ALMOST 2022

 ALMOST 2022. 

Three more days and we will be saying goodbye to 2021.  What a year it has been. 

My year has been NON-STOP.

After not working for thirteen months due to COVID-19. I returned to work in April. 

Just want to keep things real. 

WE ARE STILL IN LIVING WITH COVID. 

Cases are on the rise. 

Some places in the world they are seeing the HIGHEST CASES since the beginning of the PANDEMIC. We are seeing an increase in cases because there has been mixed messages since the very beginning. 

I am convinced that whoever is responsible for the past two years needs more people to die. I believe this was and is  INTENTIONAL. 

With the holidays more and more are turning up positive because of family gatherings and people wanting to get back to some sort of normalcy. People have let their guard down. THIS IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC yet we are letting cities,states, counties, countries, businesses decide how they are going to handle all of this.  So many people are getting sick and dying unnecessarily. IT IS TRAGIC & PREVENTABLE.

I right now have three family members who are Covid positive and are now sick. 

As of today Worldwide cases are 281 Million that is almost if every single person in America were positive. CRAZY. 

Worldwide deaths is 5.41 Million. That is a lot of people. 

Here is America we are at 52.9 Million with almost 820 Thousand lives lost. In America today they are reporting 543 Thousand new cases.......They are saying by NYE will will be at 1 Million cases a day just here in AMERICA. WTF.

JUST TRYING TO KEEP IT REAL. We are nowhere near the end of this PANDEMIC. 

Through all of this and all the personal loss this year. As of today 12/28 I have personally known/lost 16 people. WOW. 

That being said. What I have taken from all the world's craziness and loss. I have chosen to just continue to live my life. LIFE IS PRECIOUS. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR ALL OF US. WE MUST LIVE LIFE NOW. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE. 

Take nothing for granted. If anything that I have learned from these CRAZY TIMES. 

Whatever you want to do. DO IT. DO NOT WAIT.  I am hoping and trusting that 2022 will be a better year. So I will continue to do what feeds my soul........That is PHOTOGRAPHY & TRAVEL. 

I need to do both of those things to keep MENTALLY WELL.  LOTS OF SELFCARE. WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.  BE KIND, BE LOVING, BE PRESENT.

Last year I began the year in North Carolina with a friend who is now a former friend. LIFE HAPPENS. It is important to know when relationships become toxic. The older I get it is so much easier to recognize and walk away rather that stay in a bad situation that does not serve your greater good.  

From North Carolina I had to Charleston. I decided to hangout in Charleston for about six weeks. Beautiful city, but like all of the other cities I tried. Unfortunately last year it was difficult to get a feel for any city as a possible new location for me with no city being fully operational. BUMMER. 

I bounced all over the country in search of what was going to be my new homebase. Atlanta was on the shortlist for the simple reason I know a fair amount of friends from LA who are now based in Atlanta, plus if I decided to pursue my acting again there are opportunities in ATLANTA.  My contacts in Atlanta advised me to continue to travel and check back in a year.  That was a year ago this week. WOW.

From Atlanta I made my way north with a stop in York Pennsylvania before heading back to the hometown for what was shy of a month. Which is about my limit being back in the hometown. Always great catching up with everyone. But not where I belong...STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT. 

While back visiting I received a call to go back out to Utah to work. I decided to drive cross country YET AGAIN. There was still so much to see and do in Utah. What a gorgeous state. So I accepted a job in Kanab and worked and EXPLORED for six months until the beginning of October when I decided to drive cross country again. The nice thing about this trip was I would being traveling with my good friend Tomas on a cross country trip showing him this beautiful country heading all the way back to New York. 

I picked him up in Vegas where we hung out for a couple days and explored the Whole Strip and Downtown. Was so great having someone to roadtrip with. Everything was a first for Tomas. For me I have made the trip so many times but did manage to have a few firsts myself.

My goal was to catch the change of seasons all the way across the country. It was a SUCCESS.

Vegas, Zion, Moab, Frisco, Denver, Iowa, Chicago, Niagara Falls, Hometown, Vermont, Jersey Shore and NYC.  FANTASTIC TRIP. 

After Tomas left, I stayed for two days before UNPACKING & REPACKING to now head south. So I heading to Shenandoah to finish out the season with them. Got to spend what I believe is the best 5-6 weeks witnessing the change of season.  Beautiful time of year to be there. 

I am now getting ready  to close out 2021 and welcome 2022 back here on Useppa Island. Feels good to be back reconnect with former coworkers and friends and get reacquainted with the homeowners who are just some of the loveliest people that i have met on all of my travels.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to live here and work on a private island. LIFE IS GOOD.

I am hoping that life finds a NEW NORMAL and people can get back to LIVING. 

TIME DOES NOT STOP.  NEITHER CAN YOU. LIVE FULL OUT. 

MUCH LOVE,

WHERE IS JOE? 

STAY TUNED.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. 2022 WILL BE THE YEAR YOU CHOOSE IT TO BE. MAKE IT A GREAT ONE. PEACE & LOVE

LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. IT SHINES EVEN IN THE DARK. 

TRUST. 

TIL DEATH DO US PART

 TIL DEATH DO US PART.

November 13, 2021 was that day.

The end of a beautiful LOVE STORY. 75 PLUS YEARS.

The call came around 5 pm, when mom had to deliver the news that her sister and my aunt and godmother Teresa had passed.

Very difficult loss for the family.

Fortunately I was was back in the area for a short visit before heading to both Virginia and Florida for my next jobs.

I am so GRATEFUL that I was able to get a few visits in with Aunt Teresa and Uncle John. 

What turns out to have been my final visit was a great day spent with mom, uncle Ang at the house. 

It really was such a nice visit. A GOOD DAY.

Upon leaving and saying goodbye, in the back of my mind I was thinking that it was more than likely be my last time seeing them alive. SAD.

When I left I gave Aunt Teresa a hug and a kiss. I told her I loved her and would see her again soon. 

She said the same.  Unfortunately that would not be the case.

The day I left, she fell and within three weeks she would be gone. Very hard to be away and get that call. 

Mom and my sister Jennifer were by her side while she took her last breath. 

From being with my grandmother while she took her last breath I know what and honor it is to be allowed to be present for a loved ones transition. What a GIFT for both parties. 

A few days before transitioning Aunt Teresa kept saying she was seeing and talking to momma. Her and my mother's mother and my grandmother.

I said to my mother that it was my grandmother who was there letting my Aunt know that all would be ok and she could let go. My grandmother was there to reunite my Aunt with all of our family members who have gone before us.

Aunt Teresa has for the past six plus years been taking care of Uncle John who has been bedridden with lyme disease.

75 PLUS YEARS. IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH TIL DEATH DO US PART.

They survived the loss of two of their three sons. 

I believe the final act in their love story was for Uncle John to hold on long enough so Aunt Teresa would not have to suffer the loss of yet another loved one.

SAD YET BEAUTIFUL.

Honestly I am surprised Uncle John is still hanging on at 98 years old. 

The two of the m will be sorely missed. Uncle John I know that you are more than ready. I wish you a peaceful transition when the time comes.

Please give Aunt Teresa a big hug and a kiss from me. 

Aunt Teresa was my godmother. We are very similar in a lot of ways. We are both sensitive artists who care for others. Sometimes to deeply.

Mom got to be there and take care of her sister and was gifted quality time,precious moments that are often missed because life is so busy.

They gave each other a GIFT. This was a gift you can not put a price on. JUST PRICELESS. 

I know that you are reacquainted with the family. That brings me comfort. 

I also find comfort that we did not have to witness you failing to the point where you did not remember anyone. Thank you for that gift.

REST WELL. I LOVE YOU. WE ALL MISS YOU.

Teresa Zullo 11/13/21

Your sun has set for the final time. You will always shine in all the lives you have touched. 

ENDINGS & more GOODBYES.

 ENDINGS & more GOODBYES.

So 2021 is rapidly coming to a CLOSE. Oh boy what a year it has been.

GROWTH, LESSONS, ACCEPTANCE & SURRENDER.

After wrapping 2020 which was NO EASY TASK. with the appearance and devastation of navigating the World during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

The whole world was left with the uncertainty of what this was and how we would move forward & SURVIVE.

MANY DID NOT. What is so unfortunate about that was it was so UNNECESSARY & TOTALLY AVOIDABLE.

LIES & WRONG ACTION CAUSED MANY FAMILIES TO BE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES DURING THIS TIME. 

FOREVER GONE. Many got no closure. This pandemic has changed our lives FOREVER & how we move forward is a day to day learning process.

Mask & Vaccine mandates have and are being put in place. Companies are firing employees in record  numbers. 

Business are closing that have not been able to survive these CRAZY TIMES with MIXED MESSAGING.

Industries are being DEVASTATED.

New variants are are appearing regularly with new CHALLENGES.

Cases in some parts of the World are the HIGHEST they have been since the beginning of this WORLD ALTERING EVENT.

I was recently speaking to someone, who through our conversation referred to the pandemic as THE PLANDEMIC. First time I have heard it called that. I FEEL THE SAME.

I believe this was intentionally put into the world for POPULATION CONTROL.

The numbers currently as of this entry are 

268 MILLION CASES WORLD WIDE -5.28 MILLION DEATHS

49.5 MILLION CASES USA-792 THOUSAND DEATHS

That is A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL BEINGS NO LONGER HERE. IT IS SAD.

 I know many who have been diagnosed and battling and  a number who have not survived.

I think more than THE PLANDEMIC

 What the number one killer during this time is, FEAR & IGNORANCE. The level of STUPIDITY that exits in the World is MIND BOGGLING.

I hope as we move into the new year people WAKE UP. 

My wish for everyone is to become ENLIGHTENED.

This year has been a year of SO MUCH LOSS.  At the time of this writing for me personally 14. 

The past five weeks there have been 6 family,friends and co-workers who have passed.  Wishing you all beautiful new adventures. 

See you all on the other side.

Mark, Vesta, Mr, Lintinsky, Mr, Yager, Mr Shoemaker, & My Godmother Aunt Teresa

Sending my condolences to all of your loved ones....REST WELL.

I am a lover of trees.....They represent strength and growth which during these uncertain time there is definitely room to realize how STRONG WE ARE. Also in the dark of night which seems to be what these challenging time are there is ALWAYS LIGHT. It may be dim at times but it will again shine bright. WE MUST BELIEVE & TRUST. 

SUCCESS

 SUCCESS.

What is success? Success looks different to different people. 

Throughout my life and travels I was privileged to meet, be in the company of and work with and for folks from all walks of life who would describe success differently.

I for a number of years now have worked in the seasonal world. After spending the better part of a quarter century living in Los Angeles to pursue the dream of making it in Hollywood.

It 2009 I was just DONE. I was ready for something NEW & DIFFERENT.

I knew that I took the leap of faith that I would be opening myself up to what exactly I was not sure. Saying that though I knew that there was a big and beautiful World that I wanted to EXPLORE.

Since leaving Los Angeles in 2009 my life has been quite an ADVENTURE.

Good, Bad, Beautiful, Ugly and everything in between. OBSTACLES,CHALLENGES,LOSS lots of LOSS  and TRIUMPHS 

It has been a life. MY LIFE. 

I have been a NOMAD now for almost twelve years. In 2015 I was introduced to WORK/TRAVEL.

I bounced across the country more times than I can count. I have just entered my sixth year. Just this week in three days I am wrapping up another gig. 

ANYONE WHO KNOW ME KNOWS THAT I LOVE TO TRAVEL. Well I found a way to both WORK AND TRAVEL. 

If only I had found this way of living when I was younger. 

I am BLESSED. I basically travel and work all of the country in places where people go for vacation. 

Me being a photographer. This has afforded me the time and resources to see and photograph the ABUNDANT BEAUTY that we as humans are so lucky to be able to visit for the short visit that we are here for. 

What a GIFT.

As I continue on my journey and age, my life has taken on a whole new way of BEING & EXISTING.

I never was one who was motivated by financial wealth that affords people the ability to have THINGS.

I am not a thing guy.

One of the places that I landed was a private club in Florida. EXTREME WEALTH.

HOMES,YACHTS,PRIVATE JETS, PRIVATE BEACHES.

I was there for less than a week. IT WAS NOT FOR ME. 

PRIVATE COMMUNITY - WE ARE SPECIAL.

That type of wealth is very off-putting to me.  Folks oblivious to what is going on outside of THEIR WORLD.

I personally was beyond disturbed by ALL OF IT.  To many who live in this PRIVATE COMMUNITY this is how they define SUCCESS. 

By definition this is SUCCESS. 

There are so many people in the world SUFFERING. I personally would not feel good about living in such LUXURY and with such EXCESS.

That is just me. TO EACH IS OWN.

I through the years have defined SUCCESS FOR ME. 

I happily feel like I have achieved SUCCESS IN MY LIFE. 

I never wanted a title after my name. I find SUCCESS IN THE FREEDOM MY LIFE ALLOWS ME TO HAVE AS I CONTINUE ON THIS JOURNEY.

Life is a beautiful journey we are here to be of service to SELF & OTHERS.

YOU DECIDE WHAT SUCCESS IS TO YOU. IT IS A PROCESS. 

Peace and Blessings to you as you DISCOVER and WALK YOUR PATH TO YOUR SUCCESS.

FOLLOW YOUR PATH.

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS......WELCOME HOME GABBY

 WELCOME HOME. 

So this month all over the news was the search for GABBY PETITO.

Gabby was on a cross country road trip with her boyfriend seeing the beautiful country that so many never take the time to see. 

She was reported missing after regular communication and social media update with her family stopped after August 25th.  

The next few texts that the received, they said did not sound like they had come from Gabby.  

The family filed a missing person's report on September 11th. A search began and there were many, many tips coming in through social media which wound up be a great help in the search. 

Gabby's boyfriend returned to Florida without her, but with her van. So left her somewhere along the trip. For awhile he was not a person of interest. I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE REASONING BEHIND THAT. 

He has refused to speak with the authorities and his family has secured an attorney. WHY????

I am just going to say INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOT WORK SO HARD TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE. 

As of yesterday September 19th due to the numerous tips remains have been located which have been confirmed to be those of GABBY. 

THIS IS VERY SAD AND TRAGIC.

Everyone was holding out hope for a HAPPY HOMECOMING. 

Her boyfriend is now not only a PERSON OF INTEREST, but is now also a MISSING PERSON. 

This story has been in the news for the past few weeks and has grabbed the attention of so many hoping and praying she would be found and return home SAFE.

We collectively mourn with Gabby's family, friends and loved ones whose lives will never be the same as they process their loss and mourn their loved one. My heart goes out to everyone as they may be asking Why?

I hope in time they find peace as the heal. Although Gabby has embarked on what I believe to be the most epic travel adventures. 

I hope the family in time will be comforted by the fact Gabby was out there LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. She was courageous enough to step outside the box and say YES to a LIFE OF ADVENTURE. Because of her COURAGE she was GIFTED these beautiful memories and a life of JOY and FREEDOM she was living. 

She was seeing the most beautiful scenery and locations that the United States has to offer. Witnessing sunrises and sunsets. . 

She was making LIVING  & MAKING MEMORIES with her boyfriend. 

They truly were living life and seemingly looked happy until what we all witnessed during the search for her.

If you scroll their instagram posts they were LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Plus they were very conscious and protective of this BEAUTIFUL & FRAGILE PLANET WE ALL LIVE ON.

All of those beautiful images and memories she was creating for herself.  My wish for her loved ones are now while you process this horrible loss they all have suffered. I hope they will in time find comfort in the GIFTS she has left for you all. SHE WAS OUT THERE LIVING.

That was a gift that she obviously understood at such a young age. GABBY HAD AN UNDERSTANDING & COURAGE that so many lack in life and never realize.  She stepped outside of her comfort zone and was witness to so many beautiful gifts in life. 

Peace to all of those who loved GABBY. 

Celebrate Gabby's Life & her ZEST FOR LIVING. 

FLY HIGH GABBY. PEACE.

I know your road forward is going to be difficult and filled with sadness. I am so sorry Gabby was taken from you well before her time and the FULL LIFE THAT SHE WAS BOUND TO HAVE. 

This morning on was on my morning walk and these are the images that I was able to capture. It was the most beautiful beginning of another day. I am a big believer in signs and signals so these images are titled. 

WELCOME HOME GABBY.  These are pretty spectacular ANGEL WINGS. Your beautiful baby girl is now your forever ANGEL.

TREASURE YOUR MEMORIES. 

20 YEARS.

 20 Years ago TODAY. 

September 11, 2001. 

The United States and the WORLD was shook to its core as the United States was under ATTACK. In the DEADLIEST, TERRORIST in WORLD HISTORY.

If you are of a certain age we all could remember where we were on this  DARK, DARK DAY. The irony is that if you speak with anyone who witnessed this attack on humanity and our freedom. 

Most describe it as being a crystal clear day in NYC with the most beautiful blue skies. Not a cloud in the sky. A very calm and peaceful beautiful September Day.

UNTIL IT WAS NOT.

I like so many were going about our day when someone alerted us to turn our televisions on WE WERE UNDER ATTACK. I rushed to turn on the TV and like millions around the world were in utter shock at what we were seeing trying to understand just what we were looking at. NOt really understanding what was going on until I sat HORRIFIED watching another plane hit the other tower. 

Sitting here writing this the tears are flowing 20 YEARS LATER.

Heartbreaking does not even describe the pain I was feeling collectively as a citizen of the world.

I was having such a hard time wrapping my head around this type of EVIL exists in the World. 

Globally we were mourning for a way of life that was stripped away, and would NEVER BE THE SAME.

To all of those BEAUTIFUL LIVES who woke for for the very LAST TIME to go to work , kiss their loved ones to have their lives snuffed out to to HATE. Globally our heart was SHATTERED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. Allies from around the World mourned with us. 

Although we did see images from around the world of those who were responsible, they could be seen dancing and celebrating in the streets. SICK, SICK, SICK!

Everyone was glued to their tv sets as things were unfolding. We were witnessing in REAL TIME unspeakable horror, as well as bravery as loved ones who were trapped knowing they were not going to be rescued call their loved ones to SAY GOODBYE. 

Some choose to leap to their deaths rather than burn. Many groups made that choice. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

Firefighters and rescue works rushed into the building risking their lives to save others. Many paid with their lives.

HEREO, HEREO, HEREO

My heart still hurts. THAT DAY CHANGED THE WORLD FOREVER. 

After being witness to ULTIMATE HATE. We as citizens came together in LOVE to mourn and honor what was lost. WE GOT TO SEE THE WORST AND BEST IN HUMANITY IN THE WAKE OF THIS TRAGEDY.

The love that we were shown from all over the world was so beautiful to witness and be a part of.  The statistics from that day, like the day itself is important to REMEMBER & NEVER FORGET.

2977 PEOPLE KILLED. 6000 INJURED

19 HIJACKERS COMMITTED MURDER-SUICIDE 

IMMEDIATE DEATH 265 on the planes including terrorist.

2606 in the World Trade Center and surrounding areas

125 at the Pentagon.

2605 US CITIZENS 372 NON US CITIZENS 90 COUNTRIES LOST CITIZENS

344 FIREFIGHTERS 71 LAW OFFICERS

The death toll continues to RISE.

1140 PEOPLE WHO WORKED OR WENT TO SCHOOL WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

1400 PLUS RESCUE WORKERS HAVE DIED.

20 YEARS LATER 1100 STILL UNIDENTIFIED THAT IS 40% of the CASUALTIES from the DAY.

DOROTHY MORGAN WAS THE LATEST PERSON IDENTIFIED JUST LAST MONTH. Dorothy's family twenty years later FINALLY GET SOME CLOSURE.  WOW. 

As we are all aware just shy of the 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS DARK DAY IN WORLD HISTORY we have ended the war in AFGHANISTAN. 

So with the number of those lost due to this war the PRICE HAS BEEN SO HIGH. The loss of life has been enormous. We were in war for 20 years,

4096 AMERICANS CIVILIANS AND SOLDIERS KILLED

2461 SOLDIERS KILLED 

47,245 CIVILIANS 69,000 AFGHAN MILITARY 51,000 TALIBAN FIGHTERS

NEEDLESS TO SAY THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE HAS BEEN HUGE.

My thoughts are with all of us as we REMEM

BER & NEVER FORGET THIS DAY IN WORLD HISTORY. 

My hometown was directly affected by 9/11 with my high school principal losing his son John Armand Reo and his son in law. 

Also the Aversano family losing their dad Louis f. Aversano Jr. 

SENDING LOVE TO ALL. WE CAN DO BETTER. WE MUST DO BETTER. 

LOVE WINS OVER HATE. 

ALL THOSE LOST ON 9/11 LISTED HERE. WE MOURN STILL FOR WHAT WAS LOST.

A NEW WAVE.

 A NEW WAVE. 

So here we are 18 months into a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. We are on our third or fourth WAVE with the Delta Variant now sweeping across the World. 

The number of cases and deaths in some states are the HIGHEST they have been throughout the whole pandemic.

I am completely perplexed at the incompetence and misinformation in handling this pandemic with last administration.

We are now heading into the fall season with these numbers.

217  MILLION CASES WORLDWIDE

4.51 MILLION DEATHS

40 MILLION CASES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES

650 THOUSAND DEATHS

These numbers are on the rise. 

The numbers that I heard yesterday that we are now around 150,000 NEW CASES A DAY.

Many hospitals have no ICU Beds available..........This pandemic has spread like wildfire due to all of the lies from the last administration.

What makes no sense to me is the administration is killing off it's base. Does not sound very smart to me. 

I am really hoping more people wake up to the fact that so many have lost their lives unnecessarily. 

I was watching a news story regarding a healthcare worker who is an Anti-Vaxxer who lost their own child who still is refusing to be vaccinated.  High price to pay for IGNORANCE. 

I am a spiritual person. I was raised Catholic. I do not believe in any organized religion which was written by man and each and every religion is biased. Just my thoughts and beliefs. 

I really hope more people WAKE UP AND START TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. 

People are placing their trust in all the wrong people and ideals. 

Realize that you are here for a very short period of time in the big scheme of things. 

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOU. SEEK WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY. BE OF SERVICE. 

LIFE IS VERY SHORT. 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THIS EARTH 18 MONTHS AGAIN ARE GONE. 

THEIR STORY HAS ENDED. 

You are still here. Continue to create and live your story while you have time. 

BE SMART, BE CONSIDERATE,BE LOVING, BE KIND. Don't trust those you may think care about you.

THEY DON'T. 

TAKE BACK YOUR POWER. DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR. 

I WISH YOU ALL JOY AND HAPPINESS. 

SPENCER FLY HIGH BUDDY. I HOPE YOU JOURNEY IS FILLED ONLY WITH LIGHT. 

REMEMBERING SAMMY BAKER

 REMEMBERING SAMMY BAKER

Today marks the one year anniversary of Sammy's tragic death.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELL BEING is  necessary for we as humans to operate at our top level.

Sammy was an instagram influencer from Germany who's whole life he had to look forward to. 

Sammy was a health and fitness coach and influencer who was an online coach helping men find their body confidence. He provided online coaching and inspiration.

He had over a hundred and fifty thousand plus followers on his social media. He was so inspirational with a beautiful outlook on LIFE. 

His tag line on his social media was GIVE/BELIEVE/INSPIRE

He would post videos and messages regarding both PHYSICAL & MENTAL WELL BEING through EXERCISE, DIET, MINDFULNESS, SERVICE & SELFCARE.

He had a bright future ahead of him.  He was only in his early twenties but had so much insight into life. HE HAD A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM. 

I did not know SAMMY personally other than finding and following him online. I was so impressed with his WISDOM at such a young age. 

Sammy was in Amsterdam celebrating his 23rd birthday. Something happened while Sammy was celebrating with some friends. From what I have learned Sammy was separated from friends and missing for a time. His parents were alerted and reached out to police for their help. 

Apparently Sammy was suffering from a mental episode when police found Sammy he was in a state of DISTRESS and really needed some professional help to bring him out of his state. 

Instead of receiving the MEDICAL HELP HE NEEDING. The police officers SHOT HIM DEAD. 

So rather than deescalate  the situation and get Sammy the help he obviously so desperately needed, a family is now remembering their loved one who was senselessly killed on his one year anniversary. 

I can't even imagine the pain and suffering this year has been for his family trying to get all the answers seeing Sammy was killed in a foreign country. The pain and anguish has got to be so HEAVY.

There of course has been a public outcry for ANSWERS.

The family has turned their PAIN TO PURPOSE with creating a movement called JUSTICE FOR SAMMY.

This story really struck me as we here in America seem to be dealing with this time very subject all to often especially among the black community where officers are all too quick to pull the trigger. 

Something has to be DONE. We are losing way to many lives UNNECESSARILY. 

I am not bashing all cops and saying all cops are bad or do not having the training or the COMPASSION TO BE OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND TO HELP.

But I do believe that many of these guys who suit up in the name of the  law. I believe they  have an agenda and HIDE BEHIND THE BADGE to exercise their prejudice and deep rooted hate that is

 LEARNED IN THE HOME for any and all who are not like THEM. WE  ARE WITNESS TO IT HERE IN AMERICA ALMOST DAILY. 

We have witnessed HATE IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE TO THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE CORRUPT PEOPLE IN OFFICE LOOK TO AS SUPERIOR. It is DISGUSTING. 

That being said Sammy's case is different but the same.  

I guess what I am trying to say is those out there on the front lines to PROTECT & SERVE need to DO JUST THAT. 

Sammy's family should not be marking his one year anniversary they should be celebrating his 24th BIRTHDAY. 

Sammy's voice was silenced way to young. So tragic and unfortunate, he was just starting out on his journey which should have brought memories and years of adventures. HE HAD A VERY PROMISING FUTURE all snuffed out and way before his dreams and journey should have ended.

I was truly saddened to see such a BRIGHT LIGHT being extinguished. I was so moved by Sammy's story because through our time isolated due to the pandemic, I was made aware how important it is to nurture ourselves and our mental well being.

It has been a very difficult time for so many. Sammy's story for me just confirmed that not just here but globally we need to better for each other with the proper resources for those in need.

I am not saying that Sammy's situation was do to Covid and being isolated. But we have seen a increase in mental health situation the past fifteen months living through a global pandemic. 

WE NEED TO SPEND MORE RESOURCES ON MENTAL HEALTH.

Obviously police departments throughout the world need more training when dealing with folks having a mental health care crisis.

WE CAN DO BETTER. WE MUST DO BETTER. 

I am thinking of Sammy' s family and friends today and as they continue to navigate life in the absence of SAMMY. 

FLY FREE SAMMY. 

P.S 

HAPPY 79TH MOM. LOVE YOU.

35 YEARS AND COUNTING

 35 YEARS AND COUNTING.

July marks my 35th year of packing up my car to venture out on my life journey.

TIME TO FLY THE NEST.

It has been an action packed 35.

Many adventures. Many more to come. I HOPE.

Also a tremendous amount of loss in every form that loss can come. 

CAREER, FRIENDSHIPS, FAMILY, LOVE & SELF.

Obstacles and challenges is part of the recipe necessary for GROWTH.

Also our willingness to be OPEN to the lessons and challenges we are presented with. 

I have been stumbling for 35 years. The only way that I have been able to still be on this journey is to carve my own path. 

My way is not for everyone, that's why it is MY WAY. There is no instruction manual. Even if there were I am not one who likely would have taken the time to read it anyway. My journey would have been much easier if I was the type to take the time. 

OH WELL. 

I must say 35 years has gone by SO FAST. 

They say the older you get the quicker it seems to go. This is a FACT. This is something I confirm with certainty. I AM THERE. 

Aging is not all BAD. There is a FREEDOM that comes with the years as they pass.

I personally have suffered much loss through the years. 

So being gifted the number of years I have been gifted is just that A GIFT.

So many have not been so fortunate. 

WE WANT TO ASK WHY? As these unfortunate events happen around the world and in our own lives     I am beginning to understand that even though we want to know why. It is not necessary for us to know. 

THIS ONE IS A HARD ONE.

Many of my writings are about loss and saying goodbye YET AGAIN.

This post is also one of those posts.

In this post I say goodbye to three more people that have been a part of my journey and have added to my life for the time we spent together. 

1st my friend Susie had to say goodbye to her husband Mike.  Mike and Susie hosted me while I was on one of my many cross country trips. We had the opportunity to break bread and share a meal together.

Thank you Susie for introducing me to Mike and sharing stories of the beautiful family that you created. I know as you mourn the loss of your partner and begin this new journey that you are now on. You will be comforted by your FRIENDS, FAMILY & FAITH. I wish you PEACE on this new journey. Mike, thank you for hosting me and our sushi meal together.  FUCK CANCER.

REST WELL.

2nd my friend Liz. We were hometown friends and former co-workers. I had not seen you in years. I was saddened to see you were battling a cancer diagnosis.  This year on our birthdays you were on my mind as the realization that you would be celebrating your LAST weighed heavy on my mind. Than to see six weeks later your fight had come to an end. FUCK CANCER. 

FLY FREE my friend. You whenever I thinks of our friendship I smile. I can really use that $20 RIGHT NOW. 

3rd  Joshua, I thought of you on July 4th as I was driving back from Horseshoe Bend. We just missed each other in the Grand Canyon by a day. I am planning a trip to Chicago in the fall and was going to send you a message to ask for recommendation on where to stay and what to do. An hour after thinking of you as I was driving home, I got online to see that you not even 12 hours earlier you were killed in a car accident. 

SO FUCKING SAD. I AM SO SORRY.  It was so nice seeing all of the photos from your trip. YOU LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE IN A REALLY GOOD PLACE AND HAPPY.  31 YEARS OLD AND YOU ARE GONE. 

WHY???????????????????????????????????

Sometime we just need to TRUST that there is a reason for EVERYTHING. 

Does not make it any EASIER. 

I do know that my lessons are not completed yet. 

So understanding that, I try to face each new day that I am gifted and ACCEPT WHATEVER I AM PRESENTED WITH. 

While I am still hear NAVIGATING, I know there will be much more LOSS & many more CHALLENGES. 

I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE A PART OF  LIFE. 

I MOVE FORWARD WITH GRATITUDE & WONDER FOR WHATEVER IS NEXT. 

THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE AN APPEARANCE IN MY LIFE. 

#WHERE IS JOE

#THE JOURNEY CONTINUES.

THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG US. JUST LOOK FOR THE SIGNS.

WHAT IS PRIDE?

 WHAT IS PRIDE?

PERSONAL RIGHTS in DEFENSE and EDUCATION.

June is always the beginning of the PRIDE SEASON.  

3 Presidents have officially declared the month of June as PRIDE MONTH.

Back in 1999 & 2000 President Bill Clinton first declared the month of June as the month. Following suit from 2009-2016 President Barak Obama also recognized US.  Now thankfully with our new President Joe Biden also has given us RECOGNITION.

PRETTY INSANE THAT IT HAS ONLY BEEN THE PAST 21 YEARS. It has been decades that we have been marginalized by the ESTABLISHMENT. 

The Pride organization was formed in Los Angeles California in 1966 by Steve Ginsburg. 

1966 is the year that I was born. 

Pride month occurs in the United Stated to commemorate the STONEWALL RIOTS which occured in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969-July 3, 1969

The riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the GAY Community in response to a police raid that morning at THE STONEWELL INN in the Greenwich Village of Manhattan in NEW YORK CITY.

As a result, many PRIDE EVENTS are held during the month of June to recognize the impact the people in the community has had on the WORLD.

For over 50 years pride has been a CHAMPION of EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION.

Grateful to be a part of this BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY filled with as many colors of THE RAINBOW & BEYOND.

Many of us, our roads were not EASY. Many very DIFFICULT for any number of reasons. 

FEAR, FAMILY, SELF ACCEPTANCE, PERSECUTION, IGNORANCE & HATE.

My own journey is still PLAYING OUT. It has been a long one for sure. 

At 55 years of age, I knew in order for me to SURVIVE, like most I needed to head to a big city and find my tribe. I do not think that my story is UNIQUE. I actually think it is quite COMMON. 

I personally am not a fan of LABELS. 

I am just JOE. I don't feel the need to introduce myself as Joe a GAY MAN. 

Yes being a gay man is a part of who I am. I do not define myself by being Gay and I don't have interest in other people defining me in any way actually. 

The beauty of us as HUMANS..........WE ARE MANY THINGS. 

I feel like being labeled is more for others to make them COMFORTABLE or UNCOMFORTABLE. 

I do understand the importance of being a part of a MOVEMENT. 

I am so GRATEFUL to know and be in a community who has fought so hard to just be who we are and to LOVE. 

The compassionate, accepting and loving people that I have know through the years in the community or those who are EVOLVED enough to be LOVING ALLIES IS NOTHING SHORT OF AWESOME.

There are many that have only journeyed with me for a bit, THANK YOU. 

There are those who are still journeying with me STILL. THANK YOU. 

It is important for each and everyone of us to find our tribe. I am grateful for all those who have come before me and have made my journey a bit easier. THANK YOU. 

Your sacrifices were not in vane. I hope one day any marginalized community that is fighting for BASIC RIGHTS IS A THING OF THE PAST. 

This post is in MEMORY OF THE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB MASSACRE THAT ROBBED 49 FAMILIES OF THEIR LOVED ONES DUE TO IGNORANCE & HATE WHICH HAPPENED ON JUNE 12, 2016.

WE HAVE FOUGHT LIKE HELL AND WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO ERADICATE THE HATE WE FACE AS A COMMUNITY. 

LOVE WILL WIN. 

LOVE IS LOVE. 

I THINK ANYONE WHO FINDS SOMEONE TO LOVE AND BE LOVED BY IS THE ULTIMATE GIFT IN LIFE PERIOD. 

NO ONE SHOULD BE DENIED THIS HUMAN BASIC RIGHT. 

LIGHT, LOVE & PEACE.

ALSO THINKING OF THE ABBEY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THE MONTH OF LOSING MATT MOSCATO 16 YEARS AGO NOW PRIDE WEEKEND. 

MISS YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE MATT. 

HAPPY PRIDE. 2021

SHOT & READY

SHOT & READY

So it has been an insane almost 15 months, living in this crazy World, birthed through Covid-19. The GLOBAL PANDEMIC we all have been trying to navigate. 

The PANDEMIC has touched every corner of the EARTH. EVERY CORNER OF THE EARTH. No one was spared. It DID/DOES not matter what color you are, how much money you have, where you live or what your beliefs are. 

EVERY ONE OF US WAS & ARE VULNERABLE. 

Many will CONTACT &   RECOVER. Many will have long standing side effects.  Some will be carriers and never get sick. Many will recover FULLY. 

That being said, many were not so lucky. As of today the numbers of deaths both WORLDWIDE and here in the UNITED STATES are as follows. 

WORLDWIDE                     3,342,529

UNITED STATES                    582,140

THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS. THESE ARE LIVES LOST.  TRAGIC.

It has been documented that our brothers and sister of color have been disproportionately affected over the white population.   MY QUESTION IS WHY?

I was not going to get the vaccine. I had ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST. I was 100% sure that I was not going to take the vaccine. 

I am the type of person who believes whatever is going to or meant to happen in life is going to happen. Me not wanting to get the vaccine was my choice. 

But after some thought, and the year we just LIVED THROUGH, AND MOURNING THE LOSS THAT THE GLOBE WAS SUFFERING WITH ALL THOSE LOST. 

I decided that getting VACCINATED was THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Like I said I was not fearful for my own well being. My decision was made because so many families have been FOREVER AFFECTED by the tragic loss of their loved ones. 

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE. 

Many families sent their loved ones off to the hospital, NEVER to see them in person again. Having to say their goodbyes through a SKYPE CALL. INSANE. 

How sad and lonely for those dying and scared, not being able to have their loved ones with them as they TRANSITIONED. WHAT A FUCKED YEAR. 

So not only were they not  able to be with them while they died. They als were not able to give them a proper send-off.  My friends mom died and I was invited to attend her services on YOUTUBE. SO CRAZY.  But at the same time GRATEFUL that new ways of honoring our loved ones and saying goodbye were created. 

In the early days, so , so difficult.  Today countries like India are now suffering tremendous loss with close to 4000 people a day dying and having to handle that loss as best as they could I GUESS? There they are doing MASS CREMATIONS. It is all almost too much to handle.

So for those reasons I decided that I would get vaccinated. For the 3,342,529 WORLDWIDE AND COUNTING & the 582,140 in the USA AND COUNTING BEAUTIFUL SOULS WHO NEVER GOT THAT OPTION.

They never got that option because there was no vaccine available. 

SO IN HONOR OF THOSE LOST DECIDED TO GET MINE. 

Not out of FEAR, but out of LOVE & SORROW for all those who WISHED they had a CHOICE & CHANCE and for their loved ones who are now FOREVER without their loved ones and having to learn how to DO LIFE IN THE ABSENCE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

MY HEART HURTS FOR ALL OF YOU. I AM SORRY. 

Hooping that you all will feel your loved ones and receive messages from them that they DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE BUT THEY ARE OK AND WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU. 

I am completely vaccinated and feel really good about my decision to do so.   EVERYONE OF US MUST DO LIFE THE WAY IT WORKS BEST. 

I AM READY TO RESUME LIFE IN WHATEVER FORM IT IS GOING TO TAKE ON. 

SPRING IS A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS. THAT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS FOR ALL OF US. ESPECIALLY AFTER THE YEAR THAT WE ALL HAD. 

WISHING EVERYONE JOY ON THE JOURNEY. FOR MANY THE JOY MAY BE DELAYED DUE TO LOSS AND SUFFERING. SENDING LOVE TO ALL.

REMEMBER THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT........THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT IS USUALLY AFTER THE DARKNESS. 

PEACE AND LOVE.

 

5 DAYS TILL 55

 5 DAYS TILL 55. 

WOW. HOW THE HELL ARE WE HERE SO FAST.

It is so hard to believe that I am days away from being 55 YEARS OLD. 

Time goes REALLY, REALLY FAST.

It is INSANE. 

Lesson. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

We get to decide for OURSELVES. Live life UNAPOLOGETICALLY. BE KIND. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE JOURNEY. 

What I have learned in 55 years is that we are only here for a short amount of time in the BIG PICTURE. 

Living Life any other way than what your heart desires is a TRAGEDY.

For me the only way I have been able to do life is on MY OWN TERMS for the most part. 

We must find a way to be PASSIONATE about the LIVES WE ARE LIVING.

For years I have said the more time Joe(ME) has for Joe, the HAPPIER JOE IS AND EVERYONE ELSE AS WELL.

I was a person who never wanted initials or a title after my name. I just never wanted the RESPONSIBILITY to have to look after anyone other than MYSELF. 

I wanted to create a life that I can DO WHAT I WANTED TO DO. WHEN I WANTED TO DO IT.

My journey like most of us has been filled with obstacles, challenges  and sacrifices. IT IS PART OF LIFE. 

There have been times, years for that matter that due to bad choices that I have made the journey and struggles may have more difficult than they needed to be. PERHAPS? 

But I also believe whatever OBSTACLES or CHALLENGES we go through were meant for us as LESSONS to make us the COMPLEX, IMPERFECTLY, PERFECT WORKS OF PROGRESS THAT WE ARE. 

We must EMBRACE IT ALL.

In my time here on this journey, I have had the good fortune of realizing at a very young age due to all of the loss of life that I was witness to and BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE. 

I knew that we can always make money during our time here. The one thing that is truly PRECIOUS is the TIME we will be here. 

WE OWN IT TO OURSELVES TO CREATE A LIFE THAT WE WANT TO LIVE THAT FILLS OUR SOULS. 

Not only that. But to be of SERVICE and BE PRESENT and to lift others UP. 

WE ALSO NEED TO BE WILLING TO ALWAYS BE LEARNING & OPENING OUR HEARST AND MINDS to things and people who are different that US. 

BY DOING THIS OUR LIVES WILL BE ENRICHED TO A LEVEL YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE WITH AN OPEN HEART.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY JOURNEY. ALL OF IT. 

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO HAS JOURNEYED WITH ME. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT WAS FOR A MINUTE OR FOR MY WHOLE JOURNEY SO FAR. 

I WISH YOU ALL JOY, HAPPINESS, LOVE, HEALTH & ABUNDANCE.

This year was one for the books. It was probably one of my more difficult ones thus far. 

NO SURPRISE. I am sure many would say the same thing. But it did give us the time weather we were conscience or not the time to go inside and reflect, contemplate how we would like to move forward as we enter this new normal we collectively would like to live. 

JUST LIVE. LIVE LIFE NOW. 

FIND WHATEVER GROUNDS YOU AND GO FOR THE LIFE YOU WANT. 

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

 

5 DAYS OF THERAPY

 5 DAYS OF THERAPY.

So I just wrapped a five day road trip. 2487MILES. 

I drove from New York to Kanab Utah.

Beautiful Drive. Long Drive. 

New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,Missouri,Kansas,Colorado, NewMexico, Arizona and finally Utah.

This added to all of my travels last year totals TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND MILES & 40 STATES.

To say I am tired is an understatement. 

What I come to realize is I am happiest when I am out on the road. It is the adventures and exploring which REFUELS ME.

While I am out on the road , I am inspired to take inventory of the world around me.

This trip did not disappoint. I have driven across the country so many times. Each and every time I am filled with GRATITUDE that I was one who knew how important getting out of your comfort zone and opening myself up to experience life outside of where I was and what I was taught.

I just posted a Youtube video which if interested you can find posted on my channel. The channel is Where is Joe?

It was my first trip back to NYC  since before Covid.

It was SHOCKING to see how QUIET & EMPTY the city was.  Saying that there still an AMAZING ENERGY in the city that not even a GLOBAL PANDEMIC can take away.  The city is MAGICAL.

I was saying how interesting it is when I have travelled to the city with people ho have not been there. 

People either LOVE or HATE what NYC IS. 

They get to the city and all of a sudden are surrounded by people who do not look like them or sound and speak like them. THEY BECOME FEARFUL. 

I find that reaction to be ODD. But I understand as these peoples lives are limited by the boundaries  they impose or society imposes on them.

One of the gifts traveling gives to people is they live beyond the boundaries due to their curiosity on new and different and willing to have experience and open our minds to WHAT IS. NOT WHAT WAS. 

The country right now is a day away from a verdict in the GEORGE FLOYD case.  The city and country is bracing for what could happen if the police officer is found INNOCENT. 

HE IS NOT INNOCENT. WE WATCHED HIM MURDER GEORGE FLOYD ON TV.

Since George Floyd there have been countless black men SENSELESSLY MURDERED by COPS which seem to have a CHIP ON THEIR SHOULDERS AND BIASED. These cops probably should have never been able to wear a badge.

The latest of DAUNTE WRIGHT a 20 years old stopped for having air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME. 

We are a year into a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. EVERYONE HAS MASKS HANGING FROM THEIR MIRRORS. WTF.

The department is saying the cops mistook her gun for a taser. REALLY?  This is a 26 year police veteran. 

I call BULLSHIT. This all needs to STOP.  It is beyond the realm of my comprehension the OUTWARD HATE TOWARD THE BLACK MAN. SIMPLY BECAUSE THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN. 

It makes me HEARTSICK. HOPING FOR CHANGE.

This world is filled with so much HATE. But saying that I do believe there are more LOVING PEOPLE. I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT LOVE WILL EVENTUALLY WIN.

RIP DAUTE WRIGHT 

I AM SO SORRY YOUR LIFE WAS SENSELESSLY CUT SHORT. YOUR LIFE WILL NOT HAVE BEEN LOST IN VAIN. 

MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO LOVED AND ARE MISSING YOU. 

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS. 

REST STOP........TIME TO REFUEL.

REST STOP..........TIME TO REFUEL.

So it is now 365 + Days since the World was changed FOREVER.

FOR EVERYONE.

As you all may know. During the pandemic, I have been on the road the WHOLE TIME. 

33 STATES 20,000 + MILES

CRAZY. I AM EXHAUSTED ON EVERY LEVEL.

I did have a number of REST STOPS in a few places.

Patterson, California

Frisco, Colorado

St.Pete Beach, Florida

Charleston, South Carolina

Atlanta, Georgia

These  few places I actually spent sometime in thinking ok maybe this is the place I will just grab an apartment and try to set some roots. 

The problem right now while still in the pandemic, it is very difficult to imagine what it would be like to really  live in these places. 

Atlanta is on the short list  for the simple reason I have friends who live there, as well as the industry being in normal times a bustling industry. 

I just thought if I want to get back into acting it might be a good fit. It is a smaller market with many more opportunities from when I was in LA pursuing my career. So stay tuned. 

Hopefully 2022 will allow me to set down some roots somewhere. TIME WILL TELL.

Right now I am in the hometown for a REST.

WHAT A YEAR.

AS I SIT HERE LOOKING BACK ON 2020 AND NOW THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2021I AM TRYING TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE. 

As humans we naturally want to compare ourselves to others. DANGEROUS & POINTLESS.

We are all as individuals are and continue to be affected by Covid-19

Our experiences are NOT THE SAME.

Also the type of loss and suffering people have and are going through, runs the gamut from slight inconvenience, to the worse loss imaginable, the death of a loved one lost to this Pandemic.

We are making strides with curving the spread with many people being vaccinated. As of this post the Biden/Harris administration has managed to get 100,000,000 people vaccinated. Pretty impressive. That is close to 33% of the country. THIS IS HUGE.

Being on the road I learned first hand how important taking care of ones mental health is. 

I suffered quite a few bouts of VERY DARK DEPRESSION. IT WAS NO FUN.

THIS YEAR WAS SO TRAUMATIC FOR SO MANY. 

THE WHOLE WORLD. OVER 7 BILLION PEOPLE. All vulnerable to this SLIENT KILLER. 

This past year has taught me to LIVE LIFE NOW. WE JUST DON'T KNOW. 

The numbers as of today.

WORLDWIDE

127 MILLION CASES

2.78 MILLION DEAD

UNITED STATES

30.3 MILLION CASES

549 THOUSAND DEAD

A LOT OF PEOPLE AND FAMILIES SUFFERING.

Hoping we will see brighter days ahead. 

SELF CARE IS A MUST IN THESE CRAZY TIMES. BE KIND TO YOURSELF. 

MUCH LOVE. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT.

THE FINAL GOODBYE & OTHER THOUGHTS

 THE FINAL GOODBYE  & OTHER THOUGHTS.

One day at a time.  

So today is 2.24.21 The Anniversary of my family laying my grandmother at her final resting place for this leg of her journey.  

26 YEARS AGO TODAY.  It does not seem possible. YET IT IS..

LIFE & LOSS is so much a part of what we experience as we all move along our journey.

To my grandmother, I SAY THANK YOU. 

Thank you for your unconditional LOVE. I do not take it for granted. 

The start of the new year has been somewhat rough on all fronts.  Mainly because it has been colored by SO MUCH LOSS. Current and remembrances of loss (PAST) regarding friends and family.

Also the loss of our FREEDOMS. LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. 

For some loss of health, mental well being, loss of jobs/careers.  LOSS OF SELF.

I personally have suffered from all of these.

It has been extremely challenging. But through all of this lessons have been learned. 

For me, one of the lessons is knowing how resilient I am. But also how vulnerable and susceptible to everything I have ben through.

 ALSO WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. CAN'T DO THIS THING CALLED LIFE ALONE.

I always say as humans we can not compare ourselves to others. EASIER SAID THAN DONE. 

Also, everyones pain is their pain, and should not be denied.  It is legitimate and worthy of being addressed. 

I as many of us are dealing with things we have never had to deal with before and figuring out how to process it ALL.

As a global community we have been in a collective state of mourning for a full year now as we have witnessed the tragic loss of over five hundred thousand 500,000 lives lost here in the United States and two and one half million 2. 5 million people Worldwide.  SO MUCH LOSS. SO MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING.  TRAGIC. 

My heart hurts for ALL OF US. 

I personally have been in mourning for years. I feel like I have been in mourning my whole life. 

Mourning for friends, family, loved ones, pets, my youth, my sexuality, lack of career, not having a significant other, now coming to terms and mourning the loss of my younger life and coming to terms with AGING.  It is NO JOKE. 

I say none of this seeking pity. 

This for me as an artist is very therapeutic for me. I have journaled since I was seventeen. I now call myself the almost 55 year old Doggie Howser.

I also feel like we our mourning the loss of respect, morals, humanity, ideals, government, climate. 

WE OUR LOSING SO MUCH. IT IS ALOT. 

I am going to choose to be HOPEFUL AND TRUST THAT LOVE WINS. 

WE ALL MUST KEEP, KEEPING ON. 

I WANT TO SEND LOVE TO EVERYONE. 

I would like to have a bit of a reprieve from anymore loss. PLEASE. 

Caitlin Kelly,  James Allen MacCormack, Mark Hamilton Pottage

Andrew Mejury, Kristoff St John, Luke Perry

and of course my grandmother MADELINE CORINA 

Thoughts are with all who MISS & LOVE you ALL. 

GODSPEED

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!

 OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!! BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.

So the world just witnessed history (HERSTORY) in these crazy times in US HISTORY.

We just had the Inauguration of Joe Biden our oldest President to be sworn in.  

Kamala Harris becomes first female, first black and first Asian-Amercian  Vice President. 

EXCITING TIMES. 

All of this after defeating Donald Trump  back in November and that POS REFUSING TO ACCEPT DEFEAT.

Not only did he refuse to accept REALITY.

He incited an insurrection on the US capitol on Januray 6, 2021.

 Thousands of DOMESTIC TERRORISTS broke into the Capitol. They vandalized the building which also resulted in five people dying. That included the MURDER of a Capitol Hill Police Officer.

Our system is SO BROKEN. I am hoping with the new administration we will began making the REPAIRS that need so desperately to be made.

The fact that DT, HIS FAMILY & DISGUSTING CRIMINAL CRONIES are all not sitting in jail waiting sentencing for TREASON & being ACCESSORIES TO MURDER is something that I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND. 

 He also was still allowed to PARDON 143 MORE CRIMINALS TO BE SET FREE JUST BECAUSE. TOTAL BULLSHIT. HOW? 

WHY was this still allowed after his TREASONOUS ACT ON AMERICA.

There was so much chatter on various WHITE SUPREMACISTS & DOMESTIC TERRORISTS sites of further INSURRECTIONS that DC had to order 25,000 NATIONAL GUARDS to PROTECT US from more attacks and violence from other AMERICANS. 

White Supremacy is on STERIODS since DT has SIDED WITH THEM in his FAKE NEWS CLAIMS. 

These KOOL-AIDE DRINKERS ARE NUTZZZZZZZZZ.

HOW SAD & TRAGIC.

This also resulted in TRUMP being IMPEACHED for the second time. He is now the only president ever IMPEACHED TWICE. Hoping in this one he will CONVICTED and be punished as the CRIMINAL that HE IS.

COVID-19 IS OUT OF CONTROL.

Over 400,000 American Lives lost due to politics and lack of leadership. 401,362 lives to exact as Trump leaves office in COMPLETE DISGRACE

Most of the country has finally been able to BREATHE and feel a sense of PEACE after the reign of terror we all have just lived through.

Yesterday was a day of HOPE,INCLUSION,UNITY,CIVILITY,HUMANITY,COMPASSION,EMPATY & PROMISE to HEAL AMERICA.

The day was BEAUTIFUL,HOPEFUL, EMOTIONAL  & INSPIRING NEW BEGINNING.

Many of us have not been proud under the mad mans watch. It is nice to feel PRIDE again.

The Inauguration and Celebration was so INCLUSIVE. 

At the Inauguration they had Gaga, Jlo, Garth Brooks perform.

One of the highlights was Poet Amanda Gorman  who read her poem "The Hill We Climb."

Here is an excerpt: 

THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT, IF ONLY WE'RE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEE IT. IF ONLY WE ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO BE IT.

BEAUTIFUL PIECE.

The CELEBRATION FOR AMERICA was a Virtual Party for the citizens of America. It was so well produced. It was PERFECTION. 10.5 MILLION VIEWERS.

The line up was ALIST ALL THE WAY.

Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Joh Bon Jovi , Demi, Lovato, John Legend, Tim Mcgraw, Justin Timberlake, Yolanda Adams, Eva Longoria, Katy Perry plus all of the others. 

Also President Clinton, Bush and Obama were all on had to send messages of SUPPORT. 

Was so WELL DONE. 

Was a total show of CLASS.

No Kid Rock, Scott Baio, Antonio Sabbato Jr, Dean Cain or My Pillow Guy.  When You are a Wanna Be Has Been the talent available to you is the same CALIBER. JUST SAYIN.

DT was probably LOSING HIS MIND watching the CELEBRATION. 

It was so nice waking up here today. Everything seem LIKE IT IS ALL GOING TO BE OK.

HOLDING OUT HOPE. SENDING LOVE. 

BE KIND. WEAR YOUR MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS.

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA

CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS. THANK YOU BOTH .

THE LIGHT IS GOING TO SHINE AGAIN.

WHAT A START!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 WHAT A START!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much for the new year starting off on the right foot. 

We are twelve days into what 2021 so far is. 

CAN WE PLEASE GO BACK TO ONE.  

So here we are 2020 in the history books. We were all looking for 2021 being a much better year than 2020.

I still remain HOPEFUL, but OMG we are off to a ROUGH START.

The Pandemic is OUT OF CONTROL. 

 As of today here in the United States  we have 22.7 million cases with 379,000 DEATHS

 INSANE. We are registering over 50,000 cases a day. Just since the beginning of the year. We are talking about 12 DAYS. 

2.5 MILLION CASES  ALMOST 40,000 DEATHS.   

WE ARE FAILING. NOT A GREAT START.

I started the year in Ocean Isle North Carolina. Currently still navigating the uncertainty of this insane time we are living in. 

Oh 2021, WE CAN DO BETTER.

I am holed up at an Extended Stay here in Charleston. Considering making Charleston my base. I THINK.  So difficult making any decision for my life in these times.  I NEED TO TRUST THE PROCESS.

JANUARY 6, 2021

ANOTHER DARK DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

The US CAPITOL was STORMED by PRO TRUMP RIOTERS.

EXTREMIST , US DOMESTIC TERRORIST. ATTACK ON OUR NATION.

ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING.

5 PEOPLE including a Capitol Hill police officer have died. The officer MURDERED ON LIVE TV.

Sickening. DONALD TRUMP is 100% to blame for the division in this country.

WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE DOING IN THIS COUNTRY. 

This man and his DISGUSTING FAMILY need to be held ACCOUNTABLE. 

While the attacks were taking place he and his family were watching and cheering the attackers on.

WHY THESE CRIMINALS ARE NOT IN CUSTODY ALREADY I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND.

Twitter has banned him for LIFE along with many other platforms for inciting violence against the UNITED STATES.

TREASON ANYONE??????????????????

There are threats over the next week in all 50 STATE CAPITOLS. THIS IS NUTS.

WHITE SUPREMACY, DOMESTIC TERRORISTS  are a much bigger problem than any OUTSIDE THREAT.

They were calling to have NANCY PELOSI killed and to hang MIKE PENCE. 

 Also there are ASSASSINATION THREATS TO EXECUTE THE NEW PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VP KAMALA HARRIS.

OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

If this CULT LEADER walks away with NO CONSEQUENCES . 

WE WILL HAVE FAILED.

ALL EYES ARE WATCHING........WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING. EVERYONE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. EVERYONE.

THESE

SUPPORTERS ARE NUTS. UNBELIEVABLE WATCHING THE NEWS NOW. 

CAN NOT BELIEVE I BREATHE THE SAME AIR AS THESE LUNATICS.

HOPING EVERYONE STAYS SAFE. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. 

MUCH LOVE

RIP CAITLIN KELLEY FLY FREE GIRL.

Hoping this is not going to be another year filled with obscene amounts of LOSS.

I PROMISE MY NEXT POSTS WILL BE MORE POSITIVE.  THE LIGHT WILL SHINE AGAIN.

New Beginnings.

 NEW BEGINNINGS.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021.

Today we all begin a new 365 day journey. We all start with A BLANK PAGE.

Many of us breathe a sigh of relief that we managed through surviving SO FAR a GLOBAL PANDEMIC which has devastated SO MANY.

The World has literally SHUT DOWN. EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD VULNERABLE TO THE SILENT KILLER KNOWN AS COVID-19.

MASKS, SANITIZER & SOCIAL DISTANCING. 

These are the TOOLS we are given to try and STAY ALIVE.

INSANE, CRAZY, CHAOTIC & HEARTBREAKING YEAR. SO MUCH LOSS.

I was saying to a friend this Pandemic is like LIFE. We all begin it with different tools in our life skills tool boxes.

Not all of our tool boxes have set. us up for SURVIVAL.

Many of us for any number of reasons begin life in the World UNPREPARED to face the Challenges we will be presented with.

Many of those suffering and lost in 2020 in our first year of dealing with the Pandemic have had underlying health issues. Many as well with limited financial means to survive the current climate.  Many in the wrong pace at the wrong time.

The black and brown communities have been disproportionately affected as well. 

My belief during this time,  I try and conduct and live my life, is that whatever is meant to BE will BE.

One of the lessons that this HUGE LIFE LESSON, has taught me is that we really only have the NOW.

We must be more present in our own lives as well as our loved ones. LIFE IS A GIFT. 

We this year will all be faced with many challenges as we continue to NAVIGATE this Pandemic. 

I am ROOTING FOR EVERYONE

TIME IS BORROWED. 

WE must CREATE & LIVE the LIFE WE WANT TO LIVE. 

JUST DO IT. DO IT NOW.

WE MUST be GRATEFUL for EVERYTHING.

365 DAYS TO WRITE & LIVE YOUR STORY FOR 2021. 

HOW IS IT GOING TO READ?

I am excited about WRITING & LIVING MINE. 

I look forward to those who will be part of this AMAZING STORY CALLED MY LFE. 

Thank you. 

WISHING YOU ALL A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY.