Mercy Mercy Mercy!

This is my favorite song of all time because of this performance. It’s a great song on its own, but this live version—where the crowd’s reaction is as important as the music itself—makes it a near religious experience on vibes alone. If you haven’t heard it yet, please accept my recommendation.

Soundtrack For a Quick Trip, Taking Jack to Work

The Parker Jotter Crew

Eastgate Sunset

Religion

I wish all the holy books in the world were written in musical notes. That way, no one could misunderstand the gospel when it was preached.

Airport

Sitting at the international airport surrounded by families speaking all different kinds of languages, laughing and conversing with each other. I love it. The world is full of beauty.

The Top 10 Movies of All Time

Top 10 Movies You really only know what movies resonate the most with your true soul after you have done some serious introspection and lived a handful of decades. At the age of 43, I am confident in sharing these movies as my top 10 of all time. Not because of their artistic merit or some academic bullshit like that, but because they are true to me, they informed and reflect my experience as a human being, and I will gladly watch them from start to finish any time, and eagerly recommend them to anyone I can.You may ask yourself: why doesn't he explain why each movie he lists in his top 10 is valuable? The answer is that because they are great because od how they interact with my own life, and anyonw who knows ans loves me will see this list and--if they have seen these movies--will understand instantly why I regard them the way I do. Here are the best movies to ever enter my phenomenal field: 1. Bringing Out The Dead 2. Do The Right Thing 3. The Sisters Brothers 4. In Bruges 5. In a Lonely Place 6. Bad Lieutenant 7. The Big Chill 8. Dog Day Afternoon 9. Fanny and Alexander 10. The Godfather part 1

It Comes On Like a Fever

I felt the first stirring of it Wednesday when—for Youth Hope Month—the Lighthouse team met the Brighton Center team in the middle of the Purple People Bridge to exchange letters from youth on both sides of the river and hand off a banner that will be passed back during the second annual event next year. Then I felt it again yesterday while I was sitting around with family talking and having a good time on Thanksgiving. Just now it came to me full on as I walked into Jungle Jim’s to pick up some pork belly for dinner. People in coats were milling all around, chatting and drinking wine and beer, and Ave Maria was playing through the store sound system. It was undeniable at that moment…I have come down with a bad case of The Christmas Spirit.

My Kid Is Putting In The Work

As I was on my way home from work, I received a text from my son asking if we could have pizza for dinner. I had to respond, ‘Sorry man, I am broke! We are going to have to do leftovers.’ But true to his chosen field of social work, he hustled up some free pizzas from Dominoes on his way home from college by utilizing the absolutely necessary social work skills of resource finding, self-advocacy, and not accepting institutionally imposed expectations. He doesn’t even have his Associate’s Degree yet, but he already has the spirit of the work. Well done.

Choose Hope

Today was challenging, but I had the privilege to drive home with the top down in amazing weather, and had to pull over to take a picture of this majestic sky. We are all lucky to be alive, and lucky to have the opportunity to fight. Choose hope. The sky is correct.

Our Country Is Sick

I am struggling with an intense anger this morning. Resources are thin and programs are full, and people reach out to me looking for help and my options are limited. I can listen to them and express compassion, and point them in the most helpful direction I can think of, but it’s not enough. I’ve had three people cry on the phone with me this morning because they are worried about losing housing and providing for their children. It is heartbreaking. The anger comes in when I think about the fascist government my neighbors just elected into office, and the utter cruelty it reveals about them. I think about the programs that are about to be cut or totally defunded, and the immigrant families that are going to be devastated, and it makes me want to weep.

Bubbles

Today I was in traffic behind a little gray haired lady in a convertible with the top down who was wearing a bright pink fuzzy coat. Her head barely came over the top of the seat and she was all by herself. At a stoplight she pulled out a bubble wand, held it over her head, and started waving bubbles all over the place, and then turned off the road when the light changed. She didn’t give the impression she was doing it for anyone other than herself, and it caused me to feel joy. I was grateful to be present for that, and decided it was worthy of documentation.

Your Story Tells Itself

I used to think outliving others and overachieving would make me the winner, because I would be the one who got to tell the authorized story at the end. Now I realize there is no winning or losing, and if you live authentically and in good faith, your story tells itself.

Eastgate

It’s hard to tell from this photo—if you look close you can kind of see it—but the end of a rainbow just appeared in the cul de sac on my street here in Eastgate. I didn’t see a pot of gold or anything, but I have to take it as a sign that my people aren’t forsaken, and may actually be chosen in some kind of way.

You Have To Believe In Something Bigger Than Yourself

I am generally unbothered by a person’s religious beliefs or political orientation. One thing I absolutely cannot tolerate, however, is an out of towner criticizing Skyline Chili. Some things are just sacred.

Majestic Bean Soup

We won’t know for sure for a few hours, but for now, gaze across the majestic surface of what may be my best soup of all time. The broth is already delicious and the beans havent fully cooked and the chicken breasts in the pot haven’t fully absorbed the juice and been shredded yet. This is going to be a good one.

Core Principals

When I water the begonia Langston got me for my office, I always try to sprinkle water on the leaves and petals after I water the soil. This is because I believe there is a sensual aspect to life that must be honored. We don’t eat just for the nutrients, we don’t talk just to convey information, we don’t make love just to reproduce. The senses are worthy of stimulation, and even plants should be allowed to have a good time.

I Loved This Conversation So Much

We are History

It is both intimidating and humbling to realize the we are the first historical figure our children will do a deep analysis and study of. They will fully understand our worldview, our ethics, our politics...our entire overall philosophy of life, but also be able to balance what we say we believe with what our actions—and their experience of those actions—reveal about what we actually believe. Our children are the foremost scholars of our lives and works, and although they may not write their findings in an actual book, how we interacted with their world is imprinted on every page of their lives.

Different Strokes

I had a little bit of a stroke after midnight on Thursday. I am ok, my face is still a little funny, my battery isn’t charging fully yet, and I have to wear a heart monitor for a month, but I’m glad it happened, and Thursday was a great day for me. I told the boys I was having a stroke and I called 911. Then I told them I loved them and if anything happened to me they should take good care of each other. I texted the woman I love to let her know what was going on, texted the boys’ mom so she would know what was happening and that the boys were safe, and then I texted my boss so he knew I wouldn’t be in to work, and let him know either I or one of my sons would keep him posted. Then I went outside and sat on the front steps of my porch and waited for the ambulance. I felt calm, and wasn’t afraid. I knew the boys would be fine and take care of each other if the worst happened, and I knew there wasn’t anything I needed to say to anyone. I am far from a saint but I try to live right, and I think the way I felt at that moment validated my general approach to life.All of the boys stayed cool. I taught them to be that way. Eliot stayed with Langston, and Lewis rode with me to the hospital and stayed with me through the night. I spent the next day surrounded by people I love and getting messages from people I love. The mood was light and joyous, and I was glad I had cut out a bunch of bad habits a few years before, because God knows it could have been worse had I not. There is nothing wrong or regrettable about having a real experience. They are actually ALL real experiences really. I am happy to be here while I am, and I definitely learned a couple things. I am saving the most important photo from that day for a different occasion, but here are some other pics. The stuffed hedgehog is something Langston bought from the hospital gift shop for me. I named him Strokey.