almost Christmas

When I was young and naive, I used to think that you reaped what you sowed. If you were a good person, good things happened to you. You passed on the goodness, so to speak. Sadly, now that I am older and, I hope, wiser, I realize that the world, as Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P.) so appropriately put it: "is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams."

My advice for the new year?

Don't let them.

Be a dreamer. It's the only way this shit-hole of a world will change.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

been a while

It's been a while. I've been busy writing, painting the inside of the house, finally getting the BSA on the rode, writing, sleeping, eating, etc. Hope everyone is well. I'll write when this keyboard is replaced with one that will work properly.

Countdown to extinction

Well, here I am on the eve of my 49th birthday. It still amazes me I've made it this far. So many good people I've known have perished while I survived. Makes you wonder about the design of the universe and whether or not there is a plan at all. My father died at the ripe young age of 50 and it bothers me that I am approaching that age. But, I figure if it's my time, it's my time. There are so many people my age and younger who seem to have given up on life. I refuse to do that, although I sometimes find myself giving up on the human race. I've been trying not to do that, either....even though it is hard sometimes. Things like the oil spill in the Gulf and the ensuing lack of concern by my fellow man just really, really, really bother me. We're all so insensitive to things these days. All so self-centered. Or, at least, that's the way it seems to me. I could go on and on about things.....and I probably should. Things just aren't right, my friends. So, I try my best to be a good person, love my children, be a good father, and dream of a better day for us all. I think, in the end, optimism is the best answer to the pessimism the world throws our way. Smile at the SOB's.....it'll confuse their tiny little minds....and maybe, if we are lucky, it just might rub off on the idiots. One can only hope.

There I was on a July morning looking for love

The title for this installment comes from one of my favorite bands, Uriah Heep. They played in Chicago last night but I missed it. First time they've been in the states in ten years. Damn, I'm gonna regret that. I always loved the song "July Morning" with its anthemish keyboard intro and the twenty years+ dead voice of David Byron. Their new lead singer, Bernie Shaw, has sung with them for twenty years. They're still a viable band. Their 2008 album, "Wake the Sleeper", rocks. Wish I'd seen them.

The illustration to this installment was done to accompany perhaps the most controversial story I've ever written. "Mary had a little lamb" is about the daughter of God. Things don't go so well for her when she is sent to St. Louis to face her destiny. The story ended on a positive note, though. It was written way back in the good ol' 1980's. It never found a home....till recently, that is. It was published in an online magazine about six months back. I really love this illustration because it captures the mood of the story perfectly. If you like the illustration, hunt down "Marginal Boundaries" on the good ol' Internet. Lots of good stories in there.

Anyway, I need to try to sleep now, folks. Have a happy 4th of July.

Father's Day 2010

Well, it's Father's Day again. Seems like the years just fly by. My son, Darrien, is sitting on the couch playing Leggo Indiana Jones 2 on the Wii. I promised him he could play a while, but I'll be shutting that thing off soon so we can go out and do something fun. Hope everyone out there calls their dad today and thanks them for this interesting life.

Out of the Frying Pan

Well, the weather in southern Illinois has turned from quite pleasant to incredibly hot. I'm still holding to my "no air conditioning till the first of June" motto, but it's tough today. Gonna sit in the basement and watch TV to avoid the humidity upstairs.

Southern Illinois. You gotta love it.

And the laughs just keep on coming!!!!

More off-kilter humor for her

Sorry, had to post this one as well.

How can you not find this humorous?

Yes, my sense of humor is a little south-of-center but, you gotta admit, this is true. Posted exclusively for "That Woman" or "She Who Shant Be Named."

Another March post? WTF?

Howdy y'all.

I strongly urge everyone to sign up for the Zombie Walk here in Carbondale on May 1st. Google it (or look it up on Facebook). Fun for the whole family.

Did you miss me?

It's been a while since I last posted. I've been busy with a few things. I'm finishing up a 20 minute or so play for Clifton Bailey's Little Dready Boy Productions. It's a zombie play to be produced the day of the Zombie Walk here in Carbondale. I believe it's the first weekend in May. Just Google it for info. Also been doing some modifications around the house. If you drive by, you'll see that I tilled the area in front of the house and planted flowers. I pruned all the vines that have grown in to small trees, and will till up the area behind the garage to plant a garden soon. I need to wash and stain the deck this weekend, too. Too much work, too little time. Hope everyone is well (with the exception of a few assorted douchebags). Later, Roger

It sucks getting old

Jeez, has it really been a month and a half already?

I can't believe it's been a month and a half since I last posted to this blog. I guess the blog hasn't been as important to me as it has in the past. In the past, two years or better ago, there was a lot of confusion in my heart. I pretty much stepped back and took 2009 to think about life and where it was taking me - or, rather, where I was allowing it to take me. I didn't much like the avenue I was going down. The person I had become was not the person I wanted to be. I was letting people affect me who didn't deserve that right. There's an old saying: "no one can make you feel bad about yourself unless you let them." Well, I was letting them. Nine months ago now I said, "to hell with you, I'm not taking your crap any more." I walked away from some of the idiocy I had been dealing with for two years before. Idiocy that was compounded by the other forces. I pretty much told those forces what they could do with their crap, too.

The result?

Well, I guess, a happier me. I know that my decision nine months ago was the right one, even if it was a difficult one that should never have occurred. Sometimes, life throws you a curve ball. You can either swing or get cold-cocked by it. Sadly, I did the latter. I was reeling, dazed and confused for a while. But now, I think, I have recovered from the blow and come to my senses....and, YES, I do still have senses. Contrary to what those idiots think. To hell with them. Or, as the old saying goes: "Say what you want. Those who mind don't matter; those who matter don't mind."

Words of wisdom from someone who should have listened to them a loooonngg time ago.