Bobby T Reprise

Earlier this year, I wrote this post as a tribute to my dear friend Bobby T, who passed far too young .  .  .  I ran into his son at the gym yesterday, and it's fascinating how life works at times .  .  .  I've been thinking a lot about Bobby T lately, and to see his son was the highlight of the day, without a doubt .  .  .  As I left the gym, my feeling was, I have to reprise this post as a tribute to Bobby T, but also for his family, who are experiencing Christmas without him for the first time .  .  .


My good friend Bobby passed a few days ago (A toast to you Bobby), and the memorial service/celebration of life was held yesterday .  .  .


Bobby .  .  .  

No words can adequately describe exactly who and what you were .  .  .  The speakers tried, and everything they said was so accurate, but there was more .  .  .  Every one of the hundreds there could have spoken, but still there could be more .  .  .  You were the epitome of "bigger than life" .  .  .  Listening to your younger brother was like listening to a toned down version of you .  .  .  The same sense of humor, but not quite with the edge your had, and delivered in a softer voice .  .  .  But still, it could have been you speaking .  .  .  I laughed my ass off, because I and everyone else could easily see and hear you in all the situations he described .  .  .  


You always thought you were smarter than everyone else .  .  .  In truth, you probably were .  .  .  You thought you were a better athlete .  .  .  Again, probably .  .  .  You thought you were better looking .  .  .  Well, I'll give you this .  .  .  You were a handsome dude!  But I'd never give you the satisfaction of admitting that to your face .  .  .  Are you satisfied now Bobby?  You WERE all of those .  .  .


You were a terrific husband and father, and then grandfather .  .  .  You always had your priorities in line .  .  .  You knew where to expend your energy .  .  . I think you actually liked your grand kids more than your own!  Well, maybe not, but it's always easier with grand kids, isn't it?  You don't have to discipline them, you can spoil them, and then send them home for the parents to deal with the "damage" you've inflicted .  .  .  And you inflicted a LOT of damage, spoiling them like crazy .  .  .


What a friend you were Bobby!  The more you liked someone, the more you insulted, trashed, and savaged them .  .  .  But, you could pull it off in an affectionate way, and get away with the trash talking .  .  .  People expected it, enjoyed it, and some actually wanted to be the butt of your shots .  .  .  How many times did you call friends "peckerhead'?  How many times did you call ME peckerhead?  I should have kept a running total, because I know the number is up there .  .  .

I remember so many crazy things you said and did like they were yesterday .  .  .  You calling me fat and ugly?  You probably don't remember that, do you?  Let me refresh your memory .  .  .  We were sitting with some colleagues discussing something or other, and I made what I thought was a brilliant point .  .  .  You looked right at me and announced, Snake, I don't know how anyone as fat and ugly as you can have any friends .  .  .  Everyone laughed, because that was classic Bobby .  .  . Insult someone so outrageously that no one can possibly take your comment seriously .  .  .  'Cause I'm definitely not fat Bobby, and you know that .  .  .  The ugly part, well, that's subjective .  .  .  Hah!! 

You loved to greet people with a good-natured insult .  .  .  Anyone foolish enough to try to match it would be hit with another insult, making it clear you'd play that game as long as they wanted, and you'd win .  .  .  Always, you'd win .  .  .  So, one day I simply responded with, Bobby, is that the best you can do?  You didn't have a comeback .  .  .  You just shook your head  .  .  .  Remember?  Probably the only time I ever got you, and you'll probably try to tell me I'm making shit up, because NOBODY ever got you .  .  .  But Bobby, I'm not making shit up .  .  .

Man, you really got all over me about The Tie .  .  .  You knew I loved that tie, and you hated it!  It was a love it or hate it tie, with no middle ground of opinion .  .  .  It seemed like 80% loved it, and 20% hated the thing .  .  .  First time you saw it, it was in a group of people .  .  .  You just looked at it for a few seconds and said, That is the UGLIEST tie I've ever seen!  And walked away .  .  .  Just like that .  .  .  From that point on, I did my best to torment you with The Tie .  .  .  And it seemed to work .  .  .  It was liked showing a cross to Dracula .  .  .  You'd recoil and say something like, Get away from me with that fucking tie!  Or, maybe the best line of all, It would be easy to strangle you with that tie, since it's already around your neck .  .  .  You'll be happy to know Bobby that I'm no longer in possession of The Tie .  .  .  I left it in a hotel room two years ago and no doubt someone else wears it and loves it now .  .  .  And maybe they have a Bobby they can torment with it!  I hope so!  Ah yes, The Tie .  .  .  

One of the things I appreciated most about you was your iconoclastic nature .  .  .  You didn't put anyone on a pedestal that I ever knew of .  .  .  As a matter of fact, you always enjoyed kicking the pedestal out from under people who took themselves too seriously .  .  .  A classic Bobby T moment .  .  .  I KNOW you remember this one Bobby .  .  .  The new boss came in, he gathered the staff and began to talk in serious tones about what he expected .  .  .  A few minutes into his well-crafted speech you said, McMillan, you've been here five minutes and you're already pissing me off!  Great, classic Bobby line .  .  .  You took all the shine off his metal .  .  .  And only you could pull that off!  How did you get away with so much Bobby?

But the best part, by FAR, was your loyalty .  .  .  Once a friend, always a friend, no matter how many insults you hurled in a person's direction .  .  .  Fifteen years ago when those whackos came after me, trying to destroy my reputation .  .  .  You and so many others jumped into my corner because you knew it was all bullshit, but you were there first .  .  .  You made damn sure that my reputation wasn't damaged .  .  .  And then, you and others exacted your revenge on them on my behalf .  .  .  It was a beautiful thing to see at the time .  .  .

Yeah, Bobby, you WERE one of a kind, and everyone who knew you can think of you and laugh, because you constantly made us all laugh, often at our own expense .  .  .  But we loved it, and we loved you Bobby .  .  .  No, that's wrong .  .  .  We LOVE you Bobby .  .  .  Present tense .  .  .  And it ALWAYS will be present tense .  .  .

Snake


Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

To all my American brothers and sisters . . .

Hope you'll have a GREAT Thanksgiving weekend .  .  .  And, save some turkey for me!!  :)



Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!

To forgive, or not?

A few days ago, I attended the funeral of a friend who passed away far too soon, just ten days short of her 54th birthday .  .  .  The pastor and a few other people spoke about her, her life, and the qualities that made her such a beautiful person .  .  .  


One of the things mentioned more than once was her forgiving nature .  .  .  She could get angry, but never held a grudge against anyone .  .  .  She forgave everyone .  .  .  Believe me, she'd had some difficulties in life and probably had legitimate reason to hold a grudge or two, but she just refused to do it .  .  .  Her feeling was that holding grudges only imprisons the mind and soul in a negative state, which then has a subtle but definite effect upon other aspects of life .  .  .  We can't be emotionally and spiritually free unless we have the ability to forgive .  .  .  


A note about forgiveness .  .  .  It doesn't mean that we necessarily have to ever speak to a person who has wronged us, or have anything at all to do with them .  .  .  It simply means we stop thinking negatively about them, and let it all go .  .  .  That takes away the power they have over us .  .  .  Sounds simple, huh?  But is it, really?  Sometimes simple is more difficult than we'd like  .  .  .


Life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!

I am no better, and neither are you . . .

We are the same, whatever we do .  .  .

That's Sly . . . Everyday People .  .  .  The man is a genius!

I'm so tired of separation .  .  .  Let's unite .  .  .  

2012 is coming .  .  .  It isn't about the end of anything, but a subtle transformation into a new age .  .  .  

Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!

Angels among us . . .

My biological father was an alcoholic, and probably a drug addict too .  .  .  He left my life when I was three, so I really have no recollection of him whatsoever . . . 

When he left, never to return, the family (my mother, my sister, and me) began to fall apart .  .  .  Then, my maternal grandmother stepped in .  .  .  Without her action, I'd likely be dead now, or in prison, or doing something completely meaningless .  .  .  She was the angel that saved us, that saved ME as a child with no means to deal with anything .  .  .  

And I wonder, how many people have that angel?  Or, someone who literally saved them when they had absolutely no way to do it themselves?  My guess is, many of us have that person .  .  .  

But, I often think of those who are cast adrift by life, and who have little or no chance of ever achieving dreams and goals .  .  .  

We often minimize our impact, because we think we're only one person .  .  .  What can ONE person do?  In truth, one person can do a lot!  So, at some point, if you have the chance to help someone, do it!  Be their angel in a time of need .  .  .  Be compassionate and empathetic .  .  .  And sometimes though, that means kicking someone's butt .  .  .  I've had my butt kicked more than once, and it was EXACTLY what I needed at the time .  .  .  lol

Peace and love . . .

Life is beautiful baby!

Ciao!!

Inspiration

What is life without a little inspiration now and again?  Hopefully, occasionally I'll say something to someone that may inspire them .  . .  And, I look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere .  .  .  


So, yesterday, at the gym, I was planning to do cardio, abs, and arms .  .  .  I not only did that, but was on the receiving end of some serious inspiration .  .  . 


Case one .  .  .  A young man I've known for a few years is opening his own fitness facility next week, and he has a terrific, optimistic outlook on life .  .  .  I love that!  I hope he's wildly successful .  .  .  He's planning to offer a wide range of options for clients .  .  .  He knows I meditate, and have taught meditation to individuals and groups .  .  .  It seems, he wants to offer meditation, and asked if I'd do it .  .  .  I might, or might not .  .  .  I spend so much time out of town that really, it might not work . . . But the point is, this young man will do VERY well .  .  . 


Case two .  .  .  One of my gym buds is in his early thirties, and looks the picture of health .  .  .  It's been tough for him .  .  .  He injured his back badly a decade ago, and has had surgery .  .  .  After the injury, because of the pain, he drank heavily and went crazy with prescription pain killers .  .  .  He became addicted to alcohol and drugs .  .  .  He's long since over that, but there's more .  .  .  He has two daughters with his ex-wife .  .  .  Now he's dealing with a condition that might be MS, or something else . . . This man has such a positive outlook, it's incredible . . . He said, I want to inspire people, I want to be there for my daughters when they graduate, and walk them down the isle .  .  .  When he tells me what's happening (he spent significant time in the hospital last weekend), he isn't complaining . . .


Case three .  .  .  Someone I occasionally spot for, and another gym bud, won in his category at a national bodybuilding competition last weekend .  .  .  Atta boy Steve!!  


So yes, without question, life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!      

Did Isaac Newton envision this?

My feeling?  NO!!  LOL


But, JB is one of my all freakin' time favorites .  .  .





Peace and love . . .


Life is beautiful baby . . .


Ciao!!

Life is too short . . .

"Life is too short, grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, laugh when you can, apologize
when you should, and let go of what you can't change.  Love deeply and forgive quickly, take chance give
everything, and have no regrets. Life is too short to be unhappy, you have to take the good with the bad, smile when you're sad. Love what you’ve got and always remember what you had. Always forgive but never
forget, learn from your mistakes, but never regret. People change and things go wrong, but always
remember...LIFE GOES ON!!!"


Those are the words of George Carlin after the passing of his wife .  .  .


Yes, I truly believe this .  .  .  Forgive . . .  I forgive everyone .  .  .  Does everyone forgive me for my perceived transgressions?  Probably not .  .  .  


"Perfect happiness" . . . Nothing is perfect, but we have to rise above the shit we ALL experience .  .  .  Rise above baby!  Happiness truly IS within .  .  .


Yes, life is too short to be unhappy . . .  Let's NOT be whiny and negative and complaining . . .   


Smile and laugh when you're sad . . .  YES!!  And as my beloved grandmother always told me .  .  .  When you feel badly, DO something for another human being .  .  .  Acts of generosity evoke gratitude .  .  .  Generosity and gratitude raise consciousness .  .  .


So, will YOU do something to raise consciousness?


FORGIVE . . . RISE ABOVE . . . DON'T WHINE . . . BE GENEROUS AND GRATEFUL . . .


And when we encounter weak people, our strong vibration might just help them RISE ABOVE!!


Together, we CAN do this!


Peace and love .  .  .


Life is beautiful baby!!


Ciao!!

Am I allowed one more?

OK, I said I was saying goodbye to blogging, but I HAVE to write this one more post .  .  .  :)


I'm sitting here with morning coffee, and pondering a few things .  .  .  Like, along with everyone, how truly imperfect I am .  .  .  And, how much inspiration we can draw from the strength of others .  .  .


I spent a few hours on Saturday with two very dear friends .  .  .  One of them has a terribly serious form of cancer, and treatment is not always successful .  .  .  It's multiple myeloma .  .  .  Only 35% of victims are still with us five years after diagnosis .  .  .  It's almost one year now .  .  .


However, this man displays such incredible strength of spirit!  He's upbeat and positive, and never speaks of anything but recovering .  .  .  He seems to be doing quite well so far, and no doubt his attitude is playing a huge role .  .  .


He said something that truly resonated with me .  .  .  He said, and this is a direct quote, I'm doing my best to live every moment, every day, as big as possible, because that's the only way to do it .  .  .  He no longer takes anything for granted .  .  .  And, he said it perfectly .  .  .  THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT .  .  .  BIG!  He hit it squarely on the head baby!


It's impossible not to be inspired by this person .  .  .  Maybe we all need a friend who can inspire like this, to make us realize we should be more grateful for what was have, and to be perfectly involved in every moment of life .  .  .  


So Tommy, I and everyone else you inspire thank you for being you!  And you know what? If anyone is going to make it, it's YOU!


Life is beautiful!


Peace and love .  .  .


Ciao!!

Goodbye

Been a blast . . .  

My posts say everything about what I think and feel . . . 


It's about the mind and the heart!  Don't forget the heart .  .  .


To those who read my posts .  .  .  I wish you well!

To those who commented .  .  .  Thank you!!

Be grateful . . .


Peace and love .  .  .

Ciao!!


Life is beautiful baby!

Gratitude with Deepak Chopra

An excellent and short meditation by Deepak Chopra .  .  .





Life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

Happy

Know what pisses me off?


People who are all about negativity .  .  . I don't get that . . .  I don't enjoy that . . .  I don't like that . . .  Nor do I tolerate that . . .  I simply walk away from those people . . .


Yeah, I'm a happy, a positive person .  .  .


Had a chat with a dear friend whose wife had surgery recently . . .  It's cancer . . .


And we talked about . . . Why do we not value the moment until we have a traumatic experience?  Is there something about the human being that prevents us from enjoying the moment?  Until .  .  .  We are smacked in the face?


So, my message is this . . .


Enjoy and treasure the moment . . .  And if you do, you're one of the point zero zero zero one percent .  .  . 


Life is beautiful baby!!


Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

Random stuff on a chilly afternoon . . .

Just back from lunch with a friend .  .  .  Had planned to get to the gym, but ate too much, so will let it digest for an hour and write this in the meantime .  .  .

So many people who worked at the WTC site after the attacks have developed cancer .  .  .  Why is it that they have to fight so hard to obtain health benefits that should be automatic?

Serena went ballistic again at the US Open .  .  .  I don't like to see that .  .  .  I have nothing but admiration for the Williams sisters, but man, ya gotta dial that stuff back Serena!  Did it help you win?  Not quite .  .  . 

I don't talk much about politics, but the Republican party in the USA has gone absolutely freakin' insane!  Some of those tea party folks are just plain whacky .  .  . 

Summer is ending .  .  .  I NEVER like to see it end!

No matter what I do at the gym, and no matter which supplements (all legal!) I take, I can't seem to get past 180 .  .  .

I hope I'll never encounter a salt water croc .  .  .  Those things are beyond vicious .  .  .

I'm a Steelers fan, but they looked OLD against the Ravens yesterday .  .  .

What can you say about Ray Lewis of the Ravens?  This dude is still playing like a 28 year old .  .  .

I was flipping through channels last week looking for a college football game, and I happened upon Keeping Up with the Kardashians .  .  .  I have to ask, how much cosmetic surgery has Bruce Jenner had?  At a certain point, people just start to look VERY weird .  .  .

As I compose this, Nadal and Djokovic are going mano a mano .  .  .  I have to go with Rafa, 'cause I always like the leftie .  .  .

Can you believe it?  I've never owned a cell phone .  .  .

I was at a restaurant recently and saw a man with a group of six .  .  .  He had two blackberries going, and was completely ignoring everyone else .  .  .  I thought, Why not just stay home?

A gym bud just got back from Thailand .  .  .  He said, Snake, you have to go!

OK, I'll go .  .  .  And .  .  .  I'll be humming this song .  .  .



Life is beautiful baby!

Peace and love .  .  .

Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

A GREAT summer . . .

Yeah .  .  .  Wonderful .  .  .  Absolutely fantastic!

I can hear Mozart playing his piano in the background .  .  .  lol


Time with family .  .  .  Time with friends .  .  .  A cancer victim hanging in .  .  .  Traveling .  .  .  Whale watching on the West coast .  .  .  Visiting friends on the East coast .  .  .   


Working out like a demon .  .  .


All in all .  .  .


I won't and can't complain .  .  .


Life is beautiful baby!!


Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time .  .  .  Ciao!!

To those . . .

.  .  . two or three who read this blog .  .  .   lol


I'll be gone for a while .  .  .

Wishing y'all the BEST!!


Life is beautiful baby!


Peace and love .  .  .


Until next time . . .  Ciao!!