I didn't expect to hear that. We weren't dating. We met in a most unlikely way. It was completely illogical. She hadn't said she loved me. But I said yes.

Stevie Wonder - If You Really Love Me

Youtube - Video

One of my favorite 60s bands is the Buckinghams. I met them after they did a free concert at the World Trade Center in the 90s. Very nice guys.

The Buckinghams - Kind Of A Drag

Youtube - Video

In the 90s I had a job with Citibank in Long Island City that had an excellent view of all of Manhattan. These are pictures I took out of my windows one day.

This is the Queensboro bridge and midtown. The building with the slanted roof is the Citicorp center on 53rd Street.

Looking at Midtown

This is the view looking at the Empire State Building, the Chrysler building, and also the United Nations in the foreground.

This view needs no explanation

I like a book of good short stories and I found a great one. It's by Richard Matheson and it is a collection that he wrote over the years called "The Box". Richard Matheson wrote a few of the Twilight Zone episodes, so that is the kind of story he writes. The stories can be read in less than a half hour each and have a twist ending. A very good read.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the most famous and picturesque bridges in the world. I took these on a trip there when I walked across the bridge.

This is the view as you approach the bridge on foot:

I found this a very interesting picture. I guess a lot of people have jumped off the bridge, so they have "crisis" phones on the bridge for anyone considering jumping.

This is the view walking back across the bridge:

"If you abide in Me,
and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire,
and it shall be done for you."

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a famous artist in the 80s who started out by painting grafitti. Basquiat died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. There is a new documentary movie out now called "Basquiat - The Radiant Child". My friend Claudia's song "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" is on the soundtrack of the movie. She never mentioned him to me but I am pretty sure she knew him. Basquiat was a protege of Andy Warhol, and Claudia was associated with people in Warhol's inner circle. Also, Basquiat was the star of a movie called "Dowtown 81" and Claudia had a small role in the movie. Claudia once told me the story of how a friend of hers had died, and putting the pieces together, I think she was talking about Basquiat. If it was him, then his death was not due to an accidental overdose.

Here is the trailer of the new movie:

Jean-Michel Basquiat : The Radiant Child-- TRAILER.m4v

Youtube - Video

House M.D. is one of the better shows on TV and it makes great use of music. I like House's choice of songs and this Stones song is a classic:

House, MD-You Can't Always Get What You Want

Youtube - Video

This is a band that Hugh Laurie is in called "Band from TV" doing the same song:

Band from TV - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Youtube - Video

It was only a kiss...

Mr. Brightside - The Killers

Youtube - Video

"For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Last year around this time, robins built a nest and had three baby birds under the awning of my front door. Here are some pictures of them.

Psalms 27:13-14

I would have lost heart,
unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage.
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

The most thrilling call I have ever heard in sports is Howard Cosell shouting "Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!" And years later I met and shook hands with both George Foreman and Joe Frazier at book signings.

George Foreman

George Foreman

Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier

George Foreman vs Joe Frazier HD

Youtube - Video

This is one record that I always turn up when I hear it on the radio. And a good friend of mine is buddies with Puffy and her ex-boyfriend is one of the extras in the video.

Mo Money Mo Problems - Biggie, Mase, Puff Daddy

mo money mo problems (best quality)

Youtube - Video

I highly recommend the books written by Joel Osteen. The one I just finished reading is "Become a Better You". I think he has a great way of approaching life. Here is a passage I especially like:

You may be fighting some serious battles, but the good news is, God is bigger than anything that you're facing. He can make a way even when it looks like there is no way. Don't quit living your life. Don't let that obstacle be the central focus of your existence. Keep pressing forward, trusting God, and knowing that as you believe, all things are possible. It may look dark and bleak now, but the Scripture says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." It doesn't matter what the situation looks like in the natural, because our God is a supernatural God. When you are trusting in Him, you can rest. You needn't be stressed out or worried. You know that everything is going to be all right. You know that God has you in the palm of His hand. As you continue in peace, God will make sure that you fulfill every single day that He has ordained for you. The Bible says: "No man can snatch you out of God's hands." That means no sickness is too great, no enemy too powerful. If God be for you, who dare even be against you? Even when you are uncomfortable, remind yourself that you will come out better than you entered the situation. Even in the worst-case scenario - if we die - we go to heaven to be with the Lord!

I always liked this Bob Seger song, and when I went to Los Angeles I made sure to get a picture of the Hollywood sign. It's only visible in a couple of places, and I had to find the right street that would give me a view of the sign. This is the picture I took:

Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger

Hollywood Nights

Youtube - Video

Harry Chapin made some very good songs, including his hit "Cat's in the Cradle". He died tragically in a car accident on Long Island in 1981. He is buried in Huntington, Long Island, and I once visited his grave and took these pictures. The song below is my favorite of his, a story called "Taxi".

Harry Chapin--Taxi

Youtube - Video

Chapin was interred in the Huntington Rural Cemetery, Huntington, New York. His epitaph is taken from his song "I Wonder What Would Happen to this World." It is:

Oh if a man tried
To take his time on Earth
And prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth
I wonder what would happen
to this world

The Best In Me - Marvin Sapp

Marvin Sapp - The Best In Me

Youtube - Video

According to Chrissie Hynde, "Talk of the Town" is a song about a fan who just stayed around during sound checks and never said a word - Hynde never initiated any conversation, but thought about him later during the tour.

The Pretenders - Talk of the Town

The Pretenders.....Talk Of The Town.

Youtube - Video

Maybe tomorrow, maybe someday
Maybe tomorrow, maybe someday

You've changed you've changed your place in this world
You've changed you've changed your place in this world

It's actually the extinct volcano Diamond Head but it is a volcano nevertheless. It can be fairly easily hiked in a few hours. These pictures are from my vacation in Oahu.

First, here is the sign about the hike:

Now this is what it looks like at the start of the trail:

This is a view of the island as you are going up the trail:

The trail is a series of mainly dirt paths, with an occasional stairway and even a ladder at the end. This is one of the stairs near the peak:

At the summit, the people were taking in the sights, and a native Hawaiian was talking about the island:

These are some views from the top of the volcano:
Looking at Waikikki beach -

Looking at the other side of the island:

For a few months I have been feeding some outside cats. This is the one that is most friendly. She will come up to me on her own, but runs away if I approach her. This is a picture I took this morning.

The only eternal flame I know of is at JFK's grave. I took these pictures in July 1994.

JFK

Eternal Flame

The Bangles - Eternal Flame

The Bangles --- Eternal Flame

Youtube - Video

That would be Lombard Street in San Francisco. I took these pictures in May 1997. Note how 1 of them is very similar to the link from the website below. The street is a series of sharp S-turns because of the steepness of the street. You have to drive about 5 mph to get down the street.

This is the view from the top of the street looking down.

Lombard Street - San Francisco

This is the view at the bottom of the street.

Lombard Street - San Francisco

http://www.sftravel.com/lomabardcrookedstreet.html

I am testing the picture feature now that I am a VIP.

I took this picture in the summer of 1994.

The White House - 1994

It's easier to be broken
It's easier to hide

Looking at you, holding my breath
for once in my life, I'm scared to death
of taking a chance
and letting you inside

First Time - Lifehouse

Lifehouse - First Time

Youtube - Video

I fell in love with this girl named Beatrice, and she with me. But she had an old boyfriend that she couldn't get out of her life. Eventually I had to let her go. The last time I saw Beatrice I was with a new girlfriend. I went over to Bea and gave her a goodbye kiss on the cheek. This song pretty well describes the situation:

Let Her Go Into The Darkness - Jonathan Richman

Jonathan Richman - Let Her Go Into The Darkness Live

Youtube - Video

And I think Latinas make the best, most passionate lovers.

Wherever You Will Go - The Calling

Wherever You Will Go - The Calling (with lyrics)

Youtube - Video

As I have written too many times before about my friend Claudia, here is one more. I posted the dance mix video of her record a few days ago. I was chatting yesterday with the guy who put the mix on youtube, and long story short, I got him the actual video of the record. He just put it on youtube and here it is. The girl in the video is a model but my friend Claudia is doing the actual vocals. It's on the soundtrack of the movie Grosse Pointe Blank, and Rolling Stone gave the album it is on (Perfect Beats) its highest rating of 5 stars. Sometimes I wonder how the heck did I get to make out with her?

Dominatrix - The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight (Remastered)

Youtube - Video

This is the wikipedia on Dominatrix:

Dominatrix was a synthpop band from New York City, best remembered for their 1984 club hit, "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight". Although short lived as a group, their lone hit single was highly influential in the freestyle genre.

[edit] History
Producer/songwriter Stuart Argabright formed Dominatrix with vocalist Claudia Summers, producer Ken Lockie, and keyboardist Peter Baumann. When Claudia Summers parted ways with the group, musician and actress Dominique Davalos took her place.

The band's only single was the controversial "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight", released in 1984. The track became a pioneering force in the freestyle genre, and was noted for its use of spoken lyrics. The song's video, directed by Beth B., featured a fur and stocking-clad Dominique Davalos, and it was the imagery in the video set against the subject matter of the song that prevented it from becoming a mainstream success. Commercial radio stations banned the single, and MTV refused to air the risque video.

Though the song was doomed to commercial failure in the pop charts, it became a highly popular single in New York clubs where Dominatrix performed regularly, and also made waves throughout Europe.

Due to the success of "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight", the group toured as an opening act for Grace Jones, but soon dissolved to pursue other musical projects. Stuart Argabright has continued working as a producer, and Dominique Davalos has appeared in several films and released solo records of her own. She now plays in The Blue Bonnets, an all-female rock band.

Here in the USA there is an all night radio program that mainly deals with paranormal things like UFOs, psychics, and other such things. Anyone interested in these topics should check out the show's website which has a lot of related stuff:

http://www.coasttocoastam.com

On January 13, 1982, an Air Florida plane crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River. There were survivors in the water and a rescue helicopter came and dropped lifelines to pick up some of the people. One of them, a woman named Priscilla Tirado, could not hold on and was about to perish. Then, out of nowhere, a bystander named Lenny Skutnik just jumped into the water and dragged the woman to safety. Here was a disaster scene, with trained rescue workers doing the best they could to help this woman but were unable to save her. But an ordinary person passing by just jumped in and rescued the woman. That is about the best thing I have ever seen an ordinary person ever do. I still get tears in my eyes watching it. It's about at the 5 minute mark of this clip:

Youtube - Video

The original version by Nazz:

Youtube - Video

The hit version by Todd Rundgren:

Youtube - Video

A live version - Todd Rundgren with Stevie Nicks

Youtube - Video

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us

I found another youtube mix of my favorite 80s dance songs, which includes one by the only female musician I have made out with, as readers of this blog might have read. The second song in the mix, "Boy" by Book of Love, is also a gem. But Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight has to be my fave. I heard the song on the radio when it was new. But I had no idea that the woman who was singing about sleeping would actually fall asleep in my arms a dozen years later. Sometimes it seems like there is a plan to life that only makes sense many years later. I don't know where you are now, Claudia, but I will always love you for being my close friend:

(The video is slightly NSFW - not safe for work - due to risque images)

Dominatrix/Boy/I'm Losing You Mix

Youtube - Video

http://forgetomori.com/2010/fortean/time-traveler-caught-in-museum-photo/

I sold my stock today. While I didn't own any Goldman Sachs stock, the fact that the SEC charged them with securities fraud is a very big thing. I think it will de-stabilize the stock market for awhile. I'll look to buy back into the market if there is a correction.

Roadrunner - The Modern Lovers

Youtube - Video

Great advice from a parent to a child, or for anyone:

Youtube - Video

So I was relaxing in the sun today, listening to the radio, and this song came on the radio. I guess everyone has a couple of songs that touch them to the deepest part of their being. This is one for me. It was a minor hit in 1982 but never got the popularity it might have because the record label went out of business. But those that remember it love it.

I think the song expresses exactly how it feels to be head over heels in love with someone and not knowing if your love will be returned, the feelings of doubt and hope. I think it's about the type of love you feel maybe only a few times in your life.

And to make it even better, I posted a comment on youtube a few months back, and the lead singer saw it and thanked me. Sometimes life is perfect.

The Monroes - What Do All The People Know

Youtube - Video

The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

I found this at http://www.youtube.com/searchstories and here is my first one:

Youtube - Video

Peter Wolf with Shelby Lynn - Tragedy

Youtube - Video

I have a facebook account but don't really use it. I did look up an old female buddy of mine from college. I haven't been in touch with her since college many years ago. I have googled her before and I found out that she has been very successful and probably is easily a multi-millionaire. She wrote back and said yes of course she remembered me. It made me feel good, to be remembered fondly by someone from all those years ago.

"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

This is one of my favorite Billy Joel songs from the album 52nd Street.

Half A Mile Away - Billy Joel

Youtube - Video

10cc - Dreadlock Holiday

Youtube - Video

Would anyone be suprised if this is indeed the truth?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2489546/posts?page=19

A pretty good song:

Youtube - Video

My main car is a 1991 Acura Integra which I bought new. I never planned to keep it this long, but it works, and I have a second car also. Plus I tend to be loyal. So I take the car into get some repairs. It turns out I ended up spending $2,300 for everything. The ABS light has been coming on for years, but the brakes worked OK without the ABS feature. So I thought I would have it fixed now. The problem was a bad ABS pump which was caused by a partially working master cylinder. Also the exhaust system has been rather loud, and I needed a brand new catalytic converter, muffler and pipes. Plus I had other routine maintenance stuff. It is probably cheaper to get everything fixed than get another car.

Plus this is one of my favorite songs about summer, the beach, and romance.

Tender Years - John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band

Youtube - Video

I have this album on vinyl and I just burned it to CD. This song is even more meaningful now than it was 25 years ago. Also has a great driving beat. And did anyone notice the reference to Nancy and Ronald Reagan?

Money's Too Tight To Mention - Simply Red

Youtube - Video

Sometimes you can get to feeling like this:

High on You - Survivor

Youtube - Video

Julian Casablancas - River of Breaklights

Youtube - Video

When people lack a sense of awe,
there will be disaster.
When people do not fear worldly power,
a greater power will arrive.

Do not limit the view of yourself.
Do not despise the conditions of your birth.
Do not resist the natural course of your life.
In this way you will never weary of this world.

Therefore, the sage knows himself
but makes no show of himself;
loves himself
but does not exalt himself.
He prefers what is within to what is without.

Who is this guy who appeared out of nowhere just a few years ago?

Youtube - Video

Hall and Oates - Family Man

Youtube - Video

She had sulky smile
She took her standard pose as she presented herself
She had sultry eyes, she made it perfectly plain that she was his
For a price

But he said "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
But if you push me too far I just might"

She wore hurt surprise as she rechecked her make-up to protect herself
Dropped her price and pride she made it totally clear that she was his
For a night

She gave him her look, it would have worked on any other man around
He looked her up and down, she knew he couldn't decide if he should
Hold his ground

She turned, tossed her head unlike her opening move, her final exit line
He waited much too long but by the time he got his courage up she was gone
Then he screamed "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
And my bark is much worse than my bite"
He said "Leave me alone, I'm a family man
But if you push me too far, I just might

this is an interesting article:

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10717805/1/citigroup-financial-winners-losers.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

Sometimes you get a second chance in life...

Beautiful Day - U2

Youtube - Video

I have another true story of what this song means to me. (I couldn't make this stuff up as I don't have that great an imagination.) I had a deep friendship with a girl named Claudia who I write about too much here. :) It wasn't romantic per se but in a sense it was closer than that. We shared a deep connection wihtout judgements of any kind. We shared secrets that would not be shared with many others.

After about a year in our relationship, we drifted apart for a reason I don't much remember. Then a day came when we were together again, and it was like we had never been apart. I was holding Claudia in my arms again and this song was big on the radio at the time. As I was holding her, this song was playing and I told her it was good to be back with her again, and that it's all coming back to me now:

Celine Dion - I'ts All Coming Back To Me Now

Youtube - Video

I love this song. And as usual, this song makes me think of a story. I once knew a very pretty black girl who was dating a pro wrestler. She was a good friend and we used to flirt a bit but I never thought there would be more. Then one day I was talking to her and she said, very seriously, "sam, what do I have to do to get you to go out with me?" I was not expecting to hear that, but without missing a beat, I said all you have to do is ask:

Ask - The Smiths

Youtube - Video

There was a house fire around the block from me an hour ago, and these are some of the pictures I took:

http://i43.tinypic.com/rti7pe.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/1fh4ed.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/28gvvck.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/ojjr53.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2aigape.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/fci2wl.jpg

Once in awhile you remember a specific time that you heard a song playing. I'm not talking about general memories of a time when the song was playing. I am talking about a specific couple of minutes that you remember when the song was playing and what you were doing or seeing at the time. I have such a memory with this song. The event was not particularly memorable itself, but for some reason I have always associated this song with that memory. I don't think I can share the details but here is the song:

Roxy Music - More Than This

Youtube - Video

This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.

This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:

Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.

Youtube - Video

Psychedelic Furs - Heaven

Youtube - Video

There's a song on the air with a love you line.

If you like this song, get the CD "Songs to Learn and Sing"

Youtube - Video

"Isis"

Youtube - Video

I married Isis on the fifth day of May
But I could not hold on to her very long
So I cut off my hair and I rode straight away
For the wild unknown country where I could not go wrong.

I came to a high place of darkness and light
The dividing line ran through the center of town
I hitched up my pony to a post on the right
Went in to a laundry to wash my clothes down.

A man in the corner approached me for a match
I knew right away he was not ordinary
He said "Are you looking for something easy to catch ?"
I said "I got no money". He said "That ain't necessary".

We set out that night for the cold in the North
I gave him my blanket he gave me his word
I said "Where are we going ?" He said "We'd be back by the fourth"
I said "That's the best new that I've ever heard".

I was thinking about turquoise I was thinking about gold
I was thinking about diamonds and the world's biggest necklace
As we rode through the canyons through the devilish cold
I was thinking about Isis how she thought I was so reckless.

How she told me that one day we meet up again
And things would be different the next time we wed
If I only could hang on and just be her friend
I still can't remember all the best things she said.

We came to the pyramids all embedded in ice
He said "There's a body I'm trying to find
If I carry it out it'll bring a good prize"
It was then that I knew what he had on his mind.

The wind it was howling and the snow was outrageous
We chopped through the night and we chopped through the dawn
When he died I was hoping that it wasn't contagious
But I made up my mind that I had to go on.
I broke into the tomb but the casket was empty
There was no jewels no nothing I felt I'd been had
When I saw that my partner was just being friendly
When I took up his offer I must-a been mad.

I picked up his body and I dragged him inside
Threw him down in the hole and I put back the cover
I said a quick prayer and I felt satisfied
Then I rode back to find Isis just to tell her I love her.

She was there in the meadow where the creek used to rise
Blinded by sleep and in need of a bed
I came in from the East with the sun in my eyes
I cursed her one time then I rode on ahead.

She said "Where ya been ?" I said "No place special ?"
She said "You look different" I said "Well I guess"
She said "You been gone" I said "That's only natural"
She said "You gonna stay ?" I said "If you want me to, Yeah ".

Isis oh Isis you mystical child
What drives me to you is what drives me insane
I still can remember the way that you smiled
On the fifth day of May in the drizzling rain.