This is Important...

This is perhaps the most important blog I've written to date - it's an idea I've been thinking about, specifically after this morning's events. I've recently come to realize that I fail to appreciate what I have in life, until it's snatched from my grips, only to leave me hungry for what was on the menu...yesterday. Many of us do this. We experience people without understanding just how important they are. We assume those people will always be with us and wake to find out otherwise.

So let's keep it concise: Appreciate those people in your life who treat you right. Realize how good you have it before it's too late. Tell them you appreciate them but more importantly, show them.

KL

Weezy's Spittin

"Some say tragedy is hard to get over, but sometimes the tragedy means it's over. My shoulders are strong, I'll prove 'em wrong. I ain't doin nothin but movin on."

-Lil Wayne, "Tie My Hands"

Moving On

After being somewhat stagnant for a while, it becomes natural to settle for yesterday's leftovers. Without movement, where's the progression? Without creativity, where's the tricks up your sleeve?

There comes a time to just walk away and my time has been long overdue. I'm just relieved I'm no longer stuck in that little ass cubicle.

Nothing feels more liberating than leaving something (whether it be a job or a person) who's been holding you back. So I ask you, the reader, is something or perhaps someone, holding you back? If so, move on. There's more out there for you right - here and now. I realize it will feel awkward at first to leave, but if they're not pushing you to become more, than what exactly are they doing?

Don't let yourself accept the excuses: "The economy is so bad, I can't get another job." False - use your drive, your mind, and your confidence and get your ass out there. Surround yourself with negativity and you will become Debbie the Downer. Or my favorite excuse: "Well I've been with them so long." This one's definitely no reason to stay somewhere. Just man up and think about what's best for you.


KL

Confident

The difference between a 3-1 fastball fouled to the backstop or lined to center is simply who has the most confidence.

I'm the kind of guy to line one back the middle.

KL

The Next Kanye West

What If?

What if the majority of our pursuits are meaningless?

What if happiness has nothing to do with what's on the American menu-celebrity, wealth, popularity, selfishness?

What if rather than asking "What have you done for me lately?" we ask "What can I do for you here and now?"

What if we slow down and actually talk to the homeless man and maybe even buy him a burger? What if you let someone else go first in line at Starbucks?

What if the "little" things in life are anything but little?

What if what we really want only comes along when we stop forcing it?

What if the rain is for the sole purpose of appreciating the sunshine?

What if the hardest thing and the right thing are the same?

KL

Love

Quick thing on love:

When you feel it, you'll know.

KL

Fighting It Out

Sometimes it feels like you can't even get out of bed. The chips keep falling the other way and without understanding why, you push forward and force things that aren't even yours to force. You just want to smile again, you just want to be free again, you just want to feel again - but for some reason, you're still under the covers.

The turning point for me was understanding that my twenties weren't about already having it figured out, but rather about fighting it out, putting one foot in front of the other, and pursuing more than myself during the journey. I spent time with myself. I became comfortable with the idea of being alone, which was once foreign to me. I spent time with my thoughts, ideas, and opinions in surround sound. I invested time in myself - not in a selfish manner but rather an independent one.

In short, don't force things when you're searching for more. Embrace the sunshine and the rain. Invest time in who you want to be and don't compromise. Don't ever compromise you. Take care of each other, share your toys, and say "Thank you" more often.

KL

For the Sports Fan

If you want to read some truth/sarcasm regarding all the "roid" talk, click here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3915217

If not, I understand.

KL

I Love You More Than...

http://iloveyoumorethanblank.com/

After a weekend full of love, this really made me smile. Hope it does for you, too.

I love you more than a peanut butter/banana sandwich with chunky PB.

Also, I love you more than Jim loves Pam.

KL

Brett Dennen Quote

"Like a hound dog in a junk yard, honey I'm howling at the moon..."

Closer to you,

KL

My First Love

I've been in love with the game of baseball since I was 4 years old. I've been to hundreds of baseball games and I will always feel a child-like giddiness when I go to a Phillies game, just like I did the first time I stepped into Veterans Stadium. Even to this day when I go to a Phillies games, I call my dad when someone hits a home run and we talk about how timeless the game of baseball is to us. It's a real father-son thing.

After you've played baseball (or any sport for that matter) you begin to understand the intricacies of the game, and you appreciate those who respect the game the way you do. You appreciate the "little" things in the game, which you later find out aren't so little at all.

I have a deep love and respect for the game of baseball - and I expect those who are playing the game to share my sentiment. This is the major reason why I'm so bothered by the "steroid era" - it devalues the nature of the game, those who have gone before us in the game, and those who are currently playing without the assistance of muscle enhancers.

When is enough going to be enough? Alex Rodriguez, one of the most productive players in the game, recently addmitted to using some sort of "illegal substance" but he said he didn't know exactly what it was. Really A-Rod? You signed a $252 million, 10 year deal and you don't know what you're putting in your body?

While I don't believe everything he said in the interview with ESPN, I will allow him this: he "manned" up, which is more than I can say about the other 103 players on the list who tested positive in 2003. He admitted he was naive, stupid, and irresponsible - I can respect that.

Here's an idea for Bud Selig, the man who always seems to be in the middle of controversy (he's really lucky the Phillies won part 2 of the rain delay in the World Series because if they lost and had to go back to Tampa, Philly fans would've treated him much worse than they treated Santa Clause).

Back to my idea - starting today, right now, every player in major league baseball should be required to take a drug test and they should have random tests throughout the season. No secrets, no hidden names, no bullshit. That's how corporate America works, why isn't it the way baseball works? Bud can say he wants this to end, but talk is really cheap. If he seriously wants it to come to an "end", he needs to start acting like it. Actions speak louder than words, Mr. Selig.

One more question - if Alex Rodriguez and the other 103 players tested positive in 2003, why is this finally coming out in 2009? Did it really lay low for almost 6 years? How? Why? And who are the other 103 players? Major League Baseball, I need answers...

There are too many true fans (including myself) who love the game too much to settle for silence any longer.

And now I feel much better.

KL

Inspired

"Can't means won't"

KL

Fool Proof Restrooms

Yesterday, my love and I went out to dinner at El Vez, a really cool Mexican spot in the city. After we ate, I walked into the men's restroom, and I saw an intoxicated woman walking out. I thought this might be more efficient for those who have had too many drinks to actually read.

The best part is she saw me walk in and didn't even realize where she was.

KL

SRV

After a hard day's night, I stumbled across some quotes from one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Stevie Ray Vaughan. I have found these to be very influential, hope you do too. As always, much love.

"I was walking around trying to act cool, like I had no fear at all. But I was afraid, afraid that somebody would find out just how scared I was. Now I'm finally realizing that fear is the opposite of love."

"Music has become really important now. It's helped me to open up more and take a chance on loving people. Music is a good reason to care. It's just a vehicle though. It's a way to try and give somebody something that you feel. If trying the best I can isn't good enough, I'll just have to try harder next time. It's all I can do. If I do the best I can, then at least I did the best I could in this life. If that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got."

"Ya know, right now the most important thing in my life is to make sure you understand that, first of all I thank God I'm alive today, and I mean that. I spent too many years of my life thinking that the big party was the whole thing.

It took me quite a while to find out that the real deal is to be able to be enough of a person on your own to know when somebody loves you and cares about you.

You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That is to help each other and not hurt each other. And sometimes to help others, we have to help ourself first. It's a big world out there; with enough pain and misery in it without me going around hurting myself; and consequently, those that care about me.

What I am trying to get across to you; is please take of yourselves and those that you love; because that is what we are here for, that's all we got, and that is all we can take with us."

Damn man, damn.

KL

Barriers

I am amazed that our life experiences affect us as much as they do, both positively and negatively. I'm equally amazed at the similarities I've seen in men who grew up during my grandfather's generation. I struggle with this because I never fought in Korea. I never walked into a bathroom that said "Whites Only". I wasn't around for the Great Depression, where thousands of families stood in line for food stamps - just to get by.

I haven't seen what they've seen. But I have seen the ugliness, ignorance, and arrogance of racial prejudice - and it's about time we do something about it.

Last night, I saw something that I hope will ignite an entire generation to release the cruel stereotypes, the name-calling, and the deep hatred based on exteriors. I saw a man let go of that hatred and welcome the uncomfortable, the unique, the foreign. I saw a man open his mind and his heart, which are equally important.

I saw Gran Torino - and it was definitely a movie you should see.

The inflexible, iron-willed, war veteran named Walt Kowalski, moves into a new neighborhood with people who are very different from him. They are from southeast Asia, which abruptly reminds him of his days fighting in the Korean War. He lives in a changing world where boys no longer respect their elders the way he did when he was young. He feels his grip on the world will never be the same and he's absolutely miserable about it. He drives an old Ford truck and despises the fact that his son sells cars made in Japan. The viewer can sense his opinions, judgments, and belief systems before he even opens his mouth.

However, after a series of events, he meets the family next door and slowly (very, very slowly) begins to see that they are beautiful people. Initially he wants nothing to do with them but over time you can see his attitude changes. He spends time with Thao (who he mockingly calls Toad) and a very sweet girl named Sue.

Without telling you more and undoubtedly ruin it, I'm just going to encourage you to see it - but more importantly, think about the people in your life who appear to have nothing in common with you (on the outside) and be open to discover what you might have in common with them (on the inside).

Stay progressive, open-minded, and positive.

KL

Flashing Lights

I'm Ready

There are so many things I have to say but I'll make this concise:

Be open to receive love. Be quick to love others. Be honest with yourself. Trust your instincts. If it feels right, run with it and don't look back.

I'm ready.

KL

Happy-ness

This one's for the brokenhearted.

This is for the girl who gave all she had, only to find out he really didn't love her the way he said he did - he really only wanted what he wanted, not what she wanted. For the times he swore he would be there, but when she needed him most, he conveniently found himself "busy". For the guy who really believed her when she said they were "just friends" only to find them together two weeks later. This is for anyone who wants to trust again, but feels like it's impossible to forget the past.

Let me assure you, when you find someone trustworthy, it's worth it.

Take your time. Find any form of positivism and run with it. Spend time with people who will keep you where the light is - and people who will remind you that you're beautiful. Think outside of yourself and you'll soon come to see that the heart of life is good. The most inefficient thing is to become jaded, to assume everyone will always let you down. Trust me when I say there's sincere people in this world - it's just a matter of finding them and avoiding the ones that aren't.

Always remember that when it's good, it will feel like it should.

KL

Easy on the Stereotypes

For some reason, I have less patience with old people than I do with any other age group. Throw me in a room with 10 teens and I'll find a way to connect. Throw me in a room with 10 old heads and I'll find the exit.

I'm not even sure if it's because they tend to smell funky or if it's because some think they already have their way of life nailed but I'll be honest - I don't like old people.

Let me preface this post by saying I know there are old people who are friendly, patient, and open-minded. There's always an exception.

If you think about stereotypes, (which are created because there is a grain of truth in them), old people tend to be ignorant with technology, they tend to resent our generation for being more open-minded, and they tend to drive dangerously slow. The thing about stereotypes is that they're circumstantial. I've recently met some "old people" who aren't so old at all - they just might have more life, energy, and progression than I do.

Here's the point: fill in your own stereotype and avoid preconceived notions. I've learned there's people in New York who will hold a door for you, people in Texas who will admit they're not bigger or better than America, and old people who speed.

Just go easy on the stereotypes, KL.