Today, the 13th day of January... I made it. On My Sleeve turns 1 today. Never thought I would make it... Not that 365 days is some Mt. Everest or something, but for me, a Benbrook Bulldog, it means everything.
In the last year, I've laughed, I've cried, I've said hello to so many and have said goodbye to so many more... The things I've said, the things I've done... The things I've written... The things I've worn... I feel like I have let you in. Just a little. And that, to me, equals a positive campaign. There is so much more to say, I think.
And it all started with a quote. It couldn't have started any other way.
Time to go away and think it all up again... Who knows?
And here we are now...
I'd like to complete my run by sharing something that I keep very close to me. It's actually the first thing that was published on my behalf for someone else for a special reason. It required my approval, of course, but at the end of the day, I'm not really sure what's out there with my signature... Oh well, this one's official. This much I know. Looking at it now, I'm proud of the place this piece took me to all those years ago. It truly explains itself.
When I scrawled it out in 1998, I was all alone in my kitchen. It was dark outside. I remember that I was wearing this overly warm cream sweater with (arguably) the ugliest army green shorts I owned at the time. No belt, just rope (yes, I was in that phase). Those shorts are long gone, but I still have the rope (came in handy in 2005). I was super comfortable in my stitched-up Adilettes that were beautifully broken and bandaged... In the background, Catherine Wheel were doing their thing with Chrome. At the hand-me-down dinner table... With a #2 pencil in my hand with a keg cup of sweet tea to my right, I went to work and crafted the following...
the clouds are the bridges...
only when you see the harbor below do you realize that you are not alone... stay one time with me and find the heart that you left behind. my tired soul, withering away in darkness. i am looking for you. the strength in my hands, my fists full of sadness. let it go and cry away those sheets of rain. let it come down. to leave the mountain and scar the land... all of the angry trees standing tall in purity. this heart, my heart... it bleeds with hope as i have one more question for you on this cloudy afternoon. will you let me swim into the abyss of your eyes and spend some time in your soul? i need you a you need me... i am looking for something... a new light on my life as i have been gray for some time... to strike the others down, bringing the wishing tree closer... to us. leave us alone... my race against time... equipped with my heart in one hand, my soul in the other... nothing to hide, frightened... my dreams for you... only you can see what the wind has given me. you love me as i love you. entering this world blank and loveless... i have always loved you. follow me into the fields... i was young, only nine... what is love, what is hate? the words of this word meant greatness and certainty. to define this love, endlessly... you, my sweet flower. you are mine as i am yours. hold on to me as we climb into the dreams of the clouds. to hold you forever, a sign of my true devotion for a lifetime with you... as another story ends, another begins... in this sleep. sweet my dearest one. may we both fare well into the night.
bsm*
twenty three november nineteen ninety eight anno domini...
I never wore that sweater again.
So... That's it.
Well......... Here we go...
From Team OMS... Small and bowed, I would like to offer you my eternal thanks for your honest attention... And my sincerest hopes for a solid year, full of beauty and grace with little darkness in your path.
Take care of yourself and be good to the ones that matter on every level... And don't forget to remember where you came from... Spend a few moments thinking about Haiti. Realize that it could happen anytime, anywhere. The reality of it all is sobering... Make every embrace last and make every "I love you" count. Love big. Cherish what's yours and don't leave those stones unturned. You just might find an answer or two. Believe me.
1/13 to 1/13. In the books.
What's next for us? You first.
So long...
Always and forever,
me (at #78)
S. H. P. L.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
"When you wear my flower, you make it look beautiful." - E.P.D. (1950)
I woke up thinking about a few things that I have failed to elaborate on over the last few months. And because it's on my mind now, I'd like to dig in a little deeper. Do you have some time? Cheers.
This one's for Charles. A couple of treats when I'm done, okay? By my side. Good boy.
When I was a little dude, somewhere between 10 and 12, I saw "Harvey" for the first time. It was one of those comedies that my mom would talk and laugh about during Saturday afternoon sandwich time. I remember enjoying the black & white flick and I remember thinking that my parents were probably my age (at the time) when it was released in 1950.
To explain why I am writing about this now is challenging because there is a part of me that feels like this whole blog idea is a direct result of the impact "Harvey" has made on my life. Truth be told, OMS would probably not exist if "Harvey" did not exist in my life. Yes, it's that important to me. To see and appreciate this beloved Jimmy Stewart movie is to understand so many things about me as a person, a believer, a friend and a dreamer.
So much can be taken from this film. I'd like to take a stab at it from another angle and approach it in my upside-down way. If you haven't seen this gem, I'll give you the following: It's about Elwood and Harvey. And to capture some of its majesty, I'm going to reference a couple of passages that might say more about me than anything I've probably written over the last year. You really have to see these lines being acted out, but I'll do my best to deliver the gentle dialogue. Read between the lines, but don't go too deep. Let it float around...
Spoken with all the sincerity in the world...
Elwood P. Dowd (after being asked how he and Harvey met - w/ quiet pride on his mug): "I'd just put Ed Hickey into a taxi. Ed had been mixing his rye with his gin and I just felt that he needed conveying. Well, anyway, I was walking down along the street and I heard this voice saying, 'Good evening, Mr. Dowd.' Well, I turned around and here was this big six-foot rabbit leaning up against a lamp-post. Well, I thought nothing of that because when you've lived in a town as long as I've lived in this one, you get used to the fact that everybody knows your name. And naturally I went over to chat with him. And he said to me... He said, 'Ed Hickey was a little spiffed this evening or could I be mistaken?' Well, of course, he was not mistaken. I think the world and all of Ed, but he was spiffed. Well, we talked like that for awhile and then I said to him, I said, 'You have the advantage on me. You know my name and I don't know yours.' And... and right back at me, he said, 'What name do you like?' Well, I didn't even have to think twice about that. Harvey's always been my favorite name. So I said to him... I said, 'Harvey.' And... Uh... This is the interesting thing about the whole thing... He said, 'What a coincidence. My name happens to be Harvey.'"
This is possibly the sweetest exchange ever... The impact that this simple introduction makes cannot really be measured and in those few moments, we genuinely feel the belief Elwood has in his friend. This scene tugs at my heart every time. Your imagination can light up New York City if you let it... It's good to let it roam from time to time. What are you afraid of?
Here's another passage that I truly enjoy... This one really explains Elwood's world, and in his explanation, larger ideas are touched upon...
Elwood P. Dowd (explaining the friendship wearing a sensitive smile): "Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people - they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, 'We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella.' Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon, we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell about the big terrible things they've done and the big wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey... and he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back... but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us."
Here, Elwood wraps it all up nice and neat in the shiniest of wrapping paper. And the line, "nobody ever brings..." is the spun-from-gold ribbon he uses to tie it up. The bow comes in the line, "but that's envy, my dear." To me, this is an important moment because it touches so many levels of society and who we might be as citizens. Just a couple of pals getting by doing their thing... Even when you're alone, you're not lonely. Novel, I think. The idea of "I have to see it to believe it" doesn't apply here... It's the other way around. One has to believe to see...
Over the years, I've been to my share of taverns and pubs and every single time, I take something different away because so much of my experience depends on who I am with, who I see and what I hear... The memories are often perfect and when they're not, I still find something to reflect on even if it's just a stain on a coaster or a ridiculously overplayed Tom Petty song.
Whatever you take from this post, I want you to know that I will always believe in the little things. At the end of the day, different words mean different things to different people. "Harvey" is a hard one to deny and when the mood is right, it.................. Let's just say that it can insert the right amount of character into your slice of pie.
Everyone needs their Harvey.
Recuerde justo que nuestros amigos pueden entrar todo tipo de formas y los tamaño.
I'm smiling at the moment.
Okay, Charlie Dog, let's get those treats now. I'm ready.
bsm*
This one's for Charles. A couple of treats when I'm done, okay? By my side. Good boy.
When I was a little dude, somewhere between 10 and 12, I saw "Harvey" for the first time. It was one of those comedies that my mom would talk and laugh about during Saturday afternoon sandwich time. I remember enjoying the black & white flick and I remember thinking that my parents were probably my age (at the time) when it was released in 1950.
To explain why I am writing about this now is challenging because there is a part of me that feels like this whole blog idea is a direct result of the impact "Harvey" has made on my life. Truth be told, OMS would probably not exist if "Harvey" did not exist in my life. Yes, it's that important to me. To see and appreciate this beloved Jimmy Stewart movie is to understand so many things about me as a person, a believer, a friend and a dreamer.
So much can be taken from this film. I'd like to take a stab at it from another angle and approach it in my upside-down way. If you haven't seen this gem, I'll give you the following: It's about Elwood and Harvey. And to capture some of its majesty, I'm going to reference a couple of passages that might say more about me than anything I've probably written over the last year. You really have to see these lines being acted out, but I'll do my best to deliver the gentle dialogue. Read between the lines, but don't go too deep. Let it float around...
Spoken with all the sincerity in the world...
Elwood P. Dowd (after being asked how he and Harvey met - w/ quiet pride on his mug): "I'd just put Ed Hickey into a taxi. Ed had been mixing his rye with his gin and I just felt that he needed conveying. Well, anyway, I was walking down along the street and I heard this voice saying, 'Good evening, Mr. Dowd.' Well, I turned around and here was this big six-foot rabbit leaning up against a lamp-post. Well, I thought nothing of that because when you've lived in a town as long as I've lived in this one, you get used to the fact that everybody knows your name. And naturally I went over to chat with him. And he said to me... He said, 'Ed Hickey was a little spiffed this evening or could I be mistaken?' Well, of course, he was not mistaken. I think the world and all of Ed, but he was spiffed. Well, we talked like that for awhile and then I said to him, I said, 'You have the advantage on me. You know my name and I don't know yours.' And... and right back at me, he said, 'What name do you like?' Well, I didn't even have to think twice about that. Harvey's always been my favorite name. So I said to him... I said, 'Harvey.' And... Uh... This is the interesting thing about the whole thing... He said, 'What a coincidence. My name happens to be Harvey.'"
This is possibly the sweetest exchange ever... The impact that this simple introduction makes cannot really be measured and in those few moments, we genuinely feel the belief Elwood has in his friend. This scene tugs at my heart every time. Your imagination can light up New York City if you let it... It's good to let it roam from time to time. What are you afraid of?
Here's another passage that I truly enjoy... This one really explains Elwood's world, and in his explanation, larger ideas are touched upon...
Elwood P. Dowd (explaining the friendship wearing a sensitive smile): "Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people - they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, 'We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella.' Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon, we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell about the big terrible things they've done and the big wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey... and he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back... but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us."
Here, Elwood wraps it all up nice and neat in the shiniest of wrapping paper. And the line, "nobody ever brings..." is the spun-from-gold ribbon he uses to tie it up. The bow comes in the line, "but that's envy, my dear." To me, this is an important moment because it touches so many levels of society and who we might be as citizens. Just a couple of pals getting by doing their thing... Even when you're alone, you're not lonely. Novel, I think. The idea of "I have to see it to believe it" doesn't apply here... It's the other way around. One has to believe to see...
Over the years, I've been to my share of taverns and pubs and every single time, I take something different away because so much of my experience depends on who I am with, who I see and what I hear... The memories are often perfect and when they're not, I still find something to reflect on even if it's just a stain on a coaster or a ridiculously overplayed Tom Petty song.
Whatever you take from this post, I want you to know that I will always believe in the little things. At the end of the day, different words mean different things to different people. "Harvey" is a hard one to deny and when the mood is right, it.................. Let's just say that it can insert the right amount of character into your slice of pie.
Everyone needs their Harvey.
Recuerde justo que nuestros amigos pueden entrar todo tipo de formas y los tamaño.
I'm smiling at the moment.
Okay, Charlie Dog, let's get those treats now. I'm ready.
bsm*
Friday, January 8, 2010
And we crown ourselves again.
I suppose it's time to wish you a Happy New Year... A few days removed from 1/1, but it still counts... Honestly, where has the last week gone? I started to throw some action out there a couple of days ago, but I was slightly distracted by something I saw on TV. It settled in and I was hooked... Then the phone rang and it made little sense to answer because I was super-hooked... The "UNAVAILABLE" caller would just have to leave a message. They didn't... It's funny how the little things can attract one's attention - 100%. It did not let go and I was just fine because letting go of each of other was not really an option.
Fact: Elvis Presley would have turned 75 years old today. I'm not sure if I feel really old or really young today.
Earlier today, this playlist serenaded my ears...
- Pavement, Gold Soundz
- The Clash, Somebody Got Murdered
- Bloc Party, Banquet
- Frank Black, Hang On To Your Ego
- The Connells, '74-'75
- Wilco, Can't Stand It
- Further Seems Forever, Just Until Sundown
- Planes Mistaken For Stars, Standing Still Fast
- U2, Spanish Eyes
- Elbow, Powder Blue
- Black Tie Dynasty, On Your Last Night In Town
- The Smiths, Reel Around The Fountain
- Dinosaur Jr, Water
- Glasvegas, Lonesome Swan
- The Pogues, Lorca's Novena
- Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Spring
- Bob Mould, Next Time That You Leave
- Unrest, Make Out Club
- Duvall, The Moon Looks Like A Tomato
- Cross My Heart, Angels & Gargoyles
- Catherine Wheel, Satellite
- Samiam, Ordinary Life
- The Ocean Blue, Crash
- South, Paint The Silence
- Tripping Daisy, Brown-Eyed Pickle Boy
My grade: "C+"
I hope that you had a good week. It's a new year and I'm on my way... Let's do something BIG in 2010, shall we? Are you ready for this year? Are you ready for the dance? Are you bracing yourself for the beauty of it all? Do you have enough juice? Are the reservations set? Do they know? Have you checked in with your heart lately?
I like my odds.
I'm craving popcorn right now. Lightly salted with a few drops of melted butter...
More later...
Mittens on at the penalty spot,
#19
Fact: Elvis Presley would have turned 75 years old today. I'm not sure if I feel really old or really young today.
Earlier today, this playlist serenaded my ears...
- Pavement, Gold Soundz
- The Clash, Somebody Got Murdered
- Bloc Party, Banquet
- Frank Black, Hang On To Your Ego
- The Connells, '74-'75
- Wilco, Can't Stand It
- Further Seems Forever, Just Until Sundown
- Planes Mistaken For Stars, Standing Still Fast
- U2, Spanish Eyes
- Elbow, Powder Blue
- Black Tie Dynasty, On Your Last Night In Town
- The Smiths, Reel Around The Fountain
- Dinosaur Jr, Water
- Glasvegas, Lonesome Swan
- The Pogues, Lorca's Novena
- Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Spring
- Bob Mould, Next Time That You Leave
- Unrest, Make Out Club
- Duvall, The Moon Looks Like A Tomato
- Cross My Heart, Angels & Gargoyles
- Catherine Wheel, Satellite
- Samiam, Ordinary Life
- The Ocean Blue, Crash
- South, Paint The Silence
- Tripping Daisy, Brown-Eyed Pickle Boy
My grade: "C+"
I hope that you had a good week. It's a new year and I'm on my way... Let's do something BIG in 2010, shall we? Are you ready for this year? Are you ready for the dance? Are you bracing yourself for the beauty of it all? Do you have enough juice? Are the reservations set? Do they know? Have you checked in with your heart lately?
I like my odds.
I'm craving popcorn right now. Lightly salted with a few drops of melted butter...
More later...
Mittens on at the penalty spot,
#19
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