Author of the memoir, "Where Did My Life Go?"

Author of the memoir, "Where Did My Life Go?"
My FREE short story Memoir Available Worldwide on Amazon and iBooks (Click the Picture Above)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Blame It On Boredom /A Couple Poems and a Few Song Lyrics


Written 2-24-13...I just noticed the ALL CAPS. It's easier for me to do that then hitting that damn shift button every time I want a capital letter. So please forgive me, I am not SHOUTING!!! O.K.!!!!! JEEEZE

- I WROTE THIS NEXT TO THE COW KEY BRIDGE IN KEY WEST SITTING UNDER A TREE, DRINKING MY BEER (VICE), LISTENING TO MUSIC AND WATCHING A GREAT BLUE HERON FISHING ALONG THE EDGE OF THE WATER AS I WAITED FOR THE HOMELESS SHELTER LINE TO GO DOWN AS THE HOMELESS PEOPLE (ZOMBIE SHEEP) MADE THEIR WAY WALKING PASS ME GOING TO K.O.T.S., WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE, I SAW A DORSAL FIN COME OUT OF THE WATER IN FRONT OF THE HERON. IT WAS A DOLPHIN, YOU KNOW LIKE FLIPPER, SWIMMING FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO UNDER THE BRIDGE TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN SIDE. WHICH, I HAVE SEEN A DOLPHIN IN THE WILD BEFORE BUT I STILL THOUGHT IT WAS COOL AND WALKED ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC TO CATCH A CLOSER GLIMPSE OF THE MAMMAL BUT IT HAD ALREADY GONE PASSED. AND NO, I WASN'T THAT DRUNK AND I WASN'T SEEING THINGS, OR DO HALLUCINOGENIC DRUGS. IT WAS A COOL, BEAUTIFUL SIGHT THAT YOU DON'T SEE EVERYDAY. I TOLD THE HERON THAT, THAT FISH WAS TOO BIG FOR HIM TO CATCH, THE HERON LAUGHED, SHOOK HIS HEAD AND FLEW OFF, SQUAWKING..



WHO IS "THEY"? / A+ ASSHOLES AND OPINIONS


TEARS IN THE DARK

FALL BEFORE DAYLIGHT

COVER UP

MY VICE

IN MY UNDERCOVER CUP

WHAT I DON'T

WANT THEM TO SEE



THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE

WHAT I HAVE SEEN



I TRY TO EXPLAIN

EVEN I THINK

IT'S BEYOND BELIEF



HOW COULD I EXPECT

FOR THEM

TO THINK DIFFERENTLY



I'M JUST ANOTHER GUY

LIVING IN THE STREET



WALKING DOWN

A DIFFERENT ROAD

THEY NEVER EVEN

THOUGHT ABOUT



I LOST MY BOX

I TRY TO THINK

OUTSIDE OF ONE



DIFFERENT STORY

ON THE WRONG

SIDE OF THE STREET

I NEED TO WALK A CROSS



REPENT

FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE WRONG

THAT I DIDN'T MEAN TO DO

ALL ALONG



BURNING BOTH CANDLES

AT THE END

TIME TO GO

REFLECT ON THE PAST



REMINISCE

LEFT TO RIGHT

WRITE DOWN

THE FIRST THING

THAT COMES TO MIND



DON'T MIND ME

I LIVE IN MY OWN WORLD

THAT'S SOON TO END



HOPE TO PRAY

BEFORE THAT DAY

COMES TRUE



MY THOUGHTS FASTER

THAN WHEN THE INK

RUNS THROUGH



TRY TO CATCH

EVERY WORD

I TRY TO FORGET

TO LET GO



LOOKS LIKE A CROSSWORD

WHAT I SCRIBBLE UP AND DOWN



I MEAN EVERY LETTER

I PUT TOGETHER



NO HARM

PEACE FOR THE WORLD

WHY CAN'T

WE ALL JUST GET ALONG



QUESTION THE HORNS

OFF A BULL

UNTIL I FIND

THE RIGHT

CORRECT ANSWER



SEEMS SO EASY TO ME

SO HARD FOR OTHERS

THAT HAVEN'T HEARD



WONDER WHY

EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY



SO SIMPLE FOR ME

SUCH A PROBLEM

FOR THEM

WHO EVER THEM ARE



HAVE I BEEN

GIVEN A GIFT

OR HANDED A CURSE



THEY TELL ME

WHO EVER THEY ARE

IGNORANCE IS BLISS

BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW

WHAT THAT IS

WHO EVER THAT IS



I AM HAPPY

WITHOUT

A CARE IN THE WORLD

THERE'S ENOUGH BULLSHIT

GOING ON ALONE

WITHOUT ME

GETTING INVOLVED



STAND UP

AND SAY

WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN CHANGE

SIT DOWN

IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO

OR SAY



DON'T BLAME ME

FOR YOUR FAULT

ALL YOU CAN DO

IS TRY



WAKE UP

ONE DAY

DEAD

SLEEPING FOREVER

UNDER THE COVER

OF WOOL OVER YOUR EYES

AS YOU COUNT THE SHEEP

THAT PASS YOU BY



PEACE IS YOUR SILENCE

NEVER TO BE HEARD AGAIN

YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE

BUT YOU NEVER SPOKE UP

NOW YOUR THRILL IS GONE

AS WELL AS YOUR SECOND WIND

TO YOUR LAST BREATH



I TRIED TO TELL YOU THE FIRST TIME

BUT YOUR EARS WERE CLOSED

DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN

YOU THOUGHT I WAS A FOOL

WHO DO YOU

THINK

IS A FOOL NOW

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL



TURN THE MIRROR AROUND

TO SEE WHO IS TO BLAME

THE FAULT

ALL YOUR OWN

KEEP YOUR POINTED FINGER

AWAY FROM ME

FLIP IT

UPON YOURSELF

THEN PUT IT UP

YOUR RECTUM HOLE

YOU SCAPE GOAT

WHO EVER YOU IS

EAT A TIN CAN

YOU NEED TO ENROLL

INTO A PLACE

THEY CALL SCHOOL

YOU'RE SUCH A A+ ASSHOLE



#####





WRITTEN - JAN. 13th, 2013 @ the side of the Cow Key Bridge

NOBODY FAMOUS

STARE AT ME

LIKE I AM SOMEBODY

JUST ANOTHER NOBODY



DO NOT ASSUME THE BLESSING

JUST SEEMS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE



ACCEPT THE WAY

I LIVE MY LIFE

LOOK FROM THE OUTSIDE

YOU HAVE NO IDEA

AND NEVER WILL

WHAT I HAVE INSIDE



SO SORRY FOR YOU



DON'T DISTRACT

MY MISSION

GET A LIFE OF YOUR OWN

LEAVE MINE ALONE

YOUR LIES HAVE

ALREADY BEEN TOLD

YOUR MISERY

WILL NOT

GET MY COMPANY

PLEASE ACCEPT

MY APOLOGY



I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED

YET TO THE BLIND EYE NARROW MIND

IT MAY SEEM THAT I HAVE NOTHING

THERE'S MORE THAN YOU PERCEIVE



YOU DON'T HAVE THE MIND

I THINK



I BELIEVE



I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME

AS YOU KNOW

WHAT IT DOES TO YOU AND ME

BUT THEN AGAIN

MAYBE YOU DON'T



AN OLD CLICHE THAT NEVER STRAYS

I HATE TO GIVE MY POWERFUL SECRETS AWAY



MY MIND IS UNDER LOCK AND KEY

GIVING YOU CLUES

TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY

IT'S UP TO YOU

TO PLAY SHERLOCK HOLMES

DIG IN THE GARDEN

OF MY BRAND NEW HOME

LESS

EVIDENCE TO FIND

WHAT HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND

BARS

CAUGHT AT THE SCENE

OF THE CRIME



HAVE A DRINK ON ME

HAVE SOME DINNER TO EAT

AVOID THE PAPARAZZI AS I LEAVE

I AM NOT WHO THEY SAY I AM

I'M JUST A REGULAR GUY

TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET



SURE I PLAY THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

BUT NOT ON T.V.

I'M WORKIN' LIKE A HOOKER

ON THE CORNER OF

KENNEDY STREET

DRIVE BY

BUT DON'T SHOOT

AND I WILL GIVE YOU A TREAT

YOU CAN LAUGH AT THE MONKEY

DANCING IN THE SUIT OF ARMOR

DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YA



THEY SAY IT'S A SIGHT TO SEE

BUT I CAN'T SEE IT

I'M BEHIND THE TIMES AND SCENES

I JUST MOVE

TO WHAT THE MUSIC TELLS

ME TO DO

AUTOMATIC

NO BRAINS NEEDED

TO THINK ABOUT IT



JUST LISTEN

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

WHAT DID YOU SAY?



NO I DIDN'T

COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

LIKE A BROKEN RECORD



I WAS GUIDED

BLINDED

BY THE SUNLIGHT

DRIVEN THROUGH

THE POWER OF THE MUSIC

PROVIDED



###



Written 2-26-2013



SUNSHINE LIGHT



HELP SOMEBODY ELSE

BEFORE MYSELF

LIFE IS SIMPLE

PEOPLE MAKE IT DIFFERENT

AND

DIFFICULT



SAME OLD THING

I SEE EVERYDAY

EXPECT ANOTHER RESULT

THEY WONDER WHY

THE RUT REMAINS



I SEE SO CLEAR

THEY

SURROUNDED BY THE DARK

CLOUDS PASS BY

DRY MY TEARS

BEFORE I GET HOME



YEAH TO THE ONE

I NEVER OWNED

THE WIFE

I NEVER MARRIED

THE KIDS

I NEVER HAD

IN LIFE



ALONE IN A LONELY WORLD



MY PARENTS LEFT ME

BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE

TO LOVE THEM



WOULDN'T RECOMMEND

THE ROAD

I HAVE BEEN DOWN

IT'S DARK AND COLD

WITHOUT SHELTER

TO KEEP YOU WARM

SUNSHINE

THE ONLY LIGHT



#####



Written - Feb. 26, 2013



LAST THING I WANT TO SEE (FIRST THING IN THE MORNING)



ASK ME FOR A CIGARETTE

AS MY EYES BEGIN TO AWAKE

I HAVEN'T EVEN

HAD MY

COKE AND A SMOKE YET

GIVE ME A BREAK



LET ME SATISFY

MY APPETITE

BEFORE YOU ASK ME

FOR A FAVOR

YOU'RE THE



(CHORUS)



LAST THING I WANT TO SEE

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

TALKING SMACK

FLAPPING YOUR LIPS

IN ANTICIPATION

ON WHAT I HAVE TO GIVE

SCARY PROPOSITION

BEG TO DIFFER

PULLING MY STRINGS

YOU'RE THE LAST THING

I WANT TO SEE

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING



LET ME TELL

MY SIDE OF THE STORY

I SHIT THE TRUTH

ALL YOU DO IS SPEW

YOUR LIES

WITH A CROCK OF SHIT

ON THE SIDE

YOU'RE THE



(Chorus)



I'LL PUT YOU

SIX FEET UNDER

SO YOU WILL SLEEP FOREVER

LORD SAVE ME

FROM THE PAIN AND AGONY

TELL ME

WHY IT MUST BE

I JUST WANT TO BE FREE FROM THE



(Chorus)





YOU THINKS

YOUS A BEAUTY QUEEN

HAVE YOU LOOKED IN THE MIRROR LATELY?

I'M SURE YOU WERE

A CHEERLEADER

BACK IN THE DAY

PRESENTLY

YOU REMIND ME

OF A SEA HAG

FROM OUTER SPACE

LIVING IN

A HOMELESS PLACE

SORRY FOR MY OBSERVATION BUT

YOU ASKED FOR THIS TREATMENT

I TOLD YOU TO GET AWAY

BUT YOU JUST WANTED

TO BE A ROYAL PAIN

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

NOW YOU MUST SUFFER

THE CONSEQUENCES

WITH A

GOOD OLD FASHIONED

TONGUE LASHING

SORRY I HAVE TO GO

REMEMBER ONE THING

I HATE TO SAY

YOU'RE THE



(Chorus)



PLEASE LORD AND EVERYBODY OFFENDED, PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF MY WORDS ARE A LITTLE HARSH BUT SOME OF THESES ANIMALS ASK FOR IT AND I WILL BE TOYOTA AND GIVE IT TO THEM. DON'T PUSH ME TO THE EDGE. I'M ALREADY OFF MY ROCKER. "THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THEY BE FUCKIN' WITH" -(OutKast Andre 3000 300 or somethin' like that)





ALCOHOL CALL



I ASKED THE BAR KEEP

FOR ONE LAST DRINK

AND ONE MORE FAVOR

BEFORE I LEAVE



COULD YOU DIAL

MY BABYS' NUMBER

ON THE PHONE

BEFORE I GET

READY TO GO

TO TELL HER

WHERE I HAVE BEEN

ALL DAY LONG

BUT ALL I COULD SAY

BEFORE THE MOON ROSE

WAS



(CHORUS)



SORRY HONEY

I MEANT TO CALL

BUT I FELL ASLEEP

ON A TELEPHONE POLE



I HAD A HOME

I USED TO CALL MY OWN

BUT I TOOK

A FALL

INTO A SEA

OF ALCOHOL



(CHORUS)





SHE SAID SHE WAS TIRED

AND THAT SHE

WAS GOING TO LEAVE ME

SHE COULDN'T PUT UP WITH

ANY MORE TOMFOOLERY



(CHORUS)



BUT I SAID

WAIT A MINUTE NOW

THESE WORDS THAT

I WRITE DOWN

WILL BUY US A HOUSE

AT THE END OF THE ROAD

THINK ABOUT THAT

BEFORE YOU LEAVE TOO SOON

OUR DREAMS

ARE ABOUT TO

COME TRUE



(CHORUS)



COUNTDOWN SING ALONG



ONE TWO

MANY BEERS

THREE FOUR

SHOW ME THE DOOR

FIVE SIX

SICK OF THE SAME OLD (BEEP)

SEVEN EIGHT

SHE HATE TO WAIT

NINE TEN

WHERE DO I BEGIN AGAIN

ELEVEN TWELVE

WAKE UP BY MYSELF

THIRTEEN FOURTEEN

SEARCHIN FOR MY BEAUTY QUEEN

FIFTEEN SIXTEEN

MUCH TOO YOUNG FOR ME

SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN

START A NEW BEGINNING

NINETEEN TWENTY

I NEED ANOTHER FORTY

TO FIND ME

A BRAND NEW SHORTY

WITH A POCKET FULL OF MONEY

SO I CAN SAY



(CHORUS)



(END OF SONG)



THE WORDS WRITTEN IN THIS SONG THAT I WROTE SOME TIME AGO ARE SOMEWHAT TRUE WITH A LOT OF MADE UP BULLSHIT THROWN IN TO CREATE A CONTINUITY TO A STORY LINE. THE PART OF THE SONG THAT HAS RELEVANCE TO THE TRUTH GAVE ME THE IDEA FOR THE SONG WHICH IS THE TELEPHONE POLE PART. I REALLY DID FALL ASLEEP ON A TELEPHONE POLE ONE NIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE OLD OVERSEAS LOUNGE IN MARATHON. I WAS DRINKING A BEER OUTBACK OF THE OVERSEAS LOUNGE SITTING ON A TELEPHONE POLE GETTING READY TO GO IN FOR THE WEEKLY SUNDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC JAM AND PLANNING ON PLAYING THE DRUMS. IN FACT, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS EITHER A SHORTAGE OF DRUMMERS OR LACK OF TALENT, I WOULD USUALLY BE UP ON STAGE DAMN NEAR ALL NIGHT AND THEY EXPECTED ME TO BE THERE AND I WASN'T EVEN GETTING PAID ALTHOUGH WE DID GET FREE BEER AND IT WAS A FUN TIME. ANYWAY, I GUESS I WAS TIRED AND DECIDED TO LIE DOWN ON THE TELEPHONE POLE I WAS SITTING ON AND ENDED UP FALLING ASLEEP ON IT AND I MISSED THE WHOLE JAM NIGHT, WALKING IN ON THE LAST NUMBER OF THE NIGHT. I TOLD EVERYBODY I WAS SORRY FOR BEING LATE, I MEANT TO CALL BUT I FELL ASLEEP ON A TELEPHONE POLE..... THE HOME I USED TO CALL MY OWN IS IN REFERENCE TO BEING HOMELESS THEN AND NOW. AND THE SEA OF ALCOHOL IS IN REFERENCE TO WHEN I WENT OVER THE SEAWALL, TWICE, ALONG N. ROOSEVELT IN KEY WEST INTO THE WATER WITH MY BIKE BECAUSE I WAS FUCKED UP OFF OF VODKA. THE FIRST TIME THE AMBULANCE PICKED ME UP OUT OF THE WATER AND I WOKE UP IN THE CORNER OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS TOLD BY SECURITY AS THE SUN WAS COMING UP THAT I HAD TO GO AND I WAS STILL SICKER THAN A DOG, PUKING MY GUTS UP. THE SECOND TIME, YEAH I KNOW I SHOULD OF LEARNED THE FIRST TIME, BUT THAT LIQUID COURAGE IS SOME POWERFUL SHIT, I WENT OVER THE SEAWALL WITH MY BIKE, BACKPACK, LAPTOP, iPOD, MY CLOTHES ALTHOUGH THEY WERE SOAKED EVERYTHING ELSE WAS RUINED OTHER THAN MY BIKE WHICH I NEVER DID GET BACK AFTER I WOKE UP AT A BUS STOP WITH NOTHING BUT THE WET CLOTHES ON MY BACK TO A KEY WEST POLICE OFFICER TELLING ME TO WAKE UP AND MOVE ON. SO THAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THIS SONG WHICH I HAVE SOMEBODY CURRENTLY IN THE STUDIO PUTTING MUSIC TO MY WORDS RIGHT NOW. IT'S GONNA COST 200 DOLLARS BUT I GET TO KEEP 100% OF ALL THE ROYALTIES. WE'LL SEE. IT'S GOING TO BE A COUNTRY SONG.I DEFINITELY WILL POST IT SOMEWHERE FOR SALE OF COURSE AND LET YOU KNOW THE MINUTE IT IS AVAILABLE. PEACE OUT...I'M THIRSTY!!!! ;O....zzzzzzzz... HEY BAR KEEP, GIVE ME ANOTHER DRINK!!!!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Runs In The Family


I found an article in the Miami News dated Sep. 9th, 1944 about my grandfather on my mothers' side that read: Air Transport Command's 36th St.army airbase, the ATC, named Major Collis L. Jordan (my grandfather) as the new public relations officer who for 10 months was the public relations officer in the European theater with the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces. A veteran officer, Major Jordan was commissioned in the military intelligence reserve in 1933 and ordered to active duty in 1940 as public relations officer for the Sixth Corps area, Chicago where he served for 21 months. He was then transferred to Ellington Field, Texas as public relations officer and later to the European theater. He assisted in handling D-Day news dissemination in supreme headquarters, London. A former sports editor of the old Miami Tribune, and a member of the editorial staff of the Chicago Daily News before going into active military duty, Major Jordan, his wife, and his 14 year old daughter, (my mother) Nancy Jane will make their home in Miami.
My grandfathers' residence in 1935 was Erie, New York. His home was in Chicago, Ill in 1940 @ 1464 Hollywood Ave. Born in Illinois in1903.

The link to the actual newspaper story :  CLICK HERE!!!


My mother, Nancy Jane Jordan, went to nursing school in Chicago and became a registered nurse. She was really into Fencing and from what I heard, really good at it. She moved me down to Marathon from Miami after my fathers' death and raised me by herself until she married my stepfather when I was 5 years old. She worked at Fisherman's hospital in Marathon and went on to work at Dr. E.J. Eisenbarths' private practice. She passed away at Fisherman's hospital when I was 15 years old from pancreatic cancer.


My step father, Donald "Doc" MacDonald was a corporal in the Army during World War 2 who grew up in the Great Depression. He also was a member of the American Legion, the Elks, the Moose, D.A.V. and the Masonic Temple, among numerous other organizations and positions in Marathon. He was one of the first doctors in Marathon as well as the constable at some point. He also was a licenced chiropractor.He retired from working for the Veterans Affairs administration in Marathon. By weird coincidence, I found a original military army air corp uniform shirt that had corporal stripes with a tag dated from 1942, the World War II era. I got it for free at the Salvation Army here in Key West.


As far as my biological father, William Fred Sanders, I don't know much other than he was shot and killed in Miami when I was 6 months old and the courts deemed it as a justified homicide. I need to ask my brother more about the details. My brother told me it had something to do with my father being drunk and trying to get into a house one of our cousins' owned or something like that and my father was adamant about getting into it for some reason and they told him not to try and get in or they would shoot him and they did. After some research at the Miami library, I found out my father had a golf driving range in Miami called Fred Sanders Driving Range - 1750 N.W. 28th St.

Which is now Juan Pablo Duarte Park and my mother told me when I was a kid, that golf pro Doug Sanders was my cousin, which would make some sense with the golf connection. My brother also told me that my father won a golf competition for "Longest Drive Of The South".


My brother, who is 17 years older than I am, and I have the same mother but different fathers, his name is John Michael Berry and he graduated medical school at the University of Miami with honors and was on the Dean's list. He went on to do his internship at Stanford University in California. Today, he is an oncologist for the University of San Francisco and has recently been promoted to Professor and lives in the San Francisco Bay area and happily married to his gay partner.


My brother has always been supportive of my dreams and decisions and has bailed my ass out of a lot of situations that would of made me homeless a whole lot sooner. My step father wanted me to go into the military. I took the ASVAB test for the military when I was a senior at Marathon High. The army recruiter out of Key West really wanted me to join and even told me that my test scores reflected that I could become a pilot in the armed forces. While in high school, I joined the Monroe County Sheriff's Department Cadet Explorer program in Marathon and got a 100% score on the police code test and eventually received the rank of Sargent. Sargent Sanders, it's got a nice ring to it, don't it? Anyway, I would ride along with deputies and we would respond to calls. Anything from burglaries to traffic accidents. One day, we responded to a call at the old Reef bar. The caller said that there was a man at the bar with a gun. I was with Trish Daly, she ran the Explorer program, and we were the first to arrive. She handed me a shotgun and told me to point it toward the front door of the bar as she went inside. Now I was scared shit less. I had shot a 410 shotgun before ( when I was about 12 years old and it nearly took my shoulder off) but that was at a paper target for the turkey shoot next to the American Legion but this was fucking REAL LIFE or DEATH type shit. What would I do if the guy came out with a hostage with a gun to their head. I mean, my head was spinning. After that, I decided that law enforcement wasn't for me plus the fact that I got arrested by then deputy, now Sheriff Rick Ramsay, more on that later. (Cliff Hanger, oops!) I have to save something for the book I probably will, quite possibly publish in the distant future. So the thought of becoming a Sheriffs' deputy in Marathon diminished. I was really into rebellious rock n' roll bands like Motley Crue, Guns n' Roses and Poison in 1987, the year I (barely) graduated Marathon High school. The thought of going into the military crossed my mind but after talking with my brother, we both agreed that I didn't take authority too well and I didn't want a dishonorable discharge black mark that would haunt me for the rest of my life. Besides, my heart was set on becoming a rock star drummer like Tommy Lee or Steven Adler. I could drink, smoke, travel, meet chicks and make a shitload of money while having a blast playing the drums. Why settle for less? I wanted it all or nothing!! I was a natural drummer, without taking a lesson in my life other than listening and/or watching my favorite bands and drummers. I heard it was a long shot and the odds of making it were slim to none but I didn't care, I had to at least try. I remember saying to myself and others when I was in my late teens/early twenties. I'm either going to make it or become homeless and if I somehow DON'T "make it" and then become homeless I will just rob a bank. I will either get away with the money or get caught and then at least I would have a roof over my head along with the proverbial 3 hots and a cot. In hindsight and being currently homeless now, I would NEVER think of robbing a bank. So please don't call the cops or FBI or think that I would ever do such a foolish thing. I may be dumb but I aints STUPID!! To have your freedom taken away and having people tell you what to do, when and how, goes against the bylaws of my religion of rock n' roll. Hell, I only spent 11 days in Key West jail (first time in jail, ever, in 42 years) for open container and that SUCKED!! (Side note: the above mentioned arrest did not lead to jail time). O.K. that should be enough for you to simmer and chew on. I still have a lot of research to do....In the meantime, I am available for bar mitzvahs, baptisms and backyard barbecues...to name a few....;)







Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Songs and Connections For My Not So Soon To Be Released Book

A rough look at my chronological book...by no means is this even close to complete. Just enough to whet your appetite.

1969-1975
Ramblin Man- Allman Brothers (My father was from Georgia and he found himself on the wrong side of a gun. But I wasn't born on a greyhound bus)



Alley Cat - (One of my mothers' favorite songs when I was just a pup)


Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin (My brother was babysitting me while having a party and he thought he heard a baby crying so he ran into the room where I was and found me rocking back and forth to the music with a smile on my face. He doesn't remember what song or band was playing at the time, so I just took a guess and thought this kinda of sounds like a baby crying. The only other song I can think of is "Mother" from Pink Floyds' The Wall but that was released in 1979, way after me being in a crib.)

1976-1977
Le Freak - Chic ( A song I used to roller skate to among others, but this song actually mentions roller skate.)

Nights On Broadway - Bee Gees ( Another personal classic I remember rolling skating to when I was the rockstar of the roller skates. I was the hockey team mascot when I was just 6 years old.)


God Of Thunder Alive II - Kiss (My first musical influence. My mom would buy me KISS 8-tracks as a kid and I would put on KISS shows for the neighborhood kids. Spitting blood like Gene Simmons)


Shake A Leg - AC/DC ( I couldn't find a "Break A Leg" song, so I chose this one. I broke my femur the first time when I was 6 years old. My second grade teacher, Ms.Catton brought my second grade class mates to the hospital to visit me)

1981-1983
Centerfield - John Fogerty ( I was the pitcher for my little league baseball team and we won first place and I made the all-star team)

Mother, Father - Journey (My catcher was towing me on the back of his bike and decided to jump a cement parking stopper and I fell off the back and broke my femur for the second time almost in the same exact spot.I was featured on the front page of the Keynoter with a picture of me in a body cast on a stretcher. Shamila and her mother came to visit me at Fisherman's hospital. That is when Shamila told me her father was Steve Perry. I met Shamila when I was 5 years old when my mom remarried my step father. My mother or step father were friends' with Shamilas' grandparents and their last name was Stone, which I suspect, I could be wrong, might have something to do with the song "Stone In Love" or it could just be a crazy coincidence.)

1984-1986
World Of Fantasy - Triumph ( My first "real" job was at Burger King in Marathon, Florida and one of the managers there said he used to be the road manager for Triumph, which I thought was cool. 10 years later, I would become a road manager. Not for Triumph but for a band also from Canada, Pluto.)


City Boy Blues - Motley Crue (My first real rock concert the Theatre Of Pain tour, up in Hollywood, Florida at the Sportartorium. I called in sick to Burger King and I got caught when "somebody" saw me strolling around the Cutler Ridge Mall on my "sick" day. My pay was cut but I fixed that. More in the book.

School's Out - Alice Cooper

Move To The City - Guns n Roses

Dead, Jail or Rock n Roll - Michael Monroe


1989-1991
San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie (First time I moved in with my brother in San Francisco after being evicted in Ft. Lauderdale)


Magic Man - Heart (I got a job as a messenger for a downtown San Francisco law firm and met this receptionist named Elizabeth Shields who used to be a model in New York. She told me she had an encounter with the guitar player from Heart, Roger Fisher and that he had some kind of crush on her. Which I don't blame him. She was gorgeous. She looked like Natalie Merchant and she was my friend with benefits. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo.)


Enter Sandman - Metallica (I saw Metallica at the Oakland Coliseum on the Day Of The Green. My friend actually got a backstage pass for me but I got it too late)

Kid Goes Wild - Babylon A.D.

I Don't Want To Change The World - Ozzy Osbourne (I saw Ozzy on the No More Tears Tour at the Warfield in San Francisco and met him afterward at an in-store signing. Ozzy was oblivious, going through the motions while Zakk and Randy were totally cool, shaking my hand. I got a Japanese import CD cover signed by the whole band including the now deceased drummer Randy Castillo. R.I.P.)


I'm Your Boogie Man - White Zombie ( I played drums in San Francisco with a reggae band called "Don Jeron and the Boogiemon")

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley ( I played one gig at the I-Beam in San Francisco with the Boogiemon reggae band and we opened up for Judy Mowatt, one of the back up singers and one of the three little birds in Bob Marleys' band) Side note: I was the only "white" boy in the band and my first and last gig with the band)


1993-1995
Love Is On The Way - Saigon Kick (A South Florida band. I met Phil Varone at the Button South through Darlene, the owner of Long Distance Entertainment)

Peaches - Presidents Of The United States (I worked at Peaches Records and Tapes in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunrise Blvd.)


Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer ( My friend Mike Allen (Facebook Friend) and I met one of the chicks from the Robert Palmer video at an Irish pub in Ft. Lauderdale on St. Patty's Day and took her back to our trailer and the rest of the story will be in the book that I am trying to write)


Only Want To Be With You - Hootie & the Blowfish ( I interviewed Mark, the guitar player of Hootie & the Blowfish, before their show at the Button South in Ft. Lauderdale for a school project while I was attending the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. I actually audio taped it but have since, once again, lost my possession of it.)

Freedom - Rage Against The Machine

Lunchbox - Marilyn Manson ( I was interning at Long Distance Entertainment in Ft. Lauderdale. I also play drums in a band called Colors Of Illusion. The manager for Marilyn Manson, John Tovar, at the time worked there as well and saw my band play the club called the Squeeze and asked me why I never told him about the band I was in. He told me he liked the show.)
Take A Bow - Madonna
Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles (This is in reference to me quitting the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale when I was taking Music and Video Business.


Going To California - Led Zeppelin ( I moved back to San Francisco with my brother after ANOTHER failed attempt at rock n' roll success. It ain't easy, man. Thank God for my brother or I would of been homeless a lot sooner.)

1996
The New Style - Beastie Boys ( I worked the Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco while interning at Bill Graham Presents and found out I was going on the road with Pluto as the road manager, thanks to their manager, Mick (The Guns Of Brixton) Brigden. Also the manager for Joe Satriani.Plus this song mentions my date of birth and the Tibetan shows were originally organized by the Beastie Boys)


When She Was Happy - Pluto (This is the band I went on the road with. I was the road manager for 6 months traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. They made a video for this song in Florida while I drove the van by myself with their equipment to San Diego. They flew to San Diego for the gig.)


Father Of Mine - Everclear (Pluto opened up for Everclear in Portland, Washington, that is, on Halloween.AND I got a speeding ticket on MY BIRTHDAY by the CHP!! CHiPs have no heart. I tried to explain I had to get the bands' equipment to a gig in Portland. It was one of those times where I had to drive the van to the gig with their equipment and the band flew in. They had to play a festival in bum fucked Egypt!

Rock n Me - Steve Miller ( The lyrics lend themselves to traveling, and this is in regard to when I went on tour,"I went to Phoenix, Arizona all the way to Tacoma Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A. Northern California where the girls are warm" Although we never did go to Philadelphia, we covered most of the major cities in the U.S. and all of Canada. They were Canadian and I was the only American. Crossing the border either way was a bitch because of that fact. More on that in...da...you guessed it...BOOK!!!) If I ever finish it. Easier said than done, for sure.


Travelin Man/Beautiful Loser - Bob Seger (Traveling and I always say, please AND thank you and of course, I am a loser but I wouldn't say a beautiful one though.)


Under A Mountain - Black Crowes


Psycho Circus - KISS (KISS played Dodger stadium in L.A. on Halloween and my brother bought me tickets to go see the show. I rented a car and drove down to L.A. by myself. Little did I know the seat was as far away as you could possible get. Luckily, that show is now on DVD on KISSOLOGY 3.)

1998-2002
Lola- Kinks ( I met a girl who looka like a man while working at FedEx. She was a co-worker. A courier like I was. And her name was..LOLA, imagine that. We used to go out drinking all the time. She was a heroin addicted, guitar playing lesbian that I went to Reno on a Greyhound with to get married, one drunken evening. More details in the book.)


Milk - Garbage ( I played drums in a band called milktooth in San Francisco. This is the only song I could find that had the word milk in it and we also had a female singer)


Skintight - The Donnas (My other band, Poisin Jett Gunz. We used to play this song live at our shows. Somehow, the Donnas got a hold of our demo (we didn't record "Skintight" on the demo) and named it one of the top 10 CDs that they listen to during practice. I would later meet the Donnas at Tower Records when they did an in-store signing of their new CD, Gold Medal, while I was working at Tower. I gave them a copy of my Santa Monica Corsair photo essay by Jillian Sorkin.)


Fallen Angel - Poison ( I guess you can figure out the connection with my former bands' name Poisin Jett Gunz,uh....duh. It ain't rocket science, folks. Just trying to make a connection and connecting most of the dots. C'MON, PEOPLE, WORK WITH ME!!!

Bad Reputation - Joan Jett
Paradise City - Gunz n Roses

2003
I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Tony Bennett (I was playing in both the bands I was in simultaneously, milktooth and Poisin Jet Guns and had to decide weather to stay in S.F. with Poisin Jett Gunz or move to L.A. with milktooth and I chose the latter. I actually played one gig with both bands in San Francisco at the Paradise lounge. The guitar player in milktooth, Josh, seemed jealous and did not like my double drumming duty but everyone else in both bands didn't seem to mind.)


Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger
Rock N' Roll Band - Boston (I really did think we were going to take over the world and make it in milktooth. We even had a showcase scheduled with some label reps at the Dragonfly in L.A. but unfortunately my step father passed away and I had to fly back to the Keys to take care of business. The band hired a female drummer for the show and I heard it didn't turn out so good.)



You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire - Queens Of The Stone Age ( On my return to L.A. I guess Rebecca and James fired Josh and needed a drummer and we formed the short lived band, The Millionheirs. We did record a 4 song demo in Joshua Tree at Rancho De La Luna and that's when I recorded drums for Ted Quinns' album, Help Wanted. James was a HUGE fan of Queens Of The Stone Age and they recorded at the studio as well. Hence, the band connection and song choice. I'm sure James came up with the name The Millionheirs)

All By Myself - Eric Carmen
2004-2007
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Green Day ( I could definitely relate to this song when the band left me and went back up to San Francisco. I stood my ground and stayed in L.A.... Erie moment: I was crossing Sunset Blvd. one day, going to work and I looked behind me and Mike Dirnt, the bass player from Green Day was also walking across Sunset Blvd., a few step behind me.)


Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd ( I met the original drummer, Bob Burns of Lynyrd Skynyrd, on Sunset Strip outside of Tower Records and I took him to the Rainbow Bar and Grill on many occasions and even let him stay in my van with me. It's a long Twilight Zone kind of story so I'll have to save my words for the book.)


Jamie's Cryin' - Van Halen (My close friend Jamie who I met at the Brass Monkey in Marathon. She took video production at the Art Institute Of Colorado and thats when I went to the one in Ft. Lauderdale. She graduated, traveled and did a lot of shoots and I dropped out because I found out that the credits weren't transferable and I wasn't going to take the basic math or English class and have to do it again somewhere else if I changed my mind.)


Burn- Deep Purple (My Facebook Female Friend, Jamie used to go out with Glenn Hughes, the bass player and backing vocals on this song. My friend Harish and I drove down from San Francisco to L.A. to spend New Years Eve with my friend Jamie and got a chance to meet Glenn at his house.)


Just Like Heaven - Cure - (The next morning, New Year's Day, we went to breakfast at Marie Callander's with Jamie, Glenn and the drummer/keyboard player/childhood friend of Robert Smith, Laurence Tolhurst.)


Hockey Skates - Kathleen Edwards ( When I first heard this song, I could of swore she wrote this song about me. "I don't even have hockey skates. "I don't even order anymore" in reference to going to the bar which I did while living in my van before I started working at Tower records. All the bartenders knew me. I would belly up to the bar without saying a word and there was my Budweiser. It was a hole in the wall bar called, The Drawing Room and opened up at 6 a.m.)


Killer Star - David Bowie

Life - Brides Of Destruction


Sweet Virginia - Train ( My brother bought me a book when I was about 7 years old called "Where Did I Come From" explaining the birds and the bees. While reading, I pronounced vagina, Virginia and both my mom and brother cracked up. Some 25 years later while living in Hollywood I found a shirt that read, "Vagina is for Lovers" that I had to have and did get it.)


Pussy - Lords Of Acid ( I was walking down Santa Monica Blvd with my "Vagina Is For Lovers" shirt, on my way to work, when this young female pulls over in her SUV and says she likes my shirt. We get to talking and I explain that I work at Tower Records, that I was a drummer in a band and that I live in my van. She tells me she is a photography student at Santa Monica College and would like to take some pictures of my everyday living and I oblige.)


It's A Long Way To The Top - AC/DC (About 4 months later, Jillian Sorkin, my new photography friend and Facebook Friend later, came by Tower to drop off a few copies of her photo essay that featured me on the entire back page with about 7 different color photos of me doing various things. I was flabbergasted. The title of the photo essay was,.....you guessed it, "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock n' Roll)


Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine - Killers ( I was in love with a gorgeous black hair beauty and piecing blue eyes bartender at some bar in Los Feliz I can't remember and her name was uhhhhh...JENNY.)


Send Her My Love - Journey ( In reference to when I met Steve Perry at Tower Records and told him I knew his daughter Shamila. And because the song was for her. Now, you think I'm crazy do ya? You ain't seen crazy. I just figured this out today. Take the first letters of each word in the title, what do you get? .....huh...uh-huh..SHML... almost spells out SHaMiLa.... O.K. I'll admit, I think way too much and I admit I am crazy, I just need to somehow find a way to get that "crazy" check that ever other crazy motherfucker is getting!!!.O.K.....Now, where's C.A., Crazy (motherfuckin) Anonymous, I need to get to a meeting!!!)


Venice Queen - Red Hot Chili Peppers ( My favorite CD to listen to, By The Way, while living in Hollywood. Chad Smith would come into Tower records all the time while I only met Flea once and actually rang him up and I shook Anthonys' hand as he was walking out the door) A fellow Scorpio, Anthony was born on the day after me on November 1st. No, I'm not a stalker or some delusional gay groupie, I just happen to read his book to find out information. Try it some time, you might like it.)



Voices - Glen Ballard ( I like this song, but I can't think of why I would put this in this list other than, we were born on the same day. I'll let you figure it out if you don't already know. The same day as Vanilla Ice as well.....SCARY!!!)


Say Goodbye To Hollywood - Eminem (Yes, I like Eminem, sue me. I was waving goodbye to Hollywood)

2008 and BEYOND......

Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips ( I was headed back to my hometown of Marathon, Florida from Hollywood, California. Not on a train but on a Greyhound bus that took 5 days.....I'M SUCH A FAILURE!!!) But I did get a job the very next day when I FINALLY got off the bus, working for Keys Shuttle and they HAD employee housing BUT it was filled up.I did have a job but I was still homeless, sleeping at the old Quay restaurant across the street from my yob in my hometown of Marathon. I eventually moved on to the Big Yellow Taxi.)


Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue (My life's like an open book and my hand is at the end of the video and I met Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee)

Who Says You Can't Go Home - Jon Bon Jovi (YEAH who says? Tell 'em Jon and Jennifer!!!)

Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows ( I worked for Friendly Taxi in Marathon after my stint in California)


Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins ( I was living in a tent while working for the taxi cab business until the business went out of business)

Key West (I Saw You First) - John Mellencamp (Welcome to the only FREE shelter in the Florida Keys, K.O.T.S. (Keys Overnight Tempory Shelter) 50 miles away from where I want to be)


America - Neil Diamond (The closest Statue of Liberty song I could think of)
Signs - Tesla (I wave a sign in my monkey suit)
Watching The Wheels - John Lennon ( People do say I'm crazy and I did profess in my Key West Citizen article when I drink beer it makes me lazy as I watch the wheels go by as I spin the sign for Liberty..Tax that is.)

Take A Picture - Filter ( A lot of people I see taking pictures of me while working as the Statue of Liberty on the side of the street, living in the street and if my Dad could only see me now!!)


Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen (The lyric, "Trying to write this book" hits home for me.Which is pretty much where I am at today, trying to do and still chipping away.)

More to come fo sure....Happy Valentine's Day!!!









Monday, February 4, 2013

Self Indulgent? Statue Of Liberty Poem

WRITTEN: JANUARY 30TH, 2013 WHILE WORKING @ LIBERTY TAX




PREY TELL

WHAT THE HELL

IS YOU DOING



MY SALES PITCH

HAS PASSED

TOO FAST

FOR YOU TO CATCH

TOO LATE

FOR A SECOND CHANCE



JUDGE ME LIKE

THE COVER OF A BOOK

STANDING IN THE GRASS

AS YOU LOOK

TO TAKE A GLANCE



AT THE CLOWN

UNDERNEATH THE CROWN

SPINNING AROUND TOWN

WITH HIS

ENVY GREEN GOWN

AS HIS PARENTS SLEEP

PEACEFULLY

6 FEET UNDERGROUND



LAUGH AT HIM

AS HE PROCEEDS

TO THE BANK

TO CASH HIS CHECK

HE JUST GOT PAID

AS YOU WEEP

WISHING

YOU HAD

A J.O.B.



ASK YOURSELF

WHO IS THE ONE

LAUGHING BY HIMSELF

SIPPING ON A 40

AS HE SINGS

LA TE DA DE

I DON'T NEED

ANYBODY

HAPPY GO LUCKY

STATUE OF LIBERTY

SWEET HOME

OF THE FREE

A PRICE HE MUST PAY

ON THE BRINK

OF GOING INSANE



HE DRINKS THE SAME AMOUNT

IN OUNCES

AS HOURS HE WORKS

IN A WEEK

FASTER THAN

A 40 MINUTE TIME FRAME



HE WISHES

HE COULD EXPLAIN

WHAT HE SEES IN A DAY

BUT THE SEA

IS TOO DEEP

AS HE DROWNS

HIS SORROWS AWAY



Saturday, February 2, 2013

TOP 20 or so.....what!? FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME/SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!!!

In no particular order whatsoever....



7. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS - GREEN DAY

4. ROCK ME AMADEUS - FALCO (English version)

9. DAMN, I WISH I WAS YOUR LOVER - SOPHIE B. HAWKINS

2. BOUND FOR THE FLOOR - LOCAL H

6. FORTY SIX AND 2 - TOOL

3. MISS ME BLIND - CULTURE CLUB

5. WHAT UP GANGSTA - FIDDY CENT

8. MAMAS DON'T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS - WAYLON AND WILLIE

1. RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN (Live version) - BOB SEGER

12. SUN AND STEEL - IRON MAIDEN

18. IN THE MOOD - GLEN MILLER ORCHESTRA (One of my Moms' favorite songs)

11. I'M JUST RAW - LYRICS BORN

13. WILD CHILD - W.A.S.P.

19. NIGHTS ON BROADWAY - BEE GEES (Yes, I used to roller skate to this song AND damn it, I like it!!!)

16. LIVE FOREVER - OASIS

14. COUNTING BLUE CARS - DISHWALLA

17. TRICKY - RUN D.M.C.

15. SCENTLESS APPRENTICE - NIRVANA

20. TAKE ME WITH U - PRINCE

18. I ALONE - LIVE

25. CALIFORNIA LOVE - 2PAC featuring DR. DRE and ROBERT TROUTMAN

32. GOT NO SHAME - BROTHER CANE

23. BRAINSTEW - GREEN DAY

30. ROCKSTAR - CYPRESS HILL

23. YOUR LOVE IS KING - SADE

31. SUPERNAUT - 1,000 HOMO DJ'S (KICK ASS BLACK SABBATH COVER)

33. RENEGADES OF FUNK - RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (Afrika Bambaataa cover)

22. SHAKE YOUR FOUNDATIONS - AC/DC

27. SHADOW OF YOUR LOVE - GUNS N' FUCKIN ROSES (I guess "technically" by HOLLYWOOD ROSE, please don't sue me!!! I DON"T HAVE ANY MONEY!!:)---

21. SPACE AGE LOVE SONG - A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS

24. (tie) THE BREAK-UP SONG & JEOPARDY - GREG KIHN

29. LOSE YOURSELF - EMINEM

26. BRAIN OF J - PEARL JAM

34. LOWDOWN - BOZ SCAGGS

28. 7th AVENUE - RATT

37. BUST - BIG BOI from OUTKAST

39. ROSES - de ANDRE' 3000 PROPER from de groupe' OUTKAST

42. KING OF ROCK N' ROLL - DIO

40. SING ME AWAY - NIGHT RANGER

36. AGAIN - ALICE IN CHAINS

35. ANTHEM - RUSH

38. YOU'LL NEVER FIND A LOVE LIKE MINE - LOU RAWLS

41. GET UP OFFA THAT THANG - JAMES BROWN

44. VALLEY OF LOST SOULS - POISON

47. THE GATE/INVITED - TESLA

43. WHAT I AM - EDIE BRICKELL

45. MOVE ME ON DOWN THE LINE - ZZ TOP

46. ALLEY CAT - BENT FABRIC ( My mom used to dance to this song at the American Legion when I was just a pup)

49. BREADFAN - METALLICA (BUDGIE cover) mommy, where's fluffy? It's at the end, listen for it!! At least, I think, that's what it says at the end.



TO BE CONTINUED, AS USUAL, DON'T BLAME ME BECAUSE I LIKE A LOT OF GREAT SONGS AND CAN'T COUNT. I'M A DRUMMER, WHAT IN THE HELL DID YOU EXPECT? SPEAKING OF WHICH, LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH MY 2 FAVORITE JOKES THAT I CAN ACTUALLY REMEMBER:



2. WHAT DO YOU CALL A GUY WHO HANGS OUT WITH MUSICIANS? A......drum roll please.......DRUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

1. WHAT DO YOU CALL AN UNEMPLOYED DRUMMER? UHHHHHHHH.............HOMELESS!!!!

HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!! GO 9ERS!!!!! I usually like the underdog but I have to root for the 49ers just because I lived in San Francisco and I have never been to Baltimore.