Thoughts Archive

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9/17/01
Most, if not all, of you know how happy I am that the hard rock and heavy metal I was raised on is making a comeback. So... along those lines... here's some stuff of interest to keep in mind...

Gilby Clarke & Steven Adler in Argentina

Ex Guns N' Roses members Gilby and Steven appeared on a TV-program called "Al Limite" on Much Music recently. Gilby's band played five songs: Cure Or Kill Me, Tijuana Jail, Dead Flowers (with Norberto "Pappo" Napolitano and Steven Adler), Knockin' On Heaven´s Door (with Steven on drums) Wasn't Yesterday Great. Steven was wearing a River Plate (away) shirt. River Plate is a soccer club.

Spitfire are set to re-release GILBY CLARKE's three solo albums, The Hangover, Rubber and '99 Live, on October 9th. The releases are part of Clarke's new deal with the label.

SAVATAGE will mount part two of the Poets and Madmen US tour beginning in early September with Nevermore. They head to Europe on October 5th with VICIOUS RUMORS and SYMPHONY X.

MTV aired a half-hour special on OZZY OSBOURNE September 16 followed by the world premiere for 'Gets Me Through', directed by acclaimed Swedish auteur Jonas Ackerland (METALLICA, MADONNA, THE PRODIGY, U2). The video shoot took place on August 25/26 in L.A. Ozzy is also sitting with VH-1 to tape more interview footage for his Behind The Music episode. The music channel is putting together an extended half-hour of footage to complement the original 1998 Behind the Music, one of the bio-program's top-rated episodes. Look for the new & improved Behind The Music to air on VH-1 in October. Ozzy will also host an episode of VH-1's Rock Show during the week of October 14. Finally, the Black Xmas tour, featuring Ozzy and ROB ZOMBIE, is a go, hitting North American arenas beginning Halloween night and running through New Year's Eve. Two or three support acts and tour dates will be announced soon. The Ozzman Cometh! According to ZAKK WYLDE's website, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has begun work on their new album. Watch for the record through Spitfire in 2002. The site also mentioned that OZZY OSBOURNE's new CD, Down To Earth, was mastered on August 31st. Due out on October 16th through Epic, the album was recorded and produced by Tim Palmer and features Zakk on guitars, bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Mike Bordin. Ozzy's website says that the album is "a heavy, multi-faceted roller coaster of an album." Down To Earth features the following tracks: 'Gets Me Through', 'Something That I Never Had', 'Dreamer', 'Easy Way Out', 'Facing Hell', 'You Know...', 'Junkie', 'Running Out Of Time', 'Black Illusion', 'Alive' and 'Can You Hear Them?.' Rehearsals for the new Ozzy tour begin September 10th and the first date of the tour is October 28th. The tour will consist of Ozzy, ROB ZOMBIE, CRADLE OF FILTH and SYSTEM OF A DOWN.

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has posted the following update on the progress of the songwriting sessions for the group's upcoming, as-yet-untitled studio album, the band's first for Beyond/BMG Records, and the preparation for the recording of a live album, which is scheduled to take place in Chicago on October 3rd: "Work on the record has been intense and easy at the same time. Band morale has been great and that tends to keep everyone sane. Even in our 115 degree room with the dead rat behind the wall and the Amityville Horror like plague of flies, things have been fast and furious. It's been the most collaborative effort we've undertaken in maybe, well in maybe ever. The music is hard. Riffs. Not just one finger tuned down chords. Riffs. We write riffs. I guess we'll never get on the radio now help me Jeebus! No fake programmed 'disco-metal'. No 'pseudo-heavy we wanna be metal but would never call ourselves that' gayness. No 'rap-metal'. What a concept. We stay different by staying the same. We've got a few more weeks of writing before the tour starts. Best scenario is to go on tour with 11-12 songs and have the whole tour to work on the vocals. Totally possible as we've got 8 songs now. My current favorite is called 'What Doesn't Die'. Fastest double bass Charlie has ever played. Every song is about destroying organized religion. Kidding. Just one or two. Maybe we'll call the record 9 Lives. NOT. No title yet. How about that live record title? Metallus Maximus Livus. Now that's good. I'm actually looking forward to doing this live record after denouncing it for years. Chalk that up to the lame Live Noize on Island. We're going to do all kinds of stuff we haven't done in forever (like 'Gung-Ho' which we did at the Chuck Billy benefit) and we get to work with Joe Barresi, an amazing engineer. It's gonna sound great. We're busting ass (especially Brent) to get this done and out for the end of November. Great cover art. Very Italian, circa 1942. Know what I'm sayin'? You'll see what I mean. Mussolini would be proud. See you in Chicago - 10/3. f**k yeah."

VOIVOD have officially announced the return of their original vocalist Snake (aka Denis Belanger) and the addition of Jason Newsted (ex-METALLICA) to their recording line-up. Drummer Away posted the following on the band's website, ³Early this year, Voivod split up. After a few months on hiatus, Denis D'Amour and Michel Langevin decided to reunite with original singer Denis Belanger, aka Snake, after a 7-year absence. Voivod is aiming to have a new record out in 2002 and will definitely make the summer festivals for 2002. Jason Newsted will play bass and co-produce the new studio album. A live bass player is yet to be announced. Michel Langevin and Denis D'Amour are sad to see Eric go and treasure the music they made together but look forward to the future. They are also excited to have Jason's involvement as he has been a long time supporter and friend. There have been many obstacles, as in all careers, but the future certainly looks good for Voivod."

9/3/01
This one I got from Krystine... I might not be 100% agreeable to this mantra at all times, but I am trying. But who isn't? Are you?

"The Awakening"

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out...ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on.

Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

- Author Unknown

8/10/01
More stuff to mentally chew on... I have Jen to thank for this first one... then the rest is from my dad...

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons--something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years, I found that children have many levels of musical ability. I've never had the pleasure of having a protege though I have taught some talented students.

However, I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged" pupils. One such student was Robby.

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student.

Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months, he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play some day."

But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day, Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed, because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later, I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mom had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf...I've just got to play!" he insisted.

I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be alright.

The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer".

Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an egg-beater through it. "Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"

Robby pulled out the piano bench and began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next.

His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo ... from allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by someone his age!

After six and a half minutes, he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears, I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it?"

Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well, Miss Hondorf ... remember I told you my mom was sick? Well, actually, she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well ... she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.

No, I've never had a protege, but that night I became a protege ... of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.

This is especially meaningful to me since, after serving in Desert Storm, Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995, where he was reportedly....playing the piano.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, there may be jealousy; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

-- Mother Theresa

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Christian cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office.

A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct." Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for driver's license?

Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not ticket. Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack,

Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it -- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left."

"Bob"

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker.

Funny how you can send a thousand jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the sanctity of life, people think twice about sharing.