Memory assistance

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Brian/Helen

This is Brian and Helen. I will finish this post in time but this picture sums up a lot that really doesn't need to be said. We're like the 3 amigos....You start with a friendship and maybe there are some rocky times but if you make it through it seems to become stronger. So we became stronger and over the course of time I've been involved in important times in both of their lives and them mine. Weddings, Funerals and Vegas. If that doesn't make you close nothing will. Vegas is a great place to forget and remember all at the same time. I love these 2 people. Merry Christmas to you guys and your families.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Reily...(R.I.P)

I had to put my baby to sleep yesterday...He just ran out of steam...Today is the 1st day coming home without him running out to greet me and its killing me as I type. He was such a gentle little guy. Always. He wouldn't hurt a flee. He had a long and good life and I'm thankful I got to spend the last few months with him. I will refine this post gradually as I'm able but for now this is it. I plan to add our videos here too.....I miss you bug....

ps..the pic of him in the chair with the bag was during Halloween...This was a bag full of candy and he helped me give it out....

our vids
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http://www.vimeo.com/8008561
http://www.vimeo.com/7743947
http://www.vimeo.com/7479928
http://www.vimeo.com/7230076
http://www.vimeo.com/6875480

Since we loved this song...here it is again.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qz3VcLv2kQ&feature=channel

Reily came into my life in March of 1996. I was away on an adventure and Amy decided to get some company for Miss Maggie. When I got home he was still small enough to walk under her belly. I had been layed off from a job and had some time on my hands so I used to take the 2 of them into the woods for hikes. They were both slow enough running that I never put a leash on because I could chase them down. We got into a routine of waiting about 50 feet from the road and I'd pick them up. All I'd have to say is, 'pick em up' and they'd stop and wait. He kept that habit until his last days. At 1st I thought having 2 dogs would be tough but he learned so quickly and I think Maggie was a big part of that. She was always the bully and he the chicken little. He never did catch on to the bully thing. As time went on they might as well have been one dog they were so easy to live with. Maggie passed in May of 2004 but as luck would have it somebody had given Amy another Maltese and although she is no Maggie she was still company for my little dude. Another shock for the both of us was when I moved back to Maryland in the same year. He lost his big sister and his daddy but as more luck would have it he had a wonderful granddaddy in Albert. Albert loved him much as we did. When I'd come visit he still seemed to know me but so much time had passed it was different as time went on. Skip forward to summer of 2009. He had started to fail somewhat at this point. He'd lost a lot of his vision and being around a kid and other dogs was causing him panic attacks. Amy called and asked what I thought so on August 27, 2009 (Albert's Birthday) she and Big Al brought him to me an although I know it hurt her deeply to let him go she also knew she had no choice. I figured he could stay with me and see how it went. We had a shaky start but he seemed to figure out my house. He put on some weight and seemed to be happy. I knew he didn't have long and was surprised that he lived as long as he did. Long enough for us to get reacquainted and that to me makes all of this grieving worth it. If you don't grieve a loss how can you appreciate what you have....? The newsroom is still quiet tonight but I have those good memories and I know Amy and Albert do too. 1 last thing. I think dogs know something about when their time is near. Maggie waited(I'll use waited as that is what they seem to do) until both Amy and I were away and she died in her sleep next to Albert. She snuggled up and passed away and I think she knew that neither one of us could handle it. I also think Reily found just enough energy to live long enough for us to reacquaint. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Pop

You would have been 78 years old today. I just want to give a quick thank you for everything you've ever done for me over the years. The #1 thing that keeps re-appearing is you let me have the ability to think for myself. No brainwashing. I've come into trouble in conversation with some of the more brainwashed faithful lately but that's the price I suppose. You had your ideas on things but never forced them on me. The golden rule was always your thing and has been my thing for as long as I can remember. I can remember you asking me if I, 'thanked someone' when a gift or meal was offered. I try to never miss a thank you because what once was just a habit to a little kid is in reality much appreciated by those who hear it. It's all these little things that are still here. I put my seat belt on 99 percent of the time even if I'm going 1 mile to the store because I can hear your voice. (are you buckled up) Leslie wrote a nice post about how you just wanted us to be together on the holidays even though the xmas thing is a commercial nightmare you loved nothing more than buying us things and making us happy. I could go on an on but I won't.....Cheers to you pop....I miss and love you.

Friday, October 23, 2009

All she do is fuss, cuss and moan......

I've recently determined that song lyrics are my scriptures. Music has always been near and dear to my heart and kept me company thru good and bad. I've absorbed a ton of information about musicians who've caught my ear over the years and 1 thing is certain...Sometimes these songs and lyrics come very quickly as if from another energy source. Read about Cat Stevens and he will admit he had no idea what he was writing about in certain songs but they had meaning to others. Shame that undertow got him to give in. Call it divine or don't but in my opinion if we're made in gods image why couldn't a modern day person be a prophet of sorts? Take it one step further and why couldn't anyone in this world who's affected you in a way you will never forget be considered a prophet? I don't think the word should be reserved for 2k plus year old men who we will never know through their own words. I won't go any deeper with this one but I think if somebody inspires or shows you a map of what to expect through their own experience it's invaluable and for me it's songwriters, friends and family and a stranger or 2. If you find your map in religious text, friends or a glass of wine...amen to that as well. Now go fuck yourself and leave me alone, I got music to listen to, friends to write and wine to drink.

modern day prophet(reily)
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http://vimeo.com/7230076

Monday, October 19, 2009

A good week...........

Started out the previous weekend with a Jackie Greene show at the Crystal Bay with Jim and Jackie G....After the show about the time I was drunk he appeared near the Roulette table with similar imbalances. See pics. Next week was spent chilling with Ellie which was nice and Reily got to sing for her. Some pics of it all and the lyrics to a song I took with my little camera in its entirety.----------------
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http://vimeo.com/7053290
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http://picasaweb.google.com/srussel459/EllieOctober2009#
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The poor man’s soul is a diamond made of coal
He’s trying every day to survive
He makes his way, through the night and through the day
Sayin: “don’t it feel so good to be alive?”

Ah but I don’t want to end up like him
For he’s down on his knees every hour to pray
Sayin: “Lord, I been so good, just like I knew I should
So won’t you free me on my judgement day?”

She speaks good French sitting pretty on the bench
But I know she’s only after his Gold
She looks so fine, it’s naturally a crime
But she complains that she’s getting too old

So she tells her mama, that she’s falling in love
With a rich man who can take her far away
But the Wheel of Time, make her change her mind
The hour on her judgement day

Now that girl of mine, she ain’t the gentle kind
All she do is fuss, cuss and moan
Well I tried so hard, but it ain’t in the cards
So I’ll be leaving her alone

And if I’m right mama, you’ll have to sing to me
But if I’m wrong then I won’t be in your way
And if I find myself at the mercy of the law
Won’t you free me on my judgement day?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Music Blog with pic of Reily...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Aug/Sep Update - Try not to fall asleep

A Month
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monthly update for my friends who live on mars....hope you don't mind the ME ramble.

I got reily(maltese) back from Amy because basically he's blind and not doing well with her critters. He's a bit of a pinball wizard but he's not dumb or deaf...he's blind, has arthritis and an enlarged heart...so when I first got him back I was stressed but now that I know he may be ok for a bit i'm better...not that anyone gives a shit as they have more serious stuff on their plate....

2nd thing was I had a nice visit from Dwayne and Inday....Dwayne has been my bud forever but as life goes we lose and gain touch....He's recently married and his wife is nothing but pleasant to be around. Showing her things she has never seen is nothing but fun.

On a work note I was sent to St Pete Fla for a work conference that I knew nothing about. I'm a willing traveler though as they have bars in the sky and considering being next to a small window for 4 hours was enough to bring some jack and coke my way...disclaimer(co-workers fly to India now and again and this pales in comparison but I do think their plane is bigger)

Saw my boy Todd Snider last Saturday with some buds...He seemed a bit tired but never missed a beat or lyric....

That's all I got for now...Look at the pics and go about your business......

http://picasaweb.google.com/srussel459/MyAugustAndSeptember#