Music.

I went to a music festival at the beach today.

I saw a young 22 year old step on stage in a yellow dress and cowboy boots, all shy, nervous talking, almost like she needed her sunglasses to hide her and give her the courage to be there...
And then she played guitar. And then she sang.
Her name is Heather Gillis.
My friend Cheryl asked me if she was my new rockstar stage girlfriend..... I said No.
I might listen to Rachel Warfield on the same stage and get lost in her dreamy lips and flirting hips..
But listening to and watching Heather Gillis is like watching my little sister achieve greatness. She is captivating.
Captivating.
Greatness.
In this day and age of upcoming musicians, I don't know what paths it takes to become successful or even great, but I hope Heather Gillis finds it. She is Great.

I watched a homeless man, older than me, minding his own business, not bothering anybody, dance for 2-1/2 hours. Nothing crazy. Not whacked out. Just listening to the live music and dancing. Feeling it.
Why can't I let go and dance like that, I asked myself.
Rather afraid of my answer.
I'll get back to you on that.

I also watched a young lady in a sun dress dance it up like no one was watching.
If I was ever in a crowd, she wouldn't stand out like as my "type" you might say. Twice my height. Twice my bone structure. Sundress and and a baseball cap. Barefoot.
But wow, she danced like I wish I could dance.
Like no one was watching.
Feeling it.
Why can't I let go and dance like that, I asked myself.
Rather afraid of my answer.
I'll get back to you on that...

I also met Ross and Bonnie.
Both are much older than me, hobbled by obvious health issues. Ross relied on a cane and sat when he could. You could tell he was a handsome man and popular and enjoyed life's successes. Bonnie was skinny and not very sure-footed. She seemed to use every ounce of energy she had to remain independent. She had such a bright smile and an enthusiastic look about her. They are the kind of people I wished I met 20 years ago.
So, I am standing behind Ross. He is sitting. He reaches for his phone. He is shaking. He fumbles with it and lifts it to take a picture. I can see the view screen and see him trying to zoom in to capture his picture. Ross takes like 10 pics, each takes effort and you can tell he is trying to capture each one just right.
Ross is taking pictures of Bonnie. Bonnie is up in front of the stage, standing in the sunlight. Crowds away from us.
She looks 20 years younger.
And Ross is taking her picture like they are dating.
After the music ended, I confessed to Ross that I was looking over his shoulder and it touched me that he wasn't taking pictures of the band, but I caught him taking pictures of Bonnie...
I asked him how long they've been together.
22 years he said.
Coulda been 24 he said, but he fucked up once 22 years ago....

Deep breath.
Music. Man. I love music.

Music really can touch the soul.

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Trees.

So what if there is actually no such thing as wind? And all the trees are just dancing and playing and having fun with each other?

Growing Up Air Force

My Dad was in the Air Force. He doesn't talk much about it. On the day he retired, I understand he stopped on the sidewalk, turned to the flag and saluted one last time. I wish I could've seen him do that.

I asked my Dad once why he doesn't talk much about his time in the Air Force. His answer was, "Because no one's asked."

My Dad turns 80 this month. 80. Wow. I might be 52, but around him I still feel like an insecure long haired 16 year old trying to get the nerve up to ask him if I could borrow the car keys.
I hope someday, I can sit with him over a few cold beers and some of his fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and ask, "Hey, Dad........"

Happy Veterans Day to my Dad and All of you out there. Thanks for what you've done, and for what you do, because of what you've done.

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What I Did This Summer When My Family Went on a Vacation for a Week Without Me

This was the first time ever I was home alone for a whole week without my family.
P A A A R R R T T T Y Y Y Y ! ! ! ?

No.
Nope.
Truth be  told...
It felt weird.

Seriously...
I woke up early and I worked late.
I did dishes, laundry and vacuumed.
I cleaned a bathroom.
I killed 2 cockroaches.
I went grocery shopping.
I talked to myself alot.
I skipped a couple meals and went to bed early.
I napped after work.
I binge watched "Scrubs".
I did slow cook a pork tenderloin with sausage and lived off nothing but BBQ pulled pork sausage grinders for a few days.
I then ate salads to feel less guilty.
I played 1 round of disc golf. That was it.

I missed my wife and my boys like a stupid sappy donkey boy scout.
Pathetic, I say.
I thought I was a MAN!

So....

My last night.... in an effort to live up to everyone's high expectations of my "bachelor week" I completed the following:

I walked around the apartment naked. FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.
I drank a beer in the shower.
I left the toilet seat up.
In BOTH bathrooms.
I made myself burp loudly.
I did that thing where you see how long of a spit you can make, and then suck it back up.
I
I
I
.
.
.
Geez. Party on, Rock Star. Sigh.

I have totally learned it is one thing to be gone and miss them like crazy, but it's a whole nother thing to be HOME and miss them like crazy.

OK, I might belch, scratch and fart (loudly and smile) a time or two more before they get home, but I hope it's okay to say this and still be a man...

"I missed my family."

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Toad

I have every CD.
I never ever had an opportunity to see them....

Tickets arrived today.
Actual tickets.
I actually smelled them.

Missin' Me Some Grill Time

When we moved into the apartment to cut back on expenses, I gave up our patio and my grill. That was 2-1/2 years ago.

Recently, we got a small charcoal grill, thinking it would be a nice size for the balcony. But the smoke, the smell was just way too much.

So this was today's Sunday Funday project.
$40. Craigslist.
Cleaned up this girl, looking all shiny and half new!

I got my job. Now I got my grill.
Slowly feeling more and more like myself again.

:)

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Open Studios at CoRK

Spent yesterday at CoRK.
Rubbing elbows with an artistic side.
Inspiring.

CoRK is 3 warehouse buildings converted into about 70 individual spaces for working artists. They hold an Open House once a year.

It was beyond my expectations.

I might be a Sign Guy, but I have the heart of an artist.

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Super Moon 11/14/2016

We talked about the whole 70 year moon proximity thing.

I asked them when in another 70 years, when I am long gone, would you remember tonight?

Matthew (Age 8): I'll be 78. Maybe.

David (Age 12): I'll be 7012... How old is that?

.... That sound you heard was a particular Dad shaking his head and sighing deeply...

Harbinger

Harbinger Sign.
Jacksonville.
My title is Estimator.

That sound you hear is me landing on my feet, hitting the ground with both feet running.

My experience bodes well. What I am learning… is Amazing.

For instance, yesterday I helped finish a budgetary quote for an exterior sign project worth over $700K. Crazy cool for a sign guy.

Bring it.

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Happy Easter

Feeling Blessed.

"Dear Lord,

Today we celebrate your resurrection. You rose from the dead, and by doing so, you have given us Hope, Love and Faith.

Thank You for blessing us and our families.

Today, we also celebrate Matthew's Birthday. His name means "Gift of God."

He truly is. He is an amazing gift to us. We thank you for bringing him into our lives as a son, as a little brother and as a friend.

Dear Lord, continue to show us the way in which to walk, for in You we have entrusted our lives."

Amen

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