Its sad that those who preach tolerance are often the most intolerant of all.
THANK FUCKING GOD THERE WERE NO CELL PHONES IN MY TWENTIES, because I did some really stupid shit. I've dined & dashed. I've driven drunk. I've stolen from a restaurant in a manner so diabolical, I devoted my second book to it, allegedly. One of the funniest things that happened during a night of drinking, was on Halloween night in 1990. I had recently turned 21, and I had driven with Jennifer (my Schnookums, a lifelong friend) to an out of town bonfire. We got blitzed at the party, then returned home on the Interstate in the wee hours of the morning. But, as we merged into traffic, a dog unexpectedly ran in front of my car - THUD. I pulled to the shoulder and found that the animal was still alive. Somewhere in our drunken stupor, we thought it was a good idea to find the dog a vet. So, I carefully scooped the animal up and placed it in the car's back seat. I drove the car while Jennifer rode in back, stroking the bloodied animal's head. I took the nearest turn-off, and we found ourselves in a Denny's parking lot. Jen stayed with the dog while I ran inside to find a phone book (and hopefully the number of a 24/hour vet). The restaurant was crowded. As I stood at the cash register explaining our situation to the manager, Jennifer came in - her dress covered in blood - asking for a handful of napkins. There was a deliciously awkward moment when the manager/customers realized the blood on her dress was *real*, so he immediately called police. A squad car arrived, and two officers entered the building. We all walked to my car, and once the officer saw the dog, he told everyone to step back. Apparently, we'd hit a wild coyote - and the only reason Jen hadn't been bitten was because the animal was still in shock from the accident. Its pelvis was shattered. It had to be put down. I don't know what happened to the coyote after that because the police told both of us to wait in the restaurant while he "dealt with the animal." We sat at the counter and ordered coffee/food to sober up. While we were eating, the coyote was removed and euthanized in the parking lot. I didn't hear an Ole' Yeller gunshot, and I didn't ask what happened - I didn't want to know. That evening ended up being one of many drunken nights with Jennifer - and the start of a friendship that's lasted over thirty years.
The Courtship of Eddy's Father: "People let me tell you about my best friend..." It's rare to find those things in life that truly last. Friendships are one of these things, possibly the most important, and most of us surround ourselves by people who bring out our best. I've touched on this subject in previous blogs, and I'm impressed with Donald's choices for his cabinet - from Marc Rubio, to RFK. Like Jennifer & myself, good friends are hard to come by - and I can tell that Elon Musk & Trump are very good friends. I'll admit it is unsettling that a private/unelected citizen has been given Elon's access to government, but not in the way that you'd think. What's genuinely upsetting is the (Liberal) backlash from his discoveries so far - with new waste exposed every day. I can see why Trump & Musk have grown close. Especially after these past few weeks of burning Tesla dealerships. It seems like Tesla-vandalism stories happen every night, to the point we're becoming desensitized to them. Also, like they did to Donald, the entire left wing media is united to bring down Elon, not only for siding with the President, but also for having enough money to fight back. As Trump has literally gone through the same damn thing, he's obviously Elon's mentor in this mess. I'll admit Musk did look *shaken* after the first round of Tesla vandals, but he seems better this week; I'm sure it's because of his friendship with Donald. I guess there's a deadline for Elon's personal involvement in DOGE, so I'm curious who is being groomed to take his place. Considering his love for Fox News anchors, I hope its Charles Payne because he wears kick-ass suits. Especially the purple pin stripes.
Up and away, into the wild blue yonder... SPEAKING OF SUITS, I'll be donning one of own soon, as I'm likely to have to declare bankruptcy. I have maxed out every credit card and drained every savings/personal account to support myself while writing When People Go Away, and it's time to pay the piper. I'm still a month behind on my mortgage, and Alexander owes me two months rent - which he hasn't paid. Add to that, God only knows how much I owe to local hospitals, especially when I was being considered for the liver transplant list - or my three recent stints in a mental hospital. Quite frankly, I wasn't expecting to be *alive* this long, so I didn't care how far I went into debt. At least I haven't felt suicidal lately, which I consider a testament to my inner strength. I've mailed out twelve "cartoon queries" this past month, and I'll send many more in the weeks & months to follow. The dispensary has been paying my utilities, and Dane's LINK card has been funding our trips to ALDI. I make *just enough* to keep my head above water, and this past year has been one of sacrifice and penny-pinching. I can't remember when the last time I went out for a nice steak, or when I've gone through the Burger King drive-thru without using a coupon. But the dirty little secret is that I'd do it all again if it meant that my book would be published. My writing isn't a passion, it's an obsession - and I scare the hell out of people when I'm working. You'd think I was holding Elon's chainsaw, for Christ's sake.
Going back to Elon, I chuckle when he gets "animated" during press conferences, especially when Trump observes from the background. In many ways, I can understand Elon's excitement; he reminds me of me when I'm discussing my books to readers. When SpaceX rescued the trapped American astronauts a few weeks back, I didn't hear/read a bit of *thanks* from the anyone in the media. Sure, they covered the story, but they focused on the logistics of the rescue, rather than the human drama. The news item came and went quickly. FoxNews was the only network that gave it the coverage it deserved. Today I learned that Elon will be leaving his DOGE post early, no doubt triggered by the recent deluge of attacks on Tesla dealers & customers. I'll be sad when he goes, but I'm sure Donald has already chosen his replacement. I hope Hulk Hogan take Elon's place - especially if he wears a champion belt with his suit. DOGE needs a figurehead with Elon's sense of humor, a man who can "take a punch" in the arena of Washington politics.
On a personal note, it's times like this when I miss working at the bookstore. Since I left Barnes & Noble, it's been hard to stay current on New Release titles. As Biden-loyalists jump ship, we're on the cusp of wave of tell-all political books - and Joe has no way to stop them. I heard rumblings of an anti-Biden book that's coming out in the next few months, and it features stories of Joe's cognitive decline - but I can't remember the title. Election years are good for the book business, and my last year at B&N featured too many anti-Trump books to count. Now, it seems the tables are turned, and we're about to learn just how incompetent Biden really was. It's chilling to think that this man had the nuclear codes, and I'm assuming Jill watched over the *nuclear football* for him, tucked away in her purse. It's becoming very clear that the Democrats hid Joe's mental state from the very beginning - and that, in itself, is a crime.
Going back to Elon, I chuckle when he gets "animated" during press conferences, especially when Trump observes from the background. In many ways, I can understand Elon's excitement; he reminds me of me when I'm discussing my books to readers. When SpaceX rescued the trapped American astronauts a few weeks back, I didn't hear/read a bit of *thanks* from the anyone in the media. Sure, they covered the story, but they focused on the logistics of the rescue, rather than the human drama. The news item came and went quickly. FoxNews was the only network that gave it the coverage it deserved. Today I learned that Elon will be leaving his DOGE post early, no doubt triggered by the recent deluge of attacks on Tesla dealers & customers. I'll be sad when he goes, but I'm sure Donald has already chosen his replacement. I hope Hulk Hogan take Elon's place - especially if he wears a champion belt with his suit. DOGE needs a figurehead with Elon's sense of humor, a man who can "take a punch" in the arena of Washington politics.
On a personal note, it's times like this when I miss working at the bookstore. Since I left Barnes & Noble, it's been hard to stay current on New Release titles. As Biden-loyalists jump ship, we're on the cusp of wave of tell-all political books - and Joe has no way to stop them. I heard rumblings of an anti-Biden book that's coming out in the next few months, and it features stories of Joe's cognitive decline - but I can't remember the title. Election years are good for the book business, and my last year at B&N featured too many anti-Trump books to count. Now, it seems the tables are turned, and we're about to learn just how incompetent Biden really was. It's chilling to think that this man had the nuclear codes, and I'm assuming Jill watched over the *nuclear football* for him, tucked away in her purse. It's becoming very clear that the Democrats hid Joe's mental state from the very beginning - and that, in itself, is a crime.
Trumpforce Two I CAN'T WAIT FOR TRUMP to make his first international tour. I hope he gets to ride in the new "Airforce One" 747, the one he ordered from Boeing during his first term as President. He definitely needs a face-to-face with Putin, and to broker a peace that will satisfy all sides (including Ukraine paying us back for our assistance in the war). King Charles isn't doing so well these days, so Donald should probably visit him next. (He should get William's card while he's in the neighborhood.) After that, Trump must visit Israel - and to show the world the strength of our countries' alliance. Add to that, it's probably time for a summit somewhere, so Donald can use that venue to reintroduce himself to Europe's leaders. Xi Jinping will be a visit all its own, to discuss regional issues - specifically, North Korea and Taiwan. Thanks to the Biden administration, the President has no choice but to project American power through *diplomacy* while we quickly rebuild/modernize our military. Quite frankly, we need to *buy some time* to replace our aging combat hardware - and to return the "Soldier Culture" to the five branches of military (including Space Force.) Right now, the world is a tinderbox. There are little 🔥fires🔥 burning everywhere, and its imperative that we put them out within the next 5-10 years. China has made no secret of wanting to overtake the US as the global superpower, and they have better weapons than us. North Korea is unstable; who knows what might happen if its citizens revolt and overthrow the Kims ... leaving nuclear weapons up for grabs (and possibly being sold to Hamas/Hezbollah, for use against Israel). And those are just the "big" fires. They say nothing about the smaller hotspots, like poor African nations, whose impoverished citizens have created gullible governments - who look at the US with envy.
In addition to international affairs, Trump also must quell unrest at home. He has just under four years to stop WOKE ideology being taught in schools. He has just four years to solidify the MAGA movement - and to usher in a new era based on personal accountability. He has only four years to light a fire under the asses of the youth of today - and to encourage endeavors like becoming a tradesman, as not everyone wants to go to college. Donald has been given a four-year window to renew this nation's entrepreneurial spirit, and to stop the social corkscrew-nosedive that has gripped our country since the Democrats have been the majority. Just ... four ... more ... years ... to bring back our national pride, and to follow the words of the great Rush Limbaugh: Don't let anyone tell you that you *can't* do something...Reach for your potential, and you will achieve success. Sean Hannity actually said something similar last week, adding the fact reaching one's potential requires hard work & sacrifice. Sean went on to describe how working hard for one's dreams might seem difficult at first, but well worth the effort, both personally & financially. It's such an easy thing to do, it's sad I have to say it.
In addition to international affairs, Trump also must quell unrest at home. He has just under four years to stop WOKE ideology being taught in schools. He has just four years to solidify the MAGA movement - and to usher in a new era based on personal accountability. He has only four years to light a fire under the asses of the youth of today - and to encourage endeavors like becoming a tradesman, as not everyone wants to go to college. Donald has been given a four-year window to renew this nation's entrepreneurial spirit, and to stop the social corkscrew-nosedive that has gripped our country since the Democrats have been the majority. Just ... four ... more ... years ... to bring back our national pride, and to follow the words of the great Rush Limbaugh: Don't let anyone tell you that you *can't* do something...Reach for your potential, and you will achieve success. Sean Hannity actually said something similar last week, adding the fact reaching one's potential requires hard work & sacrifice. Sean went on to describe how working hard for one's dreams might seem difficult at first, but well worth the effort, both personally & financially. It's such an easy thing to do, it's sad I have to say it.
No caption needed. THE JOY OF REACHING ONE'S POTENTIAL is what gets me out of bed in the morning. I've written a fucking amazing novel, and I'm being clever/aggressive with how I'm shopping it. The querying process can be soul-crushing at times, but I haven't let that phase me; I have faith. I have faith the story is good, I have faith I'll ultimately land an agent, and I have faith that the book will be successful - and will allow me to spend the rest of my life writing. Each day, I find some new way to market the novel, and that gives me hope. One of these days, an agent will bite - and I'll let my words speak for themselves. I have a good five novels in my head waiting for me to begin, but the one I really want to write - If You Write the Music, I'll Write the Lyrics - is a follow-up to When People Go Away, and there's no point in writing a fourth book until the third one sells. In the meantime, I'm drawing another cartoon.
At the tender age of 56, I've finally come to realize what life is all about. It's actually one of the themes of my novel: No matter what your age, you can always find ways to thrive. That plays side-by-side with one of the book's primary themes: You must love each other, and love what you do with your lives. That's such a simple concept, yet few in life seem to grasp it. It took me 53 years, but I finally understood that lesson, myself.
I think I might be learning to be happy.✨
- Sir Dave
At the tender age of 56, I've finally come to realize what life is all about. It's actually one of the themes of my novel: No matter what your age, you can always find ways to thrive. That plays side-by-side with one of the book's primary themes: You must love each other, and love what you do with your lives. That's such a simple concept, yet few in life seem to grasp it. It took me 53 years, but I finally understood that lesson, myself.
I think I might be learning to be happy.✨
- Sir Dave