Month: November 2024

QOTD: #237

Anthony5 Comments

What is good about having a pet?

Pets provide the love and loyalty that many humans unfortunately lack. They are there for you on your best and worst days, sensing and helping you where they can.

They do require your time, so don’t even consider a pet if you live a busy life. They give you a reason to take pause, slow down, and be present.

Just like young children they need your love and attention, and love to play.

As as always, thank you for reading 🐾🐾🐾

-aaa

I’m Not Too Proud To Admit…

Anthony5 Comments

I’m not too proud to admit I made mistakes. 

I’m not too proud to admit I rebooted four times.

I’m not too proud to admit I changed majors three times.

I’m not too proud to admit I changed careers three times.

I’m not too proud to admit I have two divorces and a failed engagement.

I’m not too proud to admit I never had children because I chose poor mates. 

I’m not too proud to admit I’m insecure.

I’m not too proud to admit I’ve had to change in every way.

I’m not too proud to admit I used people’s self loathing projected onto me to define me.

I’m not too proud to admit I don’t need a lot of people like I used to.

I’m not too proud to admit I used to be weak until I found strength inside.

I’m not too proud to admit I am me!!!

-AAA 11/10/2024

They’re Playing Your Song

AnthonyLeave a comment

Frozen in a trance

Never spoil this magic chance

Use your headphones, dance.

–

Music is your type

Not your everyday hype

Which became your gripe.

–

Air guitar along 

With all your favorite songs

You know I’m not wrong.

–

Play it loud and strong

You are right where you belong

Just you and your songs.

–

Play your air guitar 

Windmills like Pete will go far 

Just be who you are…

-AAA 11/09/2024

QOTD: 236

Anthony2 Comments

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

The most expensive personal item in my possession is my limited edition Serigraph (hand reproduced) of “Sleepless Night” by John Lennon.

I acquired it at a John Lennon art show at the Queen Mary back in 1999. It was so expensive, the Laguna art gallery let my put it on “layaway” and after 6 months the work of art was mine.

It seems to have appreciated in value over the years and has rarely been far away.

In two the two cases where I lived on my own, I hung this above my piano for inspiration. Here it is today, it has survived 2 divorces and a broken up long engagement but it’s still here.

It honestly looks like he’s up can’t sleep and is writing songs. There’s a piano to his left. as well as it looks like a microphone and a tape recorder. Truly, it is something I find amazing and inspirational every time I look at it.

As always, thank you for reading…

-aaa

Never Said Goodbyes

Anthony7 Comments

What could you tell me 

That I don’t already know

What could you sell me 

That’d make my life grow.

–

What else could you reveal 

That would set everything right

What could you gesture, a meal

To appease all my appetites

–

What could you do to restore faith 

Then and only then your kindness starts

So, why so often are you a wraith

Cruelty not love, did you impart.

–

What other games would you play

Toying with the purest heart

When your final hand is played 

Is when resentment starts.

–

How far will your “sorries” go

To reassert my favor with you

Are you truly sorry, “no”

The main reason I left you.

–

Marriages come then they go 

When someone leaves it’s earned

After years of the to and fro

The love, destroyed, it’s burned…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Wake-up And Write

AnthonyLeave a comment

Just awake 

Crumbs in eyes 

Vision’s blur

Then blue skies.

–

Nothing wrote 

After nine 

Get in gear 

I’ll be fine.

–

Saturday 

Sleeping in

Much to write 

Sure I’ll win!

–

Picking forms 

For today

This one now

Hard to say.

–

Three count syls

Just a sneeze 

These quatrains

Are a breeze.

–

Rhymes four 

After two 

Created

When I’m through. 

–

Next stanza

Keep going 

Ideas 

Are flowing.

–

Where they lead

I don’t know

As I write

Poem grows.

–

Mind to phone

Then it’s blogged

Much work left

Brain not fogged.

–

Nice going 

Nearly through 

Words escape

What I do.

–

iPhone notes 

Quickly write

Finish line 

Is in sight.

–

So read up 

Nearly done 

Wake poems

Are much fun…

-AAA 11/09/2024

Sir Squonk

Anthony4 Comments

Sir Squonk the dilettante was stubborn and true

With no self proclaimed limits to what his mind could do.

–

This immodest expert on all

Couldn’t tell spring from fall.

–

As the seasons were not his milieu.

-aaa

Originally Published 05/10/2024

Lady Misery

AnthonyLeave a comment

There once was a lady from town

Whose face always wore a frown.

–

No humor or concession

Can change her complexion.

–

She looks like a sad-faced clown…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/09/2024

Wake Up, Go To Bed, Repeat 

AnthonyLeave a comment

Wake up now 

Day begin

Lots to do

Planners win.

–

So get dressed

Put on clothes

Brush your hair

Blow your nose.

–

Socks are on

Shoes as well

Grab your coat

Feeling swell.

–

Grab your keys 

Lock the door

Off to work

Then the store.

–

Office bound 

Traffic bad

Journey slow

Drives you mad.

–

Music plays 

Happy songs

Always rights

Commute wrongs.

–

Then arrive

Plenty work

Take my lunch

A nice perk.

–

Finish work

Homeward bound

Once again 

Traffic found.

–

Music plays

Once again

Much akin

An old friend.

–

Later home

Dinner ate

Clean the pans

Wash the plates.

–

Then relax

Read a book

Eyes heavy

Day’s toll took.

–

Back to bed

No sorrow

All redone 

For tomorrow…

-AAA 11/08/2024

John Lennon: Give Me Some Truth 

Anthony7 Comments

After the Beatles ended, many of the Fabs took off in new directions with solo albums. John Lennon was no exception with the beautiful Imagine.

Loaded with amazing songs aside from its namesake, Imagine also has: Crippled Inside (some say a jab at Paul McCartney), Jealous Guy, Oh My Love, How Do You Sleep (possible jab at McCartney or John himself), Oh Yoko, and others.

My favorite aside from the namesake of the album is, Gimme Some Truth. A political lambast of lyrics by Lennon and some amazing music behind the song. 

With John Lennon on vocals and guitar, George Harrison on slide guitar and guitar, Session Legend Nicky Hopkins on piano, Klaus Voorman on bass, and Alan White on the drums. I’m sure Yoko was doing something too somewhere in there. I’m not sure what but probably was part of it too.

Complex filling blues chords and timely slide guitar riffs make this track catchy and hard to ignore.

Check out the lyrics as well, they’ll really blow your mind. I find them quite appropriate in today’s political/social climate as well.  

As always, thank you for reading and listening…

-aaa

Warm Fall Day

AnthonyLeave a comment

So breezy

Warm fall day 

Shining sun

Much to say.

–

Breezes blow

Swaying trees

Dusty air

Thank you please.

–

Parks are full

Playgrounds too

Screaming kids

Joyful view.

–

Some will swim 

In warm pools

Soak up rays 

They’re no fools.

–

People dance

Music plays 

Beat goes on 

Night and day.

–

End this jaunt

Good times had

Warm fall days

Never bad…

-AAA 11/07/2024

Writing Magic Nines

AnthonyLeave a comment

Writing a poem that’s Magic Nine 

Does not take a sleight of hand

One might think the skill divine 

Another tool in your poetic work shed

It’s not like walking a fine line

Quite liberating, a fun exercise

This poetic form is mighty fine

The finished product will be quite grand

If done well enough the readers will be kind.

-AAA 11/07/2024

QOTD: #234

Anthony2 Comments

What was your favorite subject in school?

Music of course as I played in bands, orchestras, etc, from age 8 – 24.

English/Reading, learning to read and write and find my inner voice is the greatest gift I’ve ever given in my life next to my learning music.

Choir was also a lot of fun and I enjoyed it greatly.

I also enjoyed the science classes, chemistry, physics biology, all good classes.

As always, thank you for reading…

-aaa

A Poets Work is Never Done

AnthonyLeave a comment

Consonants, syllables, words, and beat

These are the color pallets of a poet

There are no shortcuts or way to cheat

Ask any one of us, as we all know it

–

Usually one line comes to mind

As we create something new

Each poem, one of a kind

As our processes are tried and true

–

Counting syllables with one hand

Per the rules of a poetry type

Only a poet understands

The efforts involved as they write

–

Often when the writing is done

One stanza must be erased

This is part of our editing fun

As our poems form, post haste

–

Quatrains, haikus, raikus, and quadrilles

A myriad of forms for the poet to choose

Using our creativity to climb those hills

So that our readers will be amused

–

Then at last we’re finally through

All the words are down and complete

There’s nothing really left to do

Except go to WordPress and publish the latest suite.

-aaa

Originally Published 05/08/2024

QOTD: #233

Anthony2 Comments

How do you manage screen time for yourself?

This is a difficult question to answer and I’ll explain why.

I work from home as a technical writer 40 hours a week so I’m in front of the computer at least that much time.

I write and blog and read other blogs anywhere between 3 to 5 hours a day as well.

That’s 61 to 75 hours a week right there alone.

Social media and TikTok probably another hour or so a day.

For a grand total of 68 to 82 thousand a week screen time including writing.

As always thank you for reading and listening…

-aaa

Wild Wednesdays 

Anthony6 Comments

The day begins

As the sun rises brightly

Start your day.

–

Morning meetings galore

Then you cook yourself lunch

Which is breakfast.

–

Lots of writing

A myriad of afternoon meetings

Nearly dinner time.

–

Homemade warm dinner

Two, five cheese toasted quesadillas

Then clean up.

–

Next get ready 

And go to game night

At my friend’s.

–

Then head home

Rest, and prepare for tomorrow

The day ends…

-AAA 11/06/2024

Election 

Anthony2 Comments

E mpowerment

L iberals

E lections everywhere  

C conservatives

T orries and Whigs

I ndependants

O ne winner in each of the races

N eeded votes counted 

-AAA 11/05/2024

Consumed and Tossed Asunder

Anthony3 Comments
Art by Melissa Daugherty
https://www.deviantart.com/madartwork42

You tear me apart with every word

You strip away my flesh and bone

This situation is quite absurd

You’re toxic treatment I can’t condone

–

You manipulated me and told lies

Many false words led me astray

Relationships dwindle when the love dies

The best parts of me were ripped away

–

I covered you in my blanket of love

You smothered me in your cruel hate

I brought you peace like a dove

And you left me to choke on my fate

–

Through great effort I lost all that weight

And I gained a lot of muscle

You never noticed until it was too late

Rendering moot much my hustle

–

A starving man, I was neglected

As your love was withheld from me

Instead of being protected

Your ugliness consumed me

–

I wanted to be your lover

Though you never really did care

Instead I got screwed over

And you were my cross to bear

–

So I had bid goodbye to you

Long before you left our sacral bed

Today I try to think the best of you

But worms of your memory burrow holes in my head… ~ ~ ~

-aaa

Originally Published 05/09/2024

Insomniac Theater

Anthony3 Comments

(Haiku Series)

The sandman has left.

Leaving me bitter despair.

How can I sleep now?

–

Counting sheep won’t work.

Even counting large numbers.

Something has to work.

–

Try a Benadryl.

They sometimes make me tired.

Ugh I’m still awake.

–

Try and edible.

Slow down my brain and relax.

Relaxed, but awake.

–

Try melatonin.

They help me get tired fast.

If they work, that is.

–

I’ll just clear my mind.

Not a thought whatsoever.

Mind is now empty.

–

Gently meditate.

See everything and nothing.

Then let it all pass.

–

Thinking of methods.

To end my insomnia.

Have made me sleepy.

–

I’m almost drifting.

Embracing dark nothingness.

Sleepy bliss awaits…

-aaa

Originally Published 05/08/2024

QITD: #232

AnthonyLeave a comment

Do you need time?

Time is the most valuable asset that we all have. And it’s something that cannot be replaced when it elapses.

My answer is “yes” and lots of it, as much as I can possibly have.

I wanna do a lot in the time I have left and I don’t intend on wasting anymore of it. I think that’s all we come to find out as we get a little bit older and wiser in our lives.

As always, thank you for reading…

-aaa