"… Larger voices, calling."

"… Larger voices calling."
A tremendous song, boasting phenomenal harmony.
One of the few songs they always played, at high-end, record stores, and music shops that wanted to sell the products. I used to hear this song, as well as Steely Dan, music that could be played loud, and cover up shoddy equipment.
One for the road, "I heard a constant busy signal, when I called you on the phone…"
Jimmy

"Your face, is a Maserati…"

[You have to pretend], "your face is a Maserati…"
Ever since, I broke my nose, I have always approached people, namely females, with the assumption that I was not the best looking guy, in reality, I was never such a person, all of my entire life, but I would approach with nothing to lose, just trying to keep my confidence as high as possible.

Do not get me wrong? I am not the biggest uncle Ted fan? Not even close, I do not like his philosophy in life, nor his political views, but I absolutely acknowledge that he has some great guitar riffs, and a few songs that I enjoy listening to, and have since middle school.

One for the road, "ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball…"

Jimmy

"Take the L…"

"Take the L, out of lover, and it's over."

I am exhausted over the discussion of a certain female subject. I really appreciate those who have recently commented, and straightened me out, finally. I am truly ashamed of my pitiful conduct.

I particularly want to thank sidekick. 
I think everyone has their "cross to bear," but they all come in different forms.

One for the road, "Preacher man, don't tell me, heaven is above the earth…"


 Jimmy

Memorial Day– commemoration of sorts

Each person has events planned for the Memorial Day weekend. These may include parades, barbecues, and/or parties. On the most basic level, Americans, should honor the fallen soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for this country.

I myself have a commemoration of sorts, each year, I watch one of my favorite movies of all time, "The Deer Hunter." I have probably seen this movie, about a dozen times. Each time, I have learned something new. I have seen documentaries, interviews, and this movie with commentary from the actors and filmmakers. In short, I consider myself an aficionado, of sorts, about this movie, but in the typical obsessive/compulsive manner I live, I am open to learn more.

I once asked a friend of mine, and a true movie fan, whose knowledge of movies easily trumps mine, whether he had seen the movie in the theaters? He indicated that he had, but has not seen it since. When I asked him, why he has not seen it since? After acknowledging that it was a solid movie, he stated, "why would I want to go through posttraumatic stress again?"

I remember seeing a tribute to Robert DeNiro, where they showed a clip of his famous films, and conducted an interview with him, after each movie. He has so many movies that are fantastic and he commented on each one. When Deer Hunter was discussed, it moved him to tears. He did not say much other than that. I know the movie won an Academy award for: best picture, best director, best supporting actor, but it was a travesty that he did not win for best actor.

Various tidbits from this movie:
1) Christopher Walken – was terrified shooting scenes in the streets in Vietnam.
*I think it was his best role to date, coincidentally, it was his first major role, as far as I am concerned, he should have retired after this film. I think every film he has made, and his "weirdness," is a derivation from this film.
2) Robert De Niro wanted to use more live bullets in the chamber, in the last, "Russian Roulette" scene.
3) Barbara Streisand starred in the film "Coming Home," which was a pretty good movie, but she said she had never heard of the Deer Hunter.

One from the road, "I could be happy, for the rest of my life, with the…"
Jimmy

"… Coming down from the whipping post…"

I have spent the entire day, going through my usual routine of exercise, etc., and I have been running into difficulty, both physically and mentally. I have been having difficulty starting and am wrestling, with a few things. While this is going on, I hear the voice of Greg Allman singing the aforementioned song, and I feel like belting out, "oh Lord, I feel like I'm dying!"

I noticed a response to one of my blogs. The blog was from a couple months ago, or so, and it brought back some issues, not the most pleasant issues, but nonetheless issues. There were some good times with regards to these memories.  I was very pleased that this person responded to my blog and seems to be checking it. I welcome the response, and I am just hoping I get another response. I did not notice this response to my blog, when it was originally posted.

With regards to this song, I love it, but I cannot get into the 18 min. version, with seemingly endless guitar riffs, I prefer the short studio version of songs. But then again, I could barely play my recorder in elementary school, so though I have an appreciation for music, I cannot even play the most basic one. I now regret not playing an instrument, but I guess what is the point, now I could not manipulate any keys, or strings, or anything on an instrument. I can still appreciate nice music, but long riffs are not my "cup of tea."

One for the road, "I might steal your diamonds, but I'll bring you back some gold…"

Jimmy

"You can run, but you can't hide."

My derivative of that quotation is "I cannot run, therefore I cannot hide."
Another expression that is often used is that "if you cannot take the heat, get out of the kitchen."
My answer to this is, "I cannot get out of the kitchen, because the kitchen is too big."

It is approaching that time of the year where I am extremely uncomfortable. The temperature is going to start rising, and though some people marvel with this hot weather, it absolutely makes me especially uncomfortable.

In addition, my air-conditioner is broken, and I must wait for it to be repaired. My idea of Spartan conditions is when I have little air-conditioning, and the temperature rises. As you may have gathered, I am not much of an outdoor person, and I must train myself to get through these conditions.

Once the road, "it is a losing proposition, but one you can't refuse…"

Jimmy

"Cheese grate, his face against the asphalt."

I first heard this expression from a temperamental 18-year-old Italian kid, who lived in my dormitory freshmen year, his room was next to mine. When I first heard this expression, I laughed, as did my immediate classmates who who lived near the corner and the end of the dormitory floor. I am sure that this expression grew old to many, due to his loudness and with the inevitable interruptions, but I laughed each time he exploded. In fairness, those who protested were engineering students who studied all the time, so I can give them a pass. Although one of them was a product of the 60s, he did not make a big deal of the protests, he quietly mentioned it to a few people, it is not as if he carried signs protesting.

To envision literally that expression can be extremely graphic and not funny. However to if taken figuratively, it can be amusing, especially in a small group of friends in which most may be familiar with that expression, and will take it, in an amusing manner. Almost every time I have said it is figuratively, and now it is absolutely figuratively since physically it is impossible to perform for me.

I had one of those days, yesterday when my handicap vehicle/Van would not start. I was in the middle of the grocery store parking lot with my driver, since I no longer drive, there will be another posting, but I segue, she would have to call AAA to service my van. Of course the new battery was drained. While I was I sitting in the car with my mother, bless her heart, who drove me, we went to the grocery store to buy our lunch among other things, I was listening to AM radio. That was enough to drain my already low , super battery. According to a gentleman who knows his stuff, with regards to cars, computers, etc. they even though low power surge like a AM radio, could make the other high draining items, turn on and drain power causing a complete battery drain, and that is all I have to say about that.

I just chalk it up with other instances in my life which falls under/slips into the –UCF – "the Universal Conspiracy Factor." I guess this is my twilight zone of sorts. It is a nebulous part of my life that just cannot be explained, some are small issues, some of the major issues, I guess I think of a musical quote, "… I can't believe this is happening to me." Though I must admit the words are appropriate, but his context and the name of this does not fit. Open however to just by my lyrical readers.

I am sure each and every one of you folks have these type of days, and these sort of issues, most that are small, but I am sure some that are major, I just hope that short of death as a resolution, I hope they all can be resolved.

Sometimes I am tempted to call my doctor, but he has passed away, Jack Kevorkian.

Jimmy

One. For the road – "love lost, such a cost,…"

"Come down off your throne…"

"Come down off your throne, and leave your body alone…"
A song that means a great deal to me, though I do not drink alcohol, or smoke marijuana, and quite frankly I have no problems doing what the end of this song quote states.
I just love the lyrics, the composers, and I guess I do have blind faith, that was a massive hint, pun intended.
I have been abstaining from my blog for the last two days, or at least one day, because I have not had much to say, and I'm not wasting my trusted blog followers time and effort.
What really impresses me, is the ability of those readers to be able to decipher my quotes, it keeps me sharp.
Jimmy
once the road, and it feels this way, "oh Lord I feel like I am dying…"

"Listening to you, I get opinions…"

"Listening to you, I get opinions…"
I hear the voice of Roger Daltry, ringing in the air. I just had a friend of mine, he is a brother to me, tell me that I need to be more open with my feelings, and let things go.
I respect his opinion, more than most, probably the most and realize that he is correct, but there is "no easy way to be free."
I have a tough time letting things go, much to my detriment, and the past often blurs my future thinking. I am often reminded of another quote, "don't let the past, remind us of what we are not now."
There are three quotes so far in this entry. This will be a challenge.
I would say the past as well as my current physical pain, really blurs my thinking. This is exacerbated by the fact that I have much time on my hands.
Jimmy

"Get a life (er)…"

The Boston Globe had a comment that those people who constantly listen to sports radio, all day, and call the station arguing about seemingly trivial sports matters need to "get a life."

There are many people who keep the sports radio playing, while they do and partake in other matters similar to listening to music. I think there are many things that people can do, that are much worse for themselves, and are harmful to society. Though these people can be annoying, they are harmless.

I just say leave people be, and stop criticizing people on trivial things. Many of these people have nothing to do, are not trying to bother anyone, and are trying to live the day.

Your thoughts?
Jimmy

"Subscribe to that point of view…"

I was conversing with a lady, via the Internet, with whom I have a great deal of respect for, more than she could ever know, she is like an aunt to me, although I have never told her. She possesses uncanny instincts, and is correct on many of her assumptions. Again more than she would know.

She has risen to a fairly prominent position, with much responsibility, but comes from humble beginnings. Unlike many people, she knows her background, intelligence, and limitations. She also knows that there is only so much that she can do.

She told me recently that she was raised in a certain religion, and it really does not matter which religion, but as she has grown older, she has focused in a different direction. Not so much abandoning her religion or faith, but looking and focusing on nature. Nature just takes its course, humans are animals, and must adopt to nature.

Nature can be a wonderful thing, with beautiful mountains, scenery, and life. It can also be and do terrible things, for example, natural catastrophes, causing major death and havoc anywhere in the world. Over the course of human existence, the stronger may be able to survive. Conversely the weak are eliminated.

Brothers and sisters will come from the same cloth. Quite simply, one may be genetically inferior, and thus be unable to survive because they do not possess the strength to go forward.

I know of a person who is afflicted with a sickness that is extremely rare. In order to contract this sickness, there must be a gene from both the father and mother, and their genes must interact in a certain way to produce this sickness in the child. The parents could have multiple children, and all do not necessarily become sick, but one may be genetically "inferior."

This inferiority, may make him susceptible to other sicknesses, and the cycle goes on. He faces an inevitable altered lifestyle. It is not his fault, but he tries to deal with it. People try to comfort him, but there is a limited amount of things that can be done.

Though I am a man of faith, I am also looking at other factors in my life. I think in the least, that lady makes me think about my life, I will never forget her, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart. I hope she knows that I read her correspondence very carefully, and appreciate her wisdom. I hope I have garnered her respect, on the rare occasion we communicate.

I think I do. "Subscribe to that point of view…" But I am always tweaking my thoughts and theories.

Jimmy

"Plays by intuition…

"Plays by intuition…"

I have a tremendous amount of respect for people with intuitive skills, who have the knack of being in the right place, at the right time. Some people think that this is a matter of luck, or lack thereof, which I fall under, but I segue. But as I grow older, I realize that some people can place themselves into these positions, almost by feel, and they capitalize.

Some people have the knack to place themselves in a position to meet a love interest, and they do it so proficiently that if they break up with this love interest, they can go to another spot, and do this all over again. The same people may be able to juggle a few of these interests in different spots. They have what I call, the "love technique."

Some people have the knack to place themselves in a position to make successful business transactions. They also can spend little time and effort to curry multiple transactions quickly. As we all know, even in the worst recession, there are people who flourish, and we all know and it is obvious that it is not luck.

Now, what is the point? The point is that most will never work themselves into a position to be able to develop those intuitive skills. I used to think that practice might help develop these skills, but now I no longer believe that.

I guess I have to just sit back and respect those who have these skills, like that "deaf, dumb and blind kid, who sure plays a mean pinball…"

Your thoughts?
Jimmy

"I'm bad, I am nationwide…"

That is an easy call for those following the quotes.
I am not the biggest fan, but a check the stats, I have had hits all across the country, except for Hawaii. Magnum PI is too old, and I'm not important enough for my president to respond to my blog, but someday, it could be wishful thinking but I would love it.

I have also had responses from Panama and Japan, but they have not shown up on the statistics. As I have been stating this last week, I am honored that so many people are interested in what I have to say. I never expected so many people, viewers, and I am hoping for more. Internationally, I would love Armenia, Europe or anywhere. I guess I should solicit more, but I am good with others referring.
Any suggestions are welcome. Like I said, if people are connected, and are willing to give my blog to others, will of course keep it clean, and then of course remember my name is Jimmy, and by now I know you know, I will take everything you give me.

Jimmy

Golfing – a spectator sport for me

I have friends, good friends, who I used to play sports with, who are now golf pros, and teach golf
at courses around the world, but maybe not around the world, but at least in Florida and/or the Caribbean.

I always wanted to play golf, but I wanted to take lessons before I played. That is not happening, because as most of you know I am in a wheelchair.
Now, it would be impossible for me to get into a bunker, and most importantly, get out of the bunker. Besides the point, I despise the hot temperature. Maybe it is for the best.

I played tennis, and I barely had enough coordination to be fairly proficient. I never had the temperament, not to mention the skills to be a good golfer. I had plenty of friends who were excellent golfers. Now, I'm just one of the few, who enjoy watching it as opposed to playing it.

There is a song, that sums it up, "I am not a player, I just… A lot." Not really, not even close.

Jimmy

10 min. conversation…

I used to hear coming from my father, that a 10 min. conversation, was 9 min. too long.
I miss my conversations with my father.

When my clients would yell at me, particularly when I was visiting them, in lockup, I would tell them that when you yell, I am right at home, "my father used to yell at me, point blank, spit cascading in my face, windtunnel tested dew, and that was when I was five years old. So I am not intimidated by the loudness, in fact I am right at home."

For a 5 foot nine, 130 pound man, he could bring on the intimidation. Outside of that, he never ever physically punished me, well maybe twice in my life. I probably deserved it, I think I might have brought mud onto a new carpet, and another time probably been a wise guy.
But I did get cursed out in at least four different languages. So I learned various curse words, which of course I learned, and use when necessary.

There was little tolerance for misbehavior. He was a champion backgammon player, and we have three or four nice backgammon boards, but if I was caught counting, not memorizing the backgammon board, I would get a slap.

Jimmy

"Blister in the Sun…"

The aforementioned song is one that I will always equate with those parties, I used to go to in Bridgeport. It was my first exposure to the punk experience, and first exposure to the "artistic community." We went down there about twice a year, and  my group of friends as well as myself, really enjoyed it.

I also remember the song by Steely Dan, Kid Charlemagne, and my professor from San Francisco, said that it was accurate from San Francisco, they " would go to LA on a dare, and go it alone." I was never accustomed to driving that far, nor being that adventurous.

There are times that I regretted not enjoying my life, and being more of a free spirit. If I could do it all over again, I would have taken time off after my undergraduate studies, and I would not have gone directly to law school. Many of my advisors in undergraduate studies, suggested I do this and take at least one year off, until law school. Live and learn I guess.

Jimmy

"Sky pilot…"

"Sky pilot…"
My first memories of this song was when I went skiing for the first and only time, with my good friend and his family, in this skiing resort, in Vermont. It was abundantly clear to me that skiing was not my sport, not even close, I could not even learn how to "snowplow." For lack of a better word, to break my skis and my body. I basically had to twist both my ankles to halt the skis.

I had an excellent time with my friends, family, or what I also consider one of my foster families, extended family of sorts. My family is nothing like that family who are casual, fun loving, and great people, who I miss very much.

My family, though much smaller, and now very much smaller, are loving but far from being the casual type. The first time my friend came to the house, he asked me why everybody was yelling. I told him it was an ethnic thing, and we were especially loud. My friend, and all my friends seem to get used to it, no harm intended. We were "close talkers," much before it was identified by Jerry Seinfeld.

I heard the aforementioned song for the first time in my friends fathers brown van. It seemed appropriate given where we were, and the altitude. Needless to say, I never skied again, and now given my physical condition, it would be nearly impossible, but I can always keep that as a pleasant memory.

Jimmy

"Here comes the Sun,…

It will be a tough week for many of the people, who I have been close to. By the end of the week, the sun will be back, summer is looming, and the heat will rise…

As time goes on, this summer will grow long for me, and I will be again subject to the outdoor conditions, not my favorite, but at least I do not have to cut the grass, or like this past year, worry about a hurricane. I am reminded that I am a creature subject to all conditions, but in reality, I cannot independently deal with these conditions.

It is good to have friends, but it becomes difficult when one is lost, all one can do is pray that they are in a better place, pain-free, rest their souls.

Jimmy

Walk crooked, talk straight

Walk crooked, talk straight.

When I was walking with a cane, at times I had difficulty maintaining my balance, as I would visibly have difficulty walking, to the point where I would stumble to a chair, and be absolutely relieved to be seated. I tried to use this line to reassure my clients that I would fight for them, which I did, and I carried this over to trial (when I lost my first trial, an attempted sexual assault among other charges, though I tried extremely hard), and then later in a short stint as a prosecutor. I never used what little power I had to push people around. I was a fair prosecutor, and the two mentors I had checked on me, and I learned a great deal from them. One I came to know as Zeus, and one as Sifu (he was my prosecutorial teacher).

I came to live by that expression, and be honest through the process. I segue with a funny story, a quick line that a prosecutor expressed, he basically told me his girlfriend at the time, had girlfriends who could fix me up with a girl. I then asked, "would they dig the stick, (the cane)?"

The prosecutor responded quickly, no less, "they would dig the stick, and they might even like the cane also. I was super impressed with the line, and the speed of the delivery. What a great experience that time was for me and the experience I learned, the people I met. I will never forget.

I tried to maximize the time to learn as much as possible, and it served to help me develop a strong base, which helped me in my future career. I guess I have always used that expression in my life.

Amazingly, I used no quotes, well I guess I could give one, "and there is a rose, with a fisted glove, where eagles fly, with the dove, and if you can't be with the one you love, then… "That was related to my last posting with quotes, and that was an easy and/or clue.

Jimmy

"Concentration slipped away…"

"Concentration slipped away, because my baby is so far away."

The theme of this song, basically tells me that I must move on in life, and I am trying. This is the conclusion to the blog I sent, "Ruby throated sparrow." Enough said.

My train of thought, has been affected by pain. I do not take medications for pain, other than my normal ones. I could have easily titled this, "when you're conscious hits you, knock it back with pills." My normal ones, I mean the basic drugs for the sickness, but none that would effect my intellect. When I asked my neurologist about marijuana, he told me that the amount that he would have to prescribe would knock me out for the day. I am of the rare minority that has never smoked pot, except when I went to a Grateful Dead concert, I dealt with that smoke, secondhand. I never tried it, quite frankly, because I was afraid that I would like it.

I was also concerned that I would be caught smoking pot. In which case, "I would be busted, down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowling pin…" Except I will not go to New Orleans, it is too hot, and from what I understand, very difficult for a person in a wheelchair to get around. I would like to go to San Francisco, but that would be the "anti-Jimmy city," because of the makeup of the city.

Jimmy

"Ruby throated sparrow."

From one of my favorite songs of all time. I guess I should give one hint, maybe a couple, the song was one of the highlighted songs, at Woodstock, and a more specific clue, it is about Judy Collins. This should make the song obvious and the question fairly easy, especially to the Woodstock generation. I think this hint, will suffice.

It takes me back to a time where I was obsessed with a female, who I gave my heart to, who did not reciprocate, and I guess the whole basis of my relationship if you want to call that one, "just my imagination, running away with me." This quote is easy, but I still leave that to a question for the blog.

I think many people go through this, a growing process of sorts. But this relationship, I still think about, and I guess I made a mistake early on, in high school, I tried to rectify it in college, but I learned, it is difficult " to try to right, what once, was wrong." So Scott Bakula, Quantum Leap method, did not work for me in real life. I really liked that show, and thought the actor is talented, partaking in a different role, every week.

Your thoughts?

Jimmy

Ask and you shall receive…

I have always been told, "ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and the door shall open."

As I understand it, those I learned as biblical expressions, and I have been trying to follow cue, accordingly. I consider myself what is described to me as a "go-getter." I try never to wait for things to happen to me, and go forward to try to accomplish something in my life. Obviously, the unfortunate thing is happening to my body is out of my control, and this, of course, troubles me, by definition.

This entire blog experience has proved so far to me to be wonderful, I am learning each day from others and making good use of my idle time. I never expected to be educated in such a fashion, and hope to continue to get feedback and participation from people. I am humbled by the person who stated that there is nothing like opening up my blog with a cup of coffee. Good stuff.

As I grow more comfortable with this process, I will talk about more controversial topics which are in my mind right now. I thank everybody in advance for participation. I was told by an attorney with whom I have great respect for, and has always been a mentor to me, that he loves the blog, etc. enough said…

Jimmy

You were pumping irons, I was pumping irony

"You were pumping irons, I was pumping irony."

Can anyone correctly guess this quote?
When I use the lift weights, get a great workout, gain mass, then later partake in martial arts, my friend would give me that expression.

I am in a position where I cannot do anything with regards to lifting weights, martial arts, running, or any vigorous work outs. In the words of another musical poet, it is just a "simple twist of fate." I leave that also has another quote open to the blog readers.

I will have an immense amount of respect for anyone that can correctly place those various quotes in this e-mail, there is at least five quotes, to the correct artist/poet of sorts?

But I segue, I am suffering from a chronic, progressive disease. Right now, quite frankly, it is kicking my ace. I am facing the toughest challenge of my life, another quote coming open to another blog – guess, "I am sorry, but it is true, you are bringing on the heartbreak,…" I have an immense amount of time, and I'm totally dependent on others to help me." I never imagined that it would come to this point, stripping me the best years of my life, but I'm trying my best, keeping on going forward and trying to make the most of my life.

I apologize for this "momentary lapse of reason," another quote open to guess, of feeling sorry for myself, etc. I normally do not do this, and it is counter to positive attitude, but last I checked I am a human being. I thank all for listening and welcome feedback, as always.

Now you folks know, why chicks don't dig me. But in reality, there are people who may do so but I suffer from a classic Seinfeld expression: "when I like them, they do not like me, and when they like me, I do not like them.
That is generally true, so I urge people not to set me up with stooges. To quote Donald Trump, "where there is a will, there is A." Do not expect many quotes from him.

Jimmy