Not so random today...

Not sure how I feel about Michael Jackson's death. I liked his stuff back in the eighties and you'd have to be a fool not to acknowledge his many talents, but I also have issues with the way he conducted his life. Grant it, he was exploited by his father and most everyone else around him for years but we all have control over our actions and Michael had very poor judgment. After the first molestation allegation, he should have learned his lesson and kept the kids away from his bedroom. It's also amazing to know that he was so far in debt despite all the money he made. I find it nearly incomprehensible.

Ironically my daughter's dance studio just did a tribute to "The Gloved One" two weeks ago. She's really upset about his death and it's incredible how two decades after he hit his peak of popularity, kids are still drawn to him like a magnet. She told me she felt like she lost a friend.

I have to draw comparisons to Elvis and his bizarre behavior; both of their deaths appear to be eerily similar. It must be something about extreme fame that drives you crazy and forces you to take drugs to escape from reality.

Michael's impact will have a lasting legacy on our ever evolving culture and it's too bad he didn't get one last shot at restoring the luster he once enjoyed when "Thriller" put him on top. Unfortunately he joins the legions of precautionary examples of people who had it all and threw it away due to drugs, alcohol or sex. Today's performers should take note and make sure it doesn't happen to them.

Random thoughts for today...

...how can people claim Dice-K is a bust? Yes, the guy isn't a power pitcher but he was 18-3 last season and the year before helped the Red Sox to a World Series. These must be the same naysayeers who wanted Big Papi flushed just a few short weeks ago. Absolutely pathetic...

...I believe that "Two Redheads & A Dead Blonde" may be out in trade paperback sooner than expected via Amazon. Cross your extremities on this one but I see book signings in the fall...

...summer in New England has apparently been canceled. Screw you Al Gore and your Global Warming acolytes...

...I am getting really tired of people in general lately. It's not all about you, it's not personal and you're not the greatest thing since slice bread...get over yourself...

...I think I'm going to see Springsteen again at the tail end of the "summer"...hopefully...

...why do eleven years old think they suddenly don't have a bedtime when school is out? Sure, honey...you can stay up to two in the morning...no problem...

Two posts in one night...wow....

Okay, so here's a clip of of one of my old acting jobs from my days at Walt Disney World. The stage company that I worked with did a production of "A Few Good Men" and I was Colonel Jessep, the part made famous by Jack Nicholson. I made a conscientious efforts not to simply imitate Jack and put my own spin on the character.

My random thoughts have been amiss....

School gets out in about three weeks...that means the kids will be annoying me later into the evening...oh joy! At least traffic will be lighter going to work in the morning...

Okay, raise your hand if you think David Ortiz is just going to suddenly snap out of his season long slump? I suppose you believe in the Easter Bunny too...

So let me get this straight....just a few months ago Congress lambasted the big three car makers GM's for using private planes to fly down to hearings in D.C. Then about a week ago, Mr. President tells reporters "we're broke." Then last week end, he uses a small Air Force jet to take his wife on a date up to NYC....reportedly costing the taxpayers about $27K. Am I the only one who sees anything wrong with this?

My twenty-five years in the gym has done wonders for me...44 is apparently the new 50. Ouch.

So hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have two new books completely ready for editing. I mean hey, I've only been working on both fo them for a good five years...

So no random thoughts today, but I am going to ask for your help.

I'm calling this the race to one hundred. As many of you know, I have published a mystery novel entitled "Two Redheads & A Dead Blonde." The book is the first that my new company Sons of Liberty Publishing has released.

While many of you probably have not embraced e-publishing just yet, I'm hoping that you'll still go out and buy the book. The more I sell electronically, the more the word gets out about the book and this new company, the better the chance that I can move into traditional publishing in the next year or two. In addition, the more books I sell, the more it will be pushed by Amazon and their subsidiaries like Mobipocket books spurring on further sales.

So please, if you're reading this, it's not a huge investment to help me out and sell a hundred of these books. Go to the company website at sonsoflibertypublishing.com , click on the book cover and make the purchase.

I will be eternally grateful. Thanks in advance.

Oh, if you know any authors who are looking to be published, send them to the website and it's author's submissions page.

I think it's a really great idea to give illegal aliens drivers licenses.

I think it's really smart to give illegal aliens in-state tuition.

I really think that we Americans should be forced to learn Spanish, Creole, Russian, etc. to make them all feel more at home.

I think we need to raise taxes on anyone making over $25K a year to pay for programs for illegals.

In fact, I don't think we should call them illegals...they are simply undocumented workers.

I think they are doing the jobs no Americans will do.

I think we should amend the Constitution and give them full voting privileges.

I think we should provide all undocumented workers "get out of jail free" cards because honestly, they didn't grow up here and shouldn't be expected to obey our rules.

I think we should give them the entire state of California because honestly, they have earned it.

I believe that undocumented aliens are very patriotic.

I really think that anyone who is anti-undocumented worker is a racist, bigot, etc.

I don't really believe any of this and any politician who believes even one of the above, needs to be voted right out of office at the next opportunity.

I'm all for immigration because my great-grandparents were immigrants. If they come here legally, work hard, pay taxes, follow our laws and become part of the great melting pot (i.e. contributing to society) then I welcome them.

If not, they don't belong here and are breaking the law. Period, end of story. Where there is even debate about this in our country is beyond me. Frankly, I'm tired of politicians, regardless if there is a (D) or (R) next to their name, pandering to illegals to garner votes.

So as I said, it's time to vote these politicians out of office and bring in someone who respects our nation and our laws.

More random thoughts....

Baseball season started tonight and I'm not feeling it. Early season baseball just doesn't thrill me. I'll definitely be hot and heavy into the Red Sox season come late June or so. Right now though, there is far too much promise of a long playoff season for my beloved Bruins.

I'm working diligently on "Three Chords & The Truth," the next novel of mine that Sons of Liberty may publish. It's the story of a successful but unhappy business executive who is given a second chance to make his teenage rock n' roll dreams come true. Much more to come on that subject. I've got a two week course away from home coming up and it's my intent to finish it while away. Then hopefully off to the editor and we'll see what happens from there...

Speaking of which, after much internal fighting, I've embraced Facebook. It started as a way to stay in touch with high school classmates and has turned into my overarching social network. Who says it's just for kids?

I got to spend a week down in Florida working and on the tail end, got to hang out with my best friend in Orlando. We did a few new recordings and worked on some older stuff that we'd left hanging. I am really excited to see what comes of it and if I like it, I may have a few songs for sale on ITunes, etc. very soon.

More to come...

So how about a few more random thoughts?

...anyone else tired of hearing the sob stories from people losing their homes because they bought houses they couldn't afford in the first place? They took huge risks that didn't pay off and now expect those of us who didn't put our financial futures at risk to bail them out. Sorry, but not everyone should own a house...or especially own a house with five bedrooms and a pool.

I know it's harsh but what happened to taking personal responsibility in this country?


...I had a great week traipsing around Boston and the local area as one of Hanscom's Annual Awards nominees (554th Electronic Systems Wing Civilian Category III (senior civilian) for 2008). Though I didn't win the big enchilada, my counterpart in the military category did and we had a blast at the big awards ceremony.

One of the highliights was climbing the Bunker Hill Monument. I've never actually done it before andI have to admit, my thighs were burning when I reached the top. Five days later I'm still feeling some tightness in my calves. I made it to the top before a bunch of younger people so I'm feeling pretty good about myself for that.

Here's a picture of all the nominees...look who made it to the front of the line. :)

...so what happened to my beloved Boston Bruins? They were world beaters before Christmas but can't seem to beat any good teams these days. They need to turn it around quick with the playoffs coming. At least the Red Sox are starting soon.

...does anyone but MLB really care about the WBC? I've watched a few innings and I'm greatly underwhelmed. I'm not sure why they don't do this after the World Series when the players are all in great shape.

...I'm really digging the new Springsteen album "Working on a Dream." It's no secret I didn't care for "Magic" but this one has some really great songs. I really like the arrangements for songs like "This Life."

So keep it posted here and I'll give some updates on my books. In fact, I think in a week or two, I just might give a few copies away.