New Post?

That last post was rather negative. It seems that I've missed my own point. What is the use in spreading negativity through cyberspace? Isn't there enough everywhere you go? The truth is we need to dwell more on the things that touch us in a possitive way. On that note, I'd like to say "hello" to my special friend in Russia. Sorry that it's taken me so long to return your email. I'd like to give a shout out to Vagabond Bob. Thanks for the inspiration. To my friend the Minx, I have your back, I just don't talk behind it.
What's in store for next year? A blogger's cruise to the Caribbean? A recording session centered on Happy Meals without onions please? You never can tell. There should always be something to look forward to. Maybe there will be more song writting next year. Maybe my old buddies from Goodfoot will feel like it's time to go for it. Which reminds me, Brooks, "What the Hell?" Goodfoot Rich and I have been recording. Go west young man. Goodfoot Mike is ready to get the "F" out of the house.
I'll say goodbye for now. Thanks Minx for encouraging me to post something new.

Mistaking Kindness For Weakness

Since I was twenty I've known that I can never change the world. I have always believed since then that I could change my world. The point is, there are a lot of flat out shitty people out there. I know everyone is flawed but I never lost hope in the over all good of people. You can't tell by looking at people which is bad and which is good. Sometimes you think you know someone and that they are good. Now it is starting to no longer surprise me when it turns out that I was wrong. I guess that's a part of getting older. But what do you do? Cut off all ties to the outside world? Live in a bubble? Be very guarded? Take on a persona that is quite different than the person that you really are? No. You say "Fuck you" and go about your day. That must be why I'm such a success at being emotionally unavailable. I know who I am. I don't need to hear anyone's theories on what my demons are. Most of the time they are sooooo off base that I have to laugh. Very few people stop talking long enough to listen anyway. What do people expect? You'll say "Wow, no one understands me but you" No one understands anyone and no one cares to. They may sincerely think they do but they don't. I'd say that the majority of people that talk to me do so only because they want something or I amuse them. Let's hope I don't feel so dark tomorrow. This is a little example of my holiday cheer.

Holiday Spending Vs. Holiday Spirit

This is an age old problem that only gets worse every year. We started to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" as not to offend any non-Christians. Now a Rabi asks for one manora to go with the nine Christmas trees at an airport and what do they do? Give the man a manora? No. In the middle of the night they took out the Christmas trees. Now it makes it look like the jews stole Christmas. We know this isn't the case. I think being politically correct during the holidays is the devil's work. Because of my faith, I don't actually believe in the devil but if there were a devil, what an acomplishment. Being invisible would be the best way to cause trouble.
People sure don't mind taking your money during the "holidays" do they? You pull out the plastic to buy all those gifts you can't afford and the credit card companies make money. The stores make money. Every time you buy something there is a sales tax that goes to funding public programs (more money). Have a little "holiday" drink at a "holiday" party then drive and see if the courts mind taking your money.
Christmas is supposed to be the one time of year we take our heads out of our asses and love our fellow humans and put petty differences aside. A once a year reminder that we could be at peace. We humans found a way to fuck it up. Good going human race! We've all become the Grinch, the Scrooge, the mindless throwing money at the marketing without feeling the spirit. There are a lot of suicides at this time of year. People would be better to open their hearts than their wallets. Some people just buy their kids everything they want. People never stop wanting for material things, no one has that much money. Someone simply wishing a total stranger a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or whatever could change someone's mood for the better. I'm not talking about saying it just to people who buy something from you. I'm talking about people you pass everywhere. It may sound simple, it may sound goofy, but it sure feels good, as much to the poor as the rich.
I wonder what we'll take away next year. I'm sick of listening to six weeks of Jingle Bells. Maybe they'll take away "holiday" music. Don't get me wrong, holiday music is good but not the day after Halloween.

What Birthday?

I woke up on the morning of the day of my birth still drunk from the night before. I had what at the time seemed like a logical idea... keep drinking. Who wants to be hung over on their birthday anyway? I remember meeting a lot of new interesting people. I remember phone calls that weren't neccessary. I remember a lovely young girl telling me that she liked my shirt. I decided to wear my t-shirt that looks like the front of a tuxedo with my black suit and black Converse All Stars. I remember a guy telling me that he lost his job. I remember asking him where he saw it last. I remember a nice woman named Robyn bring me a shot of Tequila. I remember going to a lot of different bars. I remember a lot of people giving me rides to the next bar. I remember standing up straight with confidence because it was my birthday and it was my right to be drunk. I remember hearing that my former co-worker/friend passed away that day. I remember feeling, for a moment, far too mortal for a drunk man. It wasn't that long ago that we were celebrating his birthday. Fucking cancer. The bad thing about being thirty five is that a two day day drunk has a two day hang over.

Why Men Don't Want Children

There are several reasons why men would want to have children. I am only speaking of the things that scare the hell out of men. The first big reason is financial. Babies are expensive, diapers, clothes, daycare and medical care are just a few of the expenses. Child support usually is another issue. Couples usually don't make it more than seven years on average before divorce. Men, more often than not, end up having to pay child support. It's not unjust, it's just a fact of life. Second is responsibility. Both parents become responsible for a little person's life. The needs of the baby come first. That means sacrifice on all levels. You, as a parent are responsible for all of your child's actions. If your child decides that it would be fun to throw a rock at a car, you are responsible for all damages. A big concern for men is that women usually put on a bit of weight and don't lose it after the baby is born. They often times stop making an effort to look nice because they are too tired from working and taking care of the baby. Men are called insensitive jerks for saying anything about it. A lot of men don't say anything and lose their attraction for the woman. This will cause problems. Men certainly have been guilty of letting themselves go as well. When the relationship does come to an end there can not be a clean break. You will have to deal with one another for years to come because there are always issues concerning the child or children. The man often finds himself at 30 to 40 newly single, out of shape, living in an apartment, having the baggage of financial obligations to the child and possibly the ex, being a part time father and wondering if he'll ever have anything to offer to a new relationship. After a while his ex will meet a man that will be spending more time with your child than you do because of the custody arrangement. I'm not saying that the woman has it any easier. This is a one sided view from the man's perspective. What do you have when it all falls apart? A child or children that you love but will probably on more than one occasion tell you how much they hate you because you are so unfair and ruined their life. Parenthood is a thankless job. I need to call my dad and thank him.