Merry Christmas!

         I know this is a few days late but 

               

Merry Christmas from my family to yours

Life gets busy

Happy Holidays everyone! 

I have to say that sadly this blog gets neglected when life gets busy.  I was looking back at my previous posts and my last one was in May of 2016.  Since that time though my son has turned 6, my daughter has turned 4, both of them started school (My son is in kindergarten, my daughter is now in preschool), I started a new job as a quality assurance manager (this has taken up a ton of my time), we went to Disneyland with both sets of grandparents, and Jamaica with my amazing wife Censie!

It has been an amazing time but I often times find myself sitting down at night and starting to fall asleep around 9 or not having motivation.  It sucks because I have enjoyed my time blogging but sometimes lack that internal motivation to just write and share what is going on.  I am going to work on trying to get this up and running again, hopefully with my new love of computer coding I can share my interests with everyone.  

As I am sitting here writing this right now my son is sick and I am eyeball deep in his new found passion: Pokemon!  I had no knowledge of Pokemon until recently but he has found a love for it and a shared passion with his classmates.  As I type I am watching a small yellow creature named Pikachu shock Team Rocket from the sky.  I know that with Christmas coming up this next week that I am going to have to learn more and more about Pokemon.  

I have learned as a father that it is not up to me to determine their interests and passions but to embrace theirs and share mine with them. If we have the same interests that is AWESOME but if not I need to take the time to learn about theirs and not pigeon hole them into only learning one thing.  I have learned a lot about dance, gymnastics, and princess from my daughter, and now Pokemon from my son!  It is fun, but I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be watching Pokemon!  It goes to show you that you will do anything for your children!

I hope that everyone has a great Holiday season and Merry Christmas!  I hope to be back here many times in the upcoming year!  If you have any suggestions for posts I would appreciate any thoughts!

Gym what is that?

Sadly this is the truth. I know most of this is motivation and my choice, but that is also a very hard thing to change. 

I am going to throw myself out there and share with everyone but I am at one of my highest weight. I am currently 6'4" and weigh 236lbs. Now if that was muscle weight I would be a decent size football player however it is not muscle. 

I have a secret desire to be in much better shape than I am currently in.  When I see other guys that are in great shape it does make me jealous I am not going to lie. I think I struggle with my weight gain partly because I never struggled with it, however I know that was because of being sick. After I went on prednisone I gained 70lbs and have struggled since that time. I struggle now with having my ostomy. I do not want to overdue it and cause a hernia by doing something wrong. 

Part of why I don't like going to the gym is I don't like going by myself. It sounds stupid when I say it but it's the truth. I wish I had someone to go with me and to help motivate me and keep me going.   I hate feeling like others are looking at me or that I am doing an exercise wrong. 

I do want to be in a better physical shape, but the biggest part is I want to be healthier and more comfortable with myself. I have ran the Bolder Boulder twice, completed the fight for air stair climb, and used to be active playing rugby. Now I get winded chasing the kids, I know part of that is from developing asthma but it drives me nuts. I want/need to make a healthy change. I am hoping I can get motivated and will try to post updates. I hope that by sharing I can build up some motivation and make some changes. I appreciate any support you may have and are willing to share.

My goal is to be down to around 200-210 and feel more comfortable with myself. I want to have more energy and just be healthier. I hope I can write a "I did it" post later this year!  

I am not a babysitter!

Jokingly today after seeing this as a post on my wife's Facebook post I said that I wanted to be part of The Baby-Sitters club as a child. I had an older sister who read all the books. Her friends talked about being part of the club with Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey (I did have to google the names I promise).

I thought it sounded cool to be part of a club. I was told by my sister I couldn't be part of the club, it's okay Heidi I love you and you put up with your annoying little brother tagging along a lot, so I'm sorry for bringing this up but I had to. 

As I got older I was able to babysit a couple of times, it was not always the most pleasant experience. I was glad to see someone calling out the statement that we are babysitting our own children. We as husbands, fathers, wives, mothers and humans have to stop diminishing our role as a parent and a father. 

It's a series of odd circumstances but I am actually very good friends with one of my old babysitters. I am so happy she is a friend and have the utmost respect for her but to be honest I remember nothing about her as a babysitter. There is a reason for that. Babysitters are individuals who are paid to provide care for another person's children. They are short term caregivers. They should not be a replacement for a parent, and parents should not act only as a babysitter. 

As a father I will never make this statement about my children. My children, even though they can drive me crazy like tonight, they are my world. I am their father. I care for them, feed them, dance with them, laugh with them and hold them when they cry. I love spending time with friends, but I will also choose my children over going out for a night. 

I am not saying I'm perfect by any means, I know I actually need to take more time for self care. It's something I'm working on. However I also love making memories with my two goofballs. We put on a record and dance, we ride bikes, and we check out bugs. I encourage every parent to embrace this experience we call parenthood. It is a tough journey and often times I feel like I've made a wrong turn or my map is wrong, however I love this journey and am making some awesome memories. No matter what though I love being a parent. 

Please let us stop deminishing our roles as parents, mothers or fathers and the influence we have in our children. Be present and be a parent and not just someone filling a spot to watch your children. I for one will always do my best to be the best parent I can be to my children. 

*this is not my picture I did use it after seeing it on Facebook. If you know who's it is please let me know so I can give credit. Thank you. 

I can't believe I just said that!!!

I can honestly say that I had one of the biggest foot in my mouth moment as a parent this weekend.  Now there have been plenty of moments where I have caught myself saying something in front of the children that I shouldn't but this was different. 

I caught myself (or should I say I was caught by Censie, and appropriately called out by her) this weekend.  We were in the car driving around and Jude was playing how many questions can I ask in one car ride, which he is a professional at by the way, and began to worry about something.  To be honest I cannot even remember what he was worried about but it was another worry in a long string of worries.  Without even thinking I just told him "Jude you really have to stop worrying so much."

This is when the epic call out was initiated by Censie.  Yes she was completely just in calling me out.  I mean me the worrier who will worry about anything and will drive myself absolutely crazy because of my anxiety just told my anxious five year to stop worrying.  It is sad actually because I am a person that is very anxious and can turn the smallest thing into the biggest catastrophe in my head within seconds.  If someone told me to stop worrying I would be very upset and try to explain to them that I wish I could but I just can't, yet I expected my son to be able to in that instant just turn his brain off and stop worrying. 

I am hoping that I can teach him better than this.  I want him to be okay with who he is, even if that person deals with the same extreme anxiety that I do.  I want him to be able to understand what is going on within his head and to learn coping skills so he can be comfortable handling the situation.  I know one can not just turn it off but this comment came out in a time of frustration.  The hard part for me is controlling my own anxiety when Jude gets anxious.  It's a vicious cycle he gets anxious and then that makes my anxiety go up  and then I get frustrated.  I will work on my anxiety continually, but as stated I hope I can help him with his.

If you are dealing with a child who has anxiety here is an article I found helpful through Psychology Today:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dont-worry-mom/201302/12-tips-reduce-your-childs-stress-and-anxiety

Spring Time!

Spring Time!!!!

   When one is living in Colorado you never know what the weather is going to do.  A prime example of that has been the last couple of days for me.  On Tuesday I walked into work and we knew that a storm was coming so my coworker and I packed a bag and headed to the eastern plains of Colorado.  Now I am writing this post from my hotel room due to being stuck because of a blizzard.  

   With this being said though for the past couple of weeks we have had some pretty amazing summer which is one of the best parts of being in Colorado.  The kids have been really enjoying the warm weather as well.  Teagan has several times walked up to me to ask is it warm enough outside to play or ride or bikes?  Both of the kiddos have really started to enjoy being outside more as they get older. Teagan keeps asking to go to the park and swing on the swings!!

   The big thing this spring has been riding their bikes.  Teagan has been wanting to ride her big girl bike since she got it for Christmas.  I have really enjoyed watching them improve at riding their bikes, it even motivated me to get my bike out of the shed so that hopefully we can go for a bike ride together.  So far I have just spent a lot of time walking with them while they are riding, I can't complain though it is nice to get outside and I get a little exercise while walking.  It helps me get my steps in for my FitBit.  

   Jude has had a few struggles with riding his bike, the hardest part is that he cannot get out of his head ( I know Censie is laughing right now because he completely gets that from me).  Jude is so afraid that he is going to fall and get hurt.  He took a good fall this past summer right before his birthday and ever sense then he has been afraid.  It is hard for me because I get his anxiety but sadly his anxiety usually makes me anxious as well.  

  

   This week I found myself this week looking at websites trying to find the best way to teach him to ride a bike.  As I was talking to Censie about this she helped me come to a very good realization:  He is doing just fine!!!!  I was getting anxious that I have not been teaching him right or that he isn't getting it.  I should be celebrating all the successes that he has had so far this year.  He is doing so well despite his fears.  This was a good realization for me to make sure to spend more time celebrating the successes with my children.

  

   I hope that everyone is able to get out and enjoy the nice weather and have some good quality family time.  I hope that we can all celebrate the small successes with our kids and with each other.  I cannot wait for summer!!

Success in the face of anxiety!

Anxiety!

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (http://www.adaa.org/) there are about 40 million adults in the United States living with anxiety.  I am one of those 40 Million and I am pretty sure that my son will be one of those as well.  Anxiety can be very mild but it can also be to the point where it consumes your entire being.  

I want to preface this post with the fact that my son has never formally been diagnosed with anxiety but he is only 5 years old.  That being said we know that I have been diagnosed with sever anxiety, this became fully apparent as I was dealing with my Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis and my ileostomy surgery.  Often times I see so much of myself in Jude and his behaviors.  The downfall to all of this is that you can see Jude getting anxious in many situations and that just sends my anxiety into a downward spiral as well and I am still learning to handle this.  

I was so proud of him this weekend and all of the things that he was able to accomplish despite his anxiety.  Jude has been in Tae Kwon Do for quite some time now and has been doing pretty well.  Just recently they moved him up to a more advanced class.  In this class he is the youngest one in his class, and this has been a struggle for him.  Also if you have ever met my son he likes to talk all the time, I know there are many parents who say this, but seriously the child never stops talking.  

This weekend he had to complete his first testing in his higher level class.  This made me anxious because its a TEST.  That word in and of itself causes anxiety.  The class went through all the pieces that he was going to be tested on and it was a lot of information.  They told us that he had to complete the first 14 moves of a form by himself.  This was something I was very concerned that he was not going to be able to complete.  He had to know the form as well as piece them together and complete them in sequence .  This also was going to be done in front of many other students and parents.  

We practiced many times and worked very hard.  Despite all the preparation you could see the anxiety building and it all came out on Friday.  I had been out on a business trip and when I returned I asked him if he wanted to practice because we had to make sure we were ready and out came the tears.  He was so nervous and anxious the only way he could express it was having multiple huge tantrums.  I honestly had my doubts and was worried that he wasn't going to move up.  

With all of that being said though we woke up Saturday morning and went to his testing.  We were one of the first ones there and did a couple of run-throughs and then came the moment that he was out there on the floor and he was in control of how everything went.  I was a wreck, I was nervous, and I was horribly anxious.  Jude however stepped up to the plate went out there and KILLED IT!  He went out with his class and stepped up to the challenge and completed every move.  I was so proud  of him.  I cannot express how excited I was to see him succeed.  He worked hard and was able to control his brain as we describe it and succeeded.  I hope that this is the first of many successes for him, however I know that all of his successes are going to come with many challenges but we will work through it and I know we will learn from each other.  There are many more celebratory Slurpees to come!

Here he is with his new belt and our Slurpee!  I am so proud of you Jude!

Music Exposed!!

Here is a quick little today in Rock n Roll history for you. On this day in 1969 it is alleged that Jim Morrison exposed himself on stage in Florida!  

The Lizard King was arrested but the case was still unresolved when he passed away in Paris. 

As I share this information I am not sure if I should encourage random flashing or that you listen to some great music from Jim Morrison and The Doors!

That being said I will lean towards the safe side and encourage you to "Break on through to the other side!"

Watch out Rolling Stone here I come! An Interview with Inaiah Lujan.

It has been a while since I posted.  I have been busy with work and just life, that is what having to little ones will do to you.  I hope that everyone has been doing well and staying busy as well.
As I have said many times Music is a huge part of my life, I mean I am Fatherhood in Stereo.  Music evokes a huge passion in me and can change the mood I'm in, connect me with others and bring me to a place in my head that is needed sometimes.  I have expressed before I do suffer from pretty severe Anxiety and I often times rely on music to get it under control.

I remember when I picked up my first copy of Rolling Stone magazine, I was enthralled with it.  I mean a magazine all about music and culture.  I was able to read interviews from many of my favorite musical artists, I was able to read lists of the best of the best and I got to get up close to many concerts that I never was able to attend.  Let's not forget the covers come on I think we all have a favorite cover. There is the Janet Jackson cover (you know which one I am talking about), Kurt Cobain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The best part of the magazine were the interviews.  I won't forget the first time I saw Almost Famous I was in awe.  You could travel with bands, listen to music, become close with them and just talk about music?  I mean what could be wrong about that.  Here is the problem though you had to be able to be a quality writer.  We have already covered that is not my strength however dreams do come true.  While working on blog topics I reached out to Inaiah Lujan from The Haunted Windchimes (Check out my last post to read about their music) to see if he would do an interview.  I didn't think I would hear anything from anyone but he responded, and he actually said yes!  I couldn't believe it I got to interview a musician about music.  Even though I am not working for a magazine i was able to mark off a bucket list item and fulfill a dream of mine.  I am amazed by the music that that they create and the type of person that he is.  So with all of that build up here is the interview!!!

How old were you when you started playing music?
I took to music at an early age with interest in the piano… To my parents amazement I learned the demo tune on a tiny Casio keyboard at the age of 3. They got me my first full sized keyboard that Christmas, I believe, which would have been '86 or ’87, I’ve been obsessed ever since. 

Who were your musical influences as a child?
My dad raised me on classical music, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin were amongst my first favorites. My mom was more into stuff like Dylan and the Beatles. Neil Young was also one of her favorites, it seemed like she always had music playing and I can remember looking at all of her LP’s as a child and attempting to recreate the artwork with my crayons. 

Was music a big part within your family? How did your sister and you end up playing music together?
Yes like I said before, it seemed no matter what the activity, Mom had a record playing in the background… Classical or Flamenco music from Dad to put us to sleep. Chela would sing a long to all of her favorite Disney movies and it wasn’t long before we were singing together trying to recreate our favorite songs and eventually start to harmonize. 

What is like playing in a band with your wife and your sister?
It is truly is a blessing, though challenging at times to have so much talent and creative personalities in one group. It is pure magic when we can tune-in to each other and blend our voices and ideas into song. 

What is the most difficult thing for you being on the road playing music?
I don’t think most people realize how much work goes in to being a touring musician. I mean you are practically living in a van, out of a suitcase going from town to town, show to show and pouring your heart out each night. Nobody’s getting rich, in fact sometimes we return home and have to figure out how we’re going to make the rent. Some audiences don’t care at all… But the one’s that do, the one’s that really pay attention make it all worth while. I think the one thing that keeps us going is our love for the songs, and our passion to share them.  

Do you have a favorite city or town to play music in? Why?
I wouldn’t say we have a favorite town, although many come to mind when thinking on this question… To us the best shows happen when we are in-tune with one another on stage, and the audience is in-tune with us and each other… It takes a lot of people holding each other up to make a successful show, and our biggest successes come when all these elements are working harmoniously towards a unity of mind and spirit.

Where do you get your inspiration from when writing your music?
Life experiences, love, loss… Feeling any emotion intensely enough that if you don’t get it out you might just burst, that’s what being a songwriter is all about. 

How would you describe the music that The Haunted Windchimes make? What makes it different than traditional bluegrass, or folk?
I would describe our music as honest, heartfelt and soulful. 

It’s hard to put any label on our music, but unfortunately to have success in this business you have to play the game, and that includes branding and labeling yourself something even if that something is broad and general in a sense. We make music. It comes out the way it does, we just try to step aside and let it happen organically and when the mood strikes, not by force. We are inspired by all types of music and a lot of non-musical things too. We are simply attempting to translate our experiences in to song and I suppose people relate that to the songs of old, like folk or Americana or Bluegrass… I have no problem personally with these labels, we love all types of music, and see it as a means for people to create a relationship to it, and that is fine by us. 

Besides music do you have any other creative outlets or talents?
We all have other outlets but stay in that realm of creativity. For example my wife Desi is a painter and potter, Chela does beadwork and jewelry, Mike loves to build things, and is always up to some creative project and I do graphic design work, mostly for bands.

Pick one song that is your favorite that you have recorded?  Why is that your favorite?

This changes from day to day, if I had to pick a current favorite it would be my wife’s song 
"Bed of Roses,” she recorded it for a solo EP a few years back and the Chime’s have since picked it up and started playing it live and recorded it for our recent Daytrotter session. The song has an almost uncomfortable honesty but a feeling I believe all people can relate to. In the end we are telling stories from our live’s in hopes that someone, somewhere might relate to it in a positive way, and know that they are not alone in the universe.

Thank you to Inaiah for taking the time to answer my questions.  I hope that this is the first of many interviews to come.  I will continue to wokr at trying to live this small dream of mine!  Please check out Inaiah and The Haunted Windchimes  at www.inaiahlujan.com

Listen to This Now: The Haunted Windchimes.

Earlier this year when I started to pick up writing on this blog again I wanted to be able to share my love of music with everyone.  One of the big things that I wanted to do was to share with you the reader some awesome bands that you may or may not know of.  In return I want you to share bands with me so I can expand my musical horizon as well.  I love it when someone tells me to go listen to a band and I immediately get hooked on them.  This next band was just that.  An instant favorite of mine.

Before I wrote this post I reached out to Inaiah Lujan to ask if they would be okay with my promoting their band and sharing my review.  I wasn't sure if I would ever hear back but almost immediately I did and even got an awesome opportunity, but I am not going to share it all on this post you will have to come back and read the next post.  

The band I want to highlight today is: The Haunted Windchimes.  After this post I hope you will go out and but their album and support these amazing artists.  

Back in December I went to a SoFar Sounds concert here in Denver.  I got the privilege of seeing several bands in a very small venue, I mean probably 30 people.  I heard Inaiah and his wife Desirae perform and this is the first time I had ever heard of The Haunted Windchimes.  I came home that night and found them on iTunes and downloaded all of their albums.

This band has an extremely unique sound.  When I listen to them I feel like I am taken to a different world.  I do not know how you would classify them, are they folk, or are the bluegrass or old time Americana?  I don't know if you can put a label on them besides FREAKING AMAZING!!  This band not only includes a brother and sister playing together but a husband and wife,  They hail from Pueblo, Colorado, what you do not know where that is?  Its in southern Colorado and the population of Pueblo is just a little over 108,000 people.  

The Haunted Windchimes are a band that you would expect to hear on an old vintage radio during the dust bowl.  Their sound is honest and pure.  Inaiah's guitar playing is so fluid and precise.  He makes the guitar sing each note with ease while setting the mood, immediately my mind compared him to Arlo Guthrie.  The band together is what makes The Haunted Windchimes a perfect combination.  Inaiah has his guitar playing and a very soulful voice coming from him that when I saw him I didn't expect.  Desirae and Chela harmonize their voices to the point that it gives me chills, all while they are playing the banjo and ukulele.  They bring a soul and peace to the music that I wasn't expecting.  Its deep and meaningful.  

This is not music that you can listen to if you do not want to feel anything, they have a way of transporting you to a different world with the lyrics and sound.  Just take a look at these lyrics:  

When I come around
I'd really like to see you
Kiss you on the lips before I go
Wrap my arms around your little body
Squeeze you 'till the moonlight takes our soul

I'm leaving here, I'll see you when I see you
Leaving this ghost town, this time for good
Meet me by a train just after midnight
Meet me just like you said you would

When I am listening to them in my car people probably think I am nuts because I am tapping my hands and signing along.  You cant help but become completely engrossed in their sounds and the music.  They have been featured on Prairie Home Companion in 2011 and 2012 and won the Indy Music Award for Americana in 2012.  If  you are looking at buying any music spend your money on The Haunted Windchimes you will not regret it.  Please check back within the next couple of days for an interview I completed with Inaiah and The Haunted Windchimes. 

Here is the bands website complete with bios and videos:  http://inaiahlujan.com/

How do you get your music?

This question came up today between a couple of co-workers and myself today.  How do you get your music?  Do you buy Cd's or records? Do you download music digitally on iTunes, Amazon music? do you stream your music Spotify, Pandora for free of do you pay for streaming services?

I would have never thought that I would be having this conversation 15 years ago.  When I was in high school I was as much into music as I am today.  I remember walking around with my Discman in my back pack or in the back pocket of my JNCO jeans.  I kept my huge CD case in my car and was always listening to music.  I also remember trying to have money so I could go to the store and buy that CD that I had been waiting so long to come out.  I remember going through my parent's old records and realizing how big of hippies they were and are. (side note you know your parents were hippies when you tell your mom "Play Free Bird" and she responds back, no thank you the keyboard part in that song is so boring to play!)  I found a love of music on vinyl records during middle school and now have been able to continue that love of music on vinyl records thanks to the the resurgence of vinyl records. Also who from my generation doesn't remember sitting around the radio trying to make a mixtape for a love interest or friends. I do and it still haunts me when you would hit record too late or stop too early!  

Fast forward to present day and I am always asking for iTunes gift cards so I have a consistent balance on my account so I can buy music whenever I want.  A CD will come out and I can buy it and download it with a touch of a finger first thing that morning or as I lie awake in bed looking at the new music.  I can also stream music with the free services on my phone or iPod while at work through the internet but it is limited unless I want to pay for the monthly service.  Gone are the days of listening to the radio and trying to find out what is new, or waiting for a video to come on MTV and here are the days of opening streaming where you can find new music on a whim and you can pull up a video at any time online.

Has this changed music and the type of music being created?  There are many individuals that have become huge successes because of YouTube or social media.  Can you imagine the hype that the Beatles would have had if social media was around?  Would John Lennon been ripped to pieces when he made his comment about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus?  The Beatles catalog just started being available on Sptotify, this is great for those that do not have their music but I was not overly joyed as I already own almost their complete collection.  I love that I can share my love of music with my children.  Tonight on the way home the kids asked to listen to "Hey Jude" and "Yellow Submarine"..  I was able to plug into my car radio and we listened and sang to these songs all the way home.   I have to say I am so thankful for the download stores and then the current music stores like 2nd and Charles where I can go there and flip through records and share that excitement again of finding that record I was looking for and holding it in my hands

I think feel that this is an interesting conversation that can go in many directions.  Some consider downloading music a crime and then those that feel that Cd's and records are outdated and dying.   My opinion is I could care less how you get music as long as you are listening to music.  I love having my iPod where I have all my music at my finger tips, I like the streaming options so I can find new artists and find new recommendations, but I also love the smell of vinyl records and sharing the experience of having to get up and turn a record over with my kids.  How do you get your music?  Do you have any suggestions or thoughts that you want to share with others?  Please leave comments about your musical taste and band recommendations!

RIP Ziggy Stardust

"Oh no love! you're not alone
You're watching yourself but you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up but if I could only make you care
Oh no love! you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone"

"Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" -David Bowie

Again I woke up this morning to sad news from the musical world.  I opened my Facebook news feed and I saw a ton of posts about the death of David Bowie.  I immediately thought this is a hoax its not true so I started trying to look into it more and more and all I could find was this was true.  How can it be?  Didn't David Bowie just release an album how could he be dead? 

Blackstar was released on January 8th, 2016.  Now in all fairness I had not listened to it but in my many times of searching around iTunes I had seen that there was a new album.  Immediately when I heard the news my mind started playing the songs and lyrics through my head.  I have said that my brain is full of worthless musical knowledge and song lyrics but moments like this send all those sounds and words flooding into my mind.

Tonight when I got home I pulled up "Space Oddity" on my phone and showed my 5 year old son the video.  David Bowie in all his glory with red fire hair sitting with a guitar singing about Major Tom.  I have loved this song from the very first time I heard it.  I do not know why but it has resonated with me.  It is simple and acoustic but the lyrics tell a vibrant story.  I could always sing along with it and always wanted to learn how to play it on my guitar.  I even bought a book of guitar music for the sole reason that it had this song in it.  Sadly I have never learned how to play it but maybe someday.

David Bowie was Art in its true form.  He was Art, he lived Art and I am thankful that he was never afraid to show this.  He released 27 total studio albums.  Let that sink in for just a little bit, 27 studio albums.  He was relentless in his music and lyrics.  He stated that when he created Ziggy Stardust that he had committed himself so much to this persona that it actually was making him ill and that he was questioning his sanity. 

His voice has an amazing quality to it and when you hear a song you can almost immediately say that is David Bowie.  Even tonight I was watching the "Lazarus" video again and my wife said that still sounds like him.  I thank him for being willing to show the world who he really was and not being afraid of criticism or not fitting the mold.  He said in an interview with Rolling Stone "A song has to take on character, shape, body and influence people to an extent that they use it for their own devices,  It must affect them not just as a song, but as a lifestyle,  The rock stars have assimilated all kinds of philosophies, styles, histories, writings and they throw out what they have cleaned from that."

I for one love David Bowie's music and if you have not listened to any before please do yourself a favor and go find some and listen to it.  Take it in let the sound and lyrics resonate with you.  Listen to the story and allow yourself to go on the adventure with him.  

Well all the people have got their problems
That ain't nothing new
With the help of the good Lord
We can all pull on through
We can all pull on through
Get there in the end
Sometimes it'll take you right up and sometimes down again

"It Ain't Easy"-David Bowie

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope that everyone had a great Holiday season and a great Christmas.  I have to be the first one to say that our family was extreme blessed this holiday season.  The main reason for that is being able to be together with each other.  To me this is the best gift that I could ever receive.

I am a sucker when it comes to traditions, and it has been interesting developing new traditions with my own family.  I will admit though I miss having my parents here to celebrate those traditions but thanks to technology we get to have time with them.  Our family is very lucky though that we do have my wife's parents just down the street from us and they have been a huge part of our lives and the kids lives.  

We started this Christmas off by going to church with our family.  The kids got all dressed up and were good kids during the service.  I am a sucker for Silent Night by candlelight in the church.  There is something special about this son and singing it on Christmas Eve. We sadly had to break away from our normal tradition of going to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, it was a two hour wait, but we went to dinner and had some good conversation.  We also had a great time tracking Santa, thank you NORAD, and finding where he was going next.  

After a great evening with family the kiddos left out cookies, carrots, and milk out for Santa.  They put on their Christmas Eve pajamas that the elves brought and headed to bed.  After a little while the little elves got around to helping Santa.  I spent three nights earlier in the week building all the gifts so that I didn't have to do it on Christmas Eve, thank goodness I had the time to do that otherwise I am pretty sure I wouldn't have slept, as it happens I got very little sleep as it is.  Jude was so excited he woke up almost ever two hours to ask if we could open presents.  The kids were very excited to see the gifts that were out for them. 

The kids made quick work of all their presents, they are expert unwrappers.  I don't know where they get this talent but they have perfected it.  We opened presents at home then went to grandma and grandpa's opened more presents then had Christmas lunch.  The kiddos did well despite being completely exhausted and over stimulated.  I was a proud dad!  We were able to talk to our family in Amsterdam and Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma in Arizona.  Again thank goodness for technology and Skype!!

Jude challenged me to his Rock em' Sock em' Robots, and I have a ringer in the family.  He was an expert but we had a great time and have played a couple more times since last night already.  We even had a white Christmas!  People think that this happens every Christmas in Colorado but is is not!  

I hope that you had a great Christmas and got everything that you wanted and needed.  I look forward to sharing more and more with everyone in the upcoming year.  Here is to a happy and healthy 2016!!!

The Day John Lennon Died

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

"Imagine" by John Lennon

On this day in 1980 John Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his New York apartment just hours after John Lennon had signed an autograph for him on his Double Fantasy Album.  I wasn't even born yet and had no idea how much his music would mean to me or play a role in my life.  

When I was growing up my parents were pretty strict with music and my father was/is quite into country music.  Now, if you know me you know that I am not a fan of country music at all so we didn't really bond over this, but we did over the Beatles.  On our way to church on Sunday mornings we would often times listen to Breakfast with the Beatles.  I then found the awe that is their music and the poetry within their lyrics.

Now I know that John Lennon was not a perfect person by no means.  I have read a lot about him as I have grown up and taken an interest in him.  So please do not feel like you need to tell me how horrible of a person he was, however his music was amazing and his lyrics still have a special place in my heart and will always resonate with me.

We're playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla
Chanting the Mantra peace on earth
We all been playing those mind games forever
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil
Doing the mind guerrilla
Some call it magic the search for the grail

Love is the answer and you know that for sure
Love is a flower you got to let it grow.

"Mind Games" by John Lennon

I have shared my love for the Beatles with my son, Jude.  He knows who they all are and whenever he hears "Hey Jude" he says that is his song.  It is something that we have been able to bond over and I hope he will continue to share with me as he grows older.  We listened to "Imagine" tonight on the record player and I sang along with all the words.  Is it wrong to imagine the world living in peace?  Yes some of his thoughts maybe considered "Radical" but sometimes we need those to make us think about things from a different perspective. 

I think that I will continue my tradition of listening to John Lennon's music on this day and like I said I hope that his music will continue to be part of my life with the kids.  Thank you Mr. Lennon and my your dream live on!

Tae Kwon Do

I cannot remember how many times I asked my mom while I was growing up to let me do Karate.  Lets be honest a lot of this (as it probably is with Jude) came from TMNT or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the movies Karate Kid, Sidekicks, and 3 Ninjas.  So in traditional kid fashion I asked all the time and then my mom would always respond in traditional parent fashion "No" and when pushed she would say "Because I said so". 

I do not know all of my mom's thoughts but I believe she told me several times that I couldn't take Karate because she didn't want me to fight or punch others.  Until I was a parent I never understood this thought.  I mean all I wanted to do was to do the awesome kicks, flips and break a board.  What kid doesn't watch a video of someone breaking a board with their hand or head and think they can do that.  I am pretty sure that there were multiple attempts at trying it as well.  None of those attempts were successful but luckily no serious injuries were sustained besides a big lump on the head.  

So lets fast forward to present time when Jude came up to us and asked to do Karate.  I am pretty sure that I had the very same thought as my mom.  No you cannot do that I am continually yelling to stop punching things and you want me to send you to a class that teaches you how to punch things.  I was very nervous to put him in any type of martial arts.  I must admit the reason that I was so nervous was due to my lack of knowledge.  I will be the first one to say that I am glad I did my research and took the time to educate myself.  

I took the kids to the Thornton Fest and Jude won a month of free lessons of Tae Kwon Do.  Again my ignorance showed off because I thought that all forms of martial arts were basically the same, I was so wrong.  We figured that this would be a good time for Jude to try Tae Kwon Do to see if he even liked it, little did I know how well he would do and how much he would enjoy it.  We went for our welcome night and he was very nervous to get out there but he did and he was hooked.  We have been going for about 6 months now and I am so amazed at the progress that he has made and how great it has been for him. 

Jude is built the same way I was at his age.  Tall and completely uncoordinated.  We will just be walking and the the next thing I know Jude is down on the ground.  Tae Kwon Do has helped him with his coordination so much.  He has been learning how to control his body.  He has to learn how to watch the instructor and copy the form.  The forms often time require them to do multiple moves with their hands and feet at the same time.  Yes it involves punches and kicks but it focuses completely on control as well.  The instructors will many times that you have to be able to control your body in order to control your mind.

I have to say I am so impressed with how well they are doing with him and would recommend martial arts to everyone.  I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I have but seeing the look on his face when he accomplishes a new form or gets a new belt.  I cannot wait to see how far he goes with this and will encourage him the entire way.  I am no expert but I am learning and showing him the enthusiasm that he needs, isn't that what every child needs?

We had a great weekend!

I hope that everyone had a great weekend, I know we did.  It is exhausting sometimes doing all the running around that comes with being a family but it is so amazing as well. 

We had a busy weekend but it was great. We took the kiddos out for a treat on Friday night and saw The Peanuts movie Itwas great. The kids were dancing and laughing. It was pretty cool seeing them enjoy Snoopy and Charles Brown. These are classic characters but the kiddos thought they were great. I would definitely recomend it to anyone. 

Saturday Teagan had her dance class she is really enjoying it. She told me that she is going to be a ballerina. I wouldn't put anything past my little firecracker. We then went to Jude's Tae Kwon Do testing and belt ceremony. He got another new belt. He has been working hard in Tae Kwon Do and it is showing. He even got to break one of the testing boards with a side kick, I hope I got the terminology correct. He was so proud of what he has accomplished. 

I can't wait to see where he goes with this. 

Today Jude had to sing at church. It was so great seeing all the kids up there doing the motions and singing with pride. 

We then came home and proceeded to rake up the leaves and the kids ran and jumped in them. It was funny having to teach them how to play in the leaves some. They then also helped me pick up all the leaves. The got a little bit of money for helping their old man with picking all of the leaves up. They appeared to have fun so that is a win win I think. 

The kiddos then played in their playroom while I tried to watch football. It's always a challenge but they did great. Teagan kept running out wearing a new costume. Here she is as bat girl. 

Overall it was a busy weekend and I'm sitting here typing as I feel like I'm going to fall asleep, but it was great. I love spending time with my family and building all these great memories. What did you do this weekend?  I hope to hear from some of you on what things you did over the weekend. 

My top 5 underrated singer/songwriters

As many of you know I have a huge love of music and love sharing music with others and with my family.  I have tried to expose my children to many different types of music.  They listen to records with me, dance to Sammy Davis Jr., sing along to the Beatles, and (thanks to Censie) make me sing along with Kelly Clarkson!  

Music has been something that has gotten me through a lot of tough times and brought me close to others.  While I was in the hospital recovering from my Ileostomy surgery I listened to music quite a bit, it helped me immensely during that time.  

This brings me to our current conversation.  Who are my top five singer/songwriters?  Why did this come up?  I was talking to a co-worker the other day I brought up Jim Croce and the co-worker had no idea who I was talking about!  I was shocked so I wanted to compose this list and share my musical thoughts. 

Top Five Singer/Songwriters

#5 Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm:  

Levon Helm was born in Arkansas and was the drummer and multi instrument member of "The Band".  The Band is often times known for their southern Roots Rock band, but all other members of The Band were from Canada, Levon Helm was the only American born member.  Robbie Robertson is often times credited for writing all the songs but Levon Helm has claimed that they were mostly written collaboratively, this was an ongoing feud.  The Band had many notable songs and The Last Waltz was an amazing collaboration last concert between many musicians.  I am actually going to see a Last Waltz Revisited concert in Denver here in a couple of weeks.  Some of the best songs from The Band are:  Up On Cripple Creek, The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Atlantic City, Rag Mama Rag, and Ophelia.  

#4 Randy Newman

Randy Newman is probably best known for writing songs for Pixar Movies, most notable Toy Story.  The kids and I will sing "You've got a Friend in me" all the time when listening to Toy Story.  Many though do not know that he had a great musical career prior to these movies.  Randy Newman has been a professional songwriter since he was a teen.  He is an amazing singer and piano player and is great to listen to.  Some of his greatest songs are:  Mama Told Me (Not to Come), You can leave your hat on, Short People, and I Love L.A.

#3 Jim Croce

I grew up listening to Jim Croce songs before I knew who he was.  I have shared my love for his music and story telling with my family.  More than likely you have probably heard his songs before and probably sang some of them without knowing they were written and sung by him.  Jim Croce's career was unfortunately cut short when the plane he was on clipped a pecan tree causing it to crash.  Jim Croce had a great way of telling a story during his songs so that as the listener you could see in your head everything he was talking about.  Some of his best songs are :  Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Time in a Bottle, Operator, New York's Not My Home, Roller Derby Queen,. Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), I Got a Name, and I'll Have to Say I Love You In a Song.

#2 Harry Chapin

There are many songs that were written or sung by Harry Chapin that many individuals know of the song, but like Jim Croce, they do not know that they were written by Harry Chapin.  Harry Chapin is probably best known for his song "Cats in the Cradle" a song about a father being too busy with work to spend time with his son. One of my favorite songs.  Chapin, like Croce, as well died in an accident but a motor vehicle accident.  Harry Chapin was also a great humanitarian trying to fight world hunger.  He started the Harry Chapin Food Bank (Long Island Food Bank) in 1980 a year before his death.  Harry Chapin was also a great story teller and could paint a picture with words and music that amaze me.  Some of my favorite songs are :Cats In The Cradle, Flowers are Red, Taxi, Mr. Tanner, I Wanna Learn a Love Song, 30,000 Pounds of Bananas, Circle and Dancing Boy.

#1 Warren Zevon

A great singer song writer that also suffered from a very bad case of OCD but was an amazing singer, song writer and story teller.  One of his compulsions was buying and hoarding grey Calvin Klein shirts.  He actually built a great friendship with Billy Bob Thornton around having OCD.  Warren Zevon played piano for Everly Brothers and actually played with REM.  Warren Zevon is probably best known for "Werewolves of London".  This has been played at almost every piano bar that I have been to, and is a crowd favorite.  Warren Zevon had many other great songs some of my favorites are: Lawyers, Guns and Money, Excitable Boy, Mr. Bad Example, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Desperados Under the Eaves, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, and Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead.  

These are just a few of the musicians that I love and wanted to share with you.  I would enjoy hearing about some of the musicians that you enjoy so I can expand my musical knowledge and enjoyment as well.  I hope you will listen to these artists if you have never heard of them and maybe you will enjoy them as well.  

Halloween!

I must admit I become a huge kid when Halloween comes. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love all the horror movies, albeit I don't get to watch many anymore. I think the scariest thing we watched this Halloween season was "Toy Story of Terror."  

I love the decorations and all the prep and hype getting ready to pick your costume out, and wearing it out to trick or treat. I also love carving the pumpkins even though it seems as though the kids pick the pumpkins, pick the design, then they sit back and relax while I carve them!!!

We had a sick little girl this year so she got a ride in the wagon while we went out trick or treating but she had fun and was an adorable Doc McStuffins. 

This year Jude started off wanting to be something from Star Wars but when we went he picked out a Ghostbuster costume. As soon as he chose that I knew I had the perfect opportunity. What does a Ghostbuster need to go out with him?  A Stay Puft Marshmallow man that's what!!!

Luckily Censie was able to find an inflatable costume for me, I wasn't sure it would fit given I'm 6'5" but it fit. It was so much fun and we got many compliments and he often times was told that he was getting more candy because of our awesome duo. I think I am owed some of that as a dad tax but he keeps saying no. 

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween, I loved seeing all the pictures. Jude also started talking to me today about our costumes for next year so keep your eyes open next Halloween for what we have in store. 

Third time's the charm!

So I know that I have tried this before but I am going to try and get my blog up and running again. I have been very busy with my new job and the family,  but I have a strong desire to have this blog be read by others and share my experiences as a husband, father and as a person. 

Everyone in this world has a story and has something to share and this is my attempt to share a part of who I am. My amazing wife Censie has had an amazing blog for quite some time now so I have a great coach on how to do this but just have to put forth the effort. 

This blog started while I was dealing with an Inflmatory Bowel Disease known as Ulcerative Colitis. This still continues to be a huge part of my life but since my ostomy surgery I have tried to make it a smaller part of my life than it has been. 

Here is a little about me for those of you who do not know me. I love being a father and daddy. It is amazing, I never thought I could feel this way and that I would love this role in my life so much. They challenge me on a daily basis but I love them and would do anything for them.

I have been married to Censie for twelve years, I know I can't believe that she has put up with me for that long either. I am the luckiest man because she chose to be with me and I am so thankful for that. 

I am a huge sports freak. I love watching sports and pretty much anything to do with sports. I am a huge Red Sox fan and a Broncos fan, although I don't get to watch many sports any more because I am usually watching kids shows like "Miles from Tomorrowland " with the kiddos.  

As you can tell I am also a huge music lover, especially classic rock!  I am working on building my vinyl music collection and working to teach my kids about great music, but despite my best efforts they also love listening to pop music. 

I look forward to sharing more experiences and stories with everyone!

Am I Less of a Man?

I found this Meme online the other day and it struck me.

Some is going to have to tell Censie that she has a girlfriend!!!!!

That is right I am almost 33 years old and I have never fired a gun.  I have shot a paintball gun, a pellet gun, a BB gun and an airsoft gun but I have never fired a actual gun before. I have had detectives and law enforcement officers that I work with give me a hard time and tell me that I need to go and learn and that I should get my carry and conceal permit due to the line of work I am in but I don't know to actually shoot a gun.

Does this make me less of a man than someone who has shot a gun?  Am I a woman because I haven't fired a firearm before?  

Please tell me why you have to fire a gun to be a man?  There are many times that I feel very manly but none of them ever have to do with shooting a firearm.  My father was not a hunter we fished.  My grandfather was a hunter and he said that he was going to take me Pheasant hunting but he died before that ever happened.  Censie's grandpa had firearms in his house being on a ranch but when I met him I never went shooting with him or saw him shoot.  I know that he knew how to and still did it wasn't something that we did together though.

I feel that my family was one of those families who were never really into guns and we didn't have avid hunters in our family so it wasn't something that we did together.  I also at this point do not have the desire to learn how to field dress a dead animal, I can clean the guts out of a fish but that is as far I want to go.  I do not like this opinion that you are less of a man if you do not own a gun.  So should I start prepping Jude that he doesn't have a real man as a father because I do not own a gun or know how to shoot a gun?

I have thought about taking gun safety classes and learning some about them as Jude is getting older he does have a fascination with guns, this is a typical boy thing but I have not decided yet.  I know that family members do have guns and have talked to them about when Jude comes over that they need to be locked up and put away so that the children do not have access to them.  This is family though what about friends?  I guess I will be okay knowing that I am considered by some as a woman because I have not fired a gun before.