Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Insane Rally To Restore Sanity And/Or Fear

Yes, I was one of the estimated 250,000 politically aware Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert fans that traveled from the wee hours of the morning to assemble in the Washington Mall in D.C. for this fun and entertaining day. It is the biggest mass of people that I have ever experienced at an event, and I have been to Earth Day in Central Park in 1990. That was 100,000 people but that paled in comparison to this. The ride down there from Whiting, NJ was a fairly easy three hours. The roads are pretty empty at 5:30am. Once I arrived in D.C. at 8:30, there were a strong bunch of people already there as the line at Starbucks was half-way down the block, but once we got closer to the starting time of the festivities, the invasion of people had begun. You pretty much had to stay in the section of the crowd you were in, or have to say "Excuse me" about a thousand times to move anywhere. There were hundreds of porta-potties there but by showtime, there was a very long line to use them. Luckily, I went very early and didn't have to wait as long.
   As for the Rally itself, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert were quite entertaining playing each side of the political argument. Jon, playing the "we need to bring government back to by the people, for the people" side and Stephen playing the "we need to be afraid" side. The musical guest were a fun, diverse mix from The Roots to John Legend to Yusef Islam(Cat Stevens) to Ozzy Osborne to the O'Jays and Tony Bennett. The signs and posters given out were an interesting mix. I received a Prop 19 sign for the legalization of pot in California and also a Team Fear sign and a Rally towel. I also meet with two fellow Stuy alums there(and wish I found some others there).
    Overall, it was worth the trip, but the 4 hour ride to New York was tough. Heavy traffic the first half of the trip. But, I would do it again.I never really had a chance to travel much in my life, now I will plan on doing it more. Happy Halloween all!!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

God

(Here's another song that has a lot of meaning to me. John Lennon is one of my idols, not just because of the Beatles, but because I consider him a role model, when it comes to his thoughts and beliefs.)

God is a concept, 
By which we can measure, 
Our pain, 
I'll say it again, 
God is a concept, 
By which we can measure, 
Our pain, 
I don't believe in magic, 
I don't believe in I-ching, 
I don't believe in bible, 
I don't believe in tarot, 
I don't believe in Hitler, 
I don't believe in Jesus, 
I don't believe in Kennedy, 
I don't believe in Buddha, 
I don't believe in mantra, 
I don't believe in Gita, 
I don't believe in yoga, 
I don't believe in kings, 
I don't believe in Elvis, 
I don't believe in Zimmerman, 
I don't believe in Beatles, 
I just believe in me, 
Yoko and me, 
And that's reality. 
The dream is over, 
What can I say? 
The dream is over, 
Yesterday, 
I was dreamweaver, 
But now I'm reborn, 
I was the walrus, 
But now I'm John, 
And so dear friends, 
You just have to carry on, 
The dream is over. 


(I apologize if this upsets anyone, but those that really know me well, understand that I have a need to be upfront and honest, even if it makes others uncomfortable. That's how I roll.)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Somebody

(There will be days when I will have no idea of what to post on here. Today is one of those days. In these situations, I will write the lyrics to a song that expresses how I am feeling. Here is a favorite of mine, that I dedicate to all of my wonderful female friends out there.)

I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support
She will listen to me 
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking 
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
Ahhhh.......

I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought 
With every breath
Someone who'll help me see things 
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like 
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me 
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this 
I'll get away with it
And in a place like this 
I'll get away with it
Ahhh...




I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who'll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She'll get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She'll hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought and
With every breath
Someone who'll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don't want to be tied
To anyone's strings
I'm carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when I'm asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
I'll get away with it

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Pizza Asylum

      When you call in to order a pizza or order online(for you anti-social creeps out there), you probably have no idea what goes on at the pizzeria or what kind of mix of personalities are working together to create such enjoyable, high calorie, high fat, totally unhealthy crap. This motley crew of whack jobs that I work with create an atmosphere of total lunacy and though no one is exactly making mega-dollars here, the job can be a lot of fun and there are many characters here who play their roles and deserve their due.
    To protect their innocence(as if), I will use nicknames for each person. I am affectionately(or not) known as "Benny Go Home" because it seems that each time I work there(three separate times now), I always work there with future plans to return to New York. The general manager of the store is known as the "Boss Lady By The Lake" because she lives in the town of Lakehurst, where the store is located. She's down to earth and very cool, but she will crack the whip when the inmates get out of hand. One of the assistant managers, known as "Crazy-E", should either be on stage or in a straight-jacket. Actually, probably both at the same time. His goal in life seems to be to crack everybody up. It certainly seems to come naturally to him. It wouldn't shock me at all to see him in the movies someday. I always look forward to working with him because I know that I'll be laughing all day. The other assistant is known as "The Hammer" because he is very handy with tools. He also is a computer whiz and I'm sure that his career will involve fixing them.
     The other delivery drivers in this store are whacked-out in one way or another. The old man known as "Burnt Like Toast" must have had vast experience with LSD, PCP or large quantities of airplane glue in his younger days. He's out there somewhere. "Scott On The Rocks" obviously was dropped here by aliens. He's very unusual in some ways. The guy known as "Zero-Wheel Drive" has no idea what he's doing with his life, but he loves Pink Floyd which is a very cool thing in my humble opinion. The last driver is known as " Military Precision" because he was in the military and he's always on time and never gets lost on a delivery.
       The part-time inside workers are interesting in their own ways. The monday night manager, known as "Monday Warrior" is vicious and crude with his humor, he can't stand Burnt Like Toast and I fear that one day he will flip out and use the sandwich knife on everybody. "Wonder Boy" is one of those know-it-all types that you wish you could slap. Last but not least, there is "Cinnamon Spice" who wants to rule the world, just with her sweetness.
        I enjoy the lunacy that occurs because it helps me take my mind off the reality of the job that there are many cheap-skates who don't tip well at all and there are too many slow drivers on the road, which drives me absolutely nuts at times. I freely admit that I'm totally guilty of road rage. The job does pay enough for me to survive, but hopefully it's just a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

My 300 Favorite Songs Of All Time

I am into all kinds of music from all eras, so this list was a lot of fun to put together. I hope you enjoy it too.

#300 What Do All The People Know - The Monroes(1982)
#299 Your Love - Lime(1981)
#298 The Angry Young Man - Billy Joel(1974)
#297 Somebody To Love - Queen(1976)
#296 (Wish I Could Fly Like)Superman - The Kinks(1979)
#295 Falling - LeBlanc & Carr(1978)
#294 War Pigs - Black Sabbath(1971)
#293 Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione(1978)
#292 At Midnight - T-Connection(1979)
#291 Champaigne Supernova - Oasis(1995)
#290 E=MC2 - Big Audio Dynamite(1986)
#289 Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode(1981)
#288 Fantasy Girl - Johnny O(1988)
#287 Keep The Fire Burning - REO Speedwagon(1982)
#286 Zanzibar - Billy Joel(1978)
#285 Destroyer - The Kinks(1981)
#284 Whip It - Devo(1980)
#283 Dreaming - Blondie(1979)
#282 The Best Of Times - Styx(1981)
#281 Longview - Green Day(1994)
#280 Fool(If You Think It's Over) - Chris Rea(1978)
#279 Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division(1980)
#278 Hot Blooded - Foreigner(1978)
#277 Everyday I Write The Book - Elvis Costello(1983)
#276 Move Your Feet - Junior Senior(2003)
#275 Lady - Styx(1975)
#274 She Believes In Me - Kenny Rogers(1979)
#273 All Apologies - Nirvana(1993)
#272 The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy(1976)
#271 This Is Radio Clash - The Clash(1981)
#270 The Stranger - Billy Joel(1977)
#269 Everybody - Madonna(1982)
#268 Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting - Elton John(1973)
#267 Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra(1979)
#266 The Breaks - Kurtis Blow(1980)
#265 Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young(1978)
#264 Dreamin' - Will To Power(1987)
#263 Barbie Girl - Aqua(1997)
#262 Lay Down Sally - Eric Clapton(1978)
#261 Listen To What The Man Said - Paul McCartney & Wings(1975)
#260 Cold As Ice - Foreigner(1977)
#259 Confusion - New Order(1983)
#258 Daniel - Elton John(1973)
#257 Paranoid - Black Sabbath(1970)
#256 Heat Of The Moment - Asia(1982)
#255 Let Me Take You Dancing - Bryan Adams(1979)
#254 Vienna - Billy Joel(1977)
#253 How Long - Ace(1975)
#252 One Way Or Another - Blondie(1979)
#251 Kissing A Fool - George Michael(1988)
#250 I Write The Songs - Barry Manilow(1975)
#249 Lithium - Nirvana(1991)
#248 Follow You, Follow Me - Genesis(1978)
#247 Hello, It's Me - Todd Rundgren(1973)
#246 I'll Stand By You - Pretenders(1994)
#245 The Middle - Jimmy Eat World(2002)
#244 Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart(1976)
#243 An Innocent Man - Billy Joel(1983)
#242 All Night Thing - Invisible Man's Band(1980)
#241 Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones(1969)
#240 Detroit Rock City - Kiss(1976)
#239 You're My Best Friend - Queen(1976)
#238 The Tide Is High - Blondie(1981)
#237 Baby Hold On - Eddie Money(1978)
#236 Goodbye Girl - David Gates(1978)
#235 Everlasting Love - Carl Carlton(1974)
#234 Captain Jack - Billy Joel(1974)
#233 Communication Breakdown - Led Zeppelin(1969)
#232 Dirty Work - Steely Dan(1972)
#231 Think - Aretha Franklin(1968)
#230 867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone(1982)
#229 Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello(1979)
#228 Change - John Waite(1983)
#227 Holiday - Madonna(1983)
#226 You And Me - Alice Cooper(1977)
#225 I Feel Fine - Beatles(1964)
#224 Trampled Under Foot - Led Zeppelin(1975)
#223 Doctor's Orders - Carol Douglas(1974)
#222 Diamond Girl - Nice & Wild(1986)
#221 Deacon Blues - Steely Dan(1978)
#220 Born to Be My Baby - Bon Jovi(1988)
#219 Hello I Love You - Doors(1968)
#218 Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - Casinos(1967)
#217 The Power Of Gold - Dan Fogelberg(1978)
#216 The Dance - Garth Brooks(1990)
#215 Hearts - Marty Balin(1981)
#214 Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne(2007)
#213 She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5(2004)
#212 Lady Marmalade - Labelle(1975)
#211 You Get What You Give - New Radicals(1999)
#210 Yellow Submarine - Beatles(1966)
#209 Honesty - Billy Joel(1978)
#208 Cool For Cats - Squeeze(1979)
#207 Paid In Full(Remix) - Eric B. & Rakim(1988)
#206 A Question Of Lust - Depeche Mode(1985)
#205 Always - Bon Jovi(1994)
#204 Jump Around - House Of Pain(1992)
#203 Round And Round - New Order(1989)
#202 The Captain Of Her Heart - Double(1986)
#201 There But For The Grace Of God There Go I - Machine(1979)
#200 Midnight At The Oasis - Maria Muldaur(1974)
#199 Don't Think Twice - The Wonder Who?(1965)
#198 Peg - Steely Dan(1978)
#197 Mandolay - La Flavour(1979)
#196 My Sharona - The Knack(1979)
#195 In The Bush - Musique(1978)
#194 This Is It - Kenny Loggins(1979)
#193 Adia - Sarah McLachlan(1998)
#192 The Logical Song - Supertramp(1979)
#191 Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon(1985)
#190 Lovefool - Cardigans(1997)
#189 Angel Eyes - Lime(1983)
#188 Life In The Fast Lane - Eagles(1977)
#187 Back To Life - Soul II Soul(1989)
#186 Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John(1975)
#185 Regret - New Order(1993)
#184 Mr. Roboto - Styx(1983)
#183 Two Princes - Spin Doctors(1993)
#182 Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - Police(1981)
#181 Masterpiece - Atlantic Starr(1992)
#180 Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin(1970)
#179 Freedom '90 - George Michael(1990)
#178 Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley(1987)
#177 Something About You - Level 42(1986)
#176 Sing - Carpenters(1973)
#175 Cotton-Eyed Joe - Rednex(1993)
#174 An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley(1973)
#173 Babe - Styx(1979)
#172 Light My Fire - Doors(1967)
#171 You Spin Me Round(Like A Record) - Dead Or Alive(1985)
#170 Bus Stop - Hollies(1966)
#169 Show Me The Way - Styx(1991)
#168 Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite(1990)
#167 Under The Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers(1992)
#166 I Love You - Donna Summer(1977)
#165 The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground(1990)
#164 Swearin' To God - Frankie Valli(1975)
#163 True Faith - New Order(1987)
#162 When The Heart Rules The Mind - GTR(1986)
#161 Laughter In The Rain - Neil Sedaka(1974)
#160 The Heart Of The Matter - Don Henley(1989)
#159 Come To Me - France Joli(1979)
#158 One Of These Nights - Eagles(1975)
#157 One Headlight - Wallflowers(1997)
#156 Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2(1983)
#155 Try Jah World - Third World(1982)
#154 Let It Be - Beatles(1970)
#153 Fool In The Rain - Led Zeppelin(1979)
#152 One - U2(1992)
#151 O.P.P. - Naughty By Nature(1991)
#150 Enjoy The Silence - Depeche Mode(1990)
#149 Together Forever - Rick Astley(1988)
#148 My Sweet Lord - George Harrison(1970)
#147 Into The Groove - Madonna(1985)
#146 Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid(1984)
#145 Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar(1979)
#144 Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John(1975)
#143 The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Genesis(1974)
#142 I'll Be Around - Spinners(1972)
#141 Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond(1970)
#140 That's The Way(I Like It) - KC & The Sunshine Band(1975)
#139 I Remember You - Skid Row(1990)
#138 Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel(1968)
#137 Since I Fell For You - Lenny Welch(1963)
#136 Never Say Goodbye - Bon Jovi(1986)
#135 Losing My Religion - R.E.M.(1991)
#134 Black Dog - Led Zeppelin(1971)
#133 Running - Information Society(1986)
#132 Amanda - Boston(1986)
#131 Sussudio - Phil Collins(1985)
#130 Never Too Much - Luther Vandross(1981)
#129 Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel(1982)
#128 Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney & Wings(1976)
#127 Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger(1978)
#126 Wanted Dead Or Alive - Bon Jovi(1986)
#125 Turn Turn Turn - Byrds(1965)
#124 I Got You - Split Enz(1980)
#123 It's Raining Again - Supertramp(1982)
#122 I Can - Nas(2003)
#121 Silent Morning - Noel(1987)
#120 Superman(It's Not Easy) - Five For Fighting(2001)
#119 Strangelove - Depeche Mode(1987)
#118 Blue Monday - New Order(1983)
#117 Can't Smile Without You - Barry Manilow(1978)
#116 Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs(1976)
#115 Out In The Street - Bruce Springsteen(1980)
#114 They're Coming To Take Me Away, HA-HAH!(1966)
#113 Crazy - Gnarls Barkley(2005)
#112 Sowing The Seeds Of Love - Tears For Fears(1989)
#111 Streetplayer - Chicago(1979)
#110 Who's Crying Now - Journey(1981)
#109 Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire(1981)
#108 Christmas Wrapping - Waitresses(1981)
#107 White Lines(Don't Do It) - Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel(1983)
#106 Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force(1982)
#105 More Than A Woman - Bee Gee's(1977)
#104 Walking In Rhythm - Blackbyrds(1975)
#103 Badlands - Bruce Springsteen(1978)
#102 Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin(1971)
#101 Here I Go Again - Whitesnake(1987)
#100 Tainted Love - Soft Cell(1981)
#99 You Really Got Me - Van Halen(1978)
#98 Ain't Nothin Gonna Keep Me From You - Teri DeSario(1978)
#97 Ain't No Stoppin Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead(1979)
#96 September - Earth, Wind & Fire(1978)
#95 Running On Empty - Jackson Browne(1978)
#94 Just Remember I Love You - Firefall(1977)
#93 That's Where The Happy People Go - Trammps(1976)
#92 Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again - Fortunes(1971)
#91 Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations(1969)
#90 Delilah - Tom Jones(1968)
#89 Good Vibrations - Beach Boys(1966)
#88 Another One Bites The Dust - Queen(1980)
#87 Angels - Robbie Williams(1997)
#86 We Can Work It Out - Beatles(1965)
#85 Little St. Nick - Beach Boys(1963)
#84 Beth - Kiss(1976)
#83 Piano Man - Billy Joel(1974)
#82 Rio De Janiero - Gary Criss(1978)
#81 Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order(1986)
#80 (Just Like)Starting Over - John Lennon(1980)
#79 Tempted - Squeeze(1981)
#78 Miss You - Rolling Stones(1978)
#77 Top Of The World - Carpenters(1973)
#76 Maggie May - Rod Stewart(1971)
#75 Kashmir - Led Zeppelin(1975)
#74 Revolution - Beatles(1968)
#73 Summer In The City - Lovin' Spoonful(1966)
#72 I Was Made For Lovin You - Kiss(1979)
#71 Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin(1959)
#70 I Love Rock 'N Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts(1982)
#69 Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie(1981)
#68 Layla - Derek & The Dominoes(1970)
#67 Every Breath You Take - Police(1983)
#66 How Much I Feel - Ambrosia(1978)
#65 Your Smiling Face - James Taylor(1977)
#64 Billie Jean - Michael Jackson(1983)
#63 Lowdown - Boz Scaggs(1976)
#62 With Or Without You - U2(1987)
#61 We Will Rock You - Queen(1977)
#60 We Are The Champions - Queen(1977)
#59 Taxi - Harry Chapin(1972)
#58 Instant Karma - John Lennon(1970)
#57 Sympathy For The Devil - Rolling Stones(1969)
#56 Happy Together - Turtles(1967)
#55 Long Train Runnin' - Doobie Brothers(1973)
#54 Magic - Pilot(1975)
#53 Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley(1969)
#52 Whispering/Cherchez La Femme/Se Si Bon - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band(1976)
#51 Mandy - Barry Manilow(1974)
#50 Easy Lover - Phillip Bailey & Phil Collins(1984)
#49 Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad - Meatloaf(1978)
#48 You Are Everything - Stylistics(1971)
#47 God Only Knows - Beach Boys(1966)
#46 Positively 4th Street - Bob Dylan(1965)
#45 Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire(1965)
#44 Rich Girl - Hall And Oates(1977)
#43 You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls(1976)
#42 Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson(1982)
#41 Ramblin Man - Allman Brothers Band(1973)
#40 Cara Mia - Jay & The Americans(1965)
#39 Here Comes The Sun - Beatles(1969)
#38 Things I'd Like To Say - New Colony Six(1969)
#37 Darlin' Beach Boys(1968)
#36 I Go Crazy - Paul Davis(1977)
#35 Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry(1976)
#34 Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest(1973)
#33 Amazed - Lonestar(2000)
#32 In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins(1981)
#31 Runaway - Bon Jovi(1984)
#30 Weekend In New England - Barry Manilow(1976)
#29 Native New Yorker - Odyssey(1977)
#28 Telephone Line - E.L.O.(1977)
#27 Stayin' Alive - Bee Gee's(1977)
#26 You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party - Beastie Boys(1987)
#25 My Way - Frank Sinatra(1969)
#24 Sky High - Jigsaw(1975)
#23 Nice To Be With You - Gallery(1972)
#22 Something - Beatles(1969)
#21 Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen(1975)
#20 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana(1991)
#19 Livin On A Prayer - Bon Jovi(1986)
#18 New Year's Day - U2(1983)
#17 Faithfully - Journey(1983)
#16 Rock This Town - Stray Cats(1982)
#15 Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor(1982)
#14 Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon(1981)
#13 Come Sail Away - Styx(1977)
#12 Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel(1970)
#11 He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies(1970)
#10 Rock And Roll All Nite - Kiss(1975)
#9 You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gee's(1976)
#8 You Make Me Feel Brand New - Stylistics(1974)
#7 Open Arms - Journey(1982)
#6 Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen(1975)
#5 More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Starecase(1969)
#4 Yesterday - Beatles(1965)
#3 Imagine - John Lennon(1971)
#2 Don't Stop Believen' - Journey(1981)
#1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen(1975)