On Dogs

Dogs are the perfect backup. My dogs will listen to me and not just wait for their turn to speak, they play and have fun with me....if I play the fool they won't castigate me...in fact they'll probably join in the merry making, they work efficiently and never slotch, and if I am in mortal danger my dogs will even die to defend and protect me..... but all of that isn't the best thing. The best thing about canines is that they understand better than anyone that we are a PACK. A single entity operating together towards a common goal with mutual understanding, respect and love. I am the leader of our pack and my animals depend on me and I in turn protect and nurture them. However if for any reason I am unable to assume the role of pack leader and protector they will rise to the occasion and assume that role; because they are social animals; they assume leadership because someone has to for the good of the pack. The difference is that my dogs don't spend their nights dreaming about how they can screw me over, in order to take the leader position.

For my food lovers

Here's something nice for you to think about -

Appetizer : Beluga caviar , sour cream , blintzes , apricot blackberry chocolate preserves

Salad : Almond , roasted peaches, water cress, apple wood bacon,

1st course : Rack of Wild boar, randia coco foam, ghost pepper reduction

2nd course: Pan seared medallions of duck, coconut papaya chutney, bourbon cardamom black pepper glaze

3rd course: Clarified butter and lemon smoked Cornish game hen, caramelized truffle red wine chocolate and green chillie reduction

Dessert: 12 layered triple infused chocolate almond fudge cake, new bean slow churned vanilla ice cream

Accompaniment : Prix 2007 Moskowite Ranch Reserve

Prayer Beads

I'm always confused by folks that wear or carry prayer beads purely for their aesthetics. -

"So why do you have those?" -
"Oh yeah don't they look ill dude" -
"So I gather you don't pray?" -
"No homie I'm an atheist...what's up? You look irritated."
"You're a tool homie"
"What? are some kinda religious nut Sam?"
"Dude, you are a walking talking advertisement for callous absurdity"
"Well I don't see it that way"
"And that's your deal that's fine; I just find it distasteful that you've taken something that has large quantities of religious significance for millions of people and equated them with a slap bracelet"

Starved for attention, Seeking self worth, Praying for validation

Some guy :"Yeah man isn't it great being a doctor?".

Sam :"Um I guess so at the end of the day that's just a title..administering care and helping people is what's pretty awesome".

Some guy: "Yeah but as a doctor everyone knows the hard work you've done and recognizes it..I love the accolades"

Sam: "Well it's enough for me to know what I've done and more importantly what I do"

(he gives me a puzzled look)

Some guy: "Not me..every time I see Dr. next to my name its a little pat on the back"

Sam: "Like getting a cookie right..that and yer white coat lets everyone know how special you are right?"

(again with the puzzled look)

Some guy: "huh dude what are you talking about I'm a doctor of music composition"

Sam: "Oh....well enjoy that cookie anyway..here we'll even put a gold star next to your name....A++....hugs, kisses, a cherry on top and all that shit too"

Help

God give me strength for I am but a man. Vindicate me..there is a well I dip into for my strength but being just a man that well has a bottom and when it is empty I cry out to you. Raise me up once again, help me fight, confound my enemies, do not let their dark desires come to fruition in my time of weakness. You see victory even when I cannot, help me to see with your eyes. Help me to fight until I close my eyes in death. Help me not to fear. Help me be a light to those in need. Help me walk the good path and not submit to my baser impulses. Help me never to forget. I can never forget..ever. Give me faith so that I can be steadfast till the end. Make my frame steel and my heart rock for the time ahead. Thank you for your many blessings. Forgive me when I stumble. I will never forsake the gifts I have been given. Give me oil in my lamp, till the darkness lifts and the warm sunlight comes back. Sunshine and chocolate rain are coming...meanwhile I will abide.

Blessed

When I was younger I was cuter: I had a head full of jet black hair, a warm smile, and a friendly demeanor. People don't think I'm nearly as cute these days.

Now my head is shaved, I hardly smile, and I'm not all that friendly.

Sorry, sometimes it happens; time will make things sparkle less. I'm still happy though because there are just a few people that don't care that I'm bald or that I don't smile hardly anymore or even that I'm less than friendly a lot of the time...for that I am very blessed.

Stand for the Light

We should stand as a warriors for the light. No I am not, have not been, and probably will never be without folly or flaw and neither will you friends; but in this age of "I'm doing me" bald faced selfishness and brazen callousness; does that matter at all? The fact that : courage, honor, justice, altruism, charity, and empathy are counted rarities among our species is a very sad indictment of the human race and the times we live serving only to prove how very far we have fallen. So shame the devil, confound the plans of evil, and stand for the light. The rewards are meager but the work is valuable nonetheless.