Maybe it's the fresh air. Maybe it's the breathtaking scenery? There's just something about Oregon! It's Visuals are permanently fused in my

mind's eye, and for good reason. It's easily one of the more beautiful locales I've been priveleged enough to experience in this lifetime.

The problem? Re-entry.

"All good things must come to an end"; "Snap back to reality". Again It's a trial, and once more life is in session. Wait, you mean I actually have

to go back to L.A?! What a major letdown; like totally dude.

....It's less than seventy-two hours since we've arrived home following the culmination of our "Summer of wonder tour" through the pacific

northwest. I bask in the glory of the sunshine that I so often take for granted, finish an afternoon honeydew and retire for the evening. It's only a

few hours; and several mediocre sitcoms later that I am catapulted out of bed to the sound of sirens and a sea of flashing lights.

"Is this your car sir?"

With my confusion came curiosity; then suddenly like Dorothy, I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore. The letters "JSK" etched on the side of my

vehicle. Lovely.

Welcome to Long Beach, California. Incidentally, the perp was a nineteen year old girl who was chased down by concerned citizens. She later

plead ignorance; claiming that the devil made her watch television, which in turn forced her to play violent video games, which in turn placed the

pen in her hand and led her to my vehicle. I mean, she has a pretty airtight case right?

Less than two weeks after our return home from vacation, I was lucky enough to see a bit more of Long Beach unfold right before my eyes.

With an already impressive resume of eight vehicular break-ins, several disturbances, a restraining order violation and our defiled vehicle, the

only thing our block was missing was a partridge in a pear tree..and of course a prowler.

It was late, I was tired. No television in the bedroom tonight, I'll just scan through some news on the internet for a minute then go to bed. Seventy

degree temperatures at night, and an uneasy feeling from the recent crime wave prompted me to leave the bedroom window open throughout the

night. I started hearing strange noises outside so I turned off all the lights in the bedroom and decided to go to the window to investigate. I

peered out and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a middle aged bum with a bag full of beer. Pure coincidence would place a

squad car two doors down at the same time. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! He bobbed up and down in an attempt to keep an eye on the

Officer, then with ninja-like precision he scurried into the bushes under my bedroom window!

Ok, this had gone way too far. I immediately notified the Police of the situation and they dispatched the Officer already on the scene; who

proceeded to order the guy out of the bushes and took him into custody at gunpoint. Gulp.

Look, I was born here, I've lived twenty-eight of my thirty-one years here; but I'm just about ready to ixnay on the Bong Leachyay...Capiche?

Enough is enough, and at some point you have to ease your mind and allow yourself to sleep at night! I love my family so much. It would be

incredibly difficult to leave, but the time is drawing near. You changed Long Beach, or maybe I did. Maybe I just grew out of you?

It's not you, It's me..

The celebration of another Birthday arrives and here I am, emotionally juxtaposed.

Maybe its normal to feel conflicted, or maybe its not.

I've had one of the better summers I can remember. Out of state adventures, long road trips, quiet afternoons on the lake, and romantic meals over candlelight. It truly has been world class.. However, Life seems to be happening all around me and I cant help but feel a little guilty.

How can a man like Terry lead a seemingly normal life; get married and raise a family only to have to endure such tragedy time and time again? Words fail miserably to describe the level of pain an individual must bear to bury his Wife of over forty years, and both of his children all stricken by the same genetic monster. The story is tragic enough until you actually meet the man and realize just how truly wonderful he is. How can all of this happen to such a wonderful person? Nobody knows. God is the only one who knows, and he's not telling. The God that you let into your life is the God that makes good things possible and bad things permissible. Realizing I have no control has been an enormous pill to swallow. My heart goes out to Terry and his entire family during this incredibly difficult time.

Lifes tragic events remind me of the fragility of life and just how inconsequent our egos really are. The things we possess and acrue are so fickle and temporary. That's not to say everyone with material possessions is void of human connection and emotional worth, but if I have the choice I can make my decision farely quickly.

The lesson to be learned is a simple one. Love those around you today. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Everything and everybody is placed in your path for a reason. Why not accept things as they come and try to have a positive attitude and vibrant spirit while you walk this Earth? We are all Human, which means we're only a few Chromosomes removed from animals.
The hard part is to not act like animals. We're not rats and life isn't the sort of race you've been conditioned to run..

It's a short distance to the finish line and I'm looking to cross it with a smile on my face.

Michael Jackson has fallen.

This cant be real.

Not only do I get to endure weeks of sensational media coverage...but I get to foot the $2mil+ bill for the burial process as well?!

"Investigations into the death of Jackson lead authorities to his personal physicians"....

But of course. Lets find them, question them and lynch them immediately. On second thought lets not ask any questions. Lets just assume that said pills were shoved down said throat and send said physicians to prison. Easy. Done..

Let us not assign any personal responsibility to Bubbles the Chimpmaster. We wouldn't dare! After all the man wrote Thriller!

And to you society. You who chose to lift the Man in the Mirror high above the ground, only to watch him shatter to a million pieces including his nose when you couldn't decide who you wanted. You labeled him the King of Pop. Your charges of Child Molestation. Your questions about dangling babies over balconies. You disgust me. The man invented the moonwalk...

A musical legend who inspired fans, and angered others. He altered the face of the musical world forever, and altered his own face several times. He lived his life in sold out arenas, but his insides were an intimate club.. He will be missed in one way or another.

Who's Bad?