INSPIRATION-WHAT IS ‘IT’?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘Inspiration’ as follows:
noun
:something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create: a force or influence that inspires someone.
: a person, place, experience, etc.; that makes someone want to do or create something.
: a good idea

Full Definition
1a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
b: the act of power of moving the intellect or emotions.
c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.
2: the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs.
3a: the quality or state of being inspired.
b: something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>
4: an inspiring agent or influence.

Recently, I was questioned about my topics for ‘inspiration’. Why would I choose not to write about my children, but write about others I hardly knew? The answer is simple.

Though my twin children Michael and Megan are highly accomplished and have ‘IT’, they have requested that I do not write about them on my Facebook page or my website. They both ‘inspire’ others and ‘make a difference’. Perhaps one day, a different point of view will be exposed.

When anyone asks me to not write about him or her or to them, I have learned to respect their wishes.

After being inspired by my 2015 College Football Pilgrimage, I was looking forward to sharing ‘IT’ with others at the Rubicon. In my book, ‘inspirations’ equals ‘blessing’.

My passion for College Football is only shared by a few others within my circle. When moments are created to share your ‘blessings’, one should embrace and partake in ‘IT’.

While driving to the Rubicon, thoughts floated in my brain. It would have been four weeks since my last visit. That is a month, as with all time, things can change in a month, let alone a second or a minute.

A little more than eighteen months ago, I discovered another passion. At the time, it was called Stoney’s in the Town Center on Las Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas NV. Whatever was created inside this establishment was one of a kind. Because each night brought a mixed cast every time I visited.

Some were regulars, some were part timers, and some were new. When you mixed that, with alcohol and the pounding beats of country music and others, as I once told the GM, this is ‘The Show’.

I watched dancers come together for the first time under the leadership of a DJ to put on ‘The Show’. It is so interesting watching a new cast perform each visit and each new cast gets the same results as the cast before them.

The performances of these ‘Artists’ rival other performances I have witnessed. Most members of the cast are amateur ‘Artists’. I have observed professionals. This cast comes together without rehearsals and performs. ‘Smiles’ are plentiful.

Dances include up to 35 different line-dancin, then there is two steppin, mixed with waltzes, swing dancin, cha- cha dances, free stylin and others that makes me dizzy just thinking about it. That is why I attend, I want to leave ‘dizzy’. I want to observe and analyze this organized chaos as it is choreographed with music.When you add all of this together, I want to leave with more, than what I came in with. Others will leave with less, than they brought. Some will break out even. Either way, everyone has a choice.

I discovered to dress appropriately for the performers will raise the heat. I have experienced that heat. I have been witnessed to the sweat. I have also been exposed to those that have ‘IT’. Just as the other ‘Arts’, one only has to observe and analyze, then ‘IT’ will show.

On my recent Pilgrimage, I have learned to enter only when I am invited. Stay as long as I am welcomed. Depart when the signs indicate. I hold no expectations of others but only to myself.

For me, life is like a game. I play within the rules, following my own personal code of conduct. Unlike the ‘Arts’ there are no winners or losers in this game of life. As humans, we only get results. No more, no less.

Recently, my Massage Therapist and I were discussing relationships. His current relationship is being based on future developments that have yet to occur. I told him that after the death of Nick, that my relationships are based on now, today, a little hope of tomorrow, for in an instant it could change.

That does not mean failure is involved. It means that changes are in the air. How we handle those changes, will define who we are.

While pulling into the parking lot on Thursday October 8, 2015, the lights of the Rubicon did not brighten up the empty parking lot. All the signs indicated that the relationships that I had created within its walls of the Rubicon have been changed. Realizing that another Star Trek adventure may have occurred during my absence, I pointed my personal spaceship in the direction of the Town Square in search of the mothership.

Before I continue, a shift is needed. It is mid-January 2011. I am in Aliquippa, Pa. for my mom’s 90th Birthday Celebration. Since there is no manual in how to deal with a death of a child, I have been walking aimlessly.

Yes, there are self-help books, which I read, and talks I listened. However, I recognized that each on this journey has its own path to take. My path was filled with anti-depressants and counseling. I ended counseling when I noticed my listening exceeded my talking.

Wanting to enjoy the fruits of my labor, I exited from the CCSD June of 2008. With plenty of idle time, TV news, educational series, plus other TV shows, including sports occupied my brain.

It was during this time, I immersed myself into the mythology, teachings, and beliefs of Ancient Greece and the Roman Gods. Mix it with “Ancient Aliens’, add in the Egyptians and the Oriental teachings your brain can stir a mean concoction.

The identity and role of ‘IT’ became my focal point as I journeyed. Everyone has ‘IT’, but why do some have more of ‘IT’ than others. As I studied and engaged with ‘IT’, the more of ‘IT’ I sought.

It was now over three years since the physical passing of our son, brother and friend Nick Feher. The anti-depressants were still a daily companion. After extensive research and trial and error, my choice was bupropion hydrochloride better known as Wellbutrin SR.

The fear of not taking an anti-depressant kept me attached to them. Wellbutrin acted more like an upper to my brain. It created the illusion that I sought. To counter the effects of the Wellbutrin, a small dose of alcohol was consumed nightly.My current thoughts on anti-depressants: For short-term use (year?)-beautiful. Longer than that, life is a masquerade. As I laid on the bed in the ‘Beatles Room’ at John’s and Kathy’s place, contemplating my life, an ‘Epiphany’ occurred.

It was two parts, but they were attached. One ‘inspired’ me to transition from the Nick Feher Memorial Scholarship Fund to The Nick Feher “TAKE 5” Foundation. (For more info go to our Facebook page).

Two; Follow the advice/wisdom of Richard Ross, a personal friend/mentor of Nick. He encouraged me after the 2010 Henderson Little League Junior All-Star Celebration at Nick’ house, to make the event bigger for more impact.

Messengers and angels come in all sizes, colors, genders, forms, etc… Over time I have come to recognize and when possible to thank them for their ‘inspiration’.

My 2011 College Football Pilgrimage was in the infancy stage. As ‘Across the Universe’ played in the ‘Beatles Room’, other thoughts of past dreams flashed inside of my brain.Where do I start? How about, ‘IT’ started when I was 12. Growing up in West Aliquippa, a section of Aliquippa, Pa., I was chosen as newspaper boy of the month. A picture of me was placed in the local paper.

The question was asked, “What do you want to do when you grow-up”? My reply was; “I want to attend college on a football scholarship and be a teacher”. Five years later, I was honored by being selected as one of the top 33 high school football players in the state of Pennsylvania.Quite an achievement when you consider there are tens of thousands of high school football players in the state and my team’s overall record was 2-7. I did a scoop and a 50-yard score for the winning TD in the first victory.

I played football on a scholarship and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. Along the way, I traveled throughout the country, playing as a ‘Gladiator’ in Meccas across our country. According to others, I played in the “Greatest College Football Game at Pitt Stadium.”

That record will be taken to my grave with me, because Pitt Stadium was torn down. Age 22, upon graduation, I decided that one day I would relocate out west. Age 24, I turned down 2 teaching/coaching jobs in the local area, and moved to Las Vegas to pursue my dreams, even though I had no job there.

As I drifted with the music of the Beatles, I thought about my time out West. I have been PLAYIN MY DREAMS, ranging from fantasies to occasional nightmares.In order for one to PLAYIN YOUR DREAMS, one has to do the work first. This is main stumbling block that prevents most from PLAYIN THEIR DREAMS. They see it as too hard. They look for the easy way and end up just LIVIN.

After my session ended in the ‘Healin Beatles Room’, I was over taken with a new passion, a new dream. I was ‘inspired’. I had a new hope and something to look forward to. Along the way, others would always remind me of our other two children. My response was always a ‘smile’, and a nod.

A glimpse of life had entered my body, only to later discover the quote, “The day you stop looking forward to something is the day, you will start dying”.

Upon my return to Henderson, NV, in February 2011 plans were put into motion for the new dreams. Other dreams developed. My very good friend Greg and his partner Rachel invited me to the Final 4 during April 2011 in Houston, Texas. (More on this Dream in a future post).

The rest of 2011 unfolded accordingly. An invitation from my spouse was given to me during the summer. It was a verbal invitation and I would have a few weeks to think about my decision.

Initially, I was caught off guard. When the time arrived to give my response, with the anti-depressants acting as a mask, fear affected my decision. I said, “No, let’s see if we can work it out”. My spouse had the courage to suggest a separation.

It was during my 2011 Pilgrimage that I ended my relationship with the anti-depressants. Following the advice of James Taylor, instead of ‘Carolina in my Mind’, when needed, I would switch to pleasant thoughts.

2012 brought more of ‘IT’. As a theory, according to the Greeks, Zeus and the other gods and goddesses walked freely among man. Zeus supposedly had a ‘thang’ for beautiful earth women.Being the ‘dog’ or god Zeus was, he enjoyed and shared with these earth beauties. He implanted his seed to propagate the earth, as did the other gods. Since Zeus and the gods had ‘IT’, in theory ‘IT’ could have been passed through the gene pool to this very day.

My TV viewing changed. Whatever that I felt was polluting my brain, was no longer on the menu. Sports became my focal point. I wanted to discover who had ‘IT’, and who had more of ‘IT’ that day.

Since Nick had passed, morning daily spiritual readings of 15 minutes had become the norm. My good friend Greg introduced me to Marcus Aurelius. I added him to the menu with ‘The Secret of the Ages’ by Robert Collier and Wayne W. Dyer ‘Wisdom of the Ages’ 60 days to Enlightenment.

It was during that time, that I received a ‘blessing’. The ‘blessing’ told me that I should share what I have learned on my journey. Marcus Aurelius said it is the obstacles and how we overcome them that define who we are. Without life’s obstacles, we would die of boredom.

I learned from others, that ‘Humans do not fail. Human’s only get results’. Prior to this awakening, I had been bombarded about successes and failures, winners and losers, and everything in between. I discovered there is no such thing, except in the ‘Arts’.

The only thing we have control over is what goes on inside of our heads. We have no control over outside forces, but only how we react to them. With ‘Carolina in my Mind’ playing on a regular basis in my brain, ‘IT’ showed me that I was in a relationship that was not producing the results I wanted.

As I am sitting in my truck in the parking lot of the Town Square at the newly re-opened Stoney’s, I noticed LT by his hat manning the front entrance. I wondered how many others of the Rubicon Crew had been transported.

My initial impression was not many. This Star Trek original experience was put into motion following the closing of the Bull the week of June 7, 2015. With Cliff H as the Captain of the now disabled Bull, counter measures were called for.Cliff’s dream was to Star Trek the entire crew/staff plus patrons, current and new, to a new location within a week. This new location was the Rubicon, which was Stoney’s original location. The following is from my Facebook page dated, 6/25/15:

“In my last post, I explained the demise of The Bull. After that, I received a message from C/L through our Facebook page. It told a tale of a reunion of the LV Bull employees.

C/L asked, if I wanted to be put on the guest list. I felt honored. To have your name written down on a guest list is an honor. If not so, all would be invited.

My returned message said count me in and where is this gathering taking place. C/L messaged ‘The Rubicon’. Though, I had not ever been, The Original Stoney’s, was now The Rubicon. In my brain, I am trying to connect the dots as I drive to The Rubicon.

The Rubicon on their website posted the return of ‘Our Country Friends” on Thursdays. As the dots were being connected, big, bright spotlights lit up the sky near the entry of The Rubicon. A beacon of light was showing the way.

With the music vibrating outside the doors, you can almost hear the ‘spirits’ of ‘Our Country Friends’ chanting; “We rise as the Phoenix. Forces tell us to move back to our original roots. We have come home”.

Ryan, LT, and I shared a moment. I told them how honored I was to be put on their ‘guest list’. If memory serves me correct, I am no longer a virgin.

I smelled food, cooking on the outdoor patio. I said to Ryan, the next time, I will bring my appetite. He stamped my hand, and off I went inside.

After a brief discussion with my coffee buddy, I entered The Rubicon. A wall was on my right. I was observing to my opened left, the layout. As I am about to enter into the main bar area, the low lighting affected my vision.

Just as I look straight, the Exotic Dancer runs towards me with a big ‘smile’, greets me with an embrace, that one would share with an ‘olde faithful friend’, and says something like; it is good to see you, and I am happy that you made it.

That welcoming convinced me that I must be, where I am supposed to be. Places where you are not wanted do not welcome you like that. I had a small token for DJ Montana that I delivered and thanked him.

I spotted my favorite bartender, Lacie, across the way. Sporting a new look, as she handed me a water, we discussed the previous weeks. I said if anyone in here knows about handling adversities, I encourage them to line up behind you. You could sure lead by your example.

Her ‘smile’ got bigger and shined on the entire area. I was blest. To be in this woman’s shoes and the shoes of all the former Bull’s employee are shoes walked by many. Forces have come together to reclaim at least one lost paycheck.

Rumors of a friendly takeover for Saturday nights are in talks. That would increase earnings to two thirds of earnings lost.

“TAKE 5” GIVES GM CLIFF HILL A ONE-MAN’S STANDING OVATION. When I connected the dots, GM Cliff was hit with adversity, while his body and brain were still recovering from needed surgery. You show up to work one day, and your keys no longer work. The services of you and your staff are no longer needed.

GM Cliff had a problem. A solution for himself and his crew was needed. His vision or dream was to keep his team on life support, until other solutions could be applied to get the results he sought for him and his team.

His past results were in his favor. He knew his crew. He knew ‘His Country Friends”. The only thing needed was a building. Enter the Rubicon. Though the Rubicon tried to compete with the Bull on Thursdays, it shuttered its doors. GM Cliff saw an opportunity. It would be like coming back home.

This was his and his staff ‘olde place’. The Rubicon was opening their arms up and saying, “Welcome back, my olde and faithful friends”. We have been preparing for your return.

RETURN THEY DID. On Thursday 6/18/15, I witnessed the ‘Rising of the Phoenix’ in 12 days. I have seen businesses move voluntarily to a new location. I have seen businesses close and not ever reopen. What I witnessed on 6/18/15 was a “Historical Event”. I saw the symmetry of a ‘Tailor Made Double Play’.

While greeting C/L, I thanked her for putting me on the ‘Guest List’. She told me to listen to the sound of the boots as they struck the floor. Her keen observation skills indicated unlike the Bull’s floor, this floor talked.

I do not know if it was the extra energy of the ‘Grand Re-Opening’, but this wooden dance floor spoke a language of its own. I sensed that it was making a statement.

C/L and I discussed that maybe the ‘vortex’ has moved here. I told her and others that night, that I felt as though I was in a ‘Star Trek’ adventure. If I did not know any better, I was transported by some machine and place in a new setting, but with most of the same cast, sprinkled with some new members.

This Opening Night brought a renewed energy for this cast of performers. Big time events create an atmosphere of its own. This had one.

With the pulsating sounds of the Country Beat, being orchestrated by DJ Montana, this ‘Opening Night’ Cast came together, unrehearsed and put on “The Show”.

Welcome back ‘Dizziness’. The ‘Heat’ being generated in the Rubicon far exceeded the ‘heat’ in the Bull. More trips will be needed to seek out the hidden treasures.

Memories of hot August Nights filled my brain as the perspiration of the cast sprinkled the area. When you add in the ‘smiles’ of Our Country Friends it was more than one Grand Reopening Night. It was a “Historical Moment”.

To top off the ‘Opening Night’ of new traditions, the Exotic Dancer entered the ‘The Hot Body’ contest. Later that night, I congratulated the Exotic Dancer on her victory.

I said to her; You have set the ‘new standards’ for all future contestants to surpass or follow. Your virgin championship will be etched in the history of the New Rubicon. She ‘smiled’ and embraced me like an olde faithful friend.

Cliff told me during the night, that it felt like ‘Homecoming’. I overheard a patron outside the door say; it is like Déjà vu. All I can say, whatever IT is, thank you. Thank you for the ‘dizziness’.”

As the line formed outside the New Stoney’s, I continued to sit in my truck and reminisce. Not only was I trying to make some sense of what happened during the past few months, but thoughts of my previous encounters with ‘IT’ replayed in my brain.

I sought and was granted a separation from the mother of my children during the fall of 2012. My College Football Pilgrimage that season consisted of one stadium. It was the Horseshoe at Ohio State.

Because of circumstances, I was not able to do my Friday Ritual or my normal visit the campsites Saturday. This trip was planned months ago with my in-laws. My father in-law Joe is in the middle, next to his son Joe. Our time was limited to Saturday. Another Mecca would be checked off.

This Pilgrimage, however, included a side trip to New York City after the Ohio State game with George my stepfather in-law. His niece was opening her MiMA 102nd floor apartment for us. She was leaving town for business.

Though I had lived on the East coast, I had not ever visited New York City. While describing what I was to be exposed to during our drive, George enhanced my expectations.

New York City was recovering from Hurricane Sandy the previous week. Flooding occurred in the lower parts with clean-up on going. How much was affected, it was unknown.

I discovered that his words only scratched the surface. My exposure was as though I was PLAYIN MY DREAMS. Next are  views of ‘Inspiration’ that started my day.The energy that was created in NYC opened me up to experience more of ‘IT’.

Here is a picture of my childhood friend. His name is Ralph Lalama (white shirt). He too is from West Aliquippa, PA. Ralph has ‘IT’. Being from the same bloodlines as Henry Mancini and others, Ralph discovered during his youth that he had ‘IT’.‘IT’ started with the clarinet but transgressed to the saxophone. Right after college was the last time that I heard him blow his horn. He caressed that sax and exchanged ‘inspiration’ with ‘IT’, which created sounds that raised my goose-flesh.

I was given his phone number by mutual friends from Aliquippa. They told me to contact Ralph during my visit to NYC. Upon calling Ralph, he was pleasantly surprised. He invited the two Georges to his set at The Village Vanguard that Monday night.

Ralph’ Story (from his website)

What they’re saying about ralph lalama
“Saxophonist Ralph Lalama and his quartet deliver the electricity that will turn you on and keep you charged up till the end.”-Edward Blanco, ejazznews

“Lalama is cut from a similar mold as [Sonny] Rollins: robust tone; strong beat; melodic inventiveness on jazz and popular standards; all suspended on a harmonic tightrope.”-Tom Reney, WFCR FM

“Lalama is a grand, modern-minded storyteller… a first-class jazz soloist.” -Zan Stewart, DownBeat

About Ralph Lalama
A solid fixture of the New York jazz scene and respected world-wide, Ralph Lalama embodies the best of the jazz sound ideal – great time, great swing, expressed through great melodic ideas. Everything he says and plays comes out of his deep connection and appreciation for “the Beat.” Jazz critic Zan Stewart put it succinctly: “Lalama is a grand, modern-minded storyteller…a first-class jazz soloist.” He excels in a chord-less trio format with his amazing command of the harmonic progressions articulated through his horn.

But on top of being a great jazz soloist, Lalama is equally a solid veteran of jazz ensembles and orchestras. Over his impressive career starting with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, and the Mel Lewis Orchestra – now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra – he has honed the craft of sonic blending.

Lalama is a three-time Grammy winner through his work in the Joe Lovano Nonet and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He has nine CDs out as a leader and is on more than sixty recordings as a sideman. He has received praise from the likes of critics Gary Giddins, Stanley Crouch, Ben Ratliff, Ira Gitler and Stuart Troup, among others. His latest release as a leader is the 2012 “Bop Juice: Ralph Lalama Trio, Live at Smalls.”

Ralph Lalama’s playing reveals an enormous depth of musical heart and knowledge. With his muscular, free-wheeling sound and masterful ability to tell a story through his horn, one understands why he so thoroughly connects with musicians, students and listeners alike.

Equipment: Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone; Buffet Crampon Clarinet; Altus Flute.

Education
Ralph Lalama – Educator
Adjunct Professor at New York University (info)
Adjunct Professor at SUNY Purchase (info)

A graduate of the Dana School of Music of Youngstown State University (OH), Ralph Lalama was discovered there during a visit by the legendary Thad Jones. The renowned trumpeter/composer/arranger encouraged him to come to New York and hired him for his first gigs there. Since that time, Lalama has reached a dignified status as a widely respected master of the tenor.

Teaching Philosophy:
My philosophy is to make the learning experience for my students a meaningful one, by providing a real-world environment for his or her personal, artistic and educational growth. First, you must extrude from your individual talent everything you can — through constant practice and growing your listening skills — in order to propel yourself to the next level.

There is a considered demand for accountability in my teaching, be it private or ensemble, which not only will produce maturity in your playing but serves to raise your awareness and appreciation of what it means to be a contributor to the greater musical community.

This is absolutely necessary if anyone hopes to succeed as an artist and/or professional. I expect no less of myself than I do my students, and this includes continually setting goals for improvement and artistic growth. There are real tools for accomplishing these aims that I employ every day and have successfully shared with my students.

The positive results are tangible in the quantum leaps they make as individuals and as members of an ensemble. My passion and respect for this music is fueled in part by my enthusiasm and commitment to share it with students who are as serious about learning as I am.

Teaching Impact:
Lalama’s impact as a jazz educator is made evident by the evolution and success of his many students through his decades-long association with two prestigious jazz programs, at New York University for twenty-five years and at State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase for over a decade.

His private studies and his “High Standard” ensembles have nurtured and produced musicians who have gone on to become professional musicians and educators.

He has been an effective teacher at the high school level, as well. One of his students received two consecutive National DownBeat Awards for Best High School Jazz Soloist. He received recognition from the fraternity of music education when he was featured in a cover article in the national publication, Saxophone Journal.”

For those of you unfamiliar with The Village Vanguard, it could be placed on the same polarity plane as The Grand Olde Opry. The entrance and size is quite different. Historically, they are about the same. Taken from their website it reads:

THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
Of New York’s great jazz rooms, the Village Vanguard has the edge in terms of historical pedigree, sound, unique physical space, and ever-broadening booking policy, representing jazz across many generations and aesthetic viewpoints.

The calendar is something: radical offerings from Henry Threadgill and John Zorn alongside great and underrated pianists George Cables, Kirk Lightsey, and Harold Mabern; young bandleaders of note such as Fabian Almazan and Rudy Royston next to established masters Fred Hersch, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, and Dave Douglas.

The Vanguard Opened in 1935 under Max Gordon, who ran it until his death in 1989. (The 80th anniversary is soon upon us, with 91-year old Lorraine Gordon, Max’s Widow, still at the helm.) Classic Live at the Village Vanguard albums abound – suffice it to say that examples by John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Bill Evans leap to mind.

Now bands play for six nights straight, which means they’re allowed to grow and evolve. There’s a beauty in seeing saxophonist Ravi Coltrane invent and push ahead with his extraordinary quartet on the same bandstand where his father brought enduring glory to the Vanguard name back in ’61.- The Village Voice, October 2014

As I walked down the stairs, it was though I was entering someone’s basement. Then you see the posters.After more moments, I walked over to the walls and place my ear on it, thinking about all the notes and sounds that these walls have absorbed over the years.

As with other Meccas, I touched the walls with my hands and rubbed my elbows on it. I paid homage to the ‘greats’ and ‘commoners’ who played on the stage. I momentarily leaned against the walls.

For me Jazz is similar to Baseball. Both have an organized beginning and ending. Once that first pitch is tossed, only the participants know the flow. We as spectators get to partake with the flow.

The sounds of Baseball reflect the sound of Jazz. The gloves pop, the bat strikes, calls are heard with clapping, chants and cheers with an unsteady rhythm that makes the sounds of the game.

With no time limit, the game gets to be played at its own pace and rhythm. As I listened to Ralph, blow his horn, the ‘energy’ in the place rose. Not only were the patrons engrossed, but so too his band members, as in paying their respect.Goose-flesh appeared on my skin as ‘IT’ did years ago. I never told Ralph about that story, but it needed to be shared. In between sets, I shared my story with Ralph. He humbly thanked me.

Here I am standing in front of ‘IT’. The little I knew about the arrangement of an orchestra informed me that Ralph was the #1 Jazz Saxophonist in NYC. As I soaked in what he had to offer, while others sang his praises and wanted photo ops, I finally got the chance to ask him.

“How do they know”? I asked. He replied, “They just know”. I responded with another question, “Is there a voting process”? As he put his arm around me, he leaned towards my ear and said’ “They just know”.

Ralph gave a ‘blessing’ to me. The dots started to connect. Buddha’s words of wisdom were revealed to me. Wayne W. Dyer writes the following on Buddha:

KNOWING

Do not believe what you have heard.
Do not believe in tradition because it is handed down many generations.
Do not believe in anything that has been spoken of many times.
Do not believe because the written statements come from some old sage.
Do not believe in conjecture.
Do not believe in authority or teachers or elders.
But after careful observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and it will benefit one and all, then accept it and live by it.

Dyer writes, “He says when it agrees with reason-that is, when you know it to be true based on your own observation and experience-and it is beneficial to one and all, then and only then, live by it”.

Further, Dyer writes: He, (Buddha) does not speak of rejection, only being grown-up and mature enough to make up your own mind by your knowing, rather than through the experiences and testimony of others”.Other ‘blessings’ were bestowed on me by NYC. Others may or may not agree with me, but I think a visit by a nor’easter during one’s initial visit is a ‘blessing’.

My friend George. How many can say they rode the top of a sight seeing bus during a nor’easter. People acknowledged us as celebrities. More ‘blessings’. As we were heading out of the city, I told George that NYC should be declared a National Park. Unlike the solitude, splendor, and natural beauty of our national parks, what NYC offers is the other side of the same Polarity Plane. Before we went our separate ways, I gave George a hug and thanked him for the ‘blessings’, informing him to pass ‘IT’ on to his niece.

Things that I learned on my 2012 Pilgrimage were many. Moments are nothing more a time shared with others. Life is a series of moments tied together. The more connections shared, these moments could turn into an event.

I subscribe to the philosophy of Ralph Lalama: “First, you must extrude from your individual talent everything you can — through constant practice and growing your listening skills — in order to propel yourself to the next level.

I expect no less of myself than I do my students, and this includes continually setting goals for improvement and artistic growth.”

After being exposed to such beauty and ‘inspiration’, I agreed with Plato

I also learned that when the moment arrives, think of ‘IT’ as Jazz or a Baseball Game. Let ‘IT’ unfold in front of you as you enjoy the rhythmic pulse. Employ as many senses permitted to capture ‘ITS’ benefits.

Always remember to leave benefits behind and share with others the ‘blessings’ that were given to you.

While sipping on my coffee in my truck, thoughts swirled around in my brain, of what awaits me inside of Stoney’s.

C/L once spoke to me, when the Rubicon reopened. She explained her theory on the ‘Alpha Female Dog’. I was intrigued with that theory. I could add ‘IT’ to my observation and analysis list.

I renamed ‘IT’ the ‘Alpha Female Cat’. As I observed ‘IT’ in the Rubicon, I noticed many similarities and traits from past experiences with this creature.

‘Knowing’ what I now ‘Know’, I am better equipped to seek out this creature to exchange possible benefits.

My thoughts turned to Dgirl (the Hostess), Rachel (the Gilley Girl), Jennifer (the Bartender), The Angel and others. They possessed ‘IT’. Who will have ‘IT’ tonight inside of Stoney’s.

This next photo is of a man and a woman that has ‘IT’.He is a World Champion. I met him and his wife inside of Stoney’s.

To find out more about him, bookmark us and tell your friends to tune in to next Friday’s Fixins with Fox-Feather.

Questions remained unanswered. Does the ‘Alpha Female Cat’ exist? How large is her territory? Until our paths cross again.

I leave you with the sounds of Jazz by Ralph Lalama