otherwise useless sound

and with this voice, all that I desire is that my words be heard, their meaning comprehended and my heart understood – otherwise, all that leaves me is useless sound.

cinco de junio

Happy Cinco de Junio (pronouced hoo-nio)!!

No, my friends… you haven’t been missing out on another Hallmark follyday or a call for intoxicated merriment. There isn’t really much significance to the fifth of June… unless you’re an Elvis Presley fan.

This day in 1956, he introduced his breakthrough hit, “Hound Dog,” on The Milton Berle Show, shocking and titillating the audience with his suggestive hip movements. Presley’s gyrations led to a wave of controversy that overshadowed even the news of the day of an impending communist threat. In response to the outcry, Presley explained, “Rock and roll music, if you like it, and you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I have to move around. I can’t stand still. I’ve tried it, and I can’t do it.”

Hmmm… maybe there’s something to Mr. Presley’s propaganda. Eureka Vacuums! That’s it! Cinco de Junio shall be here forth declared a day where you shall not stand still. I dare you to move. I double-dare you. Move from a place of complacency and comfort to do something that you’ve been putting off as if today is your last day alive.

Do something significant today. Happy Cinco de Junio, Friends.

2009 musing

I thought I’d take a break from novel writing to jot down nine random bits of wisdom to pass along to my amazingly intelligent readers who may very well scoff at the lack of wisdom that these nuggets actually contain. And yes, many of these have both surface and layered meaning…

  1. Novel writing is hard work and challenging to one’s latent attention deficit disorder.
  2. Always make sure the that top is on before shaking vigorously.
  3. Infants cry to build up strength in their lungs. Lungs are important for things like… breathing.
  4. Adults cry to express or release an emotion – which also builds up strength… to move forward.
  5. Alone does not mean lonely.
  6. Kenny G is NOT jazz!!*
  7. Pennies add up to thousands of dollars over time and committment.
  8. Change starts with your personal action and not an Obama t-shirt, bumper sticker, or catch phrase.
  9. communication + trust = healthy relationship

*If you disagree, please listen to artists such as Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, or Jimmy Smith.

random advice #82

Don’t fixate on your weaknesses and what you can’t do. Focus on your strengths and what you can do.

random advice #81

Tell someone you love that you love him or her… without using the word “love.”

consummate turn

It’s been well past a month since I initiated the simple experiment of parking my car and biking it as much as I could for one month. My fuel budget of the past two months had found it’s way rising well beyond the $225 mark (thank you, Mr. President).

Well, I am happy to report that I only spent $102.16 on fuel for the past 30 days. I have also discovered a new love with cycling and and an alternative exercise. I experience more of my world and my day this way and will continue to bike as often as I am able for the rest of the year.

What is consummate turn, you may ask? Simply, what is complete has now come to a revolution or a turn. I’m doing it all over again. Because I liked it. Anyone want to join me?

random advice #70

Do something once a day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt

In kenn-speak, break from your routine, step outside of your comfort zone, and LIVE. Daily.

drag coefficient

16 days into my 30-day experiment and I’ve discovered a newfound passion for cycling, an alternative to coffee, an aversion/attraction to train commuters, and about $100 in unused fuel funds thus far. I’m quite certain that I will continue this alternative design of transportation for as long as the weather permits. I’ll post real numbers on how much I’ve saved at the end of the original 30 days. Stay tuned.