Lost in a discordant flow

Where have you been

Where have you gone

The tossing and turning

No time to dwell upon

Facts withered away 

Replaced with truthiness

The cult of personality

Has added to this mess

Fright night becomes day

Horrors abhor the peace

The fury of a surge

Comes deathly like a beast

Which way to go

Here, there, I don't know

Hunkered in the bunker

Focused on nowhere to go

Meanwhile the pain builds

Yells and shouts of ignorance

Risen like an uneven tide

The decay of common sense

Open up they say

Open up regardless

The danger zone condones

Life regarded less

Even worse yet now

Under the cover of livelihoods

Expertise is disavowed

Experience viewed a falsehood

Individuality reigns supreme

At the expense of community

Self interests divides the house

Perilous is the collaborative unity

Where have you been

Where should you go

Turning and tossing

Lost in a discordant flow.

Just Fine

The embers fade slowly
Nightfall brings an uneasy calm
Curtains veil the reality
Of the past day's fire alarm

It weighs in the mind heavy
An itch that seems to persist
Discouraging the drive within
Questions thy path to dismiss

Is it fallacy to continue further
Or simply a pause in the display
Daylight disrupts the dew-fall
Time for undone gumption to play

Gather my thoughts and inaction
Courage in the midst of the line
They may fire away effortlessly
I'll face it with a smile just fine.

The Tough Life I Seek

Its the tough life I seek
The pain, torture, and agony
Where fortune seems bleak
And the sorrow is deeper in me

Why should I do this?
Engage in the terrible straits
The narrow road of crisis
Determined by the Fates

Dredging through the mud
Emboldens my resolve
And boils my cry for blood
Barriers beware of ensuing dissolve

In this dark, harrowing time
My true self discovery occurs
Ripped away from what is sublime
This concoction begins to slowly stir

Fermented in the shaded shadows
A phoenix starts to emerge
The fiery flow beckons and bellows
My power soon converges

What is this you see?
It is the reversal of direction
Lifted up from changing seas
Cleansed of the failure distortion

You see the tough life I seek
Is only but for an mild instant
The lesson learned in meek
Forever rises in changes fervent

The new self that rises
Points a new direction of North
The strength of character surprises
Forward and further comes forth

The time away in somber silence
Stews the mind courageously anew
It grows in strict, incorrigible confidence
Becoming a light, airy, and vibrant hue

The change is nearly complete
My story makes a transition
A new challenge is here to meet
I seek to amplify with distinction

Its the tough life I seek
The pain, torture, and agony
Where misfortune is bleak
And the joy is deeper in me.

What counts is the positive sum

You can't ever go back to before

Time changes too rapidly

Before you know, it soon approaches

Tomorrow is here now quickly

You're glad the the worse is gone

But at the same time previously

Gone also was the sense of bliss

Oh how time flies so mischievously

Yearning for joy in the ever present
Disparaging pain somehow seeps through
Present pleasure vanishes abruptly
Replaced with despair tinged in a dark hue

Indeed its a roller coaster journey

What dreams may not come

Journey forward nevertheless

What counts is the positive sum.

The Dreams We Dream

The dreams we dream

Sometimes spark a drive

Such as in a light column beam

Egging us on to take a dive

Liftoff the countdown ends

We arrive at a new doorstep

A tree branch limb extends

Hope spurs from what we've kept

Exploring the new waterway

All caution to the waves

The wind calls us to play

To spelunking in the caves

The cost of opportunity

Is cast away by the wayside

All items are full of possibility

No rules need to abide

Delving deeper into the pools

A phantasmagorical world emerges

Monsters, angels, and even fools

An ethereal picture converges

A far reaching sound pings

Closer to the tower I climb

The audible sound now sings

An awe heavenly sublime

A message is scrawled

Upon a weather-worn scroll

The words etched and crawled

Beckoning my innermost soul

At this most basic elemental altar

Set aside in the darkest hour

A message is meant to halt the falter

Not to be stagnant and cower

It is time indeed

A thunderous clap bellows

The lighting strikes a feed

Zapping the lackluster fellow

Reinvigorated away from the darkness

Forthright in the beauty of this design

Breaking through incorrigible starkness

Drinking of the celebratory wine

The dreams we dream

Sets a positive emotion

The righteous path that we deem

Congruous for zealous devotion.

Tired of the bull-crap...

Tired of the bull-crap
Tired of the pain
Tired of the agony
It makes me insane

Frustrated at the stupidity
Frustrated at the anger
Frustrated at the idiot
Heading to danger

What am I to do
What am I to see
What am I to wonder
Others want to disagree

In circles I loop
In circles I group
In circles of dispute
I feel like a dupe

Ready to fight
Ready to gripe
Ready to give up
Not into the hype

Drowning in angst
Drowning in silence
Drowning in despair
Feeling a bit of malevolence

It is a travesty
It is a flabbergast
It is a stupefy
Just like an ass

Tired of the bull-crap
Tired of the pain
Tired of the agony
I just want to be sane.

Plus One

Plus One

With mathematical certainty

That is the logic between

The proof of You and Me

You have delighted my life

Through a neurochemical concoction

Of "madly truly deeply"

The passionate equation

Adding up the years

The good and the bad

A definite witch's brew

None other could be had

In my wildest dreams

Where logic holds no sway

Our summer ties held true

Regardless of the winter gray

The spring colors come full bloom

In this fantasmagorical world

No division could be computed

Nor can it be unfurled

But in an absolute fact

The summation of us

Now leads in a new direction

Of an additional plus

The setting may change

But our architechture is sound

I will always be yours

Firm on fertile ground

Where the water springs

And the love always flows

I'm blessed by your grace

Set sail I will never go

As long as you allow me 

To be your plus one

Evermore you are

My plus one.

-Dedicated to my wife on Valentine's Day, 2013

Can You Be a Champion?

I am driven
Motivated to be the best
A champion
Fighting to the last
Hard-charging
Like a beast
I shall not be the least

Nothing shall stop me
My mind knows the plans
The heart drives the train
Blasting through roadblocks
Watch out
I might just catch you
In a sudden surprise.

Today is so yesterday...

Today is so yesterday
Tomorrow is fast approaching
No time to contemplate
The speed is scorching

Opening mine eyes
Ready to doze off
The cliff of fiscal responsibility
Makes one ready to jump off

Celebrations a-plenty
The losses are discouraging
The joys and the sorrows
Keep me a-whirling

The 31st is here
But just for a fleeting moment
The countdown begins
The 1st is speedily fervent

As the curtains close
And a door opens anew
Hope and anxiety arrive
I bid the past pains adieu

Time to make things happen
Plans are already set in motion
No recourse from the old
Full steam ahead is the notion

All that I ask
In this new year
Is to go a bit slower
Set in a steadier gear

Though somehow deep
Beneath my physical self
The soul knows better
What is to become of oneself

Today is so yesterday
Tomorrow is fast approaching
No time to contemplate
The speed is scorching.

...And ignited a flow

On this very special day

Many, many years ago

You came to life

And ignited a flow

That moment christened

A beautiful child

Perfect in your own way

Uniquely styled

Honest to a fault

Honorably so

Outside the box thinking

A patented glow

I first came to know you

At a notable event

Who would've known

It was heaven-sent

For that person, you,

Became a good friend

Funny and graceful

Worthy to befriend

As I learned more

About who you are

My heart fluttered

Can this be an awesome star?

Irrevocably yes!

And even more 

The flow was a torrent

Blasting through the door

Not only was I

Your friend for sure

But I wanted even greater

More ever so more

Not just a girlfriend

But a life's partner

As in marriage

My life's partner

Though I knew 

It was quite a feat

20 months you gave me

To reach a defeat

I only had potential

But your heart I did seek

Patience on the ground

Even when times were bleak

We made it through

Regardless of the state

It was written in the stars

That was our love's fate

To go from a simple date

To husband and wife

I'm so indebtedly grateful

For your wondrous life

You have graced me

With your remarkable presence

Uplifting my lonely life

Better than any gift or present

It was half empty

You filled it full

Keeping me grounded

Yet never dull

I couldn't have asked

For any better

In a marvelous wife

None other is better

It was all because

Many, many years ago

You came to life
And ignited a flow.

Dedicated to my dear wife on her birthday. I am definitely the luckiest man!

Freedom

©Copyright 2003 Ace-Clipart.com

Freedom

Comes at a cost

A sacrifice

With lives lost

Grateful

To the service

In memory

Of sacrifice

Remember

Never to forget

In honor

What they beget

Freedom

Given easily not

Rather earned

Hard fought.

Hocus Pocus

The night before

Starts with a flicker

A bit of excitement

Yearning for quicker

Out in the horizon

The light changes

Dusk becomes dawn

Emotions in all ranges

This is the day

Make or break

Anxiety heightens

To realize my stake

A question pops

Expands in the mind

Should I have

Oh never mind

Full steam ahead

I jump wholly in

Whatever it is

Bear it within

The sun rises

Here already too late

Time to go

Now is the fate

What is perceived

Dreams of grandeur

Nightmarish horrors

The opening door

Time to see

Critical Focus

I am awakened

Hocus pocus!

These are my thoughts are of the future, of what is around the corner, and how I visualize a fateful day. I'm not sure what this fateful day is about, but it popped into my head just right now. It is a view into the internal mechanism of my mind and its actions, the decision-making process. Does your mind work the same way?  

Fire Away

Others may try to impose on what should be normal for you, but the reality is only you and your creator know what is best for you. Follow your heart and have tough skin. Let your detractors fire away and watch their criticisms deflect off you. In the end you will be satisfied because you led the life that you envisioned for yourself.

This also reminded me of an earlier post of mine called Forge Forward. Check it out!

US Soccer Pride

What a summer?!

There were many great moments in the world cup this year from defeat of the defending world champions Italy to the surprise German youth movement. Obviously, what is etched in my mind is the Landon Donovan winning goal shot in extra time against Algeria. That certainly will stay with me forever.

Slowly but sure, soccer or what the world calls football is growing in the US. Let's hope for a brighter future in 2014. But for now, we take a pause to reflect on our national unity and the motto that drove the 2010 US Men's National Soccer Team. Please enjoy!

Success is Reaching Your Personal Best

In a tribute to one of the most influential teachers in my life, John Wooden, who passed away yesterday. I have been blessed to first learn about this great man early in my life in college with a quote that I shall never forget:

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Too Much Fast

The motor starts
Kaboom
Pedal to the metal
The engine vroom

From silent slumber
Ring Ding Ding
Jump start the day
The door opens fling

The light of morning
Gathers steam
Slow at first
It now brightly beams

Tick tock
The clock stalks
The dial ever so slightly
Then faster it balks

Speeds goes
Faster and faster
On a good pace
Novice to master

Exponents explode
Now its too quick
I'm losing the hold
The grip is slick

The engine goes
Revolutions in red
Brakes become listless
This I'm going to dread

Out of my control
Hanging loose
In stormy winds
Not what I choose

Nevertheless
The mess devours
Littered in frustration
The pain towers

No where good
This lack of constraint
Ready myself
About to faint

Boom
Splash
Bang
Crash

Timber
Fall from grace
Devastation
All over the place

Too much fast
The engine busts
The wall it smashes
Instantaneously combusts

Consequences
Time to take the flak
The heat it scours
Heavy on my back.

Communication Part 2

I am glad that you, my readers, enjoyed the Communication post so much, I would like to share more of our recent conversations. This time however, it is in poetic style. I hope you like it!

My Call:

It is Thursday dear
You have nothing to fear


The tide of time
Slides down sublime


Over the hump
Above the stump


We find ourselves veer
Toward the weekend steer


To play outside
Within us confide


I love you more
More in store


Around the corner
We look to garner


Fun
And more fun!


Her Reply:


Today it’s Thursday
Longing we convey

For Friday today
Delusions at play.


My Reply:

These rhymes we play
Are a diversion
For better times
Our immersion

Looking forward to
Tomorrow indeed
This imagination
We vigorously feed

We yearn for Friday
At tomorrow’s end
For the closing time
Our fun weekend!


Her Reply:

Delusion, illusion
Self neuronal medication
Caution on mental preservatives
Overuse could be corrosive

Time allotment freedom
Reward in a lump sum
We sold our eighty hour time
For a weekend and mere dimes

I'll Be In The Sky

In my opinion, this is where hip hop music needs to go:

Communication

Communication is conveying a message to a particular person. There is art and skill involved to good communication. Some communicate in a detail-oriented manner (which includes myself) while another can try to be quick and succinct (of which sometimes I try horribly). Others can do it with humor and a few express their ideas through fear (such as in dictators).

Earlier this morning, I sent the following message to my finace:

How are you doing my beloved and engaged partner in crime? I hope you slept well and kept warm. I was overheating yesterday so I left to go out and work. By the way, your brother came home yesterday to close an open window in his car and I didn’t know if you saw him. Anyway, have a beautiful day!

Her response was:

Good morning my beloved energy sharing functioning soul. Thank you for your well wishing on my energy balance level maintenance status. I hope you had a good physical maintenance routine. No, I did not see my genetic similar sharing sibling. I hope you have a positive subjective view of the time frame from 8-5pm also.

I thought it was hilarious, but very thoughtful. It is amazing how different people can express the same message in a variety of ways.

Is there any way you can communicate this message differently? It'd be interesting to see how you convey this point or interpret it.

I just wanted to share this quirky conversation I had with my fiance. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you and have a great time.

Nowhere to Fear

I thought I was in the clear
Nowhere to fear

The storm had passed
And I was going fast

Straight along the highway
Without any dismay

Humming to the radio
Riding in a stroll

Drip drop splat
Came down enact

Tensions arise
Foretells a future demise

These light drops
Make my heart flop

Then in one fell swoop
The showers make me stoop

I manage expectations
Hoping for no more elevation

As I climb the mountain
It is a full blown fountain

The pitter-patter
Becomes a big spatter

Smack dab at the summit
Realization wacks with a big hit

It is not wet anymore
But more danger evermore

Like spikes of arrows
My stomach narrows

The windshield defends
What I cannot comprehend

Is that the blizzard snow
In the middle of April

Alas it is true
My soul is blue

What am I to do
Losing my cool

This white snowy nightmare
Stirs up a frustrated flare

A decision needs quickness
In this white mistiness

Drip drop splat
Rain in a matter of fact

The tortuous white night
Opens up for a better flight

I have made it through
A summit of code blue

The awful windy white
Is now out of my sight

Bypassing the summit
That made me submit

To nature's power
That made me cower

Lucky I was
My heart full of buzz

Into the clear
Nowhere to fear.

Inspired by the events of April 11, 2010 near midnight as I was returning to Southern California from San Francisco hitting a late snowstorm at the Tejon Pass on the 5 on a stormy day throughout the state.