"Slip out of trouble, step over here, and set me free."

Me and my closest friend used to sing this song, and substitute first-generation, with second-generation, as the song states. One of the many meanings of this song, is that there is no "easy way to be free."

I think I have given many clues to the name of the song. I never spent any time in prison, thankfully, but even as a youngster, there were many people looking out for me, and dare I say, I would like to think, there are many people who look out for my best interests today.

I never lived a life, says that I would need "protection." I never live the life of Henry Hill, God rest his soul, of legendary status as depicted by the movie," Goodfellas." One of my favorite gangster movies, and certainly in my opinion the best modern gangster movie, and best, Martin Scorsese film.

I never had exposure to Mafia people, nor would I have the guts to rat on them, and then break witness protection, and integrate into society by, among other things, calling New York City DJs, regularly calling Howard Stern.

I think I will continue to try to stay out of trouble, and continue to watch gangster movies. I have seen many, I think most of them, but I would be happy to take suggestions from anyone.

Once the road, "I woke up, then a Soho, driveway, and the policeman knew my name." Very easy.

Jimmy

"Black cars, look better in the shade."

I actually went out yesterday in the hot weather. Though it was not sweltering, it was hot enough for me. I am never inclined to go outside, and enjoy the sunshine, etc. I know there are people who often tell me that there are health reasons to go underneath the sun, for a short time, e.g. vitamin D.

You can take vitamin D supplements, which I take. I see how scary people look after years of sunbathing, like enjoying the beach, or going to taming salons.

I appreciate those with nice tans, and have recently appreciated, and enjoyed looking at attractive females with small tattoos. I appreciate those with large tattoos, male or female but I would never get one.

Though I probably have the pain threshold for getting a tattoo, I revert to the original karate kid , expression, as stated by Daniel's instructor, "the best way to avoid the punch, is not be there."

So I avoid the pain by avoiding the sun, and a tattoo. That is just my opinion, I could be wrong, but as Don Henley says, "I could be wrong, but I am not."

One for the road, "From the coast of gold, across the seven seas…" I will give you a hint, it is a heavy metal song, from the 80s, that my regular selection. But I appreciate the guitarist.

Jimmy

"Simple twist of fate."

"Simple twist of fate."
I sometimes think what if I had a serious girlfriend, long-term girlfriend, or was married, with children, the dream of most, and the place where I expected to be.
In a way, I am fortunate that I do not have children, as it would be difficult for me to provide for the family,

Now with this simple twist of fate, I must look for alternatives endeavors, for all parts of my life. Woe, is me, but whatever. My good friend stopped by out of the blue, a man I have not seen for about five years, maybe closer to seven or eight years, he cannot believe what is happening to my life. He owns a butcher shop, which he inherited from his father. He has three children, and is happily married. I am so happy for him.

He continued to express how bad he felt. I told him I am the poster boy, "for shxx happens." I firmly believe that many things in life, are a matter of timing, or luck, or lack thereof, and I am lack thereof.

One for the road, "I heard a constant busy signal, when I called you on the phone. I had a strong uneasy feeling, you were not sitting there alone."

Jimmy

"Move over Rover, and let Jimi take over."

"Move over Rover, and let Jimi take over."
That to me, is Jimi Hendrix' signature line.

I remember during my college years, hearing that song played at parties, etc and it always had a profound effect on me.  I just picture him with his afro wailing on his guitar and delivering that line.

Many people do not know that Jimi was left handed, but played a right handed guitar.   He just changed the strings.  I feel a kinship with him because we kind of do the same thing.  ie: make do with what we have!

One for the road:
"With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat"

I always thought that they were saying "With a purple umbrella and a fifth in hand."

Jimmy

Fear not!

Outside of the normal fears we all have such as snakes, heights, or public speaking, I think that the worse ones that really debilitate us and hold us back are the ones we invent in our heads because it's more secure to just stay status quo. Life is precious and short and we need to move forward at all costs. Along those lines, someone recently forwarded this to me from the web which I found inspiring. I hope you like it as well, please comment!



I'm taking a short break from the rock quotes to put in one from an American master.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.
Mark Twain

-Jimmy

"fight club"

I was never a member of a "fight club," but I used to be in what we called the "eclectic club."

We were about a dozen or so, martial art students, all from different styles and different levels.
The leader of the club, was a tremendous martial artist, he was an aikido instructor, and also, kung fu practitioner.

No one in the class could compete against this gentleman, but he was a great teacher, and could be rough. He introduced to me leg kicking, which I had no answer to, I was a basic tae kwon do student, and I had never seen this.

I used to hobble all day, from bruises on the sides of my thighs, as a result of the leg kicking.
It was far from the movie, "The Fight Club." I think the best Edward Norton movie, though he has some good ones.

I would not call him the best actor of my time, the billing that I would give Sean Penn. I also enjoy Tom Hanks. But I think, Sean Penn has a better range, but that is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

One for the road, "I wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbecued iguana."

Jimmy