Shel, Steve, and Jesse

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN'TS

Listen to the MUSTN'TS,
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me --
Anything can happen,
ANYTHING can be.

--Shel Silverstein

You mustn't take risks
Don't try anything that you know you won't succeed in
You shouldn't dream dreams that are only fantasies.
It's impossible to be the writer you dream about
It's impossible to find someone you love and who loves you back
It's impossible to change the world
It's impossible to change yourself
You'll never have happiness
You'll never have wealth
You'll never have eternal joy

Listen close to me.....
Anything can happen,
Anything can be.

Please tell me your dreams that everyone has told you are impossible and with all my heart and soul I tell you right now that I believe in each of you, individually and personally.

Where We Go

Often I think of tasks, chores, goals, works, actions, innumerable things to do before I get to where I wanted to go. Sometimes I wonder how I will ever get there. How did you get there?

Often I think of how much work successful writers and people in general put into their profession. How much work did you have to put in to get there?

Often I think of the sacrifices I will have to make to reach my destination, many sacrifices that I still need to make. How much have you sacrificed to get there?

Often I think of opportunities that lie ahead of me that if taken will prove fruitful and vivacious. What opportunities are you waiting for to get there?

Often I think of characteristics that I lack yet believe I can acquire. What characteristics have you acquired to get there?

Often I think of the grand end of me, me the potential that translates into fulfillment. What is your potential in getting there?

Are our dreams frivolous? Are they unrealistic? Are they too big or too far away for us?

I'll be damned if you tell me they are because I just don't believe you.

Love's Last Meet

I dream't about you last night
Where we'd go and what we'd do
I dream't about you last night
Wish I'd woken up with you

I dream't about us last night
Holding hands and walking 'long
I dream't about us last night
The world's perfect love song

I dreamed a nightmare, horrible and dark
I never found you, never heard our song
I dreamed a nightmare, frightening and deep
You never came, the world stood me up
Conspiring against me it took you

I've never seen or heard so beautiful
As you I saw and dream't
I dream't about you last night
Held perfect in my arms

I dream't about us last night
Your kisses magic charms
I dream so much I often find
That without you, I lose all peace of mind

Please, Hold me Tight and look into my Eyes
ask me that question, barring truth's demise
Now, forever, infinite it abides
My love for you coul'n't be as real
If only you were as real as my love

I'd with my kiss, your lips our true love seal
But not now, I haven't you as yet
I'll dream and dream and dream, of you
Always I will dream
I'll wait forever, your soft touch to redeem
Worth all life, the best a man can dream.

I dream't about you last night
You took my soul away
I dream't about us last night
I'd gladly give it any day.

Now I lay my head to sleep
Hoping one more time to meet
you in the deep.

If I never woke again with just you in my mind
I would live forever, your love all conquered time.

Live It Up

This is untitled, from a lecture, by Dr. Steven Walker (with an excerpt from Tennyson's Ulysses), English Professor, Brigham Young University.

"The long day wanes, the slow moon climbs,
The deep moans round with many voices.
Come, my friends, 'tis not too late
To seek a newer world."

If Jess Walker were here with us, my father, arguably the finest father in the history of the western world, whom I used to wheedle into coming to class to tell us what life was about, he would say: "Go for it."

When Dad turned forty he said "Life begins at forty." When he turned fifty, he said life begins at fifty. He said it at sixty, and seventy, and eighty, and would have said it at ninety if he hadn't died a couple of years short of that.

He loved to quote the Savior saying "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." That's what Dad would say, did say so often I can hear it still echoing through these academic corridors:

"Live.
Live it up.
Live right here, right now.
There is only you.
You are a unique event.

There will never be another Steve Walker,
and if you don't live his life now,
it will never get lived.
No matter how infinite your celestial kingdoms,
no matter how eternal your eternal lives,
you will never have more life
than you have now.

It's now or never.
Live it up, folks.
Live it up."

"Though we are not now that strength
Which in time past moved earth and heaven,
That which we are, we are:
One equal temper of heroic fates,
Made weak by time and fate
But strong in will to strive, to seek,
To find, and not to yield."

Man, I wish I could find it within me to live to my fullest. I am trying day by day to drink from the fountain of life that is passion and vision. We have such a short time, let's not waste it on frivolous things, meaningless activities. Rather, indulge in loving relationships, let yourself love, and let yourself be loved, indulge most of all in the passions that you have discovered within your soul. Take every moment of living as a precious sip from that well of life which inevitably dries up when the time is past.

Somein', Somein'

I am going to start changing things around a bit. I have been reading some other people's blogs and more often than not, I am inspired, motivated, lifted, and most especially, in awe. To read other's thoughts and views on life puts me in a different driver's seat, viewing my life through other's lenses gives me a sense of how life can be lived.

I can't remember who said it, but I have tried to make it a priority maxim in my daily interactions, paraphrasing it, it ends up somewhere along the lines of, "Every man or woman I meet is my better in some way. In that, every new person I meet brings a new lesson to my life." It is amazing what we can learn from other people if we open our eyes, ears, and hearts to the beauty of every human soul we come in contact with.

For a closer, I saw a James Dean poster that read, "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." If you look at your life, wishing you could change certain things about yourself, overcome fear and timidity, and have your dreams become reality, think about what James said. Think about it when you go to your next interview, when you talk to the next guy or girl you see for the first time as your heart races and your knees buckle, when you are told that you don't have the talent, skills, or abilities to accomplish your goals, and most importantly, when you fail, fail, fail, and fail again, Think about it.

Been on Vacation

Hi everybody, I know I've been away for a awhile, but it was well needed, trust you me. Aubry you are right. I am going to try to write more, I have a feeling though that my blog might morph into something completely unrelated to food.

Actually speaking about food and excersise, maybe I will share with everybody how I lost 10 pounds of fat in a month while gaining muscle at the same time. It wasn't easy but holy crap it is worth it. That is why I might stop eating at restaurants and getting their big signature dishes. I'm not sure though, but I have been missing writing, even if I'm not too good at it, I do love it.

FIVE GUYS FINALLY!!

O.k. ladies and gentleman, let me start out with a disclaimer: Am not responsible for extremely, better than In-n-Out, burgers and fries!  This should actually be Five Guys disclaimer.  I love this place.  Starting back east it became a fast food sensation quickly and easily.  You cannot beat a fresh made burger with any toppings that you want.  You certainly cannot beat the fry guy taking his big fry spoon and literally pouring the fries into a brown paper bag.  The bag is literally fulled to the brim with fries.  Not just any fries either.  These are fresh cut, thick, and the juiciest of fries.

Just be careful what time you hit the place.  If you plan on taking it for all it is worth, because it is a steal, make sure that you hit it at the right time.  During lunc time there is a very long line.  I would say that after about 2 is perfect.  When I had to wait in line I waited about 20 minutes.  It moves quickly and the hustle and bustle of the place provies some excellent interaction and observation.  Be ready to feel like you are in New York, as the food is amazing and the people are coming.