What Is Love?

First, a "Valentine's Day" cartoon, C-Mac style.


True Love Indeed....... 


Based on my daily conversations and interactions with people from all walks of life, I really feel strongly that the one area in most people's lives that causes stress and takes up most of their time and energy is one of the following:

1) Trying to get someone to be with you/love you
2) Trying to maintain a relationship/keep someone interested
3) Finding the "right" person for you
4) Trying to "change" someone
5) Stressing out/hoping someone will leave someone else for you

FIVE MYTHS OF LOVE:

1. THE RIGHT PERSON WILL MEET ALL MY NEEDS.
Even if you have found your "soul mate," one person cannot be the sole source of your satisfaction. That's too big a burden, and impossible besides. Your partner is a human being. You'll need multiple sources - God, friends, family, a strong sense of life purpose, healthy self esteem, and a willingness to take responsibility for your own happiness.

2. I CAN CHANGE MY PARTNER.
OK, out there, hands up if you've ever tried this one. Did it work? Both men and women fall prey to this delusional temptation. There is only one person you can change. Guess who it is? There's a famous quote, "Be not angry that you cannot make another as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be."

3. LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL.
Though love is ultra-powerful in its pure and spiritual form, the feelings we call love can be ultra-fragile in the face of major differences in values, backgrounds, behavioral styles, and personal habits. Face those differences and their practical implications head on before making a commitment.

4. LOVE IS A FEELING.
I hinted at this one a moment ago. Yes, real love contains feelings, but those butterfly-in-the-stomach, heart-throbbing feelings come and go. Love is a verb. It's about doing - even in those temporary times when you inconveniently don't have wonderful feelings to stimulate the positive action.

5. WE'LL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
There's an additional hidden assumption here: If it's real love, you won't have to work at it. Even the best relationships have potholes, tragedies, and disappointments. As Shakespeare said, "the course of true love never did run
smooth". Truth is, a marriage certificate is really a work permit. Sometimes the most important thoughts we have are those that contradict our emotions. In every stage of a relationship, especially in the early stages, love can be blind.

Get real in your expectations, and you can save yourself from many unnecessary disappointments.

Love means different things to different people. For me, it is not about the "butterflies" or the "mystery" of someone new. It is really about getting to know someone and connecting on a higher level. It is about really understanding someone, really "getting" them. It is not about the early stages and someone letting you see what they want you to see, it is about finding out all their quirks and habits and caring about them even more. It's about sharing, the sharing of knowledge, experiences, activities, cultures, and tons of other things. It is about bringing out the best in each other, encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. But you truly have to love yourself before you can love someone else. That I believe.

As you all know, I am not a fan of this day. Love should be celebrated every day if you are truly with the person you love. But in the "spirit" of the day, I will leave you with one of my favorite "love" songs. I've always said that one of the saddest things in life is when two people love each other and can't be together. This song really showcases this. No matter where I am when I hear this song, I get choked up. So, each day, including a "Hallmark holiday", cherish the times you have with the person you love and never take them for granted..........

Get Here
By Oleta Adams

Have a great Tuesday!

Rubbernecking

I hate the word rubbernecking. The only thing worse than the word "rubbernecking" is the act of rubbernecking. I've been driving since I was 17 and I've come to realize that people will slow down to look at just about anything.


Keep on moving fucko!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


Hypocrite! 

With the huge snowfall here over the last couple of days, there are sure to be some car accidents and fender benders over the next few days. I never understood why people slow down and gawk at car accidents. What are they hoping or expecting to see? Someone on fire? A head laying on the median? A corpse? What is it that the average commuter hopes to see? Let's say that head actually IS laying in the road.....and you see it....now what? You have a good dinnertime story later on that night? A good water cooler story at the office? I just don't get it.

The head may be something out of the ordinary to see, and I can somewhat understand someone slowing to take a peek, how often do you get to see a head on a highway? But what pisses me off more than anything is when you are stuck in traffic for like an hour and you FINALLY get up to what's causing the slowdown and it is some dude broken down on the side of the road looking under his hood. What the fuck???????? People acctually slow down to see some clueless asshole looking under his hood? One morning, some dude was broken down and parked over on the side of the parkway. He was in a suit, apparently on his way to work when he broke down. What was he doing? He was doing what 90% of people who break down on the road do, staring under the hood. What the fuck is that going to do??? Unless you know how to fix a car, why even bother? If it's something minor, and you are somewhat bright, perhaps you can do a quick fix to get yourself to a local service station. If it's something major why fuck with things under that hood???? You aren't going to fix your transmission with a plastic spork from last week's Taco Bell run. Just call someone!!!!! I like just watching the look on these people's faces who think they are going to fix their electrical system with a 7-11 coffee stirrer and a Big Gulp lid.

About six years ago, I came home from work, dinner in hand, and discovered that a jogger had collapsed in front of my house. All the neighbors were outside watching the EMS crew performing CPR on the man. I saw that the medics were there and that my meal was getting cold, so I headed in to eat my dinner. The next day I ran into my neighbor and he asked me why I did not come over to see what was going on. I responded by asking him what value was I going to bring to the situation? EMS was working on the guy, what was I going to do? Had I come home and discovered the guy in the road with nobody around, sure I would have helped. But since EMS was there and the man was getting care, what was I going to get out of watching with 50 other people besides a cold dinner? If I were the jogger, I would not want an audience watching me......

So the next time you see something on the side of the road, even a head, keep it moving!!! A plane crash, ok, stop and have a look. Earthquake damage, ok, I'll let that slide. A fuckin' volcano erupting, by all means, slow down and snap a picture or two, but a fender bender, get a life!!!!

Have a great start to the week everyone!

Blizzard at the Beach

It is Saturday Night and I am snowbound here at the beach. The snow started falling lightly around 3pm and is INTENSE to say the least right now at 9:30pm. We are expecting about 15" of snow tonight into tomorrow.


The Blizzard of 2006....... 

As you all know, I despise winter, but a blizzard on a Saturday Night, when I don't have to drive or be anywhere is ok with me. The only thing that is missing right now is a little snoring grizzly bear here in my room with me and Brucey boy. He was rolling around like one crazed dog earlier in the snow. He's going to have a blast tomorrow......


Little bears snore the loudest...... 

It's been a pretty mild winter so far here on Long Island. It still amazes me how people panic when they hear about a snow event that is forecasted. People take to the roads and speed to the local supermarkets in fear of being "snowed in". The first thing that always seems to sell out in the stores is milk and white bread. WHY????? Are people sitting around by their fireplaces, by their windows watching the snow, or around the TV chomping on loaves of Wonder Bread and chugging milk by the gallon? I just don't get it! If I am snowed in, I want snacks and substantial foods, not Wonder and milk! I think booze, condoms, and chocolate should be the blizzard shopping staples. People stock up when they hear we are getting snow like we live in the mountainous areas of Colorado. What's the longest we've ever been snowed in on Long Island, ONE or TWO days? People buy food and panic like we won't get out of our driveways until Easter.

I saw a woman in King Kullen supermarket right before the blizzard of '96 with about 15-20 loaves of white bread in her cart. I actually went up to her and asked her, "why so much white bread?" She replied, "Mind your own fuckin' business." I went on to say, "That's alot of French Toast lady." On that same trip to the store, I had a half gallon of milk in my cart which was stolen by someone when I was looking at other items because they had just run out of milk. Insane huh? People just snap and think the worst. I was very surprised on 9/11/01 how nice people were. You would think that people would go nuts. I think the only reason people were calm that day was because they were scared and couldn't/didn't plan for it. In a real emergency that we know about days in advance, people will kill you for a can of soup or a slice or Wonder. Six inches of snow forecasted here equals3 feet in some people's twisted minds.

Blizzard Update 11:00am 2/12/06


Blizzard Bruce! 


Silly Dog.... 


One Cold Nose! 


Sled? Where? 

Because The Night...........

Belongs to lovers. It is video Friday and I chose one of my all-time favorites. "Because the Night" 'Unplugged' by 10,000 Maniacs puts me in a cheery mood no matter where I am when I hear it. There's something about Natalie Merchant's voice that is so soothing to me. Her voice conjures up so many memories and puts my soul at ease.

This song is amazing in so many ways. Lyrically it just paints a picture.

"Have I doubt, baby, when I'm alone
Love is a ring on the telephone
Love is an angel, disguised as lust
Here in our bed 'til the morning comes"

Throw in the string section, the piano, and Natalie's voice and it is a recipe for something unforgettable. Not many people know that Bruce Springsteen wrote this song. Before 10,000 Maniacs, Patti Smith covered this tune. Bruce is my favorite artist of all time and I've heard him perform this tune hundreds of times live and on cd, but Natalie just gives it something extra.

This "Unplugged" performance took place back in October of 1993 and brings back SO many feelings and memories. I was living alone in my first apartment, going to school, and managing a retail store back then. This song takes me back to those days, when life was so simple and uncomplicated. It used to play over the store music system like every two hours back then because it was so popular. Every time I hear it, it takes me back to that job, my friends, and those times. Enjoy this great tune and the weekend!

BECAUSE THE NIGHT (10,000 Maniacs)

What REALLY Happens on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the biggest bullshit holiday of the calendar year. It is not a genuine holiday by any means. People are "nice" and do for others because they feel they "have to" rather than because they want to.

Ladies, would you rather get a nice card, flowers, candy, or anything else on a random day throughout the year, or on a day that Hallmark tells us we have to give it to you? A day that "everyone" is doing it kind of takes the real thought out of it, huh? Love should be celebrated all year round, not on a commercialized day in February and not by bringing home $100 roses, shitty candy, and by "going through the motions." Love should be celebrated by daily actions, words, thoughts by two people GENUINELY in love.

Anyway, that's my Valentine's Day rant. Now let's talk about what REALLY happens on Valentine's Day!


Cupid is a fucko........ 

Forget the Hallmark commercials, here is what REALLY happens on February 14th:

*The battered, black and blued girlfriend will be treated to a hearty meal at the local Sizzler by her loving and caring boyfriend. If dinner goes well and she orders from the kids menu like he told her before entering the restaurant, she'll only get smacked 6 times when they get home rather than the usual 12+.

*The cheating husband who bangs his secretary each night throughout the year, will actually go home "early" that night to spend a romantic evening with his wonderful wife. Awwwww...Valentine's Day just brings out the best in all of us doesn't it?

*The girlfriend who whines and bitches every day of the year, will have her one day (MAYBE) of actually shutting the fuck up and being satisfied.

*The 400lb wife will be 420lbs by February 15th from the man-hole cover sized chocolate heart she will inhale as soon as she gets it. Her ass will go from 3 axe handles wide to a solid 5 axe handles wide.

*The trailer park dude wearing the spaghetti stained wife beater will only ask his "bitch" to get him 4 beers that night, rather than the 8 he usually makes her get him. A well deserved rest for her.

*The desperate housewife will only bang the mailman and the telephone repair man that morning so she can rest up for a nice Valentine's evening with her husband. The milkman, the electrician, the plumber, and the newspaper boy will have to wait until the 15th.

*The LIFETIME (Television for whiney bitches) Network's ratings will soar on Tuesday. Every man hater who is home all pissed off about being single will have the male bashing channel on and will be hating men even more. Lifetime's movie marathon will put the Superbowl's ratings to shame.

*Prostitutes will be working overtime. Every horny/lonely male loser will get his yearly lay on Valentine's Night. Hunt's Point in the Bronx will be a real romantic place come Tuesday Night.

*The Hallmark corporation will be laughing all the way to the bank as we all head out and buy $6 greeting cards with cheesy sayings. Perhaps if Hallmark sold shit like this, I'd buy:


Nothin' says you love her ghetto booty more than this little mofo..... 

OR:


True Love Indeed 

Don't forget, Valentine's Day is just 5 days away, SUCKERS!

Have a great Thursday!

Let's Spice Up The Olympics

I admire the athletes who train for years, many of them for a majority of their lives, for the Olympic Games. They are some of the most dedicated athletes in the world and they should be admired for their focus and determination. I do, however, have a problem with the winter olympics in general, they are boring. People have lost interest.


Let's Make These Games A Bit More Interesting 

I thought I would list a few winter olympic events and come up with some ways in which we could make the games a bit more interesting for the spectators and the people at home watching on TV.

The LUGE:


ZZZZZZZZZZZ.......BORING! 

Let's be real, this is a fucker laying on a sled and sliding down a track. Not really exciting, huh? I see many 6-year olds doing this on a snow day. I think we could easily correct this problem by installing "trap doors" on the track that just open up randomly. If a luge rider happens to hit one of these, he will fall in the hole and vanish. Race over for him, no medal, no nothing. Just some broken bones and a broken sled. The ratings would skyrocket!!!!

Speed Skating:


Skating in circles........booooooooring! 

Let's face it, this is no contact roller derby. Skaters just skating in circles, very fast. Wake me up for the next event, ok? This sport is easy to fix. Full contact. Knock the other skater on his ass. Kick him while he's down. Currently, they put bales of hay around the perimeter of the rink to "break the fall" of a speed skater. I say let's go with razor wire. Again, ratings will soar and people will one again be olympic crazy.

Curling:


Shuffleboard for younger folks...... 

If I want to watch shuffleboard, I'll head to the local nursing home. This game needs BIG changes. I say push this 42lb granite stone with a kitchen broom and let wild and angry animals out on the ice while you are trying to aim for the target. A bullseye indeed, but minus a limb. That's a sport.

Ice dancing needs to be changed too. I say nude couples ice dancing, lesbian couples. Talk about ratings......

Snowboarding is now an olympic sport. This should stay an X game sport or a Mountain Dew commercial sport.

Bobsledding. Let's make it a rule that the sleds themselves be made of aluminum beer and soda cans.....one bad turn, that shit falls apart......fun!

Skiing. It's a great Olympic sport, but I say add speeding snowmobiles to the course, zipping by the skiers, cutting them off, causing chaos and confusion. A few casualties would spice things up.

Olympic ratings and the interest in the Olympics continues to fall with each passing Olympiad. Spice things up a bit, and the fans will return. What's next, Ice Fishing? Also, don't drag this shit out for 14 days, cut it down to a long 3-day weekend. President's Day weekend would be perfect. What Olympic event would you change?

Happy "hump" Day!!!

The Blogger

We all blog and visit blogs daily for a reason. Sometimes we are in search of a laugh, sometimes in search of a good story, sometimes we're just bored at work or on the sofa at home. Whatever the reason, we all seem to gravitate to these blogs daily.

After months of commenting on each other's blogs and having the same people come and comment on our own, we have all become a big blogging community or family. Those who read blogs daily but don't have a blog of their own may not understand, but if you have a blog of your own, you understand. You get to "know" people here and you sort of track their daily and weekly happenings on here.

We all have our own unique style of writing. Each of us has our own unique and different story to tell, that's what makes the blogging world such an interesting place.


We are all "artists" in our own unique way.... 

Recently, I've seen some of the best bloggers shut down or seriously consider closing shop. It's upsetting. It's hard to describe, but it is like losing a member of the "family." The most common reason people close down their blogs seems to be the feeling that they aren't being creative, or that they have run out of things to say or whatever. I think this is silly. Take it from a blogger that started out with a following of 3 people, peaked out at 50+ comments a day, and now gets about 12 regulars and a dozen or two occasional readers weekly. You have to write for you. Even if the blog is occasionally used as just a place to vent when you have a bad day, a place to pass a long a funny story, make a silly observation, whatever, you have to write for you.

I write because it is an outlet. Sure, the fact that many of you start your morning here is a motivating factor for me each day to come up with something "entertaining" or mildly amusing, but I will write about whatever is on my mind. Some days it is going to be boring, some days sarcastic, some days bitter, some days hysterical, some days just blah. But, it is me, take me or leave me.

I've been complimented on here, praised, encouraged, motivated, and all that good stuff. But, I've also been berated, insulted, criticized, and a host of other negative things, it comes with the territory. If I want the good stuff that comes along with pouring out my thoughts in a public forum, I also have to accept the harshness that comes with it as well. It is like anything else in life.

I suppose my point today is to just be yourself, how you are feeling that day. As you all know, I play devil's advocate on here, I am sarcastic at times, I can come across like a real arrogant asshole at times, but it is what I am thinking or feeling that day at that moment in time. All of our blogs are unique and we love the variety. Everyone listed on my blog links, brings their own style and character to the blog world. I love it and the "melting pot" of ideas and lifestyles.

The only "regret" I have about blogging is having too many people that were or are close to me know about my blog. Although I don't get too personal, I don't like knowing that people I don't particularly like anymore can just come here to see what's going on with me. I feel that I have to censor myself because of some of these people as well. I think I'd be a lot more "open" about things if I had not let certain people know about this blog. But, trust me, I say enough, its not always in your face, but I always get my point across.

For those of you who are thinking about closing shop...DON'T! We love you and your unique style. I won't bust out singing "We are Family" like a cheesy wedding after the drinks are flowing, but in a way, we are family.

"I Saw The Sign"

No, not Sugar V's favorite band, Ace of Base's, "I Saw the Sign", but those stupid warning and instructional signs in restaurants and bars. Tiny A and I got to talking about this Saturday Night at a Jazz Bar in NYC. The choking instruction signs and other signs cracked us up. Look at this thing:


HEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!! 

Ok, my friend (Sugar V) is choking on a sausage and is turning blue. Do I really stop and read this sign, step by step, or do I just start punching his back? I have to choose punching his back while I scream "WHY ARE YOU EATING SAUSAGES AGAIN?????!!!!!" Seriously though, what if you are a few tables away from the chart? Do you do step one, then run back to the sign, read step two, run back to the victim, then do step two and so forth? I wonder if this sign has actually saved anyone. It actually looks a little perverted. Notice the breast grab. I have to try that one, grab a breast at a bar and tell the girl I thought she was choking......that's a good ice breaker. Honestly, maybe posting this chart in a restaurant is logical, but in a bar? I think THIS sign is more appropriate for a bar.....


More Like It........ 

Let's face it.... that's all anyone will be choking on in a bar, or shortly afterwards......may as well get schooled.

The "Surgeon General's Warning" signs about pregnant women drinking alcohol is another great one.


Necessary? 

Does this need to be explained? If a woman six months pregnant walks into a bar and orders a drink, she's probably got bigger problems...like figuring out which of the twelve guys she banged is the baby's daddy.....

I hope you all had a great weekend. I can truly say this was the BEST one for me in a really long time. I had a blast. I am a bit tired, but it was well worth it. Great company, no matter what you do, is the key to having a great time or having a sucky time. This weekend, I couldn't have asked for company any better. UGH!....back to work today....enjoy the start of the week everyone!!!

I'm In A Friday State of Mind

Happy Video Friday! Since I spoke so much about my love for NY, Long Beach, and the NYC skyline earlier in the week, I thought this was a perfect tune. Billy Joel kicked off his 3 week long concert marathon last night at NYC's Madison Square Garden. He may not sound as great as he used to, but we all still love him! I am excited about this weekend, dinner and a little jazz in NYC Saturday Night, the Superbowl on Sunday.....not a bad weekend ahead. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Enjoy Mr. Joel's "live" version of "New York State of Mind." It's a great tune and a great way to take us into the weekend on a good "note."

New York State Of Mind (Live)
By Billy Joel

Groundhogs and the State of C-Mac's Union

Happy Groundhog Day!!!!!


Noooooooooo, not that Groundhog Day! 

THIS Groundhog Day!


A Simple Strategy..... 

Kind of a weird "holiday" huh? Did he see his shadow, did he not see his shadow? That is the question each year. The "official" groundhog is in PA, but it seems that all the TV stations have their own version of what the little fucker did or did not see. Simple solution for those of us who hate winter and don't want six more weeks of cold, drop a manhole cover over over that little fucko's hole so even if he DOES see his shadow, he has nowhere to run, spring will be here in a week, problem solved. Damn, I don't see Groundhog Day on my company's list of paid holidays...fuckos.

And now....THE STATE OF C-MAC'S UNION 2006

Ladies and gentleman, children of all ages, the State of C-Mac is strong!!!!

Employment: Although it has been a bit overwhelming and I have a ton to accomplish, I am better off than I was one year ago in the employment department. More money, less drama, balanced out by more work. I'd take right now over a year ago in a flash!

Love/Relationships: 1,000,000 times better than the drama going on last year at this time, enough said.

Economy: C-Mac's economy, although not in full gear, is doing better than it was at this time last year. The new job coupled by the side business has helped jump start my economy for 2006.

Domestic Issues: Still in the same home, with the same pain in my ass (haha) but Bruce has added a great deal of happiness to the home. Definitely an area I will be looking to make some changes in this year.

Physical Well Being- Probably the same weight I was at this time last year. Still have a few extra winter pounds to shed before beach season, not an issue at all. Running season kicks off very soon. Half Marathon in May? It just may happen!

Mental Well Being: A lot more "stress" at work based just on work related issues, but NO drama. Last year at this time drama at work and in my personal life had me on the ropes mentally. Much better now. Most of the people who caused it are long gone...

Demeanor- A bit more irritated 9-5 Monday thru Friday for now, but much happier in my leisure time thanks to a few people, you know who you are!!!

Outlook- MUCH more optimistic about the year ahead than I was last year. When you believe, you make it happen.

What's the state of YOUR Union? Have a great Thursday!

We Deserve Some Extras......

Happy Wednesday to all! January flew by, huh?

Exxon Mobil Corp. has posted record profits for any U.S. company - $10.71 billion for the fourth quarter and $36.13 billion for the year - as the world's biggest publicly traded oil company benefited from high oil and natural-gas prices and solid demand for refined products.

This makes me furious! Our paychecks are being squeezed to the last drop and these fuckos are making a killing by gouging us. It's safe to say that the price at the pump is not going to be lowered anytime soon. With that being said, I came up with a few value added services the oil companies can provide for all of us at the service station each time we fill up. I fully intend on sending these ideas to Exxon-Mobil:

1) Peel my fruit. If I have an orange or an apple in my lunch bag, a service station employee should wash their hands and peel my fruit while the gas is pumping.

2) A cold or hot beverage, depending on the season. While the gas is pumping a drink server should come around and pass out beverages of choice.

3) A Happy Ending. A hot (female, nice try Sugar V) gas station attendant should take me in the "happy ending" booth and jerk me off while the gas is pumping. For women, a hot man should play with them as well. They should hire a staff of hot women and men to do just this.


Give Me A Happy Ending! 

4) A quick car wash. Nothing fancy, just get some clean rags and wipe down the vehicle and make it shine a bit. If there is time, shake out my floor mats and throw out any trash.

5) A quick shoe shine. Hell, I am on my way to work and I want to look good. Bust out that black polish and get crackin' fucko!

6) Snacks. With the fuel pries as high as they are, would it kill them to pass out packs of cookies, pretzels, candies, or other treats?

7) A TV at each pump. I want to catch up on news and sports highlights while I am fueling up, get some LCD screens at each pump and hand me the remote.

8) Free stamps. We all have a bill, a letter, or something of that nature in our car that we have to mail. Let these fuckos lick a stamp and get that shit mailed for us.

9) A massage. A nice quick massage would be perfect. Have some hot gas beoch sit in my backseat and massage my shoulders while the gas is pumping.

10) A human "punching bag." Someone we can yell and scream at, curse out, and abuse if we had a bad day. We'd all get home in a great mood at the expense of that fucko.

What would you like included with your fill-up? And by the way was that speech "The State of Iraq's Union" or the State of OUR Union? What a jackass.

The City By the Sea

I wasn't born or raised here in Long Beach, NY but I can definitely say I "grew up" here. Throughout my six years here, I've experienced highs in life that I never thought I'd come down from and I've experienced lows that I never thought I'd climb out of. For that reason, this town has beome a part of me, a part of who I am. Long Beach is me.

I started visiting Long Beach back in very early 2000. Before then, I had only been here a few times and I did not know too much about Long Beach. After a few short months I got attached to all the great things here and I packed up and moved here. It was definitely the beginning of a whole new period in my life.


I'm Never Really "Bored" at This Beach 

On any given day, just driving around this town brings back so many memories, some amazing, some horrible. Around each corner there is a memory waiting. It's funny because I had great events as well as bad events happen to me when I lived elsewhere, but I've connected and leaned on this town each time things got bad and I've shared my joy with it as well...something I've never really felt about any other place, even the town I was born and raised in, the town I spent the first 19 years of my life in.

I think about the boardwalk, that 2.2 mile stretch of boards that runs parallel to the beach and the ocean. I think about how many amazing races and personal runs I've had up there. I also think of the bad runs and the physical struggles I've experienced up there. I think about how many times I've gone there to just take in the beauty of the beach when I was happy, and how many times I went there to collect my thoughts and reach out to it to get me through my personal crisis and struggles. The boardwalk has always been the symbol of Long Beach for me. I've left so many of my thoughts, my joys, my pains, my struggles, my laughs, my inspirations on that 2.2 mile stretch. Each time I go up there, the "spirits" of people that have come in and out of my life appear. Joyce, Maureen, Alex, Kelly, Melissa, Doug, Allison, Laurie, Randa, and so many others, I feel all of you there each time I am up there, so many memories for such a short stretch of land.

I think about the joy of running out of a bar (Sutton Place) on a mild October night in 2003 screaming in the streets as Aaron Boone's home run sailed into the left field stands of Yankee Stadium eliminating the Red Sox from the playoffs. I also remember the pain of that brisk October night in 2004 as Johnny Damon's grand slam sailed into the right field stands at Yankee Stadium sealing the Yankee's fate and the sadness I felt taking down the Yankee banners I had hanging off my deck.

I recall the great memories with some of the great people I've dated while I have lived here, yet I still recall the pain from the ones who took my heart and ripped it out of my chest....taking a part of me away forever.

I think about leaving the job I held for 5 years, a job I started before my Long Beach days, the same job I had the first two years of my time in Long Beach. I think of my two years in "the forest" and the people I met there who have enriched my life in so many ways, and the people I am getting to know now at the "new" job. They are all a part of my journey, my adventure, my story here at the beach.

I recall the hot summer of 2005, and the cool and rainy summer of 2004. The drunken summer of 2003 and the sober summer of 2005. The early days when it took me an hour to run a full boardwalk (back and forth 4.4miles) and the days when I could run it in 30 minutes without breaking a sweat. I think of the people I've shared a home with in my six years here, some great, some a pain in my ass.

I think back and laugh at the 3 "CMACAPALOOZA" parties I've held while I've been here at the beach, not to mention so many other parties. Sure, the "CMACAPALOOZA's" have mellowed a bit with each year, but they are always a great event. "CMACAPALOOZA 4" will have to kick it old school this year and get things back to the days of CMACAPALOOZA 1, it's not a party without police showing up! From frozen chicken bowling, to oven mitt Michael Jackson, to the Humpty Dance on the roof, to round after round of beer pong, the memories of those crazy times always make me smile.

Long Beach, the city by the sea, really has been a tale of two cities for me. But, no matter what was happening in my life, this town has never let me down. It has been there for me in times of trouble and in times of happiness. We all have a day where we feel nobody is in our corner, when it's us against the world. I've never had a day like that here in Long Beach because I always knew this town was waiting with open arms to celebrate my triumphs with me and comfort me in my defeats. Since 2000, people have come in and out of my life, but the city by the sea has always been a constant. It does not judge me for my shortcomings, ask anything unrealistic of me, get pissed at me if I don't kiss its ass, or give me any drama. Clearly, there have been two parts to my life, the time in Long Beach and the time before. I've grown into who I am today while I've been here.

I suppose the "child" or the Charlie before I "grew up", is out and about somewhere here in town, roaming the boardwalk or the streets.....giggling and acting silly without a care in the world...naive and innocent.......the way things used to be. I have an idea as to what was going through the mind of the person who wrote this song......

UNDER THE BRIDGE (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Hooked on a Feeling......

Happy Monday to all! I don't think anyone loves the feel of a Monday. I know I don't. But, there are so many things in life that make up for the awful feel of a Monday. I decided to make a list of things that make me feel great, things that give me the feelings I get "hooked on."

1) The NYC skyline. I am a native New Yorker, but I never ever get tired of looking at the NYC skyline. There's nothing like coming back from a road trip out of state and approaching New York and observing that majectic skyline from a distance. Each night, when I drive home from work and head across the bridge into Long Beach, as I look west, I can see the NYC skyline on the horizon and it always makes me smile. Sure, NY is stressful and a pain in the ass at times, but there is such a pride associated with being a New Yorker, that skyline truly brings out that pride.



Always a great sight...... 

2) Driving in my car and having a song that I love come on the radio. Come on, we've all been there, singing at the top of our lungs, banging the steering wheel like a drum, looking down at the speedometer and realize you are doing 80 when you thought you were driving at 50. It's a rush.

3) Cooking/entertaining. I love cooking and having my friends or family come over to enjoy a nice meal. Whether it be a small gathering or a huge party, I enjoy hosting and having people over my home to enjoy themselves.

4) Making people laugh. We all have our own issues to deal with daily. Whether it be family drama, relationship issues, work problems, life is never perfect. I enjoy telling a joke or two and making someone forget their problems, even if it's only for a few minutes. I appreciate when someone does that for me as well.

5) Seeing my dog's face and reaction when I come home from work or being out. When I open my front door and look up the stairs to see Bruce's tail wagging 100MPH, it is just unreal. He then starts jumping on me, following me everywhere and running to his toy box to pull out a bunch of toys to ask me to play. No matter the day, Bruce's love and reaction is genuine.

6) Falling in love. Probably THE best feeling in the world. Getting to know someone, taking things at a nice pace, really connecting with someone, it does not get any better. It goes beyond "the butterflies" for me. It's the comfortable feeling and connection you have with someone way beyond the "new" feel of the relationship.

7) Great conversation. Whether it be with a love interest, a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or a stranger on the train, a conversation that evokes thought and allows me to see a different perspective on an issue or about life is an amazing feeling. I am not one for small talk, give me a good, deep conversation anyday.

8) Wearing a new outfit for the first time. Great huh? You go shopping and find some great new clothes, tell me wearing them out the first time isn't a great feeling?

9) Going to the movies and seeing a movie that just stays with me well after watching it. There's nothing like being captivated by a movie for two hours or so only to sit there in the seat for a few minutes after it ends really absorbing it all and then really thinking about the message you got from the movie all the way home and beyond.

10) Running. Although it can be trying at times, there's nothing like the feeling during a great run. The music in my ears, the people out and about on the boardwalk, the sweat dripping down, and the feeling of invincibility. The best part of the run, the feeling about an hour later, cleansed, energized, and clear minded.

11) Writing. When I have an idea or a story to tell and can put it into words for others to read and enjoy, it's a great feeling. The best is when I write something you all can relate to or a story that really hits home with you all.

12) The "pre-game" warmup. Before a night out with friends, the moderate drinking ritual while I get ready. Drinks, loud music, getting dressed, and getting ready to take on the town. A great feeling indeed.

13) Sex. An obvious one huh? Not really. I am not talking about sex just for the sake of it. I am talking about sex when you are REALLY into a person, when you feel comfortable with them, when they really know your body and you theirs. When there is passion, a conncetion both mentally and physically...truly addicting.

14) A deep and restful sleep. When you can fall asleep with a clear mind, knowing you don't have to get up early the next day and you are just at peace with yourself and the world around you.

15) Finishing a very long blog.......enough said!!!!! :)

Have a great day everyone!

On All 4's........

Hahahaha, now that I have your attention, here is a "Tag" or a "Meme" that I recently saw. I figured I'd do it:

Four Jobs I have had:

1) Sold sneakers at a sporting goods store (in high school)
2) Operations manager for a large retail company
3) Senior Buyer for a Technology Firm
4) Buyer at a pharmaceutical company

Four Movies I could watch over and over:

1) Goodfellas
2) Shawshank Redemption
3) Scent of a Woman
4) A Bronx Tale

Four Places I have lived:

1) West Islip, NY
2) Deer Park, NY
3) Astoria, Queens NY
4) Long Beach, NY

Four TV shows I love to watch:

1) Curb Your Enthusiasm
2) The Sopranos
3) The Apprentice
4) The Office

Four places I have been on vacation: (I'll list my most fun)

1) Kennebunkport, Maine
2) Martha's Vineyard, MA
3) Miami, Florida
4) Myrtle Beach, SC

Four blogs I visit daily: (even though I don't have time to comment much)

1) Heatherly
2) Sincerely Kate
3) Sugarcubes
4) Scorpio
*there are more, but it just asked for four!!!

Four favorite foods:

1) Pasta with homemade tomato sauce
2) Pizza
3) Cool Ranch Doritos
4) Anything Chocolate

Four Places I would Rather Be: (than I am this second?)

1) The Florida Keys
2) Aruba
3) On a stage making an audience laugh
4) Snuggled in bed with someone I love

Four Vehicles I have owned:

1989 Dodge Shadow (my first car/new car)
1992 Honda Accord
1997 Geo Tracker
1998 Mistubishi Mirage
(there are more, but these are the most memorable and fun)

Four Bands/Musical Artists I Love:

1) Bruce Springsteen
2) Billy Joel
3) Van Halen (w/David Lee Roth)
4) Tom Petty

Four People (non-family) that I can always depend on:

1) Sugar V
2) Tatiana
3) Rich
4) Hilda

Four Favorite Restaurants:

1) Becco, NYC
2) Vincent's, NYC
3) Cafe Grappa, E. Meadow, NY
4) Billy's Beach Cafe, Long Beach NY

Four Things I Love About Spring:

1) End of the COLD
2) Start of Baseball
3) The start of running OUTSIDE again
4) Easter Candy

Four Things I Love About Summer:

1) Sunsets at 9pm
2) THE BEACH!
3) Outdoor parties/bbq's
4) Cruising with the windows down

Four Things I Love About Autumn:

1) World Series
2) The foliage
3) Wine country/pumpkin picking here on Long Island
4) Hockey starts!

Four Things I Love About Winter:

1) You can be lazy at home without feeling like you are missing something
2) Cooking
3) Christmas Eve
4) New Years, a chance to start all over again!

Hope you enjoyed!

Friday Video, by Request

Happy Friday! As usual, it is video Friday here at the beach. This week, I got an email and a special request from The Tiny Amester who is celebrating her 28th today. I feel like Kasey Kasem. Tiny A writes:

Dear CMAC,
Today I turn 28! This marks 28 years of my being a nerd! Can you please play Blind Melon's "No Rain" to celebrate this special plateau? Thankfully, there is no rain in my life: my friends and family make my days shine. They love me even though I am as geeky as the Bumble Bee in this video!
Tiny Amester

Tiny Amester, here is your long distance dedication:

Happy Birthday Tiny Amester!

NO RAIN (Blind Melon)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!