domingo, julio 26, 2009

never really thought i'd say this...

you can catch me on facebook
jimmy swinghammer
-
it's not the same
but i like it
for now

viernes, julio 17, 2009

parenting with perspective ain't easy

A father
passing by his son's bedroom
was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was tidy
Then he saw an envelope on the pillow addressed to "Dad"
with great apprehension he opened the letter and read:
-
-Dear Dad:
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you this note
I had to elope with my new girlfriend
I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.
i've found true love with Stacy
she is so nice
But I knew you would not approve of her
because of all her piercings and tattoos
her tight clothes
and the fact
that she is much much older than I am
and she's pregnant
-
Stacy says that we will be very happy
She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter
We share a dream of having many more children
-
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact
that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone
We'll be growing it for ourselves
and trading it with the other people that live nearby
for cocaine and ecstasy
-
In the meantime we will pray
that science will find a cure for AIDS
so Stacy can get better
She deserves it
-
Don't worry Dad.
I'm 15
and I know how to take care of myself now
Someday
I'm sure that we will be back to visit
so that you can get to know your grandchildren
-
Love always,
Your Son John
-
-
PS. Dad, none of the above is true.
I'm over at Tommy's house.
-
I Just wanted to remind you that
there are worse things in life
than a bad Report card
it's in my center desk drawer
-
I love you.
-
-Call me when it's safe to come
home.

jueves, julio 16, 2009

evolution of the penis

it's been said that a man's penis
has a mind of it's own
it would seem
that this ugly old penis
has grown legs too

miércoles, julio 15, 2009

dammit man - that's not right

lunes, julio 13, 2009

mental health matters - your brain

we think with it right
but don't think about it so much
so let's think about this
-
the brain
it's an organ in the body
it has a vital role
a profound perfunctory purpose
it weighs about three pounds
-
three pounds of primarily water and fat
and
it doesn't just keep your heart beating
it mitigates
EVERYTHING
-
any awareness you have of the world around you
is because you have a brain
every wish every hope every desire
every smile every laugh every feeling
every regret every sadness every disappointment
every sensation
every movement
mitigated by your brain
-
it interprets facilitates enables overrides underwrites
determines supposes surmises perceives organizes
relates regulates mobilizes monitors translates
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING
it perceives
the world around us
our experiences
the experiences of others
and stores fragments of each unique complex moment
consciously
unconsciously
to sort catalogue reference and interrelate
into
constructs of understanding
belief structures
protective mechanisms
and response patterns
-
it allows us to be connected to each other in the present
it is what connects us to our past
and determines our future
-
life is what it is
because of how this organ
our brain
functions
-
but
we rarely think of it
much less
think of it as an organ
just like the other organs we rely on
day in day out
-
if your stomach hurts
if your eyes get blurry
if you can't breathe
it doesn't diminish you as a person
you seek professional help
-
but
for some reason
when happiness fades
when anger irritability anxiety invade
and so much more about the world seems unpleasant
when feelings of self worth erode
when pleasure wanes
and thoughts race
when the little things become big things
when hopelessness helplessness and despair visit
but rarely leave
when these things persist
in an unnatural
what's wrong with me sort of way
we don't often seek help
-
we blame others
we blame ourselves
we wait
we need
we hurt
-
the brain is an organ
very like every other organ
and as such it is susceptible
to alterations affecting optimal performance
things like
bad chemistry
distorted constructs
counter productive protective mechanisms
-
so maybe
it's not a character flaw to be defensive or ashamed about
maybe
it's not weakness
maybe
it's not the world
maybe
it's just your brain
being an organ
and
maybe
it's time to get help

viernes, julio 10, 2009

algonquin park too

miércoles, julio 08, 2009

algonquin park


lunes, julio 06, 2009

rock lake - algonquin park


sábado, julio 04, 2009

17 000 words i don't have to write

about the breanna and i camping
in algonquin park

and then
diana and emily and dave and meg
and mason arrived