Modern Man ~ George Carlin

I just love this man….this modern man

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkCR-w3AYOE

I’m a modern man, digital and smoke-free; a man for the millennium.

A diversified, multi-cultural, post-modern deconstructionist; politically, anatomically and ecologically incorrect.

I’ve been uplinked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced. I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading.

I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, bi-coastal multi-tasker, and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond.

I’m new-wave, but I’m old-school; and my inner child is outward-bound.

I’m a hot-wired, heat-seeking, warm-hearted cool customer; voice-activated and bio-degradable.

I interface with my database; my database is in cyberspace; so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive, and from time to time I’m radioactive.

Behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, ridin’ the wave, dodgin’ the bullet, pushin’ the envelope.

I’m on point, on task, on message, and off drugs.

I’ve got no need for coke and speed; I’ve got no urge to binge and purge.

I’m in the moment, on the edge, over the top, but under the radar.

A high-concept, low-profile, medium-range ballistic missionary.

A street-wise smart bomb. A top-gun bottom-feeder.

I wear power ties, I tell power lies, I take power naps, I run victory laps.

I’m a totally ongoing, big-foot, slam-dunk rainmaker with a pro-active outreach.

A raging workaholic, a working rageaholic; out of rehab and in denial.

I’ve got a personal trainer, a personal shopper, a personal assistant, and a personal agenda.

You can’t shut me up; you can’t dumb me down. ‘Cause I’m tireless, and I’m wireless. I’m an alpha-male on beta-blockers.

I’m a non-believer, I’m an over-achiever; Laid-back and fashion-forward. Up-front, down-home; low-rent, high-maintenance.

I’m super-sized, long-lasting, high-definition, fast-acting, oven-ready and built to last.

A hands-on, footloose, knee-jerk head case; prematurely post-traumatic, and I have a love child who sends me hate-mail.

But I’m feeling, I’m caring, I’m healing, I’m sharing. A supportive, bonding, nurturing primary-care giver.

My output is down, but my income is up. I take a short position on the long bond, and my revenue stream has its own cash flow.

I read junk mail, I eat junk food, I buy junk bonds, I watch trash sports.

I’m gender-specific, capital-intensive, user-friendly and lactose-intolerant.

I like rough sex; I like tough love. I use the f-word in my e-mail. And the software on my hard drive is hard-core—no soft porn.

I bought a microwave at a mini-mall. I bought a mini-van at a mega-store. I eat fast food in the slow lane. I’m toll-free, bite-size, ready-to-wear, and I come in all sizes.

A fully equipped, factory-authorized, hospital-tested, clinically proven, scientifically formulated medical miracle.

I’ve been pre-washed, pre-cooked, pre-heated, pre-screened, pre-approved, pre-packaged, post-dated, freeze-dried, double-wrapped and vacuum-packed.

And . . . I have unlimited broadband capacity.

I’m a rude dude, but I’m the real deal. Lean and mean. Cocked, locked and ready to rock; rough, tough and hard to bluff.

I take it slow, I go with the flow; I ride with the tide, I’ve got glide in my stride.

Drivin’ and movin’, sailin’ and spinnin’; jivin’ and groovin’, wailin’ and winnin’.

I don’t snooze, so I don’t lose. I keep the pedal to the metal and the rubber on the road. I party hearty, and lunchtime is crunch time.

I’m hangin’ in, there ain’t no doubt;

and I’m hangin’ tough.

Over and out.

George Carlin

Being in the “zone”…..

Don’t want this to sound too soppy – but I have so much to be thankful for……..and you know when you are in the zone, the element, the place you are meant to be in…..woaaaaaaaah!!   King of the world!!

I must say, February 2012 is going to go down in my memory as one hell of a great month. A high point in one’s life. Most have something to complain about, however, I am just in awe of this month and what has occured for me and our respective families.

Feb started with my beautiful wife, Julie and I truly realising how much we are in love again after 31 years of marriage (32 this year) and working together in our gift business has been a fantastic journey and heaps of fun with the large amount of great new people being drawn into our lives and our store.

My middle son, Chale (27), now living in Sydney for the past few years, was married to his amazing lady, Angela (or Bing) in her home town of Jakarta, Indonesia, and all our kids and their partners, plus Jul’s Mum and Dad) joined us for five days of great times.  We were all pleasantly surprised how it all panned out and what a great experience we all had together.

On our return I was off to Melbourne to my first AIME 2102 ~ Asia Pacific Incentive and Meetings Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.  Just late last year, my business partner, Murray and I, launched our new Events Management Company, Kinetic Events.   This Expo was to get a deeper understanding of opportunities and activities being offered around the world.  I met some amazing people and places, venues and countries to send our events too.  The whole three days was action packed.. with more drink and food that I can care to explain here.  All I can say it was “mind blowing”.

Returning to Brisbane for just one day, I was off again to Sydney onFriday.  This time for the Home and Giving Gift Fair across Sydney’s Olympic Park and the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Halls.   This fair (or showcase) is huge and takes literally three days to get through it once.  The highlight was the fact that I got to be the guest speaker to an audience of first time “virgins” about visiting a gift fair and how to make it a better experience and so on.   The weekend was action packed and Julie had given me the opportunity to source and buy new stock for the store.  What a blast!!

I also got some time to spend with Chale and Angela, staying in their apartment at Darling Harbour with million dollar views!    Oh – and the food?   Every night we went out to experience a new restaurant.  Ribs, Japanese and Indonesian were the choices we made.

It was also great to catch up with an old muso mate, Tim Shaw, who took me to a Comedy Show in Kings Cross, with his comedian mate, Garry Who – a national legend in the comedy circuit.

So back to Brisbane and spending time in both the businesses and with Julie.  Whew – I need the rest!!

Had such an awesome month and just wanted to share how full of gratitude I am to be experiencing this great energy and feel honoured that this “zone” is such a great place to be in.

Thank you February 2012 for being a great experience and awesome journey and adding so much joy and love to many more lives, ….

Here’s to a great March 2012…

Love and hugs

Greg x

Just 12 years old and the Zep changed my life forever.

40 years ago today, the greatest rock band of all-time released the greatest rock album of all-time, Led Zeppelin IV. A powerhouse from the legendary opening vocal intro of “Black Dog” to the final notes of the hypnotic Mississippi blues-infused “When The Levee Breaks,”  IV contains eight radio classics including “Rock And Roll,” “The Battle Of Evermore,” “Misty Mountain Hop,” “Four Sticks,” “Going To California,” and, of course, the ultimate rock anthem, “Stairway To Heaven.” “Hats Off” to Jimmy, Robert, John Paul, and John for creating a true work of art that only gets better with age.

At 12 years old – I took up guitar and never looked back.  Thank you Led Zep – and happy 40th birthday to you – IV Led Zeppelin.  Any memories to share as well?

Will the real author please stand up

A few years ago I stumbled across a beautiful poem written about “what is success“, authored and created by an American essayist, lecturer and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson in the late 19th Century.

Being completely in awe of this poem, that states nothing about “money” in his words about success, I was disappointed to discover that Ralph Waldo Emerson did not write this actual poem.  It turns out that the real authorship is a Bessie Stanley, who in 1865, entered a competition in the local newspaper, Lincoln Tribune to answer the question, What is success.    It turns out that Bessie, a housewife, had entered and won the poetry competition, however, history had acclaimed Ralph as the author.

Last year I heard another poem, “Return to Love” by an American author, Marianne Williamson, and it turns out many people believed that Nelson Mandela had it as his inaugural speech, in fact this is not true at all.

A few weeks ago I was discussing these mysteries of authorship with a business colleague and he was talking to me about another inspirational poem that I had not heard, “Desiderata”.  He went on to discuss the poem being discovered buried at an old church in Baltimore, Maryland in the late 1600’s.  I read the poem and was impressed with its wisdom.  After some research I discovered that it was not an old masterpiece poem, however, written in 1927 by Max Erhmann of Indiana, USA.

So what to make of all this confused authorship.  There is also much speculation around the authorship of the works of Shakespeare.  Apparently it could be Henry Neville - or even Sir Francis Bacon.  I think that there is a list of possible authors, or a combination of a few?.  Look at the date of the William Shakespeare’s birth and death ~ (baptised 26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616).  Now look at this list of who was around at the time of Shakespeare.

Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618) was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England.

John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was a noted English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist,[4] and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I

Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount Saint Alban,[1] KC (22 January 1561 – 9 April 1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist and author.

Sir Henry Neville (c. 1562 – July 10, 1615) was an English politician, diplomat, courtier and distant relative of William Shakespeare

Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (12 April 1550 – 24 June 1604) was an Elizabethan courtier, playwright, lyric poet, sportsman and patron of the arts,

Christopher Marlowe,(baptised 26 February 1564–30 May 1593) was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era.

Benjamin Jonson (c. 11 June 1572 – 6 August 1637) was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor.

Thomas Middleton (18 April 1580 – 1627) was an English Jacobean playwright and poet.

Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke née Mary Sidney (27 October 1561 – 25 September 1621), was one of the first English women to achieve a major reputation for her literary works, poetry, poetic translations and literary patronage.

I will leave you to ponder this authorship – as we will never truly know the answer.   The only question it does raise also is this….

Why were most of the plays set in Greek times?  And what connection does WILL- I AM SHAKESPEARE have as to the Greek mythological goddess, Athena, the goddess of Wisdom and the Arts – who’s statue is of a SPEAR SHAKER who shakes her spear in face of the ignorance of humanity.

More info here re this question

Ben Jonson info here

Edward De Vere info here

Even if it comes to naught, isn’t it just great fun to question everything before ever believing it?

Rave Magazine interview, this week, for it’s 20th year and 1000th edition

This week (19th July 2011) celebrates the 1000th edition of Brisbane’s Rave Magazine. Starting in 1991, Brisbane Music scene was very different to what it is today in 2011.

Rave interviewed this older version of the Artful Dodger, to reflect on what it was like in 1991. Enjoy the read. – Greg

Artful Dodger interview RAVE ISSUE 1000 – PAGE 29

RAVE ISSUE 1000 COVER PAGE

The Five Agreements

As you know, I read lots of books.  I read the Four Agreement by Don Miguel early last year and found it to be a very inspiring book and would like to share the concepts from his book. Don has added a Fifth agreement to his latest book and I have added this below as well.   Trying to live by these is quite challenging at times, but being reminded of them tends to make us more centered and a little more grounded.

Take a moment to read them and ponder on them – love to hear your thoughts too – Greg

The Five Agreements:

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
   Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
   Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
   Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
   Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are tired as opposed to well rested. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
5. BE SKEPTICAL, BUT LEARN TO LISTEN
   Don’t believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind the words, and you will understand the real message.

As Don Miguel says, “By practicing the Five Agreements, what you are really doing is respecting everything.. You are respecting your dream; you are respecting everybody else’s dream. If you use these tools, your effort is really for everyone, because your joy, your happiness, your peace, and your heaven are contagious. When you are happy, the people around you are happy too, and it inspires them to change their own world.”

This way of life is entirely possible, and it’s in your hands. The change begins with you. Why not start now?

A Creed To Live By

Found this today – thought it to be a good share xox – Greg

A Creed To Live By

Don’t undermine your worth
by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
…that each of us is special.

Don’t set your goals by what
other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.

Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them life is meaningless.

Don’t let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past or for the future,
By living your life one day at a time.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give
nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less then perfect.
It is a fragile thread that binds each of us to each other.

Don’t be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don’t dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
to be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don’t run through life so fast
that you forget not only where you have been
but also where you are going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

{Nancye Sims}