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

Bucket List Yes or No?

Have you seen this story?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/28/kristina-chesterman-donor-bucket-list_n_5051978.html

This story is about a 64 year old woman who received a new heart from an organ donor and now has been in contact with the donor's family.  The organ donor had a bucket list and now the recipient is stating that she is going to finish out her list so that even though the organ donor couldn't her heart will.

This got me thinking I don't have a bucket list.  Do you have one?  What are some of the things that you have on yours?  I will be thinking about doing one and may be posting my bucket list shortly.  I know that this has you on the edge of your seat.  I can't wait to hear all your thoughts and ideas!

Jeremy

A Whirlwind of Emotions

WHY????

10/17/2012.  This has been a post that I have been trying to write since that date.  Sadly this is the day that that my Grandfather, or my "Papa" as he will always be in my heart passed away.  

Thankfully I was able to be present with him at his house with family and friends when he passed away.  This is something that was very hard for me but also something special for me to be there with him.  I know that he is no longer in pain and that he is at peace but as we know it is hard for the individuals left behind.

I went through my memories that day and I am continuously going through memories as we get closer to the funeral and with my family coming out.  I am very lucky to have been able to have my Papa with me for 31 years.  I remember going with him and my father to Baseball Card shows and he would always talk to me about the cards and help me pick out cards.   He always let us play with his little slot machine while we were at his house, I am lucky that he gave this to our family and it is now sitting in my house.  I remember when he would call the house when we had a baby sitter and they were freaked out because a robot was talking to him but that was just papa talking with his "talk box" that I called it due to having a stoma.  

I am very thankful that Jude got to meet him but am also saddened that he passed three days prior to Teagan being born.  I know that he is watching our family from heaven and I hope that he is proud.  

This is one of the pictures that I got of Jude playing with Papa.  This was after Papa had been sick but was still able to enjoy playing with Jude.  This picture will always hold a special place in my heart. I feel the tears coming up as I am writing this.  I got to see the smiles on both of their faces and see Jude get "buzzed" with the "talk box" he used to talk and remembered how it felt as a child to get buzzed by Papa.  

Papa will always remain in my heart and I will share stories about him with joy and happiness.  Every time I see poker chips, slot machines, sports cards and sadly the Raiders, I will think about my papa.  I am blessed to have had him in my life and I am glad to know that he is spending time with his dad up in Heaven and hope that he has found peace and joy.  I love you Papa!