Ant’s Quotes
Category: Post/Affirmation
Manifest It All!
Be who you we’re meant to be
Say all you’re supposed to say
Live that life you want to live
Do all things you want to do
Share all the things you want to share
Write your story the way you want it written..
-AAA 11/10/2024
QOTD: #237
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…
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
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: 236
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
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: #235
What podcasts are you listening to?
Not really any right now believe it or not.
I don’t have time.
Sorry for my brief answer today, but as always, thank you for reading.
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
John Lennon: Give Me Some Truth
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
QOTD: #234
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
Ant’s Quotes
A Poets Work is Never Done
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
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
Ant’s Quotes
Consumed and Tossed Asunder
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
(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
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
Pink Floyd Lucifer Sam
Here is an early Pink Floyd track penned by Syd Barrett from the early days of The Floyd, where he was at the helm. Singing leads and playing lead guitar. A role that would be replaced by David Gilmour, later on after Barrett’s mental state unfortunately deteriorated, in 1968 on Saucerful of Secrets and subsequent albums after that.
Lucifer Sam is about Syd’s Siamese Cat.
“Lucifer Sam, Siam cat.”
It’s far more psychedelic than the more known progressive songs by the band. This is off there first LP, Piper at the Gates of Dawn. There’s definitely quite a few interesting tracks on this album, but Lucifer Sam is my favorite, and I think you’ll enjoy it. Check it out and as always, thank you for reading and listening…
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Ant’s Quotes
Know Your Worth!
Many people have no rhyme or reason
They’re there for a week or maybe a season
–
You value their time but you’re just a choice
In the scheme of things you have no voice
–
You have strong feelings and you’re never late
Though you’re not their first choice for a date
–
As you wait, you chomp at the fetter
Wishing that they’d like you better
–
But nothing changes and you’re to blame
For staying an option and playing their games
–
Knowing they’re out with someone else
While you gather dust upon a shelf
–
You have much better things to do
And enjoying people who think so too
–
Be yourself and you’ll never finish last
Now discount your troubled past
–
Come back to a better living
Happy with your life of giving
–
Worry not, that the world has turned
Remember the lessons you have learned
–
Know you’re worth and don’t accept less
A future where you’re someone’s best
–
Take these words to heart and run
As now it’s your turn to have some fun…
-aaa
Originally Published 05/07/2024
Ant’s Quotes:
Separate Ways
We had gone as far as we could.
Said all that we could say.
We can do no further good.
So neither of us want to stay.
–
Our last words are being said.
Along with a deep firm hug.
For one last time I held her head.
Feeling my heart give that familiar tug.
–
The times we had were very hard.
Many situations were each unfair.
Our story mapped on a crooked chart.
Painful times we both did share.
–
As I hold her for the last time.
Fresh warm tears stain my face.
Break-ups are horrible like the scene of a crime.
Pain, ruin, and destruction all over the place.
–
What was the final cause?
I’m not sure if we’ll ever know.
Many bad circumstances we tripped across.
Never finding any stability or flow.
–
We share heartfelt goodbyes.
And many “I’m sorries” in our embrace.
We let go, I give kiss her forehead as she cries.
I softly wipe the tears streaking down her face.
–
The life we shared now at an end.
And the memories of it today, are just a haze.
Once we were lovers, but now distant friends.
Parting, each we go our separate ways…
-aaa
Originally Published 05/06/2024
Sunset Lovers
It’s nearly sunset.
Oranges grow to reds and pinks.
Daylight it’s falling.
–
We dance on the beach.
In the day’s end afterglow.
We and the sky, burn.
–
I need your soft touch.
I get 1000 goose-bumps.
Each time you’re near me.
–
Shadows are now gone.
There just isn’t enough light.
But we do not mind.
–
A bright sun now sets.
But we are just beginning.
Sharing an embrace.
–
As you draw in close.
Your breathing, fast soft whispers.
Your heart, beating fast.
–
Your lips, sweet candy.
Warm and willing to meet mine.
We share long kiss.
–
The two become one.
United in passion’s fire.
Unending pleasures…
-aaa
Originally Published 05/06/2024
St Judy’s Comet by Paul Simon.
Yes, I’m back with some more music. Oh boy here we go again lol. Another Paul Simon song, my other favorite by him. Again, not as well known as others, but it’s quite beautiful and lovely. It’s called Saint Judy’s Comet and is off the 1973 album release, There Goes Rymin’ Simon.
It’s a simple little lullaby, written for his son and turned into a song. Again, there’s something about the chords, the keys, the lyrics, and the direction of the song that touches my heart and soul.
I hope they do the same for you check it out. Maybe you can try it before bedtime and it might put you into a real serene mood as well. As always, thank you for reading and listening…
-aaa
We Should All: Beware Of Darkness
All Things Must Pass is an amazing album and truly, one of the best of the post-Beatles albums released by the Fabs (11/27/1970).
Released less than a year after their highly public break up. A veritable who’s who was in the studio helping out with this album’s creation, including at least a couple of the ex Beatles (Ringo, and John). Co-Produced (Wiyh George Harrison) by the (later highly troubled and controversial) the ‘wall of sound’man himself, Phil Specter.
There are many great songs on this triple LP: Isn’t it A Pity, Wah Wah, Let It Down, What Is My Life, All Things Must Pass, I Dig Love, I’d Have You Anytime, If Not For You, The Art Of Dying. They’ve been in numerous movie, soundtracks and get a lot of radio play. I highly recommended, checking out at least the first two sides of this triple album. Where the third side is just a series of jams and silly songs.
My favorite is the song Beware Of Darkness. It really is a wonderful cautionary tale song. The guitars and everything else are just fantastic in this song with a lot of really great blues chords.
The lyrics are very telling and very appropriate, even for today, especially the last verse set in my opinion, which rings true in today’s political climate in the Americas:
“Watch out now, take care Beware of
greedy leaders, they take you where you
should not go, while Weeping Atlas
Cedars, they just want to grow, grow and
grow, Beware of darkness.”
Aside from the interesting music and poignant lyrics., I feel the song ends sort of on a non-resolved chord, and then there’s just a bit of a soft resolve by the keyboard and strings at the very end of the song.
Covered by the great Leon Russell first on his self titled album with the shelter people and on the live Bangladesh album. 
Check it out I think you’ll enjoy it and as always, thank you for reading and listening…
-aaa
QOTD: #230
Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.
I cannot really think of anything that hasn’t already been said here.
Also, I feel in the world, and North America, where I live, we have plenty of great holidays already.
As always, thank you for reading,..
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: #229
What are your favorite websites?
This is an intriguing question and it does smell of market research but nonetheless, I’m gonna answer it anyway. What the heck? Lol
1. Google (www.google.com) has been my premier search engine since its inception. I remember trying others but nothing for me compares.
2. Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com) is also a favorite of mine. I know some of the content in there may not be 100% accurate but it’s an amazing way to find out more about things. You’re very interested in. For me that’s music art, and literature, of course. Movies and musicals as well.
3. YouTube (www.youtube.com) I love music and I love watching videos of yesterday and here’s a great place to find them all. As well as many unusual forms of music I never even thought I would’ve discovered.
4. Amazon (www.amazon.com) I’ve been a huge Amazon since its inception in the late 90s as a book and music house. They have the best prices on music at the time and I bought most of my CDs in the 90s on Amazon. As well as many books. I still use it to this day and love it and shop quite frequently on it and utilize all of its features.
5. WordPress (www.wordpress.com) though our relationship is somewhat tenuous (currently), I spend 4 to 6 hours a day working hard on my blog and appreciating other blogs on this site. Therefore, it should be included in my list.
As always, thank you all for reading, listening, and for your support…
-aaa
My Favorite Song
It’s always an arduous task to try and come up with a favorite song when you love literally thousands of them as I do.
I remember the first time I was introduced to this song by my favorite person in the world my godmother and aunt who passed away a little over 20 years ago. I believe we’re listening to KLOS 95.5, on a Sunday afternoon, heading home from Whittier, California.
This song comes on the radio and she identified it to me and said “just listen to this and tell me what you think”. I couldn’t have been more than 13 at the time not sure why I’ve never heard it before, but it just did something to me. I remember when it ended, I couldn’t even respond. My mind was still processing what I just heard, realizing it transformed me forever, at that moment.
It transformed me and showed me the beauty and simplicity in the world. That most of us often miss caught up in the everyday struggles and challenges. We all have to deal with.
With her help and some sheet music and a ton of patience, I was able to learn and master the harpsichord part of the song and can play it to this day on the piano.
The song is Because by The Beatles. It’s on my favorite album Abbey Road by the band which in itself has many fantastic songs, but this one to me is the centerpiece. And I know, most people love side two with McCartney’s rock, opera piece, and I do too. But this song has something beautiful and just so unusual about it.
I read somewhere I think on some liner notes to some sheet music that it’s sounds a little like Beethoven’s fifth Symphony in reverse. The electric harpsichord and electric guitar provide the music itself. Along with a Moog Synthesizer taking over the main melody near the end, truly, spellbinding. It even ends on sort of a not quite resolution chord which is unusual. I kinda liked songs like that. They don’t quite end. They sort of go on forever. They feel like “hey isn’t there something missing here, one or two more notes?” 😂
Being a bit of a book/research nut, I did some research on the song I found that the band members had tracked themselves on vocals nearly 16 times over to accomplish the beautiful and haunting harmonies you hear. And obviously without the aid of an auto tuner or computer, like current artist use to make their vocals on pitch.
I’m going to share with you the original version as well as a brilliant cover, but I know that by another one of my favorite artists, the late great Elliott Smith.
Please check them out and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did and still do.
-aaa
The Late Great Johnny Ace by Paul Simon off of Hearts and Bones Circa 1983
I posted this back on July 19 of this year and for whatever reason I’m just thinking of this song right now as we come close to the anniversary of the of the murder and subsequent death of John Lennon.
I was thinking of writing a post about this, and I forgotten that I already had. Just wanted to re-share it with many of you who may not have seen it before or may not be allowed to see it for other reasons I can’t control.
I hope you enjoy it again or for the first time and please listen to this song. It’ll really do something to you. It has everything like I mention in my brief article below.
This just does something to me every time I hear it. it’s got everything hope happiness, love, sadness, heartbreak, and this beautiful eulogy at the end in this lovely coda by Philip Glass. It’ll break your heart. A touching tribute to Johnny Ace and John Lennon.
Check it out below, I think a lot of you may not be familiar with it.
-aaa
QOTD: #228
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
What year age could I live again? How about age 12 forward. I’d like to get back to where I was in junior high school and just live forward from there.
I would have to, of course take the knowledge and hard lessons I’ve learned up to now with me or forget about it. 😂😂
If I could talk to myself at age 12, I would say, “Don’t let any ugly things people project on you become what you are”. That is the hardest lesson in the biggest setback of my life and took me till about age 50 to figure out and undo. also, “It’s OK to be weird and be different and be sensitive. Many people won’t understand it, but that’s OK. They don’t have to. You just have to.”.
If I could maybe change things around and have a longer period of grace and perspective and peace in my life, I think it would’ve been a lot more fun.
That’s not to say I’m not having a great time now, but just taking this question as a hypothetical, I would return to that time with the knowledge I have and live the greatest life I could and help the most people I could as well.
I definitely would not change many things. I’d be a musician still and I’d be a writer as well. The only difference is I’d stick with those things my whole life and keep that technical knowledge I learned from going that route, since it wouldn’t hurt.😉
I don’t want to be rich or famous. I just want to be happy and if I could’ve lived a happier life with all these realizations far earlier, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. I’m not experiencing any regret on that truthfully I’m just enjoying this fantasy presented.
As always, thank you for reading and listening. I love you all out there, and if I ever get the chance, I will officially “like” your writings and submissions again. I’ll do my best to comment where I can, but I cannot comment on every single thing unfortunately, just know I love everything you all do and have the upmost respect for you all. ❤️
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: 225
What historical event fascinates you the most?
I’m abstaining from today’s question I feel it’s redundant. I
apologize to my readers those of you that still read my stuff despite interference from WordPress.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being supportive, and thank you for being all around fantastic people…
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Never Stop, Enjoy The Ride
Reaching the top
Isn’t easy when you’re close
Giving your all
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Teaching can’t stop
We’re all students, I suppose
Learning from falls.
–
If we flop
We know where it goes
Walking quite tall.
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Try till drop
As all your confidence grows
Make the call
–
Life’s a hop
So go with the flow
Have a ball…
-AAA 10/30/2024
QOTD: 224
What’s something you believe everyone should know.
These are some things you should know about WordPress.
- If you subscribe to too many blogs in a short period of time (predetermined by WordPress Automation and not shared). They, may disable your ability to subscribe to any and all blogs.
- If you like too many posts in a short period of time (predetermined by WordPress Automation and not shared). They, may disable some or all of your ability to “like” other people’s posts.
Apparently, if you work really hard to try and pay love and respect to all the folks out there that pay respect and love to your blogs and you have a lot of them it is seen as excessive and they all accuse you of being a ‘BOT’, like they did me.
Please know I love everything I read, and I love all the authors out there that subscribed to me and I subscribe to them. I am hoping that all these abilities will be returned to me but I’ve not been given any eta. I’ve only been told that “they will be unavailable to me at this time”. Just my $.25 as I keep learning the hard way about blogging.
Happy Pre-Halloween, and always, thank you for reading and listening…
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: #13579
What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
Being a young at heart is something I’m guilty of a lot.
But for the sake of example tonight, I’ll share one funny little story.
I was about 19 years old, went out to dinner with my family, a brief storm came through and created some puddles in the parking lot.
As we were making our way to the parking lot outside the restaurant, I saw a very welcoming puddle and proceeded to jump into it as hard as I could. Little bit, I know that my mother was standing right behind me, and got drenched. She then proceeded to chase me all over the parking lot till we all finally got caught up and got back in the car and went home.
She may have had a few choice words for me and I may have deserved them, but I was a seven-year-old kid there for a few seconds when I was 19.
Who am I kidding? I’d jump in a puddle right now if I had a chance. But I live in Southern California, where it doesn’t rain a whole lot.
As always, thank you for reading…
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: 224
You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?
If I had three wishes what would I wish for?
I’d first wish for health and happiness for my family, friends, and favorite people.
Next I would wish for financial security and health for myself.
Lastly I’d wish for peace in the world and an end to war, hatred, bigotry, and violence.
As always thank you for reading…
aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Life Shining Bright
Your life is shining so bright
Hard to tell if it’s day or night.
–
You’re a bright shining star
Just for being who you are.
–
You were made in your own special way
Embrace your ‘inner weird’ in work and play.
–
Being you has been a series of feats
As each evolution the self completes.
–
Life will pass you, in the blink of an eye
Live it well as you can, before you die.
–
You’ve got all of this and much more
Life is the game and you know the score.
–
Living your dreams and blazing a trail
Taking control of your life without fail.
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Challenging yourself and all you know
With each lesson you further grow.
–
Don’t look back unless with a smile
Negative dwelling cramps your style.
–
Adages say “things happen for reasons”
Some short, while others last seasons.
–
So just sit back, smile, beaming with pride
Fasten your safety belt, and enjoy the ride.
-AAA 10/28/2024
Ant’s Quotes
QOTD: #230
How much would you pay to go to the moon?
Whatever it takes, I wanna go!! It’d be such an adventure and amazing sites all around!!!
As always, thank you for reading, and listening…
-aaa
WordPress Blogging Public Service Announcement:
For the list 4 days now, I have had, sporadic at best, ability to “like” other blogs and posts. Please know, every day I try hard (to “like”) as many posts as I can.
I am not ignoring your work or wanting your numbers to be any lower. I hope that they (WordPress) get their act together and correct whatever issues they are having as I’m positive I’m not alone in these issues.
Please return to your regular scheduled program… 😜
-aaa
Ant’s Quotes
Anthony’s Crazy Love and Life Lessons in Empathy 