Last 4th of July...actually, just before then while visiting my parents with a friend was taken to the hospital in St. Louis, SLU, after the ambulance took me to Washington St. Johns Mercy and then helicoptered out...I know this, because after I woke from a seizer and a cathater stuck in me I didn't know where I was...my last thought was sitting in a chair at Mom and Dad's, then nothing...I spent some time in the hospital, them trying to figure out what..never did...although they were thinking I was doing too much Just payed off the helicopter ride and hospital visit...joy



That's the first time I thought things would never be the same, still trying to keep a positive attitude, I forge ahead...and by the way this sucks...I couldn't even ride in a car for too long without getting clostraphobic...so now what?

Well I got back to Dallas and was living with a friend Robert, trying to put it all behind me...but it was still there, the fear of seizures coming out of no where...by the way, never happened again. But I did fall and break my pelvis, back in the hospital, then assisted living

So why am I bringing it up? It's fast approaching the one year anniversary of that shit time. Before it was always thanksgiving when my partner died in 1997, now this.

My point is, it's always with me...always. I can do everyday things and in the back of my mind it's always there...I guess that's why I've grown to hate P.A.C.E so much...positive attitudes change everything, because for years and years that's what I lived by and after working my ass off to build bridges, collect clients, friends and loved ones, it came down to this, today...you only have today.

Partner is gone, a lot of my old friends are dead, new friends many have moved, no not all, Burt, leave me alone...What am I going to do.

Before I had one thing in me that could kill me, now two...think positive...that word and patience are my top two hated words, but life goes on and so do I. The other thing I hate is people telling me not to think of it...yeah, sure.

I had to vent today...get it out of my system...today is another day, filled with rehab then teaching a painting class, telling people to let go...dare to fail...I did, look what happened to me.I think that's why I don't plan...life always gets in the way...one day at a time is hard, but with a business you have to forecast, see the unbalance?



Don't get me wrong, still positive, but now mixed in with more realism and I don't mind telling you it sucks...but I keep going, not knowing...just like in the past, but now with a cane.

Tough times don't last, tough people do.

I'm taking a break from painting and wanted to upload some shots from this weekend and yesterday.

Here's a shot of the entire chorus from the back.



I'm the one with a red sash...ok, I'm sitting in the front row middle...where is waldo!!!

This is a pic of Pop and one of his friends Ron Elbert.



Pop was right...add a little more wite and longer hair and beard and you've got yourself a Tom Sawyer..although with christmas coming up, he may want to add a few pounds and dress like Santa, extra income...who knows.

Ok, so after catching up I gimped it to the car and we were off again...man was I tired...After a great nights sleep and dreaming about riding my bike it was time for rehab...no not drugs, but if you want to tell your friends that's what it is, than cool.

I actually did the wii fitness yesterday and as said below tried yoga...that's all I'm saying. After being called a couch potato I just stared at the screen..this is what I saw.



No, I don't have that much hair, turns out they don't have shaved headed guys on there.

After another day of.....um...exercise, I went with Pop to the Art Cafe



Very cool...looks like we're both going to show some stuff there.

That's it for now...my hands have paint all over them and it's pretty much dry, so chances are the canvas is getting that way as well.

Girls, keep those legs shaved and speaking of unshaved legs...here's Psycho Anita in all her married glory. Her yellow pad is hiding the rock.




Tough times don't last, tough people do.

Wii Yoga....not so soothing or relaxing....turns out I'm a couch potato...can you say bite me!


The concert was good...very hot up on stage...and I was right the steps were a bitch, but didn't fall!!!! Speaking of bitch...no more ugly stick...all is right with the world.

Congrats on the stolen car Angie and Charlie,Keep digging, Psycho, welcome back and Karen. you're welcome....


Oh, and since no one is getting one, Angie should get a raise as well!!! And thank god you all shave your legs...except psycho...you should wear shorts more often...your poor husband.

And before anyone asks, no, I don't have a pic of the wedding ring yet, although there was plenty of opportunity with her flashing it around every chance she got...love you psycho!!!

Pics of the weekend will come tomorrow.

Tough times don't last, tough people do.

After a week of stuff it's all coming to an end with a concert tonight.

This is a pic of what I call an empty audience...tonight all chairs should be filled as well as bleachers on the side.



The concert is called Sweatland and here is the schedule...notice the smiley face...Claires touch. Oh and this chorus is just like TCC, ot's of talking.



And here is the song book.



It's funny, tonights main goal is not so much to sing although I will and with only three rehearsals attended...there were 4 but I was tired, but to get up those stairs...but I have a plan...and no Anita, I'm not going to fall...but I have been doing a lot shitsu this weekend and still bending my knee....um, pretty much. The plan is to walk in with the walker, and up the stairs with a cane....and sit and wait for the rest of the chorus to walk in.



On to other subjects...this is Sandy.....in all her glory.





There are more of her bowling, walking, sitting with her back to me...you name it...but thought I would stick with these two, oh and she sucks at bowling as well.

Ok, how about friday night? My niece was having a ballgame, I remember when Karen C and I came back for the 4thwe saw a game...lot's of white people!!!

Here is one of those pics of coach Mickey and the Lizzard way back.



And here they are today...

Liz striking a pose in her pink viser and mouth full of gum...3 sticks I believe.



Liz ready to catch and still striking a pose. Gotta love the pink viser, goes well with green!



Michelle didn't want mom to take this pic, but she did anyway. I think this is one of the few times where she isn't walking around.



They won their game and it was sunny and hot. They plat again tonigt, goodluck Lizzrd! Dave reset my i-pod and I caught up with a highschool classmate Nancy Huber.



Looks like we're having our 25th High School Reunion in August...what the hell, I'll go...something else to talk about.

And people have been asking about the boot...well here's the progress so far.



I'm about half way done with the first...Started with one coat of red then another with burnt umber to stain, then started on the boot...believe it otr not I need black now. After thats all done I'll be outlining the boot and it's insides to help everything pop.



I gotta get faster, but things are a lot different now...not much of a planner and now I have to plan out a strategy to paint, but it's getting there. Before I would just start out and if I needede something I didn't have I'd just run out and get it...not so much anymore..the freethinking creativity is bogged down wit planning crap..before I was sometimes afraid o start something, now afraid to spill the paint...but I haven't so far.

So people have also been asking when am I coming back to Dallas, the new goal is sometime this Fall.

So wish me luck tonight, but not break a leg...cause I really don't want anything broken.

More pics of tonights concert soon as well as a painting class, I'm teaching on Wednesday....more rehab stuff and other things I'm sure...trying to remind myself I'm more than an artist and singer...I'm me...whoever that is.

43 and still asking! But at least I'm here. Guess that must count for something, what I don't know.

And Mando is really 37...we all knew that, but he's so easy to tease. Ask him about his clits sometime...it's really his bike clips, but with his accent it's totally different.

Ok

Tough times don't last, tough people do.

Nope not yet...just keep waiting and welcome Karen to my favorites list, she doesn't want to be the boss but is, and yes she deserves a raise...won't get one, but deserves one...hear that Karens boss!!!

Claire have fun with the girls at the lake, Don be careful, no rush:) Karen, have fun at scrapbook boot camp, Charlie, pull those weeds, Angie have a drink or two or three and Anita get back already, Karen needs a break. Oh and I now suck at skiing sky jumping and soccer...officially unbalanced, like that some big surprise...didn't stick around for Sandy and Renee, who by the way were laughing at me the whole time...your time will come...wii.

Dress Rehearsal tonight for...something and tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!

Finally Happy 50th late Mando!!!

Tough times don't last, tough people do.