being the chosen one shine thru? Not at all. What you didn't see was John Jr. Judge Robert's 3 year old son, who had broken away from Mrs. Roberts on the right side of the platform. With child like excitement and all the media attention; little John was doing a tap dance routine just 5 feet from the president. Someone motioned to Mrs. Roberts to just let him go, while the president was giving his speech. Can you imagine what must have been going thru the judges mind? I say kudos to both Judge Roberts and President Bush for keeping their composure while this young M.C. Hammer was throwing down his chops.

See picture below:



*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Dumbasses..................

I guess Al Queda is trying to make a whimper again. It reminds me of an ethnic joke tho. How many Al Queda terrorists does it take to set off a bomb? Nothing funny about what happened 2 weeks ago. It makes you wonder if some idiot's little brother tried executing the 2nd round of explosions. I seriously wonder how long the free world will put up with this insanity. I'm sure England has Nuclear bombs. USE EM DAMN IT.

If we endure much more of this Islamic bullshit, we're seriously going to owe Nagasake and Hiroshima an apology.

Let the hysteria begin.................

President Bush selected John Roberts as his choice as Supreme court Justice. Is it just me or is the media just getting too full of themselves. From everything I've heard and read, Judge Roberts is one smart individual. He's argued 36 cases in front of the Supreme court and won 24 of them.

The Leftist gorillas (boxer, feinstein, pelosi) will hate him because he's not only white, but he's a male.

Now I'm hearing that the Right doesn't trust him because he's not controversial. GW has the not so popular legacy of his father to live up to. So many are thinking that we are dealing with a "stealth" liberal. Shame on you Anne Coulter.

Judge this candidate on what he's done (as opposed to not done) and not his sex, race or color. These two appointments to the supreme court will be more important to our country than who we elect as president or who has control of the house and senate for the next 12 years.

Ace's HIdeaway.............

Sometimes, when the world gets really really hectic; I need to retreat to my private place in my mind that escapes both the physical world and current time coordinates. I try to think of a time from my childhood when my whole family was happy. Usually this scene is choreographed by Dean Martin on the stereo. All I have to do to get there, is start humming "Volare, oh oh, E Contare, oh oh oh oh, Nel blu, dipinto de blu. Felice de starre lassue"

Then everything seems well again. There's the smell of home cooking in the air. And life is like an episode of "Leave it to Beaver".

I've recently made a mix that takes me back to my little league days that includes some of my favorites:

Dean Martin:
Volare
Return to me
Inamorata (translated - "sweetheart")
That's Amore
You're nobody til' somebody loves you
Take me in your arms


Duke Ellington- Take the A-Train

Glenn Miller- Moonlight Serenade

Louis Armstrong- La Vie En Rose

Charles Trenet - Le mer

Bobby Darin - Somewhere beyond the Sea

Bobby Vinton - Blue Velvet

Maurice Chevalier - Thank Heaven for little girls

Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife

Neil Sedaka - Breaking up is hard to do (slow version)

Tony Bennett - I left my heart in San Francisco

The Inkspots - I don't want to set the world on fire

What mom? I don't wanna go to bed. The inkspots album is next.

The Lethargy of a Nation....................

Just recently I had a conversation with an older teen about Eva Braun. He had never heard of her, let alone her passion for burning books. When I explained what she was known for, he replied, “I would have helped her. I hate books”. I tried to explain that reading was more important than eating. “Miss a meal but don’t forget to read”. I tried to understand how a person could “hate” books.

It’s all about instant gratification. In the 60’s and 70’s when America was putting innocence to death, we became a quick fix point and shoot culture. Analog became digital. Food became fast. Credit replaced cash. Jets replaced trains. Gas became self-serve. The microwave replaced the conventional oven. Movies replaced books. Television replaced newspapers. Sex replaced love or made it optional. Fact replaced truth. Acquisition replaced accomplishment.

In the late 80’s, pharmacology replaced exercise. We have a catalog full of expensive blood pressure lowering pills designed to do what daily exercise and diet use to attain. If you don’t have the will power to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, surgeons can staple your stomach shut. Cosmetic surgeons can liposuction you free of 20 pounds instantly. We buy exercise equipment but don’t use it. We join gyms but don’t go.

In the early 90’s Ritalin replaced concentration. Parachutes replaced job devotion. Coffee replaced sleep. Million dollar basketball contracts replaced college educations. Divorce attorneys replaced marriage counselors.

In the late 90’s the PC replaced life as we knew it.

Today's English Lesson...........

Y'all = Singular

All Y'all = Plural

All Y'alls = Plural possesive



Class dismissed..........

It's a thin Line........................

As Annie Lennox sang in her cover of H-Town's song "It's a thin Line between Love and Hate". There are many thin lines that we face in life. I propose that the thinest line is between "Passion and Hate" If a person is extremely "Passionate" about his or her work, so much to the point of defending it does that make them a "Hater"? Is there a thin line between Zeal and Hate? I hate Islamic terrorists. I hate the bombings, does that make me a "Hater" or does that make me "Passionatly opposed"? Is Michael Savage full of "Hatred" or Full of Zeal? What is the root of "Hatred" then? It's not to be confused with "Righteous Indignation". Jesus was Righteously Indignant when he stormed the temple and turned over the tables of those turning it into a market. So is it safe to say that God has a certain respect for Righteous Indignation? Is Righteous Indignation actually a form of LOVE? The anger Christ displayed was a form of passion and discipline. It wasn't "Hate" .

Hate comes from ignorance. Hate is unrighteous indignation. Hate is an appropriate word for those crimes that are prosecuted for discriminating purposes. Hate is something that is shown when there is no chance of making a difference. (meaning, the only difference must come internally not externally as in racisim) . Hate is a means for our minds to deal with a situation that it is not prepared to deal with. The rational thinking is; if I hate it, at least I'm doing something about it. This is "HATE".

War is Hell...........

Lose a war, and you become a slave. Not fight a war when you should and you're a step away from becoming a slave. Had the Native Americans sent the Pilgrims packing with Harpoon missles, do you think they ever would have known a reservation? Complacency in that sense IS DEATH. We enjoy the right to free speech not because our forfathers decided to stick the 1st amendment in the bill of rights, but because Americans (3000 of them) banded together to kick some English butt. Yes they had financial help from the French, but when did the French ever really help anyone win a war? Our rights that we enjoy are NOT a bi-product of the Bill of Rights. They're a bi-product of WINNING A WAR.


The world changed not only on 9/11/2001, but probably in 1993 when the World Trad Center was bombed. Fortunately for us at the time, the terrorist did a poor job of setting explosives. But terrorist work like ants. They took another 8 years to orchestrate what would become one of the darkest days in our nations history. 8 years (Clinton years) of thinking we were safe. The only way you can combat this type of cat and mouse game, is to cut of the air to the mouse. The cat can not sit back and wait for the mouse. The mouse is getting wiser and has less restrictions on it. War is no longer a chess game where the good guys wear blue coats and the bad guys wear red. The bad guys are going to universities wearing blue coats. The only way you can defeat them in this warfare, is to take away their reason for fighting. Such is the point of terrorism. They use fear as a weapon. The one issue that the islamic terrorist fear the most, is a free middle east. Democracy and Liberty are the weapons of the free.

This is the very reason, a Free Iraq not only makes sense, but is the first Major step in spreading Democracy and Liberty to the Middle East. When was the last time the United States was attacked by a country that practiced Democracy? Free countries don't attack free countries for fear of losing their freedom. Free contries DO attack tyrannies to destablize their efforts to unite other tyrannies; or conquer lesser defensive Free countries.

The will to be free will always overcome the will to be captive.

BCODD........................

I don't think DNA Testing is necessary. But further suspicion has certainly crossed my mind when looking thru photos of Gary Hoey and myself. Gary insists that he and I are the Bastard Children Of Dick Dale. And the more I look at the photos, the more they appear to look like a family album. I can't help but hear Dick Dale's voice in the back of my mind saying "Use the force Ace- Search your heart. You know it to be true."

If this is true; Is it possible that maybe Stevie Ray Vaughan was part of this brotherhood?

Who knows how many great guitar shredders Dick Dale is physically responisble for?

This would certainly explain the difference in talent between Jimmy Vaughan and Stevie Ray. The genes just aint there.

And they don't even look alike. Hell, I don't look nothin' like my brother.

And I aint seen Gary's "supposed" brother, but I'm sure he don't look anything like Gary. Dick you prolific propagator. Did you intend to start your own chosen race of guitar shredders? I would have been born when you where 19. Same with Joe Satriani. Stevie would have been born when you were 17. Steve Vai would have been born when you were 21. Damn boy..........
Talk about sewing your wild oats.

The Rumors are NOT True..........

No, I am not Dick Dale's illegitimate son; and Gary Hoey is NOT my half-brother. How do vicious rumors like that get started?

Like, who was the guy that started the rumor about Richard Gere and Gergals? (well who knows if that's rumor or not?)

And what about Marylin Monroe and the Kennedy boys? All rumors I tell you.

And what about Brad and Jennifer? Why do I stay awake nights worried about Jennifer's love for Brad Pitt? (lol) Who starts these rumors and why?

Tune in again tomorrow for the exciting scoop on Rosie O'donnel's love child with Michael Moore.


Ace out.........

Beatles, Stones and other struggling Indie bands......

Let's play liberal historian revisionist for a quick moment. (stay with me on this) Let's pretend that the little band in the cavern club never existed. And let's say the rolling stones parents never got any satisfaction until say 1960 or so.

WHAT IF the British band that took the US by storm in 1964 was The Dave Clark Five? And the Bad Boys of Rock were really; The KINKS?

Just think about that. No Beatles, and No Rolling Stones. Let's fast forward 40 years into the future of our world of "Make Believe". Enter the Fab Four and the Rolling Stones with their genre of Rock and Roll. What would you call it? Would anybody even listen to it? OK, we would have to make the song writing more topical, but do you think they could sell Little Richard Covers and Chuck Berry songs on CD Baby?

Do you think, using the standard Hollywood Formula of marketing "pretty faces, tits and asses" that The Beatles OR TheRolling Stones ever would have gotten 1 hit record? I doubt it. And the only reason I say this is because it reflects on the marketing formula that Hollywood (or New York/Atlanta/Nashville) want to serve you the public. Can you see Ringo's face on the cover of People Magazine as much as Jessica Simpson's? Could you see the public turning their attention from Brad and Anjolina to an unknown Mick Jagger (who now really looks like Don Knotts) and an unknown Jerry Hall? Can you imagine George Martin trying to mix in a P "diddy" rap into Sgt.Pepper's ?

The record companies are interested in (let's all say it together) FOCUS. Yes, boys and girls, it would be easier for an unknown rapper or Metal group to get discovered than it would have the Beatles. Simply because, you can't put a label on the Beatles or the Stones. Subsequently; bands that were influenced by the Beatles or Stones will be lost in a vast sea of talent without a "HOOK", or "FOCUS".

I encourage everyone to tell everybody they know to buy music direct from the artists website. Send a message to the record companies that their "fat cat" days are over. They're doing the same crap they did in 1960 after Buddy Holly died and Elvis went in the Army. They're serving up a bunch of Fabians, Troy Donohues, and Frankie Avalons. Only now their names are Jessica, Brittany and Justin (or Jason or whatever damn click name it is this year)

And people, quit watching American Idiot.

Where's my damn Jet Pack?

Remember back in the day when the year 2000 was suppose to be like the cartoon "The Jetsons"?

Everybody lived on a space station. You would get your excercise from a tread mill outside of your space station. You will commute in your glass top flying saucer. Corrine and I were watching "Thunderball" last night. In the opening scene James Bond kills a bad guy (in drag) then escapes to the balcony (not before grabbing a grape from the fruit bowel) Then he dons his Helmet and Jet Pack and escapes just in time to elude the other bad guys that are chasing him. NOw that was back in 66 or 67. That was almost 40 years ago. What has happen to the Jet pack since then? I've only seen it twice in 40 years. Surely we would all be able to afford one by now, wouldn't we? They used one in the movie "The Rocketeer" . (excellent cinematography) And I saw the everso extravagant Michael Jackson (hee hee) leave a stadium from the stage with one (or so we're led to believe)

Well, we do have talking watches like dick Tracy. We actually have video phones like 2001 a Space Oddesy. So far I've managed to avoid my computer turning on me like Hal did. And only my mind has gone into cryongenis for the last 30 years.

Here's a great website that's well worth taking an hour or so to get lost in. It's called "Tales of future's past". It's a whole site dedicated to predictions of the "space age" future from the 40's to the 70's. What's come true and what is still Sci-Fi. Enjoy it

http://davidszondy.com/future/futurepast.htm

Flies in my eye, oh my, oh my..........

Back in March of 2004 when I was setting up my recording equpment in the Washington "Aceland" Studio, an accident occured that changed my life. (not for the good either) . I had just set up all of the speakers and microphones and I was going to test it out for the first time. So I grabbed my Stevie Ray Vaughn Strat, and flung that baby over my shoulder. Well, to my surprise, in Washington, they still put light fixtures in the middle of the ceilings.

I heard a loud crash. And. (like a fool) I looked up to see what it was. I tilted my head up just in time to catch a plate of glass (the corner edge mind you) right in the bottom of my left eye socket. Well, I raced to the nearest mirror to see if my eye was laying on my cheek as I had expected, only to find that indeed, the glass landed right on the boney upper part of my cheek, then slid under my left eyeball. ouch.

4 hours later, I'm leaving the ophtalmologists office. The accident jarred everythink loose in the back of my eye. So for days, I would see what appeared to be flocks of birds flying back and fourth across my left field of vision. Well, a year and a half later, I still keep waving at flies that don't exist. The real problem is, when real flies do exist, and I ignore them thinking they're "floaters". Then they land on my eye and I freak out.

Anyway, that was just a story for those of you that don't think being a musician is such a dangerous job.


Ace out....................

Grits, Cornbread and F sharps..........

Spent the afternoon and evening in Erich Rigling's studio going over some great southern Rock tunes. Hopefully that project will be off the ground soon and the Bay Area will be treated to some good ol' red neck rock music. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, props to all y'all down in ST. Lous listening to 93.7 "The Bull" who are calling in requesting "Cowboy Hat Blues" .

My heart goes out to all y'all.


Ace out..........

New Family Member.......

Meet Wolfgang Ludwig Von Heineken. He's the new member of the Andres family. He's an AKC German Shepherd from Peter Cacciopo's "Eagle Hill" line. He's the product of a Long long line of Champions. We said hello to "Woofie" and goodbye to our backyard today. But he's a sweetheart.

If you want one; call peter in Moraga California and get on the waiting list. Be prepared to go thru a grueling qualification interview. Then just be happy with whatever he decides to give you. We're absolutely delighted with our new addition.

Thanks Peter.

Mission Statement...............

I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. But I do wonder what life would be like if we had a clue as to what happens after you're "grave yard dead". The French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote, "we are not Human beings trying to have a spiritual experience; but Spiritual being having a human experience. How would you live your life if you knew you only had 6 months to live? The truth is, you don't know if you're going to see tomorrow's headlines.

A mission statement is somthing that guides individuals, companies, organizations or any entity that stands for something and wants to achieve it. A mission statement is your purpose in life or business or your family etc........ A mission statement for a company such as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel would be something of the nature of: " We will provide our guests with every possible comfort affordable to make their overnight stay as pleasant as possible". (I just made that up)

Without a mission statement (written or not) you have no direction. Without direction, you are lost. Some organizations take the mission statement so seriously that they have mission statements for each employee's position. One mission statement for all employees at the Hilton Hotel is "never point. Always escort". The problem is; without a mission statement, you truly lose direction. If you are an individual that wants to become the CEO of Warner Brothers, you can't just say "I'd like to be" or "I'll work my way towards it" . A mission statement means that the single most important essence of your existence is to move towards becoming the CEO of Warner Brothers. If your is "I will become the CEO of Warner Brothers". Then you have direction. You know where Warner Brothers is. You know What their Stock is worth. You know what they do. You know who the current CEO is and when he's going to be replaced. But if you don't know what company you want to become the CEO of, or if you don't know if you want to be a CEO or a CFO, then you don't have a mission statement.

Most people in life fall into the vast majority of those that don't know what they want from life. As Henry David Thoreau wrote; man wanders thru life from day to day in a desperate search for meaning. (I'm paraphrasing) They don't have a mission statement. Children are forced at the age of 17 to decide what their mission statements will be. They wonder what they will do when they leave the school system. Should I follow in my father's footsteps? Should I find out who my father is? Should I be a doctor? Do I want a job to be rich? Do I want to do good for mankind? Am I going to sell computers or drugs? 17 is just to young of an age to make these decisions. I know many professionals that chose a field just to keep up with the expectations of their piers or parents. Only to find themselves unhappy and seeking what they truly were meant to do.

When I was interviewed for a newspaper article the person interviewing me on the phone asked me about my philosophy on life. I told her that you needed to "find your voice" or that passion that gets you out of bed in the morning. That one thing that you do that seems "Timeless" when you're doing it. She soon confided in me that she was a former "registered nurse" that always wanted to be a writer. I knew a very talented "Plastic Surgeon" that had an important practice fixing scars on burn patients. I asked him what he enjoyed doing in his spare time. He responded, "My sculpting". I was prepared to hear the usual response of "listen to music", or "go hiking" etc..... But he was passionate about sculpting. So much as to say that he wished he could afford to give up his practice to be a full time sculpter.

We all know deep inside that we have a special talent This talent should become a purpose for your life. Without it, you are just 1.37 cents worth of chemicals waiting to die. I urge you to write down what your passion is. What would get you out of bed at 4 in the morning volutarily to start work on. Write it down, then start researching the steps involved in accomplishing it. How many years of college, or what city you would have to move to. Then weigh the sacrifices versus the accomplishment. Most of us are frightened of the sacrifice.

But if it came easy, would you appreciate it?

oops, Did I say that..............

Did ya ever open your mouth and out blurted something that got ya fired? Or maybe it led to the ending of a relationship? Something you NEVER would have said had you had a chance to think about it first?

Have you ever considered that your subconscience has a voice of it's own that's aching to get a word in edgewise? I was driving by an old place I use to work, I hated working there, but I was good at what I did and they paid lot$$$$ . But sometimes when your heart aint in it, you just can't help but tell ignorant people to go to hell. Well, I was never invited back to work at that particular establishment, but the truth is (in retrospect) I hated working there and my inner pain in the ass was telling me to leave. Sometimes that inner child (as John Bradshaw calls him) is a class clown. Sometimes he says, "Well if you're not gonna do something about the situation; I will. (especially if he's treated to a little tequila) .

I think the same thing happened in my 1st marriage. You can only play make believe for about 15 or 16 years, then the true feelings start to come out. It's sort of a cathartic (look it up) thing. If you're grounded in solid principals, and your body isn't in alignment with your spirit. The spirit will take over and start saying things like "Well I don't even know why I put up with this crap". Or my personal favorite "I've taken insults from more important people than you".

So my advice for today is, if you ever say something that hasn't gone thru the Politically correct filtering system in your cerebellum, it probably came from your Medulla Oblongata. It's your inner guidance system telling you that you need to do something. If you get fired, maybe you'll find that your dignity is worth more than the money. If it leads to divorce, maybe you'll find that your dignity, peace of mind and sanity was worth more than the company.

Remember, if you feel good about your self, and you're alone, it's called peaceful solitude. If you're feeling insecure about yourself, it's called loneliness. The decision is yours. You are responsible for your own happiness.

The Verb to Love.............

"I love you." "Let's make Love."" Mom sends her Love."" He did it out of pure Love. "

One word that can change your life, the world and their futures. Love comes in various packages as you can see. People do things under the assumption of Love without even knowing what Love is. Does ANYONE know what Love is. Is Love different from True Love? Then what is False Love? Allow me to Pontificate:

LOVE has had 3 words used to communicate it.

1. Eros (coming from the greek term Erotika) This is a strong desire. Often confused with lust. Eros is used commonly with sex. The Bible uses the term covet. (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife) Yet it's been my experience that the true meaning of Eros comes when Sex is the physical manifestation of Spiritual Unity.

2. Philia (or a fondness) Philia is the rootword for the city Philadelphia. Or; the city of "Brotherly Love". This is a deep concern for another's welfare without the sexual investment. It does however; require a personal interest in that person. (ie, that person gives you something in return for your concern) It could be a family member, a next door neighbor or just a pen pal. The point being, you have developed an affection or concern for that person's well being. It is almost a "quid pro quo" type of Love. Unfortunately, many marriages operate at this level. "I Love you" because you make me feel good about myself. The mutual concern for the other's best interest is a form of security. However, when the other's concern doesn't match our expectations, then we lose our feeling of security and the "Love" grows less as we see Less in our "returns". The whole concept of a relationship based on expectations is flawed. I think the term "Like" is more appropriate. As kids we "Like" things that are sweet or stimulating. When we grow older, we have a deeper concern for our weight and dental health. Our likes and dislikes are subject to change. Does Love change? Can you ever STOP loving something? I challenge that if you truly Love something or someone; the bond is permanant. If it appears to break, I would question the validity of the original feelings. This makes it very possible to Love someone and not Like them.

3. Agape (pronounced ~ AH- GAH- PAY) This is the Love that makes you devine. It defines God's Love for Man (the sinner in particular) And Man's Love for God. It also defines the altruistic Love man shows for his fellow man. Such was the nature of the "Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:25-37. Such is the motivation that encourages us to stop and help a stranded motorist.

The Key to Agape Love is that we do it with no expectation of anything (not even gratitude) in return. We do it because it gives our life meaning. We give Agape Love because it is the only true way we can immulate God. We do it because we want to hope that someone else will do it for us someday. We do it because it pleases God. We do it because it separates us from the Animal kingdom. We do it because it makes us "Good People" This should be the Love that guides our lives, our marriages or relationships and above all, our existence.

Ace out.............................

Remakes............

The most common conversation I hear these days is "What's with all the remakes?" They're currently filming a remake of "A streetcar named desire". Recently we saw a remake of the Longest Yard. We've seen p0pular TV series of the 60's remade, that include Mission Impossible, Bewitched, The Beverly Hillbillies, Caspar the friendly Ghost, The Adams Family, Lost in Space, The Flintstones, The Honeymooners , etc.........

Most of them have been produced recently. The question being asked is; Is this because there's a demand for the remakes? Or is it because Hollywood has just dried up in the creativity department. I say neither. Hollywood is full of abundant writers and producers so I doubt the latter flies. Is their a demand for them? I really don't think so. I think Hollywood is in a crisis mode right now. Why? Think back to November of 2004.

A 3D map was released after John Kerry's defeat to President Bush. If you haven't seen it it looks like this:

As you can tell, the networks and film makers discovered that the conservative or RED states consumed the majority of the countries geography.

Before 2004 ended, various networks made mad dashes to purchase family programming channels. This data came as a huge shock to Hollywood. For decades, Hollywood has been catering to the liberal audience. It wasn't until the above demographics were uncovered that producers even gave conservatism a second thought. Up to this point, the only family programming was "Touched by an Angel" . This was widely attributed to the "Angel" fad that was popular in the early 90's.

The networks and Hollywood film makers do NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. So as a reliable plan B, DO REMAKES.

How can Hollywood change it's course of social corruption and sin and start turning out morally acceptable family programming? Will it be able to go from "Queer eye for the straight guy" and "Desperate Housewives" to something acceptable to church going Christians? I feel they have no clue how to write morally acceptable plots so they're forced to go with remakes from a time prior to the death of innocense.

Jocko Graves, Boy Hero of the Revolution (1776)

Jocko or the Lawn Jockey is seen in the South and in the Appalachian's of the United States.
Many have been destroyed because of the thinking that they are a racial slur to African-Americans. But is this true?
The River Road African American Museum in Louisiana tells us that lawn jockeys represent nothing of the sort, rather they show us a proud moment in U.S. history.

The story begins the icy night in December 1776 when General George Washington decided to cross the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on the British forces at Trenton.
Jocko Graves, a twelve-year-old African-American, sought to fight the Redcoats, but Washington deemed him too young and ordered him to look after the horses, asking Jocko to keep a lantern blazing along the Delaware so the company would know where to return after battle. Many hours later, Washington and his men returned to their horses who were tied up to Graves, he had frozen to death with the lantern still clenched in his fist. Washington was so moved by the young boy's devotion to the revolutionary cause he commissioned a statue of the "Faithful Groomsman" to stand in Graves's honor at the general's estate in Mount Vernon.
By the time of the Civil War, these "Jocko" statues could be found on plantations throughout the South: like the North Star that pointed fleeing slaves to their freedom, the Jocko statues pointed to the safe houses of the Underground Railroad. Along the Mississippi River, a green ribbon tied to a statue's arm — whether clandestinely or with the owner's knowledge — indicated safety; a red ribbon meant danger. Thus these original lawn jockey statues today fetch thousands of dollars as true artifacts of the Underground Railroad that conducted so many African-American slaves to freedom.
Similar cast-iron statues began appearing in the decades after Washington's crossing of the Delaware in jockey silks, whether for aesthetic reasons or confusion born of Graves's first name. The clothing worn by the lawn jockeys resembled the clothing worn by black riding jockeys, who have a glorious history. In 1875, the first 13 winners of the Kentucky Derby were black, the first being Jockey Oliver Lewis. Lewis was the first to win three Derbies.
So contrary to some folk's thinking that these statues are a racial slur they are a memorial to Jocko, a beacon for Freedom and a tribute to some of the greatest Jockey's racing has ever known!

In Russia, It's the 4th of July; In The U.S. it's INDEPENDENCE DAY................

I've finally reached the end of my rope with Americans that don't respect their country. And I know they mean well, but damn it, Today is "Independece Day". The 4th of July is just a day on the calender. Independence Day should make you reflect on the sacrifices of the "MinuteMen" and "The Sons of The American Revolution" . It should make you think about the courage of the George Washingtons, Thomas Jeffersons and Nathan Hale. Nathan Hale was barely 21 when he chose death over selling out his country. He was hung as a spy for the "Colonists".

Today is a day many will appreciate as a 3rd day of a 3 day week end. Barbeque sales will be at their peak today. Many pre-schoolers will associate the term "Independent Day" with ID4. The Will Smith movie where we defend our planet from Aleins. In a sad way, it seems that Hollywood wants to overlook the essence of the real "Independence Day" and replace it with a "New World Order" Independence day.

Today please remember; "Freedom is not free". A price was paid for our autonomy. The willingness to FIGHT for our freedom was the cost of freedom. Those who risked their lifes and those who sacificed their lifes; paid the price of freedom.

If you can put down your bottle rockets, or your barbequed chicken wing long enough to reflect back on the Love and sacrifice that was shown for Liberty, you will indeed be glorifying the true meaning of Independence Day.


Ace out.......................

Law and Order...........

I'm convinced that California's law enforcement agencies as well as most other states are in business to make money for the state. If justice is achieved; that's a bi-product. But when laws are passed that enable the authorities to fine you for "not" turning your headlights on when you turn your windshield wipers on; you know it's for the money. Why don't they pass a law making driving and talking on your cell phone illegal. Hell, I'd make it a capital offense.

I truly wonder how much of the punishment for DUI's is driven out the states inability to create a budget. I'm the first to say that reckless driving while drunk is irresponsible, dangerous and unacceptable; but the State of California is considering lowering the limit of the "breath-a-lizer" to .04 ppm. It's currently at .08ppm . Is this because people that drink a half a beer and go drive are killing people?

This holiday, don't get lit and get behind a wheel. Call a Taxi, or stay home. As a friend recently said to me (here in the Bay Area) I'd take a Taxi home from Tahoe, before I get behind a wheel after drinking. (He's a former DUI offender).

First California performance in 18 months.......

Tomorrow at 10:30 AM I'll be leading the "Song Service" at the Dublin "Church of Christ". You can mark your Calenders. I will be doing song service the 1st Sunday morning of every month. Come sing and worship.


Ace out............

Beauty Part II.................

In Robert Wright's book "The Moral Animal", the evolutionary Psycologist uses Darwinian logic to explain, why modern man think's the way he does. He also demonstrates in a study done in England that Men do in fact prefer women with big eyes and a small nose. His logic being, as a woman get's older, her eyes get smaller and her nose gets bigger.

By the way, Wright also has a chapter in his book entitled "Darwin Gets Religion".

But this has led me to consider not just modern day perceptions of beauty; but the whole concept of "aesthetics".

The Encyclopedia Brittanica defines Aesthetics as:


(also spelled esthetics), the philosophical study of beauty and taste. To define its subject matter more precisely is, however, immensely difficult. Indeed, it could be said that self-definition has been the major task of modern aesthetics. We are acquainted with an interesting and puzzling realm of experience: the realm of the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, and the elegant; of taste, criticism, …

I believe we percieve beauty to be a balance of Health, comfort, stimulus and familiarity. But foremost and above all, it's health.

Health is simple:

We are by nature, driven away from the sick. We know that some diseases are contagioius, so by rejecting what appears to be ill, we keep ourselves healthy.

Why do the masses find FAT people unattractive. Because we know that Obesity is a medical problem. Obesity leads one to think that the obese person has little self-discipline. Self-discipline is a key to a healthy life.

What happens to a part of your body that becomes inflamed or sickened. It swells up. Sprain your ankle and what happens? It gets large. When you get a cold and are constantly blowing your nose; what happens to your nose? It gets large. Is it not uncommon for people to percieve large noses as sickly? What happens to an animal that becomes sick? It loses it's coat, feather or hair. Is this the reason for the discrimination against bald men?

Comfort:

Would you rather hold a soft hand, or rough hand? Would you rather sleep on a down stuffed mattress, or a concrete bench? Humans (unless sadist) always prefer comfort. However it is important to note that Humans will ignore comfort to look healthy. (ie, heels to make a woman's legs and butt look more prominent)

Comfort may also encompass their voice. Their mannerisms. Smooth and suave is desirable. Clumsy and awkward is not.

Stimulus:

One word - Pheramones

Now I'm not neccasarily talking about love potion #9. But when a human is feeling (how can I say this?) "Right for Sex" I feel a certain chemical attraction is present. This often makes the most plain looking person very attractive.

And Lastly, Familiarity. Familiarity often gives a person an unfair advantage or disadvantage. For example, if a male was taken to the cleaners by his ex-wife; Is he more likely or less likely to be open to someone that "looks" or "reminds" him of his wicked ex? And likewise; If you were head over heels in love with someone that just didn't have the time or desire for you, and you met someone that reminded you of them, would they not be immediately on a higher pedistool than anyone else? Why do large franchise department stores "standardize" the locations of Items in all of their stores. People like familiarity.

On the other hand, lack of familiarity often manifests itself in the form of predudice. It's not like me so I feel uncomfortable around it. It's not like "what I'm use to" (as an abuse victim would say to someone treating them kindly) Spouses of Abuse feel better being around those that abuse them physically, because it's a "familiar" environment from their childhood. Are you (if you are of caucasion decent) able to appreciate the tradition and fashions of African tribes women? Wouldn't you just love that lip spacer in your mouth? No? Because they don't sell them at Macys?

My point is, familiarity drives attraction. (one way or the other)

I'm not saying any of the above observations are right or wrong. But it explains much of our behavior.

What do I find attractive????????

1. Honesty
2. Sincerity
3. Integrity
4. Disciplined living
5. Intelligence
6. Positive Mental Attitude
And the physical features that reflect the above attributes.


Ace out..................